Sakura lay curled up in her bed, watching Tomoyo braid the little redhead's hair, using the wrist of her injured hand to hold everything in place. The small girl still hadn't spoken, not even to Hashi. Touya sat next to Sakura on her cot, watching the girl drift in and out of sleep.

"You should have tried harder, Sakura… Tomoyo doesn't know what's going on here. You can't be out with soldiers. And you can't stick around when a Seer is nearby," Touya whispered when he heard Tomoyo begin to chat to the little girl, who didn't seem to be hearing her.

"Maybe Tomoyo's instincts were right… who would suspect friends of soldiers of anything?" Sakura mumbled. Touya shook his head.

"I know how talented you are, but that doesn't mean you should be taking unnecessary risks," Touya pointed out. Sakura bit her lip, watching Tomoyo, and reached up to grip her pendant in her hand. Clow's pendant.

"Touya, why has there always been something about her… What do I see in her?" she asked her brother. Touya glanced between Tomoyo and Sakura, narrowing his eyes.

"I've never been able to… see anything special. But I often times never understand your reasoning for the things you do. You seemed so sure of yourself when we found her… when you bandaged her up, when you told me about the book, when we discovered who was after her… I don't know why you chose her and I don't know why you're suddenly doubting yourself. But I trust your instincts completely. You should, too," Touya explained. Sakura glanced up at him and slowly sat up, rubbing her eyes. The little redhead glanced at the siblings, quickly turning away when Sakura noticed. Grabbing Touya's hand, Sakura stood, taking him with her. Frowning, Touya said nothing as she led him out of the room. Tomoyo watched them leave, continually talking to the girl.

Hashi glanced up at the siblings as they entered the shop, sipping on a hot cup of tea. Sakura let go of Touya's hand and sat across from the old blacksmith, Touya following her lead.

"What's going on?" Touya asked as Sakura slipped her pendant over her head and set it on the table. Hashi said nothing as he observed.

"Touya, I need you to look at this necklace… look long and hard. And tell me if you see even a glimmer of magic," Sakura requested. Touya knit his brows together and watched his sister for a moment, making a decision. Then, with a sigh, he narrowed his eyes at the necklace on the table. Hashi did the same.

Several minutes passed as the men watched the trinket, unmoving on the table. Hashi's tea was forgotten and Sakura fiddled her thumbs, waiting as the clouds outside created shadows through the windows, blocking the moon's light. With a sharp intake of breath, Touya slowly reached out to touch the pendant. Before he could make contact, the necklace jumped out of his reach and clattered on the table, directly in front of Sakura.

"What I'm seeing here is not yours, is it, child?" Hashi asked gruffly. Sakura watched the pendant, tense.

"No, it isn't mine," she answered.

"It's a guardian," Touya stated, his eyes still narrowed. Sakura looked at him.

"How can you be so sure?" she asked. Hashi nodded in agreement.

"A lesson with… a lesson years ago," Touya answered. He sighed. "The aura of a guardian is immensely different from that of a human or mage. How long has that thing been in there? I've never noticed it before…" Touya's eyes turned into a glare.

"It has probably been hiding its aura, like Akane and I do," Hashi said, meeting Touya's frown with a stern look. "Yes, I am like she. Don't act so surprised. But this guardian probably sensed Akane's curiosity… and allowed us to see it, if only for a second." Hashi reached up to stroke his beard, deep in thought. "Child, how long have you suspected?" Sakura shrugged.

"I think at some point I might have known… but I forgot. I don't know. I would say around the time we found To- Aria," Sakura said quickly. Hashi nodded slowly, ignoring her mistake.

"So you found her?" he asked. Sakura bit her lip and nodded.

"You knew? But you forgot? What are you talking about?" Touya questioned.

"When we met Tomoyo back at the border, I was so sure about her… and I was so sure she had something to do with that book, like I told you before," Sakura started. Touya nodded, urging her to go on. "But then I started thinking about how Tomoyo got to us… how far she had come in such a short time. And why would guardians be attached to someone with no magic? But that's when I started having trouble…" she sighed. "Ever since I made that connection, anything I think about Tomoyo is somewhat fuzzy. I know I should trust her, I just don't know how." Touya nodded.

"If it helps you out, I don't trust her at all," he pointed out. Hashi huffed.

"She's such a pleasant girl to be around. I'd choose her any day over the two of you…" he mumbled. Sakura looked offended. Touya crossed his arms over his chest, thinking.

"Sakura, remember those lessons we had when I would try to break into your mind? And vice versa? Wasn't it said that outside influences were especially dangerous to your mind… doesn't that special circumstance about your magic make your mind especially delicate?" he asked. Sakura glared at him.

"Not delicate. Just different. And I wouldn't think that any of that would have to do with my memory," she stated.

"How long has it been since you've used your magic?" Hashi asked softly. Sakura shook her head sadly.

"Not since we found Aria."

"So it's been… three weeks?" he asked. Touya nodded.

"About," he responded. Sakura agreed. Hashi sighed.

"Maybe your magic is coming into play here. If magic lies dormant in a body for too long, it starts to act on its own… I wouldn't say three weeks is a long time, but it's possible. If outside influences are especially harmful to your mind, Akane, and you've been trained to repel them, then I would say your magic has been helping you out in its own way. Guardians need a connection with the body and mind in order to attach themselves to a mage," Hashi suggested. Sakura frowned.

"What should I do, then?" she asked.

"We need to find a place where you can release some of that pent up power… if a couple weeks is your limit, then we need to find a place that you can visit frequently, too. Then you need to open your mind to this new creature. A guardian is much too great a gift to deny," Hashi advised. Sakura gave a frustrated grunt.

