Cardcaptor Sakura: Land Without Magic

CCS: LWM arc

Sakura and the Summer Adventure

"I'm so glad you all could come," Sakura said. She couldn't help her happiness at seeing the four of them gathered together in once place again.

Sakura was a few years older now. She had one more year left before she finished senior high school. In that time, truly, she had become one of the most powerful magicians of all time. Kero and Yue had agreed. She had reached the point that she rivaled their previous master Clow Reed, and plenty of times she seemed on the verge of surpassing all that he had done.

Sakura had let her hair grow at Meiling's urging. She still maintained her light brown hair and two short ponytail tails, but she had two long ponytails that rested at the middle of her back. Her emerald green eyes were still enchanting.

Sakura stood in the midst of Penguin Park. She had arrived first, and now everyone was here.

"Thanks for inviting me," Tomoyo said. "I wouldn't miss it. Besides, I'm sure I'll be able to take in a lot of sights with all my camera equipment. This will be an amazing trip we can always remember and cherish."

"I just hope this trip doesn't place you in a bind," Sakura said.

"Everything is taken care of," Tomoyo said. She smiled. "Don't worry Sakura."

Sakura smiled in returned and nodded that she wouldn't. She noticed that Tomoyo had brought the most bags out of all of them. It was part of the reason Sakura packed so light. Tomoyo loved designing clothes and costumes, and after some time Kero had talked her into selling them. They'd become a big hit: not only in Japan but in America as well. Tomoyo had always been amazing, but she couldn't believe Tomoyo had the time to design, complete her schoolwork, run a small business with her mother, and spend time with her. What had surprised Sakura the most was when Tomoyo cut her hair. She never would've imagined. Tomoyo still had her salmon pink headband, but it now held her neck-length black hair in place. She was even more beautiful than before, especially with her indigo eyes.

"Are you kidding?" Meiling exclaimed. "There is no way I would pass up a free trip to America. This would be a reason to be jealous you and Syaoran have magic."

Sakura had watched Meiling pull her suitcase along and sit down on it while the three of them waited on the ever tardy Syaoran. Meiling had grown calmer in the past couple years, but she was still Meiling. Sakura had been worried Meiling wouldn't be able to attend, but Meiling made up her mind to go. She managed to work ahead and make it happen. Sakura and Meiling had grown closer over the years, and Sakura couldn't imagine going on this trip without her. Thinking back to when her story with the Clow Cards began, she, Tomoyo, Meiling, and Syaoran had to have this trip together. They had been the original four, and she wanted the four of them to always have that connection. They would always be a part of her heart.

"I can't believe I'm going to attempt something like this," Sakura said. "It's exciting but a little scary."

"Of course you would say something like that," Meiling said. "Focus on the excitement and not the fear. After everything you've done and accomplished, you created your own cards, you created new cards, you've overcome trials and tests, and you've stopped sinister plots, this will be another piece of cake for you. Trust me." Meiling winked at her.

Sakura couldn't help laugh. She remembered that Meiling had stayed with Tomoyo the night before at Tomoyo's request. Meiling had Tomoyo French-braid her long hair, which she no longer kept in ponytails. Meiling's singular braid reached to the small of her back. Her ruby red eyes were still fierce: same with her attitude. This was part of the reason Sakura admired her and Meiling was one of her favorite people.

"You made it Syaoran," Sakura said when he had joined it.

"Sakura," Syaoran said, placing his suitcase beside Meiling's suitcase. "I wanted to make sure all of our reservations were confirmed."

"I thought Tomoyo…" Sakura glanced at Tomoyo.

"You know Syaoran," Tomoyo said. "He had to do something to make your life easier."

She and Meiling glanced at each other and shared a laugh.

Syaoran tried to hide the fact he blushed with his slightly longer chestnut brown hair and bangs that tended to mask his amber eyes when he tilted his head in a certain direction, but he failed, which caused Tomoyo and Meiling to laugh a little bit longer and louder. He moved in Sakura's direction until he stood across from her, looking down into her eyes. He placed a hand on her cheek before he kissed her deeply. This caused Tomoyo and Meiling to stop laughing immediately.

"This is something new and different," Syaoran said when he pulled out of their kiss. "I just wanted to…"

"I know," Sakura said. "I'd be more worried if you weren't here with us. Thanks for coming."

