Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction ❯ A New Breeze Breaks ❯ A Proposed Trip and a Surprise Dessert ( Chapter 4 )

Disclaimer: I don't own Card Captor Sakura.

A New Breeze Breaks

By: carpetfibers

Chapter Four: A Proposed Trip and a Surprise Dessert

She didn't want her eyes to open and end the wonderful dream. And she was just so warm! Sakura burrowed herself more deeply into the warmth, tucking her arms and wrapping her legs up around it. Despite her efforts to hold unto sleep a little longer, the events from the night before crept back up on her. She remembered being so cold and then so tired...and then something having to do with Syaoran. But now all she could feel was warmth and it felt delicious! Forcing her eyes to remain shut, she sighed and tried to think of that dream.

Syaoran was in a panic. The night had gone well enough, after all he stayed asleep the entire time, which was in it's own right a feat. He didn't have any disturbing dreams or dreams of that, er, other sort. But with the first rays of daylight, he had woken up and found himself in the most compromising of positions. Sakura had never let go of him during the night and seemingly had pushed herself even closer. The sweatshirt he had found for her had edged up during her sleep, and now his hands rested on the very bare small of her back. It was way too much contact. But then the worst of it came just an hour later when she had moaned and started wrapping herself around him, sliding her legs between his and tucking her face against his chest. With every slight breath she took, he could feel it tickle against him. It was agonizing.

He looked down at the auburn haired girl literally cocooned within him and smiled. With her disheveled hair and long lashes, she looked just as innocent as he knew she was. And innocent she would remain. He started extracting himself from her hold, loosening her grip around him. She moaned softly, and he stopped, worried that he would wake her. It'd be hard explaining just what she was doing in his bed, let alone with him, and in different clothing. He tried removing one of his legs, slipping it off the edge of the bed. The position was a little uncomfortable, but now all that remained was the other half of his body. Syaoran edged down, thinking he could remove himself entirely if he could just get her to shift. But apparently, Sakura didn't want her giant teddy bear to leave just yet.

Still sleeping, she moved her arms, one falling to Syaoran's stomach and the other to his neck. The new contact sent his mind into a buzz, but to top it off, the oblivious Sakura chose that time to whisper into his ear.

"...so warm...Syaoran..."

The sound of his name coming from her lips was too much for his already frustrated body and the heat that he had been fighting off struck him entirely, leaving behind an altogether unfamiliar reaction. Embarrassment struck him and then horror. What if she woke up now? And saw him like this? God, he'd die, he'd totally die. The paranoia was enough to pull him entirely from the bed and from Sakura's grasp. Standing up only made his predicament more obvious.

Behind him, his worst nightmare was coming true. The sudden removal of her source of warmth was enough to wake Sakura entirely. Blearily, she sat up, tugging down her sweatshirt and rubbing at her eyes. In front of her, Syaoran was standing, his face strangely flushed. But then she looked at herself and looked back at the Chinese boy and finally at the bed.

"Ara?" she said, a little puzzled by what her mind was putting together.

Syaoran all but jumped at her voice, turning himself entirely from her view. "Y-you're awake?!" he croaked out.

"Li-kun-" she started, but he cut her off.

"Uh, I have to go take a shower. Talk to you later." Hurriedly, he started a bow legged half jog to the door. Sakura only watched him leave, closing the door behind him, puzzled.

"Ara?" she glanced back at the bed. "Why am I in Li-kun's bed?"

* * * *

Syaoran knocked himself in the forehead as he stood by the stove top, stirring a pot's contents. More than the morning's little escapade, he felt frustrated. She had been attacked last night- again!- and he hadn't been able to do a thing. More than even that though, he hadn't felt any foreign energy. There had been no blast of power like with the Sweet card. The only auras in the house were Sakura's and his own. It was if the sudden attack had been some spontaneous reaction, like something from those science fiction manga Yamazaki had been so fond of in elementary school.

His stirring quickened as different possible theories rebounded through his mind. It could be the actions of some ancient enemy of Clow. After all, when you're the most powerful magician in the world, enemies come in the droves. But if this enemy was powerful enough to attack Sakura, who was at least on par with Clow himself, then surely he would have gone after Clow back when he was alive. Or maybe this enemy had only recently gained such levels. But then surely the magic community would have felt something. There were those who practiced only the second sight and surely they would have had some premonition of such a danger. Wouldn't they have?

