Syaoran’s Suffering: Mayhem’s Revenge
Location: The Construction Site. Age (for Sakura and friends): 11
“Oh, crud.” Sakura grumbled, as she was hanging upside down, her two feet were tied by a chain, that was connected to the ceiling. Kero was stuck and surrounded in a small tube (“SAKURA!!! GET ME OUT!!! I CAN’T SEE A THING!” He yelled.) that had been ceiled with cement at both ends. He could make the attempt to evolve into Cerberus, if he wanted to risk a severe back-ache (and perhaps a headache too).
The nasty card was zooming around the Construction site, dropping a few little and big objects to the ground, cackling. Oh, what a riot. The reason why Sakura couldn’t even attack, at merely defend: Her staff had fallen onto the ground, and she was about five meters above it.
“SAKURA!!!” Kero screamed. “GET ME OUT OF HERE!!”
“I would, I could, but I can’t so I won’t.” Sakura grumbled, making feeble attempts to grab her staff. One moment she had the momentum, the next moment she was dangling from a chain. Oh god, this must have been her worst day ever in catching a card. Sure, before she may have never scratched it, but now, she has no way off attack (nor defense).
“Where is help when you need it?” She muttered as she hopelessly watched with an upside-down view of the trouble that was caused around her. Crud. Oh well, she thought to herself, if help won’t come (‘Syaoran, where are you in times like these?’), I might as well help myself. Let’s see: I’m chained to the ceiling, Kero is plugged up in a tube, with a small hole for air (“SAKURA!! IT’S GETTING HOT IN HERE! I BARELY CAN BREATHE!” Kero shrieked) – OK, maybe not. That devious card is wrecking the place, and help is NOT on its way. Why on Earth did I want to go chase it?
Sakura sighed as she saw the card wreck the entire place, bringing down building frames to burning away the floor planks to cinders. It seemed that it had done its job – but it seemed to want to do more.
“Uh, Kero? Can you help me? It’s putting boiling tar underneath me… It’s coming towards me with a chain-saw… HELP!?” Sakura screamed her mind off track, as the devious card was starting to crack the chain. But to her miraculous luck, a familiar voice cracked up.
“Wind, come forth!” The familiar voice commanded. A person with amber eyes, green coloured suit with the Yin and Yang symbol in front, and a sword appeared on top of a still-standing building. The card was blasted away, and the chain-saw fell into the boiling tar. It howled, maliciousness now burning up in its eyes, it picked up Sakura’s staff and slowly brought it closer to the boiling tar.
“Syaoran, don’t you let it melt my staff! More over you melt it!” Sakura gurgled – now there was too much blood in her head.
Syaoran smiled. “Thunder, come forth!!” He cried out again, now jetting a large bolt of thunder at the card, at the same time cooling the tar at the same time (the air pressure around the lightning was surround it, you’ll get it if you understand lightning).
“What took you so long?” Sakura asked, the moment after Syaoran captured the card.
“I had to sense your aura, your screams for help weren’t loud enough, I never thought anyone would be absurd enough to go to a dangerous site, and…” He listed out but was blocked off.
“I get it already! Just set me free!” Sakura snapped, swinging herself to and fro.
“Sheesh. I save you and you still get angry.” Syaoran pushed the pot of tar away, and jumped up to slice the chain into two. She fell – he caught her, and set her onto her feet.
“Thanks Syaoran, I owe you one.” She said, tapping his shoulder showing some affection. Syaoran turned a tinge of red.
“SAKURA!!!! GET ME OUT OF HERE!” Kero shrieked, now the tube rattling and rolling.
“What, the stuffed animal is here?” He sighed exasperatedly going towards the tube.
“SHUT UP AND GET ME OUT, CHINESE BRAT!” Kero yelled, his voice echoing in the tube. “Oh, my ears.” He groaned. Syaoran smirked.
“Hey, don’t expect any help if you are going to insult me.” He scoffed, relaxing.
Sakura was slightly annoyed. “Oh, just help him. It’ll be a long time until he quietens down.”
Syaoran grumbled. Now was a perfect time. “Aw, you’ll ruin my fun – alright, alright. OK, fuzz brain, go over there if you don’t want to be sliced in two.” Syaoran ordered out.
“Go where?”
“There, you numbskull!”
“How should I know where? I can’t see a thing!” Kero argued back. Sakura approached the tube and tapped one side lightly. “Just follow the noise…”
Within a flash, Kero was soaring out, sucking in as much air as possible, and that tube was split neatly into two. Yep, he was glad to be out. “Ah…” Kero relaxed, “I took in some fresh air. Now let’s take in some fresh desserts!” Sakura chuckled. He had an unlimited stomach.
~~*~~
Location: Classroom
“So, what is that card you just captured?” Sakura asked, her friend Tomoyo grumpy.
“I can’t believe it. You caught a card and I didn’t even get to record it!” The grumbled, her delicate mouth twisting to a frown.
“Actually, Syaoran caught it.” Sakura corrected. Syaoran puffed up his chest with pride. Tomoyo smiled.
“Oh, so you did, Li? Oh, what card is it?” Tomoyo asked.
“Yeah, what type of card is it?” Sakura backed up.
“I checked at it’s name. It is called the Trouble Card. Explains all the trouble it has been causing, hmm?” Syaoran said. “What’s wrong Sakura? Sad you couldn’t handle it alone?” He asked, looking at Sakura’s unhappy face.
“Oh, nothing. I just wished that I caught–” She started out but Syaoran put a finger to her lip.
“Say no more.” He firmly said, pulling out the card from his pocket and passing it to Sakura. “You are the Card Mistress, I suppose you should really have it. Besides, I don’t want a trouble lingering around in my house.” He added on. They heard a laugh. It came from Eriol.
“You don’t know the half of it. I have to troubles, you have currently one. Suppi and Nakuru, I doubt that they will ever become sensible.” Eriol let out a sigh. “Anyhow, my cute descendant, you shouldn’t really be bringing it to school. You know the consequences if someone would steal your card. It would then to them to control. Though, I must say, I doubt that many people can work them.”
“Yes, and stop calling me cute descendant! It’s getting frustrating!” Syaoran grumbled through gritted teach, glaring his usual glares. Eriol smiled and was about to reply back when the teacher came in.
“OK class, time for gym training. I decided we’ll use the field today as the weather is wonderful for such an idea.” The gym teacher said. So, they suited up and headed off to the field. The game today: baseball.
Their gym teacher placed them into groups, calling out 1, 2, 1, 2, and so on. Number 1s got to bat, and number 2s got to field. Syaoran was in 1, Eriol and the others were in 2. There were not much people he knew in his team, so he did what he usually did: glare.
“Alright, let’s change it a bit. Kinomoto, go to first base, Eriol, right-out. Tomoyo, go to third base and Chiharu you go to left-out. OK Li, you’re batting up. You’re the last one, bring them all back home!” The teacher gave out orders. The ball was pitched – and was blasted off into the sky, falling way out field. For some reason Syaoran couldn’t run his fastest, he had to grip his right arm and he kept wincing every step he made.
