Cardcaptors25 By Maurynna

Author's Note: Um...I don't feel like typing anything. :P

Disclaimer: I do not own Cardcaptors...there.

Warning: The Forgotten are mine. Take them and I'll blow up your house with a rocket launcher. (not really)

Rage, Love, Famine, War, Disease, Death, Hate, Insanity, Despair, and Fear belong to ME. The three other Forgotten I have yet to mention are also mine. Do try and remember this.

Cardcaptors: A Change in Sides-Ch.25

Sakura put Despair away looked at Li. "Are you okay?"

Li nodded and sheathed his sword. After he was done that he gave her a quizzical look, though. "How did you make it over those trees and not get a single scratch on you? I thought you were hurt...or worse." Li said quietly.

"Yeah...well..." Sakura hedged, "I would have been splattered into the ground, but, someone caught me."

Li quirked an eyebrow. "Someone...caught you?" he asked incredulously. "while you were falling that fast?"

The plain disbelief on Li's face had Sakura blushing. "Um...well...Rage caught me." she finally admitted.

All at once, the look of amusement on Li's face turned to complete anger. "What?" he asked quietly. Then, heading deliberately for the trees, Li said, "Is he still here? If he is I'm gonna..."

"No, Li! Wait!" Sakura pleaded. Rushing forward, she said, "He's not a danger, I swear! Look...I know you don't particularly like the Forgotten, but, please...just let Rage off the hook for a couple minutes?" taking a deep breath, she added, "Besides, I have to speak with him."

"What could you possibly have to say to him?"

Sakura bit her lip. She didn't know if Rage wanted anyone else to know about him and Clow Reed...scratch that...she did know. If he had wanted the information known, he would have said something. So what was she supposed to tell Li? If she went off alone to talk to Rage, Li would have a fit. But she couldn't tell him outright her reasons. Sakura fought down a blush on her next thoughts. Besides...if she could manage it...she'd also try to do just what Love told her to do and tell Rage that she loved Li...and how was she going to manage THAT while Li was there?!

Sighing defeatedly at the no win situation, Sakura said, "Look Li, if you come with me, will that put your mind at ease?" he would come with her, but she'd just make sure he was out of hearing distance...that's all. And if Rage didn't mind, she could even tell Li what was so important.

Li just stared at her for a minute, silently contemplating. It was true...lately, Rage didn't seem to be showing any danger signs. That didn't mean he wasn't dangerous anymore, though, oh no! he knew better than that. But, he still couldn't get over the fact that he was a Forgotten. No matter what else he was, Rage would always be a Forgotten first and foremost in his mind.

Reluctantly sheathing his sword on his back, Li said, "All right. But hurry...I don't want to take any chances." he would go, he would watch over Sakura, and if Rage suddenly decided to try something, Li would be there to help in any way he could.

Smiling gratefully, Sakura turned around and sprinted back towards the trees, Li following closely behind. Upon reaching the spot where she had been unceremoniously flung into the air by Despair, Sakura found Rage standing right where she'd left him. He was staring off into space and looked to be in deep thought...or...he could just be daydreaming. Sakura wrinkled her nose at that...the possibility of Rage daydreaming was incomprehensible. She was loath to disturb him, but she really had to talk to him. The sooner she told him about Clow Reed the better.

"Rage?" Sakura questioned softly, walking forward.

Rage turned, the closest thing to a real smile ever on his face. "Sakura," his attention soon turned to Li, though, and he frowned. Li frowned right back.

"Li, could you stay here for a moment, please?" Sakura asked quietly.

Li stopped glaring at Rage long enough to give Sakura a glance that suggested he thought she was mad, "Stay here? What do you mean...'stay here?' "

"Please, Li, this is very important. I must talk to Rage," before Li could say anything to that, Sakura continued, "alone." seeing the look on Li's face that word had caused, Sakura felt compelled to try and reassure him. "I..I'll be fine. You can see me perfectly from here so you don't have to worry. And, if I can, I'll tell you why I needed to talk to Rage later...if it's all right with Rage." she waited.

Li looked down on Sakura's bowed head and slightly guilty expression...and felt a little guilty himself. Obviously, Sakura didn't really want to keep whatever it was she couldn't tell him a secret, but she didn't have much choice. And he wasn't exactly making this any easier for her. Whatever it was she needed to say to Rage must have been pretty important...although Li didn't have the slightest idea what she was keeping from him. Besides...she said she would tell him...if HE let her,

"Fine..." he said gruffly. "but don't go anywhere." and with that, he crossed his arms over his chest and waited.

Giving Li one last, unsure glance, Sakura walked over to Rage who swept her a courtly bow and said gravely, "Good day, My Lady." but the corners of his mouth twitched up at the sides.

Sakura raised her eyebrow in amusement, but she didn't laugh as she usually might have. What she had to say was important, "Rage...I have to speak with you."

Straightening, Rage brushed an imaginary speck of dust from his shirt and said mildly, "I gathered as much. What is it you wish to say?"

Taking a deep breath, Sakura said, "This is very important, Rage, and you must promise me that you will here me out until I am done. You must listen to what I have to say."

Any and all amusement that might have been present somewhere deep within those fathomless blue eyes disappeared. "Ah... something important...and no doubt not to be enjoyed. Just how bad is this news you must tell me?"

Sakura shook her head vehemently, "Oh, no! It's not bad news...it's good news...just very important."

"I see...and what is this...good news?"

She shook her head again. "First, you have to promise."

Rage stared at Sakura until she became nervous. Then, tilting his head slightly, he said, "I promise to hear you out. Now what is so important?"

Lowering her voice, Sakura leaned forward towards Rage, as if what she had to say was for his ears alone...and...it was, "It's about Clow Reed."

Rage sucked in his breath so quickly and forcefully that Sakura thought he might choke. A moment later though, he was as cool as ice once again, his face and eyes blank. No doubt, if he hadn't made that promise to her, Sakura didn't think he'd still be standing here. "Go on." he said quietly, staring straight ahead.

Pushing down any uneasiness that she might have felt over this, Sakura decided not to drag this out any more than it had to be. "I spoke with Yue." Rage's eyes flickered towards her in what Sakura thought was curiousity before settling back on some unknown thing over her head. "I asked Yue about Clow Reed, and...and...about the day he sealed you and the rest of the Forgotten away."

Rage's now angry glance slid towards Sakura again. "Oh, you did, did you? How very appropriate. I suppose you didn't believe me when I told you your precious sorcerer was capable of such a thing?" he said bitterly.

"No! That wasn't it! I just...I had to know exactly what happened." Sakura paused and looked about her. Smiling tentatively, she continued, "But...I think you'll be happy with what I have to tell you."

Rage stared at her, waiting.

