******
Sakura woke feeling refreshed, and turned to find Syaoran gazing at her curiously.
" Augh!" She bolted upright, blinking startled.
" Sorry," he said, getting up from his seat; he'd been awake hours before and had just returned to check on her.
" Syaoran," She smiled after collecting her wits," What's going on?"
He laughed and replied," Everyone's getting ready to leave."
" What?!"
She flew towards her closet to grab something else to wear. Syaoran turned around patiently, as the sounds of her footsteps receded into the bathroom.
" You don't need to rush, they've just started dressing themselves." He called after her.
" Why didn't anyone come to get me earlier?!" She panicked.
" You were sleeping so fitfully." He added under his breath," I didn't have the heart to."
" Well, don't hesitate next time," She shouted back," I don't want to get any special treatment. Just shove me into some cold water if you have to!"
" I wouldn't!" Syaoran whipped around startled.
" I was just joking," Sakura laughed, walking out in a modest muslin dress. She twirled around," So, what do you think?"
Syaoran blushed; he'd known her this long and still couldn't control his heart," Wonderful."
" Thanks." She grinned, then slipped on a pair of shoes before tugging at his arm. " Come on."
****
" Oh, you look absolutely splendid," Tamaya cooed," It's nice to see that dress fits."
Sakura looked up confused.
" This was yours?"
" Oh, no. I made it for you."
" You MADE THIS?" Sakura looked down in wonder.
Tamaya smiled sweetly. She really was the complete opposite of her sister. Syaoran felt his gaze automatically wander to Sakura's face, and he did his best to avoid looking as though he were looking at her. Suddenly, Eriol appeared, dressed in something much plainer than the regal uniform he'd worn before.
" You look like your old self," Syaoran still couldn't get used to the fact that THIS was the Eriol he'd known. So much older...and a Prince!
" Thanks." Eriol glanced briefly at each of his companions," Are we set?"
Syaoran laughed, and with that they parted the Prince's Tower, Syaoran with his staff tucked safely in the breast pocket of his new tunic, Tamaya with several daggers stowed in various places, and Sakura fiddling with her reed flute. Eriol didn't look armed, but Syaoran knew better then to believe his friend helpless. Eriol had a mysterious way of making a weapon appear out of thin air, concealed so well that you'd never guess he was the strongest one amongst them.
" Where do we head now?"
" Well, we could go to town to pick up supplies, or we could..."
" AH HA!"
The group whirled around, and Sakura gave a horrified gasp, at the same moment that Syaoran growled and pulled his staff free. Tamaya's face went pale as a ghost, and Eriol narrowed his eyes.
" What trick is this?" He murmurred.
In front of them was none other than...Sakura? How could there be two of them...
" You won't get away, copy!" This one screamed," I won't let you take my friends from me!"
Syaoran looked confused from one Sakura to the other. How did this happen? Eriol seemed to concentrate on them both for awhile, then growled in frustration.
" One of them is releasing a magical cloud that's covered them both. I can't tell who's the real one and who's not."
" I'm real, Syaoran!" The Sakura beside them pleaded.
" No, she's not! I'm the real one." The other countered.
" It's an impass," Eriol murmurred," We can't tell who is who..."
Suddenly both Sakuras realized something in the same instance, and grabbed Syaoran on either end.
" I won't let you have him!"
" Let him go, you fake!"
Syaoran groaned aloud and pulled himself free to stare them both in the face. They were completely identical, from the scars on their throats down to their clothes, which was a little disturbing.
" All right," Eriol murmurred," We'll just have to take this to a Justice then."
Tamaya seemed startled by this suggestion, but kept quiet. Both Sakura's were puzzled.
" What's a Justice?"
******
" STEP FORWARD YE MORTALS AND FACE THE JUSTICE!"
A woman with a white cloak stood beside the great statue of a king; seemingly the speaker for this great behemoth. In one hand he held a giant scale, in the other a great sword.
