Chapter 5: Back to the Past
A/N: Arigatou Mina-san!!! For all your wonderful reviews! And to Lau, I'm glad you like that Y+S scene! This chapter is going to be looooooooooooong. Cuz I have to bring Yue back and it's really a tedious process....but oh, definitely worth it!!! Besides, if I don't bring Yue back soon, I'll probably get killed by Yue's fans......*sweatdrops* BUT...Yue will be back only in the NEXT chapter..ok ok ok!! Don't Kill Me!! I'll work my butt off to bring you the next chapter in a few days time!!! Oh ya, and a little short scene on Sakura and Syaoran.
Okaaaaaaaaaaaay, on with it already!!! Yup, and if you have any ideas on the story you would like to share, please REVIEW!! Or email me at kath_windy@yahoo.com But anyway, please do DO review!!!
===================================== Last Chapter: Yukito and Sakura kissed, and he confessed his love for her. But to his amazement, she CRIED! What happened?
==================================== To his amazement, Sakura went still in his arms and then sobbed brokenly. "Sakura? Why are you crying? Are you.....are you offended by the kiss and my....confession?" Yukito was confused by Sakura's behavior. From the way Sakura had responded to his kiss, he had deduced that Sakura returned his feelings. Was he WRONG?
"Oh, Yukito-san, it's.....I'm just worried about Yue." Sakura answered weakly. Understanding dawned in Yukito's amber eyes. "I understand, Sakura. I'm worried about him too! Yue and I have been together for so long that I felt a part of me gone when his mind separated from mine into different bodies. And now, not sensing his presence, I feel a gut-wrenching loss deep inside." Yukito's eyes softened as he told Sakura his true feelings.
Tears trailed down Sakura's emerald-green eyes, as she once again thought about Yue's disappearance. She shivered, from the coldness that seem to gnaw at her heart ever since Yue had disappeared. Yukito cupped Sakura's face and lowered his lips to the corner of her eyes and brushed away her tears with butterfly kisses. Sakura's arms wrapped around Yukito more tightly, seeking comfort and warmth to thaw the coldness in her heart. Feeling Sakura's body pressed against his, he couldn't help but give in to the desire smoldering inside him. While his butterfly kisses had been chaste, now they were driven with something more powerful - passion. Yukito's kisses went lower, as he placed his warm lips on the pale column of Sakura's throat. Sakura tilted her head back and whimpered.
"Ahem, sorry if I have interrupted anything....." A bemused voice broke into the silence.
Sakura and Yukito sprang apart, embarrassed to the core. Yukito had a shy look on his face while Sakura's cheeks burned.
"Yukito-san, I DID told you to take care of Sakura-chan.....but maybe I shouldn't have......Didn't you know that Sakura-chan shouldn't go through STRENUOUS activities right after she's just recovered?" Eriol teased.
"Hoooooee? What strenuous activities?" Sakura asked, clueless about what Eriol was talking about.
However, Yukito was not as naïve as Sakura, and answered in a flustered tone, "I didn't! We didn't do THAT!!!"
Eriol raised an eye-brow and he smirked. "I didn't say you DID."
"Huh? What are you two talking about?" Sakura's puzzlement grew as she looked to Yukito for an answer.
He blushed, not meeting Sakura's eyes. "Ah, it's nothing, Sakura." No way he's going to explain to Sakura what Eriol meant. Sakura's still too innocent for that kind of explanation.
Eriol gave another bemused look at the two before turning serious. "Sakura- chan, I have found a way to bring Yue back. Well, actually, it's not bringing him back, because I have absolutely no idea where he's now. Rather, it's to return to the past, and stop the division of Yukito and Yue from happening."
"How do we return to the past...OH, you mean use the RETURN card?"
Eriol nodded grimly. "You are right, but there's always the danger of.."
"I'm not afraid of any danger as long as I can save Yue!" Sakura interrupted, with determination in her voice.
"Sakura-chan, please let me finish. I know you are anxious to save Yue, and we all are. But we won't want to save Yue at the expense of sacrificing anyone, I'm sure Yue would feels the same way."
Sakura kept quiet. She gave a gesture for Eriol to continue talking.
"Thank you. The danger of using the 'Return' card is that you may not end up where you want to. Right now, our target is to return back to one week's time, before you asked Yukito and Yue if they would want separate bodies. You'll have to stop yourself from asking them. And come back to the present as soon as you have accomplish that."
"But as the card is highly unstable, you could miss that timeslot and be thrown further back in time than that. If that happens, you must try to return to present as soon as you can. For the longer you stay in the past, the more dangerous it is for all of us. You could disrupt the timeline and cause future events to change."
"I won't be going back to the past with you, as I'll be the anchor here in case anything happens. It won't do for the two of us to get lost in the past. Now, we have to get to the Moon Shrine, and borrow the powers of that big spiritual tree there to use the RETURN."
