CCS: A CHANGE OF KINGDOM Chapter 3: Uncertainties, a card captor sakura fanfic

Foreword: After a deathly encounter with a mysterious figure, Sakura realizes her powers are not her own. Somehow, her cards are not responsive to her commands. With the return of Syaoran Li, many events are starting to turn upside down for Sakura. And what of Adelah, who seems to be involved in the entire ordeal?

Card Captor Sakura: A Change of Kingdom

Chapter 3: Uncertainties

Just turning the corner, Syaoran reached Sakura's home. He looked up, observing the appearance of the house. He smiled as he remembered the time when he was switched with Kero's conscience and he ended up in Kero's body due to the Change card. At that time, he didn't hold any feelings for Sakura, but the warmth of her house and her hospitality never changed. Syaoran, wearing the typical school uniform for a third year in middle school (or freshmen in high school), slid his sleeve up to look at his watch. It was approximately 7:40 AM. He looked up abruptly, as he heard a large scream coming from Sakura's window. He gave a quick smirk in response to this.

"HOOOOEEEEE! OH NO! I was supposed to meet Syaoran-kun at 7:30 today! NOO!" Sakura quickly got up, tossing a sleepy Kero to the side. Kero gave a little yelp as his plump small body bounced on Sakura's fluffy pillow. Sakura made a mad dash for the restroom, then for her room, for her kitchen and finally she ran outside, nearly smashing into Syaoran's arms. She stopped herself as her feet made a screeching sound. Luckily, they didn't collide into each other. Syaoran gave her a glum look as he looked away. Sakura blushing furiously and fixing her uniform a bit, fumbled, "Oh my goodness, Syaoran-kun, I'm so sorry. How…How long did you wait?"

Syaoran grimly stated, "…about half an hour…" Hearing this, Sakura's jaws dropped, as she gave a most horrified gasp. She took a step back. "I don't know what I was thinking. I'm so sorry. I'm soo soooo Sorry…." While Sakura was bowing like a million times to him, Syaoran couldn't help but pull a mischievously grin from his serious appearance. Syaoran turned around and looked at her as she slightly lifted her head, somewhat afraid to examine his expression. Syaoran gave a light chuckle, "Nah, I just came right now Hahaha. Still the sleepy head that I knew from before, huh?"

Sakura raised her whole body, looking surprised. "I can't believe this- so you knew I would wake up late?….MUO- SYAORAN-KUN!" Sakura looked angry, which made Syaoran pull a handsome smile at her playful attitude. Seeing him smile, however, made Sakura blush and look away. Sakura quickly remarked, "Well then, um- we got to hurry to school." Sakura quickly walked passed him. "Whoa- wait up there…" Syaoran walked with Sakura towards the school that he never attended before. Sakura smiled as she felt the tension from last night breaking. Sakura did notice the obvious changes that the age brought to Syaoran, but that didn't matter. By the sound of his voice and even his appearance, he did grow much since five years ago. She realized his attitude and who he seemed to be didn't change. His tone of voice, his demeanor, was the way she remembered. Strolling silently, Syaoran looked at Sakura noticing her smile hasn't changed at all. He was glad that her friendly attitude and loving heart never failed to bring him joy. As he looked at her closely, he remembered their last embrace five years ago- after capturing the Void clow card. He held a contemplative look just as Sakura had. They both turned and looked at each other to say something. Noticing they both had something to say, however, they both opened their mouth to say something but abruptly stopped.

Slightly feeling uneasy, they both looked away. Syaoran quickly said, "You go first…" Sakura turned back to look at him, still walking side by side with him. "Um…so, how were you able to come to Japan again? I was so surprised to see you yesterday…I thought you may have called first…" Sakura didn't want to bring up the situation of last night, but still, she knew it was something that concerned them both, magic users. Sakura noticed that Syaoran's expression slightly changed, as though it was a hard question for him to answer. Syaoran, after a moment of silence, finally spoke, "Well…Meilin was able to get airplane tickets. At first, she wanted to go visit Japan for you and Daidouji. But she told me it would be difficult for me to visit again if I continued my training further…so…she gave me the ticket and told me to go for her instead…yea, that's how I was able to come to Japan."

