Nighttime Confusion and Confidence
~*~ Start of Scene Two ~*~
By Chibi Ruka Hime
Note: The following fanfics in this series are the novelizations of this CCS RPG chatroom thing I belong to on AIM. It's a continuing series, so more will be coming as more chatrooms are held. This scene is dedicated to Smiko and Neph. I just loved that conversation between Touya and Yukito. *wipes tear from eye*
As soon as she arrived at home, Sakura rushed up the stairs to her room, eager to show Kero the origami creature she had made.
"Kero-chan!" she yelled, showing Kero the Kero-chan origami she had made. "Do you like it?"
"Wha-what is that supposed to be?" asked Kero. -.-
"Don't you know? It's-"
The doorbell downstairs echoed throughout the entire house, and Sakura jumped up from her bed. "That must be Tomoyo-chan!" She dropped the origami Kero and thundered downstairs, practically ripping the door off its hinges as she opened it. "Tomoyo-chan! Konnichiwa!"
"Konnichiwa, Sakura-chan! May I come in?"
"Hai!" Sakura said, ushering Tomoyo in and closing the door rather loudly behind her.
"Hey, could you please keep it down?!" yelled Touya from his bedroom.
Sakura jumped. "H-hai, gomen nasai."
"Loud kaijuu…"
Sakura's vein popped as she bared her teeth. "I am not a Kaijuu!!"
Tomoyo started giggling beside her. "So, where's Kero-chan?"
"Hoe? He's upstairs."
"Did you show him your origami?" Tomoyo asked, giggling even more.
"Yup, but I dropped it when I came to answer the door."
"Did you call Meiling-chan yet?"
Sakura shook her head. "No…not yet."
The doorbell rang again, and Sakura, standing right by the door, opened it. "Haaiii…Yukito-san!" she exclaimed, beaming.
"Yuki!" said Touya, coming down the stairs.
Yukito bowed and stepped inside. "Konnichiwa, Sakura-chan!" Yukito looked towards Touya. "Sorry I'm late. I brought some nikkuman on the way here." He flashed the large and nearly overflowing bag in Touya's direction.
"Yuki, don't let Sakura take any."
"Really? I bought extra for her and you and…anyone else who might be here. But if you don't want any, I could eat them all."
Sakura sweatdropped, and suddenly remembered about the party. "Ne, Yukito-san! I'm having a birthday party soon. Tomoyo-chan's helping me plan it, and I was wondering…would you like to come?"
Touya crossed his arms over his chest. "Why would he want to come to your boring-" But Yukito interrupted before he could finish.
"I would love to come. Arigatou, Sakura-chan!"
Touya sighed. "Don't humor that girl."
"Ne, Onii-chan, I was going to have you come too so you two could hang out. I know Yukito-san probably wouldn't want to hang out with just me and my friends."
"I'm sure he wouldn't," said Touya, earning a half scowl half pout look from Sakura.
"Anou…Sakura-chan…shall we go upstairs?" asked Tomoyo, pulling on Sakura's arm.
"H-hai!"
Yukito handed Sakura and Tomoyo some nikkuman from his large bag with a smile before they started for upstairs.
"Arigatou, Yukito-san!" Sakura smiled, leading Tomoyo to her room. "Sorry for leaving, Kero-chan." She apologized, handing Kero a big nikkuman.
"Have you talked to Li-kun about your party yet?" asked Tomoyo, giving Sakura an innocent look.
Sakura shook her head. "Not yet. Ne, do you remember the note I gave you in class the other day?"
Tomoyo nodded. "Hai. You should tell him how you feel…"
"I wonder if he…if he IS going back home to Hong Kong…"
"The only way to find out is to ask."
Sakura nodded thoughtfully, nibbling on her nikkuman. "I guess…"
Tomoyo clasped Sakura's hand. "If he does, you can get through it! You can get through anything."
"Hai!" Sakura glanced at Kero, who was busy enjoying his nikkuman.
"Sakura…I'm still hungry!"
"There's plenty more, Kero-chan!"
"Sakura-chan, should we start making the invitations for the part today?"
"Wai! I think I left the paper and stuff downstairs. Come on." The two girls walked back downstairs, passing by Touya and Yukito in the hall.
"Why are you guys still in the hall? Wouldn't you rather sit down and eat?" asked Sakura.
"Of course…in my room…" muttered Touya, taking Yukito's wrist and dragging him upstairs, with Tomoyo glancing curiously at the two.
"Ne, didn't Yamazaki-kun once say something about eating and standing up and how they can be good for you…? NE! Onii-chan! Tell Kero-chan he can come out! Otou-san isn't home."
"Hai hai…Oy! Stuffy! You can come out now!" yelled Touya before going into his room.
Sakura sweatdropped and Tomoyo giggled.
"STUFFY WAH JA NAAAAAAA!!!!!!" yelled Kero, fluttering down the stairs.
~*~
In his room, Touya sat down on his desk chair and yawned.
"We should look at calculus first," suggested Yukito.
"Hai hai," replied Touya, yawning again.
"Ne, Touya, have you picked out Sakura-chan's present yet?"
"Huh?…Oh, yeah," mumbled Touya, who had started to zone out.
"To-ya?"
"It's in here so she'll never find it."
