Prologue

Magic is the essence of the universe, it envelops everything around us to the point most people don't even notice it's there. Wielders of this essence have been known for many names throughout time: witches, sorcerers, wizards, magicians. It is said that the universe itself granted them the power to shape the world, for better or for worse.

At least that's what it says in the grimoire.

Maybe my role in the world was over and done with when I finally became the Card Mistress and transformed all the Clow Cards into Sakura Cards. The Card Mistress, what a joke. I can't even remember the last time I called upon the power of the cards; perhaps it was sometime around the time I finished high school-when I summoned Flower to rain down cherry blossoms on graduation.

More than ten years have passed since I actually ventured out on any exciting adventure with my best friend Tomoyo; since I ran around Tomoeda wearing her homemade costumes, posing for the ever present camcorder. Her videos sre the only reminder of what I did for the universe, of the great friends I made along the way. But Syaoran went back to Hong Kong to be with his clan, and even Eriol-who still visits from time to time-permanently moved back to England. Do they still practice magic? Am I the only one who left it behind?

Bottom line is that I've outgrown magic.

Mentally, at least. Throughout the years my powers have become restless, constantly humming in my veins-reminding me that I'm not like everybody else. But I can't spend my life dwelling on the past. I'm a grown woman for God's sake! I have other priorities, like settling down in my Tokyo apartment and getting my Master's degree in History. Magic would just be a distraction. It's time to concentrate on the real world.

After all, magic doesn't pay the bills.

-X-

I looked at the boxes crowding my room, wondering to myself why I brought so much stuff to Tokyo. Tomoeda was just outside of Tokyo, but somewhere in the back of my mind I absolutely needed to bring two boxes worth of photo albums and other sentimental items that I had collected over the years. I didn't need to open the second box to know what was inside. I felt the magic stir within the cards the closer I got the box, a pang of guilt hit me straight across the chest. My magic stirred in response as I opened the box and took out the pink spell book. I held all fifty-three cards in my hands, feeling their need to be released.

But that isn't me anymore.

I closed the spell book and shoved it in my desk drawer. Out of sight, out of mind. I unpacked the rest of the box in silence, placing my old track and cheerleading trophies on the shelf next to my closet. I was about to throw the empty box into the cardboard graveyard when I spotted something grey inside the box. The stuffed bear had seen better days, but the little guy survived throughout the years; even through the flood in the girl's dorm in college.

I was still reminiscing when I heard Tomoyo's warm, silky voice coming from the living room. Sara Bareille' Love Song blasted from the speakers as she sang from the top of her lungs. I didn't need to look out my room to know she was dancing all around the apartment. Her steps disappeared into the kitchen, the sweet smell of chocolate cake soon followed as she took something out of the oven.

Best.

Roommate.

Ever.

I was just about to join her when I felt a dreadful chill slither down my spine, every molecule in my body sprang awake as I felt my powers surge throughout my body. Only one thing in this world could affect me in this way.

Magic.

There was something different about this magic, it felt murky and heavy. Regularly the essence of magic is radiant and light. My bedroom door slammed shut and the power went out. The boxes shifted so that they were blocking all light coming from the window. Before I even had time to react, a dark aura enveloped my body, making my movements sluggish and heavy. I made out a female silhouette in the darkness of my closet, a pair of crimson eyes stared back at me.

Who are you?

I tried to say, but it was as if the aura was smothering me from within. Desperately I fought with the incorporeal darkness for my next breath but it was in vain, the hold was too strong. The silhouette laughed, cold and humorless, almost as if mocking me. I studied her crimson eyes, searching for some kind of explanation, searching for a weakness, only to see myself reflected in them. Panicked and vulnerable.

My body started to feel faint from the lack of oxygen and when she spoke another wave of fatigue washed over me, making it difficult to stay standing.

"How pathetic," said the silhouette, her strident voice coming from every direction all at once "the great Card Mistress is nothing but a weakling. A disgrace to all magicians!"

I felt her cold fingers grasp my chin none too gently as she pulled me closer so that her mouth was next to my ear. Her icy breath brushed my cheek, I could almost feel her smug smile in her voice as she said:

"It is not even worth my time wasting my time with the likes of you. Now that you've seen the vast differences in our powers just stay out of my way and maybe I'll let you live."

She made her way back to the closet. Her appearance still just a faceless silhouette with crimson eyes. I met her steel gaze one last time, only to feel her prodding inside my brain, leaving a message behind. Realization struck me just as my body ached for oxygen, exhausting whatever grip I had left on consciousness.

My knees buckled.

My heart sank.

Darkness swallowed my world before my head touched the floor. Her final message-warning-haunting my sleep.

…

…

…

Let's see how the cherry blossom will bloom without the help of the Sun and the Moon.

Author's Note:

Re-uploaded. I went back and made the prologue a little longer in order to make it less rushed. This is the first fanfiction I've ever written…and the first time I let other people read my 'work'. If anyone does read this I would really love some feedback. Ooooh and I forgot….

Disclaimer: I do not own CCS, CLAMP does. Most characters mentioned in this story belong to them as well….I just wrote the story.