RECAP: Sakura confirmed that Chindra’s family really did have magic, she saw the ghost and attempted again to make an alliance, um....Syaoran’s mom went on life support.

Chapter 41 - More Problems Occuring

Sakura gasped for air and desperately tried to get out of the water’s hold. The swift current brought her by a low branch, and Sakura dexterously clambered on. "Stupid card," She muttered.

The Watery flung about for a second attack, closing in from every possible angle with the help of the Fly. "Mamoru to koraseru!" She called out her shield, adding to it her own makeshift properties of the Freeze. The shield came up and froze the incoming water into icicles, of which continued with the momentum and crashed through her shield, sharp chards of frozen hostile water. Sakura jumped out of the way and found herself half drowning in the water’s current again.

This is no good! Where’s Kero? Good for nothing over-eater! Sakura momentarily contemplated trying out the transport spell, convinced that she wasn’t thinking of Syaoran at all, but decided to refrain from that as much as possible. Thinking quickly of her wind spell, she charged up her staff and tried vainly to stop for just long enough to shout the spell. "Kaze! Susumu! (Wind, go forth)" Sakura hit the staff to the water and it split right down to dry ground, sending the water into walls around her.

Gritting her teeth as she felt rapid energy flowing out of her, she forced herself to stay up and swung the staff in a circle, sending the water tearing away. She smiled to herself for the accomplishment. If she could only get the cards to stay sealed! Now, instead of water, she had various different creatures by the Create card. Using her senses, she could tell that only one was solid, the other four were illusions.

"Can’t you guys get a life?"

The monsters only replied by charging at her. Sakura went frantic for a second, seeing no way out, but, like always, an idea saved her from that death. She hit the bottom of her staff on the ground and it pushed her up into the air, from where she was able to grab a branch and stay clear of the creature’s charge. Knowing it would be seconds before they would evolve into some sort of flying horror, Sakura quickly clambered down, not even noticing the scratches on her hands and arms from the rough bark as she was too hyped up. She saw that the monsters had disappeared, so she let herself down to the ground, bending over her knees as she tried to catch her breath.

In a rush a tree branch was curling around her, twigs wrapping around her ankles. With particular vengeance against Woody for the time Syaoran had had pneumonia and tried to save her, she attacked. "Hi ga tsuku!" She sent her blast of fire just as she was falling to her back, landing painfully onto the protruding sticks and plants.

The wood around her caught fire quickly, but- Sakura realized as she did with most plans that she had neglected to think it all the way through. "Water!" She sent a weak stream of water out around her, squenching the fire’s power just enough to let her get free.

Sakura jumped up and threw herself blindly through the steam, only trying to get out of harm’s way. The wood disappeared, leaving Sakura alone- for the moment.

She hated these battles. There was no defeat, all she could hope for was that the cards would get enough fun out of it before she ran out of power. Are you done yet? Sakura looked left and right, keeping her senses open. Nothing, she felt nothing. But wait- no, another card.

Sakura’s legs ached from all the running. She wished she could have made it to Moondust’s pasture. It would be much easier with the mare’s aid. Instead she was on some remote gravel road, praying that no one would drive by as she tried to finish off the odd enemies.

With no show of an exit, the magic left the air completely. Sakura waited for a second to check it and make sure it was alright, then walked sorely towards the road again. She needed to get back to the homework she had been in the middle of. Plus I should try Eriol’s house again. Maybe that had just been a bad day. She glared as she felt a cool shadow from a pair of wings that were blocking the sun.

"Are you alright?" Kero called in his deep voice.

Sakura glanced up at the large lion, pausing for a second to check her temper. "It’s a good thing I didn’t die trying to fight all of that by myself!"

Keroberus landed beside her, walking down the soft grass with a hurt look on his face. "What do you mean, all by yourself? I was holding the whole other half while you tried to seal those other ones!"

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Likely story." She said under her breath. But she supposed; he probably had been.

They made better time back to her house by Sakura riding on Kero’s back, staying high and clear from being spotted. Sakura gladly collapsed on her bed, her wet clothes soaking the sheets. After the cold dampness gave her goosebumps, Sakura decided that it was pointless to lay here in this misery.

She got up and changed, then grabbed the phone from downstairs, pausing only to stick her tongue out at Touya, who was giving her dirty looks.

Sakura collapsed once again on the bed. How am I ever going to do my homework in this condition? I wish my powers would get stronger, so I wouldn’t have to deal with all this exhaustion. She sat up and dialed to the overseas operator, then waited patiently for the line to connect. After a second of silence, Sakura half hopped as the loud music played over the phone, followed by the thing about the line being disconnected. Sakura sighed and hung up slowly.

"Why would Eriol move and not tell us?" She asked Kero, turning to face him.

"Clow Reed treasured his privacy and didn’t like people keeping tabs on him. Perhaps Eriol is the same." Kero reasoned.

Sakura shrugged. She looked back to the phone, chewing on her bottom lip. It’s stupid not to call him, if I want to, anyway. He would want to know if Eriol’s avoiding us. She nodded at herself and called his phone, waiting anxiously as it rung.

After a long, long wait, the phone finally answered. "Hello?" Syaoran answered, sounding slightly preoccupied.

"Hi, Syaoran-" Kero’s ears perked up and he hurried over, looking distraught.

"Rana I don’t have time, call Lai or something." Syaoran said.

Sakura frowned, confused. "No, ah, it’s Sakura." She said, smiling even to herself as she listened to him talk.

There was a silent pause. "Oh, oh I’m sorry, I just thought- I mean..."

Sakura grinned at his stutter, wondering to herself if it meant what she thought it did. "It’s alright, most people’s voices sound the same on a cell phone."

"Yeah, ah, so anyway, is something wrong?" He asked.

Sakura had opened her mouth the answer, but was forced to notice Kero, who was trying stubbornly to hit the off button with his short little arms. "Kero, go away!" She shouted, gaurding the phone with her other hand and turning her back to him. "Sorry, Kero’s being, well, himself..." She tried to keep her concentration as Kero ranted in the backround.

"What do you need to talk to him for!? We can work this out by ourselves, quit asking him questions when the stupid brat has no clue for an answer..." It went on likewise.

Sakura hurried away from him, shutting her bedroom door and heading for the ‘office’, aka Chindra’s old room. She shut the door, wary of the lock on the outside, reminding her of what Touya’s actions had been not so long ago. "Okay, I’m sorry. Ah, what were we saying?"

"Nothing. I just asked if everything was alright." Syaoran answered.

"Oh. Well, I guess, I mean, nothing worse than usual. But I have been trying to get a hold of Eriol, like you said, but the phone keeps telling me his phone line’s disconnected. I wrote him two weeks ago, but nothing’s come back. I guess it might of not gotten there yet, but..."

Syaoran was quiet for a second, then answered, as if remembering he was on the phone. "So what are you going to do?" He asked.

Sakura sighed, and it was heard on the phone. "I don’t know, it just...it just seems like he is avoiding me. Which would all make sense, I mean, if Clow Reed hates my family or whatever, or we hate him, however it goes, why wouldn’t he?"

"Oh!" Syaoran exclaimed, sounding a little more lively than he had been sounding. "My mother said that your necklace was part of some old legend about Clow Reed. Some sorceress from far away was given it or something like that."

"Far away...like Egypt." She thought aloud.

"M-hmm." Syaoran answered.

There was more silence, then finally Sakura spoke. "How are you anyway? I can’t help but think something’s wrong, but I’m probably just being oversensitive."

Syaoran cringed at how fast Sakura was able to read him. "No, I’m fine."

"How is your mother?" She continued, feeling growing compassion for Yelin.

Syaoran shifted uncomfortably. He didn’t want to lie. But he wasn’t going to drag people into his problems. "She’s alright." He said after a second.

Sakura could see his hesitance. As always, Syaoran wasn’t openly telling the truth. She could tell he was holding back, though she hadn’t the slightest idea what. After more silence, she broke the uncomfortable silence. "Well everyone here misses you. I hope you’ll get to visit soon." She said.

"Me too." He said, his voice softened.

Sakura stood up from the chair she had been sitting in. She opened her mouth to say goodbye, but three other words that had been on the tip of her tongue almost slipped out instead. Slightly shocked with herself, she abruptly shut her mouth, wondering what she would have done had she said it.

Syaoran, wondering why Sakura was being so quiet, needed to get off the phone to get to his own business, as much as he enjoyed hearing her voice. "I hope I talk to you soon. Good luck with your cards."

