By Maurynna
Author's Notes: I would like to thank everyone who reviewed right now. You guys are the ones who have stuck with me through these horrible months of absence. All I can say is thank you and give you all an invisible hug for putting up with me. You're the best!
Also, very important…the reason why I haven't updated sooner than now was because, to put it bluntly, I didn't have a computer. I got rid of the other one (silently cries) and now have this thing. Still, even with that setback I should have had the chapter out sooner…except…the cds I copied my files to weren't exactly working properly. They kept informing me that there WAS nothing on the discs. Well…I had a little panic attack. I thought I'd lost all my files including my entire Cardcaptor fic!! But, (sighs happily) as you can see I got everything under control. So, now that you know there was a definite reason why this chapter hasn't been out sooner…there's no need to kill me for yet another horridly long wait. ^.^
Okay, just so you know, my favourite writing program has been taken away from me, !.! So I'm forced to use this thing from now on. What I'm trying to say is, if there are any unusual things going on in this chapter in relation to paragraphs, or anything like that, it's because I haven't fully figured out how to work this thing yet. Bear with me.
syrupjunkie – Well, I'm happy I was able to bring some joy into your 'sorta crappy day'. Thank you, I was hoping I would be able to do an acceptable job on the other cards' backgrounds. Yeah…no more four month breaks. I'm sure the rest of you out there will be happy to hear that, too. Thanks for reviewing! J
a.n.g.e.l – I hope this gets out soon enough for you, Angel. I'm glad you like my fic!! It's inspiring to hear that from people.
Zenin - *sigh* You're not the only one to fall in love with Rage. ^.^ Hehe…I think I like my character a little too much. And Love…you can't rule him out…he's just so damn cute. Yes, you are a tad late, but don't worry about it. And don't be depressed. !.! I'm sure everything will turn out fine…maybe. ;)
Starlight Princess – lol…thank you very much, Starlight. You always think so much of my chapters. I hope you continue to think all of my chapters are beautiful.
Saiera – Thank you. It kinda does build up his character…doesn't it? ^__^ I'm sure Rage would disagree.
Sailor Chan (silverdroplets) – Hey, Silver. Went and changed your name, did you? Cool. I like both, I guess. But then, J you didn't ask for my opinion, now did you? Okay, on with the relevant stuff. lol, I'm glad you liked my chapter, and yes, you are an S+S freak. ^.^ No, no…I'm fine…honest. Thanks for worrying though. Geez… *blushes pink*…you guys need to stop giving me such compliments. I'm really not that good believe me. But then, I guess it's true when they say you're your own worst critic. *sheepish smile*
cherrywolf – I'll try and hurry, really I will. Sorry to have kept you waiting so long. I'm glad you like my fic!!
AngelDreamz – Thank you. I try. Ooh…now…I can't tell you just what's going on inside Rage's head. But then, that's mainly because…I don't know half the time myself. *sigh* Rage is so damn complicated he's getting hard to write. Lol…but I love him anyways. You'll just have to wait and see what happens with the Rage and Love situation. I know, isn't it sad that poor Love isn't getting any love? He deserves more than that. *evil fantasy involving Rage and Love pops into head* Heh…I bet he'd go for that (just kidding!…maybe). Umm…*scratches head*…I think I have quite a ways to go before I get good enough to have a book published. But! Practice makes perfect! ^.^ If you're ready to burst from curiousity then I think I've done my job well. Don't worry…everything will resolve itself in the end…though, maybe not quite how some people may think. ~.*
cherrywolf – Hmm…déjà vu. Lol…review as much as you want. Comments are always appreciated, and I'm doing my best on getting this chapter out as I type.
azhrei – You're welcome, you're welcome, you're welcome, you're welcome! ^.^ Now it's my turn…thank you for taking the time to read my fic, azhrei, even when you're not supposed to be reading anything. ~.^ I hope you like this chapter.
Kallima Angelos Tera – Quite right, about Rage, I mean. J *raises eyebrow* …'just to see what happens'?? lol…devil's firstborn, indeed. Yes, they do…it's a slow process .
CreatiStar - *slowly regains breath and steps away from the mouth of death* Thank you, I love that you love this fic so much. Sorry about the going away thing again. My reason this time is in my author's note…*grumble* *grumble*…stupid new computer…And yes, the romance will start soon. Lol…I'm glad Death and Insanity have that effect on you. MAHAHA…I have accomplished my goal!!! Lol…hehe…forgive me…it's two in the morning and I'm not myself.
