HA: Before I resume the story, I'd like to thank Sakura Akane Saotome for pointing out grammatical errors while she proofread my story. I forgot to mention it in the first section. My bad.
The Funhouse
Chapter Two: Send In the Clown
The next day, Yukito's disappearance was discovered and a police investigation was launched. They studied the crime scene, but did not have any leads and ignored the various reports about seeing ghosts and angels fighting in the area, which they attributed to overactive imaginations and too much beer or sake. They were still trying to figure out the hole in the ceiling, but all they could conclude was that a fight occurred.
At the Kinomoto household, the news left a depressing feeling with everyone. Touya banged his fist on the dining table. "I should've gone with him. If I did, he'd still be safe."
Despite running late, Sakura ate her food slowly. She was amazed she could eat. Her friend and Moon Guardian had been kidnapped. She was sure Yukito changed into Yue and fought back, but it was to no avail. She looked at Touya, knowing how Yukito's disappearance affected him. She felt her brother's frustration and anger. *Please be okay, Yukito-san. Not for only my sake, but for oniichan's too.*
Fujitaka tried to reassure his children. "Don't worry. The police will find him."
Touya bowed his head, not convinced. Sakura got up from the table. "I'm not hungry anymore," she said, leaving to fetch her rollerblades.
* * * * *
After school, Sakura tried her best at cheerleading club, but her heart was not into it. Everyone else noticed her lack of energy and asked what was wrong. They knew, though.
*How could someone defeat Yue-san?* Sakura thought as she tried to keep up with the other cheerleaders as they waved their pompoms and cheered. She knew Yue was powerful from experience. Before becoming her Guardian, Yue was the Judge who determined whether or not the possessor of the Clow Cards was worthy to be their master. She had trouble defeating him on her own, but with the help of Mizuki Kaho and her Moon Bell, her wand was transformed into the Star Wand and her power was increased. With this and the love of the Cards, she defeated Yue and he agreed to serve her. It probably did not hurt for her to say she wanted to be his friend too.
Still worried about her friend, Sakura tossed one of her pom-poms out of her hand. It flew towards the thick group of trees next to the school.
"I'll get it!" Sakura cried out, running towards the trees. She started searching for the pompom, but could not see it on the ground or in one of the trees.
"Do you believe in angels, Cardmistress?" a voice asked from above.
Sakura looked up, startled. "Hoe?"
A gaunt man crouched on a branch above her. He held her pompom. Sakura stared at him. He was dressed in a clown's costume, with a fool's cap and long shoes with curved, pointy toes. Before Sakura could say anything, he leapt out of his branch and landed before her. As he got up, Sakura gasped. His face seemed normal for a clown: whiteface with eye makeup, red lips, and nose. Large, white gloves covered his hands. He was not dressed as an ordinary clown. Skulls hung from the tips of the fool's cap. Instead of cheerful colors, he wore white and gray with skulls.
"Well, do you believe in angels?" he asked again, gazing at Sakura with ice-blue eyes.
Sakura regained her composure. "W-w-what do you mean?"
The clown grinned, showing his large, white teeth. "Oh, you know, angels. Winged creatures, man-like, long white hair, very bad attitude..." He grinned. "Maybe a visual aid will help." He made an image of Yue appear in the palm of his hand.
Sakura gasped at the sight. "You! You took Yukito-san!"
"Oh, that's his false name?" the clown asked with mock wonderment, making the image of Yue disappear. "Funny, he didn't mention that."
"What have you done with him?" Sakura demanded. "What have you done with Yue-san?"
"You mean besides the poison in his system that's slowly killing him?" the clown mentioned. "Nothing yet."
"Poison?" Sakura's eyes flew wide open. *Yue-san's too powerful to succumb to poison! But if he managed to capture him...* She reached instinctively for something around her neck, but she realized it was not there.
The clown let out what sounded to Sakura the strangest laugh she ever heard. "Oh, the Star Key, right?" he said with a grin. "You left it at home, didn't you?"
Sakura gulped and tried to stay calm.
"And you left your little deck of Clow Cards with it, too." The clown looked thoughtful. "Correction: Sakura Cards."
Sakura stepped back. "How do you know about the Cards?"
