RECAP: Sakura had a visit with Shiro Ame and Syaoran’s mother died.

Chapter 42 - Vacationing

Syaoran stared out the window with glazed eyes. His sisters sat quiet around the table, all looking with teary eyes fixedly on a nearby object, emotionally drained from all of the greif. The day before had gone by as a blur, and since the night of the event, he had not slept. He was unable to do anything but sit, comotose, as the shock came closer and closer to hitting him.

The cloud cover outside was not as dark as it should have been. The sun still shone through, teasing them with its light. Syaoran looked away from the light, covertly evaluating the looks on his sister’s faces. Each of their cheeks were tear stained, their eyes red and swollen. Syaoran moved his eyes away, their expressions bothering him. Syaoran sneezed suddenly, three times in a row. He felt so cold, his body ached with shivering. But he had chosen to stay out in that rain all night and morning, forcing every bit of physical energy out of himself.

"Take vitamins, Syaoran, you’ll be sick," Tyung said, her voice monotone, her eyes never leaving their fixed spot.

Syaoran glanced at her, then glared back at the floor. Knowing there was no use to argue, he got up stiffly from the chair and shuffled into the kitchen. He took his time, slowly unlatching the cabinent and taking out the right bottle. Time seemed to stand still inside their house, and every task or dutiful endeavor was welcomed as something to take up the painful incriments.

The phone rang, and no one made a move to answer it. None of them wanted to talk to anyone. But finally after the persistent shrill ring continued, Tyung walked over to the telephone and picked it up. She spoke in hushed tones, not bothering to hide her irritation with the person on the other line.

Syaoran walked back to his chair, clenching his teeth. He knew it was probably another relative from some unheard of place wanting to arrange the funeral. Syaoran felt sick with disgust every time he would hear of such plans. After something like this, they would need time to adjust, not to make arrangements for social events. But it was being planned all the same.

Rana buried her head in her arms again, sobbing once more. It caused a chain reaction, except for Tyung, who was too irritated since hanging up the phone that she was unable to cry. Syaoran pushed the chair back and stood up, exasperated with his sister’s acceptance.

"Syaoran, stop it." Tyung ordered, her eyes pleading.

Numerous replies came to him, but he spoke none, only glared furiously at her for a second before turning and heading for the door. No one was either brave enough or ignorant enough to stop him- figuring that it would be useless to plead. He was going to leave whether they protested or not.

Syaoran walked his sore limbs to his backyard where he collapsed on the hammock, looking up at the tree top with threatening tears. One question continuously circled in his head, followed by others: Why? Why, what had he done to deserve so much pain? Were the fates so deadset against him? Was he really this rotten inside to be getting so much comeuppance? If I hadn’t been so lazy, I could’ve kept her alive, if I’d’ve...

But deep down Syaoran knew this was not true at all. There had been nothing he could have done. His mother had said that exactly, in a matter of speaking. She knew that death was clouding over her, though for what purpose she had been so unsure.

Why did she have to accept that so easily!? Why couldn’t she fight!? She could’ve kept herself alive, if she hadn’t given in like that, together her will and my powers, she could... Syaoran squeezed his eyes shut, partly to hold the tears in, partly to shut out the pain. Opening them again and ignoring the wet feeling at the corners of his eyes, he stared at the swaying tree tops, letting the wind glaze his eyes over, welcoming the exhaustion to take him into an unconscious sleep.

Syaoran cringed as a ring startled him. Realizing quickly that it was coming from the cell phone in his pocket, he ignored it, but the ringing continued on. Syaoran took his phone out agressively and shut the power off, cutting off the call. Dropping the phone to the ground below, he went back to looking blankly up.

Slowly but steadily the thoughts seeped into his mind again. He just couldn’t understand this. How could it happen? How could the fates, however cruel they were, leave him an orphan. I have no parents.

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

The whole soccer team had come by to offer their condolences. Syaoran was silent the whole time, glaring one way or the other, his emotions unreadable. They watched him curiously, amazed that he wasn’t crying or at least showing his greif in some way. But he was only quiet, not even bitter yet. Perhaps it was still too close to the death.

Meilin, Alexis, Teller, and Mandu had settled their differences and come by, bringing Gladiolllas in tradition. Syaoran had taken the flowers but never even let them into the house, only answering their questions softly and shooting intimidating looks to get them away.

He collapsed on a chair and looked at the flowers for a long moment. The long tall flowers sat in front of him, a stationary reminder of the past events.

"Syaoran will you help me figure out the rest of this food?" Lai asked, looking up from the catering book in front of her.

"Ask Rana-"

"Quit it. You’re being so selfish, you know that? Everyone’s only trying to help, if you’d quit thinking about yourself for one second-"

"This isn’t my area, alright? I just meant it doesn’t matter..."

"Syaoran, I’m sorry- I-"

"Syaoran?" A voice called from the study. It was Tyung’s low voice. She walked into the living room, the phone in hand. "Syaoran, Uncle Chou’s on the phone."

Syaoran looked at her with annoyance. But she knew very well that he didn’t want to talk to anyone, so it was no use. Walking away from Lai and thinking about her words, he took the phone. "Yes?" He answered.

"Hey, old fellow, how are you holding up?"

"Fine." Syaoran replied.

"I could never tell your lies from your truths..." His great uncle said to himself. "I suppose you’re doing as well as anyone could do in a time like this. I know it doesn’t help, but I’m very sorry."

"M-hm." Syaoran answered monotonously.

"How are your sisters doing, really? Tyung-san is a difficult one to get information out of."

"They’re coping." Syaoran answered.

"I should have known it would be pointless to be asking you this stuff," He said, chuckling. "You always were like your father. You just make sure you look after yourself, and Tyung as well, if you can. She’s the one that worries me. You two keep it so bottled up..." There was a loud sigh.

Syaoran waited silently, hoping his silence would frustrate his great uncle into ending the call.

"I suppose I’ll see you at the reception, then?"

"Yeah," Syaoran confirmed, dying to get off the phone.

"You take care, then."

"Bye," Syaoran answered, taking the phone from his ear. He hung up after he answered, then turned to find that all of his sisters were huddled around the flower arrangement. Sighing to himself, he headed up the stairs.

I don’t mean to act selfish. But can’t they understand why I’m acting the way I am? They weren’t there when it happened, how can they judge... He went in his room and landed eagle-sprawled on his bed, staring up at the ceiling.

My mother’s gone, I’m never going to see her again. I should just face it. My parents left me. I’m wasting time pitying myself. I’m strong enough to face this, aren’t I?

Syaoran flinched as his phone rang from his pocket. Grumbling to himself, he pulled it out and was about to hang up, but then hesitated. I can’t hide forever. He reluctantly brought the phone to his ear. "Yeah?" He answered.

"Hey, Syaoran, what’s up?" A bright and cheery voice answered.

Syaoran’s throat stuck. He hadn’t been expecting her at all, and when trying to think of what to say, he faultered. Syaoran sat up and adjusted the phone better. "N-nothing." He said, trying to get the low undertone of bitterness and self pity out of his voice before she noticed it.

"I tried to call the other day but my call got cut off. Kero was throwing a fit about something or ‘nother so I had to wait till now."

"Oh," Syaoran said, his voice dimming. Sakura sounded so happy, so energetic, so everything he was not. Though usually it had a good affect on him, her optimism didn’t seem so hot now.

"Well Shiro Ame visited last week. They said they’re having a concert in Hong Kong! They’re going to Beijing or something first, then Shanghai, then Hong Kong. It’s like two weeks away I guess."

"Uhuh."

Sakura paused for a second, then spoke cautiously. "I’m sorry, but is everything alright?"

"Yeah, why?" Syaoran said lightly.

"No reason." She answered, laughing it off. "You sound tired, but seeing your schedule, I can see why."

"How are your cards?" Syaoran forced himself to say.

"Oh, ah, alright I guess. I think another one’s gonna try something soon. It’s pretty stupid. Every day, after school, there’s something. But it’s nothing hard, anyway."

"Yeah..."

There was an uncomfortable pause. "So, uh, I guess you can keep your eye out for the concert." (more pause) "Are you able to visit any time soon?"

