Muses: Keep going...you don't get to finish until you can think up the next chaper
Cherry Princess: *glares at Muse* You are not allowed to say anything...you're the one that abandoned me! I couldn't write without you!
Muse: Um...Sorry Minna...I was swarmed with school work for Cherry Princess...since she didn't bother to do them -.-;;
Cherry: Please Read and Review! Remember...more than five!
Love,
Cherry Princess
*******
"Tomoyo, I don't think you should just allow yourself to feel love sick when you can do something about it. If he was an idol that lived in somewhere like America, I would be worried, but he is in our class. I know where he lives and you know it very well too! And most of all, you know that he won't be cruel to you and laugh when you tell him of your crush or anything, right?" A mute nod. That was possibly a little more annoying than the complaints from her friend, Sakura decided as Tomoyo trudged along on their shopping spree. "But that's the problem, Sakura. I just don't want to go through with the process. I don't want to be rejected. My heart has been broken once and I don't want to go through it again." Tomoyo's stance and body language was enough for Sakura to know that she was at the end of her strength and at the end of her patience with both herself and in the situation.
"Tomoyo, listen to me." Sakura stopped walking and held her friend, locking eyes with her. It seemed to Tomoyo that her best friend didn't care of the traffic of people walking past them as she talked. "Tomoyo, for your first heartbreak, I'm sorry. But life isn't easy. You have to take chances. If you don't, you won't get anywhere. If you don't ask, you will never know, will you? Take the chance. I can't force you to do it, and I don't know as many ways as you do on how to get couples together. But I can tell you that Eriol won't reject you. Does that give your courage? You are a beautiful young girl at the top of her league in everything. You are smart, excellent in most sports and have one hell of a skill when it comes to videos. You are witty and you are far more on your feet than me. You may not have magical powers, but you have something in you. Your own magic. That has nothing to do with cards or even with powers to make things move. You have your own magic to make things happen. And it's about time you used it for your own good, instead for me or for others around you."
Tomoyo, for the first time noticed how green her best friend's eyes were as she looked deep into them. "For the first time, Tomoyo. Think about you first. Think of what you want and think of how you are going to get it. You are always thinking about me and about what others might feel. Stuff them! Think of what you want. You are the most important person! Don't forget that!" It was then that Tomoyo saw how good a friend Sakura was to her. She had never thought that her best friend could be so supportive or so understanding or so strong in her opinion before. Sakura had always been the sweetest girl, but she had lacked the strength to push upon another than herself, but Tomoyo saw then that Sakura was mature than even herself. "Thank you Sakura." Tomoyo told her as she hugged the green eyed Card Mistress. "What are friends for?" Sakura asked teasingly as she lead the purple haired teen towards the cute clothes shop they hadn't gone into before.
"What do you think about this?" Sakura asked as she pushed a pair of tight jeans upon her friend. "No. It's too dark. I need something lighter." Tomoyo commented as she followed her friend's advice. There was nothing else she could do for Sakura. Her best friend was at the peak of her cards and at her magic, and most of all, with her love. All around herself, actually was in love and there was only one other she had to help in the matters of the heart. Herself. Tomoyo was determined that she was going to do what she had wished to do for months soon. Very soon. She couldn't put it off any longer. Not with the support she was receiving from her best friend and definitely not with her own desperation.
Sakura smiled secretly to herself as her friend looked around to find the perfect outfit she would wear to go and see her crush. She was glad. Tomoyo had helped her with so much and it was only time she gave back some of the wonders her friend had given her. "Tomoyo! This would be perfect!" Tomoyo rushed to her as Sakura looked at the white dress with almost reverence. Upon looking on it, Tomoyo had to agree. It was perfect. The most perfect dress she had seen in a long time. She just had to have it. "That is perfect." Tomoyo commented as she found the right size and went to try the dress on. The long sleeves of the dress was bell shaped, her absolute favourite kind, cute little laces at the front to show innocence, as well as appeal to another's eyes and the long simple joined skirt that was just perfect for the winter. She smiled with satisfaction as she walked out of the stall and looked at her friend, doing a twirl for her.
"Beautiful, Tomoyo. Absolutely beautiful." Tomoyo could only smile happily. She felt like a Princess…
****
"How do you feel?" Sakura asked as she stood in her lounge room with her best friend. "I feel excited and there's little butterflies in my stomach." Sakura just smiled knowingly and nodded. "I know. That's what I felt." Tomoyo smiled back, nervously as her best friend, dressed warmly in her winter Chinese dress that went under her robe and picked up the two long coats for both of them. "Come on. The sooner we get over this, the better." Tomoyo couldn't agree though. After all, the weather was looking a little too cold for going out…perhaps…
"Don't even think about it girl. You are going. NOW!" Sakura said as she pulled her best friend up and dragger her out of her house and into the streets with the coats on both of them and left the love birds in the house. "You see, I'm going to be abandoning you as soon as you get to the gates of Eriol's house. I don't want to be around when you are trying to get into a romantic mood." Tomoyo playfully hit her friend's shoulder as they walked along, giggling and talking.