The clown let out another bizarre laugh. "I know everything. Clow Read, the Key, the Cards, your two Guardians," he said, smirking. "I know who you are, Sakura Kinomoto."
Sakura looked at him nervously. "Who are you?"
"Just call me...Psycho," he answered, bowing a little.
"Psycho?" Sakura repeated.
"That's my name. Don't wear it out, kiddo," Psycho said with a grin before unleashing another fit of laughter.
"What do you want?"
Psycho chuckled. "Why, your Key and Cards, little girl."
"But I don't have them with me."
Psycho laughed. "Then you'll have to bring them to Tomoeda Yuuen."
"Tomoeda Yuuen?" Sakura wondered.
"That's right," Psycho answered. "If you don't bring them there, your Moon Guardian dies."
*No!* Sakura thought. Her mind came up with evil things the clown could do with the Sakura Cards. She thought only she could control them, but something about him bothered her. *He could find a way to control them. I'm sure he'll use them for evil, but I can't risk Yue-san's life.*
"Well?" Psycho asked impatiently.
Sakura swallowed. "I'll do it. I'll bring you the Sakura Cards and the Star Key. For Yue-san and Yukito-san."
Psycho smiled evilly. "Well, that wasn't so hard, was it?" He leaned forward so Sakura could see his ice-blue eyes. "Bring them to Tomoeda Yuuen around, oh say, midnight."
Sakura met his gaze. "I'll be there," she said in a resigned tone.
Psycho stood back up. "Oh, and come alone. Don't bring that other guardian of yours. If I see someone with you, Angel Boy dies. Got it?"
Sakura nodded silently. *What choice do I have? I have to save Yue-san.*
"Good girl." Psycho tossed Sakura's pompom back at her, who caught it with ease. "Now run along and be a happy little bimbo-in-training. You gotta practice jumping around and shouting stupid cheers." He left Sakura while laughing loudly.
As Sakura returned to cheerleading club with her pompom, she failed to notice a dark-haired girl hiding behind another tree. Tomoyo watched her friend with concern. She had followed her, worried over her sadness over Yukito's disappearance. She stepped out and followed the path the clown had taken. Rounding a corner, she found no one. Puzzled, she went back to watch Sakura practice. *Sakura-chan, what have you gotten yourself into?* she thought as she watched her best friend try her best to look lively.
* * * * *
In a dark chamber, Yue was chained to the wall. The Worm was still wrapped around him tightly. Despite it being asleep, Yue could not get it off him. The Worm's venom affected the Moon Guardian greatly. He suffered from frequent seizures and was paler than usual. He was surprised at these reactions. *I am a creation of Clow Read's magic. Poison can't affect me.*
"Awwwwwwww, enjoying your stay?"
Psycho appeared before Yue, much to his anger. He glared at his captor. "Come to gloat some more?"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk," Psycho said, grinning. "Aren't we in a bad mood? What's wrong? Hanging around too much for you?"
Yue snarled. "If I were free..." His speech was interrupted by a seizure.
"Gotta love that Worm venom. Guaranteed to affect even the most powerful magical beings." Psycho laughed. "News flash, Bird Boy. You aren't free. Anyway, I'm not here to gloat. I'm here to deliver some news."
Yue's seizure wore off. "What news?"
Psycho flashed his evil grin. "Your mistress agreed to surrender her Cards and Key in exchange for you."
Yue's eyes widened with surprise. "What? She can't!"
"But she is. She's coming around midnight." Psycho approached the captured Moon Guardian. "Alone, I might add. Can't have the other guy spoil my fun."
Yue tried to struggle out of his bonds, but the Worm, still asleep, tightened its grip. It almost woke up, but it submitted to sleep.
"Naughty, naughty," Psycho said, wagging his finger. "One more bite and it's bye bye birdie. We wouldn't want little Sakura to find her friend dead, now would we?"
"You told me yourself this venom will kill me eventually," Yue reminded the clown. "I could be dead when she comes."
Psycho giggled. "True, but she doesn't have to know that. You're lucky you were bitten in your true form. If you were in your false shape, you'd be another body for the coroner to cut up for an autopsy."
"She wouldn't agree to your demands," Yue said defiantly.
Psycho laughed a little. "But she did. After all, you're her friend. She'll do anything for you." He paused, then grinned. "Of course, she's probably more worried about that other form of yours."
