AN/ Hi! Hohohoho... I wouldn't be able to distinguish a cliff hanger in my
own story if my life depended on it. I'm so sorry that I didn't update when
I got 80 reviews. I totally did not expect to get that many reviews as soon
as I posted it! Well anyways, in answer to all your questions... you'll
just have to finish reading the fic in order to find out! I can't just go
around and tell reviewers about the end right away! Whoa, chapter demand is
way stronger than I expected it to be when I first posted this ficcy. I'm
sooo sorry about this and I know that people are going to kill me for this,
but I'm gonna take my time before getting those two together. Hmm... I'm
thinking about reposting my first chapter. I wanna change the summary I
placed 'cause it ain't working out at this point. What do y'all think? Oh
yeah, check your name in the list of reviewers in case I answered a review
through there.
Thanks to all of the people that reviewed since the first chapter:
Down-right-mystical, Blue-Dreamz, F@ntasy K@t, Fallin' Heart, Buffy(), AyUnLi, arrow-card, Bloodlust Night, Adriana, cherry(), vividviolets(), Keyblade(), kawaiitenshisakura, Miya-chan3, HyPeR-ChErRYBloSsOm, CelestialBlossom (Rave is sooo cool, ne? I like Elie. Sorry, I was in a hurry to finish the chapter.), crystalshower, Dacia, Cherry Dragon, amelle (), DAISYMAISY2121 (), helen (), crazyotakuchan, LiGirl (I'm sooo sorry!), Confuzzled.Angel.Loves.HP, Sakura-Angel-04, Ekimozo, meinien, SerinityRules, hello (don't go insane!), *, Manga-lunatic, darkan9 (inspiration from wonderful reviewers like you and reading a lot of CCS fics.), who, what, when, where and w, reviewer, Chiharu-Chan, little- moonlight, Sakura Potter / Weasley / Granger, alz (only time will tell!), tiere (I'm flattered!), Queen Persephone (so I see...), Umi, Feyla (I got it and actually, I wanted to change it but I don't know if the reviews will disappear if I repost it!)
Disclaimer: blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. You know the drill; do I still have to write it? (Readers yell at mycherrywolf: YES!!!) ^_^UU fine... I do not own CCS because I am terrible at math like Sakura. CLAMP owns CCS, not me. What other anime are by CLAMP other than CCS and MKR?
~ Recap ~
Syaoran picked Sakura up and carried her in his arms. He placed the card in her pocket. But before he returned it, he read the new Sakura Card's name.
"The Sacrifice..."
~ End Recap ~
Chapter 7: Confessing the truth
~ Hospital Wing ~
"Hoe... what was that?" Sakura opened her emerald orbs to find herself in the Hospital Wing. "How'd I get here? One minute I was battling a Card and now..." Sakura was cut off when a boy with messy chestnut brown hair walked in. when he saw her wide awake, he smiled warmly at her. Sakura blushed when she saw him come in.
"Good, you're finally awake. I'm glad you're alright." Syaoran set a tray of bacon and eggs on the night table beside Sakura's bed. "You've been asleep for quite some time now. Sit up so that you can eat your food."
"Huh? How long have I been in here?" Sakura sat up and Syaoran placed the tray on her lap and she began to eat the food he brought. He then sat beside her on the bed.
"Pretty long I guess. At least I think that one week in the Hospital Wing is pretty long." Sakura stopped eating when she heard him.
"I've been here for... ONE WEEK?!" he nodded and stole a piece of bacon from her plate but she didn't even notice. "But... how'd I get here? I... can't remember anything..."
Syaoran stared at her intently and with great concern. "You can't remember anything? Are you absolutely sure? Not one thing?"
"Not really... I definitely don't remember coming to the Hospital Wing, that's for sure."
"Is there anything that you want to tell me?"
"Nope, nothing at all... except the ca- never mind." Sakura stopped herself before she said anything about the new cards that have been attacking her lately. Syaoran then sighed heavily. He took the tray off her lap and set it back on the table.
"Why didn't you ever tell me?" he looked at Sakura reflecting hurt in the depth of his warm amber eyes. Sakura became confused.
"Tell you what?" she tried to tear her eyes away from his, he had her under a spell. 'What are you talking about? Do you want me to tell you that I still love you?' Sakura thought as her eyes remained locked with Syaoran's.
"You know that you can always trust me with your secrets."
"I don't know what you're talking about." She replied stubbornly.
"Why didn't you even let me know so that I can do something?" Sakura grew impatient.
"Will you stop it with all these questions and ell me what on earth you're talking about?!"
"Why didn't you ever tell me about the new Sakura Card?" Sakura froze and tore her eyes away from his and looked down at the bed.
"I don't know what you're talking about. You know that there are only 52 cards in the Clow Card set." (AN/ there is no Hope card nor is there Love.) She pretended not to know about what he was talking about and played it cool. She couldn't tell him now. Not while her feelings were all mixed up.
