a/n: *whew!* I finally finished! Gomen for taking so long, but here it is - the new chapter! Now it's a bit longer than the others, so please, bare with me. ;D Enjoy!
Part Three: Partners Or Enemies? :Part II:
Sakura winced as Kero-chan put an alcohol pad on her wound. An incredible sting raced from her arm to the rest of her body. She instinctively bit her lip and gripped the arm rest.
Kero continued to tend to Sakura's wounds, while Tomoyo was treating Syaoran and Ayame, who were both still unconscious. The whole living room smelled of alcohol. Sakura was thankful that her father and brother were at the university. Coming home bloodied and wounded was not something she could easily explain.
As Kero cursed under his breath while he desperately tried to tie a bow on the bandage, Sakura thought about how they all ended up here.
She could still remember the horrible *kaijuu, with it's hideous crystal eyes and icy blue body. She remembered how the kaijuu taunted her, calling her a 'weakling', asking her how she ever became the Card Mistress. She didn't really mind the taunts and name calling, it was what the kaijuu did that enraged Sakura.
It hit her with everything it had - punching, kicking, spitting, biting, and once - tripping. The kaijuu was fast, agile, and skilled. Sakura knew herself that she didn't stand a chance.
That's when the unthinkable happened. Instead of getting defeated like she thought she would, she was actually fighting back! She blocked and hit, blocked and hit, blocked and hit, and so on. She was on fire! Not even Tomoyo could believe it! She was figthing so well that even Syaoran would be impressed.
She had no idea what had come over her. She never knew that she could fight so well! Even the kaijuu was impressed. So much, in fact, that it stopped fighting Sakura. It just stood in front of her, flashing it's sparkly white teeth. "Well, well," it said to her. "Look's like I misjudged you." She could still remember it's devilish grin. "You truly are the Card Mistress," it continued. "But every Master has his weakness!" it yelled as it charged at Sakura, it's claws extened.
What happened next was a blur... She wasn't quite sure what had happened. She remembered sobbing. The next thing she knew, a transparent shield appeared before her. She remembered how surprised she was when the kaijuu rammed right into it, too.
The kaijuu might've been mad before, but now it was just plain pissed off!
So, it headed for Tomoyo, it's claws extended at full length. "Every Master has a weakness!!!" screamed the kaijuu.
Tomoyo was stunned, terrified even. She couldn't move, her legs refused to work. That's when Sakura snapped. The final thread that held her from going mad no longer had it's grip. She was furious. No one hurt her friends!
She could still remember feeling a new kind of power rushing all over her body. She could feel her energy focus of one sole purpose - revenge. She had already lost Syaoran, she was not about to lose her best friend.
"Tomoyo...!!!!" she screamed as she felt the power burst inside her. She was glowing, literally glowing, as the Clow circle apeared under her. She had a familar feeling, like when Kaho gave her powers to Sakura.
Her Novice Staff was glowing now. It was changing. She could feel it change. *It no longer had a yellow star in the center of the circle, but an asterisk; a purple and gold asterisk. And the wings at the sides, it was larger.* She could feel the change in her power. She was stronger.
She now had the power to destroy that kaijuu. She didn't even hesitate. She immediately ran after the kaijuu, her Staff in the air.
"Return to your power, confind!
Fight Card!!!"
She slammed the Staff unto the back of the kaijuu. The kaijuu immediately stopped, as it's glass stomach shattered into millions of pieces. Inside, the Fight Card flew out towards Sakura; it's rightful owner.
It was an amazing phenomenon. She had a newfound power she never even thought she had. She had defeated the awful kaijuu by herself... And she had the wounds to prove it.
"Ow!" Sakura yelled as Kero-chan surprised her with an alcohol pad.
"Gomen," Kero apologized as he continued to treat her.
"Done," Tomoyo said proudly, for she had finished her two patients. She glanced over to 'Doctor' Kero, who was still working on his first one. She held back a giggle.
Syaoran suddenly awoke, finding himself inside Touya's old room. He was sitting on Touya's chair! He turned pale. What am I doing here?! he asked himself.
"Morning, sleepy head!" Tomoyo yelled as she came in with a tray of hot tea. "Feeling better?" she asked. Syaoran didn't answer her. He was too shocked with what had just happened. "Sakura and I made you two some tea," she said as she set it down on the table beside him.
He was now fully white. He knew his hair was standing. Sakura?!
"What's going on?! Wh-What happened?!" he asked.
Tomoyo's face brightened. A huge grin appeared across her face. She turned to the tv in the room and pressed 'play' on the VCR. The screen blincked and fuzzed as the picture finally began to focus.
