Dancing with the Dead

Chapter Nine

A/N: I own nothing except the crushing amount of student loan debt I am swimming through.

It started as a bet. I bet my lover, who had grown cynical, that love was the strongest force in the universe. He told me it was not love, but greed that ruled stronger in the hearts of humans. So I created two pure souls and he created a god.

If the two souls could prove that their love would surpass the greed in the god's heart, then my lover would finally let me die.

Unfortunately, we could not have predicted the god to grow angry with me and my lover, and take revenge upon the lovers. The god created his own curse using the grand power my lover gave him.

When we found out, my lover smiled with the sadness of the world, and in shame spoke softly, "Forgive me, Yuuko." Soon, he killed himself and was reborn into a Fate being like myself.

I, on the other hand, decided to look for ways to defeat this god who took on many forms; Fei Wong was designed to be clever. I also was desperate to find ways to reunite my lovers once and for all.

Eventually, Watanuki and his young curiosity provided me with the answer. Using various theologies and legends, I began to enact my final plan.

I should have known that Fei Wong would have caught on.

To my surprise, I woke up before Syaoran did as the light from the sunrise hit my cheeks. I needed to remove his arm which was protectively draped over my naked torso. Quickly getting dressed with the first article of clothing I saw, I opened the window and felt the grass underneath my bare feet. It was strange; I simultaneously felt different and the same. I had always heard stories that after the first time, you truly became a woman. It was so silly to think of it like that. I recalled when Tomoyo once snorted at that and said that our disappeared virginities did not make us into women. That was placing too much power on the boys, she smiled. We turned ourselves into women.

But there was no denying that allowing Syaoran in changed something within me. It was something more supernatural, and I wished for answers. Perhaps I could talk to Ruby Moon, but I did not want to bother her. More than anyone, I wanted to talk to Tomoyo.

"Sakura-chan?" a voice called out to me. When I turned around, I found myself in my bedroom staring at amethyst eyes.

"Tomoyo-chan?" I jumped. Looking at my surroundings again, I frowned. Gone was the warm sunrise and green grass. "Did you call me here from the Underworld?" Looking outside, it was bright morning, though a bit crisp from the winter air.

Tomoyo's eyes widened. Carefully, she set her purse down and sat down on the edge of my bed. "No, I didn't. That day when you first died was a onetime only deal. I can't do it again."

"Then how did you bring me back?"

"I didn't. You did."

There was nothing to do but stare at her with a dropped jaw. "No, I didn't." I was so sure that she must have been confused. I hadn't had many experiences in the Underworld, but I certainly never managed to get myself out of there before. If I did, I certainly would have had an easier time with my first visit there.

"Sakura-chan, I did not get you out. You did. You called for me, so then I came here in the early morning, and you just appeared out of nowhere. "

"I called for you?"

"Yes," Tomoyo narrowed her eyes, likely because she finally processed that I was not wearing my normal sleeping clothes, but one of Syaoran's long green shirts. I flushed with that realization and grabbed a blanket from my bed to cover myself. "What did you do in the Underworld?"

"A lot happened," I answered meekly.

"Sakura-chan, who did you do in the Underworld?" Despite her tone, there was a twinkle in Tomoyo's eyes that displayed her amusement at the situation. She cleared her throat and laughed when I began to stammer at my response.

"Syaoran and I…we…you're not going to make me really say it are you, Tomoyo-chan?"

"Yes, I am. Because if you made the decision to do it, then saying it should not be an issue."

"Fine," I replied rather hotly. Then I blushed again, unable to help myself. "Syaoran and I made love."

After I revealed that bit, the rest seemed to flow out effortlessly. I told her about the attack on Ruby Moon and the Fates. I explained the message and cryptic warnings about a price needed to be paid, and of course, about my agreement to marrying Syaoran.

"I don't think that will be necessary." Tomoyo smiled as she relaxed on my bed. "Marrying him, I mean. I do not think that will be necessary."

"Why do you say that?"

"I think you have awakened the powers of Proserpina already, judging by how you made it out of the Underworld perfectly on your own."

"But Proserpina gained power from having Pluto as a husband."