A piece of meat flew out from the pot, landing on his hand, and waking him from his thoughts. Syaoran winced as he picked off the scalding food. A smudge of red was left behind. Great, to top it all off, now he was burned. Wonderful. Just frickin' great. A wave of unreasonable anger rose, and he turned off the burner and left the pot, stomping away to his room. What he needed was to work off this anger, and cooking wasn't just cutting it. He needed to clear his mind and surely then, answers would come.

Sakura stepped out from the bathroom, straightening her light blue knit shirt, just as the angry eyed Chinese boy slammed his door. She stared at the closed door, a puzzled expression on her face. What was wrong with Syaoran? She considered checking on him, but then dropped the idea. He looked a little angry, his perpetual frown a bit too serious. Maybe he needed some alone time. Tomoyo often said that boys tended to be more solitary. Nodding her head, sure of the rightness of her theory, she walked into the kitchen. Glancing at the stove, she noted the semi burned stew, a small smile on her face. Had he been making breakfast?

"Poor Li-kun. He must have been angry that he burned it. I'll have to thank him." She hummed lightly under her breath as she dumped out the stew's contents. Sundays were the best! Maybe later on she could convince Syaoran to go out on a picnic. Her smile widened as she scrubbed at the pot's blackened bottom. And she could invite Tomoyo to come as well! They could all be as they were three years ago. Only instead of Eriol joining them...her thoughts carried on over to the new student, the crimson haired Keiji.

Just picturing him gave her a shiver. There was something... off about him. It wasn't his strange hair color, after all Eriol had been uniquely blessed in that area. Nor was it his eyes, although they were a little scary, especially when he smiled. She wasn't sure why, but even with the small bit of contact she already had with him, her immediate reaction had been to get away. When he accidentally touched, it took every bit of self control she had to not jump out of her chair and race to the bathroom for a wash cloth. Without knowing why or how, Keiji simply made her feel dirty.

A flash of guilt struck her and Sakura paused in her washing. She was being unfair! After all, she barely knew him; she hadn't even spoken to him other than to say hello. And here she was passing judgement. What was she thinking? She sighed, rubbing at her forehead. Her scrubbing wasn't helping clean the pot a bit.

"I know! I'll use Bubble! If it can clean Kero-chan, then it can clean this pot." Dropping the pot in the sink, she rushed from the green and yellow kitchen to the plain walls of her room. Lying where she had left it, the Sakura book seemed to be waiting for its Mistress for already its flap was open. Sakura felt a prickling in the back of her mind as she picked up the book. A card laid face down on the inside flap. Had she been so thoughtless as to leave her cards out like this? Her hand fell on the card and instantly a great blackness soared across her vision. She felt as if she were falling a great way, a hollow wind rushing past her ears.

'Am I falling? What is this?'

In the back of her mind, Sakura knew that she was still standing in Syaoran's spare room,

her hand resting on a drained Freeze, but in her present sensation, she was falling. The breathless wind pulled at her clothes and hair, whipping heavy strands across her eyes. A strange pain gathered in the small of her back, stretching out farther with every second. She tried to cry out for Syaoran, for her cards, but no words left her lips. She was dreaming, she had to be dreaming- nothing else made sense!

Because if she wasn't dreaming, if this was reality...

All at once, the wind withdrew, its drowning silence disappearing into the surrounding darkness. Was she slowing or was it her imagination? But no, gradually, the sensation of falling lessened and then solid ground met her feet. She blinked her eyes, trying desperately to make out anything in the black night that filled her vision. Again, she called out for her cards, pulling out her wand and repeating the ancient words of her spell. But nothing responded. The wand laid in her hand, seemingly as dead as Sweet and now Freeze.

A panic threatened to take control of her thoughts. The draining darkness, the sensation of being in two places at once- a mania was growing, and she felt that if no sound was made, no sight seen, no object touched, then surely she would collapse. Strength or no strength, she was still a girl with fears of her own. One of which seemed to be made a reality in front of her.

