Chapter 10: The Calm Before the Storm

Disclaimer: I don't own CCS.

It was the Age of Gold...it was the Time of Darkness...

Naoko, Yamazaki and other students who had fallen ill, were surrounded by their concerned classmates. The effects of the Poison shook almost every household, as close family members to distant friends had been hospitalized. It was an incident that would not soon be forgotten in Tomoeda and Hitachi. Seiju High had a different ambiance to it that day as everyone was just grateful that no permanent harm had come to their friends. It was indeed a scary prospect to have to return without one or more of their classmates because of the near tragedy. Naoko, unfazed as ever was already hunched over her desk writing up an article for the school newspaper. It centered on the mysterious plague. Yamazaki on the other hand, took the enormous attention he was receiving in stride.

"You know in the olden days, warriors who were able to suffer and yet fight through great pain and through the gravest illnesses, were said to become unimaginably stronger and thus 'superhuman'. They were revered by the masses. Suffering from pain made you stronger, and that's how the saying 'no pain, no gain' came -"

THUMP!

Chiharu knocked Yamazaki over the head, making him stumble backwards and fall into a nearby chair. She stared at her fist.

"You know, I almost feel bad about hitting him this time. After all he still is kind of… recovering."

Rika could only stare at her in disbelief. Poor Yamazaki. Like Chiharu admitted, he was recovering. She gave a light sigh and opened one of her textbooks discretely to check for a light, pink envelope. She ran her fingers over it tenderly. A small smile graced her lips.

"Is that for Terada-sensei?" asked Tomoyo softly.

"Tomoyo-chan misses nothing," said Rika. "But I don't mind."

No, she did not mind one bit. It was nice to have someone who knew; who understood.

"Yes. It's for him."

"I see people, Rika-chan. I see your feelings reflected in his eyes," said Tomoyo kindly.

Rika closed the book over the envelope. It was her greatest wish, Tomoyo knew. She wanted so very much to believe that Tomoyo was right, like she was so often. She looked at Sakura, then to Syaoran who was over by Yamazaki and back to Tomoyo. She pointedly stared at Tomoyo conveying a silent message. Tomoyo's eyes widened a fraction.

"I am not as subtle as you in my affections," said Tomoyo holding up her camcorder.

Rika wished she could say something reassuring to Tomoyo as well but she was torn. In elementary school it was always Sakura and Tomoyo. Then somewhere along the line Li Syaoran came and before they knew it, it was Sakura and Tomoyo or Sakura and Syaoran. She marveled at Tomoyo's selflessness. She did not know what she would do if another was to take notice of Terada-sensei. She did not even want to think about it.

Just then, Terada-sensei as if on cue entered the classroom. All the students bustled around him excitedly as they were all happy he was well. After some time, he was able to shoo them all to their seats. He opened his roll book. He smiled gently at everyone. His gaze lingered on Rika for a moment.

"Thank you all for your well wishes," he stated. "I hope you all can put this incident behind you and continue working to the best of your abilities especially since mid-term tests are here."

The class groaned. Terada-sensei smiled at them fondly.

"Now as you may know like you so usually do, we have a new student joining us today."

Chatter erupted with the news. Terada-sensei raised his hands for silence.

"Please welcome, Yamashita Hiroko."

In all of Seijou High's history - and decades of history it had - no other student, old or new, had ever made an entrance like this one. In fact, none other had made an entrance at all; they simply entered the class room. The door flew open and a slender girl waltzed right in. As she turned to close the door, her hair whipped about her theatrically. She strode fearlessly to Terada-sensei's desk and stood before her classmates. She threw her hair back, surveying them aloofly. Terada-sensei seemed momentarily shocked by her. She was a sight to behold. Her hair seemed to be in constant motion. She gasped.

"Toshi-chan!"

Everyone turned to look at the boy. Hiroko dashed over to him. She slammed her hands down on his desk.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming to Japan!" she snapped at him.

"I did tell you," said Toshi. He clasped his hands together on his table. "You must have misunderstood me."

"You said - in true cryptic style - ''back to the beginning''…"

"Which is Japan," said Toshi quietly.

"I went to China to look for you!" she yelled. "Do you how big China is, Hitoshi!"

"But you found me, eventually," said Toshi amiably. "No task is too great for Hiroko-chan."

She huffed. Turning to the girl sitting next to Toshi she commanded, "Move."

