Authors Notes::
Hello everyone! SW here bringing to you a slightly different version of BBBW due to my long absence. I hope to obtain my old readers back, as well to gain a few new ones. This is, of course, my first story, and I hope everyone enjoys my twist with HP and CCS crew. So, without further ado, let's get on with the story shall we?
Disclaimer:: I do not, what so ever, have any sort of right over Card Captor Sakura or Harry Potter. They belong to there own wonderful creators, I, am simply borrowing them.
Balance Between Both Worlds
Prologue :: Remembering
Being late seemed to be attached to every set time she was given. Always being distracted in some way and forgetting about the time. This time however, she had been held up within the mob at Blotts because of a man by the name of Lockheart. It made no sense to her, how people could fawn over a man who was only good at story telling. Because there was no way he was capable of charm work, curses or any sort of decent magic. Any one who believed so was an utter fool.
Not only that, but she had come across a sight that aside from already feeling rushed, was one of great heart wrenching pain, sorrow, and an anger that was something she hardly ever experience - although had been experiencing more often then ever. And while her mind listened to the silent complaint of how much her older brother was going to freak out as she dashed into body available spaces knowing that there plane from London back to Japan was set to depart in two hours; she could not get three faces out of her mind.
One, a girl who not only had been her best friend since they were in diapers, but also her dear cousin who had taken off with little as the words - "My Mother is opening another toy company in England, I am to go with her," along with "I'll miss you Kura-chan," never decided to add into the mix that she had by letter, learned that she was a witch and could do magic.
Two, another girl who had once hated her, but had turned that hate into a deep friendship that they had become inseparable. She had been her, Sakura's, only contact throughout the years of how she, and others they knew were doing in the land of Hong Kong. And for the longest time, what had been written was believed to be true, until that vary moment.
The vary moment that brought her to think on the third person with them. A boy, whom had stolen her heart back when they were twelve, possibly even eleven, when she had to face the hardships and joys in capturing and transforming her ever dearful cards. A boy, whom had made her a promise to write as often, call as often, and come back to her as soon as he was able - all for which had yet to occur since his departure a year ago after transforming the Hope Card.
Finally finding an opening, the girl took the opportunity just as her eyes began to mist with unshed tears. Not that it was any better, because within only a few moments she soon found herself crying out in slight pain as she fell backwards after bumping into something.
::::::::::
The day was like any other, as summer break drew closer for those attending school, children's laughter could be heard from parks along with the singing songs of birds. Loud honks and engines of cars could be heard as you left the nature of the parks and drew closer to the busy city, full of its business workers and every day family members. But vision didn't want to reflect on them, and decided to leave the streets of the city and the laughter of children in the parks, and go to a street of a quiet peaceful neighbourhood, to the sounds of a sixteen- year-old girl humming a soft tune.
Waist length auburn hair blew from the warm summer breeze, bright cheerful emerald eyes took in the sights of cherry blossom trees, different plants, various flowers, and the playful birds singing happy tunes. Rounding a small bend and looking a little ways away, was a cozy two story yellow house. A tall cherry blossom tree in full bloom situated itself in the front yard along with other well-maintained flowers, giving the home a welcoming atmosphere. A smile came to her lips as she paused for a few brief moments as she took in the large tree with her emerald pools.
Entering the small house, she removed her shoes and slipped on a pair of pink fluffy slippers. Walking out of the front hall, her ears picked up the sound of her older brother Touya and guardian beast who were speaking in low hushed voices, which sounded rather anxious and worried. Entering the living room, she spotted her twenty-three year old brother pacing holding a worried and sorrow-filled look, and a floating stuff teddy bear with wings and a lion's tail sitting cross-legged.
"What's wrong guys?" The girl asked, her voice startling the two out of their revere.
"Sakura?" The two chorused as she suddenly felt the two sets of surprised looks upon her.