Yukito gave Touya a worried look. "You're still tired out…" he remarked. "Here." He handed him a nikkuman.
Touya took the bun and started chewing on it. "Mm…I'll be fine, really…"
"…Demo…"
"I'll live, Yuki. Really."
Yukito smiled and nodded. "Good….To-ya?"
"…Yeah?"
"…There's something on your mind, isn't there?"
Touya stared down at the floor. "Aa---E---DAAH!! Oh!!" He sighed. "I'm not used to this."
"…Because you lost your power?"
'I used to get a tingling sensation when I was around people…and it's just so…strange not to have it."
Yukito looked down silently at the floor.
"Yuki…it isn't your fault. I gave it up to help you, and I'd do it again."
Yukito blinked and blushed slightly. "I'm sure my other self will do a good job of protecting Sakura-chan…Demo…you miss it, yes?"
"A little bit. It's just weird not having it, that's all. But it isn't like I can't live without it."
Yukito smiled. "I appreciate it a lot."
Touya smiled back. "Anyway…Calculus."
~*~
Sakura soon found her art supplies, and went back upstairs with Tomoyo. "Ne, Tomoyo-chan, when do you think I should call Meiling-chan? It's hard, with the time difference."
"Well, you could try to call her now, and hope she's up."
"You think it's ok though?" Sakura picked up the phone and dialed Meiling's number, saying a silent prayer that it wasn't some crazy hour in Hong Kong."
Meiling, on the other line, answered semi-groggily. "Moshi moshi…"
Sakura blinked. Japanese? "Meiling-chan? Kinomoto desu!"
"Kinomoto-san? What is it?"
"Anou…Meiling-chan, what time is it in Hong Kong?"
"11 pm…"
"Ah! Gomen nasai! I didn't mean to wake you up!" said Sakura with a flustered voice. "I…I wanted to call, and ask you something, demo…you're probably really tired."
"It's okay, Kinomoto. What is it?"
"Well…my birthday is coming up soon…and I know plane tickets are expensive, demo, I wanted to know if you wanted to come to my party!"
Meiling was suddenly wide awake. "You're inviting me to your party, Kinomoto-san?"
"Yes! Tomoyo-chan and I miss you. And you wouldn't have to get me anything. I would just want you to be there! And I think Syaoran-kun misses you too…"
"Really? He misses me?" There was a pause on the other line. "Well…I'll have to check with my mother. I can't promise anything yet…"
"WAI! It would be great if you can!" Sakura started dancing around her room, and got tangled in the phone cord.
"Ne, Sakura-chan, you might trip!" warned Tomoyo.
"Kinomoto-san? Hello?"
"Hoeee?" Sakura suddenly noticed how she was all tied up in the phone cord. "Hoeeee! Ah, hai, Meiling-chan?" Sakura tried to untangle herself, but only got more tangled.
"Kinomoto-san, can I call you in the morning? I'm quite tired…"
"Hai! And sorry for waking you up! I'm very very sorry!"
"It's ok…stop apologizing and I'll call you later."
"Ok! Ja ne!"
Meiling mumbled some words and hung up.
Tomoyo walked over and tried to help Sakura-chan untangle herself. "Is she coming, Sakura-chan?"
"She says she might, but she has to talk with her Okaa-san first. WAI! Meiling might come-HOEEEE!!!" She promptly tripped as she tried to help with Tomoyo's untangling, knocking the phone receiver off its cradle. Both Sakura and it fell with a clatter.
"Are you ok?" Tomoyo asked, helping Sakura up.
"Hoeee…arigatou, Tomoyo-chan. I just got very excited…"
Finally, with some help, Sakura finally got herself untangled. She jumped up again and hugged Tomoyo with a smile. "This will be great! WAI! I can't wait!"
Tomoyo smiled, wishing she could have brought along her tape recorder and taped Sakura in this joyful mood. She looked down at her watch, and said, "Anou, Sakura-chan? I promised my Okaa-sama I'd be home early…"
"Hoee? Aww…I'll let you know when Meiling-chan calls, ok?"
"Hai! I'll see you tomorrow!" With that, Tomoyo let herself out of the house. Sakura continued waving at Tomoyo until the black limousine with the five woman in black came to pick her up.
When Tomoyo had left, Sakura ran back up to her room and grabbed Kero, spinning with him around her room. "WAI WAI!!!" She tossed him into the air and started singing one of her silly little songs.
"Gaaaaaah! What are you DOIN'?"
"Friends, cake, laughing, fun!-Ah! Gomen nasai, Kero-chan! I was just excited!"
~*~
Yukito smiled in the other room. "Sakura-chan must be playing with Kero-chan."
Touya shook his head. "She's so loud…"
~*~
Sakura grinned and flopped down on her bed. "Meiling-chan might come for my birthday!"
"From Hong Kong?"
"Hai! She's going to ask her Okaa-san. And I'm inviting Rika-chan and Naoko-chan and Chiharu-chan and Yamazaki-kun and Eriol-kun and Syaoran-kun mo!" Her grin grew wider as she got up and spun with Kero again. "And Meiling-chan coming from Hong Kong! This'll be the best birthday ever!" She tossed Kero up with a bit too much energy, and poor Kero hit the ceiling.
"…Why are…you inviting…Eri---OOOWWWWWWWW!!!!"
