| Pocketmon Captor Sakura It was a warm summer dawn. A girl finished tying up her snickers. "Pi?" A small yellow mouse-like creature asked her, puzzled. "Sssh, Pi-chan," the girl softly said, picking up her bookbag. "Oniichan might wake up." She put on her bookbag and the creature climbed up on her shoulders. The girl gave last affectionate look around the house, then ran off. A black haired boy, about seventeen years old, watched her from upstairs window. "Good luck, Sakura," he said, as the Sun started to rise. He shut the curtains. Sakura walked on, looking determined. "Pi~" the animal uneasily said. "I know, but I can't just stay home, " Sakura said, patting the animal. She stopped, noticing a pockemon gym. "Feel up to a battle?" Sakura asked the animal. It happily consented. Sakura opened the gym door. "Wow~" Even Sakura, who was used to impressive gyms by now, was awed. Everything was made out of glass and crystals. "Must be an ice-type pocketmon trainer," Sakura said, feasting her eyes. "Pi~" Pikochu agreed, trying to take in all the splendors. Suddenly a fog surrounded them. "What..." As the fog cleared, Sakura and the creature saw a pretty young girl in purple satin and silk dress. She was standing in the upper most part of the gym, where icycles were hanging around her like a throne. She was one of the most beautiful human Sakura had ever seen. "Welcome," She said in the sweetest of voices. "This is a secondary gym, meaing you have to be a pockemon league champion to battle here." Sakura took her pocketmon encyclopedia out. The P.E., with a touch of a button, projected a holographic image of Sakura. It announced in a rather stiff tone, "Kino Sakura. Champion of Orange League, Johto Leauge, Kanto Leauge, and Indigo Plateau League. Currenly possesses 36 badges and 178 pocketmons. Age 11, she had been a pocketmon trainer for 3 years." "I'm impressed," The girl said, smiling. "There are currenly 2 secondary gyms in this world. My name is Daidoushin Tomoyo. It is a pleasure to be acquainted with you. What do you say to a four on four?" "Fine by me," Sakura replied. She threw a pink pocketball into the crystal arena. Tomoyo threw in a bluish-glass pocketball at the same time. It took few moments for the fog to clear out. Clefi and Crystalichi stood, ready to battle. "Metronome," Sakura quietly commanded. Clefi jumped up, its chubby pink body shaking in enthuasism. It shook its fingers back and foth. Suddenly huge fire spin attack was issued, and Crystalichi made a sweet melodious sound, its way of groaning about its pain. It flew off, trying to conter attack, but Clefi ended the battle by jumping up into the air and giving it a messive body slam. It fell into the ground with flutter of its crytal wings, badly burnt. It automatically got recalled back into its pocketball. There were few moments of silence. "Your next pockemon...?" Sakura uncertainly asked. Tomoyo, who was imagining Sakura in a Clefi custom, snapped out of it and said, "Oh, forgive me. Lightni, dear?" She threw a crystal pocketball with designs engraved in gold. After a fierce battle involving Clefi, Lightni, Dragonii, Fierisan, and Mewi, Tomoyo and Sakura were left with one pocketmon each. "You're really great, Kino-san. You must have realized that all of my pocketm,on are level 70 or above," Tomoyo said. She was already growing extremely fond of this cute green-eyed girl. Now if she only washed her with a fragrant bubble bath and dressed her in a frilly dress with some bows and laces... Sakura broke into her thoughts. "You're great too, Daidoushin-san." That did it. Her adorable smile won Tomoyo. "You may call me Tomoyo, Kino-san," Tomoyo replied, smiling sweetly. "You can also call me Sakura, Tomoyo-san," Sakura said. "Pi-chan, I'm counting on you." "Pi!' Pikochu said, running out to the arena. Right, she was still in a battle. As a gym trainer, she couldn't show favoritism. "This one won't be easy," Tomoyo said, releasing from a pink crystal pocketball a Puri. "Kawaii!" Sakura said, delighted. "Same goes to you," Tomoyo replied. Sakura did not realize that this remark was meant for her, not for her Pikochu. "Sweet sound, Puri," "Agility, Pikochu!" Puri closed its eyes and made almost unearthly sweet sound. Pikochu weavered when it heard the sound. Sakura's pocketdex indicated that it was losing its HP. "Pi-chan! Don't listen to that!" Pikochu shook its head. "PIII!!!" It released a massive thunderbolt attack. "Puu~?" Puri's tail was slightly burnt. "PUU!!!" It puffed up to twice its normal size. It emitted rainbow colored bubbles. "Chu!" Pikochu said, dodging them. Unfortunately, this kept it so occupied that it did not see Puri above it. "Pikochu!" Too late. Puri smashed Pikochu on the head. Pikochu went flying to the edge of the arena. "Pi-chan doesn't have much HP left..." Sakura did not realize that Tomoyo was not issuing any orders for Puri. Tomoyo was gazing at Sakura dreamily, imagining her in a pikochu custom. "Pi..." Pikochu weakly stood up, breathing heavily. "Pi-chan..." Sakura said, clenching her fists. Blood was dripping down its cheeks, making red circles on its face even redder. "Chyaaa...." Puri jumped again, light flashing from its fist. "It's mega punch! PI-CHAN!!!" Pikochu weakly looked up. "Pi-chan..." Sakura started to cry. "Pi!" Pikochu suddenly cried, jumping as high as it can. It landed on top of Puri. In the midair, clinging on to Puri with all of her remaining strenth, Pikochu screamed out, "PI-KO-CHUUUU!!!" Prodigious