A hyper person – I'm sorry…but I think it's best if I stick (or try to) to English names. Geez…remember what kept happening in earlier chapters? I kept switching between Japanese and English names, and I wasn't even aware of it! No, I think it's best if I don't venture into Japanese again, it'll just confuse more people than I would like. My story has that many pages? *blink* *blink* I honestly didn't know. ^_^ Thanks for telling me! Yes…I thank you for not flaming me…seeing as how I would not take to it kindly. Yes, I am used to long reviews, love them, actually, because a long review tends to give me much more information about what the person thinks of my fic. . I hate reviews that are a sentence long, basically saying my fic was good. Thank you for that…but I would like to know why you thought my fic was good. See where I'm going? Yes, well, I DO have a valid excuse this time…so no flames.
Twisted Rose - ^_^ Thank you.
A Hyper Person – *grins* Back again, are you? *whistles* Well now, I can't tell you the fate of the characters…that would give away the story. ;) You'll just have to wait and see. That's okay, I prefer happy endings also…though…we don't always get what we want.
Skiff – Holy cripe…you are, by far, the longest review writer I've ever seen…I like it. ^_^ Thank you for those five reasons…I feel so special! Seriously, you guys are way too nice. I feel so inadequate thanking all of you because the gratitude I feel seems so much more…important than simple thank-yous. But, I don't know how else to express my appreciation. So, I guess I'll just have to stick with what works for now…thank you. ^_^
Skiff – Yeah…that's all I could say, too. Lol. Quite right, quite right…I do need to focus on more than just that one aspect in the story. As for Insanity…give me time…I DO have this all planned out, you know. I'm getting there.
Skiff – I have an excuse! I have an excuse!! I'm sorry for keeping you waiting…again. But I Do have an excuse this time (I believe I mentioned that). ^.^
A Hyper Person – I know…I'm sorry. For some reason, the way you wrote your review has me feeling really crappy right now. Usually, reviews never make me feel this bad. I think it must be the guilt. Sorry.
Zenin – Thank you. Ah, another Rage x Sakura fan. *sigh* Just wasn't meant to be.
Serena – Thank you, I'm glad you understand my predicament. Thanks again, and I WILL finish this one day…even if it kills me.
Aisha-chan – I am SO happy you want to draw the characters from my fic. Please do! I would be ecstatic to see them. I've tried e-mailing you back about it, but I guess you haven't checked your e-mail. Sorry, I can't have those pairings in this story…it just wouldn't work. But, if that's what you want to draw I'd love to see it! Anyways…good luck on the drawings!! ^_^
Skiff – I…can't write a reply to this. I thought I felt bad before. Just in case you didn't see it in my author's note, I'll explain again. I'm sorry for not updating. I was getting rid of my computer and had to save my files to a cd. I double checked the cd to make sure everything was in working order. It was. But when I tried putting all of my files back on my new computer when I finally got it, it kept saying there was nothing on the disc. I panicked. I thought I'd lost all my work, including every single thing I'd ever written. I didn't accept the fact that it was gone, though. I took my cd's to a friend of my fathers who knows quite a bit about computers in the hopes that he might figure out where my fic went. After a while he did, and I finally got my stuff back. I'm sorry for keeping you waiting.
A Hyper Person – I'll only start calling her Tomoyo if enough people write in telling me they want me to change it. Otherwise, it's going to stay the same. I have this chapter ready; I don't know if I can do two without making you wait another week or two for it IF I started right away. I thought you might like this one out as soon as possible. I hope it's long enough for you. Sorry for making you wait.
Disclaimer: I do not own Cardcaptors, nor do I claim to. I am not getting paid for this so please do not sue me.
Warning: Rage, Love, Famine, War, Disease, Death, Hate, Insanity, Despair, Fear, Betrayal, Dragon, and Magic belong to ME. Do not even THINK about using them without my permission first.
Warning: Okay…if things go the way I want in this chapter (which sometimes doesn't happen *bows head, exasperated*.) then there will be shonen-ai. Not Yaoi, not anything quite so heavy, but most definitely shonen-ai. You have been warned.
Cardcaptors: Love and Friendship Conquer All-Ch.28
Sakura was beginning to think she had made a terrible mistake.
