*~*Dream*~*
Once again Sakura found herself on top of the Tokyo Tower overlooking parts of Tokyo. But this time, there was no laughter in the empty city and no green light in the sky. There was none of the unusual oddities that usual happens in her pervious dreams.
Sakura walked in a circle surveying the empty city. She saw nothing like last time. No movement and this time, no sound. It didn't feel wrong but it didn't feel as safe like last time. It felt more... weird. More right than the others. Though for the life of her, Sakura couldn't say why so.
"This is really weird," she muttered to herself. "Hello! Anybody out there!"
Her reply was the sound of silence echoing back at her.
"What are you trying to show me?" she yelled. "Last time, you were trying to show me something. Am I right? What are you trying to tell me?"
"Sakura! Fight!"
"What?" she spun around, trying to look for the source of the voice. It was oddly familiar, yet different.
She didn't find the owner of the voice. The city was as empty as before.
"I don't understand. Fight what?" she asked.
"Fight!" it said again, more persistent.
"But fight what?" turning around and around, going in circles. Where was the voice coming from? "I know that something is going to happen soon. But I don't know what is going to happen. Please, tell me."
"Tonight."
Behind her. The person telling her to fight was behind her. She wasted no time turning around.....
......only to discover that no one was there. Confused, Sakura looked at the spot where she was certain that the person speaking to her should have been. Should have still be there, but wasn't. The voice didn't have the exact qualities of a male voice would have, but it didn't sound exactly female either. It sounded like an echo from a distant, fuzzed out and hard to tell if it was guy or woman who yelled. But the voice was clear and soft.
"Tonight," she said. "What's happening tonight?"
No answer. Then, Sakura started to feel herself awake up.
"Wait!" she cried out. "What's happening? I don't understand!"
And just as the dream world started to fade, she heard a distant voice say, "You must."
*~*Morning*~*
"Good morning Sakura-chan," she heard Kero say, still half a sleep.
"Kero!" she almost yelled. Half in excitement and half in the dread and confusion of the dream.
"What is Sakura-chan? Did something bad happen in the dream?"
"I'm not sure. But I remember it! I finally remember it!"
"You do? That's great Sakura-chan," he said. The sleep already gone from his system as he hovered a couple of inches in front of her face. "What did you see?"
"It was strange," she began.
"How strange?" Kero asked curiously.
"I don't know. It's like, the past dreams, something kept interfering or came into my dream. I don't know. It felt like this is more like the dream was suppose to be this way. Only, whatever I was supposed to be dreaming now wasn't fully matured. I'm sorry. It's so hard to explain."
"It's okay Sakura-chan. I think I know what you are talking about," Kero said.
"You do?"
"Yes. You said that the pervious dreams felt like some interfered, ne?"
"Hai."
"Well, remember how when you were younger, you had dreams that at first you couldn't make out very clearly? Then as time went on, you started to see more of it and later everything seemed more like a movie that you saw a while back. So if something interfered with the dream, it's possible that the dream wasn't fully developed," Kero said.
"I guess so," Sakura said but with uncertainty in her voice.
"But the question is; who would want to interfere with the dream and why?" Kero thoughtfully asked.
"I don't know. I thought that this sort of thing was behind me now," she brought her knees up, locked her arms around her legs, and laid her head on her knees. She looked almost sad and confused. Almost like trying to find out why she was in the position that she is in and what she did wrong to be in that place. An impediment that would not fully go away. Then again, that's what Kero thought that Sakura *almost* looked like. He hoped that that wasn't what she was really thinking about.
Kero looked up at the ceiling. 'Who and why indeed.' He thought to himself.
*~*Later that morning*~*
"I don't know of anyone with that kind of power to interfere with a Seraphim's power," Eriol said to Touya.
Both men were currently in Eriol's living room, discussing about Sakura's dream and the possibilities that would happen that night. Nakura and Spinal were with Sakura, Kero, Tomoyo, Yukito, and Wakari at Tomoyo's mansion discussing about the same topic as the two men were.
"Could be other angels," Touya pointed out.
"But why would they want to interfere with the Trial?" Eriol asked.
"Who knows? It could also be Fallens," Touya said shrugging.
"Possibly. They do have about the same amount of power as the heavenly angels us we humans so charmingly put it. But the same question still implies, why would they want to interfere with the Trial?" Eriol went to look out the window.
"Well, at least we know for sure that it will be tonight," Touya drew out.
"Yes," Eriol slowly agreed. "But has Sakura learned enough in life? Has she already learned that there are some things in life that you just can't change? No matter how terrible or unfair it can be many times?"
"You have to trust in Sakura," Touya said not looking at Eriol.
Eriol turned around to look at Touya. The older man's hands were grasped tight together in a fist. "I do trust Sakura. I just worry for her as much as you worry for her. If not, more so. If someone was able to interfere with the dreams, then he or she or whatever form of living creature must have the capability to interfere with the Trail as well."
"Do you think they will?"
Eriol raised an eyebrow. "Do you think there could be more of them?"
"Could be," Touya released his fists from their painful grasp of each other to relax them. "We can't just eliminate the possibility just because we don't know for sure who is behind this. We don't even have a clue as to who would want to get involved with our affairs now."
"Well, let's break this down," Eriol took a sit in front of Touya. "Sakura mention that there was a green light shaped like a dome covering most of Tokyo."
"She was also on top of Tokyo Tower like the Judgment," Touya added.
"Right. We also know that it's Xiao Lang who will be the Head of the Trial. He will be the one who will test her and pass judgment on her. We will be the Adherenter, or supporter for Sakura. Yue and Kero are not allowed to help or get in the fight that Sakura will go through," Eriol said.
