Chapter 6: There and Back Again

Sakura stared at Syaoran kneeling beside her for what seemed like ages, but was really only a few seconds as he stared back into her eyes for a moment before helping her up, and murmuring, "Stay behind me."
Sakura nodded and moved to stand behind Syaoran's back, and to her surprise, she reached out and grabbed onto his shoulders lightly. Syaoran looked back at her with a brief smile and then turned back to glare at the three Cards standing ready on the tree.
Sakura peered over Syaoran's shoulder, staring up at the Cards she once thought she could trust. The Firey Card, standing proud and arrogant as it held a ball of fire ready in its hand. The Arrow Card, it's bow at it's side with an arrow drawn, brimishing with the glowing pattern of the Illusion Card mixed with it.
Sakura then looked over at Tomoyo and Kero, who were peering around a tree, blinking uncertainly as they looked from Sakura to Syaoran, then to the Cards all in one motion. Both looked more confused then ever.
"What are you going to do, Syaoran?" Sakura questioned, turning her attention back to him.
"Run," he murmured back to her, careful of keeping his voice low. "We're going to run. We can make out a plan later."
Sakura nearly laughed in spite of herself. Syaoran must have changed a lot! He had never run from a fight until it was done with. But it looked like he was going to now.
The Cards obviously knew they were up to something, as they looked uneasy and were getting ready to attack.
"Alright, Sakura," Syaoran whispered. "On my count, we'll run back the other way as fast as we can." Sakura nodded, and then she looked back at Tomoyo and Kero again. They heard what Syaoran had said, and were getting ready to run.
"1..." Sakura shifted her feet. "2..." The Firey Card raised it's arm. "3...!" Letting go of Syaoran, Sakura darted off as fast as she could, dodging through the trees, everything a motion blur as the only sound she could hear was the rustling of leaves under her feet, and the sound of her three companions running on her heels.
"Are they following?" Tomoyo asked hurridely, as she caught up to Sakura and Syaoran. Kero was sitting on her shoulder, glaring at Syaoran.
Syaoran looked back and shook his head. "No, but they will be, no doubt. Don't stop running until we get to shelter."
Sakura's eyes kept drifting towards Syaoran as she ran on beside him, Tomoyo's video camera following them as her and Kero ran behind them.
"Syaoran, is Eriol here with you?" Sakura asked suddenly. Syaoran looked over at her.
"Yes.." he said slowly. "How did you know?"
"We heard his voice," Tomoyo piped up, lowering her camera for a minute. "He warned us about the Illusion Card."
"I told him to stay at the house," Syaoran said under his breath. Kero grinned at those words.
"Wanted to save Sakura all by yourself, didn't you?" Syaoran's cheeks flushed for a moment before he glared back at Kero. Kero met his glare back.
"Oh, you two!" Tomoyo laughed, her giggles echoing through the forest. "You're still the same, aren't you?"
Sakura could feel tears threatening to form in her eyes as she stared straight on. She missed the old days so much, and now that Syaoran and Eriol were back, and most likely Meilin as well, everything was going to be the same again. Capturing the Cards together, that was how it had always been. The idea seemed overwhelming to have all of her friends back with her.
"Sakura, are you okay?" Syaoran asked, touching her arm lightly. Sakura nodded silently and kept her eyes on the path ahead of her, as the trees broke into the familiar path.
The four Cardcaptors stopped to catch their breath. Syaoran drew his sword out and watched the trees intently, looking for any signs of the Cards…

**(go to next chapter for continuationà )**