Title: Revelations (chapter 8)

Genre: Card Captor Sakura

Rating: PG I believe.

Pairings: I'm leaning on a Crinis/Suppi pairing. But the rest will remain as is…

Notes: I hope this isn't confusing. And that I haven't lost my touch as I go along. O.O

Warnings: Well… it's gonna be angsty. Especially for me… *cries*

Disclaimer: I don't own them as I have said before. But Even and his guardians do belong to me. ^_^

~ Life, like a dome of many-colored glass,

Stains the white radiance of eternity.

-Percy Bysshe Shelley "Adonais"

Eriol hurriedly walked down the street in the early morning light casting his deep blue eyes desperately over the school grounds. It was rather early, even for him, but there was something he just had to do. The chill in the air made him shiver slightly, but for the most part went completely unnoticed. Forlornly, he figured that he was just too early for her to have arrived already.

Dejectedly he found a tree to lean against and closed his eyes. One hand dug deeply into his tussled indigo locks of hair as a long sigh escaped his lips. Why had he ever let this happen in the first place? He supposed he should be thankful that the antagonist in his life had some sort of heart, but it didn't rid the guilt or pain that he had caused.

Shaking his head he knew it was mostly his fault for letting him get to him in the first place. No one had ever been able to get to him before. He had carefully concealed all of his soft spots and refused to show any emotions outside of his normal placidity. Dropping his head in shame, he felt his glasses start to slide off and cursed in his mind. Not only had he neglected the people that cared about him, he'd also lost a lot of weight. It wasn't healthy at all. No wonder he felt so weak.

"Eriol-san…" The soft soprano voice met his ears and caught his attention instantly. Raising his head quickly, he was delighted to meet the worried gaze of dull violet before him. "Daijoubu? You look like you didn't even try to get ready this morning…"

Blinking slowly, he looked at himself for the first time. The light blue uniform blazer was wrinkled where the top three buttons of his oxford were undone. The dark blue tie about his neck wasn't tied correctly, and just about the only thing done right were his slacks and his shoes. Any other day he would have laughed at this, but today he had other things to do. "Gomen ne…"

Tomoyo looked at him curiously then allowed herself to smile lightly. "Can I fix it?" Eriol nodded slowly as she stepped forward and gently buttoned his shirt. After finishing, she carefully got the knot out of his tie and busied herself with tying it correctly.

"Tomoyo-chan…" At his voice she looked up slowly afraid of what she might see. It had been a while since he'd addressed her by her first name, and it surprised her greatly. "I want to… apologize. I just haven't been me lately… I… kept having these visions… and they tore me up inside. I didn't want you to get hurt… will you find it in your heart to forgive me?"

In a matter of seconds, the sparkle returned to her eyes leaving the tie forgotten about his neck. "You could have just told me… I would never leave you…"

"I know…" Dropping his eyes sadly, he didn't think he had the right to even see her smile.

Cupping her hand beneath his chin lightly, she pulled his eyes back up to hers gently. "I'm glad you told me… I was so scared. You looked so sick and thin. Promise me you'll try to get better… Please let me help you through this."

Slowly a smile made it's way over his lips as he raised a hand to place it gently upon her cheek. "Have I told you lately how beautiful you are?"

Tomoyo giggled softly and fell into his arms. "Iya… demo… You can tell me now if you like."

Eriol felt his heart lighten tenfold as he wrapped his arms about her waist and massaged the small of her back lightly. "Were I to do so… I wouldn't be able to finish by sunset… and our teachers would not be pleased." Both laughed softly as she pulled back to smile into his eyes. "I don't deserve you."

"Hai… you don't. But love doesn't know the meaning of that phrase." This only made him smile more. Reaching out his hand, he carefully trailed it through her hair. It had been so long since he'd touched her, so long since he'd been able to make her smile. He truly lived to see that smile.

In the distance, Sakura began to smile madly then twirl around. The sight of her two closest friends being together again caused her heart to soar. Spinning about, she allowed her happiness to bubble over and hugged the closest person to her. "YAY!"

"Someone is rather happy this morning…" Instantly Sakura's eyes flew open to look into the smiling eyes of amaryllis. "Care to share with me?"

"Even-kun! Gomen ne!" Releasing him, he couldn't help but marvel at how cute she looked as she blushed. "I'm just happy that Eriol and Tomoyo made up… I was really worried."