"Do they know that?" Touya asked.
"No. They also don't about the roles we have to play in this."
"They're going to be mad at us when they find out. No, not even mad. Furious is more like it," Touya said.
"Are you not mad that Sakura will be facing him alone as well?" Touya looked away.
Then he said, "Years ago, I wouldn't have minded. I would have even have encouraged it because she seemed so much more powerful than he was. Ever could be too it seemed. She could have beaten him with a blindfold and right arm tied behind her back. Now, Xiao Lang is the one with more power than Sakura ever hope to get. He could easily defeat her with his seventh sense and other six senses blocked out."
"Taste, touch, hear, sight, and instinct," Eriol named off the six senses that every human is born with. Well, the six senses that the magic world said there were. Not including the seventh.
"Yeah," Touya nodded. "I'm not furious that she has to do this by herself. I'm beyond that. An even though I am mad at fate and Xiao Lang, I feel helpless and I have to just stand there and watch this all happen to her."
"But it's like what you said earlier, we have to trust in Sakura."
"But what would happen if she fails?" Touya miserably asked.
"I don't know," Eriol admitted. "But I don't want to find out."
"Who will be the neutralist? The one who will take neither side?" Touya asked.
"I don't know. It could be a Power or a witch," Eriol answered. "Or maybe it's a wizard."
Touya let out a low whistle. "A wizard. If it is a wizard, I would really like to meet him, her, or it. There hasn't been a new one born in about 47 years I hear."
"True," Eriol agreed. "It has been years since I meet with one. It is fortunate for them that they live long lives."
"'Long lives' is an understatement. They aren't even human."
"Then it is even more fortunate for them that they can easily change the properties of their blood and DNA to fit that of a human for the little 'government purposes' that the government loves to do." Eriol smiled sweetly.
Touya snorted. The world's population was billions of living creatures. More than billions. Almost a fourth, more or less, of the human population were what humans considered "magical". Then you take about another fourth of the "magical" population and they are not even human. Wizards, witches, elves, and imps were just to name a few. Of course, those were just the human terms for them. Those humans who consider themselves witches, and are also of the religion of witchcraft and have a tiny bit of power, are just distant echoes of the real being of witches. The rest lived in another realm and mostly visited this realm for their own purposes.
"Now, the problem. The Commencer. The one who go against Sakura and the one who will push her to her limits edges and beyond. Whether she wants to or not. There will be no sympathy for her," Eriol said.
"Armen," Touya agreed. "A Fallen. He is the one we should worry about during the Trial. Besides the threat. Wait. Sakura said that there was laughing in the dream besides the one from last night."
"Laughter. She said that it was an insane laughter," Eriol's eyes became wide in realization. "Demons."
*~*Tomoyo's house*~*
"I wonder what onii-chan and Eriol-kun are talking about," Sakura said thoughtfully during their dessert after lunch.
"Who knows? Maybe it really something happened to their business that they had to fix right away," Kero said plucking a grape into his mouth.
Everyone else in the room just shook their heads and smiled. They knew what Eriol and Touya were really taking about, the same topic that the rest of them were talking about before they stopped for lunch. The situation at hand: the event that was to happen tonight.
The question was: what was so important that the two of them only would talk about and not with the rest? If it had to do with Sakura, why not talk to Yue and Kero as well? Both guardians were a little hurt that they were not talking about with Eriol and Touya. Nakura and Spinel were hurt as well that their master knew something about what was going to happen and didn't tell them.
Then, one of the objects of their thoughts came into the parlor. Eriol smiled at them and mumbled an apology to them for being late and did a swift kiss on Tomoyo before sitting down next to her.
"Well look who decided to grace us with his presence," Kero heatedly said. "Where's the other one?"
Eriol raised an eyebrow. "I assume you mean Touya. I left him outside talking to Yana-san. We have to-"but he was interrupted by Tomoyo, Nakura, and Sakura.
"They're soo kawaii together!!" Sakura exclaimed.
"I knew they would be good for each other," Nakura squealed.
"Good for each other! They're perfect for each!" Tomoyo exclaimed with hearts in her eyes.
"I'm so glad that Touya has found happiness in Yana-san. Think of it, they could be married by this time next year," Sakura said happily.
"Marriage," Nakura said dreamily.
"I could be an aunt soon," Sakura said just as dreamily.
"Two kids, a little girl and a little boy. The girl who looks just like Yana-san and the boy is just like Touya-san. I should get started with their kawaii outfits soon!" Tomoyo said.
"Well, it seem that those girls are happy," Wakari said to the rest of the men. They all gave their own remarks about it.
"Hey Eriol," Yukito said, "You and Tomoyo are going to get married soon as well. Well, sooner than Touya and Yana, but how many children are you expecting to have?"
Eriol smiled that mysterious smile of his. "Well. In my past life, I did not get the chance to have an actual family of my own. My mother had to make my family and Clan. So I am hoping that this life time would be different. Maybe if we work hard enough, Tomoyo and I can make another Clan that is actually directed to me. The Hiragizawa Clan. It has a nice ring to it."
"Excuse me," Tomoyo said hearing what Eriol said. "Another Clan? My, aren't you all high and mighty now. And what makes you think that I would want to spend half my life giving birth to children?"
Eriol didn't miss a beat, "Because my darling koishii, I have a reputation to uphold as a powerful sorcerer *and* you love me." He pulled her into his arms and held her tight while they looked into each other's eyes with love.
"You guys are going to have a very busy life if you try to pull that off," Kero muttered.
