Author's note: I am continuing this story, for some reason. It makes much more sense than my previous fan-fiction, and I'm enjoying writing it more. I do hope I get more reviews, and that I am very sorry for not updating for so long. (if anyone cares). I might also be very busy for the next few weeks, but I will try though writing more of this story. I just would like to say a big.. THANK YOU -pats you at the back- to tracy-kins, who reviewed the previous chapter. I apologise that didn't get the brush metaphor, but after reading it again, I am proud to say that I do understand what you mean now. -claps- and that I have adjusted the chapter slightly, so there will be less grammar mistakes. Though I still warn you, there might still be more. Groans
Disclaimer: I don't own Cardcaptor Sakura, or anything that belongs to clamp. I only my stuff and you can't have it.! -sticks tongues-


Thou art mine, knight
To protect the truth

The night seemed to held a few weary eyes into a slumber. Tomoeda was silent. It was like curse from the black sky that everyday they would enter into that land beyond sleep. For now, only stars, drunkards and lovers ruled the night. Sakura lay restless, on top of her bed. She was eager to engulf herself into a dream. A peaceful dream. One of rabbits, birds, trees, dears and antelopes. Fairies, kings, prince and princesses. Anything, which can foist the chronic feeling she felt towards Syoalan.

Sakura was not angry. She never entirely mastered that emotion. Usually she was a very understanding person, but this time she couldn't work out the pieces to this puzzle. It was unlike Syoalan, to abandon his friends without any notice. He didn't arrive to an important night, not just for Meilin but also for himself. The more she thought about it, the more this feeling seems to build up more in her mind. She closes her eyes, trying to wash away the stains of disappointment.

A blue light shun, just a blue light. She opens her eyes again. That was strange, she thought, placing her hands on her chest. There was an unfamiliar presence disturbing her mind.

Before she realised, she could no longer sustained the weight of her eyelids and was consumed into the blue light. There stood a woman, surrounded by white flying ribbons. She was floating on the surface of a deep water. Her hair- silky black was tied behind her into a ribbon shaped with a giant ornament. Her outfit was red and eccentric. Her eyelids were painted red with two markings on her forehead. Sakura blinks as she faced her, realising that she too was floating above the blue water.

Two of the woman's ribbons approaches Sakura, but just before she could touch them, they physically grabs Sakura, holding her suspended in front of the woman. Her eyes stern, yet peaceful. A flash of memory returns to Sakura. She remembers those controlled eyes of the former evil spirit. The fortune teller of Clow's time. The one whom summoned her to Bird Street in Hong Kong. Madoushi.

Not long after, the dream ended with the sound of the midnight clock. Sakura sat on her bed and wiped her face with her dry hands. She sighed and scanned the piece of paper beside her bed. She found it slipping by the window when she came back from her journey to the airport. A note from Syoalan.

Hope to see your smile again at school tomorrow. I'll be waiting at the usual place. Meilin told me to write XXX. Do you know what that means? XXX. Syoalan.

Ding Dong. The song of the grandfather clock played into the darken room. Time had passed and was still moving. The log had dried into a black crisp half an hour ago. It is much colder now, in the darken room. Syoalan had stayed there, bowing for a long time. He was stiff and tired. He was thinking. How long has it been..? He didn't know, but he wanted to leave the room. He had to leave, there was nothing left for him here.

Protect the Card Mistress, that is your destiny, my descendant.. This is all I ask

Syoalan gulped, as he stood up and walked to the large door, where Eriol had entered before. He stared at the handle for a while. He didn't really want to go home. His mind was drifted to the cherry blossom, who will bear the pain of a daughter's most terrifying nightmare. He imagined a weeping Sakura in his mind, if he was to tell her about this event. He could never bear to see that image. He had vowed to protect and therefore protect her from this hideous truth, he shall.

He exits and finds himself in the middle of an alley. He turns and finds that the door had disappeared. At that moment the strong aura was also gone. There were noises from the trash nearby.

It was the squeaky voices of mice rustling through the mountain of trash. They sickened him. He squawked a disgusted tone, as the group of mice tried to chew through his black pair of trainers. The mice were everywhere in the alley, so he quickly ran to the nearest light post he found at the end of the alley. There, he wondered of the woman with ruby eyes, he saw this evening. Did she also materialise with Eriol? What about spinnel? Then, two figure approached him from the shadows of the alley. One was of a dark-winged person, and the other was like a panther, with sharp eyes. Syoalan turns to face their pale faces.