Sakura loathed the superficial way they were forced talk, when things could have been so much better. Accepting it as the only option, she replied the same way. "Well say hi to your mother for me."

"Bye," Syaoran answered shortly.

"Bye," Sakura replied, reluctantly taking the phone from her ear and pressing the off button.

I wonder what it is that he’s not telling me? I hope it’s not something serious. But, knowing him, it probably is. She walked down the hall back to her room, ignoring the bad look Kero was giving her. He opened his mouth to give some advice, but Sakura put her hand up.

"I don’t wanna hear it. I’m taking a shower and washing the rest of the slime off. You should wash up too."

_____________________________________________________________________

"Sakura says hi." Syaoran said, looking at the distant wall as he continued to talk to himself. His mother had no response for him, she heard nothing that was being said, but he continued to talk anyway, feeling despondent if he didn’t.

"She still hasn’t gotten a hold of Eriol. There might be truth to that story after all." He remembered his mother’s words; this plot of lies in magic is important, more so than you could understand...you can’t let it stop you... "We’re still working on it, though, don’t worry." He mumbled.

What good is this doing? Why am I even bothering? She still on the same road she was when I got here. Syaoran glanced sidelong at her, not liking to see his mother’s face so pale, or the shadows that seemed so noticeable on her. Nothing but the machines were running her along now. He sighed deeply. He knew what he had come here to do, why wasn’t he getting to it while he still had time?

Glancing to make sure the nurse wasn’t anywhere nearby, he stood up at her bed side and lightly took hold of her arm, being wary of all the tubes connecting in. Closing his eyes and breathing deeply to help him concentrate, he muttered the Chinese words of the long and complex spell he had learned and been trying to learn since three that morning.

Syaoran could feel not only his magic but his whole life force being drained away. He was scared, the spell was incredibly complex- far more than anything he had ever attempted- and was deemed too dangerous for any but a master magician to try. But desperate times called for desperate measures. Not knowing if it was enough, but knowing he had given all he had, Syaoran broke the bond and staggered back, putting a hand to his pounding head.

With squinting eyes he looked at the monitors to see if there had been any direct changes. The only thing he got in return was the generally dim blinking red lights sending his head into a sway, a migrane quickly upon him. Suddenly the hushed beeps of the machines echoed painfully in his mind, and even his own breathing was enough to send waves of dizziness through his senses.

Trying to gather his bearings, Syaoran leaned heavily on the bed to address his mother again. "I know you wouldn’t want me to do that," He started, clenching his teeth and pinching his own arm to keep from focusing on the dizziness. "But I’m not going to sit around helpless when I’m able to do something. That is not how your or father raised me."

Leaning and waiting hopefully for some slight variation, Syaoran stood quietly, biding time away. But within time, his head hurt so much and his body was so tired that he was forced to go. Saying his goodbyes to his mother; only able to mumble as his own voice seemed to ring through his ears; he stumbled out of her room and down the hall to the elevator.

Of course nothing happened. Even the best of magicians need a consecutive week for results, what can I expect? I am just biding time, this is probably useless...But I’d be a coward to give up. Not until there’s nothing left will I stop.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Resilient as he was, Syaoran felt the exhausting affects of the spell long into the next day. This fact particularly was a detriment to his health during training.

Syaoran had never overslept, or at least if he had, there was a perfectly logical explanation for it. But Sensei Wanti didn’t want to hear about any insignificant excuse, he only wanted Syaoran to carry out his punishment to be sure the ‘stupid, lazy boy’ would never attempt that violation again. So here Syaoran was, his palms raw from blisters accumulated over the days from the rough training he had put himself through.

"Three more trees, quicken your pace, indolent boy!"

Syaoran grit his teeth and forced his knees to lock as he swung the axe again. Syaoran would have never guessed how heavy axes were, and now dearly appreciated the light feel of his double-edged sword. This was going to go long into noon, when it was miserably hot. Why does he even need this wood, anyway? There’s only a month or so when someone might need a fire, and it’s not even that cold. I couldn’t possibly imagine him going through this much fire wood in one of Hong Kong’s winters. He paused only to wipe the sweat from his forehead, seeing wearily that the Sensei was looking dark, so he quickly went to swinging the axe, his shoulders and arms aching.

On top of everything else, the headache from the previous day still lingered, only kept at bay from the large overdose of aspirin that Syaoran downed before hurrying to meet the Sensei. It seemed the only reward he got from the pills was that his body felt disconnected from his head, which if anything only acted as a detrimental hazard to his coordination. He pushed all of this out of his head and only focused his eyes on the peice of wood he would chop next. Better get as much done before it gets hot as I can. If I slack off I’ll be here through evening and spend the night doing make up school work instead of seeing mother.

The next tree and a half went slow but steady, Syaoran tightening his jaw from time to time as the pounding headache returned and tortured him as he felt the reverberation of the axe’s jarring impact with the wood. About midway through that second tree, though, Syaoran began to feel the heat getting to him and his headache.

Knowing that he had gone this whole morning without water and had a serious loss of water through sweat, Syaoran wondered how long it would be until he was dehydrated. Hopefully soon. I’ll pass out and he can’t make me do anything for a while. But that’s a sissy retreat. Syaoran swallowed hard to try and help out his dry throat , but it didn’t do much. Feeling slightly sick from all the heat, Syaoran’s next worry was that he would throw up and then pass out. He hoped the events would occur in opposite order so that he could keep everything in his stomach where it belonged. Every free second he could spare he glared at the sensei, who was sitting in a lawn chair now, looking cool in the shade of a large cherry tree. Syaoran despised him.

Starting to feel even more disconnected than before, Syaoran kept chopping. He figured if he was gonna go out, at least be in midswing, that way the axe might accidentally come loose and hit the sensei as Syaoran was falling over from exhaustion. It was so unfortunate, the he was so loyal that even to the point of exhaustion he swung that axe. What a pity it had to come out of his grip and hit that cruel sensei in the head. I don’t know though, that would be an awful bloody mess.

The thought of blood, though usually having no effect on him, was enough to send his stomach in knots. Syaoran cringed and forced his arms to keep going in a weak swing, totally losing sight of the original objective and switching to keep himself on his feet.

"Li-san, that will do. I don’t want you throwing up on my firewood, get to school." The sensei said, standing up.

Syaoran stood, breathing incredibly hard, and let the axe drop to his side, ignorant of the danger of the heavy blade. The sensei was already walking away. How considerate of him. I guess it must have been that easy to read on my face. Syaoran let the axe drop to the ground, then tried to keep himself from doing the same.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Only by a force other than himself known as Meilin did Syaoran attend school that day. He felt horrible and hadn’t heard a thing any of the teachers had said, but it seemed to keep Meilin happy enough. Several times in math he had caught himself just starting to tip over in his desk as his body begged for sleep, but several times he forced himself awake by pinching nerves in his arm.

He began to try and collect all of his energy for that evening, when he’d try the spell again. He didn’t care if it exhausted him and prevented him from going to school; what was a couple absenses to his mother’s life? That night he dragged himself on the bus to the hospital, being sure to wait until Rana and the rest would be leaving, then stumbled up the long stairwell to her room. Making the one-sided smalltalk, Syaoran only stayed an additional few minutes asides from the time to practice the spell. That night he had hardly made it to his bed to collapse and sleep.

It only got harder. Each night Syaoran tried to use the spell, the more was taken out of him. Every time he questioned himself, he would remind himself of this fact: The more exhaustion and misery he went through was the more help he was giving to his mother. It was a good thing Syaoran could focus on that, else he would have quickly turned from his idea without looking back.

Syaoran was incredibly thankful for the weekend, and he walked home from the bus stop with hope. She’s bound to get better with all this stuff. Even if I am not doing the spell one hundred percent right, that lifeforce of mine is going somewhere into her. She’ll be good soon. And I will be able to know that I helped her into it. Syaoran dragged himself up the stairs to his room, his eyelids weighing. I have to remember to eat breakfeast tommorrow morning. Half of this sleepiness is probably because I haven’t eaten since lunch in school. I must have slept through it again.

__________________________________________________

Sakura was having her own exhaustion problems. Over the past week, she had had four little card squirmishes in which she had been forced to use the high power attacks to get the cards to do a surrender. She was getting very sick of the ‘fight after school lets out schedule’. She was dismayed to see that she had skipped Judo lessons one day because of a particularly ugly battle with the Freeze and the Fiery. After several sad attempts, she had managed to get the two cards to collide.

"How long do you think they’ll keep this up?" Tomoyo asked Sakura as they sat on the edge of her bed watching a movie.

