RECAP: Last chapter Syaoran told Sakura he was leaving and asked her to take Moondust and blah blah. Umm Sakura’s song she made for music class turned out to be a lullaby she had heard in one of Syaoran’s dreams, woops! So poor Syaoran went rushing out of the concert and stuff, he still doesn’t know how Sakura knew that song, she tried to call and apologize but Bob and Kero were being obnoxious.

Chapter 25

Sakura had to drag herself to school Friday morning. Two days went by and she hadn’t gotten to talk to Syaoran about the whole school concert incident, and he had been very on edge- not just with her, but with everyone. Sakura knew he was going to have to leave soon, but she didn’t want to think about it.

Kero had finally done it, he had burned off the sleeve to her school uniform, so Sakura was stuck borrowing Tomoyo’s. She had been very irritable since that, Bob had been staying quietly in his jar, Kero not saying much but apologies. Kero watched sadly as his food rations became smaller with Sakura’s grudge, so he was working hard to get back on her good side.

"Sakura! Wait up!" Tomoyo called as she jogged down the sidewalk.

Sakura slowed up and caught in step with her- she hadn’t skated to school this morning. "Hey Tomoyo." She said a bit dully.

"Do you want to come over and watch the concert tape? Chindra can come too! Rika and Chihura want to see it as well, I’m sure Tamakazi will get dragged into it.

"Sounds fun!" Sakura said a little more brightly.

"Is something wrong?" Tomoyo asked after a while.

Sakura sighed, looking around to make sure no one was listening, then looked at the sidewalk. "Syaoran is leaving soon." She said sadly.

Tomoyo was quiet for a moment. "I know you can’t see it, but I’m sure it’s for your own good. Everything always works out, this is just the way it was meant to be."

And Tomoyo used to give such good advice. "I guess." Sakura mumbled. She walked across the school parkinglot, only brightening on the thought she’d get to watch Komai pull her up on stage. Tomoyo hasn’t taped much of me and Syaoran fighting these cards lately. It’s a shame, I’ll have nothing to watch to remind me of what we did...only Moondust to play with. Sakura walked into the school, looking down the hall for Syaoran. I’ve got to talk to him about that songI played in the school concert. I’ve let too much time go by. Well, maybe he’s cooled down. Though I doubt that’s the case.

Sakura walked to her locker, then into homeroom with Tomoyo. Syaoran was already sitting next to Tamakazi, looking his usual glaring self, not even glancing up at Sakura and Tomoyo’s entrance. Sakura walked over and sat next to Tomoyo for a second, then couldn’t bear it any longer. "I’m going to talk to Li-kun." Sakura said, standing up.

Tomoyo looked up worriedly. "Be careful what you say."

Sakura was very annoyed with Tomoyo’s newly found caution, but she ignored it for that moment and headed over to the empty seat next to Syaoran. He blinked and looked at her for a second then looked back to Tamakazi, who was entertaining a few of their friends.

Sakura momentarily glared at the side of Syaoran’s head before going back to her softened look. "Syaoran, can I talk to you?" She asked. Although I already tried by calling you on the phone, did you not get that message?

Syaoran looked sideways at her, showing obvious annoyance. "Yeah." He said, turning and facing her, putting his back to Tamakazi.

Sakura had meant alone, but this would work too. "Listen, that song, I didn’t know what it was-"

"How did you hear it?" Syaoran asked again.

Sakura looked down, Syaoran was going to get very mad in a second. "Please don’t get really mad- I didn’t mean to...um...invade you, but...when you were really sick, I wanted to talk to you really bad, but you were always sleeping, and if I told you anything, you would have just forgotten it anyway, so-"

"You used a spell to go into my dream?" Syaoran asked with an amount of disbeleif, his fast working brain putting things together at the speed of light, remembering the open book next to his bed, the pages flipped to ‘communication through dreams and visions’.

Sakura squirmed in her seat, gluing her eyes to the floor. "I didn’t mean to, I thought I could just talk to you! I had no idea I’d be watching your dreams or anything-
Syaoran was furious with her, and he was rarely furious with this innocent girl, but every now and then, something would happen and not even Sakura could protect herself from his rage. Invasion of privacy was one of those things Syaoran couldn’t stand. "You never use a spell for the first time without someone there- something could have backfired- you could have completly wiped out my memory, I can’t beleive you’d be so careless!"

I figured that one out. Backfired = I can’t touch you in your sleep. I wonder how mad you’d get if I told you I see all of your dreams when I touch you? "Syaoran, please, I was stupid, I understand, but I really didn’t mean to bring-"

"Be quiet Kinomoto! I can’t beleive you, you shouldn’t be able to do anything by yourself if you’re going to screw up like that- don’t you care at all for the value of another’s privacy?" Syaoran’s voice had gone up to a shout, and Tamakazi and his group of friends were now looking curiously, wondering what Sakura could have done to get this boy so angry.

"Syaoran, I’m sorry, please calm down, you don’t have to talk so loud-" Sakura pleaded.

"You don’t understand! If my mother’s as sick as my sisters say, dreams might be all I have left, they should be mine alone!"

Syaoran had just made Sakura feel horribly guilty. I can’t say anything more but sorry, right? She was well aware of Syaoran’s glare of fire as she stared at the floor, unable of a response. "If I would have known, I wouldn’t have played it. I’m sorry I caused so much trouble." She said softly.

Syaoran only scoffed and turned forward. Sakura sighed. Great way to start a Friday. Sakura got up and walked over to Tomoyo, collapsing in the chair in front of her. "He’ll be fine after a couple days, right?" Sakura said.

"He’ll be gone in a couple days. Don’t worry, I’m sure he’ll be fine." Tomoyo said.

Sakura sighed. So how do I redeem myself this time? Sakura breathed in slowly, closing her eyes and forcing herself to relax. As her eyes shut, Sakura saw a flash of a cave. It it she saw a bridge, but when she blinked, the bridge had disappeared. Another blink and the cave was gone, she was back in homeroom. What card is this? I hope it shows itself soon, I don’t want to fight it by myself.

Sakura sat miserably once class started, every now and then getting a chill as she could feel Syaoran’s icy glare penetrating the back of her head. Maybe if I go throw him out in Moondust’s pasture he’ll be all better. Horses seem to cure his anger, he is always so happy when we are around those animals. Yes. Next time I talk to him, I’ll ask him about when he’s gonna show me how to feed her and stuff.

_____________________________________________________________________

"I can’t beleive it! Illegal taping of Komai! I’m so excited!" Rika rattled on, talking over the sandwhich in her mouth.

"I know! To see an autographed picture is awesome, but actual footage! I watched some of the concert on TV, but I had to go to piano lessons, I missed Sakura’s big moment." Chihura said.

Syaoran found it hard to swallow his food while listening.

"Is Chindra coming?" Tamakazi asked.

Chihura rolled her eyes. "Would you STOP?"

"What?" Tamakazi asked innocently.

The attention on Tamakazi, Sakura looked to Syaoran next to him, who no longer had the scowl on his face, rather a one of nervousness. He is so strange. "Are you coming to see (longing sigh) Komai?" Tamakazi asked Syaoran dreamily, mocking the girls.

Syaoran looked up from his food, just breifly meeting Sakura’s eyes. "I’ve got stuff to do."

"You’ll be missing out. I mean, Komai! Ahhh."

Chihura nailed him with another backhand. "You talk just as much about Chindra!"

"At least I have a chance with her, when are you ever going to meet Komai?"

"Look what happened to Sakura!" Chihura contended.

Syaoran had to smile a little. I hope they never figure this out. Sakura is going to hate me so bad. She drools about him more and more every day, oh God, if they see that tape tonight...maybe I should go? No, then it’d be worse, if they figured it out and I was there.

Syaoran got up to throw his stuff away, and Sakura quickly got up, running after him, ignoring the amused and curious looks she got from the other kids. She caught up with him, though it was hard since he walked faster than anyone she knew. "Syaoran, I was thinking, when are you going to show me the stuff about Moondust? I don’t know how to feed her, and in the winter you have to give them hay, right?"

"We’re gonna have to stack hay sometime soon." He said, looking straight ahead.

"What’s that?" Sakura asked, thrilled to see he would at least talk to her.

"An awful day of work." Syaoran said, dumping stuff into the trash can. "Can you this weekend?"

Sakura bit her lip. She had committed to several things this weekend. "Um.."

"Listen, I’m leaving soon. I can do it by myself, but if you want me to show you-"

"Of course, I’ll come!" Sakura said quickly, smiling.

"I’m still mad at you." Syaoran said, walking back to their table.

Sakura sighed. At least you aren’t as mean as you were this morning. She sat down next to Tomoyo and found the conversation was back on Komai. Sakura couldn’t help but grin. Syaoran should come and watch, maybe he could learn something from Komai’s great attitude.

_______________________________________________________________________

Sakura cast a curious glance over at Trent and Rika, who were sitting on a couch in a room in Tomoyo’s huge house. She grinned like a cat at Tomoyo. "I have the strangest suspicion those two are becoming an item."

