The New Cards

The New Cards

Balance Act: Chapter Four

By: Sakura

"You think that will stop The Slumber?" asked Kam Un with a sneer. "Think again." The Slumber once more appeared and floated by the Jiao user's side.

Syaoran panted wearily. He had no clue what to do. He didn't have enough power so how would he be able to defeat that card?

Kam Un turned to leave, then paused for a moment. "Oh, and one more thing," He smirked as Syaoran glared at him. "Once a person with magical powers or properties is affected by the Slumber Card's sleep mist, they only have two hours left. In other words, say goodbye to the Cherry Blossom." Kam Un disappeared from view but The Slumber remained.

"How does he do that?" muttered Syaoran to himself. He put Sakura down gently against the trunk of a tree. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he shook her, hard. "Come on, Sakura," he said. "You heard him! If you don't wake up, you're going to die! Come on!"

"I can't…" murmured Sakura. Syaoran's eyes narrowed.

"You have to!" he cried. "You're the only one that can seal the card! If you don't seal it, you won't be the only one that goes! Yukito and Di Shang will, too!" He stopped shaking her, but the thoughts in his mind simply pressed down further. Syaoran was becoming extremely worried. He couldn't let Sakura die.

"…Syaoran…you…have to…seal…the card…"

"No! Sakura!" His shoulders dropped. "I can't…"

"You can……Di Shang…did…" Once again, she drifted off into sleep.

Syaoran sat up. She was right. Di Shang did seal a card. The Gust Card, to be exact. If his cousin was able to do it, than he should be able to do it, too! He turned around and looked at The Slumber, still transfixed in the same spot. Di Shang used his sword…somehow. But what did he do exactly?

He suddenly came up with an idea. Drawing his sword and charm again, Syaoran cried, "Element: Wind!" The Wind flew out and pulled the Slumber Card down, deftly pinning it to the ground. He walked to The Slumber and thought back to the first night he returned.

~*Flashback*~

Di Shang quickly moved to the fallen Card's side after Sakura had fainted. With his sword held in his two hands, he made a downward thrust, stopping just an inch away from The Gust. "Seal!" he yelled. Slowly, The Gust de-configured and changed into its card form. The card landed at Di Shang's feet as he slipped his sword back into its case.

~*End Flashback*~

Copying Di Shang's movement, Syaoran held his sword with both hands and thrust it downward, stopping an inch away from The Slumber. "Slumber Card, seal!" The Slumber gradually changed to the shape of a card at the tip of Syaoran's sword. A burning sensation formed in his chest. He nearly dropped his sword. One hand still held the sword, though unsteadily, while his left hand dropped and clutched his chest. Beads of sweat rolled down his face.

"This is what it feels like," Syaoran thought hazily. "This is what it's like to seal a card. There's so much pain…" His gaze shifted to Sakura, lying against the tree trunk, fast asleep. If he took any longer, she would die. And so would everyone else. He had to do this. He had to save Sakura. No matter how much it hurt. Pouring more of his energy into it, Syaoran ignored the flaming pain in his chest and his hand moved back to its former grip on the sword handle. Finally, the Slumber Card was sealed.

Syaoran dropped to the ground, his sword lying by his side. The pain in his chest subsided and he wiped the sweat from his brow with his sleeve. Not even looking at the first card he had ever sealed, Syaoran got to his feet and walked over to Sakura's sleeping form, crouching next to her. After watching her for a few seconds, he reached out with his hand and gently caressed her cheek. "So this is what you have to go through every time you seal a card?" he whispered softly. Syaoran closed his eyes. "I wish I could take that kind of pain away from you. For me to be the one on the receiving end, instead of you." He took her hand in his and held it tight. "But you're so strong…" Changing the direction of his thoughts, Syaoran wondered briefly how long it'd be before Sakura and the others awoke.

Sakura had been drifting between consciousness and sleep. That is, until she felt a cool hand lightly stroke her cheek. It felt so relaxing, so soothing, so…right. She made an effort to open her eyelids, but could only move them a small slit. Was she dreaming or was that Syaoran in front of her?

As soon as Syaoran saw Sakura stir, he moved away quickly and turned around, trying to hide his curiously red cheeks. Sakura finally succeeded in opening her eyelids, the Slumber Card's spell wiped completely from her eyes. Looking around, she found herself propped against the trunk of a tree. Shifting her gaze forward, she saw Syaoran with his back to her. He bent down and picked something off the ground.

