Chapter 22: No More Solitude
Terada-sensei announced that the class was going to organize a circus-themed event for the Spring Carnival to raise money for the Children's Hospital. On White Day, Syaoran bought candy and roses with Meilin, and ran into Takashi who had a wrapped box in his arms for Chiharu. Sakura was sad to see a picture of Syaoran giving roses to Erika in the newspaper, but later on he told Meilin he was just a messenger for another person. Syaoran wasn't able to give his gift to Sakura since Eron beat him to it.
At the Kinomotos', both Touya and Fujitaka had to leave home at the same time for school in London and work across Japan and this would be for months. Sakura said she'd stay with Tomoyo. Even Kero-chan was leaving with Yue to research the new force. Before her father left, Sakura learnt that he loved another before Nadeshiko. She noticed a picture of Nadeshiko wearing the same bride's dress that she had on in Syaoran's picture of her and Ryuuren, and Fujitaka said that it was for a school production.
Sakura and her friends were over at Tomoyo's talking about how Syaoran must have a split personality. When he came in, Sakura told him about Nadeshiko's dress. Sonomi received a heated call from Tomoyo's father and everyone left to give Tomoyo privacy. Meilin was shocked when she learned that Sakura was on her own. At the Lis', Meilin confronted Syaoran about his split personality and he told her he didn't want to live that way anymore. In the middle of the night, Meilin heard something outside. A clown popped out to cause havoc and she passed out on the sidewalk. When she came to, Syaoran told her to go back to Hong Kong for her own safety. He told her that he learned that the Dark Ones made his father give up his love for Nadeshiko, and Meilin realized that was why he was acting strange around Sakura.
Sakura wasn't managing living alone very well from struggling to do everything and missing meals. Tomoyo told Sakura that her father wanted her to go to Tokyo, but Sonomi refused. She looked sad and tired but covered it up. When practicing for the Carnival, the dark force (The Joker) injured several students. Takashi warned Sakura about the Kaitou Magician who is notorious for stealing priceless treasures without getting caught. Sakura hurt her ankle because of the force, and when they were waiting for it that night, they found the Kaitou Magician with a cape and the sapphire ring around his neck instead being chased by the police. He surveyed them and left. The Joker came to Sakura's house and before collapsing in pain from her ankle, she called for Syaoran. He sensed her and smashed the window to get in and burned the wall in his combat against the Joker. He brought Sakura home with him and insisted she stayed with him and Meilin.
New Trials Timeline: Eighth grade in March -- ninth grade in April
Chapter released in Winter 2001