Sakura processed all that Eriol had said, and nodded, more determined to save Yue than ever. They headed for the Moon Shrine. Fortunately, there was nobody around, so it's easier to use the RETURN. Yukito-san gave Sakura a hug and whispered into her ear, "Sakura, please come back safely, I'm be waiting for you." Sakura smiled reassuringly and replied in a cheerful voice, "Hai! Don't worry!" Eriol looked at her and marveled at how strong her will has grown since they have last met. He said, "I have every confidence in you, Sakura-chan." She nodded and turned to face the tree in the Moon Shrine.
Sakura took out her staff and the 'Return' card and chanted something under her breath. "Release and dispel! RETURN!" A black hole appeared in the tree and she was swallowed inside. She could barely hear Eriol shouting something vaguely as she was enveloped in the darkness.
"Sakura-chan, there's something wrong with the time dimension!" Eriol tried to use his magic to stop the 'Return' but it was too late.
==========================
Sakura woke up to hear someone calling her name frantically in an Osaka accent. "Sakura!!! Sakura!!!"
She forced her eyes open and saw Kero-chan (in his stuffed-toy mode) looking at her worriedly. "Sakura!!! I tried to wake you for the last 15 minutes and you had no response! I was so worried when I felt your aura disappeared for a while just now! Luckily, it returned right after a few seconds and..."
Sakura blinked at the rambling Kero-chan, and interrupted him, "Kero-chan! You are alright!!"
Kero-chan gave her a strange look. "What do you mean by that?"
Sakura realized that she must have returned to the past. "Where's Yue?"
Kero-chan's beady eyes grew twice its usual size. "How do you know about Yue?"
"Huh? Why shouldn't I know...WAIT A MINUTE! WHAT'S TODAY DATE?" Sakura turned to look that the calender by her bedside, too impatient to wait for Kero-chan's reply.
Her hands went to her mouth as she gasped out. "Oh my god, I'm back in fifth grade. Back in my own fifth grade body and not as my older self.."
"Sakura?? What are you mumbling about? Are you alright??" Kero-chan put a soft paw on her forehead. "You don't have a fever...WAIT! You haven't answered me! How do you know about Yue!"
Sakura ignored Kero-chan as she went to her drawer and took out the Clow books. Yes, they are still Clow cards, as she have not turned them into Sakura cards yet. The first two cards on the top of the deck drew her attention. "The Dark and The Light."
"Yes, Sakura, you did a good job capturing those two cards at the school play. And also great work at the 'Twin' card, though that two Chinese-kids did help somewhat. Of course, with the GREAT Keroberos by your side, how can you help but do a good job of things." Kero-chan nodded with pride.
Sakura thought to herself - So, Meiling is back to Hong Kong now..and there's one more card to capture before the Judgement. Oh, I better answer Kero-chan about Yue before he gets anymore suspicious.
"I know about Yue from The Light and The Dark. They told me that Yue is going to judge if I'm the chosen mistress for the Clow cards." Sakura finally answered Kero-chan wearily. She was disappointed that she had somehow messed up the spell to return to the right point of time in the past. And not only that, she's now stuck in her 11 year-old body. She glanced at the mirror, taking in the young innocent face, large pools of emerald-green eyes and short auburn hair. Yup, she's 11 year-old alright. And best part is, she still can't see Yue yet, as he would only appear after she had gathered ALL the Clow cards. She sighed.
Before Kero-chan could say anything else, there was a shout from downstairs. "Kai-juu!! Breakfast is ready! You'll be LATE AGAIN!" Touya sounded slightly irritated.
"Coming!!" Sakura an answering shout before changing into her uniform hurriedly. Tying her hair into her old hair-style, she remembered Eriol's words about not disrupting the history, so she decided to pretend that she's REALLY still a fifth grader, and follow her actions of the past. She wondered how long she has to be stuck here in the past, since she doesn't have her star staff nor her Sakura cards now. And there's NO cards that would bring her back to the future.
She closed her eyes for a moment and tried to focus on reaching Eriol through the time dimension, or willing herself back to the future, but it was useless. However, Kero-chan noticed that her aura grew when she was focusing.
"Hey Sakura! When did your magic grow? What happened?" Kero-chan asked suspiciously.
"Ah..hahaha,..I don't know...OH GOSH I'M SO LATE...got to rush!" and Sakura escaped downstairs.
Instead of her usual stomping, she was quiet and graceful. In the years that she's become the mistress of the Sakura cards, grown into a teenager, she's changed into a more graceful person. The change was amazing, but everyone agreed it's for the better, especially Touya, who said, "Well, at least now we have more peace in the house, though the Kai-juu is still a Kai-juu."
Sakura's put on her first smile since she returned to the past. She walked to the dinning room and greeted her brother, "Ohayo, Onni-chan."
