Hey guys. I'll keep the AN short as much as possible today but I need to tell you guys 45 things.

1 - So I'm traveling again this year over the summer which is very unusual so like last summer, I won't be able to update probably until in late July. But if I get lucky, I might be able to update earlier cuz at the place I'll be staying, there's no wifi. Yeah. So you know that situation now.

2 - I haven't been working on this a lot lately I'll admit. I've been concentrating on one of my other unreleased stories that hopefully, I'll get to release next year because I'm trying to make it really nice. There's like I'm estimating to be 12 chapters, but I'm only on my 3rd one. Reason is that cuz the chapters are pretty big and I'm working on fluff ideas. They're not as long as a few of DE's chapters tho... But don't worry. I'm working on this as well but my mind has been on the other one so I'm not really "YAY!" on ideas for this story if you get what I mean. But I'll finish this story no matter what. Promise.

3 - Reading the above, I need to make another confession. I honestly don't like this chapter as much and you might see why. It's just not a good punching chapter if you get it which you might not and it doesn't matter cuz not a lot of people understand me and my vagueness/weirdness. The only part that I do like is the last part because now, I'm diving into the more serious part and running away from the fluffy happiness

4-THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT REVIEWED SO FAR AND I CAN NOT EXPRESS MY GRATEFULNESS IN WORDS! I haven't been giving you guys proper treatment and now I will even though it's so freakin late and I and ashamed at myself. I'll post my thankfulness individually in the next chp.

5 - CCS does not belong to me but to CLAMP and ENJOY READING!

Her world was silent. Just her and the darkness. But sometimes sounds from somewhere else would interrupt her peace.

"-all my fault…"

"You little-...-stupid gaki."

"Don't blame- … -be alright."

Sounds of muffled crying and hiccups followed then her world was silent once more. It was almost a comforting silence. There was nothing else but her and the darkness. She smiled to herself and was about to go to sleep once more when her eyes started to twitch.

Wha…

"Sakura."

I-I know that voice… But where…?

"You're strong. You can fight this."

Fight what? Nothing is attacking me though.

"Everyone is waiting for you to wake."

Who are? And who are you?

"It's been a week already. The drug already wore off days ago but you still have yet to open your eyes."

Days? Drug?

"Well.. excluding that time but let's just forget that…. Did I ever tell you that you have a strong punch?"

Excuse me?

"Come on Sakura. Please. Open your eyes. Show me something that tells me you're listening."

What was he saying?

Suddenly a small orb of light was seen far away in the sea of black. It was glowing brightly but its shine was small. It felt warm. A lot warmer than the darkness making it seem colder than it was moments ago. She reached her hand towards the small light and slowly images appeared in her mind chasing away thoughts about staying in the bed of night.

I want to… I want to go…. to him…

Her determination at first was weak about reaching out towards the small orb. It was so far away after all and every time she tried to reach out, it seemed to shirk away from her hand.

But her heart wouldn't allow her to give up. She wanted to reach for that light and hold it gently to her chest.

That comforting familiar orb of a soft but fierce light of a forest green…

He sat there on that cold chair; his body was still except for his thumb that caressed her slightly cold hand. His eyes looked glassy and unfocused.

When was she going to wake up?

Birds chirping were the only noises in the room and has been for a few hours. His head barely moved as he glanced at the clock. Within an hour he needs to go back to Eriol and help him with the papers.

He sighed deeply as his amber eyes shifted back to the ever sleeping beauty before him. How many times did he glance at that face filled with hope that she was waking when her mouth twitched? How many times did his hopes fall when she didn't wake? Yet how many times did his hopes rise again because of his faith in her?

He smirked to himself. What was he doing here sitting on a chair and waiting for her to wake?

His past self would worry of course about his wife but not to this extent because she was just another woman in his life.

His past self would merely ask Eriol is she had woken up yet and if she didn't, just merely shrug and get back to work.

What a fool he was.

But he was her fool.

He dropped his head and closed his eyes. He remained still. Thinking. And thinking. Then his eyes flew open and the chair screeched as it was thrown backwards and it fell to the ground when he stood up abruptly. His eyes were wide, full of hope, as he muttered to himself "Come on Sakura… You can do this…"

Her pink aura which was stagnant for days was slowly gaining strength more than ever. Her eyes started to twitch along with her cheeks.

After an eternity, he finally saw those familiar green eyes he dearly loved.

It was unfocused but after she blinked a few more times, she tilted her head towards him and her mouth opened. "Syao.. ran?" Her voice was scratchy and raspy from not speaking for a week.

