Waning Hope: Chapter 4

Bonds of Friendship

"So…how are you doing?" Tomoyo asked worriedly. With all the preparations for the play, she had been unable to catch up with Sakura as much as she would like. The last thing she heard from her friend was that she'd run into Syaoran outside of school and something about it seemed odd to Sakura but she didn't know why.

"I've been okay. Thankfully I think this play has kept everyone busy." But it's kept me from talking to Syaoran about yesterday. She silently added to herself.

"Well I finished with Syaoran's outfit, he asked me to patch it up for him. I was going to drop it off before heading to the school. I have to head in earlier than everyone else, otherwise I'd offer you a ride, Sakura-chan."

"No no, it's okay. Actually, you think I could come by and pick up the outfit to take to him for you?" She asked.

Tomoyo blinked in surprise. Sakura actually wanted to see Li-kun? It was a moment before she noticed she hadn't responded. "Of course! I'll be here until 6pm ok?"

"Ok, I'll head over now then." Sakura said goodbye and began packing her things. "I'm leaving Kero-chan! Don't eat all the candies in the kitchen! They're Father's!"

The guardian flew up and crossed his arms. "What are you talking about? I'm going with you to see the play!"

"But you saw it last time. It's just the same as then." Sakura wondered why kero would even be interested in watching her again.

"Well I already told Tomoyo I'd meet her at the school so if you're leaving, I'll head with you." He dove into her bag before she could object and hoped she didn't ask anymore questions. Yue, Touya, and himself were worried the dark force would try something again and agreed to all go to the play and watch over their mistress. (Or in Touya's case, his little sister.)

Sakura frowned, but was too busy thinking about how she'd talk to Syaoran and grabbed her bag before heading out.

Meiling heard the knock at the door and knew instantly who it was. Tomoyo had already called to warn her and the cousin was only happy to leave to two alone to sort things out. Opening the door, she practically dragged Sakura in with a greeting. "It's so nice of you to stop by!" Sakura, of course, called ahead of time so as to make sure Syaoran was indeed home when she came. "Syaoran is in his room, so go right on in. I'm taking Wei to buy a new camera so he can take lots of pictures tonight. Just lock the door when you're done. Come on Wei!"

The butler bowed respectfully, which Sakura returned, and headed out with the energetic girl.

Sakura placed her bag down, Kero having decided to stick with Tomoyo as she headed to the school early, and walked down the hall towards the warrior's room. She held the outfit tighter and tighter with each step, the entire apartment filled with his scent and his sense. She hadn't been in here many times but especially not after discovering her true feelings for the Li descendant.

Her heart pounded and she was unsure if she'd be able to confront him with as much confidence as she planned for. Coming to his door and knocked softly and swallowed hard before saying, "Syaoran-kun, it's Sakura. I brought your outfit from Tomoyo." When she heard no response, she frowned and gently pushed the door open.

Inside she saw Syaoran lying on his side, seemingly asleep. Smiling at the peacefulness of the scene, she crept in and immediately noticed the color of the walls were a deep forest green, unlike the off white of the rest of the house. She placed his outfit on the dresser and noticed a picture in a wooden frame on top of the dresser.

She recognized the picture as being when Tomoyo, Eriol, Syaoran and herself had gone to the teddy bear convention. She didn't remember him taking this particular picture, so somehow he must have snuck it in. She was standing smiling next to one of the biggest bears she'd ever seen. She had so much fun that day. Eriol was quite the character, but now she knew it was because of his true identity. Still, it would always be a fond memory for her. Strange that Syaoran would risk taking such a picture and never tell her about it.

Suddenly, Syaoran moans and began to stir away. Panicking, Sakura jumped away and accidently hit the dresser, making the picture fall face down. Frowning, Syaoran jolted up and when he saw it was Sakura, rubbed his eyes sleepily. "W-what are you doing here, Sakura?"

Stuttering, Sakura reached for the outfit and handed it to the awakened teen. "I um, well Tomoyo had to go to the school, for the play, and I offered to bring this to you. Meiling let me in. I'm sorry for waking you." She bowed low in apology.

Smirking, Syaoran took the clothes. "Don't worry. You just startled me." Remembering the play was in just a few hours, Syaoran groaned and plopped back down on the bed.

