The New Cards
The Jiao?: Chapter Two
By: Sakura
Sakura's eyes slowly opened.
She lifted her head groggily and sat up, smoothing out her rumpled clothes. "What happened last night?" she murmured to herself, rubbing her head. Something on her desk caught her eye. It was a card. The Gust Card, to be exact. Getting up from her bed, Sakura walked over to her desk and examined the card. It looked a lot like the former Clow Cards, only with a midnight blue background and a dark yellow border.
Sakura picked up the card and a flash of light followed. She immediately shielded her eyes from the light. After a few moments, Sakura looked down at the card she was holding. The borders and background had turned to a familiar pink shade, signifying its change to a Sakura Card. Kero, just waking up, flew over to Sakura and perched on her shoulder, yawning widely.
Looking at the card in his Mistress' hand, Kero said with an exclamation, "All right! You changed it to a Sakura Card!"
Sakura smiled back at her little guardian. Slipping the card into her pocket, Sakura picked up her school bag. Patting Kero on the head, she said, "Get some rest, Kero. You need it. No more video games for you today." With that said, she left the room and headed downstairs.
Kero yawned again and, after flying to Sakura's bed, snuggled down in the sheets. "You're probably right."
~*~*~*~*~*~
Sakura ran into the classroom, afraid she would be late.
Upon entering the room, Sakura saw it was empty, save for Di Shang. She was thankful school hadn't started yet. Di Shang was taking out his workbooks and was placing them on his desk, his back to the door. He paused for a moment and turned around. Seeing Sakura, he greeted her with a smile.
Sakura smiled back. Walking over, she dropped her bag onto her desk and fell into her seat with an exhausted sigh. Di Shang went over to Chi Yuen's seat and sat down, facing Sakura, a look of concern on his face.
"Are you all right, Card Mistress?" he asked.
"Call me Sakura," answered Sakura wanly. "I just feel very tired."
Di Shang nodded understandingly. "Capturing the Jiao Cards is not the same as capturing the Clow Cards. I should know. It's a very difficult task."
"Jiao Cards?" exclaimed Sakura with surprise. "What-"
Her sentence was cut short when the school bell rang. Students immediately began milling into the class, chattering. Di Shang walked back to his seat and sat down. The rest of the class settled down and took their seats as Mr. Terada walked in. Sakura wished to get a chance to ask Di Shang about the Jiao Cards. She was curious to know what they are. So deep in thought, Sakura never noticed she was quietly being observed by Chi Yuen. His expression vaguely showed his true feelings, but deep down, he was feeling troubled by something. Something that worried him a great deal.
The classroom door opened and in stepped a Chinese boy with an aura of seemingly indifference around him. The classroom began to buzz with students conversing with each other about the appearance of the newcomer.
But to seven pairs of eyes, this was no newcomer. As Mr. Terada motioned for the class to calm down, the boy handed Mr. Terada a note and Mr. Terada announced, "Well, class, it looks like we're lucky to have another student join us, also coming from Hong Kong." A murmur of surprise went through the class.
Chiharu turned around and whispered to Sakura. "Can you believe it? He came back." Sakura nodded silently, unable to take her eyes off him.
"To those of you whom haven't met him before," continued Mr. Terada. "This is Li Syaoran. Please show him a warm welcome." Mr. Terada looked around the class, giving them a stern gaze to be a little quieter, and to find Syaoran a seat. Looking at Syaoran, he said, "You may take the empty seat behind Kinomoto Sakura." Smiling at the younger boy, he added, "And welcome back." Syaoran nodded and walked to his seat. Just about everyone watched him as he walked down the aisle. But Syaoran paid them no attention, his eyes were only on Sakura, who blushed when her eyes met his and turned to look out the window, as if something interesting outside caught her attention. Syaoran placed his bag on his desk and settled into his seat. Several people noticed the similarity in looks between Di Shang and Syaoran and began commenting, but Mr. Terada called their attention to the lesson.
Upon sitting down, Syaoran found a small folded piece of paper lying on his desk. Unfolding the paper, it read: "Just like old times. ^_^" Though it was unsigned, Syaoran recognized the writing. He had seen it on countless letters sent to him over the last three years. Letters he had treasured for they were from the person he loved most…Sakura turned around and her expression was lighted up with a beautiful smile on her face. Syaoran flashed her one of his rare smiles and nodded. "It's good to be back," he thought.
