Introduction





She found herself standing on a cliff, looking at the view of the ocean. Their waves hit roughly against the bottom of the cliff. Pointy rocks could be seen. The wind blew wildy, making her auburn hair fly. The trees swayed side to side, and the sky was covered in clouds.

"Anger will rise in humans," the ocean roared in anger.

"The world will be destroyed," hissed the wind.

"Death will occur," the deathly pointy rocks growled.

"Everything will fall," boomed the voice of the trees.

"Darkness will cover the light," the clouds murmured above the loud rackets of the other voices.

"But we must not give up faith," the voice of the sun whispered from behind the clouds.

"Iie. . . . we musn't give up faith," she repeated in a whisper as the voices became silent.

-

She opened her emerald green eyes. Her vision was blurred and she shook her head to clear her vision. She found herself in an unfamiliar place. -Where am I? What happened?- She racked through her brains to try and remember what happened before she blacked out, but she failed poorly. Sitting up, she found herself on a bed, in someone's room. "Where am I?"

"You're at my place," said a boy around eighteen. His chestnut brown hair was messy, his eyes were an amber brown. "I'm Li, Syaoran, and you are?"

"Kinomoto, Sakura," she muttured, clear enough for Syaoran to hear.

"What were you doing unconscious and at night?" Syaoran asked.

Sakura tightly shut her eyes. "I - I can't seem to remember. I remember being a-attacked, demo that's all I could remember." She re-opened her eyes and nearly gasped when she felt the power Syaoran radiated and the green aura that flared around him. "Y-you have magic! But how come I never seen you before, or-or felt your aura?"

"I just moved here from Hong Kong," Syaoran explained as he saw the pink aura she had, and how powerful she felt. "So I see that you know magic yourself? I always thought that there weren't that much people besides the Li Clan that new magic."

"So, you're part of the Li Clan?" Sakura asked, more like stated. "I heard of you people from a friend. Let me guess, you're a descendent of Clow Reed if I'm not mistaken." He nodded.

"Can I ask you something?" Syaoran asked. Sakura nodded. "Are you the Card Mistress, because I found this lying near you." He brought the star staff from his back and handed it to Sakura.

"Hai, I'm the Card Mistress," Sakura muttured as she changed her staff back to her star key.

"Demo, how could you have magic?" Syaoran asked, trying not to sound rude.

"'tou-san, my father, is half the reincarnation of Clow Reed," Sakura explained, getting a suprised look from Syaoran. She looked up at Syaoran. "Why am I telling you all this? I don't even know you." Pulling the covers off her, she pushed herself up. "I should be going. Arigatou for your help."

Before she could even leave the room, Syaoran grabbed her wrist. "Don't you think you should rest for a bit?"

"Iie, it's okay," Sakura replied over her shoulders.

"When I found you, you were drained of your powers, and you still are. You need to recover," Syaoran stated seriously.

"Why should you care what happens to me?" Sakura asked softly, hiding her shock.

-Yeah, why?- Syaoran thought to himself. -Why do I care what happens to her?- He let go of her wrist. "Fine. Do as you wish."

Sakura reached for the door knob and opened the bed room door. Looking over her shoulder, she said, "And once again, I thank you." She walked out the room, and walked out the apartment door, closing it behind her.

Syaoran stood rooted to his spot, looking out the open door of his bed room. Mixed emotions ran through his mind, and he could feel something warm inside him. He shook that feeling off and closed his bed room door.

-

Sakura walked down the streets of Tomoeodo. She still wore the same thing from last night, and now it was evening. The sun was blazing high in the sky and she broke into a run, praying that no one would see her in her pajamas (and her jacket). Finally making it to the house, she opened the door, but her dad and brother were not there, they probably went to work. Slowly walking up the stairs, she opened her bed room door, and a stuffed like animal with black beady eyes and wings, flew up to her face, worriedly.

"Sakura-chan, where have you been!?" Kero asked as Sakura pulled off her jacket. "You had me worried!"

"Gomen nasi Kero-chan," Sakura said.

