Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction ❯ All I Need... ❯ Life Is Never Easy ( Chapter 8 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Eriol’s eyes opened suddenly as his dream became haunting. He reached for his glasses and put them on, looking about his room. Off in the distance far beyond his room and even Tomoeda he felt the brewing of a sinister aura. A scowl fell upon his face as he came to a conclusion.



“So a new challenge has surfaced. The final test for the Card Mistress and her protector,” He voiced solemnly. He shook his head and got to his feet, the wood floor cold beneath them. He would need to talk to Syaoran’s mother, and perhaps the elders about this. Maybe he could find some answers as to what was approaching.










An eerie wind blew across the landing strip as the passengers of a private jet excited down the stairs. Three looming figures wearing long flowing cloaks stepped down to the ground. Then another figure followed after, this figure distinctly female, wearing a long red velvet cloak that swept about her with each of her graceful steps, as she came to stand before the others. Her hood fell from her face as a strong breeze blew and her startling crimson eyes gleamed wickedly, as she looked to the sky.



“Finally I shall get to test my true strength. I’ve waited to long for this, my dear little Cherry Blossom,” Her voice echoed hauntingly with an inhuman malevolence.



“Lady Marta, we should be going,” Spoke one of the lone figures, his deep voice was emotionless. The girl turned to him, and pulled her hood once again over her head.



“Yes, of course”.










Sakura hugged her knees to her chest as she sat alone on the steps of her house. She had woken up from a terrible dream and felt the need for fresh air. The dream she could tell was a premonition of something to come, it had been unbearable haunting with dark auras and screams. She had witnessed the death of shadows she had yet to recognize, but still it was the voices that haunted her. Those voices of her friends and family all begging for her not to leave them, and then Syaoran’s voice telling her to stay strong, to hold on. She could almost feel his arms around her, and then her own tears upon her cheeks mingling with his.



“I was in pain, so much pain,” She mumbled to herself. She closed her eyes and shook the dream from her mind, trying to move on from it’s haunting realness. But still the darkness hung like a storm cloud in her mind, bringing unwanted tears to her eyes. She sighed resting her head in her arms as she curled herself further into a ball.



“I don’t want to remember this,” She whispered. Her tears came silently as she buried her head further into her arms, wanting to hide away from the dream. But still she couldn’t shake it, nor could she shake the deep ache residing in her heart.










Come Monday morning Eriol found himself waiting impatiently for Sakura and Syaoran. He had been up all Sunday night tracking the mysterious aura and talking to Syaoran’s mother and the elders. It seemed that this approaching aura was far more sinister then he thought it to be. He glanced at his watch again, then looked up to scan the courtyard. His indigo eyes fell upon an approaching couple. His eyes softened as he watched them walk hand in hand. Sakura looked reasonably pale, and he wondered if she had already been sensing the aura’s approach.



“We need to talk,” Eriol said, as they stopped before him. Sakura looked up to him, and met his gaze with eyes that seemed to be haunted with fear and sadness.



“I know. But could it wait until after school,” She replied. Eriol sighed, and then as he looked over to Syaoran he realized he wouldn’t have a choice. Syaoran was giving him a warning gaze, as he pulled Sakura closer to him. Eriol nodded finally.



“Fine, after school. We can travel to my house,” He told her. Sakura smiled weakly, before she closed her eyes for a minute taking a shaky breath.



“Good, I just want this day to go normally,” She said quietly. The bell rang soon after and the threesome headed toward the classrooms. All of them thinking of the day ahead, and what was to come after it ended.











“So you know already about what is coming?,” Eriol asked. Sakura leaned back in her chair and gave a sad sigh. Syaoran looked to her, and then to Eriol with a lost expression.



“I had a feeling my dream was telling me something. I just didn’t want to think about it,” She told him. Eriol nodded.



“I know. It isn’t something anyone should want to think about, but we need to. The foreboding aura is far more troublesome then it lets on. I had a discussion with Li-sama and the elders. The aura is out to kill,” Eriol told them solemnly. Sakura looked up at him, her unwavering gaze blurring with unshed tears.