“COME ON LI! YOU CAN GO FASTER THAN THAT!” Yamazaki shouted across, as he came back home. But unfortunately, the ball reached Tomoyo and Syaoran was out. He tripped at his attempt, and groaned in pain. For some reason, he didn’t get up.
“Li, come on, get up.” Tomoyo whispered to him, as people around started to clear. Only when Eriol noticed that Li wasn’t moving a bit, they held back to see what was going on. “Come on Li, you can get up. You just fell.”
Li groaned again. “It stings… my back… ouch…” Everyone crowded around him.
“What’s wrong Li?” The gym teacher asked. Tomoyo told him it was Li’s back. The gym teacher pulled off Li’s t-shirt, and there were four, unmistakable, red gashes on it. Everyone gasped.
“Kinomoto, help Li towards the bathroom. Help him get some water running out those gashes, get them clean quickly. Then, bring him towards the Nurse’s office.” He directed towards Sakura. She weakly nodded her head, and getting Syaoran up and putting her arm around his shoulders to help him walk, she helped him drag towards the toilet.
When the toilets’ doors came into view, she stopped, and hesitated. Syaoran gave out a scream in anguished pain, and when she checked, there was one more gash on his back.
“Why are you stalling, umm… are we there yet?” Syaoran groaned. The pain was too intense that his vision was slowly misting up. His auburn eyes were filling up with fear and pain.
“No, we’re not there yet but which toilet? The boy’s or the girl’s?” She asked. He groaned again. She’ll couldn’t take the chances. The boy’s toilet was closer. So, they entered. Some boys inside ran out screaming, others just stood there, gaping.
“This is a boy’s toilet!” One boy said outraged she dared enter one. She gave that boy a pleading look, pointing to Syaoran and turning him around so the remaining boys could see his scars.
“Oh, my god…” Some boys muttered. “Don’t just stand there help me!” Sakura quickly said, and two went to help her drag Syaoran towards the sink. Sakura quickly switched the water on, hastily splashing water onto his back.
“AARGH!” Syaoran yelped, and there, as they watched it, a scar grew slowly on his back, without anything touching it. Syaoran was starting to bleed. Sakura was starting to panic. The boys around, were waiting for commands.
“Quick! Someone get some ice! Hurry!” She asked, her emerald green eyes full of worry and despair. One boy dashed off, leaving the door open for other people to see (“What on Earth is that girl doing in the boys’ toilet, and why is that guy next to the sink without his shirt?”). They were even more surprised when that boy swiftly scuttled back in, handful of ice. They thought they were imagining things until Tomoyo ran in, frightened now that there were now 6 gashes, not four. Syaoran groaned.
When Sakura and Tomoyo finished commanding the boys, they hoisted Syaoran upon their shoulders, dragging him out without any intentional harm given. When Syaoran’s back was faced to those people, they understood.
“Is he OK?” The gym teacher asked once Syaoran was inside the nurse’s office. One shriek of pain told him that he wasn’t.
“Well, when I rinsed his back, two more scars grew.” Tomoyo explained. Eriol pulled Sakura away.
“What Eriol? Do we have time for this?” Sakura asked exasperatedly. Eriol looked at her seriously.
“There is a Clow Card causing all this. I can feel its presence.” He said. Sakura could feel it too, but just when she was helping Syaoran she was too panicked to even pay attention. “I suppose it is taking revenge for Syaoran’s capturing the Trouble Card. The question I am having is what card would it be?” Sakura thought for a moment.
One of the four nurses came out. She told them: “We placed on a balm that should help him recover those scars, but then he went out into a coma. We just called his butler; we’re sending him home.”
~~*~~
Sakura could barely pay attention in class. Her mind was on Syaoran, his scars and what caused them. The other students couldn’t really thing well either – mysterious scars out of nowhere, spooky. The Science teacher finally gave up the thought of even trying to tell them NOT to mix the two formulas.
“OK, I give. Now what is it?” He sighed exasperatedly. “What is the reason this time? Carnival on fire? Well?”
“Umm, sir, we had baseball some time ago and Li fell down, with some major scars on him.” Yamazaki said, as Syaoran was his best friend (besides Chiharu, of course).
“Yes, and this time Yamazaki is telling the truth.” Chiharu said. “Although, Li did go into a coma afterwards. He was sent home.” The science teacher paced around, his left hand on his chin. He stopped pacing and smiled.
“Don’t worry. There is always a scientific explanation behind practically everything. I’m sure they’ll find out the cause. Though I do wonder how he got them…” He said, but promptly changed the subject. “Anyhow, I’m sure you people would want to discover why, so let’s go on with the lesson.”
It seemed like ages, but finally the bell rang. Everyone packed away. It was lunch time, and Tomoyo, Sakura and Eriol were having a discussion. Other people also seemed to be having discussions too, and about the same subject.
“So, all we know is that is was caused by a Clow Card, and we suppose it is trying to take revenge on Syaoran for catching it–” Tomoyo said after Eriol explained whatever he could to her.
“But I got the card! Shouldn’t it be harming me?” Sakura interrupted. Tomoyo nodded, puzzled about this too.
“Ah, you got the Card, but who fought it and captured it? My pained descendant, of course.” Eriol concluded. Sakura gave him a stern look. This didn’t really seem the time to joke about it. Eriol sighed. Tomoyo decided it was time to continue on, as Sakura’s eyes were soon welling up with tear of confusion and sadness.
“So, what do you think caused it? What type of Card?” Tomoyo asked. Sakura jerked out of I’m-going-to-cry moment and listened intently to Eriol’s answer.
“… I don’t know.” Bang. That fact blasted them like one of Sakura’s cards. He, the reincarnated form of the magician, didn’t know? My, my…
“You… don’t… know..?” Sakura asked meekly, becoming all fragile all of a sudden. He sadly nodded his head. This was too much to take. After digesting that fact, neither one of them felt like digesting their lunch.
The bell rang. It felt so odd to have Syaoran not around or a moment in lunch and not feeling his aura. They continued with their lessons.
~~*~~
Location: Syaoran’s Residence
Yamazaki, Naoko, Chiharu, Rika, Eriol, Tomoyo and Sakura were swiftly rushing their way to Syaoran’s house. It just didn’t seem right. Syaoran went under rather a heck of a time of training, he had magic and he didn’t usually go black out that easily. When they reached the door, without even needing to ring, the door opened by the butler, known as Wei.
“Came to see Master Syaoran? Yes, this way.” Wei said gravely, his eyebrows lower in gloom.
“Has he awaken yet?” Sakura timidly asked, hoping the answer she was hoping to get was true. He sighed. No. Dang, it wasn’t.
They continued to walk along the corridor. Time seemed to pass a bit slowly, with Eriol thinking up a reason. Sure, he was once a malicious minded person, but now he went into caring. Tomoyo wanted things to speed up. Sakura was hoping Syaoran’s scars would heal. Naoko was all blank. Yamakazi was sure hoping his best buddy would wake up. Chiharu was wandering whether Yamakazi would make up a lie in such a moment. Rika was hoping that the ^disease^ wasn’t contagious.