Kero, or Keroberos, was her Sun Guardian of the Seal. She had another guardian, the Moon Guardian Yue. When she first found the Clow Book, Kero helped her to capture them. When she caught them all, Yue, the judge, challenged her, and she beat him. Her clow staff turned into the star staff. After that, Eriol sent challenges at her, making her convert her cards into Sakura Cards, and since she finished that, her life was just - ordinary. Now this. This new evil comes. But what does it want form her? Who knows.

"Where were you?" Kero asked.

"I - I was going for a walk, when I ran into this guy named Shadow. He wanted me to go with him, but I said no, so we fought. Then, I can't remember anything after that, but waking up at Li-san's apartment."

"Li?" Kero repeated.

"Hai, Li Syaoran of the Li Clan," Sakura said.

"Why is he here, in Japan? Isn't he from Hong Kong?" Sakura nodded. "Then why is he here, unless - The Li Clan probably heard of the new evil here and sent him to destroy it - Oh I'm not sure. Well, whatever this new evil is, I want you to be careful." She nodded once more. "Now can you get me some pudding, onegai?"

She sweat dropped. Then the phone rang. Sakura ran down stairs and picked up the phone.

"Moshi, moshi. Kinomoto Residence, Sakura speaking," Sakura said.

"Konichawa Sakura-chan!" greeted the cheerful voice of her best friend, Tomoyo.

"Konichawa Tomoyo-chan," Sakura greeted.

"How come you didn't come this morning?" Tomoyo questioned.

"Huh?" Then she remembered. She was suppose to come to Tomoyo's house to work on a science project. "Oh! Gomen nasi Tomoyo-chan, it's just that I ran into a spot of trouble last night."

"What do you mean?" Tomoyo asked. Sakura explained all that she could remember. "Now I get to make more kawaii outfits while video taping Sakura- chan!" Sakura sweat dropped as she imagined a starry eyed Tomoyo.

"Tomoyo-chan," Sakura groaned.

"Why don't you come over now so we could work on our project?" Tomoyo suggested.

"Hai, I'll be over soon. Ja ne," Sakura said, hanging up the phone.

She quickly changed into a pair of baggy, khaki pants, and a pink tank top. Saying her good bye to Kero, she put on her roller blades and skated down the side walks. Her lips curved into a smile as she admired the blooming cherry blossom trees. It was the first day of spring, and no clouds were in the bright blue sky. Birds chirrped away merrily. She let out a sigh as she turned a corner.

BAM

Sakura felt herself collide into someone, and found herself falling, but something caught her wrist. Slowly opening her eyes, she saw Syaoran.

"O-oh, Konichawa L-Li-san," Sakura greeted, smiling brightly.

Syaoran stared at her, a faint pink creeping across his cheeks. Realizing he was still holding her wrist, he turned even redder as he let her wrist go. "Konichawa Kinomoto-san. It's good to see you doing well."

"I have something to ask you," Sakura started. "Not to be rude or anything, but what are you doing in Japan?"

"The Li Elders sent me to deal with the enemy," Syaoran explained, "and they sent me to protect you."

"To protect me?" Sakura asked in disbelief. "Demo - I have my cards, and I have my guardians, why would I need protection?"

"Your cards and guardians are not strong enough to protect you," Syaoran stated seriously. "Not even having the other half of Clow Reed, Hirrigazawa Eriol, is enough to protect you."

"How'd you know - " Sakura began to question.

"The Li Elders have their ways of finding things out," he replied. He turned to leave. "Just be careful when you're out alone."

"Matte! Li-san!" Sakura called as she skated to keep up with him. He turned around and looked at her questioningly. Sakura felt herself go warm. "Ano. . . . I was wondering i-if you'd like to come with me and meet my friend Tomoyo-chan."

He shrugged, but his cheeks turned red also. "Hai, why not?"

Sakura skated slowly down the side walk, as Syaoran walked beside her. They arrived infront of Tomoyo's house.

"Wow, it's huge," Syaoran said, gaping at the huge Daidouji Mansion.