"My mistress cares deeply for both of us," Yue observed.
"Lovely. Then she won't know what'll hit her." An evil gleam appeared in Psycho's eyes.
Psycho got ready to leave. "What do you mean by that?" Yue demanded. "Who are you? Why do you want the Key and Cards?"
Psycho turned around. "Can you keep a secret?"
Yue stared at the clown coldly. He did not respond.
"Hmph, you're no fun," Psycho said, upset Yue did not fall into that old joke. "Well, sleep tight. Don't let the Worm bite."
Yue watched as Psycho broke out into another fit of maniacal laughter before disappearing. His seizures broke out again. The Worm stirred a little, but it thankfully returned to its slumber. Yue felt the seizures fading. Knowing he could do nothing to help Sakura, Yue gave in to sleep, hoping his mistress would be able to handle what Psycho had planned for her.
Chapter 3: A Difficult Decision
At home, Sakura sat on her bed, pondering what she had sworn to do. A while ago, she promised to deliver the Star Key and the Sakura Cards to a strange clown in order to save Yue's life. At the moment, she had been scared, but now she was calm enough to think things over.
Kero-chan noticed the thoughtful look on Sakura's face. "Hey, Sakura, are you okay?"
"Oh, I'm fine, Kero-chan," Sakura tried to assure her friend.
Kero-chan raised an eyebrow. "You don't look fine. You haven't been fine since you heard about the Snow Bunny's disappearance."
Sakura sighed. "I can't believe someone could just take him like that."
Kero-chan crossed his arms and hovered in front of Sakura. "Well, from what you told me, it wasn't easy for whoever took him. He must've changed into Yue and fought back before they overpowered him."
"Who'd do such a thing?" Sakura questioned.
"I'm surprised someone could defeat Yue," Kero-chan said. "After all, he did give you a hard time during the Judgment."
"Do you think it was something magical?" Sakura asked.
"Who knows?" Kero-chan answered with a shrug. "If it is, it's gotta be something more powerful than Clow Read's magic."
"You mean that's possible?" Sakura asked curiously. "Magic that's stronger than Clow-san's?"
"Except for yours? Maybe. I dunno," Kero-chan admitted. "Despite all his faults, Clow Read was pretty powerful." He flew down to Sakura's lap. "Don't worry about it, Sakura. Yue's a tough guy. I'm sure he'll break out of whatever jam he's gotten into."
"I guess you're right, Kero-chan," Sakura said.
"I know I am. Now if you excuse me, I have a video game to beat. I need something to brag to Suppi in your next letter to Eriol. He'll have to start playing video games after he hears of my great exploits. Guy's gotta get his head outta the books more often." Kero-chan flew to the TV and started playing.
Sakura shook her head as Kero-chan got into the game he was playing, then returned her thoughts to her own dilemma. *I wanted to get on with my life, to avoid using magic, but...* Sakura frowned. *Maybe this is the way to go. I promised myself I wouldn't use the Star Key and Sakura Cards anymore.*
"All right!" Kero-chan shouted as he destroyed another enemy and increased his score.
*But Clow-san and Eriol-kun see me as the true heir to the Cards. They trust me to keep this power and use it wisely. I can't give them to that evil clown...*
"Nooooooo!" Kero-chan shouted in agony as he lost a life.
*But Yue-san is my friend. I can't let Psycho kill him.*
"Take that! Ha ha!" Kero-chan shouted as he blasted a series of enemies.
*I need to save Yue-san, but if I give Psycho the Cards and the Key, he'll use them for some evil purpose. I may be the only one who can control the cards, but if Psycho could defeat Yue-san, he could do anything. Even control the Cards.*
"Aaaaaaaa!" Kero-chan screamed as he charged the enemy only to get killed.
*I could tell Kero-chan to help me, but if Psycho finds out, he'll kill Yue-san. What will I do? If I don't give Psycho the Cards and Key, he'll kill Yue-san. If I do, he'll do evil with them.*
"Take that!" Kero-chan shouted as he blasted more enemies.
Sakura looked at the teddy bear lying next to her. She picked it up and looked at its little eyes. "Syaoran," she whispered its name, remembering her love's gift to her. She remembered how Syaoran was so brave and supportive of her after he started assisting her in her cardcaptoring. Until a year ago, she did not know about his feelings for her. Once she knew, she felt better when she admitted her own to him. Despite the distance between them, she knew true love could never die and no great distance could stop it. She was sure the love between her and Syaoran was true love.