Finally, they reached his room. The approached his bed, and Wei walked away sighing. Sweat was dripping down his forehead. He made grunts of agony now and then. He then finally was gasping out a few words, but all seemed in Chinese, and was too muffled for Eriol to here.
“Come on bud, wake up.” Yamazaki mumbled. Naoko lowered her head to her hands and was on the verge on tears. Sakura had passed that state and was crying already. Eriol was trying to communicate with Syaoran, closing his eyes and touching Syaoran’s sweaty palm. He was accessing his mind – until a sudden burst of crying jolted him right out; Tomoyo couldn’t handle the tension anymore. Sakura shifted a few strands of hair out of his face, so that his sweat won’t be trapped.
Rika tapped Syaoran lightly on the arm when she was about to leave. Everyone decided to leave too, until they heard him groan something.
“S-Sa-Sakura… the T-Trouble Card… It w-wants… revenge…” Those were his words before he plonked out again, choking the last word “revenge…” louder than the other words.
~~*~~
Location: Penguin Park
“This must be the worst week ever… my birthday is two days away and Syaoran can’t come.” Sakura said to no one in particular. Her emerald eyes were watering up. No one could even eat a single sandwich Tomoyo had packed for the picnic. Everyone was disheartened. Eriol seemed to be reviewing what Syaoran had wheezed out in his mind.
“Hello you folk! Hello Sakura!” A voice said. It was Yukito. “Are you guys just going to stare at the basket of food and not eat it?” He added on. Everyone nodded.
“Help yourself.” Sakura moaned away. Yukito was swallowing it down in seconds.
“Hey? Why so quiet? Where is the bump in your life? Hey, where’s Syaoran?” Yukito said, after swallowing a sandwich. At that name Tomoyo burst into tears again. Yukito stared at her awkwardly.
“We had school today, and Syaoran had severe scars on his back.” Eriol explained; he seemed to be the only one who could control his burst-up-into-tears motion.
“Oh? Well, people usually get scars everyday. I got a scar from cycling yesterday on my elbow.” Yukito said plainly, wondering what is to be so frightened of scars. “It’s far worse than scars, Yukito.” Yue whispered inside him. “They won’t cry about ordinary scars.”
“These scars gashed deep, about a centimetre through the skin. Sakura washed his wound, and sent him to the nurse, and there she put a balm on it, then he went into a coma. We visited him an hour back – he was still unconscious.” Eriol explained further. Now Yukito could barely swallow the apple he held in his mouth. That gulp he did to swallow it seemed to be rather raspy.
“Oh. Don’t worry, Syaoran is a very strong person. I suppose he’ll awake at some point.” He said, denying what he said against himself. “Liar,” Yue grumbled from within, “Whatever that was able to knock out The Mistress’s sidekick is surely extremely powerful.”
Location: Hong Kong
“WHAT????” Meiling screamed into the mouth-piece, blasting a high syllable towards Sakura, who had just informed her. “Mom, I need a flight back to Japan instantly! It’s urgent!” Meiling begged in a hurry, not even being able to keep still. Her mother sighed. It was extremely hard to book a flight ticket on the last minute.
Location: Syaoran’s Residence
Syaoran’s mind was squirming and whizzing.
“I’ll never give up that card! Never!” Syaoran screamed in his dream. The enemy was more powerful, this was like suicide.
“Oh really? Won’t set Trouble free? Well, so how do you like the excruciating pains I’m giving you?” His dream offender was sneering. It leashed at Syaoran; boy, he didn’t like this at all. “So release him! Or I will harm you for the rest of your life. I am Mayhem, one of the Chaos Brothers and I intend on freeing my brother.”
“Never!” Syaoran yelled through gritted teeth, clenching his stomach. Mayhem laughed, looking at Syaoran with its sinister eyes. Syaoran is too stubborn, it thought, doesn’t know what is good for him. He won’t give? He might as well accept the consequences…
~~*~~
Meiling was already on her way within two hours. She was rapidly pressing the bell, and ramming the door with her fist. It seemed for ages when the butler Wei opened it (but actually, it was one minute). The butler gave her a small smile.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, I was just taking his temperature. Master Syaoran is in his room.” He said flatly, pointed towards another door. Meiling kicked it open and burst through.
“Syaoran! Syaoran! Wake up, you have a life–” Meiling started but was distracted by the chart right next to the bed. It was his temperature chart.
10:00 – 38.5 degrees C
10:30 – 39.1 degrees C
11:00 – 37.9 degrees C
11:30 – 39.8 degrees C
And it continued going up and down, up and down. But mostly it was above healthy temperature. Life stinks, she grumbled.
“Still won’t co-operate? Hmm… Let’s say I do a deal. You give me a hint, and I’ll remove a scar.” Mayhem cackled, his sinister eyes staring down at the quailing Syaoran. Syaoran grunted, and glared.
“OK… The card is not with me.” Syaoran grunted, his eyes glaring, trying to scare off Mayhem. Mayhem snapped his fingers together, and one scar on Syaoran’s back disappeared. He smiled. This Card was a fool. He’ll give little and nearly hopeless hints at a time, and soon will be recovered (though, now he had so many bruises and cuts, he doubted that he’ll tell enough to still get them all off, without revealing anything vital).
~~*~~
Location: Sakura’s Residence
“What, you are going to see that – that brat?” Touya said as Sakura said she was going out. Sakura sighed exasperatedly, hoping her father would back her up (though, Kero wasn’t keen either).
“Look, I know he once or twice damaged you badly, but now he’s sick. Of course I’m going to see him!” She said quickly and dashed off before Touya could mouth another word.
Sakura felt that her roller-blades were too slow. She was practically zooming at break-neck speed, but at moments like this, it felt like she was using snail-transport. She went faster, and faster, faster each moment, and not even looking where she was going. She was about to break the sound barrier, but ran into some guy with brown messy hair and auburn eyes. Syaoran.
“Syaoran! You’re awake!” She said joyfully. Syaoran groaned.
“Yes, I’m awake. I’m in great need of help too.” He mumbled, trying to shove Sakura off him. “I think I got another bruise. Ouch, get off it…” Sakura happily skipped off, and helped Syaoran to his feet.
“Luckily it is a Friday, but already missed quite a lot of lessons. Were we to mix the carbonic acid with the potassium, or the potassium with alkaline? Oh, we went to the Secondary site to experiment something about it.” She explained at Syaoran’s blank look, but was still scratching her head. Someone came around. Someone rather spiteful.
“I THOUGHT YOU SAID HE WAS SICK!! NOW YOU LIE TO ME!!” A roaring voice cried outraged. Guess who: Touya. Syaoran put his head in his hands. Just when they were reviewing science he had to come.
“ALRIGHT, CHINESE BRAT, THIS TIME I’M GOING TO SKIN YOU ALIVE!!” Touya yelled, charging up at Syaoran. Now wasn’t a time to stick around.
“Gotta go.” Syaoran said quickly and sprinted off. Touya was chasing him like a maniac. Sakura sweat dropped.