thunder attack lightened up the whole gym. The ice arena cracked, and both Pikochu and Puri fell into the water. Puri re-emerged with its eyes in swirls. Pikochu poked its head out. "Chu..?" "Congratuations, you won," Tomoyo said, callling back her Puri. Pikochu contenly ate the pockemon pellets, its small head wrapped in bandages, while Sakura and Tomoyo were enjoying an elegant meal. "Why have you came here?" Tomoyo asked. "My father is missing, " Sakura said. "He disappeared while researching on the new legendary pocketmon that appeared about 3 monthes ago.. I have to find him!" "Don't," Tomoyo said, suddenly turning serious. "When a pokectom's rage is provoked, it can bring an end to this world." "Huh?" "Your father, who was only researching about pocketmon, disappeared. Many trainers went in quest of this one, bu none returned. This one is beyond the understanding of humans, pocketmon with unimaginable powers. It's not good to mess around with nature." "But humans always got along well with pocketmon," Sakura said, puzzled. "How come this one detests humans so much?" Tomoyo shook her head. "Wild pocketmon instinctly dislike humans. You know that. This one is particulary disgusted with humans for taming pocketmons." Sakura turned over on her bed. She couldn't sleep. This dream that she had lately...Despite Tomoyo's warning, this dream was so vivid...it must be.... Sakura was standing in a field of flowrs with pikochu. "Pi!" Pikochu said, running off. "Hold on, Pikochu! Wait for me!" Pikochu suddenly turned around and bared its fangs, growling. "Pi-chan!" It shocked her. She stood there, feeling numb. Suddenly the earth was shaking. All of her pocketballs flew out of her waist, releasing its inhabitants. They were all running....away from her?! "Wait! Where are you going?!" There was a cruel laughter..."If you're a human.." said a cold, calm voice. "DIE!!!" There was a bright flash, and.... Sakura woke up. That stupid dream again. It made her so uneasy.... "Breakfast," A maid said, knocking on her door. "Yes ma'am," Sakura said, changing out of her pink silk pajamas. Except her shirts and jeans were no whre to be seen. Only VERY pink dress was on the chair next to bed. It was completely...girlish. Sakura sighed, and changed. Better than being naked. "Good morning, Sakura-san," Tomoyo said, looking up from her newspaper. She suddenly blushed when she saw Sakura. "Can you do me a favor?" "Hoe?" "Can you turn around?" Sakura slowly turned around, wondering what's this all about. 'You're so very cuuuute!" Tomoyo said, her eyes sparkling. "Hoe....?" Sakura asked, forming a sweat bead. Her eyes suddenly caught the front cover article: "A Declaration of War Against Humanity?" Her eyes rapidly traveled across the page. It briefly mentioned a pocketmon who declared that it will destroy the human race, since humans are violating their boundaries in nature's laws. Already there had been major damages in some of most prosphering cities. "You're awfully quiet, Sakura-san," Tomoyo said, worried. "Are you not well?" Sakura sipped her tea. "I'm going to capture that pocketmon." Tomoyo choked. "Excuse me?" "You've read the newspaper this morning, didn't you?" "Sakura-san..." Tomoyo patiently began. "I'm determined, Tomoyo-san." Tomoyo sighed. "Then promise me that you would try that when you get the badge from the other secondary gym." Sakura looked up. "The other one?" "I'll show you the way. It takes about a week to get there." "But what about..." "My gym doesn't matter. Maid ladies will take excellent care of it." "Right..." Sakura and Tomoyo walked on, talking about different things. A girl looked up from tying her shoes. "Hey! Are you a pocketmon trainer?" She asked Saskura, noticing her pikochu. "Yes," Sakura said. the girl had her silky black hair tied in two ponytails. Her bright red eyes shone. "How about a battle?" "You've got it!" Sakura said. "How does one on one sound?" "great," Sakura replied. The girl released a pocketmon from a red pocketball. "Teddy-chan, please win this one for me," "Pi-chan!" Sakura said, nodding to her faithful companion. "Pi!" Pi-chan and Teddy stood, glaring at each other. "Kawaii! A himebear!" Sakura said, her eyes shining. "Don't judge it by its looks," Meiling said, smiling. She suddely looked dead serous. "Teddy! Lightening punch!" Pi-chan dodged, its tail slightly grazed by the static. "Pi!" She said, pissed. "CHYAAAA!" She threw a thunder attack. Himebear jumped up, then landed on pikochu's head with a headbutt. They both staggered, shocked with each other's head's hardness. Himebear weakly said, "Hi...me..." then fell over. Pikochu looked up to Sakura, her head developing a bump but a smile on her face. "You did it! All right!" Sakura said, rushing forward to give it a hug. "Pi, pikopi!" Pi-chan said, jumping up to her and licking her face. "You're a great opponet," Meiling said. "I almost lost. Li-san is really great," Sakura said. Meiling looked pleased. "You know what? My cousin's house is right over that hill. Would you like to rest a bit before you go on?" "Sure," Sakura replied. "By the way, I'm calling you Sakura, so you may as well as cal me Meiling." "Okay!" Sakura said, holding Tomoyo's hand and running with Meiling. "Wow...." Sakura said, looking around. Everything was made out of jades of all shades of green. Golden dragons decorated the hall ways. Unlike Tomoyo's gym which gave a serene, mystic feeling, this gym held a feeling of majesty. A young boy came out, holding a