Author's Notes: Yes, I am finally updating this. Thank you, L-chan, for prodding me back into action! Submitted for your approval, Kaho's POV of the Final Judgment.
I'd like to thank the Academy...wait, no, wrong list. Reviewers! Yay! A huge thank you and a hug for rakko-chan, Kasumi, L-chan, Peacewish, kira, Lynn, and Shadow. Each review means a lot to me for this story. I am still positively glowing that I have not gotten any flames for this story. That means the world to me. I hope you all like this chapter, though I think the next one will be more interesting. ~shrugs~ Enjoy!
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Moon's Dance and Shadow
A Kaho and Eriol story
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Chapter EightRising of the Moon
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The motions of an archery match are as a well rehearsed dance. Everything is just so and I can lose myself in the rhythm and pattern of motions to the point where it is a trance and I stay in that spot for as long as I need. Even focusing my eyes on the target is part of that dance, and it is all done to an internal beat. It is while lost in that dance that I feel invincible. It is as if there is another within me, guiding my actions and bringing me closer to perfection.
With fluid motion I stood, feet in position, bow raised and my hands in place. Slowly, I pull the string back while bringing my arms down and in position. The arrow is already knocked, I have only to sight it, and then I release. The low thrum of the string after release quivers through my arm and I watch the flight with calm patience. It either hits or misses at this point, and time slows as I wait to see the result. There is a slight whistle as the fletching strains to keep the arrow in its path over the distance, then there is the distinctive soft thud of the arrow hitting its target.
Bull's eye.
This would be a good day, I looked forward to the competition.
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As the day wore on I felt a presence tickling the back of my mind, but it was one I had felt before and could dismiss. My arms began to burn a little, but it was a sensation I was used to and even almost welcomed. It had been a while since I had been in a competition so fierce, it was thrilling to be standing at the end against someone so talented. I was a mere human, and I was tied with the false form of Yue, a being who was given magical skill with the bow as part of his nature. I had a feeling that I could not win in the long run, but I was doing my best. That was all that was important.
He let fly another arrow and I smiled. His form was perfect. Soon, I would be faltering as my arms lost strength and my concentration wavered. It was going on longer than anyone really expected, and the end was not in sight. I smiled, knowing that every arrow I fired off at this point was a personal victory that no one else had been able to match. I stood, positioning myself, dancing to the internal beat that led me through this competition. I drew my arms down to aim, each motion in rhythm, and I felt eyes upon me. It was as if someone was glaring at me, calling me. The feeling of presence that had been present all day became intense and my fingers pulled slightly off true. I waited as the arrow flew, hoping to hear that satisfying thud, but my ears were met with a clack as it hit the panel that held the targets, and not the target itself.
There was a flash of disappointment. I could have done better. Why had this happened now? It wasn't fair. It wasn't my fault.
I stifled those thoughts quickly though. It wouldn't do to seem like a poor sport. I paused long enough to follow the feeling to its source, Sakura's backpack, and then turned to congratulate my opponent. I wanted to ask if he had felt those eyes boring into him also, but that would detract from his victory. I did not want to do that to him. His slight hesitation made it clear to me that he had felt it as well anyway, making questions unnecessary.
I found a secluded place on the pretext that I wanted time to think. I was followed, exactly as I had supposed I would be, by the same being who had interrupted the match. I waited a few moments for him to reveal himself. The presence was a familiar one, someone I had met before, but someone who had tried to remain hidden from view.
In an intuitive flash I knew all of it. There had been a day when Li-san had been changed, where his personality had not been his own. I remembered Eriol talking about a "Change" card and idly wondered at the time if that had been responsible. I had not thought to wonder who he had changed with. So, this was Keroberos, sometimes called Cerberus in English, guardian of the seal.
He still did not reveal himself.
"Konnichi wa," I called softly.
"So, you did feel me," he said, rounding the corner at last. What I saw before me was a somewhat familiar sight, looking very much like a certain toy my colleague, Terada Yoshiyuki, had almost given to his niece. He flew to sit on the wooden rail before me, at eye level while I was kneeling on the wooden walk on the side of the building.
"It's the first time I met you in that form."
"Yeah, I had switched bodies with that kid the last time," he said, confirming what I had just concluded moments before. "Since I couldn't use any of my magic, I didn't realize it when I met you."
I wondered for a moment what it would have been like if he had noticed me at that time. What would we have said while in that borrowed form?
"I feel magic of tremendous power," he went on, "especially that of the moon. You're one that uses the powers of the moon, aren't you?"
"Yes." I thought I realized suddenly why he had wanted to talk to me at this time.
"The other guardian of the Clow Cards that Clow Reed created to serve opposite me; Yue, which means "moon" in Chinese."
In the distance we could hear Sakura calling for him, but he was not finished trying to figure out what I knew and what roll I would play.
"Did you tell Sakura anything?"
"No," I replied. It wasn't my place to tell her, just to help her in her moment of need.
"What about the Last Judgment?"
"I know...but I haven't told her about that, either." She would find out about that on her own. "I have...my duties."
"What are your duties," he asked.
"You'll find out soon," I said. How would this creature, even looking like a harmless toy, react to the knowledge that I was here to go against the judgment Yue would render this night? I was here to give a second chance where there should be none, where interference should have been impossible.
He looked stubborn. "I believe Sakura can do something about it."
"I do too," I said, smiling slightly. Her kind heart would put her in a bind, but I had a feeling that she could win in the end.
Sakura was coming closer; our conversation was at an end. She would be too shocked to see that her "Kero-chan" had given away her secrets to me. I took a deep breath, readying myself for the events that would unfold this night.
