Ok.  Vacation is officially over.  Please get ready for some suffering.  Action, romance and new cards our hero's are going to have a real hard ride ahead of them.  Especially when the destroyers want answers.

By the way I forgot.  The song at the end of the last chapter was Fear.  By Sarah McLachlan

Who's the girl?  I'll let you guess. 

Oh by the way you must.  I mean must have either the mortal combat theme or trunks song from dragon ball z for this. 

***

Tomoyo sat on the grass behind Eriol's mansion watching as Sakura meditated.  She wore a simple pair of sweat pants and a long sleeve shirt.  Tomoyo wished she would use the clothes she made for her but Sakura said that for this kind of exercise she dint' want to get her good clothes dirty.  It was true.  She'd end up very dirty by the end of their training sessions.

Tomoyo had wanted to bring her camera but Eriol had forbid it.  When she'd pouted and pleaded he'd still refused saying it was going to be a distraction and they couldn't do that.  She'd been so happy hearing about the training but now she was just bored.  Eriol sat next to her holding a towel.

"I'm sorry love.  I know you want to film this and shower Sakura with pretty things but this is so important.  Sakura needs to concentrate.  If she knows there is a camera here then she will blouse focus."

"I know."  She said glumly.  "It's just everyone has a part in this.  Mine was to film and give Sakura great costumes.  Now I just sit here."

"That's not true love.  You are here because she needs you.  Your spirit keeps her strong.  I know you feel useless in this but you just being here is a great help.  To her and to me."

"Eriol.  What's coming?  What's so frightening that Sakura has to train like this?  Why does she seem so serious?  I miss her cheery side."

"Tomoyo.  I will be honest with you.  Sakura probably knows more than I do.  I have a good idea what is going on but I think Sakura is having the visions."

"Maybe I can talk to her."

"No Tomoyo.  You have to let her be.  She isn't telling anyone.  Whatever Sakura sees is for Sakura alone."

"I wish I could be more useful."  Tomoyo said pouting.  Eriol smiled and kissed her forehead. 

A familiar feeling came across her.  She' been having the feeling ever since she left Korea and it was returning.  It didn't happen often. 

She leaned in closer to Eriol and sighed.  This time it wasn't from despair.  It was from contentment.  She was actually happy to spend some quiet time with Eriol.  It had been a while since they'd had some peace.

Eriol smiled down at her and held her close.  It felt good to have her calm.  He looked up at Sakura as she began some basic exercises.  Her movements were almost liquid as she began to move to a silent tune.

Eriol had begun to teach her some more complex things.  To focus her aura.  To control the cards with more accuracy.  The techniques he used were ancient.  Even older than Clow Reed. 

They said that the warriors had taught this form of fighting.  They used music to focus their energy as they fought and you would follow your own body to make a deadly but elegant dance.

Eriol waved his hand over to Nakuru and she pressed the tape recorder.  A soft music started and Sakura stopped the exercises and lifted her leg up till she was upside down.

(Music now.  Trunks theme is better.)

She flipped onto her hands and bent her knees.  She then let them up till she did a full handstand.

Sakura stood on her hands with her legs in a split for a whole minute while the music remained slow.  She slowly lowered her legs and the music started to speed up.  Her movements became slick and she arched her body in time with the music. 

***

Hong Kong.

Syaoran dodged the attack of his opponent flipping in the air for a moment and landing behind him. 

He swung his sword gracefully and attacked.  They began to spar and his body became like water.  His muscles moved in time with him and his agility gave him the upper hand.

Strike.  Attack.  Dodge.  Leap.

He closed his eyes and followed a tune he couldn't hear.  Ducking another attack the sound of swords was heard as they attacked again.  Sweat dripping from Syaoran's brow as he stopped for a second to regain his senses.

Clang. 

They began again.

***

Yue attacked Sakura from behind as Kero attacked from in front.  She dodged the attacks with the help of jump and she flipped using her athletic knowledge to her advantage. 

She moves quickly and leapt against Kero and hit him with a side hick.  He stumbled back and she crouched down and flipped him onto his back. 

Yue came in front of her and punched her causing the card mistress to fall back.  She was quick though landing on her hands and used the strength in her legs to elevate her into another handstand.  She got back on her feet and started to duel with Yue.  The winged guardian attacked again but this time she was ready. 