pikochu in his arms. Sakura and Tomoyo stared at him, amazed. "Sakura-chan, is he your oniisan that you've been telling me about?" Tomoyo asked. Sakura shook her head. "My oniichan looks nothing like myself." "Shaorang!' Meiling said, waving to him. The boy turned. A startled look came into his eyes when he saw Sakura. It was as if a trick mirror had reflected himself, changing him into a female form. Noticing his gaze, Meiling explained, "Their pocketmon needs a rest. I invited them." "N...nice to meet you! My name is Kino Sakura!" Sakura hesitantly said. Shaoran replied, curtly nodding, "It's a pleasure." He turned to Tomoyo. "Daidoushin-san.. May I ask you what you're doing here?" "I'm a mentor of this cute girl right here!" She said, smiling. She glanced at Sakura. Seeing that she was engaged in a converstaion with Meiling, she whispered to Shaoran, "She's trying to challenge Spinel Sun. We've got to dissuade her." "Spinel..?" "Her father disappeared while researching about him." He glanced at Sakura. Sakura's eyes met with his and she sweetly smiled. Shaoran suddenly felt weird-- his face grew hot and his heart started to thump crazily. He shook his head. Too late, a sly smile was spreading across Tomoyo's face. Shaoran was watching the Moon with his pikochu. "This doesn't look quite right...." He said, frowing. "Somethign that will shake the peace of our world as we know it will occcur...wouldn't it..." "Pi!" His pikochu suddenly said, picking its ears up. "Pi~" Sakura's pikochu came up to them. "Can't sleep?" Shaoran asked, leaning down to scratch its head. "Pi..." Pi-chan said, pleased. He picked it up. Shaoran's Pi-kun climbed up Shaoran's shoulder, jealous. He started to lick Shaoran, just to prove what a great pocketmon he was. "Ah, stop it! That tickles, Pi-kun!" Shaoran said, laughing. He suddenly noticed someone's presence and drew his sword out. "Who is it?" He sharply asked. Pi-chan jumped off his arms and ran to the person. Sakura stepped out from the shadow. "Li-kun is very kind, isn't he," She said, smiling at him. She looked down and scolded, "Pi-chan, you shouldn't get out of bed at such late hours!" Shaoran suddenly felt himself blushing again. "I,I, uh, it's just that, pikochus are very nice, and, and...." "How long did you had your Pikochu?" She asked, as Pi-kun came to investigate her. he smelled her hand, then decidking that she was an okay human, climbed up on her shoulder. Pi-chan fiercely defended her position. "S-since I was thre, three...." "That's exactly same as me!" Sakura said, delighted. "Tomoyo-chan, what are you doing?" Meiling asked. "Shhhh! Today's episode is called "Sakura and Shaoran and the Moon-lit night!'" Tomoyo said, standing in the porch and video-taping them. Meiling glanced at the two. She frowned when she noticed Shaoran blushing. Without a word, she walked away. "Meiling-san...?" Tomoyo asked. "I heard you're going to challenge Spinel Sun," Shaoran said. "Suppi--what?" "Su-pi-ne-ru-sun," Shaoran repeated. "The one that made your father disappear." Sakura nodded. "You didn't even know its name and you tried to challenge it?" Came the acidic remark. "Do you even know what it looks like?" Sakura shook her head. Shaoran shook his head in dismay. "He's a great black panther." "Panther..?" "With butterfly wings." "He must be a very beautiful pocketmon," Sakura said, looking delighted. "And he's also very dangerous and violent," Shaoran impatiently said, sighing. "You don't even know what you're up against. Former-pocketmon league champions are all training like crazy as we speak to challenge it. They don't need youngsters like you to get in their way. None whom left returned, anyway." "I love my father," Sakura said, looking sad. "And I"m getting him back from Suppi-san no matter what!" Shaoran developed a sweat drop. "Suppi-san...?" Noticing how determined he looked, he said, in a half-mocking tone, "If you challenge me and you win, I"ll let you go challenge him. Before that, it's my duty to return you to your oniisan's custody." She turned her gaze from the Moon to look at him. Her intensely green eyes, full of tears, looked into his. "Kino..." Shaoran said, taken back. "Li-kun," She said. "I challenge you." "One on one," Shaoran said. "Got it," Sakura turned to Pikochu. "Pi-chan...please!" "Pi!" Pikochu replied, running out to the arena. Shaoran threw a green pocketball into the arena. A Dragonairie looked down on Pikochu. "Pi-chan! Thunderbolt!' "Pi!' It hit Dragonaire directly. A cloud of dust rose. "Great job, Pi-chan!" Sakura said. "Now...." She stopped when the smoke cleared. Dragon stood there, looking undaunted-- just really pissed. "Dragon. Double slap." Dragonairie slapped Pikochu. She flew off and crashed into the wall of the arena. "Pi..." "Can you still battle, Pi-chan?" Sakura asked, worried. "I'll withdraw.." Pikochu shook its head vigorously, standing up. 