Sakura blinked. "Gomen! Why am I inviting Eriol-kun? Well…because he's my friend! Maybe he'll bring Spinel-sun along too!"
"I HOPE not! Suppi always takes all the candy," said Kero, tears coming down from his eyes.
"I'll save you both some cake."
"Ok!" Kero flew around the room, stretching out after being tossed up and down and spun around. He stopped short as his eyes landed on the Sakura Book, containing all the Sakura Cards. "Is it true that your father has part of Clow-sama's power?" he suddenly asked.
Sakura blinked.
"Because…whenever I see him, I get that …aura…feeling."
"…I'm not sure…I think Eriol-kun mentioned it…But if it was true, that would be so cool!"
"The…reason I asked…"
"Hai?"
"…Your brother…gave power to Yue, You know that, don't you?"
"…Hai…" she murmured, remembering the scene all too vividly. "It was at Eriol-kun's house…making the movie…"
"The…reason I asked…is because…if your father has part of Clow-sama's power, couldn't he…lend some of it back to your brother? Then at least he would be able to see spirits again."
(While all this is going on, over at the Daidouji mansion, Sonomi is busy torturing some Fujitaka voodoo dolls)
"Hoeeee…I'd never have thought of that."
"I think it might be a nice present, even though your brother is rude and mean and snotty and uppity."
"Hai…ne…has Otou-san seen you yet, Kero-chan? I'm not sure Otou-san would know how to…give power."
"I'm sure he's aware of me. He must be, if he has part of Clow-sama's powers. I'd…imagine that Eriol gave him some of the memories, but I don't know."
Sakura rolled over on her bed, absentmindedly kicking her feet in the air. "Maybe I should talk to him…Think so, Kero-chan? Demo…sometimes I sensed Clow's aura around Eriol-kun, and I never sense anything like it from Otou-san…is it because he doesn't use magic?"
"Well, it's possible that Eriol kept the Clow Card magic, and gave your father the rest, considering that the Clow Card magic is going to steadily weaken over time since there really AREN'T anymore Clow Cards…"
"Clow Card-tachi are now Sakura Card-tachi," said Sakura in a proud voice. "But…so, Eriol-kun's powers will grow weaker and weaker?"
"Mmhm. And Yue and I aren't Clow Card Guardians anymore either. We're Sakura Card Guardians, as much as I'm sure he doesn't want to admit…I …think so."
"And Otou-san's too?"
"I really have no idea. No, I don't…think so. You'll have to ask Eriol. I can only make assumptions on my knowledge of magic."
"Hai. Ne..Kero-chan, what would you think if I told my friends about the cards?"
"I don't know…I don't know how some of them might react."
"True…what am I supposed to do with the cards now? Magic isn't a big thing now a days like it was in Clow-san's time." Sakura smiled as a sudden idea struck her. "Maybe I can use them for help with chores?"
"That's why Clow-sama made Bubbles."
"Laundry help?" asked Sakura, giggling.
"You have complete control over the cards now, Sakura. You can do whatever you want, even make new ones."
"Honto?? Wow…" Sakura started laughing. "Maybe I should make a food card. You and Yukito-san eat so much…" She scratched her neck sheepishly, "though I'm not much better!"
"It isn't that hard to make new cards, but it can be draining."
"…I know. I collapsed once after I used time. Did Clow-san ever collapse?"
"That's one of the reason why we were created. Yue and I also help in making the cards."
"Really? Funny…I wait this long to ask about all this stuff!"
"Well, it never came up before."
"Ne…I know Yue-san misses Clow-san. Do you, Kero-chan?"
"I…miss him…but…I know he's still around."
~*~In Touya's Room…~*~
Yukito got up from where he had been busy writing. "I'm going to go down and get something to drink."
Touya nodded and continued writing. "Okay."
~*~
"Kero-chan, how about a snack? What do you want?"
"Aaa…I want pudding!"
"Pudding? Ok Kero-oh! Hi, Yukito-san!" Sakura said with surprise as she stepped into the kitchen and saw Yukito rummaging in the refrigerator.
"Hello, Sakura-chan. I came down to get some lemonade."
"Oooh, I was wondering why Onii-chan wasn't with you."
Sakura got the bowl of pudding out of the refrigerator, scooping a big portion of it onto a dish. "Ne, Yukito-san?"
"Hai?" replied Yukito, pouring lemonade into two cups.
"Onii-chan's been really sleepy lately, taking a lot of naps. He thinks I'm not looking, but I do notice it."
"Hai…he falls asleep in class too. I'm a bit worried, but he keeps insisting he's okay…"
"Onii-chan is strong. I just wish I could help…"
"You're already doing a lot. You're a magician at your age."
Sakura blushed. "I didn't mean to be one…"
"But, now I'm sure you can do lots of interesting things with your magic."
Kero, tired of waiting upstairs, flew down from Sakura's room, catching part of the conversation between Yukito and Sakura. "…Are you and Yue aware of one another? Like, can you know what each other's thinking? Because I have a question for Yue, but I really don't want him expanding energy to answer it."
Sakura looked at Yukito. "I was wondering about that too…"
"Well, I can sense his emotions sometimes, and he speaks to me at times in my mind."
"…Does is get noisy when you both think at once?" Sakura asked, blinking.
