Cardcaptor Sakura: Waning Hope
Chapter Two: Stage Fright?
A couple of days had passed and although Syaoran should've been devoting his time to rehearsing, he was more preoccupied with that dark force. Expecting it to pop up, Syaoran kept his sword key nearby just in case. He also kept his eye on Sakura, in case she was the target again.
Her condition hadn't improved much as far as he could tell, but every time he tried to find out what was up, Meiling either called him over for something or Tomoyo was already taking Sakura off somewhere. He never got the chance and it was increasingly frustrating.
With Wednesday being a half day, Syaoran snuck away from Meiling, using the same techniques he'd used dozens of times before. Then using his senses, he picked up Sakura's pink life force in the one place he should've tried first.
The Penguin Park swings.
"Some things never change." He said gently. Taking a seat next to her, Syaoran didn't notice her pained yet shocked expression.
"What are you doing here?" She asked sadly.
"Well, I admit you've been a hard person to catch lately." He said without looking over.
Sakura didn't say anything. To be honest, she was relieved Tomoyo and Meiling had helped her keep away from Syaoran for the last couple of days, especially after she snapped at him in class.
"I just I should've thought to come looking for you here since this place means so much to both of us." He glanced over and saw her lift her head. "We've captured a lot of cards after discussing them here."
Scoffing, Sakura lowered her head again. "I should've known you'd say that." He doesn't know what he did for me here after Yukito-san's rejection.
"And what should I have said?"
"That you…" Gasping, she covered her mouth in both hands.
Shaking his head, Syaoran began swinging a little on his swing. "You can't hide things from me, Sakura. I've noticed it with you, Meiling, even Daibouji-san. Something's wrong." He sighed. "Why won't you tell me?"
Sakura's eyes watered up. What am I supposed to tell him? If she lied, he'd know and might get angry. If she told him the truth, it might have devastating results.
"You know, when I first came to Japan, I wasn't the nicest person." When he said this, Sakura laughed despite herself. "Okay, I was mean. The point is you did everything imaginable to make me feel welcome and it was because of you I started opening up." He confessed. "I learned to trust because of you and I trust you more than anyone."
Turning to face her warrior, Sakura fought back her tears. "Do you remember Clow's 53rd card? The dark one created to balance the light magic of the other fifty two?" She asked.
Syaoran nodded. "Yeah, you sealed it at the amusement park tower right?" His eyes went wide. "Does this have something to do with why you were crying afterwards?"
She nodded, the tears coming freely now. "As Clow Card mistress, it is my duty to seal the cards no matter what." But that's no excuse! It was supposed to be me! Not you! Her heart argued with her mind. "And believe me I would tell you if I could…"
Shooting to her feet, she faced the bewildered warrior. "But to save you, I have to keep the truth from you." She said sadly. "I'm sorry." Then she ran off and away towards home before she said anymore.
Standing up, Syaoran's fists unconsciously tightened. Fine, if you won't tell me, I'll have to find out on my own.
Back at his house, he noticed Meiling wasn't around, probably still out looking for him. Going straight to his room, Syaoran brought out something he hadn't used in a long time.
The Li Clan compass, lay dormant in his hands. Taking a deep breath, Syaoran began the ancient chant. "Imperial king of gods, thy divinity watches over all four corners. Metal, wood, water, fire, earth, thunder, wood, lightning. Whirling blades of lightning, answer my call!" Upon his calling, the board lit up. Now, to find out about the darkness I felt the other day. Chances are, I defeat the darkness and I get to the bottom of this. "Show me the source of the darkness that threatens the Clow Card Mistress!" He commanded.
Powering up, the board shot a light identifying the darkness that was at Sakura's doorstep.
Gasping, Syaoran nearly dropped the compass – his hands shaking in disbelief – when the blue hued light shot at none other than him.
"This can't be. This has to be wrong!" He threw the board onto his bed and grabbed his head. "It can't be me!"
And believe me I would tell you if I could, but to save you I have to keep the truth from you.
Eyes opened wide, Syaoran remembered what Sakura had told him. "S-she knew? No wonder she's been avoiding me." He said in a shaking voice. What force could cause such fear in Sakura? What was in him that he himself did not know?
Laughing at the turn of events, the imprisoned sorcerer fully enjoyed the emotional trauma Clow's descendant was going through. "Oh, I guess he found me out already. It doesn't matter. There's nothing he can do about it now."
