Summary: A weird heat wave has hit. So what are four teenagers to do with a heat wave? Go to the beach of course. But it just wouldn't be one of these chapters if a memory hadn't hit along the way.


Key (As per usual):

"~* Thoughts *~" = Thoughts

"[NAME:]" = Character voiceover


Episode 22- Recalling the Erase Card and a Test of Courage


"Is it just me, or is the beach empty today?"

Sakura looked around, noticing Li's observation. The beach really was empty (about only 100 people), which was really unusual for the awesome heat wave that struck.

"Maybe we're the only ones smart enough to be here," Meilin thought.

Sakura liked the beach like this. It was a much more private atmosphere without so many people there. That made for what was sure to be a fun day, since it was only 1:00 PM…unless this was just the calm before the storm.

Be that as it may, the four friends picked their prime spot, right near the tide and set everything down. Meilin already had her towel down for a tan, as Li looked everywhere for his volleyball. Giving up, though, he opened the cooler…to find it empty.

"Meilin, didn't you pack the cooler?" Li asked.

"I thought Sakura was packing it!" Meilin said defensively.

"It's ok, Li," Sakura said cheerfully. "We'll go get some drinks." She eyed her best friend. "And by 'we', I mean you and me."

Madison grinned. "I guess I can spare a few minutes."

"Good," Sakura whispered. "Because there's something I feel like sharing."

Sakura practically dragged Madison away towards the refreshment stand on the other side of the beach. But Sakura took a detour along the way. She stopped by the shore and looked out into the distance.

"It's been so long," she said.

Madison looked out into the distance and saw what Sakura was looking at. "I know what you're seeing. You're looking at the cave, aren't you?"

Sakura nodded. "I never looked at that cave again…not since what happened seven years ago. But lately…with all of us looking back at what happened…I just…wanted to see it again."

"You were at least able to choose to forget it," Madison sighed. "I got my memory wiped clean…again."

"Again? Has your memory been wiped out that much?"

"It's not that. I've had my memory wiped out about as much as I've been knocked out, erased, put to sleep, frozen solid, and…a lot of other bad stuff that I'm forgetting."

"Then I should remind you," Sakura grinned. "We were on our field trip to the beach and we were all turning in for the night. Nikki just told her really scary ghost story and I knew I needed fresh air…"


Flashback: Outside the Cabin

P.O.V.: Sakura Avalon

Sakura needed air. She couldn't take another ghost story. So she walked out of the cabin and onto the beach heading towards Mr. Terada's cabin. Tomorrow, she was supposed to go into the dark cave, but there was only one problem: Sakura was DEATHLY afraid of ghosts.

~* I think I'll just talk to Mr. Terada. Tell him I'm spooked about ghosts and I don't want to go in the cave tomorrow. It's no big deal. After all…everyone's afraid of something…aren't they? *~

Sakura sighed deeply…until she felt a hand on her shoulder. Sakura was shivering and ready to scream at what could have very well been a ghost. But when she turned around it was only…

"Li?"

"I…didn't scare you, did I?"

"Of course not," Sakura lied. "You…couldn't sleep, either?"

Li shook his head. Sakura felt relieved that she had someone to talk to. Unfortunately, it had to be Li. There was still something she didn't like about him. Maybe it was the way he was always putting her down and calling her hopeless. But at that moment, Sakura didn't care. She had other things on her mind, so she walked over with Li and sat by the sand. At first, there was only silence.

So Sakura decided to say something. "That was you out by the cave today, right Li?"

"Yeah," he answered. "I thought I saw something there. I figured I'd better go check it out."

"A Clow Card?"

"No."

~* It's n-n-n-not a Clow Card? Then that means… *~

"You don't mean a g-g-g-g-g-g-g…"

Li looked inquisitively at Sakura. "What are you trying to say? Ghost?"

Sakura didn't say anything. The very word chilled her to the bone. So she only nodded, whimpering fearfully.

Li sneered. "Boy, some Cardcaptor YOU are! Don't tell me you're afraid of going inside that cave tomorrow?"