~*~*~*~*~*~
The school bell rang and the boys and girls in the classrooms began to file out noisily for lunch. The only people left in the classroom was Sakura, Syaoran, and Di Shang. With the room empty of other people, Sakura took the opportunity to ask Di Shang the question on her mind for most of the morning.
"Di Shang," she started. "What are the Jiao Cards?" Syaoran, not knowing either, fixed his eyes on his cousin, awaiting the answer.
Di Shang opened his mouth to answer, but no sound came out for Mr. Terada entered the room. "Come on," he said. "Time for your lunch break." The three students nodded and left the room right away.
Outside, Di Shang led Sakura and Syaoran to a secluded corner in the schoolyard. Stopping under a large tree, he sat down, having his companions do so, too. Reaching into his back pocket, Di Shang pulled out five cards. Each card had a midnight blue background and a dark yellow border. Holding them up to show his peers, Di Shang said, "These are the Jiao Cards."
Sakura and Syaoran studied them closely. The names of the five cards are "The Veil", "The Rock", "The Lightning", "The Crystal", and "The Thought". Looking up, Sakura asked, "How did you obtain these cards, Di Shang?"
"I battled them when I was in China," he answered. "And I sealed and captured them." He held the cards out to Sakura. "Take them," he said.
Surprise sprang onto her expression. "But I can't," she said.
"You have to," said Di Shang. He continued to insist for her to take them. Sakura shook her head firmly and pushed the cards back to Di Shang. As she touched them, Sakura could feel some of her energy leaving her and transferring to the five cards, causing them all to become Sakura Cards. Di Shang smiled. "Now you must accept them." Sakura took them from him and looked them over. Syaoran frowned. Something wasn't right.
"How was she able to change them so quickly?" he asked suspiciously.
Di Shang shrugged. Syaoran picked him up by the collar of his shirt and roughly shoved his cousin against the tree trunk. Sakura was aghast by this action. "I want answers," he said angrily.
Di Shang shook his head. "I don't know myself. I was told that only she would have the power to transform them."
"By who?"
"The Elders." Di Shang answered simply. "If you'll just calm down and let go of me, I'll explain everything." Syaoran glared at him first. Then he slowly put him down and released his collar. Dusting himself off, Di Shang took a deep breath. "All right," he started. "I'll explain as best as I can. The Jiao Cards, so called because of their creator, Jiao Wan, are similar to the former Clow Cards by their properties. Each card possesses magic adequate to their name. Jiao Wan (his last name unknown to us) had studied magic alongside Clow Reed. Both of them had made their own set of cards. While the Clow Cards were made mostly to help and assist people, the Jiao Cards were created for evil and malice."
"Jiao Wan and Clow Reed had always been rivals, but they became enemies because of this. They constantly battled each other, using their cards. After many decades of combat, Clow Reed defeated Jiao Wan, encased the Jiao Cards with a special seal, and banished them. Jiao Wan was never seen again since their final battle and his cards disappeared as well. Or so we thought. About six months ago, Jiao Cards began appearing and wrecking havoc as they went along. The Elders have sent me to find and seal them before they can do more damage. So that was my mission."
"What does your mission have to with Sakura?" demanded Syaoran, interrupting him.
Di Shang held up a hand for him to be quiet. "Give me a moment, cousin," he said, saying the last word with pointed emphasis. "I was getting there. Complications soon occurred. Even though I had already captured and sealed the cards, they still did not go under my power. Neither the Elders nor I could figure it out. Soon the cards began breaking the seal and escaping. You don't know how many times I have captured and recaptured these cards. The Elders then came to a conclusion that if the cards were transformed and placed under the care of another Master, we could defeat these cards once and for all."