Tomoyo smiled and looked over at them. "They are a cute pair." She said, agreeing. Tomoyo got up, seeing Tamakazi had finally come in.

"Chindra!" He said, smiling. Chindra coughed as she swallowed down some soda and looked up warily at Tamakazi who had entered.

"Hello." She said grimly.

"Do you guys want popcorn before we start watching the movie?" Tomoyo asked.

"Yeah!" They said in chorus.

Tomoyo nodded and hurried out of the room, and came back in the speed of light, holding two large bowls of popcorn. "Drinks are in that cooler." She said, pointing at a large red cooler in the corner. Chindra got up to get one, quickly followed by Tamakazi, the chain of people ending with Chihura, rushing after Tamakazi with an angry glare.

Tomoyo smiled as she saw everyone was sitting down, then turned on her large screen television, pushing the tape in. Sakura squeaked with horror as images flashed across the screen. Kero was flying about, as Sakura- complete with long pink costume- and Syaoran-looking cool with his battle costume- were working together to seal the Thunder card. Everyone gasped with shock, the bizarre images making impact. Sakura quickly jumped up and aided Tomoyo in stopping the tape, making sure she blocked the television as they stopped it.

"What was that?" Tamakazi voiced for everyone.

"Heheheh- uh, just a home made movie- one of Tomoyo’s creations."

"Syaoran was in it? How did you ever manage that?" Rika asked suspiciously.

"His costume was so manly, I wish Tamakazi would grow up and wear something so amazing. Did you make that yourself, Tomoyo?"

Tomoyo smiled weakly. "Yes, I beleive that was one of mine."

Sakura walked back over and sat next to Chindra with weak legs.

"What was with the yellow bear?"

"Heh!! Just one of my stuffed animals on some strings, amazing what special effects on a simple computer program can do!" Sakura said quickly.

"So that’s how you put in all that lightening? Where did you ever find a sword for Syaoran?"

"Let’s watch that instead! It looked much more interesting!" Tamakazi said enthusiastically.

"It did look intriguing..." Chihura agreed.

"Oh, come now, we came to watch Komai, right guys!" Tomoyo said, stepping back as the right tape with the concert started playing.

Tomoyo sat down next to Sakura, sighing warily. "I must of switched lables or something." She said apologetically.

Sakura couldn’t help but smile a little. "It’s alright. I think they bought it." She whispered.

"Oh my gosh there he is!" Chihura squeaked.

Chindra sat up in her seat, smiling. "He’s so cool!" She agreed, excited about seeing this again.

"He does have amazing talent." Tamakazi agreed.

Chihura stopped her happy smile and glared at Tamakazi. "You said you hated him, you wished his guts would fall out on stage and-"

"Come on, we knew I was joking, I totally agree with Chindra!" Tamakazi said.

Chihura rolled her eyes but quickly got over it, watching the television excitedly. "You guys were SO close to the stage! You are like, like, looking up at him!"

"Your camera has amazing sound quality, Tomoyo! It’s a good thing no one caught you taping, you would be in big trouble!"

Tomoyo smiled devilishly. "For the sake of you all, I will continue to risk it!"

"He plays with such power." Chindra said, sighing, leaning on the edge of the couch.

"Did you not get any shots of the girl singers?" Tamakazi asked.

"Look, there’s one leg!" Trent finally spoke, spotting the leg in the corner of the screen as Komai was walking across stage.

Tamakazi sighed with dismay.

"He is in such great shape. He strums his guitar and it’s like ‘woah!’"Sakura said, sighing.

"And he’s got such great hair, man...." Chihura said. "Great body, great hair, true man- wow Tamakazi, we’ve found your exact opposite as a human!"

Tamakazi glared.

"He looks alot like Li-kun, did you notice that when you were on stage?" Rika asked.

Sakura fidgeted nervously. "No, he looks completly different up close. I guess they slightly sort of a tiny bit resemble each other from far away."

Komai was smiling, almost directly in the camera, and the girls watched with melting eyes, Trent and Tamakazi sighing. "AHH! He winked at me!" Chindra shreiked happily.

Sakura shook her head. Let her take it. You got to be in his hands for a couple seconds. "Look, he’s going to take me on stage in a second! It’s coming up..." She said excitedly.

They all watched, some with furious jealousy, others with melting eyes and a dreamy gaze as Komai approached the camera. Tomoyo got the perfect shot, zooming out as Komai held out his hand to Sakura, who looked completly dumbstruck. "Sakura you look like an idiot!" Chihura said jokingly.

"You had to be there, I didn’t know what to do, he was so intimidating." Sakura said defensively

"I imagine he’d have a really strong aura." Rika aagreed.

They laughed as Sakura about fell over on stage, then gasped jealousy as Komai caught her around his guitar. He was smiling and talking to her, but Tomoyo’s camera wasn’t that good, and the words were unheard. "What’s he saying, what’s he saying!?" Chihura asked excitedly.

"He asked me if I was scared, and...um...I asked for his autograph. Then he smiled- look at that!" Sakura said, sighing as Komai flashed his perfect smile. "And asked me, ‘you’re on stage with me and all you can think to ask if for my autograph’ or something like that, but I didn’t know what to say, so I just nodded, then he signed it- see?" Sakura sighed.

"I’m going to cry!" Rika said.

"Why’s that?" Tomoyo asked.

"I wish so badly I could have been Sakura that night." She said, watching with the uptmost jealuosy. "He seems like such a gentleman."

"He was." Sakura said, leaning back on the couch and looking dreamily up at the ceiling.

"The next time you are going to a Shiro-Ame concert, invite me."

"Look! There they are!" Tamakazi said excitedly as the camera followed Komai to center stage where he played with the two girls.

The shot followed him back away to his spot, then suddenly the lights went out, sound and all, and everything went dark. Rika and Chihura looked with horror at Tomoyo. "Is that it?"

"No, there’s still a couple songs after this. This was the power outage thing." Tomoyo explained.

Sakura squinted at the television screen, thinking she saw the glint of a blade. What...Did the tapes switch or something? Is this a card? Sakura thought she heard a faint voice shouting, but she couldn’t tell, because it quickly switched back, the lights coming back on, Komai back at his microphone.

Sakura and the other girls drooled at Komai through the encore, watching him sing with the other two girls with jealousy, then sighed as the tape ended. Sakura got up off the couch and stretched. "I’ll be back." She said, heading out of the room for Tomoyo’s bathroom. Sakura walked in and shut the door, then froze, another vision flashing across the back of her eyelids. A cave was around her, she was scared. Why? Things were disappearing. Sakura opened her eyes. "The Erase! Of course!" She said outloud, quickly rushing out of the bathroom and forgetting about what she had been going to do.

She walked into the living room where everyone was, deciding to take a course of action Syaoran would be proud of. "I’ve gotta go, sorry, I completly thought about something." She said, quickly turning and hurrying down the hall.

"Sakura, wait!" Tomoyo called. Sakura turned around.

"What?" She asked.

"Why are you leaving so abruptly?"

"Honestly? I think I am sensing another card."

"You are going to seal it? I’ll go get my camera!"

"No, I was just going to, um, tell Syaoran, he’d want to help."

"Shouldn’t he be able to sense it himself?" Tomoyo asked.

"Remember, something is taking his magic away, we-"

"Well he won’t be much help to you, then, will he be?"

Sakura frowned. Tomoyo just didn’t understand anymore. "I’ve gotta go." Sakura said a bit unsurely, turning and walking away. Tomoyo was frowning after her, she knew, but Sakura decided to take a chance with her friend, Tomoyo had been acting odd, after all, why should Sakura have to act the same?

Sakura walked outside, stepping into the nice spring air. I hope Tomoyo won’t be mad at me, I mean, she normally wouldn’t, but... Tomoyo’s house was very close to Syaoran’s apartment building, so she was quickly walking across his parking lot. I hope he’s home. He said he was busy, but I’m sure that was just an excuse. Sakura walked into the lobby and took the elevator up, since she was alone, then walked down the hallway, knocking on his door.

She shifted impatiently for a few seconds, then decided he probably just wasn’t home. Sakura turned to leave, but the door opened, and she quickly turned and met Syaoran’s suspicious look.

"Do you want something?" Syaoran asked.

"Oh, Syaoran! I didn’t think you were home. Listen, I think the Erase card is going to do something soon, I keep seeing that cave from forever ago- the one we had the test of courage in- and so I think it’s gonna be coming soon."

Syaoran nodded, leaning on the door. He looked down the hall, trying to decide if he was going to invite her in. Sakura was just politely standing, waiting for him to say something. Syaoran sighed to himself, then opened the door, waiting for her to go in. Sakura smiled gratefully and stepped in.

"You missed out, Tomoyo put in the wrong tape, and it was us and Kero fighting a card. We told them it was a home made movie, hopefully they’ll beleive us."

"That’s great." Syaoran said dryly.