"Hai… I was as well." Turning to peer at the couple, Even felt him self smile. It was good to see Daidouji-san happy again. Then it hit him hard in the chest. Something was missing in him self that he'd never noticed before. Letting out a sigh, he turned to Sakura and smiled into her lively green eyes. "Sumimasen. I need to go on in. See you later Sakura-chan."

Sakura blinked a few times then allowed the confusion to fill her face. "Hoe?"

~*~

Sitting perched upon the clock tower's ledge, the petite girl reveled in the feeling of being so high above the world below. The people were sparse now in the veil of night, but in any case or no matter the number, they all seemed to be nothing more than ants. It was oddly amusing brining about a soft laughter from her frail being that sounded like a chorus of angels singing in joy. Long locks of silky honey brown hair traveled through the darkness kissed by starlight from the perfectly clear sky. She seemed more angelic then any angel that could have fallen from the heavens.

Beside her small form stood the lithe like moon angel with his pearl white wings unfurled and canopied over the two of them blocking the chilled wind factor. In a long trail of silver white, his hair flew out before him like liquid quick silver racing away from the touch. In an odd way, he was very much like the mysterious liquid mercury in that he was beyond human touch and was sure to shrink from any such contact. Time hadn't gotten its say in his ageless beauty and his mere humbleness made him all the more fascinating. There was an air of thankfulness between the two ethereal beings that seemed to warm even the cold air about them.

"Yue-san…" Looking down at her with sparkling pools of silvered blue, Yue couldn't help but allow a small smile to cross his face in the tiniest of ways.

"Hai… Sakura-chan?" Instantly her wide pools of emerald met his with a dazzling sparkle that pulled him in and choked him within her depths. Though, it wasn't like drowning, it was more like the sensation one received when a blanket was wrapped about you in the midst of the freezing cold. It was always like that with Sakura, and he hoped it would remain that way.

Her china doll face twisted into a thoughtful look as a slender index finger tapped her chin. "The other day when we saw Even-kun… You didn't seem very happy about it. Was something bothering you?"

Taking a deep breath he felt the pain begin to embed itself in his chest once more. He didn't like thinking about that particular topic, but he wanted Sakura to know he did care for her and wouldn't lie. Lowering down onto the ledge beside her, he couldn't bare the thought of looking up to meet her gaze. "He just played a major role in my more depressing years."

The young teen giggled softly and leaned her head gently upon his shoulder while closing her eyes. "Yue-san… You must have had a long bout of depression if it started way back then… Could you tell me… more?"

This made the moon guardian cringe minutely in his position beside her. No one had taken the time to pry before, and she did it in such a way that it wasn't really prying, just gentle inquisitiveness. One cool hand reached up to lace his fingers through his bangs in slight frustration as he thought of how to go about the situation at hand. "Sakura-chan… You've endured enough… I don't want you to deal with my problems as well."

Shuffling about to look up at Yue, Sakura couldn't help but smile warmly into his icy repose. "Please Yue-san. Don't hide from me again… I understand if you don't want to talk about it… I would just rather you be honest with me… I want you to be happy."

This comment brought about a weak laugh that seemed dry and cold, resembling nothing of what a person should sound like. At the sound, Yue instantly stopped himself and felt his cheeks grow warm. It was uncharacteristic of him and he knew it probably sounded somewhat disturbing. It disturbed even Yue him self. Lowering his gaze, he wondered if he was out of practice or if he just didn't know how to laugh. "Gomen ne, Sakura-chan… I've never been able to think of myself as happy."

This brought a shadow of sadness over her bright countenance that made Yue's heart scream in protest. That was not what he wanted to see on her angelic face. "Yue-san… You deserve to be happy. You have feelings… You're alive." Reaching up, she placed a hand carefully upon his chest making his eyes widen in surprise. "See… it's beating. Just like mine."

With her free hand, she gently grasped his hand and pressed it palm down over her heart. The color instantly rose to his cheeks as he nodded to her statement. "But… Yours beats more lively than my own. I'll never compare to you, Sakura-chan."

"That's just it Yue-san… Stop comparing yourself to others. I love you, just the way you are. That's all that matters, isn't it? But until you love yourself, you'll never be able to be happy with someone else…" Pleading eyes of jade met his causing his heart to pound harder against his chest.