Di Shang looked at Sakura. "This is where we needed your help. The cards, of course, had been sealed and banished by Clow Reed and the seal could not break without powerful magic. Along with searching for the cards, I also had to track the user. I had stayed in China for several months when, one day, the cards - and their user - disappeared without a trace. The Elders have somehow discovered the user - with the Jiao Cards in their possession - fled to Japan. They remembered (though not happily) that Clow Reed's successor resided in Japan and that with her help, we could transform the cards into the Sakura Cards. It's the only way to completely defeat the Jiao Cards. So that was my latest mission and that concludes everything that has happened. You both know the rest." Placing his hand on Sakura's shoulder, Di Shang smiled and added, "I know we'll defeat them together."
Sakura looked down at her new cards. She now had six all together. Tomoyo would have to hear about this, and Sakura bet her friend would be disappointed that she never taped another card capture, or had an outfit ready for her. Sakura looked up at Di Shang and nodded with a smile.
Di Shang turned to face Syaoran and, smiling innocently, said, "Why did you come here, Syaoran? I know for a fact the Elders hadn't sent you to help or else I would've heard from them already. And I doubt they would send you anyway, since you aren't exactly favourable in their eyes." Sakura looked at Syaoran, her eyes looking almost hopeful, wanting to hear his answer.
Syaoran glared at his cousin and folded his arms. "I go where I wish," he replied. "And where my heart leads me to…" he added silently.
Di Shang was about to comment when the school bell rang. Syaoran immediately stood up and hurried back to class. Sakura slipped the cards into her pocket as she and Di Shang walked back, both absorbed with their own thoughts.
~*~*~*~*~*~
"Why did you come back, Syaoran?" thought Sakura. "Is it because of your apparent rivalry with Di Shang or is there another reason…?"
~*~*~*~*~*~
"Are you such a coward, Syaoran?" thought Di Shang. "That you can't admit to your own feelings. I know exactly how you feel towards Sakura. I've known you for far too long." He frowned. "And seeing how your feelings directly interfere with mine, I wish you didn't feel that way at all."
~*~*~*~*~*~
As soon as classes were finished for the day, Di Shang went over to ask Sakura something. While packing his bag, Syaoran watched him out of the corner of his eye. After she questioned him, Di Shang said, "I have to give you something. Would you mind stopping by my place for a moment?" Sakura nodded her assent wordlessly.
Walking to the apartment complex, Di Shang chatted freely with Sakura while Syaoran walked a few feet behind them. Sakura wondered what made Syaoran so inanimate and gestured for him to join them. Syaoran shook his head, refusing to, and they continued to walk on. Syaoran waited with Sakura outside Di Shang's home while he went to find something. Both of them suddenly seemed uneasy alone in each other's presence. Sakura decided she had to say something.
"Syaoran…" she started to say, at the exact same moment as Syaoran said, "Sakura…" Both stopped, looked at each other, and blushed furiously. Syaoran began pulling out his courage and opened his mouth to speak again when Di Shang appeared at the doorway. He handed a box to Sakura. Sakura accepted it questioningly and Di Shang told her to open it.
Opening the box, Sakura was astonished at what she saw. Picking up the material and shaking it out, she realized they were Chinese ceremonial robes, like the ones worn by Syaoran and Di Shang. Looking it over, she saw it was made of pink material, with a light thin yellow lining and dark pink cuffs. It even had matching shoes and hair ribbons. She noticed that the design of the robes were not unlike Meiling's. The major difference was that these robes did not have a ying-yang in the center like Meiling's did. "It's beautiful," she said. Sakura looked at Di Shang. "Are these for me?" she asked.
Di Shang nodded. "Meiling and Syaoran's mother had heard about my new mission and they thought that if you and I were going to be working together, we should have matching outfits or something like that." Di Shang rolled his eyes at the thought. "I got it last night and was told to give it to you."
Syaoran was surprised that his own mother and cousin had done this. It would explain why Sakura's robes looked so similar to Meiling's. It was probably modelled after hers. But Meiling had always used to dislike Sakura, didn't she? This must have to do with the letter he received from her last night. He hadn't had a chance to open it yet. Excusing himself quickly, Syaoran ran down the hallway to his apartment.
Sakura looked after him, almost longingly. "Why don't you try it, Sakura?" asked Di Shang. "Let's see if it fits." Sakura nodded and Di Shang allowed her the use of his bathroom.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Syaoran went straight to his room and ripped open the letter. It wasn't very long, only about a page. Typical Meiling style, he thought fondly. He did indeed care for Meiling, but not in the way she wanted. She was more like a sister to him.
