Sakura: Knight of the Clow: Thirteen
Mei-lin stood calmly, waiting as the goblins looked at them in confusion. Beside her the Beast card was impatient to strike, while Sakura stood at the other side, reddish brown hair disturbed by the evening's breeze. "They don't look like that much of a threat," Mei-lin admitted, her long mane of black hair flowing behind her.
"Individually they aren't," Sakura raised her staff, studying the short, greenish skinned figures, "it's as a group that they can hurt you. They're main attack is swarming over a enemy, overwhelming them before bringing you back to their den."
"I'll watch your back," Mei-lin said, tossing Sakura a smile.
"Me, too." Sakura agreed.
With a ragged cry the goblins charged forward, miss-shaped limbs dragging them across the cement street with startling speed. Beast's body blurred as she shifted to her wolf form, scattering the attack with fang and claw even as Mei-lin hammered her first foe, then kicked out to drop the next in a splatter of dark blood.
'They aren't human,' Mei-lin firmly reminded herself, killing another with a simple throw. Beside her Sakura fought them with surprising skill, her battle-staff spinning as she struck out again and again to fell the goblins.
"We've destroyed their nest," Sakura used a two-handed blow to crush another goblin's head, Beast ripping into the band of goblins from the back and preventing them from running away, "so this should be the last of them."
"Where are Yukio and Tomoyo?" Mei-lin had to ask, enjoying striking a final goblin down. 'And enjoying being here with Sakura-san,' she thought privately.
"A late night editorial meeting," Sakura said, calling the Beast back into her card. The feral, almost animalistic woman seemed to want to resist at first, but a intense look from Sakura and she gave in, swirling into mist that reformed the Clow card.
Together they walked over to Mei-lin's car, leaving the remaining Goblin bodies to rapidly dissolve into black muck. "I'm sorry that Tomoyo had to miss this," Mei-lin said, though in all honestly she didn't really mean it. It was nice to be all alone here with Sakura at last, the two of them standing together out in the cool night air.
"They'll be other monsters," Sakura said cheerfully as she took off her concealing cloak, folding it up and then setting it down in the back seat. She gave Mei-lin a smile as she added, "Thank you for the ride, by the way."
Mei-lin got behind the wheel, Sakura on the passenger side. "I was wondering why you didn't drive?" she asked as she started up the car.
Sakura actually chuckled. "I tend to sneak out and use the Fly card," she admitted, "you'd be surprised at how few people look up."
Mei-lin smiled, pulling into the little traffic that was out this evening. "Do you need to go right home?" she asked Sakura softly.
"Not really," Sakura blinked, looking at Mei-lin curiously.
"I was wondering if you'd like to have dinner with me?" she asked. Mei-lin hurried to add, "I'd really love to have some company."
Sakura nodded thoughtfully, "Yes, I'd like that." She brightened, "Maybe you can tell me more about China and the Clow cards."
'Well, it's not exactly a romantic dinner for two,' Mei-lin thought as she drove, 'but it's a start.' Aloud she said to Sakura, "But I thought the stories that Li told me said that Clow Reed came from Hong Kong?"
"Both Li and I are still researching that," Sakura said with a wry smile, now sounding more like the archeologist and historian that she was, "there are contradictory records. Some of them say that Clow was from China and visited Hong Kong, while others claim he began in Hong Kong, traveled to China then returned home."
"Must make researching him interesting," Mei-lin mused.
"It's a lot like putting together jigsaw puzzles," Sakura agreed, "except that someone has mixed two puzzles together and there are pieces missing."
"Well, I'm glad you and Li like this sort of puzzle," Mei-lin sighed, "I'm not quite that patient.". She thought a second then said, "Well, in the tales I've been told Clow Reed was a fortune teller, a wandering mystic of great power." An impish look over to Sakura, "And according to Li he was a capable monster fighter, too."
"That's something I hadn't heard," Sakura blinked.
"If it's true, it's quite a coincidence," Mei-lin cheerfully agreed as she smoothly drove, keeping an eye on traffic.
"Assuming it is a coincidence," Sakura muttered thoughtfully. "I need to ask Li to send me any of the monster fighter stories he has," she mused.