Syaoran hadn’t put any thought into this whatsoever. He hadn’t seen Japan as a priority lately. But he didn’t want to hurt Sakura’s feelings, no matter how angry he was at the world. "Yeah, probably." He answered.

"Cool. Well, I’m going to go, I’ll, um, I’ll talk to you later, then."

"Alright.’

"Bye." Sakura said, loading that word with as many emotions as she could put into it.

"Bye." He answered, letting out a heavy sigh as she hung up.

He hadn’t imagined things would be this dismal with Sakura after this event. Why hadn’t he told her, anyways? I don’t want her to worry about me, I guess. I’ve got enough people pitying me as it is. Syaoran dropped his phone on his pocket and stretched out on his back again. Cause I’m a recluse idiot that won’t accept anyone’s help. I’d just rather hurt myself instead. Syaoran glanced towards the door to his room as he heard the front door open. Some people were coming in. Syaoran recognized the voices as Yundi and Ryoto.

Eventually he rolled off his bed and forced himself downstairs. Even if he had to fake it, he wouldn’t show this self pity for anyone else to see.

_____________________________________________

Sakura stretched out the muscles in her shoulders gingerly. She was sore from a battle with the cards one of the previous nights, and now as she sat in her quiet room, she found herself bored without the excitement. The cards had been getting progressively harder, but not horribly so. The last battle had been with the Shadow and the Jump, and Sakura had stupidly tried to tackle the Jump’s rabbit-like form to the ground. The only effect given was to shake Sakura’s shoulders into the soreness they had now.

She looked toward the phone and sighed inwardly. She sensed something was up with Syaoran, but she knew she wasn’t going to get him to confess over the phone. She wished at times like these that they had more time to be together so she could gain enough trust from him But it seemed they would never get time together, and she should just deal with the facts.

The fact is I never get to keep good friends. They just disappear. She looked over at her nintendo where Kero was playing Zelda. I wonder how Link is doing? I should really visit him sometime. She bit her lip as she contemplated. Her father was going to a dig and her brother was staying on campus this weekend... But it’s too dangerous. I’ll screw up my transport spell and who knows where I’ll end up. Then again...would it be that horrible if I ended up in Hong Kong? Well yeah, I can’t expect Tomoyo to just whip out money for another plane ticket.

"Hey Kero, lemme play." Sakura said, inching in to get the controller.

Kero looked up with irritation. "Come on, I’ve almost beat this dungeon."

Sakura sighed and looked over at Bob. Her thoughts leaving Kero and the Nintendo for the time being, she walked over to Bob where he was building a pretty Chinese style architecture type fortress. "What are you making?" She asked.

"Bob house. Place for me to stay." He answered.

Sakura grinned and nodded. "It’s cool looking."

Bob eased down another twig and then looked up. "You sound yearning, Angel-chan." He said.

Sakura frowned, an amused smile playing her lips. "What?"

"Lonely, longing, all in your eyes."

Sakura bit her lower lip, unsure. After a moment’s thought she said, "You can see all of that?"

"Strong feelings, those displayed. How is it you feel like this?"

Sakura glanced over her shoulder to see if Kero was paying attention, then looked back to Bob. "Well, I, ah, I miss Sailor."

"Ah. That I can see. He misses you also, more than you could imagine, I’m sure."

Sakura slowly grinned. "You think so?"

Bob flew up and down like a nod. "Know so, Angel-chan, know so. His thoughts drift much with you."

Sakura chewed the inside of her lip. "How do you know?"

"Easily seen."

Sakura felt a nice warmth rising in her. The warmth subsided as she thought of the cold reality she was in. "But it stinks, you know? He’s there and I’m here. It seems like.." She glanced to make sure Kero wasn’t watching. "Like we’re not meant to be." She whispered.

"No, no, no! Don’t give up, Angel-chan! You have got to keep defying fate, you will win."

"Defying fate, huh?" Sakura asked skeptically, Bob’s words turning into philosophy from the basic discussion of feelings.

Bob went back to setting twigs down. "Yes. A strong force at work, I sense. Very powerful. But you two may defeat it."

Sakura sighed and plopped on the chair behind her desk. "It still doesn’t really help. I mean, knowing that can make me feel better, but it’s still..." She sighed one more. "Still lonely."

Bob eyed her carefully. "You scheme something to overcome this?"

Sakura looked up, then shook her head, laughing. "It’s impossible to hide anything from you. Yeah, I was thinking about visiting an old friend I know."

"Who is this friend?"

"The boy that knew Navi, the one that visited here for a short while."

Bob was looking suspicious. "You mean to be unfaithful?"

Sakura gave him a quizzical look, then burst out laughing. "Please, it’s not like..." She gulped air down and calmed her laughter. "Not like we’re married or anything. I’m just going to check out his mission. He’s able to understand, he has to fight things all the time like I do. And he’s from a video game, for goodness’ sake!"

Bob tossed some powder into the air for festivity. "To Angel’s trip, then!"

Sakura rolled her eyes and got up from the seat. It was a good idea, she decided, and she would just bring a watch along to keep track of time. She’d come back after one of her days, and that way she’d be home with plenty of time to spare before any other human dezidens arrived back.

"Kero, turn that off." She ordered.

"Alright, alright, only ‘cause I beat this-" He grumbled as he shut off the system.

Sakura called out her staff then took a deep breath. She knew what had happened last time she tried this spell. She couldn’t let it go wrong again. Forcing her thoughts solely on Hyrule, she shut her eyes deeply and gripped her staff with sweaty hands. Gulping down her fear, she called the spell.

Things seemed to blank out as they did that last time she had done this spell. For a breif moment the fimiliarity worried her as she wondered where she was going to be placed at, but she ignored that thought and reconcentrated. As she was refocused she found that she was centering again, her balance was being restored. But something was wrong with her left shoulder. At second check, Sakura found that there seemed to be a weight on it.

She opened her eyes, and found herself facing two large blue eyes. Shreiking, she jumped back.

Link took his hand from her shoulder and looked with amazed eyes. "Sakura?" He said unsurely.

Sakura let out her initial fear and attacked him with a hug. "Hi!" She said excitedly.

Link stepped back, a broad smile on his face. "What in Hyrule are you doing here!?" He asked.

Sakura couldn’t contain her grin. "It’s boring back home, so I thought I’d give you a visit!"

"Oh-" He stopped short, as he heard a rustling sound in the distance. He looked around cautiously, his sword unsheathed and his shield ready.

Sakura took in her surroundings and saw that she was in a desert-like scene. Many dried out bushes were around, and the ground was laid thickly with dust. She looked in the direction of the noise and saw nothing.

"Follow me," Link said in a more quieted tone. "This isn’t really safe." He said.

Sakura nodded and followed him, overveiwing his general appearance as she walked after him. She bit her lip as she felt a laugh coming on, thinking of Syaoran’s nickname ‘skirt boy’. The truth was, a skirt it may be, the style worked for Link, and was rather appealing in a strange sort of way. His hair was still sunwashed blonde, though he had his hat on top of it. He was taller, now beating Sakura by a good head length. She took all of this into consideration as she followed him around the side of a large rock.

Once they moved around a cliff type edge, Sakura saw a horse standing docilely by a tree. She recognized it at once as Epona.

"Sorry, I was trying to catch a Poe, I didn’t want anything sneaking up on us."

Sakura shuddered. A Poe was a very large ghost she had encountered in Zelda. "No, it’s my fault for just appearing."

"It is no problem at all. I’m glad to see you, really." He said, dropping back beside her as they headed over to Epona.

Sakura smiled, though she couldn’t help but feel the slightest bit nervous about conotations of that sentence. He’s just saying he’s glad to have company, that’s all. "So how have you been?" She asked, shaking silly thoughts off.

"Well, after your friend slayed that dragon I was able to obtain that medallion... I’ve almost collected all of them, now." Link explained.

"Oh, that’s great!" Sakura said enthusiastically.

Link nodded and gave Epona a hearty pat on the neck. "So...What do you plan to do?" He asked, facing her.

