-1In the Absence of Hope

Prologue

Disclaimer: Let's keep this short and sweet. I do not own the characters from Card Captor Sakura.

A/N: While this is not my first fan fiction, I hope you will excuse any mistakes I have made. I'm a bit out of practice. This idea begged to be written, so here it is.

And so it began…

Down the dark, gloomy streets she ran, crystalline tears flowing. The tall dark buildings leaned over her as though they hungered for her blood. They did. This world, it was not hers. Dark and alien, it reeked of death and pain. So, she ran. Her breath came in deep gasps as the oxygen her body needed was denied her and crimson flowed down her side, ruining the silk of her dress. She stumbled, hand pressed to the gaping wound, but she ran. She refused to go back to Them. To Their master. It was all because of him. Yet another sob ran through her weak, trembling body. She wanted only to rest, to lie down in defeat. She wouldn't-she couldn't! They were behind her.

They carried weapons of a kind she had never seen. Weapons that filled her with fear, for They could only mean one thing-death. As They walked along, all light disappeared. In Their presence, only dark was permitted. No, it wasn't dark…it was complete absence of light. Of hope. These creatures grumbled and they hunted. She left behind a trail of crimson blood and they hungered. One of Them, tall and dark, leaned over and touched the ground. With an animalistic grunt, he and his companion lumbered on. They were in no hurry. She could not hide.

She turned a corner to find herself before a wall. They would be there too soon, it was time for her stand. So she turned to meet Them, surveying her surroundings as best she could. The alleyway was narrow, an advantage. She was small, elfin and graceful, she would have full range of movement, though slowed by pain and blood loss. With their large bodies, They lacked her grace and speed…but They were strong. They would win. Still, she had no choice, she could run no longer. She stood to her full height, small as it was, and lifted her necklace with its silvery pendant over her head. With whispered words there was a flash of light, and in her hands was a tall oak staff with a curved blade attached. Her glaive. She bowed her head, auburn hair flowing with a solemn beauty down her back and across her face. She sighed. "I am sorry, my love. I have broken my promise." She whispered, remembering the last time she saw him.

He stood before her, one tear trailing down from mahogany eyes. "Lover," He whispered, "Come back to me." He took two steps forward, grabbing her arms and looking deep into her vivid green eyes. "You MUST come back to me!" He said, his voice cracking with barely controlled emotion. With that he pressed his lips to hers, forcing her back against the cool wall. His lips were forceful, burning her with his heat. He roughly deepened the kiss, tasting her for what he knew would be the last time. His tears mixed with hers, both tasting salt, tainting the sweetness of the kiss. His arms around her tightened, bruising her as she sought to pull them together, to meld them into one. A cry from the cradle in the corner of the room startled them and he pulled away to allow his lover to go to their daughter.

She walked to the cradle, lifting her child into her arms one last time. Tears ran down her face as she hummed to her daughter, rocking her gently. The infant refused to be shushed and her tears fell with her daughter's. Emerald eyes met their likeness as mother stroked daughter's wispy amber curls. She fell slowly to the floor, and her lover rushed to gather them both in his arms. She turned her face to him, hiding her tears in his neck, one hand gathering the fabric of his shirt as her other arm cradled the wailing child. She met his eyes, determination in her emerald eyes, "I promise, I will return."

The door opened behind them, and she knew it was time to go. She stood, pressed a kiss to her daughter's head, and placed her in his arms. "Good bye, my loves." She said. And then she walked away.

One last tear ran down her face as she felt their approach. She straightened and whispered the words that, with her death, would pass the key, her glaive, on to the destined one. Her eyes met theirs with a glow of determination. As she summoned her power an unnatural wind swirled about her, strands of her hair flying around her. Silver light grew around her. She was a goddess, giving her eternal life for the ones that she loved, the ones that could not protect themselves, the ones who had no idea of the war about to be fought over them. Then, without a word, They attacked.