Summary: In the last chapter Sakura is confronted by the Mirror Card, who acts as a representative for all of the Sakura cards. The Mirror tells Sakura that the cards are farther away from her now than ever. She has been neglecting them and if she doesn't act soon, they will be released from her control. The spirits of the cards love Sakura though and want her to be with them always. Then Sakura's mother appeared to her later with a very important question.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters..boohoo 

Part Nine: A Test of Love and of Truth

"Where is your heart?"

Sakura was dumbfounded by this question, it could have so many meanings and she didn't want to choose the wrong answer. The Cards were depending on her…

"I-I don't know what to answer," Sakura said, hanging her head and blushing at her self-proclaimed stupidity.

Her mother laughed softly, not the kind that is meant to hurt, but the kind that makes one smile and heal.

"It is a complicated question, here, let me explain more." She said, "Does your heart lie with the boy Syaoran who holds no right to the Cards and who is distrusted by your family. Or, does your heart lie with the Sakura Cards, who are slipping away from you and with Tomoyo, who believes in you and in the cards, you must choose. You can forget the cards, and live with Syaoran, or you can choose to be the Master of the Cards, and grow with them, teach them the ways of the world, and love them like they love you. And-," she faltered, "If you choose the life of the Cards, you choose a life with me Sakura darling."

"What? How?" Sakura asked astonished.

"I have been watching over you Sakura, as have the cards and I've been staying with them. They know a great lot more about your past now, because of me," again, she laughed softly.

Sakura felt like her heart was to break. She loved Syaoran, had sworn to be with him forever, but she loved her mother, and the Cards too. It would be the most important and difficult decision of her life…

"Can't Dad or Toya make this decision for me? They're older and would know what to do."

"Ah, but the decision would be one sided, a life with Syaoran would mean staying here with them until you've finished school, a life with the Cards means going off to new worlds, traveling and learning great tales of magic and mystery, you may not see them again."

Sakura collapsed in front of the mirror, letting her hair fall in her eyes. Now that she thought about it, Syaoran was the one who wanted her to have that length of hair, and he had made her quit cheerleading so they could be together more often.

"Now you see Sakura. Syaoran has been controlling you."

Sakura looked up at her mother and instead saw around her the elemental Cards. Windy, Fiery, Watery, and Earthy, they all floated around her calmly in a circle. Earthy came closer and pulled the hair away from Sakura's eyes and settled a crown of ivy on her head. Windy came forth with a gown of white satin and placed in at Sakura's feet, ready for her to don. Next, Watery produced a pendant of crystal blue to wear around one's neck. Finally, Fiery swept her hand across Sakura's face, drying any tears that had streaked her skin.

"The Cards do not want to control you, they want you to choose, and they will be happy whichever way you decide."

"Can't I do both? Please?" Sakura begged, lovingly stroking the blue pendant and admiring the satin gown offering.

"No, I am afraid not dear. It's as simple as that, Syaoran or the Cards?"

"Oh!" Sakura wailed and flew herself down onto the floor once more, beating her fists on the carpet like a child.

The Cards and Mrs. Kinomoto watched silently as Sakura cried and cried till she was very weak and tired.

"Put her to bed, and make sure she doesn't wake, she'll need a good night's rest to be ready for the morning."

So the element cards carried Sakura to her bed, dressing her in the white and letting her hair down from its tight knot.

"Good night my Darling Sakura, sleep and worry not." And with that the cards and Sakura's mother disappeared into the mirror, leaving the room dark to it's glow.

The next morning…

Sakura woke with a start, she couldn't remember going to bed last night. She looked about her room; there were no traces of the Cards and her mother being there, except for one thing…

Sakura jumped up with a start, she was dressed in Windy's gown! The beautiful white, satin one too! And what was this? Around her neck she felt a wait, a blue pendant hung heavily there while on the bedside table was a crown of ivy, Earthy's gift!

Quickly looking to her clock and her wall calendar, Sakura saw that it was Saturday; she only had to go to school in the afternoon.

Another thing she noticed was that the open window had been closed that night and that Kero's drawer was closed.

Sakura got up and peeked into the guardian's residence. "Kero?" she asked quietly and looked for him. He wasn't in his bed, he wasn't listening to he radio, or pigging out on breakfast, than where was he?

"Wait," she thought outloud and noticed a small piece of paper of Kero's bed.

Picking the note up Sakura read,

Sakura,

I'm sorry but I won't be seeing you for while. I'll be at Tomoyo's if you need me.

Kero

"Tomoyo…" Sakura mumbled vaguely as she stared at the letter. Then she remembered Kero's declaration of love.

"Sakura?" came a voice from the hallway.

Sakura jumped as she was startled by the sudden voice.

"Yeah?" she called back.

"Hey," said Yukito as he entered her room, continuing with their one word conversation.

"Yukito!" Sakura shrieked and tried to cover up the gown and jewels but it was too late.

"The Card's gifts, don't worry I am familiar with them. The Card's did not make gifts for Clow Reid, did you know that?"

"No," Sakura said, dropping onto her bed.

"They didn't love him enough, they never got a chance to know him like the Card's know you."

"They say they want me back, that I've been rejecting them by loving Syaoran…shouldn't they be happy for me?"

"It's true," Yukito said softly, "They would be happy for you, and I'm sure they are, but perhaps Syaoran isn't one they approve of."

"But-but, Syaoran is a decendent of Clow Reid! He should be someone they want me to be with right?"

"They dislike Clow Reid, I've already said that. They don't hate him, they respect him but think that Syaoran will influence you to rule the Card's like Clow ruled them."

"No!" Sakura wailed, "Why can't I just be happy, why do I have to make a decision!"

"Sakura, I don't want us to fight, there's been too much of that already," Yukito said calmly.

"Is, that what happened to Kero? Did you two have a fight?"

Yukito nodded and gazed at the mirror across from him.

"You have to decide Sakura, it's not like you're happy where you are now. Tomoyo is mad at you, Kero is mad with you and Mr. Li is controlling you, it doesn't sound ideal to me in the least."

Sakura was extremely down hearted at this point, oh, if only this could be a dream…

Author's Note: Hi everyone! Sorry this might be a little late, I've been working on several projects for a while. A reminder, this is the second to last chapter so please be patient as the tenth will probably be really long!