Author's Note: I'm back; I'm finally able to post this. Wai!! I just finished it a couple hours ago and I'm checking it over now. I would've uploaded sooner, but damn tests really threw off my writing schedule, sleeping habits and eating pattern. I swear, all teachers are sadists.
Okay, I sort of expanded the power of a Clow card, but I've been doing that before too, so it's not really that drastic. I just thought I'd add this if anyone found the card a bit too strong or did something weird.
This chapter has: drama, S+S mush *has Tomoyo star eyes* and action. I hope this chapter would satisfy Silex; who gave a very ahem…impassioned review. If not, I think I'll look into a restraining order. *looks around dark dorm room, fear in eyes* But I love your reviews. =)
To Floralmoon, no it's not him in the car. I actually like him, and I don't really want any of the characters to be evil, in this fanfic anyway. But thanks for the guess; it made me realize I had to explain the car, so I did. That part's dedicated to you.
Arigatou for everyone who reviewed my little fanfic. It means a lot to me.
Disclaimer: This really makes me unhappy. I do not own Cardcaptor Sakura. CLAMP does.
'…….' Thoughts
"…….." Speaking
New Japanese vocab: Doshtano? – What's wrong (I think that's how you spell it)
Kami-sama – What Japanese people refer to God or some higher divinity.
Mou – Jeez
When Everything Else is GoneChapter 7: Stopping Time
7:00 AM
Riotous disorder. Bright bursts of light, harsh sounds, squeals of rubber against asphalt, metal clanking against pavement, electric air, death in the pale smoldering light of a streetlamp. Then oblivion; unfeeling emptiness substituted by unforgiving torment. Red, deep crimson, in rivulets, in pools, in splatters. 'Sakura!'
Kinomoto Sakura shook awake, coldness running through her as if her veins held ice, her nerves alarmingly numb. 'Is this death? The Clow card…' "Syaoran?" She whispered, her thin voice limply trailing the morning. She took in her surroundings, clutched tightly in Li Syaoran's arms, the sun streaming distantly.
"Sakura!"
Her trance broken by a panic-stricken cry, "I-I'm here." She looked up to Syaoran, his eyes frightened and wide, tears staining his cheeks, body trembling in some unknown affliction.
"Sakura?" Syaoran's eyes focused on the card mistress before him, unsure if she was real or a cruel hallucination. Hand shaking, he reached out to her, his fingers gingerly feeling her velvet skin yield with the slightest resistance to his touch.
"Syao…" Her question muffled as she found herself crushed almost desperately to Syaoran's body. She breathed his scent as his arms tightened to an impossible strength around her form. He was quivering, his body heaving up and down, his breaths ragged and strained. "Syaoran?" She tried to pull herself away to see his face, but found his grip on her unbreakable. Tilting her face upwards, she felt hot droplets land on her cheek. Was he crying? "Syaoran? What's wrong?"
His voice came out in relieved sobs. "Thank Kami-sama…you're alive. It was…my world ended…I couldn't do anything to stop it from happening. I wanted to die, the pain was so bad." He shuddered at the memory, unconsciously touching his lips to the soft skin of her neck.
Sakura shivered pleasantly from his touch. "I'm right here, Syaoran." She leaned in tighter to his body in reassurance feeling his quivering subside somewhat. But countless questions were still unanswered in her mind. "What happened? I…remember I was on the ground; I was…" She felt Syaoran tighten his grasp even more as she hesitated to recall last night. "And then…the Clow card?"
"The Time" he breathed his trembling breath falling hotly on her skin.
The Time? The pieces were spread out before her, but her mind refused to try and assemble them. "But how…? How am I…here?"
Syaoran inhaled shakily, trying to calm his breathing, his body quieting as he strove to regain control. "Clow," he murmured.
"Clow?" The confusion intensified in her mind. Wasn't Clow dead?
"Hai. He bound…some of the cards…before he died…to make them less dangerous. The Time…has to reverse the day at midnight if it can still feel the card mistress' or master's aura."
"I…see. Then I owe Clow-sama my life."
"As do I." He gently pulled away from her, his arms finally unwinding themselves. He peered deeply into Sakura's jade pools, his face holding undeniable tenderness. "Because you are my life."
A smile surfaced on the card mistress' face, a warmth spreading from her chest to all her limbs, driving away the senselessness that lingered from her awakening. "And you are mine." This, there was no doubt in her mind. She knew if he died, she would not live to see the next sunrise. She almost didn't live to see this morning, she stiffened as the thought distracted her, "What do we do about the Time?"