When they did arrive at the house though, a note was on the door of the large steel gates. Sakura took it off the gate and read it aloud for Tomoyo to hear.
"Dear Card Mistress,
As far as my knowledge of you go,
this shall be your first challenge.
Should your survive this, you shall
face many more.
Come to the Tsuki Shrine. I have
already started a spell on the people of Tokyo. This spell will affect
them in their ability to sleep. Without magical means, they would not be
able to rest their bodies. They could sleep, but it would do them no good,
if you can understand it. Ask your friend. She will tell you that she is
tired, exhausted and to her, it would seem like she had no rest at all.
That is of no matter. Only by winning, you can undo the spell. By the way, if you don't attend, the people will die by five pm today. I highly suggest that your Guardians be present, as my own would be bored without them.
Eriol"
Sakura's heart froze that moment. Just with the reading of the note, it seemed that her senses were flaring up, getting in all the information of all spells that were performed in the city. It didn't take her long to find the one that caused her the most worry. It was an extensive spell, one to the extent she couldn't even imagine herself performing. It had taken planning, most likely months and months of planning. And it was done by someone that had the power of the sun in their hands, or of shadows. But the sun and the shadow always went together, without one the other could not exist. Her mind went through all information without accepting any of them properly. It was just a whirl of all different things that was starting to worry her. It hurt to think about what would happen if she did nothing with the power she held to stop the magical working. So wrapped in her thoughts, Sakura didn't noticed the paper dropping from her hand, and the way her body dropped to the ground on her knees. Her shaken mind took nothing in, other than the overwhelming amount of magic that went all around her, the whole city.
Without uttering a single word, she started to glow, gathering all the powers she could gather within herself. She drew her magic from the darkest and the deepest part of her body, allowing it to fill every blood cell in her body, it was the only way she could even dream of beating the magician that had been powerful enough to cast such a spell. The sleeping was the problem and none could sleep without magical means. But even if she undid the spell, there was another under the restlessness. There was something that caused her heart to wrench in fear. The other spell was even more powerful. It was one that could possibly destroy the whole of the city and even the whole of Japan. Silently, she cursed herself for not noticing it before. If she had felt the spell from it's starting point, she would have been able to fight against it with more ease. She would have been able to make sure that the spell didn't get to the extent it did. She was sure.
Tomoyo watched her best friend, noting the pale face she carried and the danger that surrounded her whole body. Sakura was glowing softly in what Tomoyo could only refer as her power. Her heart ached. Tomoyo felt her heart ache at the note. Her crush. The only man she had ever fallen in love with, was going to be the enemy of her most deepest love. Sakura was going to face the man she loved and Tomoyo knew which side she was going to be on. Sakura was her one and only true love. But Tomoyo knew that she could never be more than best friends with the card Mistress had had resigned to the fate, and she had fallen for Eriol, perhaps because the boy, in some ways seemed to be like her, worrying about Sakura at all times and watching out for the beautiful, innocent girl. Tomoyo had seen that side of him and the side of him that treated her like a Princess. Eriol had been much like her, so mature, polite, gentle and so protective of another, of the same person as herself. She sighed, watching her best friend, on the ground, slowly standing up, her whole body pulsing with power Tomoyo had never seen before.
The Card Mistress and Soulmate of the Moon Guardian of Clow slowly turned to face her best friend with a sad smile. "Tomoyo, please, go and find some place safe to be. And get Syaoran to be with you. Thank you for everything you did, Tomoyo." As if she had given her last words, Sakura turned around and started to walk away, ready to call the card of wings for her. But Tomoyo ran after her best friend and caught her arms. "You are not going alone. I didn't watch over every single one of your magical adventures to be absent from the biggest yet. I have to be there." Sakura's eyes looked pleasantly surprised, but also determined to do anything but put Tomoyo at risk of getting hurt. "It'll be dangerous." Before Sakura could continue, Tomoyo had already shaken her violently and looked deeply into the Card Mistress's eyes. "You are not going alone because you'll need all the help you can get. And you can't rush into things like this, Sakura-chan. Let's go to your house, call Syaoran there and have Yue and Kero-chan there as well. Then you can talk about it before you take any action. Besides, don't you want people to be around for you? To cheer for you and to pray for all the best?"
Sakura had to admit that she did want to be selfish and have all the people around her. She didn't want to be there alone, without her friends and family by her to face her greatest challenge ever. Slowly Sakura nodded, but her powers didn't stop their pulsing or glowing. Sakura simply walked after Tomoyo, making sure that those that did see her glowing soon forgot about it. Her mind powers did not use her magical powers, allowing her to use as much as she wanted, without affecting her magic at all. Tomoyo was busy as they walked, calling her house for the bodyguards to bring her the video camera, ringing Syaoran to be there at the Card Mistress's house and calling Touya and Yue to be there as well. Sakura didn't say a word. Slowly, she was feeling around the powers that wrapped the city. The first spell she had a solution for, but the second spell, she wasn't so sure. From what she could read, it was going to make sure that the city didn't get any light. None whatsoever. Every little bit of light, even candles, was going to be cut from the city. And there was probably nothing she could do about it. But there was something that nagged at her. Something that said that there was indeed something she could do.