'Chya!" It released a thunder attack. Dragornairie looked down at it, not even a scratched on its body. It hit pikochu with its tail. Pi-chan flattened against the wall again. Pikochu lay there, a puddle of blood forming underneath its small body. Dragonairie started to get ready for firethrow. "Chya..." Pikochu weakly said, trying to stand up. "Stop! Enough!' Shaoran said. Dragon obediently returned. "There is no need to hurt her any further. This is a uselss match." Sakura rushed into the stadium, enfolding Pi-chan in her arms. She sank to the ground, her tears falling onto Pi-chan's blood-soaked face. "One of virtue of a trainder is to know when to quit," Shaoran said, coming up to her and taking Pikochu. "You don't have a chance against Spinel Sun." "I'm so osrry I had to do that to you," Shaoran said, bandaging Pikochu. The wound from battle with Tomoyo ahd opened again and it was bleeding furiously. She shook her head, gently leaking Shaoran's finger. He looked up from patting Pi-chan. Sakura sat near by, her arms wrapped around her legs. "Oi...." Sakura didn't look up. Pi-chan ran up to her and climbed on her head. "Pi~" Sakura still numbly stared at the ground. "How storng," She said, her voice cracking. "Just how strong is Suppi-san that even you say he's dangerous?" "Apparently, VERY strong," Shaoran snapped. "So stop your reckless behavior and just stay here with me until your oniisan comes to pick you up and.." He stopped, noticing tears in her eyes. 'Hey... no need to cry!" Shaoran came up to her and wiped her tears away, looking worried. He rummaged around in his pockets until he came up with a handkerchief. "My mother died when I was little," Sakura said. "I don't want to lose anyone else who's precious to me! At this rate, father...father will be..will be...." "Crying won't resolve anything," Shaoran said, placing his arms around her and trying to comfort her. "Why...why don't you start training....in here and...I"ll help and.." "Li-kun is very kind after all," Sakura said, looking up with a smile. Shaoran thought he was going to have an heart attack. "I..I...I! Not really..I just...dislike you crying and crap and...I...um..." He knew his face was all red again. He shook his head, trying to stop his heart from thumping too much. "Don't you feel well?" Sakura asked, concerned. "It's nothing!" Shaoran said, turning away. "Thank you for the offer. I think I'll stay here and train after all." Shaoran breathed and sigh of relief. "Sakura-chan," Meiling said, knocking at her bedroom's door. "Are you asleep?" "No, not yet," Sakura said, opening the door for her. "I heard about your dad and stuff-- from Shaorang," Sakura bitterly smiled. "I..I'm gonna help you train." Sakura stared at her, quite surprised. "I lost my parents when I was young. I don't want anyone else losing their precious ones!" "Meiling-chan..." Sakura said, touched. "But that still doesn't mean I approve of you flirting with my fiancee!' Meiling suddenly cried. "Hoe....?" "Shaorang is my fiancee!" "Ah, is that so.." Sakura said, confused. She wondered what that had to do with anything as she said, "Thank you for helping me." "No problem," She replied, waving her hand and leaving the room. Sakura lay in her bed, trying to figure our what "flirting" meant. "Dear Oniichan," Sakura started out. "How are you doing? I am doing very well. I'm sorry for running off like that, but I couldn't help it. I know you're worried about me and I won't do anything rash. Until I can be with you, love, Sakura." She placed a stamp on the post card. She dropped it into the mailbox. She looked up to the sky. "Oniichan...." "Let's see how much better you became," Shaoran said, throwing a pocketball into the air. "Chuuu!" Reichu emerged. "Pi-chan," Sakura said, releasing her pocketball. Another Reichu came out, facing Shaoran's Reichu. Three monthes of training were sufficient to evolve their pocketmon. "Thunder!" They shouted at the same time. "CHU!" Both Reichu released an enormous thunder attack. "Chya~" They were both confused and drained of their HP. They both staggered. Pi-kun fell first. "Pi-chan!' Sakura cried, running out to the arena. Shaoran watched as Sakura embraced her pocketmon happily. "Sakura..." She looked up. He sighed. "I can not help but allow you to leave, since a promise is a promise. However, I still believe that Spinel will prove to be too much for you." He suddenly blushed and looked away. 'So I, I, I will a, a, accompany...I mean, if that's okay with you and..." "Really?!' Sakura asked, delighted. She suddenly jumped into his arms. "Thank you Shaoran-kun!" Shaoran overheated and fainted out. "Hoeee?! Shaoran-kun? Shaoran?!" Tomoyo smiled. "Shaorang! My leg hurts!" Meiling complained. "Why can't we take a break?" "Because," Shaoran snapped, irritated. "We've been walking for only one freakin' hour, that's why." "I'm sorry, Meiling-chan. It's all because of me that you're.. " Sakura started. "Aw, shush, you," Meiling said, brushing her off. "If was my choice after all. " Sakura suddenly stopped. "What's wrong, Sakura-chan?" Tomoyo asked. "This...this power..." Shaoran also stopped. "You're right...." They both ran off to the source of the power Tomoyo and Meiling looked at each other, puzzled. In the darkest part of the forest where not even a stream of light can pass through, a small boy, about their age, was trapped in a cave made of ice. Icicles grew so that they formed bars-- like those of a prison cells-- at the entrance. "Hinolizardon!" Shaoran said, releasing his Lizardon. "Hinoarashi!" Sakura released her hinoarashi. "Flame wheel!" The combination of fire attack melted the ice away. Shaoran and Sakura ran into the cave. The boy had gray hair and large glasses. He was unconscious. "Hey....hey!" Shaoran said, shaking him. "Mm..." The boy woke up. His eyes were bright red-coloured. "Are you all right?" Sakrua asked. "Cerberus...where's Cerberus?" "Kero-what?" Sakrua curiously asked. "Ke-ro-be-ro-su. A great golden lion with eyes of od, a fearsome and awesome.." "Is this it?" Sakura asked, picking up an orangish-yellow stuffed animal. "Sakura! What did I tell you about a grand beast with..." Shaoran cut in, embarassed. "Yeah, that's it," The boy said, receiving Kero from Sakura. Shaoran grew sweat drop and fainted. "Are you sure that's Cerberus?" Shaoran asked, picking up the stuffed animal. He shook it. "Is it alive?' The animal opened its dot-like eyes. "Man, it has two dots for eyes." It bit him. "Cerberus!" The boy scolded, pulling him off of Shaoran's fingers. "The brat here called me stuffed animal! Wuz wron' with havin' two dots of eyes?!" 