Disclaimer: I do not own Card Captor Sakura
The Guardian's Desire
Chapter 2
The Blind Face of Foe
Sakura had to sleep again after absorbing the Windy card. She had very little,
or not control at all over the new power within her. The wind was too strong.
It brushed around her room so much, even as she slept.
Was this truly Windy's fault? Or was someone else to blame?
Or has the princess of the Clow Cards met her match in conquering her own power?
Yue had not been able to sleep after Sakura absorbed Windy. There was something so wrong about it, a deep wenching feeling that stung in himself. It seemed to unorthodox, did Clow Reed have to do this when he was alive? This was only one moment where he wished his memories had not vanished. He left Sakura in her chamber, and went back to his only worlds away, so it seemed to him at least. He wandered the corridors, no hurry at all to return to his quarters.
"Is she alright?" A sad voice called out to him in the darkness. Yue turned and sighed closing his eyes.
"She's fine now, just tired," Yukito answered to his best friend gently. He slid open the ajar door and stood in the doorway "You need not worry Touya, your sister is in good hands."
"Hmm...that's the first time in a while I've heard you call me by my real name Yukito," Touya smiled sitting up in his bed. The light fell onto his eyes and there was a light smirk on his face.
"You know that in the daylight you're a different man, its only at the end of the day that you're still our Touya," Yukito smiled again "But you're always her brother. Yue and I will watch over her. You have my word, as your assistant, and as your best friend."
Touya sighed, running his hand through his hair "Thank you old friend. I fear, that the arranged marriage will only put strain on her. I've had these visions in my dreams, I knew she'd absorb Windy soon, but the reasons I do not understand."
"Yue does not understand it either. We play on consulting Kero-chan tomorrow morning."
"I believe that's for the best," Touya sighed "Am I doing the right thing, forcing her to marry?"
Yukito paused and pondered the question. There was another alarming feeling within him, something that burned him like a potent acid. He sighed and adjusted his glasses that picked up the refracting light of the moon. "You need an heir to this throne, the bloodline has to continue. This has been the law for a long time now. You are doing the best for the kingdom Touya, that's what I believe," He finally answered, his voice not angry, but stern, the extreme faith he had in his words.
"I know that Yukito, but I wonder, am I doing what's best for her?"
The evening left everyone with that question, one that is only answered truthfully within each one's mind, but never compatible with someone else's. Yukito was able to sleep the night in some what comfort, his own exhaustion is only anti-depressant. Unfortunately, when Yukito did wake up, he did not feel revitalized nor relieved, today only began another stressful day as an assistant. He laved and dressed himself and wandered to the central courtroom where Touya was already waiting on his throne. A concubine beside him feeding him a handful of grapes, much to his distaste. His queen had fallen ill in the past year with illness, he detested the idea of disposable women, the food though, was always the best.
"Good morning my lord, I do hope you slept well," Yukito bowed at the waist before his lord and then pulled out his notes for the activities. "Today my lord you are to be fitted for the ball that is arriving soon, the fabrics are here for your choosing, the same for the princess. After that, you have a meeting with the Lord Kagurazaka, who would like to talk to you about the wars that have boarded their lands for some time."
"Is there any time that I may relax penciled in?" Touya joked miserably
"My lord, if all goes well you have most of the evening free. Maybe you could take this time to talk to the princess." Yukito suggested rubbing his head "Pardon me if that was out of line." Yukito bowed swiftly
Touya stepped down from his throne and walked up to his friend, resting a hand on his shoulder gently "Tell her, don't be late this time," He whispered quietly, and then wandered down the hallway towards the fabrics that so annoyingly called to him that he had pushed off for far too long.
Yukito smiled only once and dashed out of the room. Much of his work was only tending between the king and princess. Sometimes, he often thought of himself as their second father, or a male-nanny in a sort.
Oh Yue, isn't it such a grand day?
You are perky in a time like this? There is a war bordering our country and our allies! The princess is undergoing an major transformation we know nothing about! The king is forcing her to get married! How are you happy?
Yue-chan, I am not happy about those things. I am happy because today is today, a clean slate for us yes? Yukito stopped walking and looked out at the sun, raising his hand over his eyes as shade A beautiful sky. Today let us make up for the mistakes and worries we had yesterday. We can consult Kero about the powers we are unsure of. As for the marriage...that is something, that fate will decide.