"We are here for you, young master.." They said simultaneously, bowing half-way to the ground. "Tis' our duty, as your guardian!" The woman claimed, straining her voice whilst looking to the ground.

Syoalan looked at them, in blanked face. "Master? I am your.."

"It's a request from the master himself.." She stated, expressionless.

The next morning. The bird hummed their tunes of bliss as usual. The late morning spring soothed Sakura with it's fragrance. It was like the smell of her mother's hair.She stretched her arms wide into the air, as she got out of her bed. It was 7:00 o' clock. She carefully made her bed, so that not a single crease could be found. She could hear a horrid noise from the bottom drawer of her desk. Kero looked innocent in his sleep with all his miniature items surrounding him. His bed, his tiny doll, his blanket and his little pointy hat.

Sakura's face was gleamed with happiness as she changed into her sailor top and dark blue mini-skirt. It didn't take long for her to do her hair. She kept it short just as before. She didn't want to change, as it is always takes so much time to take care of a longer hair. She quickly tied her hair into two bubbles, just before leaving her bedroom. A strange silver aura overflowed into her room, from the window just after she left. Kero eyes opens abruptly, sensing it's power. He stood facing the window to the figure of the winged man. Yue.

By this time, Sakura was already in the kitchen, making her food and lunch for the day. Her brother was reading the newspaper whilst eating the last sandwich he made on the plate. Sakura peeked from his shoulders, to see what he was reading. 'The job section.. boring!' She thought placing her pile of bread filled chocolate on top of the table. This was their lifestyles, ever since Fujitaka had gone and followed his dreams. They didn't mind, though the fact that they had to split the chores two-ways, instead of three -ways did cause a few necks to be broken these past few days.

A small piece of paper was found on the table. It had a telephone number and her Father's name written on top of it. Sakura sighed deeply, knowing that the paper was useless to them, as they hadn't receive any news from her farther for the past two days. They were worried when they realised that their calls could not even connect to his phone.

"So.." Touya spoke. "Did you read the letter..?" He acted casually, whilst one his hands reached for Sakura's plate of sandwiches.

Sakura hit his hand lightly, allowing him to recoil into a groan and a glare. Sakura eyes were also narrow. "No... why?" She asked in a weary tone.

Touya smirked and folded his newspaper. "Nevermind...I thought you would have been interested to know about Otou-san.." He replied, heading towards the doorway.

"Otou-san..?" Sakura repeated with a mouth full of food, and hastily got up, pushing Touya from the door. "Gomen-ne.. Oni-chan..." She apologised, running back up the stairs to her room. She swallowed a whole lump of bread into her throat without chewing and could feel the sore burning up in her oesophagus. She ignored this feeling, and concentrated in finding the letter, her brother gave yesterday.

There is was. Stacked on top of the note Syoalan gave during their meeting. Sakura smiled and released a slight giggle whilst opening her father's letter. Then, her expression changed to disappoint after she realised that it wasn't a letter from her farther, but her certificate for helping the orphanage. She stared at the certificate for a few seconds, allowing her disbelief to spread to the whole of her body. She moaned and ambled her way back to the kitchen, in anger like the chosen fool of April.

As she arrived, her brother was already gone, leaving only one piece of her sandwich behind. She could feel the hot air from her blood, rising to her head. She was tricked. Again. An image of Touya being hammered by plushie sledge hammer formed into her mind. Oni.. baka!

Half an hour later, she stomped her way to school. Tomoyo was already waiting near the empty window seat. Her anger faded as they greeted each other. Sakura sat next to her and converse about how to make their next mini-movie. A sweat drop appeared behind Sakura, when Tomoyo showed her, her latest designs for her costume. A slight glance was given to the empty seat behind Sakura. He hasn't yet arrive.

The door opened, revealing an exhausted Naoko into the room. Sakura finished scanning the room in disappointment, finding no sign of him anywhere. "Did you feel the earthquakes..last night?" Naoko suddenly mentioned, just before sitting in front of Tomoyo. "It was horrible.. i couldn't even sleep the entire night!" She continued, rubbing the shades of black on her eyes.

Tomoyo and Sakura leaned to their desk in interest. "Earthquake..? I didn't feel anything. Are you sure.?" Tomoyo questioned, with right hand on her chin.

"Of course... What..didn't you guys feel it?" She asked, watching their blank faces shaking from left to right. ".. what do you think it's suppose to mean...?" She thought aloud.