"Clow Reed...hadn't intended to seal you away, Rage. On the day he meant for this to happen, he sent Yue out to find you, to tell you not to respond to his call...but Yue got sidetracked-you can't blame him!-and you had left before he could reach you. You see...you were never supposed to be there, Rage. Clow Reed had planned to seal the Forgotten without you being there. You were never supposed to be in that cave." Sakura paused, but Rage didn't move. "Clow Reed knew you were there, but he couldn't stop the spell, he was too afraid he would never get another chance to trap all of the cards. But you must know... Clow Reed was devastated that you had been sealed, Rage, Yue even said so. It was all an accident. Clow Reed never sealed you out of spite or some sort of revenge...he sealed you, because he didn't have a choice."

Rage stood completely still, just looking at her. A muscle in his cheek began to twitch ever so slowly.

Sakura eyed him warily, wondering why it was Rage wasn't as happy as she to find out this was all just a big misunderstanding. In fact...he should be ecstatic...so why wasn't he? "Rage? Won't you say something? Aren't you relieved?"

Rage finally blinked. Looking at her incredulously now, he exploded, "Relieved! Do you have any idea what you've just said to me!?"

Sakura's brow furrowed in confusion and concern. "I don't understand. Now that you have no reason to seek vengeance against Clow Reed...can't you fight alongside the forces of the light now? Can't you fight with me and Kero and Yue?"

Stepping back suddenly, Rage raked a hand through his long hair. "Fight with you? You expect things to change...just like that?" shaking his head, almost like a trapped animal would, he took another step back.

Sakura took a step forward. "Rage?"

He held out a hand, "No! I gave my word I would stay and listen...I have. Now leave me be!" and then he was gone in a white mist.

Sakura drooped. An intense frown appeared on her face...she really had no idea why Rage had just acted the way he had...it had been completely unexpected. She had thought, that once things were cleared up, that Rage could go back to fighting against the Forgotten again...even if it was undercover once more. So why had he seemed upset...almost...panicky?

Sakura was dragged out of her thoughts as Li ran up to her. "What happened?" he asked. He still hated Rage with all his soul... he was a Forgotten, after all, but the look on Rage's face just now had Li scared...for Rage.

Sakura shook her head slowly. Offering him a weak smile, she said, "Nothing. I can't tell you yet, Li. Please...be patient with me?"

Li gave her a long look, but he nodded. "Okay, Sakura. But only because I trust you. Come on, I'll walk you home. Don't you have to report back to Kero?"

Sakura lifted a hand to her mouth, her eyes wide, "I completely forgot about him! And Dad! Tory! Li...we've gotta go!" turning around quickly, she dashed back onto the street. Li was hard pressed to keep up.
~

Rage teleported back to what he had begun to think of as 'his' little piece of forest. He knew he was frowning, but he really couldn't help it. Taking off his sheath and belt, he set it on his rock. Beginning to pace, he angrily loosened the ties on his silk shirt, feeling confined. He didn't really know why he was upset...but he was.

"Tsk, tsk...who rubbed you the wrong way?"

Rage turned around and glared at Love. "Go away," he gritted out. He went back to his pacing, "I have to think."

Love eyed Rage like he'd grown a tail. Then, grinning hugely, he sat himself on air, took his belt and sheath off as well as his brown boots, folded his brown jacket on the ground, and then propped his elbows on his knees. "So...what's eating you?"

Rage stopped again and stared at the Forgotten.

Love raised an eyebrow. "What? You didn't really think I was actually going to GO anywhere, did you? just because you told me to? Oh! Don't look at me like that! Your ice glare has no effect on me! I'm immune! You've used it on me too much." he replied cheekily. "Although...I still don't like it. Now will you stop brooding and tell me what the hell is bothering you? I haven't seen you this upset since...since..."

"Clow Reed?" Rage asked softly, and odd note of humour in his voice that caught Love's attention because it shouldn't have been there.

"Yeah...since Clow Reed." Love said slowly.

Finally giving in, Rage sat down across from Love. He didn't say anything for the longest time, and Love didn't press him...it was bloody hard enough to get Rage to sit down and have a chat...Love didn't want to lose this chance.

"I ran into Sakura today, literally," he began slowly, missing the way Love's face fell at Sakura's name. "She told me the most amazing thing."

Love brightened a bit at this...perhaps she'd told him that she loved the Kid? Love kept his face carefully serene, though, and waited...

"Apparently...Clow Reed had never meant for me to be sealed in that cave for centuries."

Love just gaped at him, capable of doing nothing else. This, out of all things, he had never expected to here. When his brain finally understood what he'd just been told, though, he started to smile. "That's wonderful!" at the look Rage shot him, Love frowned, "It's not wonderful?"

"No! This is all...wrong!" Rage muttered.

Love's frown grew. "I don't get it. I thought this would be good news for you."

"Well it isn't!" Rage snapped irritably.

"Well why not?" Love asked, becoming annoyed. "I thought this was what you wanted? To know that Clow Reed had never betrayed you? For God's sake! You cared for the old man!...if you could call him that."

"And how would you know what I felt for the sorcerer?"

"Oh please! You may be good at being a block of ice, but I'm not stupid, Rage. So why aren't you rejoicing?"

"Because!" Rage stood up abruptly, startling Love. "After all these centuries of thinking he had betrayed me! only to be told that it was all just a misunderstanding...that Clow Reed had felt BAD for what he'd done to me?...you expect me to just get up, and say, 'Well, of course. That is exactly what I expected!' " Rage glared at Love for a moment, then, "You wouldn't understand."

Love's feet hit the ground. Standing up until he was looking directly into Rage's eyes, he said quietly, "I would if you would just tell me."

Rage turned around, his shoulders stiff, leaving Love to stare at his back. Still as a statue, he did nothing. Then, almost in a whisper, he said, "It would have been so much better if he had betrayed me."

Love's eyes widened and he was sure he'd developed a hearing problem. "What?" he said carefully.

Rage whirled back around. "Don't you get it!? This is a thousand times worse! At least when I believed Clow Reed to be a traitor, my rage and revenge was justified! But now...to find out that Clow Reed had NOT done it purposefully, but that he had intended to keep me away...to find out he felt GUILTY over me..." Rage trailed off. Continuing in a whisper, he said, "To think, that I could have HATED him for something he never wished to do, for something he regretted. I have shamed him...and I have shamed me."

Love stared at Rage's lowered head all of five seconds before he uttered three words..."You're an idiot."

Rage's head snapped up. Not even able to form a glare, he simply whispered, "What?"

Love crossed his arms over his chest and leveled a look at Rage. "I said...you're an idiot. Do I have to spell it out for you?" a hint of anger crept back into Rage's eyes and Love was glad for it. Frankly, seeing Rage totally wretched had sent Love's world upside down. He could deal with an angry Rage, he could deal with a cold Rage...but he could NOT deal with a despairing Rage. It sent Love's insides trembling to see such a bleak look on Rages' face.

