Love Card The Love Card Series [Prologue]
By Sakura1203

Authors notes: Sakura have a strange dream about Clow Reed and a mysterious girl. And now, it's up to her to help Li Syaoran from the girl's vengeance. This is the first story I ever written, let alone submitted it online. So, please be kind and give me some feedback. Anyway, this is the first installment of the Love Card series, and I don't really know alot about Clow Reed or his past; so please bear with me if I misinterpreted something in this story. Enjoy =)

Disclaimer: CCS is the sole property of CLAMP. I only own Akima.

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Sakura Kinomoto was having a dream. A strange, yet pleasant dream where she was in a huge garden, standing under a cherry blossom tree. She was alone as far as she can tell. But she have a distinct feeling that she wasn't alone at all.

*Where am I?* Sakura asked herself as she glanced around. *I don't recognize this place. I must be dreaming..* She looked beyond the garden and spotted a fountain. Its clear, crystal blue waters shimmering under the light of the fullmoon. Sakura don't know why, but she felt compel to go to where the fountain is; as if the music of the falling waters were calling her to come and admire its beauty from a closer point of view.

Sakura started walking towards the fountain as if hypnotized by some unknown force. As she came closer, a white light started to shimmer, and an image of a girl appeared. She looked to be in her sixteen years. Long, straight red hair cascaded down her waist. She was sitting at the edge of the fountain. Her fingers delicately played with the water as she look down at her reflection. Sakura couldn't see the girl's face clearly. Her long hair was blocking it from Sakura's view like a thick, silky curtain. But despite the limitation of seeing the girl's face, Sakura sense an aura of sadness around her. Driven by curiousity and a kind, helpful heart, Sakura ventured closer to the unmoving figure.

"Hello.." She reach out to lightly touch the girl's shoulder, but her hand just went straight through. *What the?* Sakura gasped outloud and back away from the figure "Who..What are you?"

The girl didn't reply nor look up to acknowledge Sakura's presence. She merely continue to run her fingers along the water.

Sakura just stared at her, unblinking. *What is going on here?* She sighed deeply *And where is Kero when I need him here..*

"Have you've been waiting long, Akima-san?" A soft, masculine voice floated from Sakura's left side.

*Huh?* Sakura turn quickly to the source of the voice, and her eyes settled on a boy walking towards them. But as he approach, Sakura gasped in shock as she recognizethe stranger. *Clow Reed?* As if reading her thoughts, he stop, glanced at her, and smiled for a brief second before heading towards the girl by the fountain.

Sakura, shock at the acknowledgement, just look back without uttering a word, and watch as the younger version of Clow Reed approach the mysterious girl.

The girl called Akima looked up at him. Her hair wasn't blocking her facial features anymore, and her face was finally revealed. She was beautiful. Her cat-like eyes dominated her face and made her look exotic somehow.

"I'll wait for you forever if I have to.." She simply replied as she stare up at him, a look of pure adoration and love clearly written on her face.

He smiled and sat next to her. "You know.." He gathered her in his arms, holding her thightly and securely against him. "..that's not necessary, Akima. I'll always be here with you no matter what happen."

Sakura remained standing in front of them, watching the unfolding scenario without moving a single inch of muscle. She felt like she's watching a romantic movie, only this time it's not inside a television screen.

A wave of silence envelop the couple by the fountain; and they just held each other for a few brief moments, before Clow Reed finally release the girl in his arms, took her hand, and stared deeply into her eyes "I love you, Akima. And that will never change."

Akima frown and she suddenly removed her hand away from his. She stood up and turn her back away from him "So, you're still planning to go to China then? You're still planning to marry that girl"

Clow Reed look down at his hands sadly, "I have to. I don't want to, but it's my..."

"It's your duty!" Akima spat out as she turn around and glare angrily at him. "You don't really love me!"

Clow Reed stood up, "How could you say that?" He moved towards her, his arms outstretch in a pleading manner, "Of course I love you, Akima. I'll always..."

"Don't touch me!" Akima scowled at him, moving away, "Don't come near me. You're nothing but a liar." Tears started forming on her eyes. "You never really love me." She covered her face with her hands, sobbing. "She will never love you the same way as I love you." She looked up. "You will pay for this, Clow Reed" Her beautiful face streak with tears "You and your generation will pay for my broken heart." With one last sob, she disappeared.

"Akima..." Clow Reed bent his head sadly. A tear slip down his face and fell to the ground. He sighed deeply and look up at Sakura, eyes full of sadness.

Sakura still stood, unmoving. What just happen between Clow Reed and Akima affected her so much that her eyes also produced tears.

"Sakura. Help him." Clow Reed reach out to her, "Help him before it's too late."

Sakura frown "Help who?"

"Help Li..." Clow Reed started to disappear, "Help Li..." With one last plead, he disappeared.

Sakura scowled, "Li?" She look to the spot where Clow Reed was standing just a few seconds ago, "Why? What's going to happen? Tell me..." She yelled into the empty garden.

"Help him, Sakura..." Clow Reed's voice still echoed around her, still pleading for her to help Li Syaoran.

Sakura fell on her knees. She look down on the ground, somehow exhausted emotionally, "Tell me how...Tell me how to help Li...." She muttered.

*Ringggg...Ringggg...*

Sakura suddenly glance up when she heard a ringing sound. The noise surrounded her and it grew louder. "Arghh..." She covered her ears, trying to block the terrible noise, "Make it stop!!! Please..." Without warning, her eyes rolled over and she was surrounded by darkness.

[Sakura's bedroom]

*Ringggg....Ringggg...*

Sakura moaned.

*Ringggg...Ringgg*

Sakura open her eyes and groan. Her left hand unconsciously tap her alarm clock to turn it off. She sat up suddenly and look around her bedroom. She sighed, "It was just a dream.." She muttered as she got up. She walked towards her closet where her school uniform is, "But, what does it all mean? And why does Clow Reed asked me to protect Li?"

"Sakura? What are you muttering about? Hurry up, or you'll be late" Kero stop playing his video game and look at her.

Sakura grab her uniform and turn around, facing the guardian beast of the clow seal, "Oh, it's nothing Kero. Just another unexplainable dream as always." She walk towards the door, "Anyway, I'll tell you all about it later, ok?See u." She open the door and walkout, leaving a bewildered Kero alone in the room.

"Huh? I wonder what is that about?" Kero asked himself, "Oh, well. She said she'll tell me later. So," He turn back to his game, "let's continue with the game!!!"

~to be continued~