DISCLAIMER: I do not own CCS. It is obvious.

SUMMARY: What happens after CCS movie 2 The Sealed Card? Sakura finally confessed her love for Syaoran, but mysterious villain changes her feelings...

PAIRING: Sakura&Syaoran

TO REVIEWERS: I wanted to thank all of reviewers for their support, but it is much nicer to thank everyone personally, isn't it? Here you go:

Sakura and Syaoran- you were my FIRTS reviewer!! Thank you! But you stopped reviewing... If you are reading this, let me know how you like the story so far!

Mysterious Angel Girl- YOU ROCK!! Your reviews are so nice and inspirational! huggs you :)

CataclysmicReality- CR! Thanks for your harsh criticism! It taught me a lot:)

jack- Anonymus reviewer! Thank you! I hope you like the story. :)

Angélica- another Anonymus reviewer! YOU REVIEWED A LOT!! A HUGE THANKS FOR YOU:)

dbzgtfan2004- hey there! S&S lover! Syaoran and Sakura forever:)

TheHeart14- kawaii!! Thanks for add!! And reviews!! 'nough said. :D

GEORGE HAYNES- Anonymus! Howz it hanging?! Thanx for review:)

RainForever- thank you, thank you, thank you!! huggs

A/N: Sorry for waiting so long before updating! I really got sucked up with drawing! But here it is! 9th chappy!

x - x - x

Chapter 9 - Two Fights

-Sakura-chan, are you sure you should go to school tomorrow?-Kero sighed worriedly.-I mean it is dangerous for everybody, because-

-Because the Hate Card is inside me?-Sakura interrupted.-I know Kero-chan. Every time I fight with it one on one within myself, I overestimate my power and will abilities and…I lose each time. I am not sure yet what I can do about it, but somehow I need to gather all of my energy and direct it on blocking the Hate Card and not allowing it to take over my body and actions. I feel so guilty every time that card hurts the people I love…it is my fault they are struggling. I need to stop it! Syaoran is counting on me! I promised I would take care of myself and I will.

-I understand, Sakura,-Kero flew to the desk where she sat writing her Japanese language homework and sat on the smooth surface of the table.-And to gather that energy you need, you have to possess a lot of courage and force. I am sure that you have enough of it to stop the card's actions, but…will there be left any life spirit for you?

Sakura shrugged innocently.

-Does it matter?

Kero sweat-dropped at her naivety and then realized what she had just said.

-Of course it matters!-Kero's face lit up with anger.-Do you not understand the meaning of 'life spirit'?

Sakura blinked.

-Uh…I am not sure…

-This is what keeps you breathing every day! The life spirit or force is something that lies within your soul and contains the memory of one thing which keeps you going no matter what. It can be different for each individual, but mostly it is love, friendship or particular subject, precious to its owner. Now you got it?!

-I guess,-Sakura replied confused.-But, what does it have to do with…our situation?

-Agh! Can't you think for a second?-Kero blew up.-Whatever it is what you treasure the most (a/n: isn't it obvious?), if it will be directed on blocking the Hate Card's influence, there won't be any of it left to support your existence!

Sakura's face paled as she backed away.

-You mean I will…

-Exactly!

-It is OK then!-Sakura cheered grinning at dumbfounded Kero.-I will make sure to spend enough energy to stop the card, but leave some of it for myself!

Kero slapped his head with his paw.

-What a stubborn girl. Fine. If you want to be able to channel your will power on blocking the Hate Card, I'll teach you how to do that. Tell me when the card will be active next time.

He flew back to lie on Sakura's bed and stretched his legs.

-So, did you see any more dreams, Sakura-chan?-he said slowly.-I mean it could help us in finding the person who did this to you and make them pay!

Sakura raised her head from her homework.

-I saw that dream again. I still couldn't see the face, but I know that this person definitely stands behind all of this. From what I saw I could remember only long curly blond hair and the eyes…a very cold gaze…This person hates me and…and I don't know what I did to them or who they are!!

-Don't worry so much, Sakura-chan,-Kero said.-Whoever it is I am sure their goal is to break your spirit. They surely will have more tricks up their sleeve…so you should concentrate on that and learn to predict their actions-

A loud high-pitched sound made Kero pause and whirl his head around the room trying to find the source of this sound.

Sakura winced and put the pen down. She looked around her room in order to find the small pink rectangular shaped telephone with a yellow buttons on its corpus. It was lying somewhere in her school bag, she figured.

She picked it up and pressed the bright red button to accept the call.

-Hello?-Sakura asked.

-Sakura!-she heard the panting voice on the other end of the phone.-Are you all right?!

-Yes, I am OK, Syaoran,-she answered with a hint of concern in her voice.-Did something happen? Why are you panting?

-We have a new problem, Sakura…There is another card in the Penguin Park!

-What? What card is it?