"All I know is that I'm not going to change them, feed them, or make silly noises to them," Spinel muttered as well.
Then, Touya came into the room looking a bit grave.
"Onii-chan!!" Sakura said jumping up. "What happened? Did you and Yana-san break up? Or did you two have a fight?" She looked at him worriedly.
Touya raised his eye brow at Eriol. "So I presume that you didn't tell them?"
"I tried to tell them that we needed tell them something. But... things got... a little out of hand," he said looking at Sakura, Tomoyo, and Nakura. They just looked down with a blush of embarrassment.
"What is it that you both have to tell us?" Yue asked. None of them knew when he transformed (expect for maybe Eriol), but he did. "I assume that it is a matter of importance or you wouldn't be looking as grave as you are now Touya."
Touya sighed. "Everybody, Eriol and I have a lot to explain to you all. So please do not interrupt and save your questions for later. It will save time and if you kept listening, then some of your questions maybe answered while we explain. Everyone agree?"
Everyone in the room expect Eriol and Touya, considered those words. As it was right now, they wanted to ask about a million questions, but resolved to hold them for later. Finally they all agreed.
"Okay," Eriol began, "This all started several years ago. Months after Sakura passed my test. It was during the time when you, Sakura, decided that you wanted to lead a normal life, partly because of the much added weight of school work, clubs, cheerleading, and you're many, many friends. You just didn't have the time for the Cards as you use to. Maybe you didn't want to make time."
Kero started to protest. "Kero, I said don't interrupt," Touya said with a hard voice. This stopped Kero in midair.
"As I was saying, Sakura, we made the mistake of letting you have your wish. We never told what the true purpose of what it is of being the Card Mistress or what it really means. I guess we all were just too selfish because we all wanted to see you happy. We didn't want to force you to do something that you didn't want to do. But we realize now that that we should have told you the importance of it."
"But," Touya continued. "We also didn't tell you this before also because we knew that if we told you this, you would rethink about it and choose to do what you should have done. Not for yourself, but for us. Because we wanted you to. We wanted you to do something for yourself, not for us. So Eriol, Spinel, Nakura, Kero, and Yue all battled the sorcerers that you should have battled. But we never considered about what to do about the Card's Master's destiny."
"My des-"Sakura started but was interrupted by Eriol.
"The reason why the Cards were made was so that they would aid in the battle against demons. You see Sakura, I, or rather Clow Reed, created the Clow Cards to stop the demons from coming into this realm. This will happen every time a new Master of the Cards is chosen."
"Why-"Tomoyo started but Eriol interrupted her as well.
"It is because of balance. One born with great power would be born within every century or two. When the Master is born, the veil to the demonic plane will thin out. Until the Master or Mistress is of their height of power, the veil won't be torn. When it is, some demons will come out and try to retake this world. It is the Card's Master's duty to stop those who escaped and repair the veil."
"Why can't you just make the veil stronger?" Wakari asked quickly before Eriol or Touya could stop him.
"Because," Touya answered, "the veil was made of a completely different kind of power. It shouldn't even be called magic. You have to understand that we as mortals have no right to completely force all demons away from here. We may force *some* back to where they came from, but this realm was their home for far longer than it was for humans. Demons and angels, as we call both existences, have lived on this realm since it was first made. They both lived here for maybe billions of years. Nobody really knows why they don't live here as they use to or what happened. All we know for sure is that there was a war between those two."
"And the angels won. Just like all the stories about creation," Wakari smiled proudly knowing what happened in the end.
Touya frowned. Eriol continued, "Maybe that's what happened. Maybe the wizards know. They are the keepers of knowledge and protectors of all forms of life. Anyway, we don't have the power to make the veil stronger. The structure of the veil is completely different from anything humans have ever seen and probably will ever see. Attempts to make the veil stronger have gone unsuccessfully resulting in no change on the veil at all. Even observation spells and structural spells have resulted with no information about the veil.
The immortals won't help strengthen the veil either and the wizards and witches told us to leave it as it is and that the only thing we can do is repair it. They have an annoying habit of questioning all that you were taught and believe in if it is actually right, especially wizards. Never get into a word spar with them. You'd never win. I remember when Clow was younger and he asked a wizard why we couldn't just force all demons to where they came from or kill them all. The wizard said, 'Would you ever give your home that you lived in for most of you life to someone else so easily?' From then on I, or he, began to question morals, and so created the Clow Cards, which are now Sakura Cards."
"So that's how the Clow Cards came to be," Tomoyo said with a slight awe in her voice.
Sakura looked thoughtful. 'So all this time, the Cards had a purpose. *I* had a purpose. And I wanted to let it all go. To let it slip away.' She thought.
"Eriol-kun, its tonight right?" her head was down and her bangs covered her eyes. "Tonight I have to face the demons and seal them away until the next Master is chosen. What do I have to do?" There was determination in her eyes when she looked up. A bright determination that shone with the will to repent for a pass mistake. Too bad that she wouldn't get to fight the demons though.
"Eh, Sakura-chan, you won't be fighting any demons," Eriol said with a sheepish smile.
There was silence in the room, then a "Hoe!!" and some "Nani!!"
"Hold up!" Kero said, "We know that Sakura has to fight the demons and we should have told her before too. So you guys told her and she is prepared to fight them. She is willing to save us all from their evil clutches and go kick some demon ass! And now you're telling that she –won't- be fight demons? Then what was the point of telling us all of this!!"
"So we could tell her about tonight," Touya said.
Everyone looked at him. He was looking out the window as if trying to look for something that was not there.
"The demons were sent back years ago," he said.
"By who?" Yue asked.