Syaoran's smile disappeared, replaced by thin-lipped stoniness. "We have to capture it…tonight." He saw her bow her head in agreement, her expression as grave as his; he was worried, but determined that tonight would not replay like the two nights before. "We will seal it." He said it to be reassuring to her, but it came out like a hushed self-affirmation.
Sakura nodded, a slight ironic laugh echoing from her throat. "Third time's the charm, ne? Maybe I'll only be knocked unconscious this time."
He grabbed her hands tightly, fire burning in his eyes, a protective fury playing over his features. "This time we will be prepared. I swear it on my life; this card is not going to hurt you." He felt his words strengthen his resolve, but not fully banishing his rational mind, the one hanging in the background telling him that in all likelihood, she'd still be injured. He evoked her mantra trying to give them both as much hope as he could gather. "It'll all be alright."
She felt his words bracing her, her body becoming unwavering and empowered. This was one battle she refused to lose. "Mochiron. I have no doubts." The gravity of the conversation dissipated some, when the solemn silence was interrupted by the growling of the card mistress' stomach. Blushing, she looked down at her stomach, a sincere grin on her lips, a light bell-like laugh filling the quiet living room. "I guess I'm hungry. Let's go make breakfast." She jumped off the couch, feeling as if a weight had come loose and tumbled off her shoulders. Pulling Syaoran up, she shoved him toward the kitchen. She kept her hands on his shoulders as she pushed him lightly across the living room. "Come on, get the aprons; I'm making pancakes! We'll need butter and flour and milk and eggs and syrup, a lot of syrup and…" She trailed off, looking through the shelves and muttering to herself.
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Li Syaoran couldn't watch his beloved card mistress search playfully and cheerfully among the shelves without chuckling. He couldn't resist the urge to wrap his arms around her body and lift her up when she stood on tiptoe reaching for something on the top shelf. She giggled in surprise, scolding him with a light, 'Syaoran!' He chided her teasingly "You never ask for help when you need it."
"That's because I'm strong. I don't need help." Sakura assumed an air of mock arrogance, her actions taking on a proud quality. "What with my training and my sword, I can do anything." She flashed Syaoran a knowing smile as she pretended to slash and block with her whisk. "Remind you of anybody?"
He half-frowned, but found himself succumbing to a small smile as it overtook his face. "No, but let's see just how strong you really are." He playfully seized her hand, taking the whisk from it; still restraining her, he wrapped his arms around her body. She tried to futilely break free from his grasp with her remaining arm, but seeing it as impossible she stopped her resistance. "Giving up already? Where's that mighty card mistress?"
"I just don't want to hurt you." She laughed lightly as she heard him snort in disbelief. "But I do so enjoy where I am now." She leaned farther back against him, his arms tightening on their own accord.
"S-Sakura?" Syaoran's voice held a sign of untraceable discomfort; he wriggled behind Sakura's form.
"Hai?"
"Can we move?" His movements become more insistent.
"Doshite?" Sakura turned around to face a very red Syaoran. "Daijobu?"
"U-un." He strode quickly forward, breathing a sigh of relief. "It's just that I was backed up against the stove."
"Gomen ne." Sakura's chuckle wavered are she smelled the faint odor of smoke, noticing that the air in the kitchen had taken an opaque quality. "Hoe! My pancakes!"
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8:40 AM
Both cardcaptors sat across from each other at the dining room table, smiling lightheartedly as they silently ate their cereal. Syaoran looked up from his breakfast, breaking the comfortable silence. "I was hoping for something hot this morning."
"Don't blame me; you were the one who had me in a bear hug."
"True, but you were the one who mocked me."
"So you admit that was you who I was pretending to be?" Sakura grinned in a victory.
"Hmmph." He looked down at his cereal, an idea surfacing in his mind; she was looking down at her bowl too. The timing was perfect.
"Ah!" Sakura was startled as she felt something cold and wet adhere itself to her face. She moved her hand to the spot and pulled off the foreign object. Cereal? She looked up puzzled at the smirking Syaoran; the idea hitting her suddenly. "Mou Syaoran! I'm going to get you for that."
"Oh no; please don't hurt me." He cowered jokingly behind his bowl. He smirked even more, but was snapped rudely out of his victory by a sharp kick to his shin from underneath the table. "I see you won't admit defeat." He got up, exaggerating his movement, slowly approaching her like a cat.