"Sometimes he tells me I shouldn't be thinking of food so much."
"Well, it isn't like you don't eat to SUSTAIN HIM…Stupid Yue…" Kero said, pulling down his eyelid.
"I was just telling Kero-chan how I should make a food card!"
Yukito got slightly sparkly eyed as he replied, "You can do that?"
"Kero-chan said I could make cards…"
Yukito blinked and his eyes closed. His body started to glow, wings wrapping around him as he "Yuefied."
"It would probably take a lot of your power, but if you wish, you can create new cards just as Clow-sama did…" said Yue.
Sakura blinked and shook her head. "Wow…ah gomen. It's just that it's so pretty every time you do that."
"He just does it to show off. And hey…I already TOLD her all that…" Kero grumbled.
"It's pretty when you do it too, Kero-chan!" Sakura said, smiling.
"You might have been telling her that just because you wanted her to make a Food Card."
"Anou…" Sakura sweatdropped. "Hoeee…"
"T---that's beside the point! I simply wanted her to expand her powers! If I also get a giant house made of pudding out of it, I have NOOOO objections!"
"Hoeeee…." Sakura started giggling nervously.
Yue sighed.
"Ne, Yue-san?"
"Yes, Mistress?"
"Anou, first, just call me Sakura…and what I was going to say was, I already asked Kero-chan, but I wannna know what you think…if I told my friends about the cards, what would happen?"
"Brown-noser," Kero muttered.
"Clow-sama had to keep his magic a secret from a lot of people. We were his only companions because he feared what would happen if anyone else found out. But…if you have friends whom you trust with all your heart…"
"I do! And…Tomoyo-chan knows!"
Yue nodded. "It is your decision, Mist-…Sakura-san."
Sakura smiled. "I'll think about it, but I wanted to see what you two had to say first."
Yue "Yukified", turning back into Yukito. "…Are?" Yukito blinked with confusion.
"Sorry. He should really give you warning."
"The ingrate," muttered Kero. "Can I have my pudding now?" Kero stared at the pudding with beady eyes once it was set in front of him. "So we meet again, PUDDING-KUN!" exclaimed Kero before he dove in.
"Do you want some too, Yukito-san?"
"Hai, arigatou. I should bring these drinks up to To-ya. He might be wondering where I am…"
Yukito, carrying the drinks and the pudding on a tray, walked back upstairs, bringing the drinks to Touya without spilling any.
"Oh! Yuki! Sakura attacked you, didn't she?"
"She wanted to ask me about something, but Yue-san answered instead."
"Ohh…" Touya took a sip of his drink thoughtfully. "I wonder…why it isn't possible for you two to just split up?"
"Well, we share a soul, I think. And I kind of do like having him inside me…it's nice to have someone to talk to at home, even if it's just in my mind. Besides, if I didn't have him to support, I'd probably get fat from what I eat," he said with a grin.
"Ohh…and we couldn't have that." Touya took another sip of his drink.
"Sakura-chan was discussing creating new cards."
"Really? I bet she could come up with some scary ones."
"She had an idea for a Food Card."
Touya raised his eyebrow. "Interesting."
"Kero-chan seemed to like the idea. I do too. Kero-chan doesn't seem like such a bad sort."
"I know…I just wonder why he had to choose her, of all people."
"You must have sensed something about her," Yukito remarked. "Yue-san tells me that Clow-san prophesized she would be the one a long time go."
"I suppose, yeah…that makes sense."
There was a sudden knocking on the door.
"Yes?"
"Anou…Onii-chan, what should I make for dinner?"
"You're going to be making dinner tonight, Sakura-chan?"
"Hai!"
"Something that we won't choke on," Touya replied with a smirk. "I'm sure you can think of something."
Sakura scowled. "ANOTHER reason to make the Food Card. To make Onii-chan stop complaining. Ok then!" Sakura skipped back down the stairs, and all of a sudden, a loud crash was heard. "HOEEEEEEE!"
"Sakura-chan?!" Yukito said worriedly as he ran out and down the stairs.
Sakura was sitting on the floor, having back pedaled herself into a corner of the wall. "I saw a…G-Gho…" She pointed into empty space. "It was …just there."
"What the---"
"I felt a chill, so I went to shut the window, and I turned around, and there was this …FACE! And it WASN'T Kero-chan's!"
"A face?" asked Touya skeptically.
Sakura nodded.
"Hey…I'm not scary…" mumbled Kero indignantly through a mouthful of pudding.
Sakura leapt off the floor and clung onto Touya, sniffling.
"Err…can anyone sense ghosts? Or anything?" asked Touya.
Yukito "Yuefied", and tried to scan the area.
Sakura felt nothing. At least not anymore. "Onii-chan, I fell off the step ladder, and I…I fell through the face!!!"
"Daijoubu da…anshin shite…Just calm down, everything will be fine, okay?" Touya said in a soothing voice.
"But I don't even know what it was! But it was cold and then it was gone…" Sakura hiccuped.
"Well, it's gone now. We'll stay down here, in case something happens again." Yue got into a protective stance.
Sakura sniffled, "Arigatou!"
~*~End of Scene Two ~*~
I loved the private conversation between Touya and Yukito. *sniffle* It brings a tear to my eye! What do you guys think?
