Author's Note: Logically, I should be moving on to the Twin Card. But I laugh in the face of logic. So I've got a treat for you all. Now of course the actual card capture follows the beginning of the 1st CCS movie, but the rest is out of MY HEAD. That's right, it's a Create Card original, with the exception of the end.


Summary: Li wants to find out what's troubling Sakura. Despite promising her he wouldn't pry further, Li wants to know, so he'll approach someone who WILL tell him. But when he goes to Madison, they get caught up in more nostalgia.


Episode 47- Recalling the Arrow Card and Deadly Archery


There were many occasions when Li was glad to be living in Madison's huge estate. This was certainly one of them. Li promised he would let Sakura deal with her problems on her own. But he still wanted to know what was wrong. So he decided to take matters into his own hands and approach Sakura's best friend, Madison.

It was quite a walk through Madison's tremendous mansion, but Li was willing to make the long walk up the stairs. It gave him time to think. But the time did him no good. He still couldn't figure out what had Sakura so scared.

Finally, after an eternity, Li reached Madison's room. The door was open and Madison was lying serenely on her bed. She wasn't asleep, but she was looking at a sketchpad, almost examining it.

Madison didn't move, but she obviously heard Li come in. "Li…how do you think this would look on Sakura?"

Li wandered towards Madison's bed and grabbed the sketchpad out of her hand. Madison had preliminary costume ideas again. This one had a yellow top with no sleeves and frills hanging from the neckline. The skirt was small, as with many of Madison's costumes, but had several ribbons hanging down.

"I like it," Li nodded. Then he placed the sketchpad aside. "We have to talk. Madison…what did Sakura tell you the other night."

Madison frowned. "Li, I don't want to start this again."

"Madison, please! Sakura won't tell me anything. You're the only one who can tell me!"

"Li, she doesn't want to tell you for a reason," Madison shot back. "Don't you trust her?"

"I do. But I want to know what she won't tell me. I can't help her if she won't tell me. And she just keeps saying she has to handle it on her own."

Madison smiled. "Li, this is one of those things Sakura has to do on her own. And I believe she can handle it." She sighed deeply. "Sakura's always been such a strong girl. And there have been so many times when she's proven it. Why I remember…"

Li immediately saw what was coming. "Madison, don't start…"

"…what happened seven years ago. You remember, don't you, Li? Remember the day at Penguin Park when we all went to watch Julian practice for the archery competition?"

Too late. Li was sucked in the memory. "I remember. I probably should have sensed that one earlier, but I just couldn't for some reason…"


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

Flashback: Penguin Park

P.O.V.: Li Showron

At first, Li didn't feel like going to Penguin Park. Meilin still didn't feel like going. It wasn't until Sakura and Madison told him that Julian would be there that he finally agreed to a day at the park. So there he was, in a remote part of Penguin Park. The place was empty of people and the only one there was Julian and an archery target could be seen in the distance.

Sakura waved cheerfully. "Hi, Julian!"

Julian waved back and Li couldn't help but blush. He really wanted to see Julian in action. And Julian was ready. He took out his bow and began to practice for the upcoming competition.

Julian immediately reared back…and shot a bulls-eye. Everyone present was amazed as Julian continued to shoot bulls-eye after bulls-eye.

"Madison…do you have your camera?" Sakura asked.

"Um…yes."

"Then get it out!" Sakura cried. "I want you to catch Julian on tape for me!"

Madison stumbled before finally taking out her camcorder. With the sharp look Sakura was giving her, Madison wasn't about to mess this up. And in a way, Li wanted this just as much as Sakura did.

After finishing his practice for the day, Julian walked by Li and he couldn't help but blush. Of course, though, Julian stopped when he reached…

"Hi, Sakura. I wasn't expecting to have an audience today."

Now Sakura was blushing. "I just wanted to see you before the competition in a few weeks. Do you know who you're up against?"

"I have no idea," Julian answered. "But I did hear…she's supposed to be really good."

~* She? Julian's up against a girl? *~

Julian looked at his watch. "I'd better go. I'm supposed to meet Tori in a few minutes. It was great seeing you again. Thanks for coming out."

Sakura waved cheerfully as Julian left. "Bye, Julian!"