"I understand, Sakura-chan…" Looking away, he allowed the long bangs of shimmering white to fall into his cat like eyes. "During my life with Clow… I'm sure you gathered what that situation was…" Sakura nodded slowly never once pulling her eyes away from him. "Even was a friend of Clow-sama… His name was Orrin. He was a very strong western mage. He showed a lot of sympathy towards my situation and I eventually began to think rather fondly of him. But… He died due to a curse he had cast. He won't tell me what it was… or whom he'd used it on. It… really hurt…"

Shaking her head lightly, the young woman gently pulled her moon angel into her arms and brushed a gentle hand through his hair. Instantly Yue melted into her embrace and closed his eyes enjoying the warm support she was giving to him. "I understand… It's ok, Yue-san. I'm sure that Even-kun hadn't meant to hurt you…"

Nodding slowly, Yue knew that she was right. Instead of moping about the past, maybe it was time to focus on the present. As many times as his younger brother had pounded that into him, you'd think he'd have listened by now. "I know… Arigauto, Sakura-chan… Ano… I love you."

Sakura looked down and smiled at the almost inaudible voice as he said the three words that drove her nervous system literally mad. "I love you too." Slipping her arms about him, she couldn't help but smile broadly in the warmth she felt just by being near him like she was. "Always."

"Hai… zutto…"

~*~

Slowly with deliberate steps, Eriol climbed the staircase leading to the roof of the school building. Taking slow breaths, he was grateful that he wasn't out of shape even if he was slightly in a state of malnutrition. Pushing the glasses back up for the hundredth time, he swore he was going to get contacts if this persisted. Resting a cool hand on the handle of the door leading outside, something hit him like an icy wind interlaced with powerful magic that he had felt before.

Carefully he opened the door and went to great extents to cover his own aura as he looked out on to the roof only to see a single human being there. Wind swirled in a quick twister about the lithe form, blowing a long braid of ebony into the air to dance like a reed in the wind.

Beneath the all too familiar teen was a gold and silver emblem of pure light that sent Eriol spiraling into his distant memories only to come face to face with a friend from days long gone. "O…Orrin…" Almost in a state of mute shock, Eriol stepped out into full view in order to gape at the teen as he turned a pair of bright violet eyes onto the reincarnation of Clow Reed.

"Well… It's a bit early for you to remember… But I suppose it can't be helped…" A wicked grin spread over Even's face as he turned to Eriol still in the center of his magical seal.

"It's been… you… All along. I know it… and yet…" The disbelief in the boy's tone struck Even funny as he began to chuckle in a deep tone Eriol had never heard before.

"Yes… I made it easy for you to figure it out. It's quite amusing the denial you've been in." Even held out a hand and began to chant a low spell that brought about silvery ivy vines from the palm of his hand. With elegant ease, the metallic vine twisted and curled into a perfect staff with a star at its head. In the center of the seven-pointed star, was a simple quartered circle declaring from whence came his magic.

Eriol watched with wide eyes as the boy his own age tapped the staff lightly against the ground sending a spray of dark gray mist swirling about them forming a dome to encase them in darkness. "Your magic… It's different somehow…"

Even gripped the staff at his side lightly keeping himself ready for any move the other may try to take. "Yes… As Orrin… I was unfortunate enough to dabble into darker arts. Now, I use a more purified sort of magic. It's a mixture of many types reaching from Greece, to England, Germany, Ukraine, and even Russia. I'm sure that the famous mage of darkness would be able to appreciate my small feat."

"Indeed. I'm rather impressed Starlet-san. Though, I had never known that your previous magic was that of black magic… Do you plan to fight me here? I'm sure when lunch is over, they will wonder where we are...""

"You are right, Hiiragizawa-san. Shall we take this up another time? I don't wish to drag others into this. Maybe later we can discuss why for, and what I plan to do." With a careful smirk, Even turned and waved his staff in a graceful motion dispelling the dark mist surrounding them. As it vanished, so did the silvery object that he carried. "Until later?"

Eriol watched the boy walk with an elegant gait toward the door wondering how things could get any worse. "If you persist… Then yes."

"Good. Laspitanya." Disappearing through the door, Eriol could've sworn he'd seen a trace of remorse in the foreign boy's face before turning away. Things were getting far too complicated, and the fact that Even was his former friend made him reluctant to fight back. Orrin had never been some one to fight like Even was. It frightened him in a way that he couldn't explain. What could possibly be driving him to do this?

"Eriol-kun!" Looking up, midnight eyes met green as Sakura lighted on the roof and dispelled her pale pink wings. "I felt a really strong rush of magic! Is something the matter?"

