Wow! You are all awesome! Well, at least this chapter didn't take a month to post! And yes, I did spend a lot of time on that chapter. It was my longest one yet! 15 pages in 10 font thank you very much! ^-^ I'm so glad that all of you liked my last chapter, and I am EXTREMELY happy with all the GREAT reviews you guys gave me! Now, before I forget what happened with the last chapter, I better continue writing. Hey, I'm actually getting somewhere! I see the end in sight! (It's only a mere speck, but I see it!) ^^;;

And now.. My wonderfully short disclaimer: I do not own CCS.

Special Thank you to:

MS-chan

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Fantasy

The Wandering Mind

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CHAPTER 25 MELTING A STONE HEART

*****Sakura*****

After everything Syaoran told me, I felt rather dizzy. I could remember bits and pieces before I fainted, but some of it freaked me out. Tokurashi??? Here?!? How could that be? Why? Is his only plan eliminating the Kinomoto family? Does he think that Touya is already dead?

I looked up at Syaoran, knowing he had more to say. By the look in his eyes and his gentle smile I knew it would be a lighter topic than what he had just explained to me.

"There's your proof Sakura," he said, and despite myself I gave a little smile.

I looked over his shoulder and saw Eriol sitting there. He looked almost funny with that lopsided hat on. "So, you really have magic?" I asked.

"Yes. I am the reincarnation of Clow Reed himself."

"Then you made those bad things happen?"

He looked down at me, his sapphire eyes forlorn. "Not all of it, but yes. You had to change the cards so that they would be Sakura cards, and so."

"So they won't loose their powers. I know. You already explained that."

"But now I need your help, as much as you need mine. I can help you. Really. I can.if you two will let me."

"No way!" Syaoran growled. "You got us into more trouble than that stupid Tokurashi guy!"

"I'm sure that will change very quickly. The worst part is that he has chosen to attack Sakura in her most vulnerable time. She is low on magic and energy, and she cannot use all of the cards; only the ones she has changed."

"What will happen. in the future?" Came a sad yet quiet voice from the corner of the room.

We all gasped, and I quickly turned my head in recognition. "T-T-Tomoyo!"

She stepped out from behind a statue and it was then that I saw something. or someone. behind her. She followed Tomoyo out almost timidly, afraid of the wrath of Syaoran no doubt.

"Meiling?!?" He asked skeptically. "What are YOU doing here?!?"

She pouted. "I wanted to know why you were hurt. You said you'd tell me later. And I bumped into Tomoyo and she said she was worried because Sakura hadn't come back to their room yet. So I led her here and we saw.we saw."

"Everything?" I asked weakly.

Meiling shook her head frantically. "No. We saw mist, and that was all, but we did hear voices. It was scary! I thought all of you were going to die!"

Tomoyo looked deadly pale. "W-Was that really. Tokurashi? I mean- is he really here? In this very castle at this very moment?"

"Yes," Came Eriol's sullen reply.

She ran over to me and threw her arms around my neck. "Oh Sakura! I thought you were. dead! I was so worried! Kero felt magic, lots of it, so I was even more worried! And he's here! You must be. oh I'm so sorry Sakura- chan!"

Instead of her giving me comfort, I patted her head and hugged her, knowing that she needed it more than I did. Eriol and Syaoran were still overwhelmed by them showing up.

"Wait a second, did you say that the little stuffed animal FELT the magic?!?" Syaoran asked frantically.

Tomoyo looked up at him with tears in her eyes. She slowly nodded her head, "Un hun."

"SHITTAKE MUSHROOMS!" He bellowed, and ushered Tomoyo and I in a standing position. [AN: One of my favorite sayings! ^-^]

"What is it?" I asked, suddenly alert.

"The Elders. There's no WAY they didn't feel that. And they know my aura. They are probably going to talk to me later. This is NOT good. Is there a place where we can talk?"

"Yes. Follow me," Eriol commanded.

We all followed him to his bedchambers and sat in the little lounge area he had. St first we sat in silence, but we quickly got to business.

"What is it that this Tokurashi guy wants?" Meiling asked.

I looked down. "He seems to want me dead. and Syaoran or whoever else is in his way."

"Do you know what he wants?" Tomoyo asked gently.

"The cards, our magical abilities, the world, does that cover it?" Syaoran asked, and we all winced.