'Calm down, Mistress of the Cards. I've called you here; we've called you here for a reason.'

Sakura whirled around, trying to pinpoint the direction of the voice. A low laugh swarmed out toward her, seemingly from all directions.

'No, no, that won't do, Card Mistress. You can't sense us, let alone see us. It would be better to just listen. After all, we did go through the trouble of bringing you here.'

The auburn haired girl stopped her searching, and focused on the words that seemed to come from within her mind and from beyond the darkness.

'You've unwisely allowed your defenses to leave your side. Your guardians are both gone. Clow Reed's reincarnation is too far for reach. Your brother and father are both far as well. Fate has left you but one source of protection, but his power is still too weak for this challenge. You have not thought of the future at all, Card Mistress. But as I said, it is of Fate's working.'

Sakura tried to calm her racing heart. How did this person know all this? Was this the person who had attacked her cards?

'Card Mistress, heed our words. Take care in your actions. While your protector is limited, stay close to his side. Magic grows strong in you both. The elements obey his command, and the Cards yours. But your power is being stripped away. The time to release that which has been sealed within you since birth is coming. Will you stand the challenge? Card Mistress, will you stand this final test?'

She shivered as the voice grew in strength, its every whisper echoing through her mind. She didn't understand. She didn't understand at all! Final test? Release what? It was too confusing. She opened her mouth to ask her questions and found her voice still absent.

'One final word, Card Mistress. One final warning. Trust your heart in all matters. Trust not your mind with its rationalities and logic. Listen not to friends' advice, for an enemy may be hidden in the words. Trust only your heart, for it is there that your power is sealed. Remember this, Card Mistress.'

And then the darkness swelled forward, consuming her completely. The voice spoke out one last time as it rushed against her. The words struck out, whipping into her mind and shattering all reason and thought entirely.

'Remember our words well!'

* * * *

Her green eyes blinked open and the warm rays of a midday sun greeted her. She looked down at her hand; it still rested on the shadowed Freeze card. The room seemed frozen- the blanket stripped bed with its pale green sheets, the dark mahogany hues of the floor panels, the age and dust worn book covers that lined the shelves, even the curtainless window and the streaming sunlight- all stood in still frame, and then slowly she removed her hand and life stirred again. Sakura felt strangely drained, and she sat down on the bed wearily. Her head pounded, and she felt as if there was something terribly important she was forgetting. Something so important that life itself would be frozen again if she didn't remember.

The pounding increased, the pain doubling as she concentrated on the spark of remembrance in the back of her mind. Ignoring the warnings her body was sending her, she called upon her magic to withdraw the memories. Even that rebelled against her, seemingly refusing to see what it was that so desperately needed to be seen. Her frustration mounting, she pulled out her wand and began the spell:

"Key of the Star,

With powers burning bright,

Reveal the staff,

And shine thy light.

Release!"

A brilliant circle of light enveloped her and her star wand extended. Power seemed to emanate from her every fingertip, the urgency of her call echoed her magic. Inhaling slowly, she called upon the one card that could reveal what was hidden in her mind.

And what the future held.

"Dream!

Release!"

Instantly, the card answered its Mistress's call. Sakura closed her eyes, knowing that the card's visions would surely drain her as they always did. Sucking in her breath, she reached out her hand to enter the Dream's world only to have her hand snatched away and her wand knocked to the ground. Immediately, the wand returned to its original size and Dream returned to the book. Sakura looked up at Syaoran's angry scowl, surprise etched across her pale features.

"Li-kun, why'd you do-"

"Are you crazy?" he shouted angrily. "You're already weak enough. You should know it's dangerous to use a card that drains so much energy. You could collapse!"

Sakura's face softened, a small smile coming to her lips. So he was worried about her... no wonder he was acting so angry. "Arigato, Li-kun. I know you're worried about me, but it's important. There's something that I'm forgetting, something important. Dream could show it to me," she said softly, bending down to pick up her transformed wand.

"I don't care. Don't be so reckless," Syaoran snapped, a scowl pasted on his features. Still angry, he ran a hurried hand through his messy hair. "Listen- maybe there's a reason you can't remember right now."

"But-" she tried to say, but once again she was cut off.