Sakura touched the bear's face and felt its fur between her fingers. *I wish you were here, Syaoran-kun. What would you do in my place?*
"Aw, man!" Kero-chan cried out as he lost his last life.
Sakura gazed at the bear, then got the answer. *I guess I know what I have to do.*
Kero-chan flew over to Sakura. He was clearly upset. "I can't believe I lost," he fumed.
"Hoe?" Sakura said, not sure what was going on.
"Didn't you see that?" Kero-chan's eyes fell on the bear Sakura was holding. "Hey, were you thinking of that gaki?"
"Hai," Sakura said with some hesitation.
"You can do better than him, you know," Kero-chan remarked.
Sakura smiled at the bear. "I don't think I can. Besides, when I look at this bear, I think about him."
Kero-chan groaned. "I think I'm gonna take another crack at that game." He flew off to try his luck again.
Sakura held the bear to her face. "Thank you, Syaoran-kun," she whispered.
* * * * *
Sakura forced herself awake around 11:45 PM. She looked at her desk and was sure Kero-chan was fast asleep in his drawer. She was confident the large amount of candy and pudding she fed him after dinner was enough to ensure a long sleep. She changed quietly into something warm, then tiptoed to her desk. She opened one drawer carefully and removed the Star Key and Sakura Cards.
"Forgive me, Kero-chan," she whispered to his drawer.
Sakura snuck down the stairs and crept out the front door. She was amazed she did not wake up Touya. Her father was not a big concern. He was working late at the university on some archeological discovery. As she walked away from the house, she was grateful her clothes were warm enough for the cold night. The pure darkness was broken by the street lights, where flying bugs kept warm. When she was at a fairly good distance, she looked around, then took out the Star Key.
She held the Key before her eyes and whispered, "The key that hides the power of the stars. Show your true identity. I, Sakura, command you under the covenant. Release the seal."
With those words, the Star Key grew into the Star Wand. She grabbed it, then took out the Fly card. "Release. Fly," she whispered as she tossed the card in front of her and hit it with her Star Wand.
Wings grew out of her back. With a leap, she spread them and was soon flying in the direction of Tomoeda Yuuen. *Yue-san, I'm coming,* she thought.
Unknown to her, a mechanical bird was following her, transmitting her every move to its master.
* * * * *
Psycho watched as Sakura flew toward his location. "Well, looks like your mistress is coming," he said, turning to Yue and pointing to the screen.
Yue watched the screen. "Mistress..."
Psycho laughed. "Looks like I'll be getting the Cards and the Key after all. She'll do anything to save your winged hide."
Yue glared at his captor. "She won't give them up without a fight."
Psycho grinned. "Yeah, right. Even if she does, it won't matter. If I could defeat you, I can take care of Clow Read's heir. Especially since she's not bringing the big cat."
"You underestimate her, Psycho," Yue told the clown. "She won't be a willing victim."
"Funny, you weren't exactly Mr. Cooperative yourself," Psycho said. "Anyway, I hope she tries to fight back. It'd be really dull if she just lets me kill her so easily."
Yue struggled against his bonds, ignoring the Worm wrapped around his body. "If you even...Aaaaaagh!" He went into another violent seizure.
Psycho laughed as Yue struggled with his seizure. "Oh, I'm so scared, Angel Boy. I believe I will. Commander Shade!"
The Commander appeared next to his superior. "Yes, Master?"
"Get everything ready!" Psycho said excitedly. "We're having a very special guest coming over, and we really must prepare for her arrival."
"As you wish, Master," Commander Shade said, bowing.
Psycho rubbed his hands together. "Stick around, Guardian. The fun's about to start." He smirked as he looked at the incapacitated Moon Guardian. "Oh, wait. You really don't have a choice." He giggled. "You should feel honored. You've got one of the best seats in the house. I hope you enjoy the show. It's a little production I call Death of a Cardmistress. I guarantee it'll be a real showstopper!"
Yue could only watch as Psycho broke out into another fit of maniacal laughter. The villainous clown and his subordinate vanished, leaving Yue to watch the screen. *Mistress, be careful,* he thought as he watched Sakura flying on the screen.