-I don't know its name, but when I sensed it, I and Meiling went to find it. We thought that it was the Hate Card, that's why I called you to check if it activated again. But if it didn't, this means that there is another one!

-I'll come and help you!-Sakura yelled nervously as Kero stared at her in confusion.-I'll be there in a minute, just wait.

And she hung up the phone, before she could hear Syaoran's protesting.

-There is another card,-she announced to Kero, grabbing the bag with all Sakura Cards and releasing her staff.

-I'll go with you,-Kero quickly transformed into his true form and gestured Sakura to get on his back.-I have a feeling you will need my help as well.

-Huh?-Sakura asked clueless, getting on his back.

-You'll see,-Cerberus assured her and flew out of the window, heading to the Penguin Park.

x - x - x

The wind furiously billowed the hem of Sakura's beige dress as she flew on Cerberus's back. Sakura tried to sense the card, but couldn't concentrate enough to do that. She closed her eyes and tried it again.

Nothing.

She felt nothing.

They landed on the ground not far from the Penguin Park and Sakura looked around trying to find Syaoran and Meiling. She finally saw them standing beside the swings and rushed over to them, Cerberus silently walking after her.

Syaoran noticed Sakura's aura first and turned around.

-Why did you come,-he asked angrily clutching to his sword which he held in his hand.-when I clearly told you not to?!

Sakura's lips curved in the 'o' shape.

-You never said that,-she answered quietly.-And why shouldn't I come? You can't seal the card without me.

Meiling sighed.

-She is right, Syaoran, stop being overprotective.

Syaoran gazed from Meiling to Sakura and responded blankly.

-How can you say that? Sakura, you are getting yourself in danger walking out on the card the name of which we don't know. On the phone I told you to stay out of this. Why did you let her come?-the last question was directed to Cerberus, who winced at Syaoran's livid voice.

-We don't have time for this,-Meiling interrupted.-Look.

She pointed at the dark figure walking across the playground towards them. They couldn't see much – the figure was wearing a long black cape, only burning red eyes were visible to the sight.

What card is it?-Sakura wondered.

This card didn't look like any of the cards she has seen before. It wasn't in the feminine form – that is for sure. They could see the muscles moving under the man's clothes as he walked towards them.

Suddenly Sakura felt it again. Another card. Inside of her.

The Hate Card.

It awoke,-was last Sakura's thought before her eyes went blurry and then she couldn't see anything though her eyes remained open.

-The Hate…Card…-she whispered, her eyes turning glassy and cold. Cerberus jumped up and turned to face her.

-Sakura, listen closely now,-he said in a loud voice in case she couldn't hear him. The man in the cape ran forward, releasing something from his hand and sending it flying towards Sakura.

Syaoran swiftly took out his sword and swung it in front of the object the man threw at Sakura. Steel object clinked against the metal of his sword and Syaoran saw the sharp ends of the stars. That man intended to kill Sakura.

-Close your eyes,-Cerberus continued as the man jumped backwards and reflected Syaoran's attack.

Sakura tried to nod, but it was as if her whole body went numb and she couldn't move it. The Hate Card on the other side could do it perfectly.

You can't even nod or close your eyes, Sakura.

You are pathetic with your gentle ways and you won't succeed.

You have lost. Again.

Sakura clenched her teeth.

But…I must do it,-she said to a card.

I must break through this.

Her eyelids began to close, slowly and nervously, twitching as if she was scared. She felt a bit of control over her body as her eyelids finally closed.

-Now picture everything you treasure in this life, don't forget a single thing. Than more things you remember, than more energy you will gather. Then put your hands on your chest and say 'Go'.

People I treasure the most…-she whispered lightly.

Father…

Touya…

Mother…

Kero-chan…

Yue-san…

Yukito-san…

Tomoyo-chan…

Syaoran…

Meiling-chan…

Sonomi-san…

Grandfather…

Clow-sama…

Eriol-kun…

Chiharu-chan…

Rika-chan…

Naoko-chan…

Yamazaki-kun…

She pictured every person who meant something to her. Her family. Her friends. Her love.

Stop it!! The card inside her yelled. How can you do this?! You are weak!

I am weak, Sakura agreed. But I have a lot of reasons to live. People who are dearest to me keep me going.

She made a sharp jerk and raised the palms of her hands to her chest.

-Go!

The bright light pierced through her and everyone turned around.

-What is happening?-Meiling asked quietly staring at glowing Sakura.

-You'll see,-Cerberus answered.

Syaoran continued fighting the man, not letting him to attack Sakura. The man used different weapons which he thought were more appropriate and needed in the moment of battle. His sword which he held out in the beginning, transformed into a long stick, then whip, club and the gun.

The last one was the hardest to defeat, Syaoran slashed his sword with a grand speed to beat off the bullets.

The card glared at him with a sneer on his face.