"Li Syaoran."
Everyone had their eyes wide open in disbelief. But as for Spinel and Nakura, their eyes were open in realization. Their faces paled and their hearts started to beat a little faster.
"How is that possible!?" Kero yelled out.
"Syaoran had to pay the price for taking someone's destiny and fulfilling it for them. The direct descendents of Clow Reed are dead," Eriol impassively said.
Everyone gasped. Nakura and Spinel closed their eyes. They knew what happened. They had felt it, the unbalanced of the line of Clow. The legacy of Clow Reed was failed. It would soon end.
"But... but Li-kun," Tomoyo stammered out. "I saw Li-kun about two years ago. He can't be dead."
"What!?" Eriol and Touya yelled out. "How come you didn't tell us?"
"I don't know. It's like I forgot about it and then some how remembered just now," she said. "Did I see the ghost of Li-kun?"
"I don't think you did," Eriol thoughtfully said.
"So... Syaoran-kun isn't dead?" Sakura hopefully asked.
"I don't think dead is the right term for it."
Sakura let out a relieved sigh. "At least he isn't dead." Eriol and Touya inwardly flinched.
"But why didn't he come here and tell us what happened? Or at least phoned?"
"Sakura-chan," Nakura began, "Syaoran would have been named head of the Li Clan. He would have a million responsibilities to do and a million more the get the Li Clan back and running. It wasn't on the news what happened because the Clan wanted to keep it private. And, many of the indirect descendents would have wanted to move back to the estate and land to give support to Syaoran and to help get the Li Clan running again. There were many direct descendents and there is about twice as much indirect ones, if not more. It would take years to get the Clan back to its feet and running. Remember, the Li Clan was the most powerful Clan in the world and an old one at that. Not one of the oldest, but an old one."
"But he could have called me," Sakura said almost tearfully. She felt betrayed that he didn't tell her or even visit her in all these years. She suddenly felt something that she never really felt before. She felt jealous. She was jealous of Tomoyo that Syaoran went to see her and not Sakura. She didn't like the feeling. It twisted her stomach and made her want to glare at Tomoyo, to which she pressed down the temptation. Wakari wrapped his arms around her in comfort.
Tomoyo, sensing that her best friend felt displeased with her, looked at Sakura sadly and sent her an apologetic look. Sakura shook her head and sent her an apologetic look right back. Tomoyo smiled at her. Just like Sakura, to think that it was her own fault for something that she couldn't control, like her feelings.
"We have to talk about the event that is going to happen tonight," Yue said after about 20 minutes.
"Sakura-chan, are you ready?" Tomoyo asked.
"Hai," she replied back. "Tell me what I need to know."
Eriol took a deep breathe and began, "Touya's and my job is to give you the basic information. You'll get the rest of it later. Tonight is called the Trail. Instead of the judge, the position is called the Head. The Head will be the on to test you and pass judgment on you. We are called the Adherenters. We are your supporters and give you advice before the Trial. We are also the ones to give you some background information. We can't to tell you everything because we are not allowed to and because we don't know very much to begin with. Then there is the Commencer. The Commencer is the one who is against you. They are like the opposition and we are your defenders. Only, in the Trail, you don't state your case and talk, you fight."
"The point of this Trail is to see if you are worthy of being the Card's Mistress in a way," Touya said.
"Now hold up," Kero interjected, "Sakura proved that she was the Card's Mistress when she faced Yue and won. And she also faced the reincarnation of Clow Reed and won as well. Doesn't that already prove her worthy enough?"
"Enough for the mortals yes," Eriol answered, "But not for immortals and those not human. Remember, the ultimate purpose of being the Card's Master was to bring back the demons to where they came from and to repair the veil. Sakura did neither, so in the eyes of the immortals and those not humans, she has yet to prove herself."
"Sakura doesn't need to prove herself to these people!" Tomoyo said almost angrily.
"Half the reason for the Trail is to prove to them that Sakura is worthy of being the Card's Mistress, the other half is to prove it to herself. Am I right Sakura-chan?"
Everyone looked at Sakura. She knew what he meant. For the past 6 years or so, Sakura felt like she wasn't the right person for being the Card's Mistress. At first, she didn't think about it much, but lately, she wasn't so sure. She loved the Card's yes, but she didn't know *why* she was chosen. At first, she thought it was because she was the half daughter of Clow Reed and he gave them to her because he wanted the Cards to stay within the family. But then why didn't he just give them to Syaoran instead? She became confused and at lost. She didn't tell Kero or Eriol her thoughts because she didn't want them to worry about her. She didn't want them to think that she didn't want to be the Card's Mistress. She did. She loved the Cards.
Sakura took the Cards out from her bag and look at them all. She will do it. She will go through with this. She will prove to the immortals and those not human that she *is* the right person to own the Cards. For once, she was going to be selfish to want something and keep it. She wasn't going to let someone say that she isn't fit to be the Cards' Mistress. She was also going to prove to the Cards, her friends, and herself.
"Hai, you're right. I will prove myself to them and myself," she said with finality in her voice. Everyone looked at her with awe.
"So, she's finally growing up," a voice whispered to himself/herself outside the door. No one heard him/her or knew that she/he was on the other side of the door listening in to their conversation. "The question is, she ready?"
______________________________
Time does not wait for us to catch up. Time does not speed up for us at our will. Time goes it own leisure pace without thought. Time is neither our friend nor our enemy. Time is its own companion and travel guide.
AN: Sorry for the long delay. I have hardly any time to do this as before. So please be patient. And thank you. Oh and, please excuse me for my mistakes because I didn't check and edit it.
