Cardcaptor Sakura
Parallel Fates

Disclaimer: I do not own Cardcaptor Sakura. It rightfully belongs to CLAMP, Kodansha, and other licensees.

Disclaimer 1: All new characters in this fan fiction are rightfully mine. I created them! Anyone steals them will get a whooping!

Disclaimer 2: No profit is accumulated while on this venture. My boredom seeks to fuel me.

Author's Note: I've used some terms that describe Syaoran's magic. Translations are at the end of this chapter.

Chapter 3: Magical Presence/ Ambush

The sunset shone brightly against the invading black sky and fleeting clouds above the park. Sakura, Syaoran, and Tomoyo walked casually through the empty paths with the comfort of the wind rustling through the trees above them. Tomoyo turned towards Syaoran with a question hanging above her head.

"Li-kun?" she asked in a gentle tone. "Is there something on your mind?"

"O?" answered Syaoran in naivety.

"You didn't seem like your normal self."

Syaoran turned away from Tomoyo with his head lowered towards the gravel floor. Sakura, along with Tomoyo, gazed at Syaoran's silent reception in concern. Heavy anxiety weighed upon Sakura's mind.

The school day passed by gradually with the addition of Jinshon revealing more about himself. Despite Syaoran's bitter temperament, Sakura became quite good acquaintances with the new student, as did the rest of her circle of friends. However, Sakura noticed Syaoran's underlining bitterness towards Jinshon for most of the day, realising his intentions of not associating with him. She and Tomoyo subtly impelled Syaoran to mingle with the exchange student, regarding their similar backgrounds, but Syaoran delicately declined the offer and ignored the chances to speak with Jinshon.

"Tomoyo-chan?" asked Sakura, breaking the little awkwardness between them. "It's been a while since you've gotten a costume out."

Tomoyo's eyes lit up with enthusiasm. "Hai Sakura-chan," she replied. "You would look so kawaii! I worked so hard on this one!"

Sakura laughed nervously at the sound of Tomoyo's infamous giggle. Out of his quiet stupor, Syaoran turned towards Sakura, disregarding the hostility that burned inside.

"Sakura?" he asked softly, diverting Sakura's attention away from a vivacious Tomoyo. "You had something on your mind yesterday. Are you all right?"

Sakura's face dimmed as she recollected the issue of her dream. Although, the turn of events had distracted her away from such concerns, yet her thoughts began to haunt rather than linger around her.

"Hai," she replied. "But I'll tell you about it a little later, ne?"

Sakura turned towards Tomoyo walking beside her. Syaoran gently smiled behind Sakura with understanding eyes.

"We're here!" exclaimed Tomoyo, stopping before an empty street curb. Both Sakura and Syaoran stood by the footpath alongside Tomoyo, eyeing a large van parked by the road. Without hesitation, Tomoyo happily opened the rear doors and popped into the van.

"Sakura-chan," she cooed. "Let's get you dressed."

Sakura sighed with a nervous smile as she followed her best friend inside. Syaoran turned towards the setting sun behind them, watching its fleeting light disappear below the trees. As he patiently waited, Tomoyo exited the van and grabbed his arm in a burst of excitement.

"She's not on this alone," she stated with a bitterly sweet tone.

Syaoran was taken aback by the sudden appearance of Tomoyo beside him as he was pulled lightly into the van.

"You're going to take part in this too," she announced.

"O?" spoke Syaoran. "But… I –"

"How else do I get you here without knowing." A smile crept onto Tomoyo's face as she politely shoved Syaoran into the large van.

The double doors shut behind them. Time passed on with the silence of the park ringing through its empty pathways. The sunset began to dim above as the night crawled into the sky. The first bright stars shone upon the black matted sky, decorating with glitter upon a dark blanket. Night fell.

"Sakura-chan!" shrieked Tomoyo with stars in her eyes, holding her camera. "You look so beautiful!"

Sakura emerged from the back of the van modelling Tomoyo's latest fashion string. The camera filmed the apparel, boxing Sakura within its viewfinder with a head-to-toe profile camera shot.

This time, she donned in a medieval look, sporting a sleeveless white shirt adorned with many decorative stitches that emphasised Sakura's form underneath the grey cape above her shoulders. The shirt stretched further below Sakura's torso as it acted as the remnants of a skirt flailing below her, somewhat inspired by Syaoran's old sorcerer attire from their youthful days. She also wore elbow-high elegant white gloves, adding a style of grace in Sakura's presence. Tomoyo justified the separation between the torso and sarong of the shirt with tied thick cords by her hips, as well as give the outfit a small touch with knee-high white boots to equalise the uniform's balance. A white headband was also placed atop her head, pulling back some of her flowing hair to display her face.