Sakura couldn’t help but feel a little weirded out as she looked at Link dead on. He was totally flawless, the exact replica of the video game. But how was he real? She didn’t really understand the logic of this. She switched her thoughts to answering the question. "Well, visit the city, I suppose, then, ah... I don’t know. You can give me a tour of all the best spots of Hyrule. Last time, all Syaoran wanted to do was leave, so I didn’t get to see much."

"We can go by the forest, if you’d like." Link said, adjusting his saddle.

Sakura shrugged. "I really don’t want to be a bother. I should have thought of that before I came, I mean, you have enough on your mind, you don’t have to be my tour guide."

"No, it’s a good break." Link said, stepping back from the saddle. "Would you rather walk or ride?"

Sakura frowned. "Well, I mean...?"

Link blushed. "I mean, if you don’t want to ride with me, that’s fine, we can walk."

"Oh! Oh, no, I don’t mind." Sakura said, understanding what he meant. She saw that he had hold of Epona’s reins, so she put her foot in the stirrup and hopped on, sliding back so he could mount also. Link got on easily, and eased Epona into a walk.

Sakura had no need to hang on to him as they were only walking, and only rested her hands on the horse’s hindquarters for the moment. "Don’t you take breaks to see you friends?" She asked.

"Well, there’s not really many people I have befriended; asides the princess and the sages; and I spend so much time collecting the medallions.."

"So doesn’t it bother you that no one seems to care?" She asked.

"I guess not, I mean, I don’t know, I..." Link sounded flustered. "But it’s better for people not to care. If they did, they’d spend all of their time being apprehensive of the evil befalling the world. It should not be so."

Sakura couldn’t help but admire his perfect courage and selflessness. "You are very right." She agreed, though she was not able to express her deep admiration.

They walked for a while, and Sakura watched the dusty scenery turn to the breath-taking greens of the Hyrule Field.

"We can stop by the ranch and get you a mount, if you would like." Link suggested.

"That’d be great." Sakura agreed. She peered around his shoulder and watched as they steered towards the high brick wall in the distance that was around the ranch.

They walked much of the way in silence; Sakura completely content to look at the gorgeous scenery around them. She could only think of one thing that would make this little vacation any better.

They entered the ranch through the large gates and headed towards the pasture. Link slowed and hopped down as they entered the gate approached a girl their age.

"Hello, Malon," he said, a general polite expression on his face.

Malon smiled at Link, said hello, then looked at Sakura. "Where are you visiting from?" She asked.

"Ah...North," Sakura answered, hoping that would be subsequent.

"Around the city or....?"

"North of the castle," Sakura said, nodding to confirm it.

"It’s wonderful to meet you, I’m Malon," the girl said, holding up her hand.

Sakura felt silly sitting on Epona, so she quickly dismounted and returned the hand shake. "I’m Sakura. Nice to meet you too."

Malon addressed Link. "Are you looking for another mount?" She asked.

"Yes, if it’s possible," Link said.

She was already smiling broadly at Sakura. "Of course! What kind of horse do you prefer? We’ve got some hot-headed ones, some fairly mellow, ah..we’ve just bought a new gaited horse, he’s lovely..."

Sakura smiled as she followed Malon through the pasture. "A mellow one sounds great to me."

Malon nodded. "Sure! She’s very sweet, but she can be a bit on the lazy side sometimes. If she gets in one of those moods, just ask Link to pull you along until she stops her attitude."

"Alright," Sakura agreed, smiling. She followed Malon to an older looking mare who had a slight sway to her back and a rather large belly. She thought about asking for a faster one, but reminded herself she was on a vacation, she should relax.

"That’s an odd dress," Malon said, looking at her sideways. "I mean, it’s beautiful, but the fabric is strange to me. What is it?"

Sakura glanced down at her outfit. "Oh, ah, northern sheep wool. We stretch it out thin so it looks like this." She answered lamely.

Malon nodded, though she looked unsure.

She put a halter on the mare, then they walked back to where Link was standing patiently, brushing Epona absently on the neck with his fingers.

He smiled at Sakura, then they went to get the tack for the mare. Within a few minutes, Sakura was ready to go. She mounted up, then looked to Malon for any last minute instructions.

"We’ll probably be back in a few days, if that’s alright." Link said.

"That’s fine. We don’t need the mare for anything. You guys have fun." Malon said.

"Bye," Sakura said, smiling and thudding the horse on her sides to get the lazy animal into a walk.

"Thank you," Link called over his shoulder.

Malon’s response was lost in the wind, so they continued on out of the gate in single file. Only after they left the ranch’s walls entirely did Link drop back and speak again.

"Where are we headed first?" He asked.

Sakura glanced sideways, then looked quickly ahead, a bit bothered at the feeling she got when she saw his large blue eyes looking intently at her, not ashamed to show any emotions openly as he was still so innocent. just like me. "Ah...where do you suggest?"

"Well, what would you like to see? You’ve been to Zora’s domain, which is personally my favorite, but you haven’t been to the forest. It’s very beautiful there. And we could visit the Gerudo fortress, but they’re not too fond of males..."

Sakura grinned. The Gerudos where a strictly all female race that would kill all male intruders unless needed for certain necessary purposes. "The forest would be great! Could we visit the Lost Woods?"

Link smiled and nodded. "Sure! Did you hear about those woods last time you were here?"

Sakura shook her head. "No, I, ah, I heard about it through the game, like when I played... I know that must be hard to understand." She glanced at Link and saw he had a concentrated look of focus on his face.

"So..." He chewed on his bottom lip, "So you’ve seen them through that black box?" He asked.

Sakura nodded. "Yeah, through a TV. Though I’m sure it will look much different in real life."

Link still looked confused. He looked at the ground in front of him for a while before responding. "The trees are very beautiful up close."

They walked the horses quietly across the field, Sakura wondering off in her own thoughts. She contemplated things about Syaoran, contrasted him with Link, and admired the places around her that seemed so very real to every one of her senses. Anytime she would try and reason how she was able to be within a video game, her brain ached with effort and forced her to stop.

Soon they approached the enterance to the forest. Sakura could see a haze over the air ahead, with a backdrop of large towering dark trees. Even from this distance, the trees seemed unlively tall. Sakura looked ahead with wonder. "That looks amazing!" She breathed.

Link half turned in his saddle, his eyes breaking off the trees he looked so happy to see. "The forest’s got a spirit all its own. You’ll feel it when you ride in, I’m sure. Not many outsiders are allowed in..."

"Oh, I don’t want to cause trouble-"

"No, I didn’t mean you. I’m sure they would let a girl like you in even if you weren’t with me," He said, smiling.

Sakura smiled in return from the compliment, but wasn’t quite sure of what to say to respond. She hadn’t expected him to act anything like this. This nothing. He’s not acting funny. I’m just overcautious. Guys flirt with girls all the time, it’s just that they don’t flirt with me that often. I shouldn’t be so surprised.

Her thoughts subsided as they rode in between the giant trees. Sakura looked around with wonder, losing herself in the dream vacation she had planned on. She definitely deserved this stress releif.

"Would you like to go to the Lost Woods right away?" Link asked.

Sakura would have been content to stop and stare at the atmosphere around them. The air itself seemed to glow with life, a constant mist of nothing and everything swirling about. She drew herself out of the trance and looked over at Link. "Sure," she agreed.

Link turned and led them towards a steep hill. Sakura’s mare stopped several times on the hill as they climbed zig-zagged style. Finally they reached the summit and headed for an arch in the land that led into the dark mystery of the forest.

Sakura looked around slightly nervous as everything seemed to dim around her. She didn’t know that this is what it was like to enter the Lost Woods. On the game, it switched scenes and never showed this part from the person’s point of veiw.

She quickly found the fear resolved as they entered a fourway stop. Each way had the potential to bring them to the next stop, or just as well, to bring them back to where they started. But Sakura didn’t worry, she had the paths memorized, and was sure Link did as well. "I can’t beleive how beautiful these woods are," Sakura said, looking around with still amazed eyes.