"Oh, where did you throw my cards? I’m sorry, about Touya, he’s a little overprotective."

"You think?" Syaoran said under his breath.

"What?" Sakura asked, thinking she heard him say something.

"Nothing." Syaoran said lightly.

Sakura looked around his apartment, seeing that he had boxes in several corners of the land. She looked down sadly. "You are really leaving soon?"

Syaoran looked down too, feeling sad too. "What are you planning to do to contain the card?"

"I don’t know, I was hoping you would know."

"How close does it seem?" Syaoran asked.

"Um...pretty?" Sakura said, that being the only word she felt summed it up.

"Pretty close....okay...." Syaoran walked over to the counter where he had a bunch of stacked books. "I was saving these books for you when I leave. They’re all in Kanji you can read - I saved the ones with the best spells." Syaoran said.

"Oh, thank you! That’ll help, I’ll need all the help I can get."

Syaoran looked down guiltily. "Yeah." He said.

Sakura shuffled her feet, then looked up at Syaoran. "Well I gotta go, I just wanted to tell you that so we could be prepared this time. When are you going to do all that hay stuff?"Sakura asked.

"Tommorrow, I think."

Sakura sighed, Syaoran wasn’t very smart sometimes- she wanted an exact time, and he says ‘tommorrow’. "Then I will meet you here afternoon?" She asked.

"Sure." Syaoran said, pretending to be occupied with packing more books.

Sakura nodded, smiling. "So you are not mad at me anymore?"

"I didn’t say that."

"Well, you have my apologies. If it makes you feel any better, you didn’t dream about anything embaressing." Sakura said. Though I did see a large portion of your childhood.

"Thanks." He said, showing his annoyance.

"Well I’ll see you tommorrow." Sakura said, turning and letting herself out of the door. Syaoran only looked up from the box he was at after the door shut, sighing to himself.

You should hate her. She went into your dreams! You are getting too soft. A trip to Hong Kong may do you good.

____________________________________________________________________

Sakura wiped the sticky sweat off her forehead, then frowned with frustration as the hay on her arm stuck to her forehead. She pulled it off miserably. "This is horrible." Sakura complained.

Syaoran threw the bale of hay she passed him to the back of the loft, then went to the edge for another one. "I know."

"Did you do this every year by yourself?" Sakura asked.

"Yes." Syaoran said, taking the heavy bale from Sakura, who was standing on the first level of the barn and passing them up, then stacking them in the loft.

"But you didn’t own her until this year?" She continued.

"That’s right." He said, tossing the bale on top of the other.

"Didn’t her owners want to help?" Sakura asked, the last part of her sentence a bit strained as she picked up another bale. She wasn’t about to tell Syaoran her arms were starting to ache incredibly, or that she thought this work was too hard for her.

"They didn’t care." Syaoran said.

Sakura made a type of ‘oh’ response as she pulled another heavy bale up for Syaoran to take. They worked quietly for a while, conserving energy, then Sakura remembered another subject. "Three more cards turned into Clow Cards. And then, when I was counting them, two were missing. I’m not sure which ones, I didn’t check, but two were totally not there."

Syaoran hardly got hold of the hay bale she handed him, thinking about what she said. I have the Song and the Voice card. How do I explain that? I can’t! "That’s odd. Are you sure you haven’t just misplaced them?"

"That’s what I’m thinking. I’ll look around. Hopefully Kero hasn’t burnt them, he and Bob have been going crazy-"

"Heyhoo! Wonderful day for the outdoors, is it not?" Kero announced, fluttering in with a large straw hat over his head, shading his little eyes.

Bob came flying in after him, a similar straw hat over his...uh...I don’t know if butterflys have an actual ‘head’ part, but we’ll call it that for the sake of the story. Sakura looked at them with annoyance and angrily picked up a hay bale. "You just had to show up." She said, annoyed.

Kero just smiled innocently, until he spotted Syaoran. "What! The brat is here?"

"Of course he is, this is his barn!" Sakura said, handing Syaoran another bale, sighing inwardly as she saw the scowl he had directed right back at Kero. Bob flew over to Syaoran, looking angrily at Kero.

"Don’t call Sailor brat! You brat, flame breathing beast!"

Kero flew at Bob full speed, and they did a little circle around Syaoran, then flew down, Bob leading Kero around Sakura, who managed to catch Bob in her hand. "You guys!"

Syaoran was horrified to see the so innocent looking butterfly here in the barn. If secret ever got out that Bob was really Syaoran’s consciousness...it’d be almost as bad as Sakura figuring out Komai hadn’t really been Komai at all. Kero fluttered up to Syaoran, who was annoyed already just carrying the heavy bales in this stuffy barn, his arms covered in sticky sweat then getting scratched by loose peices of hay. "Get away from me." He said, taking one hand off the bale to swat at Kero as he tossed the bale aside.

"Are these heavy peices of livestock food too much for the bratface?"

Syaoran straightened up and glared Kero in his beady eyes. He brought his hand up and flicked Kero away, turning back for another bale and pretending not to care about his victory. Kero quickly recovered himself as he tumbled through the air and pushed himself forward again, preparing himself to transform. "Say that to Keroberus you-"

Syaoran had seen this coming, and with blitzing speed he had his sword out and was shouting a spell. Kero froze in the air, put his little arms to his chest, and floated to the ground. Sakura set two bales on top of each other and climbed up to see what was going on, standing beside Syaoran and looking at Kero. "Amazing."

"Like that?" Syaoran asked, pretty impressed with the good binding spell he had just managed. "I’ve been reading up on spells."

"Your magic is up again?"

"Getting better."

"Wow, you have to teach me that, what was it, Dek ...?"

"Dek watsui-"

Kero broke out of the binding spell he had been in, fury written across his face as his limbs became living again, and he swiftly transformed, opening his eyes with a glare at Syaoran. Syaoran knew he was outmatched, at least at the current amount of magic lacking-ness he had, so he quickly jumped off the side of the loft, landing in some loose hay and quickly going into a sprint.

Keroberus went after him in full flight mode, following him right out into the outdoors. Sakura and Bob quickly made their way down to watch the chase. They stood watching amused as Syaoran desperately shouted ‘Wind!’ as he ran, slowing Kero slightly as his magic power was running out quickly.

"We neither like yellow bear." Bob said, hovering at Sakura’s shoulder.

"What do you mean, ‘we’?" Sakura asked, keeping her eyes glued as Syaoran stopped and ducked as Keroberus swooped over his head, Syaoran quickly taking off the other direction, coming towards them again in his lightening speed sprint.

"Sailor, I, the one being." Bob explained.

Sakura looked incredously at the bug, having not the slightest idea what he was talking about. "What are you talking about?"

Syaoran was panicking for two reasons as he ran. One was because he had a giant lion type beast after him trying to take his head off, another being he had just heard Bob say ‘Sailor’ and ‘One being’ in one sentence.

"DON’T LISTEN!" Syaoran shouted at Sakura inbetween breaths, finally almost reaching her. He then thought that that might have not been the best order- Sakura by nature was a very curious person, and she was sure to listen to Bob now. Syaoran jumped to the side as a flame washed by his side, taking out all the high grass with it. He’s not playing fair anymore! That’s dangerous! Then I’ll be dangerous back! But...how exactly? Syaoran slowed himself momentarily at Sakura’s side, seeing her as a base of safety. Keroberus slowed and growled, not about to harm her.

Syaoran quickly grabbed Bob, keeping him from saying anything more, as Sakura watched suspiciously. Syaoran looked up at Kero’s louder growl.

"You’re a wimp, little brat."

Syaoran jumped forward, his fist out side by side with his sword. Sakura pulled on his arm, annoyed with both of them. "Guys quit! Kero can’t you get along with anyone? Do you not remember our deal about food and my burnt shirt?"

Keroberus sheepishly slumped.

"Now I don’t see a reason why you can’t help out, Kero, you’re obviously physically able, you have just volunteered yourself to help stack this hay."

Keroberus snarled at Syaoran, who glared back. Sakura and Bob marched into the barn, leaving Kero and Syaoran both looking at the door. Syaoran faked a polite smile. "After you, I insist."

Keroberus narrowed his eyes and walked forward with his muscles stuck out, obviously going for an intimidating lion look. Syaoran walked in after him, feeling hotter than ever after that big run. Syaoran climbed back up to the loft and began taking bales from Sakura again.

"How did you ever do this by yourself? Isn’t it impossible?" Sakura asked Syaoran.

Syaoran glared at Keroberus’s bale of hay as it flew through the air. Because of his big size and optimum strength, Keroberus was able to toss the bales like pillows, most of them aimed at Syaoran’s head. "I used losts of magic and wind." Syaoran said.

"Oh, that’s a good idea." Sakura looked over at Kero, who was rapidly tossing the bales up, speeding the process along quickly.

"Watch where you are tossing those!" Syaoran grumbled, ducking under a bale as it narrowly missed his head.