"Syaoran?" called Sakura.

Syaoran slowly turned around and faced her. Time seemed to slow down as they both gazed into each other's eyes. Snapping out of it, Syaoran held out the Slumber Card to her. Sakura looked at the card, then back at him.

"You sealed your first card," she said softly, a smile lighting up her face.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Touya sat up from the ground and rubbed his head. Looking about him, he saw that the kid Sakura had brought along was lying on the ground, evidently asleep. After a few moments, Chi Yuen opened his eyelids and got up, staring wonderingly around him. He turned around and saw Touya. "Where am I?" he asked.

"Still at the carnival," answered Touya grimly. All around them, people were waking and getting up, but Sakura and Yukito were nowhere to be found. "Come on," said Touya, pulling Chi Yuen to his feet. "Let's go find the others."

~*~*~*~*~*~

Di Shang awoke, confused by his surroundings. He saw little Kero to his right, apparently in his doll state, for to their left, Touya was trying to awaken Yukito. Yukito finally responded and woke up, straightening his glasses. "Hi, Touya," he said, seeing his friend. "What happened here?"

Touya smiled briefly. "You were just asleep," he replied. "Are you okay?" Yukito nodded.

Yukito looked at his surroundings. "Where's Sakura?" he asked. "I thought she was here with me."

Touya's face changed to one of concern. "I don't know-"

"I do."

Everyone turned toward Di Shang questioningly. "Syaoran's not here either," he said. "So he must be with her. I'm able to sense my cousin's whereabouts, so…" Di Shang trailed off, not mentioning that he could also sense Sakura's aura as well.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Syaoran knelt down by Sakura's side and handed her the card. Sakura accepted the card gratefully and changed it to a Sakura Card. Putting the card in her pocket, Sakura looked up and noticed Syaoran watching her intently. He had a soft - almost sweet - expression on his face. Sakura rashly threw her arms around Syaoran in a hug. Syaoran, surprised, but not in an unpleasant manner, encircled his arms around her and held her close. "Thank you, Syaoran," said Sakura. "For saving all of us." Syaoran nodded silently, though he felt it should be him thanking her instead of the other way around. Neither parted for several minutes. Sakura wanted the moment to last forever.

"Sakura?" spoke Syaoran softly, after a time. He was thinking that it was about time he told her how he truly felt towards her, because he never knew when he might lose her…

"Yes, Syaoran?"

He pulled back a bit to look at her. The expression that graced her face was alluring and understanding.

"I…uh…I…"

"There you are, Sakura!"

Syaoran and Sakura instantly broke apart from each other when they heard the voice, blushing furiously. Touya and Di Shang were the first to reach the pair and the blush didn't escape either of their watchful eyes. Touya helped his sister stand up. "How do you feel?" he asked worriedly. He cast a glare at Syaoran, who was brushing himself off.

Sakura granted Touya a small smile. "I'm just fine," she replied. "Don't worry about me." Sakura turned and saw Yukito behind her brother. She ran to him and gave him a big hug. "Yukito!" she cried. "You're okay!" Yukito nodded with a smile.

Touya was still eyeing Syaoran wearily. He had seen Syaoran with his arms around Sakura and he wasn't the least bit pleased that the kid was trying to get close to his sister again. Was he going to hurt her like he did before, when he left for Hong Kong? Touya hoped not, for Sakura's sake. He didn't want to see his sibling get hurt again in that manner.

Suddenly leaning against a tree for support, Yukito held his head in his hand. Sakura saw this and expressed her concern. "I feel a little dizzy," answered Yukito. "Otherwise, I'm fine." Touya offered to accompany Yukito home, which Yukito accepted. When Touya tried to take Sakura with him as well, Sakura protested and assured him that she would be able to get home by herself and for him to take care of Yukito. After giving a final warning look at the whole group, Touya left, supporting Yukito on the way.

Chi Yuen pushed his blue bangs away from his eyes. He had been silent the whole time, unfamiliar with anyone besides Sakura. "I'll have to take a raincheck on that dinner," he said to Sakura. "I don't feel too well, myself." Sakura nodded sympathetically. Chi Yuen waved goodbye and left the group. Kero flew out from behind Di Shang's back, having hidden there while Touya and Chi Yuen were present.

"Finally!" he cried. "I hate having to hide all the time. What am I? A stuffed animal?" Syaoran nodded in response with a smirk. Kero glared at Syaoran. Ignoring the guardian, Syaoran turned to Sakura.