It had been three days since she had lost her temper with Rage and told him to go after Love. Three days since Love had nearly broken down in front of everyone because of Rage's insensitivity. Three days…since anyone had seen Love at all.
Sakura sighed, her fingers playing idly with the edge of the blanket on her bed. She was beginning to think that she should have just let Love cool down before anyone went after him, especially Rage. God knows Rage upsets Love enough-whether it was in a good way or not. Who knows what went on exactly between the two cards, and Rage wasn't talking about it no matter how she 'subtlety' probed. For all she knew, they could have had some colossal fight and Love may have been even more damaged than he already was…all because of her.
Flopping onto her back abruptly, Sakura stared at her bedroom ceiling ignoring the curious-if not a bit confused-look Kero was shooting her from the floor in front of her television where he was currently engaged in video games…yet again. Truth be told, she did not need something-someone-else to worry about at the moment. Sure, the Forgotten were enough to worry about as it was, but that wasn't why this new worry bothered her.
Before that little incident three days ago, she had been ready to make the big step and finally tell Li that she liked him. She had been going over the things Love had said to her that one day in her room and she had been going over how much she enjoyed seeing Li since she'd been back, even if she had been a bit harsh with him where the Forgotten were concerned. She was merely worried for him…for everyone. Looking back, she realized Li must have been pretty hurt all of those times when she asked him to leave so she could talk to Rage alone, all of those times she'd practically ordered him to do, or not do, something. Basically, she had been treating him like his opinions didn't matter, like he didn't matter. She hadn't meant to, she'd just been so worried over this new threat that it sort of took priority over anything else in her life. She needed to fix that.
Sakura smiled slightly. She remembered what she felt when Li was near. When he gave her those little half smiles of his her heart tended to flutter in her chest. When his expression turned cloudy she would become worried, wondering what could possibly be plaguing his thoughts now. And when he touched her…Sakura sighed, still smiling, drawing Kero's attention back to her again. Those few, rare times when Li had hugged her-usually when she was leaving the country or coming back from the past-she'd gotten that warm, fuzzy feeling she'd experienced that one time when she'd kissed Li in a desperate gamble to save him from Insanity.
But…and Sakura frowned…she really didn't know how to deal with Li. She had known him since she was ten, but she'd never truly breached Li's concrete walls of defence that he had erected around his emotions. At least…she didn't think she had. It was like stepping in quicksand where Li's emotions were concerned…Sakura really didn't know how deep and how far she could go before she was swallowed whole.
And then, of course, there was still the big question…did Li like…correction…did Li love her? She knew he did care, they were friends after all. But, what if it was only friendship he wanted? Sakura shook her head lightly, trying to clear it of that particular troublesome thought. Okay…so there was a possibility that when she went up to Li and said, 'I love you' there was a possibility that he might say, 'I'm sorry, but I don't'. She could live with that…maybe…okay, who was she kidding? But what choice did she have? It wasn't like she could force him to love her…where did that thought come from? When she tells him how she feels and he doesn't return her feelings and just wants to be friends, then that's how it would be. It wouldn't be easy on her part, but she'd sure as hell try to make it as easy for Li as she could. She really didn't want to ruin her friendship with him.
"Kero?" Sakura said suddenly, flopping over onto her stomach and raising herself up on her elbows.
Kero looked up from his video game, pausing it in the process. "Yeah, Sakura?" Kero replied, trying not to sound too eager. Frankly, Sakura's silent brooding on the bed had been driving him nuts. Every time she sighed, every time she stirred restlessly on the mattress Kero had hoped she'd tell him what was bothering her…because something obviously was. Her continued silence nearly had driven him insane, cool video game or not. So, finally, she says something, and he's nearly bursting waiting to hear what she has to say…
"…Do you think I'm attractive?"
"Eh?" Kero fell over, a sweatdrop appearing on his head…what sort of question was that!?!
Sakura eyed him, a confused frown on her face. "Kero?"
Pulling himself together, Kero demanded, "Why do you want to know?"
Her frown intensifying, she said, "B-because. I want to know."
Kero rolled his eyes, "You do realize I'm not exactly the right person to be asking this, right? I mean…I'm not exactly human, you know." he said pointedly.
Sakura sighed in exasperation, "I know. Just give me an answer. Do I seem…pretty to you?"
