CCS: A CHANGE OF KINGDOM Chapter 7: Sandy Discoveries, a card captor sakura fanfic

Foreword: Syaoran remembers his past and realizes his lack of strength. It is revealed that inside, he struggles to identify with his role to keep the family traditions and honor of Clow Reed. And we now know the name of the mysterious figure, Akuma. Just what kind of deal did Yukito make with him…?

Card Captor Sakura: A Change of Kingdom

Chapter 7: Sandy Discoveries

Sitting beside a quaint snug bed, Adelah held her head low with her eyes closed. As she leaned upon the soft blankets, she had her hands fast together. After a short moment, she looked up and gave a warm smile, as though she was reassured. Rising from where she sat, she got her school bag ready. The time read 7:00 A.M. Thus, she quickly went out of her bedroom. Upon reaching the outskirts of her school, Adelah noticed Sakura standing outside the gates. Adelah took a deep breath in and out. She calmly walked towards Sakura, who noticed her presence drawing closer. As their eyes met, Sakura didn't know how to regard her. Sakura just gave a look of void, while Adelah returned her a steadfast expression.

"Um…good morning, Adelah-chan…" Sakura gave her a hesitant greeting, but Adelah went straight to more important affairs. Adelah responded to her short greeting, "Today…you might want to be careful."

Sakura raised a puzzled glance towards her, as Adelah passed by her and walked towards their class. Adelah has always been a mystery to Sakura, if not a threat. Sakura couldn't describe the utter opposition her spirit felt towards Adelah. What Adelah said, Sakura heard well and was prepared for anything, if Adelah planned to reveal her true colors. Suddenly, the school bell rung, signaling students to quickly head to their classes. Sakura jumped, as she panicked. She has been waiting for Syaoran, but apparently he has not arrived to school yet. "Ah, wait! Oh no! Where is Syaoran-kun?"

"Sakura!" Sakura whirled around, seeing Syaoran run towards her. Sakura slightly yelped, as Syaoran quickly grabbed her hand. He rushed towards the gates, which closed behind them. They kept running through the hall and up the stairs, finally reaching the front of their classroom. Syaoran and Sakura stopped, as their panted for a moment. He took a look at his watch to make sure that they weren't tardy yet. Syaoran looked at Sakura, who was still a little jittery from the entire flight to flee tardiness. "I-I'm so sorry. I…" Syaoran took a huge breath in and out before continuing, "I slept in…"

Sakura felt her anxieties drop, as she giggled. "Hoe. Syaoran-kun, I didn't know you could sleep in. All those days training and disciplining must be wearing off."

"Hmm…Well, maybe." Syaoran scratched his head, as he looked away towards the classroom door. As he was right about to open the door, Sakura cleared her throat to grab his attention. He turned to face Sakura, who was slightly blushing and staring at his hand, which was still holding onto hers. He flushed and immediately let go, "Oh!"

For a short moment, there was a strange pause. Sakura smiled at him, as she cheerfully said, "Let's go in!" Syaoran smiled back at her and walked into the classroom. Meanwhile, Touya was set to go to his part-time job at a café shop near his college. Sitting in the front porch, he started tying his shoe laces. Right as he was about to head to school, he stopped and took out his cell phone. He stood for a while, holding the phone to his ear. Yet a familiar answering machine comes on. Touya sighed, as he found it strange how Yukito would not pick up his phone since yesterday night.

On the other hand, Sakura yawned, while Tomoyo giggled at her cuteness. Sakura turns and sighs, signaling to Tomoyo that the teacher was boring. Tomoyo smiles and nods in agreement. Tomoyo look beyond Sakura, to where Adelah was sitting. Adelah was yawning as well, weary from listening to the boring history lessons. Suddenly a loud clamor is heard, which makes Sakura and Tomoyo jump. As the teacher turned around, Syaoran was shaking himself awake, grabbing the book that fell unto the floor. Sakura realized Syaoran must have fallen asleep and knocked the book off his desk. Tomoyo looked a little worried for him, as did Sakura. Sakura thought about Syaoran's strange reaction, sleeping in and even sleeping in class. 'Perhaps, he couldn't sleep well last night.' Sakura thought to herself.

