CHAPTER TWO: ALL IS EXPLAINED. WELL, SORT OF.
Disclaimer: The CCS crew belongs to their esteem creator and not to me.
*Speech* – mind speech
Sakura's emerald eyes met the fiery ones of a Chinese girl around her age. 'Mei Ling!' she squealed. Indeed it was Mei Ling whose long black hair was tied into her usual style of plaited buns. Sakura's eyes flickered around, scanning the doorway but her face fell in disappointment as she found no one else standing there. 'Happy birthday!' exclaimed Mei Ling, 'I hope you like your present.' Sakura unconsciously fingered the delicate hand-carved necklace. Tomoyo struggled to hide a giggle as she watched Sakura thank Mei Ling with a stiff smile plastered on her face.
As Sakura placed the necklace back among its wrappings, someone blindfolded Sakura once again. But Sakura was really irritated and annoyed. Syaoran had not returned to Japan and he had even forgotten her birthday! Yanking the blindfold off, she spun around to yell at the guilty person when her voice caught in her throat. The eyes that met hers were really familiar amber ones peering at her from behind brown bangs. The mischievous and yet warm grin that greeted her could only belong to one person. Behind her stood none other than Li Syaoran!
'I can't believe you thought I would miss your birthday,' he said, his voice washing over Sakura. Squealing loudly and close to tears, Sakura flung herself on Syaoran, almost knocking him over. 'Oh, Syaoran-kun, I missed you so much,' she said, her voice muffled as she snuggled in his comforting hold. 'And I missed you too, Sakura,' he murmured, ruffling her hair. There were loud 'Awww's all around and Tomoyo had whipped out her camera to catch the cute moment. And it would've continued too, if Touya hadn't butted in. 'Okay, you can stop now, we get your point,' he said, loudly.
A sudden realization of what they were doing jolted them and they jumped apart, both blushing red like tomatoes. But not before Syaoran whispered something into Sakura's ear. 'Tell the Guardians to stay back after the party,' he had murmured. The Guardians...who or what were the Guardians? She was about to ask him this but Syaoran had already joined the party. Shrugging, she followed her friends.
*I don't think Sakura knows what the Guardians are.* A voice echoed in Syaoran's head that he placed as Eriol's. *Well, you know, don't you? Why don't you tell them, especially Touya and the pesky stuffed animal?* Eriol smiled an eerily empty smile at Syaoran who scowled in reply. *As you wish, my adorable descendent.* *Do NOT call ME your DESCENDENT!*! Syaoran's shout blasted through Eriol's head who ignored it.
Syaoran was so intent on his mind conversation that he didn't notice Sakura sneaking up on him. 'Hanyaa!' She flung herself on a startled Syaoran and asked jokingly, 'Where's my present, Syaoran, don't tell me you forgot?' Mei Ling stared at Syaoran pointedly as she overheard the question but Syaoran just flushed and started twiddling his fingers. 'Ummm...I'm sorta broke this time of year,' he stuttered, 'So, I decided to share a present with Mei Ling.' He nudge Mei Ling who nodded vigorously. But when Sakura turned her back on them, Mei Ling whispered loudly, 'So, are you gonna tell her or what?' Syaoran just blushed even redder and shot Mei Ling a black look.
As the night drew on and the hands on the clock pointed at 11, the guests left, trickling out the door. Soon, only Tomoyo, Touya, Mei Ling, Yukito, Ruby, Eriol, Sakura and Syaoran were left. 'Kero, you can come down, now,' yelled Sakura, followed by a flying little Kero. Ruby unzipped her handbag and let Supinel out. 'I'll let Yue speak to you,' said Yukito, and transformed into his second identity. Syaoran waved his hand. 'Sakura, I think you need to know that we all are the Guardians,' he said. 'So, what did you call us for descendent?' asked Eriol. Luckily for him, Syaoran decided to let the remark go, just this once. 'Kotono is back,' he announced.