"This is one of my favored places. I grew up here, after all." He said, smiling. A sudden paled look crossed his face, and before Sakura knew what was happening, Link had stood up and lept off his horse, leaping across the gap and knocking her down off of her mare. As she hit the hard ground with a thud and tried immediately to get out from under him, Link whipped out his sword, quickly putting it over her head. A clanging sound shocked her ears. Link quickly got up, holding his hand out.

"My apologies, those-" He stopped and quickly pulled her over, his shield protecting both of them.

Looking over his shoulder, Sakura awoke from her disorientation and noticed the moving shrub in the distance. Having to move around him, she put her arms over his shoulders and called out her staff. Quickly she shouted a bind spell, and the little plant was frozen safely.

Sakura, catching her breath, leaned heavily on the shoulders before her unconsciously. Suddenly she realized that she was practically embracing him and quickly stepped back, blushing heavily.

Link hadn’t seem to notice, or at least was good a hiding it, the awkwardness that Sakura felt so heavily set. Instead he was looking at her more with admiration. "I’m really sorry, I, uh, I’m not used to fending for people other than myself." He quarter-turned to see the frozen shrub. "That’s amazing, is it magic from the gods?"

Sakura shook her head, releived he did not think as she did. "No, ah, just some tricks I learned..."

Link nodded. "Well, um, excuse me for a moment." He said, politely leaving her and heading over to the shrub, sword in hand.

Sakura smiled and watched him destroy the evil bush. I wish my enemies were more like this. And I had more allies like this. She went over and caught their horses who nonchalantly grazed in the corner, then walked over to meet him.

"Thank you," Link said, taking his horse’s reins.

"No problem," Sakura said, climbing up onto her old mare’s back. Once they were settled, they headed on to the next path. "Is there many of those in these woods?"

"More every time. I’ve never seen any this close to the Kokiri Forest, though. They are getting braver. I will keep my eye out, now."

"I can put a shield over us." Sakura suggested.

Link frowned at her, looking perplexed. "A shield to cover both of us?" He asked skeptically.

"Yeah. Like, it’s invisible, kind of like a forcefield...?"

Link looked blankly back at her.

"Here, I’ll show you. Mamoru!" She called out. The shield came quickly over them, invisible to the naked eye but its boundaries glimmering to her senses. "See, this is hovering over us and will deflect anything that hits it."

Link looked awestruck. "Wonderful! You must teach me that spell sometime! It’s such a pain to defend with my shield and remain offensive with only one hand."

Sakura laughed and nodded, though she wasn’t entirely sure she could. After all, the magic Link used was based on a video game world that had no reality. But here she was in it, breathing the air, seeing the sights.

She followed single file behind Link, laughing a bit every time a shrub tried in vain to shoot them with seeds. This is the perfect vacation. How could Syaoran ever have wanted to leave here? And it was so wonderful when he was here too...

___________________________________________________________

Syaoran pressed his teeth through the gum on his tongue, starting yet again to feel the starts of overwhelming frustration come over him. Why did he have to take these tests, anyway? He didn’t want to ever set foot in school again. But here he was, sitting in the school room, surrounded by other kids who would never understand everything he was going through.

After looking over the short paragraph from the story he was supposed to have read, he looked back to the question. It didn’t help. He had no idea what those idiots were talking about. Trying not to have another outburst (as he had had the previous day in an arguement with the math teacher), he got up unsubtly and let his pencil roll off his desk, heading over to the teacher’s desk.

"Xoun-san, may I go to the restroom?" He asked through closed teeth.

"Wait for passing period," the teacher said, not bothering to look up from the papers he was grading.

Syaoran stood for a second, a horrible scowl on his face, before turning from the desk and being loud deliberately as he headed for the door. Syaoran opened it and slammed it behind him, heading down the quiet hallways for the bathroom. He went in the nearest one, glad to see that there was no one there. He leaned against the wall, avoiding looking at the mirror across for him, and let out several deep breaths.

Why did he have to go back to school? What right did his sisters have in making him go back? It was enough they made him go to the funeral, where he only stood with an icey glare and avoided looking at the casket as the service was provided. Now they were making him return back to the pity party. He loathed the superficiality every single one of his friends used. Meilin seemed the better of them, and at least tried to treat him normally. He did, however, catch her giving him sympathetic looks from time to time.

Syaoran leaned his head back and closed his eyes, trying to clear his mind out. He was rudely disturbed by a voice.

"Sorry, but you know Xoun-san." Yundi said, standing a good hesitant amount of feet away.

Syaoran opened his eyes and glared at Yundi, making a point not to look startled. He only glared, waiting for the rest of the explanation.

Yundi, looking like a cowering deer being cornered to be shot, shuffled his feet uncomfortably. "He said that you had no right to leave his class and that he demanded you return before he has to flunk your test." He said, attempting to put a certain amount of sarcasm into it.

Syaoran had to at least appreciate his efforts. But he couldn’t. Syaoran only sighed and stood up rightly, passing Yundi and heading back to class. If he had to, he could finish that test. He wouldn’t miss a single problem. And what does that prove?

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

Syaoran walked quietly beside Meilin. She and Alexis insisted he go trailriding with them, that Raion would be a perfect remedy to fix his depression. Syaoran was argued out, sick of shouting and threatening. He had gotten a detention for punching Ryoto in the stomach, something which he regretted. Ryoto had only been trying to help, after all. But this thought made him even more angry as he evaluated his faults.

So, trying to take refuge in silence, Syaoran headed to the pasture. He hoped he could keep himself together as he saw his father’s horse. So many memories of when he was young, both his parents, his whole family, as it should be... Syaoran choked on his breath and forced those foolish thoughts out of his head. He had to continue living with a blank mind, that was the only way he was going to get out of this alive.

"Let’s go down those trails that go near my house, I’m s’pose to give Teller these game tickets so he can get to the soccer game," Alexis said. She cast a furtive glance at Syaoran and added, "To see them get creamed again. Too bad our varsity team sucks so much this year."

Syaoran was indifferent. "Join yourself if you don’t like it."

Alexis let out a loud sigh of irritation and attemptance to understand. Meilin did the same.

Syaoran grabbed a bridle, not feeling like concentrating on anything. He headed out to the back pasture and saw the large black horse grazing near the fence. Seeing Syaoran, Raion neighed and trotted over to where he stood.

Sensing a feeling of need, Syaoran felt slightly better. The stallion had a reverse efect on him. Syaoran slipped under the fence and walked to the large horse’s side. He pet Raion’s proud neck and then put the bridle on quickly, never faultering. Raion accepted the bit fairly well, though he made it clear he didn’t appreciate it as he chewed the bit all around in his mouth.

Something that can understand me. Raion lost the only one that took care of him also. Syaoran sighed and leaned against him. But I’m not a horse. And there’s no one new to take care of me. I have to take care of myself. As I have for my whole life. Seeing Meilin mounting in the distance, Syaoran used the fence as a step and jumped onto the horse’s broad back.

They rode, Alexis and Meilin in front, Syaoran in back. They didn’t go very fast, which didn’t bother Syaoran. He found that this was quite good therapy, just being on the horse, and enjoyed the silence. The small amount of concentration he used to control Raion was enough to preoccupy his mind from thinking about anything.

They dropped by Alexis’ house and gave Teller the sports passes he needed. Syaoran said hello and spoke shallowly, but it was good enough to fool Teller. Once they turned to head home, Syaoran ran off by himself, enjoying the disconnection he had when he moved wrecklessly fast. Raion seemed to enjoy the speed as well, and sensed Syaoran’s mixed emotions. Syaoran found himself back at the stable within a little bit of time, and hopped off. He pulled off the bridle and gave Raion a pat on the neck, then left the pasture to go back home.

Once he had everything at the stalls in order, Meilin and Alexis were just arriving back. Not wanting to get stuck talking to them, he headed quickly down the sidewalk to his house.

- - - - - - -

Syaoran wished the world would let him live alone, but it seemed it couldn’t be so. The second he set foot in the house, Daikal noticed him from the kitchen.

"Hey, can you help me mix this?" She asked.

Syaoran threw his coat on the table and continued towards the stairs. "Do it yourself." He mumbled.

Daikal made a snort noise. "Excuse me? God, when did you become so stuck on yourself?"