Sakura nodded, excited to hear the news of how he came. "Is Meilin-chan going to visit us too? And oh oh How long can you stay in Japan?"

"Uh…For now, I'm not sure if Meilin is able to visit. She's been studying, trying to get into one of the most prestigious high schools in Hong Kong." Sakura nodded, understanding that exams will be coming up for her too. "But for most part, I think I will be staying in Japan for a while- at least until my mother calls me to come back for any important reason." Sakura beamed with joy.

"Oh- that's wonderful! I'm so happy!" Syaoran smiled back at her. "We can spend more time with one another…and…um…of course, the others missed you as well. Takashi-kun also asked me about you. Tee hee hee… it seemed he was looking for more people to listen to his new theories and stories…"

"Yea…" Syaoran said, trying his best to hide how he looked a little down. "…It would be nice to catch up with everything…for a change…" Sakura, confused at his downcast face, took a step forward and stood in front of him, making him stop in his tracks. Syaoran looked up at her face, puzzled at her reaction. Sakura, with her bright emerald eyes asked, "Syaoran-kun…something's wrong, isn't it...you coming back…Meilin's ticket situation…it wasn't really planned like that was it?" Syaoran looked a little uncertain again. Sakura tried to read his expressions, but it was different now. It's been five years and they've grown so more- during those five years, they were going through completely different set of experiences. She was living her life as a normal girl, though she was able to use her magic anytime she wanted. He, on the other hand, rigorously trained to improve his skills well enough to carry on his family's name. Both of them had differently responsibilities. And over time, so many things are prone to change. Their views on this world, their personal attitude towards society, everything is prone to change. "…neh? Syaoran-kun…"

Looking up at Sakura, Syaoran grinned. "No… it's okay…I decided to come to Japan, and it was a decision that I made… but I'm all right, Sakura." Sakura, unsatisfied with the answer, tried to find out the problem. "But-"

"I'm all right…I promise. Besides, I think we should both be more concerned about what we saw yesterday…and whatever threatened us, is still out there and alive, for that matter…"

"…yea… you're right…so then, everything okay with you, right?" Sakura still intently looked into his eyes, demanding reassurance on his part.

"…yea…" His eyes didn't waver from hers, almost filled with as much determination as hers.

Sakura sighed as she stood by his side, and began walking just as Syaoran followed. "Syaoran-kun…" Syaoran-kun looked to his side at her face, which still looked ahead. "…you could tell me…anything….okay?" Syaoran nodded. He smiled, "Thanks…Sakura." Sakura turned her head to his and was finally relieved to find him smiling again. She thought for a moment. "Oh! So, what were you going to say to me?"

"Oh…." Syaoran thought for a moment, but right as he opened his mouth to speak, in the distance they both heard the school bell ringing. "HOEE! WE ARE LATE! (Oh, not again!) HURRY, SYAORAN-kun!" They both started running and right before the gate closed on them; they dashed in and starting madly climbing the stairs.

Tomoyo was sitting, reading a large book that resembled the dictionary in many ways. She lifted her gaze and looked at the desk in front of her. "Hmm…Sakura-chan…" She let her book down and put her index finger under her chin, as if to think, "I wonder if she's going to be late this time again." Luckily, the time Sakura and Syaoran reached the door to the office as the teacher was right about to exit his room. The teacher surprised, looked at them both. "Oh…" The teacher raised his glasses and looked at Syaoran for a while. Reaching a conclusion, he said, "You must be Li Syaoran from Hong Kong." Syaoran slightly bowed and nodded. "Yes, that is right."