Touya looked at her with surprise, as he didn't hear her coming downstairs. "What? No stomping today? Oh I guess it's going to rain later.." Touya teased her. He was surprised again when she didn't reply with her usual jib and stamping on his leg. Instead, Sakura gave a weak smile before settling down for breakfast. She had no mood at all.
"Where's Otousan?" She asked.
Touya looked at the white board where their schedule is written pointedly. Sakura's dad has to be in the University that he teaches at earlier than usual today. Sakura nodded and ate her breakfast quickly, not wanting to be late.
Touya gave Sakura another strange look before preparing to go out. "Wait Onni-chan, I'll walk with you." Sakura swallowed the last of her meal quickly and got up. They left the house together, and headed for the junction where they usually meet Yukito.
"To-ya! Sakura-chan! Ohayo!" Yukito waved at them from a distance.
"Ohayo." Touya replied in greeting, while keeping an eye on Sakura discretely. He knows that there's something different about Sakura, just that he couldn't place a finger on what it is.
"Ohayo, Yukito-san!" Sakura answered cheerfully. But the sharp eyes of Touya noticed that she did not blush as she usually does. His dark eyes narrowed.
Meanwhile, Sakura was too absorbed in her thoughts to notice her onni- chan's attention on her. Yukito-san, you don't know how I feel now, seeing you and knowing that Yue is inside of you, but not able to talk to Yue. I know he's asleep inside you, but soon, soon I'll see Yue. There's only one more card to capture before the judgement. The Earthy. And that's tomorrow.....after your archery competition with Mizuki Sensei.....
Sakura was unusually quiet, so Yukito tried to draw her into a conversation. "Sakura-chan, you will be coming to watch the archery competition tomorrow?"
"Yes, of course! And I'll prepare lunch for you too!" Sakura replied, remembering just in time that she HAD prepared lunch for Yukito, Syao-ran, Tomoyo and of course, Kero-chan with the bottomless stomach. Thinking about Syaoran brought a little wistful smile on her face. Syaoran had gone back to Hong Kong after she had turned all the Clow cards into Sakura cards, and they had corresponded through letters since then. Technically, she have not seen Syaoran for two years, and she's looking forward to seeing him again. She hummed happily as she continued blading to school. Soon her school was in sight, and she waved a good-bye to both Yukito and Touya.
"Ohayo, Sakura-chan!" Tomoyo greeted her. Sakura stared at the young Tomoyo. When Tomoyo had become a teenager, she had cut her hair till its shoulder-length. So it's a surprise to see her shorter in height and in hair length. Sakura greeted back Tomoyo cheerfully, trying to act as naturally as she could. But of course, the perceptive Tomoyo noticed something ODD about Sakura almost immediately. "Sakura-chan? Are you alright? You seem....different."
Trying to dismiss Tomoyo's suspicions, Sakura's mind scrambled for a believable excuse. "Oh, I'm just so excited about Yukito-san's archery match tomorrow!"
Tomoyo seemed to buy her story, and nodded with a knowing smile. "Yes, I understand your excitement. Let's head for class or we'll be late."
Sakura was about to enter the classroom when she sensed a familiar aura behind her. She was about to greet him 'Syao-ran-kun' when she remembered that they are not in such good terms NOW yet. So she just turned around and greeted him "Ohayo, Li-Kun." But she flashed him a stunning beam of joy, as she's just so glad to see him. He blushed and stammered, "O-ha-yo!"
Lessons went on as usual, and soon school's over. Sakura waved a goodbye to Tomoyo, and turned to Syaoran. "Li-kun, are you free now?" She couldn't resist but to spend a little more time with him, not knowing when the time dimension will distort and draw her back to her present.
"Yes...But..." Syaoran answered hesitatingly.
"Great! Let's go for a drink!" Sakura took his hand and led him to a nearby café. His face turned red as Sakura hand held his, but he followed silently.
"Li-kun, the strawberry shake is nice, do try it!"
"Yes, and may I take your orders?" the waitress in the café asked politely.
"Er...okay, I'll have a strawberry shake as well." Syaoran replied.
The waitress left and Syaoran asked, "So what's it you want to talk to me about? Is it the Clow cards?"
Sakura just smiled happily at him and kept quiet. Syaoran blushed again, not understanding why she's looking at him like she's seeing a long-lost friend.
Finally, the drinks came and an annoyed but familiar voice broke the silence. "Here's your drinks." Both looked up to see Touya. "Onni-chan! What are you..oh, you are working here right?" Sakura sighed inwardly, she should know that her onni-chan worked almost anywhere. Touya ignored Sakura's question and gave a death glare at Syaoran, who returned one in kind. "What are you doing here, you Chinese-gaki?" Syaoran sputtered but Sakura interrupted their glaring match before it could get further. "Onni- chan, don't you have to work?" Touya gave Syaoran a final glare before he reluctantly returned back to work.
