Author's Note:  I'm getting worse…three weeks to get this out?  I'm really sorry for the wait…I really have no excuses except for a prelim…if anything, I should have been writing before and studying now…but whatever.  Please review?

Thanks to Budinski, Cherry, Mitsukai-chan, LightBlossom (I like questions), Misty Showron (I hate cliffhangers too…), Delita Mukara Bl'Ferno (in Sakura's point of view, it is an ocean away…yeah, that's it…), CreatiStar (February 26 is coming up…), Ccslilazngirly, Rhea-chan (now you're just being spiteful…=P), Silly*Niecy (name change? I like…), Eagle_33 (the drama doesn't start out much until later in the chapter…), Final Fantasy Princess (I'll remember to alert you if I update, if you want me to…)

And the long awaited dedication:  Evil Karyta.  Thanks for all the support; it really brightens my mood when I'm crushed with school work.  And don't you dare stop on 'A Taste of Your Life!'  It's getting even better, pretty unbelievable as it is.

When Everything Else is Gone

Chapter 13:  Full Deck

Sakura rubbed her side gingerly, massaging the still sore flesh beneath the thickly wrapped gauze bandages.  The doctors were amazed at her surviving the building collapse and only having a few broken ribs to show for it.  However, as far as she was concerned, three broken ribs wasn't something to smile at.  "Itai."  She whispered under her breath, her other arm frantically waving over her head.  Slowly, her arm lowered, someone tugging her wrists downward.  She turned an inquisitive look to Syaoran.  "What's wrong?"

"She can't see us, and waving hurts you."

"Demo…I wanted to show her that we'll miss her."

"She already knows.  You threw her a party; you hugged her forever.  She definitely knows."

Sakura gave a doubtful smile, bringing her arm back down to rest at her side, the painful stretching alleviated in her chest.  Her eyes followed a blur of black hair as its owner disappeared through the gate, a cart of boxes and bags trailing her. 

When she rounded the corner, Meiling's familiar voice bellowed out, "What do you mean I'm not allowed to take these bags on board?!"

Sakura smiled and laughed a little as a heated argument ensued from the cabin of the plane.  A flight attendant nervously closed the gate, only muffled voices escaping into the lobby.  "I guess we should have checked her bags after all."

Syaoran grimaced with annoyance.  "Knowing Meiling, she'd probably refused to and gotten into an even bigger fight at the ticket counter.  What she should have done was not waste her money in buying everything in sight."

An elbow met his ribs in mild reproach.  "Be nice; Meiling's your cousin."

"That's exactly why I can criticize her."  He sighed in defeat as another muffled screech penetrated the doors.

Sakura leaned to her right, her head resting against Syaoran's shoulder.  "I can't believe we've been in this airport for 7 hours.  They must've delayed Meiling's flight at least five times."  She turned pleading jade eyes upward to Syaoran's face.  "Tell me, we're doing something relaxing tonight."

Syaoran smiled in quiet reflection, images of them laying peacefully on a couch, as they've done for the past few weeks.  "A movie, some popcorn, a soft couch."  He ducked his head to place a fleeting kiss on her cheeks.

Sakura sighed with satisfaction, pressing her face into the crook of his neck, inhaling autumn.  "Can't wait."  She wrapped her arms around his body, imagining she was already asleep. 

Syaoran laid his chin on Sakura's head, equally intoxicated with her floral scent.  "It won't be long now."

"Better not be.  You owe me a dinner after the one I cooked you."

Syaoran smirked, the prospect of teasing her too tempting to pass up.  "You mean I owe you a burnt steak."

Sakura thumped his chest playfully, faint annoyance etching her features.  "Mou, you just had to ruin the moment.  And it wasn't burnt that much; besides it was all your fault, always distracting me."

"So now I'm getting blamed for all of your cooking disasters?"

Sakura grinned.  "Mochiron.  Remember that time at your apartment with the blackened pancakes?  Your fault."

"I'll never win will I?"

Auburn tresses rustled, the card mistress' head shaking.  "Never."  She laid her head on his chest, the faint drumming of a heartbeat lulling her eyes shut.  "Where's otou-san?  The faster we get home, the more time we get to spend together."

"I'm looking forward already."  Syaoran bent slowly down to meet Sakura's lips, the sound of running from behind interrupting him.  Tomoyo burst through between them, oblivious to their actions, panting and clutching her purse.  "Where's Meiling?  Did I miss her?"

Sakura blinked despite herself; Tomoyo for once wasn't completely composed, her hair escaping her ponytail.  "Meiling's already gone on the plane; where were you?"