"I’m sorry, I must have gotten carried away after the fifteenth bale." Keroberus grouched.

"What are you doing after you finish the hay here?" Sakura asked Syaoran quickly, avoiding confrontation.

"On a long walk with you on the beach-" Came a muffled voice from Syaoran’s pocket, Bob, which he quickly banged before anyone else heard. "Packing, I guess." Syaoran said.

"Oh. Whe..when are you leaving?" Sakura asked nervously.

"Wednesday." Syaoran said, tossing the bale onto a pile of lower ones.

The bale Sakura had been carrying suddenly became horribly heavy, and she almost fell, completly off balance. "This Wednesday!?" She choked out.

Syaoran took the bale from her and noticed her surprised face. "I told you a week or so, it’ll be a week since I said it..." He tossed the bale up and looked down for the next one, but saw Sakura had stopped the assembly line momentarily. "I know it’s soon, but look, I don’t want to leave either, there’s just nothing I can do-"

"You could stay..." Sakura said quietly.

"Oh, it’s going to be so sad." Keroberus said, mocking a fake tear.

"I have to see my mother, you understand, don’t you?" Syaoran said, ignoring Kero for now.

"Yeah..."

"I won’t be gone....that long." Syaoran said. A bale of hay grazed Syaoran’s shoulder, little peices scratching his bare arm. Syaoran turned swiftly to Keroberus. "That’s enough!" Syaoran shouted, leaping down from the loft and ruthlessly tackling the huge animal.

Keroberus did sadly have the higher amount of strength, and Syaoran found himself flipped over and under a large sharp claw. He tried to quickly slide away before Keroberus could inflict any damage, but he was pinned down a little too well. Syaoran squeezed one eye as the claw was coming awfully close to it...Suddenly the weight was off him, and Syaoran slowly opened his eye, finding nothing. But something was still atop him. Syaoran looked at his stomach and saw a tiny version of Keroberus, a little yellow lion puffball, completly harmless. Syaoran blinked, then looked over at Sakura, who was sighing and holding her Small card, shaking her head.

Syaoran got to his feet, shedding the little lion to the ground, and gave Sakura a full smile; one he never gave to anyone but her. Sakura froze for a second again, seeing the amazing resemblence between that smile and the smile of Komai. "You look exactly...Komai couldn’t of......." Sakura smiled, shaking her head. "Nevermind."

Syaoran had turned pale at her mention of Komai. I’ll never be able to smile again. "What are you talking about?" Syaoran asked, playing dumb.

"Nothing, it’s ridiculous." Sakura walked over to Kero where he was fluttering around, steam coming out of his nostrils. "Keroberus- I refuse to turn you back until you can control yourself. Do you understand?"

"Let me at him, I’ll rip every magic holding bone in his body to shreds!" Keroberus’s shrunken voice squeaked.

Bob fluttered out of Syaoran’s pocket. "Ha! Yellow lion bear size of Bob!"

Sakura picked little Kero out of the air and shoved him into the pocket in the coat wrapped around her waist, zipping it up. "I’m not letting you out till you calm down!" Sakura said to the pocket. She turned sheepishly to Syaoran. "He is getting careless, he could have hurt you." (A triumphant ‘yeah’ came from her pocket)

"I would have handled it." Syaoran said. He turned to the barn door. "I’m getting some water." He said, walking out of the barn.

Sakura hurried after him, thirsty too. "There’s water out here?"

"A hose." Syaoran said. "Moondust drinks too."

"Right, I’ll have to remember where it is- oh I see, the water trough." Sakura said, seeing the large trough for water inside the fence.

Syaoran turned the hose on and quickly drank down some of the cold water coming out of the hose, then handed it to Sakura. "You have to watch the water level in the summer, she drinks alot for one horse."

Sakura drank down some water and smiled, wiping her mouth off. "Alright." She slowed thoughts, some of his words sticking out. "But...but you’re not going to be gone longer than the summer, right?"

Syaoran smiled weakly. "Yeah, probably not." He said.

Sakura looked down with wide eyes at her coat pocket, where the little Kero was spouting fire relentlessly, making a little ring of smoke in the fabric of her coat, eventually trying to break through. Sakura held her coat away from herself and doused it with water, ignoring Kero’s ‘ahh!’. "I wish I could come with you. Touya seems to get meaner every day, and Kero and Bob are kind of...exhausting."

"Yeah..."

Sakura looked over at the fence where Moondust was grazing nearby. She didn’t look as amazing as she did the other night, when Syaoran had told her everything, but she stood as a reminder for the time they had shared. I hate Touya sometimes! Him and Tomoyo and Kero, why do they all hate Syaoran so much? "Syaoran, I-"

Kero finally managed to push through her pocket, flying up in Sakura’s eyes. "This is a misuse of your magic!" Kero said angrily. Sakura rolled her eyes and took out her Big card, making Keroberus back into his original size. He was drenched in water, and was glaring at Syaoran.

"What, I didn’t do it!" Syaoran said irritably, hating Keroberus more and more.

"Stupid good for nothing brat face ugly taking advantage of Sakura-"

Syaoran was alright until Keroberus hit the last few words, and they infuriated him. "Stuffed bear...!" Syaoran shouted, pushing his sword into a card, sending the last surge of magic into a large stream of pressurized water that pushed Keroberus tumbling over. Keroberus swiftly flew up, but Syaoran was already running.

Syaoran jumped over the top fence board, running after Moondust, who looked up at the coming action. The first trick Syaoran had ever learned to do on a horse was a moving mount, and he had mastered it, so gripping with one hand on the mane and one planted on her back, Syaoran used the momentum of the starting to move horse to throw himself on her back, quickly keeping his sword from hitting her side and sliding her into a stop, wheeling her around to face Keroberus.

Sakura had to sigh to herself at how cool Syaoran looked riding a horse with a sword in hand, but she quickly feared for his life at the glower Keroberus was giving him. Kero was gathering fire in his mouth, and Syaoran saw this, so he quickly turned Moondust and pushed her into a full stretched out gallop, hopping her over a fallen tree on the way.

Keroberus chased after them, keeping up with Moondust’s fastest gallop with his fastest flying. He sent spurts of fire at them, which they dodged easily. Syaoran turned her towards the fenceline where Sakura and Bob were now standing, pushing Moondust forward around Keroberus’s flames.

Syaoran jumped Moondust over the five foot fence without even blinking, pushing her across the barnyard, running close to the hose, putting his sword down for a split second before running her to the side of the road, running away, away. Keroberus slowed to a stop triumphantly. "That’s it! Run away! Run away!"

Keroberus looked to make sure Syaoran was gone, then switched into little Kero, still holding a smirk. Sakura looked down the road curiously. He’ll be back. Probably all in his fast working mind, some big plan. Sakura looked towards the barn. "Well, shall we? We only have a couple bales left, we’ll be done soon."

"I help Angel do anything." Bob confirmed.

Sakura shook her head and walked into the barn. She picked up a bale, Bob holding a peice of twine and trying desperately to pull it up and help. Sakura couldn’t help but smile at the bug’s sincere efforts. She steadied herself and shoved the bale overhead onto the loft, figuring she could pile them up later. Sakura did this three more time, taking a quick break before doing the next two. Sakura wiped the sweat off her forehead. "This is tough work." She said breathlessly, glaring at Kero and Bob, who were now lounging on a turned over bucket.

"Hey! Where’s my hat?" Kero asked, seeing Bob’s small straw hat and then looking around frantically.

Sakura shook her head. "I’m going for more water." She said, feeling dehydrated already. Good thing it isn’t full blown summer. That would’ve been awful. Sakura walked out of the barn, glad to see Kero and Bob didn’t follow her. She looked around for Syaoran, but not seeing him, she walked over to the hose and took a long draught, unconsciously closing her eyes.

Sakura heard hooves clattering closeby, and she quickly set the hose down and looked up, meeting Syaoran’s sparkling eyes as he looked down at her from Moondust. "Where’d you-" Sakura started to ask, then looked curiously at Syaoran’s sword as he held it up for her inspection.

On the tip he had caught a small straw hat, one that looked very much like Kero’s. "That’s what you got on the way by!" Sakura said, realizing.

"BOB! YOU HUSH!" They heard Kero’s voice come from the barn.

"You better watch it, Kero’s looking-"

Syaoran put his finger to his lips. He vaulted off Moondust, then smacked the horse on the rump, sending her jumping over the fence, where she settled to a stop and started grazing again. "What keeps her from jumping out?" Sakura asked quietly as she followed Syaoran around the side of the barn.

"She wants to stay." Syaoran answered, peering around the door. Bob and Kero were involved in an arm wrestling contesting, though Kero hadn’t realized the strange jointing in Bob’s bug arms was aiding him in winning.

Sakura shook her head, smiling. "May I?" Sakura asked Syaoran, looking at the hat.

"Go for it." He said, shrugging. Sakura grinned and took the hat off, then threw it into the barn, aiming for Bob. It landed atop his other hat. Kero blinked, sensing motion, then looked suspiciously at Bob’s towering hats.

