Author's Note: This series is starting to wind down. The next destination is Phoenix, Arizona and with only three American Cards left, which one is it? And how dangerous is it?


Cards captured so far: Vision, Heat, Vine, Bell, Sleep, Wind, Angel, Sludge, Multiple, Silence, Smoke, Memory, Chain, Fire, Tornado, Earth, and Split


CCS: The American Cards: Part 23


Sakura looked out the window and sighed. She didn't realize it until she got on the bus, but there were only three American Cards remaining. Not only that, but she also realized that she had nearly gone completely cross-country. She was nearly approaching the west coast. This journey began in Boston and Sakura was nearly in Phoenix. Of course, a lot had happened since that time.

One of those things being the kiss between Li and Madison that didn't seem to go away. But it seemed like ancient history now. Sakura realized how sorry they were for what they had done. She was ready to forgive them now. Of course, they didn't know that.

"So when do you think I should tell them?" Sakura asked.

There was one person to hear her out through this entire bus trip and that was Meilin. She was definitely a better listener than she used to be. Sakura went on and on throughout the trip and Meilin didn't say a word…which was more than unusual.

"You COULD tell them NOW!" she responded sourly. It was the same Meilin.

"I want to be sure we're alone," Sakura added.

"In other words, you want everyone present except me."

"Well…you don't have a problem with that, do you?"

Meilin just glared at Sakura. Apparently, Meilin didn't like the concept of being left out and when Sakura thought about it, it didn't seem fair, either. After all…she was her friend, too.

"What am I thinking about?" Sakura asked herself. "Of course you should be there, Meilin. I want things to be the way they were…before it happened."

Meilin sighed. "So you and Li will be getting back together, huh?"

Sakura frowned. "Do you still think Li and I don't belong together?"

Meilin looked Sakura straight in the eye. "If you would have asked me eight years ago if you and Li would end up together, I'd have said you were crazy. I always thought it would be him and me. But…if there's one thing I've realized in the last few weeks, it's that………Iwaswrong."

"What's that?"

Meilin hesitated and struggled to get the words out. "Iwaswrong."

"Say that again?"

"I was wrong," she said again. "I always thought you two would be better off not being 'together'. But when I saw the way the two of you have been these last few days…I don't know. You two just weren't the same. It's like you two couldn't go on without each other at your side. I just knew it wasn't a void I could fill…for either of you. No one could fill that void…unless you two got together again. I mean, I look at Li right now and he's still got that despondent look on his face. As much as I hate to admit it…he needs you…and you need him."

Sakura didn't know what to say. To hear this from…Meilin was unreal. She felt like she was dreaming, but this was very real.

"Do you really feel that way?"

Meilin nodded. "I do now."

Sakura was already sure she would forgive her friends, but she didn't know if she could restart a relationship with Li. But Meilin's words made it seem a lot easier.

Then the bus suddenly stopped. Sakura looked out the window and saw that the bus stopped in the middle of Highway 64. She wondered what was wrong, until the announcement came in through the speaker.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we've experienced an unexpected delay due to circumstances beyond our control. We are now going to take a three-hour stop while this problem is hopefully resolved. In the meantime, feel free to check out the world-famous Grand Canyon, just north of here."

Sakura didn't know what to think. The last thing she wanted now was a delay. She was already well into January and the schoolwork was beginning to pile up. What was delaying the bus?

It didn't take Sakura long to find out what was holding up the bus. A furniture truck had been tipped over in the middle of the highway and the road was closed. Sakura couldn't imagine why the bus couldn't just go the other way, but she guessed that somebody was hoping to hype the Grand Canyon.

"So how long are we out here again?"

Sakura turned around to see Li standing right by her and looking at the furniture truck. His voice sounded a little nervous, as if he was afraid Sakura would lash out…or he was reaching out to her.

"Three hours," Sakura sighed. "I guess we should…"

The conversation ended there. Both Li and Sakura looked out towards the north side. Kero stuck his head out of Li's hat and looked out as well.

"It's an American Card," Li said.

Sakura sensed it, too. But she was skeptical. "Out here? I thought I saw it in Phoenix."

"It might have moved on," Kero tried saying. "It's probably somewhere out in that direction."

"That direction?"

Sakura turned around again to see Meilin and Madison. It's like everyone seemingly came out of nowhere. Now they were also looking out towards the supposed direction of the next American Card.

Madison shook her head. "That way leads out to…the Grand Canyon."

"The Grand Canyon?" Sakura repeated, her voice nearly cracking. She heard a lot about the Grand Canyon. She heard of the enormous size of the massive cliff. What could be hiding out there? "I guess we should go then."

