Aftermath

Tomoyo

"Sakura-chan!" I screamed. Watching Sakura in torment, like she was in minutes before, always brought forth a painful sorrow deep in my core. The tears I'd been holding back while holding her ran down my cheeks as Chun used her magic to levitate Sakura. She couldn't take my little Sakura-chan away. I couldn't bear the thought of her being away from my side.

The magic surrounded Sakura's body and enveloped her in a glow. The glow had a gentle quality about it. My guess was it was healing while it carried Sakura to Chun's open arms. It was strange but realizing this I felt a little relived. My Sakura seemed to be very important to this Li clan villain and she would take good care of her because of it.

Still, I wished I could do something more than sitting there watching Shaoran and Eriol putting their lives at stake. Meilin had come to this field hoping to do something but Chun's high risk of magic left her reduced to sitting with me. Her hand twitched every time one of our friends was hit. I was surprised Meilin had sat as a bystander for so long. It was one of the most painful things to do. This particular fight was too tender and heart wrenching to film.

The look on Shaoran's face hurt me as much as Sakura's tears. "Sakura-hime!" He cried out. I imagined the look Shaoran had was what Romeo's looked like after seeing his precious Juliet laying 'dead' on that stone floor.

"Behold my mind capture illusion!" Chun said. She touched her pointer and middle fingers to Sakura's forehead. This touch created a rush of energy that rustled Sakura's hair. She began to stir in Chun's arms and Sakura's eyes opened. I gasped, "Sakura-chan," I whispered under my breath. Her eyes were like glass; they were just a lifeless version of what they once were. Even the vibrant pink that everyone associated with Sakura was gone from the staff. It drained of colour until everything that was pink turned silver.

I took it as I sign that our Sakura wasn't there anymore. I stared captivated by those empty emeralds and felt my world come crumbling around me.

Sakura was released from Chun's arms and landed gracefully on the ground. She faced Shaoran and Eriol with the staff poised to attack.

Meilin

I didn't understand. What was Kinomoto doing? Shaoran was the last person she should see as an enemy. How could she see Shaoran as an enemy? She refused to hurt Yue when he obviously was planning on seriously injuring her. This couldn't happen! Kinomoto was falling further for Shaoran so hurting him was something she shouldn't be able to dream of doing!

"Kinomoto-san! If you lay one finger on Shaoran then you'll pay!" When she didn't react I just got angry. She was ignoring me! Kinomoto had to be in there! She had to be…

I couldn't stand that look on Daidouji's face. I would never give up on Shaoran, how could she give up on Kinomoto? She's one of the only people in Hong Kong who would have a chance at bringing her back! I stomped my foot in agitation and pointed to Kinomoto. "Did you hear me?"

Kinomoto raised the staff parallel to her body and in an emotionless voice that could belong to anyone but that spitfire of energy said, "Sword."

Shaoran was forced to raise his own sword to defend himself as Sakura lunged forward. Their blades met with an echoing screech. It was breaking my heart to see Sakura attack like that. Poor Shaoran. He wouldn't have the heart to fight back.

Eriol

Sakura was gone. I knew that, Tomoyo knew that, and Shaoran didn't want to believe it. He couldn't bring himself to raise his sword against Sakura. All he could do was defend and keep up his footwork.

I walked to Spinel Sun and began to heal his wounds. Ruby Moon had really done a number on him. Meilin began to yell at me for doing something so trivial when we needed to save Sakura but I needed my guardians, just in case. "Ruby Moon, how injured are you?"

"I'm fine," she said. "Spinel took it easy on me. Sometimes he's not as cold as he'd like us to believe."

Spinel laughed dryly. "You should watch what you say. You're not always as sweet as you'd like that Touya to believe."

"Kerberus!" I called. He answered by flying to Ruby's, Spinel, and my side. "I know you are no longer a part of my ancestor, but if you would agree, your assistance would be very helpful."

"I will do what you ask, Clow Reed. If it means Sakura can stand with Yue and I again someday soon I will do anything," Keroberus replied. "Chun works with illusions; I don't believe Sakura's truly gone."

"I agree. Sakura is strong. As is her bond with Shaoran, Yue, and yourself. Yue just has a different way of showing it than the two of you.

All right, you're healed well enough for now, Spinel. All of you, I'm giving Shaoran his chance to talk her back but if it doesn't work, I'll need you two, Spinel and Ruby, to help transport everyone home. Keroberus, I need you to bring Shaoran to the rest of us when I say so. He won't come easily so Spinel will help you."

"Understood, Clow. Come on, Suppie!" Keroberus said while walking closer to Shaoran.

"Don't call me that," Spinel said back as he followed.

Sakura was still slashing at Shaoran. This match could have drawn on for a while longer. Despite being worn out, Shaoran would have stayed until his body failed him. He kept trying but Sakura didn't react to anything he was saying. It was rather heartbreaking to watch.

"Enough of this, Sakura," Chun commanded.

Sakura nodded. "Firey!" she said in her new monotone voice. The Firey wrapped itself around The Sword and I knew this is where everything had to end.

"Now, Spinel and Keroberus!" They rushed Shaoran. Keroberus tackled him which earned a snide remark from Spinel. Spinel slipped Shaoran onto Keroberus while he was stunned. To make sure Shaoran didn't escape, Spinel sandwiched him between himself and Keroberus. The sight would have been funny if it happened at any other time.

They made their way to Ruby Moon and me faster than I'd seen them move before; Sakura was not far behind them. Without skipping a beat, I conquered my magics and focused on Shaoran's courtyard. There were too many people for me to transport on my own after using so much of my own power. Using the bond between magician and guardian, I pulled power through Ruby Moon and Spinel Sun. The drain forced them back to their concealed forms but we were safe.

Shaoran

It had been five days since Sakura was taken from us but to me it seemed like much longer than that. The minutes stretched on for days to me. Watching everyone else moving forward in their lives made it seem like I was trapped in a pocket of space where time couldn't and wouldn't move.

Some would say it was unfair that everyone else could keep living and making plans to fix things while I stayed rooted to a single spot but I accepted it as my punishment. I couldn't protect Sakura and was punished to spend the rest of my life going over what I should have done while at the same time doing what I could to bring her back.

The leaves of the cherry tree I sat beneath rustled against the force of the wind trapped within it. I was sure the same people who have left me to my own devices under that tree also knew Sakura was like the wind. Right now, she was trapped but she would quickly escape through cracks and gaps in my cousin's trap. Eriol knew; that was why he didn't hesitate to save our lives. Tomoyo too. She missed her friend but held her head high with confidence in her friend.

My mother walked by the courtyard on the Veranda, emblazoned by the light of the setting sun. Her eyes made more fierce by orange of dusk locked with mine, telling me it was time to go. I stood up among the roots of the tree and followed her inside. Tomorrow I would begin the fight to bring Sakura back to us all.