"I know about the new Sakura Card. You know that you can't hide something like that from me of all people." She froze once again. How did he find out about the cards that were appearing lately? He took her hands in his and squeezed them tightly. "You could've died fighting that card you know. I was worried to death!"
"How'd you find out? The cards didn't radiate any aura at all. How could you have found out? It's no biggie anyway, so there's no need to worry." Sakura reassured him as she tried to convince herself of her own words.
"Baka (stupid), I saw the card drain your magic while we were trapped in the dimension. If it hadn't been a Sakura Card, it would've cost you not only your magic, but your life as well! How can you take something like that lightly if it can do that to you?" Sakura's face paled when she heard his voice filled with concern and when she found out that she gave her magic up.
"I... I did what?"
"You gave up your magic to bring down the barrier around me. Don't you remember?" flashes of a memory suddenly went through Sakura's mind.
~ Flashback ~
"You cannot get to him..." Sakura faced the figure. For some reason, the figure had an aura but she couldn't pinpoint exactly what kind of aura it was. It felt somewhat familiar and welcoming yet lonely and deserted.
"Why can't I get to him?"
"You cannot reach him... not without giving something up..." Sakura looked back at Syaoran and she looked at the figure with a determined look in her eyes.
"I won't give up." She then began using her cards to try to get through the barrier.
"Release and dispel, Fiery!"
"Watery!"
"Earthy!"
"Sword!" but despite her efforts, the barrier remained firm. She finally gave up and looked at the figure desperately.
"I'll do anything, just get me back to Syaoran-kun."
"Give me your magic then." Sakura looked at Syaoran's unconscious form and sighed.
"Very well." Sakura lifted her arms and the figure began extracting her powers from her. Just then, Syaoran woke up and he saw Sakura being drained.
"Sakura, don't do it!" Sakura looked at him weakly.
"I have to Syaoran-kun, unless I do, you won't be able to get out." Sakura then looked at the figure again. "Finish it."
The figure then smiled at her and rained her powers. Sakura then fainted and fell to the ground. Her magic was all gone and the barrier finally disappeared. She then blacked out.
~ End Flashback ~
Sakura slowly nodded her head. "I think I can recall that now. That was a Sakura Card? How did I seal it without using my staff?"
"Yeah, it was a Sakura Card alright. It can't be sealed without a sacrifice from you, the Sakura Cards mistress. As soon as it turned back to a card, your magic returned."
"But I didn't even say my incantation! I thought that I couldn't seal it without my incantation! Where is it?" Syaoran reached into a small pink pouch bag on her table and drew out the star key pendant and the Sakura Cards.
"They are right here. Maybe you can summon 'The Sacrifice' and ask her yourself." Sakura cocked her head.
"'The Sacrifice'? What card's that?" Syaoran drew a card out from the deck and handed it and the pendant to her.
"It's the card that you nearly gave up all of your magic to seal." 'Not to mention the card that made you give up your powers to free me from the barrier...' Syaoran thought as Sakura got the card. Their fingers tingled for a short while when they gently brushed against each other when she got the card from him. Sakura blushed again and looked at 'The Sacrifice'.
"Oh, I see. Okay then...
O key that hides
the power of the stars
shining so bright,
release your power
and shine your light!"
The key pendant grew into her staff once more. "Release and dispel, Sacrifice!"
A lady emerged from the pink card. She was wearing long light green robes with a pale pink sash and her hair length was below her waist however she had signs of knife marks and scars all over her. She looked kind of happy and sad at the same time. "You summoned me Mistress?"
Sakura nodded brightly. "Yes, I did. I need to ask you some questions."
"I will answer what I can my Mistress." Sakura looked happy.
"Okay then!" she then looked at Syaoran. "Do you wanna ask her something first?"
"Yeah, I'd like that." He turned his attention to the card. "Why'd you take me as a hostage a while ago when I thought you were Sakura?"
"Only the sacrifice of the Mistress that comes from the heart could seal me. It was also a test to see where her priorities lie."
"What does that have to do with me?" Sakura shook her head violently indicating that she didn't want him to know her main priority.
"I cannot say. My apologies master." Sakura sighed in relief.
"Why not? Do you even know?"
"Yes, I do. I have intellect similar to Light and Dark and I am the most intelligent among us five sisters."
"Who are your sisters card-san?" Sakura looked at the cards in the pink pouch.
"You already know of two."
"Who are they?"
"They are Fear and Pain." Syaoran was surprised to hear this.
"You've encountered new cards before?" he asked Sakura.
"I'll tell you about it in a little while..." she mumbled not really wanting him to tell him about the new cards.
"Alright then."
"Who are your other two sisters card-san?" she looked at Sakura with sadness in her eyes.