“Ooh, I think I’ll call this ‘Reunion but Deflated’.” Tomoyo’s voice came from a bush. Sakura turned her head. A little camera was sticking out. Tomoyo, noticing that she was spotted, came out of the bushes.
“Do you ever stop that ‘spying’? You seem to come out of anywhere if Syaoran and I are there,” Sakura said as she walked over to Tomoyo, helping to brush a few twigs and leaves off her jacket. They went silent for a while, Tomoyo deciding her answer.
“No.” She said flatly. Some things never change. The went silent for a while, waiting for the other one to say something. Nothing came out. One moment, silence, the next moment, Syaoran zooming past, his face all red from the exercise, his eyes bulging and alert for a sign of Touya. But, as he zoomed off, Touya was right behind, yelling some harsh words.
“HEEEEEELP!” Syaoran was shouting, as now Touya caught him by the feet, so he was dangling upside down. Touya’s arms were too long; Syaoran couldn’t even thrust a punch at him (kicking, you know, was impossible).
“Forgive me Sakura,” Syaoran muttered, as he took out his sword, and the Fire Card.
“Hey! What are you doing with a sword? It’s illegal to have a sharp object more than 50cm long!” Touya shouted at him, but this time a bit frightened.
“Fire! Come For– Ouch!” Syaoran started, but Sakura who noticed his sword, came around and smacked him on the cheek. Clang, his sword dropped.
“What was that for? Can’t you see I’m upside down?” Syaoran started. Sakura nodded, it was obvious (Touya was grinning a mad smile).
“I don’t think I want my brother to be set in flames.” Sakura said, then turned to her brother. “Just let him down for once, carefully. I was just discussing the subjects he missed.” Touya looked a little uncertain, it was extremely hard to trust her, with all the secrets she confined, but he let Syaoran down. He stalked off.
“Sorry if my brother was a nuisance to you.” Sakura apologised, tweaking up a smile. Syaoran nodded (how can he not accept that cute smiling face?).
“Sakura, there is something urgent I need to tell you.” Syaoran said, and Tomoyo started eavesdropping in case it was anything wonderful to record.
Sakura smiled. “Yes?”
“There is a Card that is taking revenge for the Trouble Card. It is called Mayhem, and it was the reason I got those scars – AARGH!” Syaoran screamed. Uh oh, Sakura thought, he got another one. This would look horrible on tape, Tomoyo thought. Sakura tugged of his t-shirt, and on his back, written like it was burnt on, was: ‘DO NOT TELL. CONSEQUENCES.’ Syaoran fell to the ground in pain. His back was scorching, and he could here the card cackle its evil laughs.
“Oh, my, god.” Tomoyo said, stunned. She dashed off. “I’m going to get help!” Sakura nodded. Syaoran really needed help. But his eyes, they were the same as always, but showing signs of fear, pain, and determination. This wasn’t good.
Tomoyo was scuttling back, this time with Eriol. Eriol glanced at the burnt words at Syaoran’s back. “There isn’t much we can do. The first thing to do is pull that card out of him. And that is going to be a problem. For doing such a thing without proper guidance may harm Syaoran.”
Slowly, those words ebbed away, Syaoran stopped groaning. His back was normal. But not for long. A few more words printed on. ‘VERY SMART, ERIOL. DON’T EVEN BOTHER.’ Syaoran fainted. This just wasn’t his favourite way of Cards communicating through him.
There wasn’t much to do. The words slowly ebbed away, and the least that they could do was bring him to a hospital. Maybe there would be a doctor that could help. But chances were small – not many adults believed in magic.
~~*~~
Location: School Field.
The boys (excluding Syaoran) were having their football practice. It wasn’t really going well, as one side was expecting a lot from the other, and the other side couldn’t do much. The girls were doing their cheerleading practice. Sakura wasn’t working well, she tossed up the baton in the air, but forgot to catch it.
“Ouch!” Naoko whined, as Sakura’s baton landed right on her head. Sakura wasn’t listening. She was daydreaming again. The other girls looked at her.
“Sakura, are you alright?” Tomoyo asked as she jumped of the bench. Sakura wasn’t answering.
“Hello? Kawaii? You like Syaoran? I got some embarrassing video clips of you? Hello? Are you even listening?” Tomoyo said, but Sakura wasn’t paying attention. Tomoyo sucked in a lot of air. “You (suck in more air), you (suck a lot more air), YOU LIKE SYAORAN!!!!” Tomoyo shouted, this time getting Sakura’s attention, getting nearly everyone else’s too. The boys stared at Sakura, then at Tomoyo. The girls were waiting Sakura’s reply. A football zoomed into the goal but the goalkeeper wasn’t paying attention. Sakura was slowly turning red. Did she have to do it that loud?
“Did you have to shout it?” Sakura muttered under her breath to Tomoyo, hoping the others would look away. Tomoyo was twiddling with her thumbs.
“Well, you weren’t paying attention, so of course I had to shout it. Wait a minute, do you REALLY like Syaoran?” Tomoyo said, jerking out of her I’m-sorry moment into her ooh-this-is-interesting expression. People were leaning closer, now eavesdropping. Sakura sweat dropped.
“We’ll talk about that later. Let’s go on practicing!” Naoko said, going to Sakura’s aid. Tomoyo was disappointed. That would have made a great confession to be recorded on her camera. Sakura let out a deep sigh of relief.
~~*~~
Location: Hospital Room
It was 3:00pm and they were all crowding around Syaoran’s bed. They were hoping Syaoran would get better. Sakura was dwindling around with her Star Key. She just wanted to pull that Card out of him. But she couldn’t with the rest of her friends watching. They didn’t notice Yue was watching outside.
“Sakura, put the Star Key away.” Eriol muttered to her and pointed to Yue outside. Yue seemed to be nodding towards Eriol’s judgement of things.
The pulse machine (I think what is what they call it, you know the thing that shows his pulse in wavelengths) was going berserk. It was giving curved lines instead of sharp ones, and the flat straight lines were longer than usual. There was a small pulse here and there, but the rest of the time it was flat.
Eriol was making another attempt to enter Syaoran’s mind, he was just about to reach the gates of the mind. Closer, closer… Curses. He was pulled out again by another person speaking.
“Look at his pulse machine thing.” Yamazaki pointed out, the first to realize how odd its waves were. Everyone was staring at it, wondering how was a machine like that show cursive writing T’s and H’s. Sakura, Eriol and Tomoyo knew why. There was a Card stuck in him, and Syaoran was fighting it.
“Amazing! Look at the writing!” Yamazaki cried out loud, it was saying ‘THE CARD - CHAOS BROTHERS – HELP’. Everyone was shocked. Yes, Eriol thought, The Card Trouble and Mayhem are one of the Chaos Brothers. Syaoran needs help; his aura is extremely weak. Sakura was very worried – her emerald eyes were covered with tears, she kept fidgeting and wanting to do something. She noticed Syaoran’s green aura was not quite there, but she could sense him transferring it into the machine – not only to send it haywire, so the doctors couldn’t really find out when his heart stops beating, but to also communicate with them.