An angry scowl crossed Tomoyo's face, the grip on her purse even tighter.  "It's all security's fault.  So I beeped when I passed through the metal detector; it was only my camera.  And then…"   A look of horror swept through her expression.  "They said I had to put it through the x-ray machine.  The x-ray machine!  Do you know what x-rays could do to my film?  Do you?!  Naturally I refused, and then they blew up about policy or something and wouldn't let me pass.  And now I missed taping Meiling's departure; I'm going to file a complaint!"

Syaoran eyed the fuming girl warily, careful not to make any sudden movements; he caught Sakura's eye for a minute, general confusion mutually exchanged in their gazes.  Gratefully he moved away from Tomoyo back to safety at Sakura's side as Fujitaka and Yukito came to rejoin the group.

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Fujitaka sighed at the announcement.  "Looks like your flight's delayed for a little while."

Meiling rolled her eyes, bending down to check all the tags on her carry on luggage.  "They're always delayed."  A wistful look passed through her face.  "But since I've got the time, I wonder if I can go buy something at the gift shop again."

Syraoran gave a shake of his head, face hooded, fingers resting on the bridge of his nose.  "Meiling, you're flight's only been delayed for fifteen minutes.  Besides, I'm not even sure you're allowed to take all these bags on board."

"Of course they will; I paid for the flight.  It's my right to take carry on bags."

Sakura scanned the multitude of bags and boxes, at least twenty scattered at their feet.  "Are you sure you don't want to check some of these?"

Fujitaka felt a slight tap on his shoulder, turning to find Yukito's questioning eyes.  "Is something wrong Yukito?"

"Nothing really, but I'd like to talk to you."

"Sure; we'll get some coffee while we wait for Meiling's plane."  Fujitaka walked with Yukito to the café, stumbling a little as Meiling's raucous laughter erupted from behind him.

Yukito started, lips opening but sinking back into the silence that had enveloped them both for the last half hour.  He sat uneasily on a stool, twisting his hands together, staring intently into the black pool of his cup.  "I'm leaving."

Fujitaka's smile faltered, swallowing a mouthful of steaming liquid.  "Leaving?"

"Leaving Tomoeda.  I've thought this through and I think it's the best thing to do, considering."

"I see.  Do you have any plans?"

Yukito raised baleful eyes, staring at some invisible point beyond Fujitaka's face.  "No.  I just feel like I need to get away from Tomoeda, away from everything.  I've already told my grandparents.  I want to tell Sakura, but I don't know how to start."

"And you want me to tell her?"  Fujitaka made an expressive gesture with his hands.  "I don't think I could."

Yukito shook his head.  "No; I'm going to tell her.  I just wanted to tell you so you could explain everything better if she asks why.  I need you to comfort her if she gets too upset; please tell her that my decision wasn't because of anything she did."

"I'll try my best.  She'll be hurt."  Fujitaka straightened himself, peering sideways at the lobby clock. He shook his head dismissively, changing the topic.  "I wonder if Meiling's flight is ready."

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Fujitaka took a drink from his coffee, his thoughts wandering around his previous conversation.  "Meiling has gone already?"

"Hai."  Sakura pointed to a plane flying down the runway, lifting into the air.  "That's her right there."

"I missed it!  I'm so angry!"  Tomoyo shook her head furiously balling her free hand dangerously.

Sakura laughed awkwardly, half of her amused by Tomoyo's outburst and half disturbed at the possibility at what was so important on that tape in Tomoyo's purse.  If she got into a huge argument over it, it must've been important or embarrassing…  She cut off her thoughts as she felt a hand lay itself on her shoulder.  "Yukito?"  She watched his gaze shift from her face down to his feet.  "Is there something wrong?"

"Can I talk to you privately?"

"Sure."  Sakura released her grasp of Syaoran's hand, gesturing her head for him to help calm an incensed Tomoyo.  She chuckled when a look of horror crossed his face at the prospect of trying to placate Tomoyo in this state.  Watching the planes moving down the runway and alighting in the air, she turned her attention to Yukito.  "What do you want to tell me?"

Yukito hesitated.  "You know how I felt about Touya?"

Sakura smiled quizzically.  "You loved him right?"

A mirthless chuckle left the gray-haired man's lips.  "Yes, I loved him.  And now he's…well, he's gone."

Sakura abruptly lost her shine, feeling Yukito's sadness wash over her senses.  "Oh…"

"And so I'm moving on, trying to live my life.  But I can't…"  Yukito paused, finding the words.  "I can't stay here."

"Here?"

"In Tomoeda, in Japan, I don't know.  I feel like I need to go."

