A.N: I'm starting to cut out characters. I'm really sorry, but this is a story about Kimika (Hiryu's old character). I'm really sorry if I cut your character, but I'm cutting all those that I can. It doesn't mean I didn't like you, their were just too many already out i.e. Kimika, Natsumi, Yukino, Li…so yeah. I'm really sorry!

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the original characters (Kero, Sakura, Tomoyo, Li etc), or the original plotline. As this was originally a role-play on Gaia Online, the characters and some of the storyline and words belong in a way to their creators, through I've made many changes, they are still essentially the same!

Many thanks to those creators, including Hiryu-chan (the owner of CCS: The Next Generation).

Chapter Four: Storytelling

Kimika seeped the whole story out to Kisaya-sempai. She showed her the Star Key and finished with presenting Kero.

"Hiya!" Kero said energetically. He wasn't sure it was a wise decision of Kimika's to tell Yukino. In the past, only those that had to be told were told, the only ones out of the magical circle told were Tomoyo and Sakura's older brother Toya. Tomoyo had been an accident, she'd taped Sakura using The Fly, and so Sakura had had no choice but to tell her. Toya, as it happened all ready knew anyway.

Besides, Yukino gave off this weird vibe. Kero couldn't even tell if it was good or bad.

Yukino smiled at the yellow plushie look-alike.

"I'm going to help you every way I can, Kimika-chan"

'For more reasons then you know…'

Kimika smiled also.

'I'm so happy I told her! I feel so much better!'

"Thank you, Kisaya-sempai"

Yukino stood from the low table and went into the next room, making tea. Kimika opened her books and studied a little. Yukino arrived back several moments later with the fresh tea, pushing one in front of Kimika.

"You know, Kimika, I know magic too!'

Kimika sipped her tea and looked up at her.

"You do?"

"Hai, I'm very good at it. Perhaps sometime, I'll teach you some"

"I'd like that very much, arigato Kisaya-sempai" Kimika said gratefully. She didn't doubt Yukino's power. For her, Yukino was an idol. Yukino's eyes smiled down at Kimika.

"Can I see the card you caught last night, Kimika-chan?" Yukino asked curiously. Kimika looked at Kero for guidance. He nodded and she took out the windy. Yukino studied it carefully, before laying it on the table in front of Kimika.

"You forgot to sign it" Kimika gave her a puzzled look.

"Sign it?" Yukino nodded and handed her the pen.

"You forgot to tell her, Kero-chan. Anyone could have taken the card. Once you sign it, it's yours, end of story. They know you're their Master. Unless of course you give them away…just put it on the bottom there."

Kero looked up from his place on the table at Yukino. There was defiantly something weird about her. How was she to know you had to sign the cards to make them yours fully?

Maybe he'd been too aggressive in his quest to posses Kimika's Windy Card. After all he'd been left behind and Waihashi-san and Kaan-san were probably really angry with him. If he tried to talk to Kimika again, that creepy woman would probably come after again. Then again, he didn't want to deal with what would happen if he went home now. He'd always dreamt of owning ALL the cards and he didn't know how he would tell his parents. They would be so disappointed. What if he made Mother cry because of it? He'd never be able to live with himself…and Dad would probably not talk to him either. Kyozuki sighed. He walked at his own pace, following Kimika's aura.

"Now I know why Father hated Mother so much at the start…and why he still hates Kero!"

Tomoeda Middle School had the habit of going on at a boring rate for hours. It had been several days since the event of Li. Kimika had gotten a test the day after and forgotten all about him. Only now, walking down the white hallways to gym did she think of him.

Then he was in front of her. Coming towards her in fact.

'Doesn't he listen?'

"Kisaya-sempai told you to stay away from me," Kimika said as he stopped in front of her. His green eyes seemed to stare right through her. It made her feel uncomfortable, despite the strong tone to her voice. She wasn't sure what she should do. She didn't trust him, yet he could be a great help to her about the cards.

"I don't care about you having that card anymore, Waihashi-san. I just…" Li said as he turned his glance away.

"Just what?"

"I...can't explain it to my parents…" Kimika noticed a sad tone indent in his voice. Curious, she questioned him again.

"Haven't you been home yet? Didn't you tell them?"

Li moved over to one of the windows facing out to the main quad, where Kimika' class was already starting. She realised that he actually seemed distressed.

'Could it be…he's human after all?'

"I have my own little place I sometimes go to when I need space. My parents know about it, but they don't like me staying there more then a few days. "

Kimika gave him a look. 'His own little place'? These were some weird parents…

"Look…I'll come over and talk it over. I don't know why your so uppy about but I'll explain it" Kimika said with a smile. Li just looked at her.

"Thanks…I'll meet you after school…at the tree from the other day…" and then he ran off. Kimika blinked.

"That was…odd."

"Are you sure about this?" Li asked, trying to get rid of the impulse to poke the yellow flying thing really hard, "I mean Dad's not much on strangers...and well…mom sometimes can become a bit jumpy..."