It was one of the rare times when Tomoyo stared at me as if she felt so sorry for me. "Not necessarily. She was powerful because of her bond to him. You and Syaoran clearly had some sort of bond before any of this started. I am starting to think even before any of us were even born, if I am to believe the Fates—and they are rarely wrong. And you solidified that bond when you two "made love" as you put it. I mean, what else could be more intimate than that?"

I pondered about this for a moment. "I always thought a kiss on the forehead had its merits."

Tomoyo only stared. "Sakura-chan, I was asking a rhetorical question."

I sheepishly smiled. "Just…expressing my thoughts. Anyway, Syaoran will not be happy to hear that. He liked the idea of marriage."

At that, she couldn't help herself. "Of course he did." Tomoyo impressively rolled her eyes. "But it is pressing to hear that the Furies are in the Underworld. Things are starting to fall through the cracks."

"We can fix it," I declared confidently.

"It isn't about that. This whole order has been in place for centuries, and even longer than that. For this to finally come to a breaking point…I just worry that is the beginning of the end." There were times like these when Tomoyo seemed to forget that she was not the only one in the room. She often talked out loud to piece together the mysteries her observations brought her. I rarely was able to keep up.

"The end to what?"

Tomoyo smiled gently at me, breaking away from her thoughts. "Don't look so worried, Sakura-chan. I don't know what all this means, but you have a powerful lover to protect you at least."

"That 's the problem, Tomoyo-chan." I frowned. "I don't want to be the only one waiting to be protected."

She was silent for a moment as though she could not figure me out. Tomoyo was one of the few people that really knew how to read me like an open book. But it seemed as though for the first time ever, I had her perplexed.

"Well, you're going to want to get dressed. I am sure breakfast will be ready soon."

After I had changed clothes and fixed up my hair and face, Tomoyo and I went down to breakfast. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was already Saturday. Touya-nii was also home with Yukito whom I rarely saw. I used to have a small crush on him when I was younger, and so I sat next to him for breakfast.

"Good morning, Sakura-chan," Yukito greeted me warmly. "How are you feeling today?"

"I feel great, Yukito-san," I beamed. "I feel really great. How is everything going with Holic Chronicles?" That was the manga series Yukito worked on, it being his longest running series so far.

"Good! I am lucky Touya is my editor, or else poor Watanuki and Yuuko would have never found each other."

"Yukito can be a bit spacy and forgetful when it comes to his characters, surprisingly." My brother commented as he set down some rice and miso soup. When he set down a large cup of coffee in front of me (as usual, since I consumed so much caffeine daily to stay awake), I found myself rejecting it.

"I think I want some tea instead."

I did not expect to stun everyone into silence by my request.

"Kaijuu, are you sure?" Touya asked warily.

"Yes, I just don't really want coffee this morning," I replied.

No one said anything after that, but as Touya was making me some black tea, I could see the small smile on his face on his face. In truth, it made me feel a little guilty. I could sense that he believed I was getting better, back to the me before my death. I could see the hope in his eyes when he handed me my tea, and how relieved he was as he ate. As I finished my own breakfast, I thought about how he would react when he knew the truth. I didn't think I was back to the old me, but rather something inside me had awoken and would not sleep again.

I knew I had to protect Touya and Yukito, and even Tomoyo who had no other powers. She was not like Eriol who could heal or Syaoran who was the strongest person I knew. And this all needed to be done before my father returned.

"What are your plans for today, Sakura-chan?" Yukito suddenly spoke. "Touya and I were planning on going to the Museum of Science and History for research. "

"The Field Museum is way better. It has dinosaurs!" Tomoyo exclaimed in a rather off character gleeful moment. She collected herself quickly, "So I've heard."

"In any case, would you like to join us?" Yukito carried on.

Normally, I would not have agreed (I suspected Yukito liked to spend quality time alone with my brother), but it had been some time since I spent the day out with my brother and Tomoyo so we went along. Tomoeda's Museum of Science and History is the town's pride and joy. With our rich history chronicled in the building, many historians and archeologists come to give lectures or research. My father is a premium member of the museum, so our family and friends attend for free. After breakfast, we walked over and spent the first part of the morning looking at the Egyptian and Mayan exhibits.

