Chapter Text
The next morning the well fed and well rested crew gathered in the street in front of Sorato and Arashi’s house ready to move on to the next world, though Syaoran continued his deep sleep from yesterday. He was now in the original garb that he arrived in and once again on Kurogane’s back, which he wasn’t so happy about. Arashi had been kind enough to not only prepare a huge breakfast for the travelers to feast on before the set out, but also food for the road as well. She also packed them a bag with medical supplies and some of the clothes they used while there. She knew that the group had a long and tough road ahead of them and wanted to make sure that they would at least have something in case of an emergency. She and Sorato had been gracious hosts while the travelers were staying there providing a warm and inviting atmosphere for them.
“Thank you so much for everything!” Sakura said bowing at the couple. “I’m sure this would have been quite a different experience without your help.”
“Don’t mention it!” Sorato said in a carefree tone with a deep blush gracing his cheeks.
“Your kindness will not be forgotten.” Fai said bowing as well. “Now, you thank them Kuropuu~.” Kurogane shot Fai a pointed glare, he was angry that he was once again carrying the sleeping boy, but still grumbled out a “Thanks.”
The travelers stood close together and took one last look at the tidy streets of the Hanshin Republic. They looked at each smiling face of the friends that they had made while searching for Syaoran’s precious memories. They were grateful to have met such helpful people and they would surely remember their kindness.
“Alright! Here we go to another world!” Mokona was glad to be of service. “Mokona Modoki is ready to go! Waaaa PUUUU!”
The white furry creature spread wings from its back and swooped high in the air before summoning the strong whirlwind that sucked the travelers inside for safe passage. Needless to say the couple was shocked by the puffball's sudden transformation.
“That was…Strange…” Said a still shocked Sorato.
Arashi smirked at her husband's wide eyed expression. “Yes, they were strange.”
The pair stood staring at the spot that their friends were minutes earlier before finally heading back inside their cozy abode. After retrieving Syaoran from Prima’s castle the group came home to a very amused couple, it was apparent that he was well taken care of and in slightly better health upon return. Arashi was finally able to breath in relief and Sorato was so ecstatic he insisted on them taking a picture. It was this moment of the group sharing an array of smiles, aside from Kurogane, who held Syaoran who looked like a sleeping princess. The photo now sat framed next to other beloved memories and trinkets.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Sakura opened her eyes as the familiar feeling of drifting in the dimensional sea stirred her consciousness. Syaoran was floating next to her sleeping peacefully, she grabbed his limp arm and pulled him closer to her. Sakura was happy to see the look of serenity on his face, after seeing him so lifeless any minor change felt like a victory. It was a testament to his will and strength that he was still breathing and she hoped that she could harness those same qualities herself. She had the feeling that she would need it on this journey. A fiery light emerged from her chest and her eyes widened slightly as she watched the same flaming creature that became a part of her upon entering the previous world emerge from her chest.
“You’re leaving?” Sakura furrowed her brow. She could have gotten used to the protective Kudan. The beast transformed once again into its wolf-like form and allowed Sakura to place her hand atop its flaming head.
“Thank you.” She told the majestic creature. It bowed its head and then took off in the opposite direction of the flow that swept Sakura away. I wonder what kind of world we will end up in next? She thought allowing her consciousness to be swept away by the dimensional current. She held tighter to Syaoran and mentally prepared for what was to come.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Their journey ended when Mokona spawned in a new world dropping the unsuspecting travelers into a large body of water before they could even assess their surroundings. Sakura could only let out a short scream loosing grip on Syaoran before hitting the water's surface. She was shocked by the sudden rush of cold water, her breath left her bubbling to the surface. This was the first time she had encountered this much water in her life, she had never been outside of Clow. Her head broke the water and she gasped for air before she was lost under the waves again. She tried to quell the panic that bubbled in her chest as she was swept further under the waves. She could see Syaoran as he sank like a bag full of sand down into the dark depths. Her eyes couldn’t stay open for long with the salty water stinging them, but she kept them open as she tried to reach down to grab his hand. Then suddenly a pair of hands grabbed under her arms and hauled her to the surface. She gasped and wiped her head back to see Kurogane behind her gasping as well. “Wait! Syaoran is still down there! I have to-” Kurogane cut her off.
“Fai is grabbing him.” He said gruffly. Kurogane could tell that he was the better swimmer out of the two when he saw him dart through the water on his way to get to the girl. “Don’t worry.” She focused her worried eyes on the surface of the water to see the moment Fai emerged. Kurogane was surveying the water as well and fortunately spotted an island about some meters away. “There’s an island over there.” He turned himself and Sakura towards the direction of it. “We should head there when-”
Fai surprised both of them when he broke the water's surface with Syaoran in his arms and Mokona clinging to his head. He gasped and took a moment to breathe before he spoke. “I got him.” He held Syaoran in front of him, he was unresponsive and they couldn’t be sure that he was breathing. “We need to get to land as soon as possible.”
