Chapter 6

He had almost lost her. Almost. It seemed an insignificant meaning. Yet today it had a great true meaning. Syaoran laid down on his bed staring at the ceiling. The sun was already setting. It seemed unbelievable that it wasn't long ago today that so much had happened. Silently, in his mind he thanked Kyoto for helping him find Sakura. He felt so exhausted and only thought of how Sakura might feel. Not only did she have to physically capture the cards now. But she needed to also prove herself the rightful owner of the cards. Why were things always so complicated. Why was Sakura always stuck in the middle. Despite all the years he had known Sakura he was glad it was him the one she had to be stuck in the middle with. And that they have survived this far. But even though Sakura had recovered from her emotionless state he had still felt her hiding something from him before he had left her. Hopefully she would tell him and not bare the pain herself.

Sakura waited on the other side of the line while waiting for someone to answer her call. Finally a male voice answered. ""Moshi, Moshi Li residence.""

""Syaoran-kun?"" Syaoran was surprised to hear the voice of the one he had been thinking about the whole day.

""Did you speak with Kyoto?"" He asked eager to know what had happened. Maybe Kyoto had told her something he should also know about. The question had left Sakura silent. She kept the need to cry inside. The need to tell him that she would die and there was nothing he could do to save her. Inside her she wanted to scream. She wanted for him to embrace her. She hurt of the probability that she would never see him again. But as Kyoto had said these things were to be for filled far from now. If Syaoran was ever to find out it would not be from her mouth.

""Sakura? You still there?"" Syaoran once more spoke.

""Gomen, Hai Genki Desu."" Sakura replied.

By her response Syaoran wasn''t convinced. He knew she was hiding something. He felt disappointed that she didn''t trust him enough to tell him. ""Kinomoto, what are you hiding from me that you don''t want to tell me? "" He had stabbed her as those words were heard from the other line. He hadn''t addressed her in that way since they met again. ""Why would I be hiding anything?"" Syaoran sighed. Like usual she denied the fact there was always something wrong. ""IT''s fine if you don''t want to tell me. As long as you don''t go jumping off cliffs."" Syaoran pictured Sakura blushing by now. He loved it when she did that it was why he... ""Arigato. I''ll find a way to make it up to you for all the effort you''ve helped me with.""

Effort? Is that all she thought of it as. ""Just stay out of trouble."" Yet though Sakura , Mistress of the Sakura cards had more power than any other magician in the world. Power she did not had discovered for herself yet. There was nothing she could do for him. ""Ja ne Cherry Blossom. Rest a bit for there is still more that awaits you."" He hanged up on her without letting her respond. Her chest hurt of the thought that Syaoran was upset with her. It wasn''t a matter of trust. If there was any moment of anger in her heart her poison would consume her. Making her go against her friends against her will. She didn''t feel comfortable Syaoran knowing this. It would make her look weak and she was in no position to look weak. Especially when there was still more cards to be expected to be captured.

Her thoughts drifted away from Syaoran and thought of Darius. Always with his sad look behind a smile. He tried not to have a miserable life and be eloped by anger. Didn''t want he to know because of the happiness she knew. Happiness she once knew. For the innocence she once knew. He didn''t want her to open to reality. To a reality of hate in the wold. The truth was that all this hatred began with Amaya and Clow Reed. The same Clow Reed that had given her the right of Clow Mistress. Sakura imagined how much Amaya must have hated him. How much pain and sorrow she felt for him killing the one she loved. Taking that precious gift that not everyone finds. And at least not everyone keeps. How much sadness there must have been when she slept in her death bed all alone. And yet her spirit didn''t lie in peace until she had her revenge. The only thing that kept her spirit going was her hatred. Hatred of avenging her lover. Somehow Sakura had always had to be stuck in everything. How to defeat a spirit, Sakura did not know this. Though Amaya''s hatred was much stronger she felt a need to tell her she knew how she felt. If there was anything she could do she would do it.