It was true that the Dark One now had a connection to Syaoran in a strange sequence of events. With his life force connected to the Void Card, he assumed once it changed into Hope by fusing with the Love Card, then his plans for freedom were over. But in truth when the new creation of Hope tried to save Syaoran from a fate long ago written, the Dark One's connection was transferred to the young warrior himself.
"And once my power is strong enough, I will use him to cause such despair in the Clow Card Mistress, she will finally be without any hope and my freedom will be at hand."
Sakura came home and buried her head in her pillows, crying the tears that refused to stop falling.
Flying over to her, Kero patted her shoulder. "Come on, Sakura. Tell me what's bothering you."
Sniffling, Sakura turned her head a little so she could talk to her guardian. "He knows. Somehow he knows, but I couldn't tell him anything!" She cried even harder, her body shaking with sobs.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Kero thought about the situation carefully. "Guess the brat's gotten smarter since he was gone." Looking at his mistress, Kero sighed. "It may not be so bad if he finds out on his own. Maybe the love you two shared still breathes life within him."
Peeking her head out, she asked, "You think so?"
"Sure, so don't cry, okay?" He asked with a smile.
Wiping away her tears, Sakura sat up. "There's a dress rehearsal tomorrow for the play. I hope everything goes smoothly." Then she thought to mention. "I haven't had the best of luck lately."
"What do you mean?" The teddy bear with wings asked.
Thinking back, Sakura replied, "Well, yesterday when I was sitting at Penguin Park, the ground just suddenly gave way. And then Syaoran finds the one time I'm alone to confront me. It just doesn't seem to be my week."
Frowning, Kero remembered something. "You said yesterday you fell?"
"Yeah, but Syaoran-kun was nearby and managed to stop my fall." She blushed when she imagined his face, so full of determination and worry for her.
"Did you feel anything strange before you fell? Any energy?"
Shaking her head, Sakura stood up and went over to the window. "No, I didn't even feel Syaoran-kun's presence until he grabbed my hand. Usually I feel him right away."
Not liking where this was going, Kero flew to the window besides his mistress. "Well, don't worry about it then. Just study your lines and I'm sure you'll do fine." Then he flew out of the window and down the street.
Blinking, Sakura said to herself. "I wonder where he's flying off to in such a hurry?" With her attention out the window, Sakura doesn't notice one of her Sakura Cards glow black in her pocket before returning to normal.
Flying down the street, Kero found his counterpart eating lunch with Touya on the doorsteps. "We've got problems." He said as he came down.
Instantly transforming, Yue crossed his arms. "Then let us take this inside."
Retreating to Yukito's room, Yue and Touya waited to hear what Kero had to say.
"The dark force we felt yesterday wasn't our imagination." He said from the top of the dresser. "Something's after Sakura. And what ever it is can somehow block her from sensing it."
"What do you mean!?" Touya exclaimed. "What's after her!?"
"Just calm down and I'll tell ya!" Sparks flew between the two until ever-calm Yue came and separated them.
So, Kero told them what Sakura explained happened and to put it mildly, both Yue and Touya didn't take it well.
Narrowing his eyes, Yue asked, "With Clow-sama back in England, what enemy would be after Sakura?"
"Whoever he is better watch out cause I'm gonna kick his…" Touya was cut off by Kero's paw.
"Unfortunately, until it decides to show itself there's nothing we can do!" He berated the impatient youth.
"I say we go out and look for it before it tries again!" Touya countered.
Kero growled. "This ain't some elementary school kid you can just boss around like you did with the brat before! And don't think you're the only one who's worried for her!"
"It seems I'm the only one who's willing to do something about it, you stupid stuffed animal!"
"Might I suggest we keep a close eye on Sakura at least until then?" Yue stepped between them once more. "If the force does plan to target Sakura, we must protect her as her guardians."
Surprisingly, both Touya and Kero agreed. Whatever came after Sakura would have to go through them first.
Pacing back and forth in her green room, Sakura tried to calm her nerves before they started the next scene.
Tomoyo stood by her friend trying to calm her down. "I don't really think you have much to worry about. The scene you're worried about is only going to happen tomorrow."
"But then he has to kiss me!" Sakura protested. "Do you know what that'll feel like?"