The Funhouse
Chapter Two: Send In the Clown
The next day, Yukito's disappearance was discovered and a police investigation was launched. They studied the crime scene, but did not have any leads and ignored the various reports about seeing ghosts and angels fighting in the area, which they attributed to overactive imaginations and too much beer or sake. They were still trying to figure out the hole in the ceiling, but all they could conclude was that a fight occurred.
At the Kinomoto household, the news left a depressing feeling with everyone. Touya banged his fist on the dining table. "I should've gone with him. If I did, he'd still be safe."
Despite running late, Sakura ate her food slowly. She was amazed she could eat. Her friend and Moon Guardian had been kidnapped. She was sure Yukito changed into Yue and fought back, but it was to no avail. She looked at Touya, knowing how Yukito's disappearance affected him. She felt her brother's frustration and anger. *Please be okay, Yukito-san. Not for only my sake, but for oniichan's too.*
Fujitaka tried to reassure his children. "Don't worry. The police will find him."
Touya bowed his head, not convinced. Sakura got up from the table. "I'm not hungry anymore," she said, leaving to fetch her rollerblades.
* * * * *
After school, Sakura tried her best at cheerleading club, but her heart was not into it. Everyone else noticed her lack of energy and asked what was wrong. They knew, though.
*How could someone defeat Yue-san?* Sakura thought as she tried to keep up with the other cheerleaders as they waved their pompoms and cheered. She knew Yue was powerful from experience. Before becoming her Guardian, Yue was the Judge who determined whether or not the possessor of the Clow Cards was worthy to be their master. She had trouble defeating him on her own, but with the help of Mizuki Kaho and her Moon Bell, her wand was transformed into the Star Wand and her power was increased. With this and the love of the Cards, she defeated Yue and he agreed to serve her. It probably did not hurt for her to say she wanted to be his friend too.
Still worried about her friend, Sakura tossed one of her pom-poms out of her hand. It flew towards the thick group of trees next to the school.
"I'll get it!" Sakura cried out, running towards the trees. She started searching for the pompom, but could not see it on the ground or in one of the trees.
"Do you believe in angels, Cardmistress?" a voice asked from above.
Sakura looked up, startled. "Hoe?"
A gaunt man crouched on a branch above her. He held her pompom. Sakura stared at him. He was dressed in a clown's costume, with a fool's cap and long shoes with curved, pointy toes. Before Sakura could say anything, he leapt out of his branch and landed before her. As he got up, Sakura gasped. His face seemed normal for a clown: whiteface with eye makeup, red lips, and nose. Large, white gloves covered his hands. He was not dressed as an ordinary clown. Skulls hung from the tips of the fool's cap. Instead of cheerful colors, he wore white and gray with skulls.
"Well, do you believe in angels?" he asked again, gazing at Sakura with ice-blue eyes.
Sakura regained her composure. "W-w-what do you mean?"
The clown grinned, showing his large, white teeth. "Oh, you know, angels. Winged creatures, man-like, long white hair, very bad attitude..." He grinned. "Maybe a visual aid will help." He made an image of Yue appear in the palm of his hand.
Sakura gasped at the sight. "You! You took Yukito-san!"
"Oh, that's his false name?" the clown asked with mock wonderment, making the image of Yue disappear. "Funny, he didn't mention that."
"What have you done with him?" Sakura demanded. "What have you done with Yue-san?"
"You mean besides the poison in his system that's slowly killing him?" the clown mentioned. "Nothing yet."
"Poison?" Sakura's eyes flew wide open. *Yue-san's too powerful to succumb to poison! But if he managed to capture him...* She reached instinctively for something around her neck, but she realized it was not there.
The clown let out what sounded to Sakura the strangest laugh she ever heard. "Oh, the Star Key, right?" he said with a grin. "You left it at home, didn't you?"
Sakura gulped and tried to stay calm.
"And you left your little deck of Clow Cards with it, too." The clown looked thoughtful. "Correction: Sakura Cards."
Sakura stepped back. "How do you know about the Cards?"
The clown let out another bizarre laugh. "I know everything. Clow Read, the Key, the Cards, your two Guardians," he said, smirking. "I know who you are, Sakura Kinomoto."