Sakura shrugged. "That’s why I need to get a hold of Eriol. You haven’t written him recently or anything, have you?"

Tomoyo shook her head. "I can’t remember anything like that." She confirmed.

Sakura went back to watching the movie, but was quickly bored by it. She fiddled with the bandaid that was on her arm from one of the scratches acquired during the last battle. She glanced at the little scratch underneath, then sighed impatiently and looked back to the movie.

"Are you alright, Sakura-chan?" Tomoyo asked, observing her friend.

"Yeah, I’m just fidgety. Too much sugar I guess," She lied. She could sense some faint magic that Syaoran was using, oddly enough. I wonder what he’s up to? Probably battling some dragon or something, slaying it down and saving a maiden in distress. Getting himself another girlfriend. Sakura looked out the window. I hope he’s alright. I wonder if he can feel that I am fighting with magic here? Probably not. My magic’s so weak, but... His isn’t much stronger than mine. What kind of a spell is he using?

"Is something wrong?" Tomoyo persisted.

Sakura shook her head. "No, there was just some magic in the air, that’s all. It’s gone now."

Tomoyo didn’t look convinced, but looked back to the television, trying to let her mind forget it. Sakura tried to do the same, but couldn’t. Her mind was too busy thinking of things west. I wonder when he will be able to visit again? I hope it’s longer than his last visit. Hopefully his mom will get better soon, so he can. She didn’t seem to horrible, except tired. I’m sure she was just tired out from fighting off all the germs. Hopefully he can come here, then we can figure this all out, like he keeps promising. We have to get all of it together before a card like the Earthy reeks havoc on all of Japan.

A phone rang next to Tomoyo. She quickly picked it up and answered, a happy look on her face "Oh, hi, Kato!" She said, emphasizing the name loudly so Sakura would notice.

And Sakura did. She quickly turned and faced Tomoyo, trying desperately to hear the voice on the other line. Not able to, she muted the television and tried again.

"We’d love to! Sure..." Tomoyo said.

Sakura fidgeted impatiently. Love to what? I’d love to see them again! I hope they’re making plans or something!

"Okay. We’ll be there! Got it. Bye!" Tomoyo hung up the phone, then looked happily at Sakura. "They want us to go to a restaraunt to meet them!" She said excitedly.

"What? Now?" Sakura asked.

Tomoyo nodded. "Yeah! They said they’re in town only for a little while today and tommorrow, and wanted to say hi before they go off for their concert in Beijing!"

"Awesome!" Sakura said, feeling butterflies flutter to her stomach as she thought of seeing Komai again. "Oh my gosh! So, what restaraunt?"

"That fancy one by the bank that you need a reservation to get into. They said they’ve got a party room reserved for all of us, so we better not keep them waiting!"

Sakura jumped off her bed, quickly shutting of the television and VCR, then went to her closet. "So what should I wear, Tomoyo?"

Tomoyo was already getting up, heading for the door. "Something formal. I’m going to run by my house and grab a dress. Will you meet me there?"

Sakura frowned. Tomoyo never, never turned down an opportunity to dress Sakura up. But she just had, plain as day. "A-alright." Sakura agreed, her voice slightly quieted.

Tomoyo was already leaving her room.

How strange. But she had seemed different, for a long time now, not just against Syaoran. Since that party at Mark’s house.... when she ...maybe she is a double. But how could a double escape my senses and Syaoran’s as well? I just don’t get it. She sighed and began looking through her outfits. Finding an alright skirt and medieval looking shirt, she headed to the bathroom to hurry and get ready.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Sakura, although she had seen Komai several times and knew she had no reason to be scared of him, was tripping constantly on the way to the resturaunt with nervousness. Tomoyo smiled at her fidgetiness. "You know they hate it when people are nervous around them." She said as they approached the restaraunt.

"Yeah. But I can’t help it. He’s so awesome...."

Tomoyo laughed. "They’re all attractive people. But I’d say Komai was probably the most shallow."

Sakura nodded reluctantly. "You’re probably right." But seeing Komai is going to be like seeing Syaoran. Will I be able to handle this? They walked through the doors of the fancy restaraunt and stopped at the attendant, where Tomoyo told their names. I better be able to.

The waitress led them down the different halls to the room in the back.

"You look nice, Sakura-chan. Don’t be nervous."
Sakura smiled weakly. "Thanks."

They slowed to a stop at a glassy door, then were ushered in, both feeling the excitement in the air.

Everyone at the table looked up at them, the band members all smiling. There was a few adults present that neither Sakura nor Tomoyo knew.

Gatria hopped to her feet. "Hey, Sakura, Tomoyo! This is our manager, producer, publicer, and some reporter guy. Don’t mind them."

"Sit down, guys." Kato said.

"Yeah, hurry up. Kato made us wait to order our food before you got here." Komai said.

Sakura numbly followed Tomoyo to her seat, glancing frequently at Komai. It was scary how much he looked like Syaoran. But right now he looked a little more suave then Syaoran generally did, which made sense, he was out in a nice restaurant. Still, she couldn’t help but feel slightly disappointed as she looked at him and knew that it wasn’t her friend, it was only an international idol. She sat down and tried to keep from staring at him.

"So, guys...!" Kato said, smiling enthusiastically.

"How is life?" Gatria countered.

Sakura smiled and forgot herself a little in the way that they were so down to earth. "It’s alright. Not half as exciting as yours, I bet."

Kato grinned. "I dunno, you guys didn’t seem like boring people to me. Besides, I’d die to have a quiet schedule for a good year or two."

Tomoyo smiled. "It must be so exhausting to keep up your schedule so steadily."

Komai nodded dramatically. "It’s awful! Kato hasn’t let me sleep past ten in weeks."

Sakura smiled, accidentally meeting his brown eyes. Komai had a way of charming people over with his smile; probably why he was such a famous person. She blushed and looked away. "Do you ever get to see your parents?" Sakura asked.

Gatria shrugged. "Yeah. They wouldn’t let us get away with ditching them."

A waitress came by and took their orders. Sakura, caught off guard, hurriedly looked through the menu for something. Finding stuff half decent, she ordered it and looked back to the conversation.

"So how are you and, uh, that guy...Mark or whatever?"

Sakura flushed. "Oh, him, well...we don’t really like each other. Anymore, anyway." She added.

"Syaoran didn’t like him from the start." Rii recalled, smiling to himself.

"How’d you know that?" Sakura inquired, slightly surprised to hear Rii talk.

"It was pretty obvious." Rii said. "He broke a string while he was tightening it when he saw you guys."

Komai grinned. "That was pretty funny." He said, chuckling.

Sakura couldn’t help but be amused. "What?" She asked, wanting to hear the whole story.

"Well, that day we were recording and you came in with that guy, he was fixing the strings on the guitar to tune it. It snapped in half because he twisted the knob too hard." He explained.

Sakura smiled. So she had succeeded in making Syaoran jealous. But the aftereffects; going back to Mark’s house; had been horrible.

"How is the old boy, anyway? I tried to call him a couple times, he never answers his phone." Kato said.

"Oh, he’s alright. His mother’s in the hospital, so he’s staying in Hong Kong for a while."

"What’s she got?" Kato asked.

"They don’t really know yet. They’re still running tests."

"That’s sad. Are you still ‘good friends’?"

Sakura would have loved to talk freely with Kato; she was dying for advice in this department and she wasn’t afraid that Kato would think she was stupid; but Tomoyo was sitting beside her like a thorn in her side. "Yes, I guess. Things are better, anyway." She said, hoping the ambiguous wording would tell Kato what she wanted to hear.

"He was so adorable...." Gatria said dreamily. She glanced at Komai beside her, who looked innocently back. "Like Komai, only not as annoying, ridiculous, unloyal, cheating-" She was stopped as Komai elbowed her harshly. "Not to mention woman abuser." She added under her breath.

"I don’t abuse woman," Komai said mockingly.

Gatria darkened.

Kato and Rii watched with anticipation for the rest of the entertainment.

"You just watch it or I’ll have to tell Rii about what really happened to that snare of his."

"You broke my snare!?" Rii asked, his voice much louder than Sakura had ever heard it.

Komai had no time to glare at Gatria, and only looked for an excuse. "It wasn’t my fault, though! You shouldn’t just leave it lying around-"

"Okay you three. Settle down. Sakura and Tomoyo are going to be thinking badly of us from now on." Kato intervened.

Rii was breathing smoke at Komai, who was playing with his napkin in attempt to get out of being pounded. Sakura smiled at their squabble.

"You guys really act like brothers and sisters." Tomoyo said.