The teacher turned to look at Sakura, who stiffened, fearing that she would be scolded for being late again. "Sakura, you must have helped him find his way to the office. Thank you. You should go back now, since I've got to complete some of the registration forms with Li-kun." Sakura sighed, thankful that she was not in trouble for being late. Syaoran grinned at her gesture, as he looked back at the teacher. The teacher went back into the office as Syaoran followed. He turned back towards Sakura. "I'll see you later…" Sakura smile and nodded with a slight blush. As the door closed before her, she slowly walked back to her class. Throughout her walk, Sakura couldn't help but try to piece everything that happened together…in her thoughts…

THE LIGHT stood in front of her. "Light…." Sakura whispered as she looked behind LIGHT to find the multitude still calling her to come.

"Sakura…you may not understand now, but you will soon. I am here for you…do not forget the evils of darkness…the world we live in knows but only a hint of the true evils that surrounds your very life…" Sakura intently listened to Light's voice, but slowly her voice started changing as though it was not her speaking. "Light…Light? What on…Who….I-"

"GO! AND Don't LOOK BACK!"

"Are you saying…you don't know what kind of Dream I had?" Dream nodded slightly as Sakura looked even more confused. "But…it was…as though it was a prophetic dream…I could have sworn I saw all my cards and … it was…" Dream simply shook her head and Sakura realized that Dream was confused as well.

Sakura looked around and noticed someone standing against the tree. Her eyes locked on the figure and as she closely looked on, the familiar face was no other than Adelah, looking towards the direction where the dark figure ran away in an angry expression.

Sakura stopped in her tracks, realizing that she was already in front of her class. As she was ready to grab the door knob, she stopped and whirled her head to her right. She stopped as she saw Adelah stop in her tracts as well. Sakura slowly let go of her bag as she let both of her hands fall into the handle of her school bag. She was unsure of what to say. During last night's event, Adelah must have seen everything. At least everything that happened should have come across Adelah as something phenomenal or strange. Yet Adelah's facial expression was calm, almost expressionless. Sakura couldn't grasp the reasoning for her calm nature. Sakura expected something completely different. Adelah should be in excitement and questioning what she saw last night, if she was a typical person. If she was a typical person, she should be asking with beaming curiosity the powers that Sakura revealed with the cards. Sakura simply stood in confusion, pondering what Adelah could even be thinking. Adelah, in the same way, was simply looking right back at her. As they both stood silent in front of each other, Sakura finally begin to speak up, determined to try her hardest to explain everything clearly to her.

"Adelah…what you saw…you see, that was…something that Tomoyo-chan, I, and Syaoran-kun are somewhat involved in since five years ago…." Adelah's face didn't change as she heard Sakura continue. "I don't know why you were there in the first place… but I'm going to let you know that things are becoming suspicious—if I were to describe the moment I met you to yesterday…I would say everything about you…is different." Adelah's eye never wavered or shook with disappointment or shock. Instead, Adelah grinned and sighed.

"Different, huh?" Adelah turned away and looked towards the line of windows next to them. She sighed, "I guess that's one way to put it." Sakura gripped her hand as she took one step closer, which made Adelah raise one of her eye brows at her.

"So, what does this mean? How are you involved in what happened last night? You saw everything, didn't you? Adelah… I demand answers. Was it you…who called that ….spirit…?" Adelah simply giggled, which made Sakura uneasy. Sakura tried her hardest to feel anything from Adelah. She didn't feel any evil, but somehow a great opposition towards her- something that her magical powers couldn't grasp or understand. Nonetheless, Sakura demanded answers- and demanded to know what happened and who exactly Adelah was! As Sakura was about to speak, Adelah spoke, "Before you want to ask who I am, where I came from, why I'm here…" Sakura looked extremely surprised, almost taking a step back, as though Adelah could read MINDS, "I've got a few questions for you myself…

"Do you think you can actually fight that spirit with your cards? I wonder sometimes…What gives you that boldness to put your confidence on spirits that don't even obey you?" Sakura looked utterly stunned and angry at her words that came from her mouth and directly aimed at Sakura's heart the place where she dearly held all her cards. Everything she said seemed to have tested Sakura's trust upon the cards. There was a moment of silence between them. Sakura tightly gripped her hands, frustrated at what she was hearing, but not having anything to answer Adelah back. Adelah closed her eyes and she said, "You…You can't beat that spirit- in fact, nothing you carry can go against it. Face it; you don't have what it takes…" Sakura, angry and disappointed, shook her head as if to recheck what she heard. Finally, she gave her argument, "What makes you think you can talk as if you know about the cards and spirits? You don't even understand where the powers of these cards come from and-"

Adelah interrupted her, "And do YOU know where the powers of those cards come from?"