Kero silently looked up at his Clow Mistress. She''s always in deep thought. Not the Sakura-chan he use to know. No matter what she was always hyper. Barely ever spoke her mind anymore. It worried him so, but he didn''t dare to speak not even if the Brat, Syaoran knew much more than he did. Not even if Tomoyo knew as much as he did. He had seen Sakura grow into a fine lady during the years of Syoaran''s absence. The Cherry Blossom''s mind closed up more like a dying flower whose petals crumple up. Yet her powers increased since then. Though Sakura didn''t use her powers, afraid she might lose control of her powers like she had once.

""I''m sorry Kero-chan."" Sakura whispered not facing him. She could read his mind, knowing exactly what he was thinking about. Of course since they have developed a connection, a link to access their minds. His mind was easy to access. Yet her powers were so strong that she could block the door to her mind like an answering machine only answering the messages she wants to respond to. Sakura knew how worried he was.

""It''s just that things that are in my mind aren''t easy to put in words."" Kero frowned when she said this.

""You block your mind from me."" True.

""Sometimes the truth comes out of the dark when the light comes out. For now the light is hidden. For the time isn''t right.""

Well it was time to distract herself for the time being. Usually her life was occupied with the cards and her abilities. But soon she knew her mind would rest. Not a word came from Kero. It was still early in the afternoon. She wanted to do something. She needed to get her mind on going with society. Get her mind away from the magical world. Away from all the madness. Valentine''s Day was coming up. It was really close. Didn''t even have enough time for that. ""You know Valentine''s Day is coming up when all the great Kero''s secret admirers give him chocolate!"" Drooling over the fantasy of it. ""Hoe! I have to do shopping!""

Tomoyo and Sakura roamed the plaza to do some shopping. It was February yet still snowing. The streets were full of undying warmth of the love that couples shared. Sakura already bought Tomoyo a charm bracelet. Meilin would receive new ribbons for her buns, Kero the usual really big bow of chocolate. And though she didn''t know her well she got Jeska a heart key chain. It was easy to buy her friends key chains. After all it was also a holiday of friendships. Yet at the end when it came to Darius and Syaoran she couldn''t make up her mind in what to buy them. Both deserved something special that no one else could give them. Syaoran deserved a little something for being there for her. And she still felt bad for the grief she had cause Darius. Their mothers were friends at a young age and both her and Darius carried on a poison which would kill them one day. What she felt for Darius she wasn''t sure of it. But she knew she felt some sort of affection towards him.

They walked around the shops filled with butt naked babies, red and pink ribbons love quotes and love songs that filled the air. Couples here and there. Walking side by side. Hand in hand. Each depending the warmth from each other. Some in stores carrying teddy bears other ones cuddling in the cold. Until finally they reached a store full of explicit jewelry. It was a Chinese store. The only store without hearts or read wallpaper. Tomoyo looked around the room as if to search something. The light was low and Chinese statues stared from above. It wasn''t the only thing staring at them. Somewhere there was another presence a very disturbing one. Even though there was one Sakura still managed to fix her eyes upon a very interesting chain. A long golden chain with black, emerald beads. At the end of the chain there was a medallion. Some Chinese inscriptions were on it but she didn''t understand what it meant. It was beautiful. Something she would want to give to Syaoran. Without thinking she touched it. Tomoyo looked at her with a certain intesity.

""Sakura..I don''t think you...""

As soon as she felt the coldness of it she could feel an incredible amount of energy. She loved it and she hoped Syaoran would too.

""Be careful with that Card Mistress."" A sharp voice warned. But it didn''t seem female or male. The figure hid in the shadows. ""The possession you hold is of great price. Unless you trade it for a card?"" Tomoyo was shaking. Placing her grip on Sakura''s.

""How do you know me?"" Sakura stammered.

The figure chuckled. ""You defeated Clow, the greatest Cardmitress. Not to mention the most powerful. There are more magicians out there. And all of them know you."" Sakura''s spine gave a chill.

""So are you still willing to give up your cards?"" Tomoyo shook her head. But Sakura thought it was time for her to do a sacrifice. She called out her card. "" Do you swear under covenant that you will not use it for any evil?""

"" I swear upon it.""