"Well no…"
"Neither do I! That's the problem!" Sakura stopped her pacing and looked down at the ground sadly. "I want my first kiss to be warm and full of love. If Syaoran-kun kisses me now it'll be cold because there won't be any feelings behind it."
Tomoyo was about to say something when Naoko came running in with a smile. "Your scene's up Sakura-chan!"
"Hai!" Sakura put on a fake smile and followed her friend outside.
Everything on the stage was set up for the scene following the dancing. Since Sakura and Syaoran had already played this scene for real, it was decided that only the extras needed a little more practice with their positions.
This next scene consisted of Sakura standing on a balcony, Syaoran being called away during the masquerade party by his friends, thinking about the war and her dreams of peace.
Walking up the stairs, Sakura stood just out of sight until Naoko gave her the cue.
"Okay! Action!" The young director shouted.
Looking sad was easy for Sakura, so she strode up the stairs and sighed, leaning against the wooden balcony. "Is it strange to love a man I just met? Would it be folly of me to think of myself instead of this pointless war?" She questioned herself.
"Not at all. An angel such as you should not worry yourself with the greed of mankind." Syaoran entered from stage left and smiled up at the princess.
"It's you!" Sakura exclaimed, recognizing the man with whom she'd danced the night away. "I thought you had been called away."
Bowing in respect, Syaoran replied. "My responsibilities might've called me away, but my heart wishes to be with you, fair lady. I merely wanted to bid you a proper goodnight."
"I must admit I'm glad to have gotten to see you one last time." Sakura's heart beat faster and faster as she remembered Syaoran's pain stricken face before Void took him away from her forever. "With the frontlines coming so close, I fear for your safety. The ishii that everyone seeks belongs to no one and should be destroyed."
"I promise to come back to you and should I come across that which everyone seeks, I will shatter it in your name." Syaoran bowed again.
"Then be safe, for the guard is sure to know of your presence. Make haste!"
"Until we meet again then." Ducking behind a bush, Syaoran exited the stage.
"May the fortunes above grant you the protection of the gods." Sakura said, then exited center stage.
The next scene they practiced was the same scene that had been interrupted when the Void Card had attacked, but thankfully it seemed everyone played it off as a freak earthquake.
Sakura sat on a bench underneath a gazebo, with Syaoran standing besides her. Both of their masks were off and Sakura had just been told Syaoran's true identity.
"I can't believe that the prince of the neighboring magic country we're raging war with is, of all people, you!" She exclaimed in disbelief.
Kneeling down next to her Syaoran gave his next lines. "Please, princess, do not cry. A smile looks more beautiful on you than anyone else. Forgive me if I sadden you. But, I cannot stop these feelings. I..." He paused. "I'm…I'm in love with you."
I…I'm in love with you!
His words, they're the same as back then… Sakura immediately teared up. "I…I can't respond to your feelings!"
"Do you hate me?" Asked Prince Syaoran.
"No! Not at all…" Sakura recited her lines off mechanically. "I…I…" This happened so many times before, I never got to tell him even then… "No! I can't say it!" Running over to him she knelt before him and cupped her hands over his. "I beg of you! Forget everything about me…from your heart." Then she quickly took off towards the exit.
"Princess!" Syaoran called out.
"You need go no further Princess!" A new voice entered the scene.
Turning around, Sakura looked at the new comer with dread. Not just because the scene demanded it, but something was very wrong with this boy. Her senses immediately picked up the dark power surrounding him. "Teruriko-san?"
"Yes, is it I and I have come with none other than the ishii you seek!" The boy had short black hair and was wearing the outfit of a soldier. This character was close to the royal family and it was no secret that he sought the princess' hand in marriage. But if one knew that, they also knew she did not in fact love him in return.
Taking the glowing green and blue orb from behind his back, Teruriko presented it to both. "Though I have seen you commit a treachery, I will grant you clemency if you agree to marry me."
"What!?" She exclaimed. "The ishii is a power mankind was never meant to possess and should be destroyed!"
"With this power we will annihilate our enemies!" Then he looked at Syaoran and smirked smugly, his eyes flashing red for a moment, aggravating the warrior further. "Even their young and brash prince."
"I will not agree to such terms, even if you do tell my father!" Sakura said defiantly.
"I think you heard the lady." Syaoran took out his prop sword. "Leave here at once."