"I'm sorry I don't remember more of them," Mei-lin said to her sheepishly, "just something about Clow battling a gryphon and binding it into his service."
"Gryphons were legendary half lion, half eagle beasts," Sakura shook her head, "how could one have ended up in China, I wonder?"
"That and he supposedly fought a fallen angel too," Mei-lin added.
"You're pulling my chain," Sakura looked at Mei-lin in surprise.
"All truth," Mei-lin said firmly.
"Hoeee," Sakura blew out a breath. She looked thoughtful, "Y'know, I think I saw a drawing of them once, I just didn't recognize it before."
Mei-lin eased the car over, pulling in front of a local restaurant. "Looks like we're here," she said, parking the car then getting out and opening Sakura's door for her.
"Thank you," Sakura smiled innocently up at Mei-lin, taking her offered hand and then gracefully standing up.
Mei-lin felt herself blush faintly, but fought down her first reaction as she let her hand linger a moment. 'Innocent,' she reminded herself, 'Sakura is such an innocent.' Still, she held her hands they walked towards the building together.
"Welcome to The Golden Dragon," the waitress beamed, her slinky red dress clinging to her body. She continued, "A waiter will be with you soon."
"My brother used to work here," Sakura confided with a chuckle.
"Really?" Mei-lin asked as they were led over to a table.
"He liked to supplement his allowance with part time jobs," Sakura quietly explained. She looked impish, "I would keep getting surprised as a little girl, finding him working in different shops I went into."
"Must have been fun," Mei-lin admitted. Unconsciously she pulled out Sakura's chair first then sat down herself. "Do you have any preferences?" she asked, gesturing towards the menu.
"The times I've eaten here have all been good," Sakura smiled, "you can pick."
Mei-lin ordered the food, then she looked over at Sakura as the restaurant bustled around them. Even the faux Chinese decorations in the booths looked good, paper dragons, lanterns and other items giving the place a tacky sort of charm.
"What?" Sakura asked, seeing the questioning look on Mei-lin's face.
Mei-lin flashed a smile. "I was wondering," she asked, "are you seeing anyone?"
"Eh?" Sakura blinked in confusion, "Yes.. I mean no, I ..."
The girl's discomfort was so cute, Mei-lin had to fight the urge to smile. "I guess it's a bit of a confusing situation?" she asked her gently. When Sakura nodded she continued on, "Would you like to talk about it?"
"Please," Sakura smiled.
The waiter dropped off the food, leaving generously filled plates and drinks in front of them. "Who is it?" Mei-lin asked as they began to eat, silently hoping...
"Well," Sakura blushed, "I think I like Tomoyo, honestly, but..."
'Good,' Mei-lin thought, even though she knew that Tomoyo would be a difficult rival to face. 'At least Sakura seems to be open to girls,' she thought.
To be continued...
Sakura: Knight of the Clow:
Halloween Night
The white haired young man strode confidently down the street, wings of silver-white stretching from his back. Robes that had once been tattered were pristine, now, and his eyes had lost the wild look they had once had. Still, there was a unusual aura about him, a sense of dangerous potential.
Beside him a golden lion padded along, it's own golden wings shimmering as he easily kept pace. "Well," Keroberos rumbled, "at least we can walk about unnoticed, today."
"True," Yue found himself smiling slightly, taking in the crowds of costumed revelers. People were dressed in the oddest costumes, such as knights, witches, monsters and many other variations. Yue and Keroberos still stood out, but at least people seemed to thing they just had good costumes, rather than being supernatural themselves.
"Do you think he's Balmung from .Hack?" a adoring young woman asked.
"Or maybe from Angel Sanctuary," another murmured, looking at Yue intently.
"Whoever he is," both girls said nearly together, "he's GORGEOUS!"
"You seem to have acquired fans," Keroberos teased as they walked by.
"Yes, well..." Yue trailed off uncomfortably.
"Can you sense our quarry?" taking pity on him Keroberos changed the subject, raising his golden lion's head to sniff slightly at the evening breeze.