The card floated to him. And disappeared into the shadows. The chain fell upon her hands. Both looked back but the store disappeared. ""Pleasure to make trade with you Card Mistress."" a voice echoed inside Sakura''s mind.

""Please don''t tell Syaoran anything that has happend today Tomoyo-chan."" If he were to find out he would go crazy on her. It was time for her to have mad a sacrifice. Even if the price was her card. A foolish bargain but something had impulse her to do it. It was a blissful feeling nothing evil. Thought the creepy guy was scary.

Tomoyo stopped. She always tried to be caring about Sakura respecting her decisions. But Sakura had been hiding a lot lately. She was suppose to be her best friend. The one to know everything about her. The one to feel sad when she''s sad to feel hurt when she''s hurt. And happy when she''s happy.

""What are you keeping from me?"" Tomoyo silently demanded.

Sakura sigh. This was it she was about to scream it all out. But she couldn''t. She wouldn''t. ""Every time I seal a card there is a part of me a value that must sacrifice. That is why I was emotionless before. I was unaware that the cards were giving me side effects. But Kyoto a spiritual being inside of me which is really me told me that it was the only way I would really prove myself as card mistress and only then will the cards will rightfully belong to me. But Kyoto also made me realize this."" it hadn''t affected her as much when she found out but now it was taking her energy to say it.

"" My fate is sealed with death. My mother and Darius'' mother carried a poison of hatred by Amaya. And so it was inherited to me and Darius. So far the poison has been tamed, it''s under control. Shall everything I do be done with love. That''s what Kyoto said. Or else it will expand and consume me. And if it does think of all the people that would be hurt. And I would no longer be able to control it cause I would be one with the poison. So far there is no cure. It will slowly expand either way. For the first time I''m not scared for myself but of what I can do to others.""

Tomoyo reached out to her friend and hugged her. ""I''m right here with you Sakura-chan."" And slowly they began to walk, Sakura retelling the scenes that had taken place before.

Syaoran reflected back to what had happened earlier. He ALMOST had lost her. Almost. But not quite. Did he love her was the question. It was possible. Though as much he hated to be ordered around but something of what his Uncle had said felt true. That they didn''t belong together. His life was in Hong Kong. Sakura''s was in Japan. He was next to Meilin now waiting for her to pick out the chocolate boxes for each of her friends. ""What are we shopping for again?"" Syaoran asked baffled of the hearts around the candy store.

""Valentine''s Day my dear Syaoran, when you get to ask Sakura out."" She grinned. "" A box for Sakura, a box Kero...""

"" Why you giving that useless, stuffed animal chocolate?"" Syaoran scowled. Feeling uncomfortable by the minute. ""Dumb butt naked arrow pointing babies, stop looking at me..."" he silently murmured.

Meilin laughed sinisterly ""I wanna see that thing get fat. He he.""

""Okay yeah that''s nice now let''s get out of here."" he said pushing Meilin out of the candy store.

They had lost track of time. It was night already the moon high up, beautifully waiting for its lover to awake and be sure the sky was guarded while the sun was asleep.

""Argh!"" Syaoran grabbed his chest tightly. ""Can''t breath, I''m burning. It''s hard to breath."" he gasped in small huffs. His chest was burning and his eyes turned brightly gray as if to match the moons. His skin was going to tear, tear right from his flesh. His throat felt dry as if hot sand was clogged up in his throat. A dark aura was saking. It was pumping like a hear in and out of him.

""Syaoran! What''s wrong?"" Meilin panicked. Sakura would know what to do. Or at least had the power to do so. She reached into his pockets but couldn''t. Syaoran had grabbed her by the arms his nails piercing in her skin. Her arms started aching. What was happening to him? As much as she hated it she kicked him. Grabbed the cell phone fast, called Sakura, and tried to hold unto Syaoran as much as possible.

In a moment Sakura arrived. Syaoran didn''t seem to recognize her. He was struggling with himself reaching out for air as when a baby does when it''s first born. He tried to hurt her but she called out the sleep. It didn''t work on him. Boiling anger was clearly shown on his face. ""My magic won''t work, oh syaoran what''s happening to you?"" sakura tried to hold in a cry.