Tomoyo had filmed the whole fight, every minute of it. A huge sweatdrop appeared on Syaoran's head as he silently watched the video.
"Sakura...," whispered the erie voice. "Believe..."
Sakura awoke abruptly upon hearing Kero chewing on cookies.
He saw her and flashed a cookie-filled smile. "These awe weally good, Sakuwa."
She let out a groan. "Kero-chan," she said as she took what was left of the cookies from him, "these aren't for you."
"I still don't believe you cooked cookies for that brat," Kero said as he wiped the cookie crumbs from his mouth.
"He's not a brat, Kero-chan. He's just... really focused."
"Uh huh...," Kero said as he raised a brow. "Whatever..."
Just then Tomoyo skipped happily down the stairs. Sakura cocked a brow. "Why're you so happy?"
She giggled. "They're watching my movie!" she shouted.
Sakura's eyes widened and her jaw dropped. "WHAT?!" she yelled. "T-Their awake?" Tomoyo nodded. Sakura gasped. She rushed to bake more cookies when suddenly Syaoran appeared.
He had finished watching the movie, and was craving for a sandwich. But, of course, he didn't dare show it.
"M-Morning," Sakura said with a quivering voice. She held up a plate. "C-Cookies?"
Syaoran shook his head. He had too much pride than to eat something from her.
Kero-chan looked at Sakura, then at Syaoran, then back at Sakura. "Well if no one wants 'em, I'll eat them!!" Kero yelled as he snatched the plate from Sakura's hands.
"Where am I?" a voice asked from the stairs. Syaoran quickly snapped his head around. Ayame had her arm in a splint, and a bandage wrapped around her head. She looked terrible, much more worse than any of them.
"Gomen," Ayame said as she sipped a cup of tea Sakura had made.
"How's your arm?" Sakura asked as she sat across from her.
"It feels a bit sore, but nothing serious," she paused, "thank you."
Sakura shook her head quickly. "Oh no! It's not me, it's Tomoyo. She's the one who took care of you and Syaoran."
"It was nothing really," Tomoyo said as she blushed from all the praise.
Ayame smiled. "Thank you for everything," she said politely. Tomoyo smiled a 'your welcome'. But she was a bit unsure. She still didn't understand exactly who Ayame was, neither did Sakura or Kero. She was sure, though, that she was somehow connected with Syaoran.
Syaoran, who was sitting next to Ayame, took a bite of a cookie. He unfortunately gave into his hunger. When it was down to the last cookie, he and Kero had a bit of a 'stare down'. There was a long silence as he and Kero glared at each other, both wanting the last cookie.
Suddenly the two lunged for the sugar-filled cookie. But of course, Kero ended up winning. "Haha!" Kero laughed out loud as he waved the cookie in front of the irritated Syaoran's face. "Years of pratice finally at work!" Kero yelled as he gobbled it up. Syaoran flashed his pink tongue at the tiny cub. Sakura sighed as a sweatdrop appeared on her forehead.
"Uh oh," Tomoyo said as she turned on the t.v.
Sakura didn't like the tone of her voice. "What do you mean 'uh oh'?"
Tomoyo pointed at the news anchor on the t.v. "Looks like there's a storm coming." She was right. There was a storm coming.
"An unexpected storm, coming up from the north, is predicted to hit tonight," continued the anchor.
"A storm?" wondered Kero.
"Shh..," Sakura shushed as the anchor continued.
"Viewers are urged to stay inside as the storm passes. Stay tuned for any flood warnings as they will be expected. Back to you, Kenji."
Tomoyo turned the t.v. off in an instant. "Looks like we're stuck here for the night," she said calmly.
Sakura sighed. "I better make us all dinner," she said.
Suddenly, Ayame's eyes brightened. "Let me do it!" she yelled as she jumped up excitedly.
Sakura turned to her in surprise. In fact everyone did, except Syaoran. It was a bit unexpected of Ayame. She always seemed so quiet. "But you're injured," Sakura said, motioning towards her arm.
Ayame shook her head. "No I'm not," she objected. "Not really. I can still cook." She saw the hesitant look in Sakura's eyes. "Please? You've done so much, I ought to at least do something for you."
"Wait a minute!" Kero yelled as he fluttered his way to meet Ayame face-to-face. "I refuse to have an amateur, let alone a stranger, cook my meal!"
Syaoran let out a grunt. He looked at Kero from the corner of his eye. "She's no amateur," he said with a smirk. "Won 3 blue ribbons in cooking contests."