"Be careful with that card," he warned her. "Don't forget that The Slumber's sleep mist is very lethal to anyone with magical powers. Someone could die if left unattended to long." Sakura nodded. "Let's just pray there aren't any other Jiao Cards as dangerous as that one," he added.

"I hope so," replied Sakura quietly.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Sakura, wait up!"

Sakura turned around and waited for her friend to catch up to her. "Morning, Rika," she greeted.

"Morning!" Rika tugged Sakura's sleeve, her eyes glazed over with excitement. "Have you heard?" she said. "We're going to be going to the circus for the field trip tomorrow!"

Coming from behind them, Chiharu and Naoko almost pounced on Rika. "Really?" asked Naoko. "Where'd you hear this?"

"Mr. Terada mentioned it to us just earlier," answered Rika. "I can't wait to go. Who'd ever thought a circus would perform in Tomoeda? This is going to be great!"

"A circus?" thought Sakura to herself. "That's definitely something new. Let's hope nothing out of the ordinary happens while we're there."

~*~*~*~*~*~

Everyone applauded wildly as the final act came to an end. The lights dimmed down and the people sitting in the audience began chatting about the events that happened.

"That was the best show I've ever seen!" whispered Naoko to Chiharu. "What with the tigers and the lions." She sighed. "I wish I could train them that well. For that matter, perform with them! It would be so much fun!"

Picking up her bag, Sakura got up to leave, and so did her friends, when all of a sudden, a spotlight appeared in the center of the ring. Elsewhere, the lights on the side had been turned off. Everyone turned toward the only source of light. In the spotlight stood a lone figure. His shoulder length black hair was pulled back in a low ponytail and in his right hand held a staff. Wearing his Chinese robes, he stood tall, almost condescendingly, and his keen blue eyes were watching one person, and that one person alone. Sakura. All around, murmurs were heard when they saw the newcomer. They all contemplated it was a new act added at the last minute. Syaoran and Di Shang were both watching the figure closely.

Chi Yuen turned to Sakura. "I wonder who that guy is," he said.

"I don't know," answered Sakura, though she knew exactly who it was. Why was Kam Un here, of all places? Looking around her, the audience was filled with spectators. She would not be able to use her magic. And besides, if there was a battle, all these people could get hurt. She didn't want that to happen. Sakura had no choice but to wait and see what Kam Un had planned for them. People hushed as Kam Un raised his staff, pointing upwards to his left. In a flash, small sparks went off in the direction he indicated. Again, moving his staff to another point, sparks flashed and showered down in a sparkle of colours. The audience watched in awe, thinking it was some kind of display. But to the Card Captors, there was no mistaking it. Either an explosion or a fire would occur if those sparks grew to be too intense.

Glancing subtly at each other, the trio nodded and decided it was time to stop him. Syaoran and Di Shang slipped out quietly. As Sakura followed them, she was stopped by a hand on her shoulder. She turned around and looked at Chi Yuen. "Where are you going, Sakura?" he whispered to her.

Sakura quickly thought up an excuse. "I have to go to the rest room," she whispered back, though she could hardly be heard by the applause picking up in the audience.

"Now?" asked Chi Yuen, surprised. "In the middle of this show?" Sakura nodded.

"I'll be back soon," she said, taking this chance to leave before anyone else stopped her. As Sakura was about to make her way outside, the lights completely went out. Nervous clamours became apparent with the spectators. "If there's going to be a battle," thought Sakura. "Which is most likely with the Jiao Card user involved, then all these people would discover my secret." Seeing how it was pitch-black within the building, Sakura pulled out her star key and changed it to her wand. Taking The Sleep out, she released it, ordering the card to put all people to sleep. She had thought of using The Slumber, too, to finish the task faster, but decided it was risky to use the former Jiao Card. As she put the Sleep Card away, Di Shang ran up to her, panting heavily. "What's wrong, Di Shang?" she asked. She looked around. "Where's Syaoran?"

Taking hold of her arm, Di Shang brought Sakura along with him as he ran. "No time to explain. We have to get out of here, and fast." Sakura pulled her arm free and stopped.

"Wait a minute," she said. "What's going on? Why won't you tell - ah!" Something grabbed hold of Sakura.

With his sword in hand, Di Shang cried, "Lightning! Strike!" The lightning flew out from the tip of his sword and toasted the shade that had caught Sakura. It fell and hit the ground with a loud thump. Hearing something, Sakura turned around and saw the ghost-like figure on the ground. Seeing another one heading in her direction, Sakura froze in place, afraid. "Come on, Sakura," said Di Shang, bringing her to safety.