Sakura looked at him nervously. "Who are you?"
"Just call me...Psycho," he answered, bowing a little.
"Psycho?" Sakura repeated.
"That's my name. Don't wear it out, kiddo," Psycho said with a grin before unleashing another fit of laughter.
"What do you want?"
Psycho chuckled. "Why, your Key and Cards, little girl."
"But I don't have them with me."
Psycho laughed. "Then you'll have to bring them to Tomoeda Yuuen."
"Tomoeda Yuuen?" Sakura wondered.
"That's right," Psycho answered. "If you don't bring them there, your Moon Guardian dies."
*No!* Sakura thought. Her mind came up with evil things the clown could do with the Sakura Cards. She thought only she could control them, but something about him bothered her. *He could find a way to control them. I'm sure he'll use them for evil, but I can't risk Yue-san's life.*
"Well?" Psycho asked impatiently.
Sakura swallowed. "I'll do it. I'll bring you the Sakura Cards and the Star Key. For Yue-san and Yukito-san."
Psycho smiled evilly. "Well, that wasn't so hard, was it?" He leaned forward so Sakura could see his ice-blue eyes. "Bring them to Tomoeda Yuuen around, oh say, midnight."
Sakura met his gaze. "I'll be there," she said in a resigned tone.
Psycho stood back up. "Oh, and come alone. Don't bring that other guardian of yours. If I see someone with you, Angel Boy dies. Got it?"
Sakura nodded silently. *What choice do I have? I have to save Yue-san.*
"Good girl." Psycho tossed Sakura's pompom back at her, who caught it with ease. "Now run along and be a happy little bimbo-in-training. You gotta practice jumping around and shouting stupid cheers." He left Sakura while laughing loudly.
As Sakura returned to cheerleading club with her pompom, she failed to notice a dark-haired girl hiding behind another tree. Tomoyo watched her friend with concern. She had followed her, worried over her sadness over Yukito's disappearance. She stepped out and followed the path the clown had taken. Rounding a corner, she found no one. Puzzled, she went back to watch Sakura practice. *Sakura-chan, what have you gotten yourself into?* she thought as she watched her best friend try her best to look lively.
* * * * *
In a dark chamber, Yue was chained to the wall. The Worm was still wrapped around him tightly. Despite it being asleep, Yue could not get it off him. The Worm's venom affected the Moon Guardian greatly. He suffered from frequent seizures and was paler than usual. He was surprised at these reactions. *I am a creation of Clow Read's magic. Poison can't affect me.*
"Awwwwwwww, enjoying your stay?"
Psycho appeared before Yue, much to his anger. He glared at his captor. "Come to gloat some more?"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk," Psycho said, grinning. "Aren't we in a bad mood? What's wrong? Hanging around too much for you?"
Yue snarled. "If I were free..." His speech was interrupted by a seizure.
"Gotta love that Worm venom. Guaranteed to affect even the most powerful magical beings." Psycho laughed. "News flash, Bird Boy. You aren't free. Anyway, I'm not here to gloat. I'm here to deliver some news."
Yue's seizure wore off. "What news?"
Psycho flashed his evil grin. "Your mistress agreed to surrender her Cards and Key in exchange for you."
Yue's eyes widened with surprise. "What? She can't!"
"But she is. She's coming around midnight." Psycho approached the captured Moon Guardian. "Alone, I might add. Can't have the other guy spoil my fun."
Yue tried to struggle out of his bonds, but the Worm, still asleep, tightened its grip. It almost woke up, but it submitted to sleep.
"Naughty, naughty," Psycho said, wagging his finger. "One more bite and it's bye bye birdie. We wouldn't want little Sakura to find her friend dead, now would we?"
"You told me yourself this venom will kill me eventually," Yue reminded the clown. "I could be dead when she comes."
Psycho giggled. "True, but she doesn't have to know that. You're lucky you were bitten in your true form. If you were in your false shape, you'd be another body for the coroner to cut up for an autopsy."
"She wouldn't agree to your demands," Yue said defiantly.
Psycho laughed a little. "But she did. After all, you're her friend. She'll do anything for you." He paused, then grinned. "Of course, she's probably more worried about that other form of yours."
"My mistress cares deeply for both of us," Yue observed.
