Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction / Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ Veils of Destiny ❯ Prelude to Battle ( Chapter 9 )

A/N: There is a time when an Author feels extremely guilty for not updating. I haven't hit that point but I expect it any day now.

Dedication: Sadie Joyce Myst Lady, Penthesilea1, Silver Dragonfly, Jedijessie, Tevrah, Kyuuka-Kaimei, Ranisa, Mika, Nakima, Lamito, Panari, Fanrin, Sankina, Lawanu, Chibi Sakura-chan, Kaguya, Yamita, and Mystical_Angel.

Chapter Nine: Prelude to Battle

A high pitched shriek cut through the silent clearing. "I knew it, I knew it!!! That thing couldn't be trusted."

Mamoru cracked open his left eye, starring up at the raging princess of love. She was pacing back and forth whipping her head around so violently that her hair kept flipping back and hitting her in the face. He watch amused as she angerly raked it out of the way. "Thing?" he questioned.

Minako stopped pacing and stared at him. "Yes thing. That stupid Yue. He's just uped and left us," her voice rose high. "I betchya he was just lying in wait, waiting for us to fall asleep, biding his time until he could abandon us, all alone on some back water planet."

Mamoru frowned. "Weren't you the one who said we should separate in the first place?" he asked coolly.

Minako glared at him. "I let my guard down. I trusted Yue to stay. He's really the only one with a connection to Sakura and I was hoping that he would lead us to her and Usagi would be there too."

"Did you not tell Yue that the reason we should split up was that Usagi was obviously not with Sakura?"

"Yes but.......damn it Mamoru she's my princess." Minako cried.

"Yes and she's my girlfriend. My future fiancé." Mamoru said softly.

"Oh yeah right. That was really working out for you a week ago Mr. I Haven't Written Her for a Year."

By now all the senshi were awake and listening to the argument. The inner senshi went ridged at Minako's uncharacteristic bitterness. Haruka saw Mamoru flinch and Minako's last comment. She stood up. "That's enough Minako. Stop laying blame, this is no one's fault. And you're wrong Yue did not wait till we were a sleep to split. I think he sensed something."

Minako turned to stare at the blond solder. "And how would you know?"

Haruka tensed and returned Minako's glare. "I stayed awake. Yue was silently watching and then he cocked his head as if he sensed something. He stared at us as if debating for a moment and then he flew off. He went that way." Haruka said exteding her arm.

Minako followed Haruka's pointing finger and then returned her steel gaze to Haruka. "And why didn't you wake us up."

Haruka clenched her fists at her side. "Because we needed the rest." Haruka said tensly.

Michiru came up and laid her hand on Haruka's shoulder. Haruka took a deep breath and her body relaxed. The senshi of the sea spoke softly. "Perhaps if we leave now we can cath up to him."

Minako nodded her head and turned around already starting a brisk walk. "Okay we leave now."

The other senshi scrambled up from the forest floor and hurried to follow Minako's vanishing form. Minako glanced back just in time to see Hotarou offering a handkerchief to Mamoru so he could wipe his eyes.

* * * *

Li clung on to Sakura fiercly. "Oh gods Sakura I'd thought I'd lost you."

Sakura melted in Li's hug. It felt good to be in his arms, so warm, so secure, so suffocating. "Umm Li you're squishing me."

Li pulled away and turned a deep crimson. "Sorry." he said, nervously rubbing the back of his neck.

Hitomi watched with a bemused expression. Tomoyo was right. Those two were cute together. "Here Sakura, I believe this belongs to you."

The key felt familiar in the palm of her hand. Sakura quickly fastened it around her neck. Instantly she felt calm, and reassured, the familiar weight at her neck giving her renewed strength.

"Now if only we could get the cards from Touya." Li said.

Sakura tensed. "Touya doesn't have the cards anymore."

"What?" Li asked.

"Lady Gemad has the cards," Sakura choked back a sob. "and.....and I'm so worried about Touya. What if he's dead?"

Li stepped towards Sakura, his arms outstretched to comfort her. He paused as she stepped back. He watched as she took a deep breath.

"But we can't worry about that now," Sakura said confidently. "we have to go back to Zaibach and save Usagi."

Li looked at Sakura. She had changed in the last couple of days. She seemed stronger, more sure of herself. The way she had stepped away from Li showed him that she had grown up and didn't need to rely on him as much. Li wasn't sure if he liked that, he sensed that somehow being Lady Gemad's captive had somehow stripped away her innocence. Yet Li was also proud that Sakura was relying on her inner power.

"Do you have a plan?" questioned Hitomi.

Sakura turned to Hitomi and smiled, "No, but it's a long way to the floating fortress. I'm sure we'll think of something."

Li laughed.

Yue just stared at Sakura his expression unreadable.

* * * * * *

When Usagi had felt lost and alone, she always found strength when she though of her friends. Yet as Usagi sat in her cell, the very one Sakura had inhabited earlier, it was not her senshi or even Mamarou, Usagi thought about but it was Sakura and Hitomi.

Usagi knew Sakura had survived the jump. She didn't know how she knew but she did. The feeling gave Usagi a sense of hope.

* * * * *

"Tell me about Hitomi." Van begged Yukari.

Yukari looked down at the raven haired king. She could see why Hitomi was attracted to him. He had beautiful, deep, chocolate eyes that were staring at her almost pleadingly. "What do you want to know?" she asked.

"Everything." was his reply.

"Well," Yukari said. "were to begin. Hitomi was born....................."

* * * * *

Touya walked purposely down the temple halls. Outwardly he seemed calm and collected but inwardly his thoughts tumbled in his mind, and they all centered around a certain beautiful priestess. Before he could sort out his thoughts he realized he was at his destination. He paused at the rice screen as he heard Yukari's voice. ".....and she's such a strong person and she's such a loyal and true friend true friend-but I guess you know that....."

Touya cleared his throat and slid back the screen. "Rei has had a vision. We're leaving for Gaia now."

Van looked at Touya startled, "How are we going to get their?"

"You," Touya said, and he turned and walked out of the room.

To Be Continued……….

A/N: I'm leaving it there. Why? Mostly because I can. Oh and I wanted to recap for all those who may have forgotten the story (was there a story?) and so I give you time to glance back and check it out. I'm planning *crosses fingers* to have the next chapter out in a week and things will actually happen and the plot will go forward. Oh and I am extremely sorry for the slow updates………..I kind of sidetracked into Harry Potter fandom for a bit. Well fire me of an email if you think there is any hope for this fic ladyequinox@hotmail.com at the very least please leave a review so I know someone is reading this!