Syaoran slowed to a stop, looking over at her. "Do you want something, or can I leave?" He asked coldly.

"I want you to stop thinking about yourself for one second and realize that the rest of us are going through the same thing. If you’d just grow up and accept it-"

"You couldn’t possibly understand, you weren’t even there. Just leave me alone." He said, turning already as he said it and headed up the steps.

"Fine!" She called after him. "But I don’t think the elders like your recent temperament."

Syaoran stopped at the top of the stairs and leaned over the balcony. "What are you talking about?" He asked.

"Go see for yourself," She replied.

Syaoran grit his teeth furiously and continued into his room. He shut the door behind him, not loudly, and continued on over to his bed. Just as he was going to fall across it he noticed a paper on the bed. Syaoran picked it up and plopped down.

Li Syaoran-

Syaoran looked over it once more, then savagely ripped the paper to tiny peices. How dare they require something like this now! Syaoran rolled over onto his stomach and sucked in a breath furiously. It just figured. He couldn’t have expected them to leave him alone any longer than this. How can I be expected to do all of this? Can’t people see I’m at my limit?

- - - - - - - - -

Syaoran shifted impatiently as he sat amongst the rest of the soccer team at the lunch table. He deeply regretted agreeing to come back over here. Ryoto kept giving him apprehensive looks, thinking that Syaoran might blow up and punch him again. Yundi looked like he was having a hard time trying to make Syaoran feel comfortable. The rest of them followed suit.

"I don’t know, the west high school’s team isn’t that good. Maybe we can beat them."

"We’re still not going to get into any of the conferences. We suck, as coach says; we’re an embaressment to the freshly mowed grass we practice on every day."

"It’s not our fault. Everyone else is just too...good."

Syaoran sighed to himself as he spun his fork around in the school’s cheap immitation of chow mein. If they were going to talk like this, they may as well come out and ask him to rejoin.

"We’d be a whole lot better if we had a good offensive line. I’m sorry Jin, you just don’t cut it." Yundi said.

Jin only shrugged in agreement.

Yundi half turned to Syaoran. "And say if we got back an old player that was the star center...."

Syaoran glanced up from his food to see that everyone at the table with waiting anxiously. The question they had been waiting the whole lunch line to ask was now on the table. He went back to stirring his food. "You’ll have to see if you can steal Teller from J.V.." He said.

Everyone was quiet for a second. Then Yundi responded, "Come on, man. You need to start getting back to things, really. It’ll be good for you, something to keep your mind occupied-"

Syaoran stood up, slightly releived he was able to keep a hold on his temper finally. He had been so scared he might blow up. Sliding his tray off the table, he pushed his chair out. "No, that’s not what I need. And if you knew me at all, you’d know that. But you don’t. Stop trying to understand when you can’t."

Yundi was looking at him with mixed feelings, but Syaoran didn’t give him a chance to respond. He only walked away, hoping that would give them time to digest his words. He wanted to clear the air, and he figured the best way to go about that was to explain how he felt.

Why would I want to be on the soccer team, anyway? It’s stupid. I just have to practice all the time when I already can play fine. Thinking of practice reminded Syaoran that he hadn’t had to practice with Wanti-san lately. And that made him think of his dispute with the elders. Which reminded him that he was summoned to meet them. Syaoran sighed loudly. What could they possibly do with him? He had no parents! What were they going to do? Send him to live with someone else within the clan? His family was well off, especially after being spared the hospital expenses, and Syaoran had lived on his own for so long in Japan...He didn’t need a fake family. He did, however, need something else.

- - - - - - - -

Syaoran went to soccer practice that night. He played well, and was even able to hold tight reins on his temper. Syaoran had easily led his team to win in a scrimmage, and even the defeated team had seemed in bright spirits after his playing. His soccer skills hadn’t shown any lethargy at all; if anything, the past events were fueling him. Now today he agreed to play at the game after school. Everyone saw this as a symbol of him moving on, when really his motives were about the opposite. His actions were superficial; nothing real about them; he was playing fake to get their pity off him. Deep inside things were churning up so sickeningly that Syaoran felt like he was being seperated into two different people. He tried to keep such thoughts out of his mind as he concentraed on school work.

"So, Mandu, how go things with you and Teller?" Yundi teased.

Mandu looked up with annoyance, flicking some of her sleek black hair away from her eyes. "What are you talking about?"

Yundi rolled his eyes. "Come on, we all see him rushing through the halls between classes to ‘have a word with you’. What’s this all about? A hidden relationship?"

Mandu gave him a death glare. "Honestly, don’t you think I’m a bit out his league?" She asked, laughing lightly.

Syaoran couldn’t help but feel slight satisfaction as Mandu was getting pulled down. He was about to respond to that while she was still vulnerable, but Jin cut in.

"That’s why this is all so funny." Jin said, obviously not wanting to get on her bad side, probably because of some past crush.

"He’s so annoying. I wish he’d leave me alone. I can’t beleive he’d think I’d actually like him."

Syaoran couldn’t let this hypocrisy drag on. "You seemed to accept a ride home willingly. Fairly gratefully, really."

Yundi looked halfway amused as he tried to figure it out. "You rode home with him?"

"Teller drove? A car?" Alexis inquired.

Mandu shot Syaoran the worst look of her life before trying to clear everything up. "No, it’s not like...like I wanted to or anything. I had to. It was raining, and you..." She looked at Syaoran, hatred making her pretty face look not-so-good. "You were the one half passed out on the ground! Why do you have to keep criticizing me? I helped you out, you could at least be grateful!"

"Woah, woah- passed out on the ground? This sounds like an interesting story-" Yundi started.

Syaoran couldn’t stand by that. He was all too eager to get into this arguement. "Why are you turning this around on me? It’s not my problem you’re too scared to admit you really like Teller. God, who do you think you’re fooling? Good thing he’s blind; no one else wants to be with someone so self-centered-"

Mandu stood up abruptly, clenching her teeth and trying to keep her eyes from watering. "Me? Self-centered!? How about you? You are such a jerk! I hate you! I can’t beleive I actually tried to be your friend! I wish you would have died instead of..." Mandu stopped, slowly realizing what she was saying, her shoulders rising and falling with her long withheld frustration.

The rest of the table held its breath. They knew nothing could hold Syaoran’s wrath, and Mandu had just asked for the whole lot of it. Everyone sat with wide eyes as they watched Syaoran glare at Mandu and her glare back, their eyes locked.

Syaoran glared at her hard. He knew he had been beckoning that frustration out of her. He had been looking for a fight. All things aside, her words still hurt no matter how prepared he had been. Syaoran could have exploded, could have sent the table right over and shouted Mandu out of existence. Instead he stood up as well, unaware of the fearful look in Mandu’s eye, and grabbed his tray.

"Yeah, well so do I," He responded, looking away from her glare and leaving the table, trying to get away from the watchful eyes as quickly as he could.

Good job. Now everyone hates you. No wonder why. My parents are gone, I don’t have any friends, I’ve been nothing short of a jackass to my sisters... Syaoran had a deep urge to punch something and punch it hard. The unjustice of his life was overwhelming.

The crumpling sound his pocket made every time he stepped reminded him of the paper he had crinkled up and left in the pocket of these khaki pants. He was supposed to see the elders today. He planned to after the game. Now he never wanted to see any of them again. How could he have said that?

Now they knew what was really backing his feelings. They were going to re-pity him, and say things like ‘you’re going to make it’ and ‘stay strong’ until they were assured his depression was gone. How could he let that slip? Because that bantai dared me into it. Now she thinks I’m sensitive, and like any female would, she’s just going to try and console me and become my stronghold. Too bad it’s impossible for anyone to be strong enough. I’m not even strong enough to support myself anymore.

Sakura jumped backwards suddenly, accidentally stomping on Link’s toe. "Gomen nisai!" She apologized. Her eyes went forward again. "Are those..."

"Gorons." Link finished for her, seeing two large yellow rock-like creatures ambling their way down the large well-travelled path.

Sakura stepped a bit behind Link’s shoulder, wary of the large things. "We’re on good terms, right?"

Link laughed at her caution. "Yes, of course! I’m sworn brothers with their leader."