“Please don’t tell me it’s after Sakura,” Syaoran said. He was catching on to their conversation, and now looked to Sakura fearfully. She wasn’t watching him, she had her eyes trained on Eriol her eyes brimming with tears.



“Yes, it is,” She answered. She looked down at her hands that rested in her lap, trying to fight back against the flood of emotions that were swirling through her. Syaoran reached out to her, and grabbed one of her hands, rubbing his thumb across the top of it.



“I’m afraid she is right. I haven’t been able to identify what exactly this aura is after. It could be the cards, or it could be her power. She is after all the most powerful sorceress of this time. Even stronger the Clow himself,” Eriol explained. Sakura breathed in deeply, before she looked up into Syaoran’s eyes.



“I don’t want you to worry. I don’t want you to get involved either, I couldn’t forgive myself if you got hurt,” She said to him. Syaoran smiled at her, reaching up to brush away a few strays tears from her pale cheek.



“I’m not going to let you do this alone. So don’t ask me to,” He told her. Eriol watched the exchange, a sad smile on his lips. He knew this was going to be the ultimate trail of love and will power. He knew that perhaps this time they wouldn’t come out of it unscathed, but he had to hope.



“I suggest we start to work every night on both your magic. You need to get stronger, and be able to control your power. Sakura especially you, I don’t think you know this but the cards are not your only power. They are just tools to help you, your real power still lies untapped within you. I will try my best to help you harness it”. Eriol smiled at her, and Sakura nodded, giving a squeeze to Syaoran’s hand.



“ Thank you Eriol, I will try my hardest as well,” She told him. Eriol nodded approvingly and then he stood from his seat.



“I don’t want to put to much of a burden on you tonight though, since it seems you need to get some rest. I suggest you meditate tonight before bed. It should help clear you mind of you fears and give you a restful sleep,” Eriol said to her. Sakura looked up at him and gave him the faintest of smiles.



“Eriol, you are always so kind,” She said. Syaoran gave him a smile as well as he and Sakura got to their feet as well. They left soon after that, Syaoran walking Sakura home, and then he traveling to his own apartment. Syaoran was worried about Sakura, she seemed to be very detached and worried, he didn’t like the fact he hadn’t been sense this aura, and wanted nothing more then to be able to protect her from it.










Two weeks slowly passed from that night, and Sakura had been nightmare free. She practiced her meditation every night, cleansing her mind of doubt and fear. This provided her with a dreamless sleep, and she was happy to shake the awful nightmare that had affected her so.



Late on a Tuesday night Sakura was immersed in her meditation when a frightful vision came upon her. It stung her eyes, and through her off her bed with it’s sheer magnitude. Across her mind played a deadly battle between a shadow with crimson eyes and another shadow with amber eyes. Her heart raced with fear and anxiety as two auras crashed together sparking and flickering. She knew one aura, she knew it well and she feared for the safety of the amber eyed shadow. She wanted to help but found herself chained with heavy shackles, and movement was restricted to bare minimum. She let out a desperate cry, her voice silenced by the clashing auras. She could do nothing, but watch.



As her vision dissipated an ache rung out through her body. She couldn’t move, and still felt the heavy chains on her arms, but there was comfort. Someone was holding her, and calling her name. Sakura struggled to open her eyes, as a familiar concerned face swirled in front of her vision.



“Sakura, please Sakura wake up,” Fujitaka pleaded. It had been an hour ago he had heard the loud thud from his daughters room, and came rushing to find her laying unconscious on her floor. She had screamed many times, her body trembling with fear.



“Sakura…,” He pleaded again. Her eyes fluttered open, and a tear rolled down her cheek.



“D-dad?,” She asked, her voice quiet. Fujitaka let out a sigh of relief, helping her to sit up as she struggled to.



“What happened? Are you all right?,” He asked. Sakura weakly lifted a hand to her head and rested her hand there against her forehead, as glimpses of her vision danced across her mind.