"Sorry about that, Li-kun. By the way, I just want to inform you that we have one more card to capture."
"I know that already. But what's the last card?"
"The Earthy. It's one of the four elemental cards. Very tough to handle...." Sakura stopped when she realized Syaoran looking at her weirdly.
"How do you know that?" The Sakura he knows is oblivious and hardly knowledgeable about the Clow cards.
"Oh, Kero-chan told me...." Sakura covered up quickly.
An awkward silence followed. Both drank their shakes.
Sakura was debating within herself, not knowing if she should warn Syaoran about the Judgement. She knows that he will be shocked to find out that Yukito-san is Yue, who's the judge of the candidates to be the new master. She decided to keep quiet about it, as she has no idea how it would affect the history. But still, she has to warn him a little.
"Li-kun, you better rest well tonight and be prepared for tomorrow.."
"Huh?" Syaoran gave Sakura a puzzled look
"I mean you get prepared to meet us and watch Yukito-san's archery match tomorrow. If you don't have enough rest, you may fall asleep during the match."
"I won't." Syaoran grunted.
"Alright. Well, I've to get going, it's really nice to see you again." Sakura had the slip of the tongue before she realized it.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Syaoran was befuddled.
"Nan-demo-nai. Ja-ne, Matta ashita!" Sakura waved and bladed away before Syaoran could ask anymore. Sakura reached home and found it empty. She went to her room and plopped down on bed. "Sakura! You're home!" Kero-chan greeted her as he continued with his video game.
"Hai." Sakura closed her eyes and tried to contact Eriol or find a way to return to her present again. Though she's in her fifth grade body, her aura is that of a teenager. That means she's stronger in magic. Kero-chan paused his game and gazed at her in amazement. "Sakura!" His voice broke her concentration and she snapped, "What?" Once she had stopped focusing, her aura became 'normal' again. Kero-chan blinked in surprise. Was it just his imagination? It happened this morning too.
"Sakura, is there something you are not telling me?" Kero-chan asked in a suspicious tone.
"Of course not! What do you mean?" Sakura tried to act blur.
"Your aura! Why did it flare up, growing stronger and weaker in a matter of seconds? It's so strange!"
Sakura pondered, whether it's safe to tell Kero-chan the truth. Besides Tomoyo, Kero-chan is her next best friend. But....history might change..so she still decided to keep quiet. "I don't know. Kero-chan, shall I buy you some pudding?" Sakura was hoping the mention of desserts would distract him. It worked.
"Pudding Pudding Pudding!! Yay! Ok, thanks Sakura!" Kero-chan exclaimed in joy.
"Ok, I'll be back later, you continue with your game ok?"
Kero-chan nodded happily and unpaused his game.
Sakura left the house, glad that she didn't need to prepare dinner today. She wrote a note to inform her family that she's out for a walk, in case they worry about her. After buying Kero-chan some pudding, she ended in empty Penguin Park and sat on the swing. Looking up at the sky, she saw the full moon in all its glory. "Yue....I miss you." She murmured, as tears fell from her eyes. She didn't notice a figure approaching her, and jumped when someone called her.
"Sakura-chan?"
"Yukito-san! What are you doing here?" She was surprised to see him. Maybe her thoughts of Yue brought him here. Nah, don't be silly, she told herself and shook her head.
"I was taking a walk, it's such a beautiful night, with the full moon." Yukito sat down on the swing beside Sakura. He noticed tear streaks on her face and asked in a concerned voice. "Sakura-chan? Are you alright?"
Sakura smiled, glad for his concern. "Daijoubu. The moon....is so beautiful that it touched my heart." Not being able to tell the truth, she could only think of this excuse.
"Oh, I like the moon a lot too, somehow, it just soothes me." Yukito gazed at the moon and a flash of amethyst appeared in his amber eyes. Sakura blinked, and it was gone. Must be Yue, he missing the moon. Oh Yue, tomorrow seems such a long time away. Tomorrow, will you still look at me with concern? Don't remember so. I remember your cold silver eyes when you appeared to judge Syaoran and me that night. We were your enemies then, because you didn't want a new master. You love Clow. But do you still love him?
They sat together in comfortable silence. Sakura was the first to rise. "Yukito-san, I better head back home. See you tomorrow at the archery match."
"Bye, Sakura-chan, see you tomorrow."
And Sakura left, with anticipation for tomorrow.
====TBC========== A/N: I'm working on the next chapter now, but I'll just post this chapter up first. Yes, definitely Yue will be back in the next chappie. Because Sakura has to go through her judgement all over again. Now that she knows what's going to happen, will she do things differently? Well, see you in the next chapter...and remember to REVIEW!! Arigatou!!!