Taking a few steps back, whether to distance himself from Rage or from his own emotions, he didn't know. "Look...I know you've been solely bent on revenge these last couple hundred or so years...but don't let your honour cloud your vision. The fact is...Clow Reed made a mistake, one he was greatly sorry for, and one that he obviously wished he hadn't made. The fact is, you've got no purchase for your rage now...and I think that scares you." Love held up a hand when Rage opened his mouth to protest the absurdity of that statement. "Deny it if you want, but that's what I believe. Look, Rage, " he pleaded, "You've got to stop living in the past. There's nothing holding you back now, there's nothing stopping you from joining Sakura now if you wished...hell...there's nothing stopping you from switching over to the rest of them and joining someone like Insanity. The point is...for the first time, you've got a choice to make...and it's a damn big one, too."

Love shook his head and smiled ruefully. "I know you feel bad about what you thought of Clow Reed in the last centuries, and if you want, you can try to make it up to him...though I think he thinks you're just as much of an idiot as I do. It's your choice, and for crying out loud! make the one YOU want to for once."

Rage was looking at Love but he was somewhere else at the moment. In truth...he was rather dizzied by what had just come out of Love's mouth. Sometimes...his friend really did surprise him. It was almost like Love knew him better than he knew himself sometimes, and, as much as he hated to admit it, some of the things Love had said were true. Especially where his choices were concerned. Looking back, Rage realized that he'd never really made too many decisions in his life. The only major one had been whether or not to stay with Clow Reed or join the others...but that decision had been no contest. After that...it was mostly Clow Reed's orders and directions. And then, stuck in that cave, he had been confined not by the stone walls...but by his own anger, and that, in turn, prevented him from making any decisions other than the one to get even.

Rage cringed at that thought. He really was shamed...more so than he'd ever been before. He could not believe he'd thought such things of Clow Reed when Clow Reed most assuredly never thought things like that about his faithful card.

Now that Rage was free from Clow Reed and from that all consuming anger...he found he didn't quite know what to do with himself. Love was right...he was afraid...though he'd never admit it.

So now...he had a choice to make. He could side with Sakura now that his honour would permit him to, or he could side against her...and play with the Forgotten. There was even a third option...he could just...quietly disappear, not play a part on either side. That thought was vastly appealing but completely out of the question...his sense of justice wouldn't permit it.

"So?" Love ventured cautiously after some time. Rage had just been standing there, catatonic, for quite some time. Love hoped he could make a decision...he really didn't care what it was, as long as Rage wanted it. He would follow Rage to hell and back, if there really was such a place...though he'd never admit it.

Just then...both their heads lifted. Awareness flashed in both their eyes and Love turned to Rage. "Must have been attracted to the energy given off by Despair when she fought Sakura." Love determined. He sent a cautious glance towards the city and the energy source. "So...what are you going to do?"

Rage stood, his eyes flashing. His customary smile-but-not-quite-smile appeared on his face. "I think it's about time I said hello."
~

Sakura opened her front door, breathless, and rushed into the kitchen, Li right behind her. "Dad!? Tory!?"

As Sakura entered the kitchen she came to a dead stop, almost causing Li to ram straight into her back and send her flying toward the floor. Mr. Avalon looked up from the kitchen counter and smiled at Sakura, though he gave Li's ceremonial robes a curious glance. "Good morning, Sakura," he said cheerfully, "Did you need something?"

Tory, meanwhile, had been sitting at the table. He was standing now and his gaze was riveted to Li. An intense frown making it's way onto his face, Tory asked, "What is HE doing here?" seeing the Chinese brat in his house sent his good mood flying out the window. And to make matters worse...the way the Kid was dressed, and the disheveled appearance of Sakura's clothing, suggested that she might have been off on some 'Cardcaptoring' business...which did not sit well with him at all.

Mr. Avalon threw Tory an admonishing look, "Now, Tory, is that anyway to treat someone?"

Tory immediately lowered his head, contrite, "Sorry, Dad," but he continued to glare at Li.

Li, determining that everything was back to normal with Sakura's family, backed out of the kitchen, "Um...well...you're home now, Sakura, so I think I'll get going. Bye!" and leaving an open-mouthed Sakura in the kitchen doorway, Li got himself out of there...even after all these years, that black look from Tory was enough to intimidate him.

After blinking a few times, Sakura turned back to her father, smiled, and said, "I'll be in my room if you need me." she sent one last look in Tory's direction which meant, 'Stop scaring Li!' and ran up the stairs.

After opening and closing her door, and before she could call out, Sakura was assaulted by a little yellow fluff ball. "WHERE...have you been!?" Kero's little beady eyes were filled with worry. "Do you have any idea what's just happened!? I sensed a Forgotten!!"

Rolling her eyes, Sakura walked towards her closet for a change of clothes, not saying anything at first and almost sending Kero into a fit...not that he hasn't already achieved that state all by himself. "I know, Kero. I've sealed it already."

To say Kero was shocked was an understatement. "What!?! Wha'...you...why didn't you come get me?!"

Sakura turned to look at her guardian, her eyebrow raised. "Well...you were a little...preoccupied at the time." seeing that Kero obviously needed more, Sakura explained, "The card was Despair, and she'd managed to put a spell on you, Dad, and Tory. Trust me...there was no moving you from your drawer."

Kero frowned, annoyed but concerned, "But...you sealed her, didn't you?" he asked anxiously.

Sakura was quick to reassure him. "Of course I did, Kero." Sakura pulled out Despair so Kero could see her. "Don't worry about it." she put the card away. "Li helped me." she added as an afterthought.

Kero wrinkled his nose. Then he shook his head, "Well...you knew he had to have been good for something."

Sakura glared at him. Going back to her closet, she began pulling out clothes. "First my brother, now you...what does everyone have against Li? I don't understand why you guys don't like him." she began undressing.

"Well..." Kero mused, "It could be because he's obnoxious, arrogant, difficult to get along with, he tried to beat you up the first day he met you, he's conceited..."

"Kero..." Sakura warned from inside her shirt.

"...or maybe he just has a sign glued to his forehead that says, 'I'm a Chinese brat and I'm temperamental' "

Done changing, Sakura gave Kero an insufferable look and proclaimed, "I give up...it's impossible. The three of you are all like oil and water...you'll never mix."

Kero relented...a bit, "I just don't see how you can like him so much." Kero explained, "Besides," he added under his breath, "I don't like the way he looks at you."

Sakura put her index finger to her chin and pretended to consider, "Hmm...he's honest, determined, dependable, a good friend, and knows what he wants out of life..." he makes me feel all warm and fuzzy, he makes me feel safe, and I think I love him. Sakura smiled inwardly...if those weren't good reasons, she didn't know what were.

Kero shrugged, ready to let the subject drop...for now. Moving onto another topic that he's been wanting to take care of, Kero said, "So when are we going to start your training?"

Sakura frowned, "What training?"

Kero rolled his eyes, exasperated, " 'What training?' she asks. Your Magical training." he stressed.

Sakura smiled sheepishly. "It's just...I'm so unused to this...I keep forgetting that I HAVE any Magic abilities now."

