Master of the Moon
By realixweatherfairy
Chapter 1: Loss and Renewal
Sakura Avalon was lying on a bed. She was now older and deathly ill, but she had little time; she had to name her successor for the master of the Star Cards. At first she thought of leaving them to her only son, Koichi, but he had been killed years before, leaving in her care her then 3 year old grandchild, Tsukiko. Knowing of no one else to leave them to, she had the servants to bring her now 17 year granddaughter to her.
Throughout the entire ordeal, Yue and Keroberos had never left her side, but Yue hadn't said much to her since she told them that she was sick. Neither one of them had seen Tsukiko since she was 8 years old. She had been living with her mother's relations, and had only just returned on learning that her grandmother was so ill.
Then the girl walked in. She had long black hair and looked much like Sakura, only with light blue eyes, but something was different about her. When she had left, she had this innocent look about her that made her so easy to talk to, but now she had this hard look about her face that told them that she had seen many things she hadn't wanted to see. Sakura smiled at her granddaughter and said, "Tsukiko, I know that you have only just returned from visiting your mother's relations, but there is something of great importance to speak to you about." Tsukiko nodded and she continued, "When you were younger, I told you stories about the Clow Cards and their creator and Guardians," and she took out the Sakura book and handed it to her grandchild, much to the Guardians surprise, "I name you my successor as their master, but of course, you will have to be judged, to determine your worthiness," glancing at Yue.
"But, Grandmama," Tsukiko said, but Sakura held up her hand and said, "As a great man once said "All things must come to an end". I feel that my time is coming to a rapid close, and yours is fast approaching. I have faith in you, my young Princess." Yue then narrowed his eyes on the young girl sitting by his mistress. He could definitely sense a strong magical presence coming from her.
"And if I should lose my way," Tsukiko said, quietly.
"Then let that good, kind, loving, trusting heart of yours lead the path," Sakura said, smilingly. Then her condition seemed to worsen and Tsukiko ran for help. After she left the room, Sakura said to Keroberos and Yue, "Please take good care of her. She's more powerful than she looks and it will put her in danger."
"Of course we will," Keroberos said. Both he and Yue knew that Tsukiko would not get back in time to save her grandmother. Indeed by the time the young girl returned, Sakura was dead on her bed.