" SPEAK YOUR PLEA TO THE JUSTICE!"
Eriol stood forward, presenting the two Sakuras.
" One of these girls is the true owner of their face, the other is a fraud. We wish to discover the identity of the true girl."
The woman seemed to pause listening for a moment, then shook her head.
" THE EYE OF THE JUSTICE IS CLOUDED! WE CANNOT SEE THE TRUTH!"
Eriol nodded and turned to Syaoran.
" They base many of their decisions on magic too. But, this deceiver is clever and has masked both themself and Sakura."
Suddenly, the woman turned to both Sakuras.
" THERE IS ANOTHER MATTER YOU WISHED TO HAVE ADDRESSED."
Both of them blinked. How did she know?
" THERE IS A DOUBLE CLAIM UPON THIS BOY," She pointed at Syaoran," ONE THAT CANNOT EXIST IN A BALANCED WORLD."
Syaoran suddenly found himself dragged back and placed on a platform.
" What are you doing?!" He cried.
" IN THEIR HEARTS THERE IS NOT ONLY A CLAIM TO THEIR FACE, BUT TO YOUR HEART. THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THEREFORE THE JUSTICE WILL DETERMINE THE TRUTH."
She turned to both girls.
" Do either of you have proof of your claim?"
Both Sakuras shook their heads, and Syaoran sighed...things couldn't get any worse.
" VERY WELL, THEN. THE JUSTICE WILL COME TO A DECISION MOMENTARILY. PLEASE WAIT."
Eriol sighed, looking at Tamaya.
" This could get ugly."
" I know." She turned to him, suddenly," I mean...I've heard of the way his justice works."
" I see." Eriol looked at her suspiciously.
" THE JUSTICE HAS DECIDED!" The woman turned to them," BECAUSE WE CAN NOT DETERMINE THE TRUE FACE, WE HAVE DECIDED THE BOY WILL BE DIVIDED INTO TWO EQUAL SECTIONS SO THAT BOTH MAY LAY CLAIM!"
Tamaya gasped in horror.
" No, you can't do that!"
" THE JUSTICE HAS DECIDED! HE WILL BE DIVIDED SO THAT BOTH MAY LAY CLAIM!"
Syaoran looked up horrified as the great sword slowly began to lower towards him, its blade gleaming in the day. Slowly he turned towards the two Sakuras, pleading for someone to intervene. Glancing into both sets of jade green eyes, he found one set seemed to anticipate his demise, while the other...Suddenly, he knew the truth...
" I know who the real Sakura is! I know!" He turned towards the woman," Please stop! I can tell you who the real Sakura is!"
But, the woman only glanced at him sadly.
" Many will say things to preserve their own life. But, it will affect the balance of things. I cannot allow that. I'm sorry."
Syaoran struggled against his bindings.
" There must be some way!" He cried desperately," Any way!"
" There are none."
Abruptly, one Sakura finally flew forward with an uttered cry of despair and dropped to her knees before the woman.
" Please don't kill him!" She lowered her head for a moment, before raising it again," I respectfully withdraw my claim on him."
" YOU WOULD GIVE UP YOUR CLAIM ON THIS BOY?" The woman narrowed her eyes," WHY? WOULDN'T THAT ONLY PROVE THINGS IN FAVOR OF YOUR COUNTERPART?"
" I don't care." Sakura said softly, tears pouring down her face," I couldn't bear losing him this way. Not like this."
" BUT WOULDN'T YOU RATHER HAVE A PART OF HIM FOR YOURSELF, RATHER THEN NONE OF HIM AT ALL?"
" I love him because he's alive," Sakura gritted her teeth," And I-I...I couldn't bear it if he died for something so petty as this. If it means he'll be alive and well...I'll give up everything."
" YOU REALIZE THAT IN MAKING THIS CHOICE, YOU ARE RESCINDING YOUR CLAIM THAT YOU ARE THE TRUE SAKURA!"