Syaoran, it read.
You're probably wondering why I'm writing to you. I would think Di Shang has given Sakura the clothes by now, but in case he hasn't, I'll tell you about it. Auntie and I had heard about Di Shang's new mission and we were rather surprised it wasn't given to you, so we never mentioned it in front of you. I'm sorry. We later heard that Di Shang was to go to Japan and pair up with Sakura to capture these cards. My thoughts instantly flew to three years ago and the Clow Cards and…To the point: Auntie knew you'd be going soon (she knows you too well, Syaoran) and thought it'd be nice if you and Sakura had the same type of robes. Just to note, she does know how you feel toward Sakura (how could she not? You are her son, after all). We styled it after my robes and sent it to Di Shang saying we made it so Sakura and him would have matching clothes. But you know the real reason.
Syaoran, I'm telling you something that is for your own good. Tell Sakura, and tell her soon. If not, someone else might beat you to it.
Your loving cousin,
Meiling
Syaoran folded up the letter quickly and stuck it in a drawer. Meiling was right. He was sorry he had hurt Meiling by telling her the truth about how he really felt towards her, that he didn't love her in they way she wanted, but he knew he had to. He was just glad that Meiling didn't bore a grudge against him…or Sakura. Syaoran walked outside and saw that Sakura had changed into her new clothes. It reminded him of the first time he saw her chasing after the Thunder Card. Her cat battle costume was pretty silly but she still looked beautiful in it. The costume had a perfect shade of pink that brought out the rich tints in her hair and caused her emerald eyes to sparkle brightly.
Sakura's eyes was the first thing that captivated him, though he had ignored it then because she had been his rival for the capturing of the Clow Cards. Syaoran noticed that her new battle robes was made of the same pink shade. She looked breathtaking.
After observing from afar, Syaoran rejoined Sakura and his cousin. Sakura's eyes seemed to light up when she saw him, much to Di Shang's dismay. Sakura twirled around once to show Syaoran her new costume. "What do you think of it, Syaoran?" she asked him.
"It looks beautiful on you," he answered softly. Sakura blushed at his comment. The trio stood silently, no one able to speak a word.
"Sakura!"
All three Card Captors turned toward the source of the sound and they saw Yukito running up the stairs towards them. He stopped in front of them and held out a paper bag. "Want a bun?" he asked, munching on his own. Di Shang and Syaoran both sweatdropped and muttered no thanks. After refusing, Sakura spoke.
"Why are you here, Yukito?" she asked.
Yukito popped the rest of the bun into his mouth and after swallowing it, he replied, "I was looking for you. Touya was getting worried about you and why you haven't returned home yet."
Sakura smacked her hand lightly on her forehead. "I forgot!" she exclaimed. "Touya must be really angry with me now." She gathered up her school bag, and with Yukito behind her, she hurried down the stairs, but not without saying good-bye to Syaoran and Di Shang, of course. Soon, Sakura and Yukito were out of sight.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Sakura ran inside when she reached home, panting heavily. She turned and saw Touya sitting in the living room, his arms folded, an angry look in his eyes. Touya watched his little sister as she walked in. Her hair was dishevelled and her cheeks were red from running. She was also wearing a weird pink costume. Wondering why Touya was eyeing her strangely, Sakura looked down and realized she hadn't changes out of her battle costume.
Touya stood up and walked over to his sister and his best friend. Yukito just walked in and offered him a bun from his bag. Touya declined and looked at his sibling. Sakura was facing the ground, avoiding her brother's eyes. "You were with that brat, weren't you?" he asked after a moment of silence.
Sakura looked up, her temper flared for a moment. "Syaoran's not a brat, Touya!"
"Syaoran?" Touya said with surprise. He had meant Di Shang. She was getting defensive about the kid again. "So the brat's back after all," he thought. "I knew it was too good to last." Sakura turned bright pink when she realized that Touya meant Di Shang and not Syaoran. She remembered how much he fought with Syaoran three years ago.
Finally, after another moment of silence, Yukito, thinking he should break the ice, said, "Is there anything to eat?" Touya and Sakura looked at Yukito and sweatdropped, the latter still smiling.