A/N: Arigatou Mina-san!!! For all your wonderful reviews! And to Lau, I'm glad you like that Y+S scene! This chapter is going to be looooooooooooong. Cuz I have to bring Yue back and it's really a tedious process....but oh, definitely worth it!!! Besides, if I don't bring Yue back soon, I'll probably get killed by Yue's fans......*sweatdrops* BUT...Yue will be back only in the NEXT chapter..ok ok ok!! Don't Kill Me!! I'll work my butt off to bring you the next chapter in a few days time!!! Oh ya, and a little short scene on Sakura and Syaoran.
Okaaaaaaaaaaaay, on with it already!!! Yup, and if you have any ideas on the story you would like to share, please REVIEW!! Or email me at kath_windy@yahoo.com But anyway, please do DO review!!!
===================================== Last Chapter: Yukito and Sakura kissed, and he confessed his love for her. But to his amazement, she CRIED! What happened?
==================================== To his amazement, Sakura went still in his arms and then sobbed brokenly. "Sakura? Why are you crying? Are you.....are you offended by the kiss and my....confession?" Yukito was confused by Sakura's behavior. From the way Sakura had responded to his kiss, he had deduced that Sakura returned his feelings. Was he WRONG?
"Oh, Yukito-san, it's.....I'm just worried about Yue." Sakura answered weakly. Understanding dawned in Yukito's amber eyes. "I understand, Sakura. I'm worried about him too! Yue and I have been together for so long that I felt a part of me gone when his mind separated from mine into different bodies. And now, not sensing his presence, I feel a gut-wrenching loss deep inside." Yukito's eyes softened as he told Sakura his true feelings.
Tears trailed down Sakura's emerald-green eyes, as she once again thought about Yue's disappearance. She shivered, from the coldness that seem to gnaw at her heart ever since Yue had disappeared. Yukito cupped Sakura's face and lowered his lips to the corner of her eyes and brushed away her tears with butterfly kisses. Sakura's arms wrapped around Yukito more tightly, seeking comfort and warmth to thaw the coldness in her heart. Feeling Sakura's body pressed against his, he couldn't help but give in to the desire smoldering inside him. While his butterfly kisses had been chaste, now they were driven with something more powerful - passion. Yukito's kisses went lower, as he placed his warm lips on the pale column of Sakura's throat. Sakura tilted her head back and whimpered.
"Ahem, sorry if I have interrupted anything....." A bemused voice broke into the silence.
Sakura and Yukito sprang apart, embarrassed to the core. Yukito had a shy look on his face while Sakura's cheeks burned.
"Yukito-san, I DID told you to take care of Sakura-chan.....but maybe I shouldn't have......Didn't you know that Sakura-chan shouldn't go through STRENUOUS activities right after she's just recovered?" Eriol teased.
"Hoooooee? What strenuous activities?" Sakura asked, clueless about what Eriol was talking about.
However, Yukito was not as naïve as Sakura, and answered in a flustered tone, "I didn't! We didn't do THAT!!!"
Eriol raised an eye-brow and he smirked. "I didn't say you DID."
"Huh? What are you two talking about?" Sakura's puzzlement grew as she looked to Yukito for an answer.
He blushed, not meeting Sakura's eyes. "Ah, it's nothing, Sakura." No way he's going to explain to Sakura what Eriol meant. Sakura's still too innocent for that kind of explanation.
Eriol gave another bemused look at the two before turning serious. "Sakura- chan, I have found a way to bring Yue back. Well, actually, it's not bringing him back, because I have absolutely no idea where he's now. Rather, it's to return to the past, and stop the division of Yukito and Yue from happening."
"How do we return to the past...OH, you mean use the RETURN card?"
Eriol nodded grimly. "You are right, but there's always the danger of.."
"I'm not afraid of any danger as long as I can save Yue!" Sakura interrupted, with determination in her voice.
"Sakura-chan, please let me finish. I know you are anxious to save Yue, and we all are. But we won't want to save Yue at the expense of sacrificing anyone, I'm sure Yue would feels the same way."
Sakura kept quiet. She gave a gesture for Eriol to continue talking.
"Thank you. The danger of using the 'Return' card is that you may not end up where you want to. Right now, our target is to return back to one week's time, before you asked Yukito and Yue if they would want separate bodies. You'll have to stop yourself from asking them. And come back to the present as soon as you have accomplish that."
"But as the card is highly unstable, you could miss that timeslot and be thrown further back in time than that. If that happens, you must try to return to present as soon as you can. For the longer you stay in the past, the more dangerous it is for all of us. You could disrupt the timeline and cause future events to change."
"I won't be going back to the past with you, as I'll be the anchor here in case anything happens. It won't do for the two of us to get lost in the past. Now, we have to get to the Moon Shrine, and borrow the powers of that big spiritual tree there to use the RETURN."