" Then, I'll do that," A lump grew in her throat, and she managed in a strangled voice," Spare him, and do with me as you see fit. I don't care. Only, let him live."
The other Sakura whooped joyously, smiling in triumph.
" YOU SEE!" She cried out," I told you she was the fake! I WAS RIGHT!"
But, there was a long silence, as the woman tilted her head to listen to the words of the statue. When it seemed that an eternity had passed, the woman suddenly looked down with a smile.
" You have passed the test."
With a sweep of her hand, a mist closed around the true deceiver, who suddenly disappeared with a surprised scream.
" The Justice saw your need to preserve Syaoran's life, as an act of one who wishes to save a loved one. Because the other was willing to allow the sacrifice, the Justice sees that she was of a cruel heart, with no obvious connections to this boy. Both of you are free to leave."
Syaoran's manacles unclasped, and he ran to Sakura's side, comforting her softly as she cried in relief.
" Shh...I'm fine now, Sakura. Thanks to you."
" A happy ending," Tamaya replied, though her mind seemed to be elsewhere.
Eriol walked to the woman in the white cloak, standing beside her as she watched the two reunited lovers with a smile.
" Is this truly how the Justice works?" He asked," Or is there more to you, than meets the eye?"
The woman looked down at her hands, then heaved a sigh.
" There are few in this world who would accept the idea of a woman as a Justice. One would sooner believe that statues can judge."
" What made you change your mind about killing Syaoran?"
" I never would have killed him. It was all a test."
" I see."
" I've made mistakes many times. Once before, there was a case that was nearly similar."
" Really..." Eriol frowned.
" Yes. But, I made a terrible mistake then. I vowed never to repeat that mistake. It was very similar, almost frighteningly so," The woman murmurred," In fact, I believe one of the participants is among you now."
The woman looked at Tamaya. Eriol smiled as he threw a glance at Tamaya." No, actually, milady...there are two of those participants here."
******
Oooh...mysterious connection between Eriol and Tamaya, what could it be???
Sakura woke feeling refreshed, and turned to find Syaoran gazing at her curiously.
" Augh!" She bolted upright, blinking startled.
" Sorry," he said, getting up from his seat; he'd been awake hours before and had just returned to check on her.
" Syaoran," She smiled after collecting her wits," What's going on?"
He laughed and replied," Everyone's getting ready to leave."
" What?!"
She flew towards her closet to grab something else to wear. Syaoran turned around patiently, as the sounds of her footsteps receded into the bathroom.
" You don't need to rush, they've just started dressing themselves." He called after her.
" Why didn't anyone come to get me earlier?!" She panicked.
" You were sleeping so fitfully." He added under his breath," I didn't have the heart to."
" Well, don't hesitate next time," She shouted back," I don't want to get any special treatment. Just shove me into some cold water if you have to!"
" I wouldn't!" Syaoran whipped around startled.
" I was just joking," Sakura laughed, walking out in a modest muslin dress. She twirled around," So, what do you think?"
Syaoran blushed; he'd known her this long and still couldn't control his heart," Wonderful."
" Thanks." She grinned, then slipped on a pair of shoes before tugging at his arm. " Come on."
****
" Oh, you look absolutely splendid," Tamaya cooed," It's nice to see that dress fits."
Sakura looked up confused.
" This was yours?"
" Oh, no. I made it for you."
" You MADE THIS?" Sakura looked down in wonder.
Tamaya smiled sweetly. She really was the complete opposite of her sister. Syaoran felt his gaze automatically wander to Sakura's face, and he did his best to avoid looking as though he were looking at her. Suddenly, Eriol appeared, dressed in something much plainer than the regal uniform he'd worn before.
" You look like your old self," Syaoran still couldn't get used to the fact that THIS was the Eriol he'd known. So much older...and a Prince!
" Thanks." Eriol glanced briefly at each of his companions," Are we set?"