“I-I don’t know,” She said shakily. Her father regarded her with a concerned look and, then helped her to her feet, and then into bed.



“Sakura, perhaps you should stay home from school tomorrow, and I‘ll take you to see a doctor. I think this could be serious,” He said to her. Sakura looked up at him with weary green eyes, and she shook her head.



“No, I’m fine. I must of just fallen asleep and rolled off the bed. I probably hit my head,” She said, her voice sounded strained as she held back her emotions. Fujitaka watched her for a long time. It seemed that his daughter had been struggling with many things this year. He had heard of her troubles with a boy from Toya. He was concerned for her, and also hurt that she felt she could not trust her own father to tell him of her problems.



“Still, I think you should stay home tomorrow. Just stay home and rest,” He told her. Before she could argue her father had left her room. Sakura sighed, finally letting fatigue wash over her. She didn’t understand why she felt so tired, but she couldn’t get much thought in as she slowly slipped into unconsciousness.










“Sakura isn’t coming to school today,” Syaoran announced. He was with Eriol and Tomoyo standing outside before the first bell. He was worried about Sakura. When he had called that morning to say he would walk her to school, it had been her father to answer and say she wasn’t feeling well.



“Is she sick?,” Tomoyo asked concern lacing her voice. Syaoran sighed.



“That’s what her father said. He sounded more concerned though, I think something has happened. I’m going to visit her after school,” He told them. Eriol nodded, he too thought that there was something more to Sakura’s absence.



“I will accompany you. I had felt last night a flare in the evil aura, I dread that it may have tried something last night,” He said tonelessly. Syaoran looked up at him, and frowned.



“Why didn’t you say something earlier,” He growled. Eriol shook his head.



“I hadn’t found a chance. Don’t be mad with me Syaoran, I am not the one trying to hurt Sakura”. Syaoran sighed hanging his head, as he realized he was overreacting.



“I’m just on edge. Sakura has me worried,” He told them quietly. The couple nodded in agreement. Then a moment later the first bell rang and they were all sent different ways to their classrooms.










After school Syaoran made his way to each of Sakura’s classes to get her missed assignments, and then he hurried off to her house, wanting to spend time alone with her before Eriol showed up. When he arrived Fujitaka was the one to answer the door, looking quite troubled.



“Oh, Good Afternoon Syaoran,” He greeted the boy, forcing a cheery smile to his face. Syaoran smiled back, and held up a packet of folders to him.



“I went to get all of Sakura’s missed assignments for her. I didn’t want her to fall behind since this week has been extremely busy,” He told him. Fujitaka smiled at the kind boy, and then let him into the house.



“Thank you so much. I’m sure Sakura will appreciate it. She just woke up a few minutes ago, I don’t see any harm in letting you give those to her,” Fujitaka told him. Syaoran nodded as he removed his shoes and left his back pack at the door. He thanked Fujitaka and then with a quickened pace hurried to see Sakura.



Her eyes were closed when her entered, and her skin was close to white. He watched her with a pensive stare before he approached her and sat in a chair that was place beside her bed. He reached for her hand, and incased it in his warmer hands, being as her hands were cold to the touch. His warm touch is what stirred her from her sleep.



“Syaoran,” She smiled, looking at him with clouded eyes. He smiled back.



“How are you feeling?,” He asked her gently. She shook her head, and let out a haggard sigh.



“Tired. I don’t think this is a real sickness though,” She told him. He nodded, listening intently as she spoke. “I had a horrible vision last night, it was so strong it knocked me right off my bed while I was meditating,” She continued. Syaoran looked at her with troubled eyes as he leaned forward to kiss her cool cheek.



“Don’t worry Sakura, I’m sure we’ll find out something. Eriol should be coming over at anytime, he told me that there was a surge in the evil aura last night. The vision must be linked to it,” He said quietly. Sakura sighed again, and closed her eyes for a few moments.