Finding a niche in the wall, Di Shang climbed into it, pulling Sakura in, too. It was a tight squeeze, but they both fit in. Taking out a charm, he placed a quick spell on it. The charm flew to the mouth of the niche and it formed a barrier over the opening. He kept as still as he possibly could, but could not account for Sakura. She was still shaking after the encounter with the ghosts. Di Shang held her in his arms, close to him, and whispered softly, "Don't worry. They can't harm you here. We'll be safe; just calm down a little." Sakura looked at him and nodded slowly. The shades flew by, checking every corner, Sakura tightened her grip on Di Shang and shifted her gaze away from the opening of the niche, so she didn't have to look at the shades. She found herself looking into Di Shang's eyes. His hazel eyes contained a reassuring look in them and something about them made her feel safe. "I won't let The Ghastly hurt you," he said in a low whisper.

Afterward, although The Ghastly had long since past, Di Shang didn't want to leave their hide-out until he was completely sure they were gone. He had encountered the Ghastly Card before and learned one thing: they were very weak against lightning. After they had gone back down to solid ground, Sakura was still worried about something. "Where's Syaoran?" she asked Di Shang.

Di Shang shook his head. "I have no idea," he responded. "When we almost were outside, a group of shades attacked us and drove us to separate directions. I haven't seen him since-" He stopped mid-sentence, hearing something in the distance. "Do you hear that?" he asked Sakura.

Sakura closed her eyes and tried to pick up the sound. As she opened them, she nodded. "It's coming from the ring," she said.

"Then that's where we're going," said Di Shang.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"How nice of you to join me, Card Mistress."

Upon reaching the ring, Sakura and Di Shang stopped short just outside of the center stage. The lights were still out, that is, except for one lone light. The one that shone above Kam Un. The Jiao user was sitting on the edge of a high platform, his arms folded. He slid off the platform, dropping several metres, and landing neatly on his feet. He studied the Card Captors for a moment. "Hmm," said Kam Un, finally. "I count only two of you. Someone's missing." His index finger tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Now," he continued. "Who could it be? Ah, I know. It must be Syaoran."

Di Shang clenched his hands into fists. "What did you do to him?" he demanded.

Kam Un looked at Di Shang with mock surprise. "What makes you think I had anything to do with his disappearance?" He smirked. "But, anyhow, I have the feeling that Syaoran's a little tied up right now." As Kam Un snapped his fingers, another spotlight appeared. Sakura paled slightly. High up on the platform Kam Un had recently occupied sat Syaoran. He was lashed tightly to the pole with ropes. He had apparently been struggling to break free, but the ropes held fast. As Sakura looked up, she could see that the only way to reach him was blocked by the Jiao user. The alternative was the tightrope that stretched across and connected it to another platform. Oddly, though, there was a strange mist appearing inside the ring. It did not block one's vision but it did block something else instead.

Pulling out a tiny object out of his robe's pocket, Kam Un gave a short battle chant and the object transformed to a broad sword, with a blade almost identical to that of Syaoran's and Di Shang's. "As you can see, the only way to reach Syaoran is to defeat me," he told the Card Captors.

Di Shang, in turn, drew his own sword. "Fine," he answered. Di Shang lunged at Kam Un, striking at him, but Kam Un smoothly moved aside. He met every one of Di Shang's strokes, counteracting them. Sakura watched on, not knowing what to do. She was not as skilled with the sword as Di Shang was and if she were to fight with the Sword Card, she'd just get in the way. Sakura looked back up at the platform. She had to get to Syaoran. Taking out The Fly, she tried to release it, so she could fly up there and help Syaoran down. After a few moments, nothing happened. Sakura stared at her staff. What was wrong with it?

"I should have warned you beforehand, Card Mistress," said Kam Un, pausing a moment from his battle. "This mist makes you unable to release any of the cards already in their card form. Now we'll see what you can accomplish without your cards for assistance." Kam Un stopped talking and turned his attention back to his duel with Di Shang. Sakura knew what she had to do. She ran to the other pole, the one holding up the second platform. Placing a hand on the ladder, she looked up. It was so high up. Forgetting that, Sakura concentrated on climbing quickly.