"Hey..." Kero lunged for the hat. Bob, not knowing what was going on, only squeaked and protectively sent some kind of dusty barrier around himself.

Syaoran looked at Sakura, impressed. "Good move." He said, smiling.

"Kero I am leaving." Sakura called, walking away from the barn.

Syaoran walked after her, making sure all the gates were locked first.

"You are still mad at me?" Sakura asked after he had caught up.

"No, you saved me from having to do all that hay." Syaoran said.

"Cool." Sakura said, smiling. He’s leaving Wednesday. WEDNESDAY! This doesn’t sound like a short summer trip, who knows how long he’ll be gone. What if he doesn’t come back? No, he wouldn’t do that to me, would he? If you want to tell him anything, you’d better tell him now. "You have to teach me that binding spell, I will use it on Onni-chan later."

Syaoran grinned, this idea sounding very good to him.

"Your suspicions of Tomoyo, they are starting to make sense, she really...she talks all nervous if she knows I’m going to talk to you, I don’t know what’s up with her, but it doesn’t feel like there’s any magic present."

That can’t be the real her! Tomoyo wouldn’t have said the stuff that Tomoyo did. "You should be careful, when I’m gone, keep your eyes wide open."

"I know."

"You can’t beleive everything everyone says, you know?"

"Yes."

"Especially that bug, he seems very suspicious." Syaoran said, casting a glance at Sakura to make sure she had heard him.

"Um, yes, I suppose." Sakura said. Though as strange as he seems, he seems more trustworthy than anyone else in my social circle.

"Chindra’s a good ally, she knows alot about Clow Reed, so with that and all the books you should be just fine, I wouldn’t depend on Kero though, remember what a bad watchman he was when that ghost was bothering you..."

"Yeah." Sakura said smiling. They reached the edge of the road, where with perfect timing, the bus was coming to a halt. They stepped into it and sat quietly on the seat, then parted at Sakura’s stop, where she walked the sidewalk’s short distance home.

Syaoran sighed on the bus, looking out the window at the back of her head as she sprung forward down the sidewalk with her energetic walk. Do I really want to leave her? Of course I don’t. But...I don’t have a choice. I have to tell her that- she thinks I don’t care, that I’m just going to leave...but that’s not true.

____________________________________________________________________

"You guys didn’t have to come." Sakura complained to Kero and Bob as they walked down the sidewalk to Syaroan’s apartment.

"Kero you complain of Li friend all the time." Chindra said, walking along with Sakura.

They were planning to help him pack, a gesture of a friendly goodbye. Chindra had been sitting alone in the house, so Sakura decided to take her along. Kero had overheard them mention Syaoran’s name, and when he heard the mention of ‘that boy’, he demanded that he come along, in efforts to keep ‘that boy’ in line.

So they were a large and oddly fit group walking across the parking lot, Sakura laeding the way into the lobby, hiding Kero in her pocket as they took the stairs. Sakura walked to Syaoran’s apartment door and knocked, hoping he hadn’t decided to go anywhere Sunday afternoon.

Syaoran looked up from the box he was taping, thinking he heard something over the loud music he was blaring, Shiro-Ame’s first album that he had gotten off the internet just before he put his computer away. Syaoran looked down at the way he was dressed, shirtless and a very worn and torn pair of sweats. Syaoran looked frantically around for a shirt, grabbing a plain white Tshirt as he jogged down the hall, quickly pulling it over his head. Syaoran opened the door, almost jumping back from the group of people and magical beasts he faced.

Sakura smiled, as did Chindra. "Hey, I hope we’re not bothering you, we were wondering if you wanted help packing."

Syaoran couldn’t beleive Sakura sometimes, it seemed her caring had an endless depth. "Uh, sure, I still have alot of stuff left, I guess."

He opened the door, letting them in. Kero made sure he gave him a good glare on the way flying by. Syaoran glared back and then shut the door. He walked into the living room, quickly realizing he had left the music rudely loud, then realized a little too late what group he had been listening to.

"Oh, you are becoming a fan of Shiro-Ame?" Sakura asked, enjoying the song.

Syaoran rushed over to his stereo, stopping the music, ignoring the disappointed looks he got from Chindra and Sakura. "Just, uh, the radio I left running, that’s all." He mumbled, quickly switching from CD to radio.

Sakura shrugged and looked around, seeing that there was boxes everywhere, virtually everything that could fit into a box was being packed. "Do you always bring everything with you when you visit Hong Kong?" Sakura asked, her eyes scanning the various boxes filling all the way down the hallway.

"Uh, yeah, sometimes." Syaoran said, though it was a lie.

"Are you bring furniture?" Chindra asked, looking at a couch that had boxes across its seats.

"Um, the movers are going to pick that up after I leave." Syaoran said.

"I see."

"I still have alot of books to pack, you can help with those, I guess." Syaoran said, leading them through the maze of a hallway. He walked them into the den, it’s floor covered in books.

"All these spell books, and such an awful magician." Kero said, shaking his head.

Syaoran glared at Kero, but decided to leave it at that for now.

Sakura started setting books into the box they were next to, finding the books heavy and full of dust. I don’t think he’s been reading these. Sakura filled that box and then looked up to see what Chindra was holding.

"What happened here?" She asked, holding two clean halves of a beautiful oak wood chair that probably belonged to an antique set of furniture.

Sakura looked at it with wide eyes, then looked to Syaoran for the story behind it. "I, uh, must have caught it with my sword, training, er, something." He mumbled, remembering clearly the horror he had felt when an off-balance vertical swing with his sword had gone crashing out of control through the hard wood, a sure sign that working off anger was no basis for training. That had been the day Syaoran had discovered he should train in the woods of Penguin Park instead of the living room.

"You don’t just accidentally cut a chair in half!" Kero said incredously.

"It is done when one has Sailor amount of strength." Bob said.

Syaoran wasn’t quite sure how compliments worked when they were from part of your own subconscious, but he took it well. "Exactly." He said, glaring at Kero.

"I think it’s done when you have his lack of control and short temper." Kero said.

"You little ba-"

Sakura looked with interest at the guitar case hidden away in the corner, and pulled it out. "You play the guitar Syaoran?" She asked, holding it up.

Syaoran’s face turned pale and he quickly jumped over and took it from her. "No, Meilin plays, must have left it..." He mumbled, though his voice was lost as Chindra spoke.

"Play guitar! You’d be just as Komai!" Chindra said excitedly.

Sakura blinked and a dark thought started to cross her mind, suspicion hitting her again. Sakura looked darkly at Syaoran, the resemblence shining through more than ever. Syaoran saw the look she was giving him and quickly tried to give the best un-Komai like scowl he could manage.

"You guys finish these books, I’m going to go finish my clothes." Syaoran said, getting up and leaving the two girls in the room, taking the guitar with him.

Sakura looked at Chindra after a while. "Do you really think he looks like Komai?" She asked.

"What’s all this Komai stuff? That’s all I hear!" Kero complained.

Sakura ignored it and looked to Chindra for her answer.

"Yes, but that is ridiculous. Your Li friend does not come close to Komai attitude."

Sakura sighed with releif. "I agree."

They continued on discussing Komai, discussing Touya’s annoying habits, talking about Tamakazi and how he and Chihura were made for each other. Their talk turned to Clow Reed, and Chindra continued to spread her knowledge about the whole bad guy story. "It’s so hard to beleive that something that happened so long ago will affect us so much now." Sakura said, sighing.

"I want to help you and friend fight Clow Reed." Chindra said, looking up solemnly.

"It’s dangerous, if you don’t have magic, I would not want you to get hurt."

"I will risk for your family, so kind you are. Avenge Guan-san’s death." Chindra said, clutching the book she held determinedly.

"This card we are dealing with right now is dangerous- the Erase- it makes people disappear, if we don’t seal it, you would be gone for good, we couldn’t have that happen, I’d hate myself for causing, I mean, I just couldn’t stand it if you were hurt, you are a really good friend."

Chindra smiled. "I am glad. You are very good person, Kinomoto Sakura."

Kero was rolling his eyes at the sentimental value of this situation, so he flew off to bother Syaoran. He fluttered into the boy’s plain room, the boy’s big eyes glaring at him and watching him out of the corner of his eye. "What do you want, glutton?"

Kero flew around, looking for anything to throw. He spotted a peice of paper with a phone number written across it. "Kaoto..." He read. Kero picked the peice of paper up, delighted to see he got a look of horror from Syaoran, tightening his hold on it.

"Give that back!" Syaoran shouted, jumping up from the clothes he was stuffing away.

"Um...I don’t think so." Kero said, smiling to himself at the fact he had a good peice of bait.

Syaoran lunged at Kero, but Kero was quickly flying away, heading down the hall. Syaoran sprinted after him, jumping over the boxes and lurching at Kero, his fingers just coming short of the little bear. Syaoran cursed freely at Kero, and Kero just flew forward with more and more delight as the boy’s yelling became more desperate. Sakura and Chindra looked up from the books they were boxing, watching Kero fly around the ceiling line of the room, Syaoran storming after him and shouting some vulgar things.