Kero waved his hand in a shooing motion, "No matter...so when would you like to start?" he asked eagerly.

Sakura looked upon Kero with a smile...it seemed he was even more eager to do this than she was...and that was saying something. "I don't know...I'm not doing anything right now."

Kero rubbed his hands together gleefully, a grin tugging at his mouth. "Wonderful! Of course...I'll have to be in my true form before I'll be able to REALLY teach you anything...and that won't happen until all the Four Brothers have been captured. But that's only a minor setback." Kero frowned, "Of course...Yue will want to be here...he could teach you what I can't yet...so we'll need to be in a secluded spot then. I'll contact him." Kero closed his eyes and proceeded to do just that.

Sakura stood there and stared, her mind trying to comprehend everything that had just came out of Kero's mouth a mile a minute. Obviously, Sakura mused, if she wasn't the one here who had the Magic ability that needed training, she didn't think Kero would need her at all.

The aforementioned guardian opened his eyes. "I've contacted Yue. He'll meet us at the school as soon as he can get Julian away from his work." flying toward the door, Kero said impatiently, "Well, come on!"

Sakura laughed, "Hang on there just one second. I have to call Madison...if she found out I went somewhere that involved Magic and didn't tell her first...she'd kill me. And aren't you forgetting something?" Kero gave her a blank look. Sakura sighed good-naturally. "You can't exactly go whizzing down the stairs...my Dad might see you."

Sakura headed for her phone. Dialing Madison's number she waited.

After much ear piercing squeals on the other end of the line and excited chatter, Sakura finally managed to get Madison off the phone by reminding her that she'll miss the taping of this if she doesn't get a move on...Madison hung up before Sakura had managed to finish that.

She called Li next, who was very happy to learn that Sakura planned on continuing her Magic training without Rage. He said he'd meet her at the school as soon as possible...he wouldn't miss this for the world.

"Okay, Kero, let's go."

Sakura grabbed him and put him in a little bag which she decided to bring along at the last moment for him...on account of the fact that she didn't have any pockets for Kero this time. "Dad, I'm going out with Madison, okay? I'll be back later." Sakura said, making a pit stop in the kitchen.

"All right, honey," Mr. Avalon said easily enough.

Tory, however, wasn't as compliant. One look at the round ball of yellow sticking out of Sakura's back pack and Tory knew something was up. "I'll go with you." he announced suddenly, startling Sakura.

Sakura stared at him. It was obvious by the determination in his eyes that he knew whatever she was doing was cardcaptor related. She wanted to tell him not to come, just in case something happened, but, that wouldn't be fair to him...not after all these years of secrecy about it.

"Okay, Tory." she said simply. She turned around and headed out the front door.

Tory stood still a moment, surprised Sakura had said yes so easily. He soon shook himself though, and followed after her. Catching up to her on the sidewalk, he asked, "So where are we going?"

"To the school." Sakura glanced sideways at him. "I'm going to get Kero and Yue to help me learn how to use my Magic. Do you remember who Yue is? He's the one that looks like an angel, remember? I know you remember Kero."

Tory frowned slightly, "Yes...I remember him, how could I not? But..." Tory trailed off, thinking.

Sakura looked up at him curiously. "But what?"

Tory looked down at his sister with a rueful smile, "This is going to sound weird, but, that...Yue...reminds me of Julian." when Sakura's gaze immediately slid away from his with a guilty expression on her face, Tory narrowed his eyes. "Oh, you must be joking."

It was Sakura's turn to frown. "Yue and Julian...are one. They're two, spirits, I guess, sharing the same body. Through Magic, Yue can transform into his true form. Julian doesn't know about Yue, though, so you mustn't tell him." Sakura warned. "I don't know how Julian would handle it."

Tory sighed explosively. "God...is everyone close to us somehow involved in Magic?" Tory shook his head. "Why Julian? He's the gentlest person I know...he doesn't need this."

"Which is precisely why you mustn't tell him." Sakura repeated firmly.

Tory agreed reluctantly...keeping secrets from Julian, whom Tory was sure would never keep any secrets from anyone, felt wrong.

After a few moments of silence, Tory asked, "What do you think you'll learn from them?"

Sakura considered, but then had to shrug her shoulders. "I'm not really sure." she smiled, "Although, I have this book I got from Clow Reed that has some pretty interesting spells in it that I wouldn't mind learning. Especially this one..." Sakura trailed off, thinking of the fireball spell that she had discussed with Clow Reed.

They arrived at the school not long after. Madison greeted them cheerily from the fence just outside the school...Yue was nowhere in sight.

"Hey! I thought you guys would NEVER get here." Madison teased. She kept sending 'covert' glances up at Tory which had Sakura rolling her eyes because they were so NOT covert.

"Well...we can only walk so fast." Sakura replied dryly. Looking around her anxiously, Sakura said, "Okay, Kero, you can come out now." no one was about, with school hours over...who wanted to be on school property after school anyway?

Kero came flying out of her bag, breathing in huge gulps of air. "I think I'm claustrophobic! I must be...there's no other explanation as to why I HATE being confined." he caught Tory eying him suspiciously and Kero put his hands on his hips. "And just what are YOU looking at?" he asked saucily.

Tory blinked. Then, ever so slowly, he smiled... "I'm looking at an oversized stuffed animal."

Sakura put her hand over her eyes. That had NOT been the right thing to say. She couldn't look...she wouldn't look...Sakura took a small peek and was just in time to see Kero turn an alarming shade of purple. Then...the memory of what used to happen to Li when he called Kero a stuffed animal popped into her head and...

"OW!!" Tory yelled, shaking his hand desperately, trying to dislodge Kero's teeth from his finger, obviously in much pain. Kero clung on like a pit bull.

"Who are you calling a stuffed animal?!?" Kero demanded around Tory's finger. "If you could only see me in my TRUE form!"

"Kero," Sakura sighed, shaking her head. She said the only thing she thought would distract him from his target, "We can't start my instruction if you're attached to my brother's finger."

Kero let go all of a sudden and flew back towards Sakura, glaring at Tory. Tory took the opportunity to snatch his hand against his chest and cradle it protectively with his other hand, his glare just as fierce as Kero's. He turned his gaze to Sakura and demanded, "He's YOUR Guardian, isn't he? Doesn't that mean he's supposed to LISTEN to you? Why didn't you stop him?"

Sakura let out a huff of laughter, she couldn't help it. "Kero? LISTEN to me? Not when he doesn't want to or thinks I'm wrong. As for your 'unfortunate' accident there..." Sakura smirked. Turning around and heading for the open gate that led into school grounds, she finished, "You brought it on yourself."

Sputtering, Tory followed after her. Madison kept sending him sympathetic, but amused glances. She wanted to reach out and comfort him, but, she was still too shy where Tory was concerned.