'Kero-san has an Osakan accent...." Saskura commented(Kero-san?). Shaoran collapsed again. Suddenly there was a rustling noise. Shaoran drew his sword. "Who is it?" "Us, of course," Meiling said, brushing the leaves away from her cloth. Tomoyo followed. "What's the problem?" Shaoran jerked his head toward Yukito's direction. "What happened? Why were you trapped?" Sakura asked Yukito. He looked sad. "My name is Tsukishiro Yukito. I have a twin sister... named Nakuru. Our parents recently passed away. Since then, she had been so obsessed with pocketmon that she believed herself to be a pocketmon and ran off with Spinel Sun.... I tried to stop her, but she've trapped me in here.." "Do you know where Spinel Sun is?" Sakura asked. "Don't worry, Kino-san. You'll find your father." "Ah..." Sakura stared at him, surprised. Shaoran noticed Yukito's gentle gaze towards Sakura. He felt a rush of anger. "What's wrong, Shaorang?" Meiling asked. "N...nothing," He answered through his clenched teeth, looking like he's about to murder someone. Tomoyo smiled. "Cerberus, can you transform?" Yukito asked. Kero shook his head. "It seems that the last battle with Spinel Sun drained all of your energy..." "A stuffed doll that speaks in Osakan accent...." Meiling said, looking at Kero like it was the most pathetic thing she ever saw. 'What, you little!" Kero fired up. Meiling pushed him out of the way. "Can't we just use flying type pocketmon?" Shaoran looked up at the cliff, then shook his head. "There is no pocketmon center nearby. We can't afford to waste so much of our pocketmon's energy." "Flying will be faster, though. I guess I'll just have to carry you guys." Yukito said. "Huh?" Shaoran turned to look at Yukito, except he was not there. Instead, a guy with long, silvery-white hair and purplish-silver eyes stood there. He was dressed in white and had huge wings. He took Tomoyo and Meiling in each of his arms and carried them to the top of the cliff. "What...what is he...?" Shaoran asked, looking rather alarmed. Suddenly the Earth collapsed beneath them. "Sakura!" Shaoran tightly held her, as they started to fall. A deep crack appeared on the earth, and they were falling...falling..."Shoot!" Yue cried, trying to go after them. An invisble barrier had formed, blocking him. "Nakuru..." Yue growled, clenching his fists. Shaoran landed with a thud. "Ah..?" It wasn't painful at all. He slowly sat up, his arms still tightly wrapped around Sakura. It was a beautiful, wide field, full of flowers. The air smelled sweet....perhaps too sweet...the fragrance of flowers was almost sickeningly sweet... "Oh," Shaoran said, letting go of Sakura. Blushing, he said, "I'm sorry, Sakura...are you okay?" "Yeah..." She said. "Thank you, Shaoran." "What is this place?" He asked, standing up and extending his hand to help her stand. "It's very pretty," Sakura said. "Why don't we rest for a while before we look for others?' "If you're tired," He said, sitting back down. She leaned against him. "Sakura..." He said, embarassed. "Why? Do you dislike me?" She asked. "No, it's just..." "I've liked Shaoran for a long time now," She said. Shaoran felt his face growing hot. "I..I...""Why don't we just stay here together...? Forever and ever..." She looked at him. Her eyes were strangely blank. "If I can stay with you, nothing else matters..." Shaoran's eyes were strating to become blank. "Okay..." "Kino-san, Li-kun... please wake up..." Yukito said, hopelessly staring down at the hole. "Nakuru...let's go find Nakuru!" Kero said. Yukito shook his head. "You don't have any energy. You'll die." "Then we'll just sit here?!" "It seems that that's the only choice for now." "Damn it!" Kero screamed, frustrated. "What's takin Yukito so long to get Shaorang and Sakura?" Meiling impatiently asked, staring at tiny dot that was Yukito. Tomoyo said nothing. She heard Sakura's screaming not too long ago. Something was definately wrong, but it was no use upsetting Meiling. Sakura had fallen asleep on Shaorna's lap. He was genly patting her head. She felt soft and warm. The sky was the purest of blue, the field of fragrant flowers were stretched endlessly around them...he felt sleepy....but this aura was... if he fell asleep...did he care? He had Sakura, and this field was so peaceful, and....why was everything becoming blurry? Because of...warm liquid in his eyes...what were they called....tears. That's right, tears. Tears? Why was he crying? Wasn't he happy...? Why were tears dropping and wetting Sakura's face? Because... "Because I have to rely on a dream to get my happiness...to win Sakura's feelings...." He said. "But this is just a dream!" He shook his head. The flowers instantly banished. It was an empty and austere world. "Sakura....Sakura!" She opened her eyes. "What's wrong, Shaoran?" Her eyes were still blank. He leaned towards her and kissed her cheek. "It's time to wake up. Sakura looked startled. Her eyes cleared. "Where are we....?" She asked uncertainly. All