"Wait!" Madison cut her off. "I think I might have something for you."

Sakura fidgeted with her costume again. The red leather was definitely tight, and she was getting her hands caught on the ribbons that extended out of the shoulder pads. But the red ensemble didn't do the Grand Canyon justice. As Sakura looked over the railing in an empty part of the Grand Canyon National Park, she could see the spectrum of colors shining off the canyon's rocks.

"I…don't see anything," Sakura said quietly.

"Keep looking," Kero whispered. "It's around here somewhere."

"I can feel it's around here," Li added. He pulled out the Lasin Board. "Force, know my plight! Release the light!"

The Lasin Board's light pointed into the huge abyss that was the Grand Canyon. Sakura almost lost the light in the midst of the tremendous sunlight. But then she saw where the Lasin Board light was pointing. Meilin and Madison walked over to see it, too. The light pointed at an unusually bright portion of jagged rocks.

"Can we flush it out?" Sakura asked.

"Not from over here," Kero answered. "Maybe Li can, though."

Li had Meilin hand him his bag and he took out his sword. He peered out into the Grand Canyon's cliff. "Force, know my plight! Release the light! Lightning!"

A bolt of lightning shot nearly out of sight until it hit the bright jagged rocks. Then everyone heard a screeching sound. The bright light began to move. It seemingly went airborne and turned blue. It then took the shape of a fierce hawk.

Kero gasped. "It's the Water Card! And it looks like it flies!"

The Water Card immediately flew over Sakura and dropped about a gallon of water on her. It then sprayed Li, Meilin, and Madison before taking to the sky again.

"That's just great," Meilin muttered. "It'll take me hours to dry this off."

"My camera's drenched," Madison complained. "I'm just glad it wasn't on."

Sakura then growled as the Water Card screeched again. Unfortunately, she knew only one way to catch it. It meant using the Angel Card again. So she took out her key.

"Key of Clow. Power of Magic. Power of Light. Surrender the wand. The force ignite. Release!" Then she took out the Angel Card. "Angel Card! Release!"

After the wings grew, Sakura took to the skies…leaving Li on the ground.

"Sakura! You sure about this?!"

"I can do this!" she shouted back.

Sakura wasn't mad at Li, yet she was still refusing any help. It's probably because Sakura was feeling confident. The time to wrap this quest up was quickly approaching. And Sakura would bring that day closer by confronting the Water Card in the air.

She flew over to meet the flying watery bird. Sakura had become a lot better at flying since the first time in Orlando. Then she stopped in mid-air and faced off with the Water Card. It screeched again and sprayed Sakura in the face with a cold stream of water before taking a nosedive. Sakura followed it and went diving through the enormous crack in the Earth known as the Grand Canyon. By the time they both stopped, Sakura peered up at the sky to see that solid walking ground was way beyond reach.

The Water Card then rushed Sakura and tackled her, sending her within inches of colliding with some of the canyon's jagged rocks, nearly knocking Kero out of her pocket. She floated up and didn't make any forward moves, but just took out the Tornado Card.

"Tornado Card! Surround the Water Card! Tornado! Release and dispel!"

A large tornado flew out towards the Water Card and caught it in its fierce winds. The Water Card tried to convert itself into a stream, but it continued to swirl as if a giant transparent toilet were being flushed. Then the tornado threw the Water Card into the jagged rocks right next to Sakura. Sakura flew back and pulled out the Bell Card.

"Bell Card! Send your chimes throughout this canyon! Release and dispel! Bell Card!"

The Bell Card came out in its cloaked form and its cloak began to toll loudly. The sounds of the bells were deafening and Sakura could see the result she hoped for. The portion of the Grand Canyon directly above the Water Card started to shatter and collapse. The stack of rocks came down in an avalanche on top of the Water Card, leaving it buried…for now.

Sakura flew towards the stack of fallen rocks and saw the Water Card trying to creep through the cracks. But before it could get out, Sakura held out her wand.

"Water Card! Return to your power confined! Water Card!"

Before it could come out, the Water Card was sealed and Sakura was careful not to drop it. After that was done, Sakura looked down at a sight that nearly nauseated her. The LONG fall down was tremendous and sent a shiver down Sakura's spine.

Ditto for Kero. "Can we go back up now? I know I can fly and everything, but these sights still make me feel queasy."

Sakura couldn't argue with that and flew back up towards solid ground. She made sure to land right beside Li. Li looked at the Water Card in Sakura's hand and then looked her in her emerald green eyes.