-Impressive, Syaoran. Very impressive. I didn't expect you to reflect all of my attacks. You are going to be one heck of a good Li clan leader. If you live that is!-and he summoned the shield of steel thorns around Syaoran.

Syaoran tried to break off the bond between separate thorns, but it was no use. The shield of thorns slowly began to shrink around him…

x - x - x

Sakura felt she could move her body again. The sensation of light piercing through her was over and she finally realized she was free from card's influence. She placed her hand in front of her face and moved her fingers to make sure the movements were really hers.

-Sakura?-Meiling stared at her.-Is it you?

-Yes,-Sakura mumbled. Meiling sighed with relief and then jerked as she remembered that they left Syaoran to fight the strange card on his own. They all glanced in his direction.

-Oh my God!-Sakura shrieked. Syaoran was struggling to break through the shield. Sakura turned to Meiling.

-We have to do something!

-Do not panic, Sakura!-Cerberus warned her.-Your powers are weakened now. You need to use them wise. Think of a plan!

-We can't think of a plan, Kero!-Sakura disagreed.-We don't have time for it. We will just have to go with what comes on our mind.

-I will distract the card and when it will be vulnerable you seal it!-Meiling suggested. Sakura nodded.

-I guess that is all we can do right now. I'll try breaking the barrier around Syaoran with a Sword.

The man smirked watching two girls and a Beast of the Seal quickly building a plan to defeat him. Sakura took out the Sword Card and called for its strength. She rushed forwards at the same time with Meiling, who jumped up in the air to kick the man from above. He moved to the left and Meiling landed beside him. Then he summoned his sword and slashed it on Meiling while she was down. She jerked up and avoided his sword, getting only a slight scratch on her left shoulder.

-You are good at fighting, Meiling,-the man stated.-Almost as good as Syaoran over there. And you don't even have magic.

-How do you know or names?-Meiling asked surprised.-Who sent you?

-My mistress,-the man continued.-She told me your names. She also gave me a task to kill the new mistress of Clow Cards Kinomoto Sakura.

Sakura raised the Sword high in the air before crashing it down on the shield which surrounded Syaoran. For a second the bright flash blinded her and sparks flew in different directions. When the light was gone, she saw that nothing changed. It didn't work.

Syaoran leaned his sword against the set of thorns to prevent it from shrinking more.

-Your magic is no use for my high level spell,-the man explained turning to face Sakura.-You should give up. Fight one on one with me and I will show mercy towards your friends.

Sakura stepped in his direction.

-Sakura, you shouldn't!-Syaoran cried.

-I really don't have a choice,-she muttered quietly.

The man watched her walk towards him. Suddenly, he jerked and collapsed on the ground with a shriek, revealing a girl in an offensive stance behind him.

-Hurry!-Meiling yelled.-Seal the card, Sakura!

Sakura transformed Sword back into a staff and uttered the incantation to seal the card.

-I call upon the power of my star
Ancient forces, near and far
Transform all your might
and draw your power from my light!
Star Card!

The man glowed with a light pinkish color and combined with a rectangular shaped card, which flew straight into Sakura's hand after the transformation was finished. The shield surrounding Syaoran disappeared and he ran to Sakura just in time to catch her falling on the ground.

-Why did she faint?-he asked Cerberus.

-She used up all of her energy blocking the Hate Card and sealing another one. She will be OK.

Sakura slightly opened her eyes.

-Thank you, Meiling-chan,-she whispered.-How is your shoulder?

-It's fine,-Meiling replied hastily.-We will get you home, Sakura-chan. You need a rest.

-But, what card is it?-Syaoran asked. Sakura lift up the card which she was clasping to her chest to the light. There was a picture of a man with a sword and a lot of other metal weapons on the background. Her eyes widened.

-The Kill Card?-she said faintly.

-He did say that his mistress send him to kill you,-Meiling explained.

-Who is his mistress?-Syaoran's arms clenched Sakura in a tight hug. Cerberus sighed.

-Sakura could ask him, but…I would advise you to wait until she regains her energy. Calling out a card without any reason take up even more energy and it can be dangerous.

Syaoran nodded.

-We need you to get her back home,-he said standing up and helping Sakura to stand up as well.-She should not go to school tomorrow. Please, make sure she does not.

-We will visit you after school,-assured her Meiling.

-But how…Syaoran's leg?-Sakura asked. Syaoran grinned.

-It is almost healed, I can go back to school.

Sakura couldn't argue with that. She beamed at him and sat on Cerberus's back, waving goodbye. After they rose in the air, she closed her eyes and Cerberus didn't notice that she instantly fell asleep.

x - x - x

A/N: Well, what you think? A cliffy? A weak one though...But, who knows! Who wants to kill Sakura?! I for sure know who wants to kill me! Please don't! You won't find out 'bout what's next! And the next chappy is revealing! R&R everyone!!