Sakura processed all that Eriol had said, and nodded, more determined to save Yue than ever. They headed for the Moon Shrine. Fortunately, there was nobody around, so it's easier to use the RETURN. Yukito-san gave Sakura a hug and whispered into her ear, "Sakura, please come back safely, I'm be waiting for you." Sakura smiled reassuringly and replied in a cheerful voice, "Hai! Don't worry!" Eriol looked at her and marveled at how strong her will has grown since they have last met. He said, "I have every confidence in you, Sakura-chan." She nodded and turned to face the tree in the Moon Shrine.
Sakura took out her staff and the 'Return' card and chanted something under her breath. "Release and dispel! RETURN!" A black hole appeared in the tree and she was swallowed inside. She could barely hear Eriol shouting something vaguely as she was enveloped in the darkness.
"Sakura-chan, there's something wrong with the time dimension!" Eriol tried to use his magic to stop the 'Return' but it was too late.
==========================
Sakura woke up to hear someone calling her name frantically in an Osaka accent. "Sakura!!! Sakura!!!"
She forced her eyes open and saw Kero-chan (in his stuffed-toy mode) looking at her worriedly. "Sakura!!! I tried to wake you for the last 15 minutes and you had no response! I was so worried when I felt your aura disappeared for a while just now! Luckily, it returned right after a few seconds and..."
Sakura blinked at the rambling Kero-chan, and interrupted him, "Kero-chan! You are alright!!"
Kero-chan gave her a strange look. "What do you mean by that?"
Sakura realized that she must have returned to the past. "Where's Yue?"
Kero-chan's beady eyes grew twice its usual size. "How do you know about Yue?"
"Huh? Why shouldn't I know...WAIT A MINUTE! WHAT'S TODAY DATE?" Sakura turned to look that the calender by her bedside, too impatient to wait for Kero-chan's reply.
Her hands went to her mouth as she gasped out. "Oh my god, I'm back in fifth grade. Back in my own fifth grade body and not as my older self.."
"Sakura?? What are you mumbling about? Are you alright??" Kero-chan put a soft paw on her forehead. "You don't have a fever...WAIT! You haven't answered me! How do you know about Yue!"
Sakura ignored Kero-chan as she went to her drawer and took out the Clow books. Yes, they are still Clow cards, as she have not turned them into Sakura cards yet. The first two cards on the top of the deck drew her attention. "The Dark and The Light."
"Yes, Sakura, you did a good job capturing those two cards at the school play. And also great work at the 'Twin' card, though that two Chinese-kids did help somewhat. Of course, with the GREAT Keroberos by your side, how can you help but do a good job of things." Kero-chan nodded with pride.
Sakura thought to herself - So, Meiling is back to Hong Kong now..and there's one more card to capture before the Judgement. Oh, I better answer Kero-chan about Yue before he gets anymore suspicious.
"I know about Yue from The Light and The Dark. They told me that Yue is going to judge if I'm the chosen mistress for the Clow cards." Sakura finally answered Kero-chan wearily. She was disappointed that she had somehow messed up the spell to return to the right point of time in the past. And not only that, she's now stuck in her 11 year-old body. She glanced at the mirror, taking in the young innocent face, large pools of emerald-green eyes and short auburn hair. Yup, she's 11 year-old alright. And best part is, she still can't see Yue yet, as he would only appear after she had gathered ALL the Clow cards. She sighed.
Before Kero-chan could say anything else, there was a shout from downstairs. "Kai-juu!! Breakfast is ready! You'll be LATE AGAIN!" Touya sounded slightly irritated.
"Coming!!" Sakura an answering shout before changing into her uniform hurriedly. Tying her hair into her old hair-style, she remembered Eriol's words about not disrupting the history, so she decided to pretend that she's REALLY still a fifth grader, and follow her actions of the past. She wondered how long she has to be stuck here in the past, since she doesn't have her star staff nor her Sakura cards now. And there's NO cards that would bring her back to the future.
She closed her eyes for a moment and tried to focus on reaching Eriol through the time dimension, or willing herself back to the future, but it was useless. However, Kero-chan noticed that her aura grew when she was focusing.
"Hey Sakura! When did your magic grow? What happened?" Kero-chan asked suspiciously.
"Ah..hahaha,..I don't know...OH GOSH I'M SO LATE...got to rush!" and Sakura escaped downstairs.
Instead of her usual stomping, she was quiet and graceful. In the years that she's become the mistress of the Sakura cards, grown into a teenager, she's changed into a more graceful person. The change was amazing, but everyone agreed it's for the better, especially Touya, who said, "Well, at least now we have more peace in the house, though the Kai-juu is still a Kai-juu."
Sakura's put on her first smile since she returned to the past. She walked to the dinning room and greeted her brother, "Ohayo, Onni-chan."