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The chaos of attaining the final card was easily explained away as an earthquake to those who had no magic. I watched over Tsukishiro-kun while he was under the influence of the sleep card, drawing upon magical roots within the earth to maintain a steady footing and be safe while the Earthy card attacked. Li-san and Daidouji-san also stayed within my sphere of influence while Sakura battled the card.
Then it was finally over. All that remained was the signing of the card and she would face the Judgment. They decided to make a production of it and I smiled at how innocently they went about it. They would not have this happiness now if they knew what was to come. I was glad they had not been robbed of this moment.
I just waited.
Finally, Sakura prepared to write her name on the card and Keroberos gave the only warning he would give. Only then did the children show true signs of wariness. There was nothing to be done for it, however. It was inevitable.
Sakura printed her name on the card.
A magical wind began to blow, heralding--"The Last Judgment." The words slipped from me, an announcement of what we all now faced.
Behind me a soft blue glow began to emanate from Tsukishiro-kun. I was nearly overwhelmed by the gathering moon energy surrounding him, much stronger now than my own. He floated away from the bench we had laid him on while under the grip of the magical sleep. Wings appeared and surrounded his form. When they parted he stood there in his true form, that of Yue.
This was the one who had captivated the heart of Clow Reed. I turned my gaze forward again quickly, taking in Sakura's reaction so I could ignore my own. She stood in shock for a moment, then confusion set in. "Where did Yukito go?"
"Tsukishiro-kun was Yue," I explained patiently.
The explanations had begun. Half of the story now came to light. I held an arm across my middle, unaware at first of the protective and insecure gesture, but as I heard more and more of that voice I realized what I was doing. I still refused to turn around and look as Keroberos droned on. I listened carefully to those words so I would not have to imagine what had happened in the past.
Clow before, Touya to come; I felt like I was simply in Yue's shadow. I chided myself for those thoughts. Now was not the time or the place. I was here for one reason. I would wait for my opportunity to help Sakura, and that was all.
The judgment began and I waited patiently. When Li-san was defeated I still waited, though I had watched a bit more raptly than I liked to admit. The display of power was enough to take my breath away. At that moment though, I felt more dangerously diminished than ever. How could I hope to compare? I was glad that I was not the one standing up against Yue to be judged. I was very happy in my decision to give the Maze card to Sakura and to never let myself be in that position again. I did not want to be facing this tonight.
I did not envy Sakura for what she now faced.
I had confidence in her though. Her purity would lead her through. Her love and hope and confidence would bring her to victory when she found her strength.
I watched and waited as she was pulled into his control. She disappeared from our little "safe" space, and then reappeared on top of a distant building. She refused to fight at first, but was not given a choice. It was hard to just watch, but I had to wait until she realized for herself that she could win, and that she had to win.
She finally found a solution that she could live with, she tried to trap Yue, but the card she chose was under his influence and could not be used against him. Her spell turned on her, trapping her. She was told what the consequence of losing was, and only then did she realize that she must win no matter what. As Eriol and I both knew it would be, it was too little too late. Sakura was trapped and Yue began his spell.
I teleported to Tokyo Tower, standing at the base of where the Wood card had sprouted. The magic in the air was spreading out, reaching further and further as Sakura accepted it and added her own power to it. Still I waited, hoping that it would not overpower me also before I could do something about it. At the critical moment I felt Sakura quest for help, her mind reaching out to break the spell. She knew it was wrong, that this world vision could not come to pass.
That is when I rang the bell Clow had left to the shrine so many centuries ago. It had waited for this moment. Clow's magic now filled the air, giving Sakura the extra strength she needed to break the spell. A flash of brilliant light surrounded her as the tendrils from the Wood card were pushed away. The bell alone could not have done it, Sakura alone could not, but the two together managed to reflect the magic Yue had woven around her.
Sakura climbed down the vines, then the Wood card dissipated its power.
"Mizuki-sensei!?" She stared at me in shock for a moment.
I was just too happy that disaster had been averted, and I was very happy I could be of some help. "I'm glad you figured it out," I said. The bell began to shimmer, fading from this world as its purpose was finally fulfilled.
Sakura noticed this. "The bell!"
"This bell was left by Clow reed so that you could get one last chance," I explained with a smile. "It's gone, now that it has done what it was made to do. You won't get another chance after this." The last part I said with a more serious emphasis, wanting her to know just how serious this was. Sentiment could not get in the way; this was about the fate of the world and not just herself.
"Hai!" She turned back to Yue, ready to face him again with a new determination. "It's too sad to see a world where your feelings for the person you care about the most are gone! I'll do my best right now! I'm sure something will come of this. I know it will be all right."
At her cheerful and determined speech her wand began to glow, drawing into itself the last influence of Clow's magic to transform itself. "Now, release the seal," I guided her. I could almost feel what would happen next.
As she raised the staff high, it changed form, reflecting Sakura's power alone. Clow's influence was gone. Magic streaked across the sky like shooting stars and Yue looked around almost as if panicked. "What is this?" he demanded.
"A new power," I replied with joy. She could do this now. I had helped her overcome this last obstacle.
The wand became tipped with a star and wings, symbols of Sakura's power and personality. She sent the Wind card to capture Yue without harming him, and because of the change in polarity in the magic the spell worked. Yue was clearly shocked to see a card that should be his overpower him, but there was nothing he could do.
He lost.
Sakura won.
That was my cue to teleport back to the ground and leave the end of the Judgment to them.