Kero wondered at her sudden lack of confidence in her appearance. What had brought this on? Looking her over, Kero announced, "Well…from the perspective of a winged lion…" he replied drolly, "I'd say you're a fair cut above the rest." he put his finger to his chin, thinking, "Though…you don't exactly look like those tall women that are advertised on the television. You know, the ones from the Covergirl commercials and the Videl Sassoon ads?"
"Thanks Kero," Sakura retorted, a heavy dose of sarcasm to go with her urge to strange a certain Guardian Beast.
Kero shrugged. "Honestly, though, I think you're pretty." he finished up with a winning smile. Sakura smiled back at him.
Becoming serious, Kero asked, "Okay, what's bothering you?"
Sakura's face fell a bit. She couldn't tell him about Li…him and the Sun Guardian were still on shaky terms…though they had gotten better! Marginally… "I'm worried about Love." she confessed. Kero may not like the Forgotten, but at least she didn't have to tell him she was in love with one of them. Sakura smiled wickedly. But, oh, wouldn't that put a priceless expression on Kero's face?
"Really? Why?" he asked, perplexed. Though, surprisingly, he didn't seem at all angry at the mention of the card.
Sakura rolled her eyes. "Because we haven't seen him in three days. What if something's happened to him?"
Kero shrugged. "The way I see it, that's his own problem." he replied. He noticed the look on Sakura's face and quickly said, "It's not like he can't take care of himself, Sakura. No human, well, except you, of course, could harm him. The only thing he'd have to worry about would be running into another card, which is probably highly unlikely. You know that he avoids them; I've told you that. Don't worry, I'm sure he's fine."
Sakura nodded slowly, Kero's attempted soothing just what she had been looking for. Of course Love was fine…he was Love. Nothing was wrong…
Kero's eyes narrowed suddenly and he stared out Sakura's bedroom window. Sakura watched him, waiting. "One of the Forgotten," he said quietly, by way of explanation. "and by the feel of it, It's not trying to hide Its energy."
Sakura frowned. "Why didn't I feel it?"
Kero looked at her sideways, "Probably because you're so preoccupied. Try clearing your head, then you'll feel it."
"Where?" Sakura asked simply, getting up and grabbing the Key of Clow from her dresser.
"I'm not sure…it almost feels like…" Kero paused, feeling it out. His lips pursed. "…Tokyo Tower, I'm sure of it."
"Oh, great," Sakura muttered. She took off her jeans in favour of shorts for better moveability but kept her loose T-shirt on, unmindful of Kero since he wasn't paying attention anyways, too interested in trying to figure out which of the Forgotten he was sensing.
Picking up her phone, Sakura quickly dialled Madison's number. "Hello?" Madison asked on the other end.
"Forgotten. Tokyo Tower. Meet at Penguin slide. Now." Sakura said simply and hung up. She turned to Kero, "I'm picking Madison up at the King Penguin slide and flying the rest of the way. You know how to get there."
"Right." Kero said, 'game face' on. Turning, he flew out the open window and to the park.
Sakura rushed out her door and down the stairs, nearly running Tory over in her hurry to get out the door. Pushing past him, she opened the front door and ran out of the house. Tory ran to the door himself, yelling at Sakura's retreating back, "Where are you going!?"
"Clow stuff!" she yelled back over her shoulder, but she didn't slow down.
"Be careful!!" Tory yelled loudly, hoping she wasn't too far away that she couldn't hear him. He stared after her retreating form for a moment before walking slowly back into the house.
Sakura sprinted nearly all the way to the Penguin slide. When she got there Kero was there. She was surprised to see Madison there as well. Huffing and puffing, she asked her, "How did you get here so fast?"
Madison grinned. "By the urgency of your voice on the phone I got the impression that if I didn't get here fast you would have left without me. So…" she winked, "I took a taxi."
Sakura smiled too. "Well, let's do this. I want to seal that card before it has a chance to do any damage. Oh, Key of Clow, Power of Magic, Power of Light, surrender the wand, the Force ignite! Release!" the Clow wand appeared in her hands. "Fly card!" wings appeared on her wand and she motioned to Madison. "Come on."
Madison ran over to Sakura and took a seat behind her. Immediately, the Fly card took off, heading for Tokyo Tower. Kero flew close beside them, his eyes ever watchful, searching for anything suspicious.