As the class drew to an end, the students happily started to pack away, getting ready to head towards home or another after-school program. Suddenly, a knock is heard on the wall of the classroom, as everyone'seyes gaze up. Sakura jumps up from her seat with a look of shock, finding at the door, a young pretty pale boy. Tomoyo shows a wide smile, while Syaoran held a surprised expression. Adelah, on the other hand, didn't look too thrilled.

"It's been a while…everyone…" The boy walked in, while students who didn't recognize or know the person headed off. Sakura, Syaoran, and Tomoyo happily walked up to him to greet their old friend. Sakura ran and gave him a bear hug, almost causing the boy's glasses to fly off. "Eriol-kun!"

"Whoa…Haha! It's good to see you, Sakura-chan." Eriol, the wise boy who held a look of much thought and composure, smiled at his friends. Tomoyo and Syaoran warmly returned him the smile. Tomoyo asked, "When did you come back from England?"

"I arrived last night, but I didn't want to tell anyone. I wanted it to be a surprise." Eriol fixed the position of his glasses, as he replied. Syaoran crossed his arms, as he slightly grunted, "Well, that does sound like you. Full of surprises…"

Eriol chuckled at Syaoran's reaction, "And you did not change much during the five years, Li-kun." Tomoyo decided they should meet up eventually to catch up on Eriol's life. Everyone agreed and slowly head outside the class. Sakura stops, however, seeing Adelah standing before her. Within their brief eye contact, Adelah held a strange look of worry, which puzzled Sakura. Tomoyo comes in between them and smiles, "Adelah-chan, this is Eriol-kun. Eriol-kun, Adelah-chan."

Yet Eriol and Adelah did not make any movement. Tomoyo, Sakura, and Syaoran stared at them in confusion. As though Eriol sensed something strange about Adelah, he seemed to be trying to read her. Adelah seemed to be doing the same. Their link breaks, as Eriol smirks and starts to hold his hand out, "Nice to meet you, Adelah."

"…Nice to meet you too." Adelah quickly shakes his hand and lets it go. Adelah turns towards Sakura, "…Try to stay away from the Park…"

"The park?" Yet before Sakura could ask any more questions, Adelah walks away from them. As Adelah walked outside the school and towards the gates, from the rooftop, the phantom-like being, Akuma, steadily floated in the air. As soon as Adelah was out of his sight, Akuma looked below, finding Syaoran, Tomoyo, Sakura, and Eriol walking away from the school. Akuma stared deeply at Eriol, who starts to head back home, while the others walk in their usual direction towards their homes. Eriol turned around and waved at them, "I will see you all tonight then at Daidouji-chan's place."

They all nodded and waved back towards their friend, who walked away. In the meantime, Touya was setting up the chairs outside the café where he worked. Wearing a stripped blue and white apron, over the café's usual working attire, he kept himself quite busy. The bell on the door is triggered as a young lady comes in. Touya was wiping the coffee table, when he accidentally bumped into the lady. She slightly backed off, while he stopped and turned to apologize. "Exc…uh…"

Touya was taken aback for she held much of Yukito's physical traits of pale complexion, hazel eyes, and grayish hair. She shyly bows and looks up at him. He continues to apologize, "Excuse me."

The lady tilts her head slightly, since Touya still holds his serious gaze upon her face. She asks, "Um…Why are you looking at me that way?"

Touya, noticing his rude behavior, looks away and continues to work. Without facing her, he replies, "I'm sorry, you just reminded me of someone." Right as Touya was about to leave to go clean the tables outside, she asks, "Wait, haven't we met before?"

Touya stops and stares back at her, as she earnestly looks at him. He thinks for a moment, since she does look somewhat familiar. As he holds his head in thought, she solemnly says, "I think we have the same literature class together. Do you remember?"

A silent moment passes them by. "Really? Actually, I think I remember you from somewhere else..."

"Oh?" The lady returned a perplexed look, while Touya recalled the time he saw her walk by him, as he was waiting for Yukito.