"Of course! It comes from the source of the magic, which lived within Clow Reed, who is- "

"Now dead…and have been since many years now…" Sakura froze, as Adelah continued, "…or…believed as being resurrected in some way and now lives as a spirit within some of your friends or relatives…?"

"Wh..What… how do you…?" 'How does she know about Eriol-kun and my father?' Sakura quickly thought to herself. Her stern eyes never left Sakura's as she took a step forward, "With the powers of the dead, you expect to fight that spirit?"

'…powers…of the dead?' Sakura didn't understand what she meant, but somehow, those words were filled with truth.

"Don't make me laugh…" Adelah turned around as she was ready to walk into the other side of her class, but Sakura came from behind and grabbed her arm, "Wait! Our conversation is not over!" Nevertheless, Adelah just stared back at her…not saying anything but simply looking at Sakura. Adelah shrugged Sakura's grip off her arm and simply walked a few steps forward. Without turning she said, "I suggest you stay away from that spirit, if you know what's best for you. It's got a job and it won't let even you get away with it if you try getting in its way…using the powers it can manipulate…"

"You almost talk as if you know this spirit…"

"……" Adelah's eyes seemed to have softened and looked a little disturbed. "More than you know…" With this, she walked towards her classroom. Sakura stood behind, running their conversations over and over in her mind. 'What did she mean by the powers of the dead? I wish I knew the answers… Everything seems too confusing…I…I…Am I not supposed to use the cards against this spirit? Could this be just a test? She seems to know about Eriol-kun, and about Clow Reed. Could Adelah… be a spirit herself in a form of human body?' Sakura walked on closer and closer to the classroom, but she suddenly felt her body limp. The corridors in front of her seemed to grow wider and narrower at the same time. Yet, she kept walking, shaking her head to relocate her thoughts. 'If I don't depend on my magic, what else can I turn to?' Her head started feel light as she felt her eyes not focus. 'The powers of Clow Reed, the power of my star- is there no light to fight this darkness? If my light is running short…where…where can I go to find what I need…to defeat this spirit…' Sakura stopped in her tracks, feeling completely helpless and uncertain of what to do with herself. Sakura slightly leaned against the wall and let herself slide down to her knees, closing her eyes...

'The human body is so fragile…we all get injured once or twice…sometimes it doesn't hurt and sometimes it's fatal…and we all try to just…keep our body healthy…to live on…'

'…to live on…but…why…?'

"Mo-mother…somehow…I really miss you right now…" She never realized how many spells she cast yesterday, and exactly how much power she was expending in full speed too. She opened her eyes wide, trying her hardest to regain some of her lost strength. She knew class has already started and before the teacher comes, she wanted to at least be in her seat, or else she would truly be marked as being tardy. Sakura got up slowly, as she held onto the window pane for support. But when she looked up- she was shocked to see the same dark figure from yesterday right in front of her. As it loomed over her, she felt herself being plunged into the darkness. She gasped for air, finding none but the hands of the being wrapped around her neck.

Sakura jumped up from the bed, practically screaming. Syaoran was by her side, as he abruptly held Sakura from jumping off her bed. Sakura's eyes were still filled with confusion. She simply let herself fall into his embrace. She gripped his shoulder tightly as she felt her heart racing. She blinked several times. Syaoran ran his hand over her head and the other calmly patting her back. Tomoyo was there as well, rather surprised and worried at Sakura's sudden reaction. Grabbing a chair, Tomoyo walked closer to Sakura's side so that she could sit next to her. Sakura looked around, slowly letting go of Syaoran. She realized she was in the nurse's office. She felt the light was too bright, as though she just came out of a cave to be only hit by the strong rays of the sun. Her eyes took a while getting adjusted to the brightness of the room. Syaoran looked closely at her, noticing that her eyes seemed different. She remained silent, however, never forgetting the chilly moment the figure looked directly into her face. Syaoran lightly touched her shoulder. As this grabbed her attention, she slowly raised her gaze towards him.