"Otou-san's excavation sent some things over. They are constructing the Greek exhibit to be ready for his return," my brother told me. I smiled. It hadn't even been a full two weeks since my father went on his work trip, but it felt like centuries. "Want to go look?"

Many of the exhibits were covered with sheets and tape, but some objects were already on display. There was one display that seemed half prepared: Anthespho'ria.

"Kinomoto-chan!" one of the museum curators spotted me. "Are you interested in Greek mythology like your father?"

"Honda-san, what is Anthespho'ria?" I asked him. Honda, one of the curators, was a fairly young man in his early thirties whom I've known since I was young when he was just an intern. He worked a lot with my father as well, and most questions I had, he answered perfectly.

"A festival that falls around your birthday, Kinomoto-chan. Do you know the story of Persephone? Or Proserpina, according to the Romans?"

Oh, did I. Of course, I did not admit this to him but shook my head shyly instead. Honda-san only smiled as handed me a pamphlet with beautiful art of flowers and maidens. "Persephone was a goddess and queen of the Hades. Every spring, the ancient Greeks used to celebrate a flower festival in her honor to welcome the season. Since spring is only a few weeks away, we thought it would be fitting to open the exhibit during Anthespho'ria."

"Honda-san," I began, suddenly inspired. "How much do you know about the goddess? As in, what could she do? What sort of powers did she have?"

"I don't understand what you mean, Kinomoto-san." He frowned at me with concern. I flushed with embarrassment, but stood firm.

"Did…was she strong? Proserpina, I mean. Was she strong and able to protect people if she needed to? I know she was not like Juno or Minerva, but they say she was Queen of the Underworld, she was strong, right? What could she do? What was her power?"

Honda was quiet for some time, but then he smiled kindly at me. "Scholars do not know what specific abilities Proserpina had. She was not like Minerva who was wise or queen of the gods like Juno. But she was so beloved that worlds fought over her. "

"But was she strong?" I was almost frustrated.

"Proserpina had strengths that even the gods did not dare invoke. Her name alone was never said in case she caught attention. What, exactly, I do not know. She was kind and full of love, but that love could sometimes be dark. I am sorry if this does not help."

I tried to put on a decent smile. "No, you were a great help. Thank you very much."

I did not know what I could accomplish, but as I looked at the Anthespho'ria display, my locket felt cool and comforting. When I opened it, the pearl glowed pretty pink that I recognized from the first time I saw it.

I felt an urge of confidence course through me.

I left without telling the others. I realized I needed to form my own plan, and made moves to establish it. However, when I made it outside and a few feet from the museum, a strong grip took my wrist. I felt no fear since it was clear to me who was holding on to me so tightly.

Syaoran had no words when I did lay me eyes on him, but he did not appear angry. Rather, his eyes appraised me as if he could not believe I was real. The silence was starting to become awkward, and I shifted slightly away to free my wrist. Truthfully, I was a little flustered seeing him again after our night together. It did not help he was wearing his normal attire of dark black pants and shirt, but they seemed to cling on to his body greedily.

"I am sorry that I left without saying a word. I didn't mean to; it just happened," I explained bashfully. "The whole thing took me by surprise."

"You came here on your own?" he finally asked. When I nodded, he looked even more taken aback. "No one took you?"

"No, Syaoran. I just wanted to speak to Tomoyo and then I was back here." I prepared myself to break the news to him. "We think it is because my powers as Proserpina are awakening. This means…this mean that marrying so quickly will not be necessary."

He reacted like I imagined he would. His face took on a scowl and though he was not yelling, there was something eerie about his tranquil fury and cool voice.

"You don't want to marry me."

"I never said that!" I said on the defensive. "I only said it was not necessary. And you told me that you didn't want to feel like I had to agree to it last night."

Syaoran bit his bottom lip in anger, his words surely circling in his mind. "That was before."

"Before what?"

"Before we slept together, Sakura!" he looked about as exasperated as I felt. It was gratifying to see him flush as well. "You can't expect me to not honor that."

I stared at him blankly. "What are you talking about? Honor what exactly?"

"I took your maidenhood, so I must honor that. I won't leave you unwed."