Touya looked at her with surprise, as he didn't hear her coming downstairs. "What? No stomping today? Oh I guess it's going to rain later.." Touya teased her. He was surprised again when she didn't reply with her usual jib and stamping on his leg. Instead, Sakura gave a weak smile before settling down for breakfast. She had no mood at all.
"Where's Otousan?" She asked.
Touya looked at the white board where their schedule is written pointedly. Sakura's dad has to be in the University that he teaches at earlier than usual today. Sakura nodded and ate her breakfast quickly, not wanting to be late.
Touya gave Sakura another strange look before preparing to go out. "Wait Onni-chan, I'll walk with you." Sakura swallowed the last of her meal quickly and got up. They left the house together, and headed for the junction where they usually meet Yukito.
"To-ya! Sakura-chan! Ohayo!" Yukito waved at them from a distance.
"Ohayo." Touya replied in greeting, while keeping an eye on Sakura discretely. He knows that there's something different about Sakura, just that he couldn't place a finger on what it is.
"Ohayo, Yukito-san!" Sakura answered cheerfully. But the sharp eyes of Touya noticed that she did not blush as she usually does. His dark eyes narrowed.
Meanwhile, Sakura was too absorbed in her thoughts to notice her onni- chan's attention on her. Yukito-san, you don't know how I feel now, seeing you and knowing that Yue is inside of you, but not able to talk to Yue. I know he's asleep inside you, but soon, soon I'll see Yue. There's only one more card to capture before the judgement. The Earthy. And that's tomorrow.....after your archery competition with Mizuki Sensei.....
Sakura was unusually quiet, so Yukito tried to draw her into a conversation. "Sakura-chan, you will be coming to watch the archery competition tomorrow?"
"Yes, of course! And I'll prepare lunch for you too!" Sakura replied, remembering just in time that she HAD prepared lunch for Yukito, Syao-ran, Tomoyo and of course, Kero-chan with the bottomless stomach. Thinking about Syaoran brought a little wistful smile on her face. Syaoran had gone back to Hong Kong after she had turned all the Clow cards into Sakura cards, and they had corresponded through letters since then. Technically, she have not seen Syaoran for two years, and she's looking forward to seeing him again. She hummed happily as she continued blading to school. Soon her school was in sight, and she waved a good-bye to both Yukito and Touya.
"Ohayo, Sakura-chan!" Tomoyo greeted her. Sakura stared at the young Tomoyo. When Tomoyo had become a teenager, she had cut her hair till its shoulder-length. So it's a surprise to see her shorter in height and in hair length. Sakura greeted back Tomoyo cheerfully, trying to act as naturally as she could. But of course, the perceptive Tomoyo noticed something ODD about Sakura almost immediately. "Sakura-chan? Are you alright? You seem....different."
Trying to dismiss Tomoyo's suspicions, Sakura's mind scrambled for a believable excuse. "Oh, I'm just so excited about Yukito-san's archery match tomorrow!"
Tomoyo seemed to buy her story, and nodded with a knowing smile. "Yes, I understand your excitement. Let's head for class or we'll be late."
Sakura was about to enter the classroom when she sensed a familiar aura behind her. She was about to greet him 'Syao-ran-kun' when she remembered that they are not in such good terms NOW yet. So she just turned around and greeted him "Ohayo, Li-Kun." But she flashed him a stunning beam of joy, as she's just so glad to see him. He blushed and stammered, "O-ha-yo!"
Lessons went on as usual, and soon school's over. Sakura waved a goodbye to Tomoyo, and turned to Syaoran. "Li-kun, are you free now?" She couldn't resist but to spend a little more time with him, not knowing when the time dimension will distort and draw her back to her present.
"Yes...But..." Syaoran answered hesitatingly.
"Great! Let's go for a drink!" Sakura took his hand and led him to a nearby café. His face turned red as Sakura hand held his, but he followed silently.
"Li-kun, the strawberry shake is nice, do try it!"
"Yes, and may I take your orders?" the waitress in the café asked politely.
"Er...okay, I'll have a strawberry shake as well." Syaoran replied.
The waitress left and Syaoran asked, "So what's it you want to talk to me about? Is it the Clow cards?"
Sakura just smiled happily at him and kept quiet. Syaoran blushed again, not understanding why she's looking at him like she's seeing a long-lost friend.
Finally, the drinks came and an annoyed but familiar voice broke the silence. "Here's your drinks." Both looked up to see Touya. "Onni-chan! What are you..oh, you are working here right?" Sakura sighed inwardly, she should know that her onni-chan worked almost anywhere. Touya ignored Sakura's question and gave a death glare at Syaoran, who returned one in kind. "What are you doing here, you Chinese-gaki?" Syaoran sputtered but Sakura interrupted their glaring match before it could get further. "Onni- chan, don't you have to work?" Touya gave Syaoran a final glare before he reluctantly returned back to work.
