Standard Disclaimer: I don't own Cardcaptors. May all those who flame this burn in hell. *snicker*

Kara Metallium

Prologue

Currently following the capture of the earthy card and the final judgment, Yu Wei returned to his earthly form, as the boy Julian (a.k.a. Yuki), as did Kero Beros in hopes that they could watch over and protect Sakura Avalon (a.k.a. Sakura Kinomoto) from the dark forces of magic she was to face throughout her lifetime until her decision to pass on the clow cards to another gifted young person.

It was after school one day, when Madison (a.k.a. Tomoya) had said good bye to Sakura to go home, that Li approached Sakura.

Oh, hi Li, said Sakura brightly.

Hi Sakura, he replied in a sad voice.

What's the matter Li? she asked.

I have to move back to China.



Because my family feels that if you are now the keeper of the clow cards there is nothing more for me to do here.

But Li, I need you.

Li swung his head up because he had been starring at the ground and looked hard at Sakura. What do you mean?

Sakura blushed a little bit. I mean you know way more than I do about the clow cards and your much stronger than I am and anyway Kero and Yu Wei did say that other journeys and adventures were in store for me and just this morning Clow Ree appeared to me and told me I was to start on a new treacherous journey-

A new journey? asked Li, So soon after finally becoming the keeper?

Yeah, and well, I guess I need somebody I can depend on at my side. And that person is you Li.

But Sakura Li's voice died off into a whisper because at the moment a new feeling was rising in him. When he had first moved to Sakura's home he felt that she had no right to own the clow cards. She didn't know anything about them except what the guardian beast Kero had told her and that wasn't much. She hadn't been training all her life for the moment she would become the cards' master as he had. And spending his entire time growing up and training for this moment ignited his passion in becoming the keeper of the clow cards. But then things had happened, the guardian beast had elected Sakura as the future keeper of the cards. When he told his family this, they decided that instead he should help Sakura, instead of going against the guardian's wishes.

And so Li started to help Sakura, but beat her down mentally and emotionally every chance he got. To his surprise, the more he beat her down the stronger she became and so he finally had sort of a grudging respect for her. He came to respect her even as a friend, then Meilin arrived. Meilin hated Sakura and refused to admit Sakura was a cardcaptor. She didn't understand Li's view had changed of Sakura and he was willing to help her.

Meilin beat Sakura down every chance she received. And she did so mercilessly that Sakura became even stronger and won even more respect from Li unknowingly. Meilin continued though, she did so to show Li she deserved the same respect and friendship he extended to Sakura. But her plan backfired and he began to dislike Meilin and to discourage her, by telling her she was just in the way. Meilin almost returned to China disheartened, but in the last week Sakura won Meilin's friendship through the capture of the twin card. And Meilin went to China happy at heart.

Then at the final judgment, Li had been defeated by Yu Wei. And fell into despair and as he saw Sakura about to lose, he shouted, He could not have her fail after all the help she had received and the bonds she had made. And so after his defeat and her succession he had returned to his house and his parents had made the decision of returning to China. And now there was hope that if Sakura was starting an adventure so soon she would certainly need Li's help. If only he could make his parents see the value of him staying, and what's more the keeper herself had asked him to stay and his parents certainly wouldn't disobey Sakura would they?

Li would give anything to stay at Sakura's side and help her and protect her. And as he realized how much he wanted to stay, he made up his mind to convince his parents. He also realized and recognized a new feeling in him. His caring to protect and help Sakura had turned into something he would have never imagined, especially at his age, but nonetheless the new feeling was there. He loved Sakura!

With new feelings, Li spoke, Yes Sakura, I think my family will agree that you still need my help. I will tell them when I get home.

Good, Li, said Sakura smiling friendly at him. In spite of himself he smiled back. Sakura was startled and blushed because Li almost never smiled. Good bye Li, said Sakura and left.