“I think I’ll go to Syaoran’s house and find something that may help.” Sakura said abruptly, breaking the silence. For some odd reason, they saw Syaoran’s head nod, then the word ‘DIARY’ came up on the pulse machine. Sakura slowly walked off, but bumped into a doctor.
“Oh, sorry.” Sakura muttered.
“That’s OK. I’m attending to the patient in the room you came out from.” He said. Sakura jumped.
“Umm, would you mind telling me his conditions?” Sakura asked.
“Well, I would say that they are rather odd. On the pulse words keep appearing and sometimes when we take his temperature it is below 20, or above 40. Odd. He seems to be muttering the word Sakura most of the time, then diary.” The doctor said. Sakura sweat dropped. She bowed and walked silently off.
When she reached his room, she couldn’t but feel more relaxed that she was in his room. Now just to find something that may help him… Now, what did he say in the pulse machine? Uh… diary! Sakura searched the drawers for his diary and found it. It had a lock on, that was a keyboard. Looked like she was supposed to type in the password.
“Uh oh.” She muttered to herself. “Let’s see… Clow Card? No… Syaoran? No.” She was getting desperate as she made attempts to crack his code. It was a bit cheating, but what other choice was she getting? Syaoran was out cold.
“Uh, friends? No, that’s not it. Let’s see…” She muttered to herself, thinking it over. “The doctor said he was saying my name then the diary… Sakura? Unbelievable!” Her name WAS the password. The diary opened up, and showed tons of pages. Sakura knew this was wrong, but she anyhow read it.
Thursday 18th October
I can sense a Clow Card. It is odd, since I caught one, how could I sense one? I mean, the Cards I capture don’t radiate an aura. It’s strange how Trouble looks like. An old time jester, it seems. Sakura is the chosen Card captor. I think I’ll give it to her. After all, I hope she would sense my feelings for her. I think I’m showing a bit too much of them though. It his hard to confine my liking towards Sakura with Tomoyo and Eriol bugging me to tell her. They were bugging me all morning. I’ll tell, some time later. Right now, being close friends is enough to satisfy me. I don’t really think I should be pouring it out towards you, Diary, imagine if someone else (like Eriol) picks it up and photocopy every single page I written? I just wish Eriol never came here.
Sakura was dazed. So, Syaoran practically did like her. He should have just told her so, otherwise it may be a long time till he confesses. She was so absorbed into the book that she wasn’t worrying much. She was reading it in no particular order.
Monday 12th September
What is it with Eriol? Wants me to tell Sakura that I like her. Oh god, I wish I could just tear him apart with my sword. For some reason I could feel Sakura’s aura close by. Obviously she was. It was rather embarrassing when I helped her with her Maths. Embarrassing, yet it gave me pleasure. But I’m sure I’ll fully enjoy the moments with Sakura if I can just control my blushing. I don’t want Sakura to think I’m weird, because most of the time I stare at her and flush up red in the face. I just wander how Tomoyo appears out of nowhere with her camera, yelling “KAWAII!!” I was just talking to Sakura about her safety measures (I mean, she walks in and out of trouble, it’s amazing that she can survive it), and just giving her a tight squeeze on her hand, and there goes Tomoyo, jumping out of a tree, screaming that word at us. The friends I have.
Sakura sweat dropped. Yes, she did remember that moment, but she didn’t seem to see what was so Kawaii about that. It’s just like talking to an old friend. She heard the footsteps of Wei outside, so she held the diary tight in her hands, and walked out, thanking Wei for letting her in.
~~FLASHBACK~~
“Sakura, are you sure you can handle these situations? You seem to be always in trouble.” Syaoran said, talking to Sakura, his eyes boring right into hers. His eyes were full of care.
“Yes, I suppose I can handle these situations. I mean I got Kero and if I can’t normally she would back me up.” Sakura said coolly. Syaoran smiled, his rare smiles.
“Yes, but if you ever need me, just call, OK? And can you please where something more defensive than pink clothing? At least wear a shirt of chain-mail underneath. I got three sets, I could lend you one.” Syaoran said, patting her shoulder then squeezing her hand. He blushed crimson, and Sakura was the same colour.
“Oh! So KAWAII!” A Tomoyo’s voice rang up in a tree. There was Tomoyo, with her camera. Syaoran sighed.
~~End Of Flashback~~
“You got his book? What for?” Tomoyo asked, as Sakura came walking into the room. Sakura fell head under heels at this. She just pointed to the pulse machine, then Tomoyo remembered seeing the word ‘DIARY’ before it went normal again.
“So, did you look inside it?” Naoko asked, but then noticed it got a lock to it.
Sakura sweat dropped and slowly turned a bright colour of red. “Well… yeah… I read two pages.” Why on earth did she have to ask? Her life was over.
“Wonderful! So I suppose you cracked the code?” Yamazaki said clapping his hands. “I have practically no idea how it may help us, but it’s a lot better than waiting here doing nothing.” Sakura sweat dropped. Uh… Oh…
"So, what’s the password?” Chiharu asked. She glanced at the keyboard type of lock. “It should be a word. What’s the word?” Chiharu asked again.
“S-Sakura.”
Eriol, Tomoyo, Naoko, Rika, Yamazaki and Chiharu burst out laughing. “Sakura? Really? Oh, my stomach.” Yamazaki chortled, and they went into hysterical laughter. Syaoran moved a little. Everyone stared at him for a while, then continued laughing.
“Well open it then!” Eriol said after wiping away his tears. Sakura, rather reluctant to open it now, just did it. S-A-K-U-R-A was typed in. The lock snapped open, and the book revealed the many pages.
“Cool! Let’s read this one!” Chiharu said. Oh, my life is over, Sakura thought. But right after Chiharu read out the date, Syaoran groaned then his pulse machine’s wave thing went flat, and made a beeping noise. Everyone was paralysed. What should they do?
The beeping noise loud enough to be heard outside the room; about two free doctors and two nurses came zooming into the room. Syaoran’s aura was ebbing away, and Sakura could sense that from being from strong green it turned to sick green.
“Clear!” One doctor said, and made an attempt to stimulate the heart. First try unsuccessful. “Clear!” He said again. Didn’t work.
“He’s doesn’t have any air going in. We need to get the device for it.” One nurse said after she bent down to hear Syaoran’s mouth. Not a peek of air was flowing through.
“It’ll need four people to get it.” One doctor said exasperatedly. “Kids, take care and in the mean time, someone do mouth-to-mouth resuscitation with him. We’ll be back.” One doctor said quickly then sprinted right out of the door.
“Anyone knows their First-Aid? How to do mouth-to-mouth resuscitation?” Chiharu said desperately. Most people shook their heads – Syaoran was born for the wild, he could do it but he was the one who needed it. Sakura could do it, but was it worth embarrassing herself.
“Hurry Sakura! He has only 3 minutes to live!” Tomoyo cried. Sakura, hesitating, approached him, pinched his nose, and breathed into his mouth for five seconds. No need for the listen to mouth look at chest, it was already concluded that he was not breathing. She then pumped at his left chest, he seemed to be moving, or was that just because she was pressurizing at him. 2 and a ½ minutes… Time to worry. She continued her steps (now including look at chest and hear mouth before she breathed into him) 2 minutes… how many times do I have to do this? 1 and a ½ minutes… Come on Syaoran, wake up! 1 minute… Please!! Wake up! 30 seconds… The chances are too small. Good bye Syaoran.