Sakura nodded in agreement. "You guys fight like me and my brother Touya used to."

"Used to?" Kato questioned.

"Yeah, uh, we don’t talk much. He’s too busy, and so am I, so..."

"It’s sad how out of touch we grow as we age," Komai said, stretching his arms and looked expectantly to the door. "It can’t possibly take this long for our food to be cooked."

"Can’t your mind focus on anything but food?" Kato reprimanded.

"I’m a growing musician! I need my food!" He turned from Kato and flashed Sakura and Tomoyo a smile. "Not that I don’t have time to be an athlete as well. I just don’t show off my third level black belts like I do my guitar."

Sakura felt stupid for being so giggily, but laughed more as she saw the bored looks on Kato and Gatria’s faces. This was nothing new. She tried to gather some courage and spoke to him directly. "I have a friend that likes to eat alot, too."

Komai grinned and nodded. "Well you know they say that there’s a point when you swallow when you’re incapable of feeling emotions."

"Really?" Gatria asked skeptically.

Komai nodded. "So, in a way, eating’s a kind of spiritual escape."

Rii rolled his eyes and made a coughing noise that implied he wasn’t convinced.

"Look, there’s the spiritual escape now!" Kato said, looking towards the door as a rolling tray was brought in with their food stacked on it.

Sakura was glad of her choicing as she looked at the plate of food. What weird chance they happened to find Tomoyo’s number in the phone book while looking for recording studios! What other girl my age gets to eat with international stars?

_____________________________________________________________________

Syaoran didn’t know how much more he could take. The previous evening, after trying another spell treatment on his mother, he had promised himself he would stop this vain attempt. But the next morning he woke with the tiniest bit of revived strength (though most of it was spent in sword training) and ended up back in the hospital. His sisters had accepted the excuse that he just wanted time alone with his mother, and so never protested when he would go to the hospital at different times then they.

Syaoran clutched his aching head with one hand and looked at the heart monitors and respitory monitors with low hope. The progression went along the same- all machine powered, never jumping or diving with the unpredictability of a human. He shut his eyes tightly as a wave of dizziness fell over him, now not at all foreign to his usual health. Seeing the inviting appeal of the chair next to her bed, he headed over and collapsed in it, tilting his head back and keeping his eyes shut as it helped to subdue the pain.

"You’ve got to keep trying mother." He said aloud. "If I can’t give up, you can’t either. You don’t want to be a hypocrite, do you?"

Syaoran glanced at her, watching her almost lifeless body lay so rigid, his eyes softening with sorrow at the deep shadows about her. She is dead. The only thing that is keeping her going are these damn machines! Syaoran bit into his lip, pressing so hard that he had the taste of blood in his mouth. But that didn’t unnerve him at all. He only stared at his mother, pain filled eyes, envisioning her as still as she was, lying so motionless aside his dead father. Syaoran swallowed hard, though the effort almost made him choke. He couldn’t convince himself that there was any life left in her, all he could see was a shell, hooked to some beeping computers that showed what the doctors wanted to see.

Overwhelmed with emotions, he took her arm and said the spell again. Syaoran’s knees gave under the energy being taken out of him but he continued the spell from a kneeling position. Pain shot through his spine as he released his hands from her arm and he tried to endure it, but failed. As he tried to get up by pushing his arms on the side of her bed, it seemed like his arms didn’t even exist, and all too quickly he found his mind freezing up.

Blackness enshrouded him, and soon he had collapsed, and was passed out on the cold tile floor.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Syaoran groggily opened his eyes, wanting very much to shut them as he immediately felt the horrible pain of a headache come on; one so strong he felt as if he would fall over again. But he realized with a sickening lurch of gravity that he was already lying on the ground. He blinked his eyes open again, pressing his teeth into his tongue as the lights of the bright room blinded him.

"Are you alright, sir?" A lady’s voice asked, one he did not recognize.

Her blurry figure came to veiw and he slowly adjusted his eyes to see the nurse’s uniform she was wearing. With lots of help on her part, he managed to sit up. "What time is it?" He asked, cringing as his voice echoed through his ears.

"Seven ten. I don’t think you were out very long, but... What happened?"

"Do you have any medicine for a headache?" He asked, ignoring her question and squinting, pressing both of his hands to his temples to try and keep his head from exploding.

"Sir, I really need to have a look at you. Are you able to walk, or will I need to get a wheelchair?"

"I’m fine." He said with annoyance, clutching the bed railing and hoisting himself to his feet, swaying just a little.

"Please, sir, come with me, it’s just a quick check in. There are many medical disorders that start with blackouts."

"I don’t have a medical disorder." Syaoran insisted.

"I understand. Now, if you would please come with me-"

"Listen. I just haven’t gotten enough sleep lately, alright? I’ve been worried about her-" He motions to his mother- "and haven’t slept for the past three nights. I’m sure it’s just caught up with me." He lied. He could see the shift to pity in the nurse’s face, and knew he better keep with the story.

She looked unsure for a moment, but finally sighed heavily. "You better hurry home and get some rest before it happens again. You’ll end up getting a concussion from hitting the floor."

Syaoran nodded and started off, feeling like he could puke any second from the dizziness that spiralled in his head.

"-Demo! If it happens again, we’re having a full check out on you. Alright?"

Syaoran couldn’t get himself to nod, fearing the pain that came along with it, so resorted to looking at her with complacency.

"You hustle to your bed then. Don’t worry about her, we’ll take good care of her."

Syaoran smiled grimly and then headed back around the halls, barely able to keep himself standing. It seemed all of his weight had allied against him and was trying to drag him to the ground. Syaoran put a weak fight up and found himself by the stairs.

He couldn’t go down all these stairs. Luckily, there seemed to be some type of power looking out for him, for the signs to the elevators were gone, and now there were no blocks around them. Syaoran walked unsurely over. Does this mean they fixed it? He pressed the down button and stepped in, pressing the floor number, then heading to the back to lean heavily on the railing.

The door opened and Syaoran walked out gratefully, glad that the stair option had been erased for today. He saw one of the mechanics that had been working near the elevator arranging out his tools by the wall.

"Have you fixed the reserves yet?" Syaoran asked.

"Ah, not yet, got the elevator’s brakes runnin’ though. Can only do so much at a time." The man said.

Syaoran didn’t bother to respond and only walked away, aiming to make it home before he’d fall over again.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"...If you do not find some motivation immediately I’m sending you straight to the elders, you low-down worthless..."

Syaoran only heard certain words that seemed louder than the others. The rest of the time he spent concentrating on staying on his feet. He had learned that the Sensei didn’t like it when students collapsed in the middle of training. Apparently it was a sign of weakness. Syaoran would have agreed on any other occasion that if a person consistently collapsed, they were weak, but now was not the time for self criticism.

"...Right now!" At Syaoran’s slightest hesitance, he added, enfuriated, "Get on!"

Syaoran winced already, knowing the price to be paid with this question. But there was no other alternative. "W-what?"

Sensei Wanti was fuming now. How dare the insolent boy ask that question! What a mockery he was making of his instruction! "I see you’re going to turn this into a lesson about respect. Ready your weapon."

Syaoran frowned, confused. His eyes widened as he saw the sensei draw his own sword, an action which Syaoran had never seen him perform until this moment. But Syaoran was in no shape to duel! Especially not with someone of the sensei’s caliber.

But it was too late, and he was forced to draw his own sword. What’s he trying to prove, anyway? He thinks beating me in a little sword fight will gain my respect? That isn’t very honorable. But not many of the elder’s actions were honorable. The word had lost it’s weight long before Syaoran had ever been appointed.

The Sensei circled and Syaoran watched his eyes, trying at least to show some skill before blacking out from exhaustion. He saw in the sensei’s eyes movement and the change of his elbow that he was going to lunge, and so when he did, Syaoran was able to evade it with a weak block that could have been hit down with the proper force behind it. The sensei tried again, from another angle, being surprisingly swift, and Syaoran only narrowly escaped him again.

The sensei feigned and then jumped from the next spot, but Syaoran had seen it beforehand, and was able to jump away just in time.

"Defending yourself will get you no where." The sensei said, circling again.

It’s keeping me alive so far. Syaoran jumped out of the way of another attack and then decided to take the sensei’s advice. Underestimating the sensei’s speed, he went to take his sword to the sensei’s side. Unfortunately, Wanti-san was able to move around that and slashed his sword around in a smooth motion, grazing Syaoran’s shoulder.

Syaoran’s head spun wrecklessly and he stumbled momentarily, but found he was still able to balance, and tried to ignore the wet feeling on his shoulder from the blood that was seeping out. He could’ve beaten me then, why is he waiting? Is he just playing?