Li sighed. Then he looked out into the sky to see that the sun was beginning to set. "We'd better go."

"The van's parked in front of the park," Madison said.

"Why do you have the van here?" Meilin asked.

"Just in case," Madison said innocently. "You never know what might happen."

Li couldn't argue with that. So he was ready to go, but he suddenly noticed something. "Sakura…Julian DID aim for the targets, didn't he?"

"Yeah. Why do you ask?"

Li pointed out towards the trees. The girls gasped when they saw that the trees were pierced by dozens of arrows. Julian never aimed for the trees, so it was a mystery as to how they got there.

"Wait a minute," Sakura's pocket said. Kero popped out. "I sense something. Sakura…bring me a little closer to that tree."

Sakura walked towards the tree and Kero flew out. He examined the arrows closely before finally coming to his conclusion.

"These arrows…I sense something about them. It's a Clow Card."

Sakura almost turned white when she made the realization. "K-Kero? Is this what I think it is?"

"There's no doubt about it," the guardian beast replied. "It's the Arrow Card."

"And…it's out there somewhere?" Sakura stuttered.

"Can't blame you for being a little worried, kid," Kero said. "The Arrow Card is extremely dangerous and can be very deadly. But you're a Cardcaptor, Sakura. You do what you have to do."

~* Wow…I've never seen her like this. Well…except for every time she thinks she sees a ghost. I should probably say something. *~

Li walked over and put his hand gently on Sakura's shoulder. "You know we'll all be there to help…right? You don't have to go through this alone."

Sakura turned around…and unexpectedly gave Li a hug. "Thank you, Li."

More unexpectedly…Li blushed.

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

[Li: I wasn't expecting Sakura to throw herself at me like that. That told me she was really worried about what could happen.]

[Madison: You were right, though. Sakura wasn't alone. But that night…she proved to us that she didn't need us as much as she thought she did. Sakura showed us just how strong she was.]

[Li: Yeah…I remember that night.]


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

Flashback: Hitting the Streets

P.O.V.: Li Showron

Li hadn't taken his eyes off of Sakura. She was dressed in a new green fairy costume, complete with yellow stars on the costume and hat. But Madison's new creation wasn't what had Li's attention. It was the worried expression on Sakura's face. She was still nervous about the upcoming task. And Li couldn't blame her. If anything went wrong, one of them may not survive the night.

Madison poked her head out of the van. "Did you say you felt something here, Sakura?"

"I'm sensing something out there," Sakura answered.

"Me, too," Li seconded.

"I feel something, too," Kero added. "The card's close."

Sakura slowly stepped out of the van and looked around for any sign of danger. But before she stepped out, Madison held her hand. Sakura almost jumped, showing how edgy she was over this whole thing.

"Sakura…be very careful," Madison said softly. "I don't want anything to happen to you."

For the first time that night, Sakura smiled. "Hey…you know me. I'll…be just fine." But from the tone in her voice, Sakura obviously didn't believe her own words.

Sakura continued to look around the empty street. Nothing was coming out and there wasn't as much as an alley cat stirring. Everything was eerily silent. But that served Li much better. He tried to get his own sense to kick in.

~* There's nothing out here. But I still feel the card's close. Wait…I feel it…coming closer. But something's weird about this. It's almost like it's…above. Above? ABOVE? SAKURA!! *~

Just as that thought hit Li, Madison gasped and pointed to the sky. "SAKURA!! LOOK OUT!!"

Li's heart was beating so fast, it almost leaped out of his chest. There were literally only seconds to act. So Li quickly took out the only thing to save Sakura.

"Time Card!"

Sakura barely turned around just in time to see an arrow coming towards her at lightning speed. Then Li struck Time and everything stopped. Sakura was sweating profusely, because when Time stopped…the arrow was literally inches away from piercing her heart.

"WHOA!" Kero exclaimed. "It doesn't get any closer than that! Sakura, you've got to be more careful!"

From the terrified look on her face, it was obvious that Sakura didn't hear a word Kero said. Instead she rushed over and threw her arms around Li. Through his fatigue from using Time, the embrace was more than welcome.

"Li! You saved my life! Thank you so much!"