She suppressed a giggled as she fled from his nearing figure quickly down the hall and returning with an umbrella. Holding it before her like a sword, she defended herself. "En garde."
Syaoran grinned smugly as he darted to his room, returning with his onyx pendant in hand. Without word, the blade extended, polished metal glinting. "Touché."
Sakura pouted. "That's not fair; you've got a sword, and all I have is an umbrella."
"I guess you're right; let's just both put our weapons down." He transformed his sword back into the pendant as Sakura bent down to place the umbrella on the floor.
At the last minute, she thrust the umbrella forward a smirk plastered on her face. "Never let your guard down." Unfortunately, she heard the button on the umbrella click, the canopy blowing open in her hands. With a "Hoe!" she fell backwards onto the floor, sprawled on her back with a fully extended umbrella laying on her stomach. The laughter inside her flew out like wind as she covered her face with her hands in embarrassment.
Syaoran watched the sight with mounting enjoyment, feeling his own chuckle become uncontrollable. He let out a full laugh as he joined the card mistress in filling the apartment with laughter. He approached her fallen form, extending his hand to help her up. "Daijobu?"
"U-un. That was so embarrassing." She took his hand and lifted herself upward, the other hand taking the umbrella with her.
"I bet Daidouji would faint if she heard she missed capturing that precious Sakura moment."
"Don't you dare tell her; I'd never live it down." She looked at the clock momentarily as a thought dawned on her. "Tomoyo!" She ran wildly down the hall, yanking open the front door to see a concerned Tomoyo, finger poised to ring the doorbell. "Tomoyo!"
"S-Sakura!" A startled Tomoyo stood haltingly in the doorframe confused at the sight before her: a glowing, laughing card mistress. "Daijobu?"
Sakura lowered her voice, a serious tone embedded in her words. "I will be fine, Tomoyo, don't worry."
Tomoyo's eyes watered as she stepped into the apartment. "Yokata, Sakura." She hugged the card mistress with affection, the hug broken when she noticed something off about the scene. "Ano…why do you have an open umbrella in your hand?"
Sakura blushed fierce red, the words finding themselves caught in her throat. "N-no reason. Why don't you have some breakfast; we have cereal."
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10:30 AM
"Are you sure, you're fine, Sakura? It's only been a day since…" Tomoyo closed her mouth trying to avoid bringing up Touya's death.
Sakura's eyes darkened slightly, a twinge of pain surfacing deep in her heart. "Honto, Tomoyo. I just need some time." A light smile touched her lips as she recounted. "In fact, it already feels like that was days ago." She noted the half smile on Syaoran's face, assured he was thinking of the past few days as she was. He gave her hand a squeeze in confirmation. "Now let's go meet Meiling; I'm sure she been waiting for us for a while."
"Well…" Tomoyo found the record button on her video camera, focusing on the two cardcaptors. "We would be there already if you two didn't stop every two steps and stare into each others' eyes." The two subjects blushed simultaneously, quickening their pace at an unnatural rate, eyes averted to straight in front of them. Tomoyo grinned mentally. 'This is going to be a good day.'
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2:00 PM
"Sugoi Meiling!" Sakura was hanging on every word, even though she had heard the story two times before, but Meiling was excited and the last thing Sakura wanted was to dampen her spirits. She felt a slight movement from next to her, Syaoran getting up from his seat. Curiosity shone in her eyes as for the second time, he left her to do something unknown. She placed a restraining hand on his wrist, "Doshtano?"
He looked apologetic; he couldn't let her know. She'd want to go too, but she'd only end up being hurt. "Nande monai; it's something personal. I'll be right back." He took her hand off his wrist bringing it to his mouth for an instant, brushing his lips against her silk skin while inhaling her sweet floral scent. For the moment she seemed appeased, her face in a pleasant blush, and turned back to Meiling though not without a concerned glance at his retreating back.
Syaoran stood at the corner waiting for someone he knew would be there soon. He found his target walking quickly toward him, shoulders hunched. As he walked past, Syaoran tugged at the edge of the passerby's sleeve. "Tsukishiro, matte."
"Hai?" The gray haired man looked up slowly, his dulled citrine eyes facing Syaoran. He turned his head away abruptly as he recognized who was addressing him.
Syaoran stood apprehensively, Yukito didn't seem any better than last time. "I…think it's best if we had a talk about Sakura."
Yukito lowered his head, his hands unconsciously clenching into fists at his side, his voice becoming icy. "That person is no longer in my life. I have Touya's arrangements to make. Excuse me." He tried to walk away but found Li blocking his path.