Silence. I couldn't take it any longer. "I think we need Eriol's help."

Silence, then, "WHAT?!?"

I looked over at Syaoran. "He helped us, didn't he? I don't think he'd be working for that Tokurashi guy anyway." I looked over at Eriol, whose eyes were on me. "If we did ask for your help, what would happen?"

He gave a small worried smile. "I would help you when the time came, I wouldn't be using my magic and creating havoc as Syaoran thinks in that little head of his," he paused.

"Hey!" Syaoran defended himself.

"But you would have to change at least one card every night, or at least two cards every day."

"I can do that-"

"Are you out of your mind?!? With school and assignments and everything? Sakura will be completely drained!"

Now Eriol looked over in Syaoran's direction. "Ah, my little descendant." Syaoran glowered. "You see, if the cardmistress didn't change them, then they would free themselves and escape and go anywhere where there is enough energy to sustain them. You wouldn't want that, now would you? Think of all the damage it would inflict on your home? What would your mother think? What about the Elders?"

"Okay, okay, I get your point! Sheesh! You promise you won't harm Sakura." he blushed, "Or anyone else who doesn't deserve to get hurt?"

"Yes. You have my solemn promise."

"I don't like that glint in your eye."

Eriol smirked. "Don't worry, I don't kill people in their dreams or anything like that."

"That's a relief!" Meiling stated.

"Okay, so what do we do now?" I asked.

"Go to sleep," Syaoran said, his eyes locking with mine. I could tell he was still worried.

"Don't worry. I'm fine now." I gave him a reassuring smile, and he gave a tiny one back.

"Let's go, Sakura," Tomoyo stated, her hand on my shoulder. "In the morning I have a feeling we'll have a LOT of explaining to do on Kero's behalf."

I smiled up at her. "I think you're right Tomoyo, I think you're right."

"Nakuru! Come here."

"Yes master?" She asked, coming immediately.

We all stared openly. Who was she? Why did she call him master? It wasn't until after the initial shock that we realized she was pulling a black stuffed animal's cheeks apart.

"Eavesdropping again?" he asked, and I could tell it was a daily ritual practically.

"Lwret mre gro!" Suddenly the stuffed animal in Nakuru's hands started moving, and tiny crystal tears were forming in his eyes.

I pointed. "Another. Kero?" I asked.

Suddenly he stopped squirming and Nakuru was too shocked to realize her grip on him loosened, causing him to fly out of her grasp. "I AM NOT KERO thank you very much! I am sophisticated, and SMART, and have more POWERS and I don't look like a LITTLE GIRL'S STUFFED ANIMAL!" He shouted, shaking a tiny paw in my face. I sweat dropped.

Eriol merely smirked. "Nakuru, have you been feeding him sweets again?" He accused.

She blinked. "M-Master, that was well over an hour ago! Believe me, he'd be bouncing off the walls if I fed him sugar a second ago."

"In answer to your question Sakura, no, that is not another Kero, but he is a guardian. my guardian. His name is Spinel, or Spinel Sun. Nakuru is my other guardian, like you have Yue. Her other name is Ruby Moon. I was going to have Nakuru escort you girls back to your chambers, but now I think that this will be easiest." He snapped his fingers and used a transport spell, and Meiling found herself in her own room, much to her disappointment.

Tomoyo and I gasped when we saw where we were. [AN: Boy is that a lot of w's!] Tomoyo and I looked around the room, and sure enough, it was our bedchamber.

"I think I've had enough magic and amazement's for one night," I said, raising my eyebrows.

Tomoyo giggled and we changed into out nightgowns and crawled into bed. "Me too, Sakura." She sighed and curled up onto her side. "Me too."

*****Syaoran*****

"What is it?" I asked, crossing my arms and facing Eriol when all of the girls disappeared. "And they BETTER be in their rooms!"

"What do you think I have something to tell you?" he asked, smirking, looking exactly like the devil's twin. probably.

"Because they all went to their rooms and I'm still here."

"I don't want that Tokurashi guy to know that Touya is alive, or else he'll stop at nothing to kill him and Sakura will be even more devastated." I nodded my head. "Good, you agree, you will talk with him tomorrow."

"WHAT?!? NO WAY!" Eriol raised and eyebrow. "I'm am NOT talking to Sakura's brother!"