Li wanted to blush. But now wasn't the time. Instead he grabbed Sakura's shoulders and stood her upright. "Listen to me! You can't let your guard down! And you have to master your fear! I may not be able to save you next time. You have to be brave…or you might not make it through this."

Sakura nodded. "I'll…be more careful. But…where did the arrow come from."

Kero pointed to the sky. "From up there!"

Li and Sakura looked up to see the Arrow Card in her visible form. She was a dangerous spirit with pigtails and armed with a bow and arrow.

"Get ready," Li instructed. "I have to unfreeze time now."

Sakura nodded again and stood in a safe place, while Li unfroze time. The arrow that almost found itself in Sakura's chest zinged harmlessly to the ground. Arrow looked to be shocked at the development. When Li turned around, it was obvious that Madison and Meilin didn't see Li use Time either. The frustrated Arrow aimed another arrow at Sakura, but Sakura knew what she had to do.

"Fly!"

Sakura got on her wand and began to take flight, knowing it would be much more difficult for Arrow to hit a moving target. Sakura flew around and Arrow let fly with a barrage of arrows. None of them found their mark and Sakura continued flying. Li and Meilin could only watch, while Madison kept her camera on Sakura the whole time.

So far, Sakura was successful in evading the attack, but she wasn't getting any closer to sealing Arrow, either. She must have realized that, because she started to land. But as soon as she did…

"NO! Lightning!"

Li quickly unleashed his lightning spell, because once again, an arrow was finding itself on a path towards Sakura. Again, Li saved Sakura and again Sakura narrowly escaped a deadly fate.

Sakura looked towards Li. "Thank you."

"Keep your eye on Arrow!" Li shouted out. "Don't your eyes off her!"

That's when it looked like Sakura had an idea. Li knew how resourceful she could be and he hoped this idea wouldn't lead to her getting killed.

Sakura reached for the Windy Card. "Windy! Release and dispel!"

Windy came out and served as a diversion. She swirled around Arrow, leaving her distracted. And that gave Sakura an opportunity to take advantage.

"Jump!"

Sakura released Jump and braced herself to make what would have to be the biggest leap she had ever made. Then she jumped. She easily cleared both Arrow and Windy and landed behind Arrow. Arrow couldn't turn around in time.

"Arrow Card! Return to your power confined! Arrow!"

The Arrow Card was sealed and it flew over to Sakura.

"Hey!" Meilin protested. "If it wasn't for Li, she wouldn't even be alive right now. HE should get the card!"

Madison kept her camera focused. "You look so cute, Sakura. I'm just glad this is all over…and you're still safe."

For some reason, Li wasn't upset that the card didn't go to him. Any other night, Li would have agreed with Meilin. But this wasn't one of those nights.

~* I'm just glad you're ok. *~

Kero flew over towards Sakura…and smiled. "I was right about you, Card Captor Sakura."

Sakura finally smiled again. Not only that…she also…blushed. And seeing her blush like that…made Li blush, too.


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

"Sakura's capable of handling anything. I wish you would just trust her, Li."

Li wasn't amused that Madison turned what was supposed to be a serious question into a look into the past. He hated when that happened. "Madison…what did she tell you?"

"I can't tell you, Li. You're just going to have to trust her."

Li wasn't having any luck whatsoever. So he decided to try one last resort. He held Madison's hand and looked into her eyes. There was a look of desperation in his eyes. Li Showron was making a heartfelt plea.

"Please…can't you tell me something?"

Madison frowned. "Li…don't do this to me."

"Please?"

Madison moaned. "Ok…I'll tell you ONE thing. But you have to promise not to ask anymore questions. Promise me, Li!"

Reluctantly, Li agreed. "Ok, I promise."

Madison sighed deeply. "Sakura had a dream. She saw herself and she saw Tori. Something happened…and they were both found themselves in danger. And then you showed up. Li…please understand. I can't tell you anymore than that."

This wasn't what Li had in mind at all. Instead of getting his questions answered, Li had even more questions. He was sorry he ever made that promise. But he couldn't ignore the fact that he made the promise. He couldn't ask anymore questions.

"Thank you, Madison."

But Li wasn't satisfied. He wished there was a way to get more out of Madison, but there wasn't. And Li Showron was left more curious than ever before.

All he could do now…was trust Sakura.


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