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.

"I don't think you saw me though." Touya puts the rag into the pocket of the apron, as he claps his hands to clear away some of the dust. She sweetly smiled and held out her hand, "I see. My name is Hinabi Miye. Nice to meet you,…um…?"

"Kinomoto Touya. Nice to meet you, Hinabi-sa term of respect ." They shake hands. Touya still held a look as cold as ice, but Miye didn't seem to be intimidated by his nonchalant expression. "Nice to meet you, Kinomoto-kun."

"Can I get you something?" She started to head towards the seat near the corner, "Just water would be fine, thank you." As Touya head back behind the counter, the door opens, revealing a taller lady than Miye. She had similar skin tone as Sakura, not too dark and not too faint. Her orange hair color glistened in the sun, and her proud blue eyes shimmered as though they reflected the sea itself. Wearing, quite frankly, nothing but a think blue tin top and short white skirt, she ran towards the counter, calling out, "Ohhh, Touyaaaa-kun!"

Touya turned around, seeing Lucia coming towards him. Keeping a detached indifferent look, he turned away and got a cup to get Miye some water. Lucia leaned over the counter, as she dreamily stared at Touya. Lucia has been in Touya's classes and have gotten to know him ever slightly and obviously fallen for his stern cold look. Touya never regarded her anything more than an acquaintance or friend, but sometimes her constant presence did make him tremble with repugnance. Yukito usually laughed at Touya's reaction towards her. Touya got the water, and headed towards Miye, who was already sitting with one of her own acquaintances. Seeing Touya approach them, she smiled, "Thanks, Kinomoto-kun."

Touya walked away, while Miye and her friend kept conversing. As Touya walked backed to the counter, Lucia eyed Miye suspiciously. In the meantime, Sakura turns to her friends and points her hand down the street next to them, "Um…Perhaps we should avoid the park and head that way."

"Yes, but I do wonder what made Adelah-chan say that." Tomoyo held her hand up, holding her chin in thought. Syaoran simply walked besides them without any words. Suddenly, Sakura stopped, feeling a strange sensation. Syaoran turns around to look at her. Sakura holds her heart, feeling an unexplainable tension arising. Syaoran approaches her, "Sakura, what's wrong?"

"I-I don't know…something- there's something here. I can feel my cards…reacting strangely…" Sakura holds her head, while Syaoran quickly holds her from falling. Tomoyo runs next to her, "Sakura-chan!"

A loud commotion was building up near the Central Park. Shouts and screams could be heard from afar, causing them to look up with wonder. Sakura holds onto Syaoran, who tries to keep her steady. He quickly said, "Hang in there, Sakura. We're heading back home."

"No…no…it's at the park. We have to go to the park…"

"But the park---" Yet before Syaoran could finish, Sakura runs off his arm and towards the Central Park. Tomoyo and Syaoran calls out her name, pursuing her. Sakura couldn't explain all she was feeling, as though by instinct she could feel the presence of one of the cards at the park. Perhaps her senses and magical talents have become keener. Finally reaching the park, Sakura falls to the ground. She holds her breath in shock, as her eyes grow wide. Before her presence was the Sand spirit, standing afloat in the middle of the park. The Sand covered the entire park, as a large portion of the streets looked as though it were a desert. Sakura slowly stands up, seeing the massive destructive powers displayed by the Sand spirit. The Sand spirit simply turns away from Sakura, going towards the parts of the park that are not covered with sand. Sakura holds out her hand, "Wait, no!"

As Sakura started running towards her beloved card, she suddenly feels her legs heavy. Looking beneath her, she realizes she begins to sink deeper into the sands. She struggles to free herself from the hellish pit, but to no avail. She screams in desperation, "Sand! Stop this!"

Sadly, her earnest call is ignored as a dune rises around her to bury her deep within the floor. Syaoran and Tomoyo searches around, as Tomoyo yanks Syaoran's shirt and points to where Sakura starts to sink. "Sakura-chan!"

The sandbanks start to crumble and fall upon Sakura in full force. Sakura screams, as she covers her face with her arms. "Sakura!"