"This must be one of the best ones I've seen you in Sakura-chan," stated Tomoyo holding her cheek in admiration "White is a great tone on you."

Sakura's face blushed in shades of red, adding colour to the costume she modelled herself in.

"Ah, Li-kun," mentioned Tomoyo raising her camera towards the van.

Sakura turned around behind her, bearing witness to the uniform-clad young man exiting the large van doors.

Syaoran's dress, much to Tomoyo's delight, was a joint project with Sakura's own. His design, however, was quite different. He wore dark grey pants decorated with a white trims that ran down the legs. Over his bare chest, he also donned a large overcoat, also designed with white trims by its seams. The entire back was stitched in precision with many designs that equated with Sakura's decorative forms on her shirt. The addition of black gloves and boots created a set, along with a black bandana tied around his head, his wild hair overlapping above it.

Tomoyo chuckled lightly under her breath, still holding the camera in admiration of the couple before her.

"Li-kun, you and Sakura-chan are the perfect match," commented Tomoyo as she continued to film the couple together in their respective outfits.

Syaoran smiled at Tomoyo through the viewfinder of the camcorder and nodded in agreement. Blushing lightly, Sakura also agreed with Tomoyo with a small twinkle of accord in her emerald eyes.

"Let's begin, ne?" asked Tomoyo as she began to walk towards the park.

The couple agreed to the notion and followed her lead as the stars began to twinkle faintly in the overcoming night sky. Both magic-wielders stood by the giant penguin slide in the centre of the park with the bright crescent moon overhanging above them. Sakura opened her hands with the deck of Sakura Cards, pulling out a few to be used for the night's presentation and training. Syaoran turned towards the bushes as Tomoyo hid away out of harm's way with her camcorder on the ready, the red light visible from the darkness ahead.

"Don't over do it," warned Syaoran concernedly.

Sakura looked up at him with a small smile, reassuring his troubles. She walked a fair distance away from Syaoran, giving herself room to perform her magic. As she began wielding her magic, a thought suddenly hit her halting the incantation she preceded. Her face began to fill with distress as her heart pounded inside of her chest and her face turned hot.

"What's wrong?" asked Syaoran in concern.

"I was suppose to bring Onii-chan's package home," she noted in embarrassment. "I guess it slipped my mind through the day."

Syaoran stood with an empty response in his posture as his head hung from his shoulders. He sighed inwardly, rubbing the back of his head involuntarily.

"Is it important?" he asked monotonously.

"Onii-chan sounded like it was," mentioned Sakura in thought. She quickly summoned the Star Wand and, as quick as she had called forth the staff, she called upon one of her Sakura Cards.

"Mirror!" she cried, calling forth the card before her. The card appeared in thick mist, forming itself into Sakura's own image in school uniform. Sakura walked towards the card, holding her wand to her chest in an earnest fashion.

"I need to ask you a favour," implored Sakura sincerely.

"Hai?" asked Mirror with a smile.

"Could you please take Onii-chan's package and hide it away from Otou-san?"

Mirror nodded her head in accord to Sakura's request and headed towards the van, finding Sakura's belongings inside. It was not too long for Mirror to emerge from within wearing Sakura's roller gear and carrying Sakura's school briefcase.

"Arigatou," thanked Sakura.

Mirror smiled and bowed to her Card Mistress, departing the group with a farewell. Mirror disappeared out of the park as she headed towards the Kinomoto residence.

"I guess I have to return home after this," stated Sakura as she gazed up at Syaoran.

Syaoran responded with a gentle and understanding smile, reassuring her concerns for the night. Sakura too returned his smile, also reassuring him for the night ahead. After the little mishap, Tomoyo walked up from the bushes she hid in and contently smiled at the couple before her.

"Now, let's start from where we left off," she happily suggested with a glowering face filled with admiration.

Sakura once again began wielding her magic against the blackness of the night sky above her with its crescent moon shining its light. She stood in procession with her hands held in front of her and her key in her hand. A bright glow emitted from the small ornament as it floated above her hands. A circle grew from her centre with the sun, moon, and star forming its magical barrier.

"Key that holds the power of the stars, reveal thy true form to me. I, Sakura, command thee under convert. Release!"

