Titel: Trust

Summary: Sakura likes Syaoran, but convinced herself of the opposite, when she figures out, he doesn't trust her at all. While capturing the cards, and living her hard life, Syaoran has to seek the truth behind all the mess. SS ET R&R

Disclaimer: I don't own CCS. Even if I said I did, you wouldn't believe me anyway. Hell, I wouldn't even believe that myself, I'm not that brilliant…! XD

Answering reviews!: wai!

Gwyn15: Thank you!

FlowerLover: Thank you! More S&S is sure to come, of course. Does Tomoyo know? Eeh…I don't know XD She has this strange behavior…so who knows…Syaoran has magic, that's already been told between the lines. At least he can feel and recognize it. And Eriol…is just Eriol… ne?

Chapter three

Broken Trust

Sakura went through her daily routine. The snow had melted already, so she skated to school. Touya went to his work early, (Yes, he and Yukito have already graduated from college and are both working XD) and Yukito had returned to his dorm last night, so she had made her own lunch.

In school, she was five hole minutes early, and entering the class, she felt relieved to see all her friends again. Taking a seat, she greeted every one of them, and listened to the stories each had to tell.

'We spent two weeks at our second house in the mountains, after Christmas. Takashi and his parents joined us on Wednesday. We really had a good time there… I wished we could go there more often.' Chiharu told them, sitting besides Takashi, who nodded.

'What about you, Rika. Did you do anything special?' Naoko asked, as she was the first to tell her story, and could now enjoy listening to the others.

'Maybe something with…Terada-sensei?' Tomoyo added, as she just entered the class room, little stars shining in her eyes.

Sakura now realized that the entire group was complete, which meant the change in schedules had put them all together in the same class.

Rika blushed slightly and nodded with a smile. 'Hai, it's official now.'

'Wai!' Tomoyo and Sakura made a little dance, as everybody congratulated her on her success.

It had took her a lot of years to make the relationship between her and her former teacher official. This because she hadn't seen him anymore in her first years on high school, and after that, she had to start all over again with her charms.

'Did anything happened?' Eriol asked teasingly.

Rika turned redder, and nodded, turning her head down to hide the deep blush.

Eriol gaped at her, as he hadn't expected that from the shyest girl in the entire school. The rest laughed as Rika tried to hide her face behind her curly locks.

'What about you, Syaoran?' Naoko asked to save her friend.

'Went to Hong Kong, as usual. I've been irritated a lot by my lovely sisters, mother and, of, course, not to forget, Meilin.' At this he made a face as the rest snickered. They heard a loud 'I HEARD THAT!' coming from the hallway, as Syaoran shrunk and the rest hooted even harder with laughter.

'What about you, Tomoyo?' Syaoran asked to change the subject.

'Secret…' She smiled mischievously and innocently at the same time. Everybody sweat dropped. When would they ever figure out what she was up to?

'How about you, Sakura?' Naoko asked.

Sakura smiled. 'Not much. Yukito spend the days with us, and we celebrated his birthday. I had to much free time, so I've finished all the homework for this trimester.' She smiled cutely, as the rest sweat dropped.

'So you can help us, ne, Sakura-chan?' Tomoyo asked sweetly, an halo hanging above her head.

'Scamp…' Sakura teased. 'How were your free weeks, Eriol-kun?' Sakura asked as she winked at Tomoyo, who stuck her tongue out.

'Boring… Yelen had invited me to Hong Kong for a few days, but Syaoran didn't had any time for me at all.' He pouted, as Syaoran rolled his eyes.

'Don't be sad, Eriol, you had enough attention from my sisters.' A grin crossed his face, as Eriols face fell.

'That was the problem…' He sighed and then wailed. 'You didn't even save me once from those family-monsters!'

'You mean twice.' Syaoran grinned, remembering Eriol running away from his sisters. He had saved him twice, but stopped doing so, as the sisters only came back time after time. Luckily for Eriol, Yelen had stopped running after him for a couple of years now. They were just good friends, that's why he was invited in the first place.

'That's what I said.' Eriol smiled now as well. The teacher came in and they all turned to him.

Class began.

Sakura thought it was boring, as she had learned everything already for this trimester, but paid attention nonetheless.

xxxxx

It was lunchtime, and Syaoran and Eriol sat together outside, under the only cherry blossom tree in the schoolyard.

Eriol new Syaoran very well – his entire lifetime – and right now, he knew his friend and family member was struggling with a problem.