She frowned at the tone of their voices, but the look soon turned into that of worry at the sight of her brother's face. His face that was usually tanned was pale and his dark hair was slightly sticking to his forehead from sweating, his usually brown mischievous eyes were instead filled with sorrow.
"Touya..." The girl said softly moving closer to her brother. "What's wrong?"
The older boy let out a sigh as he ran a hand through his slightly messy dark hair. Pacing for a few moments, he looked directly into his sister's worried filled emerald orbs for a few moments before looking down.
"Sakura, oto-san was in a car accident on the way home..."An intake of breath caused the older boy to pause.
He looked up to see his imouto's emerald green orbs filling with tears that he knew would worsen in a moment. The normal sparkle that often shone in her eyes slowly disappearing.
"He didn't make it..." He whispered looking up at her, his eyes were full of pain and un-shed tears, to match those of his sisters now dull green eyes.
A sob escaped her lips as she denied what he was saying. The young man drew his sister into his arms as she cried repeating words that were un- auditable. For each tear that was shed, a piece of their heart seemed to feeling. While one grieved for the loss of her father, the other grieved not only for the loss of a man he loved, but also the girl in his arms knowing he had failed in never causing her pain. Being the ever-faithful guardian, the plush like toy allowed the siblings some privacy.
As time ticked by, for what seemed like years for every tear, the sobbing that once issued forth from the auburn haired girl was soon replaced with sleep from the over extent of emotion. A sigh escaped the lips of Touya, his eyes swollen, and his body becoming weak from exhaustion. Looking down at his now sleeping imouto, he slowly stood up and carried her up the stairs. Placing the girl in her bed, Touya stood up, and brushed a few auburn locks away from her face. Turning he made his way out the door, but paused before turning the corner and going down the stairs.
"Stay with her Kero..." The young man did not wait for an answer, for even without those words, the guardian beast would not leave the side of his mistress.
Black beady eyes watched as the boy went down the stairs before they turned towards his mistress as a gold light appeared around him, along with a giant pair of wings. As the light disappeared, instead of the floating toy, stood a mane less lion with large angel like wings. Placed in the centre of the beast forehead was a large ruby placed in a small silver headset which nestled on the beast's head. Jumping ever so lightly onto his mistress's bed, the large beast rubbed the crook of her neck and then curled up beside her. Arms slowly reached out towards him, waiting until the girl settled once more, it was then his eyes closed and he drifted into a light asleep, still keeping up his guard.
Exceptemerald eyes snapped open, as the teenage girl sat up in her bed startling the sleeping guardian beast who was sure they had only been resting an hour or so. Jumping out of bed, closely followed by a slightly wary guardian, the two made there way downstairs. Reaching the landing, Sakura took in the restless form of her brother, before looking to an older man with her red puffy eyes. With her lower lip trembling; the small nod the old man gave her was all the indication she needed. Jumping down the stairs, she threw herself into the old mans arms as a new set of tears came running down her cheeks.
Albus Dumbledor looked down at his granddaughter as he held her tightly as pain passed through his blue orbs. He may have been a man of many secrets, and had ways of getting what he wanted, but when it came to the girl in which he now held, all that mattered was seeing her smiling again.
"Everything will be alright Cherry Blossom." His calming voice said softly as he kissed the girls forehead. "I'll be here for as long as you need..."
Pulling away, Sakura ran her fingers under her eyes removing the tears from her cheeks, before glancing up at her Grandfather.
"But what about the rest of term, will the school not need you?"
Smiling ever so softly, Albus kissed the girls forehead again.
"Ahh... The school is well in order, and everything is taken care of."
The relief he saw within her sad emerald pools, caused Albus to mentally shake his head. Only Sakura would worry about other people's problems before her own. Although the aged man knew she was glad that he'd done such a thing. Pulling her to him once more, sending as much love through that embrace as he possibly could, Albus knew things were going to have to be done, and done quickly.
::::::::::
"Hello Card Mistress."