~*~ Start of Scene Two ~*~
By Chibi Ruka Hime
Note: The following fanfics in this series are the novelizations of this CCS RPG chatroom thing I belong to on AIM. It's a continuing series, so more will be coming as more chatrooms are held. This scene is dedicated to Smiko and Neph. I just loved that conversation between Touya and Yukito. *wipes tear from eye*
As soon as she arrived at home, Sakura rushed up the stairs to her room, eager to show Kero the origami creature she had made.
"Kero-chan!" she yelled, showing Kero the Kero-chan origami she had made. "Do you like it?"
"Wha-what is that supposed to be?" asked Kero. -.-
"Don't you know? It's-"
The doorbell downstairs echoed throughout the entire house, and Sakura jumped up from her bed. "That must be Tomoyo-chan!" She dropped the origami Kero and thundered downstairs, practically ripping the door off its hinges as she opened it. "Tomoyo-chan! Konnichiwa!"
"Konnichiwa, Sakura-chan! May I come in?"
"Hai!" Sakura said, ushering Tomoyo in and closing the door rather loudly behind her.
"Hey, could you please keep it down?!" yelled Touya from his bedroom.
Sakura jumped. "H-hai, gomen nasai."
"Loud kaijuu…"
Sakura's vein popped as she bared her teeth. "I am not a Kaijuu!!"
Tomoyo started giggling beside her. "So, where's Kero-chan?"
"Hoe? He's upstairs."
"Did you show him your origami?" Tomoyo asked, giggling even more.
"Yup, but I dropped it when I came to answer the door."
"Did you call Meiling-chan yet?"
Sakura shook her head. "No…not yet."
The doorbell rang again, and Sakura, standing right by the door, opened it. "Haaiii…Yukito-san!" she exclaimed, beaming.
"Yuki!" said Touya, coming down the stairs.
Yukito bowed and stepped inside. "Konnichiwa, Sakura-chan!" Yukito looked towards Touya. "Sorry I'm late. I brought some nikkuman on the way here." He flashed the large and nearly overflowing bag in Touya's direction.
"Yuki, don't let Sakura take any."
"Really? I bought extra for her and you and…anyone else who might be here. But if you don't want any, I could eat them all."
Sakura sweatdropped, and suddenly remembered about the party. "Ne, Yukito-san! I'm having a birthday party soon. Tomoyo-chan's helping me plan it, and I was wondering…would you like to come?"
Touya crossed his arms over his chest. "Why would he want to come to your boring-" But Yukito interrupted before he could finish.
"I would love to come. Arigatou, Sakura-chan!"
Touya sighed. "Don't humor that girl."
"Ne, Onii-chan, I was going to have you come too so you two could hang out. I know Yukito-san probably wouldn't want to hang out with just me and my friends."
"I'm sure he wouldn't," said Touya, earning a half scowl half pout look from Sakura.
"Anou…Sakura-chan…shall we go upstairs?" asked Tomoyo, pulling on Sakura's arm.
"H-hai!"
Yukito handed Sakura and Tomoyo some nikkuman from his large bag with a smile before they started for upstairs.
"Arigatou, Yukito-san!" Sakura smiled, leading Tomoyo to her room. "Sorry for leaving, Kero-chan." She apologized, handing Kero a big nikkuman.
"Have you talked to Li-kun about your party yet?" asked Tomoyo, giving Sakura an innocent look.
Sakura shook her head. "Not yet. Ne, do you remember the note I gave you in class the other day?"
Tomoyo nodded. "Hai. You should tell him how you feel…"
"I wonder if he…if he IS going back home to Hong Kong…"
"The only way to find out is to ask."
Sakura nodded thoughtfully, nibbling on her nikkuman. "I guess…"
Tomoyo clasped Sakura's hand. "If he does, you can get through it! You can get through anything."
"Hai!" Sakura glanced at Kero, who was busy enjoying his nikkuman.
"Sakura…I'm still hungry!"
"There's plenty more, Kero-chan!"
"Sakura-chan, should we start making the invitations for the part today?"
"Wai! I think I left the paper and stuff downstairs. Come on." The two girls walked back downstairs, passing by Touya and Yukito in the hall.
"Why are you guys still in the hall? Wouldn't you rather sit down and eat?" asked Sakura.
"Of course…in my room…" muttered Touya, taking Yukito's wrist and dragging him upstairs, with Tomoyo glancing curiously at the two.
"Ne, didn't Yamazaki-kun once say something about eating and standing up and how they can be good for you…? NE! Onii-chan! Tell Kero-chan he can come out! Otou-san isn't home."
"Hai hai…Oy! Stuffy! You can come out now!" yelled Touya before going into his room.
Sakura sweatdropped and Tomoyo giggled.
"STUFFY WAH JA NAAAAAAA!!!!!!" yelled Kero, fluttering down the stairs.
~*~
In his room, Touya sat down on his desk chair and yawned.
"We should look at calculus first," suggested Yukito.
"Hai hai," replied Touya, yawning again.
"Ne, Touya, have you picked out Sakura-chan's present yet?"
"Huh?…Oh, yeah," mumbled Touya, who had started to zone out.
"To-ya?"
"It's in here so she'll never find it."