“Over there!” Kurogane yelled to Fai pointing at the spot. He then shifted Sakura so that she was on his back. “Hold on.”
Fai kept Syaoran pressed to his chest and swam backwards to keep both of their heads above water. Fai was a great swimmer, but this would be a challenge even for him. They began the grueling swim. The salt water waves crashed against the body’s of the weary travelers threatening to separate them in the chaotic sea. Many times Sakura thought that they would drown on the way to the island, the waves were coming too quickly for her to catch her breathe properly and every time she was submerged she thought it would be her last. But by some miracle they were able to make it to the shores of the island that would be their salvation. Sakura was surprised when they reached land and she was able to stand with the infinite waters only reaching her chest.
As soon as Fai dragged Syaoran on the beach he keeled next to him and started pushing on his chest. Sakura sat there silently willing everything would be alright, it had to be it seemed like Fai knew what he was doing. Fai began breathing into Syaoran’s mouth and just as Sakura was to crumple on the beach Syaoran began coughing up sea water. Fai turned him on his side so that he could expel the remaining water from his lungs. When he was done he laid him back onto the sand, through the whole ordeal Syaoran hadn’t regained consciousness. It was was worrisome, but he was breathing now and that alone gave Sakura some relief. She laid a hand on his chest to feel the rise and fall of it. She had tears falling down her cheeks.
“Thank you, I don’t know what I would have done if you two weren’t her to help.” She couldn’t hold back the damn that had broke behind her eyes. Fai gave her a radiant smile while Kurogane crossed his arms both of them completely drenched.
“I’m glad to be of help!” Fai replied. “Mokona, can you sense any feathers in this world?”
“Hmmmn…” Mokona had a pensive look on it’s small face. “Mokona can sense a feather somewhere on this island!”
“Really! How far is it?” Sakura was practically beaming. Sakura needed to find another feather soon. She knew that he was not in the clear from his critical condition and he would need it’s help to improve his health.
“Mokona can’t really tell exactly where it is, but it feels a little far away.” Mokona’s little brow was scrunched together in thought, but then it’s ears perked up and he turned to face Syaoran. “Is Syaoran going to be okay?”
“The kid is going to be fine as long as he doesn’t freeze to death.” Kurogane commented after a moment had passed. “So right now we need to set up a shelter and fire.” Dark clouds were rolling towards them bringing a thundering storm with them. “Sakura. Mokona. You two go and look for wood so that we can get that fire going. Fai help me with the shelter.” Sakura and Mokona got straight to work collecting wood near the tropical forests edge. “And stay where we can see you!” Kurogane added. He and Fai moved the boy further onto the beach under a shaded area until they could move him into their temporary home. As they were gathering sturdy logs for the structure Kurogane gazed out to the lush forests full of trees bearing bright colorful fruits. Some of them looked so vivid that he would bet his sword that they would be poisonous. “Hey! And don’t eat anything that you don’t recognize!” He shouted to the kid and she looked over and yelled okay. “Scratch that don’t eat anything until we know it’s safe!”
“Look at you Kuropuu~! You're such a mama bear! Pretending to be indifferent, but deeply worried in reality.” Fai teased in an airy manner.
“Rrgghhh! Let’s just get this damn shelter built!” Kurogane fumed with an irritated face flushed with red reaching his ears.
___________________________________________________________________________________
When Syaoran regained consciousnesses he was lying on his back cracking his eyes to the mid day sun. What had happened?!?! The last thing he remembered was spending time with that lady… He must have fallen asleep and ended up here? Wherever here is? He scanned his surroundings and as far as he could see there was water. He couldn’t remember ever seeing so much of it. He couldn’t really comprehend much of his surroundings, but he felt something wiggling against his neck so he slowly sat upright. Then a small creature popped out from inside of his hood and landed in his lap.
“Mokona’s here.” The fluff ball exclaimed and giggled at Syaoran’s shocked expression.
“What…?” The boy asked him the creature nuzzled into his hand as if to show him that it wasn’t a threat. It was so soft and fluffy that some of his anxiety melted away the instant he touched the creature. Syaoran was absolutely enraptured with Mokona, he gave them little pats. For the most part Mokona enjoyed the attention until Syaoran began tickling them. “What... are you?” He finally got out in a lethargic draw.
“Mokona is Mokona!” Mokona exclaimed after gathering their self. “It’s nice to meet you sleepy head!”