Kero's mood suddenly changed. He turned to Ayame with a grin across his face. "But suddenly I'm feeling generous," he said as he flew back to his seat. Ayame blushed in embarrassment at Syaoran's remark.
Sakura showed her to the kitchen, showing her where everything was. Ayame went to work right away.
Suddenly, the door swung open. In came in a very wet, and very tired Touya. Followed by Yukito, who looked as happy as ever. Kero-chan immediately went 'doll'.
At the sight of his old 'enemy', Syaoran glared. Touya returned the glare as he and Yukito made their way in.
Sakura suddenly felt the need to separate the two. "What're you doing here, brat?" Touya barked. Syaoran's scowl grew more.
"Touya!" Sakura yelled as she made her way towards him. "They're stuck because of the storm. Now please, act civil." She avoided telling him that she and Syaoran were no longer together. If Touya was this way when Syaoran liked her, she had no idea how he'd act if he found out Syaoran hated her. If he did hate her.
Yukito suddenly smelled the sweet aroma of spaghetti when Ayame came in from the kitchen. "Dinner's ready!" she yelled happily.
Wearing a white apron with a wooden spoon in her hand, Ayame watched on happily as the group ate the meal. She stood at the end of the table, insisting that she wasn't hungry. To her right was Syaoran. Across from his was Touya(the two were still scowling at each other between bites). Next to Touya was Sakura, and next to her was Tomoyo. Yukito beside Syaoran, his plate bigger than the other's.
And upstairs, in Sakura's room, was the satisfied Kero-chan, hurrying to finish his meal in time for a second helping. Yukito was there after all.
Outside, the storm grew more and more. Between each thunder clap was yet another lightning strike. Every booming roar made chills run up Sakura's spine.
Suddenly they heard a voice. A loud, booming voice that roared as mighty as the thunder. "Mistress!!" it hollered as the lights suddenly went out.
Two loud thumps were heard when suddenly the lights went on. Sakura found Yukito and Touya's bodies laying motionless on the floor. Above them stood Syaoran, sword in his hand. He turned towards Ayame. "Kaijuu," he said simply as he made his way outside.
At first Sakura thought he was talking to her. (He did say kaijuu, after all.) But realized he was talking to Ayame, for she quickly removed her apron and followed after him.
It took a while for Sakura to realize. But when she did, she bolted out the door, soon to be followed by Tomoyo.
Careless of the pouring rain, Syaoran made his way to an open street. It wasn't hard; everyone who wasn't completely insane stayed home.
Upon reaching his destination, Syaoran called out the Card. "Show yourself!!" he demanded, hand clutching his sword.
Nothing.
"Show yourself!!!" he cried, his clothing drenched. He was breathing hard, panting even. He wasn't in the mood for hide-and-seek.
He had a terrible headache. And his right arm was badly bruised. But he was determined. He had to capture this card. He had to. "Show yourself!!!!!" he screeched, fingers gripping his sword's handle.
Ayame had a sick feeling in her stomach. Her arm was badly bruised, her head ached so bad, and she could barely stand. But she didn't think it was necessary to tell Syaoran. He had other things on his mind...
"SHOW YOURSELF!!!" he spat, as he cursed under his breath. It's probably waiting for her, he thought. He cursed some more. I'm just as good as her, thought. She'll see, I can capture this thing on my own!
Meanwhile, in another part of town, Sakura and Tomoyo sat helplessly on the sidewalk. Sakura tried her best to concentrate of the Card's power, but the rain poured so hard.
Beside her, the unhappy Tomoyo groaned about leaving her water-proof camera at home. Who knew there'd be a storm during July?
"Damn rain," Kero cursed. Unable to fly with his wings soaked, he reluctantly sat on the cold cement floor.
"Shh...," Sakura shushed. Her eyes were shut tightly. Sudddenly, she let out an exasperated sigh. "I can't concentrate!" she yelled, to no one in particular.
"I wonder if Syaoran had found the Card yet," Tomoyo thought out loud.
Kero-chan shot her a dirty look. "Don't give that brat any more credit than he deserves," he spat. He seriously did not want to think about him right then.
Sakura didn't either. She still couldn't believe what Syaoran had done to Touya and Yukito. She thought about their bodies, still laying face-down on the floor. She shrugged herself out of it. She shoudln't think about that.
"That's odd," Tomoyo said, breaking the silence.
"What?" Sakura asked.
Tomoyo pointed towards a street light some blocks away. "Those lights are blinking," she said, staring at it in amazement.
"Maybe it's broken," Kero suggested.