"I know you're angry; Touya was someone special to you. I know I would be lost too if something happened to Sakura." Images of last night replayed in his mind; he blinked them away not without feeling just how close he was to losing her. "But she lost Touya too; she's grieving and you're grieving." He evaded the word. "Couldn't you just be there for her?"
Yukito considered his request for a moment, finally grasping at the hidden motive, his face darkened by a building anger. "You want me to forgive her, don't you?" he spat. "I will never forgive her. She stood there watching Touya die, his own sister. If it's forgiveness she needs, then she will have to find a way to live without it."
Syaoran sighed; he had expected this much. "You've always been a brother to her; she still loves you, she always will. Just think about what I've said, please."
Yukito sighed deeply, emotions fighting with each other his heart and mind at odds. "I…I will consider it." Yukito stopped hesitantly mid-stride. "Tell Sakura…tell her I'm sorry for the things I've said." He strode swiftly away, turning the bend and disappearing into the crowded street leaving a surprised Li Syaoran at the corner.
"Arigatou, Yukito."
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10:30 PM
Soundless feet crept cautiously across the moon streaked floor, a low ruffling of fabric the only indication of movement. Such movements were matched somewhere else in the darkness, a quiet slipping sound of skin being drawn into cloth. Li Syaoran stole quietly to his bedroom door, his knock barely perceptible over the thick silence which enveloped the apartment. In response, the door opened ajar a few inches, green eyes shimmering in the city's low lights. "Syaoran?" The whisper barely fell on listening ears, the gentle quality comforting as a thick blanket on a winter's night.
"Hai. Are you ready?" The door opened wider, a slim figure slipping through the dimness, her power unmistakable as the aura around her was a solid glow.
"Let's go." Sakura slid open the balcony door, the wintry air assaulting any exposed flesh. She shivered slightly as she fought the numbness off from her mind.
Key which holds the power of darknessReveal thy true form
I, Sakura, under contract command you
Release
Her key extended to full length, as she took hold of it and brought it down on a floating card. "Fly." Thick wings sprouted from the head of her staff, itself floating expectantly off the terrace. "Get on, Syaoran." He climbed on after her, his arms finding her waist and bringing her close to him warming them both in the winter wind. With both passengers safely on, the wand rushed off into the darkness, towards the awaiting Clow card.
Li Syaoran mentally prepared himself for the fight before him, every fiber of his being ready to protect Sakura. The ground flew up to meet them as they skimmed the low branches of the sturdy oaks. Their speed slowed down to nearly a float as they landed in the center of Penguin park. Recalling the wand, both cardcaptors jumped skillfully to the ground, landing low in crouched positions. "Any ideas?"
Sakura's eyes flashed, a plan working itself into her thoughts. It would be dangerous; she could die again. There, however, was no choice. "We must face it directly; I'll use Shield to help us, but it doesn't have the power to sustain us forever. We will have to seal it fast."
Syaoran nodded in agreement, unconsciously reaching into his robes, feeling the ofudas that he would have to call. This time, he would change the future; he would not be daunted. "How do we lure it out?"
Sakura smiled grimly, escaping from his grasp before he could pull her back. "Easy; I'm the bait." She ran toward the street, unheeding Syaoran's cry behind her.
"Sakura!" Syaoran couldn't fathom why she would do something so dangerous; he tried to reach out for her, but she was already by the side of the road.
"Shield!" Sakura found herself in a transparent sphere, the surrounding magic bouncing harmlessly off its protective surface. Standing defiantly in the middle of the road, she projected her voice into the intimidating stillness. "Show yourself Clow card!" The familiar burst of magic flared at her foot, the same deceptively innocent hourglass appearing on the asphalt.
"Sakura! Stay away!" Syaoran saw her bend down to pick up the object; the magic gathering treacherously around it. The sudden burst of energy nearly blinded his magical senses as it enveloped itself around the card mistress. "Sakura!"
Sakura dropped the hourglass, as its light flashed belligerently at her. Its magic tried to wind its way around her body, trying to push into her, crawling across her skin. She felt Shield weaken greatly, but the barrier held as she willed more of her own strength into sustaining the card. "You can't stop me like before Clow card. Show yourself!" She looked around her, expecting the robed figure to materialize; instead she was affronted by the harsh growl of an approaching car. The headlights awakened to life behind her as it came steadily onward. Quickly, she rolled to her side, her back pressed against the curb as the car rushed by her within a hairbreadth of hitting her. She instinctively looked up into the car, and was stunned by the power of the Clow card. The driver was immobile, frozen in time, staring ahead of him, hands placed on the equally static steering wheel. The car, itself, was moving entirely independent of its driver, of its gas, impelled only by Time's magic. She inwardly groaned; this would not be easy.