Sakura frowned and rushed to his side. "What's wrong? Are you sick?" She reached forward to check for a fever, when Syaoran suddenly pushed her hand away.

"I'm fine!" He snapped.

Bringing back her hand gingerly, Sakura rubbed it not out of pain, but out of hurt. Not only does he not know that he loves me, but now he hates me… Unknowing to her, four cards in her pocket glow black. "I-I'm sorry. I guess I'll see you tonight."

She turns around to leave, but Syaoran sat up and raised a hand. "Wait…don't go." She slows to a stop and hears him sigh. "I guess I haven't been feeling well lately. I wish I didn't have to do the play tonight, but there's no helping it. Everyone's put so much work into it, both times, they deserve to see the whole thing."

Gathering up what courage she had, Sakura turned back to face Syaoran. "About yesterday…what happened when I used Light. It freed Teruriko-san, but…"

"I'm not sure." He cut her off. "I don't know what happened." That was partially true, but deep down Syaoran knew something evil was inside him and that it hurt when Sakura used the Light card on him and their classmate. But he couldn't bring himself to believe that he was a threat to Sakura. Then again, the Card Mistress herself had practically said that she had to keep the truth from him. Was that why?

"Oh, well, I still have to get ready for the play myself. I'll meet you at school?" Sakura tilted her head.

Syaoran nodded. "Yeah, I'll see you there." When he heard the front door open and close, he threw his feet over the side of the bed and took another deep breath. Looking up he noticed his picture had been knocked over and reached to set it upright. When his fingers touched it, a jolt shook his body and he felt his heart begin to race once more. What is it I'm feeling…?

Looking more closely at the picture, he tries to remember when he took it.

FLASH!

All around Syaoran, the elevator he was in began to shake. Sakura was next to him and stood up happily. "It's moving!" But another jolt sent her wobbling towards one end of the elevator.

Syaoran saw the wall disappearing but couldn't believe it. He jumped up and raced towards her…

I don't remember this…

As Syaoran reached out for Sakura, her hand slipped back and she fell into the blackened abyss.

Her image falling played over and over again.

His heart felt like it was being squeezed within his chest.

She was gone…

And he couldn't save her.

FLASH!

"SAKURA!" Syaoran shouted towards the sealing, back in his room. His forehead was dripping with sweat and his hair clung to his head as he dropped to his hands and knees to try and steady himself.

"I…I was there, but why do I feel like I'm seeing it through someone else's eyes?" Taking a few moments to steady himself, Syaoran decided to take a shower and prepare for the play. No matter what was happening to him, he had to focus on his lines, or he'd mess up in front of everyone.

As people poured into the theatre, anxious to see the completed play, Yue and Keroberus stood atop the roof sensing and watching everything. They wouldn't take any risks with their mistress. Touya had decided he would remain inside in case Sakura needed immediate assistance. Grumbling, he wished there were less people coming from the plays because he was sensing emotions from all of them.

With each scene of the play, Sakura performed beautifully and managed to push away her worries about the last scene. She had to admit she was worried a problem would arise and people might end up getting hurt, so she kept her senses and her cards prepared.

Across the stage, Syaoran stood fighting the real Teruriko, swords crossed over the magical ishii that lay in his pocket. Sakura watched helplessly from the side, feigning worry and called out a ceasing to the fight. "Please stop this! No one should use the stone; it's too powerful! Please just destroy it!"

"I cannot allow my enemy to live! I will kill you!" Slashing the prop sword out of Syaoran's hands, the character Teruriko pulled his weapon back for the finishing blow, then Sakura rushed forward crying out Syaoran's name.

"Princess!" Syaoran called out.
The audience gasped and she shook once to intensify the scene. The man before her froze and pulled his sword back, allowing Sakura to fall backwards 'wounded'. "I…princess why did you save him? Is it so hard to think of a life with me as your husband?"

Collapsing into Syaoran's arms, Sakura smile weakly. "I cannot pretend to love another…when my heart belongs to him…" Looking up she met Syaoran's gaze and the tears threatened to fall again.

"To forget you…would be death for me, Princess. Please do not leave me." Syaoran spoke his rehearsed lines.