"Coward, can’t you fight for yourself?" Wanti taunted, holding his sword with ease. He couldn’t have comprehended the weight Syaoran felt in his hand.

Syaoran forced some focus through himself to get one good attack. He was slightly dismayed to think that on any other given day he could have had this duel easily, and tried to use this as fuel to get the attack in. Swinging his sword horizontally and then spinning after it, he brought his sword down on the ground, using the only attack he had ever learned from his father. Syaoran remembered it well, as he had practiced it all of the time with his weak wooden sword when he was barely able to understand such movements.

But Syaoran, sadly, was not as quick as he would have liked to think, and found himself thrown to the ground, his head pounding, his stomach lurching. Syaoran landed flatly on his back, the sharp end of a sword being held threateningly to his neck, the sensei’s foot clamped down on his chest, restricting his already limited breathing.

Syaoran cringed, momentarily thinking he was going to pass out. "You fight worse than my step-daughter." He declared, glaring at Syaoran.

Syaoran looked back up at the Sensei, glaring him straight in the eye. No matter how tired or hurting he was, he didn’t like being compared to a girl. Evidently this upset the sensei.

He kicked Syaoran’s jaw; not hard, but enough to put blood in his mouth. Syaoran found himself starting to pass out once more, but fought for consciousness as he kept his head sideways. He wasn’t going to try glaring the sensei down again, not now.

"Where’s your honor? You dare commit yourself to the shame of looking your superior of a battle in the eye?"

Syaoran didn’t answer, partly because his jaw stung, and partly because he was trying to block him out.

"Go home. I’m done wasting my time with someone as inutile..." He stepped away, walking down the sidewalk and leaving Syaoran on the ground, dealing with his wounds.

Syaoran tried to swallow away the taste of blood, but it seemed that his mouth was dry, and the taste could not be washed away. He tried to sit up, and only half did so, inspecting his shoulder. It did not even hurt anymore, and already was trying to heal over, though there was not much energy in Syaoran to do so. He tried to sit up again, but he only collapsed harder in return, making his head spin.

He was only left in peace for a moment, as a gasp followed by footsteps forced him to open his eyes.

"Syaoran-kun! Are you alright?" A wispy voice exclaimed. Syaoran forced himself to sit up, balacing himself by clutching his knees.

"M-hm." He mumbled, wincing hard as the headache protested being forced to sit up like this. He dreaded his luck. Anyone besides Mandu he would have welcomed to help him. But no, it had to be her.

She put her hand on his shoulder, carefully placed beside his cut. "You’re hurt. Were you..." She saw the sword at his side. "Swordfighting." She confirmed her own question. "Do you need help? I mean, can you walk home?"

"I’m fine, just leave me alone." He grumbled, leaning his head on his knees and struggling to stay awake.

"Let me get some help..." She said, getting up from his side and looking around.

Syaoran tried to shake his head with protest, but she was already gone.

Mandu walked hurriedly down the sidewalk, looking to and fro for someone to help out. There seemed to be no one by the stables at this time. But she saw movement. She looked over, and with much disappointment, saw it was Teller.

Not willing to take that, she continued by, looking worriedly, wondering how long Syaoran would last in that state.

"Are you alright, Mandu?" Teller called, peering out of some pony’s stall.

She slowed reluctantly. How was that boy so able to read her? She was about to say ‘yeah, fine’, but she remembered Syaoran’s words about Teller. They had hurt at the time, not being what she wanted to hear at all. But maybe he was right. Maybe she was being shallow. "Do you have a second?" She called back.

She had never seen anyone light up so enthusiastically. The boy hurried out of the stall and rushed over. "Yeah, why?" He asked, breathless.

"Syaoran’s hurt. Might go unconscious, I don’t know. But he can’t just stay sitting out here."

"Can he walk?" Teller asked.

Mandu shook her head, unconsciously flipping her hair over her shoulders. "He can hardly sit up, it seems like."

"Well, ah..." Teller looked around unsurely, desperately trying to think of something to help. This was his big break. If Mandu could see how resourceful he was... "Oh, the gator! We can drive him to his house in the back of that!"

Mandu nodded in agreement, and they both jogged to where the little vehichle was parked. Teller, feeling cooler than he ever had in his life, imagined that this was an expensive sports car, and he and Mandu were off on a date. But Mandu’s worried expression reminded him he’d better hurry, so he started the thing up and pulled it out of the barn. "Where’s he at?" He shouted over the engine.

"Over there." She said, pointing off in the distance.

Teller took her poor instructions and drove down the bumpy grass, driving swiftly around trees and hoping Mandu didn’t mind the jarring bumps that they were constantly going over. Getting closer and following her point, he could see Syaoran in the distance, sitting and leaning his forehead on his knees, looking very un-Syaoran like. He had never seen the older boy uncomposed, but, Teller guessed, everyone is down sometimes.

He slowed the thing next to him and hopped out, hurrying after Mandu, who had gotten out while it was still moving.

"Syaoran can you hear me?"

"That ^&*(ing thing is hurting my head," He muttered, wincing and pressing his hands hard against his head.

Teller grinned at Mandu. "I guess he’s still alright."

She grinned back unsurely, than dismissed that and looked back to Syaoran. "You have to help us get you on so we can drive you to your house, ‘kay?"

Syaoran made no response. Mandu took one of his arms off his knee and Teller took the other. Using team work they pulled him to his feet, balancing him with one arm on each shoulder.

"I can walk." He mumbled, though his eyes were closed and it looked like he’d pass out any moment.

"Sure you can." Teller said, walking slowly so they could stay balanced. It was only a few steps to the gator, and they slid him into the seat. Syaoran slouched horribly, but stayed sitting.

Teller let out a sigh. "Well, now we just have to get him to his house."

Mandu nodded.

"You’ll have to sit in the back, is that alright?" Teller asked.

Mandu nodded. "Yeah, whatever." She agreed.

Teller walked around to the driver’s side and sat down, glancing over his shoulder to make sure Mandu was seated before taking off slowly. He kept a wary eye on Syaoran, who looked ready to fall right out of the chair, and his other eye on the sidewalk ahead.

The ride took longer than usual due to the slow pace, but they finally arrived at the large house and pulled up to the door. Teller got out of his seat and Mandu did the same, and using the same technique they dragged him to the door and opened it, letting themselves inside.

One of his sisters that they had rarely seen looked up nonchalantly from the dining room table. She surveyed Syaoran. "What happened to him?" She asked.

"Dunno, you’ll have to ask him." The strain in Teller’s voice was obvious. "He’s got a cut on his shoulder, a bad headache, and other than that..."

Tyung walked over and took Syaoran from them. He made a groaning sound but didn’t bother to open his eyes. "Wow, he’s really beat." She said dryly.

"Yeah, uh, he needs to sleep, I guess. We can tell his teachers he’s sick." Teller offered.

"Thanks." Tyung said, walking Syaoran over to the couch and setting him down. "I’m sure he appreciates you dragging him home. I’ll tell you the rest of the story once he’s fully conscious."

Teller and Mandu smiled politely, then turned and headed out the door to the waiting modest vehichle. Teller sat down in the driver’s seat, trying to keep the hot feeling off his cheeks as he realized that it was just Mandu and him now.

She plopped on the chair. "Geez, his sister isn’t very compassionate." She said disapprovingly, shaking her hair off her face.

"Yeah." Teller agreed.

Mandu noticed the difficulty that Teller was having and was unsure whether to be flattered or insulted. He wasn’t even part of the Li clan, anyway. Who was he, barging in like he was? But his childish innocence was rather appealing. All her other boyfriends were far from being so innocent, and it was always the same dull hurt at the end.

"Do you want a drive home? Or where were you going?" Teller asked, clearing the air.

"I was going back home. You don’t mind taking me?" She asked.

"No." Teller said simply, driving the gator around and heading down the sidewalk to her house.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The next day Syaoran didn’t bother to show up at his training. He held no respect for the Sensei, now more than ever, and refused to learn from him, at least in the present moment. He did, however, drag himself to school.

Syaoran couldn’t forgive himself for letting Mandu help him. Now he couldn’t hate her and think of her as a shallow, emotionless airhead. Now she actually had compassion, and was willing to help out. And she had worked with Teller; Teller of all people. He wondered if anything had happened, but he was sure nothing had, because he kept reminding himself who the two people were.