It took remarkably less time to fly to the Tokyo Tower than it did riding the train on a school trip. Sakura smiled in remembrance. The last time she had been to the Tokyo Tower was when she had battled Yue in the Final Judgement. Sakura grimaced slightly. To think…she had almost forgotten everyone and everything that had to do with the Clow cards that day. Sakura shuddered and hoped Madison hadn't noticed. She sincerely hoped she would never, ever, be in a position where there was a chance she could forget again.
Sakura approached the Tokyo Tower and circled it once, looking for any sign of the Forgotten. Seeing nothing that was out of the ordinary, Sakura took the Fly card in and landed on the Special Observatory on the top floor of the Tower. She didn't have to worry about anyone spotting her here since the special observatory was only open to a few people at certain times of the day (I don't really know if that's true, I'm just using it as an excuse so that no one will spot Sakura. I've never been to the Tokyo Tower and everything I write about it now is solely based on pictures that I found on the structure.).
Calling Fly back, Sakura looked around, searching for the card. "Do you sense it now?" Kero asked from behind her, his coal black eyes narrowed in suspicion.
Sakura nodded. "Yeah. I can definitely feel it now…what?!" she asked as Kero eyed her.
"Well…it's just that…Sakura," Kero breathed, "I can't sense the card anymore. It's hiding its energy."
Sakura frowned. "Well, that can't be right. Kero, if the Forgotten was hiding its energy, I wouldn't be able to sense It." she pointed out.
Kero looked a bit uneasy but said calmly enough, "Remember when we were tracking Rage, and suddenly, his energy disappeared? Li and I couldn't sense him, but you could. He had been hiding his energy, Sakura. He'd even admitted that. This is very odd." Kero mumbled to himself under his breath.
"Odd or not," Madison intoned, "I think we should worry about it later."
Kero snapped out of his thoughts and nodded. "Right. Okay, Sakura, you're our only way to find the card. Let's get this over with as soon as possible."
"Shouldn't we wait for help first?" Sakura questioned. She could admit that that was her fault. She had been in such a hurry and had been so worried about another card that the possibility of contacting anyone hadn't even occurred to her. Well, except for Madison, but that was almost like a reflex. All those years of getting a hold of Madison before a battle…old habits die hard.
"I contacted Yue on our way over here." Kero informed her. "He should be here any moment. As for the Kid," Sakura sighed at Kero's seemingly inability to call Li by his name, "If I sensed the card for the short amount of time that I did then chances are he sensed it, too. I'm sure we'll be seeing him soon."
"What about Rage and Love?" Madison asked, curious.
Kero hesitated for a moment, then he shrugged, "They'll get here when they get here…if they get here." Kero said hopefully, stressing the if.
"Well…if you don't think we should wait…" Sakura started slowly.
Kero scoffed and made a dismissive gesture with his hand. "Backup'll arrive anytime now, Sakura. I'm sure we'll be fine. Besides, you'll be able to fend off the card long enough for at least Yue to get here." he said optimistically.
Sakura turned her back to him with a sceptical expression, Yeah right, running through her head.
Sakura travelled around the outside ring of the observatory, moving slowly, her senses open for any trace of danger. Kero would fly on a little ways ahead then dart back to Sakura's shoulder again. Madison was following closely behind Sakura, her face buried in her camcorder.
They must have been halfway around the tower when a rustling of wings startled the trio. The three of them looked up and Sakura and Madison smiled. Kero snorted, "Took you long enough."
Yue eyed Kero dispassionately. Turning to Sakura, he asked, "Have you located the Forgotten yet?"
Sakura sighed. "No, not yet."
"Is there anything you would like me to do, Mistress?" Yue asked, hovering over their heads, wings beating slowly.
Sakura smiled. "Actually, there is." she made a face. "Trying to cover the entire circumference of this thing is tiring and taking too long. Would you mind flying around the other half for me and tell me if you see anyone or anything?"
"Of course, Mistress. I shall return shortly." and he flew off.
"With Yue helping we'll be able to find the card a lot faster." Madison commented, following Yue's flight with her camcorder until he was out of sight around the tower.
"Yeah, but do we want to?" Kero muttered.