Looking for Sakura, Di Shang spotted her climbing onto the platform. As Sakura climbed onto the landing, she looked at the tightrope, then past it, she saw Syaoran. He appeared to be unconscious. He was slumped over, his head bent forward. Sakura bit her lip. She knew she must gather all her courage and cross the tightrope to him. But how? She stepped to the edge of the platform and looked down. She reeled back, surprised at the altitude and barely being able to see the ground. But she could see it. And it was a long drop. Di Shang caught her sudden movement out of the corner of his eye. "She's not thinking of walking that tightrope, is she?" he thought to himself. "It's too dangerous." Changing his attention back to the battle, Di Shang leapt back just in time to avoid being sliced into ribbons by Kam Un's quick motion.

"You can't divert your attention when you fight me," he told him. "Full concentration is always necessary. Otherwise, you'll never be able to beat me."

"I'll finish you yet," replied Di Shang through clenched teeth. He gazed up at Sakura for a second. "Please be careful, Sakura," he thought silently.

Sakura swallowed her nervousness. She had to show Kam Un that she could not be so easily defeated. She had to prove to him that she was much stronger than she looked. Keeping her eyes straight ahead of her, Sakura gingerly placed one foot on the tightrope. Years of being a cheerleader had taught her how to keep her balance at the utmost times. Moving her arms out to her side and holding them out, she lined them to be perpendicular from her body. She refused to shift her gaze to the ground, instead, focusing them on Syaoran. That was her goal. To reach the opposite end and free Syaoran. Slowly, she placed one foot after the other. "Left," she chanted in her mind. "Then right. Now left. Right again." Passing the midpoint mark, Sakura inwardly sighed with relief. "You're almost there!" her mind cried out.

Syaoran began to stir. His head was hurting, as if someone was still pounding him. Trying to move, he found himself tied to a pole. Then he remembered what happened. Forgetting about the shades that had attacked him earlier, he looked up and saw Sakura heading toward him, but in a very slow manner. Her arms were outstretched at her sides and she was gazing straight at him. As his vision cleared, he realized she was walking on a thin rope, attached to the platform he was tied to. "What's she doing that for?" he thought. "Why doesn't she just use the Fly Card?" Suddenly, a shape rose from the tightrope. Sakura saw it, too, and she stopped moving. The visible form of the shape looked somewhat like a clown, with a jester hat and pants billowing out. The costume it wore had spots of weighing scales all around it. It carried a baton in its right hand, which it deftly tossed into the air and caught it, at the same time, balancing easily on the tightrope. "A Jiao Card," whispered Syaoran.

The Card had had its back to Sakura, but it made a backwards flip and it landed, without moving the rope, a few feet in front of her, a mocking grin on its face. Within a blink of an eye, the unknown Card advanced quickly towards Sakura. The Card Mistress stepped back with surprise from the sudden advancement, but her foot slipped. She screamed as she fell, plummeting toward the ground. "Sakura!" cried both Syaoran and Di Shang.

Swiftly, Di Shang pulled out a charm. Placing his sword against it, he shouted, "Element: Wind!" The wind caught Sakura before she hit the ground and brought her back up to the top. Di Shang breathed a sigh of relief. Taking his eyes away from Sakura, Di Shang was struck with full force by Kam Un and he slammed into the wall. The impact took the breath out of him and he slumped down. Hearing Kam Un's approaching footsteps, Di Shang looked up, his sword still held tight in his hand. He was not going down without a fight. He dragged himself up to a standing position. Kam Un smirked; then reared back with his sword and slashed down upon Di Shang's right arm. Pain surged from the cut and blood flowed easily. Di Shang's sword fell from his grasp, he being unable to hold it any longer. Yet, he still stood, holding his ground.

Kam Un smiled. "I like that," he said. "A warrior with persistence." He knew as well as Di Shang that Di Shang could no longer battle, not in his present condition. Di Shang had taken too many hits already and could barely defend himself anymore. Instead, Kam Un knocked him out with the back of his sword handle. Di Shang hit the ground hard, his eyelids closed. With the other boy out of commission, Kam Un changed his attention to the Card Mistress.

The wind created by the charm brought Sakura to the platform Syaoran was on and placed her down. Not only had the wind saved Sakura, but it had also cleared away the mist that disallowed Sakura to used her staff. "Windy!" she cried, releasing her card. "Wrap yourself around that card and trap it!" The Windy swiftly flew out, it's winds moving around the other Card, violently shaking it. The Card fell off the tightrope, but as it did, Windy wrapped it and flew back to Sakura, the card still tied up. "I command you to return to your power confined!" cried Sakura. The unknown Card changed from its visible form to its card form. For some reason, this card was not as difficult to seal as the others before it. Sakura concluded it was because she had more practise sealing Jiao Cards and in time, there would be no difficulty at all. But she did not notice that after sealing the card, she had a significantly lower energy level than before. The sealed card flew toward its captor. Touching the card, it changed to a Sakura Card. "The Balance," she read off the card. All was quiet for several minutes.

