Chapter 6: Syaoran\'s Plan
(by Hayama, added on 2005-10-15 10:57:06 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
Somehow Syaoran had managed to stay on the faint path of grass Sakura’s attackers had treaded on. He had to admit that Mokona was a huge help, following the half invisible trail flawlessly where Syaoran’s lack of depth perception would have led him astray. Syaoran was worried. Mokona, however, didn’t seem that worried as it bounced along.
The only thing on his mind was Sakura. Was she hurt? Was she scared? Was she even still alive? Had she become a meal for whatever attacked Fai?
His last question tugged his thoughts off Sakura for just a moment. Was Fai still alive? Syaoran hoped so. He hoped Kurogane could somehow help the sorcerer. He hoped he had done the right thing by leaving. He had to find Sakura.
Sakura
Sakura
Sakura
If she was hurt at all… he was afraid of what he would do… very afraid.
“Stop!” Mokona hissed.
Syaoran snapped away from his thoughts and back to reality. He could see why the marshmallow had halted. He and Mokona stood atop a hill and below them lay a small patch of trees isolated from the main forest. Even to Syaoran it was clear that their grass trail led down towards those trees. It was not the trees, however, that had halted the travelers. It was the shapes…
Shifting softly in and out of the wooded patch were cat-like shapes, small and dark under the silver glow of the moon. As long as they didn’t look up at the hill, Syaoran and Mokona would be fine.
Suddenly Syaoran’s good eye caught a glint of gold from the shadows below. It was just a passing glace, but it was enough to make the creature turn to look at the hilltop. Beaming in the moonlight, the creature’s yellow eyes locked on Syaoran’s.
This was bad.
The creature instantly lifted its head and let out a jaguarine howl. Suddenly Syaoran found himself under the gaze of dozens of shinning gold eyes. These had to be Sakura’s captors and now that they had spotted Syaoran there was only one thing he could do… run. But Syaoran was not running away…
Syaoran flew down the hill, hoping to rush the creatures and take them by surprise. If he could just make it to the trees… maybe he could shake some of them. He had to think of something because there was just no way he could fight them all…
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“A feather?” Sakura gasped. “But I don’t understand.”
The king opened his mouth to speak but was halted by a distant howl. “I must go.”
“But…”
“No more crying,” the king reminded her as he disappeared into the trees.
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This was so hopeless, it wasn’t funny.
Syaoran stood, poised to fight even though he was already panting with exhaustion, surrounded by a sea of cat-like beasts. Mokona clung fearfully to his shoulder.
There was no way he could fight all of these things… just no way. And yet, he had to. He had to fight his way though all of them if he ever wanted Sakura back.
Syaoran was going to rush in to fight again when the ring of creatures parted.
“No more fighting,” a stern, deep voice commanded. The creatures backed off and the king stepped forward. “What is your name?” he asked.
“Syaoran.”
“Ahh. Come with me,” the Merowa king said.
“Where’s Sakura?” Syaoran demanded, unmoving.
“Come with me,” was all the king said.
Reluctantly, Syaoran followed the creature into the forest. When he finally arrived at Sakura’s cage, he ran to her.
“Sakura-hime!” He grasped the bars of the wooden cage while Mokona squeezed through them and jumped into Sakura’s lap.
“Syaoran-kun!” She ran up to him and wrapped her hands around one of his. “Oh, Syaoran-kun.”
“Why is she in a cage?” Syaoran growled, glaring at the king. “Let her out!”
The king shook his head. “For her own protection.”
Syaoran opened his mouth to argue but Sakura reached though the bars and gently turned his face towards hers. “Don’t be mad, Syaoran-kun…”
“S-sakura-hime!” Syaoran turned bright red.
By this time the king had brought someone to unlock the cage. Sakura rushed out and ran into Syaoran’s arms. “Oh, Syaoran-kun… I was so scared.” He wrapped his arms around her as she began to cry. “I-I thought you w-were…”
“I’m fine, Sakura-hime.”
She buried her face in his shoulder. She was still crying but was starting to calm down. All Syaoran could do was stroke her hair gently. His face was a bright shade of red.
“I’m so tired…” Sakura whispered when she was finally done crying.
“Sit down.” Syaoran said as he lifted his arms off of her and seated himself with his back against the cage bars. Sakura did sit down… right in Syaoran’s lap. “S-sakura-hime!” he stuttered, turning scarlet all over again. The princess didn’t seem to notice. She curled up against Syaoran and began to fall asleep, just like a sleepy little kid. Secretly, Syaoran thought it was adorable.
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“Sakura’s feather?!” Syaoran exclaimed. Sakura was still fast asleep in his arms. “Those feathers are part of her soul, her memories. She needs them back.”
The Merowa king nodded. “It has driven other king mad with greed for power. Souls are powerful. I fear other king will sense Sakura and attack.”
“I’ll help you then,” Syaoran sighed. “I need to give Sakura her feathers back.”
“Thank you.”
Syaoran frowned. “Something still bothers me though… my friend, Fai, what happened to him?”
“We had to hide Sakura from other king. We had to bring her here. Friend fought too much. Had to make him sleep. He is awake now.”
“You just put him to sleep?”
The creature nodded.
“Then Fai and Kurogane will probably help too. We will get the feather from the other king and give it back to Sakura,” Syaoran said.
Mokona jumped up and down on Syaoran’s leg. “Mokona wants to help!”
Syaoran smiled. “You can go and get Fai and Kurogane! Bring them here with all our stuff.”
Mokona nodded happily.
“Warrior will take you,” the king assured the marshmallow.
“It’s a plan then,” Syaoran declared. |
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