"Do you WANT him killed?" Eriol asked. When he saw the expression on my face he continued. "Do you want to see Sakura crying again?"

I slowly uncrossed my arms and looked down at the floor, defeated.

"Next, we need to find out who he is and where he's hiding. Do you have secret passageways or dungeons or towers that aren't used that he could be in?"

"Yes, all of the above."

He sighed. "This will take longer than I thought. How could he know what Sakura looks like though?"

"Do you forget? He said that he used to dress as a servant and watch her and her mother. He was once in love with them." 'Who wouldn't be?' I thought to myself.

"We need to see who visits there then. Nakuru, I want you and Spinel to go on a quest for me tomorrow. You will dress as servants and go to the Kinomoto Kingdom and find out as much information about anything that could have been Tokurashi in disguise, and report back to me immediately."

"Me?!? A SERVANT?!?" She squeaked, then yelled.

"Yes," he said with a piercing gaze.

"Oh, all right. As long as Suppie has to come with me."

"WHAT?!? Why me? I can't pretend to be a servant so why should I go?"

"For moral support," Nakuru sniffed.

"Because if you don't, I know for a fact that Nakuru won't go, so I'm making you."

Spinnel sighed and hung his head. "Yes Master."

"Anything else?" I asked, feeling like I was about to fall over from everything I had learned at such a late hour.

"Yes. I'd rather you didn't tell the Elders about this. Things would get.interesting lets just say. Chaos would take it's toll."

"Well. what do you expect me to tell them in the morning then?" I asked incredibly. "You don't KNOW-"

"Oh, but I do. And they can not know that Tokurashi is HERE. You can tell them anything else they would like to know, but they CANNOT know that he is here. If they do, they will do something about it, and the future can't be messed with. At this point, even I do not know what awaits us. Now go. You must get some sleep."

I rubbed my temples. "Why do I dread what will happen tomorrow?"

"It's not tomorrow you should dread, but the day after."

""Why's that?"

"Because we don't have any classes that day."

"You think he'll make another move?"

"I'm not positive, but we must always be on our guard."

"Now I'll send you to your bedchambers-"

"You know where my ROOM is?!?"

He blinked. "It's a simple spell that transports you to your room no matter where it is. I don't have to know where it is to send you there."

"So you don't know?"

He raised an eyebrow. "No." He waited for me to say something and when I didn't he asked, "Why?"

"No one knows where my room is, that's all. Let's just say I'd like to keep it that way."

"Hm. so you obviously know where a bunch of secret passages are. In two days, we will search for him. Two days."

"But you just said."

"Well, why can't we make a move if he might make a move? Besides, we now know his aura, it shouldn't be too hard to find him."

"Unless he's stronger than we thought."

"True, that is very true, but we won't know until we try. Now, get some sleep. I have a feeling that you won't so if I find you awake in half an hour I'm going to use a sleeping spell on you."

"What? Hey!"

"That's your warning. You need rest. Tomorrow will be a very busy day."

And with that I felt a flare of magic and I found myself in my room. I sighed and barely had enough energy to change. I fell back on my bed and knew that Eriol was right, curse him! I wouldn't be falling asleep any time soon. I had too much to think about, yet I wanted to welcome sleep with open arms. After about ten minutes of lying there, I felt a magical aura and recognized it at once. It was Eriol, and he was using a sleep spell. not just for me, but for Sakura, Tomoyo, and Meiling also. 'He said he'd give me half an hour! That no good, smirking little DEVIL! He.he...he...' Darkness overtook my senses, and eventually sleep won.

*TIME GAP*

I awoke in a foul mood and remembered everything from last night as if it was a dream or hazy memory. I had a splitting headache and was wondering how Sakura was feeling right about now. Today I had sword practice, history of the past, and defense. Two of those classes I had with Sakura. I also had to face my mother, basically LIE to the Elders, glare at every male that could be Tokurashi, try to sense for his stinking AURA, and talk to Sakura's brother who hates every Prince's guts if he's in a one mile radius of his sister. Today was definitely NOT going to be my day!

I got up, got dressed, and went to see my sister so she could take my headache away. A lot of good that did, she was squealing about how 'kawaii' everyone was here that once she was done, I gained another WORSE headache! Girls! I'll never understand them!