"No, Sakura, I know you're powerful, but you're still a child to magic. If you check close enough, you'll see that your mind and your magic are preventing you from remembering whatever this is," he insisted, his tone softened a little. Sakura's shoulders visibly sagged, her smile slipping into a frown. His heart tugged and he began again. "Don't worry, I'm sure that it'll come to you when it's most needed. It's the way of these things."

She bit down on her lip, tugging on the edge of her shirt. She knew he was right. But she still felt as if she was forgetting something deathly important. And it was so frustrating! A steady hand fell on her shoulder and she looked up surprised, her green eyes meeting concerned amber.

"Remember your spell?" Syaoran whispered. Sakura nodded, her words joining his as they both repeated the spell that had promised victory at the final judgement and in defeating the Void card.

"Everything will definitely be alright!"

And she smiled, the very motion shoving Syaoran's heart into his throat. God, she was beautiful, so ungodly beautiful...

* * * *

"Good morning class. I hope you all had a good week end. Before I hand back your essays-" Saito Kaikato broke off as his eyes fell on a certain emerald eyed girl in the third row. She was staring out the window, the softest expression on her lips. As if sensing his eyes, she glanced up, those same supple lips breaking out in her trademark smile. For a moment, all speech escaped him, and he quickly turned to his desktop, as if needing some paper from it. "Eh- that is class, I'll need you all to return these permission slips to me by tomorrow. Wednesday, we'll be leaving for five days for the Chiyo Hot Springs-"

This time his words were cut off by a sudden squeal from a bespeckled girl in the second row. "Chiyo Springs? Home of the legendary Burning Spirits? Honto?" Naoko's enthusiasm did little to save Sakura from the shiver that went up her spine at the mention of spirits. Spirits were no better than ghosts. She squeezed her eyes shut as her teacher sighed and scowled.

"Yanagisawa! You can save your questions for after I'm finished." He cleared his throat and went on. "We will be spending five days at the Springs. While there, you will each be divided into groups of six and designated to a specific spring within the neighboring forest. We will not," and his glare intensified as he eyed a few specific students, Yamazaki in particular. That little punk bothered him, always smiling and making up stories. He had actually believed him at first. "We will not be swimming in the springs. This will be a chance to use some of your ordnance skills, as well as your observational skills."

A few of the smiles that had popped up with the mention of the famous hot springs of Chiyo faded. Kaikato-sensei was not making this seem like a fun trip. It sounded more like a lot of work. The young teacher released his breath, a small grin coming to his lips.

"Don't worry though. I've arranged the groups by friends. Your sensei isn't always a bad guy!" He flashed a larger smiler, knowing that a few certain girls would swoon. Watching them blush, he mentally patted himself on the back. Still had the touch. "And, to ensure your safety, each group of six will have a teacher with them. Now, are there any questions?"

Naoko's hand was the first up, the smile on her face having not lessened an iota during Kaikato's explanations.

"Yes, Yanagisawa-san?" Kaikato's eyebrow twitched as the girl stared up at him, awed not by his good looks but by the dream of meeting her Burning Spirits.

"Sensei, do you mean we'll be observing un-commercialized springs?" Even if Naoko did like to gossip, and occasionally stretch the truth of rumors, she knew her stuff. And she liked to show it on occasion.

Her teacher nodded, immediately calling on another student. "Noriyori-san, you have a question?"

Instead of merely asking his question, the red haired transfer student stood up, bowing deeply. Straightening, he completely ruined the effect by grinning widely. "Does that mean that we get to share a tent with the girls?"

Immediately, outraged huffs spouted out, and Keiji winked at the nearest girls, his blue silver eyes shining brightly. Kaikato eyed this new student of his with distaste and yet a touch of odd approval. Kid had guts. Reminded him of himself. But his attitude needed to be dealt with strictly, so instead of smiling back, Saito frowned. "I suggest you get those ideas out of you mind immediately. Yes, the students will all be sharing one tent. However-" He held up a hand to silence the already complaining girls. "However, as I said, there will be a teacher with each group so there will be no problems."

Keiji smirked and sat back down, swiveling in his seat so he faced Sakura. Lazily, he winked at the wide eyed girl and whispered, "Hope we're in the same group, Kinomoto-san."