Whirling smoke surrounded Sakura with her cape and hair blew against the wild airstream prominent in her summon. Nearby, Syaoran stood placidly unfazed by the commandment act of the key. Amongst the wild tenacity of the air surrounding them, his long coat blew against the wild rush, watching Sakura before him. The key within the squall began to shift in shape, as it slowly grew larger before Sakura's presence. She reached out for the instrument that floated above the ground, twirling its frame like a baton in her cheerleading days. She now held her Star Wand. By the end of Sakura's display, Syaoran followed after with a procession of his own. Holding up his charm before his head, a glow emanated from his hands as a shape began to form. A sword tangibly appeared before him. Swinging in circles, Syaoran balanced its weight against his strength, readying himself for the exercise.

Tomoyo's face glimmered in delight from within her green sanctuary. Stars glittered from inside her eyes as she continued to film the spectacle that unfolded before her. "This will be so perfect," she whispered whilst resting her hand upon her cheek. "So kawaii!! I'm going to make this one as dramatic as the last." With her camcorder in hand, Tomoyo watched through the viewfinder, enclosing the couple within its boxed confines.

"What shall it be today?" asked Syaoran.

"I've read up on a few of Naoko-chan's old stories over the summer break," replied Sakura. "I guess Tomoyo-chan had as well. Maybe that's where she got some inspiration."

Syaoran nodded lightly, signalling Sakura a positive response to her suggestions. She opened her hand with her deck of cards, selecting one necessary from the pile. She threw the Sakura Card in the air as it floated above her head gracefully.

"Create!" she cried, sending forth her wand upon the card's face. With a flash of bright light, the card began to form and manifest as the air began to rage once more around her.

Demonic-like wings began to form behind a blue-like sheen scaly body. Claws and teeth began to emerge, as did a long whip-like tail behind the large mass, brushed with stinging needles by its tip. Three long necks and heads finally protruded from the form, each one hissing and roaring in its awakening.

Sakura and Syaoran took steps aback from the large reptilian creature. They both gazed upon its impeccable size that equalled its ferocity and wrath. The three heads whipped in directions imaginable as they roared ferociously in the night sky, each portraying a personality of their own with the coloured eyes bound on each one: red, white, and yellow. Red-eyes threw its head back, flicking its serpentine neck swiftly with its jaws ignited in fire. Its breath shot forward towards the couple torching the air that hung between them.

"Look out!" yelled Syaoran as the both of them escaped the fiery inferno. He rolled along the ground, looking up towards the creature's summit. White-eyes stared upon the teenage boy and hissed at the sight of him, its snake-like tongue whipping in its jaws. Syaoran stood before the head and flicked out an ofuda from his coat.

"Raitei Shourai!" he yelled as he threw the ofuda above his head. He positioned his sword before him as the ofuda attached to its metallic blade and culminated the incantation. A multitude force of lightning sent forth towards White-eyes, acting as a conductor for the rest of the triad. The creature bellowed in a high shrill within its trapped lightning cage.

"Sakura!!" cried Syaoran through the magical strain.

Sakura safely stood before the Hydra as it continued to stand in the electrical pain that surged through its body. She began to twirl her Star Wand before her, yet Yellow-eyes broke free from the lightning that encapsulated it. It hissed in relief and turned towards its second assailant before it. Sakura was taken back by surprise as she stared into the golden sheen of Yellow-eyes. Without hesitation upon its part, it threw its head back in a fiery display with the embers glowing from within its snout.

"Jump!" she exclaimed in hurry as tiny wings appeared upon her feet.

Yellow-eyes sent forth its scorching assault as it burned the air it travelled through. Sakura jumped away from the flames and landed onto the playground bars from vicious harm. She stared towards Syaoran as he strained under the magical strength he upheld. His face contorted in pain and fatigue as the Hydra struggled against the electrical currant. The lightning weakened and the Hydra broke free from its electrical confines. Syaoran knelt in minor exhaustion and caught his breath before standing upon his two feet. The reptilian slowly turned towards the boy with its eyes glowing fiercely at the young sorcerer.

Syaoran gazed towards the heads as he stepped back from the immense size of the beast. Its giant wings began to whip strong gales towards him, pushing his body against the ground he stood upon.