~* You got it! I know I'm afraid……so why can't I tell him?! *~

"N-No, I…well…I…"

"Pathetic, Avalon," Li sighed. He then looked out into the water. "I just saw something!"

~* Oh, great! Now he's trying to scare me! So I'm afraid of ghosts! He doesn't have to rub it in! *~

"Very funny, Li," Sakura stuttered. "Let's change the subject."

"That's fine with me," Li shrugged.

~* Good…I can't anymore talk about g-g-g-g-ghosts. Hmm…but maybe I can take advantage of this moment. Maybe I can finally find out about Li Shoran…the person. *~

"So how do you like it in Reedington?"

"It's ok."

"Where do you live?"

"With Wei."

"Who's that?"

"One of my mom's cousins. My guardian."

"Does he know?"

"What, about the Clow Cards?"

"Well, yeah."

Li glared at Sakura. "Clow Reed's our ancestor. The cards are important to us."

Sakura could relate to that…sort of. "Yeah…they're important to me, too."

Somehow, Li didn't like that. "Listen, I don't need your help, Sakura."

~* Nobody asked you to be here in the first place. I was doing just fine until you showed up. *~

Sakura grinned. "And I don't really need your help, either."

Silence. Sakura struck something inside Li.

~* Didn't expect that, did you, Li? My whole family may not revolve around the Clow Cards, but I've been chosen to have them. And I don't need your help. *~

Li finally said something. "Uh…I'm going back."

Sakura smiled. "Uh…wait up!"

~----------~

[Madison: Was he blushing?]

[Sakura: Now why would you ask a question like that?]

[Madison: I'm just asking. I mean, you never know. Did you ever think Li felt something for you back at the Winter Carnival?]

[Sakura: I guess you're right. I don't really know…I wasn't paying attention. I did have other things on my mind at the time.]

[Madison: Ok, ok. So tell what else happened. You have to refresh my erased memory.]

[Sakura: All right, after that…]


"Aren't they back with the drinks yet?"

Li shook his head. He was out of it. "Oh…they probably got caught up somewhere. You know them."

"What's with you, Li?" Meilin asked. "It's like you've seen a ghost. Just what are you looking at?"

Li looked out into the distance. It couldn't be seen from there, but he was well aware of what was out there. It was the cave…the one where it almost ended for him.

"It's…something I saw a long time ago," Li finally said. "Back before you arrived. Didn't I ever tell you about it?"

"No, you never did," Meilin said. "What happened? Did you have to bail Sakura out again?"

"I wish that were the case," Li said frankly. "But it might have been the other way around…"


Flashback: The Cave

P.O.V.: Li Shoran

The whole cave suddenly became eerily quiet. Li couldn't hear anything anymore and he knew why. Everyone he came in with had disappeared. He started to wonder if the same thing had happened to Sakura. Then he heard her voice.

"There's no one left!"

That was her. Li tried to trail the voice and there he found Sakura holding trembling over what just happened. The bridge had been burned down, possibly because whoever held the candle had disappeared.

"Sakura…" Li called out.

Sakura turned to Li. She was completely frightened. "Li! Madison…and the others…"

"They disappeared," Li finished for her. "It's the same with my group. Everyone's vanished."

Sakura nodded and whimpered. She was scared half to death. "I don't like this, Li. If it's not a Clow Card, then it's got to be a…a…"

"Get a grip!" Li snapped. "There's no such things as ghosts!!"

Sakura looked down, still trembling, but seemingly thinking deeply about what to do.

~* I hated to have to do that, but she's being childish! It can't be ghosts. It just can't! *~

Sakura then got an idea. "Li, have you got your Lasin Board?"

"Uh-huh." Li reached for the Lasin Board.

Sakura started to hang off his arm. "Hurry!"

Li was a lot calmer. "Source of light! With ancient spin, send forth the power within! Force, know my plight! Release the light!"

The Lasin Board began to point to the other side of the burned bridge. Li wished that the bridge was still there.

"Over there?" Sakura pointed timidly.

"Yeah. We've got to get across the water, Sakura."

Sakura was still scared. "Is the board always right?"