Tomoyo glared at the red haired boy fiercely. Yet another challenge to her Sakura's innocense, and so blatantly! Her glare was reflected almost perfectly by Syaoran's own. Although his mind track was along a slightly more violent edge. In his mind, he was picturing taking his talisman from beneath his shirt and swiftly cutting off the grinning idiot's head with one clean stroke. He'd like to see the bastard try anything after that!

Sakura only blinked and edged away. Conscience or no conscience, Keiji Noriyori frightened her. But a trip to the springs was definitely something to look forward to! She wondered briefly why Kaikato-sensei had waited so long to tell them. After all, just one day to get permission and pack did seem a little ill planned. She caught her best friend's violet eye and grinned happily- sensei had said he'd put them in groups with their friends, so she and Tomoyo were sure to be together!

* * * *

"Eh! Why am I stuck with him?" A girl's outraged yell was heard over the crowd of students struggling to see who was in each group. The annoyed girl turned to her friend and pointed at the listing. "Sensei put us with Atsumori-san, Chidori-chan!"

At this announcement several other girls looked on sympathetically. Curious, Syaoran leaned over and asked Tomoyo the reason for the outburst.

Smiling lightly, Tomoyo pointed discreetly to a boy at the edge of the crowd. The boy was certainly good looking with his finely groomed brown hair and dark blue eyes, but had a distinctly arrogant look to him. Not to mention his manicured nails looked better than most girls'. "Atsumori-san is very rich, and unfortunately he likes to pick on a lot of the girls. When he first entered our class several girls liked him and asked him out. He turned them all down and then called them names behind their backs. So then the girls in class decided to boycott him." She glanced back at the preening boy, her smile growing. "Rumor goes that Atsumori-san may not even like girls anymore."

Syaoran looked at her blankly, not understanding entirely what Tomoyo meant. "Hmn."

An exhilarated squeal caused both of them to return their attention to the posted list. Sakura bounded up to them, her enthusiasm barely held in check.

"Tomoyo-chan! Li-kun! We're in the same group! I'm so glad!" She laughed and took her demure friend's hands, twirling them both around.

"Who else is with us, Sakura-chan?" Tomoyo asked once they stopped spinning.

"Oh," Sakura beamed at them and knocked her head lightly, "I forgot to check!"

Tomoyo just continued smiling as Syaoran blanched. She wasn't really that dense was she?

"Takashi and I are with you as well!" Chiharu eased up to the group of three, her story telling fond boyfriend close behind.

"Who's the sixth then?" Sakura asked.

"Ah, well-" Takashi frowned as his girlfriend stammered over the last member's name.

"I am." Keiji filled the last opening in the circle, his hands tucked into his pockets. Smirking cockily, he jabbed Syaoran in the ribs. "Aren't you glad to know, Li-san?"

Syaoran only grunted, eying the boy with increasing dislike. All he had to do was take out his sword and then-

Sakura beat him to the punch, shocking them all. "You're joking!"

They all looked at her curiously. Sakura rarely said such a harsh thing. She just blinked back at them and then blushed. "Ah, sorry, Noriyori-san, I didn't mean-"

"Don't worry, Kinomoto-san. If that's all it took to see your face blush so cutely, I ask that you insult me daily." Keiji's smirk increased as simultaneously Tomoyo snapped the pencil she was holding, Syaoran reached under his shirt, and Sakura winced. This was too much fun!

Takashi saved the day by entering into one of his infamous stories. For once his girlfriend smiled in relief. "Springs originated from glaciers. Once giant ice flows covered the earth. It became so bad that not even the equator was warm enough for humans to survive."

Both Sakura and Syaoran nodded, following closely.

Takashi smiled wider and continued. "So, finally, in an act of desperation, the different tribes gathered together and formed a plan to melt the glaciers. They went across the world, stripping down entire forests as they gathered huge piles of wood. And then finally, they lit the pile causing the ice to melt. Unfortunately for them, the melted ice created a huge wave, and -"

Chiharu decided that her two gullible friends were listening a bit too closely, and quickly shut her talkative boyfriend up. "Okay, okay. Let's go."

