"Key to the Seal, choose the one who is destined to carry out the sacred promise," the little creature began. Before they knew what was happening, both Ren and Yori were surrounded by a circle identical to the ones found on the backs of the Cards. But the circle beneath Ren transformed, reverting back to a different circle, one with a sun in the center, though neither of the brothers nor Kero took notice of Ren's circle. Yori's circle glowed brightly, the star beneath him shining up. "Key to the Seal, you have chosen this child Yori to carry out the promise. I command you to empower him with the language of the staff! Release the power!"
A staff appeared in front of Yori, but he made no move to take it. On one end of the staff, it was a circle with wings on either side, surrounding a star. Ren watched, his eyes wide and proud, though soon a hint of jealousy crossed over his face.
"Quick, Yori! Take the staff!" Kero demanded.
Yori shook his head and took a step backwards. "N-no! I don't want to!" The light vanished from beneath both brothers and the staff fell to the ground. Ren slowly bent to pick it up, but as he touched it, the wand reverted into a small version of itself.
"You cannot command it, Ren. Only Yori can."
"I don't want to!" Yori insisted.
"Let me do it," Ren said to Kero. "I promise I will bring the Cards back! Let me prove myself to you!"
Kero shook his head. "The Star Wand has chosen Yori. I, too, have chosen Yori. It has been determined by fate that he be the one to follow in Sakura's footsteps."
Ren held up the Sword, still in its material form. "Then why do I have this?" he demanded. "Why was it my command that released the cards?"
"It is unfortunate that the Sword has chosen you as its master, but it happened with Sakura and Syaoran as well. In the end, the cards answer to one master, and one alone."
At this, Ren stormed out, sealing the Sword back in its card form. "Ren! Wait!" Yori called, but Ren had already left. Yori sat down, close to tears. Kero came up and sat on his shoulder.
"Yori, you remind me so much of Sakura. Though, you look more like Eriol. But your personality is like Sakura's. You are the only one who can capture all the cards."
"Why can't Ren do it?"
Kero sighed. "It wasn't his place. Now come on! I've been asleep for eleven years, I'm hungry!"
The next day was the start of school. Summer break had officially ended and Tomoeda was quickly filling back up with its usual residents. Unfortunately for the two brothers, there was still tension, tension that had never in their lives been there before. Yori had tried speaking to Ren, but the elder brother was still somewhat bitter towards his sibling for being the 'Chosen One.'
"No matter. I still have the Sword." Ren sat in the chair at his desk. He smirked and held up the card as he rose to his feet. "Sword! Release and dispel!" he cried. He did not know where the words came from, but when he said them, the card began to glow. Within seconds, rather than holding a card with the picture of a sword, he held the sword itself. Sudden fatigue washed over him and he fell to his knees, but he was smiling.
He took a few deep breaths, and he was able to stand. He stared in awe at the Sword. It was his, and with it, he would challenge Yori. They would see who could capture the most cards! "Sword, dispel!" The words came to him once again, and the Sword transformed back into its sealed state. "Perfect."
"Ren, Yori! You're going to be late for school!" he heard their mother's voice call.
"Coming!" he answered. Quickly he placed the card carefully inside a book. Yori had been given the actual Clow Book. Ren grabbed the rest of his things and ran out the door, nearly knocking Yori over as he did so. The brothers exchanged glances before Yori followed Ren down the stairs.
School was usually something both brothers looked forward to. However, for Ren, the day went by incredibly slowly. Yori, on the other hand, moved about like a zombie.
"Yori-kun!" Yori turned around to see a girl from his class run up to him, smiling. "Yori! How was your summer? How was Hong Kong?"
"Hey Ichiru-chan!" Yori said. It was good to see his friend again. "It was…interesting to say the least." I can't tell her about the Star Cards…she'd never believe me anyways. He smiled. "How was yours?"
"It was great! I painted something for you, too! Can you come by after school?"
"Of course," Yori said. He always loved to see her paintings. She was quite a talented painter and well known around school.
"Great," Ichiru said. "I'll see you then! We should get back to class now, though, lunch is nearly over." Ichiru smiled and ran back towards their classroom.
Yori heard a whistle behind him. "Wow! She's a cutey!" The boy turned to see Kero popping out of his backpack. "Boy, things certainly haven't changed in Tomoeda since I was here last. It looks just the same, I'm reminded of going to school with Sakura and Tomoyo!"
"K-Kero! What are you doing here?" Yori demanded, his face bright red.
"What do you mean? I'm here to tell you that a Star Card has appeared!"
"Now?"
"Yes, now!" Kero flew out of the bag and tried to push Yori in the opposite direction. "Come…on…"
"No," Yori said flatly. "I don't want to do it. Get Ren-nii to do it, he said he wanted the responsibility. I don't."
"He can't master them like you could! I chose you and my instincts are never wrong!"
Yori raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. "Didn't the Star Wand choose me?"
Kero's mouth dropped and he was at a loss for words. "That- that's beside the point! The point is, you're a Card Captor and there's a Card out there that needs to be captured!"
In a dark room inside the school, the sounds of a brushstroke could be heard. "Pretty little animal, won't you come to play. We're friends, I want to play with you. No, don't run away."
The voice giggled, a high-pitched, lonely giggle as the final strokes were painted of a rabbit-like creature.
A/N alright so Kero's chosen his captor, but Ren has a Card of his own so it seems as if it's going to eventually come down to a winner-take-all battle. Ren's not too happy about Yori being the chosen Captor so he'll be having something more to say about it, of course. I hope you continue to enjoy!
Also, I edited something in Chapter Two- nothing major, only adding Li Tsubasa to the story. I figured I couldn't create two fictional, non-canon children without mentioning the canon one! I still have not fully decided if he will play a part in this story. It'd be interesting, certainly, but Tsubasa for the time being is known as the eldest son of Sakura and Syaoran, who disappeared mysteriously prior to Taizhi (Ren and Yori's grandfather) and Natsu (the youngest and only girl) being born.