the pocketballs suddenly flew out of their waist. "What the....?' Shaoran asked, surprised. "Like in my dreams," Sakura said, clearly shaken. "Shaoran, run!" "Fierisan!" Tomoyosaid, throwing her pocketball into the air. "Stay here!" Meiling asked, "What...what happened?" Tomoyo smiled. "It'll all turn out well....so stay here...." Tomoyo swifly descended to where Yukito was standing. "Yukito-san.." Yuki looked up. "She....she can't come back, can she.." "From the way things working out..for now.." He shook his head. "Is that so.." She bent down and patted Kero. "If..if Kero-san can transform, can you bring her back?" Yukito nodded. "But there is no way that Cerberus..." "He can have my power," She said. "Huh?" "I..I"m not a human. If he gains my power.." Yukito shook his head. "You're also not a human, right?" Tomoyo asked Yukito. "Right. And I know as well as you do that giving Cerberus that much energy can result in your death." "It's all right," Tomoyo said, smiling. "For the one I love the most..I'm willin to risk it. It makes me happy to see her smile...." "I can't stop you from doing what you desire, but..." Yukito shrugged and sighed. "There must be another way. It's wrong to give your own life for..." His voice trailed off as tears tricked down Tomoyo's cheeks. "I want my precious one to be happy..." "Reichu!" Shaoran cried, releasing the only pocketball he had left. "Thunder!' An enermous light hit the wind that was carrying their pocketball awaw, but to no effect. Sakura and Shaoran both kept the pocketball containing their Reichu close to their heart, so they were not lost, but others... "Run away," Shaoran said, gently nudging her. "But!" "Run away!" His words were sharp this time. "But I can't leave Shaoran-kun all by himself!" He hesitated. His feelings...no, he couldn't tell her yet. But this may be his last chance.... He heard himself saying in a harsh tone, "You're getting in my way! Run, damn it!" Before she had a chance to respond, the ground violently shook and rose up. "Sakura!" Shaoran screamed, trying to jump forward and protect her. Too late, they were separated. "Chya..." Shaoran turned his gaze towards Reichu, surprised at the manacing growl. Strange red lights were glowing around Pi-kun's body. His eyes were blank and were also growing red. "Chyuuu!" "Kashin, syorai!" He cried, releasing a burst of fire. It crashed with Pi-kun's enermous thunder attack and exploded. "Release! Fly!" He heard Sakura's voice. She came down to where he was with feathers flying around her. "Sakura..." Without thinking, he extended his arms and caught her as she landed. "I thought you were hurt...thank goodnes..." Sakura looked surprised. "Shaoran-kun..." Shaoran, realizing what he've done, hestitantly let her go. Pi-chan jumped off her head. "Pi, pi, pi-chuuu!" She frantically said, trying to talk things through with Pi-kun. "Chyu..." A static hit Pi-chan's feet. She backed off. "Chya..." She helplessly looked up to Sakura. "Chya!" Pi-kun suddenly cried, releasing another thunder attack-- to Shaoran's horror--at Sakura. It was too late to take a sticker out. Only one choice left. He lunged forward and tightly held her. Sakura gasped as Shaoran collapsed into her arms. "Shaoran!" "I'm so sorry..." He gasped. "I..don't think...I can...fight..." His eyes closed. "Shaoran...Shaoran?" He wouldn't wake up. "Shaoran? Shaoran!!!" Despite her tears. Despite her screaming. "Grr! Screw HP!" Meiling cried, releasing her Pidgeot. She flew down to where Tomoyo and Yukito were. "What's taking you guys..." She stopped. Tomoyo was glowing strangely. Yukito looked up. His eyes that met Meiling's was so overflowing with sadness that she couldn't help but look away. She swallowed her questions and silently watched as the light around Tomoyo became more and more intense... "Who...who's doing this?!" Sakura screamed out, looking around frantically. She started to sob. "What if...what if Shaoran never wakes up..?" A sphere of darkness suddenly lunged forward, swallowing Pi-kun. "Pi-kun..?" "Pi!" Sakura sharply turned her gaze back to her friend. The sphere of darkness was consuming her as well. "No! Pi-chan!" Sakura screamed, rushing forward. She tightly hugged her reichu. The darkness engulfed her as well. With a burst of golden light, Kero grew huge wings. When he folded his wings back, it revealed a massive golden lion. "The stuffed animal....?" Meiling started out. Tomoyo collapsed into Yukito's arms. Yukito hestitantly emitted silver light, giving some of his energy to her. "Thank goodness...you'll live," Yukito said, gently placing her on the ground and placing his coat on top of her. "Stay here and watch her for me, will you?" He said, getting on top of Cerberus. Cerberus turned to Tomoyo and softly said, "Thank you." With a swift movement of his wings, Cerberus shot through the crack on the earth. Sakura weakly sat up. Dark... it was so dark.... "I called reichu, not you," A cold voice rang through the darkness. "Humans don't enter here! Die!!!" An enormous thunder attack followed. "Kyaaaa!" Sakura screamed in agony. She fell on her face. Pi-chan emerged from the darkness. She was surrounded by strange red light. "What are you going to do? Your beloved "pet" is trying to kill you," The voice continued. "Chu!" Statics cut through the surface of her arms and legs. "Pi-chan...." The cuts were intensely painful.. They bleed freely, the bleed dripping everywhere around her body. Sakura weakly sat up and enfolded Pi-chan in her