This statement brought several expressions. Mei Ling looked frightened while Supinel, Ruby, Yue, Kero and even Eriol looked shocked. Tomoyo, Sakura and Touya, however, looked around blankly. 'Who's Kotono?' asked Tomoyo, timidly. With a deep breath, Eriol said, 'Kotono is Clow Reed's half-brother.' Needless to say, a shock silence followed this. 'Nani! Clow- san had a half-brother,' exclaimed Sakura. Syaoran nodded. 'It is written in my family's book. Kotono was born first and this made him older than Clow but because of Clow's talent in the field of magic, he could never outshine his younger brother and that made him jealous.'
'So, instead of studying magic with good intents, Kotono delved deeply into the Dark Arts, his hatred and jealousy for his brother giving him strength to overcome all his problems,' continued Ruby, 'Clow tried to turn him away from his studies in Dark Arts but Kotono brushed him off. He threatened to use all the positive energy in the world and turned them into negative energy for his personal use.' 'So, Clow created the Clow Cards and sealed away both positive and negative energies and also created four Guardians for the cards. Ruby and Supinel for the cards with negative energy and Yue and I for the cards with positive energy. But Kotono was enraged when he heard this and I mean really, really mad.'
Supinel took up the tale. 'He came and fought with Ruby and I for the cards but we lost and he sealed our powers as well as took the cards we were set to guard,' he said. 'It was the same day when Clow told Kero and I that he would be dying soon and we would have to serve a new master. The both of us were shocked and protested vehemently, but true to his words, he left the mansion and never came back. Instead, Kotono fought us and tried unleash the power sealed in the cards. But Kero and I had managed to seal him up turning his own power against him when he sealed us. So, there we were, both our powers and the power of the positive cards sealed leaving the negative energy cards to run around without anyone controlling them. Until you opened the book-like box, Sakura,' explained Yue, closing the tale.
A loud bang caused them to jump in fright. 'But if Kotono is sealed, how could he have escaped? Even so, he would be over a thousand years old. Wouldn't he be dead or something?' asked Touya. 'To those questions we have no answer,' answered Yue. Sakura couldn't help but shudder. It was like a ghost story only this was real. 'You don't think it's his ghost, do you?' she squeaked. Syaoran patted her shoulder. 'Don't worry, he's no ghost,' he said, 'because he can use magic to attack people.' Kero looked at Syaoran. 'How do you know this?' But before Syaoran could answer, Mei Ling burst out, 'Because he attacked us in Hong Kong!'
'So, it has begun,' muttered Eriol, under his breath. Out loud, he said, 'Be alert all of you. Kotono's not one to give up easily and he will not stop until he gets what he wants. Don't forget, he is also the master of the Dark Arts which makes him almost as powerful as Clow Reed himself.' Sakura and Tomoyo looked at each other. Clow Reed had been the most powerful sorcerer in his time. He had had enough power to create Yue, Kero, Ruby and Supinel. If Kotono was almost as powerful, there is no telling what he could do. 'So, he wants the cards right?' asked Touya. Yue nodded. 'Sakura, no matter what happens, you must not give the cards to Kotono,' Ruby warned.
As soon as the discussion was over, the Guardians left into the dark night disappearing from sight. Sakura stood at the doorway, her slim figure trembling. She never liked the dark but after the story about Kotono, she hated it. Her eyes flitted from one shadow to another, expecting the sorcerer to jump out at her any moment. Syaoran noticed her fear and drew her into a hug into which she snuggled. She was comforted by his closeness and warmth. 'I will never let anything happen to you, Sakura,' he promised, 'I swear, I will protect you with my life.' They gently drew apart and with a cheerful wave, Syaoran walked back to his home with Mei Ling tagging on his arm. 'Bye Sakura!' she yelled.
Sakura waved back, a smile on her lips. Unknown to her, Touya was watching from the window. 'That gaki is slick,' he muttered, 'I never know what he's going to do next.' As he withdrew from the window, a shadow flew by.