"Sorry about that, Li-kun. By the way, I just want to inform you that we have one more card to capture."
"I know that already. But what's the last card?"
"The Earthy. It's one of the four elemental cards. Very tough to handle...." Sakura stopped when she realized Syaoran looking at her weirdly.
"How do you know that?" The Sakura he knows is oblivious and hardly knowledgeable about the Clow cards.
"Oh, Kero-chan told me...." Sakura covered up quickly.
An awkward silence followed. Both drank their shakes.
Sakura was debating within herself, not knowing if she should warn Syaoran about the Judgement. She knows that he will be shocked to find out that Yukito-san is Yue, who's the judge of the candidates to be the new master. She decided to keep quiet about it, as she has no idea how it would affect the history. But still, she has to warn him a little.
"Li-kun, you better rest well tonight and be prepared for tomorrow.."
"Huh?" Syaoran gave Sakura a puzzled look
"I mean you get prepared to meet us and watch Yukito-san's archery match tomorrow. If you don't have enough rest, you may fall asleep during the match."
"I won't." Syaoran grunted.
"Alright. Well, I've to get going, it's really nice to see you again." Sakura had the slip of the tongue before she realized it.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Syaoran was befuddled.
"Nan-demo-nai. Ja-ne, Matta ashita!" Sakura waved and bladed away before Syaoran could ask anymore. Sakura reached home and found it empty. She went to her room and plopped down on bed. "Sakura! You're home!" Kero-chan greeted her as he continued with his video game.
"Hai." Sakura closed her eyes and tried to contact Eriol or find a way to return to her present again. Though she's in her fifth grade body, her aura is that of a teenager. That means she's stronger in magic. Kero-chan paused his game and gazed at her in amazement. "Sakura!" His voice broke her concentration and she snapped, "What?" Once she had stopped focusing, her aura became 'normal' again. Kero-chan blinked in surprise. Was it just his imagination? It happened this morning too.
"Sakura, is there something you are not telling me?" Kero-chan asked in a suspicious tone.
"Of course not! What do you mean?" Sakura tried to act blur.
"Your aura! Why did it flare up, growing stronger and weaker in a matter of seconds? It's so strange!"
Sakura pondered, whether it's safe to tell Kero-chan the truth. Besides Tomoyo, Kero-chan is her next best friend. But....history might change..so she still decided to keep quiet. "I don't know. Kero-chan, shall I buy you some pudding?" Sakura was hoping the mention of desserts would distract him. It worked.
"Pudding Pudding Pudding!! Yay! Ok, thanks Sakura!" Kero-chan exclaimed in joy.
"Ok, I'll be back later, you continue with your game ok?"
Kero-chan nodded happily and unpaused his game.
Sakura left the house, glad that she didn't need to prepare dinner today. She wrote a note to inform her family that she's out for a walk, in case they worry about her. After buying Kero-chan some pudding, she ended in empty Penguin Park and sat on the swing. Looking up at the sky, she saw the full moon in all its glory. "Yue....I miss you." She murmured, as tears fell from her eyes. She didn't notice a figure approaching her, and jumped when someone called her.
"Sakura-chan?"
"Yukito-san! What are you doing here?" She was surprised to see him. Maybe her thoughts of Yue brought him here. Nah, don't be silly, she told herself and shook her head.
"I was taking a walk, it's such a beautiful night, with the full moon." Yukito sat down on the swing beside Sakura. He noticed tear streaks on her face and asked in a concerned voice. "Sakura-chan? Are you alright?"
Sakura smiled, glad for his concern. "Daijoubu. The moon....is so beautiful that it touched my heart." Not being able to tell the truth, she could only think of this excuse.
"Oh, I like the moon a lot too, somehow, it just soothes me." Yukito gazed at the moon and a flash of amethyst appeared in his amber eyes. Sakura blinked, and it was gone. Must be Yue, he missing the moon. Oh Yue, tomorrow seems such a long time away. Tomorrow, will you still look at me with concern? Don't remember so. I remember your cold silver eyes when you appeared to judge Syaoran and me that night. We were your enemies then, because you didn't want a new master. You love Clow. But do you still love him?
They sat together in comfortable silence. Sakura was the first to rise. "Yukito-san, I better head back home. See you tomorrow at the archery match."
"Bye, Sakura-chan, see you tomorrow."
And Sakura left, with anticipation for tomorrow.
====TBC========== A/N: I'm working on the next chapter now, but I'll just post this chapter up first. Yes, definitely Yue will be back in the next chappie. Because Sakura has to go through her judgement all over again. Now that she knows what's going to happen, will she do things differently? Well, see you in the next chapter...and remember to REVIEW!! Arigatou!!!