"I am afraid I cannot tell you. You need to learn how defend yourself against them without my help. If you find out now, they cannot be sealed." Sakura and Syaoran were in silence. It was so quiet; you could've heard a pencil drop. After a little while, they finally turned their attention back to the card.
"What power do you possess?"
"I possess the ability to draw out magical and physical power from people." Syaoran nodded in understanding.
"So that's how you were able to overpower me so easily."
"Oh yeah, before I forget," Sakura fixed her position on the bed. "Card-san, how did you get sealed without my incantation?"
"I sealed myself. I did not wish to remain as an unstable card." Sakura and Syaoran were surprised when the card said that.
"Cards can seal themselves? They don't really need me to recite my invocation?" the card slowly shook her head and smiled at Sakura.
"Mistress, if you can recall, I absorbed your magic; though not to my liking; right before I was able to lift the barrier. Since I bore your powers at that time, I was able to seal myself using your magic. I alone have the ability to seal myself into card form once more."
"Are we done asking card-san our questions?" Sakura blinked innocently at Syaoran.
"Yeah, I guess."
"You may return to your card form now." Sakura kindly told The Sacrifice and it returned to the long pink card. "That was sure enlightening."
"I'll say. Why didn't you tell me about the new cards before?" Sakura looked away from him, ashamed.
"It was my problem. I didn't think I'd need you to get involved in it as well."
"Oh Sakura..." Syaoran's eyes softened and he pulled Sakura into a hug and she began blushing madly. "You know that I'll always be there for you. You know that I'll always help you whenever you need help and that I'll never let you down."
Sakura began to cry when she heard him say that to her. 'I love you Syaoran-kun, more than you know.' "Syaoran-kun..."
He pulled her out of his embrace and gave her a quick kiss on her cheek.
"Syaoran-kun..." she said while blushing even more and touched the part where he had kissed her. "What was that for?"
"I'm so glad." he said smiling at her warmly. "I'm so happy that you're calling me by my first name now. I missed you, you know."
"I haven't been anywhere."
"Maybe so, but you still seemed far away." Sakura looked at the watch on her wrist.
"Oh my gosh, it's past three o'clock in the afternoon!" Syaoran sweatdropped, their special moment was ruined now.
"You didn't notice?"
"No... I was busy sleeping in case you forgot. We should really go to class. It's bad enough I've missed a week already."
"You haven't missed a week."
"Hello? Earth to Syaoran-kun, you say that I've been in the Hospital Wing for a week then how can I not miss my classes?"
"Mirror is taking your place. I asked Madam Pomfrey and Professor Dumbledore to let you rest here without any distractions. No one knows that you've been in here."
"But what about my notes?"
"I told Mirror to take down notes. I think it's better that way because you definitely won't fall asleep in class anymore."
"Hey! I don't always fall asleep!"
"You do when you're converting cards or when you're really tired."
"I'm a lot stronger now. I've been training you know."
"I'm sure you are but you wouldn't have lasted five minutes into Professor Binns' class."
"Hey, watch what you're saying there! Who's Professor Binns?"
"History of Magic Professor. Oh yeah wait, you wouldn't have lasted 5 seconds in his presence anyway."
"What, you think I'm too dumb to be able to process what he says?"
"No, it's not that at all."
"Then what?"
"The thing about Professor Binns is that he's... well, he's a ghost." Sakura's face paled.
"A g-ghost?!?"
"Yeah."
"I don't want to study here anymore!"
"Ah, relax. The ghosts here are harmless. They won't do the scary stuff that is shown in movies."
"But-but they're dead!"
"You're the Mistress of the Sakura Cards, they can't harm you." Sakura sighed in defeat.
"Fine, I'm convinced." She got up from the bed. "I'll call Mirror right now."
Before she was able to do anything, Syaoran stopped her. "Not a good idea right now. She's in Potions right now and Snape is one of the teachers who don't know about our secret. He's not gonna take it well if one of his students disappear in the middle of his class."
"When does class end?"
"In ten minutes."
"Let's go to the dorm and I'll call Mirror when we get there."
~ Gryffindor Common Room ~
They went back to Gryffindor Tower and by that time, ten minutes had already passed.
"Mirror, return!" Mirror's true form went back into the Sakura card.
"My Mistress, your notes are in the bag on the center table."
"Arigatou (thank you) Mirror-san that was greatly appreciated."
A young girl's voice came out of the card. "Anything to please my Mistress."
"Who're you talking to Sakura?" Harry walked in the dorm. He looked around the room but he only saw Sakura and Syaoran. Ron, Hermione, Tomoyo and Eriol followed him inside. "I could've sworn that there was another girl in the room."
"I'm just talking to myself again Harry."
"Hey Li," Ron looked at Syaoran. "Why weren't you in class earlier? Snape nearly subtracted more than 60 points from Gryffindor because he said that you were 'off frolicking'."