"Give...it..back!" Syaoran shouted, jumping at him with all the force he could manage, managing to pull the bear from the air and bring him down with him, holding him down as he tried to pry the paper out of his little fingers.

Kero tried to pull himself out by his arms, but Syaoran was holding him tightly, fighting hard for the peice of paper. Sakura and Chindra walked over, Sakura noticing the peice of paper sticking out of Kero’s hands. She picked it out and brought it up, Syaoran watching with horror, letting Kero go and collapsing his face on the floor, waiting for the horror that was about to be unleashed.

"E! What!?" Sakura shouted, Chindra gasping beside her.

Syaoran rolled miserably over. "It’s not what you think, really, I didn’t-"

"Did I just see what I think I saw?" Kero asked, flying up.

Syaoran blinked and looked up, wondering what they were talking about. He saw there wasn’t a peice of paper in Sakura’s hands, though all eyes were fixed on the spot between her hands. Sakura looked at Syaoran. "It’s the Erase card!" She said quickly, looking around the room.

Syaoran nodded, jumping to his feet, quickly overcoming the nervous terror of the previous moment. "Concentrate! Sense where it’s going next."

Sakura closed her eyes and concentrated, but this wasn’t like any other- her mind reeled forward with amazing speed, and Sakura found herself immediatly focusing in on the next point of target. She opened her eyes wide, catching her breath from that sudden magic phenomenon.

"What’s wrong?" Syaoran asked, seeing the amazed look on Sakura’s face.

"I-um...I’ve never...concentrated like that before. It was so...easy." Sakura said.

"Your magic is getting stronger." Kero said approvingly. "I’m going to go after the card, you follow your sensing." Kero fluttered out of the room.

"Kero! Wait! Why are you leaving!?" Sakura jumped her way around the boxes and stood in the doorway, Kero already out of sight.

Sakura sighed and turned to Syaoran and Chindra. Now’s not the time to complain about Kero. One of them could disappear any second. I’ve gotta stop this before it does any damage. Syaoran won’t get hurt by this card. "The Kitchen, come on!" Sakura said, hurrying down the hall.

Sakura and Syaoran looked around, focusing, while Chindra wasn’t quite sure what to do. Her eye caught the side of something transparent, and she quickly turned to it. The refridgerator was going invisible. "Are (= hey)!"Chindra shouted, jumping back.

Syaoran and Sakura turned around. Sakura "Release!" She shouted, spinning her staff around and trying to hit the disappearing fridge, but the fridge was too fast, and Sakura found her staff falling through the air. She sighed, annoyed with herself.

"Well...?" Syaoran said impatiently, holding his sword out.

"I...don’t know. I lost it." Sakura said, lowering her staff, looking around the apartment.

Syaoran sighed. "I’m getting my other sword then." He said, walking out of the room and into his own. Might as well get the battle costume out. Syaoran changed as quickly as possible. He grabbed the Hyrulian sword and walked out, satisfied with the intimidating look he must have going; the two heavy double edged swords in both hands.

Sakura and Chindra were walking around his living room, both looking for anything strange. Sakura looked worriedly out the window where the sun was setting. "This will be horrible if it goes into the night. We’ve got to catch it soon-"

"Over here!" Chindra shouted again, spotting the edge of a couch starting to turn transparent.

Syaoran ran at it with his sword, swinging it down. The card disappeared, leaving Syaoran’s sword flying into the cushions, sending fluffy feathers into the air. Syaoran stepped back, annoyed. "Try explaining that to the Movers." He said.

Sakura looked over. "It’s wanting to put some damage in before it thinks we have a right to seal it." She said.

"Oh my, that can not be good." Chindra said.

"Outside!" Sakura said, turning and running to the door, jumping out into the hallway.

Syaoran ran for the balcony, pulling the door open. Sakura and Chindra continued down the hallway, running down the stairs and into the parking lot, meeting back up with Syaoran. They ran across, following Sakura’s lead, who sprinted as fast as she could while trying to concentrate with her sudden quick processing mind. Twilight was starting to settly over the town, and they were no longer running by the will of the sun, only running by Sakura’s sensing powers. She stopped abruptly, the two behind her sliding to a stop to not plow over her. "It’s..." She frowned, the feelings was all around her. Sakura looked to her left, where a tree had suddenly become thin looking. "Here!" She shouted, running at the tree.

Sakura didn’t know that a similar shrub beside Syaoran had caught his attention, or that Chindra was shouting and pointing at a large fire hydrant that had become a transparent red. Sakura’s staff came through the air again, missing the already disappeared tree. She stomped her foot with frustration and turned to see Syaoran’s attempt, but his sword missed. Chindra was pointing at a fire hydrant that was no longer visible.

"Argh! Okay, no big deal, it hasn’t started with people yet!" Sakura said, trying to focus in on the next spot of target.

Syaoran looked down the dark sidewalk, where things were disappearing freely. A look of panic was now on Sakura’s face. "My house!" She shouted, taking off, running across the deserted street and heading down the sidewalk to her house. Syaoran and Chindra sprinted after her, Syaoran grazing his sword across things that were disappearing along the sidewalk. They reached Sakura’s house, and there was a light on- something was making light- and Sakura quickly widened her eyes at a burning smell.

"Fire!" She breathed, running for the side door.

Syaoran saw the fire, but then saw that there was movement in Sakura’s window, so he quickly ran to the tree next to her window and climbed it, jumping into the window and shattering the glass. He landed in the room and held both his swords ready, looking up at the things moving about her room. Bob was flying in a frenzy, unleashing surges of raw magic at the knives that were being held by wind in the room.

I never sealed the Sword, maybe I should do it now. Syaoran looked at Bob, who was doing an amazing job at keeping the swords away by himself. Syaoran began dueling with a sword, then forced magic into his sword, frowning with fury as he pushed the sword away and went at the next one. "Why...won’t you seal?" Syaoran shouted angrily, pushing them away.

"His mistress needs help with fire! Go sailor!" Bob said, making a whip like object out of his electric magic.

Syaoran glanced over at the small courageous butterfly that was able to duel with so many swords. He looked unsurely at the little bug for a second, then decided that if the bug wanted to prove his bravery, Syaoran might as well take the offer. Syaoran ducked under a swing of a sword and ran down the hall, seeing that there was still a little fire blazing in the kitchen. Syaoran ran halfway down the stairs and then jumped over the bottom of the banister, running over to Sakura and Chindra’s aid.

Sakura had the fire estinguisher going, and Syaoran found that she hadn’t really needed his help, she had put the fire out herself. Sakura wiped a nervous sweat off her forehead and looked up at Syaoran through the glowing dark of their house. "It took away the coverings to the wiring or something, it could do alot of things..."

Chindra was looking with fear behind Sakura, and before Sakura could turn around to see what was so scary, Chindra brushed past her, grabbing a knife off the kitchen wall peg and countering an attack from the sword card as it aimed itself at Sakura’s head. Chindra slashed it away with her small dagger, quickly looking to Syaoran and Sakura for help. Syaoran pulled his sword out from its sheath behind his shoulder again, fighting the sword away from Sakura and Chindra.

A crashing sound came from another room. Syaoran glanced over his shoulder as he cut back the sword. "Can you use a sword?" He asked Chindra, hoping that she might be able to keep these swords back as he went after the next room.

"Y-yes." Chindra said.

Syaoran ducked under a swipe then tossed the Hyrulian sword in the air, letting her catch it by the hilt. Chindra barely managed to catch it, and held it palely. She looked nervously at Sakura. "Guan-san taught me. Long time ago, never used it against anything."

Sakura looked up to see Syaoran had already left. "Please, hurry!" Sakura said, seeing a group of swords starting to encloud them.

Chindra nodded and held the sword up, ready for the swords attack. Sakura grabbed the knife from her for extra precaution, holding her staff in her right hand. I can seal this. Noooo problem, I can do this! Then I have to help Syaoran, I can’t let him get hurt again. I promised, I won’t watch him get hurt again. Sakura swung the staff into the sword, feeling its immediate resistance.

"RETURN!" She shouted at the sword.

Her arms ached, she could feel the energy leaving her body as she tried to seal this card. "Come on!" She shouted, gritting her teeth and trying to hold it steady. Her staff seemed to shake against the strong resistance, but the Swords disappeared into a card, swirling around the room as they wailed and moaned into the trap set in front of them. Sakura looked down at the Sword card and found it black and dark.

Chindra was breathing heavily and leaning on the end of the sword she held, looking around the room with caution for anything else that might pop out. "It is gone?"

"Yes, but we aren’t done yet." Sakura said. She looked around and watched the fake flowers they had in a vase on the living room table disappear. Sakura ran a little too slowly, missing another chance to seal the dangerous card.

"Sakura!" Chindra shouted, running into the kitchen.