"Are you…all right..?" Syaoran asked, with his deeper voice filled with concern and worry.

"…yea…I think…it was only a dream…" Sakura gave an uneasy sigh, hoping that she would be safe now that she was the people she could trust and feel secure in. "…more like a nightmare though…" Tomoyo smiled a tensed smile, "Sakura-chan, tell us what happened..."

"Actually, I want to know what happened too… all I remember is feeling completely powerless and weak. I was thinking that it must have been due to the way I've suddenly used so much of my powers without even thinking twice about myself. Then…this was after my conversation with Adelah…too..." Syaoran raised his eyes, "Something about her is more than suspicious. She knows something- and I have a strange feeling it has something to do with that spirit. That spirit wasn't like the spirits we captured in the past, Sakura. This spirit is strangely familiar… I can't even explain it myself. There should be some harmony within its essence- containing both good and bad- but somehow there is no light within it… only darkness…and yet, we both feel somehow connected to this being…"

"Do you think that's how it is so powerful… because of darkness…?" Sakura pondered and asked.

"I don't know…I don't wish to think that at all…" Syaoran looked away slightly distressed. Tomoyo looked at both of them concerned, "Perhaps, it would be best to talk to Adelah about it. Would you want me to speak with her? She doesn't seem to be strongly against me in anyway."

Sakura shook her head, "No, Tomoyo-chan, I don't want you to stay too close to her. I'm… I'm a little scared perhaps. I don't want to think that she's using the spirit or even manipulating it- but I feel as though something horrible may happen if we draw too close to her. My dreams, these thoughts and everything- I can feel it. Somehow, I can't fight it even with these cards- I must face whatever it is without them… yet I feel that perhaps …HOPE…and LIGHT…can do something for us. Hmm, but even the Light was defeated once yesterday."

"What do you mean?" Syaoran asked as Tomoyo returned the same confused look at Sakura, as Sakura held her hand against her heart and closed her eyes. "I mean… these cards…and my power doesn't stand a chance against it…"

Meanwhile, at a prestigious university, a tall figure stood against a tree as though he was waiting for someone. He kept looking at his watch, wondering why his friend was not out of class yet or wondering what was taking his pale friend so long to meet him to eat lunch. Feeling a familiar presence, Touya turned around, believing it was Yukito. Unfortunately, it was just a girl with pale skin, who was simply walking past him. He looked closely at her, realizing that it was strange how it almost felt like Yukito. Finally, Touya grabbed his bag, realizing that there was no point in waiting.

"Hmm…maybe he was caught up doing something for the professor…" Touya walked away, heading towards the gym, and meeting few of his acquaintances who practiced basketball with him once in a while.

"Hey, Touya!" Touya gave them a quick nod as he opened his locker to put his belongings in. Then one of the guys looked at him, "Oi, Touya- did you notice Yukito was acting somewhat strangely today?" Touya looked at him, confused. "Actually, I didn't get to meet him today so I wouldn't know…" The guys exchanged confused looks as they continued, "Well… today, he seemed somewhat nervous or alarmed. In the middle of our Sociology class, he got up and ran out. I mean, I was about to run after him but I figured it must have been a bathroom break… after awhile, I realized he didn't come back." The other guys in Yukito's classes chimed in, "He didn't come to the classes afterward either…"

Touya took this seriously as his eyes wondered from the ground to his locker. He then grabbed his bag and shut his locker. "Uh...hey? Where are you going, Touya?" But before they could say anymore, Touya was running out of the gym and towards the school exit.