"I will always be with you, my prince." Sakura close her eyes and fell limp. Happy she didn't have any more lines for a while she tried her best to simply keep from blushing in the warm arms of her true love.

Teruriko took out the magical stone and threw it against the floor angrily. "For this? To have mastered the power of the ishii and brought prosperity to our kingdom, what does it all mean without its fair princess?"

"She never cared about power. She only wanted peace between the kingdoms…as did we both." Syaoran recited in a shaky voice.

"I curse this abomination! No one else shall die in its name!" Raising his prop sword, Teruriko prepared to strike the stone when it began to glow and lifted to eye level by a cleverly placed string high above. "I don't believe it…"

"To have immortality, or reverse death for one…which do you choose?" The stone asked.

Syaoran remained silent and looked over at Teruriko.

The boy fell to his knees and looked at his hands, covered in the blood of his enemies. "Immortality? It would be a cursed life, stained in the blood of royalty." Looking up at the stone, he shouted. "Life! I choose life!"

"So it had been decided." The glow of the stone grew then faded away as Sakura's classmates brought it back up into the high curtains, depicting the destruction of the ishii itself.

"Princess?" Syaoran asked slowly.

Moaning, Sakura opened her eyes and winced as she raised her hand from where the wound had been dealt. "Have the gods blessed me?"

"Stay with her prince, I shall inform our king!" Teruriko stood up and raced off-stage.

"I'm so glad your okay!" Syaoran pulled her close and pretended to cry into her hair.

"The ishii?" She asked. Taking a deep breath from building stage fright, Sakura inhaled Syaoran's unique scent of autumn leaves. Gods how she missed him.

"It's gone, probably used that magical power in order to bring you from the land of the dead. But tell me, why? Why did you do it?" Syaoran asked as he pulled back to stare into her eyes.

"Because I…" No, not now, we're almost through. But it was too late, the tears fell and she tried not to think about the amusement park, the void, or of her fading Syaoran. "Because I love you."

"Princess…I love you too." Leaning down, Syaoran held his breath and prepared to finish the scene with the sweet kiss of a prince.

FLASH!

"Oh, what a beautiful princess. With my kiss, she is to be awoken - I swear to this sword. I will love this beautiful princess of the thorny forest for the rest of my life!"

I've seen this before…

"And now the kiss…" Sakura leaned forward and prepared to kiss Syaoran, as he closed his eyes in frightened anticipation.

FLASH!

"Syaoran-kun!" Sakura screamed as the wind around the ferociously picked up, pulled her away from Syaoran's arms.

"Sakura!" Jumping to his feet, he reached for her but missed as she was flung through the ceiling, a giant hole being created from the funnel that formed. Not again!

Growling, he called out his sword and rushed backstage towards the stairs.

"What's going on!?"

"I don't think this is a part of the play anymore!"

Various comments ran through the audience but already Touya was rushing where he saw the brat run back stage. Syaoran threw open the doors leading to the roof and quickly slammed them shut with ofudas to seal them. Touya reached the door and pounded repeatedly. "Hey! You better open this door brat!"

"It's no use! We have to find another way up!" Tomoyo shouted from behind him. "There's no way I'm gonna miss a single moment!" As always her camcorder was clutched in her hand.

Growling, Touya rushed back down and hurried to find another opening.

Syaoran transformed his key and stood furiously against the dark force that would harm Sakura. Shock faltered his courage though when he saw both Windy and Watery binding their mistress in mid air by her hands and feet. Yue and Keroberus were by his sides instantly and upon seeing the dire situation, Yue erected his barrier protected all those around from being harmed. He had not been forced to use this ability since his battle with the card mistress. Hopefully this would prevent Tomoyo and Touya being involved as well. Unfortunately he knew it was only a temporary fix. Should Sakura be defeated here, his powers would wane and the barrier would fall allowing whoever was behind this to harm anyone they chose.

"Sakura! I'm coming, hang on!" Syaoran bolts forward, leading the charge with Yue and Keroberus, but below the ground explodes and Fiery and Earthy growl and hiss angrily at the intruders. "All four elements!?"

"And they're working together!" Kero exclaimed.