The supremacy behind that one word shocked the girl immediately into vacating her seat. Hiroko laid her head down on the desk and went to sleep. All eyes in the room were on her. The sheer audacity of the girl's behaviour was quite appalling. Her outward beauty was so mismatched to her personality. Still, some could not help but feel a little jealous and awed at Yamashita Hiroko's nerve.

Hidaka-sensei, the gym teacher, sounded the whistle to give the students a five-minute break while she worked with the 'less skilled' students. The other students cheered gratefully at the red haired woman. Sakura was practically bouncing with energy after having exercised. Eriol and Syaoran walked up to her and Tomoyo. Syaoran's eye twitched in annoyance at Eriol's presence. Eriol folded his arms loosely.

"Your recovery from having made the Cure was swift Sakura-san."

"Yes," agreed Sakura. "I feel great!"

"Nothing less from Sakura-chan," stated Tomoyo. Eriol nodded.

Syaoran watched Sakura closely searching for any hint of fatigue. He contented himself with the fact that she was telling the truth. She really was all right. A round of applause sounded. The group turned towards the centre of the gymnasium. Hiroko had just landed perfectly after doing a series of somersaults. She threw her hair back smugly. She turned and started a series of flips to the opposite side of the gymnasium.

"Wow, she's really good," said Sakura in awe.

"She should be more humble with her gifts," Toshi sighed.

Syaoran narrowed his eyes and made his hands into fists. He was still undecided about him.

"Toshi-kun!" Sakura exclaimed in surprise. "Oh wait, you know Yamashita-san right?"

"She's my sister."

The four friends stared at him. They looked at Hiroko who was talking to Suzuki-senpai the head cheerleader, and back to the ever cool Toshi. It was almost unbelievable that they were related.

"I didn't know you had siblings Toshi-kun," said Sakura.

"I have a big family," said Toshi genially. He tilted his head. "It's always nice to see you in high spirits Sakura-san."

Sakura blushed and tried to hide it with a laugh.

Syaoran's jaw tightened.

"I thought you should know, I joined the football team."

"Sugoi!"

Sakura grinned.

"With you and Li-kun on the team we are sure to win every match."

"With you cheering us on, we'll have a reason to try to win," said Toshi.

Syaoran was about to retort, when he caught Eriol slinking off. What was he up to now? Something was off with him but what was it?

"Kinomoto Sakura!"

The gym became quieter. Hiroko stomped over to Sakura. Her violet eyes were fierce as she approached. She stood unmoving in front of Sakura. Strangely her hair seemed to be in a constant, slow motion.

"It's nice to meet you, Yamashita-san," said Sakura.

"Suzuki-senpai says you're a good gymnast," said Hiroko stepping back. "Show me."

"Hiroko-chan," called Toshi. "Perhaps another time."

"She will show me now."

"There is nothing for Sakura-san to prove."

Hiroko's eyes went to Syaoran. She looked him up and down slyly and with a devouring expression. She tucked her hair behind her ears prettily. Sakura was momentarily confused by this behaviour. Tomoyo looked for any reaction out of Syaoran. He turned abruptly and stalked off.

Toshi took a hold of Hiroko's arm and led her away from the group. Hiroko's eyes remained on Sakura. She did not see what Toshi saw in her. He spoke so highly of her before but she expected something else. She expected someone serious, with power radiating from them. She instead found a little girl who by luck alone managed to control the Clow Cards. But even the Clow Cards could not protect her from Yamashita Hiroko. She will prove to Toshi and Akira just how powerful she was.

The bell rang to signal the end of the school day, and the students of Seijou High went off to their various club activities. Syaoran trudged to the locker rooms to change into his football uniform. He still was not very interested in being on the team but it was good exercise and it helped him to relax his mind. He sat down to put on his sneakers when Toshi walked in. In a locker opposite Syaoran's, Toshi withdrew his football uniform and donned it as well. Syaoran kept track of every move he made. He had not forgotten about what he thought he saw that day, with what he now knew was the Poison and Toshi. It was not farfetched to think that Toshi may somehow be involved with the occurrences in Tomoeda. Now his so-called sister had arrived. Her eyes held a lot of rage in them no matter how sweet and in control she tried to seem.

"Is there something you wish to ask me Li-san?"

Syaoran turned. Toshi tilted his head knowingly.

"You have the air of someone who wishes to have a confrontation but is deciding against it."

Syaoran got to his feet.

"What do you want with her?"

"Sakura-san?"