"Yes," Yue nodded, "and even better I can sense Sakura and her allies close by. It could be they'll find the card without out help."
"Possibly," Keroberos agreed. They passed a cake shop, the sweet scents wafting out then the lion's stomach rumbled softly. "Sorry," he actually blushed.
Yue laughed, remembering his companion's legendary appetite from when they had first served Clow Reed. "I'll get you some later," he promised, "after we finish tonight's task."
"Thank you,." Keroberos rumbled with as much dignity as possible.
Yue chuckled, glad to see the shoe was on the other foot.
Before Keroberos could say anything more a scream echoed off in the distance, ringing against the buildings. "Lets go," he was off, four legs eating up the ground with remarkable speed.
Yue was tempted to stretch out his wings and fly but restrained himself. They were trying to be discrete, if possible, especially with this rare opportunity to travel out in the open. Still he was puffing a bit as they raced around the corner... only to skid to a stop in disgust.
"Haunted house!" the sign declared, "Thrills and chills for all ages!"
"I can't believe you screamed like that, Usagi," the black haired girl complained as she and her blonde companion left the building.
"It was scary, Rei," she said, golden hair falling in twin streams from her head. She kept a firm grin on Rei's arm as she softly added, "I'm glad you were there to protect me."
Rei put her hand on Usagi's, squeezing slightly as they walked by Yue and Keroberos, "I'll always be here for you."
"Well that was a waste of time," Yue growled out.
Keroberos didn't answer, instead he looked at the building with a frown. "There's something..." he paused, searing for the best word then just had to settle for, "wrong here."
Yue opened his mouth to say something sarcastic about the hokey decorations around the house, then closed it again. For he, too, could feel the presence of some unknown something within the house, a power that made his skin prickle oddly. "Should we direct Sakura here somehow?" he asked after a moment's thought.
"It doesn't feel like any of Clow Reed's work," Keroberos murmured softly. He smiled just slightly, "Besides, I'm curious."
"You know the old saying about cats and curiosity?" Yue asked.
"I haven't died yet," was Keroberos dry answer.
The young lady at the door took the money, looking at Yue and Keroberos in awe. "Those are incredible costumes," she gushed.
"Thank you," Yue flashed a smile, instantly charming her. "Could you hold on a few moments before you let anyone else in?" he dropped his voice, "I want to have a chance to give my friend a good scare in there."
She laughed, slapping his arm, "You bad boy." She looked up at him with a almost predatory look, "If you want to go in there with me so that we can be all alone, I'm here till midnight."
"Looks like you've made another conquest," Keroberos laughed once they went into the gloomy interior of the building.
"Oh shut up," Yue growled, blushing.
Various skeletons, ghosts and other special effects popped out at them, but both ignored them as they moved deeper into the building. There was an increasing chill in the air, along with an odd electricity that seemed to jump from nerve to nerve.
"...help me..."
Yue frowned, looking about trying to find the voice. Unlike the sound effects that echoed through the halls this sounded genuine, from someone who was really in distress. "Did you hear that?" he asked Keroberos.
"Yes," he agreed grimly. The great cat tilted his head to the side, listening, then Keroberos nodded, "Up ahead, I think."
"I could have told you that," Yue said dryly as they walked on.
While the stage lights were still on, the area ahead seemed dimmer, almost as if something was eating the light cast into the darkness. The two walked on into the chill and dark, finally finding a closed door that was locked. Yue grabbed the handle, muscles beneath his shirt bulging slightly as he twisted and the lock broke easily.
"I could have magicked it open," Keroberos complained mildly.
"My way was faster," Yue said as he pushed open the door, a burst of stale air whooshing by them before they headed inside.
The room was stuffed with boxes and knickknacks, odd items draped over every available surface. Much of it was props, likely sorted through before this Halloween show had begun, then stowed away here until they needed to pack it all up again. The air was charged with electricity, the oppressive sense of the supernatural weighing down on both beings as they looked around warily.
"Where...?" Keroberos started to ask when she appeared.
The dust and air swirled together, mist swiftly pulling together to reveal the spirit's form. Her eyes flashed red, her almost skeletal form handing there in midair as she wailed, "Why won't someone HELP ME!"
