Re-Broken

Disclaimer: I love CCS... but I don't own it. :( Oh, and I don't own Phantom of the Opera either.

- A change in writing style/time/place/whatever (will notate in () which one if necessary)

Rating: T

Summary: A new enemy is trying to break Sakura's spirit in order to weaken her enough to steal her cards from her. Everyone around her seems to be turning cruel... and the only solace she can find is in the arms of the man she never expected.

Pairings: Syaoran/Sakura, Sakura/Eriol

AN: Sorry this chapter took so long, I was debating several ways of doing this. XD

AN#2: I have decided to cut this chapter, because a scene near the end was way too awesome to stuff into this chapter... gotta give you something to look forward to ne? XD

(Chapter 10.5: Frustration's release)

"We really need to do something about the re-incarnation of Clow-sama." A redhead muttered in annoyance as her and her counterpart observed the flickering light on their view screen.

The dark-haired man just grinned and shook his head. "Not yet... Clow's seal is almost broken."

"Huh?"

The man waved his hand and the image changed. They were now watching what looked like a sealing circle... Clow's original circle, which appeared to be protecting the young mage in question.

Upon closer inspection, the woman noticed that some of the inscriptions were fading and the lines were getting hazy. "What does it mean?"

"It means that soon, he will be powerless against us... I'd much rather ambush him after it breaks... that way he can't call any of Clow's power against us. That could spell disaster for our plan."

"What makes you think he doesn't have some other trick up his sleeve?" The redhead demanded.

"Oh he does... but he hasn't learned to use it yet, and because of our meddling... he hasn't had the time to figure it out."

"So when we are ready for him... he won't be ready for us."

"Wasn't that a nice way to wrap this up?" He answered with a grin.

"It's like fate is on our side..." She commented in awe.

"Angel of music, guide and guardian... grant to me all glory." Sakura sang.

"CUT" The drama instructor demanded as Sakura began to continue. She paused, staring at him from her place on the stage.

"That's enough for today." The teacher said in a huff.

"What'd I do that time?" Sakura fretted as Eriol stepped out from behind the false mirror, coming to her side in an instant.

"It's all the stress... it's affecting your acting skills." He explained gently.

"Really?" She asked, almost coming to tears.

He rubbed her shoulders, "Nothing that we can't fix... I'll practice with you later."

"Come to think of it Eriol... I don't think I've ever seen you practice... and we're in so many scenes together." Sakura muttered thoughtfully as they re-arranged his back porch to make room for their mini rehersal.

Eriol flashed her a sheepish grin. "The teachers don't think I need it. They're not entirely wrong... but I would like to run this through at least once before we actually go on stage with it."

Sakura rolled her eyes, "How come you're so good at everything?" she muttered, exhasporated.

Eriol shrugged and winked at her, "I'm not good at everything. The phantom's part just happens to resonate rather closely to me."

Sakura blanched, confused. "But you're nothing like the phantom! You're brave and self-assured, everything you touch is perfect the first time, I bet you could get any girl you wanted... where the phantom is a recluse, shy, angry at the world, can't do anything but write music properly because of his upbringing, and Christine is the only one who has ever been nice to him, so of course he's in love with her!"

Eriol beamed a radiant smile at her, "I had no idea you thought so highly of me... I'm truly touched."

Sakura made a face, "Hmph... you say that like I'm just making it up."

Eriol looked sad for a moment, then shook his head and his smile brightened once more. "Shall we begin?"

"Yes, yes..." she agreed, "which scene?"

"Hmm, how about the one where we were interrupted earlier? Where Christine first meets the phantom?"

"Alright."

Sakura took a deep breath to calm herself, then began to sing. After a few bars Eriol crept up behind her and placed his hands upon her shoulders.

"What?" She asked in annoyance, now having been interrupted twice in the same line.

"Calm down." He replied smoothly, almost whispering in her ear. "Think only of me... of your part. Who are you?"

"Sakura...?"

"No."

"Christine?"

"Right" he agreed. "What is Christine doing right now?"

Sakura's face scrunched up a bit. "Um... wishing to see the phantom?"

"Good... try that."

"Angel, I hear you... speak, I listen. Stay by my side, guide me."

"Better!" Eriol approved, earning a shy smile from the young woman.

"Hey, that's not your line." She admonished, he chuckled and nodded, moving back to his place behind a lawn chair they were pretending was the mirror.

"Flattering child you shall know me, see why in shadows I hide. Look at your face in the mirror, I am there inside!" Eriol sang.

Sakura was stunned, no wonder the teachers wouldn't let him practice with the others! His delivery and projection was perfect... and his voice...

If the other students had heard it they would have been having some serious self-esteem issues by now.

"Sakura?" Eriol prodded, concerned by her silence.

"Huh?" She blinked, coming out of her haze.

"Your line...?" He asked carefully.

"Oh... oh, sorry." Sakura giggled nervously. "It's kind of hard to follow that."

"Don't be silly." He grinned "you can do it!"

Flushing underneath his praise she raised her chin.

"Next scene then?"

"The duet?" He confirmed.

She nodded nervously and sang the first verse. He joined her soon afterwards and she immediately stopped thinking about anything but the way their voices sounded together.

~And do I dream again, for now I find...

The phantom of the Opera is there, inside my mind!~

Into his piano room they took their little duet. It was the only room in the whole house that had stairs in it. It had actually been a basement until Eriol had renovated it for his uses. Now, of course anyone could hold a concert in it, the stairs acting as seats and the stage large enough to hold a full orchestra.

For the time being all that remained onstage was a grand piano which Eriol sat down at, strumming the keys to the last few bars of their song.

Sakura sighed, "You are so talented..." she pouted, plopping down into a nearby chair.

Eriol laughed, "It's easy to be good at everything when you've had more than a lifetime to get it all right" he admitted.

Sakura smiled, "Everything must go so smoothly for you thanks to the fact you have all of Clow's abilities."

Eriol shrugged, "My muscles have memories of things that I've never done... I have dreams about moments that have yet to occur. Sometimes it's a little overwhelming. Especially if you are an impressionable youngster. When I was a child, I thought I might go insane from it all."

Sakura blinked, concerned. "It was that bad?"

The young man smiled tiredly, "I got used to it eventually. Clow helped a lot back then too... he used to visit me in my dreams in spirit-form and explain things to me so that I could understand them."

Sakura leaned against him, "Yeah, I remember when Clow's spirit first talked to me. I felt calm... at peace with my own accomplishments. Capable of doing the things he told me I would have to do."

Eriol blushed as she rested her head into his shoulder and cautiously slid his arm around her to pull her close. They spent a few perfect moments alone before Nakuru burst in with Suppi chasing after her. Suppi was covered in flour and blasting lightning bolts at the fleeing female guardian while she danced down the basement stairs laughing like a maniac.

"Oh boy... I think I'd better intervene before they destroy the whole house." Eriol sighed. Sakura sat up and allowed him to go... but after he'd left the room chasing after them she hugged herself tightly.

'What am I doing?'

~Rozu