"I don't think so," Sakura replied, getting up. The lights were blinking in a pattern - red, green, yellow, yellow, and over again. She jumped up, grabbing the Key from her neck.
"Where're you going?!" Kero-chan asked.
"Towards the light!" Sakura yelled, as she raced towards the blinking stoplight.
"Finally," Syaoran said with a grin. Before him stood the kaijuu, in it's stomach; the Rain.
It grinned too. "I'd say the same to you."
Syaoran's grin faded quickly. He held up his sword and was about to strike when suddenly...
"Key of Clow!
Power of Magic,
Power of Light,
Surrender the Wand
The force ignite!
Release!!"
Syaoran let out a groan. What she doing here?! This was supposed to be my capture!
Sakura ignored Syaoran's scowl. She ran towards the kaijuu, Wand in the air.
The kaijuu only stared at Sakura, a bored expression on it's face. "Silly girl," the kaijuu teased. "It takes more than a Wand to beat me!" it yelled as it blasted a bolt of lightning out of it's hand.
"Ahhh!" Sakura yelled, as the lightning continued to shock her.
"Sakura!!!" Tomoyo screeched after seeing her best friend fall to the muddy ground.
The kaijuu let out a joyful giggle. "What fun," it said with a grin. It turned to Syaoran, and the grin disappeared.
"Force, know my plight!
Release the Light,
Lightning!!"
At his command, a bolt of lightning was released from the ofuda he held.
The kaijuu merely laughed. "Foolish boy," it spat as it held it's hand up, absorbing the lightning Syaoran just released. "I own lightning!"
Syaoran wasn't too surprised. He held up yet another ofuda.
"Force, know my plight!
Release the Light,
Wind!!"
A sudden gust of wind blew at the unsuspecting kaijuu. A triumphant smile appeared on Syaoran's face as the kaijuu was thrown back.
Behind him, Sakura started to wake up. She still had a terrible headache. But she could still seal the Card.
Syaoran turned to her, his eyes cold and steel-like. "Capture it, now!" He didn't bother to call her by her name.
Sakura nodded dumbly, wondered what in the world happened. She stood up, with her Wand in the air. She stood infront of the fallen kaijuu, and began to seal it.
"Return to your power confind!
Rain Card!"
She slammed the Staff unto the back of the kaijuu. But nothing happened. Sakura was confused. "What?!" she thought out loud.
"Sakura!" Tomoyo yelled from behind.
Sakura snapped her head to face her.
"Power up!" Tomoyo yelled.
"What?!" Sakura asked.
"You know... power up!"
Sakura suddenly realized. The last time she defeated the kaijuu, her Staff was different. She turned to the kaijuu with her eyes shut tight. She concentrated hard. Already she could feel the change happening.
Everyone was in awe - Ayame, Kero, Tomoyo, and even Syaoran. Sakura was glowing, like a star. And her Staff was changing right in front of their eyes!
Sakura had 'powered up'. She was now able to seal the Card. She held up the newly transformed Staff into the air, and with a determined look on her face, she rammed it into the kaijuu's back, shattering the glass around the Rain Card. The Rain Card, greatful to be free, returned to it's owner - Syaoran.
"Hoe?!" Sakura asked in surprise.
Syaoran smirked as he looked at the captured Card in triumph.
Kero, face full of disappointment and disgust, flew towards Sakura. "You got lucky, kid."
Syaoran glared at Kero. "It's not luck, it's skill."
Kero showed him a 'yeah, right' face. It only made Syaoran angrier.
Suddenly the rains stopped, and the sun shined. Syaoran felt it was his cue to leave. And leave he did.
"Wait!" Sakura yelled instinctively. She suddenly stopped herself. What was she doing?!
Syaoran turned to face her. "We're no longer partners," Syaoran said, knowing what Sakura had in mind. "We're rivals now." He flashed her one of his most frightening scowls ever. "I WILL get the Cards. Any way I know how." With yet another glare, he turned, and left.
Ayame stood there for a minute, feeling a bit awkward. "Well," she said with a friendly smile. "Thanks again for everything," she said, and left following Syaoran.
"Humph! The nerve of that kid!" Kero said, flying back to the house, back to the comfort of his bed.
"Sakura? You going?" Tomoyo asked.
Sakura was still staring in disbelief at the space where Syaoran was. His harsh words played over and over again in her mind.
"Huh?" she asked, looking at Tomoyo. "Oh yeah, I'm coming." Tomoyo nodded and followed Kero. Just as Sakura was about to go, she stopped. She turned back to the place where Syaoran was. "I'm sorry...," she whispered, a tear rolling down her cheek.