If everything was dark, all she needed to do was give light. But that was a part she wasn't sure she could give so easily. Light. The card, was the only source of Light she had that would be strong enough to fight against the spell, but to open Light, she would have to open Dark. They were the only things she had that went hand in hand. And something she had found impossible to change, due to the fact that even if she was in the fullest of her powers, as she was that moment, it was impossible to change both of them. They were the strongest cards she possessed. A sigh escaped her lips, unnoticed by both her and her companion as they walked towards the place that she called home. She was tired. Even she, with her glowing self, couldn't help but feel ill-rested. The spell was powerful enough to even affect magical people and things, she was sure.
Her house was in sight of her, as the people also were. Her father was still away on the trip, thank the Gods, but her brother was there, his arm wrapped around Yukito and Syaoran was there too, not glaring at anyone, but in deep concentration, in a deep trance of sorts. Sakura waved slowly at them, glad to see them. It was probably going to be the last time she was going to see them, she felt. She was certain that she had to change the cards and when she did, she was sure that she was going to lose her life. Her extensive study into the books of magic that had been left to her and those of Syaoran's had told her easily that if Sorcerers or Sorceresses overused their powers, they would die. They would be drawing out of their own life.
They all walked into the house, sitting around the lounge room, in the silence that mirrored the doom each person was feeling. "The first spell can be easily taken care of." Sakura said as she changed and released the cute little girl with fairy like features. The girl smiled gently at them, with her little wand. "No, Sleep. Everyone outside of this house." The fairy nodded and flew out of the house, busily going around to every person in the city, knowing well what her Mistress wanted.
Sakura looked at her guardians, her eyes stopping for longer at Yue than at Cereberus. "I don't want to ask of you to do this, but you have to fight. Not really to protect me, but to fight for your own lives. The guardians of the opposite are dangerous, and they are like you. But darker. I don't know what they are going to be like, just dangerous. Anyway, you have to fight them while I deal with the Sorcerer. The second spell is going to be harder to break. I would have to bring Light. And to bring Light…" "You have to bring Dark." Yue finished for her as their eyes locked upon each other. "Yes. And I don't have enough power for that. Anyway, I'm kind of hoping that I can fight against the Sorcerer and then the spell would break. But if that doesn't work, I need to borrow power from you, Syaoran." The future Clan Leader nodded. "Of course." Sakura smiled gently at him and looked at Tomoyo and at her brother. "Just be there for me." They smiled, or rather, Tomoyo smiled gently as always and her beloved brother smirked as he usually did.
"Ok, so I guess that's all then. Wanna go?" Her voice was trembling. Her fear was evident in her pale face and the brightness of her eyes. Her eyes were brighter than their usual green. "I think you should wear the robe Clow made for you." Cereberus suggested as he rubbed his face against her palm, assuring her that everything will be fine in his own way. He was always the one to stop her tears in such situations before Yue and he knew how to quench her fears. Sakura just smiled and stood up, slowly making her way up to her room, with Tomoyo following her, glad that they would have at least that time alone with each other to talk, as best friends do in such situations.
Sakura was already wearing the light pink Chinese dressed underneath her coat, so all she really had to do was find and wear the robe over her clothes, but that was half the problem, really. The robe was hard to find, as she had hidden it away from her family, but had forgotten where she had put it due to the added stress that was running over her mind. "Where's the robe?" Tomoyo asked, for what seemed to be the tenth time when Sakura finally snapped out of her mini trance to point towards the small box at the corner of her room. "You know, you shouldn't leave it in boxes. It's a precious thing someone that thought of himself as your father made for you. And you saw how nice he was, didn't you?" Sakura nodded numbly as her friend shook the robe out before standing behind Sakura. Slowly, as if she was in a trance, Sakura slipped her arms in and watched without really seeing as her friend started to button it up.
"Sakura…" Tomoyo couldn't continue as Sakura threw herself into the arms of the person that knew her as well as she knew herself. "I'm scared Tomo-chan." Tomoyo's eyes widened in surprise. Sakura hadn't used that nickname for her for a long time. In fact, the last time it had been used was when they finished year four. Tomoyo held her as the Card Mistress cried. No, not the Card Mistress, but the girl hidden under all the layers of magic, the naïve and innocent little girl known as Kinomoto Sakura. With all that had been happening, Sakura had hidden herself under her magic and under the layers that had built up as she matured, but for the first time since she had started to capture the cards, Sakura was allowing herself to become a child again. Not a Sorceress that controlled the strongest magical things on the planet, but just a girl that wished such things could be her's.