Once again Sakura found herself on top of the Tokyo Tower overlooking parts of Tokyo. But this time, there was no laughter in the empty city and no green light in the sky. There was none of the unusual oddities that usual happens in her pervious dreams.
Sakura walked in a circle surveying the empty city. She saw nothing like last time. No movement and this time, no sound. It didn't feel wrong but it didn't feel as safe like last time. It felt more... weird. More right than the others. Though for the life of her, Sakura couldn't say why so.
"This is really weird," she muttered to herself. "Hello! Anybody out there!"
Her reply was the sound of silence echoing back at her.
"What are you trying to show me?" she yelled. "Last time, you were trying to show me something. Am I right? What are you trying to tell me?"
"Sakura! Fight!"
"What?" she spun around, trying to look for the source of the voice. It was oddly familiar, yet different.
She didn't find the owner of the voice. The city was as empty as before.
"I don't understand. Fight what?" she asked.
"Fight!" it said again, more persistent.
"But fight what?" turning around and around, going in circles. Where was the voice coming from? "I know that something is going to happen soon. But I don't know what is going to happen. Please, tell me."
"Tonight."
Behind her. The person telling her to fight was behind her. She wasted no time turning around.....
......only to discover that no one was there. Confused, Sakura looked at the spot where she was certain that the person speaking to her should have been. Should have still be there, but wasn't. The voice didn't have the exact qualities of a male voice would have, but it didn't sound exactly female either. It sounded like an echo from a distant, fuzzed out and hard to tell if it was guy or woman who yelled. But the voice was clear and soft.
"Tonight," she said. "What's happening tonight?"
No answer. Then, Sakura started to feel herself awake up.
"Wait!" she cried out. "What's happening? I don't understand!"
And just as the dream world started to fade, she heard a distant voice say, "You must."
*~*Morning*~*
"Good morning Sakura-chan," she heard Kero say, still half a sleep.
"Kero!" she almost yelled. Half in excitement and half in the dread and confusion of the dream.
"What is Sakura-chan? Did something bad happen in the dream?"
"I'm not sure. But I remember it! I finally remember it!"
"You do? That's great Sakura-chan," he said. The sleep already gone from his system as he hovered a couple of inches in front of her face. "What did you see?"
"It was strange," she began.
"How strange?" Kero asked curiously.
"I don't know. It's like, the past dreams, something kept interfering or came into my dream. I don't know. It felt like this is more like the dream was suppose to be this way. Only, whatever I was supposed to be dreaming now wasn't fully matured. I'm sorry. It's so hard to explain."
"It's okay Sakura-chan. I think I know what you are talking about," Kero said.
"You do?"
"Yes. You said that the pervious dreams felt like some interfered, ne?"
"Hai."
"Well, remember how when you were younger, you had dreams that at first you couldn't make out very clearly? Then as time went on, you started to see more of it and later everything seemed more like a movie that you saw a while back. So if something interfered with the dream, it's possible that the dream wasn't fully developed," Kero said.
"I guess so," Sakura said but with uncertainty in her voice.
"But the question is; who would want to interfere with the dream and why?" Kero thoughtfully asked.
"I don't know. I thought that this sort of thing was behind me now," she brought her knees up, locked her arms around her legs, and laid her head on her knees. She looked almost sad and confused. Almost like trying to find out why she was in the position that she is in and what she did wrong to be in that place. An impediment that would not fully go away. Then again, that's what Kero thought that Sakura *almost* looked like. He hoped that that wasn't what she was really thinking about.
Kero looked up at the ceiling. 'Who and why indeed.' He thought to himself.
*~*Later that morning*~*
"I don't know of anyone with that kind of power to interfere with a Seraphim's power," Eriol said to Touya.
Both men were currently in Eriol's living room, discussing about Sakura's dream and the possibilities that would happen that night. Nakura and Spinal were with Sakura, Kero, Tomoyo, Yukito, and Wakari at Tomoyo's mansion discussing about the same topic as the two men were.
"Could be other angels," Touya pointed out.
"But why would they want to interfere with the Trial?" Eriol asked.
"Who knows? It could also be Fallens," Touya said shrugging.
"Possibly. They do have about the same amount of power as the heavenly angels us we humans so charmingly put it. But the same question still implies, why would they want to interfere with the Trial?" Eriol went to look out the window.
"Well, at least we know for sure that it will be tonight," Touya drew out.
"Yes," Eriol slowly agreed. "But has Sakura learned enough in life? Has she already learned that there are some things in life that you just can't change? No matter how terrible or unfair it can be many times?"
"You have to trust in Sakura," Touya said not looking at Eriol.
Eriol turned around to look at Touya. The older man's hands were grasped tight together in a fist. "I do trust Sakura. I just worry for her as much as you worry for her. If not, more so. If someone was able to interfere with the dreams, then he or she or whatever form of living creature must have the capability to interfere with the Trail as well."
"Do you think they will?"
Eriol raised an eyebrow. "Do you think there could be more of them?"
"Could be," Touya released his fists from their painful grasp of each other to relax them. "We can't just eliminate the possibility just because we don't know for sure who is behind this. We don't even have a clue as to who would want to get involved with our affairs now."
"Well, let's break this down," Eriol took a sit in front of Touya. "Sakura mention that there was a green light shaped like a dome covering most of Tokyo."
"She was also on top of Tokyo Tower like the Judgment," Touya added.
"Right. We also know that it's Xiao Lang who will be the Head of the Trial. He will be the one who will test her and pass judgment on her. We will be the Adherenter, or supporter for Sakura. Yue and Kero are not allowed to help or get in the fight that Sakura will go through," Eriol said.