*kaijuu - monster (but, of course, anyone who calls themself a TRUE CCS fan should know what that means ^_^)
Part Three: Partners Or Enemies? :Part II:
Sakura winced as Kero-chan put an alcohol pad on her wound. An incredible sting raced from her arm to the rest of her body. She instinctively bit her lip and gripped the arm rest.
Kero continued to tend to Sakura's wounds, while Tomoyo was treating Syaoran and Ayame, who were both still unconscious. The whole living room smelled of alcohol. Sakura was thankful that her father and brother were at the university. Coming home bloodied and wounded was not something she could easily explain.
As Kero cursed under his breath while he desperately tried to tie a bow on the bandage, Sakura thought about how they all ended up here.
She could still remember the horrible *kaijuu, with it's hideous crystal eyes and icy blue body. She remembered how the kaijuu taunted her, calling her a 'weakling', asking her how she ever became the Card Mistress. She didn't really mind the taunts and name calling, it was what the kaijuu did that enraged Sakura.
It hit her with everything it had - punching, kicking, spitting, biting, and once - tripping. The kaijuu was fast, agile, and skilled. Sakura knew herself that she didn't stand a chance.
That's when the unthinkable happened. Instead of getting defeated like she thought she would, she was actually fighting back! She blocked and hit, blocked and hit, blocked and hit, and so on. She was on fire! Not even Tomoyo could believe it! She was figthing so well that even Syaoran would be impressed.
She had no idea what had come over her. She never knew that she could fight so well! Even the kaijuu was impressed. So much, in fact, that it stopped fighting Sakura. It just stood in front of her, flashing it's sparkly white teeth. "Well, well," it said to her. "Look's like I misjudged you." She could still remember it's devilish grin. "You truly are the Card Mistress," it continued. "But every Master has his weakness!" it yelled as it charged at Sakura, it's claws extened.
What happened next was a blur... She wasn't quite sure what had happened. She remembered sobbing. The next thing she knew, a transparent shield appeared before her. She remembered how surprised she was when the kaijuu rammed right into it, too.
The kaijuu might've been mad before, but now it was just plain pissed off!
So, it headed for Tomoyo, it's claws extended at full length. "Every Master has a weakness!!!" screamed the kaijuu.
Tomoyo was stunned, terrified even. She couldn't move, her legs refused to work. That's when Sakura snapped. The final thread that held her from going mad no longer had it's grip. She was furious. No one hurt her friends!
She could still remember feeling a new kind of power rushing all over her body. She could feel her energy focus of one sole purpose - revenge. She had already lost Syaoran, she was not about to lose her best friend.
"Tomoyo...!!!!" she screamed as she felt the power burst inside her. She was glowing, literally glowing, as the Clow circle apeared under her. She had a familar feeling, like when Kaho gave her powers to Sakura.
Her Novice Staff was glowing now. It was changing. She could feel it change. *It no longer had a yellow star in the center of the circle, but an asterisk; a purple and gold asterisk. And the wings at the sides, it was larger.* She could feel the change in her power. She was stronger.
She now had the power to destroy that kaijuu. She didn't even hesitate. She immediately ran after the kaijuu, her Staff in the air.
"Return to your power, confind!
Fight Card!!!"
She slammed the Staff unto the back of the kaijuu. The kaijuu immediately stopped, as it's glass stomach shattered into millions of pieces. Inside, the Fight Card flew out towards Sakura; it's rightful owner.
It was an amazing phenomenon. She had a newfound power she never even thought she had. She had defeated the awful kaijuu by herself... And she had the wounds to prove it.
"Ow!" Sakura yelled as Kero-chan surprised her with an alcohol pad.
"Gomen," Kero apologized as he continued to treat her.
"Done," Tomoyo said proudly, for she had finished her two patients. She glanced over to 'Doctor' Kero, who was still working on his first one. She held back a giggle.
Syaoran suddenly awoke, finding himself inside Touya's old room. He was sitting on Touya's chair! He turned pale. What am I doing here?! he asked himself.
"Morning, sleepy head!" Tomoyo yelled as she came in with a tray of hot tea. "Feeling better?" she asked. Syaoran didn't answer her. He was too shocked with what had just happened. "Sakura and I made you two some tea," she said as she set it down on the table beside him.
He was now fully white. He knew his hair was standing. Sakura?!
"What's going on?! Wh-What happened?!" he asked.
Tomoyo's face brightened. A huge grin appeared across her face. She turned to the tv in the room and pressed 'play' on the VCR. The screen blincked and fuzzed as the picture finally began to focus.