She grabbed his arms and called upon power.  She used the card and flipped Yue onto his back before he had a chance to retreat. 

***

The music started to sooth down a little and Sakura closed her eyes.  A figure danced in the back of her mind.  The same girl who was in her dreams stood in the middle of a temple lifting her arms in a sensual dance. 

Purely by instinct Sakura danced beside her.  Mimicking her movements down the last sway of a finger.  Moving to the side like you do in Ti chi Sakura moved with her soul.  Her body and spirit worked harmoniously to achieve this state of awareness and the girl next to her swayed in a cat like motion.

Their movements were mirrored and the shapes they created became more difficult.  What started out slow became faster and the easy movements had become complex and anyone who wasn't in the state sakura was in would end up in a tangled mess.

***

Syaoran leaped against his opponent and threw the sword out of his hands.  His eyes were clear as if he wasn't there.  In reality his senses had been heightened by Sakura's new awareness and he used that to balance his mind and body. 

He moved with grace and elegance as two more opponents came to help his first.  The three attacked but Syaoran dodged all three and used both hands and legs causing two of them to fall. 

He flipped form his stomach to his back and did a handstand with a cartwheel.  All who watched were amazed at his athleticism and he worked every muscle in him till all three of his opponents were down.

For a moment his eyes seemed white but he blinked and they regained their amber color.

With a deep breath he concluded his daily session.

***

"Sakura that was awesome."  Tomoyo yelled running to her friend.  Sakura opened her eyes still a little disoriented as Tomoyo reached out. 

Instinctively Sakura held a fighting stance and Tomoyo backed away.  When she realized what she had done, Sakura blushed and gave Tomoyo a sheepish look.

"Um.  Thanks."  She said laughing.  Tomoyo smiled and looked over to where Kero, Yue and Spinel sat nursing their wounds.

"I think you went a little hard on them Sakura."  Eriol said with a chuckle.

"Oh yeah.  Sorry guys."

They mumbled their response and they all made it slowly to the back door of the house.

"You did really well Sakura.  You're getting stronger as you train.  I'm proud of you."  Eriol smiled as he opened the door.  "Now I think we should heal those three.  They look pretty beat up"

"Thanks Eriol"

"Hey anyone want some lemonade?"  Nakuru asked coming to the door with a tray.

"I do."  They all cried out.

'Where did she learn that technique?'

***

"Hello Sakura."  The girl said with a smile.

"Hi.  It's you again."  Sakura said sitting by the side of the lake.

"Yep.  Hope you don't mind my company."  She said sitting down.  "I was missing you."

"Yeah.  I haven't had time to sleep much."

"I saw you training.  You learn fast." 

"Oh yeah.  Well I did watch you.  How come I can do all that?"  Sakura asked curiously.

"You learn in your sleep Sakura.  You've always known these things.  You've just never had to use them."  She said playing with a flower.

"Can you tell me your name now?"  Sakura asked.  Every time she saw this girl she asked the same question but every time she got he same answer.

"I'll let you guess."

"Sigh.  So why are you here?"  She tried.

"Oh I'm watching some people."

"Me?"  She nodded.

"You.  Xiao Lang.  Eriol.  Your guardians and some other people." 

"Like who."

"Shh it's a secret."

"Cant' you tell me?"

"Wouldn't be a secret then."

"Yeah.  I guess so."  Something hit her.  "Why isn't Syaoran ever here?"

"Cause I only come to you.  Someone else goes to see him."  She said, as it was the funniest thing in the world.

"Oh."

"Come play in the tress with me."  The girl said happily grabbing Sakura's arm and dragging her up into the air and grabbing onto the tree branch.

"Hoe."  Sakura moaned as they leapt form one tree to the next.  Amazedly she never fell.

"Isn't this fun?" 

"Yeah."  Sakura said smiling.  They reached an open plain and the girl let Sakura down. 

"Come play with the elves."

"The card mistress comes to play.  The card mistress comes to play."  A voice echoed in the bushes.

"Hoe who's that?"

"The elves.  They want to play.  Come dance." 

Grabbing Sakura's hand again the girl ran towards the sound of music.  Sakura was lead into a circle of people who were dancing and frolicking.