'What's the matter, dear descendant?' Eriol asked teasingly. Most of the times, teasing him, would make him talk.

Syaoran punched him lightly on the arm but answered nonetheless. 'Sakura.'

Eriol turned immediately into his serious-mode. 'What about her, besides the fact that you like her?'

Syaoran sighed. How to begin, how to explain… 'I… I have seen her. Several times already.'

He paused.

'Do you know the strange catastrophes…'

xxxxx

Sakura walked outside. Her friends were doing homework, as they had a small test the end of the day, so she thought about hanging out with Syaoran and Eriol for a bit. They were probably sitting by the cherry blossom tree, as that was their favorite spot in the schoolyard.

She was about to turn the last corner of the school building, separating her from the tree, when she heard Syaoran speak. She stopped immediately as she heard the words.

'… catastrophes around Penguin Park?.'

'Of course.' Eriol answered.

Sakura was curious about the subject. What did they thought of those happenings? But what interested her the most was, how much do they know?

She didn't walk any further, but instead leaned against the wall of the building, eavesdropping.

xxxxx

'Well…' Syaoran stopped. 'First promise me you will never ever tell anybody.'

'Promise.' Eriol answered. He would always keep his promises.

'Okay, thank you, my friend. I really have to talk about this with someone. I've thought long about the answer to all of this.'

'Well, speak up then.'

'I've seen three of those catastrophes with my own eyes. Not the entire happening, but mostly the end.'

'Really now…'

'And… I have seen Sakura there all three times. No big deal about that, but she definitely had something to do with it.' He swallowed. 'Each time, she looked like…well, like hell. Very pale, and… dirty, and the last time, she was wounded, on her arms, legs and a larger wound on her side. She could hardly move at all. She was cursing, and then her brother came, with a small yellow creature. They talked about something called Earthy or something.'

He looked at his friend, who asked: 'Which accident have you seen?'

'The one with the sand flood, the growing wood and the last one, with all those earthquakes.'

'Hmm.' Was all Eriol said as he thought a while, about what he had just heard. 'You have a point there, although I have just the smallest idea of what is going on. I have to see it for myself first, and then I'll inform you. But most important:

Do you think she is the cause behind all this?'

Syaoran swallowed and looked at him with doubtful eyes. 'I'm not sure… But then again…'

'That means that you don't trust her, right? Can we trust her?'

'I guess… I can't trust her…'

xxxxx

Sakura heard those words, stopped listening, and jerked back from the two of them, away from those words.

I can't trust her…

Those four little words raced trough her mind. Syaoran… who she liked so much, maybe even loved, didn't trust her.

She walked a few steps backwards, and then turned around and ran away, passing her friends, who she didn't notice, through the school gates, and straight to her home.

I can't trust her…

Tears were streaming down her face, as she ran home. Her schoolbag was still on her back, and she grabbed it tightly, trying to ease the pain, holding on to at least something. Her skates were still lying in school, lost without the owner.

At home, she threw the front door open and ran to her room. She jumped on her bed, lying there to cry her heart out. She waked Kero with her wails, who was taking a nap. He hovered around her, trying to figure out what was wrong, but she didn't answer. She just cried and cried.

I can't trust her…

xxxxx

'I guess… I can't trust her…not until I know more about this. I… want to trust her, do trust her in some ways… I want to help her. Can you help me with that, Eriol?'

'Don't worry, I'll help you. I have a pretty good idea of what is going on, anyway.' Eriol said, reassuring Syaoran.

'You know, I thought I had seen that yellow stuffed animal before in one of our books. I have searched the library at home, but I couldn't find much, without one of the family members interfering. But I do know that creature has something to do with the Li-history.'

'I think you're right. I'll figure it out, don't worry. Call me when the same thing happens, okay? I'll will put my own senses on as well.'

Syaoran looked curious. 'You can put your senses out? For how long?'

Eriol sniggered. 'I'm less tired when I turn them off, just like a light. Have done it here for the entire time, but at your home, that is not save, with those witches running around.'

Syaoran laughed as well. 'Thank you, Eriol. I know everything will be alright, with the crooked "Sun God" on my side.' He joked.

They laughed both as they heard the bell and stood up. They walked to the doors, leading to school, when they saw Chiharu, Naoko, Takashi and Rika running up to them.

'Hey, guys! Wait!'

They waited, till the girls and Takashi were there. They looked a bit worried.