Sakura ran after her and was surprised to hear her feet splash into a puddle of water. Sakura stopped and looked, seeing that the sink was gone, and all the piping gone with it. She was about to say something when another flame started. "Quick, where’s the fire estinguisher?"

Chindra looked around frantically for it, then looked up as they heard a loud crash from a room down the hallway. Sakura turned worriedly. Syaoran! No, I have to help Chindra, but...he is more likely able to handle himself, right... Chindra picked the fire estinguisher off the floor where it had been dropped and looked up at Sakura. "Go help Li friend!" She commanded, facing the burning flames in front of her.

Sakura gave Chindra her most grateful look before sprinting away down the hall. Sakura ran into their den and found Syaoran holding up an eight foot tall cabinet filled with books, being pushed down with the added weight of Windy. Sakura ran over to his side and pushed on it, trying to help him put it back up.

"No use....Windy’s too strong!" Syaoran said, his arms cramping after pushing with all their strength for such a long amount of time.

"If we let go it will fall on us!" Sakura reasoned.

"Not if we let it go over our heads, flip it over!" Syaoran said breathlessly.

"Flip it over? It’s like eight hundred pounds."

"I’m trusting you!" Syaoran said, gritting his teeth as the cabinent advanced on them a little more.

Sakura hated him for saying that, now she was obligated to do it. "On three then?"

"Ichi..ni..san!" Syaoran shouted, hurling the heavy weight with all his muscles, swiftly rolling forward as close to the wall as he could, hearing the cabinent crash behind them. He looked over at Sakura, who was shaking with amazement at what they had just done.

Fiery appeared with Windy, both smiling at them. Sakura was scared to death, she couldn’t face two cards at once, especially two of the elements! Whatever they were going to do, they’d have to do fast. Sakura glanced over at Syaoran, who seemed to be having the same doubting thoughts. Give him magic, he can use his water! Sakura grabbed Syaoran’s hand and tried to concentrate, though it was hard knowing there was two holders of death and destruction looming about the room.

Syaoran knew what she was thinking, and the second her grip loosened on his hand, Syaoran threw out his card and pushed his sword into it. "Water!" He shouted, forcing all his fury into it as he aimed it at Fiery. Fiery shreiked and backed away, and the two cards spun away into the air, disappearing for now. Syaoran breathed with releif.

Sakura looked down with wide eyes as the cabinent they had thrown over had just disappeared. "Syaoran! Come on!" Sakura shouted, jumping to her feet and running into the hallway.

Syaoran ran after her, feeling wind on the back of his neck as the Windy was starting to return. He ran into the hallway, running closely behind Sakura. The wall of the hallway was disappearing right before their eyes, opening the rooms beside them. Sakura jumped over a disappearing pillow that was somehow on the floor and ran into the living room, where Chindra was battling the expanding flames.

Sakura and Syaoran slowed to turn into the kitchen, slowing even more as the counter behind Chindra disappeared. The microwave beside her disappeared, then the stove, the disappearance’s intervals speeding up rapidly. "Chindra, watch out!" Sakura shouted, seeing that the path was moving quickly towards her.

Chindra turned from the fire estinguisher and the flames, her chocolate eyes reflecting the fire, looking for what Sakura was talking about. Her fearing look being replaced with terror, Chindra looked down at her hand as it was turning transparent. Sakura realized with wide eyes at what was happening, and jumped out to try and save her, but was held back by Syaoran.

Sakura struggled to free herself from his arms. "Let me go! Let me go! I can still save her, we’ve got to seal it!" Sakura shouted hysterically, panicking and pulling, trying desperately to squirm away.

"It will try to take you with her!" Syaoran shouted over the sound of the flames, watching sorrowfully as Chindra disappeared from the air, her figure completly gone, no transparent parts left.

Sakura gasped and pulled harder. "NOO!" She shouted, tears springing to her eyes. "Chindra! Come back!" She shouted, pulling at Syaoran’s arms, trying to run.

Syaoran watched the floor underneath them starting to turn transparent, showing bare floor boards underneath. "Sakura! Seal it now!" He said, trying to calm her, though she was still screaming and shouting with hysterical shock.

Sakura found herself loose finally, and she took her staff and slammed it down furiously, tears burning down her cheeks. "RETURN, ERASE!" She shouted, forcing all of her magic into her staff.

Syaoran could see that it was resisting and winning, so he pushed his sword into the floor as well, channeling his help over to her. Sakura squeezed her eyes shut as her staff brought the card back to them, then slowly picked the card out of the air. She looked around the room hopefully, now, standing up. "Where...where is everything? Why hasn’t it replaced it? Syaoran! Where is everything!? Why is it still gone!?"

Syaoran blinked as he looked around her house. She was right, everything was still gone, nothing had returned with the card. He gently took it from her hand and looked at it, seeing that she was crying again. The card was dark, the Erase’s eyes blackened red, seeming to smirk at them through the paper. "It must not...want to return anything...until the card is yours again." He said.

Sakura’s tears streamed down now. "No! No, no, no! Chindra can’t be...No! It’s not fair, why did it have to...She can’t be gone-" Sakura sobbed, leaning her head in her hands, trying to close in the hurt she was feeling. "I let it happen! Again! She was trying to help, I..."

Syaoran looked at Sakura with hurt in his own rough eyes, hating to see her putting so much blame and guilt on herself. He pulled her close, letting her sob onto his chest. Sakura was still angry, she wasn’t truly crying yet, really, she was still overcoming shock. "I hate him! I hate whoever’s doing this! Why can’t they leave me alone!" Sakura banged her fist on his chest, which Syaoran good naturedly took without complaint. "I’m going to use this card and make Clow Reed disappear! Forever! He doesn’t deserve...he doesn’t...." Sakura banged her fist again, but it was very weak, and her anger slowly melted into sadness.

"Why is he doing this to me? To my friends?" Sakura cried, her whole body shaking with her sob, her fists loosening.

Syaoran’s eyes filled with pain, hating not to know how to make her feel better. He wrapped his arms around her, hoping that would offer what little consolation it might. "I don’t know Sakura, I really don’t, but please, don’t blame yourself, she chose to help, you couldn’t have done anything different."

"I could’ve stopped it, if you would have let me go, I could have stopped it from finishing..."

"I didn’t want to see you get hurt. Is that selfish? Putting you over her? I guess I will have to live that down, but it would be foolish to let you try and save her then loose both of you in the process, wouldn’t it?"

Sakura rested her forehead on his shoulder, her tears slowly drying. "I’m so sorry, Syaoran, I didn’t mean..." She sighed, trying to clear her rampid thoughts. "What are we going to do? Chindra’s gone...I can’t...there must be some spell to bring her back..."

Syaoran stepped back a little, smiling warmly at her. "Of course, I’m sure there is."

"You’ve always protected me, Syaoran, I’m sorry if I seem...ungrateful sometimes, but..." Sakura said, looking up into his bright eyes, reflecting care and understanding.

"No, I understand, your friend just disappeared, I never asked for your gratitude." Syaoran said, looking warmly back at her, his smile slowly fading as he looked into her shiny green eyes. He searched those eyes staring right back at him, trying to find what she was feeling, blinking only once as he looked into those eyes only inches away.

Sakura hoped her hand wasn’t really shaking, though it felt like it was, because here looking into Syaoran’s eyes she found herself almost nervous- but not quite. Her butterflies which had been completly forgotten because of the drama in the previous situation were now flocking north in full swing. The long thick sleeves of his battle outfit wrapped around her like two warm blankets, lulling her closer. Sakura tried to think, but every time a remotely sane thought would start to cross her mind, she’d blink, and then she’d find herself tranced again by those fiery red-brown eyes.

Go for it go for it go for it, you’re leaving her soon, you should say a proper goodbye, who knows when this situation will ever come up again, you almost went through with it had it not been for that stupid dragon in Hyrule, just do it already you scaredy cat. Syaoran was nervouse as crap, but it wasn’t bad nervousness, so he forced some bravery into himself and started to lean in to her.

Sakura blinked at him, quickly seeing where their actions were leading, though not protesting, only taking it in alot more slowly than he. Meeting his assuring eyes once more, Sakura decided to push her butterflies away and closed her eyes. They were very close, she could feel his warm breath on her face, chills were replacing butterflies now. Just as the electric air reached it’s climate, Sakura felt a sudden urgency, something wasn’t right. Sakura forced her eyes to open and looked to the side of Syaoran, breaking the perfect connection away.

To her very horror, something was definitely not right; in fact it was about the worst it could be- as her eyes met a figure that had just stepped into the doorway, and was now staring at them with a dark glower. Syaoran had felt the sudden disconnection, and looked at Sakura, who was gawking at the doorway behind him. Syaoran turned swiftly, though he still kept one arm around her.

"O-on-nichan..."Sakura said weakly, casting a nervous glance at Syaoran’s watching eyes, then pulling away from him, jogging across the living room. "Please don’t-"

Touya roughly took Sakura’s shoulder and began walking her across the room, looking sideways at Syaoran. "You stay here." He commanded, pulling Sakura up the stairs.