Yue narrowed his eyes and brought out his bow and arrow. Cards or no, they were harming Sakura. They were now the enemy. "How dare you stand against your mistress. Did you not swear fealty when she captured and converted you? What insanity has caused you to go back on your word?"

"It's my fault." Sakura smiles weakly. "I've been sad and the cards know this. They don't trust me anymore. Isn't that right, Kero?"

Keroberus was open-mouthed with shock. "You…you knew?"

"Well not really. But I could feel the change in their emotions. I was so concerned with myself, I think I ignored it. I neglected my duties and this is the punishment I have brought upon myself." Sakura admitted.

"No, that's not true!" Syaoran tried to convince her. "You are strong. Everyone has bad days, but when they do…Sakura its always you who are there for them. Now as your friends, it's our turn to be there for you! Daibouji-san, Meiling, Yue-san, Keroberus and even your brother…they are all worried about you because they care!"

"And what about you, Syaoran-kun? Why are you here?" She had tears in her eyes, but she still managed to look into those amber orbs. The Water and Windy card pained her arms and legs, she was cold in just her dress, and yet she didn't care. If she couldn't better herself and get passed this, she wasn't any good to anyone.

In his darkened world, the evil manipulator smiled. Now with the card mistress submitting to her depression, he could openly control more of the cards and speed up his release tenfold. Clow's descendant and her puny guardians would not be enough against the elements. He will be tortured trying to save his friend, and the card mistress would be forced to watch, helpless to change the course of the events.

"I-I'm your friend! You can't say that all the cards we've captured together hasn't meant something! I told you that I trust you and I want you to trust me. We'll get through this and then maybe after we'll talk. Whatever is hurting you, we'll fix it. I promise. Together."

"Together?" It's true that although his love had been erased, he was still by her side, trying to protect her. Maybe she could prevail and get back the real Syaoran. The one who still loved her. "Yeah, ok. I'll try." Closing her eyes, Sakura summoned her star key and focused her magic into the tiny trinket. "Release!" But nothing happened. The key dropped to her chest and remained dim. "W-what?"

"The darkness in her heart has reached the point that she can no longer convert the key." Keroberus said, his unspoken fear becoming a reality.

Growling, Syaoran rushed forward again, having to dodge multiple counterstrikes from both Earthy and Fiery before he was roughly slammed back into the rooftop's access door. "W-why? Why would you betray Sakura?"

"We have not betrayed her, Descendant of Clow." Being an elemental, Earthy spoke calmly but her voice carried much strength.

"We are protecting her from that which threatens her." Fiery added, one fireball formed in her hand while she pointed accusingly at Syaoran with the other.

"Explain yourself." Yue commanded.

Smirking, Earthy and Fiery glowed and in front of Sakura Light was summoned from her card and looked sadly upon Syaoran. Then closing her eyes, she glowed brightly, showering only him with her luminescence.

Syaoran clutched his body fiercely and though he was fighting it, he cried out as pain racked his body even worse than in the auditorium. It was like a part inside of him was trying to explode.

"Syaoran-kun!" Sakura cried out.

"What's going on!?" Keroberus watched but couldn't believe his eyes.

"Please, stop! Everyone stop hurting him!" Sakura begged. Her cards could not hear her and therefore continued their combined assault. Off to the side, she saw Dark cowering from the power of its other half. "Dark, please, save Syaoran-kun!"

Dark looked up and said, "Unless you can find the courage to stand up to your destiny, Card Mistress, you will not grow strong. You will become weak and therefore we will become weak."

Sakura looked back at Syaoran-kun and tried to think of a way to save him. The more he was assaulted, the more Sakura could see a strange shadow rise up from his back, like a possessive demon. There had been one other time when she feared he was going to get hurt. It was when Eriol-kun had controlled Syaoran with strings and made him attack her. He begged to have her run away, so that he wouldn't slice her as well, but she wouldn't leave him. Instead Syaoran used a water ofuda to reveal the hidden strings which she promptly cut, saving him. She had been scared, but being with him brought her courage.