"Sakura!" he yelled as he covered his head from the raging wind. He began to run towards her despite the gales that pushed him, yet it was not long until the Hydra swung again, its tail swiping at the young boy. Syaoran ducked and rolled as he avoided the danger that had herald upon him. The spines grazed the gravel floor before its victim, producing deep marks upon the earth. Syaoran continued to evade the threatening situation, yet the Hydra maliciously attacked him to and fro.

The Star Wand rose into the air as it slammed against a card before its mistress. Sakura stood with a bright light once more with her face contorted within such power. "Shield!" she cried as a rush of air soared above her.

Surrounding Syaoran, an invisible barrier formed, preventing the Hydra from attacking him any further. Sakura sighed graciously for his safety, yet the Hydra's heads turned towards her in malevolent prowess. Sakura stood before the beast as the heads towered over her. All three threw their heads back in unison as embers glowed from within their slender jaws. Taken back by such a display, Sakura stood defensively before the Hydra, with a Sakura Card in hand. A flame-thrower flew towards her in great speed, catching her off-guard. The assault thrashed upon the playground in a burst of flames.

Syaoran stood before her, taking the risk from the safety of Shield. He faced the aqua-blue creature's assault and threw another ofuda into the air before him.

"Sui Ryuu Shourai!" he yelled, holding his summoning sword before him. Syaoran's magic began to whir and surround the couple upon the playground set. A strong rush of water formed a curtain before the pair. The blaze continued to shoot forth from the beast against the strong tide, creating steam rising from the wall of water.

Hiding inside the safety of distant bushes, Tomoyo continued to film the events that unfolded before her with her camcorder. Her eyes brightened and her face brimmed with delight as she watched the two magical pair battling together in her new outfits.

"This is definitely one of the best battles yet," she whispered to herself, sighing dreamily. "Sakura-chan would surely love to watch this one when it's edited." Tomoyo felt uplifted and warm inside as she chuckled to herself happily. She continued filming the course of the battle, watching the Hydra on its fiery assault.

"Sakura," warned Syaoran in strain. "I can't hold on much longer."

"Hai," replied Sakura as she flipped a card out from her deck. "Watery!"

Her Star Wand brightened upon the Sakura Card that floated above her. Water began to flow from above the Hydra as the young spirit took form amongst the sweeping ribbons of water that surrounded her. She dove into the blazing inferno, turning and twisting around the fiery breath as it transformed into steam. Watery charged into the Hydra's heads. It roared and shrilled as it lashed its three heads everywhere about it, attempting escape from the flooding raid. Syaoran and Sakura landed on the earth as they watched the dragon's aimless retreat against Watery. Once again, Syaoran called forth his magic, hoping to aid the process in eliminating the beast's fury.

"Raitei Shourai!" he cried as the lightning stimulated through the water that circled around the Hydra. The heads thrashed in pain with the combination of water and electricity running through its entire body.

"Freeze!" cried Sakura in a wisp of smoke.

The large spirit sprouted from above Sakura's wand. It flew forward towards the Hydra as it sprouted into a storm of frost that burst forwards towards the water that surrounded it. Ice trailed through the water paths, inter-weaving throughout the creature's lean slender body. The crystals took shape as the Hydra froze in place. The last frightening shrills echoed through the air, the ice crystals finally forming around the snout of Red-eyes. A marvel of its own creation, the Hydra towered above the pair as they stared towards the frozen statue.

Syaoran wiped away sweat that trickled from his brow and looked towards Sakura beside him. She too wiped her forehead, sighing in relief that the battle had finally ended.

"Good job," complimented Syaoran as he laid a hand upon Sakura's shoulder.

Sakura smiled gently towards Syaoran. "Hai. You too."

Tomoyo emerged from her little shrub refuge with her camcorder in hand. A reassuring smile crossed her face as she paced towards the two magic-wielders in anxiousness. "You two were amazing!" she complimented with a dazzled look in her eyes.

Sakura smiled, as did Syaoran beside her. For very long they have been training themselves in this manner, taking the opportunity to fine-tune their skills whenever they can. Origins of the idea were very vague, but the two of them agreed to partake in such a ritual. It had brought them a lot closer together despite school hours, and gave them the time to focus on their magical prowesses.

Tomoyo faced the large ice statue above her. The crystals glistened amongst the moonlight with the Hydra frozen in time.

"Sakura-chan?" she inquired.

"Yes?" she answered softly.

"Shouldn't you call back your Sakura Card?" Tomoyo pointed towards the immense figure that towered above them.