"Do they know that?" Touya asked.
"No. They also don't about the roles we have to play in this."
"They're going to be mad at us when they find out. No, not even mad. Furious is more like it," Touya said.
"Are you not mad that Sakura will be facing him alone as well?" Touya looked away.
Then he said, "Years ago, I wouldn't have minded. I would have even have encouraged it because she seemed so much more powerful than he was. Ever could be too it seemed. She could have beaten him with a blindfold and right arm tied behind her back. Now, Xiao Lang is the one with more power than Sakura ever hope to get. He could easily defeat her with his seventh sense and other six senses blocked out."
"Taste, touch, hear, sight, and instinct," Eriol named off the six senses that every human is born with. Well, the six senses that the magic world said there were. Not including the seventh.
"Yeah," Touya nodded. "I'm not furious that she has to do this by herself. I'm beyond that. An even though I am mad at fate and Xiao Lang, I feel helpless and I have to just stand there and watch this all happen to her."
"But it's like what you said earlier, we have to trust in Sakura."
"But what would happen if she fails?" Touya miserably asked.
"I don't know," Eriol admitted. "But I don't want to find out."
"Who will be the neutralist? The one who will take neither side?" Touya asked.
"I don't know. It could be a Power or a witch," Eriol answered. "Or maybe it's a wizard."
Touya let out a low whistle. "A wizard. If it is a wizard, I would really like to meet him, her, or it. There hasn't been a new one born in about 47 years I hear."
"True," Eriol agreed. "It has been years since I meet with one. It is fortunate for them that they live long lives."
"'Long lives' is an understatement. They aren't even human."
"Then it is even more fortunate for them that they can easily change the properties of their blood and DNA to fit that of a human for the little 'government purposes' that the government loves to do." Eriol smiled sweetly.
Touya snorted. The world's population was billions of living creatures. More than billions. Almost a fourth, more or less, of the human population were what humans considered "magical". Then you take about another fourth of the "magical" population and they are not even human. Wizards, witches, elves, and imps were just to name a few. Of course, those were just the human terms for them. Those humans who consider themselves witches, and are also of the religion of witchcraft and have a tiny bit of power, are just distant echoes of the real being of witches. The rest lived in another realm and mostly visited this realm for their own purposes.
"Now, the problem. The Commencer. The one who go against Sakura and the one who will push her to her limits edges and beyond. Whether she wants to or not. There will be no sympathy for her," Eriol said.
"Armen," Touya agreed. "A Fallen. He is the one we should worry about during the Trial. Besides the threat. Wait. Sakura said that there was laughing in the dream besides the one from last night."
"Laughter. She said that it was an insane laughter," Eriol's eyes became wide in realization. "Demons."
*~*Tomoyo's house*~*
"I wonder what onii-chan and Eriol-kun are talking about," Sakura said thoughtfully during their dessert after lunch.
"Who knows? Maybe it really something happened to their business that they had to fix right away," Kero said plucking a grape into his mouth.
Everyone else in the room just shook their heads and smiled. They knew what Eriol and Touya were really taking about, the same topic that the rest of them were talking about before they stopped for lunch. The situation at hand: the event that was to happen tonight.
The question was: what was so important that the two of them only would talk about and not with the rest? If it had to do with Sakura, why not talk to Yue and Kero as well? Both guardians were a little hurt that they were not talking about with Eriol and Touya. Nakura and Spinel were hurt as well that their master knew something about what was going to happen and didn't tell them.
Then, one of the objects of their thoughts came into the parlor. Eriol smiled at them and mumbled an apology to them for being late and did a swift kiss on Tomoyo before sitting down next to her.
"Well look who decided to grace us with his presence," Kero heatedly said. "Where's the other one?"
Eriol raised an eyebrow. "I assume you mean Touya. I left him outside talking to Yana-san. We have to-"but he was interrupted by Tomoyo, Nakura, and Sakura.
"They're soo kawaii together!!" Sakura exclaimed.
"I knew they would be good for each other," Nakura squealed.
"Good for each other! They're perfect for each!" Tomoyo exclaimed with hearts in her eyes.
"I'm so glad that Touya has found happiness in Yana-san. Think of it, they could be married by this time next year," Sakura said happily.
"Marriage," Nakura said dreamily.
"I could be an aunt soon," Sakura said just as dreamily.
"Two kids, a little girl and a little boy. The girl who looks just like Yana-san and the boy is just like Touya-san. I should get started with their kawaii outfits soon!" Tomoyo said.
"Well, it seem that those girls are happy," Wakari said to the rest of the men. They all gave their own remarks about it.
"Hey Eriol," Yukito said, "You and Tomoyo are going to get married soon as well. Well, sooner than Touya and Yana, but how many children are you expecting to have?"
Eriol smiled that mysterious smile of his. "Well. In my past life, I did not get the chance to have an actual family of my own. My mother had to make my family and Clan. So I am hoping that this life time would be different. Maybe if we work hard enough, Tomoyo and I can make another Clan that is actually directed to me. The Hiragizawa Clan. It has a nice ring to it."
"Excuse me," Tomoyo said hearing what Eriol said. "Another Clan? My, aren't you all high and mighty now. And what makes you think that I would want to spend half my life giving birth to children?"
Eriol didn't miss a beat, "Because my darling koishii, I have a reputation to uphold as a powerful sorcerer *and* you love me." He pulled her into his arms and held her tight while they looked into each other's eyes with love.
"You guys are going to have a very busy life if you try to pull that off," Kero muttered.