"All right lovebirds," Meiling said. "We've got fun to have and places to see. The faster we get there the faster Syaoran can relax and actually enjoy our vacation."

"Where's Kero?" Tomoyo asked. "I figured he'd have a list of cuisines he'd want to try when we made it."

"I felt bad that I wasn't going to invite Akiho along," Sakura said, "even though she understood. I asked Kero if he'd stay and keep her company and alert me if there's trouble. I wouldn't want her, Touya, Yukito, or Yue to be alone if something happened."

"And he didn't make a fuss?" Tomoyo questioned.

"He made a fuss," Sakura said with a short laugh, "but he looked forward to spending more time with Momo. Spinner's going to visit too."

"There won't be any trouble," Meiling said. "There hasn't been any in so long. You want to know why? All the trouble is afraid of you."

"Kero and Yue taught me important lessons during those challenging times," Sakura said. "Always be prepared. Expect the unexpected. Trouble can find you."

"Clow Reed chose the best candidate," Syaoran said. "Powerful. Wise. Humble."

"You guys know I'm nothing to be afraid of," Sakura said.

"She's right," Tomoyo said. "I actually think it's the exact opposite. Eriol agrees with me. The real reason nothing has darkened your door is probably because everyone loves you."

"Clow Reed did have a lot of enemies because he was so powerful," Syaoran said. "He struggled with an imbalance of his magic: on a few different levels. He wanted different for his successor. He could see into the future… I imagine he wanted different for you."

"You don't have enemies," Meiling said, "and you use your magic to help anyone who might need it. After the Yuna D. Kaito fiasco, you were officially introduced to the magical community. From what Syaoran and the rest of the family has told me, everyone was and has been pleased."

"Seems all those adventures are behind us," Tomoyo said. She sighed. "Even though at times they could be dangerous, they were definitely life-defining experiences: life-changing."

"That's why I wanted us to go on this trip together," Sakura said. "Our adventures aren't over. There are still plenty to be had."

"America," Meiling half-shouted. "Here we come!"

"We'll start in New York," Tomoyo said, "and we'll visit multiple locales across the country."

Sakura chuckled. She stopped when Syaoran stood beside her and wrapped and arm around her shoulders. She looked to his face: his amber eyes.

"As long as we're together," Syaoran said, watching Meiling dance around and Tomoyo showing her pictures of places they'd be staying, "I know my life will always be a great adventure." He said this so only she could hear. "My life has been and always will be better: for having you in it."

"Syaoran…"

Meiling and Tomoyo looked at the two before they gathered their bags. Syaoran went and gathered his, along with Sakura's. Sakura watched after Syaoran for a moment before she pulled out her key.

"Key that projects the forces of dreams! Show me your true form! Release!"

After a moment, Sakura held the Staff of Dreams in her hands.

"Under the name of Sakura," she shouted, "please, channel all your might and teleport us, along with our things, to Grand Central Station in New York City…Teleport!"

The gathered group watched Sakura's magic circle extend around them all. Sakura and Syaoran's eyes met. They were all enveloped in columns of light. They disappeared.

They reappeared in an empty train car as it pulled into Grand Central Station.

"Thank you Teleport," Sakura whispered, putting the card away.

Sakura had prepared Lucid at the ready just in case, but when she looked around she saw no need for it.

"We're here!" Meiling exclaimed: beyond excited.

"When we step off this train," Sakura said, gaining Tomoyo, Meiling, and Syaoran's attention, "we'll officially start our Summer Adventure."

They all nodded in agreement, and when the train doors opened they all stepped off the train and into their summer.

Preview:

Kero: Hey, it's me, Keroberos: Guardian of the Seal. I bet you thought you wouldn't see or hear from me. You were wrong. Momo and Spinner are here too! ~whispers~ They're trying to bogart my show. ~whispers~ Any who, Sakura's off on her vacation with the whole gang minus me, and it turns out strange things are happening in New York! They could be harmless; they could be dangerous. Tune in next week to find out which!

Sakura, Syaoran, Tomoyo, and Meiling take in the sights and sounds of the city.

They also take in the sight of a young woman about their ages unexpectedly dropping out of the sky.

Next Time: Sakura and the Total Eclipse