The New Cards

The New Cards

No Longer a Dream: Chapter Seven

By: Sakura

After what seemed like hours, Syaoran sat up, rubbing his head. "What the heck happened?" he thought. Looking around, he found he was unable to see anything. There wasn't a single light anywhere. His hands touched the floor. It felt smooth, and cold under his touch. Taking out a charm, he lighted it with a little flame and held it up. Sakura was lying on his right, apparently asleep. But after a few moments, she stirred, her eyelids slowly fluttering open. She also sat up and looked around, catching Syaoran watching her. His face turned crimson and he immediately averted his gaze. Sakura looked at him questioningly, having missed the blush. Syaoran stood up, dusting himself off. Without facing Sakura, he asked, "Are you all right?"

Sakura got up, following suit. "I'm fine," she answered softly. She hated it when Syaoran gave her a cold shoulder. It hurt…With only a lit charm for light, Syaoran slowly made his way around the room. Sakura stayed close to his side, not liking the darkness or the silence. As her eyes wandered around the room, she caught sight of another source of light to her far left. It seemed she and Syaoran weren't the only occupants in that room. Suddenly, the light from Syaoran's charm flickered out, but the other light was silently approaching them. "Syaoran?" whispered Sakura.

"I'm right here," he said reassuringly again. Syaoran once again held her hand in his while they both stayed close together in the dark room. As the other light drew near, a figure clothed in blue Chinese ceremonial robes appeared before the Card Captors. It was Di Shang.

"Di Shang!" cried Sakura, immediately recognizing her friend. She went to his side. "We were both so worried about you," she said, looking up at him.

"Both?" spoke Di Shang quietly.

Syaoran stepped forward. "What are you doing here?" he demanded angrily. "We wasted a lot of time searching for you. Let's get going." He turned to leave.

"You seem to be forgetting something, Syaoran," said Di Shang in a deadly calm tone. Di Shang thrust the candle he was holding into Sakura's hands and strode toward his cousin. Sakura looked at the candle, then back at her friend, confusion etched on her face.

Syaoran turned around, scowling. "What now?" he asked.

Di Shang stopped a foot away from him. "There's no way out," he answered. Di Shang unsheathed his sword quickly, the tip gleaming in the dim light. He made a downward slash at Syaoran, slicing the sleeve of his green robes, nearly cutting his arm. Syaoran jumped back, drawing his own sword at the same time. As Syaoran backed away, a fist flew out and knocked him down, his sword flying out of his grasp and across the room. Di Shang dug his foot into his cousin's chest and Syaoran was unable to get up. He then smiled. "To get anywhere," he said. "You have to defeat me." He poised his sword for a moment and, in seconds, swiftly brought the blade down.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"What is he doing?" thought Sakura as she watched Di Shang hit Syaoran. "Why is he trying to hurt him?" It dawned to her that she had seen this scene somewhere before…in her dreams! Everything happening before her eyes was exactly as it was in her reoccurring nightmares! Taking action, Sakura transformed her star key, at the same time, taking out the Sword Card and releasing it. Her staff changed into a long, slender sword. She knew she wasn't as good with her sword as Syaoran and Di Shang were with theirs, but she had to at least try. "Please guide me," she whispered to her sword. She turned just in time to see Di Shang pin Syaoran to the ground, his broadsword in the air, ready to strike him.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Syaoran, eyes shut and still unable to do anything besides attempt to struggle out of his cousin's hold, prepared to feel his cousin's blade pierce him. But instead of feeling any pain as he supposed, Syaoran heard a loud clang as blades crossed. Opening his eyes, he saw another sword blocking Di Shang's. The other sword had a long, smooth blade. It was Sakura who blocked it.

"Stop it, Di Shang!" she cried. "Don't hurt Syaoran!" Di Shang turned his attention to Sakura. Using his broadsword, obviously the heavier of the two, he clashed his sword against hers. Sakura pushed against his sword with hers, but he was more powerful and had better control. Roughly, he pushed her to the ground, her sword dropping to her side and changing back to the star staff. Sakura sat up slowly, a dazed expression on her face.

"Don't interfere," warned Di Shang darkly. Sakura looked up into his hazel eyes, eyes usually filled with warmth and laughter, but now completely dull and blank.