In Sakura's fragrant and decorated room, Kero had his little arms crossed, sitting upon the Sakura Book, which was filled with all her cards. And silently walking around her room was Yue, her second guardian gifted with the power of the Moon. His pale face made him look handsome and dim at the same time, as his long silver hair brought out his mystical features. His attire did not change, neither did his gloomy appearance and emotionless voice. He had a look of concern as he looked at Kero, who looked back at him.

"It's been a while, Yue. For some time you haven't popped up, especially since the day Sakura was able to stop the Void Card…" Yue looked away, as Kero started to flutter around to look at Yue. "That's because there is no need for my services, when Sakura is safe from harm of any kind. But before we start to talk about anything else, Cerberus, you know why I'm here, don't you?"

Kero's playful look suddenly turned to firm determination, "Yea… I know, Yue. You feel it too, right?" Even though Yue's eyes were filled with coldness, his intentions were never to reflect them in his tone of voice. He looked concerned as he let his eyes fall onto the Sakura cards, "Yea, I feel it too. But…I don't even know what it is…and…I'm worried about our mistress." Kero nodded as he stopped fluttering and landed close to the Sakura cards. Kero started to speak, "Hearing what happened yesterday, things are starting to become unclear again… like the days in the past. Yet things are different now… Sakura's level of magic has not grown in period of time and our enemy is someone we've never encountered before…"

Yue looked at Kero. "Are you sure about that…?" Kero looked back somewhat confused, "Unless, you recognize it- but for me, I've never felt this presence before." Yue's look became stern as he was about to speak, but stopped abruptly when he realized someone was rushing upstairs to this room. Kero yelped as he fluttered into the drawer, shutting it tightly, and Yue simply closed his eyes, letting a warm aura surround him. Sakura's door suddenly flung open as Touya intently looked around. Yet, no one was occupying the room. The window, however, was slightly open. Touya walked inside the room, examining the window and quietly shutting it. He looked at the drawer, which Kero occupied. Though Touya clearly knew everything about the guardians and about Sakura, he found it strange how Kero never tried to talk to Him or approach him. Therefore, Touya decided to make the first move. He got on one knee and opened the drawer. Yet, to his surprise, Kero was not present.

Yue stood on the roof of Sakura's house, with a reluctant Kero in his grip.

"Yue! What was that for! Grabbing me out of the blue" Kero started flying around again, letting some anger steam from his ears. "…Shh…" Yue looked down slightly as he turned back to face Cerberus. "Cerberus, I don't think our mistress would want us to give hints to anyone about the situation she is struggling with right now, especially her own brother…" Kero understood what he meant. He stopped his little tantrum and looked back at Yue as he continued, "Cerberus, I don't know why I feel this way, but I feel as though you and I know that strange figure…It doesn't seem distant, almost familiar."

Kero looked still uncertain, closing his eyes to think about all the past events he could think of. "Hmm… I don't know; I still don't get any mental picture in my mind…maybe it's because the figure has a strong presence that seems to linger as he passes by this quiet city…"

"No…" Yue looked distress, "…no…I could have sworn I felt this spirit before…if not in this world…then… perhaps within myself…"

--------Preview of Next Chapter----------

Yukito: "…Yue…why are you still here…"

Yue: "Why… WHY am I hearing your voice so clearly?"

Both Syaoran and Sakura dashed towards the school building…"JUMP!" Sakura jumped, holding Syaoran's hand.

(At night, in the park)

"I knew it…" Yukito whirls around to look. Touya started walking towards Yukito. "I figured something was weird since you left school so suddenly."

(In a strange dark blue environment)

Yue whirled around and abruptly raised his hands, flinging large crystallized icicles at the unwelcomed figure. He saw the black figure dodge every one of his attacks…

(At the roof top of the school)

"Who am I, you ask?" A strange deep voice resonated in the entire space Sakura and Syaoran occupied.

Yukito: "I want to be who I am…staying in one place with two beings…it's impossible…I want to be myself…"

Yue: "SHUT UP!"

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