Sakura headed for the track field. She figured she might need space for her Magic training, and the track field was about as much space as you could ever want. Kero floated on ahead of her, oblivious to all but his plans, rambling on and on about Sakura's first lesson. Sakura sighed patiently, listening to Kero politely...though, she had to admit...on the inside, she was just as excited as Kero was.

Stopping on the grass on little hill just beside the track, Sakura turned around to watch Madison and Tory as they trailed behind. She smiled slightly, thinking that those two really were cute together. They were still shy...obviously...they weren't doing more than exchanging little tidbits of conversation between each other. Sakura hoped those two could get over their inhibitions and get crackin'.

Sakura wrinkled her nose at her choice of wording, and turned back around. As she did so, she thought she caught some...thing...in the air. She froze, trying to figure out what was bothering her. It had, for the briefest moment, almost felt like a Clow card...but because she didn't sense anything now, Sakura dismissed the thought, albeit reluctantly. She looked out across the track, but she couldn't quite get rid of the feeling that something was OFF about the surrounding area that just hadn't been before.

"Sakura!"

Sakura turned her head to see Li racing across the field towards her. Smiling, she waited until he reached her.

Puffing slightly, he grinned at her. "I got here as soon as I could." he informed her.

Sakura laughed. "I see that." by now, Madison and Tory had reached her as well, and Sakura couldn't help but notice how Tory was glaring at Li.

Trying to ignore that look, Sakura focused her attention back on Li. He was wearing a regular, loose T-shirt with Dragons and Chinese letters emblazoned on it. He had on black, loose fitting pants that clung low to his hips but puffed out a bit near his ankles. Sakura gave him a thorough, yet discrete, perusal. She'd never actually seen Li dress this way before. He looked calm, and relaxed. His tousled hair, which was never NOT tousled, just added to the effect. Sakura decided she liked seeing a care-free Li...it only made him seem more endearing.

Li, not quite understanding why Sakura had just been standing there staring at him, asked, "Is there something wrong, Sakura?"

Sakura shook her head and got her mind back out of the clouds. Smiling, she said too brightly, "Everything's fine!" giving herself time to compose herself, she abruptly sat down on the grass. After everyone else followed suit, except Kero who continued to float by her head, Sakura said to Li, "We can't really start yet...Yue isn't here."

Li smirked at Kero. "What...? The stuffed animal isn't good enough to teach you himself?" he questioned.

Kero puffed up to twice his size in outrage...much like a cat. "For your information, KID, I'm perfectly capable of teaching Sakura myself, only, I need to be in my True form to be able to do so."

Li snorted. "Whatever."

Tory eyed them both carefully. Leaning over towards Sakura, he whispered, "When I call him a stuffed animal, I get bitten. When the Chinese brat calls him a stuffed animal, he gets verbally abused. Frankly, I don't think it's fair."

Sakura smiled. "Kero and Li have a sort of...working relationship. Li's called him a stuffed animal so many times, and Kero's called him Chinese brat so many times, that they've just...gotten used to each other, I think. Besides..." Sakura whispered confidentially, "It's my secret, personal opinion that they really like each other. But don't EVER let them hear that I said that or I'm DEAD." Sakura proclaimed gravely.

"Yue's coming." Kero said just then.

Everyone's eyes turned skyward. Just as Kero said, there was Yue, still quite a ways off, but with the momentum of his large wings, it took him next to no time to reach the group. Landing, he folded his wings neatly behind him. Even though he could make his wings vanish whenever he wished, Yue didn't particularly like going around without them. it was like getting rid of both his arms when he vanished his wings. In this case, though, he thought it might be prudent if he did...they had some serious tutoring to do, and Yue didn't want them to inadvertently get in the way.

Vanishing his wings, much to Tory's wide-eyed amazement, Yue sat down gingerly on the ground. Nodding his head in greeting, he said, "Kero Beros, Mistress." shifting around, uncomfortable on the ground, Yue continued, "We should begin immediately."

Kero nodded his head slowly. "Of course, of course..." pausing, he thought about something. "I'll dictate, Yue, you do." he instructed, not bothering to ask first, which didn't really matter because Yue was already nodding his head in agreement before Kero finished speaking, "We should start with the basics first, low level Magic, that should also be connected with the Clow cards. That way, Sakura will have an easier time with it."

"First, I want you to clear your mind, Sakura. I want you to think of absolutely nothing. Once you have achieved this, I want you to reach for the cards, try to connect with them...much like Rage instructed you to do before." Kero grumbled the last bit.

Nodding, Sakura closed her eyes. Once she had cleared her head of any and all thoughts, Sakura reached for her Clow cards. The sense, the feel of them came easily enough...it should....she'd done this before. But beyond the unique sensation of the feel of the cards inside her head...there was nothing else. No slight tingling in the back of her mind that was supposed to represent her Magic. Normally...this would dismay her...but as things stood now, Sakura preferred to think positively. After all, Clow Reed himself had cleared up the little problem with the block in her Magic abilities...Sakura just figured it would take time, and many lessons from Kero and Yue, before she'd be able to get the feel of that elusive presence Rage had hinted at.

"Okay," she whispered, somehow feeling like if she spoke too loudly, she'd ruin the moment. "I'm ready."

Kero nodded. "Can you sense the Magic inside of you?" when Sakura shook her head, Kero nodded again. "Okay...I didn't expect you to just take to this right away. It takes practice. Yue...?"

The rest of the group watched as Yue got up and then settled himself back down cross-legged right across from Sakura so that his knees almost touched hers. Tory watched him closely, wondering what he was going to do. He didn't particularly trust this angel, how could he? he didn't know anything about Yue. Even though he felt less than sure about Yue, he did, however, find it a bit odd...Yue was Julian after all, and the idea that Julian was untrustworthy was just incomprehensible to Tory. Those two feelings warred within Tory until he wasn't quite sure what to think.

Sakura could feel Yue when sat down in front of her. She didn't know what was going on or what was going to happen, her eyes still closed, but it appeared Kero knew what he was doing.

In an almost business-like manner, Kero said, "Now, Sakura, since you have never had direct experience with your Magical core, it would be extremely difficult for you to just tap into it, especially at such an old age..."

Sakura frowned. "Who are you calling 'old?' "

Kero ignored her. "Because you are not as young as you would normally have to be to undergo teachings, Yue will help you try and find your 'center.' " Kero looked at Yue. He raised his hands, palms toward Sakura and waited. "Sakura, I want you to raise your arms and hold your palms out towards Yue until both your hands touch."

Sakura nodded and extended her hands. When she stopped their forward momentum about a centimetre from Yue's hands looking uncertain, Yue brought his own hands forward until their hands were touching from palms to fingertips. Sakura started at the unexpected contact but relaxed soon enough.

"Good," Kero commented, watching them. "Now, like I said, Yue is going to help you Sakura. Since you most likely won't have much luck channeling your own Magic yourself, you're going to channel it through Yue."

Sakura's eyebrows rose. "What?" she asked skeptically.

