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Through Another Day

Written by: Shadow

Chapter 5

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Sakura awoke with the same feeling as the previous night, except this time, she felt as though she had landed on her head.

"Ow!" she exclaimed as she sat up, rubbing her head even though she was well aware that she didn't move from her bed at all. It was magic…which could only mean…

"Sakura!" a muffled yell called from her school bag. Sakura let out a gasp of surprise at the call, realizing she had left poor Kero and Sora stuffed between her history and math books.

She rushed to her bag, and opened the book, coming face to face with a very angry looking Kero.

"I've been trying to wake you up for at least ten minutes! There's been something out there making a mess! Come on, we have to go!"

Sakura who was still semi-shocked from the head injury, stumbled as she tried to put on something other than her pajamas. She didn't want a repeat of last night in any way, shape, or form. Not that regular clothes would help her fight spirits, but at least she'd feel more comfortable going around in public…even if everyone was asleep at this hour…

Well, almost everyone…

Sakura had used Sora to fly over to the source of the magic, and of course, waiting for her was none other than the 'Asshole King' as Sakura had dubbed him, Syaoran Li.

"Hello Asshole," Sakura said distastefully, "Already beating up my spirit I see."

Syaoran growled, "Hey, you should be glad, I made your job easy. The Spirit of Water isn't exactly a very nice one."

Sakura looked at the spirit, which was being held in some kind of magical electric rope. It was writhing in pain. Sakura didn't like that…at all.

She shoved Syaoran out of the way, and walked up to the spirit, Sora in one hand as a staff, and the book in the other. As she approached the Water Spirit opened an eye at her, and growled. It was a long eel-like creature, only it was literally made up of liquid.

Sora pricked Sakura's mind with telepathy, taking the young girl by surprise, "That's Ryu. He's an aggressive spirit, and probably went crazy when he saw Syaoran since he resembles our old master quite a bit. It'd probably do you some good to seal him now, and get to know him later. Rage is blinding his thoughts…"

Sakura shook off the surprise of the telepathy, and pondered Sora's words for a moment. She bent down and the monster tried to snap at her, but was shocked into submission by Syaoran's bind. Sakura grimaced as the creature let out a yelp of pain. Sora was right this time. There was nothing Sakura could do to stop his rage…

Sighing, Sakura opened the book and recited the words to seal Ryu away, "Spirit of Water, abandon your physical form, and return to the ancient scriptures Clow made as your home!"

The book glowed its eerie purple color, as did Ryu until he was forced into the book, hissing and spiraling. Sakura let out a sigh of relief when she couldn't hear the creature protest anymore.

She took a deep breath and stood up, her fists clenching around Sora so tightly that her knuckles turned white. She turned around, and pointed the staff at Syaoran, "What the hell was that about?" she fumed.

Syaoran was taken aback, "What?" he shot back, angry. He had helped her after all!

Sakura made a sound similar to a cat hissing, and continued, "You were hurting him. What did he ever do to you? He's a Spirit! He just needs to be talked to!"

Syaoran growled back at Sakura, "You think I had a choice? I came here, and that dammed serpent attacked me! It wouldn't stop!"

"Oh, and I'm supposed to believe the 'King of the Assholes?'" Sakura yelled back, obviously not buying it, "Violence isn't the answer to catching these spirits!"

"If you really think that, then you're living in a dream Sakura!" Syaoran retorted, trying to make Sakura see some common sense.

Sakura scowled, but then, an unnatural weariness possessed her, and she swayed on her feat, "Ugh," she muttered. Sora once again disappeared as she collapsed onto her knees. She was so unbelievably tired…

"Oh great," Syaoran said sarcastically as he walked over to Sakura, who was having a very hard time keeping awake, "Not this again. You really have no magic at all do you?"

Sakura grunted, unable to retort in her state. Syaoran bent down, leaning on one of his legs, "Are you okay then?" he asked.

Sakura wasn't sure what the sudden display of kindness was about, especially after their arguing, but managed to nod. Syaoran sighed, and grabbed her arm rather roughly, hoisting her up as he stood, "Come on, lets find a bench or something, cuz I am not carrying you home…"

Sakura managed to let out a slurred, "Good, cuz if you did, my brother would have a fit…"

Syaoran smirked, "Oh, so you have an overprotective brother. Good information to store away in case I feel the need to piss you off."

Sakura said nothing, for she couldn't, but managed to slap Syaoran's arm lightly. Syaoran just shrugged. Finally, a bench was in sight, and Sakura sat down as quick as possible, glad to be able to rest.