Syaoran watched in dread as the car once again hurtled toward the card mistress; he cursed the card's power, binding him once again to motionlessness. "Sakura!"
Sakura bolted upright as the car disappeared into the night; turning her head back to Syaoran. She gathered her energy extending Shield's protection to Syaoran's body, her mind and body fighting against the intense magic that bound him. Finally, however, she felt Shield wrap protectively around him, as he kneeled on the ground recovering his strength. Sighing in relief she once again commanded into the darkness. "I demand you show yourself, Clow card!" Tense moments passed by as the silence drummed itself against her ears. Finally, however, under the streetlight the robed spirit became visible, hourglass floating intently to its hand. "I will seal you, Clow card," Sakura promised herself under her breath. As if it heard her threat, Time waved its hand over the hourglass, intense rays of magic once again overwhelming Sakura's senses, Shield rapidly losing power.
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The world around seemed to be thrown into disarray, time itself ripping apart. Leaves halted in their dance, suspended impossibly in the air as dust found itself moving faster and faster until it was blowing off the ground and blinding both cardcaptors. The moon's light faded as the glowing orb was overtaken by swift clouds, the rain coming from them starting at a low drizzle but becoming frighteningly more rapid. Each drop rained down harshly gaining more and more speed until they felt like shards of glass on Sakura's skin. She and Syaoran quickly ran for cover underneath the trees, but the daggers of rain merely sliced neatly through the thick foliage finding the ground.
"Raiden shorai!" Lighting cackled, directed from Syaoran's ofuda, forking into many limbs approaching the Time. The card merely strengthened its magic, a green aura growing immensely; the lightning froze in flight, fingers of electricity nothing but strands of light held listlessly in the air. The rain came down even harder, the bullet drops denting the ground, cracking stone, and beating themselves against cars, shattering glass.
Sakura focused her fading reserves of magic into Shield, feeling each raindrop weakening her will. Distant cries echoed from around her, cut off every now and then by the severe impacts of rain on the ground. She had to do something. She caught Syaoran's eyes for a slight minute as they racked their brain for ideas. He pulled out an ofuda and looked at her wand; she nodded, a plan was formed.
Syaoran rushed at the card his sword poised to strike. "Raiden shorai!" Trails of lighting once again burst forth toward the unsealed spirit.
Sakura took her position hidden in the shadows watching as Time raised its hands to freeze Syaoran's lightning. As Time slowed the electric tendrils down, Sakura jumped high into the air tossing a card before her. "Thunder!" Clouds opened up as a bright display of lightning crashed down to the ground; Time looked up surprised, its magic already preoccupied, unable to freeze Sakura's attack. Electricity plunged down on it; the spirit encased in charged fire, its hourglass dropped clanking to the ground as it writhed in agony. Sakura landed light headed, Shield draining much of her strength. She staggered toward Syaoran who turned and supported her body with his own. Breathing in deep, she forced the words out as Syaoran raised her arms and wand to face the weakened card. "Return to the guise you were meant to be in. Clow card!" Binding magic flew from the tip of her wand, wrapping itself tightly around the robed spirit, its own body becoming nothing but vapors as it was confined to card form. The rain immediately lightened, the pounding drops instantly soft caresses; leaves finding the wind again, falling to the ground and scraping along the pavement. Sakura's body chose that moment to collapse, her muscles weak and strained, the feel of the ground underneath her, until she was embraced, her face against silk, the smell of leaves about her.
Syaoran lifted the card mistress into his arms, taking the Time as it flew to him. He distractedly placed it into his robes as he held Sakura's tired form. Both cardcaptors breathed heavily under the lamplight, magic levels low, and bodies pushed beyond their limits. They looked upward to the clock tower, dreading for midnight bells to sound. They sighed in relief when minute met hour hand. Night passed into day soundlessly.
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Author's Note: Okay that's the end of this chapter. I'll tell you a little about the next one. I'm doing a flashback sort of thing to the Sleep when Fujitaka falls asleep. But I'm not sure if I should make it really intricate and long or a summarized shortened version. Tell me what you think, please?