CCS: A CHANGE OF KINGDOM Chapter 4: Identity Crisis, a card captor sakura fanfic

Foreword: After confronting Adelah, Sakura realized Adelah was not to be trusted and even a potential threat to their peaceful life. What about Yue's strange reaction to what is happening? How is this darkness connected with all of them?

Card Captor Sakura: A Change of Kingdom

Chapter 4: Identity Crisis

Kero was fluttering around his room, feeling unsure of how to react to all that Yue told him. He was piecing everything together, remembering in their last conversation that Yue felt close to that spirit. Kero tightly shut his eyes, putting up a strain face. He focused and tried to remember everything- from the days of his creation, from the lovely days with Clow Reed, from the first day he was released from the Clow Book, finding Sakura and helping her. Yet, he realized, he didn't know anything about this strange spirit one bit. He scratched his huge head, feeling a little uneasy. It was quite late, and he looked at Sakura, who was already in bed fast asleep. He gave an uncertain stare and looked out the window, gazing into the moon. On the other hand, Yue stood by himself near a lake close to a park. As the lake shimmered with the reflection of the grand moon, the light reflected upon the trees and the darkness that surrounded Yue. From such a place, Yue seemed to glow with the same radiance and splendor of the moon. Unexpectedly, Yue felt his mind being invaded with words he couldn't explain. A strange sting of pain has bombarded his mind. He grabbed his head as he could hear Yukito's soft voice saying streams of words that were almost incoherent but quite clear.

"…Yue…why are you still here…are you there...Touya would be worried…I should be going back home now…hmm…how much longer will I have to do this…I wonder…are you there…am I still here…am I still myself..." Yue let both of his hands grab his head, and in frustration he muttered, "Be quiet… Why… WHY am I hearing your voice so clearly…?" Yet these voices came back only stronger, "…stop using me this way…I want to be who I am…staying in one place with two beings…it's impossible…I want to be myself…I want myself…I want"

"SHUT UP!" Yue heard his voice echo in the distance, as though the winds were carrying his words. Slowly, he felt the pain dissipate. He let both of his hands down, letting out a heavy sigh. Both of his eyes were filled with weariness. Somehow, he didn't understand why for the past few days he felt unsure of who he was. He felt captured, imprisoned, and unable to escape. If he could remember clearly, during the past month he was trying to release his energy to transform to his normal self. Yet it nearly took two hours for him to actually set himself free from Yukito's body. And during the past week, he felt a great need to talk with Cerberus himself. Nevertheless, a great opposition was faced as though there were bars and traps set for him…

Opening his eyes, Yue concentrated his energy to releasing his true form through Yukito's body. Inside Yukito's mortal body and within a part of his soul, the environment was unfamiliar to the untrained eye. It's a picture of deep within everyone's spirit. It was a place like home, and yet almost distant as the stars in the sky. The place was saturated with the color of cerulean and mauve, oddly decorated with various springs of waters and mirrors that neither reflected one's own image nor acted as windows. As a warm aura started to surround Yue, suddenly a faint chill was felt in the air. Yue stopped and looked around, unsure of what this feeling was.

'Strange… It almost felt as though… someone else was here with me just now…'

As Yue continued to concentrate, he let a few seconds pass as the aura surrounded him again. Yet this time, Yue whirled around and abruptly raised his hands, flinging large crystallized icicles at the unwelcomed stranger. He saw a strange black figure dodge every one of his attacks, and finally the black figure stopped fleeing and before any of Yue's icicles struck him, the figure sank into the floor, as if the floor was permeable as water. He ran to where the stranger disappeared, as the move left some ripples upon the floor. Yue looked shocked as he suddenly sprung his wings within seconds and quickly flew straight above, turning around to see the enemy right underneath him, flying and chasing him as well. The enemy had no wings to elevate it, but its black cape seemed to flutter and spread wide across the shoulders as if they could carry the winds underneath. The hollowness of his appearance made Yue feel as though he was being chased by a large black cloth.

'It's fast…' Yue lifted himself higher and flung his weight behind him, letting his head fall back first as he was able to zoom past the dark figure with ease. The dark figure also twirled from side to side, spinning and making his dark cape whirl like a pinwheel. Yue looked behind him, finding the figure missing. Immediately he stopped but gasped as he felt himself suddenly sinking as the dark figure became a mass of darkness underneath him. Yet Yue took out his bow and raised five glittering arrows at the darkness that was trying to consume him. The darkness reacted with unease as it retracted its cape, letting the darkness slowly disappear around Yue, as the cape seemed to become its normal size. It quickly flew away to a safer place, yet Yue was determined to know what this figure was doing in Yukito's body, much less his own personal space. As Yue started following the spirit quickly, dodging, twisting and turning to avoid all the mirrors that stood in his path. The figure was slowing down and Yue looked unyielding, getting ready to strike, but the figure turned around and suddenly let out a pinkish aura, as the cape fluttered with intensity and curled up, solidifying and taking shape.