I headed to mother's study because I knew she would have something to tell me, and I was hoping she would take this darn headache away. She looked up when I came through the room and put her papers aside, which was NOT a good thing. She only does that when she completely focuses on some one or something, and right now the only reason she wanted to focus on me would be because of last night. She used to only do that when she wanted to talk about possible bridal candidates. Now I wasn't in the mood to even talk about magic.

"Xiao Lang," she greeted.

"Mother," I said, nodding my head in respect.

"About last night."

I groaned. "Can you at least get rid of my headache first?"

She gave me a reproving look and I gulped. "Come here."

I did as she told and she rested her fingers gently at my temples. I felt a flare of magic and felt her sifting through my feelings. I forgot how she 'got rid of' headaches and was worried. What if she found something I didn't want her to find?

"Mother-" I started.

"Hush. If you want your headache gone for good than the only way is to talk about it to someone, and this is very interesting, I wouldn't dream of letting you go now." I blushed and looked away from her eyes, even though they were closed at the moment. "Besides, who else would you do this with? Sakura?"

I gulped. I didn't want to even dream about what would happen if Sakura found my feeling about her or what she would do. It was too embarrassing. too horrible to think about. The rejection would be too painful to bear.

"Who else but you mother?" She went on, then didn't bother to pursue. She must have found what she was looking for. "You are stressed about something. a great many things to be precise. You are angry. very angry at a person who hurt someone dear to you. You are worried. that she might get hurt again. You are also fearful of what the future might hold, and what might happen. You do not want to believe what you know has to come to pass, and yet you push aside your own destiny. You are confused and overwhelmed, a lot of things have happened last night. You do not want them to repeat themselves. You are afraid that if you leave her side, she could die. You do not want to see tears on her face, so you are taking responsibility, and you have a heavy weight on your shoulders; not just the Elders, but also her brother, and the reincarnation of Clow Reed. [AN: She's the only one else who knows about Eriol from sifting through his mind.] You don't know whether to trust this young Prince. He has strong powers and guardians, but you feel that you have no choice. He has hurt the young cardmistress twice, why wouldn't he do it again?" She gasped, but made herself continue to go on, to take the weight off her son's shoulders. She could hardly believe it! What about the curse that was put on him as an infant? Was it all a bunch of rubbish? It couldn't be! And yet. "You would die. for her. sacrifice yourself. to save. your love, the cardmistress."

Every time she said something that I wouldn't permit myself to say, I felt hope rise in my stomach, I felt a great weight lifted from my shoulders, and little by little, my headache ebbed away. In a way, I was glad that I came to my mother. It was incredibly embarrassing, made me mad that she just went ahead and did that, but it also made everything much more clearer than before. It was as if she could lead me to the future and everything would be ALMOST all right, but enough for me to handle. I felt soothed some how. As if all my life I knew I was doomed, and all of a sudden the sun came out from behind the clouds and it gave me hope. I knew, that Sakura was my sun. and Sakura. is my hope.

"The Elders wish to speak with you little wolf. I do not think it is wise that you lie to them." She let me go and reached across for her papers once again.

"Mother?" I asked.

She gave a cunning smile, "But the truth could be worse."

I grinned back at her and bowed in respect.

"If you must lie, make it believable. Pigs don't fly, if you know it, than they know it."

"Thank you mother." I bowed myself out of the room and closed the doors behind me. I REALLY didn't feel like talking to the Elders at the moment, but then again, who would if they all thought you were doomed to fail and would never amount to anything? Not me, I assure you!

I made my way to the large double doors and the guards on each side bowed and opened them before I had to even pause. Whatever the Elders wanted, it must be urgent.

"Xiao Lang," Came the deep voice of one of the oldest Elders. [AN: ^____^ That's funny! Oldest Elder! Hahahahahahahaha! `-_- I'll stop now.]

I went and knelt before them, waiting for what they had to say next. I couldn't even bear to look them in the eye. yet.

"We have a feeling that you are hiding something from us."

'Wouldn't YOU like to know,' I thought silently, but kept my mouth shut.

"We have been sensing magic for the past week. At first we thought nothing of it, but it is becoming stronger. If this insists, we will be forced to take action."

'Are they talking about Sakura? Eriol? That baka Tokurashi? Who? Which one? All of them?'

"We have reasons to believe that the Card Captor is here with us, but there have been. certain inconvieniences that we would like to prevent from happening."