It was astounding, amazing, shocking, odd, and weird. At his very last ten seconds to live, Sakura kissed him on the forehead – she had given up. 9… I hope you go to heaven… 5… Visit me some time, OK? 1… Good bye Syaoran… But then at that very brief moment, Syaoran groaned at touched his forehead. His pulse was back on. The flat line stopped and turned into a jagged line at points. Syaoran opened a bleary eye.
“Hello… There are many doctors here.” He muttered. Rika giggled.
“We aren’t doctors, we’re your friends.” Rika said. Syaoran sat up, rubbed his eyes, and stared for a moment. Then he slapped his cheek, pinched his leg, rubbed his eyes and stared again. The pain he inflicted on himself was real, he was awake, alive.
“Your closest friend helped save your life.” Chiharu said, relieved that he made it at the last moment. One of doctors poked his head in, saw Syaoran was alive, smiled and ordered that they had no need for it. Syaoran was alive.
“Who? Yamazaki? He knows his First-Aid?” Syaoran said, scratching his head. They all fell head under heels. Syaoran blinked. “He didn’t then who? I’m sure someone saved me. Was it a doctor?” Syaoran asked. Tomoyo giggled.
“The doctors were away when someone saved your life. She was S–” Tomoyo started but Sakura covered her mouth.
Sakura sweat dropped. “Oh, we just helped a bit.”
“I’m sure that I felt someone touch me. Who touched me?” Syaoran said.
Tomoyo started again. “Sakura touched you on your forehead and on you lips with her l–” Sakura stopped her again.
“With her lips.” Eriol finished for Tomoyo. Sakura blushed furiously.
“If I don’t die of embarrassment here, I swear I’m going to kill you.” She said through gritted teeth, pointing her fist at Eriol. “Just some mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.” She said, looking back at Syaoran and waved her hand. Oh, I’m going to kill Eriol. Syaoran looked around, deciding to change the subject. One green booklet caught his eye.
“Is that my diary? Why is it unlocked?” He said. How did they crack my password? What is it doing here? Did anyone look inside? Syaoran blushed violent red. Sakura was also the same colour.
“Oh yes! Let’s read this!” Naoko said, returning back to it. She cleared her throat.
“Tuesday 19th July.
“This has been one, hectic day. I don’t think I’m going to swim again. Oh, even now my muscles “still ache. Problem of being in the Li Clan is that training starts at 5:00am to 7:00am, and also at 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Life can be sure cruel. Not to mention having to keep Sakura from dreaming off in the middle of something that could cause more pain. And to think that swimming was a problem. 80 pounds right on me appear to be worse. Oh, what I would do to just have one day no problems.”
“Oh yes! I remember that incident!” Chiharu said, her mind clearing up. Sakura was turning bright red.
~~FLASHBACK~~
Location: School Field
It was football, boys and girls were playing. Syaoran was one of the best players. Ball here, ball there. To just stop for a minute was suicidal in that field. That was precisely what Sakura had been doing.
“Hey! Sakura don’t just gaze! Get out of the way!” A fast moving Yamazaki shouted. She was just standing right there. In his way. Going to be bulldozed flat. Sakura snapped out of her dream and tackled the ball of his, dashing off sideways. Turning She noticed Syaoran was in the way – ready to tackle her. He kicked, she tried to kick to her partner, but as she was moving and he wasn’t, both feet ramming the ball at both sides (a bit at the bottom though), the ball whizzed up into the air (it wasn’t deflated yet though) too high up to see.
Sakura was the one moving. She ran into Syaoran, and they both toppled over, Sakura right on top of Syaoran. Oh, the weight on top of an aching body was enough to send Syaoran out of breath.
“Ouch.” Syaoran groaned, trying to shove Sakura off him. Sakura was however crunching his both hands with her weight – so he couldn’t use his hands, she was right on top of them.
"Oh sorry Syaoran. Did I hurt you?” Sakura said. Her classmates and the teacher were slowly approaching them, not wanting to break their discussion.
“Yes, you hurt me. You hurt me everywhere.” He groaned again. Sakura sighed.
“Sorry Syaoran. But you’re a tough person, I’m sure you’ll recover quickly.” Sakura said. Syaoran wiggled his legs; he wanted her weight off him, so he wanted to like kick her off, without hurting her.
“You’re on me. Get off.” Moaned again. Sakura just realised that again, so she sprawled off him. Some of the girls around were giggling.
“Need help?” Sakura said, he emerald eyes looking at Syaoran’s amber eyes. He accepted the hand to help him get up. He scratched his head, then removed his hand.
Syaoran was one of the unluckiest persons there. The ball was jetted down, and as he was the one who didn’t move, it bounced at full force on his head. Syaoran groaned as his body swayed a little. The ball lightly bounced on his head the second time. That sent him blacked out, on the grass.
“Hello? Syaoran?” Yamazaki said, leaning over Syaoran. Syaoran’s face was staring at the ground, meaning that he wasn’t staring up. There came no reply. The teacher sighed.
“Someone drag him to the bench.” Eriol and Tomoyo offered to help, so they dragged Syaoran by his arms towards the bench.
~~End Of Flashback~~
“Let’s read another one!” Naoko said again. Syaoran laid flat down on his bed. They were reading his diary… Oh god… his life was ruined. That was his PERSONAL diary, not one for display.
“Wednesday 15th November
“I am in heaven… For once Touya noticed me talking to Sakura and he didn’t go running after “me, trying to kill me or something. Or was it something about that he knows that I will set him on fire? “Doubt it. I must be dreaming, for he is always on a rampaging pursuit against me, when I’m around “Sakura. He didn’t even mind when I tapped her shoulder. Though I still wonder how Tomoyo appears “out of nowhere with her camera. It’s like she’s spying on us all day. Odd, my life is but someone in “the world (I’m sure) is going through as much as I am.”
Tomoyo smiled sheepishly. “You’re right, Li, I do go around spying on you. It all of fun, you know.” Syaoran and Sakura sweat dropped.
“So, what were you two doing then, that day?” Rika asked. Sakura blushed red.
“W-We were… t-talking… about our science project!” Syaoran exclaimed, but it didn’t sound quite convincing. “Can I have my diary back now, please? I’m sure you won’t want me looking into your diaries.” Syaoran gave a malicious grin. He held out a book, which had in gold glitter written: Tomoyo’s diary. He held out a few more – Eriol’s Diary, Naoko’s Diary, Yamazaki’s Diary and Sakura’s Diary. HOW ON EARTH DID HE GET THEM???
“Thank god you don’t have my diary.” Rika and Chiharu said. Syaoran laughed, and out from the covers came their diary.
“How can we be sure that they’re not fakes of our diary?” Eriol asked. Syaoran opened Eriol’s diary, and read out loud.
“Greetings my fellow inanimate object, The Clow–” Syaoran started but Eriol shouted “Enough already!”