Toshi bent over to slip in his shin guards. He rose.

"I just want her to like me."

"Why?"

Toshi laughed.

"Because I have this naïve idea that maybe…" Toshi shook his head. "Don't worry Li-san. I have no interest in Sakura-san romantically. That is what you are thinking right?"

With that he left the locker room, leaving Syaoran to decipher his words. His inability to completely hate and distrust Toshi really burned Syaoran. How could he be so lenient towards someone who was possibly a danger to his Xiao Ying? He felt a warm sensation in his chest as he thought of her as his. One day perhaps it will be true.

On the football field, the coach had not yet started practice, so the majority of the players were hanging out with the cheerleaders. Sakura was sitting on a bleacher. Her hands were in her lap to hold down her very short skirt. Syaoran never ceased to be amazed at how short the Japanese's uniforms could be. He was never concerned by it before. However, as he saw the many guys gathered around Sakura, he cursed the fashion trend. They were not in elementary school anymore and he had heard conversations the boys in his old school had with regards to girls. He put a fierce expression on his face as he drew nearer to the Sakura. He stood directly in front of her and looked at the guys. They hastily said their goodbyes.

"Hi Li-kun!"

Syaoran sat on a bleacher below her. He nodded in greeting. She folded her legs, again being very careful with her skirt. The movement drew his eyes to her legs. He never noticed how smooth they were before.

"Li-kun?"

He caught a hold of himself. What was he thinking? He jumped to his feet. Chiharu ran over with something in her hands sparing him further embarrassment.

"Look Sakura-chan," she said, holding out a very detailed friendship bracelet. It was yellow and brown and there were charms entwined throughout it. "Maki's selling the kit and you can make them. It's more difficult but far more stylish than the ones we made when we were younger. Tomoyo-chan will be thrilled when she sees them."

"It's really pretty Chiharu-chan." Sakura lit up. "Let's go to Maki's after practice!"

"Great," said Chiharu. "Are you coming to Li-kun?"

Syaoran was caught off guard. He nodded curtly and retreated. He went further down the row of bleachers to sit down. Sakura and Chiharu stared at his retreating figure confusedly. They were not the only ones whose attention was on him. Syaoran took a seat and lifted his head up for the wind to blow through his hair. He frowned when he saw Toshi go over to Sakura. She was laughing at something he said.

"You know, you're the only person I've met who's disliked my brother."

Hiroko flopped down next to Syaoran. He shifted away from her a bit to create some space between them. She straddled the bleacher and put her hand behind her to support herself. She smirked. Syaoran said nothing, so she went on.

"But I guess that's to be expected of you. The Li Clan think they're better than everyone else."

Syaoran glared at Hiroko. The loyalty he had to his family flared inside him.

"Kinomoto Sakura is not worthy of my brother's attention."

She moved closer to him.

"There are far better girls out there."

She sought to move even closer to him. There was a wicked gleam in her eye. The football coach sounded the whistle. Syaoran took the opportunity to get as far away from Hiroko as he could. The girl was unsettling.

Such a large group of students went to Maki's that evening that some had to wait outside until the ones inside were finished purchasing what they wanted. Sakura and Tomoyo squeezed their way through the horde of students, to the shelves with the friendship bracelet kits.

"Who are you going to make bracelets for Sakura-chan?"

Sakura put a finger on her chin as she thought.

"Well I have to make one for Tomoyo-chan of course, one for my new friend Toshi-kun…"

She spotted Syaoran through the shelves. She smiled.

"I'll make one for Li-kun too."

She and Tomoyo picked up some boxes and went to the counter. The line was very long. Syaoran edged his way along the walls and made it to the shelves that the friendship bracelet kits were on. So many students were bustling around that no one was paying him any mind. Self-consciously, he grabbed a random box and turned away. He collided with Tomoyo who had come to exchange her box. She spotted the box in his hand.

"Are you going to make one for Sakura-chan?" she asked bluntly.

He studied the box in his hand. He placed it back on the shelf.

"No."

"You know Sakura-chan likes things like this." She stared up at him. "What are your intentions Li-kun? Are you going to hurt her again?"

"I'll never do that."

"You already did."

"I won't do it anymore."

"Really?" she asked.

Syaoran stared at her blankly. With that, he left Tomoyo by the shelves.

"He was easier to understand when he was younger, was he not?" Eriol whispered in Tomoyo's ear.

"Yes."

