CCS+MGLN: The Shard Card
--Plot Thought up by Yoshilord, found on Shoujoai website
Shorter Summary: Things go from weird to worst and back again as Tomoyo suddenly falls ill. Ignoring that her wedding to Shaoran is in less than a week, Sakura does her best to care for Tomoyo. But who are these new people who claim to know how to cure Tomoyo's incurable illness and what is this "Jewel Shard" that they speak of? CCS meets MGLN. Shoujo-ai centric.
Pairings: Sakura/Tomoyo, Nanoha/Fate, Hayate/Harem (as per requested)
Disclaimer: I do not own Card Captor Sakura anymore than I own Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha and the associated characters. I don't even pretend to claim credit for this plot prompt. I am merely a writer- a bored writer looking for something to pass the time with this summer.
Review as you will, tell me what you like, what you don't like, I'll probably write whatever I want anyway, but if you hit me when I hit peak boredom, you just might see me take an idea or three. Enjoy!
Chapter Seven
"All right, Sakura-chan, this is it. If you pass this test, you'll be admitted special entry into the military in the stealth division for starters. Show us what you've got. And remember, if you get caught, you're on your own. Standard military rules."
"Commander Hayate, that isn't really-"
"Yuuno- hush! Did I say you could talk? Sit and watch or leave now."
Yuuno sighed. "This is a weird and twisted game you're playing, Hayate..."
Hayate ignored him, watching the display screen which currently had Sakura staked out in a hiding place in Hayate's residence, with a few select cards in front of her.
Sakura watched as the door opened and Signum walked in. At first, she thought she had been detected, considering how on guard Signum looked, but Signum calmed after a moment. Now it was time for the plan to begin. Silently, she summoned the Mirror card in combination with the Create and Illusion, making a touchable replica of Shamal with an identical magical signature attached. Quickly thereafter, she enlisted the help of the Move card to transport the Shamal-lookalike into the real Shamal's bed, dressed in one of the real Shamal's sheer nightgowns. Then came the real test.
"Signum, is it just you? Come into the bedroom." Sakura prayed to every deity she knew and even some she didn't that Create was capable of creating a close enough simulation of Shamal's voice. It seemed to work, for Signum did indeed go into the bedroom.
As the fake Shamal lowered the bed covers so that the top of her nightgown could be seen, Signum's eyes widened. "Shamal, what are you...?"
The Shamal-lookalike smiled and patted the seat next to her. "Signum, come here. We rarely get to spend time alone together anymore."
Sakura's eyes widened as Signum hesitated, but then sat on the edge of the bed.
Signum murmured, "Sorry. It's been busy."
Thinking quickly, Sakura wrote into the Create book the script for the fake Shamal.
FShamal shook her head, a quiet smile on her face as she reached forward and held Signum's hands in hers. "I'm not looking for an apology. Just... stay with me for a bit. Closer. Please?"
Signum looked down at her hands. "Your hands are cold, Shamal."
FShamal pouted playfully. "That's why I need you, Signum. Hold me; warm me."
Again Signum hesitated, but not as if she suspected anything. She merely seemed embarrassed, albeit it was not her first time being embarrassed by the woman she thought she saw before her. "Where are the others?"
FShamal watched as Signum stood up and took off her cumbersome jackets and slipped off her shoes before climbing onto the bed fully. She made room for Signum, who wrapped her arms around FShamal as if it were nothing. FShamal leaned into the other body, blushing a little at the warmth that she found. "With Hayate-chan. She called us all together and then went off with Vita-chan and Zafira-san."
"You didn't go with her?"
"Since you were tied up until just now, Hayate-chan changed her mind and told me to stay and wait for you. I think she knows that... we haven't had a chance to see each other lately."
"We see each other every evening and every morning-"
"Signum," FShamal placed her finger on Signum's lips. "That's not what I meant. I... miss you. Even if we share the same bed... you make me feel so lonely..."
Signum hesitated and then whispered, "I didn't mean to. What do you want me to do to make it up to you? I have time now..."
Sakura cheered inwardly. Just what she was waiting for! Quickly, she wrote more in the Create book.
FShamal turned her head so that their noses touched. As she started to lower her eyelids, she whispered, "K-Kiss me?"