Tomoyo had filmed the whole fight, every minute of it. A huge sweatdrop appeared on Syaoran's head as he silently watched the video.
"Sakura...," whispered the erie voice. "Believe..."
Sakura awoke abruptly upon hearing Kero chewing on cookies.
He saw her and flashed a cookie-filled smile. "These awe weally good, Sakuwa."
She let out a groan. "Kero-chan," she said as she took what was left of the cookies from him, "these aren't for you."
"I still don't believe you cooked cookies for that brat," Kero said as he wiped the cookie crumbs from his mouth.
"He's not a brat, Kero-chan. He's just... really focused."
"Uh huh...," Kero said as he raised a brow. "Whatever..."
Just then Tomoyo skipped happily down the stairs. Sakura cocked a brow. "Why're you so happy?"
She giggled. "They're watching my movie!" she shouted.
Sakura's eyes widened and her jaw dropped. "WHAT?!" she yelled. "T-Their awake?" Tomoyo nodded. Sakura gasped. She rushed to bake more cookies when suddenly Syaoran appeared.
He had finished watching the movie, and was craving for a sandwich. But, of course, he didn't dare show it.
"M-Morning," Sakura said with a quivering voice. She held up a plate. "C-Cookies?"
Syaoran shook his head. He had too much pride than to eat something from her.
Kero-chan looked at Sakura, then at Syaoran, then back at Sakura. "Well if no one wants 'em, I'll eat them!!" Kero yelled as he snatched the plate from Sakura's hands.
"Where am I?" a voice asked from the stairs. Syaoran quickly snapped his head around. Ayame had her arm in a splint, and a bandage wrapped around her head. She looked terrible, much more worse than any of them.
"Gomen," Ayame said as she sipped a cup of tea Sakura had made.
"How's your arm?" Sakura asked as she sat across from her.
"It feels a bit sore, but nothing serious," she paused, "thank you."
Sakura shook her head quickly. "Oh no! It's not me, it's Tomoyo. She's the one who took care of you and Syaoran."
"It was nothing really," Tomoyo said as she blushed from all the praise.
Ayame smiled. "Thank you for everything," she said politely. Tomoyo smiled a 'your welcome'. But she was a bit unsure. She still didn't understand exactly who Ayame was, neither did Sakura or Kero. She was sure, though, that she was somehow connected with Syaoran.
Syaoran, who was sitting next to Ayame, took a bite of a cookie. He unfortunately gave into his hunger. When it was down to the last cookie, he and Kero had a bit of a 'stare down'. There was a long silence as he and Kero glared at each other, both wanting the last cookie.
Suddenly the two lunged for the sugar-filled cookie. But of course, Kero ended up winning. "Haha!" Kero laughed out loud as he waved the cookie in front of the irritated Syaoran's face. "Years of pratice finally at work!" Kero yelled as he gobbled it up. Syaoran flashed his pink tongue at the tiny cub. Sakura sighed as a sweatdrop appeared on her forehead.
"Uh oh," Tomoyo said as she turned on the t.v.
Sakura didn't like the tone of her voice. "What do you mean 'uh oh'?"
Tomoyo pointed at the news anchor on the t.v. "Looks like there's a storm coming." She was right. There was a storm coming.
"An unexpected storm, coming up from the north, is predicted to hit tonight," continued the anchor.
"A storm?" wondered Kero.
"Shh..," Sakura shushed as the anchor continued.
"Viewers are urged to stay inside as the storm passes. Stay tuned for any flood warnings as they will be expected. Back to you, Kenji."
Tomoyo turned the t.v. off in an instant. "Looks like we're stuck here for the night," she said calmly.
Sakura sighed. "I better make us all dinner," she said.
Suddenly, Ayame's eyes brightened. "Let me do it!" she yelled as she jumped up excitedly.
Sakura turned to her in surprise. In fact everyone did, except Syaoran. It was a bit unexpected of Ayame. She always seemed so quiet. "But you're injured," Sakura said, motioning towards her arm.
Ayame shook her head. "No I'm not," she objected. "Not really. I can still cook." She saw the hesitant look in Sakura's eyes. "Please? You've done so much, I ought to at least do something for you."
"Wait a minute!" Kero yelled as he fluttered his way to meet Ayame face-to-face. "I refuse to have an amateur, let alone a stranger, cook my meal!"
Syaoran let out a grunt. He looked at Kero from the corner of his eye. "She's no amateur," he said with a smirk. "Won 3 blue ribbons in cooking contests."
Kero's mood suddenly changed. He turned to Ayame with a grin across his face. "But suddenly I'm feeling generous," he said as he flew back to his seat. Ayame blushed in embarrassment at Syaoran's remark.