"It's like my dream…" thought Syaoran as he watched them. "Slightly different, but nonetheless, it's the same." With Di Shang's attention elsewhere, Syaoran stood up, moving unnoticed. "But every time, I never get to the end of my dream, so who's left standing?" Before Syaoran could move any further, Di Shang flew at him, sword in front. Syaoran rolled away and the sword sliced through nothing but empty air. Finding himself by his sword, Syaoran quickly retrieved it and hastily blocked Di Shang's next attack. He gritted his teeth as both boys pushed, determined to beat the other. Syaoran's eyes darted for a quick glance and noticed Di Shang had left one opening for him. Using one leg, Syaoran swept Di Shang off his feet and he fell heavily. Syaoran got up for a second, only to be slammed into the wall. Di Shang stuck again, but Syaoran catching the movement, got out of the way, escaping with a few cuts. His cousin began slashing at Syaoran relentlessly, pieces of the outer robe of his clothes lying in shreds on the ground, his creamy shirt showing through.

Sakura sat helpless as Di Shang hammered away at Syaoran. He was physically stronger than she was and there was no way she could attack him like that. The Sword Card was useless now. What she still couldn't understand was why Di Shang was attacking Syaoran. Rivals, they may be, but they were still family. "He has to be controlled somehow…" she thought. "There's no other explanation. It has to be a Jiao Card…but which one?"

Holding his left arm, for it had been badly wounded, Syaoran tried dodging Di Shang's attacks because he could no longer counteract them, but to no avail. He dropped to the ground, his face scraping the floor as he hit it, eyelids closing. His sword lay by his side. Di Shang loomed overhead, his eyes nothing more than an ocean of darkness, his mouth curving into a smirk of victory. With his sword in hand, he gripped it tight, ready to make one final stroke. "Syaoran!" cried Sakura. Her eyes closed for a moment, tears filling them. This was too much! She wasn't going to let Di Shang kill his own cousin. Opening them, she pulled out a card and commanded, "Veil Card! Create a mist-like curtain, blocking Di Shang's view! Release!" The Veil flew out swiftly, wrapping the room in a deep mist, screening Di Shang's sight. In vain, Di Shang tried to sweep away the mist, but it never left. When it finally cleared, Syaoran was no longer there, but instead, Sakura stood in his place, staff in hand, a look of determination on her face. Di Shang watched her coolly.

"Di Shang," she said softly. "I don't know why you're attacking us. We're your friends. Don't you know that?" Di Shang didn't respond; his eyes emotionless. Somehow, Sakura had to make her words penetrate through his mind. "Mirror Card," she called out. "Show Di Shang who his true self is and who his real enemies are." The Mirror Card appeared directly in front of Di Shang, mirror in hand. As Di Shang gazed into his own image, he dropped his sword. He could plainly see two figures in the mirror. Physically, each looked exactly like him. But emotionally…that was another story. One was smiling, eyes filled with warmth and happiness. The other had eyes that were dull and blank, a cold smirk on his face. Both figures held a broadsword: one using it to defend; the other stained with blood. Which was his true self? The expression on Di Shang's face changed from one of indifference to one of total confusion.

With Di Shang preoccupied, Sakura knelt on the ground, checking on Syaoran. He was still unconscious and the wound on his arm was bleeding pretty badly. Sakura took a few pieces of cloth lying on the ground and gently cleaned the cut and bandaged it. She gazed sadly at him and hoped that everything would turn out all right. She stood up and turned around, looking at Di Shang. Di Shang was still looking into the mirror. Then slowly - and unsteadily - Di Shang reached out with one hand. The image of darkness beckoned to him consistently and was very hard for him to ignore. But as Di Shang's eyes left the mirror for an instant, they met Sakura's clear emerald eyes, filled with hope. His hand touched the side of light. A shadow left him as he did, hovering above him. The Mirror, its task complete, returned to its card form. Sakura ran and caught Di Shang as he collapsed.