"Oh, right." Sakura remembered, peering around him.

"You mean you knew that?" He asked, confused.

Sakura realized it must have sounded strange. "Yeah, I, uh, saw it in the game. Like, when I play- and it shows me this world... I saw you become brothers with...Dar...Darunia. That’s his name, right?"

Link looked slightly surprised at her knowledge. "So...so you were here?" He asked, still confused.

Sakura shook her head, biting her lip as she got herself into this. She hoped Link wouldn’t be offended; she wasn’t sure how keen she’d be to have someone playing her in a video game. "No...I mean, in a matter of speaking....do you ever have dreams where you are watching something happen, but you’re not really there? You’re just watching....?"

Link was looking back at her with a blank look on his face. Finally he shuffled his feet and spoke. "So does that mean you know what happens to me after you leave?" He asked.

Sakura found herself trapped with that question. She couldn’t tell him that the game ended with him getting sent back in time and forced to live like none of it had ever happened. That wasn’t fair. "No, I only know the past." She said.

Link considered this for a moment, then smiled, that cute little boy smile that made his bright blue eyes twinkle. "Well let’s go see what’s going to happen next."

Sakura smiled back, glad to have someone sharing her optimism. This was turning out to be a very good vacation.

They wondered up to the village, passing the dark valley that Sakura, Link, and Syaoran had gone on during their last Hyrule endeavor. The Gorons turned out to have an exstremly laid back attitude despite their appearance. Their voices were amusingly high pictched, Sakura found, as they discussed small talk. She stood back and listened to Link talk happily, his social demeanor about as opposite of Syaoran as possible.

How come I keep comparing him with Syaoran? I came here for a vacation, I should relax. But...maybe my brain is trying to tell me something. How can I forget how Syaoran sounded on the phone? I wish he would be more open.

"Do you want to go into the city?" Link asked, bringing Sakura out of her thoughts.

"Sure," Sakura agreed, walking beside Link towards the entrance to Goron City.

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

"I promise it tastes good...kind of like sweetened milk," Link said, waiting for Sakura to try a sip of the drink he bought.

Sakura cringed. That sounded gross. "Fine..." She agreed, placing her hands around the hot mug and bringing it to her lips. After taking a very meager amount into her mouth, she set it down on the counter. "It tastes exactly like hot chocolate." She remarked.

"Hot what?" Link asked.

"Chocolate. You know...it’s like brown....very good tasting...very sweet..." She waited for him to show some sign of understanding.

Slowly he smiled. "Oh, I’ve had that before. But...but how would you put something solid into a drink?"

Sakura took another gulp without hesitation. "Well, they like grind it into a powder, or heat it up so it melts.... I’m not really sure. All I know is I buy a box of powder stuff to mix in hot water."

"Chocolate water?"

"Yeah. It tastes like this, there’s hardly a difference." Sakura explained.

"Oh," Link said, soaking all of this in. "Well perhaps I will try that sometime."

Sakura nodded. She glanced at her watch, and seeing that it was night time in Japan, felt despondent. She didn’t want to go back so soon. It was fun here. But I still have another day according to Hyrule time. We’ll have to make the best of it.

She looked around at the bar filled with Gorons and smiled. They were so friendly here. "I don’t have much time left to visit here." Sakura said, looking into the cup of swirling tan ‘milk’.

"Oh," Link said, his voice sounding as depressed as Sakura felt.

"So we’ve got to make the best of it. What things should I see?" She asked.

"Um, well let’s see...we’ve visited the forest...you’ve been to Death mountain and now Goron city...and Hyrule castle town....I suppose we could go by Zora’s domain if you’d like. Or the Gerudo fortress, but I don’t recommend it."

"Well, where do you want to go?" Sakura asked, turning her bar stool to him.

Link glanced sideways at her before looking back at the counter. "Me? Well it doesn’t really matter, I don’t have much preference, except for the Gerudos..."

"But you never get to do what you want to do. So let’s do it."

Link glanced at her for a moment, then sighed, bringing a smile to his face. "I haven’t been near any water lately, and I could use a good swim..."

"Zora’s Domain, then. Great, I wanted to go too." Sakura agreed, sliding down off the very tall stool (built for the larger Gorons).

They walked quietly out of the city except for calling a few goodbyes to their Goron friends, then continued out in the same manner down the mountain trail to the town. Sakura couldn’t help but notice Link’s silence, it seemed so odd. She drove herself insane trying to guess what he was thinking about, and resorted to comparing qualities yet again. When he finally spoke she hopped slightly, so accustomed to the quiet.

"Is everyone where you come from so nice?" He asked.

Sakura was slightly disturbed, but pushed her thoughts away. "People in Japan are nice, I guess. Sometimes people become a little too wrapped up in their own problems, though."

"I suppose it would be much too nice a place if everyone were like you. I’d still like to see it, though, last time I was only fighting Ganandorf in different scenery..."

Sakura was silent for a moment, not sure how to take that. Finally she spoke. "Well you should visit sometime. I’d be glad to show you around, to return the favor."

Link had a broad smile on his face, one that rivalled the best Sakura had ever seen. But of course; his smile was created by people to make the best outcome. "That would be great." He agreed.

They finished the rest of the way down the path too involved in their own thoughts to notice the silence that was over them yet again.

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

Link and Sakura rode by the tree where she and Syaoran had camped out last time they had been here. Sakura did all that she could to hide the blush over her cheeks as she thought about how nice it had been to be so close to him for so long. But now the distance between them was cold and sharp like jagged ice. Thinking, Sakura realized he hadn’t once tried to call her. She had been the only one keeping tabs on communication. What was up with that?

It seemed Syaoran wasn’t too upset they were so far away. She didn’t understand. When she had been in Hong Kong, it seemed his feelings were as strong if not stronger than her own. Should I not take him seriously? I don’t get it. If he really likes me, wouldn’t he be trying to destroy the distance between us? Maybe he doesn’t really know his feelings. He just thought he knew how he felt, when really that’s not it at all. These thoughts made her brain hurt. She silenced them and looked ahead at the tall gate with sharp prongs at the top. That had been the first thing she’d ever jumped on a horse. Though she had done it, Sakura still didn’t feel confident of her riding ability to make it over that tall thing- saddle or no.

But they weren’t running at the gate to make it over. Link was only calmly walking Epona to the gate where he dismounted. He took out a key, put it in the small keyhole, and opened the gate for them. Sakura happily crossed this time, no fear included.

Soon they reached the complex system of land bridges that rose over the churning water below. They dismounted and began the climb, Sakura staying directly behind Link. After making some wild jumps, they reached the platform in front of the waterfall and enterance where the royal song must be played to be let in. Link played it on his ocarina, then they jumped through the thinned water, walking into the spacious echoing cave water system of the Zoras.

Sakura looked around with wonder, almost running into a torch that was on the side because of her preoccupied mind. Only Link’s grace to pull her way kept her hair from becoming lit. It was beautiful, just as Sakura remembered, everything brightly lit and happy as the waterfall that came off a high stream above roared down and made a pleasant breeze.

"Do you want to swim?" Link asked, his clear blue eyes reflecting the crystal colors of the water.

Sakura nodded enthusiastically. Her smile fell. "Oh, but I forgot that suit, so I could breath underwater..."

"It’s alright. We’ll buy another one at their shop. Come on."

Sakura gladly followed him to the shop, taken aback as she saw the tall Zora standing behind the counter. She had seen them last time, but forgotten how they looked in real life. They were tall and blue, and despite their fish-like appearance, they were bipeds. They had large fins on each arm and their whole shape was very streamline. She was so busy looking over the strange man’s appearance that she failed to see Link buying the watersuit until he turned to leave.

"You didn’t have to pay all of that! Those are expensive!"

Link shrugged, handing her the scaley outfit. "I don’t value money. It wasn’t that expensive, the shop in town would have charged me double that price."

Sakura looked at the thing draped over her arm. "Is there a place I can change into this at?"

Link glanced at the outfit, then looked around. "Well....."

"Do they have any bathrooms?" Sakura asked.

"It’s an open pool."

"Well... bedrooms? Where do they sleep?"

