Vanilla Skies

Chapter Two: Bitter Reunion

            The cards had been merely a possession for me. A symbol of absolute power for my family, a power that they could never have… It was an obsession, a deadly one at this rate. My Clan has become nothing more than a shell, only fear, guilt, and the shadow of grief hanging over us like a rain cloud. The cards are now a monster created by the darkness of our hearts, our greed, and the guilt that lingers in the air.

            So what does it feel like, you ask? I hurt the woman I loved. Pools of green still haunt me to this day. The cards were a possession for me, but for her, for Sakura, they were her life. And I took them away from her, I took her happiness…

            That night was the worst night of my life, I can't tell you enough. It was that night I realized how much those damned cards meant to her. It was a vital part of her happiness, those goddamn cards made her who she was, both the smiles and the laughter. There was no magic behind those cards; it was Sakura's life and love that powered each one. It took me too damn long to realize this. And it took the death of my… my mother for the Clan to realize this.

            My one hope for this night is probably so far out of reach.

            I just don't want to fight her again.

**

            "You should sit down, koiishi," Eriol whispered, pushing a piece of sweat matted locks out of Tomoyo's face. She gripped the arms of her husband tightly, feeling another wave of nausea enter her body.

            "No," she moaned softly. "The meeting- I'll miss the meeting."

            Eriol looked across to Sakura with a pleading gaze. She complied, giving him a small smile. "I'll be alright, Tomoyo-chan. We will only be gone for no longer than hour or so. I don't have much to say."

            Tomoyo sighed, her eyes dropping shut a little bit. It was getting harder to breath now… She wanted to go, to help. She knew that Sakura facing Li-kun was going to be somewhat of momentous event. But her body was screaming for her to rest and sleep.

            "Hiiragizawa-san, I'll stay with you if you want," Usagi's soft voice filtered into the room. She looked up, oddly enough finding comfort in the older woman's eyes.

            "Hai-hai," she whispered. "Go. And be careful. I'll just get some rest now. I'll be fine and dinner will be on the table."

            "Demo…"

            She chuckled, beckoning Usagi to sit beside her. "I have company, dear. I'll be fine-"

            It was then where she fainted.

**

            It was a primal need to survive, Yue thought with a smirk. The shadows dance in front of him as he watched the unsuspecting to mortals walk to and about. They had no idea, how meaningless their lives meant to him. He and the cards no longer one were now free to kill, to make them pay for hurting the only family he had ever known.

            Not even I am suited to be your master.

            Had Clow been right?

            You will over look the chosen one. A child that hold key to this all…

            His eyes shot open. A power, a strong power indeed had reentered the mix. His eyes widened. And there was something else, no someone else, someone only the legends only talked of.

            Life would for now on be interesting.

            Let the games begin.

**

            I was ten that night and maybe I'm still ten inside my mind in reference of things. I cannot express the hurt that lives within my body or the grief that wells up every time I am forced to speak your name… Li-kun

            Your face had been nothing, but cool mask of indifference. So far from the boy who I'd come to know and love in my own innocent way. Maybe we could have been happy, I would have given the cards to you if you had asked. I would have gone to the ends of the earth with you. I know we had a connection, but that night you took it all away.

            Oneechan's right, I need to let go of my anger, my pain, if we are going to work together that is…

            I want closure.

            I deserve closure.

            When is enough, enough?

**

            Usagi sighed. She had finally gotten Hiiragizawa-san to sleep. It was obvious that woman was going to be a proud mother soon, her senses alerting her to the measure.  She left the room quietly, hoping to catch some moments alone. Seeing Nokoru and the others had stirred unwanted feelings inside of her, feelings that for the latter years she had stayed away from Japan were buried deep within. She could feel that this trip might become a permanent stay, if she wasn't careful.

            Whoosh!

            She whirled around to see one of the large windows at the end off the vast hallway open. She narrowed her eyes and sensed the crackling energy entering the house. Her heart began to pond mercilessly.

            Thud-thud.

            Years, it had been years since she had felt like this.

            Thud.

            Years since she had been a little girl. Oh to laugh and smile, how wonderful it been. She had gone out of her way to make everyone happy. And it had her heart that caused her to retreat inside herself. She reached the window, silk curtains flying around her.

            Her heart was pounding wildly now and her mind screaming for her to just leave it alone. She was here to help Sakura-imouto, not to dwell in the past. She violently pushed the blowing curtains back, staring into the night's abyss silently but her eyes told stories, multitudes after multitudes.

            The wind blew her hair wildly around her.

            Kamui

**

            For a moment time froze, the wind began to pick up with cherry blossoms dancing around her as if she were a princess from the legends.

            "Sakura…"

**

            The pain was lost in the memories once more as she was just content to stare, regardless of her anger and her sadness.

            "Syaoran…"

**

Author's Notes: Arigato for all the reviews, minna-san! Glad you like this story because I enjoy writing it. To clear up some confusions and misconceptions, Nokoru, Akira, and Suoh are all the CLAMP Detectives. And their roles to the story will be revealed in later chapters. Also there won't be any cute moments with S+S until later chapters, so Eriol and Tomoyo will have to be victims of WAFF for now. Look for more CLAMP characters to come.

Dedication: To my darling imouto and oneechan, without you two I don't know where I'd be. And to Starlight, I appreciate the support always.

Disclaimer: *crickets chirping*

Chapter Three: Snow Flakes

The Clan council tries to make amends and explain the situation. Usagi is confronted yet again by one of the CLAMP Detectives. Tomoyo realizes that she's soon to be a mother and tells Suppi-chan. Rika's role is explained and someone is watching the events unfold.