"A little help here?" came Syaoran's voice.

"Huh?" said Sakura. She noticed Syaoran was still tied to the pole. "Oh, I'm sorry." She put away the Balance Card and pulled out The Sword. "Sword Card," she started.

"Wait."

Sakura raised an eyebrow. "Use mine instead." Syaoran indicated to his sword. It was resting in its case, tied to his back. Sakura nodded. She unsheathed his sword and stared at it in wonder. It was much heavier than what she was accustomed to. Bringing it down upon the ropes, they split apart and Syaoran was free. He rubbed his sore wrists. "Thanks," he said gruffly, taking his sword and placing it back in its case. They both made their way down, back to solid ground again. As Sakura stepped off the ladder, she cried out when she saw Di Shang's still form, lying on the ground. She immediately ran to his side.

"Di Shang!" she cried. "Di Shang!" Syaoran had already helped his cousin into a sitting position, but Di Shang was still unconscious. Sakura was shaking him gently, trying to make him respond. "Wake up!"

"Sakura?" whispered Di Shang. "Are you okay?"

Sakura nodded. "I'm all right," she answered. "All thanks to you."

Di Shang permitted a small smile to alight his face. "I'm glad."

"You're wounded," said Sakura, as she checked him over, worry in her voice. Di Shang tried to get up, but he collapsed. "Don't move," she said. "We'll get you fixed up. Just be careful." Syaoran was silent as he applied ointment to some of his cousin's cuts and bruises. As Sakura lifted up Di Shang's arm, she gasped when she saw the blood flowing from the wound. "We have to stop the bleeding," she said, taking the sleeve of her school jacket between her teeth. Syaoran stopped her before she could tear it.

"Use this instead," he said. He handed her Di Shang's jacket. Or, half of it, anyway. It had gotten pretty torn up after his battle with Kam Un. Taking the jacket, Sakura teared out long strips and with Syaoran holding Di Shang's arm, she applied it gently, topping it off with a tight knot. Di Shang weakly smiled his thanks. After being helped up, Di Shang placed his arm around Sakura's shoulders; she was using herself as support. Syaoran was about to help Di Shang by supporting his other side when a movement caught his eye. It was Kam Un. Leaving his two friends, he ran after the Jiao user and caught up to him just at the exit. Grabbing the collar of his robes, Syaoran roughly pushed Kam Un into the wall. Kam Un merely smiled at him.

"I'm sorry, Syaoran," he said. "But it's too late to catch me. Till next time." Syaoran moved back with surprise as Kam Un disappeared, his hands now holding nothing more than air. Angry at having missed him again, Syaoran rejoined his cousin and Sakura.

"You know, Sakura," Di Shang was saying. He pointed to the audience. "Don't you think it's about time they woke up?" Sakura looked up and exclaimed with surprise. She had completely forgotten about them. As she released everyone from her sleep spell, the ring filled with noise again, with people chattering, they not knowing the events that had just passed. Soon after, with the show over at last, people began to leave. At the ground level, the Card Captors' friends joined them, excited about the show. Rika, Chiharu, and Naoko chatted animatedly, with Takashi trying to add his two cents, while Chi Yuen sort of stood aloof. He never felt comfortable with anyone, excepting Sakura, and was always silent in the crowd.

"Next time," thought Syaoran, looking up at the platform he had been on. "Next time, I'll get you, Kam Un."

Author's Note: I was going to cut the ending in this chapter and move it to the beginning of the next one because, again, I made the part too long. Oh, well. I guess this means that this is my longest chapter yet. Hmm…this chapter sort of started off with Sakura + Syaoran, but then it almost finished with Sakura + Di Shang. As you can obviously see, this series will contain a mixture of both couplings. Although I'm not finished yet (not even close!), I'd like your opinion: do you want Sakura to be with Syaoran or Di Shang? And which coupling do you want the series to end with? I'm currently undecided. Even though I am partial to Syaoran, I still like my character, Di Shang, a lot. ^_^

*Sakura
~The Animé Archives Team