Do as you please. Let us just find Kero before you waste the ENTIRE day staring at that sky
Oh, I forgot, you are the moon aren't you? I guess you aren't so fond of the sun as most would think
Hmf
Yukito only laughed and wandered to the gardens. There, as usual, he found the princess, and also as usual, Kero laid beside her basking in the sun. Sakura was lost staring at her reflection within the pond. The golden koi nibbled at her toes that rested in the cerulean water and he smiled. She kicked her feet about and splashed herself with some water laughing. Kero's ears perked hearing Yukito's feet crunch against the soft dew grass. He stood up and stretched
"Ah, good morning Yukito" Kero motioned bowing in his noble lion form
"Good morning to you Kero-chan, and to you too Sakura," Yukito bowed. Somehow, he was always allowed to call them both by normal names, and even the king did not protest. "Sakura, you have to go get fitted for the ball that's coming up, after words you have some calligraphy lessons."
"When do I have to be fitted?" Sakura asked drying off her legs
"In about ten minutes," Yukito glanced at his form. "Oh Sakura, as I recall, someone turned eighteen a week ago right?"
"That's right," Sakura smiled weakly
"Well it seems that Yue and myself forgot to give you your gift at that royal "announcement" of you coming to age. So here, this is from me, Yue, and Kero-chan," from his robes he pulled out a small red jewelry box and handed it to her.
Sakura gently pulled off the white satin ribbon and lifted up the box. Inside was a beautiful golden locket encased in a few diamonds. Sakura glowed with so much joy as she opened up the locket. To the left, was a picture of Touya and herself, for once acting natural instead of royalty. On the right was a photo of Sakura, Kero-chan, and Yukito. As she looked closer, she found just faintly, the outline of someone's hand wrapped around her shoulder, and she could make out the after image of Yue and she smiled.
"Oh thank you! Wow thank you Yukito, thank you Kero." She smiled "And thank Yue too for me alright?"
"Of course Sakura. Now, I do believe you only have 6 minutes to get to the other side of the palace to be fitted. Tomoyo will be upset with you" Yukito teased
"Right right I'm going!" Sakura took off in a run and she turned back waving, the locket now resting around her neck "Thanks again!"
"Oh and Sakura!" Yukito called to her "Your brother wants to talk to you later tonight! Don't be late!" Brother, brother was different from king. Sakura smiled and nodded running off.
Yukito turned back around and looked at Kero "Is this Yue's territory, or am I going to stay out?"
"He can hear you anyway can't he? I don't know why you guys fight so much about who should be in control of that body," Kero laughed with his deep voice. "You can stay, you two argue about it," Kero laid himself back down on the ground
Let me out Yukito!
Oh but this is the only time I've had for a pleasurable conversation! Yukito moaned
But you also got to sleep on the outside last night! And talk with the king last night and today! Out!
Yukito drooped his head and sighed "Well, looks like I gotta go. Oh Kero, don't forget, you still owe me a match in chess. I'll see you later!" Yukito gave a wave and vanished beneath the wings and next Yue was out
"Why are you so prompt to suppress that boy?" Kero asked
"I'm not suppressing him, we are her true guardians, this is something we should talk about first, then him."
"But aren't you residing in HIS body? You're the freeloader in this, not him" Kero laughed. Yue shot him a glare and Kero gave up. "So, she's absorbing her Sakura Cards now"
"Yes. She had a dream where Sayoran made telepathic communication with her. From what I understand, that was his last time. He can't do it anymore now that Sakura has begun absorbing cards. But I don't know why she's doing it. Sayoran told her there was a new enemy, one that also could absorb cards and would try to snatch them away. Are they threatening just the keeper of the cards, or are they targeting our nation?"
"I think, that this isn't involving the nation. Someone out there has the power to absorb Sakura cards. This is our prime concern as her guardians. That means from this moment on, Sakura is a target. At any given moment someone can come after her. If the master is killed, the cards are set free. If she doesn't have them with her, the cards are at risk of being taken. But I believe, they could be taken just as cards, but that provides no power. I think Sakura needs to release a card for them to take it. If she absorbs the cards first, they are safer inside of her."
"Safer inside of her, but couldn't they just snatch Sakura away all together?" Yue beckoned with worry. Even if Sakura was strong, there would always be a darkness just as powerful, it was the laws to power. For everything good there will be an evil.
"Let us worry about that when we find out who our enemy is! Sakura is a strong girl, and either way she has her cards and us Yue.
"I do not trust this, I have a distinct feeling inside of me that this will all go wrong," Yue stated again with a frown. This feeling inside of him, like a pricking thorn.
"If you cannot have faith in our enemy, have faith in our master. That is all I can see fit for you to do." Kero told him finally stretching on the ground. "If you are that worried, go to her, she's just down the hall on the other side of the castle." by the time Kero-Chan had turned around, Yue was already gone, flying the high winds.
Why are you so touchy about Sakura now Yue? You used to just plain scorn her for taking your other master away.
