• It was a beautiful day in Tomoeda. Spring had begun and the cherry blossom petals fluttered to the ground. So gently, so softly. A chilly breeze blowing and rattling the branches.

    A young blonde boy walked along the grassy path in Penguin Park, holding a book in one arm and the hand of a younger brunette boy in the other. The little boy laughed and shuffled his feet as fast as he could to keep up with the older boy.

    “Fwai-san. What's that in the twee?” The younger boy asked, pointing to a growing sakura tree.

    The older boy looked to where the child pointed and found a boy sleeping in the tree. Chuckling a little to himself, he looked down at the little boy. “That's just Kuro-tan taking his nap, Syaoran-kun.”

    “Ohs...” The tiny boy nodded in confirmation. “Why woulds you sweep in a twee?” Curious as to how you would even find it comfortable there.

    “Hyuu! How about we ask him ourselves...” Fai whistled loudly. “Kuro-rin! Wakey wakey!”

    Snorting, the black-haired boy suddenly sat up and rubbed his eyes. “What the-” He looked down at Fai and Syaoran. Leaning on a tree branch, he gave Fai a questioning look. “Ain't it a little hot to be wearing that? And stop calling me such weird names!”

    Fai glanced down at his attire, a long robe with fur trims and a fur scrawl. “Nope, it's actually very comfy.” He smiled warmly at Kurogane.

    Kurogane still kept looking at him with a curious look but shrugged. “Whatever you say.”

    “Ano, Kuro-rin... Syaoran-kun wants to know why you sleep in trees.” Syaoran shrunk back behind Fai, embarrassed, with a tiny fist at his mouth.

    “Why I sleep in trees?” Kurogane absent-minded repeated and crossed his arms, leaning more onto the branch. “I have no idea really. I guess it's because it feels safe.”

    “It must be nah-ice to sweep so high.” Syaoran smiled. He ran over to the tree and looked up at Kurogane.

    “Until you fall that is...”


    Suddenly Syaoran jolted awake, amber eyes flickered around the room. He laid an arm over his eyes. It was such a nice dream. If only there really had been a day like that.

    He sat up and stode over to the window. Preparing himself for the onslaught of questions that usually invaded his mind.

    Where was Sakura? Was she alive? Would it be better if she WAS dead? Had his wish become the same as Fei's? Should he have dragged Kurogane, Fai and Mokona into such a dangerous task? Maybe he should do this alone... He was sent here alone, maybe he should continue this mission alone...

    Sighing, he just stared out the window into the desert night. The sun was barely starting to come over the horizon, casting the darkness away with warm pink, red, and orange hues.

    He shut his eyes tight and breathed deeply. Closing his mind of all noises and visions from the outer world. The bittersweet abyss wrapped around his body and calmed him. If only his childhood had been at least a tiny bit normal. Like his dream.