“So if anyone of you makes an attempt to read another page of mine, I’ll read two pages of yours.” He laughed again. They all felt like they wanted to strangle him. Naoko passed his diary back, and he returned their diaries. Sakura took her diary, she looked inside it. Definitely, it was her diary. Not a dud.
~~*~~
Two days later…
Location: Sakura’s House
“Yep, that Syaoran kid is hopeless alright.” Touya mumbled after swallowing a mouthful of sushi. Sakura shook her head.
“He’s not hopeless.”
“Why he go to the hospital then?”
“Because he was hurt! Twice too!”
“Really… The first time you said he was sick I saw you talking to him on the road.”
“He got better!”
“That fast? My, my… I need to know his secret…”
“Oh hush!”
“Anyhow if he got hurt the second time, he must have been stupid enough to not think how to avoid it.”
“It isn’t avoidable!”
“OK, hush.” Mr. Fujitaka said huskily, placing some more food on the table. “I’m sure your mouth is tired already. Just save the energy for eating.”
Touya grunted. “Yeah, but her mouth has unlimited – ack!” Sakura had dumped a sushi into his mouth, and he was choking on it. “You know I could have suffocated like that!” He growled.
“The very reason why you won’t shut your mouth.” Sakura said flatly. He glowered, then continued his dinner. ~~*~~
“Kero, do you have to play your video games so loud? It’s hard to concentrate on my homework, you know.” Sakura whined, as Kero was playing yet again Zylon Warriors 2.
“You’re doing your homework now? It’s Saturday! Relax! Stretch a bit! Enjoy your time! Get me some dessert!” Kero said relaxing, his hands punching the buttons madly. Sakura smiled at him, and tossed a pillow at him. He clicked a wrong button, and boom! Game over.
“NO!!! Why you do that for?” Kero grumbled. He had to start all over again. “I was about to beat the boss!”
“Hey, it was my ‘just desserts’. You’re right. I should enjoy my time.” She said relaxing, and stretching on her bed. Just when she was about to go into slumber, the bell rang. Mumbling something about needing rest, Sakura went to get it. There was an odd looking boy standing there.
“Uh… hello?” Sakura asked. The boy smiled, but looked back at where he came from and let out a sigh.
“Are you Miss Sakura Kinomoto?” The boy asked. Sakura nodded. Now, he was frowning. This isn’t going to be good news… “Do you know a certain person called Li Syaoran?” He asked again. She nodded. “He is going crazy in his apartment! I can hear screams, yelps and moans like someone is whipping him!” He said. “Maybe you can help him.”
Quick as a flash, she was away even before she heard that guy could even tell her where he lives. Besides, she already knew. She was dashing off, her mind wondering what happened this time. Slowly, she felt an aura. But not Li’s. Eriol…
“Eriol!” Sakura said, bumping right into him. Eriol adjusted his glasses. “No time to talk, Syaoran is in some trouble again,” She said quickly, ready to dash off again. But Eriol held her back.
“Yes. I did some research. Those cards weren’t made by Clow Reed. They are not Clow Cards. They are Terror Cards.” He said. “You know what they do – cause terror. Now let’s go.” Sakura nodded. Syaoran, she thought, I hope you are OK.
It was a bad time, when they reached his door, they could hear shrieks of pain. Ouch… More screams, moans, shouts, cries were heard in there. Then they heard Wei scuttling around with a bucket of water and a sponge. People that were next door, came out and stared at his room.
“Should we knock?” Eriol asked Sakura. She had no idea, whether knocking will cause more pain to him or barging through might hurt him. So, she knocked. And knocked. Wei came to open the door, saw Sakura and sighed.
“Master Syaoran is in some grievous pain. Please visit later.” He was about to close the door when Sakura started talking.
“We know what it causing this. We’re here to help.” Wei nodded, and opened the door just wide enough for them to slip through, yet small enough so that the neighbours won’t see what the calamity is all about.
It was a poor sight for Sakura. She was about to burst into tears. Syaoran again wasn’t wearing a t-shirt, Wei was helping to sponge the small scars that came out of nowhere, whipping Syaoran. But sponging with cold water was no use. The water instantly evaporated, and Syaoran continued to act like he was being whipped. Sad sight. Syaoran took out his sword, and started slashing at nothing. It was like he was seeing a spirit in front of him, the one who was giving him all the pain. Yes, it was Mayhem, but Mayhem wasn’t around him, Mayhem looked like he was around but actually it was inside. Finally, Syaoran couldn’t take it anymore: he fell down with a flump and didn’t even bother to respond to Sakura talking to him.
“Syaoran, this is very serious, we’re going to extract the card right out of you. I’m no professional, but Eriol said that it was all up to you if you want the thing to be plugged out. We’ll just assist you.” She whispered to him, then said her stuff to turn the Star Key into a long staff.
After a few minutes, Syaoran responded. He saw Sakura send some cards to distract Mayhem. “Wind, lightly pound Syaoran’s back. Don’t hurt him too much though.” “Flower, put some flowers around Syaoran, so that he won’t have to focus on the pain.” It kind of worked, Syaoran wasn’t feeling so much pain. But Mayhem didn’t come out. But the good thing was that the scars were ceasing. The were slowly disappearing.
“Thanks Sakura.” Syaoran said as he weakly got up. But however, he was still too weak. He crumbled down again, moaning about being tired. Sakura nodded; she and Wei helped Syaoran to his little green room, and laid him on his bed. Eriol was just relaxing, waiting for Sakura to come out of the room.
“OK, Sakura, let’s go. I’m sure that he wants to be left alone for a while.” Eriol said, turning his staff back into a small little object. Sakura did it to hers.
The moment they were out, they sensed something different. Sakura thought it was because Syaoran’s aura wasn’t there, but Eriol said that it was because there was a Clow Card around. It was a bit faint, but was there. “Go, Sakura. I’ll guard Syaoran’s door.” Eriol commanded. Sakura wasn’t used to fighting Cards alone, but Eriol had to guard the door from intruding Cards.
“Uh, OK.” Sakura said, and darted out, following the Card’s presence. She found it. A maniac Card. No, it wasn’t a maniac Card for sure, but it was a Card all right. It was laughing. Sakura chanted her stuff, she was ready to take down a Card by itself (this card seemed to have no attacks to her, just laughing).
“Storm, surround that card!” She commanded. Storm went over to that card, surrounding it with bitter weather. But that Card had one attack all right. Sound Waves. Laughing, laughing, laughing. It sent Storm with a headache, and so Storm returned. Sakura groaned. It could laugh anything with a headache, and when she sent water at it, it seemed to have a sound barrier protecting it. Crud. Card after card, went there and back. That Card’s sound barrier was nearly impossible to penetrate. She had sent twenty cards against it.
“Song, sing it till it goes to sleep!” Sakura commanded again. Song came out, and started to sing a sweet melody. However, it couldn’t be heard above that bratty Card’s laughing. Song got a headache too.
“Lightning, come forth!” A voice remarkably like Syaoran ordered. It was Syaoran. Syaoran was a better Science wiz compared to Sakura, and Lightning is way faster than sound. The lightning blasted right through the barrier, and zapped the card hard. Syaoran captured it.