"Lovely. Then she won't know what'll hit her." An evil gleam appeared in Psycho's eyes.
Psycho got ready to leave. "What do you mean by that?" Yue demanded. "Who are you? Why do you want the Key and Cards?"
Psycho turned around. "Can you keep a secret?"
Yue stared at the clown coldly. He did not respond.
"Hmph, you're no fun," Psycho said, upset Yue did not fall into that old joke. "Well, sleep tight. Don't let the Worm bite."
Yue watched as Psycho broke out into another fit of maniacal laughter before disappearing. His seizures broke out again. The Worm stirred a little, but it thankfully returned to its slumber. Yue felt the seizures fading. Knowing he could do nothing to help Sakura, Yue gave in to sleep, hoping his mistress would be able to handle what Psycho had planned for her.
Chapter 3: A Difficult Decision
At home, Sakura sat on her bed, pondering what she had sworn to do. A while ago, she promised to deliver the Star Key and the Sakura Cards to a strange clown in order to save Yue's life. At the moment, she had been scared, but now she was calm enough to think things over.
Kero-chan noticed the thoughtful look on Sakura's face. "Hey, Sakura, are you okay?"
"Oh, I'm fine, Kero-chan," Sakura tried to assure her friend.
Kero-chan raised an eyebrow. "You don't look fine. You haven't been fine since you heard about the Snow Bunny's disappearance."
Sakura sighed. "I can't believe someone could just take him like that."
Kero-chan crossed his arms and hovered in front of Sakura. "Well, from what you told me, it wasn't easy for whoever took him. He must've changed into Yue and fought back before they overpowered him."
"Who'd do such a thing?" Sakura questioned.
"I'm surprised someone could defeat Yue," Kero-chan said. "After all, he did give you a hard time during the Judgment."
"Do you think it was something magical?" Sakura asked.
"Who knows?" Kero-chan answered with a shrug. "If it is, it's gotta be something more powerful than Clow Read's magic."
"You mean that's possible?" Sakura asked curiously. "Magic that's stronger than Clow-san's?"
"Except for yours? Maybe. I dunno," Kero-chan admitted. "Despite all his faults, Clow Read was pretty powerful." He flew down to Sakura's lap. "Don't worry about it, Sakura. Yue's a tough guy. I'm sure he'll break out of whatever jam he's gotten into."
"I guess you're right, Kero-chan," Sakura said.
"I know I am. Now if you excuse me, I have a video game to beat. I need something to brag to Suppi in your next letter to Eriol. He'll have to start playing video games after he hears of my great exploits. Guy's gotta get his head outta the books more often." Kero-chan flew to the TV and started playing.
Sakura shook her head as Kero-chan got into the game he was playing, then returned her thoughts to her own dilemma. *I wanted to get on with my life, to avoid using magic, but...* Sakura frowned. *Maybe this is the way to go. I promised myself I wouldn't use the Star Key and Sakura Cards anymore.*
"All right!" Kero-chan shouted as he destroyed another enemy and increased his score.
*But Clow-san and Eriol-kun see me as the true heir to the Cards. They trust me to keep this power and use it wisely. I can't give them to that evil clown...*
"Nooooooo!" Kero-chan shouted in agony as he lost a life.
*But Yue-san is my friend. I can't let Psycho kill him.*
"Take that! Ha ha!" Kero-chan shouted as he blasted a series of enemies.
*I need to save Yue-san, but if I give Psycho the Cards and the Key, he'll use them for some evil purpose. I may be the only one who can control the cards, but if Psycho could defeat Yue-san, he could do anything. Even control the Cards.*
"Aaaaaaaa!" Kero-chan screamed as he charged the enemy only to get killed.
*I could tell Kero-chan to help me, but if Psycho finds out, he'll kill Yue-san. What will I do? If I don't give Psycho the Cards and Key, he'll kill Yue-san. If I do, he'll do evil with them.*
"Take that!" Kero-chan shouted as he blasted more enemies.
Sakura looked at the teddy bear lying next to her. She picked it up and looked at its little eyes. "Syaoran," she whispered its name, remembering her love's gift to her. She remembered how Syaoran was so brave and supportive of her after he started assisting her in her cardcaptoring. Until a year ago, she did not know about his feelings for her. Once she knew, she felt better when she admitted her own to him. Despite the distance between them, she knew true love could never die and no great distance could stop it. She was sure the love between her and Syaoran was true love.