"Do you believe him?" Syaoran glared at him.
"No, of course not." Ron said cowering under his glare.
"Then there's no need to ask." Eriol walked behind Syaoran and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Why can't you be nice once in a while my little descendant?"
"Don't call me that grandpa!" he tried elbowing Eriol in the stomach but he just ended up hitting air when Eriol reappeared beside Tomoyo.
"Tsk, tsk, you know that violence is not the way my little descendant." He said slightly scolding him.
"Say that to my face Hiiragizawa and I promise that I'll blast you back to Tomoeda!" Syaoran said gravely.
"Hey cool it Li. Eriol's just kidding." Harry said half blocking him from getting to Eriol.
"Fine whatever. I'm going to Transfiguration now." He said walking out of the common hall.
"Hey Syaoran-kun, wait for me!" Sakura grabbed her bag and followed him out the portrait hole.
"We'll get going too." Ron, Harry and Hermione left the room as well.
"Since when did Sakura-chan start calling Li-kun 'Syaoran-kun' again?" Tomoyo asked Eriol. He smiled mysteriously.
"Since ten minutes ago."
"You were eavesdropping on them again?"
"I'm sorry Tomoyo-chan, I-"
"I love you! Keep on doing that, I want to know the latest scoop on my favorite couple!" Eriol blushed as Tomoyo threw her arms around him and gave him a bug hug.
"Yeah, I can eavesdrop on them and I can't get in trouble, cool!"
"I wouldn't exactly call 'not get into trouble' when you're talking about Li-kun here." Tomoyo pointed out.
"Oh yeah... oh well, these things happen. We can't do anything about that. We should go to Transfiguration now too."
"Okay then," she hooked her arm on Eriol's right arm and he led her out the portrait hole.
~ Transfiguration Classroom ~
"You really have to keep your temper under control Syaoran-kun. Eriol-kun was only teasing." Sakura said as they took their seats beside each other somewhere in the middle.
"You're one to talk Ms. 'Don't try to follow me'." Sakura's face paled.
"You still remember that?"
"Hell yeah, I was so scared that you hated me that time. How can I not forget?"
"Um... time passes by quickly?"
"It passes by quickly alright. It's already half past three."
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot, did anyone notice the dimension created by 'The Sacrifice'?"
"I don't think so. When I escaped with you, it seemed as if time stood still. People were still practicing their charms for darkness and they didn't even notice me bring you to the Hospital Wing at all. Maybe the dimension caused time to stand still while the card wasn't sealed."
"I see..." Sakura began looking for something in her bag.
"What are you looking for Sakura-chan?" Sakura looked up in panic.
"I can't find the notes that Mirror made for me!"
"Maybe she left them in the dorm."
"You're probably right. I'm heading back before Professor Mc Gonagall gets here."
"Alright, but hurry. Class starts in ten minutes." She nodded and rushed out the door.
~ Hallway ~
'I'd better hurry before the bell rings.' Sakura thought as she ran towards Gryffindor Tower. When she got there, she saw that the Fat Lady wasn't in her usual post.
"Oh well, I'll just have to share Syaoran-kun's for now." She walked back to her class. She still had six minutes to go so she took her time getting there. Somewhere along the way, she turned a wrong corner and ended up on the third floor corridor.
"Where'd I get myself now? Oh well, I'll just have to zap myself there." Sakura closed her eyes and concentrated on the classroom she was trying to zap herself to when she heard someone's swishing cloak behind her. Instinctively, she put herself on defense.
"Who's there?" a black hooded girl emerged from the darkness.
"Who are you?" the girl cackled and lifted her hood to show her glossy white curls and blue eyes. She smiled at Sakura, her eyes glinting with malice.
"Oh, even if I tell you my name, you won't know me."
"I'd still like to know." She fired a lightning blast at Sakura who dodged it.
"Since you're gonna be perishing in a bit, I might as well tell you. My name is..."
"Sakura-chan, there you are!" Sakura turned around to find Syaoran a few meters behind her.
"Syaoran-kun!" she turned back to the girl but she had disappeared. "Where'd she...?"
"You had me worried there! I forgot that you didn't know the way back to Transfiguration so I came looking for you.
"Arigatou Syaoran-kun, but..."
"But what?"
"Didn't you see her?" Syaoran walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Who are you talking about?"
"There was a girl talking to me a while ago. She disappeared when you came."
"Who was she?" he looked at her concerned.
"I don't know. She had silver hair and blue eyes. She didn't tell me her name."
"Did she hurt you?"
"No, but she fired a lightning bolt at me. Of course I dodged it."
"I'm glad you're alright. It's good to see that your fighting skills have improved."
"Thanks, but I couldn't have done it without Fight's help." He nodded. Fight was a very god opponent. He knew that from experience.
"We should get back to class." Syaoran said leading Sakura out of the third floor.
