Disclaimer: CCS belongs to CLAMP and New Trials belongs to Wish Chan. The author however, reserves a right over this story and does not allow anyone to copy, translate, or repost this story or any portion thereof without permission.

Yelan looked over to the dark, cloudy sky as she waited. It was a little past midnight as she stood by the Li mansion waiting for her. Once she arrived, they would take the first plane to Japan where Yelan would go into hiding. From a distance, she could hear footsteps- slow, steady and measured ones. She looked up at a much younger version of herself, clothed completely in black.

"Maya" she whispered, as if scared to say her own sister's name.

"Yelan." the younger woman acknowledged. "Shall we?"

The two women made their way slowly out of the Li mansion. They kept walking, even though they were far from the main house. Maya walked faster than Yelan, but stopped every now and then to make sure her sister was with her. Yelan was dressed simply in a cotton t-shirt and jeans, in complete contrast to her usual attire. She had tied up her long hair and made it look much shorter in a low ponytail.

Strange. Yelan thought. 30 years of living with one of the world's most powerful clans and I feel more comfortable wearing clothes that they would not approve of.

They had walked for more than an hour, when they had reached the bus station. Climbing on to the first bus to the airport, the women sat in silence.

"Are you angry with me?" Yelan finally asked, breaking the silence.

Maya merely sighed, before answering. "No, Yelan. I am not."

Yelan bit her lower lip as she examined her youngest sister. Eight years. She thought.

"Besides," Maya continued, "This is war, right?"

War. Yelan thought. "Yes," she said, with conviction. They were at war. A war of power, of possession, of the Cards, the Five Force Treasures, most importantly, who could love.

"But," Maya said, "You do know that I cannot be solely on one side, right?"

Yelan looked at her and merely nodded. She knew why.

Maya smiled at the immigration security desk as her passport was being scanned.

"Well, Ms. Zhang," the smiling man at the other end of the counter said, "Looks like you're ready to fly to Japan. Enjoy your flight."

Maya nodded and passed through customs and joined her sister for the journey that would be one of the longest in her life.