arms. "Chyaa! Chyaa!" It screamed, writhering and emitting electrical sparks. More cuts. "You're going to die like that?" The voice asked in a mocking tone. "I don't want to lose any more precious ones to me," Sakura said. "World without ones you love isn't worth living. I won't give up until you return all of my beloved ones back to me." "Why you...." Thunder attack directly hit her from behind. "Pi-kun!" Sakura said, looking up. "What are you going to do? You can easily kill it if you use your magic," The voice said, laughing cruelly. "I'm not hurting anyone," Sakura said. "That's just not how you can win." She reached out to Pi-kun and drew him close to her arms, too. He bit her. Sakura bit her lips to stop the scream inside of her. "It'll be....surely...all right," Sakura said, smiling. "Anything will happen, so... surely..." Cerberus pushed boulders away. "I can't find the girl anywhere," He told Yukito. Yukito gently shook Shaoran. He didn't move. Yukito took out a sticker from Shaoran's pocket. "Suryo, syorai," He quietly said. Water splashed on Shaoran's face. "Huh?" He asked, opening his eyes. "Where am I..?"" He suddenly jumped up, but fell down with a scream of pain. He clenched his teeth. His body was still paralyzed and it hurted whenever he moved a muscle. "Sakura....where is she?' Yukito shook his head. "Damn it..." Sakura sat in the puddle of blood, stroking the reichus. Tears were dropping on Sakura's wounds. "Are you... crying?" Sakura asked them. They looked up to her. The red glow still remained, but tears were rapidly running down their cheeks. "It's all right.... this is not your fault.." She said, faintly smiling and hugging them closer to her. "Stop it!!!" The reichus jolted. They started to emit electricity, but they snuggled closer to her, trying to stop themselves from processing more electricity. The effort made their small bodies tremble. "I'm all right..don't hurt yourselves..." Sakura said. The reichus shut their eyes tightly. "CHUUU!!!" The darkness suddenly broke away. A girl was standing beside a black panther, biting her lips so hard that they bleed. "Get away from them! You're a human! You're not allowed to do with pocketmons whatever you please!" Sakura grasped as the darkness faded. In the back of the girl, numerous people were lying on the floor. She immediately recognized her father. "Father.." She said. "Spinel can't stay with me beacuse of the humans! Go away--!!" "He can't..?" "The scientists want him for experiments because he's a new type of pocketmon! They hurt him! Humans are horrible!' "Oh no..." Sakura weakly said, as the dimension they were in started to become unstable. "The girl....she's where Nakuru is!" Cerberus said. "Hurry, get on!' Shaoran and Yukito jumped on top of Cerberus. He broke the barrier dividing the current dimension from Nakuru's dimension. "She...I can't feel her aura..." Shaoran said, nervously turning to Yukito . Yukito did not reply. Sakura stepped forward. "No! Get away! Don't get near us!!!" "You're a human, too," Sakura said. "No I'm not!!!" She slapped Sakura. Sakura stood up. "Stop it...please!" Nakuru screamed. Sakura stood up. She stood in front of Nakuru for a moment, reading fears in her eyes. Without words, she hugged Nakuru. "You were....you were lonely." Nakuru looked startled. Tears dropped from her eyes. "I...I..." Spinel Sun, who had silently watched the two, suddenly stood up. "You're a human, after all," He said, his voice full of disgust. "Suppi-chan..." Nakuru said, turning away from Sakura. "I don't need humans!" He released a burst of pink energy ball. A ball of golden fire countered it, causing a blindingly-bright flash. 'Stop it, Spinel Sun!" Cerberus sharply said, descending to where they stood. "So, you've came," Spinel Sun growled. "Revolting human lover." Sharoan rushed forward, walking crumsily. His legs...they were still paralyzed, but if he can't catch her this time... "Sakura!" "Shao...ran...kun... Thank goodness...you're all right..." Sakura collapsed. Shaoran caught her. "She's bleeding too much," Yukito said, worried. "Unless we get her to a hospital soon, she'll..." Nakuru was silently watching Cerberus and Spinel battling. "Suppi-chan attacked me," She numbly said. "Suppi-chan tried to kill me." "Nakuru..." Yukito said. She suddenly turned to Spinel Sun, her face distorted with fury. "Suppi-chan hates me!" She sprouted butterfly wings and threw pink crystals at Spinel Sun. Caught by surpise, Spinel Sun got hit on his wings. His wings ripped. He screamed, "All you disgusting humans and servants of humans-- DIE!!!" Enormous power erupted from him. Shaoran pulled Sakura closed to him. She was fasping for breath, her face becoming more and more pale. "It'll be all over in just seconds...you won't feel any pain," He said, closing his eyes. Yukito crasped Nakuru tightly in his arms. Bright light..he opened his eyes. Pidgeot..? A pidgeot was descending, Tomoyo on its back...something was dropping from the sky..."Meilng!" Shaoran cried. Cerberus caught her as she crashed back to Earth. He had scarcely placed her back on the ground when he became Cerberus again. "I can't use offensive magic, but defensive magic..." Meiling said, weakly looking up to Shaoran. She violently started to cough up blood. Yukito, who was examing her, turned pale. "Her internal organs... they are..." He trailed off. "You moron! You took all the attack...even though...you knew that you'll be..." Meiling reached up and wiped Shaoran's tears