"Yeah..." she took one last look at the spot where the girl stood. "Let's hurry."
-To be Continued-
AN/ okay, I'm thinking right now that this chapter was kind of... boring. I promise to make it better next time! Please R+R and I won't update until I get 120 reviews. I also desperately need some new ideas. Once again, I'm sooo sorry for delaying the update. I only checked my e-mail yesterday. R+R!
~mycherrywolf~
Thanks to all of the people that reviewed since the first chapter:
Down-right-mystical, Blue-Dreamz, F@ntasy K@t, Fallin' Heart, Buffy(), AyUnLi, arrow-card, Bloodlust Night, Adriana, cherry(), vividviolets(), Keyblade(), kawaiitenshisakura, Miya-chan3, HyPeR-ChErRYBloSsOm, CelestialBlossom (Rave is sooo cool, ne? I like Elie. Sorry, I was in a hurry to finish the chapter.), crystalshower, Dacia, Cherry Dragon, amelle (), DAISYMAISY2121 (), helen (), crazyotakuchan, LiGirl (I'm sooo sorry!), Confuzzled.Angel.Loves.HP, Sakura-Angel-04, Ekimozo, meinien, SerinityRules, hello (don't go insane!), *, Manga-lunatic, darkan9 (inspiration from wonderful reviewers like you and reading a lot of CCS fics.), who, what, when, where and w, reviewer, Chiharu-Chan, little- moonlight, Sakura Potter / Weasley / Granger, alz (only time will tell!), tiere (I'm flattered!), Queen Persephone (so I see...), Umi, Feyla (I got it and actually, I wanted to change it but I don't know if the reviews will disappear if I repost it!)
Disclaimer: blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. You know the drill; do I still have to write it? (Readers yell at mycherrywolf: YES!!!) ^_^UU fine... I do not own CCS because I am terrible at math like Sakura. CLAMP owns CCS, not me. What other anime are by CLAMP other than CCS and MKR?
~ Recap ~
Syaoran picked Sakura up and carried her in his arms. He placed the card in her pocket. But before he returned it, he read the new Sakura Card's name.
"The Sacrifice..."
~ End Recap ~
Chapter 7: Confessing the truth
~ Hospital Wing ~
"Hoe... what was that?" Sakura opened her emerald orbs to find herself in the Hospital Wing. "How'd I get here? One minute I was battling a Card and now..." Sakura was cut off when a boy with messy chestnut brown hair walked in. when he saw her wide awake, he smiled warmly at her. Sakura blushed when she saw him come in.
"Good, you're finally awake. I'm glad you're alright." Syaoran set a tray of bacon and eggs on the night table beside Sakura's bed. "You've been asleep for quite some time now. Sit up so that you can eat your food."
"Huh? How long have I been in here?" Sakura sat up and Syaoran placed the tray on her lap and she began to eat the food he brought. He then sat beside her on the bed.
"Pretty long I guess. At least I think that one week in the Hospital Wing is pretty long." Sakura stopped eating when she heard him.
"I've been here for... ONE WEEK?!" he nodded and stole a piece of bacon from her plate but she didn't even notice. "But... how'd I get here? I... can't remember anything..."
Syaoran stared at her intently and with great concern. "You can't remember anything? Are you absolutely sure? Not one thing?"
"Not really... I definitely don't remember coming to the Hospital Wing, that's for sure."
"Is there anything that you want to tell me?"
"Nope, nothing at all... except the ca- never mind." Sakura stopped herself before she said anything about the new cards that have been attacking her lately. Syaoran then sighed heavily. He took the tray off her lap and set it back on the table.
"Why didn't you ever tell me?" he looked at Sakura reflecting hurt in the depth of his warm amber eyes. Sakura became confused.
"Tell you what?" she tried to tear her eyes away from his, he had her under a spell. 'What are you talking about? Do you want me to tell you that I still love you?' Sakura thought as her eyes remained locked with Syaoran's.
"You know that you can always trust me with your secrets."
"I don't know what you're talking about." She replied stubbornly.
"Why didn't you even let me know so that I can do something?" Sakura grew impatient.
"Will you stop it with all these questions and ell me what on earth you're talking about?!"
"Why didn't you ever tell me about the new Sakura Card?" Sakura froze and tore her eyes away from his and looked down at the bed.
"I don't know what you're talking about. You know that there are only 52 cards in the Clow Card set." (AN/ there is no Hope card nor is there Love.) She pretended not to know about what he was talking about and played it cool. She couldn't tell him now. Not while her feelings were all mixed up.
"I know about the new Sakura Card. You know that you can't hide something like that from me of all people." She froze once again. How did he find out about the cards that were appearing lately? He took her hands in his and squeezed them tightly. "You could've died fighting that card you know. I was worried to death!"