Sakura touched the bear's face and felt its fur between her fingers. *I wish you were here, Syaoran-kun. What would you do in my place?*
"Aw, man!" Kero-chan cried out as he lost his last life.
Sakura gazed at the bear, then got the answer. *I guess I know what I have to do.*
Kero-chan flew over to Sakura. He was clearly upset. "I can't believe I lost," he fumed.
"Hoe?" Sakura said, not sure what was going on.
"Didn't you see that?" Kero-chan's eyes fell on the bear Sakura was holding. "Hey, were you thinking of that gaki?"
"Hai," Sakura said with some hesitation.
"You can do better than him, you know," Kero-chan remarked.
Sakura smiled at the bear. "I don't think I can. Besides, when I look at this bear, I think about him."
Kero-chan groaned. "I think I'm gonna take another crack at that game." He flew off to try his luck again.
Sakura held the bear to her face. "Thank you, Syaoran-kun," she whispered.
* * * * *
Sakura forced herself awake around 11:45 PM. She looked at her desk and was sure Kero-chan was fast asleep in his drawer. She was confident the large amount of candy and pudding she fed him after dinner was enough to ensure a long sleep. She changed quietly into something warm, then tiptoed to her desk. She opened one drawer carefully and removed the Star Key and Sakura Cards.
"Forgive me, Kero-chan," she whispered to his drawer.
Sakura snuck down the stairs and crept out the front door. She was amazed she did not wake up Touya. Her father was not a big concern. He was working late at the university on some archeological discovery. As she walked away from the house, she was grateful her clothes were warm enough for the cold night. The pure darkness was broken by the street lights, where flying bugs kept warm. When she was at a fairly good distance, she looked around, then took out the Star Key.
She held the Key before her eyes and whispered, "The key that hides the power of the stars. Show your true identity. I, Sakura, command you under the covenant. Release the seal."
With those words, the Star Key grew into the Star Wand. She grabbed it, then took out the Fly card. "Release. Fly," she whispered as she tossed the card in front of her and hit it with her Star Wand.
Wings grew out of her back. With a leap, she spread them and was soon flying in the direction of Tomoeda Yuuen. *Yue-san, I'm coming,* she thought.
Unknown to her, a mechanical bird was following her, transmitting her every move to its master.
* * * * *
Psycho watched as Sakura flew toward his location. "Well, looks like your mistress is coming," he said, turning to Yue and pointing to the screen.
Yue watched the screen. "Mistress..."
Psycho laughed. "Looks like I'll be getting the Cards and the Key after all. She'll do anything to save your winged hide."
Yue glared at his captor. "She won't give them up without a fight."
Psycho grinned. "Yeah, right. Even if she does, it won't matter. If I could defeat you, I can take care of Clow Read's heir. Especially since she's not bringing the big cat."
"You underestimate her, Psycho," Yue told the clown. "She won't be a willing victim."
"Funny, you weren't exactly Mr. Cooperative yourself," Psycho said. "Anyway, I hope she tries to fight back. It'd be really dull if she just lets me kill her so easily."
Yue struggled against his bonds, ignoring the Worm wrapped around his body. "If you even...Aaaaaagh!" He went into another violent seizure.
Psycho laughed as Yue struggled with his seizure. "Oh, I'm so scared, Angel Boy. I believe I will. Commander Shade!"
The Commander appeared next to his superior. "Yes, Master?"
"Get everything ready!" Psycho said excitedly. "We're having a very special guest coming over, and we really must prepare for her arrival."
"As you wish, Master," Commander Shade said, bowing.
Psycho rubbed his hands together. "Stick around, Guardian. The fun's about to start." He smirked as he looked at the incapacitated Moon Guardian. "Oh, wait. You really don't have a choice." He giggled. "You should feel honored. You've got one of the best seats in the house. I hope you enjoy the show. It's a little production I call Death of a Cardmistress. I guarantee it'll be a real showstopper!"
Yue could only watch as Psycho broke out into another fit of maniacal laughter. The villainous clown and his subordinate vanished, leaving Yue to watch the screen. *Mistress, be careful,* he thought as he watched Sakura flying on the screen.