Yue abruptly stopped, for the black figure before him has transformed into a large black mirror that reflected Yue's own image. Yue curiously peered at the mirror, wondering how this had happened, and what he couldn't understand more was his own reflection. As Yue flew closer to the mirror, he realized in his own reflection he had no wings, though he was afloat. Yue squinted his eyes, trying to carefully examine his own appearance. But Yue's eyes widened, as he realized this reflection wasn't of him, but it was of Yukito, mirroring a strangely unfamiliar cold stare.

"Yukito…?"

Suddenly the mirror shattered as the figure's cape twisted into large strings of black cloth that started to twist around Yue's body and cover his hands and his body. Yue struggled to set himself free as he winced in pain while the bands tightened around his body. He snarled at this situation, as he knew there was only one thing that could set him free from this. Yue lifted his arm as best as he could, right above him, as from his hands he summoned a shower of many sharp icicles to rain upon him. He felt the cloth, bit by bit, coming lose by his own icicles, one nearly strikes his cheek, but he barely dodged it. Yet, as best as he tried to avoid his own attack- he felt the sting of his own powers used against him to set himself free. The irony was quite perfect. Yue fell from the height he was floating in, as the pieces of cloth around him fell with him, torn from all sides and like black rose petals fluttered about Yue. Yue collapsed on the floor, as his body fell with a thump. Yue tried to lift himself up, but he felt his arms were faint and without strength, as they were barely able to lift him up. As the torn cloth pieces were falling next to him, they suddenly fluttered away and accumulated into one massive form. The form transformed back into the dark figure as it stood in front of Yue. Yue looked up and returned a cold look, feeling uneasy in his vulnerable position. Yet the dark figure simply walked away…and disappeared…

He stood there, still contemplating but realized a certain someone would eventually get suspicious, if he was in this form any longer. Silently he spread his wings, and flew into the sky. Eventually ending up in a park next to Yukito's house, without thinking twice he changed back into Yukito. As the transformation took place, Yue's wings seemed to surround his entire body as an array of light formed around him. And as the wings disappeared like a mist, there was only Yukito, obviously not so certain of what happened. Yukito shook his head slightly.

"…so… it happened again…darn…" He gave out a quiet sigh but he stopped, noticing someone appeared from behind a tree. He was surprised to see Touya, standing there, obviously waiting for him to get home. Touya crossed his arms and looked at Yukito.

"I knew it…" Touya started walking towards Yukito. "I figured something was weird since you left school so suddenly. Yue may have tried to make it as inconspicuous as possible but… I had a weird feeling about it, since Sakura's been acting so strange lately…" Yukito's eyes looked down, somewhat upset by Touya's reaction to this. Touya looked somewhat disappointed as well and spoke. "I wish I could know what was going on with Sakura…I mean…I'm her brother…how much longer will they keep themselves from consulting anything with me…" Yukito, however, didn't say anything to this, which made Touya even more concerned. He slightly nudged Yukito on his shoulder.

"…Yuki… is everything okay?" Touya indeed looked worried for his friend, since Yukito seemed to be making a worried and angry expression at the same time. He couldn't understand what was going on in his friend's mind for the very first time. After all, this wasn't the first time it happened. Touya started to wonder if something else's been happening between Yukito and Yue. Yet, he decided to ignore that thought. 'If there was something as such, it would be something wrong with Yue…I mean, Yukito perfectly knows his responsibilities…' Touya stopped thinking about it, as he noticed Yukito started responding as his normal self. He gave him a warm smile and started, "I'm okay, Touya. I think I'm just a little tired…"

Seeing his friend return to normal, Touya smiled too, "Yea, you must beYue takes up a lot of energy, and you haven't ate lunch either. That would make a huge difference…" Sudden rumbles in his tummy made Yukito grab his stomach area with embarrassment, as he muttered, "Oh…yea… you're right…" Touya started walking ahead, "How about we grab a late night snack?" Yukito nodded with joy, "That would be great!" They took the street and both started walking away, one with relief to find his friend safe, another in slight disappointment within himself. Though Touya didn't notice Yukito's expressions were as plastered on his face as it could be, Yukito seemed to be hiding what he was truly feeling and perhaps he couldn't truly express what he was feeling inside when he transformed back into his normal self. Perhaps no one will ever discover what's been growing deep inside Yukito's heart and soul.