From above them, Akuma ominously hovers and stares upon the scene, as though he was a ghastly sign of the events to come. Syaoran ran into the park, jumping on a tree so the Sand Spirit couldn't hold him down on the floor like the way it did with Sakura. Hoping from branch after branch, he frantically searched for Sakura, who was trapped beneath the sands, which dangerously stirred. The Sand started coming towards Syaoran, who immediately took out his talisman that transformed into the mystical sword. Syaoran dodges the incoming blasts of sand by jumping unto another tree branch. "Lightning Ignite!"

The Sand slipped into the sand before getting hit by the lightning spell. Syaoran grew impatient, as he knew Sakura could only last so long within the sand. Suddenly, the Sand slithered out of sand, shooting from the ground and directly hitting Syaoran's chest. "Ugh!"

Tomoyo gasped, watching Syaoran get hit. Syaoran fell off the tree, trying his hardest to grab unto any branches he could reach. Unfortunately, the Sand spirit at once flew back into the floor. Syaoran turned and saw the sandy abyss rising up to swallow him up as well. He shut his eyes, as he called out, "Wind Storms Arise!"

He used all the force he could conjure to stop the sands, yet his force was not strong enough. He raised his arms to cover his face, but a familiar voice caught his attention. "OY! BRAT, WATCH OUT!"

Before Syaoran was swallowed by the sandy monstrosity, Kero transformed into Cerberus Keroberus and caught Syaoran from falling. Tomoyo, waiting on the outskirts of the park sighed with relief. "Uh? Cerberus? How did you-?"

"I started sensing something wrong with the cards. Knowing Sakura would be here, I came as soon as I could." As Cerberus was flying away, Syaoran yanked the hair on the mystical creature. Cerberus got annoyed and growled at Syaoran. "Yeouch! NOW what's the matter with you?"

"There's no time! Go back, Sakura's down there!" Cerberus' eyes grew serious, as he flew towards the park. He growled when the Sand Spirit rose from the ground, flinging huge blasts of sands. Cerberus continued dodging them, while Syaoran tightly held on and looking about the floor. Syaoran's eyes grew wide when he barely noticed a hand above the surface, frantically reaching out. "THERE!"

Cerberus quickly plunged in, as Syaoran reached out his hand. Right as Cerberus was about to pass by, Syaoran firmly gripped Sakura's hand. With all his might he pulled while Cerberus slowed down. Sakura gasped for air, holding her staff in her hand. The Shield card held her in a bubble to prevent her from suffocating within the sands. Akuma watched with amusement, but with a snap of his shadowy fingers, the Shield card immediately returned to the card form. Sakura was safely set in front of Syaoran, as Cerberus immediately dodged another attack from Sand. Sakura leaned on Syaoran, who held her close, still holding her hand. She was breathing heavily, since she had some difficulty breathing beneath the sands. She held her staff firmly in her hand, tightening her grip. Cerberus turned around, facing the Sand which began to focus all its energy to send a dune tsunami towards them. Sakura screamed, "Sand! No! Return!"

"It's no use! It won't react to your commands…" Syaoran said. A sinister laughter was heard, following many eerie giggles, as though they were surrounded. Syaoran looked up, seeing Akuma hovering over him and Sakura. "That explains it…He's manipulating the cards again…"

"I don't understand—our power not enough to contain it." Sakura looks with utter disappointment, as the Sand looks up at Akuma. Akuma simply nods, as though he has given his stamp of approval upon her actions. With this, the Sand sent a loud screech, causing Cerberus to roar in pain, as he felt his entire body grow stiff. 'Where is that Yue when you need him? Doesn't he even know we're here!' Cerberus tries to reach Yue through his thoughts, 'Yue? Where are you?'

Tomoyo tightly shut her eyes and ears, while Sakura and Syaoran tried to do the same. Their entire body grew cold and rigid. Syaoran struggled to raise his gaze at Sand. He saw the sandy wave rising behind Sand in an unstoppable speed. Knowing it may be impossible to avoid, he tries to grab Cerberus' attention. "Oy! Get us out! C'MON!"