I don't know...I don't want to see another of my masters slew for something they cannot understand. Clow Reed grew to a ripe old age, but Sakura, is still so young. She doesn't need this when she isn't ready.
Well...maybe she is, maybe you just don't want to believe that. You need to trust in her. She's not little anymore, she's a woman now, the princess ripe for being wed to someone. Sayoran may be gone, but that made her stronger still.
I won't let this new evil take her away from us. I won't allow it!
Are you more afraid of this evil, or are you more afraid of her leaving us?
Just shut up.
Yue landed in the doorway to the dressing rooms. He took a bow, and knocked on the door before walking in, even though it was open.
"Oh Yue-chan, how nice to see you," Tomoyo bowed in the doorway. "Princess Sakura is just trying on another one of my newest creations."
"Even my best friend calls me Princess. What a world we live in Yue." Sakura sighed walking out from behind her changing wall. The gown was marvelous, most definitely the one she would be wearing for the ball that was rapidly approaching.
"Oh stop Princess Sakura, you know I just like to tease you" Tomoyo smiled waving a hand running up to her to check out how the dress fit in places "It's a little snug near the bust, I'll have to make adjustments, looks like someone's growing" Tomoyo grinned
"Honestly! Have you no decency for me, Yue's here!" Sakura turned and blushed peachy red.
Yue sat down in a chair, his left leg crossed over his right grinning. His long pristine hair flowed and fell onto the chair and he folded his arms in front of his chest. "The dress looks marvelous Tomoyo, another dazzling creation as Yukito is telling me."
"Well, tell Yukito thanks. Now please Yue, what do you think of it?" Tomoyo asked, moving aside and presenting a bashful Sakura.
Sakura was staring at the floor, flush still gripping at her cheeks. Her hands were folded in front of her satin pink dress. The dress was truly, more a rose color with no straps that started above the bust and flowed down to her ankles. She wore a pair of lovely red shoes and the locket rested against her bare neckline. Although there were no straps, there were strands of white lacing materials that made the illusion of them, all the more edge to Tomoyo's touches. In her hair was a white lily, something that more emphasized the shoes because the center had a red hue.
"What I think?" Yue asked surprise
"Yes Yue, is it so horrible on me?" Sakura asked weakly staring at the floor
"Princess its far from it. You glow in the dress, with the minor adjustments it will be flawless." Yue told her gently. " 'Dazzling' as Yukito puts it. I wish I had another word for it, but I'm afraid I'm stuck with his"
Well excuse me, I thought dazzling was just fine
It makes us sound like a queer man
Yukito laughs Just tell her she looks beautiful
"You look beautiful Sakura, beautiful" Yue told her finally in a hushed voice
Sakura blushed again and looked up smiling "Thanks Yue-chan. I can't wait until Tomoyo starts making my wedding gown. I'm sure it will be the best in all the land and history" Sakura looked in a mirror as Tomoyo harnessed some new earrings for Sakura
"Oh Sakura, any man lucky to marry you is going to be the happiest in this world," Tomoyo peered into the mirror with her
"I hope you're right," Sakura sighed running a hand through her hair "I will do what's best for this kingdom, regardless of what my personal opinion is. I did a lot of thinking. I mean, if we all had our selfish reasons, this empire would've been here to begin with"
Sakura...
Yue had nothing to say, nothing that at least would come out the right way. Tomoyo looked in the mirror with Sakura, there were tears brimming her eyes. Tomoyo hugged her friend and Sakura laughed lightly, a forced laugh inevitably. "I'll do what's best for this kingdom, that was father's dream"
But is it...
Hers?
Sakura changed out of her dress and back into her red kimono and smiled looking down at her watch. "I've got to run, Touya's waiting for me, thanks for your help Tomoyo." Sakura bowed politely.
"Come see me again soon alright? I'll start on your wedding dress," Tomoyo waved and Sakura ran out the room. Yue still sat there
Yue? Hello Yue? You're supposed to follow her!
The best for the kingdom...
Well that's what she said, even if its hurting her
Her father's dream...
Leave it be Yue-kun! This is her matter, yours is her guardian, now go already or I'm taking over!
Yue left the room with a quick bow and a small growl to his Yukito. He needed to think.
Sakura ran across the fields to her secret spot towards Touya. He was sitting beneath the bungalow waiting for her, with an almost irritated look on his face. The bungalow sat next to a dreamy cool lake with many willow trees and lily pads. Before the bungalow was a long bridge crossing that lake. He scooped her up into his arms and hugged her "You were almost late monster,"
"But I'm here now aren't I?" Sakura told him burying her face into his neck and shoulder. "So how as your day Kinngy?"
"A royal bore."