Disclaimer: The CCS crew belongs to their esteem creator and not to me.
*Speech* – mind speech
Sakura's emerald eyes met the fiery ones of a Chinese girl around her age. 'Mei Ling!' she squealed. Indeed it was Mei Ling whose long black hair was tied into her usual style of plaited buns. Sakura's eyes flickered around, scanning the doorway but her face fell in disappointment as she found no one else standing there. 'Happy birthday!' exclaimed Mei Ling, 'I hope you like your present.' Sakura unconsciously fingered the delicate hand-carved necklace. Tomoyo struggled to hide a giggle as she watched Sakura thank Mei Ling with a stiff smile plastered on her face.
As Sakura placed the necklace back among its wrappings, someone blindfolded Sakura once again. But Sakura was really irritated and annoyed. Syaoran had not returned to Japan and he had even forgotten her birthday! Yanking the blindfold off, she spun around to yell at the guilty person when her voice caught in her throat. The eyes that met hers were really familiar amber ones peering at her from behind brown bangs. The mischievous and yet warm grin that greeted her could only belong to one person. Behind her stood none other than Li Syaoran!
'I can't believe you thought I would miss your birthday,' he said, his voice washing over Sakura. Squealing loudly and close to tears, Sakura flung herself on Syaoran, almost knocking him over. 'Oh, Syaoran-kun, I missed you so much,' she said, her voice muffled as she snuggled in his comforting hold. 'And I missed you too, Sakura,' he murmured, ruffling her hair. There were loud 'Awww's all around and Tomoyo had whipped out her camera to catch the cute moment. And it would've continued too, if Touya hadn't butted in. 'Okay, you can stop now, we get your point,' he said, loudly.
A sudden realization of what they were doing jolted them and they jumped apart, both blushing red like tomatoes. But not before Syaoran whispered something into Sakura's ear. 'Tell the Guardians to stay back after the party,' he had murmured. The Guardians...who or what were the Guardians? She was about to ask him this but Syaoran had already joined the party. Shrugging, she followed her friends.
*I don't think Sakura knows what the Guardians are.* A voice echoed in Syaoran's head that he placed as Eriol's. *Well, you know, don't you? Why don't you tell them, especially Touya and the pesky stuffed animal?* Eriol smiled an eerily empty smile at Syaoran who scowled in reply. *As you wish, my adorable descendent.* *Do NOT call ME your DESCENDENT!*! Syaoran's shout blasted through Eriol's head who ignored it.
Syaoran was so intent on his mind conversation that he didn't notice Sakura sneaking up on him. 'Hanyaa!' She flung herself on a startled Syaoran and asked jokingly, 'Where's my present, Syaoran, don't tell me you forgot?' Mei Ling stared at Syaoran pointedly as she overheard the question but Syaoran just flushed and started twiddling his fingers. 'Ummm...I'm sorta broke this time of year,' he stuttered, 'So, I decided to share a present with Mei Ling.' He nudge Mei Ling who nodded vigorously. But when Sakura turned her back on them, Mei Ling whispered loudly, 'So, are you gonna tell her or what?' Syaoran just blushed even redder and shot Mei Ling a black look.
As the night drew on and the hands on the clock pointed at 11, the guests left, trickling out the door. Soon, only Tomoyo, Touya, Mei Ling, Yukito, Ruby, Eriol, Sakura and Syaoran were left. 'Kero, you can come down, now,' yelled Sakura, followed by a flying little Kero. Ruby unzipped her handbag and let Supinel out. 'I'll let Yue speak to you,' said Yukito, and transformed into his second identity. Syaoran waved his hand. 'Sakura, I think you need to know that we all are the Guardians,' he said. 'So, what did you call us for descendent?' asked Eriol. Luckily for him, Syaoran decided to let the remark go, just this once. 'Kotono is back,' he announced.
