Chapter 9 And So It Begins

"The more." – Batch Magis '08 SLCN

"No." Yukito replied. "To be honest with you, this wasn't supposed to happen to Sakura." He added.

Keroberos was serious and wasn't saying anything. Touya too became serious. He didn't reply. Yukito knew what was probably going through his head.

"She hasn't awakened yet. I suppose this was really going to happen." Touya finally said.

"It was bound to happen." Keroberos suddenly said.

Both men turned to face him. "What do you mean?" Touya asked. Keroberos then hovered, approaching Touya.

"Sakura was chosen a long time ago. It's true that she hasn't awakened yet but it's starting." He replied.

"I still don't understand. I know that something is happening but what is it?" Touya asked.

"Touya," This time it was Yukito's turn to speak. He was one in mind with Yue and both guardians felt that no matter what explanation they give him, there will be still some things that cannot be explained, while some, are without any answers. "All you need to know is that Sakura possesses this power she is unaware of unlike you. In order for her to control and use it to the fullest, she must unlock her past. It won't be easy."

"It is understandable that you wish to learn and understand everything because she is your sister but we also don't know how things will turn out and how to explain this entirely." Keroberos then said.

Touya gave a nod and glanced back at Sakura. "What does she have to do now? I mean, does she go into training or something?" He asked.

"Yes…somehow. The power of the staff only amplifies the power of the keeper. This is all new to her so controlling the power is going to be quite a challenge for her." Yukito replied.

Yukito took a step forward towards the two siblings. "You probably feel powerless about this but you do have to understand that no matter what we do, we cannot stop fate. Sakura is going to need you so you must believe that she can handle whatever it is that is bound to happen." He said.

Touya stood silently. He closed his eyes then addressed Yukito, "I never doubted her strength. But you are right. I am powerless. Just promise me that you will protect her."

"Sakura…Sakura…" A gentle voice seemed to be calling her from afar. She wasn't sure where it was coming from but it seemed familiar and warm. She felt safe as she allowed herself to drift towards the voice. Everything was light. She felt as if floating in nothing. Sakura opened her eyes. The brightness hurt but only for a moment and then everything was clear. She found herself in a hallway. It seemed very familiar, like she had been there before. Sakura could hear flowing water, soothing her. Birds were chirping and nothing showed traces of darkness. From a distance, Sakura could see that there was an open door at the end of the hallway.

She followed the sounds there. The white curtains were flowing gently by the breeze. It seemed to be teasing her, inviting her to their embrace. Sakura felt compelled to go, nothing inside her heart or her mind was telling her not to go. Rather, it seemed to be pushing her. The voice called out to her again. It seemed to be coming from beyond the open doors, beyond the white veils. As she drew near, from the white curtains, she could tell that there was a man standing at the terrace. He seemed to be waiting for her.

Curiosity enveloped her but at the same time, deep down she felt that she knew the man who was calling for her. As Sakura drew nearer, the figure of the man became more prominent. His features were starting to become focused. Sakura noticed that the man seemed to be looking beyond the balcony. She stopped, somewhat unsure all of a sudden if she should proceed. Just then, as if the man knew what she was feeling, he turned towards her.

Sakura was shocked as she didn't expect the man to look back at her with a big, soothing smile on his face. A spectacle on one eye. A gentle smile. Bright eyes. Long hair tied neatly back. Black robes with an emblem of the sun and the moon on it. He looked familiar as her heart became at ease. "Sakura, welcome home." He suddenly said.

Sakura wanted to speak but it seemed that her tongue had become stuck at the roof of her mouth. The man smiled at her again. "It's ok Sakura. Please." He then motioned her to come nearer.

Sakura came closer, her eyes still fixed on the man's eyes, not saying anything. He then gestured to what was beyond the balcony. Sakura followed with her eyes.

"Welcome home, Sakura. It started here and soon it will end here." He said.

"What do you mean?" Sakura finally managed to ask.

The man smiled patiently at her. "Just remember this, Sakura. No matter what happens, I will always be here by your side. There will also be others who will no hesitate to fight for you. All you have to do is believe and everything will come in due time."

"I'm sorry. I still don't understand. May I ask…who you are?"

The man smiled and held her hand. He then placed a necklace with a star pendant on it. He closed her hand and looked at her straight in the eyes again. "I am Clow Reed. Don't be afraid to seek your past to seek the future. Now you hold the brightness of your own star. You have the power. You just have to believe."