With that painful cry the wave of power washed over them, buffeting both with supernatural force but surprisingly they held fast, the energies splitting around them. "How do you want us to help?" Keroberos asked.
She looked startled, gazing at both of them in surprise, her form shifting to a much more normal woman. "You can hear me?" she asked, "No one seemed to before!"
"We aren't exactly normal," Yue said dryly.
"Speak for yourself," Keroberos muttered.
The ghost giggled softly, then she grew serious. "I want to move on," she said softly, "but something holds me here..."
Keroberos nodded seriously, looking at her thoughtfully, his eyes glowing faintly for a few seconds. "I think I can help," he offered, then began to chant softly. The words grew louder as he continued, filling the room with a odd sort of music, then with a relieved sigh the spirit was gone.
Yue smiled as he and Keroberos walked back out of the building, "Disappointed there wasn't as monster or something?"
Keroberos shrugged slightly, "It's nice to simply help someone for a change, you know." A pause, "I think it's what Clow Reed would have wanted."
"A point," he conceded as Yue led the way out into the deepening twilight. Thankfully the amorous young woman seemed to be gone, "Let's go before..."
"There you are!" the girl's happy voice squealed.
"Oh no," Yue whimpered as she rushed up to them.
Keroberos just chuckled at the pained look on his face.
To be continued...
Sakura: Knight of the Clow: Fifteen
Tomoyo raced through the men and women with the computer disk, eventually dropping it off at the features desk with a relieved sigh. "Finished as promised," the black haired woman sighed in relief, watching as the young man loaded up her story on his computer then nodding in approval as he quickly skimmed the file.
"Tomoyo!" the voice growled from the chief's office, causing everyone in the room to jerk to a sudden stop. Once they all realized it was the young reporter that the boss wanted, they resumed their frantic pace of work.
"Oh hell, what did I do this time?" Tomoyo muttered before the reporter headed back towards the editor in chief's offices. Walking through the open door she kept her voice as meek as possible and asked, "Yes, ma'am?"
Kaho Mitsuki looked up at Tomoyo from behind her large desk, the older brown haired woman studying her thoughtfully for a moment. "Close the door and sit down," she said, just a bit of coldness in her tone of voice.
Tomoyo sat down in the leather cushioned seat as requested, covertly studying the other woman as well and trying her best to guess exactly what was going on. 'Does she know about my working with Sakura?' she wondered. Part of her wanted to ask aloud, but she held her tongue, determined to see what Kaho wanted.
A slight smile teased Kaho's lips, then the older woman sighed. "I have a problem," she softly confessed, "one I hope you can help me with."
"Yes?" Tomoyo made it a question.
Kaho looked at her searchingly for a long moment then she surprisingly confessed, "It involves your mother."
Tomoyo kept any trace of her reaction off of her face, but it was hard. "Is she all right?" she asked, leaning forward in her chair.
"She's fine," Kaho was quick to reassure her. "It's a problem of a... more personal nature," she finally added.
"You and Sonomi are dating," Tomoyo suggested with a faint smile.
"How did you know?" Kaho blurted out in surprise, eyes flashing.
Tomoyo smiled back at her wryly, "Well, I didn't know for sure until just now, but there have been rumors, ma'am."
Kaho grumbled something uncharitable under her breath about gossipy reporters, then she reached up to run a had through her hair with a sigh. "Sonomi's birthday is coming up," she said, "and she was hoping that you'd attend." As Tomoyo opened her mouth to say something Kaho quickly moved to cut her off, "And yes, I'm aware of the issues you two seem to have, I'm just asking you to put them aside for one night."
Tomoyo looked at her boss' face, feeling a flash of sympathy for how uncomfortable this whole situation seemed to make her. "You know it isn't as easy as you're making it sound," she pointed out as gently as possible. A frown, "And why didn't she ask me herself?"
"Did you check your messages? I suspect there's a few requests from your mother to call her back," Kaho noted dryly.
Tomoyo winced at that well scored hit. She usually got a call back request from her mother at least once a week, and most of them went right into the trash. "Point made," she sighed.