The next day, a strange fog surrounded the city. It was a colder day than most days of this city. The news stated the oddity of the weather weren't even showing up on the weather report. People reached for their jackets and scarf before they headed out towards school. As Sakura and Syaoran finished their day at school, they looked around to examine their environment. There was a strange sense of worthlessness and a weight of apathy in the air. Somehow, Sakura felt it was affecting her and Syaoran. She noticed how Syaoran looked gloomier than he usually did, and even shook his head once in a while, as though he was trying to keep himself awake. Sakura also realized that she felt without energy, and even too lazy to pull a bright joyous 'Good Morning' to the people she greeted this morning.

"I don't like the feeling of this…it's as though someone has cast a spell in this place without any of us noticing…" Syaoran said, without turning to look at Sakura. Sakura nodded in response to this, "Yea… I know what you mean…." Sakura lifted her head up slightly, trying to take in a deep breath but stopped half way when she saw someone standing on top of the roof of their school. Sakura squinted her eyes to try and retrieve a better description of the person. "Syaoran-kun…"

Syaoran turned around as he heard his name, and noticed her head tilted upwards. He looked up as well as both of them stared for a few seconds. Syaoran seemed to be just as confused as Sakura as he said, "Hmm…who could that be…?" Students were passing them without any thoughts of why this couple was looking towards the top of the building. Suddenly, Takashi and Chiharu popped in front of them.

"Hey!" Sakura and Syaoran broke their stare from the person on top of the building as they looked back at their friends with confusion.

"What's up, guys?" Chiharu asked sweetly, as she looked towards where they were looking. Takashi also chimed in, "Yes, we noticed you two were staring at the sky for a few second." He stood right next to Syaoran as he looked towards the direction Syaoran was facing. "Hmm… what were you guys looking at?"

Syaoran blankly responded to his friend's question, "… The person standing on top of the roof…"

Chiharu and Takashi, on the other hand, returned his emotionless statement with a perplexed answer, "Huh? Who are you talking about…?" That very instant, Sakura and Syaoran looked at each other with a look of alarm and new realization of who the person was. Both of them dashed towards the school building. Chiharu and Takashi on the other hand, were quite confused as they called after their friends who were now long gone. Sakura started up the stairs as they were pushing dumbfounded students away from their paths. Syaoran eventually was leading the flight to climb all the stairs to the top, as Sakura stopped for a moment to regain her stamina. Syaoran looked tired as well and stopped to catch his breathe as he looked at Sakura.

"Sakura, use dash and go on ahead of me…" Sakura shook her head as she took out her key, "…no… (Puff puff)…I have a better idea… RELEASE!" Sakura summoned her lovely staff as she whipped out the card of her choice from her back pocket and spun her staff with precision and stroked the card at the right point for the magic to be summoned. "THROUGH!" Syaoran's eyes got wide, as Sakura immediately grabbed him as she flipped out another card already and hit it with her staff, summoning, "JUMP!" Sakura jumped, holding Syaoran. Fortunately, the momentum of her jump was so fast that Syaoran was following right after her jump. Then in mere seconds, Sakura and Syaoran were flying right through every ceiling above them. And finally, they were through all the walls above and able to see the top of the roof under them. Syaoran and Sakura's hair were bellowing in the air, as they landed right behind the figure with great speed. Both cards were returned to their original state. Sakura and Syaoran's assumption about the person was correct, for its ghastly fluttering cape and dark demeanor one could not forget seeing it once. Ever so slowly, the dark spirit turned around to face them. Syaoran summoned his sword quickly as Sakura was just about ready to take out any of her cards. Sakura slightly looked below and realized people would be able to clearly see Syaoran and Sakura make strange movements, so she decided to let a little facade protect them from the eyes of the world. "ILLUSION!" Rays of light hit the four corner of the roof top as it headed up towards the sky and created a large box-like field on top of the roof.

As they were walking, Chiharu looked back really quick. Takashi asked, "What's wrong Chiharu?" She shrugged as she walked past him, "Heh, nothing, for a moment, I thought Sakura-chan and Li-kun were on the roof. Oh well, let's get going Takashi!" Takashi just walked away with her, as Sakura noticed people did not bother looking up at them. She was relieved and looked back at the dark figure, which started to slowly float towards them. Syaoran pointed his sword to the figure, "Who are you! Reveal yourself!" The dark figure stopped, as a strange moment of silence passed by them.