Sakura's eyes swam in salty seas.  "But I don't understand…"

"It's the memories, Sakura.  Everything that keeps coming back to haunt me; it's not a life if you live in the past, and yet everywhere…"  Yukito opened his arms wide, sweeping around him.  "Everything…he's everywhere.  Sometimes I can still feel him, expecting him to show up in front of me like nothing ever happened.  They're all lies, false dreams, and yet I can't help them.  I just need to escape."  He looked pleadingly at Sakura, level with her shimmering green eyes.  "Do you understand?"

Sakura nodded dumbly, her guilt swelling form the pit of her stomach.  "If I only…"  She wept bitterly as the shame and anger gripped her body.  Soothing sounds surrounded her as a hand smoothed her back.

"Sakura?"  Yukito kept the crying card mistress in his embrace trying to calm her.  "Sakura…it's not your fault.  I don't blame you."  She clung desperately against the older man, matting the fabric of his shirt with her tears.  "Shh…Sakura?"  Yukito peered deep into Sakura's eyes, his image blurred in her vision.  "Sakura.  You did nothing wrong."

Sakura nodded, the pain still lodged deep in her throat.  A different, comforting hand rubbed along her right arm, quiet reassurances coming from her left.  She turned abruptly around, releasing Yukito from her grasp and burying herself into the folds of Syaoran's sweater.

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Syaoran cast a sideways glance to Yukito and Sakura, momentarily forgetting about the enraged girl in front of him.  Sakura was nodding, face rapidly draining of its colour.  He turned around back to face Tomoyo, video camera in hand and gesturing almost violently to Fujitaka.  He sighed as he tried to interject some words in between Tomoyo's ravings.

"My video camera!  I mean, how would they feel if I was to demand they turn over their guns?"

"Daidouji?"

"I just can't believe how inconsiderate people are sometimes."

"Daidouji?"

"I didn't even get to say goodbye to Meiling.  I'm this close to getting them fired!"

"Daidouji!"

Tomoyo whipped around to stare at Syaoran, his breathless form before her.  "Yes?"

"I'm sure Meiling knows that you wanted to say goodbye.  And security was just doing their jobs."

"But…"  The sound of crying far off stopped Tomoyo's retort; she looked away from Syaoran to see Sakura weeping behind him.

Syaoran recognized the cry, something he hadn't heard for a while, and dreaded to hear ever again.  He made his way over to Sakura, clumsily and unsteadily, looking mournfully down at his hurt leg.  As he neared, he focused a questioning look on Yukito.  The latter shook his head dismissively, saying 'You should comfort her.'  Instinctually Syaoran brushed Sakura's arm, immediately pulled into a hug, her muffled words lost in cloth.

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A squeal of sirens blasted through the loud speakers, all people jerking their bodies around in anticipation of something.  Sakura's head jolted upwards, her drying tears forgotten as a familiar magic swept through her.  Before she could reach inside her shirt for the dangling pendant, a loud roar sounded from outside. 

Beyond the glass, an inactive plane shook, its back engine bursting into flames, as intensely orange as the now setting sun; burning wreckage rained down on fleeing mechanics and baggage carriers.  A sudden spout of fire erupted on the tarmac, two trails ripping their way down the landing strip, a bubbling stream of tar in its wake.  Turning and driving quickly, both trails of fire split apart, heading off into opposite directions, one circling around the wheels of a stationary plane, the vehicle sinking deep into the molten black tar pits, the other running dangerously close to the boarding steps, its heat causing the nearby suitcases to erupt into flames.

Among the panic stricken passengers feeling mindlessly around the terminal, Sakura summoned the Clow circle, the magical illumination sparking to life, veining runes and ancient symbols across the terrazzo floor.  A few people jerked to a stop staring fascinated at her before collapsing forward, a blue fairy spirit darting overhead.  Sakura bit her bottom lip, a hand gingerly feeling her side, her eyes focused on Syaoran's leg.  "This will definitely hurt."  Syaoran merely nodded, transforming his golden orb into a sword.  "Let's go.  Through."  Sakura pulled Syaoran with her, both bodies vaporous and falling easily through the thick glass.  "Float."  They alighted on the hot tarmac, the steaming odor disconcerting as the cold winter winds blew around them.  A streak of fire leapt from afar, hurtling toward both cardcaptors.  Sakura rolled to her side, pain lancing deep in her chest. 