Sakura was instantly petrified again. She felt really bad for Mirror, being made to play this role, but a tangible body had been necessary.
Signum placed a stabilizing hand on FShamal's chin. "Only if you say the magic words. Call me what you always do."
Sakura cursed. Leave it to the experts to have a passphrase. What could it be? A name... a name...
FShamal smiled shyly. "Actually, about that, I thought I'd try a new one today." Leaning forward so that her lips grazed Signum's ear, she murmured, "Will you be my Yummy Yummy Num-num?"
Signum's eyes widened to an impossible extent as her whole face was awash with embarrassment. But as she looked at FShamal again, there was the smallest of happy smiles on her face. Her arms tightened around FShamal as she answered, "Maybe... if you were my Shamal... and not just a sham of her."
Sakura bit her lip as panic set in. She knows! But... she hasn't done anything yet. Maybe there's still a chance...
FShamal pouted and let her fingers dance along Signum's arm. "You're such a meanie, Signum. Why are you so suspicious? I can't act a little differently from time to time?"
"It's not that. You're acting is dead on. It's your disguise that's wrong."
Signum gestured to the front of the nightgown. "Shamal always purposely wears this nightgown with the zipper in front. Now show me who you really are."
Such a simple thing? Sakura grit her teeth, wondering how she was going to get out of this one. Well, it was okay, if she could just exit quietly, she would be able to leave with all the evidence she needed.
FShamal sighed laboriously and gestured to the tight grip on her stomach. "Fine, be that way. I'm not in the mood anymore now anyway. Let me go."
"Not until you tell me who you are and why you're impersonating Shamal."
FShamal turned on Signum with an angry, tearful face. "Why can't you understand, Signum? I wasn't lying. I wasn't pretending. Shamal... I really just want to be with you sometimes!"
Signum was so shocked by this admission, her grip loosened and FShamal quickly wrestled out of her grasp and got out of bed. Signum called after her, but made no attempt to run after her.
FShamal paused at the doorway. "I wish... I wish we hadn't spent so much time stalling. I... I have to go now."
By the time Signum had rushed to the doorway of the bedroom, Sakura had dispersed her Cards and had used the Move Card to transport herself first out of the residence, then to the floor above, and finally to where Hayate was waiting.
Sakura looked around, nervous. "Was that... was that good enough?"
Hayate smiled approvingly. "Very good, for a novice. You have a nice touch, Sakura-chan. Well, Shamal, what do you think?"
Sakura's eyes widened in disbelief. She hadn't actually thought the real Shamal was in on this whole ordeal...
Shamal stepped into the light with the same smile as ever. "I enjoyed watching. But Signum is right- I do wear that nightgown backwards." At Sakura's curious look, she added, "Not for any dirty purposes; it just commemorates our first night together when I was so nervous I wasn't sure which way was up."
Sakura hesitated for a moment, but then voiced, "So... do I pass?"
Hayate looked at Shamal, who smiled and nodded. "Yes, Sakura-chan. You pass with flying colors. Welcome to the military."
Shamal stepped toward the door. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have some damage control to do. Hayate-chan, my evening was freed, was it not?"
Hayate nodded. "Yours and Signum's. Zafira-san and Vita-chan are watching Vivio-chan at Tomoyo-chan's place, because Nanoha-chan wants to be alone to talk with Fate-chan long distance."
"And you'll give us some privacy?"
"Shamal! Who do you take me for?"
Shamal smiled as she opened the door. "I'm not going to answer that, Hayate-chan. I know you better than that."
"Shamal!"
Shamal was not the only one stunned to see a breathless Signum standing just outside the door. But she recovered first and reached forward to rest a hand on Signum's chest as she manually closed the door behind her. "They know, my little Sig-"
Sakura pouted, wishing she could have heard the real nickname Shamal had for Signum. But at the same time, she was glad she was spared the wrath of Signum once she found out what she'd been doing. She yelped when she found Hayate wrapping her arm around her shoulders.
"You're a good kid, Sakura-chan. This deserves a toast. Join me for a drink or two, won't you? Yuuno, you'll come too, won't you?"
Yuuno held his hands up defensively. "Oh no, I won't. I know where I won't be wanted. And staying this long is bad enough. I'm going back to the library."