"I don't want to go. I don't want to fight against Eriol-kun. I don't want to fight at all. I know what the magic I have can do and what he can do and I wish that I didn't know. I hate it all! Why did it have to be me?" The last question that left the Card Mistress's lips was probably the most hurtful of them all, Tomoyo was sure. But what could she say? There was nothing she could say that would alter the way fate and destiny had decided it for Sakura. She couldn't stop it all, or change it. Tomoyo was powerless to help her best friend as she cried on her shoulder. She could do nothing to stop the tears, but there was one thing Tomoyo knew that could stop Sakura's tears. And slowly, Tomoyo pulled Sakura away from herself and looked at the watch, laying her friend on the bed, where she curled up into a tiny little ball, sobbing as she did so, out of fear for herself, those she loved and for the wider community that was at risk, all because of herself.
Quickly as she could, Tomoyo ran down the stairs, where the four males sat, discussing softly among themselves on the topic of Eriol. "Yue, can you try to calm Sakura down? She's upset." Yue had known about it, Tomoyo saw as the angelic guardian flew towards the room as soon as her words had passed her lips. "What is wrong with her?" Touya asked, ready to pounce up the stairs, for all Tomoyo knew. "She's upset. You do realise that things like this could become very stressful, don't you? She thinks that because of her, the whole of Tokyo or Japan is at risk. And she thinks that there is nothing she could do to help. She is angry at herself for being the one. She is trying to fight fate and destiny. So, I think it would be best if she spends some time with the one that loves her like there is no tomorrow. Perhaps that way, she can become at least a little calm. Enough to face Eriol anyway." Syaoran and Touya nodded, as Cerberus comforted the teenage girl. "Let us hope she can recover quickly. We only have two hours left till five." Tomoyo could only agree.
The tears didn't stop. Somewhere deep inside, she knew that there was something important that only she could possibly dream of doing and that she should be at the Tsuki Shrine, but couldn't bring herself to get up. "Sakura, love." It was a voice she knew and loved. She didn't look up or make gestures that she heard the voice, but her light pulsed slightly to acknowledge her soulmate. "Don't be afraid, dear one. Eriol may be strong and his spell dangerous, but there is nothing that could stop you from fighting against him, Sakura. And you will win. You always do. I know that you were forced into this all, but don't you like at least some aspects of it? If you weren't the Card Mistress, I wouldn't have met you. And you wouldn't have met Syaoran. Or Cereberus. Do you hate being a Sorceress that much?" Even as he spoke his words, it was hard for Yue. After all, he had never comforted anyone before. He was getting used to it with his soulmate, his Mistress, but his words were still rough around the edges, he was sure that he could have done a better job, but she saw his intentions. After all, all he felt was her's to feel.
Sakura didn't utter a word. But her mind took what Yue said into her mind and she knew that what he had said was the truth. Yue was doing all he could to help her and she should be grateful for it, she decided. Bravely, she put on a slight smile on he lips and looked at him, noting that his gentle eyes were even gentler than before. He smiled down at her, that wonderful smile that always made her feel special and she went into his arms, letting him just hold her as she fought her tears. "I was just so scared." She managed as he held her tightly. "I know, mistress. I know. But just because you are afraid, doesn't mean that you can run away from it. I think Eriol is afraid as well. How could he not be? He knows how powerful you are." Sakura smiled sadly and bravely nodded. "Are you ready now?" Sakura nodded as she raised her face to kiss his moon-like lips. The gentle rays of the moon were right there for her, on his lips. His warm kiss and the taste of him was enough for her to gather her courage. "We shouldn't keep him waiting." Sakura said as she got out of the warm embrace.
*****
Eriol's mind was in a whirl of guilt, anger, sadness and somewhat a mixture of blaming himself. Why couldn't he simply tell her of the things that had to be done? Come out and show himself to her? But no. He had to do it the hard way. He had to challenge her in every single aspect of her life, making her the best of all Sorceresses that way. But what was going to be his excuse? That he had planned it all out couple of hundred years ago and was now going to make his vision come true? Eriol sighed heavily. Nothing he can say or do, can change what he was about to do. He was probably risking the one thing he had lived out his life for. He had lived out his short life in the present time and his past life, as Clow Reeds with only one goal in life. To make one person's life perfect as it could possibly get. But there were some things, more than some things he hadn't really thought of as Clow Reeds.
He had never thought it possible for himself to fall in love with the beautiful girl Sakura had turned out to be. He couldn't believe that in the real life, the green eyed Card Mistress was an Angel, and that her sweetness and gentleness was far greater than thought before. Sakura had also proven herself to be even more powerful. But another thing that also worried him were the feelings that had started to appear on his behalf towards the purple haired girl that stood by the side of his daughter and was mature, loving and kind as he acted for his dear Sakura-san. Tomoyo was not something that had been added to his equation in the past. In fact, Tomoyo had more or less popped out of nowhere in his plans.