Syaoran jumped and landed a few feet off to the side, favouring his left leg.  The second streak of flames shot at him from behind.  "Water descend."  Jets of water met the embers cast around him, the steam bathing the scene in a false mist.  Syaoran whirled around quickly, unable to find Sakura's form.  He extracted another ofuda bracing himself for the gales that would soon blowt.  "Hu…"  A spark caught his attention, incantation stopping in mid command; the red spark grew as it rushed toward him.  Without hesitation, he flattened himself to the ground, a warm pain emanating from his right leg.  "Kuzo."  Lifting his eyes from the ground, he squeezed his eyes shut, the intense light of fire before him.  Cautiously letting a sliver of light into his eyes, he noted with apprehension, a ring of fire trapping him.  Fingers crawling to meet sword, he summoned another spout of water, the liquid evaporating into more steam as it brushed the raging fire.  The blaze shrunk closer, the flickering heat lashing out at him in whip-like flares.  He let his eyes slide shut, closing out the noxious fumes of vaporized tar; pulling out all the Freeze card, he hoped he might be able distract the elemental card long enough to escape it trap.  As the seal Clow card hung in the air to be struck, he was assaulted by a wave of Sakura's magic; opening his eyes, the fire had disappeared, leaving him alone with blustery icy wind.

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Sakura frantically pulled at her Clow deck, snatching the two topmost cards.  Another ball of flames stuck to her left, forcing her to roll again, lungs burning as every breath moved a damaged rib.  "Watery and Windy!"  The two spirits erupted from the tip of the Clow staff and hovered protectively around the card mistress.  They collectively lashed out at the bouncing fire, extinguishing the flames with relative ease.  Sakura sighed in relief, knowing that strategizing had probably saved her life.  Another blaze lit to life in her periphery, a quick stream of water quenching its immediate danger.  "Bind Fiery!"  The two elemental cards looked around pensively, Watery baring its fangs, poised to attack, Windy twisting its limbs into thick threads.   Sakura stood up shakily, the blankness of the tarmac disturbing her.  

Without warning, five pillars of fire erupted from around her, taking advantage of Windy's and Watery's surprise to rip through the black ground, an intense circle of fire burning deep into the land, lines racing inward to Sakura.  The two elemental cards surrounded Sakura, extinguishing the threatening flames just as they approached her feet.  An ominous groan sounded from underneath her, the ground lurching, the vision of black fumes clouding her vision.  Abruptly, she was falling, the ground shattering beneath her, fire above her melting the rim of the hole.  Windy surrounded Sakura, blowing away the dripping tar, Watery cooling the burning droplets, heavy fumes and steam filling the space around her.  She coughed in response to the overwhelming vapors, questions running through her mind.  Why wasn't Firey sealed?  It was one element card and she was using two.  Sakura held her hand to her mouth, trying to gasp in whatever remained of breathable air. 

Another trail of fire joined the original, both swirling into the hole, flooding the sides like liquid heat.  Pooling before her, a winged form took shape, an arrogant smile plastered to its face.  Sakura raised her wand, certain of her success now that the card was in its rightful form.  Firey merely smirked a little higher, gathering a fireball in its hands, releasing it towards Sakura's body.  Sakura held her hands before her defensively, feeling the heat near her but then dissipate.  She let her arms fall to reveal Windy hunched over before her, racked with some unknown pain.  Firey gathered another fireball in its hands, standing menacingly over Windy's fallen form, the heat generated from the unsealed card scorching the surroundings black.  Sakura raced through her mind, her plan falling into ruins.  Windy was hurt and threatened.  Could Clow cards die?  She had to call Windy back.  "Windy, return."  The wounded spirit returned itself to card form, leaving Sakura wheezing in the thick haze of tar and cement. 

Watery stood defiantly by Sakura's side, claws clenched dangerously.  It released a jet of water at the unsealed spirit, but only managed to thicken the atmosphere with steam as the liquid dissolved before Firey's form.  Sakura's head spun as each breath came harder and harder, eyes watering in the smoke, lungs burning with noxious chemicals.  Water was the key, but Watery couldn't do it alone.  She extracted card after card, praying her magic would last her long enough.  Flinging three cards into the air, she summoned Cloud, Rain and Bubble.  "Onegai, help Watery bind Firey."  The three newly unsealed cards looked hesitantly at the rogue elemental card, knowing only too well their power was not even close to its level.  Sakura summoned as much magic as she could feel, the tingling of energy at her fingertips.  "Please."  Her cards nodded in obedience, a sudden feeling of cold and wet overcoming Sakura's senses.  She cracked open an eye after what seemed an eternity, surveying what had happened.  Firey lay unconscious on the ground, all four of her cards exhausted before her.  She stumbled across the coarse rocks and concrete rubble, a vicious pain in her chest.  "Clow card, return to the guise you were meant to be in."