But still his shoulders sagged and he rubbed his eyes quickly, hating the fact that they were turning a little misty. His heart felt heavy but he kept on hoping. And now… she finally was awake. He hugged her tightly and she made a weak attempt to hug him back but then motioned for water.

"Ah. Sorry. Here you go."

He held the cup to her lips and slowly watched the water dribble down her throat then took back the cup when she signaled that it was enough. He settled the empty cup of water back onto a nearby stand then lifted the fallen chair to its upright position and took a seat.

"You feeling better?"

"Y-Yeah. Thanks," she weakly muttered. "My voice sounds so horrible right now." She attempted a laugh but it turned into a cough causing him to give her another glass of water.

"Yeah it sounds terrible," he nodded as he set the glass of water back on the stand again.

She croaked sarcastically, "Thanks."

"I'm just joking. Your voice sounds as beautiful as ever."

Her ears and cheeks turned pink. When she hid under the covers, he chuckled. "Good to see that you're fully awake now. You turned as pink as your namesake."

"How long was I out," came a muffled cry from under the blankets.

At that he sighed deeply no longer in the mood to tease her.

"About a week. The drug worn off a day after the incident but you still wouldn't wake. The doctor assumed that your body was just naturally tired," he explained.

"The… incident?" Suddenly small bits of memories rushed at her and within a few seconds she remembered it all.

The moon. The balcony. The dark hooded creature. The cloth over her mouth.

She bit her lip.

The figure rushing towards her. Yelling her name.

Her head tilted to his direction gaining his attention.

"Sakura?"

"It was you."

Confusion took over his face. "What do you mean? I uh-"

"You were the one that helped me."

"Ah." He rubbed his neck and his fingers curled. "Yeah." Then he turned his head back to her and matched her stare.

"Do you know what exactly happened? I was talking to an official when I felt your aura go out of control for a moment then completely disappear."

"My aura… disappeared? But I was…"

"You were still there so I was thinking maybe the thing that attacked you had something to do with it."

Her eyes roamed around the large room. Everything was blinding her as the sun hit the white walls and white cabinets. He must have noticed her discomfort and stood up and dragged the curtains around shielding the sun from view.

Syaoran lifted his eyebrow frowning. She was muttering something under her breath the moment he closed the curtains.

"Saku-"

"He… put this black cloth around my body. I think it was made out of something similar to shadows…"

Syaoran closed his eyes. Shadows. Aura. His forehead creased as he frowned. What was this reminding him of… He sighed, giving into defeat for now. He'll have to go with Eriol to the library and look for the book he found this in. If only he could remember the title…

"When I found you, you barely had any magical energy left. Eriol, Ahio and I were talking about how maybe the thing absorbed your magical energy out of you. I think the cloth you're talking about hid your aura while absorbing it so that the-" his eyes darkened and the way his fist tightened did not go unnoticed by Sakura "-thing could kidnap you. We think that its goal was to kidnap you since it was absorbing your energy and forcing you to inhale the sleeping drug."

She seemed to take it all in rationally and didn't seem even fazed at all as she nodded in confirmation. He clenched his jaw but couldn't stop himself from shouting. "Why are you so calm about this? A weird freaky thing tried to kidnap you and take you away somewhere!"

Sakura focused her eyes on Syaoran's and after seeing those bright sharp emerald eyes staring at him almost accusingly, he looked away and leaned against the wall stubbornly.

He felt her continuing to stare at him in silence but his head whipped back towards her, surprised when he heard her giggle.

"Why should I get mad when you're mad enough for the both of us? I think we need at least one person to think this through with a clear head Syaoran. Now calm down Syaoran and let's think together."

Her optimism caused him to sigh once more but he couldn't help but let a smile grace his lips. Thank goodness she was back to her normal cheerful self. He swore to never have to experience that hopeless feeling ever again. It made him feel weak and useless as he watched Sakura for a week to open her eyes and become her usual happy self again.

"You're right. But first I need to let your family and Dai-"

"SAKURA! YOU'RE AWAKE!"

He watched slightly amused as a purple blur raced past him, tackling Sakura back down on the bed.

"Hoe! Tomoyo!"

"Sorry my cute little descendant. I couldn't stop her when she heard about Sakura waking up."

"It's fine. It feels nice to see her smile like that after experiencing something that she shouldn't have ever experienced at all. We need to go to the library later Eriol. Something about this incident reminds me of something… Sakura mentioned a black shadowy cloth that I suspect absorbed her magical energy while hiding her aura which explains why she was out for so long."

Eriol nodded. "She needed time to regain all that energy back. You're right. This reminds me of something else too but I just can't put my finger on it…"

"I'm going to have guards or someone with magic around her at all times. I won't let this happen again," Syaoran muttered. Eriol smiled brightly at the tone of his voice. Syaoran himself probably didn't notice how possessive he sounded, Eriol mused.