"Let your worries fly away. 

Think of them another day.

Frolic with us.

Laugh and play.

Live to see the rising day.

Come to drink and dance and feast.

See what others dare not see.

Look into the mirrors of the world and know the answers you shall know."

(I made that up.)

Sakura started to dance and surely enough she forgot all her worries.  She was free of the evils and she closed her eyes and sang and danced with the elves.  The girl sat to the side with two other men.  One with blond hair and the other with dark black.  They were singing a strange song.  Almost like a chant.

"Wings of the east hear my call.

Fires of the south come forth.

Sands of the east hear my bidding.

Waters of the west flow to me.

Show us what we wish to see.

Show her what she needs to be.

Angels of heaven.

Demons of hells.

Bring forth the mirror.

Bring forth the tale."

As soon as the words were sung a cascade of water filled the fire.  No one seemed to noticed except sakura.  She stood in the middle and watched as the elements blended to become a mirror.  She looked at it and saw herself with the cards and staff at her side.

A voice started to speak in a different language but sakura understood every word.

"Hear me little one.  Your tasks will be great and difficult.  You have much to do and prepare.  Be ready for anything.  Bring them back to the world they once belonged to."

"What do you mean?"

A woman's voice answered.

"There is much lose in you life child of the earth.  You have suffered much.  Though your suffering is not over.  You must face many dangers.  Though you are not alone."

A image of Syaoran appeared on the mirror. 

A young girls voice spoke.

"Help us save them.  Help us bring back the peace.  Mommy said you can.  Can you?"

"I don't understand."

"Can you save the ones who do not know the truth?  Can you save the people who don't want to be saved?"

"I don't know."

"Can you save the ones you love?"

"I don't know.  I will try."

"Then no more shall we ask from you.  For in only trying there is much valor.  You show strength."

"I'll try my hardest.  I don't know if I'll succeed.  I don't know what I have to d but I'll try."

"Then so let it be."

"Sakura."

"Sakura."

"Sakura."


"Sakura"

"Ying FA."

"Sakura."

***

"Sakura."  Kero's voice echoed in her ears.

"No.  What do I have to do?"

"You have to get up.  You're going to be late."

"HU?"  She woke up and looked around the room.  It was her room.  There were no more elves.  No more singing.  No more mirror.

"What a strange dream." She whispered and got up. 

Getting ready for school she thought back to the dream.  It had been so real.  The fire.  The water.  The people.  The music and dancing.  The food.  She'd enjoyed herself so much.  She'd forgotten all the care in the world for just a moment.

"Kero.  Do you believe in elves?"

"Not really.  They're more myth than anything.  Why?"

"No reason.  Just curious."

"Uh ok then."

"Well I'm going to be late.  I'll see you later Kero."

"Later Sakura."  The sound of game over was heard from the TV.  "OHH."

Sakura ran down the stairs and ate a quick breakfast.  Her mind always on her dream.  Who was that girl?  Why was she always there?  Why didn't Syaoran know about it? 

She'd asked him and he had no clue.  She knew she should be telling her friends but it was too weird.  Even for them.  So she didn't' let anyone know excite Syaoran.

She raced to school on her skates and kept thinking.  Something stuck in her mind.  Like every dream did lately.

"Try."  A voice said.  The voice of the child.  "Only thing we ask is try."

"I'll try my hardest.  I promise."  She whispered and made it to school.

***

"It's time."  Nisha whispered from the Tokyo tower.  "I've left this for too long." 

She opened the pouch of cards and they floated around her.  One began to shine and Nisha smiled.

"So you're next."  She retrieved the other cards and let that one float in front of her.  She flipped it over and smiled happily.  The next challenge was coming. 

The fun had just begun.

She called forth her staff and her magical circle surrounded her.

"Let your magic go forth across the land.

Let them be wild. 

Let them feel shame.

Bring forth chaos. 

Do as I say."

The card was now released from its master's hold and it ventured out into Tokyo. 

Nisha laughed and disappeared whispering only one word.  "Instincts."

***

Well that's it for chapter twenty-five.  Ohh.  New cards.  Nisha's gets cunning.

Well please review.  I will have twenty-six up soon.

Ja ne.

Kang.