Suddenly a strange calm surrounded Tomoyo. Tomoyo raised her gaze, as she realized the sound has mysteriously stopped around her and only the usual street noises were heard. She got up from her fallen position, looking around. Suddenly Adelah passed by her and ran into the park. "…A-Adelah-chan?" Cerberus, who was paralyzed by the shriek, struggled to move. Syaoran held Sakura tightly, as she shut her eyes from fear of seeing their inevitable doom. 'PLEASE!' Oddly, the shriek stops. Cerberus pants, as he quickly backs away from the scene as soon as possible. Sakura opened her eyes and saw Adelah standing upon the ocean of sand, holding a staff. Adelah held the staff before her, standing firmly upon the sand, and inexplicably not sinking though it the sand was continually stirring beneath her feet. The wave rose and right before her. Sakura gasped, "ADELAH-CHAN!"

She slowly whispered, amidst the chaos, "…You, Lord…are my stronghold…" Adelah opened her eyes and stabbed the staff into the ground. The wave was right about to overtake her and everyone above her, but from where the sword hit the ground, a line was perfectly drawn before the tsunami. As though an invisible wall has towered from the line, Sakura and Syaoran saw a faint glow emitting from where the line was. The Tsunami crashed into the barrier, not passing the point where Adelah held down her staff. The force was so powerful, that Adelah slightly stepped back, her brown hair wavering about her face. Sakura and Syaoran's mouth opened in pure amazement. Though they saw the sand wave before their very eyes, not even a speck of sand has passed the point where Adelah stood. Tomoyo too saw the force of the sands dying out and slowly returning to the floor. Adelah took staff off the floor and turned towards the Sand spirit, which hissed at her. Sakura, Syaoran, and Cerberus landed, since the sand beneath them calmed down. Sakura watched on, noting Adelah's composure and fixed gaze upon the Sand spirit. Adelah raised her staff before her, as it discharged a strange yellow light. The staff was transformed into a sword, yet in much different way Sakura's staff transformed into a sword. The Sand spirit rushed towards Adelah, but Adelah simply stood her ground. When the Sand spirit was close enough, Adelah slashed it with the sword, as it split within the air and faded. It did not return to its card form, instead it sent off a strange red essence, which fluttered into the sky.

Sakura couldn't explain the strange sensation she felt the moment she saw Sand completely disappear. She felt as though a part of her has died, that somewhere in her soul, something has vanished. Before the feeling could completely sink inside Sakura's heart, Akuma lashed out towards Syaoran and Sakura, as they quickly ducked away together. Akuma was furious, specifically aiming towards Sakura. Though Cerberus came before him, Akuma simply passed through him like a breeze. Adelah became startled and rushed towards Sakura's side. Syaoran stood defensively in front of Sakura, seeing Akuma rush in full speed. She held out her hand to Sakura, who returns her a confused look. Adelah screamed, "Sakura! My hand! HURRY!"

Sakura reached out and securely grabbed it, though she did not know for what reason. "NOO!" Akuma screamed while he still flew towards them. Adelah narrowed her eyes towards Akuma. As she steadily held Sakura's hand with one hand, she raise her other hand towards Akuma. Sakura shut her eyes, being suddenly blinded by a bright ray of light before Adelah. She faintly saw another familiar figure standing in front of Adelah, but it vanished before she could clearly see anything else. Akuma screeched, and bolted up towards the sky and hovered far away from all of them. "You! You will pay dearly for what has happened today!"

With this Akuma has faded within the winds and the last of Sand's handiwork has vanished around them. The Central Park returned to its original form. Adelah released Sakura's hand and sighed. Sakura stood still, stunned and confused. Tomoyo and Cerberus, who returned to his miniature form, walked towards Sakura. "Sakura-chan, are you all right?"

Tomoyo's sweet voice brought Sakura back to reality, as she weakly nodded. "I…I think so."