But he himself would be the same if something like this happened to Tomoyo. Not that he wasn't worried about Sakura. Just that to him, Tomoyo was a warm ray of sunshine. Like the way Sakura was to Syaoran. Eriol gazed at Tomoyo fondly, watching her talk to Sakura animatedly and causing Sakura to laugh.

The man beside him stared at his wife without knowing that his amber eyes softened. Without knowing that ever since she came into his life, that he's been smiling and laughing more than he had his entire life. He clenched his fist and swore that he would protect her at all costs and the one who attempted to abduct her would pay.

A figure dressed in a black cloak suspiciously glanced around the corner before dashing down the hall and hiding behind a pillar. Tip toeing closer to the glass door that led to the patio outside, the figure couldn't help but smile. She reached for the knob and turned, ready to feel the autumn breeze outside when someone suddenly yanked on her cloak.

"Hoe-"

"It's been a long time Sakura-chan."

The hood fell off revealing a head with messy auburn hair and mesmerizing emerald eyes.

"H-Hi Eriol-kun! H-How are you doing?" Sakura stuttered as she grabbed onto Eriol's helping hand and hoisted herself up.

"I'm doing well. Tomoyo and I are going over engagement and marriage plans and such. But I thought that you weren't allowed to walk around without your guards." Eriol smirked and chuckled when he saw Sakura's face deflate.

"Ah… Well yeah," she mumbled, messing around with her cloak, "But I hate being watched all the time. It makes me feel imprisoned and I know that Syaoran knows how much I don't like it and he knows that I know that he knows but he's still stubborn and won't let me out of someone's sight…Well… no that's not it. He did make a deal with me and reduced the number of guards but still-"

"Sakura-chan. Let's go out for a walk shall we?"

Sakura tilted her head at the sudden random interruption. "O-Ok." She looped her arm around Eriol's awaiting arm and together they went out on the patio and started walking around the flower beds. They headed to the great oak tree in the middle and Sakura's face brighten as she let go of Eriol and twirled before the tree, basking in the setting sun's rays.

Breathing deeply of the fresh autumn air, she turned to face Eriol with his hands shoved into his pockets.

"Thank you Eriol for bringing me out here. It smells and feels wonderful," she breathed.

He shrugged. "How have you been so far? Besides being cooped up in your room seeing how Syaoran doesn't want you roaming around."

"I'm just fiine. Tomoyo visits everyday but Amia and Meiling only visit whenever they can since Amia is in charge of the maids and servants. Meiling and Ahio are researching about something secretive so I'm not too sure. And I've been sending letters to all of my friends and family. Chiharu have been on this mission for months with Yamazaki-kun but they said that they'll come back in a few months. They're safe and sound thankfully. Rika got together with one of Yamazaki's friends Terada-san and they're happy. Naoko and the quiet man from the wedding… The younger twin...umm-"

"Okamoto Keito-kun?" Eriol supplied.

"Yes! He and Naoko got together and she's absolutely ecstatic since they both write mystery novels! Touya has been stupid and-"

Eriol watched Sakura rambled on and on with a silly smile on her face and couldn't help but laugh at how cute she was. No wonder Tomoyo is so protective of her.

Sakura stopped, mainly because she was out of breath, and fell back feeling the grass tickle her cheeks.

"What else have you been doing?" Eriol asked as he went over and leaned on the tree next to her.

"Umm… Oh! I've been reading a lot of books. But Eriol-kun…" A frown marred her beautiful face.

"What is it Sakura-chan?"

"There's this one weird book. I'm almost done reading it but it gives me these chills and I don't know why. It reminds me of the incide-"

"What are you two doing?" a deep voice asked.

Sakura sat up and sent a guilty smile at Syaoran. "Hi Syaoran…"

He sent a suspicious stare at her and asked lowly, "Where are your guards?"

"Ahaha," she laughed nervously sending an obvious look for help to Eriol who just nearly smiled and said, "She has me. Why would she need guards?"

"Sakura…"Syaoran said warningly. He crept closer to her and attacked her sides sending Sakura into a merciless fit of giggles. "I want the truth dear or you'll die from being tickled to death."

"Fine!" Sakura shrieked causing Syaoran to automatically stop as he smirked triumphantly. "I wanted to get away from those guards."

"Why? Were they mistreating you?" he inquired quickly.

"No. I just didn't like being watched all the time…" she trailed off. She stared at a little strand of thread jutting out from Eriol's shirt when Syaoran sighed in disappointment,

"Sakura. We've been over this so many times. I can't let you go without at least someone watching you. I felt your aura still in your room even at this very moment when you're in front of me. The only reason I managed to track the real you was because I saw you and Eriol here in the gardens from my windows. How exactly did you do manipulate your aura?"