But one fact remained clear on his mind that moment. His little Sakura had to change the Light and Dark cards. Or she was going to find herself in a high risk of losing all the cards. As well as that, he was sure that the person that was after his most precious things was going to be after her as well. The woman that wanted all that was of the Stars gone and wanted everything that he loved once. She was going to be after his most treasured and loved of all, Sakura. Eriol closed his eyes, preparing himself for the fight to come and the darkness he would have to play. His guardians were restless as they paced about him. The black puma like creature was the one he had created to be everything but what Cereberus was. Something that was opposite the sweet loving and smart mouthed creature, but as beautiful as Cereberus was. The black fur stood out sharply against the grey stones that led to the shrine, as well as the dark wings with the sharp blue outlining. Spinel Sun was a beautiful creature, one that suited him better than probably Cereberus. After all, Cereberus had been designed with Sakura in mind, but Yue…had been a surprise.
Eriol thought back to the original idea for the moon guardian. He had thought angel. Guardian Angel for the little girl. But what had popped in his mind was the fact that he was lonely. That had disturbed his spell, as Clow. The loneliness had made Yue into a creature that loved Clow beyond the love to a father and into something that was of a lover. And when he died, Yue had been hurt accordingly. Eriol sighed. He hadn't meant for Yue to be hurt, not at all. In fact, he had wished nothing but that. However, it had been in the last moment of his life was Clow Reeds that he had seen that Yue would be more than just a Guardian Angel that could be gentle and sweet and comforting, but a lover to the Card Mistress. He hadn't seen it until that moment and had told his grieving guardian that he would find true happiness. And he had raised his heart to the highest levels when he had realised that Yue and Sakura was happy. A smile played at his lips as he thought of Yue and Sakura, at the gentle love they both carried in themselves. It was a great thing to see and he didn't want anything to happen to Yue, nor Sakura that could harm either of them…
"Ruby!" He called as he floated in midair, still thinking of the past, the present and the future. "What is it Master Eriol?" It was the voice of his beautiful guardian, with her long pink hair and the black and pink robe, but it was less hyper than usual. That was one good thing about Ruby Moon. She had a personality that rivaled Cereberus's, but as her counter part was, Ruby could be serious, when there was a need. And she saw that need in her Master's eyes that moment and stood in front of him, her butterfly wings moving slightly to keep herself in the air. "Make sure that you don't hurt Yue too much. I don't want Sakura to feel even a single drop of pain during the ordeal, get it?" Ruby nodded. As everything he had ever created, Ruby and Spinel had also grown with the love for Sakura in them. It hadn't been forced upon them. It had never been. But it usually didn't take a lot for the cards, or the guardians to feel love for the girl as beautiful and as gentle as she was. Eriol smiled another proud smile before he felt the lively, yet serious presence of his little girl. She was coming. Coming to fight against him, to protect all she loved. And he would be dammed if a single hair on her head was hurt. However, he was ready for whatever pain she could throw at him, with a smile on his lips.
*****
She was nervous, almost shaking in her shoes as she strode down the city of dead silence. Everyone was asleep, as she had previously asked Sleep to do for her. The cards were in her hands and her circle of family and friends were all around her, giving her the support she needed to get through the coming ordeal. She swore to herself that she was going to change the cards and get through it. She couldn't bring herself to think of what would happen if she didn't. As she glowed in her light and as she thought of what she could do, a warm hand was over her shoulder, gently bring her out of her thoughts to look at her brother, and his warm eyes. "You'll be fine, little monster. Just remember that I'm going to tease you for the rest of your life if you lose to that Eriol guy. Got it?" Sakura nodded glad that he could still tease her in such a situation. It kept her mind off what was to come.
"Welcome to the Tsuki Shrine, Card Mistress…and co. It's nice to see that you brought your friends along." It was Eriol, just as she had seen in her vision before. Dressed in a black robe with symbols of the sun and the staff he was holding was there as well. As were the two beautiful, yet dangerous guardians that stood around him. "You see Card Mistress, using the Sleep card was a genius idea, but I'm sure you realised the backup spell that is in place. You should have felt it by now. And you know that it is going to be impossible to chase away the Darkness that is going to reign in your beautiful city. Don't you?" Sakura shook her head, her beautiful honey brown hair defying him even as her green eyes did. "I won't let you do that. It is unfair! Isn't your fight with me?" He shrugged. "I don't care what happens to you or the city. All I know is that I want the cards you have. And possibly your guardians as well. After all, your power of the Stars is something all Sorcerers are interested in." Eriol didn't miss the strange look his guardians were giving him, a look of almost sorrow and deep shock as he spoke. His voice was cold as he could manage against the beautiful girl that was his daughter.
"I don't believe you Eriol! Why? I know it's not just the cards. You are powerful enough to create your own!" Her eyes were pleading and so sad. He turned away from it and faced his guardians. "Attack them." And within moments, after a little bit of hesitation, they rushed at the beautiful Card Mistress and was intercepted by the Guardians. "Now that they are occupied, why not just you and me, Card Mistress?" The coldness in his voice frightened her, as much as the mixed emotions that ran off of him. Strangely, she couldn't help but feel that he didn't want to be doing what he was doing. Like he was being forced to do it, in a way. She sighed heavily as she looked at him, her glowing finally ending. The powers she drew into the card she knew that she had to use. "I know all the cards you possess, Card Mistress. And I know that two of the cards you possess yet haven't been changed to your power source. And will be very easy for me to take over, therefore. I want those two cards, little mistress. And if I have those, I can easily take possession of the rest. It's that simple. However, you might have noticed that the spell that had been placed requires you to use one of those cards to defeat me. So, do you think you are strong enough to compete against me in magical powers only?"