"Well, are you coming?" Sakura asked, an amused smile on her face as she pushed open the gates and skated towards the door, Syaoran jogging to catch up.

Sakura rang the door bell, and the door immediately opened, to reveal a seventeen year old girl, with amethyst eyes and long wavy purple hair. She smiled. "Konichawa Sakura-chan! Who's your friend?"

"Oh, this is Li Syaoran," Sakura said as Tomoyo let them in, Sakura taking off her skates.

"Konichawa Li-san! I'm Daidouji Tomoyo," Tomoyo greeted.

"Nice to meet you," Syaoran said.

"I want you to meet someone," Tomoyo said. "Eriol-kun!"

"He's here too?" Sakura said.

An eighteen year old boy, with sapphire blue eyes and short midnight blue hair, walked up to them, a smile on his face.

"This is Hirrigazawa, Eriol," Tomoyo said, "and Eriol-kun, this is Li, Syaoran."

Eriol smiled at Syaoran, who glared at him suspiciously. Syaoran could see a blue aura surround him.

"Oh, Li-san," Sakura began with a smile, "did I mention that he is also my half father??"

Syaoran's eyes widen in suprise. "Iie - iie you haven't."

"And he's also, Tomoyo's fiancee," Sakura said, earning, a blush from Eriol and Tomoyo.

"H-He's your half father?" Syaoran asked in disbelief.

"Hai, I am my cute little descendent," Eriol stated calmly.

Syaoran glared at Eriol when he said 'cute little descendent.'

"Okay, come on everyone, to the living room," Tomoyo said, gesturing them into her living room. "I'll go get some tea and snacks."

"I'll help you," Eriol offered as him and Tomoyo walked into the kitchens, leaving Syaoran and Sakura sitting in uncomfortable silence.

"So, ano, Kinomoto-san, how long have you known Daidouji-san?" Syaoran asked, stirring up a conversation.

"Since I was born," Sakura replied. "Her mother and my mother were best friends also." Looking at Syaoran, she said, "Tell me about yourself Li- san."

"Well. . . . " Syaoran began, "my father died when I was just three. I've been training in sword fighting and martial arts since I were five. What else is there to know?"

"I'm sorry. . . to hear that your father. . . died," Sakura said softly. "I know how you feel. . . ."

Syaoran looked at her questioningly.

"You see, my mother died also when I were just three," Sakura said. "So, like you, I barely knew my mother." Quickly changing the subject, she asked, "So do you have any other family members?"

"Hai. My mom, and my three annoying older sisters," Syaoran mumbled. Sakura giggled. "What about you?"

"My father and over-protective brother," Sakura replied.

"We're back," Tomoyo's voice rang cheerfully as she, with the help of Eriol, came with cups of tea and a plate of snacks.

Durning their stay at Tomoyo's mansion, Eriol and Syaoran ended up helping Tomoyo and Sakura on their science project. It was nighttime, and Eriol, Syaoran, and Sakura decided to go home. Putting on her skates, Sakura, Syaoran, and Eriol said their good byes to Tomoyo and walked down the streets.

"Well, this is my street. Ja ne," Eriol said, turning at a corner.

Sakura skated slowly as Syaoran walked by her side. All was silent.

"Li-san?" Sakura said after a while.

"Nani?" Syaoran asked.

Sakura felt herself go warm once again. "I-is it okay if I call you by your first name?"

"Hai." Then Syaoran blushed. "Is it okay if I call you by your first name also?"

She nodded as she smiled brightly. "Of course!"

Looking up at the apartment. "Well, I guess I'll see you."

"Yeah, see ya," Sakura whispered softly as she watched Syaoran walk up to the apartment.

She slowly turned away, took one last glance at the apartment, and gently skated away. Her hands were behind her back as she looked up at the stars that shone brightly. Then, she felt a strong dark magic that made her feel dizzy. Coming to a halt, she narrowed her eyes and looked around her, searching for the sorce of the power. Thinking it was just her imagination, Sakura skated slowly forward. She skated near a dark alley way, and then, that same dark feeling came to her, making her come to a halt infront of the alley way. With out warning, a hand covered her mouth and another hand wrapped around her neck. Her eyes widened as her screams for help were muffled by the hand. The person slowly dragged her into the alley way. Sakura was roughly pushed against the brick wall as she slid to the ground. She opened her eyes, but had to squint in order to see through the dark. She was in a narrow alley way, and a figure with a dark aura, stood infront of her.