"How'd you find out? The cards didn't radiate any aura at all. How could you have found out? It's no biggie anyway, so there's no need to worry." Sakura reassured him as she tried to convince herself of her own words.
"Baka (stupid), I saw the card drain your magic while we were trapped in the dimension. If it hadn't been a Sakura Card, it would've cost you not only your magic, but your life as well! How can you take something like that lightly if it can do that to you?" Sakura's face paled when she heard his voice filled with concern and when she found out that she gave her magic up.
"I... I did what?"
"You gave up your magic to bring down the barrier around me. Don't you remember?" flashes of a memory suddenly went through Sakura's mind.
~ Flashback ~
"You cannot get to him..." Sakura faced the figure. For some reason, the figure had an aura but she couldn't pinpoint exactly what kind of aura it was. It felt somewhat familiar and welcoming yet lonely and deserted.
"Why can't I get to him?"
"You cannot reach him... not without giving something up..." Sakura looked back at Syaoran and she looked at the figure with a determined look in her eyes.
"I won't give up." She then began using her cards to try to get through the barrier.
"Release and dispel, Fiery!"
"Watery!"
"Earthy!"
"Sword!" but despite her efforts, the barrier remained firm. She finally gave up and looked at the figure desperately.
"I'll do anything, just get me back to Syaoran-kun."
"Give me your magic then." Sakura looked at Syaoran's unconscious form and sighed.
"Very well." Sakura lifted her arms and the figure began extracting her powers from her. Just then, Syaoran woke up and he saw Sakura being drained.
"Sakura, don't do it!" Sakura looked at him weakly.
"I have to Syaoran-kun, unless I do, you won't be able to get out." Sakura then looked at the figure again. "Finish it."
The figure then smiled at her and rained her powers. Sakura then fainted and fell to the ground. Her magic was all gone and the barrier finally disappeared. She then blacked out.
~ End Flashback ~
Sakura slowly nodded her head. "I think I can recall that now. That was a Sakura Card? How did I seal it without using my staff?"
"Yeah, it was a Sakura Card alright. It can't be sealed without a sacrifice from you, the Sakura Cards mistress. As soon as it turned back to a card, your magic returned."
"But I didn't even say my incantation! I thought that I couldn't seal it without my incantation! Where is it?" Syaoran reached into a small pink pouch bag on her table and drew out the star key pendant and the Sakura Cards.
"They are right here. Maybe you can summon 'The Sacrifice' and ask her yourself." Sakura cocked her head.
"'The Sacrifice'? What card's that?" Syaoran drew a card out from the deck and handed it and the pendant to her.
"It's the card that you nearly gave up all of your magic to seal." 'Not to mention the card that made you give up your powers to free me from the barrier...' Syaoran thought as Sakura got the card. Their fingers tingled for a short while when they gently brushed against each other when she got the card from him. Sakura blushed again and looked at 'The Sacrifice'.
"Oh, I see. Okay then...
O key that hides
the power of the stars
shining so bright,
release your power
and shine your light!"
The key pendant grew into her staff once more. "Release and dispel, Sacrifice!"
A lady emerged from the pink card. She was wearing long light green robes with a pale pink sash and her hair length was below her waist however she had signs of knife marks and scars all over her. She looked kind of happy and sad at the same time. "You summoned me Mistress?"
Sakura nodded brightly. "Yes, I did. I need to ask you some questions."
"I will answer what I can my Mistress." Sakura looked happy.
"Okay then!" she then looked at Syaoran. "Do you wanna ask her something first?"
"Yeah, I'd like that." He turned his attention to the card. "Why'd you take me as a hostage a while ago when I thought you were Sakura?"
"Only the sacrifice of the Mistress that comes from the heart could seal me. It was also a test to see where her priorities lie."
"What does that have to do with me?" Sakura shook her head violently indicating that she didn't want him to know her main priority.
"I cannot say. My apologies master." Sakura sighed in relief.
"Why not? Do you even know?"
"Yes, I do. I have intellect similar to Light and Dark and I am the most intelligent among us five sisters."
"Who are your sisters card-san?" Sakura looked at the cards in the pink pouch.
"You already know of two."
"Who are they?"
"They are Fear and Pain." Syaoran was surprised to hear this.
"You've encountered new cards before?" he asked Sakura.
"I'll tell you about it in a little while..." she mumbled not really wanting him to tell him about the new cards.
"Alright then."
"Who are your other two sisters card-san?" she looked at Sakura with sadness in her eyes.
"I am afraid I cannot tell you. You need to learn how defend yourself against them without my help. If you find out now, they cannot be sealed." Sakura and Syaoran were in silence. It was so quiet; you could've heard a pencil drop. After a little while, they finally turned their attention back to the card.
"What power do you possess?"
"I possess the ability to draw out magical and physical power from people." Syaoran nodded in understanding.
"So that's how you were able to overpower me so easily."