Syaoran laughed, and with that they parted the Prince's Tower, Syaoran with his staff tucked safely in the breast pocket of his new tunic, Tamaya with several daggers stowed in various places, and Sakura fiddling with her reed flute. Eriol didn't look armed, but Syaoran knew better then to believe his friend helpless. Eriol had a mysterious way of making a weapon appear out of thin air, concealed so well that you'd never guess he was the strongest one amongst them.
" Where do we head now?"
" Well, we could go to town to pick up supplies, or we could..."
" AH HA!"
The group whirled around, and Sakura gave a horrified gasp, at the same moment that Syaoran growled and pulled his staff free. Tamaya's face went pale as a ghost, and Eriol narrowed his eyes.
" What trick is this?" He murmurred.
In front of them was none other than...Sakura? How could there be two of them...
" You won't get away, copy!" This one screamed," I won't let you take my friends from me!"
Syaoran looked confused from one Sakura to the other. How did this happen? Eriol seemed to concentrate on them both for awhile, then growled in frustration.
" One of them is releasing a magical cloud that's covered them both. I can't tell who's the real one and who's not."
" I'm real, Syaoran!" The Sakura beside them pleaded.
" No, she's not! I'm the real one." The other countered.
" It's an impass," Eriol murmurred," We can't tell who is who..."
Suddenly both Sakuras realized something in the same instance, and grabbed Syaoran on either end.
" I won't let you have him!"
" Let him go, you fake!"
Syaoran groaned aloud and pulled himself free to stare them both in the face. They were completely identical, from the scars on their throats down to their clothes, which was a little disturbing.
" All right," Eriol murmurred," We'll just have to take this to a Justice then."
Tamaya seemed startled by this suggestion, but kept quiet. Both Sakura's were puzzled.
" What's a Justice?"
******
" STEP FORWARD YE MORTALS AND FACE THE JUSTICE!"
A woman with a white cloak stood beside the great statue of a king; seemingly the speaker for this great behemoth. In one hand he held a giant scale, in the other a great sword.
" SPEAK YOUR PLEA TO THE JUSTICE!"
Eriol stood forward, presenting the two Sakuras.
" One of these girls is the true owner of their face, the other is a fraud. We wish to discover the identity of the true girl."
The woman seemed to pause listening for a moment, then shook her head.
" THE EYE OF THE JUSTICE IS CLOUDED! WE CANNOT SEE THE TRUTH!"
Eriol nodded and turned to Syaoran.
" They base many of their decisions on magic too. But, this deceiver is clever and has masked both themself and Sakura."
Suddenly, the woman turned to both Sakuras.
" THERE IS ANOTHER MATTER YOU WISHED TO HAVE ADDRESSED."
Both of them blinked. How did she know?
" THERE IS A DOUBLE CLAIM UPON THIS BOY," She pointed at Syaoran," ONE THAT CANNOT EXIST IN A BALANCED WORLD."
Syaoran suddenly found himself dragged back and placed on a platform.
" What are you doing?!" He cried.
" IN THEIR HEARTS THERE IS NOT ONLY A CLAIM TO THEIR FACE, BUT TO YOUR HEART. THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THEREFORE THE JUSTICE WILL DETERMINE THE TRUTH."
She turned to both girls.
" Do either of you have proof of your claim?"
Both Sakuras shook their heads, and Syaoran sighed...things couldn't get any worse.
" VERY WELL, THEN. THE JUSTICE WILL COME TO A DECISION MOMENTARILY. PLEASE WAIT."
Eriol sighed, looking at Tamaya.
" This could get ugly."
" I know." She turned to him, suddenly," I mean...I've heard of the way his justice works."
" I see." Eriol looked at her suspiciously.
" THE JUSTICE HAS DECIDED!" The woman turned to them," BECAUSE WE CAN NOT DETERMINE THE TRUE FACE, WE HAVE DECIDED THE BOY WILL BE DIVIDED INTO TWO EQUAL SECTIONS SO THAT BOTH MAY LAY CLAIM!"