"Who are you?" Sakura asked in a whisper as she slowly stood up, using the wall for support as she stood on her roller blades. "What do you want from me?"

"I am K'van, and I work for my Master," the figure said.

-He must work for the same master that Shadow has- Sakura thought to herself silently. "Who is your master?"

"All will be revealed in due time Mistress," K'van hissed.

He reached out a hand and caressed her face. Sakura felt nothing but coldness rise in her from the touch of him. She shivered. He then held her cheek in his hand as his black eyes locked with her emerald green ones. Sakura felt like she were being hypnotized just staring at him. Her eye lids felt heavy, and right now, all she wanted to do was close them, but she didn't. She fought from fainting. Tearing her eyes from his, she pushed away his hands and hissed, "Get away from me!"

He chuckled lightly. "I'm afraid I can't do that. You see, my Master wishes your presence."

"I don't care," Sakura spat. "I will not go!"

K'van aimed an open palm at her and water slowly started to circle around her.

"What the-" Sakura muttured as she found water circling all around her. She could see the shillouete of K'van from the other side. Gritting her teeth in anger, Sakura tore the star key from her neck and changed it to her star staff. Pulling out a card from her pocket, she called, "Windy! Blow the water away!" Windy flew out of her card form and blew the water away.

Windy went back to its card form and Sakura placed it back in her pocket as she glared at K'van.

"Tell me, why does your master want me?" Sakura demanded in a growl.

"He has his reasons," K'van shrugged.

Her grip on her staff tightened as she pulled out another card. "Be gone, you monster! Thunder!" Thunder appeared from its card form and struck K'van, who just stood there, and took the full blow.

But Thunder's attack was useless. It harmed K'van in no way.

"No need to fight me just yet Card Mistress," K'van whispered as he slowly started to fade away. "I will be back, you can count on it."

"Fight me you coward!" Sakura shouted, but K'van completely disappeared.

Sakura stared at where K'van last stood. Letting out a sigh, she changed her staff back into her key. She skated out the alleyway, glad to be out of there. Entering her house, she took off her roller blades and slumped on the couch. -I guess 'tou-san and Onii-chan aren't home yet. . . . -

"KERO-CHAN! I'M HOME!" Sakura shouted from down stairs.

Kero flew out of Sakura's room and down stairs. "You're late, again."

"I ran into a spot of trouble, again." Sakura explained what happened in the alley way.

"Make sure you don't walk by yourself anymore!" Kero warned. "Now I'm goin' with you where ever you go. Just to protect you 'cause that's my job."

"You don't have to Kero-chan. I can take care of myself. Haven't I managed twice already?" Sakura asked.

"Hai, demo still! What happens if you can't beat 'em?" Kero demanded to know, but when he looked at Sakura, he found her sleeping on the couch. He let out a sigh as he got a blanket and put it over her to keep her warm.

"G'night Sakura -chan," Kero muttured as he lyed next to her head.

"Good night Kero-chan," Sakura whispered.

-Sakura's Dream-

She stood alone, on a barren land. Rubbles were on the ground, trees were burnt to ashes. No life could be seen except for her, and someone she could not recognize. The person let out a shrilled laugh that echoed all around her. Images of her father, of Touya, of Yukito and Yue, of Kero, of Tomoyo and Eriol, and of Syaoran, flashed through her mind. Her eyes were wide open and it felt like her heart was empty now, something was missing.

"Iie. . . ." she could hear her whisper, tears forming in her eyes. She clenched her fists. "Iie. . . " She started to shake as her bangs covered her eyes, her teeth gritted. What was this feeling in her? Why did she feel so empty? Then, a shout escaped her lips, "IIE!!!"



Red Tenshi: Well that's it for chapter two. R&R!