'What's wrong?' Eriol asked, a bit concerned seeing those looks.

Rika inhaled deeply one time, and then explained. 'We saw Sakura running away. She was crying and didn't even see us.'

Syaoran frowned. What happened? 'Which way?

'Left… I think she went home.' Chiharu answered.

Syaoran was about to take off, when Eriol held him back. 'No, Syaoran. I don't think she wants to speak to anyone right now. Besides, Touya would be there before you could arrive, and then you won't even be allowed to come near the house within twenty miles.'

'Eriol…!' Syaoran growled.

Eriol held one hand up. 'I know, I know… not everything is about Touya. But I think we should let Tomoyo handle this. She is the one most close to Sakura.'

They looked around, finding… 'Where is Tomoyo?'

'She was here just a minute ago…' Naoko said.

Eriol still held Syaoran's arm, when they suddenly saw Touya passing the school on his bike. He looked really worried and went straight home. Every one gaped at him and Eriol mumbled something like 'I told you so.'

He let go of Syaoran, who looked worried at him. 'Do you think…?' she heard us talking?

Eriol thought a moment over this unfinished question, and then raised his shoulders. 'I don't know, I really have know idea. But it is possible.'

This only made Syaoran more worried.

xxxxx

Sakura still lay on her bed, when she heard her room door open with a bang. She looked up and found Touya standing there looking at her, his eyes filled with worry.

'Hell, I so hoped I was wrong about you crying.' He went over to her bed and took her in his arms, were she continued to cry.

When she silenced a bit, he asked her: 'What happened?'

It was quiet for a while, and then she mumbled. 'I'm sorry, nii-san. I can't tell, I have to figure this out myself.'

Touya hesitated a bit, and then nodded. He would speak with Yukito over this matter, and he would know what was best to do. 'Alright, have it your way. Do you want me to stay home?'

'No need. I'm just sad, it's not like I broke all my bones or something.' She tried to let it sound as a joke, but failed miserably.

'Okay, I'll make you some thee, and then I'll go back to work. I come back as soon as possible. Kero will look after you in the meantime, won't you Kero?'

'Of course.' The little creature said, as he looked worriedly at his mistress.

When Touya left the room, Kero pronounced: 'His bond with you is stronger then I thought. He could actually sense you were crying. He hasn't done that before…'

Sakura didn't look at him, but a faint smile crossed her lips. There are three people who do trust me, at any time. Touya, Kero and Yukito or Yue.

Then a tear slipped down her face again.

Trust is one of the most important feelings in live.

Without trust, friends don't exist.

Without trust, love doesn't exist.

I guess it was just a dream…

Sakura wondered for a moment. Would her other friends think the same way about her? Eriol didn't go against Syaoran's statement. Or did he? I don't think I heard any word after those destroying ones…

Maybe no one at school trusted her, maybe they only pretended to do so…

Maybe…

xxxxx

That night, Syaoran lay in bed, feeling a bit depressed.

Sakura hadn't returned to school that day, even left her precious roller-skates behind.

He still had the feeling it was all his fault, but then again, if she had really heard them talking, she wouldn't be that upset. What did he say that could have hurt that much?

I can't trust her…

Nah, that couldn't be it. He had said right after, that the he wanted to trust her, and did trust her in ways, and wanted to help her. Together with Eriol, they would figure out and make everything right.

So maybe… maybe she didn't overhear them. Maybe it was something else.

But what?

Damn! It wouldn't be so damned hard, if she wasn't this damned mysterious.

He had already walked to the front door three times, but didn't go out looking for her, knowing Touya wouldn't allow it.

It will only make things worse…

He would talk to her tomorrow, in school. Knowing her, she probably wouldn't want to talk about it, if it concerned her home. But if not, she would talk about it, with a bit persuasion.

xxxxx

Eriol sat in his big chair, thinking things over.

He had really meant it, when he had said that he probably knew what was going on.

But why now? I thought this wouldn't happen for another ten years…

He cursed himself for not paying attention. He was here for three and a half years already, and if he was correct, this was going on way longer then that.

I should have known it, should have felt it…!

But if his suspicions were correct, then one of her parents – who are both dead – had to be the other half of the reincarnation of Clow Reed.

Well, if they are dead, then it's not so strange for me to not know…I think…

He had to figure out the truth, now…!

As he sat upright, he summoned his precious Sun wand. The large wand, with a sun at the top, implicated his magical abilities. Bonking on the floor twice, he said: 'Spinel Sun, Ruby Moon, arise.'