'He must be talking about Eriol.'

"We do not want the Cardmistress harmed, and if you can not help her, we will find someone who WILL."

'They'd replace ME?!? I'd guard Sakura with my LIFE!'

Now another Elder spoke. "Would you care to tell us what happened last night?"

'No,' I wanted to say so badly that I almost did. I choked the rude comment down and looked up at them. "It was nothing Elder. It has all been taken care of."

"Nothing, eh?" One asked.

"You say it's been taken care of boy?" Asked Kiho, the most rebellious of the Elders. He wouldn't serve someone younger than him if his life depended on it! "I'll tell you what's been taken care of!"

"Kiho, that is enough!" Came a demanding voice. I could tell that Keiske was talking because he was the oldest of all the Elders and deserved the most respect. Even the look in his eyes held a youth and intelligence to them that no one wouldn't be able to see.

I restrained a sigh, and knew they wouldn't drop this easily. "We have found out-"

"WE?" Asked Kiho, and I glared at him, though it didn't affect him at all.

"Yes, the Cardmistress and I."

"Wait a second!" He bellowed, demanding everyone's attention. "The Card Captor is a GIRL?!?"

Keiske heaved a long drawn out sigh. "Yes, Kiho, I thought we already established this."

"A GIRL is prancing around, using magic, capturing OUR cards, and we're just going to sit here and LET that HAPPEN?"

"Yes." One of the other Elders said simply.

"Keiske?" He asked, as if unwilling to believe.

"Yes," he said firmly.

"Anyway," I said, not wanting Kiho to interrupt again, "We found out who was behind all of those incidents. He will harm the Cardmistress no longer."

"Are you sure?" Keiske asked, piecing me with his gaze.

"Yes," I said firmly, looking him directly in the eyes. 'He won't harm her, but Tokurashi might.'

"So we will not have to worry about any. misgivings that involve magic?" He asked, being sneaky.

"I didn't say that."

"How will we know the Cardmistress is safe?" One of the Elders who has remained silent all this time asked.

"She will have Xiao Lang," Keiske stated.

"What if that isn't enough?" Kiho wanted to know, leering behind his glasses.

"We have friends," I stated simply, as if that was enough, wanting to pound that guy's face in, but restrained myself just barely.

"And who might they be?" Kiho wanted to know, smirking down at me.

I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth. I couldn't tell them that Tokurashi was here, because they would do something about it and all of the baka guests would freak. Then everyone would know that we possesed magic, and that's EXACTLY what mother and I DON'T wasn't to have happen. Would it matter if they knew about Eriol? They have to trust me.

"My cousin, Meiling, who can help in hand to hand fighting, the cardmistress' cousin, who knows about magic already-"

"Pathetic!" Kiho spat, but I ignored him, and the others snorted at his outburst.

"Keroberos and Yue, her guardians." 'Even though I don't care for the measly stuffed animal that much,' "And the Reincarnation of Clow Reed."

A few gasped at this, Keiske was the only one who could hide all emotion and surprise from his face, and Kiho looked mad. I knew one of his comments were coming.

"The reincarnation of Clow Reed?!? Who could believe such a thing?"

"I could."

Everyone turned to look in Keiske's direction. He merely shrugged.

"I felt his aura three days past. I wasn't quite sure who it was or where it came from, but I knew it was familiar. Now I know. Yesterday I was positive. I felt it stronger than before. It was last night. I knew he was battling someone, and after the fight it finally dawned in me. It was Clow Reed's aura. I must admit, I was pretty taken aback, but I knew what I sensed. I know that Xiao Lang isn't lying to us."

"You're sure?" Another Elder asked, awe struck.

"More than ever," he said, nodding as if in a trance. "I know our Cardmistress will be taken care of. That is all. You may go now Xiao Lang."

I nodded and stood, then backed slowly away, head bowed in respect. When I closed the doors behind me I felt as if I was finally allowed to breathe. I heaved a sigh and headed to the Dining Hall. Breakfast would be soon and then I had classes. When and where would I fit in room to visit Touya? I winced. That would be worse than the Elders most likely. What a day this will be!



Okay, I'm done with this chapter because I said so and because I have to get off the computer. Hopefully later tonight I can up-date, if not, you'll just have to wait. I hoped you liked it! REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!!!!!!! Please! And thank you SO much, to EVERYONE!