""Well if the sleep won''t knock him out then a kick will."" Her feet rose into the air. ""Hyaah!"" hitting Syaoran''s head knocking him out in an instance.

""You sure that was something you should have done?"" Kero sarcasticlly teased.

""He''ll get over it."" Both Sakura and Meilin tried carrying him. ""Move!"" Sakura called out. As the card did her job.

Inside Syaoran''s apartment. They laid him on his bed soundly asleep. Darius was called he''d know what to do. As Syaoran''s bare chest was exposed his veins were clearly showing above his skin. Ready to burst open. Darius popped a knife out ready to cut his skin.

""No, wait what the heck are you doing."" Meilin screeched.

Darius ignored her cutting his flesh and pouring his blood into a cup. ""I need a blood sample that''s all.""

""He''s gonna definitely go after you when he wakes."" kero stated.

""Let him.""

""My head feels a little woozy. Keep me informed please Meilin."" Sakura said as she headed out the door.

""I''ll accompany you, a lady shouldn''t be alone at this hour of the night."" Darius took her arm and excused his way out.

As the two of them walked under the bright moonlight Sakura finally spoke of what she had known. ""Why didn''t you tell me we both carry a poisonous hatred inside of us?""

Darius frowned. "" Darn it. So you met Kyoto I''m assuming?""

""Oh so you know her too. Exactly how many things are you keeping from me?""

""A lot""

""Hmph""

""Your powers are increasing if you resisted to see her. Depending on your powers you can see beyond your reach. I can''t tell you things that you have to find out on your own.""

""I just hope I don''t die. I''m afraid of the unknown."" Sakura stammered.

Darius looked up at the bright stars. ""Keep hoping Cherry Blossom. Just like they do. Hope and Faith is what keep the human alive. Just like they hope to bright forever. But you know what Sakura? Even when they die. They''re reborn and there as beautiful as they were before.""

""You are th most powerful magician in the world Sakura and there are more magicians out there each and everyone of them know you. Your like a rose with thorns. So beautiful that everyone notices but not everyone dares to touch. Would you do me the honor of being my date at the dance?""

Sakura blushed so brightly that even in the dark it was impossible not to see it. ""I''m worried about Syaoran. If he''s not well I can''t go.""

""But if he is?""

""Then I''ll go""

""So do I have your word?""

""As card mistress?""

""No as Sakura""

""Alright you have my word. Good Night Pharaoh."" Sakura reached her house and went inside before Toya would notice. Pharaoh. He was named after the pharaoh Darius. Slowly she crept into the room. ""Oh Syaroan, what''s happening to you?""

Syaoran opened his eyes. ""What happened to me?"" Syaoran sat up from the bed. His felt woozy a bit. But other than that his body felt fine he actually felt with more energy.

""You don''t remember?"" Meilin said waking up from the chair.

""I''m asking aren''t I?""

""I don''t know you started acting weird. She lowered her shirt a bit showing him the nail marks in her skin. ""Your eyes turned a violent gray. You were trying to breath like you were suffocating. I was scared, I really was. I called Sakura and Darius and he''s gonna find out what was wrong.""

For as much Syaoran tried to remember he couldn''t. And this worried him so, what if he hurt her again next time? "" But oddly I feel with a lot of energy ready to burn it up.""

""I just don''t like this, Syaoran the fact that you don''t remember is bad enough. I''m going to bed. good night cousin.""

There was something he hadn''t told Meilin. His instincts had gotten sharper. He felt more agile. His senses were sharper as well. He stared up at the night sky from his balcony. He felt one with it. He was starving and something urged him. The wild animal inside of him had been released. The night was calling unto him receiving him with open arms, and together they disappeared.

""I found the result of his blood."" Darius stated.

""And?"" Sakura eagerly asked.

""His Dna is changing rapidly, extra links were added to it somehow I don''t know why. His DNA shows genetic information of an animal.""

""No wonder he''s been acting like an animal lately."" Meilin teased.

""Have not!"" Syaoran defended himself.

""Oh yeah what do you call eating the raw meat for breakfast this morning? Or the long run last night?""