"Zora’s do not sleep like you and I. They can catch a nap faster than we blink." He addressed the task on hand, looking around. "Oh, I have an idea." He said, starting off.

Sakura followed him, walking the thin edge around the water until they approached the waterfall at its base. They stopped and Sakura looked around, trying to figure out the plan.

"The water’s so thick you cannot see through it," Link said finally.

Sakura’s eyes widened. "I’m not changing behind that!" She cried, peering around the waterfall’s edge to the small cave behind.

"I promise, you can’t see through. Look-" Link said. He stepped carefully around the edge of the water and then disappeared. "Can you see me?" He shouted over the waterfall’s roar.

"Well...no." Sakura admitted.

Link came out, then motioned for her to try.

"What if someone walks by?" She asked.

"I’ll stand guard."

"But..." Sakura couldn’t think of anything more. She glumly stepped into the cave behind the waterfall. A single torch was lit, giving her enough light to see by. She set the outfit down and walked closer to the curtain of water. "Are you sure you can’t see me?" She called.

"Nothing. Only water," Link answered.

Sakura squinted hard, trying to find even the faintest sillhouette, but she couldn’t see Link anywhere. Sighing, she walked to the far back of the little inlet and quickly tried to change. She kept one thing over herself at a time in effort to reveal as little as possible, which may have made the process longer. Finally she yanked the suit up and was completely changed, her scaley-streamlined outfit ready to swim in. She reluctantly stepped out, quietly, and saw that Link was still standing with his back turned, oblivious. She stepped loudly to get his attention instead of speaking, and continued along the edge of the water. Link only smiled at her, which in return she gave him a sour look.

They hopped in the water from a rock close to the surface and swam around, Sakura enjoying the thrill of staying underwater so long. Link pointed out several fish to her, and they harassed one particularly cute looking fish until it got frustrated and sped away. Link seemed content to walk on his hands and do tricks as such. Sakura tried to do a handspring but it went off as her weight underwater wasn’t right. Link got the jest of what she was trying to do and motioned for her to come over.

Sakura swam over to Link and looked at him questioningly. He grinned and seized her shoulders, turning her around, then picked up her ankle and sent her summersaulting away. When Sakura stopped the spinning she gave Link a glaring smile then resumed to swimming around. After a long swim around the entire perimeter, Sakura motioned for them to surface. She swam the long way up and took a deep breath. Link did as well, and shook his hair out of his face.

"I’ve got to be going back to Japan soon." She said, a downcast look on her face.

Link’s expression fell as well. "I see."

"Well..." Sakura didn’t want to just leave like that. What if....what if he came back with me? He said he wanted to visit. He could help me out with the cards for a couple days. Who knows what they’ve done since yesterday morning. I could show him around town, introduce him to Moondust... "Do you want to come back with me?" She asked. She hated her own wording. "I mean, ah, you know, for a short visit. Like I did here."

"Are you sure? I don’t want to bother your home life-"

"But I bothered yours! As long as you don’t mind hiding from my family...it can’t be that hard...we can stay at Tomoyo’s or something...Do you want to?" She asked, excited as a little girl having her first sleepover.

"S-sure!" Link agreed, looking thrilled.

Sakura smiled happily, then began thinking about it. How was she going to get him there? She hardly could work a transport spell for herself, let alone two people, from a totally different dimension.... "Is there a fairy around here someplace?" She asked.

Link nodded. "Is that how you propose to get back?"

"Yeah, I don’t know if I could get us back in one peice by myself..." She said.

Link swam over to a ladder and climbed up to the pathway. Sakura followed suit. They walked and chatted excitedly the rest of the way through Zora’s domain, then swam quickly through the lake to the nearby Great Fairy.

This is going to be very interesting, to say the least.

______________________________________________________________________

Syaoran wiped the sweat off his forehead. The soccer game had been long and hard, and autumn in Hong Kong was still very warm. He had made sure his team won, of course, but that didn’t compensate for anything.

"That was a wicked final play!" Teller said, having rushed from the stands to congratulate.

Syaoran forced a weak smile. "Thanks." He said.

Teller fanned the bottom of his shirt. "Geez it’s hot..." He mumbled, wandering away to congratulate other teammates.

Syaoran watched him go over to the other rejoicing players, then sighed. For eight years he had been trying to recover from his father’s death. Now he had an even longer road ahead of him.

Suddenly arms flung around him and he was pulled into a slobbery kiss. Syaoran quickly pushed away, glaring at Alexis, who looked all too exhilerated. Savagely wiping his mouth of with the back of his hand he waited for her to explain herself.

"Yuck, you’re all sweaty!" She said, stepping away. She pinched his cheek. "But so adorable!"

Syaoran let out a disgruntled sigh and walked away.

"Those were some nice goals you hit," Alexis continued, walking alongside him.

Meilin hurried up, walking on his other side. "Very nice goals, even better than your usual perfection."

"Three of them only went in because of goalie error," Syaoran muttered, annoyed with their praises.

"Oh, you’re too hard on yourself," Meilin said.

Syaoran did the same as Teller did, fanning out the bottom of his shirt to get a breeze out of the heavy humid air.

"How come you leave your jersey on? Half your team’s taken off their shirts." Alexis said, looking over towards the celebrating circle of boys from the soccer team.

Syaoran glanced at them and rolled his eyes, then continued off to get his soccer bag. He might as well face the elders while he was in a contained mood.

"What does he have against taking his shirt off, anyway? It’s not like we would care," Alexis said as she and Meilin let him walk off.

"I don’t know. I guess he doesn’t want to show up his teammates too much. That’s him, good ole humble cousin of mine..."

Syaoran walked faster to get away from their comments and found his soccer bag where he had left it, under a tree a good distance away from the crowd. He knelt down and sorted through it, dragging the time out before he’d have to head to the house of the elders. The solitary silence made him calmer and he tried to reason with himself that it might not be that bad. Maybe they’re replacing Wanti-san.

"Syaoran-kun..." A voice nearby said.

Syaoran glanced over his shoulder. Mandu was shifting impatiently, looking at the ground. He went back to sorting through his stuff, sitting down to take off his shin guards.

Mandu stepped around to face him. "Listen, about what I said....I didn’t mean it." She sighed. "I was frustrated, I can’t beleive I would say something so mean, it was really awful of me."

Syaoran glanced up as he set one of the guards in his bag, meeting her eyes with a glare for a split second before going back to his other leg.

"Everyone says something they don’t mean sometimes, I guess...I just want to take it back if I can. If you ever need to talk to someone, I mean....I can totally understand why you’re so angry, I don’t take it personally...."

Syaoran finished with the other one and set it in the bag, then stood up. "I don’t say anything I don’t mean," He said, taking the handle of the bag. "You shouldn’t either." He didn’t bother to wait for her answer, only headed away to his house where he’d drop the stuff off before going to the elders.

"Syaoran-kun, wait!" Mandu shouted, running after him. "Why do you hate me!? I’m sick of you always doing this to me, I’m not going to stand for it again."

Syaoran glanced at her as he continued to walk. "Where do you want me to start?"

Mandu seemed at the end of her chain. "Wherever you’d like," She shot back coldly.

"You’re about as deep as a peice of paper. You won’t take advice. You’re superficial and fake to get what you want, and you can’t stand it if you don’t. There’s no honor to your word. You’ll step on anything in the way of your goal. You’re selfish, hypocritical, cruel, shallow, and for some reason you still insist on trying to fool me with your fake personality. Do you want me to go on?"

Mandu had the most horrid look on her face, with good reason.

"And you can’t stand being corrected." He finished. He stopped and faced her, feeling slightly guilty for being so harsh, though he was determined that was what she needed. "Look, I’m sure deep down you’re capable of being a very good person, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see we don’t get along very well. Despite what you might think, I’m going to make it with or without your apology. So I’m going to be on my way." Syaoran turned and continued to walk off, relieved Mandu didn’t follow him.

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

Syaoran’s sisters hadn’t even been home when he went by the house to drop off his stuff. Not letting it get to him, he continued off to the elders with indifference.