Yes, he is my courage. He is my strength when I have none. She saw him crying out below and knew it was her time to be courageous for him. "I will be strong! I will save my friends!" Pulling her arms closing to her body, she could fell Windy and Watery strain to keep their hold on her. "F-fly!" Wings appeared from her back and with one flap she broke free from her bonds. Maneuvering away from them, she looked down upon the Dark Card. "Dark, I command you to stop Light and save Syaoran-kun!"

This time Dark nodded and enveloped Light much like Shadow had to the lightning beast. The pain causing brightness ceased and Syaoran collapsed to his knees, shaken but alive.

"Syaoran-kun!" Sakura dove down to his side and helped him to his feet. Light and Dark reverted to their card forms. "You stay out of this one. Kero, Yue and I will…"

"No, I'm staying here." He interrupted.

Her eyes went wide. "But Syaoran-kun, you're injured and…"

"And I'm not going anywhere as long as the cards intend to harm you. Now let's subdue them and get to our important talk." Syaoran held his Li Clan Sword with renewed confidence and gathered as much strength as he could. "That's my goal, Sakura. What's yours?"

Sakura hesitated a moment, but nodded and turned towards the traitorous elements. "Kero-chan, take Syaoran and go after Watery. Yue-san handle Earthy."

"Right!" They all said and took their positions. At a time like this, Kero wouldn't argue about the brat riding him until after the battle. Together the two rose into the air and faced off with Watery. Yue released his arrows into Earthy and her rocky pillars crumbled into rocks.

I don't have Windy or Water to stop Fiery, so what else can I use? Thinking of an idea, Sakura pulled out two cards and held up her key. "Release!" This time the key transformed and the card mistress release the sealed forces upon Fiery. "Rain! Loop! Create a water funnel around Fiery! Subdue her now!"

Rain began drizzling lightly, but when loop began to twirl madly, it became a tight tornado that wrapped around Fiery negating all her attacks. When Syaoran was close enough, he raised his sword up and called out, "Raiden Shorai!" Lightning lanced forward and Watery was on the ground writhing in pain. Seeing three of the elements subdued, Sakura brought up her wand. "Return to thy true form, Sakura Cards!"

Next it was four against one as Windy was the last one left. Sakura could see the same strange aura that she'd seen in Syaoran enveloping Windy, but it strangely disappeared and Windy reverted back into a card on its own, floating to Sakura's hand. I'm sorry.

"I…did it." Sakura breathed.

"We all knew you could." Keroberus said as he and the brat touched down. Syaoran smiled in Sakura's direction and for the first time since Void's Capture, Sakura smiled back.

"Now how to explain the hole in the ceiling to everyone downstairs." Keroberus added comically. Things were almost back to normal.

The Dark One smirked. Had he stayed connected to Windy any longer, the card mistress might have discovered him. If he had learned anything, it was patience.

Many eons ago, when the great Clow-sama still walked amongst the land of the living, he had created a card, a dark card that would set the balance between his other 52 cards of light.

Another of his kind, a magician with the ability to harness elements and use them on whim was named Heishin. He despised Clow. Everyone else in the Magician's Council thought he was the best of his time, but no one ever mentioned Heinshin.

Although the research into dark magic was looked down upon, even the council had to see its potential. If one could harness it, they would be even more powerful than those who used pure light magic.

Now Clow had done it before him and it was unforgivable. "That card will be mine." Heinshin said as he maneuvered away from the window. "If not today, then someday. I will show its true power to everyone, even you Clow." So that night he performed a spell that would connect his life force to that of the dark card – now titled Void, a connection so small Clow would never notice it.

But what he hadn't counted on was the Magic Council condemning him for his research, deeming him too dangerous to be allowed to remain free. So they locked him away and all this time he had sat in wait. Hoping that with his small connection to the Void Card, he would be able to gather dark energy and break free.

Once the Void Card had broken free of Clow's barrier underneath his house, Heinshin influenced the card just enough to gather any remains of Clow's magic so that he may convert it and get stronger. What he hadn't counted on was Clow's actual descendent being there to witness it.

Now, instead of being connected to the Void Card, he was connected to the Clow descendant himself. Without love in his heart, he was much easier to control.

But not now. He didn't have enough energy stored away to take over the young boy. Not yet anyway. For now he would just sit and watch. After so many eons, what was a few more weeks?