"Oh yeah, before I forget," Sakura fixed her position on the bed. "Card-san, how did you get sealed without my incantation?"
"I sealed myself. I did not wish to remain as an unstable card." Sakura and Syaoran were surprised when the card said that.
"Cards can seal themselves? They don't really need me to recite my invocation?" the card slowly shook her head and smiled at Sakura.
"Mistress, if you can recall, I absorbed your magic; though not to my liking; right before I was able to lift the barrier. Since I bore your powers at that time, I was able to seal myself using your magic. I alone have the ability to seal myself into card form once more."
"Are we done asking card-san our questions?" Sakura blinked innocently at Syaoran.
"Yeah, I guess."
"You may return to your card form now." Sakura kindly told The Sacrifice and it returned to the long pink card. "That was sure enlightening."
"I'll say. Why didn't you tell me about the new cards before?" Sakura looked away from him, ashamed.
"It was my problem. I didn't think I'd need you to get involved in it as well."
"Oh Sakura..." Syaoran's eyes softened and he pulled Sakura into a hug and she began blushing madly. "You know that I'll always be there for you. You know that I'll always help you whenever you need help and that I'll never let you down."
Sakura began to cry when she heard him say that to her. 'I love you Syaoran-kun, more than you know.' "Syaoran-kun..."
He pulled her out of his embrace and gave her a quick kiss on her cheek.
"Syaoran-kun..." she said while blushing even more and touched the part where he had kissed her. "What was that for?"
"I'm so glad." he said smiling at her warmly. "I'm so happy that you're calling me by my first name now. I missed you, you know."
"I haven't been anywhere."
"Maybe so, but you still seemed far away." Sakura looked at the watch on her wrist.
"Oh my gosh, it's past three o'clock in the afternoon!" Syaoran sweatdropped, their special moment was ruined now.
"You didn't notice?"
"No... I was busy sleeping in case you forgot. We should really go to class. It's bad enough I've missed a week already."
"You haven't missed a week."
"Hello? Earth to Syaoran-kun, you say that I've been in the Hospital Wing for a week then how can I not miss my classes?"
"Mirror is taking your place. I asked Madam Pomfrey and Professor Dumbledore to let you rest here without any distractions. No one knows that you've been in here."
"But what about my notes?"
"I told Mirror to take down notes. I think it's better that way because you definitely won't fall asleep in class anymore."
"Hey! I don't always fall asleep!"
"You do when you're converting cards or when you're really tired."
"I'm a lot stronger now. I've been training you know."
"I'm sure you are but you wouldn't have lasted five minutes into Professor Binns' class."
"Hey, watch what you're saying there! Who's Professor Binns?"
"History of Magic Professor. Oh yeah wait, you wouldn't have lasted 5 seconds in his presence anyway."
"What, you think I'm too dumb to be able to process what he says?"
"No, it's not that at all."
"Then what?"
"The thing about Professor Binns is that he's... well, he's a ghost." Sakura's face paled.
"A g-ghost?!?"
"Yeah."
"I don't want to study here anymore!"
"Ah, relax. The ghosts here are harmless. They won't do the scary stuff that is shown in movies."
"But-but they're dead!"
"You're the Mistress of the Sakura Cards, they can't harm you." Sakura sighed in defeat.
"Fine, I'm convinced." She got up from the bed. "I'll call Mirror right now."
Before she was able to do anything, Syaoran stopped her. "Not a good idea right now. She's in Potions right now and Snape is one of the teachers who don't know about our secret. He's not gonna take it well if one of his students disappear in the middle of his class."
"When does class end?"
"In ten minutes."
"Let's go to the dorm and I'll call Mirror when we get there."
~ Gryffindor Common Room ~
They went back to Gryffindor Tower and by that time, ten minutes had already passed.
"Mirror, return!" Mirror's true form went back into the Sakura card.
"My Mistress, your notes are in the bag on the center table."
"Arigatou (thank you) Mirror-san that was greatly appreciated."
A young girl's voice came out of the card. "Anything to please my Mistress."
"Who're you talking to Sakura?" Harry walked in the dorm. He looked around the room but he only saw Sakura and Syaoran. Ron, Hermione, Tomoyo and Eriol followed him inside. "I could've sworn that there was another girl in the room."
"I'm just talking to myself again Harry."
"Hey Li," Ron looked at Syaoran. "Why weren't you in class earlier? Snape nearly subtracted more than 60 points from Gryffindor because he said that you were 'off frolicking'."
"Do you believe him?" Syaoran glared at him.
"No, of course not." Ron said cowering under his glare.
"Then there's no need to ask." Eriol walked behind Syaoran and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Why can't you be nice once in a while my little descendant?"
"Don't call me that grandpa!" he tried elbowing Eriol in the stomach but he just ended up hitting air when Eriol reappeared beside Tomoyo.