In school nothing was different. Mandu kept hitting on him, asking repeatedly if his shoulder was alright, which ended up getting an outburst from him in math class. Only Meilin knew the truth about the fight, because, after her horribly persistent nagging, Syaoran had given in and told her about the duel. He managed to leave out the part about why he was so tired and slow. His use of the complex spells on his mother still remained a secret. Syaoran felt horribly guilty and worried that he had missed a treatment the last evening because he had slept since he was dropped on the couch. Nothing could be done, though, so he promised himself he would make the spell as powerful as he could today.

"Can I come by with you to the hospital today?" Meilin asked during lunch.

Syaoran shook his head, amazed at how much lighter it felt now that his headache was getting under wraps.

"Why not!?" She demanded, setting her sandwhich down and facing him.

"Can’t I just go alone?" He retorted, getting to the edge of his rope from all of the recent events.

"You haven’t gone with anyone since she was put on that stuff! Every time I go by with your sisters, one of them will start crying, and then I start crying too. I hate crying. I feel like a baby."

"So don’t cry." Syaoran said.

Meilin sighed, frustrated. "Syaoran I really wish you would tell me what’s going on. I know it must hurt, but you can’t stay like this. If something happened, you wouldn’t be able to handle it."

"Quit telling me what I can and can’t handle!" He shouted, getting much of the cafeteria’s attention.

Meilin’s eyes widened slightly, and she searched for good words. "Syaoran, calm down. I didn’t mean that-"

Syaoran got up. "I know exactly what you mean. Will you just let me be, I don’t need your help. I don’t need anyone’s help!" He took the rest of his food to the trash cans and threw them away, then headed for the lunch room door, planning to leave.

He was stopped by the lunch supervisor. Syaoran prepared to defy the sensei, but seeing the fearing look in her eye, he slowed to be so quick to act. She held out a paper.

"Li Syaoran, correct?"

He nodded, his eyes staying on hers and trying to see what news he was about to get. She said nothing more, only handed him the paper. Syaoran took it, then continued out of the room, heading for the library.

He rushed through the hallways and entered the quiet peace of the school library, then seated himself at a corner table, sitting in the large old wooden chairs. He took a deep breath, then unfolded the paper in front of him.

Li Syaoran-

Syaoran felt sick. He had only been summoned a countable number of times by the elders, and never once was it anything asides missions. To be summoned about behavior was something Syaoran did not want to go through. Syaoran, so caught up in the news, did not even notice Meilin sitting down next to him.

"I didn’t mean I think you’re weak." Meilin clarified. She saw that Syaoran was preoccupied by the way he was staring hard with horror at the paper in front of him.

Meilin moved her chair in and looked over the paper. blanching for her friend’s sake as she read it. "Oh, Syaoran, I’m so sorry."

Syaoran grit his teeth. "They don’t even care if the sensei almost killed me."

Meilin wasn’t quite sure how to relate. "Well, maybe they’re going to ask you about him. You know, like to see if they’re going to keep using him for a sensei."

"They would say that in the note." He said, disregarding the slightest hope that it might not be as bad as it seemed.

Meilin sighed. "I’m sorry. Really. But maybe it’s not as bad as you think-"

"When do the elders just summon people for insignificant things, Meilin?" He asked, his blazing eyes looking straight into her own.

She looked down, knowing he was right. There wasn’t anything consoling she could say. "Why do they have to be so unfair?" She complained with him.

Syaoran took the note and feircely crumpled the paper.

Meilin studied him. "You’re going, aren’t you?"

"I better. I’m expected."

She bit her lip. "You know it’s better to go and take it than let things escalate."

Syaoran glared and threw the paper into the wastebasket across the room. "What can they do if I never show up? Why should I let them run my life, anyway? Where’s the honor in that?"

Those were loaded questions that Meilin couldn’t answer. But she did have one good reason. "But they are paying for your mother." She reminded him quietly.

Syaoran snorted. "Some good that’s doing."

Meilin’s eyes watered. "Don’t be like that, Syaoran. She’s not gone yet, so many people have come out of the same thing-"

"Don’t advise me, Meilin." He said coldly, getting up from his seat. "You don’t know half of it, don’t even try." He pushed the chair in and headed out of the library.

Meilin stood up. "Are you going to go?" She called after him.

Syaoran didn’t bother to turn around and only put his hands in the air.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Sensei Wanti has been telling us of the obstacles occuring in your training."

Syaoran tried to keep his head. Meilin had been right. It was better to take it this way. "I am not progressing as fast as I once was." He confirmed.

"Are you not aware that you are putting your family’s honor in peril?"

Syaoran swallowed and nodded.

"Than you will understand why we are taking these measures to keep your potential running.

"You are to be put on prohibation in hopes that you will be inspired to motivate yourself into progressing-"

Syaoran dared to interrupt. "What have I done deserving punishment?" He asked boldly.

The head elder studied him with a disapproving eye. "Have we not gone over these facts clearly?"

Syaoran continued, fueled by his last words. "I do not see how a slow in my progression is deserving of punishment."

"You are questioning our judgement?" The elder assumed.

"I’m questioning this harsh treatment. Just because I’m not learning as fast as I used to does not mean I’m being difficult. The more complex things I learn, the slower and harder it is to learn."

"You’re suggesting that you cannot handle the-"

"My mother’s dying for God’s sake! Can’t you give me a break? Is it not honorable for a man to prioritize his family?"

"We needn’t remind you we’re paying the price of your mother’s life." The elder said coldly. "If you do not wish to follow the path you chose when appointed, you and your family may suffer the effects."

Syaoran clenched his teeth, dying to use several choice words.

"Is that your choice? Exile?"

Syaoran swallowed hard. "N-no."

"Good. Then you shall carry out your prohibation. What you’re lacking currently in motivation you shall gather in practice. Wanti-sama is going to be overseeing that you practice evening and morning. Infractions in these rules will be dealt with by harsher training and ultimately another summoning. Do you understand what is put before you?"

Syaoran wanted nothing more than to swing his sword horizontally across each and every one of those men’s throats, but that wasn’t a pluasible fantasy. "I do." He agreed.

"You are dismissed."

Syaoran stood hesitantly for a second, desperately wanting to protest. Not able to find the wording, Syaoran shamefully headed back down the hall he had come, digesting everything that had been said.

If I’m being overseen in the evening, that means my visits with mother are... But they can’t do that! They can’t just take over all of my life! Syaoran stalked down the sidewalk, not wanting to go home. But he had to. And he wouldn’t have time to go to the hospital tonight. But I will. After this training ends, whenever that ends, I’ll go.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Syaoran was exhausted. The horrible training with Syaoran’s new worst enemy, Sensei Wanti, had ended around nine O’clock, giving Syaoran no time to do his homework. He hurried home and did as much as he could with his wandering brain, then left his room and quietly left the house, heading for the hospital. The stupid elders weren’t going to stop him from helping his mother.

Syaoran hated the weather for being in such a storm as he headed to the hospital, but had no power of it, so endured the rain and lightening as he hurried from the bus stop to the hospital’s shelter. Ignoring the critical looks the nurses gave him for coming so late, he went to the elevator and headed up to his mother’s room.

The nurse was inside, adjusting things on the I.V., and looked up and shook her head disapprovingly at Syaoran’s enterance. "You should be sleeping." She said, but nothing more.

Syaoran walked over to his mother’s side and studied her, then looked to the nurse. "Is anything different?" He asked.

"Good news." She said. "She’s doing better, apparently, and they’re thinking about taking her off the support in a couple days if the progress keeps up. Do you and your sisters not discuss your mother’s health at home? They’ve heard all of this."

Syaoran tried to hide his excitement. Was he actually having effect? He waited quietly for the nurse to leave, then did the spell with more enthusiasm. Though he felt tired, horrible, exhausted, he felt more satisfaction as he thought she was doing better. Off the machines!

"When do you plan to go home, young man? Visiting hours long passed." The nurse said, reentering with new bags for the stuff.

"Yeah, I’m going soon." He said.

The nurse glanced out the window, where rain and lightening pounded down. "Watch out for that lightening. It’s nasty. The weathermen were saying these storms were thrown off that hurricane that grazed us a bit ago. I guess we’ll be getting them for a while."

Syaoran shrugged. He looked to the nurse. "I’m going home, then."

She smiled and nodded. "Get some sleep. You look tired."

Syaoran grinned warily and continued out, his hands in his pockets. Finally, some good news. Maybe he was going to get through this. His mother was getting better.... The news alone seemed to lighten his heart. Things might not be as desperate as they seemed.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Things had been strange with Sensei Wanti ever since their little duel. Syaoran was wary of the crazy lust for respect that the sensei let shine through every now and then. The sensei did not fight with honor, and that made him a threat and a danger. Syaoran tried to keep from doing anything wrong, but it was practically impossible; as he was forced to practice longer and harder than ever. Syaoran began to give out after about the first hour or so, but had to keep going.