""You can be a big blabber mouth sometimes..""he groaned.

""I''ve been thinking that this definitely a card."" Sakura felt the aura surrounding him.

""You know what, it was believed that there was a got in Egyoptian mythology named Aah. It was said he was a moon god drawing his power from the moon. He was able to change into animals. Anthropomorphic so to speak."" Darius looked at Syaoran directly in the eye. ""You have powers from the moon which probably drew the card to you. And guess what the most common animal that obeys the moon is?""

""A wolf."" Syaoran slowly spoke in disbelief.

""Your gonna have to be watched 24/7. I''m assuming you can''t remember anything. When you change fully you might cause more harm."" This time turning to Sakura Darius drew her hand to his. ""We''ll Syaoran seems well so I guess I''ll be taking you to the dance."" he said it so loudly for Syaoran to hear. Sakura blushing took her hand back.

""Sakura won''t be going anywhere with you."" Syaoran growled.

""She gave me her word."" Darius argued.

"" I don''t care you drew blood from me!""

""That doesn''t count, I was getting a blood sample!""

""You know you did it on purpose.""

""Did not!""

""Guys, guys how about if you choose the hand with the red dice, you get to go with Sakura."" Tomoyo butted in.

Meilin and Sakura surrounded Tomoyo suspiciously. ""Where''d you come from Tomoyo -chan?""

""Hehe. I have my ways. So are you guys up to it?""

Syaoran picked the right hand, And Darius the left.

""Ho ho. Syaoran won.""

""But I did give Darius my word."" Sakura whined trying to avoid the fact Syaoran got a date with her, well kinda.

""It''s okay Sakura. He won after all.""

""I''ll make it up to you somehow."" Sakura promised.

I still can''t believe I''m going to the dance with Syaoran."" Sakura squealed.

Tomoyo sneakily giggled. She was the one who put two red diced in her hands. Either way Syaoran would have one. Of course seeing Syaoran burst into anger would have been exciting. But she thought he deserved her for a while. Even though she knew Darius would never do anything to Sakura to hurt her.

""What are you giggling about Tomoyo-chan?"" Sakura stood up looking at herself in the mirror. She was glad Tomoyo didn''t make her a frilly outfit with hearts or anything. Just a plain red blouse matching with a loose silky scarlet red skirt.

Tomoyo stopped giggling, didn''t want to raise any suspicions. ""Nothing. Just that you look so cute. I should record this my Sakura-chan''s first date.""

""Where''s kero?""

Once more Tomoyo giggled. ""He''s sleeping. Think he ate too much chocolate.""

""Hmph, as long as he doesn''t eat anymore. I ''m serious it''s like he''s getting fatter.""

""You sound like Syaoran"" Tomoyo pointed out.

Sakura started blushing. She felt his aura closed by. ""I should go downstairs don''t want Toya to suspect anything.""

""Right""

As soon as Sakura walked out her door. A hand had reached out to her holding a rose out to her. Her heart started to beat faster almost wanting to faint at that very instant. ""You look very beautiful. The sunset can''t even compete with that."" Was she hearing correctly? Or was she still asleep? ""Um thank you."" He offered her his arm and Sakura awkwardly accepted it. It felt so warm even though it was cold outside. Silence fell upon them even though they had plenty to say to each other inside.

Arriving at the dance Sakura disappeared into the crowd as the girls kidnaped her interrogating her of how she had gotten with dream Syaoran. Who every girl by the way wanted a date with.

Syaoran stood by waiting for Sakura to come back. ""Sorry, I was kind of kidnaped back there.""

""I''ll forgive you if you have a dance with me."" Syaoran played around. Just when Sakura was about to answer Darius came behind them. ""Hey Sakura would you want to dance? I know, I know Syaoran she''s you date, at least let her make it up to me, don''t need to remind you she was my date first.""

""No, you don''t need to remind me."" Syaoran glared.

Darius pulled Sakura into the dance floor. Swaying back and forth becoming one with the music. She lost track of time. Her eyes not looking at anything in particular until they were fixed on something. It was night already and the pale moon way high up. But not just any phase of the moon. But full moon. She started panicking. Where was Syaoran? She looked around searching for him he was gone. She went in such for Syaoran without a word.