Sakura felt the necklace in her hand. The power. The familiarity of the entire thing. It felt warm to her touch. But she was troubled. Clow Reed knew that. He held her hand more tightly. "Finish what I couldn't." She looked up at him with inquiring eyes. Clow Reed answered with a smile and said, "I have created things which I do not regret. But my magic is not enough to finish the war that had started years ago. You have that power in you. I will always be here to guide you. But I can't unlock your power. Don't fret. When the time comes, you will know." Tears started to flow down Sakura's eyes.

Clow Reed looked at her with great love and sympathy. He wished that he could tell her everything, the truth but he knew that it wasn't the right time for her to know. She had to remember on her own. She just had to. The cruel fate the universe was playing…even he who possessed so much magic cannot bend the will of the universe. He must submit himself to it. He opened his arms for her.

Sakura allowed herself to be embraced and comforted. She couldn't control her tears. Her mind could not understand but her heart knew that he speaks to truth. Her heart knew him, perhaps in another life time…it didn't matter because she knew him. Clow Reed embraced her…his beloved sister…born again in another life…he couldn't protect her once…he vowed that no matter what happens he would be there for her now.

It pained him that he could not tell her. He had missed her. She died far from her beloved. He had watched helplessly as her life drained from her. His beloved sister…if only…but he knew that there are far more important things than his emotions. Also he knew that deep inside her heart, she knew who he was or lest she wouldn't have allowed him to hold her that moment or she wouldn't have trusted him, his words.

He drew his courage once more to keep a clear, encouraging face, careful not to betray any trace of pain he was feeling, "Sakura." He said as he pulled away from her. He glanced down at her and smiled. She was still the same, even if she was living another life now. He then wiped her tears from her eyes. "You are not alone. Don't be afraid. You will never be alone again." That was when he was blessed with her smile, something he hadn't seen in the longest of times, something he missed.

"Clow Reed…" She said in between sobs, trying to get a hold of herself. "I need to do this, right?"

Clow Reed nodded. Sakura smiled again. "This is yours, right?" She then opened her hand and held out the necklace.

"It's yours now." He replied.

"I am afraid…no…terrified…but somehow…with your words…it feels like it's going to be alright. Yes. You are right. I am not alone. You will be there right?"

"Yes, of course."

Sakura nodded. "It feels like I know you…from before…I don't know…it might sound crazy but…that's how it feels." She said. Sakura then shook her head. "Will I remember what it is that you need me to remember?"

"In due time, Sakura. In due time."

"I can't wait." Sakura said and she then turned to leave, to come back where she came from. But before she left, she turned back at him and said, "Perhaps…when that time comes…I'll know why you smile such a sad smile." Sakura then turned and left.

Clow Reed was perplexed. He was sure that he hadn't betrayed any sadness. That was when he smiled a real smile, something he hadn't done in a long time. Yes. She was indeed his sister. His talented sister, whom holds the fate of the world.

Sakura stirred. She was drifting in between consciousness and sleep. What had happened, she did not know…she couldn't remember. But she remembered distinctly what seemed to be a dream. Clow Reed. Was that a dream? As she started to become fully conscious of everything around her, she felt that there was something in her hand. She was unsure of that it was. She held it out and looked at it with inquiring, tired eyes. Upon seeing the necklace, the pendant, her eyes flew wide open and she was fully awake.

She sat up quickly from her bed. Her eyes never left the pendant. She then knew that it wasn't a dream after all. It was real. She hadn't even noticed that she wasn't alone in her room.

Yukito quietly sat there, watching Sakura with much interest. He knew what was probably going through her head at that moment. Clow Reed had told him and Keroberos about it years ago.

"Sakura." Yukito finally said in a soft, comforting voice.

Sakura almost jumped in surprise. "Yukito-san…I…" She said as she looked at him and then at the necklace.

"How are you feeling?" Yukito asked as he drew the chair he was sitting on nearer to her bed.

"I…I'm fine." She answered. "What happened?" She was quick to ask.

"You collapsed." Touya suddenly answered. He was standing at the doorway.

Yukito kept his mouth shut. He thought that probably Touya thought that she wasn't ready to hear what had happened hours ago.

"Are you sure you are feeling fine, imouto-chan?" Touya asked.

Sakura nodded. "There's a lot going on in my head but I think I'll just sleep it off. Thanks for worrying about me you guys." She added. Both men left her be and allowed her to rest.

(to be continued…)

Ok hehe it took another long time to upload this next chapter. Anyway, please do send in your reviews because this fic is not faring as well as my other fics so I'm thinking if it's worth it to continue writing this story or just let it stand…or I'll be making the next chapter the last…anyway, I did what I can with this chapter. I hope you enjoy reading.

Michiko