"Yue is going to raise his energy. While you're connected to him, you should be able to not only sense it rise, but feel it rise through him. While that's happening, Yue is going to draw you into him...sort of like...pulling your spirit out of your body and into his. Don't worry, though!" Kero quickly assured as Sakura looked distinctly uneasy. "You'll still be in your own body... just...connected to Yue. Do you understand what I am telling you?" Kero asked uncertainly.

Sakura nodded slowly. "I think so, but, what am I going to have to do, here, Kero? I have no idea what I'm doing!" she almost wailed.

Tory looked into the face of his distressed sister and started, "I don't think you should continue whatever it is you're doing. You could be hurt, Sakura..."

Kero sent a silencing look in Tory's direction, but it was mild, knowing that Tory was only concerned for Sakura. "Don't worry, Sakura, just sit still and blank your mind. Yue will do all the work." at this last, Kero winked at Yue. The corners of Yue's mouth picked up, but Sakura didn't see it.

Vanishing his smile, Yue closed his own eyes. Tory, Madison, and Li looked on anxiously, not knowing exactly what they were waiting to see. When the light lift and fall of Yue's chest seemed to still, like he'd stopped breathing, the others exchanged uneasy glances. They looked at Kero for an explanation but he appeared calm and didn't look like he was about to explain anything. That was when Sakura's chest stopped moving as well.

The group sat in complete silence for what seemed like forever, just waiting to see some sign of life from either Guardian, or Mistress. It came not too long after...

"Whoa..." Sakura breathed. And that was it. Li, Madison, and Tory were left guessing.

Sakura had been sitting still, trying not to think of anything, just as Kero had instructed, when suddenly, just like that, Yue was THERE. It was like...having the wind knocked out of Sakura. One minute, she could feel him physically, the next...she could feel him inside her HEAD. Not only that...it felt like she was a part of him as well.

Sakura started to pull her hands away from Yue's, uncertain, but Yue laced his fingers through hers and wouldn't let her pull back. "Wait." he whispered.

Sakura stilled. She was still uneasy, but she trusted Yue, so she relaxed as best as she could.

Being like this was...Sakura struggled to find a way to describe this to herself. It felt as if she and Yue were one, like their souls had merged into one another. It was a unique feeling...but also quite intimate...which was what had Sakura freaking out. She could feel what Yue was feeling, almost like, she could read his thoughts...but not quite. It was like she was inside Yue's skin...but still in her own. She could feel her own hands against Yue's, but from the wrong body. She could feel Yue's wings rustle behind him as if they were her own; it was a novel experience. She wondered what Yue was experiencing.

It took her a while, but Sakura managed to relax completely. The intimacy, the closeness, still bothered her, but, whereas she had been nervous before, now she just felt silly about her reaction. This was Yue after all...her friend, her Guardian....what did she have to be worried about?

Yue's fingers tightened around hers and Sakura felt her hands giving under the pressure. "Mistress?"

It took her a moment to distinguish who's hands were who's, and another moment to figure out how to get her body to work again before she was able to squeeze Yue's hands back in reassurance and murmur, "I'm here."

"I'm going to raise my energy now, Mistress. I want you to try and follow it as it happens. I want you to try and feel my Magical core in my mind so that you will have an idea of what it feels like and what it feels like to reach it." Yue paused. "Are you ready?"

Sakura bit her lip nervously but nodded. "About as ready as I'm ever going to be."

In the next instant, Sakura's breath was swept away along with her mind. Not only could she feel Yue's energy slowly rising, but it felt like she was rising with him...it was a double whammy and doubly strong. She also noticed that, along with Yue's energy spike, she could feel something else in the back of his mind. It wasn't as noticeable as his energy level, but it was steady and pulsing, and very strong.

Curious, Sakura crept farther into Yue's mind, trying to seek out the source of the pulsing. When she found it, Sakura wondered if she hadn't opened her eyes and looked straight into the sun. Behind her eyelids, Sakura suddenly saw a white, almost blinding light in the shape of a ball that looked like it had almost no substance to it but the white radiance.

Once the initial surprise was somewhat dulled, Sakura couldn't help but stare at the glowing orb. This must be what Rage and Kero had been talking about...this must be Yue's Magic. Sakura longed to reach out and touch it, but had an uneasy feeling that if she did, she would be burned.

"I never thought..." she started quietly, but quickly stopped as something flashed through her mind, making her tense.

Yue, the only one aware of Sakura's predicament, questioned, "Mistress?"

Sakura didn't reply for a long time, just sat there and reached out through her own senses and using Yue's as an added bonus, though she couldn't explain how. Finally, she said, "We're being watched." this statement caused Kero, Li, Madison, and Tory to look about them uneasily...Li suddenly wished he had brought his sword. A moment after that announcement, Sakura hissed, "It's one of the Forgotten!"

As Sakura attempted to disengage her fingers from Yue's and get out her Clow wand, Yue's fingers tightened brutally over hers as he pulled her back down. "No! We must first separate spiritually first. If we do not, one or both of our spirits could be lost forever. Or, one of us might get stuck in the other's body."

Sakura needed no more warning. A moment later, it felt like she was literally being 'pushed' out of Yue's mind and back into her own. As soon as all feeling, other than the physical, of Yue vanished, he let Sakura go and stood up, spreading his wings and looking for the card.

Sakura stood up herself, though her legs were a bit wobbly. Pulling out the Key of Clow, she murmured, "Oh, Key of Clow! Power of Magic, Power of Light! Surrender the Wand, the Force ignite! Release!" after twirling the wand in her hands, like in the old days, Sakura brought it down in front of her and waited.

The others had all scrambled to their feet by now. Li, a fire spell in his hands, glanced towards Tory and said dryly, "Now you'll get to see your first card capture."

Tory was too busy searching the school grounds to reply.

After a few moments of stillness, Kero looked at Sakura and asked, "Are you sure you sensed a Forgotten, Sakura?"

Sakura glanced in his direction. "Of course I did! Didn't you?"

Kero shook his head. "I didn't." he looked at Yue and Li. They both shook their heads as well. "and Yue and the Kid didn't either."

Sakura straightened defensively. "I know what I sensed!" something caught Sakura's attention. "Look! What's that?" she pointed towards the school gates and everyone turned to look.

Something was moving in the grass near the gate entrance to the school. After watching it for a moment, it became apparent it was moving towards the group...very rapidly. When it got close enough to be seen clearly, Madison shrieked, "Oh, my God! It's a giant snake!!"

And it was that, indeed. The snake was at least three times as big as any snake had a right to be. As it made it's way towards them, it bared it fangs in a feral smile and it's tongue slithered out in a hiss as it issued a challenge. It was nearly upon them.

Before Sakura had a chance to do anything, Yue scooped her up in his arms and took off into the air like a bullet. Kero followed closely behind. Li put his Fire spell away and took out a Wind spell, "Element! Wind!" a strong gale of wind appeared and swept Li, Tory, and Madison out of harms way just as the snake pounced and struck. As it collided with nothing but ground, it hissed angrily and glared up at Sakura and group.