Sakura didn't know. From what she could see, he was already at the advantage, because he had set the spell up before and she also knew that he was powerful, stronger than her, perhaps, but their power levels were almost at a match. Slowly, she made her face into a stone and made sure that the emotions that was on her face showed the boy nothing. Nothing at all of what she might do and what she was thinking of. Slowly, she raised her hand, noting to herself that her powers ere being slowly drained by the fight with the opposite guardians and her guardians. It was going to be harder than she originally thought. But she gathered up all her magic and started to pour all of it into changing the card of pure light. The card that can end the spell that was slowly taking effect over the city. The darkness was starting to be evident throughout what she could see of the beautiful city that was her home. "Sakura! Watch out!" Touya yelled as he saw a stray ball of what seemed to be purple energy missing the lion like Guardian and heading towards the Card Mistress. Without a second thought, he rushed in front of it, taking the hit of it, not caring that his shoulder was burning, while his sister, in her trance didn't hear a single thing of it all.
"That was brave, Kinomoto Touya. But foolish. I can't have anymore of that. So, you gotta go to sleep for awhile." With that simple command, his powers were working even before the once a magic user fell to the ground, unconscious and into blissful sleep. But Sakura didn't notice any of it. Her powers were holding fast onto her. She didn't see the puzzle that went over Tomoyo's eyes for a moment, nor the way she seemed to be hurt. Sakura also didn't see the strange expression on Eriol's face, trying hard to seem like he was wishing for her failiure, but close to sending her all the power he could to help her. But that wasn't way things should be done. Syaoran pulled the brother of his friend back and watched as the two cards in front of the Card Mistress started to slowly change, but they were going too slow, Sakura needed more power. Without hesitation, he reached out to her and gently touched her shoulder, his concentration and years of magic coming in handy as he felt all his power rushing into her body. He didn't stop the transfer of pure magical energy until he couldn't stand. Tomoyo helped him to sit under the shady tree with Touya as she watched, worriedly at her friend and the glowing cards. Sakura couldn't lose. Her beautiful Sakura-chan couldn't lose. Tomoyo wouldn't allow it.
Sakura felt the power that rushed into her from her friend and thanked him for it, in her mind, but she was sure that he wouldn't have heard it. She would have to say so in words when it was all finished, she decided. If she could survive. For the first time since her magical career had been started, she realised that she might just not make over the ordeal in one piece. Before, it had been risky, but she had known that she was capable of it, but this time, it was different. She was faced against a Sorcerer. A real sorcerer that strangely had the powers Clow used to have. With the same feeling and the emotions of pure love towards her in them. Every part of her magic was quickly pouring into the cards, fast as she could manage, but it was still slow, for the cards were powerful and they had been near the last to catch, meaning that they had more of the power of Clow left than the other cards. It was like fighting against two things. Clow and Eriol. The cards wanted to change, she could feel that, through their pleas and with the feeling of pure warmth from them. But the truth was, they could do nothing for her as she struggled.
The Card Mistress didn't notice her body slowly collapsing under the pressure. She didn't feel the ground beneath her legs, but only the cards. All she could feel was the consciousness of Light and Dark. Without the Stars, she was weaker than before, and so slowly, she changed them. Fast could cost her life. She was half way there, she decided as she started to go faster than before. The spell Eriol had cast was slowly taking control and she couldn't allow that. Her powers had to move faster, to stop the spell from taking it's full control. Sweat drops fell from her brow as she fought against her fatigue and the light headedness from the lack of magic within herself. Her struggles were evident on her face, as the look of pure concentration and something acute to pain was mirrored in her face, as she felt it all. As her face started to pale slowly, she felt the end of her powers, and just the reserve of what Syaoran had managed to give her. As she looked at the green magic that had entered her body, she realised that the magic she saw there was more than she had ever imagined could come from the male Card Captor. His power content was impressive and it surprised her a little at least as the green power was pulled from the depth of her and pulled into the changing of the cards as well.
The cards were flickering, Eriol saw as his own face started to gather sweat drops, as Sakura's cards slowly fought against his spell. His guardians had stopped fighting to worriedly watch over to the two fighting, rather than carrying on their own fight. Yue was rushing towards Sakura, but even without a warning from anyone, noticed that going near her would be impossible. The sheer amount of power that was being used could destroy him, or Sakura. Eriol couldn't tell which. His mind was still on Sakura, with his greater experience in the magical battles, he knew that he had the upper hand, but Sakura had people that would risk their live to protect her, so she could concentrate just on her magic. Nothing else. The pain on her face worried him. Was she going to be able to last? The guilt went through him, like a sharp knife through the heart. But he also knew that there were reasons for doing what he did. Sakura wouldn't have changed the cards without a push until later in the time. And that could have been fatal for her and for the cards as well. And he couldn't have risked that. It was a simple matter of fact.