“Thanks Syaoran. What Card is it?” Sakura asked, wondering why she didn’t even bother to zap the card like Syaoran.
“Uh, Laugh Card.” Syaoran answered, looking at his newly caught card.
“Here, you can have it.” Syaoran said, passing the card to Sakura. Sakura shook her head.
“No, you captured it. I have plenty of cards. You can have it.” She said, shrinking her large staff back into a key. Syaoran smiled, and placed it away. Eriol was coming down, his face was flat.
“Syaoran, next time you open the door, don’t do it with full force. You just knocked me down to the ground just now, with me face flat!” Eriol grumbled, rubbing his chin. His glasses weren’t cracked at least. Syaoran laughed out. Eriol was glaring.
For some time, Eriol, Sakura, and Syaoran were walking along Penguin Park, with nothing said and nothing to be said. It was just plain, silence. Hoot, hoot. Syaoran finally said up something.
“So… Anyone has any ideas to extract the ruddy card?” He broke the silence. Sakura scratched her head, wondering, and Eriol cupped his chin with his fingers, in thought. Silence again (except Sakura’s head scratches). Just too quiet for Syaoran’s liking. “To the movie anyone? You can pick.” Syaoran asked again, wondering when on Earth would they start talking.
“Wonderful idea! Perfect! Now I can videotape everything! KAWAII!!” A voice laughed behind a bush. Tomoyo… Eriol started bursting out laughing, Sakura was still confused, utterly clueless. (You know her remark, “Hoe?”). So off they went, to the movies.
Syaoran bought some popcorn, Eriol and Tomoyo chose the movie (it took them a while to convince Syaoran it wouldn’t be a bad movie), and Sakura bought some drinks. Soon, they took their seats. Then came the advertisement. Plus another. And another. Joined in by another. It took a full half-hour for the commercials to end. At that moment Sakura and Syaoran were snoozing away; popcorn devoured away and drinks in their stomachs.
Sakura was leaning over her seat, her head drooping on Syaoran’s chest. The movie really WAS a good movie, although they chose a movie with too much advertisements. Her hands were laid on his lap. Syaoran’s chin was slightly resting on her head, his left had on top of her back (Sakura was to Syaoran’s left anyway). Tomoyo was recording every inhale they took, every exhale they took and tried to block out the movie’s sound. She watched happily as she noticed that Syaoran’s left hand was slowly making it’s way up to her neck, then her head, where it twiddled around with Sakura’s hair. Not a bad sleep caress, Sakura thought.
“Oh, do you really have to record their sleeping moments?” Eriol whispered to her, smiling a huge smile. Tomoyo gave him a look, that clearly printed (even though in the dark) that she was. It was her life hobby. Eriol sweat dropped. Tomoyo was gleefully recording down every moment, even when she heard Sakura mumble something and Syaoran mumbled something. Tomoyo put her camera to zoom, to get a closer look at their mouths, and see whether she can recognise what on Earth they said.
After another hour, the movie ended. People were filing out, and Eriol was waking up Sakura and Syaoran.
“Wake up, you two. The movie ended. Time to go.” Eriol said, slapping Syaoran’s hard, to wake him up. Syaoran jolted slightly, that woke up Sakura. Sakura slowly raised her head, to find that there was a hand and chin resting on it. She then noticed who she was lying peacefully on, and jumped back, blushing hard. Syaoran blushed crimson. “Come on my cute descendant, time to go.” Eriol stated out once again. Syaoran nodded, and slowly they too filed out.
~~*~~
Location: Outside movie theatre.
“That was rather boring. Did you have to choose a movie all about soap and their prices?” Sakura yawned as they got out. Tomoyo smiled.
“No, it was a good movie. You just fell asleep right before the commercials ended. You were so, so – KAWAII! With that head on Syaoran’s chest, it was a good thing I videotaped it. If only you were wearing a thin silky pink dress with some pearls towards the arms and he was wearing a nice black tuxedo with a green bowtie…” Tomoyo went starry eyed again, thinking of it. Sakura sweat dropped.
“Uh, so I guess I’ll see you later.” Syaoran said as he bade goodbye to them all. They all nodded, and went back to their house. Syaoran went into his room, thinking about that Mayhem.
Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick Twang. The clock went until Syaoran brought his mighty fist down onto it, crushing it into bits. The ticking was disturbing his concentration. He just couldn’t think with that sound going on.
“Oh, that clock is annoying me!” Syaoran said frustrated, pulling at his hair. Then he got the idea. He started to smile. Then laugh. “Laugh, come out and laugh to your heart contents!” He commanded, flipping out the Laugh Card. It came out, laughing like there was no tomorrow. Wei heard the laughing, and sighed. The neighbours were crowding around their door (“Great, first screams now laughs? What is it with these people?”) listening intently.
~~*~~
Sakura was about to think of why she was laying on Syaoran instead of the guy to her left. Aura attraction? Coincidence? The fact that she knows Syaoran more than that stranger to her left? No idea. She was coming up with another thought when the bell rang. She went to open it, only to find that boy who told Sakura about Syaoran’s shrieks.
“That Li person is really freaky! Now he is laughing hard! A bit too hard too! He is driving us all insane!” That kiddo said, shaking his head. Sakura dashed off again. Has he lost his mind, she thought, he was just fine a moment ago.
The moment she reached the door (and pressed the doorbell) Wei opened it for her and let her in. She walked up Syaoran’s bedroom. There the Laugh Card was laughing away and a relaxed Syaoran with a look like he had a good plan in his amber eyes.
“Uh, Syaoran, what are you doing? You’re driving the people insane with that card of yours.” Sakura asked, wearing the earmuffs that Wei passed to her.
“Insane! That’s it! You see, we can fight Fire against Water, only that Mayhem doesn’t have any Water, or we can fight Fire with Fire! You see, he’ll get bugged up.” Syaoran said hysterically, laughing like a maniac. Sakura stared blankly at his explanation trying to figure out what he said about fire and water. It wasn’t making sense to her yet. After five minutes, she got it and started laughing with Syaoran, who was on the floor rolling around.
Finally, Mayhem got out. It was covering its head with its hands, trying to shut out the loud laughs. Syaoran acted immediately.
“FIRE, WIND, COME FORTH!” Syaoran commanded loudly, with the neighbours outside eavesdropping. Out came a fiery hurricane, with embers at the bottom. He practically sizzled Mayhem (and a bit of the carpet too). “WATER, LIGHTNING, COME FORTH!” He commanded loudly. The next thing the eavesdroppers knew, was the door flying right at them. Mayhem was being blasted by a blast of electric charged up water, and he was flying unintentionally towards the door, ramming it into the people. Syaoran captured Mayhem. This wasn’t so bad. “OK, Laugh, return now.” He said.
It was a good thing that the door running into the neighbours made them unconscious. Now Syaoran had the chance to say they were just dreaming of it (though, he didn’t answer their question of why they’re in front of his apartment, with his door in pieces). It was a good day for him now. He could just doze off.
So the moment he reached his bed, he did.
To be continued…