Disclaimer – I don't own CardCaptors, but the new characters are my own idea ;D

A/N – Earthy card, but the test of being a cardcaptor is taking its toll... Is Rei really up to this?

Chapter 26

Rei's eyes flickered open. She had awoken to the news that she was being discharged from the hospital. Li was by her bedside and trying to show positive face. The father was a nervous wreck inside, wondering what on earth his daughter was doing in the local gardens in the middle of the night. It was out of character for Rei, but Li knew that there was an easy explanation. The cards had taken her there.

"Rei!" Sakura threw open the door and rushed to her daughter's bedside with Danny and Mika hovering behind her. "Oh gosh, Li. What's happening? I came as soon as I touched down at the city airport. What was Rei even doing there?"

Li put a hand on Sakura's. "It's fine, Rei is fine. Rei will be okay. They have discharged her, I'm just waiting on a nurse... Why don't you go and wait down in the lobby for us all? Give Rei a moment to get sorted in her own time." He squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Let's not worry about why she was there and focus on the fact that our daughter is okay."

Sakura nodded, brushing a tear from her eye. She turned away, guided comfortingly by Mika.

-o-

After having a day at home to rest, Rei was lying under the covers of her bed, looking at Yukio's stuff dotted around the room. Leo was looking at the star cards that Rei had recently captured. The Earthy card. The little lion smiled with pride at the young cardcaptor being able to think on her feet in order to acquire the card – even if it ended up with her using Time and Firey.

Rei sensed someone approaching and her hand shot out, weakly grabbing Leo and tucking him under her chin like she would with a couple toy. Screwing her eyes shut, she waited and listened to the footsteps moving around the house. They paused by the door and must have peeped into the room to check in on Rei before disappearing down the stairs.

"That was close Leo," Rei whispered, standing up slowly and picking up the Earthy form the floor and placing it into the Star book.

Leo twisted himself around, dislodging the squish mark Rei's grip had formed. "You're telling me!" he exclaimed in a high pitch, hushed voice. "That's some quick thinking, Rei..."

"Leo..." Rei said, her voice brimming with exhaustion. "What happens now? I can't afford to be too weak to capture the cards. Isn't there anything we can do to help me be stronger?" She climbed out of bed, going over to the window. "Because you've already mentioned how many cards there are still out there, but knowing that I wasn't strong enough to stay conscious after using Time and Firey, plus sealing the Earthy... I'm worried."

The little lion apprentice ruffled his mane, looking deep in thought. "There is one thing that we can do."

"What? I'll do anything!" Rei dropped to her knees beside the bed. "For the cards."

"We need to contact the guardian of the seal. Keroberos..."

The youngster's eyes widened. "But I thought you were the guardian of the seal?"

Leo gritted his pointed teeth. "I am the apprentice to the guardian of the seal!" he bellowed before covering his mouth. "Sorry!"

"How? Tell me how." Rei grabbed the chair by the desk and tiptoed over to the door where she propped it under the doorknob. "No one can or will disturb us."

"We need the cards that you've captured so far. They're going to be key to summoning Keroberos."

Rei started to spread the captured cards around her, remembering the capture of each card. From the Freeze and Firey cards, to the Dash and Erase card. Every single one held a place in her heart.

"Now, sit down on the floor – spread the cards evenly around you in a circle, then I will contact the apprentice of the seal." Leo sat on the bed as Rei scattered the cards around her. "Evenly dispersed, Rei," he said, frowning at messy circle.

"Ready..." Rei nodded, closing her eyes to prepare for the summoning of Keroberos. Even the name sent a shiver down Rei's spine.

Leo started the mini incantation to summon his mentor. "Keroberos, guardian of the seal to the Star cards, I am Leo- your apprentice and calling to you on behalf of Reiko Syaoran, cardcaptor. Your assistance, guidance and wisdom has been requested. Keroberos, I summon thee!"

The symbol on the star book etched itself on the floor around Rei in a gold light that made her open her eyes quickly. Her eyes widened and she hugged her knees to her chest in fear. A hand slapped itself to her mouth when a large winged cougar like creature rose from the gold light to stop her from screaming. Despite it being her own hand, Rei bite down on one of her fingers, about to move backwards.

Leo called out sharply. "No! Don't move or you'll break the connection. Cardcaptor, meet Keroberos..."

Keroberos squeezed into the space between the desk and the bed, leaning forwards to inspect Rei closer. He narrowed his eyes at her, before locking gaze with the young girl. Those eyes. That face.

"Sakura?" Keroberos whispered.

Rei smiled slightly. "Sakura is my mother. My- my name is Rei, Rei Syaoran. I am the newest cardcaptor and I need your help and energy."

"Stand up, child. Let me look at you." Keroberos jerked his head up. "Stand tall, stand proud, cardcaptor..."

Rei did as she was told and tried not to look so nervous.

"I know you need my help, but there is more that is required of you. Leo is but one part of your journey. For every action, there is an equal reaction. For there is no moon without the sun. Once you discover the equilibrium, you will realise your renewal of energy." Keroberos dipped his head. "Reiko. I'll remember that name. By following in your mother's footsteps, you'll see that you are more alike than you think."

Rei felt a lump in her throat, and hugged Keroberos' neck, burying her face into the beast's sandy coloured fur. "Will it get easier?"

"It already is, isn't it? Cast your mind back to the first time you captured a card – the experience is far removed from the recent ones, right?" Keroberos nudged the girl away. "Your heart is pure, Reiko, but you must find the ying to the yang before you can unlock the stars' true potential. And yours..."

Thoughts from AspiringWriterGirl = Ha! I haven't been planning much for this story, but I thought it was the perfect opportunity to get going again seeing as it was the festive period and I have holiday!