Yukito gave Touya a worried look. "You're still tired out…" he remarked. "Here." He handed him a nikkuman.
Touya took the bun and started chewing on it. "Mm…I'll be fine, really…"
"…Demo…"
"I'll live, Yuki. Really."
Yukito smiled and nodded. "Good….To-ya?"
"…Yeah?"
"…There's something on your mind, isn't there?"
Touya stared down at the floor. "Aa---E---DAAH!! Oh!!" He sighed. "I'm not used to this."
"…Because you lost your power?"
'I used to get a tingling sensation when I was around people…and it's just so…strange not to have it."
Yukito looked down silently at the floor.
"Yuki…it isn't your fault. I gave it up to help you, and I'd do it again."
Yukito blinked and blushed slightly. "I'm sure my other self will do a good job of protecting Sakura-chan…Demo…you miss it, yes?"
"A little bit. It's just weird not having it, that's all. But it isn't like I can't live without it."
Yukito smiled. "I appreciate it a lot."
Touya smiled back. "Anyway…Calculus."
~*~
Sakura soon found her art supplies, and went back upstairs with Tomoyo. "Ne, Tomoyo-chan, when do you think I should call Meiling-chan? It's hard, with the time difference."
"Well, you could try to call her now, and hope she's up."
"You think it's ok though?" Sakura picked up the phone and dialed Meiling's number, saying a silent prayer that it wasn't some crazy hour in Hong Kong."
Meiling, on the other line, answered semi-groggily. "Moshi moshi…"
Sakura blinked. Japanese? "Meiling-chan? Kinomoto desu!"
"Kinomoto-san? What is it?"
"Anou…Meiling-chan, what time is it in Hong Kong?"
"11 pm…"
"Ah! Gomen nasai! I didn't mean to wake you up!" said Sakura with a flustered voice. "I…I wanted to call, and ask you something, demo…you're probably really tired."
"It's okay, Kinomoto. What is it?"
"Well…my birthday is coming up soon…and I know plane tickets are expensive, demo, I wanted to know if you wanted to come to my party!"
Meiling was suddenly wide awake. "You're inviting me to your party, Kinomoto-san?"
"Yes! Tomoyo-chan and I miss you. And you wouldn't have to get me anything. I would just want you to be there! And I think Syaoran-kun misses you too…"
"Really? He misses me?" There was a pause on the other line. "Well…I'll have to check with my mother. I can't promise anything yet…"
"WAI! It would be great if you can!" Sakura started dancing around her room, and got tangled in the phone cord.
"Ne, Sakura-chan, you might trip!" warned Tomoyo.
"Kinomoto-san? Hello?"
"Hoeee?" Sakura suddenly noticed how she was all tied up in the phone cord. "Hoeeee! Ah, hai, Meiling-chan?" Sakura tried to untangle herself, but only got more tangled.
"Kinomoto-san, can I call you in the morning? I'm quite tired…"
"Hai! And sorry for waking you up! I'm very very sorry!"
"It's ok…stop apologizing and I'll call you later."
"Ok! Ja ne!"
Meiling mumbled some words and hung up.
Tomoyo walked over and tried to help Sakura-chan untangle herself. "Is she coming, Sakura-chan?"
"She says she might, but she has to talk with her Okaa-san first. WAI! Meiling might come-HOEEEE!!!" She promptly tripped as she tried to help with Tomoyo's untangling, knocking the phone receiver off its cradle. Both Sakura and it fell with a clatter.
"Are you ok?" Tomoyo asked, helping Sakura up.
"Hoeee…arigatou, Tomoyo-chan. I just got very excited…"
Finally, with some help, Sakura finally got herself untangled. She jumped up again and hugged Tomoyo with a smile. "This will be great! WAI! I can't wait!"
Tomoyo smiled, wishing she could have brought along her tape recorder and taped Sakura in this joyful mood. She looked down at her watch, and said, "Anou, Sakura-chan? I promised my Okaa-sama I'd be home early…"
"Hoee? Aww…I'll let you know when Meiling-chan calls, ok?"
"Hai! I'll see you tomorrow!" With that, Tomoyo let herself out of the house. Sakura continued waving at Tomoyo until the black limousine with the five woman in black came to pick her up.
When Tomoyo had left, Sakura ran back up to her room and grabbed Kero, spinning with him around her room. "WAI WAI!!!" She tossed him into the air and started singing one of her silly little songs.
"Gaaaaaah! What are you DOIN'?"
"Friends, cake, laughing, fun!-Ah! Gomen nasai, Kero-chan! I was just excited!"
~*~
Yukito smiled in the other room. "Sakura-chan must be playing with Kero-chan."
Touya shook his head. "She's so loud…"
~*~
Sakura grinned and flopped down on her bed. "Meiling-chan might come for my birthday!"
"From Hong Kong?"
"Hai! She's going to ask her Okaa-san. And I'm inviting Rika-chan and Naoko-chan and Chiharu-chan and Yamazaki-kun and Eriol-kun and Syaoran-kun mo!" Her grin grew wider as she got up and spun with Kero again. "And Meiling-chan coming from Hong Kong! This'll be the best birthday ever!" She tossed Kero up with a bit too much energy, and poor Kero hit the ceiling.
"…Why are…you inviting…Eri---OOOWWWWWWWW!!!!"