The light inside the orb began to glow and Teruriko took out his own weapon. That which was supposed to be a prop was now made of real metal with real edges. "The power of the ishii shall destroy you!" Placing the orb in his pocket, Teruriko charged in towards Syaoran, eyes blazing.
Sakura quickly moved out of the way, noticing the difference in weaponry. "Syaoran-kun!" She exclaimed.
Off stage, Naoko and the rest of the class frowned. "Um…am I missing a page?"
Tomoyo though was already out and filming the scene. "Something's not right out there."
Syaoran's prop sword was easily cut in half by the boy's real sword and he had to duck out of the way to avoid being sliced himself.
"You will die here!" Teruriko shouted.
Thinking fast, Syaoran pulled out his key and transformed it into the Li Clan sword. Raising it up, he quickly blocked the next overhead swing of his opponent. "You cannot defeat me." Teruriko whispered as they crossed swords. "And the cherry blossom will be the next to fall."
Gasping, Syaoran kicked Teruriko off him. "Over my dead body!" Coming back more fiercely than before, Syaoran quickly won the upper hand. He hadn't been deemed the Chosen One for nothing.
When Teruriko came in again, Syaoran blocked the initial attack and following up with a spiral motion of the blade, managed to get his opponent off balance. Bringing the sword in an upper horizontal slash, Syaoran knocked Teruriko's sword clear out of his hands.
It went flying back into one of the stage curtains, cutting through it with ease before embedding itself into the wooden floor.
Gasping, the class finally realized that they weren't using prop swords.
"Tomoyo-chan! Get them out of here!" Sakura commanded.
"Right!" Tomoyo started pushing her fellow students out the auditorium door.
Shoulder rushing Teruriko in the chest, Syaoran managed to ram him into the ground and pin him with one arm. "Who are you!?" He demanded, holding his own sword to the boy's neck.
"Wait Syaoran-kun! That's not really him!" Sakura exclaimed, calling out her staff. "Light Card! Reveal his true form!" Sakura hit the card dead center and the physical manifestation of Light came whirling in towards the dueling boys.
As Light wrapped around them, both boys cried out and Sakura gasped as she saw not only the boy playing Teruriko glow with a black aura, but also Syaoran!
Jumping clear of the card, Syaoran held his stomach as pain racked his body and forced open his eyes to see Teruriko's form change into that of the Mirror Card!
"Mirror!?" Sakura couldn't believe it. "What are you doing!?" She demanded.
I'm sorry. I couldn't control myself. It said sadly, changing back into its card form. Slowly, Sakura saw the dark aura fade away and she was able to pick it up.
Running back over to Syaoran, Sakura knelt next to him. "Are you alright?" She asked worriedly.
"I'm fine!" He snapped, angry and afraid about what had just transpired.
Just then, Tomoyo came running back, determined to stick by her friends. "Sakura-chan! Li-kun!" Seeing everything was finished, she ran up on stage. "What happened!?"
"I don't know, but Teruriko was actually the Mirror Card." Sakura held up the magical card.
Nodding, Tomoyo replied. "The boy who was supposed to play him was found unconscious in the janitor's closet!" Looking over she saw Syaoran start to walk away. "What are we going to do about the rest of the class? They'll be wanting to know how Teruriko's double was here instead of him."
Taking out the Shield and Erase, Sakura said, "I'll handle it." Throwing the cards forward, Sakura hit both with her star staff. "Erase Card! Erase everyone's memory who was here for the last half hour! Shield! Protect the three of us from the power of Erase!"
Shield's see through barrier surrounded the three students as Shield's true form began waving her blanket, systematically erasing the other children's memories so no one would know what happened here.
After some time, the children began coming back to the auditorium. Along with them was the real student playing Teruriko.
"Li-kun, where do you think you're going? We still have rehearsal!" Naoko called out as Syaoran walked away, still hunched over from the effects of Light.
"I'm not feeling well. I'm going home to rest." He said, his voice ragged.
"But the play's tomorrow!" Naoko protested, but he was already gone.
Frowning, Sakura said nothing. Why would I see such a dark aura around him? Was it just my imagination? But then why did Light hurt him as well?
There were too many questions for the Card Mistress to answer, so she shook her head and returned her attention to her classmates. She would have to visit Syaoran later, as much as she didn't want to. Somehow she knew something else much bigger was going on here.