Before Sakura could figure out what was what, she was alone with Hayate in a soundproof room.
Hayate poured herself and Sakura a glass of sake and asked, "You do drink, don't you, Sakura-chan?"
Sakura nodded slowly. "Sometimes."
"Well, tonight is a good as time as any." She held up her glass, gesturing for Sakura to do the same. "A toast to the first out of many to accomplish the elusive Mission Impossible. Cheers!"
As Sakura sipped slowly, watching Hayate guzzle hers down like water, she asked, "Is it really that dangerous?"
Hayate nodded seriously. "To date, Shamal has been the only one able to coax that side of Signum out. Well, I can too, but they see me as their master so I win by default. But what you did... it's more than anyone else has ever done before. Unscathed too! I know several new recruits who still have scars from their attempts..."
Sakura paused mid-sip. "Will Signum come after me?"
Hayate laughed off Sakura's worries as if she were a child wondering if the Boogie man would really eat her. "Not as long as Shamal is with her and you're with me. So drink up, Sakura-chan! We have a long night ahead of us."
Sakura yelped as Hayate tipped her glass, making her drink faster while at the same time dribbling sake on her clothes.
Hayate leaned back and tsked. "No good, no good, getting your clothes all messy. Take it off, take it off, Sakura-chan! Here, I have just the thing for you to wear..."
Sakura watched with fearful eyes as Hayate went over to a door and opened it, revealing a walk in closet that produced much the same effect as when Sakura first saw Tomoyo's collection of outfits for her that would soon become her CardCaptor costumes. But... these were decidedly... different.
"I... don't think I can wear that."
Hayate walked over and poured some sake down the front of Sakura's shirt, making her gasp sharply. "Well, you can't wear that. Come on, take a bath with me and then we'll choose what you'll wear."
As Sakura was led, dripping slightly, to the connected bathroom, she couldn't help but wonder what was in store for her.
The soundproof walls prevented anyone from hearing her screams that night, but across the building, Tomoyo looked up from her baking with a delicate frown.
Her senses tingled, telling her that someone else was going in on her territory.
Her cosplaying territory was not to be violated.
Especially not when it concerned her special model, Sakura.
But Hayate was a cosplayer of a different breed, yet not one to oppose Tomoyo's deepest of territories.
No, she specialized in anime costumes.
And right now, she had a fetish for Bleach shinigami robes, tailored for all sizes.
--
Many weeks passed, but finally, it was time for Tomoyo and Sakura to receive their intelligent devices.
Since Sakura already owned Cards which were like several intelligent entities by themselves, her staff was merely modified to contain a gem that had the communication and recording facilities of other intelligent devices and a modulator to give voice to the staff that already knew Sakura so well. Also, at the head of the staff, just below the circular star, there was a reserve Card holder, from which certain Cards could be summoned and used like device cartridges, and once used, they would return to the reserve deck.
It was rather like reusable bullets, but the "bullets" came in many forms. The intelligent staff was also given a name, Nadeshiko, and an automatic power-up capability. Any card used with the staff would now have more influence than otherwise.
When pressed to test it out, Sakura found that very little had changed, except now the staff talked back to her when she told it to do something.
"Nadeshiko!"
"Yes, Ojou-sama."
Sakura had flushed the first several times the staff with her mother's name had called her that, but she continued nonetheless. "Load Bubble Card!"
The Bubble Card shot out of the reserves and spun along with the star at the top of the staff.
"Soapy Smokescreen, go!"
Like magic, well, it was magic after all, the Bubble Card released a profuse amount of bubbles, completely shrouding Sakura from view.
"Sakura-chan, target the one in the middle!'
Sakura looked around and locked in on the target doll Hayate had indicated.
"Dual Load! Fiery Card! Shot Card!"
"Yes, Ojou-sama."
"Flame... Shot!"
A bullet-like puff of fire was released from the tip of the staff and, like a homing missile, went wayward and then turned to barbecue the middle target.
"Sakura-chan, change gears and get the other two!"
"Parallel Load! Thunder Card! Twin Card!"
"Yes, Ojou-sama."
"Twin Lightning!"
Two bolts of lightning came crashing down from the clear skies above and charred the two remaining targets.
"Good, good, Sakura-chan, that's enough. You can sit down now."