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Syaoran limped along the tarmac, magical wind erasing the fog before him.  "Sakura!"  The aura that lay ahead peaked as a surge in magic spread through the air, an explosion of water followed by a bright flash and billowing clouds of steam.  He cursed his leg, pain shooting though nerves as he pushed himself to go faster.  He spotted the source of the magic, a chasm in the landing strip, smoke floating into the air.  "Sakura!"  Coughing he squinted towards the hole, virtually dragging himself closer, a dread filling him as her aura dimmed.

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Sakura looked deeply at the final card, sealed and nestled in her open palm.  She had done it, without Keroberos, without knowing what she was doing.  Dimmed satisfaction rose within her, curtailed suddenly by a wave of exhaustion coursing through her, legs succumbing to the overpowering feelings of listlessness.  She collapsed onto her knees, swaying a little before crumpling to the warm, moist ground.  Her eyes flickered for an instant, catching sight of her sealing wand momentarily, before a gauze-like sheet passed through her consciousness, leaving her half-aware of the world around her, the other half drifting closer to insensibility.

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Syaoran grunted, a few yards off from the rim of the pit.  Sharp pounding on the tarmac caught his attention momentarily, a figure, blurry and amorphous casting a dark silhouette through the smoke.  A pale hand materialized first, a lean figure appearing immediately afterwards.  "Yukito?"

The gray haired man walked rigidly through the fumes, eyes closed, entranced by something powerful.  Syaoran winced as a powerful magic erupted from Yukito's form, Clow's magic.  Was it a card?  Yukito's head fell back, as if watching the sky, two magical wings sprouting from his back.  White feathers wrapped around his form, entwining themselves into a knit silken matrix.  Another intense flare of magic, the wings opened, revealing another being, tall and overflowing with magic.  Syaoran gaped in confusion, disbelieving what his eyes had told him.  The new being spoke first, folding his wings neatly behind his back, casting a cursory look over his silver robes.  "I am Yue.  Where is Keroberos?"  His voice pierced through the air with intensity, its low evenness and monotonic inflection seemingly unearthly.

Syaoran fought for the words, his mind darting between the magical figure opposite him and Sakura's muted aura in the crater.  Ultimately, the choice was an easy one; he took a step forward, eyes never leaving the hollowed ground.  "Sakura."

Yue moved quickly, hovering over the pit, and landing in front of Syaoran, a warning glance cast at the male cardcaptor.  "You have magic that is not Clow's; I can sense it.  And yet, you also have some of Clow's cards."

Syaoran concentrated on the hole, ignoring Yue's imposing barrier.  "Get out of my way.  Sakura."

The icy questions continued unfailingly.  "Where is Keroberos?"

Syaoran's temper flared, his inability to reach Sakura caused by this magical creature.  "Keroberos is dead!  He's gone; now let me pass."

Yue's face remained impassive, silver catlike eyes widening slightly in a faint gesture of surprise.  "He no longer exists?"  He made a move to turn around, but stopped halfway, shooting another question at an irritated Syaoran.  "Are you the appointed cardcaptor?"

Syaoran's suspicions flared; his attention momentarily reverting back to Yue.  Why did he want to know who was the appointed cardcaptor?  "No; Keroberos chose another."  He cautiously left Sakura's name out, trying to discern Yue's intentions.

"But you have some of Clow's cards."

"I helped reseal them."

"Where is the cardcaptor Keroberos appointed?"

Syaoran cast a quick look at the crater, the aura still present and dimmed.  "She's not here."

Yue nodded, decision formed.  "I am Yue.  I am the final judge for the rightful owners of the cards.  Since you possess Clow cards, I am to face you in combat so that you may prove your worthiness."

Syaoran backed up affronted, his hand immediately touching the cards in his possession.  It was Sakura's destiny to be mistress of the cards; he would not accept the title.  "And if I refuse to fight you?  Or if I lose?"

Yue's answer came back crisp and exact.  "In both cases, you will have proven yourself unworthy to possess the Clow cards.  You will be erased."

Erased?  Syaoran hesitated to respond, suddenly fearful for Sakura as the aura in the hole began to resurface   "I…I accept your challenge."

Yue merely nodded.  "The rules are simple.  You can use your magic and any cards in your possession to defeat me.  If you cannot prove your worthiness, your cards will be unsealed so that a worthy cardcaptor may possess them.  With that said, the guardian formed an ice crystal, propelling it though the air with a wave of his hand.  Syaoran stood paralyzed by the suddenness of Yue's attack, the ice dagger hurtling towards his heart.

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Author's Note:  So the Final Judgment's come…that means two more chapters to go, one if I'm really strapped for ideas and don't want to add pointless filler stuff.