Sakura blinked. "Gomen! Why am I inviting Eriol-kun? Well…because he's my friend! Maybe he'll bring Spinel-sun along too!"
"I HOPE not! Suppi always takes all the candy," said Kero, tears coming down from his eyes.
"I'll save you both some cake."
"Ok!" Kero flew around the room, stretching out after being tossed up and down and spun around. He stopped short as his eyes landed on the Sakura Book, containing all the Sakura Cards. "Is it true that your father has part of Clow-sama's power?" he suddenly asked.
Sakura blinked.
"Because…whenever I see him, I get that …aura…feeling."
"…I'm not sure…I think Eriol-kun mentioned it…But if it was true, that would be so cool!"
"The…reason I asked…"
"Hai?"
"…Your brother…gave power to Yue, You know that, don't you?"
"…Hai…" she murmured, remembering the scene all too vividly. "It was at Eriol-kun's house…making the movie…"
"The…reason I asked…is because…if your father has part of Clow-sama's power, couldn't he…lend some of it back to your brother? Then at least he would be able to see spirits again."
(While all this is going on, over at the Daidouji mansion, Sonomi is busy torturing some Fujitaka voodoo dolls)
"Hoeeee…I'd never have thought of that."
"I think it might be a nice present, even though your brother is rude and mean and snotty and uppity."
"Hai…ne…has Otou-san seen you yet, Kero-chan? I'm not sure Otou-san would know how to…give power."
"I'm sure he's aware of me. He must be, if he has part of Clow-sama's powers. I'd…imagine that Eriol gave him some of the memories, but I don't know."
Sakura rolled over on her bed, absentmindedly kicking her feet in the air. "Maybe I should talk to him…Think so, Kero-chan? Demo…sometimes I sensed Clow's aura around Eriol-kun, and I never sense anything like it from Otou-san…is it because he doesn't use magic?"
"Well, it's possible that Eriol kept the Clow Card magic, and gave your father the rest, considering that the Clow Card magic is going to steadily weaken over time since there really AREN'T anymore Clow Cards…"
"Clow Card-tachi are now Sakura Card-tachi," said Sakura in a proud voice. "But…so, Eriol-kun's powers will grow weaker and weaker?"
"Mmhm. And Yue and I aren't Clow Card Guardians anymore either. We're Sakura Card Guardians, as much as I'm sure he doesn't want to admit…I …think so."
"And Otou-san's too?"
"I really have no idea. No, I don't…think so. You'll have to ask Eriol. I can only make assumptions on my knowledge of magic."
"Hai. Ne..Kero-chan, what would you think if I told my friends about the cards?"
"I don't know…I don't know how some of them might react."
"True…what am I supposed to do with the cards now? Magic isn't a big thing now a days like it was in Clow-san's time." Sakura smiled as a sudden idea struck her. "Maybe I can use them for help with chores?"
"That's why Clow-sama made Bubbles."
"Laundry help?" asked Sakura, giggling.
"You have complete control over the cards now, Sakura. You can do whatever you want, even make new ones."
"Honto?? Wow…" Sakura started laughing. "Maybe I should make a food card. You and Yukito-san eat so much…" She scratched her neck sheepishly, "though I'm not much better!"
"It isn't that hard to make new cards, but it can be draining."
"…I know. I collapsed once after I used time. Did Clow-san ever collapse?"
"That's one of the reason why we were created. Yue and I also help in making the cards."
"Really? Funny…I wait this long to ask about all this stuff!"
"Well, it never came up before."
"Ne…I know Yue-san misses Clow-san. Do you, Kero-chan?"
"I…miss him…but…I know he's still around."
~*~In Touya's Room…~*~
Yukito got up from where he had been busy writing. "I'm going to go down and get something to drink."
Touya nodded and continued writing. "Okay."
~*~
"Kero-chan, how about a snack? What do you want?"
"Aaa…I want pudding!"
"Pudding? Ok Kero-oh! Hi, Yukito-san!" Sakura said with surprise as she stepped into the kitchen and saw Yukito rummaging in the refrigerator.
"Hello, Sakura-chan. I came down to get some lemonade."
"Oooh, I was wondering why Onii-chan wasn't with you."
Sakura got the bowl of pudding out of the refrigerator, scooping a big portion of it onto a dish. "Ne, Yukito-san?"
"Hai?" replied Yukito, pouring lemonade into two cups.
"Onii-chan's been really sleepy lately, taking a lot of naps. He thinks I'm not looking, but I do notice it."
"Hai…he falls asleep in class too. I'm a bit worried, but he keeps insisting he's okay…"
"Onii-chan is strong. I just wish I could help…"
"You're already doing a lot. You're a magician at your age."
Sakura blushed. "I didn't mean to be one…"
"But, now I'm sure you can do lots of interesting things with your magic."
Kero, tired of waiting upstairs, flew down from Sakura's room, catching part of the conversation between Yukito and Sakura. "…Are you and Yue aware of one another? Like, can you know what each other's thinking? Because I have a question for Yue, but I really don't want him expanding energy to answer it."
Sakura looked at Yukito. "I was wondering about that too…"
"Well, I can sense his emotions sometimes, and he speaks to me at times in my mind."
"…Does is get noisy when you both think at once?" Sakura asked, blinking.