Tamaya gasped in horror.
" No, you can't do that!"
" THE JUSTICE HAS DECIDED! HE WILL BE DIVIDED SO THAT BOTH MAY LAY CLAIM!"
Syaoran looked up horrified as the great sword slowly began to lower towards him, its blade gleaming in the day. Slowly he turned towards the two Sakuras, pleading for someone to intervene. Glancing into both sets of jade green eyes, he found one set seemed to anticipate his demise, while the other...Suddenly, he knew the truth...
" I know who the real Sakura is! I know!" He turned towards the woman," Please stop! I can tell you who the real Sakura is!"
But, the woman only glanced at him sadly.
" Many will say things to preserve their own life. But, it will affect the balance of things. I cannot allow that. I'm sorry."
Syaoran struggled against his bindings.
" There must be some way!" He cried desperately," Any way!"
" There are none."
Abruptly, one Sakura finally flew forward with an uttered cry of despair and dropped to her knees before the woman.
" Please don't kill him!" She lowered her head for a moment, before raising it again," I respectfully withdraw my claim on him."
" YOU WOULD GIVE UP YOUR CLAIM ON THIS BOY?" The woman narrowed her eyes," WHY? WOULDN'T THAT ONLY PROVE THINGS IN FAVOR OF YOUR COUNTERPART?"
" I don't care." Sakura said softly, tears pouring down her face," I couldn't bear losing him this way. Not like this."
" BUT WOULDN'T YOU RATHER HAVE A PART OF HIM FOR YOURSELF, RATHER THEN NONE OF HIM AT ALL?"
" I love him because he's alive," Sakura gritted her teeth," And I-I...I couldn't bear it if he died for something so petty as this. If it means he'll be alive and well...I'll give up everything."
" YOU REALIZE THAT IN MAKING THIS CHOICE, YOU ARE RESCINDING YOUR CLAIM THAT YOU ARE THE TRUE SAKURA!"
" Then, I'll do that," A lump grew in her throat, and she managed in a strangled voice," Spare him, and do with me as you see fit. I don't care. Only, let him live."
The other Sakura whooped joyously, smiling in triumph.
" YOU SEE!" She cried out," I told you she was the fake! I WAS RIGHT!"
But, there was a long silence, as the woman tilted her head to listen to the words of the statue. When it seemed that an eternity had passed, the woman suddenly looked down with a smile.
" You have passed the test."
With a sweep of her hand, a mist closed around the true deceiver, who suddenly disappeared with a surprised scream.
" The Justice saw your need to preserve Syaoran's life, as an act of one who wishes to save a loved one. Because the other was willing to allow the sacrifice, the Justice sees that she was of a cruel heart, with no obvious connections to this boy. Both of you are free to leave."
Syaoran's manacles unclasped, and he ran to Sakura's side, comforting her softly as she cried in relief.
" Shh...I'm fine now, Sakura. Thanks to you."
" A happy ending," Tamaya replied, though her mind seemed to be elsewhere.
Eriol walked to the woman in the white cloak, standing beside her as she watched the two reunited lovers with a smile.
" Is this truly how the Justice works?" He asked," Or is there more to you, than meets the eye?"
The woman looked down at her hands, then heaved a sigh.
" There are few in this world who would accept the idea of a woman as a Justice. One would sooner believe that statues can judge."
" What made you change your mind about killing Syaoran?"
" I never would have killed him. It was all a test."
" I see."
" I've made mistakes many times. Once before, there was a case that was nearly similar."
" Really..." Eriol frowned.
" Yes. But, I made a terrible mistake then. I vowed never to repeat that mistake. It was very similar, almost frighteningly so," The woman murmurred," In fact, I believe one of the participants is among you now."
The woman looked at Tamaya. Eriol smiled as he threw a glance at Tamaya." No, actually, milady...there are two of those participants here."
******
Oooh...mysterious connection between Eriol and Tamaya, what could it be???