Looking up at the Card Mistress, he briefly said with a small smile, "Thank you, Sakura." Sakura smiled back, happy he was all right. Di Shang closed his eyes, yet he did not fade into unconsciousness. The shadow hovered above for another moment, looking for another host. Spotting a green-robed boy a few metres away, it flew toward him and entered his body. Syaoran's eyes opened and he stood up, his amber eyes containing a dullness that was not there before. His hand held his sword, having picked it up a moment before. He slowly approached Sakura from behind. Sakura gently lay Di Shang against the wall. He needed the rest. As she got up, she heard footfalls behind her. When she turned, a sword slashed down at her. Caught completely off guard, the sword neatly clipped Sakura's robes' right sleeve and it fell to the ground. She moved away from Di Shang so he wouldn't get hurt and backed away from Syaoran.

"Syaoran, what's the matter?" asked Sakura. When she looked into Syaoran's eyes, she realized that whatever was controlling Di Shang before now had Syaoran under control. Sakura found herself against a wall with nowhere to run. As she looked back, Syaoran was approaching her with his sword, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Syaoran," she said pleadingly, trying again to reach him. "It's me, Sakura. You have to fight whatever is controlling you. Don't let it take possession of you." Syaoran paused for a moment, confused. But then the confusion disintegrated and he lunged at her. His hand held her shoulder roughly against the wall. Sakura struggled vainly to break his grasp. Taking a dagger out, Syaoran used it to pin Sakura's robes to the wall then he stepped back. Sakura tried freeing her arm to reach her cards, but the dagger held fast.

"Card Mistress," whispered Syaoran fiercely. "Don't even think for a moment that you can escape easily. Di Shang may have been unsuccessful in destroying a Card Captor, but I will not be so unfortunate." His blade came down swiftly again, but Sakura ducked her head down and it sliced off another part of her sleeve. Luckily for her, it separated the area of her sleeve caught by the dagger and she was free. As she tried to run, Syaoran quickly grasped her wrist and wouldn't let her go. Sakura cried out with pain as he twisted it behind her. "Leaving so soon?" he hissed into her ear. The blankness in his eyes turned to anger. "You can't defeat me as easily as you have my cousin." He roughly shoved her to the ground.

Sakura slowly got up, ignoring the flaming pain going through her body, for the one in her heart hurt the most. "Syaoran…" she whispered. A Jiao Card was responsible for this and she had to free him from it. She was the only one who could do it. Di Shang was too weak to fight now, most of his energy spent on his earlier battle. As she stood, she was knocked down again, this time pinned to the ground, for Syaoran placed his foot firmly on her shoulder, painfully applying pressure. Sakura's arms and legs were covered with cuts and bruises; her battle costume nearly torn to shreds; but her spirit was the worst of all. Her eyes filled with tears as she thought of how someone so dear to her would try to take her life away. She never thought that Syaoran, of all people, would be that person.

The tears in her eyes trickled down her cheeks. "Please don't, Syaoran," whispered Sakura. Syaoran paused, staring at her for a moment. Why was he hesitating? What was holding him back? He backed away, his head in his hands. Thoughts whirled out of control in his mind. One telling him to finish what he started; the other telling him what he was doing was wrong. Syaoran dropped to his knees, unsure of what to do. Sakura painfully pulled herself up. She felt so tired; she just wanted to give in to the merciful darkness of sleep. But she couldn't do that. Not with Syaoran being possessed…Wait! Her eyes snapped opened. He's being possessed…Di Shang was possessed earlier as well! "It has to be the Possess Card…" she thought. "That is, if there is such a card."

Walking slowly toward Syaoran, Sakura held her star staff in front of her, though rather unsteadily. Her arms were shaking slightly and her vision blurred at intervals. Syaoran, sensing her aura and her approach, looked up, eyes darkened. He lifted his sword up to the air. Sakura's eyes widened at this motion. Suddenly, a charm, lit with fire, flew and attached itself to his sleeve. Di Shang, eyes open again, had thrown a charm at his cousin, as a distraction for Sakura. Syaoran felt the flame touch his skin and dropped his sword, trying to smother the small fire. As he was doing so, Sakura stepped forward. "Possess Card!" she cried. "Return to your power confined!" The shadow was swiftly being sucked out of Syaoran's body and encased into its card form. Syaoran dropped to his knees and hit the ground. Sakura picked up her newly sealed card and felt the last of her energy leaving her and entering the card, transforming it. While thinking she would never use this card, she grew faint and collapsed onto the ground, next to Syaoran.