"Her birthday only rolls around once a year," Kaho reminded her. A faint smile, "If I could I'd order you to go, but we've already got a society reporter covering the event."
"And I'd make a terrible society reporter," Tomoyo grumbled, silently wondering if there was any way she could make this event bearable. A thought struck her and she smiled slightly, "Could I bring a date with me?"
"I don't see why not," Kaho said with a broader smile, glad to see that Tomoyo seemed to be giving in. She hesitated a moment, studying her then gave in to the temptation to ask, "What is it between you two?"
"Mother hasn't told you?" Tomoyo raised an elegant eyebrow.
"No," Kaho studied the young woman thoughtfully, "I think she thought it was inappropriate to tell me her side, considering we work together."
"Mother always was honorable," Tomoyo conceded.
"Well?" Kaho raised an eyebrow, "If I'm going to be stuck playing referee between you two, I'd at least like to know why."
"This'll stay between us?" Tomoyo asked. When Kaho nodded she sighed, "You know that my parents divorced nearly ten years ago?"
"Yes," Kaho acknowledged, "though Sonomi hasn't told me much else."
"Probably because it was embarrassing," Tomoyo sighed. "At the time I had noticed that my mother was tending to slip away on nights that my father was out of town..."
"I think I can see where this is going," Kaho winced.
"Sonomi was having an affair with a young lady," Tomoyo confirmed. She made a face, "And to make matters worse I took photos... ones that my father eventually acquired."
"Leading to a somewhat messy divorce," Kaho nodded.
"No, my parents were already on their way there," Tomoyo sighed, "but the photos made an already complicated situation even worse. You see, father was having an affair, too, and it all came out during the divorce proceedings."
"They each probably expected to take the other to the cleaners with the photos," Kaho sounded faintly amused, "it must have came as a shock to discover they each had the other's sins documented."
"Of course Mother found out about my role in Father getting the information and she was...just a little upset, shall we say," Tomoyo kept her face carefully blank, trying not to remember the hurtful things they had both said. "We had a fight and before we could clear the air, I left for university..."
"And you two never patched things up?" Kaho blinked.
Tomoyo shrugged just a bit uncomfortably. "I was living in the university dorms," she said quietly, "and... from what she said she didn't want me home." She shook herself, banishing thoughts of the past as she asked, "Is there anything else, boss?"
Part of Kaho really wanted to pursue this, but she also could tell that Tomoyo had quite deliberately cut her off. 'And I got what I wanted, she's coming,' she reminded herself. "That's good," she said, "we'll see you and you guest at seven?"
"See you on Saturday," Tomoyo agreed, walking out with a sigh.
'I'm sensing great reluctance,' Kaho thought, closing her eyes, sitting back and rubbing at her temples. "And to think," she muttered, "getting them back together as family seemed like such a good idea a few days ago when I talked to Sonomi."
"Ma'am?" a familiar voice questioned.
Opening her eyes Kaho saw her secretary looking at her with some concern.. "Yes, Mei-Lin?" she asked the perky young woman.
"I'm sorry to bother you ma'am," Mei-Lin said to her apologetically, "but you were talking to yourself again."
"Sorry," Kaho sat up, trying to focus her concentration. "Are the proof sheets ready on the latest edition?" she asked crisply.
"Yes ma'am," Mei-Lin produced the newspaper sheets and passed them over. "The webmistress was also asking for updated biographies of the staff," she added.
"She can't just make something up?" Kaho asked as she scanned the pages for errors as well as noting the empty spaces reserved for late arriving stories.
Mei-Lin looked amused, "Considering this is Rika we're talking about, she'd do a web search and do bios salted with all our deepest, darkest secrets."
"She would, too," Kaho chuckled, thinking of their enthusiastic head of files. "Any other problems?" she asked.
"Just the typical stuff," Mei-Lin shrugged casually, "fan letters, crank mail, a few threats and some roses arrived for one of the staff."
"Who?" Kaho asked curiously.
"Yukito, actually," Mei-Lin smiled thinking of the blushing blonde photographer, "from someone called Toya."
"Cute," Kaho chuckled,
To be continued...