"Where am I going to practice any magic in the middle of the capital? Right under the royal family's nose? And how can I open my mind to one creature without inviting everyone in the kingdom to waltz in?" she demanded. Hashi raised an eyebrow at her.

"Girl, it is possible to give access to your mind to a single person. Or specific people. It's difficult and takes a lot of practice, but it's possible. And this guardian must believe you're capable of the job," Hashi pointed out.

"I've never heard of that…" Sakura mumbled. Touya nodded.

"I tried learning it when I was… uh… away. But I couldn't do it. Our teacher was probably waiting to start that training until you had a more perfect control over your magic," he said. Sakura rested her head on her hand, looking at Hashi.

"And would you be willing to teach me, Hashi?" Hashi chuckled softly.

"What makes you believe I know how to do it?" he asked. Sakura sighed.


Yukito Tsukishiro leaned back in his chair, scrutinizing a berry clutched between his index finger and thumb. He was dressed confidently in a dark blue suit, something he only pulled out for special occasions. With a satisfied little smile, Yukito dropped the berry into his mouth and chewed slowly, closing his eyes in contentment.

"Your Majesty, it is always such an honor to dine with you. Such fine foods should never be wasted on the less fortunate…" He hummed as he picked a triangle of aged cheese from the plate in front of him, stacked full with different cuts of meat, cheeses, and fruits. He plopped the cheese into his mouth. Reaching out to grab a slice of beef, he added it to the succulent flavors in his mouth, chewing slowly.

A tall woman sat before him, her face revealing no emotion. She was beautiful, with impossibly long black hair decorated with flowers and gems. She wore red and gold silk robes over an extravagant dress. She was watching Yukito closely, having finished her meal long ago, and held a heavy scepter laden with jewels across her lap.

"Yukito," her voice was like ice, tearing through the man's soft sighs of pleasure as he ate. He continued to chew, however, and merely responded by looking into her eyes. The piercing shade of black surrounding her pupils did nothing to upset his mood. "You've wasted enough of my time."

"When have I ever been a waste of your time, my beautiful queen? I live only to serve you and this kingdom… I only wish that we could spend more time together," Yukito said with a dramatic sigh. The queen's face remained unchanged. "I have a feeling, though… a feeling you've already heard what I am going to tell you." He frowned at her, picking up a goblet of wine. "I have several other suspicions, though."

"Oh?" she inquired.

"One is that you haven't been told the whole truth… The second is that what I believe to be the whole truth is not. And another…" He looked down and took a sip of his wine, taking his time, tasting it. "Your Majesty, there is a very good chance that the powerful forces at work here are meant to work against me. If that is the case, then the information that I am here to tell you does not actually exist. It was fabricated, as a distraction," he finished. The queen did frown at this. It made her look sinister.

"Why would I already know these partial truths?" she asked. Yukito gently set down his goblet and sighed.

"The Seers, Your Majesty. What convinced you to allow them to terrorize this city?" he asked. The queen shook her head slightly.

"Terror is the only way this city will forever be pure," she purred. She started tapping on her scepter with a long red fingernail. "Their mission was cut short, though… the reason being very displeasing. Meilin revealed to me that Clow Reed is alive. This is no surprise, of course, considering there was never any evidence of his death. But Meilin has reason to believe that he is biding his time… searching for someone to take his place. To fight back," she said this bitterly. "I was informed that it is very possible that spies have infiltrated this city. And because it sickens me to have such demons here… I ordered the Seers to stay in order to sniff out the disgusting fog of magic wafting over Tsui."

Yukito already had this knowledge and giggled inwardly, suddenly very excited. He loaded his mouth with a mixture of cheeses and berries, a smile on his face while the queen watched him. He wondered, for a brief moment, if he would benefit more from using his information against the Seers rather than telling the queen, but the thought quickly left his head. The Seers were never any fun.

"Queen Yelan, I cannot say for sure that Meilin lied to you, but that is what my instincts tell me," Yukito stated after he swallowed. The queen visibly stiffened.

"Are you accusing my niece of treason?" she demanded, her voice quiet. Yukito stared at her for a moment, enjoying the tension.

"I would never do such a thing, Your Grace… Meilin is probably the most dedicated servant you have," he pointed out. Queen Yelan narrowed her eyes at him. "But she wouldn't be human if she didn't try to use certain information to her advantage," he pointed out. Smiling fully at the queen, he let out a little chuckle.

"Do not play with me, Yukito," the queen said the words angrily, lifting her scepter to its full height and leaning it on the ground. "I endure enough already putting up with your disgusting habits. But as long as you serve me, you will be pardoned. You know this. So serve me and refrain from beating around the bush. Not even you could run from my armies," she threatened. Yukito's chuckle didn't waver, however. He simply laughed louder, throwing his head back in delight.

Yelan Li stood slowly, a glare set in her eyes. With two swift motions, she pounded her scepter against the marble floor, the sounds echoing throughout the dining hall. Twelve guards rushed through the gold trimmed double doors on each side of the room, immediately silencing Yukito. The twisted smile remained on his face.

"My Queen, please, take no offense… You know how much I adore you," he disrespectfully bowed in his seat.

"You will stand when you bow to me," she growled. With one motion of her hand, each guard had his pistol trained on the silver haired mage.

"Your Majesty…" Yukito giggled, swatting the air next to his ear, as if a gnat were bothering him. "My Queen…" He stared up at her, tears of laughter streaming down his face. "I beg of you." His voice dropped an octave. His silver eyes gleamed above his maniacal smile. The queen took an involuntary step back.

"There already is an heir."