From the floor, a creature quite equal to Kero in his large form but then blue, arose, and next to him, a human form with butterfly wings and long red hair.

'Let's go see the truth now.' He said mysteriously, as he transformed his clothes in a long black cloak and hat. They disappeared that instant …

… to reappear in a tree next to Sakura's house.

'Go my friends, and discover.' He said with his soft voice. Spinel and Ruby disappeared at once.

Now all I can do, is concentrate, and find out the truth behind this strange person.

xxxxx

Sakura bolted upright in bed, as she had just felt something… not right.

Clow Reed…

How can Clow Reed be here? Am I getting another vision?

But nothing happened. No strange predicts of the future, no vague memories of the past - hers or Clow Reeds.

Maybe another joke?

Clow Reed had visited her before, in her dreams, and she had experienced his crooked sense of humor.

Suddenly, she felt two more "beings" in her room. She couldn't see them, only feel, and it creped her out.

G.g..gh…Ghosts!

Her aura flamed up, protecting her, and suddenly they were gone: the beings and Clow Reeds presence.

'Eto… that wasn't a ghost…' Sakura mumbled as she walked to her window. Looking through it, she couldn't see anyone at all.

What was that?

She went back to bed, but it took her an hour to fell a sleep once more.

After she could forget the strange feelings in her room, she started thinking of Syaoran.

He doesn't trust me, so he surely doesn't like me. He can't see me as a friend then, so he is faking everything.

If he can't trust me, I surely can't trust him. That means he is not a friend, and I can't possibly love him.

He is a stranger…

But he knows partly about the cards. I can't risk it all, by letting him tell everyone. He is a foe.

Sadly enough…

She fell in an uneasy sleep.

xxxxx

Eriol sat at home, once more.

It was getting late, but he couldn't get any sleep at all. He was wide awake.

He was trying to figure out what Sakura was doing, and he had surely figured out.

I should have never let my powers sleep…

The Card Mistress had arose, probably about eight to ten years ago, if he had counted the number of cards that she had already captured, right. He had felt it very clearly, when her aura flamed up.

As the half reincarnation of Clow Reed himself, it was Eriols task to guide the card master or mistress. Mistress apparently. That he hadn't known she was here, all this time, was a big flaw from his side.

It was to late now, to stand by her side. At least, openly. It was obvious that something had happened, for he, Spinel and Ruby, had all felt a strange wave coming from her. She stood almost alone, and didn't… well, didn't trust others anymore.

For him, to offer his help now of all times, would be a big mistake. She wouldn't believe him at all, and push him away. It would be better for him to help her from the sidelines and let his descendent try to renew her trust.

He blamed himself partly for Sakura's problems, as he had never known of it all. Being a card captor, without parents and all necessarily guides, alone with an overprotective brother, and apparently no trust anymore in whatsoever, has to be a really hard life to live. It was no wonder that she was so mysterious in front of her friends, that she never spoke of some things, and that she had no social life at all.

And now, he could understand Touya a bit more too. Taking care of his little sister, while she faces great danger every now or then, had to make him overprotective. For Touya could probably never forgive himself, if he let anything happen to the only family he had left.

At least, that was what Eriol thought of it. But knowing him, he would probably be right.

Eriol decided, that in the morning, the first thing he would do, is explain Syaoran everything. Syaoran would remember the story of the card captors, as it was indeed a part of the Li-history. And a part of the clan-rules, entrusted to him, Eriol, the reincarnation of Clow Reed…

He held his head in his hands as he groaned. How could I have let it got this far? Yelen will be so mad at me!

That would probably be true as well. The Li-clan thought very highly of the Clow cards, and saw it as a part of the family. Now things could have been taken care of, without to much problems and hard feelings, when Sakura had just become the card mistress.

But now, Sakura would never accept the rules, especially not in the state she was in now.

I have so fucked it up…! Will they be all mad at me in the end…? He wondered.

He had yet to see how things would work out, for even he, the one that was supposed to be so wise for his age and know almost everything, couldn't figure it out this time.

xxxxx

Wai! Another chappie finished! Wai! Since when do I write this fast? Whahah I just have some extra free time on my hands XD

But if everything is going according to plan, then I will soon find a job and boom! There goes my free time…

Well, what did you think of it? Tell me please! I want reviews! Onegai!

XD

Pretty please?

Kawaii-animal