"What about the neighboring war? Are we in danger?"
"Not just yet. The guards and army at the borders haven't been attacked, nor threatened in any sort. The war is between the other nations rebels. For now we're safe. But what about you, and the Sakura Cards?"
"Oh, you have a vision about it eh?" Sakura lowered her head slightly "Sayoran told me to do it."
"So you did. What will you do though?"
"I'm not sure. I guess. I could just absorb them all at once. But it doesn't seem that easy" Sakura picked up her head feeling a chill run through her
"Sakura?" Touya looked down at her shaking her shoulders.
"I sense magic," Sakura whispered quietly. Sakura took a step out onto the bridge looking around. Sakura looked to the right, and suddenly the bridge was shattered to pieces by a lightning fast force
"SAKURA!" Touya got up from the bungalow and tried to run out, but a barrier stopped him. He pounded his fists against the clear barrier calling to her "Sakura? Sakura where are you!"
Sakura popped her head out of the water with a cough and swam over to the stable part of the bridge. She couldn't reach the ledge above, but someone's hand was outreached to her.
"Here Princess, take my hand," Yue was leaning over with his hand outstretched to her
"Yue-kun." Sakura was surprised but grabbed his hand as he pulled her out
"What was that Sakura?" Yue asked looking around. Kero flew down from the sky "Are you alright Sakura"
"I"m fine. Get my brother out of that barrier" Sakura pulled out her star key "Key of the star with powers burning bright, reveal the staff and shine your light! Release!" And so the staff did as commanded and she looked around on her safe side of the broken bridge. "Show yourself!"
From the water out jumped an assassin, his face cloaked and confined. He pulled out a sword on the other side. He waved a hand towards her.
"Sakura don't," Kero warned her.
"Triple combo; Fly, Sword, Fight, release and dispel!" She threw the three cards up into the air her wand hitting them. The wings appeared from her back, the sword in her hand and the power of fighting swarming through her. "You have no reason to be here attacking my brother!"
Sakura flew at him and the assassin jumped up, their swords colliding with each other with the piercing sound of the metals gliding against each other. The assassin threw a punch at her, one she flipped away from with her wings and she came down with another slash. The sword missed the majority of his body, but left a small laceration on the side of his left arm. Sakura landed on her side of the bridge, but the assassin did something strange. With the swish of his fingers the bridge was reconstructed with ice and he stepped out onto it waiting for her. Sakura laughed
"Fly, return" The fly returned to its card and returned itself to her breast pocket where she kept the cards. "Who sent you?" Sakura demanded
"Death..." his voice whispered.
"What?" Sakura took a step back a little confused. The others too looked over in awestricken confusion.
The assassin only began another ray of attacks, Sakura just barely able to block the foray. With the force of his sword he knocked her to the ground, his sword at her neck. "Death..." He whispered again.
"Windy help me!" Sakura called and from her came a huge gust of wind, knocking him back into the ice. Sakura stood up quickly and trusted her sword into the ice, watching it crack and crumble until he disappeared into the water. The barrier around Touya vanished and he ran over to her
"Can you sense his magic Sakura?" Touya asked shaking her.
"No. He's gone now." Sakura told him with a sigh. Sakura's eyes fell upon the fight card standing in front of her with a sword in hand. Sakura understood now, those were her cards. She wobbled to her feet and smiled "I guess its your turn to be absorbed too?" The fight card nodded "Thank you for helping me" Sakura closed her eyes as the fight card stabbed her gently.
Kero, Yue, and Touya were terrified to hear her flesh being ripped as the sword went through one end and came through the other. But the sword glowed, disappearing with sparkling magic. The Fight walked into Sakura, an in a small white starry light they were both gone. Sakura fell to her knees and sighed
"Sakura!" Kero ran over to her and nuzzled her face
"I'm fine Kero...just...tired..." Sakura stood up and Yue lifted her and let her rest against Kero like a sleeping child. Kero took off in a slow gate towards the castle.
"Do you understand now, Touya?" Kero asked quietly
"No. But I'm learning more and more about how brave and strong our princess is," Touya smiled gently and stroked the top of her head. Together that trio brought Sakura back to her room. Three cards down a million more to go it seemed.
What did you feel today when she was attacked?
Fear.
Fear of what kind?
That she would die, and we'd never see her again
That wasn't my only fear Yue-kun. My fear, was that our King would have to watch helplessly as his sister died. Just as helpless as he felt when the Queen died. Your thoughts, were souly for her. That's what makes us different
What?
She is what you care about.
So what do you care about?
I care about, everyone and everything. Including, the outcome of this kingdom and the fate of our loved ones.
You fear for them all...
...and you fear for her.