"All I know is that I'm not going to change them, feed them, or make silly noises to them," Spinel muttered as well.
Then, Touya came into the room looking a bit grave.
"Onii-chan!!" Sakura said jumping up. "What happened? Did you and Yana-san break up? Or did you two have a fight?" She looked at him worriedly.
Touya raised his eye brow at Eriol. "So I presume that you didn't tell them?"
"I tried to tell them that we needed tell them something. But... things got... a little out of hand," he said looking at Sakura, Tomoyo, and Nakura. They just looked down with a blush of embarrassment.
"What is it that you both have to tell us?" Yue asked. None of them knew when he transformed (expect for maybe Eriol), but he did. "I assume that it is a matter of importance or you wouldn't be looking as grave as you are now Touya."
Touya sighed. "Everybody, Eriol and I have a lot to explain to you all. So please do not interrupt and save your questions for later. It will save time and if you kept listening, then some of your questions maybe answered while we explain. Everyone agree?"
Everyone in the room expect Eriol and Touya, considered those words. As it was right now, they wanted to ask about a million questions, but resolved to hold them for later. Finally they all agreed.
"Okay," Eriol began, "This all started several years ago. Months after Sakura passed my test. It was during the time when you, Sakura, decided that you wanted to lead a normal life, partly because of the much added weight of school work, clubs, cheerleading, and you're many, many friends. You just didn't have the time for the Cards as you use to. Maybe you didn't want to make time."
Kero started to protest. "Kero, I said don't interrupt," Touya said with a hard voice. This stopped Kero in midair.
"As I was saying, Sakura, we made the mistake of letting you have your wish. We never told what the true purpose of what it is of being the Card Mistress or what it really means. I guess we all were just too selfish because we all wanted to see you happy. We didn't want to force you to do something that you didn't want to do. But we realize now that that we should have told you the importance of it."
"But," Touya continued. "We also didn't tell you this before also because we knew that if we told you this, you would rethink about it and choose to do what you should have done. Not for yourself, but for us. Because we wanted you to. We wanted you to do something for yourself, not for us. So Eriol, Spinel, Nakura, Kero, and Yue all battled the sorcerers that you should have battled. But we never considered about what to do about the Card's Master's destiny."
"My des-"Sakura started but was interrupted by Eriol.
"The reason why the Cards were made was so that they would aid in the battle against demons. You see Sakura, I, or rather Clow Reed, created the Clow Cards to stop the demons from coming into this realm. This will happen every time a new Master of the Cards is chosen."
"Why-"Tomoyo started but Eriol interrupted her as well.
"It is because of balance. One born with great power would be born within every century or two. When the Master is born, the veil to the demonic plane will thin out. Until the Master or Mistress is of their height of power, the veil won't be torn. When it is, some demons will come out and try to retake this world. It is the Card's Master's duty to stop those who escaped and repair the veil."
"Why can't you just make the veil stronger?" Wakari asked quickly before Eriol or Touya could stop him.
"Because," Touya answered, "the veil was made of a completely different kind of power. It shouldn't even be called magic. You have to understand that we as mortals have no right to completely force all demons away from here. We may force *some* back to where they came from, but this realm was their home for far longer than it was for humans. Demons and angels, as we call both existences, have lived on this realm since it was first made. They both lived here for maybe billions of years. Nobody really knows why they don't live here as they use to or what happened. All we know for sure is that there was a war between those two."
"And the angels won. Just like all the stories about creation," Wakari smiled proudly knowing what happened in the end.
Touya frowned. Eriol continued, "Maybe that's what happened. Maybe the wizards know. They are the keepers of knowledge and protectors of all forms of life. Anyway, we don't have the power to make the veil stronger. The structure of the veil is completely different from anything humans have ever seen and probably will ever see. Attempts to make the veil stronger have gone unsuccessfully resulting in no change on the veil at all. Even observation spells and structural spells have resulted with no information about the veil.
The immortals won't help strengthen the veil either and the wizards and witches told us to leave it as it is and that the only thing we can do is repair it. They have an annoying habit of questioning all that you were taught and believe in if it is actually right, especially wizards. Never get into a word spar with them. You'd never win. I remember when Clow was younger and he asked a wizard why we couldn't just force all demons to where they came from or kill them all. The wizard said, 'Would you ever give your home that you lived in for most of you life to someone else so easily?' From then on I, or he, began to question morals, and so created the Clow Cards, which are now Sakura Cards."
"So that's how the Clow Cards came to be," Tomoyo said with a slight awe in her voice.
Sakura looked thoughtful. 'So all this time, the Cards had a purpose. *I* had a purpose. And I wanted to let it all go. To let it slip away.' She thought.
"Eriol-kun, its tonight right?" her head was down and her bangs covered her eyes. "Tonight I have to face the demons and seal them away until the next Master is chosen. What do I have to do?" There was determination in her eyes when she looked up. A bright determination that shone with the will to repent for a pass mistake. Too bad that she wouldn't get to fight the demons though.
"Eh, Sakura-chan, you won't be fighting any demons," Eriol said with a sheepish smile.
There was silence in the room, then a "Hoe!!" and some "Nani!!"
"Hold up!" Kero said, "We know that Sakura has to fight the demons and we should have told her before too. So you guys told her and she is prepared to fight them. She is willing to save us all from their evil clutches and go kick some demon ass! And now you're telling that she –won't- be fight demons? Then what was the point of telling us all of this!!"
"So we could tell her about tonight," Touya said.
Everyone looked at him. He was looking out the window as if trying to look for something that was not there.
"The demons were sent back years ago," he said.
"By who?" Yue asked.