"Tsk, tsk, you know that violence is not the way my little descendant." He said slightly scolding him.
"Say that to my face Hiiragizawa and I promise that I'll blast you back to Tomoeda!" Syaoran said gravely.
"Hey cool it Li. Eriol's just kidding." Harry said half blocking him from getting to Eriol.
"Fine whatever. I'm going to Transfiguration now." He said walking out of the common hall.
"Hey Syaoran-kun, wait for me!" Sakura grabbed her bag and followed him out the portrait hole.
"We'll get going too." Ron, Harry and Hermione left the room as well.
"Since when did Sakura-chan start calling Li-kun 'Syaoran-kun' again?" Tomoyo asked Eriol. He smiled mysteriously.
"Since ten minutes ago."
"You were eavesdropping on them again?"
"I'm sorry Tomoyo-chan, I-"
"I love you! Keep on doing that, I want to know the latest scoop on my favorite couple!" Eriol blushed as Tomoyo threw her arms around him and gave him a bug hug.
"Yeah, I can eavesdrop on them and I can't get in trouble, cool!"
"I wouldn't exactly call 'not get into trouble' when you're talking about Li-kun here." Tomoyo pointed out.
"Oh yeah... oh well, these things happen. We can't do anything about that. We should go to Transfiguration now too."
"Okay then," she hooked her arm on Eriol's right arm and he led her out the portrait hole.
~ Transfiguration Classroom ~
"You really have to keep your temper under control Syaoran-kun. Eriol-kun was only teasing." Sakura said as they took their seats beside each other somewhere in the middle.
"You're one to talk Ms. 'Don't try to follow me'." Sakura's face paled.
"You still remember that?"
"Hell yeah, I was so scared that you hated me that time. How can I not forget?"
"Um... time passes by quickly?"
"It passes by quickly alright. It's already half past three."
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot, did anyone notice the dimension created by 'The Sacrifice'?"
"I don't think so. When I escaped with you, it seemed as if time stood still. People were still practicing their charms for darkness and they didn't even notice me bring you to the Hospital Wing at all. Maybe the dimension caused time to stand still while the card wasn't sealed."
"I see..." Sakura began looking for something in her bag.
"What are you looking for Sakura-chan?" Sakura looked up in panic.
"I can't find the notes that Mirror made for me!"
"Maybe she left them in the dorm."
"You're probably right. I'm heading back before Professor Mc Gonagall gets here."
"Alright, but hurry. Class starts in ten minutes." She nodded and rushed out the door.
~ Hallway ~
'I'd better hurry before the bell rings.' Sakura thought as she ran towards Gryffindor Tower. When she got there, she saw that the Fat Lady wasn't in her usual post.
"Oh well, I'll just have to share Syaoran-kun's for now." She walked back to her class. She still had six minutes to go so she took her time getting there. Somewhere along the way, she turned a wrong corner and ended up on the third floor corridor.
"Where'd I get myself now? Oh well, I'll just have to zap myself there." Sakura closed her eyes and concentrated on the classroom she was trying to zap herself to when she heard someone's swishing cloak behind her. Instinctively, she put herself on defense.
"Who's there?" a black hooded girl emerged from the darkness.
"Who are you?" the girl cackled and lifted her hood to show her glossy white curls and blue eyes. She smiled at Sakura, her eyes glinting with malice.
"Oh, even if I tell you my name, you won't know me."
"I'd still like to know." She fired a lightning blast at Sakura who dodged it.
"Since you're gonna be perishing in a bit, I might as well tell you. My name is..."
"Sakura-chan, there you are!" Sakura turned around to find Syaoran a few meters behind her.
"Syaoran-kun!" she turned back to the girl but she had disappeared. "Where'd she...?"
"You had me worried there! I forgot that you didn't know the way back to Transfiguration so I came looking for you.
"Arigatou Syaoran-kun, but..."
"But what?"
"Didn't you see her?" Syaoran walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Who are you talking about?"
"There was a girl talking to me a while ago. She disappeared when you came."
"Who was she?" he looked at her concerned.
"I don't know. She had silver hair and blue eyes. She didn't tell me her name."
"Did she hurt you?"
"No, but she fired a lightning bolt at me. Of course I dodged it."
"I'm glad you're alright. It's good to see that your fighting skills have improved."
"Thanks, but I couldn't have done it without Fight's help." He nodded. Fight was a very god opponent. He knew that from experience.
"We should get back to class." Syaoran said leading Sakura out of the third floor.
"Yeah..." she took one last look at the spot where the girl stood. "Let's hurry."
-To be Continued-
AN/ okay, I'm thinking right now that this chapter was kind of... boring. I promise to make it better next time! Please R+R and I won't update until I get 120 reviews. I also desperately need some new ideas. Once again, I'm sooo sorry for delaying the update. I only checked my e-mail yesterday. R+R!
~mycherrywolf~