He said it so seriously and full of this noble foolishness that it made me want to die of embarrassment. I barely had any idea of how to address these things normally, but this was starting to get out of hand.

"Things are different here." I began slowly. A car sped through past us in the street blasting loud pop music. Syaoran grimaced.

"Clearly."

"Girls do not have to marry boys they first sleep with anymore." My explanation did not seem to make sense if his expression said anything. "I mean, it would be silly. Girls can have many relationships before marrying now."

"You want to have other relationships?" His voice rose and I knew I sais the wrong thing."

"No! No, of course not! I love you, and I mean that. But I am fifteen!"

"Oh, that argument again." He rolled his eyes, which only made me angry.

"Yes, again, because I feel like I have to remind you all the time. I am fifteen, and while I don't regret what we did, marriage is something else entirely. I have things I would like to do, and…I haven't even introduced you to my family yet! My dad is out of the country!"

"If it's your father you're worried about, I could have him brought—" Syaoran seemed appeased, but I quickly cut in.

"No, don't get my father, I just…I want to not be in danger. I want to not have anyone I love in danger. I want to be able to see you and not worry if you will be taken from me…I want to marry you and know that it will be us spending the rest of our lives together."

"And we will!" Syaoran started to reach for me, but I stepped back.

"I don't know what else is going to happen. I am unclear on how to be Proserpina and myself at the same time. But I don't want to marry you as Proserpina and you Pluto. I want to marry you as just Sakura and you just be Syaoran."

I knew his anger was gone for the moment, but a melancholy air surrounded him. I finally reached to him and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Will I see tonight?" he asked heavily. "We can meet wherever you are comfortable."

I gave a small smile. "Let's meet wherever you want. I will find you and go to you. But there is something I want to do first."

I left Syaoran standing along outside the museum. It took most of my willpower to leave him, though I promised to see him later. I was scared to do what I needed alone, but it had to be done. When I did find one of them, even though my locket burned, I did not flinch. It sat not too far from me on the park bench. Though it was winter outside, it was pleasantly cool.

"We are told you were looking for a messenger." The appearance was of a middle school girl. Upon noticing her further, she looked like a first year. I felt queasy, but tried to keep it hidden. The smile on the Fury's face curved further upward.

"You are working for Mars, correct?" I hoped she didn't sense the anxiety in my voice.

"Naturally," the Fury answered.

"I would like to meet with him."

I could see that was not what the Fury was expecting. The eyes widened, and it took a few minutes before it could reply to me.

"Are you willingly coming over to our side?"

"No, I just want to speak with him. I want to know what all this is for."

The Fury laughed at me, and while I grew annoyed, Y remained passive. "You are very naïve, young goddess. You are too young and naïve. Everyone thinks there is some grand reason: love, power, fame, but have you ever stopped to maybe think that there is no reason? Some people in this world just like the idea of people suffering."

It took me time to collect myself and process what I had just heard. That couldn't be right. I'd never met such a person.

"There cannot be anyone in the world truly like that. I cannot believe that there is someone out there who truly wants nothing more than to cause grief," I pleaded. "I must know the reason. If I can talk to him, maybe we can avoid a war."

The Fury continued to snicker at me. However, the face she gave me was rather bemused, and I knew that she would take my request seriously.

"Alright, young miss, I will ask Mars if he could set aside some time for you. But only if you can pass a test. Quite simple really."

"What must I do?"

"Find out who he is. I mean his human identity. Mars won't take time out to see pretty, naïve girls, but clever ones he may be interested in. "

This made me frown. How was I supposed to figure out the identity of someone I never met without any clue whatsoever? I had no leads, and I was not planning on having Syaoran help me since I could practically sense the fury and disapproval should he find out of this secret meeting.

"Impossible!"

"Silly girl, after dying and coming back from the dead, do you really think this task is impossible?" The Fury smirked before turning its back towards me. "Call on us when you have the answer."

Ultra Special Blah Blah Blah: Thank you everyone for reading. Truthfully, this chapter is not my favorite, but it is some necessary groundwork for the conflicts to come later. I don't know how long this story is going to be, but it at least has some 10-15 more chapters before it comes to a close. And sorry my updates have been less frequent. It turns out they make you work hard for that Master's degree.

Please read and review!