“Sleepy..head?” Syaoran sat confused until he noticed the other strangers who were now looking at him. There were four complete strangers in front of him. The girl with short honey brown hair, the tall lanky blond man and the tan skinned man with scary eyes. “Who are… Where…?” The girl looked down for a moment, her face unreadable and the two men at her sides looked to her and then each other. The girl's head lifted to look Syaoran in his eyes, she put on a friendly smile to greet him.
“My name is Sakura. It’s nice to meet you.” She seemed pretty nice, but for some reason Syaoran sensed a deep sadness from her. “This is Fai and this is Kurogane.” She pointed out each man respectively with Fai giving a warm smile and a wave, Kurogane had his arms across his chest and was glaring off at nothing. “And... we’re all traveling together.”
“Don’t worry about Kuro~puu!”Fai snickered. “He’s just grumpy because he had to carry you while you were unconscious.” Fai’s smile was infectious and he seemed to like to have a carefree attitude about him while Kurogane was the complete opposite. Mokona. Sakura. Fai. And Kurogane. Syao took a moment to take the information in. When had he joined these people? What was his relation to them? And where was he? His head felt like it had at least a ton of sea water in it and the wind made his skin prickle icily. He rubbed his hands together for warmth and began to shiver slightly. So they are looking for feathers? Is this something people normally do? Syaoran tried to think deeper, but the harder he tried the worse he felt. His head started to ache and he felt lightheaded. All at once his strength left him and he felt himself falling as black invaded his vision.
“Wooah! Hey!” He heard a brash voice yell and before his head could hit the earth he felt hands catch him.
___________________________________________________________________________________
After a long days work the band of travelers were finally able to settle down in their little camp on the beach. The shelter was made with a combination of wood that Kurogane chopped with a make shift ax made of rock, vines and huge leafs that Fai collected from the tall canopy of the forest. The healthy firewood pile was provided by the trio as well as a some fruits that were deemed safe to eat which included a few Durian and berries. The group huddled around the fire with roasting fish that Kurogane caught earlier, he was surprisingly good at cooking for his brash nature. Syaoran sat on the sand with Sakura next to him with Mokona on her lap. The exhaustion was evident they had had a long day of gathering and exploring. Sakura was able to get him up from his long nap and after everything that had happened no one could blame him as he sat dissociating with his grilled fish stick in his hand.
It still couldn’t stop her from worrying.
“Mmmm~! This is really good!” Mokona exclaimed. “You eat it like this Syaoran!” Mokona demonstrated eating the fish off of the stick it was prepped on, though it was too quick for him to actually see. The odd sight brought said boy out of his haze, he looked down at his fish and upon encouragement he took a bite. “See it’s good.” Sakura had a small smile on her face, but her concern was written on her brow. It was hard to see her friend in such a state and she knew she have to walk through fire to save him, but Sakura wouldn’t have it any other way as long as that meant he was living. That brush with death had torn her heart open, she knew that she couldn’t stand if anything were to happen to him before. However, now he was completely her responsibility and she had already seen him lifeless. What if she couldn’t protect him if something unexpected happened? In his moment of weakness she was all too aware of her own.
“How are you planning to find that feather of his tomorrow?” Kurogane inquired after he had finished eating two fish.
“Hmm mm well this island isn’t too big.” Fai chimed in. “We should just walk around and see if Mokona does the eye thing!” He held both of his eyelids pried open which made Kurogane scoff and Mokona laugh.
“Sounds like a plan!” Sakura agreed. Then she turned back to Syaoran who was now nodding off with a half eaten fish in his hand. “Hey, let’s go to bed Syao.” She put her own stick down and helped the sleepy boy stand. He dropped his stick from limp fingers, but it was caught by Kurogane who finished it off in a huff. Despite his hazy awareness Syaoran followed Sakura to the shelter where he laid down on the leaves that were made into sleeping pads. She grabbed both of their cloaks which had dried near the fire, covered him with his then did the same for herself.
“Mokona is tired too.” The little fur ball yawned adorably then hopped over to the two kids and snuggled between them. “Goodnight.” The three were asleep almost instantly and the two remaining were getting ready to hit the hay themselves. There were ever present storm clouds as well as thunder and lighting shrouding the sky. Though it had yet to rain one would hope that this massive storm brewing would pass our travelers by.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Regardless of hopes the night had been extremely rough for the party. They spent most off it huddled in their surprisingly sturdy shelter drenched in rain water that had crashed in through the curtain they had made out of leaves. To top the situation off the temperature dropped leaving them frigid and wet. It was the most miserable night that Sakura had ever gone through so in the morning when she clamored out of the shelter she was grateful to see the sun shining brightly. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the way it warmed her skin.
“Good morning Sakura.” Fai had a smile on his face as always.
“Morning Fai.” She returned and then she saw Kurogane resting by a rock and eating some fruit. “Morning Kurogane.”