"Adelah, just what exactly happened? Who-Who in the world are you?" Syaoran stared at Adelah, who was looking at the floor. Adelah didn't seem to know how to answer Syaoran's question. She turned towards everyone, who returned her the similar baffled stare. Without answering his question, she simply spoke, "I was told that the power of darkness would start to slowly reveal itself today at the park. That's why I tried to prevent you from coming. Still, I guess it was inevitable…"

"You…you had a sword or a staff…like mine." Sakura stood motionless next to Adelah, who looked deeply into Sakura's shocked eyes. "No…It's not like your staff. It wasn't a staff at all or a sword. It was my only means to fight the enemy…perhaps you couldn't feel it, but it was the manifestation of the Holy Spirit."

"Holy Spirit?" Syaoran and Sakura looked at one another, completely confused and oblivious of what she was saying. Kero scratched his head, finding the phrase quite catchy for some reason, as though he has heard of it before. Adelah calmly spoke, "There's too much to explain here. And…there may be another encounter tonight."

"What?" Sakura shook her head in disbelief, "You mean, that phantom will strike again!"

"Perhaps…but most likely, one of the Spirits will come. I am not sure of which one though," Adelah stopped and sighed, "I'm sorry. This may seem so sudden, but…I think I may have to stay over at your place, Sakura."

"M-My place…?" Sakura did not feel comfortable that Adelah had to suddenly stay over. Adelah, too, didn't seem too excited about sticking next to Sakura. Adelah crossed her arms, "Have you not noticed? You are being targeted here."

"Hoe?" Sakura pointed at herself, as Syaoran immediately got alarmed.

"What do you mean?" Syaoran exclaimed. Kero also piped in, "We have to know exactly what's going on!"

"Ah-no-neh…" Within the commotion, Tomoyo got all their attention, as she softly said, "We could always go to my place. It may be more convenient for Sakura to tell her brother that she's staying over at my place."

Tomoyo stopped for a moment and looked at Syaoran with a worried face, "Hmm…but Syaoran-kun, you may-"

"I'm coming too!" Syaoran looked quite determined, which made Tomoyo, Adelah, and even Sakura uneasy. Tomoyo was only afraid of Sakura's brother finding out about Syaoran's presence in their secret sleep over. Kero simply scuffed at his efforts, "Hah! You're a boy and a brat ! You're going to sleep over with three girls in one place! Are you crazy or something?"

"Look...if there's another battle tonight, I should be there too! Besides, this involves all of us now, including me. And don't call me, Brat! " Syaoran and Kero glared at one another, as Adelah simply sighed, shaking her head. "Then so be it. Tomoyo-chan, thank you very much."

"Anything for Sakura-chan's safety." Tomoyo smiled and looked at Sakura, who was not looking at any one of them. She simply held her head low to the floor in thought. She was still uncertain about all the events that turned about for them. She still couldn't trust Adelah, but the power that Adelah held was beyond her. She didn't know the source or what it was. Perhaps the events that will follow will be able to answer Sakura's many questions, as she continues to discover more about the Holy Spirit, Adelah, the cards' behavior, and the dark spirit. Each of them slowly began to walk towards Tomoyo's house to prepare for their next encounter.

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

At Tomoyo's house, in the upstairs balcony, Sakura looks up at the sky with Syaoran: "Hoe? Snow?" Sakura smiles, feeling the soft snow fall upon her face. Yet her smile fades when suddenly the sky thunders.

Outside Tomoyo's house, in a garden, Adelah pushes Sakura and Syaoran away. She falls, getting hit by the blast of snow. "Adelah-chan!"

"So you think you're the only one able to handle this dilemma!" Eriol harshly speaks to Adelah, who angrily stares back at him. He walks closer, taking out his mystical staff. "Do you take me as a fool!"

Cerberus pants, as he struggles to fight through the snowy storm. "Yue… just where are you!"

(In a strange dark blue environment)

Large ghostly beings, dressed in tattered black capes and hoods, drew closer to Yue, who was struggling to stand on his feet. Hearing Cerberus' voice calling out to him, Yue tightened his hand into a fist. "Damn it…Let me leave!"

Sakura stands before the Snow Spirit, blocking the path between Adelah and the spirit. "Please…don't…"

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