Sakura showed her to the kitchen, showing her where everything was. Ayame went to work right away.
Suddenly, the door swung open. In came in a very wet, and very tired Touya. Followed by Yukito, who looked as happy as ever. Kero-chan immediately went 'doll'.
At the sight of his old 'enemy', Syaoran glared. Touya returned the glare as he and Yukito made their way in.
Sakura suddenly felt the need to separate the two. "What're you doing here, brat?" Touya barked. Syaoran's scowl grew more.
"Touya!" Sakura yelled as she made her way towards him. "They're stuck because of the storm. Now please, act civil." She avoided telling him that she and Syaoran were no longer together. If Touya was this way when Syaoran liked her, she had no idea how he'd act if he found out Syaoran hated her. If he did hate her.
Yukito suddenly smelled the sweet aroma of spaghetti when Ayame came in from the kitchen. "Dinner's ready!" she yelled happily.
Wearing a white apron with a wooden spoon in her hand, Ayame watched on happily as the group ate the meal. She stood at the end of the table, insisting that she wasn't hungry. To her right was Syaoran. Across from his was Touya(the two were still scowling at each other between bites). Next to Touya was Sakura, and next to her was Tomoyo. Yukito beside Syaoran, his plate bigger than the other's.
And upstairs, in Sakura's room, was the satisfied Kero-chan, hurrying to finish his meal in time for a second helping. Yukito was there after all.
Outside, the storm grew more and more. Between each thunder clap was yet another lightning strike. Every booming roar made chills run up Sakura's spine.
Suddenly they heard a voice. A loud, booming voice that roared as mighty as the thunder. "Mistress!!" it hollered as the lights suddenly went out.
Two loud thumps were heard when suddenly the lights went on. Sakura found Yukito and Touya's bodies laying motionless on the floor. Above them stood Syaoran, sword in his hand. He turned towards Ayame. "Kaijuu," he said simply as he made his way outside.
At first Sakura thought he was talking to her. (He did say kaijuu, after all.) But realized he was talking to Ayame, for she quickly removed her apron and followed after him.
It took a while for Sakura to realize. But when she did, she bolted out the door, soon to be followed by Tomoyo.
Careless of the pouring rain, Syaoran made his way to an open street. It wasn't hard; everyone who wasn't completely insane stayed home.
Upon reaching his destination, Syaoran called out the Card. "Show yourself!!" he demanded, hand clutching his sword.
Nothing.
"Show yourself!!!" he cried, his clothing drenched. He was breathing hard, panting even. He wasn't in the mood for hide-and-seek.
He had a terrible headache. And his right arm was badly bruised. But he was determined. He had to capture this card. He had to. "Show yourself!!!!!" he screeched, fingers gripping his sword's handle.
Ayame had a sick feeling in her stomach. Her arm was badly bruised, her head ached so bad, and she could barely stand. But she didn't think it was necessary to tell Syaoran. He had other things on his mind...
"SHOW YOURSELF!!!" he spat, as he cursed under his breath. It's probably waiting for her, he thought. He cursed some more. I'm just as good as her, thought. She'll see, I can capture this thing on my own!
Meanwhile, in another part of town, Sakura and Tomoyo sat helplessly on the sidewalk. Sakura tried her best to concentrate of the Card's power, but the rain poured so hard.
Beside her, the unhappy Tomoyo groaned about leaving her water-proof camera at home. Who knew there'd be a storm during July?
"Damn rain," Kero cursed. Unable to fly with his wings soaked, he reluctantly sat on the cold cement floor.
"Shh...," Sakura shushed. Her eyes were shut tightly. Sudddenly, she let out an exasperated sigh. "I can't concentrate!" she yelled, to no one in particular.
"I wonder if Syaoran had found the Card yet," Tomoyo thought out loud.
Kero-chan shot her a dirty look. "Don't give that brat any more credit than he deserves," he spat. He seriously did not want to think about him right then.
Sakura didn't either. She still couldn't believe what Syaoran had done to Touya and Yukito. She thought about their bodies, still laying face-down on the floor. She shrugged herself out of it. She shoudln't think about that.
"That's odd," Tomoyo said, breaking the silence.
"What?" Sakura asked.
Tomoyo pointed towards a street light some blocks away. "Those lights are blinking," she said, staring at it in amazement.
"Maybe it's broken," Kero suggested.
"I don't think so," Sakura replied, getting up. The lights were blinking in a pattern - red, green, yellow, yellow, and over again. She jumped up, grabbing the Key from her neck.