All was finally silent and at rest as the one lone candle brought by Di Shang continued to burn.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Syaoran sat up on the cold cement floor for the second time that night, his energy spent, his body bruised. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he found Sakura by his side. Her appearance shocked him. Cuts and bruises covered her arms and legs; the sleeve of her battle costume had been neatly sliced off; aside from that, her other robes had been slashed in various places, even torn and ripped, and the white shirt underneath peeked through those openings. There was a small gash on her forehead and her hair was askew, the ribbons no longer holding them in place. "What happened?" whispered Syaoran.

Di Shang, silently gathering his energy, got up from where he had been resting and approached his cousin. "You happened," he answered. Syaoran turned and glared at Di Shang, blocking him from reaching Sakura, at the same time drawing his sword. "Put it away," said Di Shang. "Neither you nor I are being controlled by the Possess Card now."

"Possess Card?"

Di Shang picked up the Possess Card from the ground and held it up for Syaoran to see. Syaoran sheathed his sword and took the card, staring at it. "The Possess had us both under its control," said Di Shang. "But not at the same time. The Possess made me attack you. After it left me, it entered you and forced you to attack Sakura." Di Shang checked for Sakura's pulse and breathed a sigh of relief when he found it. "She's just used up most of her energy. Once replenished, she'll be fine."

Syaoran dropped the new Sakura Card like a hot stone. Di Shang caught it and looked at him questioningly. Syaoran had bent down and gathered Sakura into his arms, holding her close to him. Standing up, he picked her up and carried her, her head resting gently against his shoulder. Distress was plain to be seen in Syaoran's eyes. It was his fault Sakura was like that. If he had been stronger and not let The Possess control him…As if reading his thoughts, Di Shang said, "It's not your fault, Syaoran. No one could escape its power unassisted." Syaoran didn't answer him, and his words didn't affect him in the least.

After looking around, Syaoran asked, "Do you know the way out of here?" Di Shang nodded and led his friends out of the room.

A moment after their departure, Kam Un appeared in the shadows, surveying the room. "Typical Card Captors," he said aloud with disgust, to no one in particular. The room was littered with pieces of blue, green, and pink clothing, splintered wood from the walls, and blood, which stained the floor in various places. "Always leaving behind a mess for others to clean up."

~*~*~*~*~*~

The faint rays from the sun peeked into a little room. Sakura's eyes slowly fluttered open. She stared at the white ceiling above her. "Where am I?" she thought drowsily. She sat up and stretched, rubbing her eyes, then doubled over in pain for her body felt bruised all over. As she looked around, Sakura found herself in unfamiliar surroundings. She had been sleeping on a bed and was obviously in someone's bedroom. A desk sat on the opposite wall, scrolls placed neatly on one side, school textbooks on another. By it was the window, light streaming in as the sun rose into the sky. Touching her head, Sakura found a little bandage wrapped around it. She was only wearing the white button-down shirt and shorts of her battle costume. The pink outer robes were folded and placed on the chair at the desk, missing one sleeve, filled with holes and touches of dry blood. The door to the room opened and Sakura looked to see who it was.

Di Shang walked in, carrying a small tray with food. He smiled at her. "How are you feeling, Sakura?" he asked her, setting the tray down on the desk and sitting on a chair by the bedside.

Sakura smiled back wanly. "I just feel sore all over," she answered. "Where am I?"

"Syaoran's room," replied Di Shang. At her confused look, Di Shang continued. "We couldn't take you home," he explained. "Not in the state you were in. Syaoran insisted we bring you here and let you stay until you were better." Di Shang took her hands in his. Sakura looked away for a moment, a slight blush creeping up her cheeks. "I was so worried about you. Some of the more malevolent Jiao Cards tend to use up more energy in sealing and changing. Yet, oddly enough, they take very little energy to use." He gently caressed her cheek, the blush on Sakura's face turning a deeper pink. Hearing someone at the door, Di Shang released her hands and stood up. Syaoran was standing there, a scowl on his face. "Don't worry," said Di Shang coldly. "I won't trespass in your room any longer than need be." He walked out the door, Syaoran glaring after him. As Syaoran turned around, his expression softened as he saw Sakura.