"I'll tell you what it means!" A boy voiced from the desk beside Naoko, apparently listening to their conversation. He got up and abruptly tapped Tomoyo's desk with his hands. "It means.. the house of the great Sorcerer has finally arrived." He said, folding his arms, whilst nodding his head. So confident of his answer. That's Takashi alright..

A young girl stood beside him, with her hands on both sides of her hip."Takashi, what are you doing.. feeding nonsense again!" She whined.

"Chiharu.. don't bother me! I'm telling them a very important story!" He said, ignoring her annoying tone. "So.. where was I.? Oh yes.. the Great Sorcerer!" He continued, lowering head to the group of girls, who have been watching the adorable fight.

"The Great Sorcerer is a Chinese.. warrior. Believe it or not.. he was the emperor of this unknown kingdom of monsters and strange magic. It is mentioned that once he powers was sealed by the a very powerful magician and his entire kingdom was buried into the earth's core,but once the seal is broken.. an earthquake will release his kingdom from the depth of the earth's core and from there he will begin his hunt to build his kingdom once again."

"Hoe..." Sakura expressed, obviously believing his words. "Why was he sealed..? Was he bad or something?" She asked.

"I think he was more that bad. He wanted to consume the entire earth in darkness, so that he could gain.." His voice trailed for a moment as he noticed the blazing Chiharu beside him."..control over everyone's soul." He tried to budge a fake smile from the side of his cheeks. "HI.. Chiharu? How are you? Seen any good movies, lately?" He tried conversing in a casual manner.

His act was too late. By this time, Chiharu had snapped. She couldn't stand being ignored, especially not from Takashi. Her face had turned into a bright red, cherry colour. Her arms were now folded in front of her chest and her eyes were closed. She tapped her feet into a supersonic tune. She gave her look of death as she opens her eyes to face Takashi. Her eyes were fired. A sweat drop appeared from behind Takashi.

"Now now.. remember to breath!" He suggested, raising two hands in front of Chiharu.

Without warning, a bruise had risen from Takashi's head. It flashed with shades of red, as Chiharu removed her clenched fist from his head. She stomped back to her seat, leaving a pleading, crying Takashi behind (anime style).

The others managed to giggle hysterically, just before the teacher's arrival into the room. Sakura peeked from her seat to the teacher, and found a grave looking Syoalan, entering the classroom at the nick of time. She carved a wider smile, knowing that she was not disappointed again, though a slight tingle of curiosity did peep into her mind. It was the smile he gave when passing her seat. They were filled with more solace than ever. Though she felt excited that their eyes met for a second, but an unwelcome feeling seem to be building between them.

During the entire lesson, Syoalan felt anxious. Apart of him felt like telling her, but he knew now was not the time, after his teacher had confronted him in class several times. Though he still couldn't stop imagining that picture in his head. A picture of her falling to her knees, weeping. In his dreams, he tried comforting her in her woes, but all that he was given were dried tears, damping his empty hands. So there after, he swore to never speak of it in front of her. Perhaps not all of it, but half.

Break and lessons came and went in an instant. Syoalan practically forgot what time it was and dozed off into his own world, just before the bell rang for lunchtime. The others were leaving. He saw Sakura looking at him, whilst being pulled by Chiharu to the door. He merely waved and off she went. He knew she was waiting for him, but for some reason he wasn't yet prepared. He still needed time.

Not long after lunch. They came back into the classroom again and so the school ends with another ring of the bell. He sniffs the air, heaving the courage to put a smile back on his face and walks next to Sakura's desk. She carefully picks her books from her desk and looks from Syoalan to Tomoyo.

"Tomoyo..I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" Her voice was sweet.

Tomoyo sighed with glance of Syoalan's face and Sakura's sincere expression. "Okay.. I'll see you.!" A beat skipped into Syoalan's heart. He consciously wanted to ask Tomoyo to return and walk with them, but not long after, she was already gone, leaving only them two in the classroom.

Sakura gleamed her most charming smile, "Shall.. we?" Syoalan nodded.

The journey from school was as lively as the conversation between the penguin statues at the park. It was apparent that both of them had been meaning to say something, but every time the other tries to speak, they held back with a glimpse of the other. Finally as they arrive to the bridge, Sakura had the courage to speak.

"Wait.. Syoalan-kun.." She called from behind. "Is there something wrong.? Did I do something wrong..?" She asked, stopping mid-way on the bridge.