"And it was easier, when you were younger and unselfish, to believe that you could be happy as long as the one you loved was happy."

Tomoyo faced him, unable to utter a single word.

"Such a bitter-sweet philosophy."

Eriol easily selected a box from the shelf next to them and went off to purchase it at the counter.

Toshi sat on the floor of the living room, at a low table intertwining red, golden brown and solid gold threads together meticulously. His fingers were nimble and sure as he worked. He paused to secure the masking tape that held the top of the threads to the surface of the table. He ran his fingers over the part of the bracelet he had already done; red, golden brown, red, gold. He returned to the loose thread and began working again.

Hiroko ambled into the room carrying boxes of the friendship bracelet kits. Toshi did not look away from his bracelet as she plopped down opposite him, dumping the contents in her hands on the table. She sighed dramatically. Toshi still did not turn his eyes from the bracelet he was making. Hiroko pouted and glared at him.

"Toshi-chan!" she whined. "You have to help me make mine! I'm not as good as you."

"Have you tried following the instructions?"

Hiroko squinted her eyes. She threw back her hair laughing.

"You can just explain it to me onii-chan," she said sweetly. She took out some thread, wrapping them idly around her fingers. "In fact, you can show me!"

Toshi chuckled. He moved to sit next to Hiroko and started the beginning of a bracelet for her. She watched entranced as he pulled the threads over and through each other.

"Now you try," he said guiding the ends of the threads to her hands. She took up where he left off as he supervised her. Every now and then he would brush her hands away to correct a knot or tighten the threads.

"What are you doing?" asked Akira, coming into the room.

"We're making friendships bracelets," said Hiroko.

Akira lowered himself and took Toshi's unfinished bracelet in his hand, studying it.

"For whom? I was not aware you had friends."

Hiroko glared at him vehemently.

"That one is for Sakura-san," said Toshi, gesturing to the bracelet Akira held.

"You're making one for her? Why?"

"Sakura-san is a good person. I respect her."

Hiroko gaped at Toshi incredulously.

"Do you remember who she is?"

"Leave him be, Hiroko. Let him enjoy his fantasy while it lasts." Akira studied the friendship bracelet once again. "She made a Card of her own."

"What does that mean?" asked Hiroko, not seeing the significance of such an act.

"It means she has become even more powerful," said Toshi. "Clow Reed far surpassed her in years when he made his first card."

"When are we getting our full powers?" Hiroko asked Akira.

"You still have not learnt patience."

"I want to be able to defeat her now."

"You will not touch the Card Mistress."

"I am the strongest sister. I can defeat her for you."

"As I said before," Akira said in a warning tone. "Her life hangs on my word."

Hiroko clenched her fists. "You said, we all have a say-"

"And you have had your say."

Her eyes narrowed dangerously. A mirror hanging on the wall behind her exploded. Her hair flew up.

"Our ancestors ask for blood so we must give them blood. Why do you allow Kinomoto to seal the demons? Rya-san would never - ."

"He is not in charge. I am. That is the way it has always been and the way it will remain."

Akira looked ready to kill.

"You will never be as great as you wish if you do not learn to think beyond five minutes," said Akira harshly. "All we are required to do is unleash the forces on this earth as punishment. What then? What then when they have destroyed everything along with us?"

Hiroko's eyes were dark. Toshi placed a hand on her shoulder.

"We should not fight amongst ourselves."

"You can clean this mess up," said Akira before leaving the room which was now littered with fragments of broken mirror.

"I will clean up," said Toshi to Hiroko. "Go take a walk. You'll feel better."

"Hitoshi, I'm not impatient, I just don't want to lose you. Any of you. Well maybe that baka I won't mind."

Toshi laughed lightly.

"I know."

Hiroko sighed as she buried her head in Toshi's shoulder. Hitoshi was the only one who understood her. She was happy. She was not going to let anything get in the way of her happiness. She had waited too long to be found by her real family. She refused to return to the sad existence she once knew. She deserved more. Toshi made her see that and she was going to get all that she deserved.

A/N:

Hey Tomodachi, this is a very late update, but I had exams and I tried to write this chapter between these exams. So, I had to keep things simple. The next chapter will be up sooner. It was supposed to be longer but I decided to post this as a foreshadowing. Everything else will be in the next chapter. So Toshi's and Akira's sister showed up, and there were some hints with why they were doing the things they're doing. This is the last slow and peaceful chapter for a while hence the title. Until next time, Ja ne!