"Where're you going?!" Kero-chan asked.
"Towards the light!" Sakura yelled, as she raced towards the blinking stoplight.
"Finally," Syaoran said with a grin. Before him stood the kaijuu, in it's stomach; the Rain.
It grinned too. "I'd say the same to you."
Syaoran's grin faded quickly. He held up his sword and was about to strike when suddenly...
"Key of Clow!
Power of Magic,
Power of Light,
Surrender the Wand
The force ignite!
Release!!"
Syaoran let out a groan. What she doing here?! This was supposed to be my capture!
Sakura ignored Syaoran's scowl. She ran towards the kaijuu, Wand in the air.
The kaijuu only stared at Sakura, a bored expression on it's face. "Silly girl," the kaijuu teased. "It takes more than a Wand to beat me!" it yelled as it blasted a bolt of lightning out of it's hand.
"Ahhh!" Sakura yelled, as the lightning continued to shock her.
"Sakura!!!" Tomoyo screeched after seeing her best friend fall to the muddy ground.
The kaijuu let out a joyful giggle. "What fun," it said with a grin. It turned to Syaoran, and the grin disappeared.
"Force, know my plight!
Release the Light,
Lightning!!"
At his command, a bolt of lightning was released from the ofuda he held.
The kaijuu merely laughed. "Foolish boy," it spat as it held it's hand up, absorbing the lightning Syaoran just released. "I own lightning!"
Syaoran wasn't too surprised. He held up yet another ofuda.
"Force, know my plight!
Release the Light,
Wind!!"
A sudden gust of wind blew at the unsuspecting kaijuu. A triumphant smile appeared on Syaoran's face as the kaijuu was thrown back.
Behind him, Sakura started to wake up. She still had a terrible headache. But she could still seal the Card.
Syaoran turned to her, his eyes cold and steel-like. "Capture it, now!" He didn't bother to call her by her name.
Sakura nodded dumbly, wondered what in the world happened. She stood up, with her Wand in the air. She stood infront of the fallen kaijuu, and began to seal it.
"Return to your power confind!
Rain Card!"
She slammed the Staff unto the back of the kaijuu. But nothing happened. Sakura was confused. "What?!" she thought out loud.
"Sakura!" Tomoyo yelled from behind.
Sakura snapped her head to face her.
"Power up!" Tomoyo yelled.
"What?!" Sakura asked.
"You know... power up!"
Sakura suddenly realized. The last time she defeated the kaijuu, her Staff was different. She turned to the kaijuu with her eyes shut tight. She concentrated hard. Already she could feel the change happening.
Everyone was in awe - Ayame, Kero, Tomoyo, and even Syaoran. Sakura was glowing, like a star. And her Staff was changing right in front of their eyes!
Sakura had 'powered up'. She was now able to seal the Card. She held up the newly transformed Staff into the air, and with a determined look on her face, she rammed it into the kaijuu's back, shattering the glass around the Rain Card. The Rain Card, greatful to be free, returned to it's owner - Syaoran.
"Hoe?!" Sakura asked in surprise.
Syaoran smirked as he looked at the captured Card in triumph.
Kero, face full of disappointment and disgust, flew towards Sakura. "You got lucky, kid."
Syaoran glared at Kero. "It's not luck, it's skill."
Kero showed him a 'yeah, right' face. It only made Syaoran angrier.
Suddenly the rains stopped, and the sun shined. Syaoran felt it was his cue to leave. And leave he did.
"Wait!" Sakura yelled instinctively. She suddenly stopped herself. What was she doing?!
Syaoran turned to face her. "We're no longer partners," Syaoran said, knowing what Sakura had in mind. "We're rivals now." He flashed her one of his most frightening scowls ever. "I WILL get the Cards. Any way I know how." With yet another glare, he turned, and left.
Ayame stood there for a minute, feeling a bit awkward. "Well," she said with a friendly smile. "Thanks again for everything," she said, and left following Syaoran.
"Humph! The nerve of that kid!" Kero said, flying back to the house, back to the comfort of his bed.
"Sakura? You going?" Tomoyo asked.
Sakura was still staring in disbelief at the space where Syaoran was. His harsh words played over and over again in her mind.
"Huh?" she asked, looking at Tomoyo. "Oh yeah, I'm coming." Tomoyo nodded and followed Kero. Just as Sakura was about to go, she stopped. She turned back to the place where Syaoran was. "I'm sorry...," she whispered, a tear rolling down her cheek.
*kaijuu - monster (but, of course, anyone who calls themself a TRUE CCS fan should know what that means ^_^)