Sakura laughed nervously as she rubbed the back of her head in a slight awkward moment. Slowly, the ice began to crack above the snout of White-eyes as an amber glow surfaced from within its ajar jaw. It breached its frozen prison, roaring in spite and bitter freedom.

Catching the trio off-guard, they stood before White-eyes as it turned towards the group with a deadly gaze. Sakura and Tomoyo held onto each other in fear with White-eyes bellowing another fiery blow from within its jaws. Syaoran shielded before the two girls with his sword and ofuda ready.

"Fuu Kei…" began Syaoran as he motioned his strike.

White-eyes drew back its rage, confusing the three below of its sudden turn of action. It turned towards the distance of the park, eyeing above the trees as they rustled against the mild wind. At the sight of this, Syaoran lowered his guard and stared at White-eyes in suspicion. Both girls behind him slowly had let go of each other and too caught the attention of its distraction.

"What's the matter?" asked Tomoyo curiously.

"I don't know," answered Sakura in confusion.

Syaoran gazed towards the distance also as he picked up a presence nearby. The atmosphere turned for the strange with the additional presence of magical forces in the scene. A large figure floated above the trees, camouflaged against the sheen of the moonlight above them.

"Over there," directed Syaoran pointing towards the figure.

Wings sprouted from the figure as it lifted itself off from the trees below it. A cat-like form floated gracefully, clouded and shadowed by the night sky that enveloped everything below it.

"Kero-chan?" whispered Sakura as she continued watching the figure float before them.

White-eyes growled lowly under its breath, suddenly shrilling at the thing that hovered ahead. Fire began to glow from within, dispersing the fiery torrent from its slender snout towards the large black figure.

"Kero-chan!" yelled Sakura earnestly as the fireball flew towards the flying creature.

Angel-like wings shielded its body from the flames that scorched the air. The bright glow shone upon the wings as the flames clawed upon the floating figure. The fire turned to embers as it disintegrated into ashes before the apparition underneath the moonlight. A silence drew between the creature and the mysterious intruder whilst white embers glowed from within. Poised in its cat-like form, it threw the blaze towards White-eyes. Syaoran quickly grabbed the girls behind him away from the danger that had built upon them.

"Duck!" he yelled urgently. The three teenagers hit the gravel floor before them, covering their faces from the onslaught.

The white inferno scorched White-eyes as it screeched in agony, with its two other heads following soon after. The cracking of the ice melted away into droplets of water, creating a shower over the park as the reptilian apparition disappeared in white light.

Silence again ensued as the three rose from the ground. The park glistened in water droplets under the night sky, a myriad of stars on their own upon the earth. They gazed above them as a card slowly descended gently through the mild breeze. The three of them lifted themselves from the gravel floor, Syaoran helping up both girls.

Floating into the hands of its Card Mistress, Sakura looked towards the sky once more to find that the intruder had disappeared. She gazed upon the card in her possession, staring at the pattern that the Illusion Card portrayed itself upon the surface. An uneasy feeling washed over her. Her mind began to race in wildly in her head with questions rising and appearing everywhere.

"Sakura-chan, are you okay?" asked Tomoyo.

Sakura nodded in reply yet thoughts still lingered above her mind. She continued to stare upon the card before placing it back into her deck.

"I don't understand," uttered Sakura, catching both Syaoran and Tomoyo. "Was that Kero-chan? He didn't hear me." Her mind wandered as confusion began to settle from within. The energy from the figure began to resonate from inside of her as its silhouette appeared in her head. Yet the aura that surrounded the being glowed differently. A foreign sensation flowed through her.

Kero-chan? she thought. It was difficult to grasp, but Sakura could not describe the feeling. There was resemblance, but distance. There was similarity and difference that she could not fathom and collect in her mind.

Syaoran turned to Sakura and gently placed his hand on her shoulder, taking her away from her deep thoughts. With stern, yet soft eyes, he quickly reacted towards Sakura's uneasiness.

"We'll think about this tomorrow," quickly reassured Syaoran, seeing the slight stress placed over Sakura. "You can go ask him when you get back home."

Sakura looked up at him with a comforting smile as she silently agreed to his idea. "Arigatou, Syaoran," she answered.

"You better get some rest, Sakura-chan," softly spoke Tomoyo by her side as she pointed towards her wristwatch. "It's getting pretty late."

Sakura agreed as she turned towards Syaoran. As if reading each other's thoughts, Syaoran also agreed to Tomoyo's gesture and the trio began walking towards the van outside the park. The night grew darker, yet a dark figure stood amongst the thick canopy of the trees above them. Silver eyes stared upon their leave and glared at their presence.