“I’m so drained, I have my poor father so worried. He’s been by my side all day while I slept. I could feel his worry for me through his aura. I feel so bad for putting him through this,” She breathed, as she opened her eyes again. Syaoran felt pained to watch her as she let tears of sorrow fill her eyes. Her reached up and brushed them away, giving her an encouraging smile.



“Sakura, please don’t cry. It’s a fathers duty to worry about his daughter, it’ll be okay,” He soothed. Sakura gave him a weak smile as she closed her eyes again.



“Why don’t you rest and I’ll wake you when Eriol arrives,” He told her. Sakura nodded, and soon her breathing evened out and she lay asleep once more.



An hour passed by and then from downstairs Syaoran heard the doorbell ring, and then Fujitaka greeting Eriol. He looked back to Sakura as she slept, and waited until Eriol had entered the room to rouse her. Sakura smiled at them, seeming to have gained some energy from that small nap.



“Sakura, how are you?,” Eriol asked as he perched himself on the bed on the opposite side of Syaoran. Sakura shook her head.



“Never mind that. I need to tell you about the vision I had,” She told him. He nodded, and settled in to listen. Sakura took a deep breath before she continued. “The vision was so strong it knocked me right off my bed while I was meditating. I’m guessing I was unconscious for a long while, because my father had said he wanted to take me to a doctor. He’s so worried,” She sighed. Eriol nodded.



“Yes, I noticed his troubled look. The poor man,” Eriol agreed. Sakura looked at him, and gave a small smile as he reached to squeeze her hand. “But I’m sure that he’ll be better when you are well. Now let’s try to solve what is causing this fatigue”. Sakura nodded.



“My vision was strange. It was dark, and I’ll I could see were these two dark shadow fighting, one had thses red eyes and the other amber. The red eyed shadow was the aura we had been sensing, and the other… was Syaoran”. She looked to Syaoran at this her eyes starting to fill with tears. “I was so scared, you were fighting so hard and your two auras were clashing and I couldn‘t even hear my own screams. I couldn’t do anything to help, I was chained in shackles, and could do nothing but watch. But then as quickly as it had come it left. And I was so drained, I couldn’t move. I was scared, and my father… he was so shaken,” She said. Her tears spilled down her cheeks, as she close her eyes to calm herself. Syaoran reached to brush the tears away, stroking her cheek fondly.



“Shhh, Sakura. It’s al right,” He soothed. Eriol sat silently brooding as the scene played out, and then he cast his gaze on Syaoran.



“These visions are a prediction of the future, and unless we find out what this aura has planned I’m afraid they might come true,” He said gravely. He watched Sakura for a few moments, and then looked back at Syaoran.



“I need to speak with her alone,” Was all he said. Syaoran looked at him, and a frown crossed his features.



“I’m not leaving her,” He growled. Eriol shook his head, and looked to Sakura giving her a stern look.



“Syaoran, please just for a few minutes,” She said to him. Syaoran looked to her with wide eyes, but he couldn’t refuse her pleading gaze as he nodded and got up to leave. When the door closed, Sakura turned back to Eriol.



“Sakura, in the first vision you had, tell me what was it about,” He asked. Sakura thought for a few moments before she replied.



“I was in pain, and all around me I could hear my friends and family begging me to stay with them. And I remember Syaoran was crying, holding me and telling me to-,” She stopped, as a realizing hit her, and she looked to Eriol with a frightful gaze.



“I couldn’t do anything in my vision last night…b-because I was dead. Eriol, I’m going to die,” She whispered hoarsely. He nodded gravely, and took both her hands in his grip.



“Don’t lose hope though Sakura. As you’ve learned before you have the power to change the world. You can change the future. Don’t let these vision get you down, because there are so many people who will be on your side. Sakura, you must be strong”. Eriol watched her with a steady gaze, and she nodded, giving him a brave smile.



“I won’t let you down. I won’t let Syaoran down,” She said. Eriol smiled nodding.



“I know you won’t. I’ll go now and let you and Syaoran have you time,” He said. Sakura smiled, and then he left, leaving her with many things to think about.