She let herself slump forward until her head could touch the back of the wood like a pillow, and looked up at the sky…

It was a clear night, like most springtime days, and stars were shining brightly. Sakura watched them glow, lighting the sky with a pale, soft light. Finally, after about ten minutes, Syaoran spoke up, "Awake yet?" he asked.

Sakura stood up stiff, realizing she must have been in some sort of dizzy trance. She turned to Syaoran, slightly embarrassed, "Erm, yeah. I'm fine."

"Well, you're talking normally…that's a start…can you walk?" he asked. His tone wasn't hostile, but it wasn't exactly kind.

Sakura took a breath and attempted to stand, but her legs felt heavy and weak, and she sat back down, "No."

Syaoran sighed in frustration, impatient.

After about five more minutes, Sakura could tell Syaoran was getting really agitated.

"Why don't you just leave? I can take care of myself you know," Sakura said bluntly.

Syaoran shrugged, "I have to keep an eye on you. Mother's orders."

"Your mom wouldn't know you left," Sakura said, hoping to get rid of him.

Syaoran grimaced, "Oh yes she would. You have no idea…besides," he said, slumping back in the same fashion Sakura was, and looking up at the sky, "I want to stay here. It's nice."

Sakura looked at Syaoran for a moment, wondering what on earth was running through his head, but was cut short of her thoughts when another magical presence washed over her. A much bigger one than last time…

Syaoran tensed, also feeling the presence. He looked at Sakura, "You're gonna have to walk now, cuz we have another problem. Come on, I'll help you, but you're the one that has to seal it…"

Sakura nodded, determined, and stood up fine. Syaoran watched her walk a few steps, just to make sure she was fine, and followed after her. The presence was very close by, and obviously very powerful…but Syaoran couldn't help but think that it was also very familiar…

Suddenly, a long howl erupted from the trees. Syaoran turned around, summoning his magical sword, and Sakura gripped the book tighter as she followed his lead.

Footsteps could be heard coming towards them…Sakura felt a bead of sweat drop down her face as she waited with anticipation…

And when Syaoran started laughing, Sakura face-faulted. Syaoran clutched his sides as he started to laugh hysterically, a tear leaving his right eye.

Sakura got up, and turned to him her face red with anger, "Syaoran! What the heck?"

Syaoran stood up strait, wiping a tear from his face, "I know what Spirit this is. I don't think we have to worry about fighting this time. Its Lightening. He's a puppy. All he wants to do is play."

Sakura started at Syaoran, astonished, "And you would know this how?"

Syaoran tensed visibly, "My dad. It was the only Spirit he'd let me play with as a child."

Sakura didn't say anything because Syaoran seemed to be sensitive on the subject of his dad….Either way, it didn't matter for the Lightning Spirit finally emerged, and just as Syaoran had said, it was a dog…

But definitely not a puppy. It was huge!

"Define puppy," Sakura said sarcastically. The canine sniffed the air, until its gaze landed on Syaoran. Its eyes narrowed for a moment, and Syaoran gulped. Maybe he was wrong about needing to fight.

"Syaoran!" the spirit yelled, jumping at the young boy and pinning him to the ground. His fur was sparking, and obviously shocking Syaoran, for his hair started to stand on end.

"Gah! Sander, Sander get off! You're shocking me!"

The dog leapt back, whining apologetically.

Syaoran got up, his hair shocked into spikes. Now it was Sakura's turn to erupt in laughter as she took in Syaoran's image. It was hilarious!

"Just shut up and seal the card!" he yelled, embarrassed.

Sakura chuckled but complied: "Spirit of Lightening," she started, "Abandon your physical form, and return to the ancient scriptures Clow made as your home!"

The canine panted, seeming to smile as he was absorbed into the book. When it was finally over, Sakura looked at Syaoran again, and went back into a laughing fit. Syaoran scowled, crossing his arms and turning red, "Just…go…die!"

Sakura stopped. Those words hit their mark. Did sealing those spirits mean she was closer to her death? The thought made Sakura shiver, and a tear escaped her eye.

Syaoran was startled, not knowing that a simple insult would hurt her so much, "Oh come on, I didn't mean it!" he wailed helplessly as she broke down in front of him.

Sakura waved a hand out, to say it wasn't his fault, but cried anyway. Syaoran was at a loss of what to do, and just stood their, waiting for her to calm.

Finally, Sakura stood up, and wiped the tears from her eyes. She looked at Syaoran, weariness seen in her eyes. Obviously sealing one Spirit was too much, but sealing two? That was overkill. Syaoran sighed, knowing that she'd probably pass out if she walked home by herself.

"Come on, I'll carry you to your house." Before Sakura could react, Syaoran lifted her onto his back, and started walking, "Which way?" he asked.

Sakura pointed to their left, and the two walked off into the night…

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A/N: As always…review!