"Who am I, you ask?" A strange deep voice resonated in the entire space Sakura and Syaoran occupied. It didn't even feel as though it was coming from the figure, but from the air itself, as though words were spoken from the ground underneath them. A light chuckle was heard as well, which brought a great wave of uneasiness in Sakura's heart, as she fully recognized this chuckle and strange laughter.

Suddenly, a strange laughter was heard. Sakura whirled around and looked about, but she couldn't find anyone. Yet the giggles, the laughter, and snickers were only getting louder. "What…" Feeling completely uneasy, she looked back at the tree, which was still standing without any darkness around it.

'It couldn't be…could it?' Sakura recognized it as the voice from her very dream or nightmare. The figure took a step forward as the tension was rising in her blood.

"Isn't that something you should be asking yourself, young lad? After all……isn't that the reason why you left your home to come here…?" Sakura blinked in confusion while Syaoran gave a look of surprise towards the figure. "Yes…you know perfectly well … all things you've learned… all except ……hmm…yourself…"

Sakura looked towards Syaoran, as she noticed Syaoran gripped his Chinese sword tighter than he did before. Syaoran shook away the look of shock and surprise as his look returned to the resolved and stubborn face, "I… I don't know what you're talking about…" Sakura noticed immediately the strength of his voice was lost. A strange feeling of regret and sorrow was resonating through Syaoran's voice, emotions that didn't fit his character. A look of worry stole Sakura's determined face as well. 'Syaoran-kun…what is the matter…what is he talking about……do you know something……'

"…My my…if that is so, won't you tell me…" The figure took another step forward. "…Who are you?"

Syaoran had a look of defeat, for no answer came to his mind. Feelings of emptiness and loneliness filled Syaoran's thoughts. These thoughts were not distant, but familiar to him. As though it was a battle he fought before, only to have to return and fight again. His face became blank as though he wished he had never encountered this figure. The figure's profound voice resonated, "…Yes…exactly…You're" Suddenly the figure lunged at Syaoran, which caught him by surprise. In the hand of the figure was a grand black sword, ready to pierce Syaoran instantly for the kill.

"SYAORAN-KUN!"

Syaoran was barely able to raise his sword to block the planned attack. As the empty face of the figure loomed in towards his, a great chill crawled up Syaoran's spine. Looking into the face of the stranger, Syaoran had to admit he was filled with pure fear to know that there was someone underneath the mask but nearly invisible within the darkness of its cape.

"Nothing!" With his voice booming in the atmosphere, the figure pushed off Syaoran's sword with ease. Yet Syaoran retaliated quickly with another strike, swirling around from the back to hit the figure on its shoulder, but the figure blocked it with his sword. "Yes…from the very end to now…You're NOTHING to me!" Suddenly Syaoran's sword shattered in two as the figure lunged his attack in full strength upon Syaoran's sword. Syaoran's look of shock stayed as he swayed back from the attack. The figure screeched as it flung towards Syaoran. In mere seconds, the figure quickly swung his sword with precision and skills that were beyond mere excellence. In such speed, it was difficult for Syaoran to read the moves of his enemy for time seemed to go too quickly. Syaoran dodged once, as he saw the sword flung towards his ribs. Syaoran twisted to the right side as he raised his right leg and turned to kick the figure. Yet the figure became a large mist and completely went through Syaoran to only solidify to its original shape right behind him. Syaoran whirled around the instant the figure had begun thrusting out his sword to strike Syaoran's heart.

"NOOO!" Sakura raised her staff …Yet it was too late …for the sword pierced right through Syaoran's heart and body…

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

Sakura shook her head in frustration "…no…how could this be…"

The figure walked with his sword flared in blue flames. The figure's deep voice resonated once again. "A mouse…trapped in the corner I would say…"

(In the dark alley)

Adelah spoke with confidence towards the dark spirit. "You won't have your way here…I won't let you."

School rooftop scene: Sakura shutting her eyes tightly, with a determined face…she twirled her staff to the side…

The figure gave a heavy chuckle, as it came in front of the girl, "She's weak…it is already a battle lost…"

Dream scene: 'Hope…yes…there is always HOPE!'

With the other hand flung out a card as she shouted out, "Reveal Yourself --- HOPE!"

The moment her staff hit her card, a great beam of light separated the dark clouds above them and blasted unto the roof.

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