"Are you all right?"

"I'm feeling great," Sakura smiled. Then she kissed Li right on the lips, a move he clearly wasn't expecting.

Li's hat flopped over the front of his face as he looked on, confused. "…Wow…what was that for?"

"It's to say I forgive you," Sakura answered. Then she walked over to Madison and hugged her. "And I forgive you, too. I'm sorry I scared you like that. Nothing could ever put an end to our friendship…for too long. You're my best friend and I love you."

All that followed after those words was a long period of silence. No one had anything to say. It set the somber mood of this occasion. Sakura felt like just walking back to the bus. But when she made her move, Li walked up to her and kissed her.

"I love you."

Sakura blushed. "I love you, too."

Without saying anything else, Sakura resumed the kiss, but out of the corner of her eye, she could see Madison getting this all on tape. Things were already beginning to get back to normal. So after the long kiss, Sakura and Li led the way back to the bus, walking arm in arm. But Sakura couldn't help but hear a quiet Meilin walking behind them.

"Maybe it's for the best."

Johnny stuck his head out from behind a big rock. He watched as the four kids walked away. But did he really see what he thought he did? Did he see that girl…flying?

This was too weird. He saw a girl flying on angel's wings and he saw a big blue bird that was spewing out water by the gallons. He didn't know what to make of any of it. But he knew what he would do. He knew what he had to do.

He had to call Carter. This was unreal.

A day later, Sakura sat on the bench of the bus depot. Having captured the Water Card, Sakura had only two American Cards left. The Water Card must've been the one dwelling in Phoenix, because when she used the Vision Card, she saw that the next card was somewhere else. She looked up to see the Interstate 110 and a huge arena with those fateful words:

Staples Center

The next American Card was in Los Angeles. And that's where they would all go next. Madison and Meilin were out buying the tickets. But as Sakura sat next to Li, she couldn't help but see someone familiar in the big crowd of people. She almost recognized the big man she met a few days ago. She thought she saw Johnny. Then he disappeared into the crowd.

She shook that off, though. He said he was on his way to Chicago. So it couldn't be him. She would just worry about matters…at hand.

So she reached over and kissed Li again.

"Did I tell you that I love you?"

Li blushed. "I love you, too."

Kero almost retched. "Do I have to put up with this for the rest of the trip?"

Sakura realized that maybe he would. This could go on forever…and she would love every minute of it.

Carter impatiently drove down the Interstate 10, desperately trying to reach Phoenix before the four kids moved on. If they did, then this wouldn't get any easier. Then he got a sinking feeling when his phone began to ring. He let it ring a few times, not wanting to answer it.

"Your phone's ringing," Cole pointed out drolly.

"Yeah, thanks," Carter muttered. He picked it up. "Carter. Who is this?"

"Um…Carter? It's…Johnny. How's it going?"

"I really didn't want to hear from you right now, honestly, because this can only be bad news. It IS bad news, isn't it?"

"Um…I know where they're going."

"Yeah, where are they going? I need to know."

"They're…heading to Los Angeles. But…Carter…who are these kids?"

"Supposed threats to national security. Why do you ask?"

"Um…that's it?"

Carter didn't like this nervous tone. "Johnny, is there something you're not telling me?"

"It's just that…I saw the kids. I kept my eye on them just like you asked. But…I thought I saw one of them, one of the girls…flying…on angel's wings."

Carter couldn't believe what he was hearing. And he didn't. "Johnny, have you been smoking?"

"Carter, I wasn't smoking. I swear I saw her flying. She was chasing after some big blue bird that shot out water."

Carter shook his head. "You HAVE been smoking. Come on, Johnny. A flying girl and a big water bird? That's definitely a hallucination."

"But…it looked so real. I just…jeez. That must've been some crazy stuff I had. Look Carter, I don't know what I saw, but I DO know that they're headed for Los Angeles. That much is true."

"All right, thanks Johnny," Carter sighed. He hung up and kept on driving. He snickered when he thought about what he said. "Can you believe that, Cole? A girl with angel's wings? A flying blue bird? That's…that's…that's…"

Cole finished for him. "Like an anteater lurking around the Oval Office?"

Carter's demeanor suddenly turned dead serious. He hadn't thought about that at all. "Hey…you're right." He shook his head. "We're going to find those kids. And we're going to find out just what's going on."

Carter swore to himself he'd find out what was going on. He wouldn't go cross-country to come up empty. He would find those kids.


Any comments? The final parts are coming. Don't forget to review below.