"Li Syaoran."
Everyone had their eyes wide open in disbelief. But as for Spinel and Nakura, their eyes were open in realization. Their faces paled and their hearts started to beat a little faster.
"How is that possible!?" Kero yelled out.
"Syaoran had to pay the price for taking someone's destiny and fulfilling it for them. The direct descendents of Clow Reed are dead," Eriol impassively said.
Everyone gasped. Nakura and Spinel closed their eyes. They knew what happened. They had felt it, the unbalanced of the line of Clow. The legacy of Clow Reed was failed. It would soon end.
"But... but Li-kun," Tomoyo stammered out. "I saw Li-kun about two years ago. He can't be dead."
"What!?" Eriol and Touya yelled out. "How come you didn't tell us?"
"I don't know. It's like I forgot about it and then some how remembered just now," she said. "Did I see the ghost of Li-kun?"
"I don't think you did," Eriol thoughtfully said.
"So... Syaoran-kun isn't dead?" Sakura hopefully asked.
"I don't think dead is the right term for it."
Sakura let out a relieved sigh. "At least he isn't dead." Eriol and Touya inwardly flinched.
"But why didn't he come here and tell us what happened? Or at least phoned?"
"Sakura-chan," Nakura began, "Syaoran would have been named head of the Li Clan. He would have a million responsibilities to do and a million more the get the Li Clan back and running. It wasn't on the news what happened because the Clan wanted to keep it private. And, many of the indirect descendents would have wanted to move back to the estate and land to give support to Syaoran and to help get the Li Clan running again. There were many direct descendents and there is about twice as much indirect ones, if not more. It would take years to get the Clan back to its feet and running. Remember, the Li Clan was the most powerful Clan in the world and an old one at that. Not one of the oldest, but an old one."
"But he could have called me," Sakura said almost tearfully. She felt betrayed that he didn't tell her or even visit her in all these years. She suddenly felt something that she never really felt before. She felt jealous. She was jealous of Tomoyo that Syaoran went to see her and not Sakura. She didn't like the feeling. It twisted her stomach and made her want to glare at Tomoyo, to which she pressed down the temptation. Wakari wrapped his arms around her in comfort.
Tomoyo, sensing that her best friend felt displeased with her, looked at Sakura sadly and sent her an apologetic look. Sakura shook her head and sent her an apologetic look right back. Tomoyo smiled at her. Just like Sakura, to think that it was her own fault for something that she couldn't control, like her feelings.
"We have to talk about the event that is going to happen tonight," Yue said after about 20 minutes.
"Sakura-chan, are you ready?" Tomoyo asked.
"Hai," she replied back. "Tell me what I need to know."
Eriol took a deep breathe and began, "Touya's and my job is to give you the basic information. You'll get the rest of it later. Tonight is called the Trail. Instead of the judge, the position is called the Head. The Head will be the on to test you and pass judgment on you. We are called the Adherenters. We are your supporters and give you advice before the Trial. We are also the ones to give you some background information. We can't to tell you everything because we are not allowed to and because we don't know very much to begin with. Then there is the Commencer. The Commencer is the one who is against you. They are like the opposition and we are your defenders. Only, in the Trail, you don't state your case and talk, you fight."
"The point of this Trail is to see if you are worthy of being the Card's Mistress in a way," Touya said.
"Now hold up," Kero interjected, "Sakura proved that she was the Card's Mistress when she faced Yue and won. And she also faced the reincarnation of Clow Reed and won as well. Doesn't that already prove her worthy enough?"
"Enough for the mortals yes," Eriol answered, "But not for immortals and those not human. Remember, the ultimate purpose of being the Card's Master was to bring back the demons to where they came from and to repair the veil. Sakura did neither, so in the eyes of the immortals and those not humans, she has yet to prove herself."
"Sakura doesn't need to prove herself to these people!" Tomoyo said almost angrily.
"Half the reason for the Trail is to prove to them that Sakura is worthy of being the Card's Mistress, the other half is to prove it to herself. Am I right Sakura-chan?"
Everyone looked at Sakura. She knew what he meant. For the past 6 years or so, Sakura felt like she wasn't the right person for being the Card's Mistress. At first, she didn't think about it much, but lately, she wasn't so sure. She loved the Card's yes, but she didn't know *why* she was chosen. At first, she thought it was because she was the half daughter of Clow Reed and he gave them to her because he wanted the Cards to stay within the family. But then why didn't he just give them to Syaoran instead? She became confused and at lost. She didn't tell Kero or Eriol her thoughts because she didn't want them to worry about her. She didn't want them to think that she didn't want to be the Card's Mistress. She did. She loved the Cards.
Sakura took the Cards out from her bag and look at them all. She will do it. She will go through with this. She will prove to the immortals and those not human that she *is* the right person to own the Cards. For once, she was going to be selfish to want something and keep it. She wasn't going to let someone say that she isn't fit to be the Cards' Mistress. She was also going to prove to the Cards, her friends, and herself.
"Hai, you're right. I will prove myself to them and myself," she said with finality in her voice. Everyone looked at her with awe.
"So, she's finally growing up," a voice whispered to himself/herself outside the door. No one heard him/her or knew that she/he was on the other side of the door listening in to their conversation. "The question is, she ready?"
______________________________
Time does not wait for us to catch up. Time does not speed up for us at our will. Time goes it own leisure pace without thought. Time is neither our friend nor our enemy. Time is its own companion and travel guide.
AN: Sorry for the long delay. I have hardly any time to do this as before. So please be patient. And thank you. Oh and, please excuse me for my mistakes because I didn't check and edit it.