The taller teen smiled lightly and ruffled her hair in a near fatherly manner before looking back to the door with a dark expression. "It's fine Sakura-chan. Even and I were just talking. Nothing happened…" At the other boy's name, Sakura blinked in surprise.

"I thought you always avoided Even-kun…" Eriol met her gaze and saw the uneasiness in her eyes. With a light shrug, he tried to dispel her unease.

"It was an unavoidable conflict. We're fine. Don't worry about it Sakura-chan." Smiling lightly, Eriol began to walk toward the door slowly. "I'm going to find Tomoyo-chan now… Ja ne…"

Watching him leave, Sakura felt the unease grow inside of her. Even knew magic, so it was likely that the two had gotten angry, but for what reason? She knew that Eriol didn't care for the Ukrainian, but it was very difficult to upset Eriol, and unless Even revealed himself, Eriol would never have shown his power. There were too many factors that were confusing her, but she knew who might be able to smooth them all out for her.

Looking out over the school grounds, she was surprised to meet the sight of a tall young woman with long sapphire locks flying through the gentle breeze. Sidereal… She was here and looking directly at her. For some reason, Sakura could feel the gentle power of the moon pulsing off of the girl unlike before when she had thought her to be a normal girl. Her master… Even. She would have to talk to Even about this. Eriol would be too determined to protect her, so that only left him.

Gazing back to the gates, she was surprised to see that the guardian was now gone leaving no trace of her being there. She was so much like Yue. Yue… She'd also like to know how Even could leave her beautiful guardian. Nodding in determination, Sakura turned to the door and marched out fully intending to pen Even down after school.

~*~

Inwardly the girl groaned as the bell began to chime signifying the end of the day. Normally she wouldn't mind it so much, but today she was stuck with clean up duty. Letting out a long sigh, Sakura got to work wondering who was picked to be her partner for the day. Settling down in her desk she opened the journal for the day and began to write about the events of their school day. In honesty, she found this ritual unnecessary, but as always it was required.

Long soft locks of honey brown fell into her face blocking her view to the rest of the room as the second person entered the room. Placid eyes of amaryllis observed the girl with keen interest before turning away in order to pick up various items as he was instructed to do. Even felt an uneasy dread coming from the young card mistress, and it made him feel slightly on edge.

As the ebony haired boy turned to leave the room, a soft soprano voice broke his chain of thoughts. "Even-kun! Can I speak with you for a moment?"

Not looking back for the moment, he merely shrugged and spoke in a gentle voice. "Shouldn't we finish our task for the day before we chat?" Turning his head to gaze upon her fondly, he forced himself to smile for her.

Smiling back warmly, the girl reluctantly bobbed her head in agreement. "You're right. Please wait for me when you finish?"

Part of him yearned to say no as he nodded his head. "I'll come back to this room when I'm finished. If you're still here, I'll walk you home."

"Arigauto! I'll see you then?" With a curt nod, Even turned and left the room feeling odd chills creep into his heart. For days now he'd been feeling a bit more saddened than normal and it bothered him. In truth, if things went according to his plans, he wouldn't have to worry about it in time. But that didn't help the here and now. As well planned as he was, he had great difficulty dealing with his own emotions.

Mindlessly he carried out his task before returning to the room in search of the petite girl requesting his presence. Pausing in the doorway, he debated whether or not to open the door. With slight hesitation, he finally pushed the door open and stepped in with a handsome smile pasted onto his elegant countenance. "Are you ready to depart my lady?"

Sakura snapped to attention at the sound of his voice then ripped her gaze away from the window. "Hai! Are you?" Hopping to her feet, the girl skipped over to his side and smiled at him pleasantly.

"Yes I am. Forgive me for taking so long. A gentleman should never keep a lady waiting." At his words, Sakura blushed lightly and shook her head.

"I hadn't waited for long. It's all right." Even smiled back lightly and gently took her book bag from her in a gentile manner.

"I'll carry it for you. Shall we go?" At her nod, they began to walk out of the school campus slowly in total silence. Keeping at least a step behind her, he put all of his mannerism into effect even though he really didn't feel so elegant today. As they left the grounds, Sakura finally turned to him and gave him a serious look that made his heart skip a beat in fear. "Something the matter?"