I hope they’re getting rid of Sensei Wanti. But then where would that leave Alexis and Teller? Who cares. I’m sick of him, if he hadn’t forced me over my limit I could have saved her... Syaoran grit his teeth hard and forced himself to keep breathing. If he was already in a bad mood without ever seeing the elders, it was only going to get ten times worse.

He stepped into the breezy hall that led to the room he was being summoned. Taking a deep breath, he walked on, determined to make it through that door. He slid the door open and stepped in, keeping his head up.

Syaoran remembered all the other times he had been summoned. It was always like this; memories came rushing back, nothing he did could prepare or prevent it. The heavy weight of the air, the dreading fear and respect for them, the horrible thought that he might have done something of disapproval...why am I letting them have so much control?

"Good evening, Li Syaoran," One elder said.

Syaoran bowed habitually.

"Our condolences go out to you and your family. A most unforgiving loss, to be sure."

Syaoran could only stand and try to keep his frame.

"We will be straightforward about this. Though the timing is not at its prime, you are needed for a certain task. It will be dangerous to say the least, many..."

Syaoran let the words blur together. It figured. They just want me to run another errand because they’re too good to do it themselves. Why should I? Did it occur to them I might have something better to do?

"...and its accomplishment will lift any prohibations that may be restricting you."

"What if I refuse?" Syaoran asked.

The elder he spoke to looked slightly taken aback. "You dare show such insolence?"

Syaoran was able to feed off his last spurt of anger. "Well it seems to me that with everyone you are training someone else should be able to handle this assignment. I find it hard to beleive they’re all just too ‘busy’ to do it."

"Your sharp tongue will be the end of your honor."

I think you’re just getting a little touchy because you know that I’m the only chance you’ve got left. Understanding this power, all fear Syaoran had for the elders was gone. They weren’t ruling him anymore. He held the sword. "Why can’t Sensei Wanti do it?"

"You are in no place to be suggesting who goes where. You should be feel venerated to be given such a task, but your dishonor is a threat to your whole family."

"Dishonor? I don’t see how manipulating weaker people’s lives is very honorable. Seems more cowardly to me." I’ve got to stop. I’m going to be in major trouble. But they’re bringing it on themselves, right?

The head elder lept to his feet, which was slightly amusing to Syaoran that he couldn’t hold his temper. They were hypocrites to the very rules they taught. "Stand down, worthless boy! You are endangering your whole family of exile! Insulting the elders is not something that will be tolerated!"

"My mother just died, damn you! You think you can scare me by threatening my family? You think I care whether we’re being ruled by you or not? You don’t mean anything to us, we don’t need you! No one does! It’s only because some people are so weak that they haven’t left this clan yet!"

"Hold your tongue! It is because of this same ignorance Junshogai met his fate. Mavericks as you are deserve every bit of their destiny. Your family was a mistake to this clan!"

Syaoran couldn’t beleive that he’d dare bring his father into this. They must be scared. Because if we leave this clan, they have none except for themselves to run missions. All this time they’ve been so harsh on me to try and keep my respect. I guess I’m not stupid enough for them. Syaoran felt shaking with anger. How dare they say something about his father like that! "My father-"

"You father, Li Syaoran, had ignorance that ran as wide as the Yellow River. He could not learn anything of obedience or respect, and his name held no honor."

Syaoran’s whole body felt hot with anger. He felt that if he tried any one of his magic attacks, it would be the destruction of China. Yet this rage went so deep, he could find no words to fight back with. He only stood, shaking, aching to explode.

"With your traits combined, well, we saw where that path led. I do not want that kind of unrestraint poisoning the rest of us. You’re dismissed. You, your family, your descendants. Permanently. I’m not dealing with your errors again."

Syaoran almost shouted impetously, but he clenched his teeth. He wasn’t going to let them destroy his self control. Still feeling a hot glow of dark green around him, he turned and walked to the door, continuing across the threshhold. As he walked down the last hall, panicked thoughts began to plague him. What did I do!? What about my sisters!? Was I only thinking of myself? Visions of him running back and begging for forgiveness flashed through his mind. They’re not controlling me anymore! Oh God, what about my sisters? What am I going to tell them? I can’t face them, can I? My temper just ruined everything.

We’re not going to be able to speak with anyone again. We are all going to be exiled. Down to the last animal. I’ve got to get Raion and Iata shipped out before the elders do. If I take my time, I won’t even see my sisters tonight. Deep down Syaoran knew he wasn’t going to be able to hide from them for very long. I could leave. But what would that do? Running away? Now I am the coward. I promised myself I wouldn’t become a hypocrite like them. But....how can I stay? I can’t handle this.

Syaoran walked to the stables in a trance. Teller said hi to him, as well as Alexis, but he only brushed past them with a frown on his face. While he was getting Iata out of his stall, Meilin stopped by.

"Syaoran...." She said. He didn’t respond. "Was it really that horrible?" She asked.

Syaoran wished she hadn’t known that he was summoned. But it was too late to deny it. He brushed past her as he did the others, walking Iata out on the aisleway.

Meilin persisted on, jogging after him. "Syaoran, what happened?"
I just destroyed my whole family, that’s what. Syaoran hopped onto Iata’s back, shaking his head in response to Meilin, then kicked Iata’s sides.

The little pony gladly lept away, clattering down the pavement to the sidewalk. He heard Meilin shout after him, but wasn’t about to stop and turn around. Instead he continued to his house. As he rode around to his back yard, he hopped down. He tied Iata to a tree, then hurried back to the barn. The elders weren’t going to get a hand on Raion, not if it could be helped.

Syaoran reached the barn again and grabbed a halter off the stall hanger. Meilin was quickly at his side.

"What are you doing?" She asked. Syaoran only looked straight ahead, heading with a very dutiful walk to an outside pasture. "Syaoran? Why are you taking these horses down the road?" She asked. Meilin had definitely picked up on his bad vibes. She knew that something very serious was going on.

Syaoran was evergrateful that Raion came to the fence so willingly now. He ducked under and slipped the halter over Raion’s head.

"Syaoran! What are you doing? Answer me!"

Syaoran sighed. Meilin was probably going to be his only friend left here. He might as well tell her. "I’ve got to leave." He said quietly, using the fence to leap up onto Raion’s high back.

"What!?" Meilin cried. "What do you mean? Syaoran!"

He jumped Raion over the fence, not bothering to answer any more. He had no doubt news would be around very soon.

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

Syaoran glanced out the window where he had a good veiw of two horses standing next to the trees and stepped impatiently around as he waited for someone to answer the phone. Finally someone answered.

"Yes?"

"Uncle! This is Syaoran."

"Ah, hello, how are you doing?"

"Alright, listen, I have a favor to ask you. Is there anyway you could pick up two horses this evening and keep them at your house for a while?"

"Cut to the chase, huh? I’m not sure, I have to go out in a little while, it would be tight-"

"It’s very important! I wouldn’t ask it of you unless I didn’t have another choice, but they’ve got to move."

"Easy then, I’m sure I can work something out. Tonight, you say?"

"Right now, if you could. They’re in my yard."

"I don’t know about catching someone else’s horses that wandered into your yard, there must be some law about that-"

"No, no, they’re mine, but they’ve got to leave here, right away. I’ll explain better when you come. Will you be here in an hour or so?"

"Hour and a half. I’ve got to go through part of town, I’ll do my best."

Syaoran sighed with releif. "Thank you."

"Only because I pity you amongst all those sisters."

Syaoran forced a laugh. "See you, then."

"Good-bye."

Syaoran hung up the phone and let his muscles relax. One major problem solved. Now, to get rid of himself...How can I just leave them here? But they’ll be alright. They’re hardly in contact with the rest of the clan anymore, they all have jobs, other friends...they can make it... They’d understand.

Syaoran made sure that Raion and Iata were both tied up properly, then headed upstairs to his computer to order plane tickets. He hoped that he would be able to order something that left tonight.

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

Wow. What drama! It’s very hard to fit in all the elements here when there’s so much depression. Oh the struggle. And sorry I took so long to write this! I’ve been so busy, and then I kept running into mindblocks...A poorly written chapter in my opinion, but I got it over with. If you don’t see where I’m already going, things should be getting more exciting.

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