away. "It's all right," She said, but her face was twitching with unbearable pain. "For Shaoran...I..." She closed her eyes. Her head dropped to the side. "Mei..." Yukito and Kero turned their heads away. The pain and sorrow on Shaoran's face was too much to watch. "Sakura...Mei...both of them....because of..." Shaoran turned to Spinel. "Because of you! I'll destroy you!!!" Spinel turned into Suppi stage again. "You humans make me laugh," He said. He started to form another energy ball. "Spinel! If you use your energy at that stage, you'll die!" Kero cried. He ignored him and released the energy ball. "Pi!' Pi-chan and Pi-kun stood in front of Shaoran, receiving the full impact of the attack. "Pi-kun!!! Pi-chan!!!" Shaoran cried, collapsing to the ground. Tears were rapidly falling... "Thunder descend!!!" He screamed, throwing his sticker towards Spinel. He collapsed, his magic almost totally drained. "I can't..I can't do anything.." Tears. Why? Why was he so weak? Why couldn't he protect them? "I want to protect you!!!" Pocketballs that were surrounding Spinel Sun suddenly broke open. All the pocketmon inside came out, surrounding Shaoran. "So...even you pocketmons.." Suppi staggered. "Even..so after all, I was all alone.." "You're not!" Cerberus cried, trying to get to where Suppi was. Except he had no erngy left. He fainted out. "This world...itsn't worth living.." The ground underneath Suppi broke. He fell...he closed his eyes. "Suppi!!!" Nakuru screamed. She collapsed to the ground. "Suppi-chan..." She started to sob uncontrollably. Yukito was surrounded by silver light, attempting to give his energy to Meiling and Sakura. He gasped. "I don't...have much energy left..." He measured Meiling's pulse. He shook his head. He then moved on to Sakura. "It's...way too slow.." He said. Her face was rapidly turning from blue to white. Her lips became blue and her body started to stiffen and cool down. She was scarcely breathing. "Chuuu!" Pi-chan suddenly cried, giving her a weak electrical jolt. Her pulse temporarily rose, but it started to drop again. "Chuu! Chuu! Chuu!" Pi-chan desperately said, trying to revive her. She collapsed. She stubbornly got up again. "Chuu..!" Pi-kun stood next to her, also trying to revive Sakura. "Chuu...!" Their electricity ran out. "Stop it," Shaoran snapped. "You guys will just die at this rate." Yukito measured her pulse again. "It stopped." He said. Shaoran took a sticker out. "Stop it. You need not die too." Yukito sharply said. "You know that in your state of condition, if you use your magic you'll die." "Screw my life," Shaoran snapped. His voice wavered. "I wanted to tell her...of my feelings...but if she die... without knowing that..." He broke off. "Thunder, come forth!" "Geez, what have you gotten yourself into this time, kaijyuu?" Touya grumbled. He closed his eyes. Bright blue light surrounded him. "Wake up, Sakura," He gently said. Sakura's pulse started to go up. Her face started to become rosy again and the hand that Shaoran was tightly holding started to warm up. She opened her eyes. Shaoran stared at her, too shocked to speak. "Shaoran-kun...." She said, looking up at him and smiling. He opened his mouth. His voice broke down and tears started to fall on her face. "Thank goodnes..." He said, squeezing her hand tighter. "Shaoran..." She said, surprised. He collapsed. "Kaijyuu, you have visitors," Touya said, looking sort of pissed. "I'm not a kiajyuu!" She cried after him. She smiled. The door opened again and Shaoran and Tomoyo entered. "I've baked some cookies for you," Tomoyo said, smiling. "Thank you, Tomoyo-chan," Sakura said, receiving the wrapped cookies. Shaoran handed her a basket. "Pi!" Five pichus stared up at her. She patted them. "This one looks just like Pi-chan," She said, laughing as one of Pi-chan's daughter licked her hand. "How is Pi-chan and Pi-kun doing?" "She's fine. I'll bring her back to her as soon as you can take care of her. How are you feeling?" Shaoran said, eyeing her numerous casts and bandages. "As soon as I get out of these bandages, I'll be fine," She said. "I have to take these rascals out," Tomoyo said, picking up the basket of pichus. She brushed past Shaoran. She whispered, "Good luck!" and went out. Blushing, Shaoran stared after her. The door closed. He swallowed and sat next to her. He took a deep breath. He promised to himself that he'd tell her when she almost died. He might as well as get it over with. "Sakura, " He started out. "I...I..I..." Sakrua stared at him, mildy puzzled. He took another deep breath. "I like you!" He felt his face burning. Without words, Sakura drew his face close to hers. Shaoran felt her lips touching his cheek. he stared at her. "Sakura..." She smiled. "I like Shaoran-kun, too." "I..." They were interruped by a knocking on the door. "Father returned," Touya's voice announecd. Shaoran helped Sakura to stand up. Fujitaka came in and hugged his daughter. "I finished submitting the adoption procedure files for Yukito-kun and Nakuru-san," He said. "Thank you, father," Sakura said, giving him another hug. "Two more kaijyuus. I can't stand this anymore!" Touya said, throwing his arms up in the air. They all laughed. "We can all visit Meiling-chan's grave tomorrow," Tomoyo said, noticing Sakura's sudden sad expression. Sakura nodded, holding Shaoran's hand(despite numerous glares from Touya). His hand tightened. She turned her gaze to the sky outside. It was unbelievably blue. "Thank you, Meiling-chan..." <Owari> |