"Not telling since you're even keeping an eye on my aura anyways," she muttered stubbornly. Syaoran stated firmly through gritted teeth, "You're a queen now Sakura. I can't have you walking about unattended. This time it's fine because you're with Eriol but you really can't do this Sakura. It's irresponsible of you."

Sakura clenched her fist, suddenly feeling her face heating up in embarrassment and anger. "Stop treating me like a caged bird! I want to step out of my room for once Syaoran. I want to spend some time by myself but I can't when I always feel someone's eyes on me. It makes me feel like a prisoner and the one time when I just want to be alone, just this one time, you start scolding me like a child and calling me irresponsible! I can't deal with this!"

Syaoran made a low growl at the back of his throat. "You're a queen now Sakura! You can't go anywhere you want anymore! You have more duties now and-"

"Then why aren't you giving me any work to do then! At least then I wouldn't be bored out of my mind! But instead you basically ordered me to be in bed when I want to do something! Anything! I don't mind sharing some of your work load but instead you don't give me anything to do. At all! I'm not weak-"

"I know you're not weak!" Syaoran roared with his eyes blazing, effectively causing Sakura to clamp her mouth shut and glare at him with cold eyes. "The reason I don't give you any work is because I wanted your body to fully rest first. This is tough work and you're not used to doing anything like finances and humanitarian work because you were a princess-"

"What does me being a princess have to do anything?" she interrupted. "I'm trained in this work too Syaoran." When his raging eyes took a more confused look, she explained, "My father taught both my brother and I in castle matters in case the heir, Touya, could not rule due to an illness or death. I would be his backup when my father dies. I'm not weak or stupid, I didn't waste my teenage years doing nothing or whatever I wanted to do. I'm taught and skilled in politics. Granted I was never really interested as much as Touya, but I know what to do." Her voice quieted. "I know Syaoran," she whispered.

Syaoran rubbed his face harshly before sighing deeply. "Saku-" he began but Sakura shook her head.

"I'll be in my room if you ever need me. Don't worry. I won't attempt this ever again." She silently walked back to the castle and Syaoran only saw her back.

"Don't show me such a sad back Sakura…" he whispered before leaning against the tree trunk. Eriol seemed to have disappeared. Probably during when he and Sakura were fighting, he mused as he stared at an ant crawling near his feet.

He yelled softly in frustration. He knew he was being a little paranoid after the incident but he couldn't help himself but worry. His gut instinct was screaming at him to protect her at all costs because if he didn't, he would regret it his whole life.

The curtains were drawn and the room was silent. The room was messy with papers tossed everywhere and books strewn across tables and floors. It was pitch black except for the small glowing of an orb in a corner where a man was sitting and peering into the orb almost fondly. He stared at the image the orb provided him and watched as a young woman with emerald eyes and auburn hair laid on a bed, talking to a floating yellow stuffed bear. She seemed stressed and upset but after a few moments, the woman broke out into a soft smile.

The man chuckled and placed his pale fingers over her face and stroked the orb gently.

But then the image of the orb changed and it showed a man with amber eyes and dark brown hair leaning against a tree trunk. The pale man's mood shifted immediately and he gripped his armrest tightly. He almost smashed the orb out of rage when a voice spoke in his head.

"Be patient young one. The time is nearing and you do not wish to haste unless you want everything you worked so hard for to go to waste. Calm your anger. The Card Mistress will be in your hands soon and your power will grow and we will be the most powerful magicians ever in history! We will even triumph that blasted Clow! Everything you want will be yours: the Card Mistress, the death of the man you hate for stealing her, and the power to rule the whole continent! Every person will bow down to you as their ruler. Be patient young one for the time is nearing..."

The man released his tight grip and glared at the image of a young man still showing in the orb. He shall wait. But everything will soon be his. It's only a matter of time.

There might be a lot of mistakes. I tried going over it, but I'm dead tired and me and my tired eyes want sleep or at least a nap so I might have skipped over some grammar issues. Hopefully nothing too big.

I might not see you guys anytime soon which is really sad and I tried really hard to make this a decent chapter. I love reading your reviews like I DEPEND on them when I write. I sometimes go back and read every single one of them and they warm up my heart QvQ. Hopefully you enjoyed this chapter and liked/loved it. Please review and maybe I'll be more motivated to write hahaha.

REVIEWWWW~~~

Thanks for reading!

PS - I might post the story I've been working on. Well just the first chapter anyway. I dunno when though. Teehee.