"I hope she's alright." Ruby Moon whispered to herself, unaware that the Moon Guardian of the Card Mistress was close enough to hear. Spinel Sun, also unaware nodded. "Master Eriol would be very much hurt if he found out that he hurt her. That was the last thing he wanted." Ruby nodded as she watched, her worry evident on her face. "But Eriol is just doing what he had planned to do before, as Clow. Don't you see Ruby? Clow knew that Sakura had to change the cards and he knew that without a push, she wouldn't have changed them, or have known to change them, so that's why he became Eriol in our time. Do you understand it?" Spinel's voice was patient, as if he was explaining it to a child, but Ruby didn't seem to notice. "I know. But the thing is, I'm worried about her no matter what he had been meaning to do. Admit it, in some part of you, isn't she the mistress of us both as well?" Spinel's great head nodded solemnly before he noticed the Moon Guardian floating near them, without a single expression on his face. The bow of pure power and the arrow was already in place, aimed at the heart of Ruby Moon. "What are you saying about Clow?"
Spinel showed at least some signs of surprise as he looked at the Moon Guardian and at his twin. "I am saying that Eriol is Clow Reeds, just in the future life. Clow created everything, you, Cereberus, the cards, everything for Sakura-sama. And when he realised that his power would soon die on the cards, he knew that he had to make sure that Sakura-sama could learn to change them. So he created a spell that could reincarnate his soul. So technically, Eriol isn't really Clow Reeds, but Eriol has his soul. That's the reason Clow died earlier than he would have. To make sure that Eriol could have as long as possible with the Card Mistress. Eriol had devised all of these things to be a test for her. To make sure all the cards are changed before…before the ones that seek the power of the Star comes along." Yue's bow disappeared as his wings drooped and he landed on the ground, sorrow entering his eyes. Even Ruby, who would have done anything there is to do in order to annoy the beautiful Moon creature, didn't say anything as the Guardian simply sank into his sorrow. "You mean the Dark Witch. She's already paid a visit to the Card Mistress, couple of time actually." Spinel and Ruby's eyes widened as he took his words in. "That's not possible though! With…Sakura-sama's power level. She's too strong to be off the radars even with the protection Eriol had been giving her any chance he had." Yue didn't say a thing, but just stood and watched his Mistress as her form fell lower onto the ground, the same time Eriol's body also fell on his knees.
Sakura sighed inwardly as the last magic left her and the card finally changed into the beautiful pink colour and the spirits within the cards went to do their job. Even as she realised her triumph, she couldn't help but fall flat to the ground, unable to hold herself up, as Eriol also fell next to her, his form prone as her's was. "I'm proud of you, Sakura-san." Eriol whispered as they laid there, exhausted out of every ounce of their magical power. Eriol had been going better than her at their fight, but with the last defeat, all his magic had rebounded, causing pain like no other. But he had known that it would be the price he had to pay for causing such a big spell over the city. "Thank you, Clow-sama." She whispered back. And before Eriol could even think about what she had said, his eyes closed and his mind blacked out, about the same time Sakura's fell into the oblivion as well. The darkness was welcoming. Very welcoming, they both decided.
*****
Her head hurt and she felt weak as a newly born kitten. Every part of her body was in pain. And she knew that she couldn't light a candle with her powers as they were. She was dry of even a drop of magic, which was probably the reason for the light headedness and the coldness that surrounded her. The magic that had gotten used to her body had been all warm and gentle within her, but it was gone. Well, not completely gone, but it was dry for the moment being, she could feel. "Sakura-sama, are you alright?" It was the voice of the person she loved the most, watching gently over her with his beautiful white wings behind him and the pure white hair nearly spilling over his shoulders onto her bed. She couldn't say a word, but she managed a very weak, small smile to reassure him. And he felt reassured, more than her words could have done so. After all, through the link, he felt that she was alright. Well, as much a Sorceress could be, after the extended amount of magic she had used up in one occasion. "Eriol?" She managed to voice, noting that her voice was croaky and generally rather dead. Yue smiled gently and pointed to a bed that was next to her own. She didn't know where she was, but she felt safe, as if she belonged in the place. Like a second home.
"He's Eriol, but he's also Clow Reeds. You noticed that too, didn't you little Mistress?" She nodded slightly as she looked at her friend, her benefactor and the person that had sacrificed basically everything in his life to give her the best of everything there was. She smiled gently at him, noting that his eyes were open. "Sorry Sakura-san. I would understand if you never…" He didn't get to continue as Sakura cut in. "Thank you, Eriol-san, or Clow-sama. Thank you for everything." Eriol smiled back and allowed himself to be fussed over by the beautiful girl with her butterfly wings and the long pink hair that framed her face and fell down her back. Sakura just smiled and turned back to her guardian. "Thank you Yue. Are you alright?" Yue nodded. "I'm fine, Mistress." But Sakura shook her head and looked at him with her bright green eyes. "I don't mean physically. Are you alright in your heart, dear one? I know that it would hurt you a lot." Yue shook his head. "I'm fine both ways, Sakura-sama. The thing is, it doesn't matter to me now, as much as it once did, of the things about Clow. I do love him still, but I have you in my life now. He is precious to me, still, but you are above all people for me. You know that." With that, he leaned down to lay the gentlest of al kisses upon his lips and got up to make room for the brother of his Mistress.