Today they were working on another spell, one Syaoran did not have enough magic to do. The sensei reprimanded Syaoran for not ‘trying his hardest’, and forced him over and over to try the spell. The only result was Syaoran’s complete loss of magical power. He hoped desperately that he would gain some by the evening, so he could help his mother continue to recover. He was going to get her off the machines.

"Again." Sensei Wanti said.

Syaoran tried vainly to catch his breath and brought his sword down again, only sending a draft of wind into the air.

"Again." He ordered, his voice showing irritation that Syaoran did not want to deal with.

Syaoran did the same thing, hoping that some unfound peice of magic within him would take pity and launch the attack. But nothing would help Syaoran, and he was going to have to endure another tearing-down.

"Nothing happened." The sensei took his time to walk in front of Syaoran, his eyes mocking the feeble boy. "Do you know why that is?" He asked, looking casually at his nails. "Because you’re weak. If you do not start pushing yourself, we’re going to have to go to the elders to find an alternative source of punishment. Is that clear?"

Syaoran swallowed and nodded.

"Again." He said, stepping clear.

Syaoran went to do it, then sighed and looked to the sensei. "With all do respect, sir, and in no mockery of your instructions, I don’t think I can."

Syaoran swore he saw a hint of satisfaction go through the sensei’s eyes as he saw the boy’s downfall. But not he only looked on with scorn. "You mean to tell me that after this hour of light training, you’re incapable of magic?"

Syaoran nodded, trying to look as truthful as possible. It was the truth, anyway.

"I don’t buy it, Li-san, but if you insist to the excuse of weakness, there’s other things to be done for people of more...ah...delicacy."

Syaoran cringed at being called delicate. He would have liked to loudly protest, but hopefully he would be able to endure whatever it was.

"Go see Chang-sama. I’ll see you tommorrow. Another morning of time wasted and you’ll be back to see the elders."

Syaoran’s eyes widened. "The-the seamstress Chang-sama?"He asked.

The sensei turned, looking amused. "Yes, that is the only one here, is she not?"

Syaoran didn’t answer, only stalked away. He’s making me sew?

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

"You’ve got try and see it from their point of view, Syaoran. I mean, really. They’re threatened by you." Meilin explained, waving a drumstick in the air for gesticulation.

Syaoran rolled his eyes. "I don’t think they could possibly be threatened by a boy who spent three hours on a sewing machine." He said.

"Well you’re the only one they have running missions right now. You’re their only real heir, and they can’t let you rebel against the clan’s ways. They’re afraid you’ll become a dissident and ignore your responsibilities to our family."

"They don’t know anything about family responsibilities." Syaoran muttered.

"Don’t get on that kick again. Remember, your mother’s getting better. Be happy."

Syaoran shrugged. "She’s still on that crap." He sighed. "I really hope she’ll get better, I was so scared, that she would....you know?"

Meilin nodded. She had a funny smile on her face as she was looking past Syaoran. As he turned to see what the object of her gaze was, he was greeted by a hand on his shoulder.

"Hi, Syaoran-kun, how’s your shoulder?" Mandu asked.

Syaoran shifted away. "Fine. It was nothing." He mumbled.

Mandu smiled wistfully.

After a moment of silence where Syaoran was trying to shake her hand off his shoulder, Meilin spoke up. "Hey Chang-san, Syaoran spent some good time with your mother this morning."

Syaoran clenched his teeth and longed for this conversation to end so he could give Meilin a peice of his mind.

"Oh?" She asked, highly interested.

"Yeah, he decided to take his hand at being a seamster. I guess that’s what guy ones are called." She shifted her gaze to Syaoran. "Did you make me any scarves?"

"Did you really?" Mandu asked, taking her hand off of his shoulder now that she was sure she had his attention.

"I didn’t want to-" Syaoran started.

"That’s so sweet! Most guys think it’s too feminine to sew, I just think they’re scared of the needle work involved."

Meilin nodded enthusiastically, happy to find someone that shared her veiws. "I think it’s cause Syaoran’s so secure in his masculinity, he’s insightful enough to search into anything."

Mandu smiled, her flirty one, aimed right at Syaoran.

"Sewing’s stupid." He muttered under his breath.

Mandu stood for a while to make sure nothing else was going to take place, then announced her exit. "Well I just wanted to make sure you’re taking care of that cut. You don’t want it to get infected."

Syaoran didn’t even bother to respond.

"So...I’ll see you later." She said, tossing her long hair over her shoulder and smiling, then turning and walking gracefully away.

Meilin rolled her eyes once she was gone. "Geez, like that wasn’t the most obvious hit-on in the world."

Syaoran glared for a second, then got up, taking his tray away.

"What?" Meilin asked, confused, as he started to stalk away. "Come on, I was just playing!" She called after him.

Syaoran only continued off.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Syaoran had to bite his teeth down as he looked at his blistered palms. He had hoped they would turn to callouses by now, but the horrible after-school training had only reopened some of the blisters and created double ones in other places. The sweat and broken down cells of his skin had only filled some of them up, forcing Syaoran to have to break them open to minimize the pain.

But now he was going to see his mother, and he had to ignore that. Dodging through the pelting rain of another branched storm, he hurried into his house. Loud thunder made him jump and bang his knee on the door, only making him curse yet again that day for the pain that seemed to enjoy to lodge on Syaoran’s body. He looked around the house and saw that his sisters were gone, so he wandered freely through the house and searched out some bandages to do up his hands with.

His palms stung sharply as the cloth was pressing down on them, but soon after the initial pain was gone, and his hands felt much better than before. He glanced at his shoulder in the mirror as he was changing shirts, but didn’t think much of it. It was a shallow wound, and would soon disappear without a trace of a scar. Straightening out the shirt, he pulled on some khaki pants and then was headed back out into the stormy weather.

The buses were delayed due to the horrible weather, only forcing Syaoran to stand at the wet bus stop longer. Once he finally caught the first one, he was soaked fairly well, asides from a few parts he had managed to keep dry under a tree.

The wet bandages on his hands weren’t feeling too hot now. He had a feeling that the rainwater seeping in would only encourage the blisters to fill back up and cause more strife for the exhausted boy. Syaoran made a quick exchange to the second bus and sat in the seat looking out the window, watching the storm outside. The cloud’s amazing formations showed through every time a huge bolt of lightening would strike down, and Syaoran could hear the thunder even over the bus noise. People were quiet; it seemed the storm had a sombering effect on everyone.

But Syaoran was able to stay fairly optimistic, as he continued to remind himself that his mother was doing better. Better. Because of this spell. So I can’t give up now, not while we’re so close. Syaoran tried to ignore the nagging fact that he hardly had any magic to give now, and that this could cause another blackout.

He hurried across the parkinglot, looking cautiously around for vehichles that may not see him from the pouring rain. Syaoran, once inside, felt a little rejuvinated as he thought of the good news about his mother, and hurried to the elevator. He gave a small nod of recognition to the mechanic that was still at work, and continued on up to the fourth floor.

Syaoran walked to his mother’s room and slowed as he saw the two nurses with charts, overseeing the I.V. changes.

The nurse Syaoran was fimiliar with gave him a grim smile. "I don’t suppose you have seen your sisters since this afternoon?" She asked.

Syaoran shook his head, looking from his sleeping mother to the nurse, trying to figure out what was going on. "Why?" He dared to ask.

"Your mom’s not doing so hot now. We’re going to be doing some MRI’s and some CT scans to...ah...to test for brain activity."

Syaoran stood motionless for a moment, a scowl on his face directed on the nurse. "But you said that-"

"She was doing better. And she was. But maybe it’s all the rain, who knows. Don’t worry, son, I’m sure they’ll come up positive. With some many caring children she’s got, how couldn’t they?"

Syaoran swallowed hard. "But if they’re negative?" He asked.

"Well, ah..." The nurse was having trouble saying the news.

The other nurse stepped in, a kind smile on her face. "Then we can wait and see if anything happens."

If there hadn’t been bandages around Syaoran’s palms, he would have made them bleed with his fingernails.

"Well, we’ll leave you two alone." The first nurse said, sniffling slightly and wiping her eyes with her fingers.

The two nurses rushed out, apparently longing to get out of the horrible environment.