“Morning.” The man grumbled between bites. Both men were up early busying themselves with various things that could be done around the camp. Kurogane fortified the front of their little hut and he caught more fish which he kept in a little pool that was created by the tides during the storm. Fai had started making a little map of the island in the sand, he had forged for more fruits and even brought back some nuts. It was a very productive morning for the two to say the least while they waited for the others to arise.
Fai and Sakura talked most of the morning until about an hour later Syaoran stumbled out blearily, rubbing his eyes with Mokona tucked in his arm. He took in the island morning sun yawning and then headed over to were Sakura and Fai were sitting. Syaoran had been the only one to sleep completely through the storm, though the fatigue was still clinging to him even now. Sakura made sure that Syaoran and Mokona ate breakfast then they set out. Yesterday the group hadn’t gone very far from the beach and the forest bordering it, but today they wanted to check out the rest of the island. They wandered into dense trees and brush, there were no obvious foot paths which gave the place the feeling of an untouched paradise. The colorful birds that sang high in the canopy greeted them as they walked by the only thing more colorful were the flowers. Some of them as tall as Sakura herself, she and Syaoran stopped to admire them many times.
The crew spent hours sweeping the island forest, there was no sign that anybody lived here which was odd because it seemed perfect. The fresh air looked to be doing Syaoran some good, however he was starting to slow down. He must have been reaching his limit so Sakura was going to ask if they could take a break when they arrived at a clearing with a gorgeous waterfall. She had heard the sound of water rushing from a far, but she didn’t imagine this beautiful waterfall as it’s source. The waters that cascaded down were crystal, the bottom was so clear one could see the aquatic flowers blooming in the refreshing body. It was absolutely breath taking.
“Mekkyon!” Mokona suddenly shot up from Fai’s shoulder. “The feather it’s really near by!” Sakura perked up hearing that the feather was close!
“Where do you feel it coming from?” She asked. Maybe they could find Syaoran’s feather quickly and they could move on. Mokona scrunched their little brows together in concentration. Then they began floating over towards the lakes edge with them following close behind.
“Mokona feels the energy of Syaoran’s feather, but it’s coming from the water.” They sounded confused which was fair because the rest of them were too. “The power of the feather is affecting the water.”
“So what you’re saying is that this water is imbued with the magic of Syaoran’s feather?” Fai questioned. Mokona gave a little “Yup!”. “I wonder what kind of effects that would have.”
“Who knows!’ Mokona said cheerily just then Kurogane knelt down and scooped his hands into the water.
“It looks like normal water to me.” He deadpanned. He repeated his actions, but this time instead took a drink. “It tastes pretty good.”
“Do you feel any different?” Fai looked mildly concerned, but Kurogane brushed it aside with a lazy smirk. Syaoran was next to crouch down and put his hands into the water. He was watching the fish dart around beneath it’s surface. Sakura took a seat next to him just realizing how fatigued she was feeling. She couldn’t help but to have a refreshing drink as well that made her feel better almost instantly. It seemed the water was safe to consume maybe even better than any water Sakura had ever had. She encouraged Syaoran to take a drink as well and they filled their water containers that they got from Arashi as well.
“Whelp I think we are going to have to check this lake for the feather.” Fai announced. “However, this might be a good opportunity for you and Syaoran to learn how to swim!” Sakura knew she would need to learn how to eventually after yesterday’s fiasco, but one look at Syaoran’s spaced out gaze and she knew he wouldn’t be able to handle a swimming lesson at the moment.
“I would love to learn, but I think Syaoran should sit this one out.” Fai nodded in understanding delighted to have at least one person to teach. She had borrowed some shorts and a tee shirt that Arashi packed for Syaoran to swim in. At first she was a bit hesitant to get in after her last experience, but once she felt the cooling waters lap at her ankles she felt soothed and soon joined Fai in the shallows. For the rest of the day Sakura learned the basics of swimming, Kurogane wandered the surrounding area while Syaoran and Mokona napped in the grass. They practiced together until Sakura felt comfortable on her own, then Fai searched beneath the water for Syaoran’s feather. She was amazed at how quickly she had learned, but she chalked it up to Fai being an excellent teacher.
Once the sun began setting the group headed back to their camp, they had covered a fair amount of the lake, but unfortunately did not find the feather. They settled around the fire with fresh fish that Kurogane caught grilling making plans for the following day. Syaoran was beginning to nod off again so Sakura led him to their improved shelter to sleep. As soon as he laid down he was asleep thoroughly exhausted, Sakura laid across from him admiring the peaceful expression on his face. He was finally starting to get some color back and generating body heat. She wondered how long it would take? How many more feathers would she need to find, until she got Syaoran back to some form of normalcy? Her last moments with him before this disaster played in her mind, she had been so close to saying it. If only she had kept him there a little longer.