Sakura, still in Yue's grip, fought to free both her hands. As she did so, Yue lost purchase and almost dropped her, his arms sliding around her waist to keep her in the air. Meanwhile, Sakura had grabbed a Clow card out of her pocket and threw it into the air. Bringing back the wand, she yelled, "Firey card! Release and dispel! Firey!"

Firey exploded out of the card and streaked towards the snake. The snake did not try to evade Firey, but continued to stay where it was. As Firey reached it and passed through the snake, it's intent to burn it to a cinder, Firey passed through...nothing.

Surprised and confused, Sakura called an equally confused Firey back. "What...?" she began.

"An illusion." Kero breathed.

"Ah ha! Very good Kero Beros. You were always very observant." a voice said below them.

Everyone looked down to see a man dressed in light blue robes staring up at them, amused.

Kero and Yue both said in unison, "Fear."

Fear tilted his head to the side and looked at them quizzically. "Isn't it tiring floating about up there? Why don't you come down?" At that moment, two huge, vampire bats appeared in the air and dived towards them.

Li, startled, let the Wind spell go and almost sent Madison, Tory and him tumbling to the ground. At the last moment, he called the spell back and set them down as gently as possible. Kero and Yue, with Sakura, headed towards the ground as well, but they didn't appear to be afraid or in a hurry.

As soon as Yue touched down, the bats disappeared. Kero floated over to Sakura and began talking, "Listen, Sakura, those two bats and the snake we saw, were all illusions. Fear's powers lay in illusion. Whatever you see is not true. He uses deception and trickery to distract you and then kill you. Just remember...whatever you see isn't real." Kero stressed the last two words.

Fear, who did appear to be weaponless, said, "Oh, do come now, Kero Beros, you take all the fun out of this, making me appear weak." he paused a moment and appeared to be thinking about something. "I heard the most interesting story from Disease who heard it from Hate who heard it from Rage...I heard that this young lady, here, is the descendant of Clow Reed...is this true?"

Sakura, shrugging out of Yue's arms, appeared nonchalant. "Yes, I'm Clow Reed's descendant." at the look Kero gave her, she shrugged. "What? They were all going to find out eventually. Besides, he already knew."

"Ah, so it is true. Well...this is certainly interesting. I had planned on a confrontation with Clow Reed himself...but I suppose you'll have to do." Fear said, taking a step forward.

Sakura didn't move. She just stood and stared at him, which temporarily confused Fear. Finally, opening her mouth, she said, "You know...all of you keep saying how you want to kill Clow Reed yourselves...and yet...none of you ever TRIED to actually fight with him. At least...not until after he died. You know what I think? I think you're all afraid of him."

Fear didn't appear angry, but his lips thinned. "I am not afraid of Clow Reed." he stated.

Sakura arched an eyebrow. "Oh really? Then why don't you prove it? Unless you're afraid? Oh! but then...you ARE the Fear card."

Fear pretended to consider. "What do you have in mind?"

"Let those three go home, I'll keep Kero and Yue from interrupting, and we'll fight it out, one on one. Can't get any closer to an actual fight with Clow Reed than that, can you?" Kero and Yue began to protest, but Sakura shook her head at them silently.

"Hmm.." smiling, Fear said, "No deal." thrusting his arms out, light blue energy streaked past Sakura and headed for Kero, Yue, and the others.

Normally, Li would have easily deflected the energy with his sword, but he didn't have it with him. Pushing Tory and Madison ahead of him, he yelled, "Move!" and ran after them, trying to avoid the energy. However, the blue streaks were like heat seeking missiles, and Li soon found himself incased in a blue shield with Tory and Madison.

Kero wasn't having much luck. Though he was small and hard to miss, the energy bolts were hard to avoid...and, not being in his true form, Kero didn't have any Magic strong enough at the moment to counter Fear's. Yue was busy sending ice shards into the energy bolts, freezing them. He flew through the air, as graceful and deadly as a Peregrine Falcon. He was handling the menace pretty well on his own. That was when he noticed Kero's predicament and tried to help him out. Taking advantage of Yue's distraction, Fear sent more energy bolts for him. Not seeing them until it was too late, Yue ended up becoming trapped inside one. It didn't take long to capture Kero.

Turning from her friends and brother, Sakura glared uncertainly at Fear. Why hadn't he sent those same energy bolts after her?

Smiling, Fear said, "No deal...but...I have another proposition. I do agree, fighting you one on one would be the closest thing to fighting Clow Reed himself now, but, I think I'll add something else into the mix." he gestured to Kero, Yue, and the rest. "We'll fight. If you win, you get to seal me and I'll release your friends. But if I win...I get to do what I like with you AND your friends. Deal?"

Sakura's brain was working furiously, she tried not to let her nervousness show. From behind her, she heard Madison say, "Don't trust him, Sakura! He's not honourable...not like a certain other SOMEONE we all know." she stressed.

Fear shook his head in mock exasperation. "Oh come now, you don't really have a choice. Your friends and protectors are trapped. If you refuse to fight me, I'll kill them now."

"No! Wait...I'll fight you." Sakura said. She took a few steps towards Fear and stopped. "If one of them are hurt..." she warned.

Fear only shrugged. "If we could begin now?" without waiting for an answer, he sent one of those bolts towards Sakura. This one was different, though, it had yellow streaks sizzling around the outside of it...if Sakura didn't know any better, she would have said that bolt was electrically charged.

Diving out of the way, she was able to avoid the bolt, but, just like a hound on the scent, it turned around in midair and came streaking back towards Sakura.

"Jump card!" Sakura cried. Little white wings appeared on her shoes and she took off into the air as the bolt passed by under her. It turned again and came streaking back. Sakura ducked out of the way. As the bolt passed her this time, closer than before, Sakura felt the air sizzle just like it would if it was positively charged. Sakura glanced at the bolt as it made to make another pass. It WAS electrical.

As Sakura dodged it again, she thought about another encounter she'd had with electricity and a certain Thunder card. A plan forming, Sakura pulled out a Clow card. "Shadow card! Release and dispel! Shadow!" Shadow exploded out of the card and stood in front of Sakura. As the bolt went to go through Shadow, Shadow simply closed it's arms around the bolt and surrounded it, encasing it in darkness. When Sakura called Shadow back, there was nothing left of the bolt.

Straightening herself up, Sakura summoned a smile, waved Shadow at Fear, and said, "Another round?" she was taunting him, she knew, but, if she could make Fear angry, he might make a mistake. Of course...he might also just kill her.

Fear smiled slightly, but the look in his eyes suggested he was annoyed, and uneasy that Sakura had managed to defeat his lightening bolt. "Well...you've defeated my blue bolts. Very nice. But...while you have been doing that, take a look at what has become of your friends." Fear suggested, lifting his hand to point.

Sakura turned and her mouth dropped open in horror.