He silently walked to a corner in his room and took out a small foldout table. Unfolding it, he placed it by the bedside and transferred the tray on his desk to the table. The food prepared on the tray was a small bowl of congee, with some diced meat and vegetables mixed in. Sakura could feel her stomach growling as she looked at the food. Syaoran sat down on the chair and began to stir it with a spoon, cooling it down. "I'm sorry, Sakura," he said after a while, his eyes focused entirely on the congee. Before Sakura could answer, Syaoran placed a spoonful of the soup-like food into her mouth.

Chewing thoughtfully, she swallowed it and smiled gratefully. "Thank you," she said. "It's really good." Syaoran nodded brusquely.

"I just thought you might be hungry," was his only reply. After Sakura finished her meal, Syaoran took the tray and the empty bowl and left the room. Sakura pulled her legs up to her chest and rested her head on her knees. It was early morning. Apparently, she had spent the entire night there, but she shouldn't stay longer than needed. She had a feeling that Syaoran thought of her more as a burden than anything else. Lightly swinging her legs over the edge of the bed, Sakura pushed herself up. Without realizing it, her legs had not regained full strength, and Sakura staggered unsteadily for a moment before toppling over. Luckily for her, Syaoran had chosen to re-enter the room at that same moment and caught her before she fell.

"Sakura," he said in a scolding tone. "You're not strong enough yet. You still need more rest." Sakura nodded briefly and Syaoran helped her back into the bed. He himself sat back down in the chair. They both sat in silence, neither speaking to the other. Sakura was staring at the wall beside her, unsure of what to say. Syaoran sat with arms folded, looking out the window. The expression on his face was one of boredom, but deep down, he was really worried about Sakura.

After a few moments, Sakura could stand it no longer. "Syaoran," she said in a strained voice, as if holding back tears. "It's obvious that I'm nothing more than a bother to you. Just let me go home and I'll be out of your way."

Syaoran stood up abruptly at her words, his arms at his side, his expression turned to anger, but to himself. "No way," he said. "It's my fault you got hurt and I'm not letting you go until you're better."

"But, Syaoran," replied Sakura. "It wasn't your fault. You were just under the control of the Possess Card." Syaoran didn't answer her. "I don't blame you, so why do you blame yourself?"

Turning away, his back facing her, Syaoran made his answer. "A long time ago," he began slowly. "The time I returned…I made a promise to myself. It was a simple promise, but I found myself breaking it over and over."

"What was that promise?" asked Sakura.

"I promised I would never let you get hurt; that I'd always protect you, no matter what." He turned around and faced her. "But then," he continued bitterly. "Ironically, I find I am the one hurting you. No other Jiao Card has hurt you as harshly as I had last night. I promise to protect you and I hurt you more than anyone else. You'd be just fine if I never showed up."

"Syaoran, please don't talk like that," said Sakura softly, her eyes downcast. "I'm glad you came back. I missed you so much when you went away and things would have been much worse without your presence." She fidgeted with her hands as she tried to think of the appropriate words that would explain how she truly felt. By then, Syaoran had sat back down on the chair by her side. "I don't know what I'd do without you." Syaoran placed a hand under her chin and lightly turned her head to face him.

"I won't leave your side," he said. "If you don't want me to."

As Sakura searched Syaoran's eyes and the expression on his face, she noticed there was a scratch on his left cheek. Reaching out, she touched his cheek gently. Syaoran was taken aback with surprise, but he didn't stop her. "You got hurt last night, too, didn't you?" she asked him. Syaoran shrugged his shoulders indifferently.

"It was nothing," he said gruffly. Syaoran could feel himself melting under Sakura's touch. He took her hand in his and held it tight. "Sakura," he said. "I don't know how you can forgive me after what I've done, but always remember: I will never attack you willingly." Having never done things on an impulse before in his life (he had but just didn't remember), Syaoran pulled Sakura into an embrace, holding her close to him. Sakura was surprised by this, but it didn't mean she disliked the action. She rested her head against Syaoran's shoulder and he wrapped his arms around her tenderly. He was careful, of course, because he remembered she was still slightly wounded.

"I don't want you to ever leave my side," said Sakura.

"Then I won't," answered Syaoran, hugging her tightly.