Sakura searched everywhere in the school. Obviously he would want to be outside where the wild is. As much as she hated going into the woods at this time of the night she forced herself inside. ""Syaoran!"" she yelled out. He was no where. She turned around and there he was. A menacing wolf. Growling at her. The wolf was huge, black as the night itself. His razor sharp teeth ready to strike her. His piercing yellow eyes shooting right at her. Without thinking she called unto her staff quickly, trying to use a card to defend her and not harm Syaoran. But just like it had happened before near the candy store, her magic didn''t work. Like if some magic barrier protected him. Now was the part she started panicking. She didn''t want to hurt Syaoran she knew she would regret it. So there was nothing else to do but run as far as she could. The wolf right behind her heels. Up to a point where he caught up to her knocking her down. Ready to bite her, ready to taste that delicious meat of hers. Quickly she grabbed a branch on the dirt sticking it in his mouth before chewing her up. Sakura tried standing up before the menace pushed her down again scratching her this time.

This was it, she thought. She''d never see the light of day again. But nothing happened. The moon was covered by thunder clouds. It started pouring. Syaoran''s form started reappearing again. Sakura tried reaching for him. But he slapped her hand away. He was behaving the same way when she tried helping him before. He started grabbing his chest finding hard to breath. His eyes turned those shiny gray. Her magic still wouldn''t work on him. There she laid. The Card Mistress against a tree. Soaking wet. Her hair messy. Sweaty of running. Her nice outfit wet sticking to her skin. Trying to catch her breath thinking of what to do. Syaoran shook harder. This time he was crying of the pain inside.

Be strong for the final battle between you and yourself is near. Kyoto''s word echoed in Syaoran''s head. Is this what she had meant? A struggle inside of himself. He had to break himself free. Through his clouded mind he could feel and see Sakura a bit. He tried to reach out to her. He needed to be strong. Even though he was scared for the first time in his life. sakura was his strength he realized. Sakura couldn''t wait any longer there had to be something done. She closed her eyes. And took Syaoran''s hand into hers. She wasn''t even thinking her feelings, overcame her. Gently she came closer to Syaoran and pressed her lips against his. They felt soft like when you eating melting ice cream on a warms summer's day. It felt so comfortable being there. It just happened without her really thinking. Syaoran stopped shaking putting his arms around her. Sakura pulled away. Trying to wipe her tears that had come out of desperation. She looked up at him and saw his amber eyes. She relaxed finally glad that he was back to normal. She knew it wasn''t over she could still feel the dark aura inside of him. The chain with the medallion were on her purse now that she remembered. She took it out. Her magic couldn''t help Syaoran but she was hoping this would. She concentrated hard pouring a bit of her magic into the medallion. Syaoran looked baffled. ""My magic couldn''t work on you, but I hope this does. It''s enchanted so you won''t have to ever fully change ever again as long as you''re wearing this."" Now she was glad she had sacrificed her card for it. She placed it on him. ""Oh, but I never knew what the symbol meant."" Sakura disappointingly pointed out. Syaoran grinned. ""It means strength. And you Sakura are my strength. Happy Valentine''s Day Sakura. " They both laughed. Not mentioning what the pure moment they had shared a while ago.

Sakura and Syaoran hadn''t spoken of what had happened the other day. Sakura happily walked through the streets a bit sad she didn't capture the card but happy she was able to keep it away from Syaoran. Passing through a café she saw Jeska. She went inside to greet her. ""Hey!"" she waved. ""Oh hi"" she managed to say.

""Why so lonely?"" Sakura curiously asked.

""Just need to think some things over. But if you don't mind would you like to talk?"" She said trying to keep herself from her tormented mind.

""Yeah sure. By the way you never really told me why you came I''d really want to know."" Sakura innocently suggested.

Jeska laughed a bit. The way Sakura was so innocent. She liked that. ""It's a long story.""

Sakura started pushing it a little now. "Don't worry I have all day to hear it."