The Kinomoto residence was peaceful except for the small sounds of a game echoing a certain bedroom. The light shone brightly from within, and inside its confines sat Mirror posed as her mistress, and Kero-chan facing the television screen.

Mirror lay atop her mistress' bed as she awaited her return from her nightly battle and training. She looked around the room seeing everything that has changed throughout the years Sakura grew up to become to be. It was pretty rare for her to see anything from outside her confines nowadays, but she took for granted the times she could. The sights, the sounds, and the smells lingered in her mind, as did the touch of such things that she could not forever cherish. Mirror then sat herself up atop the soft mattress beneath her and stared towards the window in contemplation. Although such things were trivial to her, she still felt a certain joy when released; yet a saddening feeling enveloped her. For her, she could not reconnect with the one person who made her happy.

He could never recognise her anymore. It was only at some point of time where she could give subtle hints to reveal her true self in front of him. However, she knows of his true place now. Her mistress' brother, Touya, could never acknowledge her. His abilities and his source of magic power had disappeared, but she knew it was for the greater good. She held her face in her hand as a smile appeared from her face warmly.

Kero-chan busily played video games once more as he grunted with full-fledged concentration and determination.

"C'mon," he said, intensified eyes thoroughly at the screen. His paws continuously tapped against the buttons with all of his concentration aimlessly attentive towards the beeping and monotonous sounds blaring from the television.

Mirror laughed lightly at her guardian in amusement at Kero-chan's addiction to gaming. In spite of it all, she could never find what was so challenging about them, but she still giggled at the thought of it. She walked off towards the bedroom window and peered outside, witnessing the stars sparkling above her brightly. She smiled up at them as she continued reflecting her thoughts within her mind about the trivial things she could or could not comprehend. She closed her eyes, imagining the times behind her.

Suddenly, a silence fell upon the room. A silence that overcame her entire self as her mind wandered. A strange feeling engulfed Mirror from within as her body fell into a trance of some sorts. Her eyes turned empty as she opened them once more, a soft azure green shining dimly. She stood vacantly by the window, her body limp ad her mind departed from this world. Kero-chan's ears perked, averting his concentration away from the television screen.

"Nani?" he asked softly to himself, watching Mirror's body standing eerily. "Mirror, what's wrong?"

Mirror raised her head slowly as she turned to face her guardian behind her. Her form began to disappear and shift into her own as her long robes and hair floated gently above the floor.

"Nani?!" yelled Kero-chan as he stared at her. "Change back!"

Outside, a humanly figure appeared, its silhouette shadowed by the moon behind it. Wings stretched above its head as its slender fingers invited Mirror towards the window behind her. She began to turn around, answering to the silent call outside of the bedroom.

"Oi! Don't you even –" yelled Kero-chan as he headed towards Mirror. An unseen force blockaded the guardian's flight, pushing him away from the Clow Card's sudden trance-like state. His small body flew rapidly towards Sakura's closet as he landed amongst a heap of clothes.

"Mirror!" he called as he struggled to free himself from the mess.

Mirror blindly ignored the guardian as she continued to be pulled by this stronger force outside the room. She placed her hands upon the windowsill and pushed them open, allowing the large skylight free for the figure's entrance. It stretched its hand towards her face, softly placing its palm upon Mirror's cheek. The figure's slender and cat-like eyes radiated an azure violet, its soft look containing a mysterious air and a foreign magic beyond that Mirror has felt. The figure whispered words towards her with a gentle smile upon her face as she turned towards Sakura's briefcase atop her desk.

A golden locket emerged from within its contents, floating delicately above the briefcase and across the room. Kero-chan watched from afar the events that unfolded before him as the little trinket continued to float towards the window where Mirror stood.

"Yue?" he asked himself.

The figure gently clutched the pendent as it still held its palm upon Mirror's face. It smiled gently at her with its long sapphire hair glowing brightly against the moonlight behind it.

"Arigatou, young one," the stranger whispered as it removed her palm from Mirror's cheek. A slight gust of wind blew from behind it as its wings flapped gracefully. It flew swiftly from the window and disappeared into the darkness of the night.

Mirror's body suddenly felt weak as her legs collapsed underneath her. She fell into deep slumber.

Raitei Shourai: King of Thunder, come forth.

Sui Ryuu Shourai: Water Dragon, come forth.

Ofuda Term used for yellow incantation papers.