Takashi continued with his story, even as his braided girl friend dragged him away. Sakura stared, her mouth hanging.

"They were lies?" she said looking to Syaoran for confirmation. But Syaoran just shook his head and walked away, a faint blush on his cheeks. Why did she have to look at him?

"Sakura-chan, lunch is almost over." Tomoyo gestured down at the wrapped bento Sakura held in her hands. Sakura nodded, slipping into action. She ran, quickly catching up to the retreating boy.

"Li-kun! Wait!" Syaoran slowed, staring at his feet. Panting slightly, Sakura shoved one of the covered containers into his hands. Confused, he looked at her. Ooh, bad idea....

Sakura smiled, her soft lips widening in familiar motion. "You've been so helpful, Li-kun, taking care of me and protecting me. So, I made you this."

While still held in his hands, she deftly opened the container. Inside rested two generous pieces of cake, sliced strawberries on top. "I remembered you liked strawberries, and so I know it might not be very good, I thought that maybe-"

Syaoran's eyes softened as he listened to her prattle on. She made him this? He remembered how once she had made a similar dessert for Yukito, and his heart leapt in his chest.

"Arigato," and gently, he squeezed her small hand. She only smiled wider, her green eyes sparkling in happiness.

* * * *

Tomoyo waited until her friend was entirely out of hearing distance before she turned to the still smirking boy next to her. Gone was her stoic smile, and in its place, a fierce glare. She had a sense about people, and she knew this Keiji Noriyori, late of Kyoto, was bad business. She just had to nip this one in the bud early on.

"Noriyori-san," she began, her normally sweet voice gone into steel, "I suggest you stay away from Sakura."

Keiji turned easily, slouching onto the ground into a sprawl. Glancing up to look at the coldly staring girl, he grinned. "You're not that bad yourself, Daidouji-san."

Tomoyo didn't falter. "Flattery will get you no where."

Keiji tucked back a piece of resistance hair. "Ah, but that's where you're wrong! Flattery will get you everywhere you wish- because flattery is only flattery when it flatters!" He laughed, obviously proud with his wit.

Tomoyo decided to change tactics, and sat down next to him. Switching her frown for a coy smile, she placed a pale hand on Keiji's knee. "Maybe you should work on a few lines for me, Keiji-kun."

Keiji's grin slipped into a satisfied smirk. Girls were just too easy! "Any suggestions, Tomoyo-chan?" He covered her hand with his own . Tomoyo winked and beckoned him closer with a finger. Eagerly, he leaned closer.

Putting her mouth next to his ear, she whispered in a dead calm. After the first sentence, Keiji's smirk fell and his entire face went pale. By the second one, he was straining to get away from her grip. And by the end of the third, Tomoyo released his knee and stood up, satisfied that she got her point across. She began to move away from the semi shocked boy when his hand grabbed at her ankle.

Surprised but not worried, she glanced downward. Even more surprising was the serious frown waiting her. It was if the red haired student was an entirely different person. His eyes seemed more silver than blue- and then they flashed, and a headache form in the back of her head. "Daidouji-san, I can't let you interfere with what I have planned. Stay on the sidelines for this battle; she can't protect you."

And then he released her ankle and bounced up in the opposite direction. Tomoyo continued staring at where he had just sat, a hand held to her pounding head.. Keiji Noriyori...there was something dangerous about him. She could feel it, and her Sakura was the one most likely to get hurt.

* * * *

Author's notes:

Hey all! And here's my fourth chapter. Hope you much enjoyed it. It's getting easier to write the characters as I go, so expect the writing to improve. Should get more smooth. Keep your fingers crossed. Anyway, I have my thanks to my first reviewers.

Oh, and I should say this to my furuba readers. I kind of burned myself out on furuba. I'm not quitting entirely, just taking a reprieve. I'm putting the sequel to 'Beginnings' off for an indefinite amount of time. Probably won't start up on that for a long while. I actually have about half of it finished, but it all needs editing and I may just rewrite it all because I ended up going exactly where I didn't want to. Sigh. I will be continuing 'Sentium' though on a monthly basis. It's a complicated story, so it's harder to write. Much love to you guys who keep encouraging me. I did remove Resolutions entirely. I felt weird just having it hang there.