"Nadeshiko, dispel Cards and cool down."
"As you wish, Ojou-sama."
Sakura let out a large exhale as she returned Nadeshiko to pendant form and went to go sit on the sidelines. Nanoha grinned at her. "At this rate, you'll blow past all of us before we know it, jack of all trades."
Sakura laughed and shook her head. "I'm drained just from doing that much. I have a long way to go. And I don't have the expertise or finesse that you have."
"Those come with time and experience; you've got nothing to worry about."
Sakura would have responded, had Hayate not announced that it was Tomoyo's turn now. She wondered what Tomoyo's would look like, considering she had never had a staff or an item before.
Hayate held up what Shari was previously holding and proclaimed, "Behold! Opula! (Oprah, to English speakers) The Prima Donna!"
Everyone looked, and it seemed only Tomoyo recognized it right off the bat. "A tuning fork! I'd lost mine on the way here, this is great!"
Hayate tsked, "It not only operates as a musical tuning fork, but as a medical one as well. The perfect combination for our vocal and healing specialist. It's yours now, Tomoyo-chan. Go on, take it and change it into staff form. The words should come to you as soon as you touch it."
Tomoyo hesitantly accepted the tuning fork, taking the time to turn it over in her hands. It was mostly purple with a gold finish, although the gem at its base was black. Unsure, she called out, "Opula?"
The black gem blinked a vibrant red when it spoke. "Yes, Maestra?"
Tomoyo took a deep breath and felt around in her heart for the words that she knew were there. "Opula, Augmentation."
"Yes, Maestra." With a hazy lavender glow, the small tuning fork extended to an impossible size, not unlike Bardiche's Zanber form in size.
Tomoyo shook under the weight.
"Tomoyo..." Sakura instantly voiced her worry. "Can you... carry that?"
Hayate backed up. "Tomoyo, try swinging it."
Tomoyo was about to do just that, when something occurred to her. "Opula, Diminuendo. Light."
As if a great burden had been lifted off her shoulders, Opula suddenly bounced upward, before Tomoyo held it with a more assured grasp. Soon thereafter, she began to swing it around, first two handed, then one handed, and then she began to twirl it like a baton over her head, as if it were all child's play.
Suddenly wanting to test its functions, Tomoyo asked, "Am I allowed to experiment a little?"
Nanoha erected a bubble of protection around the spectators. "Go for it, Tomoyo-chan."
Taking a deep breath, Tomoyo whispered a command and rammed the end of the "hilt" into the ground. Instantly, a strong, ear-numbing hum split the quiet atmosphere.
Tomoyo seemed to be the only one effected by it, calmly commanded, "Amplification Mode."
"Yes, Maestra."
The area inbetween the two prongs of the enlarged tuning fork shimmered and solidified into what could only be a giant microphone.
After one became accustomed to the concert-like intensity, Tomoyo's song was beyond beautiful to the ears. Obviously a healing song, the spectators could feel their hearts lighten despite their defensive shield. After all, the shield was attack-proof, not sound-proof.
It was Sakura who noticed it first. Tapping Nanoha's shoulder excitedly, she pointed at the grass close to the targets that she had previously charred. In the face of Tomoyo's magic, the grass had taken on a fresh, healthy sheen, and the flowers had blossomed again. The others were held in awe at this display, although they instantly snapped to attention when Tomoyo stopped singing, and plucked Opula out of the ground.
The shield lowered as they rushed forth to surround Tomoyo, chattering excitedly as Tomoyo returned Opula to its mini form.
Shari looked between Sakura and Tomoyo once things had calmed down again. "I trust everything is to your liking?"
"Yes!" Sakura and Tomoyo chimed together, "Thank you very much!"
Shari grinned and waved it off, although she was obviously proud of herself for having done the main work for both devices. "Now that that's set, I have to get back to work. Remember to bring them in for maintenance once a year minimum or if anything happens to them, all right? And make sure to take good care of them on a regular basis."
"Yes!"
One by one, the other spectators left as well, until it was down to Sakura, Tomoyo, and Nanoha, who remained to warn them out possible things that could go wrong with the devices, and things they were and were not capable of doing in any circumstance.
Eventually though, even she left, and then Sakura and Tomoyo were alone.