Unfortunately for Di Shang, he had chosen this moment to enter the room. He was returning Syaoran's sword to him. Jealousy pierced his heart as he watched the pair and, leaving the sword propped against the wall, he left the apartment, unnoticed by either Card Captors. He left the apartment complex as well, jealousy growing stronger. Paying attention to nothing but his emotions, Di Shang never noticed the figure tailing him…and also gaining.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Touya slammed his clenched fists onto the table. "Where is she?" he yelled angrily. "Where did she disappear to?"

"Calm down, Touya," said Yukito. "I'm sure she'll be back soon; wherever she is."

Not knowing how, an idea was planted in Touya's mind. "Could she be with those two Chinese brats?" he asked his friend. Yukito didn't answer him. When Touya turned around, he saw Yukito finishing off his breakfast and he sweatdropped. Yukito raised an eyebrow, unable to answer him with a full mouth. Touya then stormed out of the kitchen, grabbing his jacket, and left the house. Kero flew into the room as Yukito swallowed his food.

"Boy, he's mad," commented Kero. "I wouldn't want to be either of the Li's right now."

Yukito looked thoughtful, his hand holding his chin. "Something tells me they found Di Shang but something also must have happened to Sakura as well, otherwise Syaoran would have brought her back last night." When Yukito looked up, he noticed a shadow-like figure following Touya. He adjusted his glasses but realized he wasn't seeing things. "Come on, Kero," he said. "I think Touya may be in trouble. Let's follow him." Yukito and Kero both left the Kinomoto residence, in pursuit of Touya.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"You're sure you're feeling better, Sakura?"

Sakura nodded. "I think I've pretty much replenished my energy." She smiled blithely at Syaoran and he returned the smile with one of his rare ones.

"All right," he said, giving in. "We better bring you home." Sakura was still dressed in her white buttoned shirt and she also wore a pair of white pants, lent by Syaoran, to wear over her shorts that matched the shirt. Her torn outer robe was folded and she carried it in her arms. Both Card Captors left Syaoran's apartment and Syaoran walked down the hall to Di Shang's room while Sakura waited by the stairs. Syaoran knocked on the apartment door. There was no answer. He knocked again. Still nothing. "Di Shang?" he said. Again, he was greeted with no answer. Shrugging his shoulders, Syaoran rejoined Sakura by the stairs. "I guess he went out for a walk or something. In any case, I'll walk you home." Sakura nodded. They left the apartments and headed toward Sakura's home.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Di Shang, heart enraged, found himself at a park. He didn't know what led him there. Something was telling him to come here and wait for someone. Someone he was supposed to despise…

~*~*~*~*~*~

Touya, head filled with anger at the Li-brats, approached the park. For some unknown reason, he felt he had to go there. Because there, he would make someone pay…

~*~*~*~*~*~

Sakura marvelled at the beauty of the park as she and Syaoran walked through it, a shortcut to her home. Though it was early summer, flowers were still in full bloom and the air was filled with its sweet fragrances. Birds chirped cheerfully from their places in the trees. Oddly, though, Syaoran felt uncomfortable at the park. He didn't know why; just a feeling…

"What's wrong?" asked Sakura when Syaoran stopped walking.

"Huh?" he said. "Oh…uh, it's nothing."

Sakura cocked her head questioningly. "Are you sure?" Syaoran nodded. They continued their walk through the park. Just ahead on the same path they were on, Sakura could make out two figures. They both appeared to be in a hurried state. As they drew nearer, she recognized her brother and Di Shang.

Syaoran recognized them, too. But Sakura had missed something about them that Syaoran hadn't. There was a dangerous gleam in both Di Shang and Touya's eyes.

Author's Note: It took me a while to finish this chapter, though I don't know why. I already knew the basic idea. *sighs* Again, this was another chapter that did not turn out the way I had hoped. But was the end result all right? Well, there's the second S + ? moment. *smiles* Another S + S moment! About the scenes changing; it's definitely going to be either the next chapter or the one following it. Also, if you don't know what congee is, here's a definition I found in my dictionary: water in which rice has been boiled. Okay, it doesn't sound very appetizing, but it truly tastes better than the definition sounds. It's great to have when you're feeling sick. Anyway, e-mail me with comments and criticisms. Maybe if you have some ideas you would like me to incorporate into the story; that would be fine, too. =)

*Sakura
~The Animé Archives Team