"We'll be eating dinner in a few minutes, Yukito," he told his best friend. "I have the textbook I was going to show you. Come up to my room for a minute." Yukito nodded. Touya turned to Sakura and said, "Dad's in the kitchen. He wants to talk to you." He went up the stairs to his room, with Yukito behind him. Sakura walked into the kitchen and saw her father cooking dinner. Fujitaka turned around and greeted his daughter with a smile.
"Sakura," he said. "You came home just in time for dinner." He viewed Sakura's profile. "That outfit looks nice. Where did you get it?" Sakura looked down and made another mental note that she had to change out of the battle costume soon. "Sakura?"
"Oh!" exclaimed Sakura. "Sorry, dad. Syaoran's mother sent it to me as a gift," she said. "You remember her, right, dad? From our trip to Hong Kong three years ago?"
Fujitaka nodded. "Well," he said. "That was very nice of her. You better go change now. It's time to eat dinner." Sakura acknowledged and ran up the stairs.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Upon entering her room, Sakura found her little guardian playing video games again. Kero froze when the door opened and dropped lifeless to the ground. But after seeing Sakura, he flew up, re-animated again.
"Where've you been?" he demanded. Seeing the battle costume, he commented, "You got that from the Li-brat, right?"
Dropping her bag on her chair, Sakura said in a quiet scolding tone, "Kero, I told you not to call him a brat." She held up her arms as Kero flew around her and examined the robes.
Kero flew to Sakura's bed and sat down. "It looks very familiar," he said, thinking back. "Hey!" he exclaimed finally. "It looks like Meiling's!"
Sakura nodded in response. "I think they made it after hers or something," she said.
"They?"
"Meiling and Syaoran's mother," replied Sakura. Kero was about to answer when the doorknob turned. He immediately froze into a doll position on the bed. The door opened, revealing Touya.
"Come on, Sakura," he said. "Time to eat." He stared at the doll lying on his sister's bed. A big sweatdrop appeared on the back of Kero's head that Touya couldn't seen. Sakura saw it and quickly moved to the door, pushing it shut.
"I'll be down soon," she said. "I just have to change first."
"Better hurry up," came Touya's voice behind the door. "Or we'll finish everything without you." Touya's footsteps could be heard descending the stairs.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Sakura presently came downstairs and found her father, Touya, and Yukito, assembled around the dining table. She took her seat next to her father. After a few minutes of conversation or small talk, Fujitaka said, "I have some important news." All eyes turned to him expectantly. "I'll be leaving tonight. I am being sent on a last-minute trip to New York." He looked around at the faces around him. Sakura seemed crestfallen that he was going so soon.
"When will you be back, dad?" asked Touya.
"Not for a long time," answered Fujitaka. "In a few months, I suppose. I'll try to come back before Christmas, but I can't make any promises."
Sakura turned to face her father and gave him a big hug. "We'll all miss you a lot," she said. Fujitaka nodded and smiled.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Sakura stood by the window, staring out into the city. Touya was driving their father to the airport at this very moment and Yukito had already left and went home. Being the only ones left in the house, Sakura had allowed Kero to get something to eat downstairs. Leaning against the windowsill, she closed her eyes and reached out with her powers, attempting to sense another card's presence. Kero flew back into her room and watched her silently. After several minutes, Sakura opened her eyes.
"Why can't I sense it, Kero?" she asked her guardian.
"Don't worry, Sakura," said Kero. "It's not you. Your powers, though weakened slightly by last night's battle, are perfectly fine. It just means that whoever is controlling these Jiao Cards has decided not to release a card tonight." He sighed. "If you ask me, that's a good thing."
"Maybe you're right, Kero…" said Sakura. "But why hasn't the user released a new card? Are they holding back for some reason? What are they waiting for…?"
Author's Note: *Sighs* Not the most interesting chapter…though we do learn a bit about the background of the new cards. What do you think of the name "Jiao"? My friend (aka Mariah's Lamby) thought of it for me. She also came up with the name "Di Shang". I'll post the third chapter later. It's been finished for quite some time. Now I need to work on the fourth chapter. Argh! I have writer's block! *sweatdrops* ^_^
*Sakura
~The Animé Archives Team