"Sometimes he tells me I shouldn't be thinking of food so much."
"Well, it isn't like you don't eat to SUSTAIN HIM…Stupid Yue…" Kero said, pulling down his eyelid.
"I was just telling Kero-chan how I should make a food card!"
Yukito got slightly sparkly eyed as he replied, "You can do that?"
"Kero-chan said I could make cards…"
Yukito blinked and his eyes closed. His body started to glow, wings wrapping around him as he "Yuefied."
"It would probably take a lot of your power, but if you wish, you can create new cards just as Clow-sama did…" said Yue.
Sakura blinked and shook her head. "Wow…ah gomen. It's just that it's so pretty every time you do that."
"He just does it to show off. And hey…I already TOLD her all that…" Kero grumbled.
"It's pretty when you do it too, Kero-chan!" Sakura said, smiling.
"You might have been telling her that just because you wanted her to make a Food Card."
"Anou…" Sakura sweatdropped. "Hoeee…"
"T---that's beside the point! I simply wanted her to expand her powers! If I also get a giant house made of pudding out of it, I have NOOOO objections!"
"Hoeeee…." Sakura started giggling nervously.
Yue sighed.
"Ne, Yue-san?"
"Yes, Mistress?"
"Anou, first, just call me Sakura…and what I was going to say was, I already asked Kero-chan, but I wannna know what you think…if I told my friends about the cards, what would happen?"
"Brown-noser," Kero muttered.
"Clow-sama had to keep his magic a secret from a lot of people. We were his only companions because he feared what would happen if anyone else found out. But…if you have friends whom you trust with all your heart…"
"I do! And…Tomoyo-chan knows!"
Yue nodded. "It is your decision, Mist-…Sakura-san."
Sakura smiled. "I'll think about it, but I wanted to see what you two had to say first."
Yue "Yukified", turning back into Yukito. "…Are?" Yukito blinked with confusion.
"Sorry. He should really give you warning."
"The ingrate," muttered Kero. "Can I have my pudding now?" Kero stared at the pudding with beady eyes once it was set in front of him. "So we meet again, PUDDING-KUN!" exclaimed Kero before he dove in.
"Do you want some too, Yukito-san?"
"Hai, arigatou. I should bring these drinks up to To-ya. He might be wondering where I am…"
Yukito, carrying the drinks and the pudding on a tray, walked back upstairs, bringing the drinks to Touya without spilling any.
"Oh! Yuki! Sakura attacked you, didn't she?"
"She wanted to ask me about something, but Yue-san answered instead."
"Ohh…" Touya took a sip of his drink thoughtfully. "I wonder…why it isn't possible for you two to just split up?"
"Well, we share a soul, I think. And I kind of do like having him inside me…it's nice to have someone to talk to at home, even if it's just in my mind. Besides, if I didn't have him to support, I'd probably get fat from what I eat," he said with a grin.
"Ohh…and we couldn't have that." Touya took another sip of his drink.
"Sakura-chan was discussing creating new cards."
"Really? I bet she could come up with some scary ones."
"She had an idea for a Food Card."
Touya raised his eyebrow. "Interesting."
"Kero-chan seemed to like the idea. I do too. Kero-chan doesn't seem like such a bad sort."
"I know…I just wonder why he had to choose her, of all people."
"You must have sensed something about her," Yukito remarked. "Yue-san tells me that Clow-san prophesized she would be the one a long time go."
"I suppose, yeah…that makes sense."
There was a sudden knocking on the door.
"Yes?"
"Anou…Onii-chan, what should I make for dinner?"
"You're going to be making dinner tonight, Sakura-chan?"
"Hai!"
"Something that we won't choke on," Touya replied with a smirk. "I'm sure you can think of something."
Sakura scowled. "ANOTHER reason to make the Food Card. To make Onii-chan stop complaining. Ok then!" Sakura skipped back down the stairs, and all of a sudden, a loud crash was heard. "HOEEEEEEE!"
"Sakura-chan?!" Yukito said worriedly as he ran out and down the stairs.
Sakura was sitting on the floor, having back pedaled herself into a corner of the wall. "I saw a…G-Gho…" She pointed into empty space. "It was …just there."
"What the---"
"I felt a chill, so I went to shut the window, and I turned around, and there was this …FACE! And it WASN'T Kero-chan's!"
"A face?" asked Touya skeptically.
Sakura nodded.
"Hey…I'm not scary…" mumbled Kero indignantly through a mouthful of pudding.
Sakura leapt off the floor and clung onto Touya, sniffling.
"Err…can anyone sense ghosts? Or anything?" asked Touya.
Yukito "Yuefied", and tried to scan the area.
Sakura felt nothing. At least not anymore. "Onii-chan, I fell off the step ladder, and I…I fell through the face!!!"
"Daijoubu da…anshin shite…Just calm down, everything will be fine, okay?" Touya said in a soothing voice.
"But I don't even know what it was! But it was cold and then it was gone…" Sakura hiccuped.
"Well, it's gone now. We'll stay down here, in case something happens again." Yue got into a protective stance.
Sakura sniffled, "Arigatou!"
~*~End of Scene Two ~*~
I loved the private conversation between Touya and Yukito. *sniffle* It brings a tear to my eye! What do you guys think?