Thinking for a moment, Sakura gave a slight nod in response. Looking onward, the girl hugged herself tightly in order to give herself a secure feeling. "Even-kun… I've heard a bit about your past from Yue-san… and I have a feeling that you don't care much for Eriol-kun. Then…" Giving him an intent look, she hoped not to miss a single reaction that he might display. "I felt a strong magic during lunch today. It wasn't Eriol-kun… so…"

At that moment, Even felt his eyes go wide. Why hadn't he thought about Sakura when he'd unleashed his magic before Eriol? Averting his eyes, he felt the dread inside him grow. "You think it was me?" Sakura nodded in response watching him as he raked slender fingers through his bangs. "I see. You were correct then. Please do not concern yourself with it…"

"Even-kun! Where I know your magic is without evil, I also know that you weren't summoning up your strength just to introduce yourself." Even observed her look of disbelief and let out a long sigh.

"You are correct. He caught me off guard… and things got out of hand."

"Out of hand? Both you and Eriol-kun have very controlled tempers… Please tell me what is going on Even-kun… I don't want two of my close friends fighting." Sadness filled her wide green eyes bringing about a soft sigh from her companion. Where he could with stand the powers of the greatest sorcerers, he couldn't say no to her adorable pleas.

"I have an old score to settle with Hiiragizawa-kun. It doesn't concern you. If I told you that I meant him no permanent damage, would you leave well enough alone?" Pausing for a moment, he couldn't help but see her face contort with worry. "I didn't think so… I have to warn you Sakura-chan… Don't get involved in this. I don't want you to get hurt. A duel between magic users is strictly between the two. It could cause terrible repercussions should you interfere."

"What do you plan to do?" This time her voice neared a frantic tone causing him to cringe.

"I do not wish for his death if that is what you mean. Just to get a point across. But as I said, it is none of your concern. As a friend I ask you to let it go and pretend that you never heard of it." Even looked at her solemnly as his normally bright violet eyes darkened to an eerie shade.

Blinking in surprise, the girl looked onward and bit her lower lip trying to avoid his intent glare. "I can't promise you anything Even-kun… I can't look away from my friends."

"I expected that from you, Sakura-chan. But this time, it will do you no good. No good could come from an interference, even one with good intentions."

"I don't understand Even-kun!" Stopping in mid stride, he turned to look down into her shimmering eyes of emerald and felt his face fall. Reaching out a cool hand, he traced the side of her face with light fingertips causing her to shiver.

"Sakura-chan… You're too kind. You wouldn't understand… even if I told you. I have my reasons and he will soon enough know them as well. But the reason is closer to you than you realize." Smiling softly, he withdrew his hand and gently returned her book bag to her. "When you learn of my reasoning, you may understand, but now isn't the time. Please… just stay out of it. This is a matter of honor… and a matter of heart."

Clutching her bag to her chest with all her strength, she couldn't help but allow a few tears to slip down her smooth warm cheeks. "Even-kun… Please…"

Delicately he brushed the crystalline liquid away. "Please don't be sad. In the end, everything will be ok. I promise. Be strong…" Turning away, Even felt his heart sink into the depths of his chest. This was turning out to be harder than he'd expected, but not even the cute little Sakura was going to change his mind this time. Gomen ne… Sakura-chan…

With wide disbelieving eyes, Sakura watched the boy walk away. He looked so rigid, as if the world was weighing solely on his shoulders. For a moment, he reminded her of her beloved moon angel and whimpered. How could the world be populated by two such sad beings? Closing her eyes, she buried her face into her bag and bit back the tears. Where she hadn't known Even long, she still cared about him just as deeply as those she'd known forever.

"Yo, Kaijuu! Daijoubu?" Looking up, she forced a smile onto her face as Touya walked up to her with a worried look in his deep brown eyes.

"I'm all right. Thanks onnichan." The young man nodded slowly before resting a hand lightly on her shoulder. As much as she got angry with her brother, she still loved him very dearly.

"Let's go home, ne Kaijuu?" At his words, she felt her anger begin to rise as she slammed her foot down onto his bringing about a sound of pain from him.

"Kaijuu ja nai!" Fuming slightly, she turned and began to march home with her older brother in tow grumbling about the pains in having a younger sister.

~*~

TBC…

~Sorry so short! But the end is coming soon! 9 will be the last chapter, lest reviews convince me other wise. ^_^ Thanks so much to those who have reviewed it. And thanks to those who have read it. Cause if you're still reading by this time… you either like it or have nothing else better to do. ^^;; But knowing someone is at least reading my work makes me feel a lot better… ~Nightingale