They watched Nanoha leave before chancing a glance at each other. It started out as a stifled giggle, but knowing they were alone, their laughter grew and grew until they were clutching their stomachs and gasping on the ground. The stress from the past few weeks rolled out of them with each contraction of their stomach, every giggle that escaped, and when it was over, they had curled around each other on the soft, sweet grass.
The sun was pleasant that day.
"Hey... Sakura-chan..."
Sakura looked over at Tomoyo. "Mm?"
Tomoyo rolled so that she was facing her. "We both have magic now. We both have intelligent devices."
Sakura nodded and smiled. "Mmhmm."
"Our magical adventures have started anew here, in another world, in another setting. But this time, I'm not just recording your adventures or helping you pick out an outfit. I... I may be of use to you now."
"Don't be silly, Tomoyo-chan." Sakura smiled as she grasped Tomoyo's hands in hers. "You were always a big help to me. Remember back when I first started catching Clow Cards? I would never have caught Shadow without you."
"You would have found a way. Like you did with Watery."
Sakura shook her head. "I've always been able to find my way because I knew you were there to support me. That much hasn't changed, even now."
Tomoyo hesitated and then scooted closer. "Sakura-chan... I want to tell you something."
"All right." Sakura continued to smile encouragingly. "I'm listening."
"Don't interrupt, okay? Wait until I finish."
"Okay."
"You... you are a very important person to me. You always have been. I know you're set on being a part of the military, helping as many people as you can in your own way. I understand that and I want to the same, in my own way. But... more than anything else... if you get hurt, I want to be the one to heal you. When you're down, I want to be the one by your side. When you're sad, I want to be the one to cheer you up. And... and when you want... to be loved... I want to be the one that showers you with love. Because... because... Sakura... I love you more than you could ever know. So please... will you let me be... your partner? As equals... that's all I ever wanted."
Sakura was quiet for a moment, and when Tomoyo said nothing else, she asked, "Can I talk now?"
Tomoyo nodded.
Sakura closed her eyes briefly and then opened them with a bright smile. "I don't know what you've been thinking I've been thinking but... you're very important to me too. I know I've never really talked about it, but the truth is... Tomoyo... I've been dreaming of the day that we could use our magic side by side... since the day you gained the capacity for magic of a similar level. Although it is true that I was tired of Shaoran always making a fuss about every powerful mage we met, regardless of gender, but that wasn't why I left him. Even now, I feel I could have lived a very full and happy life with him, straight to the grave. But I would have been lying to myself if I said that's what I wanted. You're special to me, Tomoyo. So very special. So special, in fact, that I made the choice to transfer my life countless light years away from where I grew up, just so I could be closer to you. I miss it, it's true. I miss Earth every day. But I know I don't regret leaving. If the last face I see before I die is yours, I won't have any regrets. So... so... I guess what I'm saying is... Tomoyo... I've never considered having anyone else as my partner. Will you be mine?"
There were tears collecting around Tomoyo's eyes as she mouthed her answer, her voice suddenly having given out on her. Surrounded by the rustling trees, the two young women embraced, sealing the deal as their bodies connected.
And for the first time, Sakura whispered using the private mental connection freshly stabilized between herself and Tomoyo.
"Just for the record... Aishiteru, Tomoyo."
A/N: I feel like this is getting crack thrown into it more and more as I go on... :\ Oh well. This chappie is a little shorter (4200 words) because my page count and word count is really messing me up and I needed to stop on round numbers before I start again.
Mm, I ish Shamal-Signum shipper, yupyup and review if you want to see my crappy paint job pic of Tomoyo's Opula- 1st and 3rd mode. :P I was going to have Sakura have a Yugioh like arm card playing area, but then I remembered she had a staff already that was her power facilitator. :\ darn.
Hum, yay for mutual confessions, much love for SakuTomo. If you don't know what Aishiteru means you're no otaku whatsoever. It's the romantic void-of-ambivalency way to say "I love you" (the ambivalent way would be "suki" or "daisuki" of course)
:p Oh, and just a heads up. I know I've been updating every day pretty diligently (what can I say? boredom and readers are a huge motivational force when combined) but I'ma going to be out of town for a few days at the end of this week (Thurs-Saturday) so I'll likely not update on those days. But I hope you continue to read when I come back! :3 Please?