Syaoran turned at the closed door, then looked back to his mother. Lightening outside flashed again, making the shadows across her face seem ever darker. He swallowed again, it getting harder and harder as he studied his mother so closely. Feeling a sudden rush of weakness, he walked over to the chair at her side and collapsed in it, his eyes ever locked on her face.

"You were supposed to get better." He said aloud, his voice shakey. "You were on the right track, why did you have to..." He exhaled again.

"You can’t go, mother. I need you, the whole clan needs you- The sensei, he-" Syaoran pulled down the collar of his shirt as if to show her the cut, even though she was not able to see it. "There’s no honor left, mother. You have to help us. You can’t go while you are still needed!"

He watched her as if waiting for some type of response, but when none came, he looked back out the window to the violent skies. He hated this misery, the constant apprehension, knowing that any second the hell could come. The intensity of the feelings were so great that he could not even feel the hate that had burned so strongly against the elders just a few hours before. Now all that was in him was fear, drowning fear.

Taking a deep breath, he stood up, remembering what he had come here to do. Taking her arm softly, he inhaled as much as he could and muttered the words, forcing every bit of energy in him into his mother. He could feel every part of him going numb, but he ignored it and continued to pour out himself until he hadn’t the strength to hold her arm anymore. At that point, he allowed himself to clumsily fall back into the chair.

He contemplated allowing himself to sleep, but knew that wasn’t a good choice. His sisters would need him at home, and he couldn’t ignore them. He was only resting to gather the bearings to walk to the elevator, then from there he would figure out how to make it the rest of the way, as he always did.

The lightening and thunder outside seemed to vibrate even through the hospital walls. He watched the window unconsciously as rain pattered against the window, blurring all the outdoor lights into several colors.

He turned and looked to his mother, feelings rising up his throat. "You’ve got to recover again, alright?"

After he was able to stand, Syaoran dragged himself down the hallway. He was almost thankful for the exhaustion, as it helped him to escape the painful feelings within. Walking in a half awake state, he stumbled into the elevator. No one else being around, he shut the door and pressed the button to the floor.

The elevator started down as it usually did, Syaoran resting with his eyes closed as he leaned on the back wall. But a sudden jolting screech forced even his eyelids open. At first he thought he had passed out, but then quickly realized that the lights of the elevator were off. Seeing that the elevator was still, he walked to the front, looking for any clues.

A power outage. He thought to himself, looking around.

Revelation hit him so hard that he literally trembled.

The power was out, and all the machines within.

With shakey hands and a refusal to accept the truth, Syaoran attacked the door. He found strength in panic that enabled him to pry the doors halfway open. With a final kick he got them to their sides. He pressed the hard stone wall in front of him angrily. What was it doing in his way? He pounded it with his fists, not even aware that he had skinned everything off his knuckles in a matter of seconds. After a wrong punch made his hand go numb, Syaoran declined, stepping back, panting for air.

The lights of the elevator flickered several times, then went solidly on. The elevator doors shut, then it continued down to the floor it was supposed to be going to. When the doors were barely open, Syaoran forcefully jumped through them and tore through the masses of panicked people frantically making their way through the halls. He did not see them. He only saw the stairway ahead as his goal.

Sprinting, he took the stairs quickly. The floors went by in a blur, no physical ailment standing in Syaoran’s way of the fourth floor. He flung the door open and took off down the hall, seeing the hurrying nurses running back and forth into various rooms only as moving targets.

Syaoran had almost reached the doorway to his mother’s room when something strong had grabbed hold of him from behind.

"Please, hon’,-"

"Let me go!" Syaoran shouted, pratically hysterical with panic as he tried to get to the doorway, inching along as he dragged the weight behind him.

"Let the nurses be, there’s nothing you can do!"

Syaoran forcefully tried to pull out of it, but his nervous panick had made him sloppy and clumsy. Finally giving in, he swung around, facing the nurse. "She’s not,....is she?" He cried. Syaoran’s eyes contained feelings that were never conveyed, and even the nurse could see the desperation in the amber eyes.

She couldn’t tell him this, she just couldn’t. But it was her job, as a nurse... "The-the power outtage was just long enough..."

Syaoran punched the wall beside him so hard that he cracked into the drywall.

The nurse looked at the hole with widened eyes, slightly fearful of the power that this boy had portrayed, but went back to her job. "You should go back home and tell your sisters now, I’m sure they’d rather hear it from you than one of us on the telephone-" She didn’t bother to wipe the tears off her face.

"I don’t have to do anything." He said coldly, clenching his teeth. His stomach felt flipped over, his throat felt small, all his limbs were numb...

She could see his sudden change to remorse, and was horrified to see how quickly he forced the pity in him into hatred. "You know that’s not true, you can’t just abandon them-"

"Leave me alone!" Syaoran shouted, his voice near the top of his lungs.

The nurse stepped back, frightened.

Syaoran glanced through the doorway of the room, his muscles all quivering. His mother looked no different than when he had left, but the machines were now humming lines. Her faint spirit was no longer present. Syaoran knew for sure then. It was true. He felt a hand on his shoulder, but he pushed it off and turned and rushed for the stairs. He wasn’t going to handle this any longer.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Syaoran had never despised opening his front door so. But he had to. His sisters had to know. He opened the door and went inside, his eyes grazing the scene. Lai and Daikal were sitting on the couch, watching television. Rana was gathering food on the dining room table. Tyung wasn’t in the room.

"Hey, try this." She said, handing him a cup of liquid.

Syaoran took it unconsciously.

She studied her brother’s shocked state and frowned. "You alright?" She asked.

Syaoran clenched his teeth, his beat up hand clenching the glass cup for all it was worth. He looked at Rana with a sudden fire in his eyes, one that startled her. Syaoran never showed this kind of passion.

"They had a power outage." He said with difficulty.

"What?" Rana asked, confused. "We had one here, too, that storm was horrible-"
"A goddamn power outage." He repeated, swallowing hard. He threw the glass cup in his hand hand, causing it to shatter against the island wall in the kitchen. There was a horrible silence that echoed the glass’s clashing noise.

"Syaoran!" Rana said, looking at him with wide eyes.

"A-a power outtage?" Lai repeated, standing up from the couch.

Syaoran looked to her with desperation for someone to understand.

Rana’s hand went to her mouth. "The hospital..." She said, her eyes wide with horror.

By that time Lai and Daikal had rushed over.

"M-mother? Is she alright?" Lai asked urgently.

At Syaoran’s hesitance, Daikal persisted, "Is she!?"

"What do you think!?" Syaoran shouted. "The machines went out like everything else, what the hell else can I say?"

Tyung was rushing down the stairs, tears streaming down her face. As she saw the scene, she slowed. "You don’t have to tell me. I just talked to the nurse on the phone." She said through her choked up voice.

"She can’t really be...can she?" Rana sobbed.

"Syaoran tell us, is mother really gone?" Lai demanded.

"God, she is," Tyung cried leaning onto Lai’s shoulder and sobbing horribly.

"M-mother’s..." Daikal said, tears quickly reaching her eyes.

She and Rana joined the other two in mourning.

Syaoran watched them cry from his guarded position. He couldn’t understand them at all. How could they accept it so easily? The shock only tortured him from outside, not giving him the priviledge to cry and move on.

Syaoran tried to deal with everything inside him, but he could not. He couldn’t stand around and let the things stir inside. He had to stay occupied.

He turned and opened the door, charging outside.

"Syaoran!" Tyung cried after him.

He only waved behind himself as a dismissal, breaking into a sprint and ignoring the cold rain drenching him.

He could not comprehend what he had just witnessed. His mother couldn’t really be dead. If he went back to the hospital, she would still be there, in the room, sleeping peacefully as she did before. He would exhaust himself again with the spell and get her better. She would come out of the hospital and come home, able to tell him everything was alright, that he was making his father proud. She would help him and give him advice about the elders and how honorable Syaoran really was.

But Syaoran couldn’t ignore what he had seen.

He raced downthe sidewalk, hardly able to see as the rain pounded down and stung his eyes. He was unaware of anything physical, of anything emotional, he was just completely numb, aloof, trying to escape by occupying his mind with nothing.

Before he realized what he was doing, he grabbed the large and wet stallion out of the pasture and lept on his back, the rain soaked fur soaking through his pants. Syaoran kicked the horse into a run and sat sloppily, only looking ahead with blank eyes and letting his wet hair slap against his forehead.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I don’t think there’s a good way to end any chapter, especially this one, so I decided to end it there so I could post this chap up. Well it’s all very depressing. It was hard to write, I hope it’s moving. Well I’d write more in this, but I gotta get to bed.

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