"Onni-chan! Quit, you can’t tell me what to do!"

"Oh yes I can, little cherry blossom, do you not listen to me? Do you not remember what I told you-"

"Quit it! You’re trying to run my life, my friends are my business, you have no right to-"

Touya stopped her at Chindra’s room, pushing her in, blocking the doorway. "I have every right to protect my little sister, especially in my own home, wrecked as it may be."

"How did you kno-"

"That boy is never going to see you again, as long as I’m around, I’ll make it my personal business to-"

"ONNI-CHAN!" Sakura shouted, bottled anger starting to explode. "You’ll never seperate us, ever! You could never seperate this-"

"Give me one reason why."

"Because! Because I...I..." The words had naturally wanted to jump right out of Sakura’s mouth, but did she really want to say these strong words again? "Because I love him!" Sakura choked out, it being hardly audible.

Touya’s angered expression turned to one of nervousness. "Have you told him?"

Sakura charged at Touya, trying to get through the doorway as she still held all this adreneline. "I’m trying to-"

Touya pushed her back, a slow and dark smile coming across his face, one Sakura had never in her life seen him give. "Too bad the chance has slipped away, little sister. Excuse me." He said, slamming the door shut and locking this door from the outside. Sakura pounded vainly against the hard wood, then quickly went to her cards, searching for the Through.

No! Nooo! Why is my life going so horribly? Couldn’t this card at least have worked? Sakura held the lifeless card in her hand with dismay. She looked at the door with teary eyes. I wonder if Syaoran heard me? I hope he did. No, no I don’t. I don’t know. Did I mean that? I’m not sure. I’ve got to stop Touya, what’s happening to him?

-------

Syaoran was storming down the hallway by the time Touya had found him, though the hallway was no longer quite that with one entire wall missing. He spun around to face him. "You can’t control her, she’s not a slave to your will."

"I can do a pretty job in keeping you two seperated though, now, can’t I? My sources tell me you are leaving to go home in three days anyway. Why hurt my little sister any more?"

Syaoran glared at the offense Touya was trying to make, longing to throw a nice uppercut into Touya’s jaw. "I’m not leaving forever..."

"You know she could never have the same feelings you hold, don’t you? Putting an ocean in between you is going to dissolve everything you thought you had away with just a few days. Don’t try and take advantage of her while you think you still can."

Touya’s words cut deep, and no matter how hard he tried, Syaoran couldn’t block them out. "I think you are the one taking advantage of her, trying to bend her mind to your every like. Just because you don’t like me or I don’t like you doesn’t mean she can’t-"

Touya roughly pushed Syaoran, then dragged him along by his shoulder to the door. "Go see your own family, never come near this house again." Touya grouched, slamming the door in Syaoran’s face.

Syaoran breathed heavily with rage, wanting to take his sword, rip the door to peices, do something slow and tortureous to Touya, then take Sakura and kiss her right in front of him, right for his horror. Numerous cuss words, curses, even the thought of a disappearing spell came into Syaoran’s mind, but instead he chose to keep his fury silent, holding all the anger back in.

He walked around the side of their house, then looked up at Sakura’s window, it shattered and open. Sakura wasn’t in there, he couldn’t even see Bob, the room looked very silent. Syaoran frowned. Where did he put her? I should look for her, but I can’t risk seeing him again...what have I got to loose? Syaoran sprinted across the night time lawn and climbed the tree, swinging in through the window’s already open space and landing quietly on her floor. From there he walked carefully down the hall, looking from door to door. she could never feel...ocean will dissolve everything...Syaoran hated Touya deeply for who he was, but even more for the fear Syaoran felt from those words and the potential of them being true.

Syaoran looked to a door with a lock on the outside. He looked to the other doors, they didn’t have them, so Syaoran betted this could be something. He carefully and quietly unlocked it, then twisted the handle, cautiously opening the door. Sakura’s wet eyes looked up from the edge of Chindra’s bed and saw Syaoran with surprise, and she quickly jumped to her feet, running to him and throwing her arms around him.

"Onni-chan’s not right, he’s so mean, so mean..." Sakura said, trying to hold back tears.

Syaoran bit his lip and nervously looked down the hall, knowing any second this noise could draw ‘onni-chan’ to their spot in the hallway. "Shhh, Sakura." Syaoran whispered, stepping back and walking cautiously across the hall, leading Sakura into her room. She shut the door carefully and looked to Syaoran.

"Do you think he’s a different person?" Syaoran asked quietly, not wanting his voice to get too loud.

Sakura nodded. "He was never...this mean." Sakura said, planting her front teeth on her quivering bottom lip.

"Maybe the Twin is on him too." Syaoran said unsurely.

Bob cam flying from a corner, looking completly exhausted. "So many... swords everywhere...saved what could..." Bob said breathlessly.

"Thanks for unlocking that door." Sakura said, looking at the floor.

"Angel imprisoned?" Bob asked, looking up from his battered position.

"I should leave, I’ve already gotten kicked out once." Syaoran said, sounding a bit irritable by the end of his sentence.

Sakura walked over with him to the window. "Don’t hold it against him, he’s not really himself, right? We can’t blame him for that..."

Sakura’s attempts to see with clear eyes all perspectives of a situation were sometimes mistaken for insanity in Syaoran’s mind, and he could only give her a skeptical look. "I’ll see you in school." Syaoran said a bit shortly, hopping off the window’s ledge onto the branch, swinging quickly to the ground, leaving what he had wanted to say unsaid.

Sakura watched him cross their lawn sadly. He’ll be mad tommorrow. He’ll think about what happened, then get really mad. If I try to talk to him it will be all awkward, and then he’ll trade in his embaressment for anger, and...Sometimes I wish he could try and be a little more understanding. I don’t like Touya either, right now, but it’s no reason to hate the rest of the world. Sakura sat back on her bed, tears coming to her eyes. But how am I supposed to follow my own advice? How will I ever understand Clow’s motives? What justified Chindra being erased?

Sakura turned over on her bed, tears flowing now. Our house is completly ruined, but Touya doesn’t even care. How am I supposed to deal with this? And explain Chindra? I already miss her so much, all she was doing was trying to help, why was she punished? If anyone should be, it’s me! I’ve let all of this happen. Maybe if I was better with my magic...Sakura cried into her pillow, wishing deeply that it was someone’s shoulder, her father’s, maybe, like when she was little, and crying onto his shoulder could solve all of her problems. Not anymore. I am fighting for my father and everyone else now, I’ve got to be able to depend on my own shoulders.

Bob floated over, landing on the edge of her pillow. "Angel is sad? Why?"

Sakura looked up at the bug with teary eyes, sad to see that she was desperate enough to talk with this bug. "Everyone depends on me, but it seems they are all controlling me, I don’t know what to do, how am I supposed to save everything? Every day I feel guiltier and guiltier for the bad things that have happened through my faults, someday it’s going to be beyond what I can bear..."

"Angel don’t give up. Bob thinks sword would overtake him. But didn’t give up. Only uses more inner strength."

"I don’t have any left." Sakura mounred, staring at the ceiling now, letting the tears roll down off her cheeks.

"Angel stronger inside than anyone in world. Bob doesn’t lie, he is stating fact. Love defeats hate. Inside you love."

Sakura looked over at the bug, surprised at the inspiring words he was telling her. "But...but how can I love someone who hates me without exception?"

"Do not need to love his actions, Angel."

Sakura sniffed, trying to smile weakly. "How does a little bug like you know so much?"

"Bug born with mind. Mind of spell giver, of course." Bob explained.

Sakura’s thoughts tried to listen to what he was saying, but the thought of Chindra’s last look of terror made her eyes fill with tears all over again. "I miss my friend, Bob! She was so sincere, she shouldn’t have ever been hurt!" Sakura squeezed her burning eyes shut, sorrow starting to overbear her again.

"Sleep, Angel should. In morning’s sunlight, things look better, they do." Bob said.

Sakura kept her eyes shut. "You are right. I should sleep. Goodnight, Bob."

"Goodnight angel." Bob said, fluttering to the edge of her pillow and settling down.

Sakura fell into exhaustion and dreamed of nothing, only blackness, her tears and sorrow subsiding for the moment.

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

Il y a! Okay, that’s french, not japanese. I am going back and revising all my old chapters ((blah!!)) because I found there’s so many mistakes and crap in them, I figured it was time to go edit. I’m such a horrible person, why can’t Syaoran and Sakura just get along without some hinderence? I don’t know, that wouldn’t be any fun. What a mean onnichan. Oh well- this all goes together in my warped story line. The last few chapters will be so confusing, blah. Ahh, Syaoran’s leaving soon! No!

Well I am going to try and get some pics I drew to my story up on my site. (geocities.come/KeanusHorseChic Come visit!)

Comments at [email protected]

Sayonara!

-Syaoran’s fan for life!!!!!