"I can't have you living away from your home forever all because of me. Besides, I want to meet the old Cardcaptors. It'll be fun!" Kimika said, trying to sound cheerful. In reality, she was a puddle of water nerves. Kero through was truthfully happy, about finally coming out of Kimika's cramped bag, seeing Sakura and his new most amusing hobby - annoying the hell out Li Kyo.

"Just don't say, I didn't warn you…" Li said giving her a glance and walked up to the front door, pushing it open.

'Well, their awfully trusting. Don't they know about security?' Kimika thought as they walked inside. Now she felt doubly uncomfortable, through Li-san's house was no different then any other house she'd every walked into. No weird paintings or sculptures, through there where an awful lot of soft plushies around.

"Li-san…do you think your mom named the Sakura Cards after herself?" she asked quietly as they walked down the hallway. Li laughed. Kimika glared.

"Named them?" He shook his head, "My mothers name is Sakura after all..." He stops suddenly then exhales again, "Guess I forgot to mention that...but it kind of means I'm part of the 'legend' if you will and…"

They could hear movement ahead of them, coming from what seemed to be a kitchen.

"I think I'm going to be in for it…" Li said sighing. Kimika was suddenly visited by horrible visions of his parents; it would explain why he was so awful most of the time and why he was afraid to go home. She felt her hand gripped by Li's as he led her inside the room.

"Hope your ready…" he muttered, poking his head around the corner and lading her in, Kero in tow. It felt hard to breath. Why did it feel so painful? Was she scared? Would they hurt her so much it showed?

"Kero-chan!" shouted what seemed like a little girl behind them, to the left of the room. Kimika noticed Li face fault as they turned towards the girl.

"MOM! Your supposed to yell out MY name!" He yelled, at the offender as she rushed to squeeze the flying yellow bear. Kimika blinked, confused. This was Li-san's mother? Sakura? Kimika relaxed slightly. Obviously, Li-san exaggerated about his parents, just like she did about her brother. Through Kimika was a little surprised when Sakura hugged her.

"Konnichiwa…" Kimika said bowing. Sakura was already lecturing Li-san about sneaking out. They way she made it sound; she could have been giving out an award.

'She's so nice…so unlike Li-san…' Kimika said smiling as the shorthaired brunette with sparkling green eyes gave Kero another squeeze and pushed them all into the living room.

"Your mom's nice, Li-san…what were you worried about?" Kimika asked, making herself comfortable on the floor. Li sat as far away as possible from her.

"You don't know her like I do…it's probably a cover…"

"You know, I think you think to hard, Kid. Sakura's not the type to get angry. She'd only be worried. Besides, if your complaints about her wanting you to get the cards…I doubt she cares. She knows, as does your Dad, that you out of all people wouldn't be destined to be like herself and Kimika. It has to be someone removed from the family…through, I guess Sakura's not that removed any more!" Kero said, laughing at his own joke. Li looked at him dumbstruck, and then scowled.

"What do you know?" He said in a sarcastic manner. Kero flew up to next Kimika's ear and whispered loud enough for everyone to hear:

"He's exactly like his father. Both brats, both thinks they can have the cards even through the Cardcaptors been chosen and it isn't them." Kimika blushed and Li-san made his scowl more obvious. Sakura came back moments later with a tray laden with goodies. She wasn't as excitable as before, now she seemed almost nervous, as she sat down across from Kimika, whist Li sat at the far top end.

"So, I suppose you're my replacement?" Sakura asked, almost embarrassed. She hadn't changed from her days as the Cardcaptor. Kimika blushed.

"Ah…well…I guess I am…" Kimika said nervously, looking down into her lap. Li glared at her from over his teacup.

" I told her that it'd be best if we came here to talk to you and Dad..." Li said offhand. Kimika looked up at everyone and took for herself a cup. It smelt fresh and spicy and tasted refreshing, giving her the nerve she needed to talk again.

"I guess you want to know how I became a Cardcaptor?" Kimika said, testing the waters, looking for a reaction in Sakura's face. The latter smiled and pressed her to continue.

"This going to sound weird but I received the Sakura box for my 13th birthday two weeks ago…and then I was walking past…and the lock just fell off. I'm not sure why, but I opened the box and all this stuff flew around and there was light…and then Kero talked to me." Kimika shrugged.

"I've already caught a card but…if it's really that important to Li-san…I can stop…I don't want to cause any trouble"

Sakura sighed.

"When Kyo-chan was born, we always wanted him to be the next Cardcaptor. He had pressure on him to learn. Kyo-chan saw it upon himself that that the cards never be released from their book ever again. They caused a lot of trouble," Sakura smiled, "still, I'm sure they did the best for us. My Cardcaptoring days were my happiest. I grew up a lot. Even, if Kyo-chan isn't the Cardcaptor or didn't succeed in keeping the Cards in the box, I'm still very proud of him. I hope your adventures will be as good as mine, Kimika-chan!"

Kimika looked over at Li and saw he'd turned around stiffly, obviously not wanting anyone to see his face. Kero smiled at Sakura and broke the silence.