Emerald orbs gazed around in confusion, only to find that her body was suspended within a stretch of colourful galaxy. A place that was oddly familiar, but found no actual acknowledgment within her mind.
"Where am I? Who are you?" The questions came as a musical echo, it's notes carrying out through the vast space as her gaze came to rest on a growing orb of light.
"You are in a place that sees the past, present, and future. As for who I am, my name is Machala, temporary holder of The Balance."
"The Balance?" Confused emerald pools focused themselves on the form of a woman, with long flowing locks of blonde hair and penetrating sky blue eyes.
Sakura watched as the woman, or Machala, smiled a sad smile and rose a hand, asking in silence for patients. While her disposition radiated a saddened guilt, for what, she wasn't sure, but Sakura had the feeling it dealt with what as about to transpire.
"For as long as there has been magic in the world, there has been a divider between those who use and possess magic, and those who simply do not. Just as long as there has been magic, there has been a select few whom have grown greedy, wanting to empower everyone and simply put, have the ultimate control. And for each time one has sought to rise in power, there has been one called The Balance, to step in and bring order. Stopping the spill of magic to leak into the world of non-believers, so chaos would not ensue."
Slight understanding flickered through Sakura, knowing already what could happen if the world ever gained knowledge that magic actually existed. Her Cards, were proof of only some of the havoc that could ensue.
"As one Balance passes, another would take there place. Where training would begin for the successor at the age of sixteen… However, I do not have the time to wait until you turn of age, for an unknown event has fallen before me."
"Do you mean…"
"Yes I do. Not only are you the Mistress of the now Sakura Cards or a powerful Witch in your own rights, living between the world of magic and one of mortal disbelief - you are the next to inherit the title of Balance. A title that was recently held by your Mother, as well, as your distant Father Clow Reed."
Much of her wanted to find the words to protest, yet, try as she might, Sakura couldn't't find the words to do such a thing. The situations that had taken place over the passing three years, had left her mind more open, and more keen to what was said. And what was currently beings said, couldn't come out more clearer.
"What will happen to me? Am I to change, or become different? And how will I know when I am to perform my duty?"
Machala's head tilted, and her hands came to clasp before her. Slight surprise flickered through her orbs before looking at Sakura with praise and a respect most adults didn't't fathom to ever give one so young.
"When it happens, you will know it. As it's a feeling unlike any other. In regards to you more specifically -" Sky blue orbs twinkled as the older woman reached forwards and tugged on a strand of lengthening hair. "Physically, you will look like your everyday self, while your magic will have increased power wise. Your aura will change, and when you come to combine your sorcery and wizard magic your eyes will take on a different colour. No one will notice the difference. Unless of course, you are the reincarnation of Clow Reed, I'm sure your friend Eriol is having memories resurface as we speak."
"Eriol! I totally forgot! I've been with him these past few weeks to figure out -"
"Why you have been experiencing fluctuations in your magic."
Sakura blinked, and then slowly nodded. Just as her life was beginning to settle, it would seem fate was stepping in again. But like the duty she had taken with the Cards, Sakura would take on the task Machala was given her.
::::::::::
All simultaneously, eyelids snapped open as torso rose causing twisted sheets and comforter to fall about hips while a soft gasp parted full pink lips. While the mind reflected back through the familiar dreams that changed through one another each and every night; although this time, it would seem the now awakened female would only have to go through the torment of two instead of having her minds eyes go through the list that seemingly kept getting longer.
Throwing back the comforter, bare feat touched the cool laminate flooring of the bedroom, as legs slowly straightened casing pajama bottoms to once again rest against ankles after settling about the mid-calf through much body tossing.
Much of the room was shrouded in darkness, save for the glowing red light of the alarm clock that read twelve minutes after three in the morning and the milky illuminating glow of the crescent moon filtering through the bedrooms wide window.
Like night after night, although the female knew she needed to get some more sleep, she knew it would never come. And, like night after night, she would rest herself in the small mound of pillows by her window, and gaze up at the night sky above waiting for dawn to approach.