There were Yue, Tory, Li and Madison, still in the shields, but where their clothing before had been whole and clean, were now torn and stained. Stained, if Sakura's eyes weren't deceiving her, with blood. Yue's silver hair was matted with the stuff and everyone's faces seemed to be twisted in pain. And Kero...Sakura didn't even see Kero's small form.

Sakura took a step toward her friends, her Clow wand detransforming into the Key, then another, the little wings on her shoes disappearing as she unconsciously called Jump back. She didn't know when or how this had happened...it must have been while she had been trying to avoid the blue lightening bolt. She hadn't been watching Fear then...and she should have been...
~

Li watched as Sakura turned towards him and the others and saw the horrified look cross her face. Turning to Kero he asked, "What is she doing?"

Kero was watching her also, and he replied sadly, "She's seeing an illusion created by Fear. What that would be I hesitate to think about."

Sakura took a few steps in their direction, all her attention focused on them. Li watched Fear smile and, where there once were no weapons upon him, a ripple in his robes appeared and there was a short sword where there hadn't been one before... power of deception. Fear walked towards Sakura. "Sakura! Look out!" Li cried out, but, in vain.

"She can't hear you, Kid...she can't hear you."
~

Sakura would have taken another step forward, but there was a sharp edge against her throat all of the sudden. Freezing, Sakura looked to the right without moving her head and saw Fear's smiling face. "You weren't even a challenge. You could never hope to compare to Clow Reed. HE never would have let himself be distracted as you were. Because of your foolishness you and your friends are now dead." Fear said. The muscles in his arms tightened, ready to draw the blade against Sakura's throat and end her life.

Just then, a commotion occurred that distracted Fear. Sakura and the Forgotten turned their eyes back to his blue shields in time to see Love appear out of thin air, and a pink afterglow, and say triumphantly, "Reinforcements have arrived!" he brought his sword down upon Fear's shields and there was a shower of sparks before the shield parted and dissolved under the Magicked blade. Love cut into the other shield and now Yue, Kero, Li and Madison and Tory were freed.

Yue watched Fear with the blade to Sakura's throat and spread his wings, an ice shard appearing in his hand, Kero glared daggers, and Li pulled out a Fire spell.

Seeing that he was now outnumbered, Fear pulled Sakura directly in front of him and gripped her arm with his free hand. He pressed the blade deeper into her flesh and caused a thin line of red to appear. "Make a single move in this direction, " he advised menacingly, "And I kill her." he turned his attention to Love, who was currently leaning on his sword with both hands and grinning. Narrowing his eyes, Fear asked, "What are you doing, Love? Have you lost your mind?"

Love shrugged. Answering the second question first, he said, "Possibly...one never knows. As to what I'm doing, I'm setting these fine people here free."

Fear looked at him incredulously. "Why?"

Love looked over Fear's shoulder. "Because he asked me to."

Before Fear could turn, a blade much larger than his was pressed into his throat. "Let her go." a deep voice demanded.

Fear turned his head slightly and his eyes widened as, first, he caught a glimpse of white hair, and then a cold, cold face. "Rage! What...?"

"Let her go, Fear," Rage cautioned quietly, his voice calm. "Or I'll start with your ankles and end at your neck, breaking every bone in-between."

Even though Fear didn't understand Rage's reasoning, he knew that Rage wasn't on his side...which only confused him further. Not one to give up without a fight, Fear said, "Try it, and I'll kill her."

Rage appeared to shrug. "Go ahead, I don't much care. But if you do, you WILL be dead. Besides...if I even see that blade move, Fear, I'll break your arm before you could get the chance to do any damage."

"Look, Rage, if you wanted the girl for yourself, all you had to do was say so. There's no need to get violent." Fear reasoned. The only logical reason in his mind for Rage's behaviour was that Rage wanted to kill Sakura himself.

Rage hadn't appeared to move, but a thin red line, like the one on Sakura's neck, appeared on Fear's.

That was all the persuasion Fear had needed. Dropping his arm to his side, he let the short sword drop. He reluctantly released Sakura's arm. She stumbled away from him quickly and ran to the group. Tory opened his arms and she ran into them, grateful.

Once Rage was certain Sakura was out of harms way, he stepped back from Fear, but kept the card in his sights. "Make one wrong move..." he warned. Stepping back, he moved toward Yue. Looking at Sakura, who was still in Tory's arms, he asked, "Are you all right?" when she nodded, he jerked his head toward Fear. "Seal him."

Fear's eyes widened as Sakura stepped out of Tory's arms to do just that. Staring at Rage, comprehension dawned. "You're HELPING them."

"Oh, Key of Clow..."

"I won't be sealed again! I WON'T!!" Fear lifted his hand and pointed it at Sakura.

"...Power of Magic..."

Rage intercepted the bolt of blue lightening with his sword.

"...Power of Light..."

Yue sent an ice shard straight into Fear's short sword when he tried to retrieve it.

"...Surrender the Wand..."

Fear took one panicked look at Sakura's now raised arms and ran.

"...the Force ignite! Release!"

Rage sent a surge of liquid ice at Fear's legs and trapped him where he stood.

"Fear! Return to your Power, confined! Fear card!" there was a flash of light and the Fear card floated towards Sakura's outstretched hand.

Sakura put the Fear card away. All she wanted to do was go home right now and go to bed...or cry until she cried herself out. This was getting harder and harder...just the memory of the tortured expressions on her friends' faces made Sakura shudder. She was emotionally exhausted.

There was an awkward moment of silence before Love suddenly said, "Well...bet you're all glad we came."

Kero turned a 'look' in Love's direction before focusing on Rage. "Why DID you come?"

Sakura's head snapped up at that. She suddenly remembered what the last thing she had spoken to Rage about. Had he come here to tell her he had forgiven Clow Reed after all?...she could hope. She saw the beginnings of a cautious smile appear on Yue's face.

Everyone stared at Rage, waiting. Rage looked at Sakura for a long moment, then looked away. His gaze slid to Love. Love arched an eyebrow as if to say, 'What are you waiting for?' and winked.

Rage turned back to Sakura, his face suddenly devoid of all emotion. "I have decided to take you up on your offer. I will join you in your quest to seal the rest of the cards."

Sakura smiled gently at Rage, but couldn't help but notice the shocked look on everyone elses' faces...well...almost everyone.

For the first time since she'd met Yue, she saw his face break out into a smile...somehow Yue had known all along that this would be the decision Rage would make.

To be continued...
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

First of all...I'd just like to say that I hope all the Magic stuff with Yue and Sakura wasn't too confusing. However...if you're REALLY lost...e-mail me your questions about it and I'll TRY to explain better...notice the word TRY :P

Second...I KNOW this is really late...so I don't need you all telling me that in my reviews. I'll try to be consistent, but I DO have school to worry about now. I make no promises people.

Third...ONLY FIVE MORE CARDS TO GO!!! ^_^ Five more cards to really introduce and then...?? Who knows? ~_^ Until then!!