"Do you have any more cake!" Everyone laughed, save of course for Li.

"You..." He said storming over to Kero, grabbing him by the tail and threw him into the kitchen and at the fridge. "Just go on and eat already...just stop whining..." Sakura sighed.

"He's a little temperamental," She whispered to Kimika with a teasing smile. Li blushed.

"Am not…"

"I really am sorry if I've made any trouble…I didn't know what was in the box…I thought it was just a boring old trinket box…if Kero hadn't talked to me, I would have probably thought it was just a dream" Kimika said, looking at Li, then at the little bear floating in and out of the fridge. Sakura smiled again. She was so nice and cheerful.

'Always smiling…how'd she end up with such a crank as Li-san?' Kimika thought, biting into her piece of cake. She was lucky Kero hadn't pinched it earlier.

"Really, it's alright. I'm glad we've had this talk. I knew the chances of Kyo-chan being the main Cardcaptor were slim…through, I must admit if it isn't him, I'm glad it's you"

Kimika smiled back at Sakura and pulled out her Star pendant. Sakura traced over it and handed it back to her.

"It has my emblem - the star - but it's different to mine. Can I see your card?" Kimika quickly un-pocketed The Windy and handed it over. It felt weird to be so trusting with a woman she barely knew, but somehow a warm connection made it seem ok.

Sakura blinked in surprise and looked over at Kero as he flew over, finished with all the cake.

"She changed the card back to a Clow?" she asked looking up at Kero. Kero nodded.

"She captures them and changes them back. From what I gather it takes less energy to change them back then it did, then it did to create the Sakura Cards. Otherwise I don't think she'd be able to do it after one capture. She does have an awful lot of magical energy through. She's strong" Kero said seriously. Sakura nodded in response.

"I needed a lot of power to change the cards. Your obviously very powerful and suitable" Sakura said.

'Her tone of voice has changed…' Thought Kimika, as she blushed furiously at the comments. Li was glaring at her. Kimika looked to his mothers face, she was smiling again.

"Do you have any questions for me, Kimika-chan?" Sakura said in her cheerful voice. Kimika thought for a moment, to something that she'd been thinking about when talking to Li earlier. Her blue eyes met Sakura's green ones.

"Did you keep a Sakura Card when you locked up the book again?"

Sakura looked down at her lap, smoothing invisible wrinkles over.

"I just wanted something to keep the memory. Otherwise, it might have seemed just like a dream…"

.-.

The young girl opened the box carefully. She traced over the image of a single Sakura flower, crossed with a gold star with tiny white wings, before placing on the table next to the box. She'd created the box with The Create card, her last magical act with the Sakura Cards. A remnant of her captures for the next. She smiled as she placed the thin pink cards inside the worn Book of Clow, The Windy at the front of the pack. She had already sealed Kero inside. She placed the book inside the box and sighed as she reached over her neck and pulled the Key off. By now she was already crying slow sad tears. She realised she may never see the cards again as she placed it inside. She made to put the lid on, but instead reached for the book again and took something out. She then locked the book, placed the lid on and locked the box. She then took the box to Tomoyo and told her to put it in her next auction.

She didn't tell anyone she kept a card.

.-.

"I haven't told anyone about the card I kept, except for when I told baby Kyo-chan. Actually…" Sakura said gazing wistfully at her son. Their green eyes connected and he jumped to his feet with realisation.

He dashed off to the right and came back moments later.

"Mother gave it to me ages ago…" he said producing a pink card "I can't believe I'd forgotten about it!"

He gave it to his mother who smiled at it and handed it to Kimika. Li fumed at this but said nothing. Kimika stared at the pink card, displaying a playful creature. What she supposed had once been written the word 'Sakura' had nearly rubbed off. The writing above called the cards name as The Jump. She brightened and smiling, gave it back to Li.

"Since you have a card and you know more then me…I think it only fair we both capture the cards together, help each other out." She said extending her hand.

He stared at her hand, thinking it over and then eyed towards his mother who was awkwardly nodding her head to signal it was okay. Sighing slowly he grabs hold of Hiryu's hand shook it once then let go rudely. He then eyed her.

"I'll capture the cards…it's my blood right. That doesn't mean I'll help you" he said storming off, card in hand. Sakura bit her lip.

"I'm really sorry…he's like his father…temperamental." Sakura sighed getting up and starting to clean the table.

"If I knew…what the cards had connected with them…I'd never had opened the box…" Kimika said quietly. She looked up to see Sakura wasn't smiling.

"It's not your fault. Do your best Cardcaptor Kimika. I have to do some things now, but if you ever need me, I'm here" Sakura said, her tone changed again, as she left the room. Kero flew to Kimika's lap.

"Let's go, kid," Kero said, flying ahead and leading Kimika at the door. Kimika looked back as she stood to close the door.

'There's defiantly more to these Cards then everyone's letting on…'

R&R! Sorry to all those who got cut! .

… # Rei Ant # …