This statement brought several expressions. Mei Ling looked frightened while Supinel, Ruby, Yue, Kero and even Eriol looked shocked. Tomoyo, Sakura and Touya, however, looked around blankly. 'Who's Kotono?' asked Tomoyo, timidly. With a deep breath, Eriol said, 'Kotono is Clow Reed's half-brother.' Needless to say, a shock silence followed this. 'Nani! Clow- san had a half-brother,' exclaimed Sakura. Syaoran nodded. 'It is written in my family's book. Kotono was born first and this made him older than Clow but because of Clow's talent in the field of magic, he could never outshine his younger brother and that made him jealous.'
'So, instead of studying magic with good intents, Kotono delved deeply into the Dark Arts, his hatred and jealousy for his brother giving him strength to overcome all his problems,' continued Ruby, 'Clow tried to turn him away from his studies in Dark Arts but Kotono brushed him off. He threatened to use all the positive energy in the world and turned them into negative energy for his personal use.' 'So, Clow created the Clow Cards and sealed away both positive and negative energies and also created four Guardians for the cards. Ruby and Supinel for the cards with negative energy and Yue and I for the cards with positive energy. But Kotono was enraged when he heard this and I mean really, really mad.'
Supinel took up the tale. 'He came and fought with Ruby and I for the cards but we lost and he sealed our powers as well as took the cards we were set to guard,' he said. 'It was the same day when Clow told Kero and I that he would be dying soon and we would have to serve a new master. The both of us were shocked and protested vehemently, but true to his words, he left the mansion and never came back. Instead, Kotono fought us and tried unleash the power sealed in the cards. But Kero and I had managed to seal him up turning his own power against him when he sealed us. So, there we were, both our powers and the power of the positive cards sealed leaving the negative energy cards to run around without anyone controlling them. Until you opened the book-like box, Sakura,' explained Yue, closing the tale.
A loud bang caused them to jump in fright. 'But if Kotono is sealed, how could he have escaped? Even so, he would be over a thousand years old. Wouldn't he be dead or something?' asked Touya. 'To those questions we have no answer,' answered Yue. Sakura couldn't help but shudder. It was like a ghost story only this was real. 'You don't think it's his ghost, do you?' she squeaked. Syaoran patted her shoulder. 'Don't worry, he's no ghost,' he said, 'because he can use magic to attack people.' Kero looked at Syaoran. 'How do you know this?' But before Syaoran could answer, Mei Ling burst out, 'Because he attacked us in Hong Kong!'
'So, it has begun,' muttered Eriol, under his breath. Out loud, he said, 'Be alert all of you. Kotono's not one to give up easily and he will not stop until he gets what he wants. Don't forget, he is also the master of the Dark Arts which makes him almost as powerful as Clow Reed himself.' Sakura and Tomoyo looked at each other. Clow Reed had been the most powerful sorcerer in his time. He had had enough power to create Yue, Kero, Ruby and Supinel. If Kotono was almost as powerful, there is no telling what he could do. 'So, he wants the cards right?' asked Touya. Yue nodded. 'Sakura, no matter what happens, you must not give the cards to Kotono,' Ruby warned.
As soon as the discussion was over, the Guardians left into the dark night disappearing from sight. Sakura stood at the doorway, her slim figure trembling. She never liked the dark but after the story about Kotono, she hated it. Her eyes flitted from one shadow to another, expecting the sorcerer to jump out at her any moment. Syaoran noticed her fear and drew her into a hug into which she snuggled. She was comforted by his closeness and warmth. 'I will never let anything happen to you, Sakura,' he promised, 'I swear, I will protect you with my life.' They gently drew apart and with a cheerful wave, Syaoran walked back to his home with Mei Ling tagging on his arm. 'Bye Sakura!' she yelled.
Sakura waved back, a smile on her lips. Unknown to her, Touya was watching from the window. 'That gaki is slick,' he muttered, 'I never know what he's going to do next.' As he withdrew from the window, a shadow flew by.