Syoalan, who stopped at the end of the bridge sighs and turns. He gulps as he looks at Sakura's innocent and confused face. "Sakura I- I need t-to tell you something.." He stutters, placing one hand to his stomach and the other on top of it.

The wind blew one sharp blow. Sakura took one step forward. "What-ahhh..." Before she knew, a black hole grew from her feet and swallowed her with force. In the nick of time, she managed to grip the edge of the hole to the surface of the bridge. Syoalan hesitates for a second, until he heard the distinct cry of Sakura from the hole. He screams her name and runs towards the Sakura.

Sakura was hovering on the at the edge of the dark hole with only one hand as her saviour. What is this darkness? Syoalan thought, trying to overcome the gravitational pull of the hole on Sakura's body. Sakura moaned, feeling her body, somewhat stretched from the two forces acting on her. She felt like spaghetti. She closes her eyes and held her other hand to Syoalan's hand. Float.. please..come to my aid, she thought sustaining the pain.

Straightaway, through a magical wind, a glowing ball appeared from below her and brought her safely outside the hole. Syoalan looked in surprise until he realised that Sakura was actually floating on top of the ball. As she landed, the ball returned to it's original form of a card and flew to the palm of her hand. Sakura didn't realise that she had that power. She never knew that she could call upon the cards by thought, without the sealing key. However this was definitely not a discovery of victory. She was almost swallowed into darkness. How could that possibly happen?

Before she could speak, a pair of warm arms wrapped around her at that moment. Syoalan whispered a few words of comfort into her ears and rested his head next to her head, with hes eyes closed. Sakura smiled, and puts her arms as around him as well, towards his back. She too, was glad that she was safe. For a few second being close to doom, she was relief, but wondered what really happened?

Once, they released each other, Sakura turned back to the hole. It was gone. She kneels down to where it was previously. "What do you think happened..?"

"I don't know" Syoalan lied. He knew exactly what happened from Nakuru (Spelling?). He knew that this was his father doings. However, he couldn't possibly tell her. He couldn't possibly tell her that his father was the possessor of the adamant sorcerer soul, who once ruled the Kingdom of Illusion. The power hungry man, who is seeking revenge for over 200 years of loneliness.

Two figure mused from behind them. They stood behind the shadows of the trees, eyeing every movements. One was a large black panther, resting on the tree branch. The other was a woman with scarlet hair and strange red robes. The woman was giggling hysterically at the two, whilst the panther seemed bored and was distracting himself, by crushing the tiny insects with his paw.

"How boring.. I can't believe you can find amusement in such event. Pathetic. Beside my dear Ruby, our plan failed.. she is still alive." He stated plainly.

Ruby faced the panther with a smirk, "On the contrary, spinny.. we have indeed fulfil the master's need..." She claimed, "Next step.. the boy!" Her voice flatten as they felt another presence on the tree.

"Oh how good of you to join us, Yue.." Suppi greeted, as a silvery winged man and a lion-like creature flew to the nearest branch. ".. and you two Cerberus!" He said in a more rasping voice, watching Cerberus's face scrunch and his teeth clamped tightly together.

"What are you to up to.? Explain!" Kero commanded, with his body low, as though he was ready to attack.

"dear, dear.. what did we do to deserve such manner.." Spinnel playfully shook his head, from left to right. "Come, now my friend.. our master is waiting." They sneered and flew.

Yue and Cerberus watched their shadows disappear, in disgust. They were born rivals of one another. Though they were both made of the same base; Yue and Ruby, Kero and Spinnel, however, they both deeply resented one another. Yue resented the fact that Ruby was a replacement of himself and Cerberus, resented spinnel, simply out of pure rudeness. Nevertheless, usually their arguments was on the notion of mere annoyance of the other's present, but this time, a different tone came into their minds.

Cerberus felt an unwelcome feeling, brewing in his stomach. "What do you think?" He asked to his partner.

"They are not trustworthy, we should be careful and protect the mistress" He stated simply, looking at the young girl and boy who was still talking on the bridge. Cerberus nodded.

"Syoaran-kun.. you can stop touching me now!" Sakura screamed from afar.

"I knew it! That pervert!" Cerberusuttered. "We're coming.. mistress!" Cerberus yelled, and off the two left to her aid.


Author's note: Yatta! -Jumps and goes insane- I am the mother! ohYAAA>>>>>>> HAAHAHAAH