~* Oh, I don't believe this! I feel like a babysitter! She really IS hopeless! *~

"You're still worried about ghosts, aren't you?!" Li snapped. "Boy, have you got a card for this or not?!"

Sakura shrugged. "Yeah, I do." She reached for one of her cards. "Float Card! Transport us to the other side! Float! Release and dispel!"

The Float Card wrapped around them and began to transport them slowly across the bridge. Li glanced towards Sakura. "I admit that maybe you DO have some special powers, but there's a lot more to being a Cardcaptor. And it DOESN'T mean your powers are stronger than mine, ok?"

Sakura nodded. Li almost smirked in satisfaction as they reached the other side.

Li glanced towards the distance. "Ok, it's all yours."

Just then, Sakura got a very fearful look on her face. It was as if she had seen a ghost. Only she was looking right at Li.

~* What's she looking at? I'm letting her have this one. Why is she looking at me like that? *~

Sakura looked almost hopelessly at Li. "No! Not you too, Li!!"

Li then looked at himself. To his utter shock, he was starting to disappear.

~* NO! This CAN'T be happening! I'm the one with all the power! Why am I disappearing?! How could this happen?! And how could this all be up to HER?! Ok, Li. Get a grip. You're losing it. She's obviously scared. You'll have to lead her through it. *~

Li gazed at the frightened Sakura. "Listen! Master your fear! Before we all disappear…and never come back!!"

Nothing. She only stared at him.

~* What's she waiting for?! An invitation?! I'm gonna disappear!! *~

"We are running out of time!!"

Sakura finally sucked it up and headed straight for the target: the shrine. Sakura opened it to reveal a strange light. Then she held out her wand.

"Clow Card! Return to your power confined!"

Sakura did it. She sealed the card and Li was back in one piece. He could hardly believe it. Then he took his candle and walked over to the Clow Card. It read:

The Erase

"The Erase Card," Li read. "So that's why everyone vanished!"

Li looked over to see Sakura handing him the card. "Take it."

"Huh?"

"You should have it, Li. As much as I hate to admit it, if you hadn't been here, I couldn't have captured it."

~* She's actually giving me the Erase Card? This is just what I've been waiting for. She's admitting she needed me. But…I couldn't. I owe her. Even if she can't see it, she saved me. But I can't just come out and say it. I have an image to maintain. *~

"I can get my own cards," Li shrugged. "I don't need YOU." He turned to walk away.

~* That's telling her. I really don't need her. I…uh-oh… *~

Li stopped and walked back to Sakura. He sweatdropped. "I…need to cross the water."

~* Smooth. *~

Sakura grinned. "Oh…right." She reached for the Float Card as Li sweatdropped again.

~* Oh, yeah. Very smooth. *~

~----------~

[Meilin: You mean SHE saved YOU? I don't believe it!]

[Li: Yeah, well…you know, Meilin, the more I look back at that day, the more I realize that I had everything perfectly under control.]


Sakura and Madison were both carrying the cooler, now full of sodas. And Sakura had just finished telling her story.

"You mean HE saved YOU?" Madison asked.

Sakura hesitated. "Yeah, well…you know, Madison, the more I look back at that day, the more I realize I had everything perfectly under control."

Sakura felt more satisfied about that day. She went in a scared little girl and came out a braver Cardcaptor. Even Li was impressed with her…at least that's what she thought.

Then they finally got back to their spot. By now, Li and Meilin were waiting impatiently. Sakura and Madison put the cooler down and sat down.

"What took you so long?" Li asked.

Sakura grinned. "Just…talking…about old times."

"Yeah…us too."

"Oh, Sakura! Li!"

Sakura and Li looked over to see Madison holding the volleyball. She seemed to be smiling mischievously.

"Good idea," Li nodded. "Let me have the ball, Madison."

Madison smirked. "Ok…oops!"

Madison tossed the ball out into the ocean, which was seemingly no accident. Sakura glanced at her cheerful best friend. She knew exactly what she wanted. She knew what Madison had planned.

And it worked. Sakura looked at Li. "Race you!"

Sakura and Li both rushed out into the ocean and began racing towards the volleyball. They were both having that swimming race that they never got to have seven years ago.


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