"Hey." He said, not knowing what else to say. It hurt him that she was weak as she was, and that there was nothing he could do, but he had noticed that the boy was not to blame, through the talk Yue had given him on the topic and he had calmed himself down, knowing that his sister didn't want him to be angry at her friend. He smiled down at her, doing what he did best, teasing her. "So, you finally decided to wake up, monster?" She didn't reply, but pouted slightly. "Thank you for protecting me." Sakura told him. She hadn't noticed during her magical working, but there was a burn on his shoulder and it was pretty obvious, from the way she knew her brother and the way the magic of her guardians and Eriol, that he had hurt himself protecting her. "It was nothing. You just gotta watch your back now and then. Anyway, get better. I'll go home to make sure father doesn't miss you too much. This is by the way, Hiiragizawa's place. His guardians offered it when we found that father would be home soon. I'll be back in about two hours. Alright?" Sakura nodded and hugged him back when he bent down to give her a hug and kissed her forehead before he left.
Tomoyo had a tear in her eyes as she walked to her best friend, noticing that her face was pale and that the healthy girl seemed to have lost weight during her ordeal. "Did you get everything on tape?" Tomoyo nodded. "Sakura, I don't know what to say. I guess I'm kind of sorry, that I…you know. But I can't stop it. For that moment, when you were on the ground, and glowing, I felt so guilty, that I was in love with the person you were fighting. And I tried to stop it, but I couldn't. I feel better now, knowing that he isn't what he showed himself to be during the fight. I guess everyone has a side like that, right? And it's not that…" Sakura laid a finger on Tomoyo's lips, forcing her to be silent for at least a moment. "It doesn't matter. Tomoyo, if you love him, go and tell him. I am happy that you finally found someone you love and I am more than overjoyed for you two. But if you keep feeling guilty, than it'll make me feel the same. Now, go and confess and tell me all the goss later. Get it?" Tomoyo smiled and hugged her gently before walking towards Eriol's bed, knowing that he probably overheard at least a little bit of what was being said.
"Sakura-chan!" It was the voice of her sun guardian as he threw his head onto her lap, forcing her to pat it and hug it gently, knowing that she could draw power from the great beast without worrying. "I'm so proud of you!" The beast squealed again as he licked her face gently. "You did very well against Eriol! I mean, he may not be now, but he's got the power Clow had. He is strong, but you proved that you were stronger!" Sakura just nodded, listening, but more than that, knowing that the beast was talking just for the sake of it. And she knew very well what her role in his play was, to pat him gently and to listen to him, without saying anything. And she played her role the best she could, but couldn't help the sleepiness that overwhelmed her slowly. And without wanting or meaning to, she fell asleep, into healing slumber.
Tomoyo saw Sakura drifting off with a smile before she looked at the object of her obsession. "Yes Miss Tomoyo?" Eriol's polite smile was in place, as it had always been, also something she decided she liked about him. He was always on perfect behavior, well until that day anyway. He had been always nice to everyone and ready to land a hand. She didn't know what to say, how to start, or even what words were the proper ones she could use without imposing much on the boy? She was lost. But she had to take a chance of being wrong. "Eriol-kun, you probably overheard at least a little of what Sakura-chan and I was discussing, right?" Though he really didn't want to admit it, he nodded slightly, hopeful. He had heard them discussing him and he hadn't been able to help but listen to what was being said and when he had heard the word 'love' and the way the had been talking, he had been hopeful that the beautiful girl his daughter called her best friend was going to tell him the words he had always wanted to hear. Though his heart was pounding, he made sure that outwards, he looked as cool as he could manage with her purple eyes looking deeply into his.
"Then you must know that I am in love with you." It was a statement, not a question, said so quickly it was almost impossible for him to understand, but you don't go through a very long life time and a little of his second one without learning to understand fast sentences and others without problem. With his face almost split into two, with his smile, he replied with the first smart comment that came to his mind. There was no more room other than that to think in. "And I also know that I am in love with you also." Tomoyo smiled so brightly, he thought that the sun was up once again. He smiled back, glad that his guardians weren't there to tease him. "But you do know that I am kind of Sakura's father, right?" Tomoyo nodded, dismissing the point quickly. "I don't care. You do know that I'm the best friend of your kind of daughter, right?" He nodded and shook his head quickly also, causing both of them to laugh at the strangeness of the situation. "Anyway, you better get some rest. I'll come back after I go home and tell my parents that I'll be over at a friend's house." With that and a kiss, Tomoyo was gone, taking with her, Eriol's heart. But she knew very well that she was leaving her heart behind also.
*******
That was just sap and more sap...but I hope you enjoyed!
Please leave a little note (review) that way, I can see where I should change things^^
Love you all!
Cherry Princess^^