Sakura continued her patrol, not wanting to make Yue fly any farther than he had to. It wasn't a long wait before the Moon Guardian came flying back in the opposite direction he had left from. Landing just in front of Sakura, he immediately informed her, "I have found nothing out of the ordinary, Mistress."
"So, that means that the card isn't on the outside." Sakura said looking toward the glass leading into the tower. "I guess that means it's in there."
"How can you be sure?" Kero asked.
Walking back to the set of glass doors they'd passed, Sakura replied, "Because, Kero, the card feels very close. There's nowhere else but here for it to be." she reasoned.
Sakura reached for the handles on one of the doors slowly. Kero and Yue tensed behind her, ready for violence. Madison held her camcorder in both hands, her sights riveted on the door, but ready to move out of the way should anything come through that door. Just as Sakura was about to open it, it was pushed open from the inside, nearly throwing Sakura off her feet in surprise. Yue rushed forward from behind to steady her, his wings spread wide and ready to fly with Sakura in his arms should he need to.
Sakura tightened her grip on the Clow wand, having almost dropped it. Ready for anything, she looked up toward the door…and nearly fell over again. "Rage?!"
Rage stood calmly in the doorway, one hand still on the opened door, staring at the group of four as they stared at him. There was silence until, when one white eyebrow arched, Rage said, "Sakura, what a surprise." his tone suggesting that he was not surprised to find her here at all.
Stepping away from Yue, Sakura asked anxiously, "You've been inside? Did you find anything?"
Rage shook his head. "I have only just teleported here, Sakura. I have not had the chance to investigate as of yet." his expression hardened, his eyes turning to ice.
Sakura took a deep breath. "Okay. This is it. Is everyone ready?" when she received nods she turned back to the open doorway. "Be careful Madison." she cautioned.
Sakura stepped inside. Rage unsheathed his sword once she'd passed ready to defend. Kero and Madison followed her in and then Yue, folding his wings behind him so that he could get in the doorway. It was turning to evening outside and the interior of the Tokyo Tower observation room was dim, and getting darker. Sakura still had sufficient enough light to see, but only just. She squinted her eyes a bit as she attempted to peer as far into the room as she could. She didn't see anything out of place. Sakura frowned, frustrated. She knew it was here, and the card was so close that it made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. But there was no sign of it!
Sakura was just about to pass the elevators that led down to the main observatory when Kero exclaimed, "Look!" Sakura's head whipped around, trying to locate the source of Kero's anxiety, thinking he must have spotted the card, her Clow wand coming up. "The elevator!" Kero said, his voice lowered but filled with intensity.
Sakura looked to the elevator, and realized what had grabbed Kero's attention. The needle that told you what floor the elevator was resting at…was moving. Someone was coming up. Normally, that wouldn't be so odd, except for the fact that no one was allowed up here right now!
Raising her Clow wand in a defensive manner Sakura reached for a Clow card. The little needle kept going up and Sakura watched, transfixed, waiting for the doors to open. When the elevator did reach this floor, Sakura found herself being pushed back into Yue by Rage, who took an offensive stance in front of her. Sakura craned her neck around Rage's back, wanting to see what came out of the elevator for herself.
The doors dinged and everyone tensed. They opened and there was Li, ready to step off the elevator. When he saw Rage, however, his sword drawn, he decided it might be better if he stayed where he was. Raising his hands above his head, he said dryly, "I'm unarmed."
"Li!" Sakura exclaimed, rushing from behind Rage who had lowered his sword when he had seen it was Clow Reed's descendant.
Li smiled. "Hey Sakura." his expression turned serious in the blink of an eye, though, and he asked, "Have you seen the card yet?"
"No. But it's here." Sakura murmured, looking around. Sighing, she said, "Come on, let's keep looking."
"What took you so long?" Kero whispered snidely as Sakura and the others searched.
Li glanced at Kero. "Not everyone can fly you know." he replied smartly. He moved up to be by Madison.
Sakura was beginning to think the card would never show itself. The group had been working their way to the centre of the observatory, going in a circular motion around the inside and working their way in. By now, they were nearly to the centre, which happened to be darker than the rest of the observatory since the light couldn't make its way all the way inside to that spot. Sakura eyed the centre of the observatory, an odd feeling in her stomach. It was rather dark over there, but she figured that was because of lack of light…or was it?
Sakura's train of thought was cut off when the card's energy suddenly spiked. "Did you…?" Sakura started, her eyes narrowed.
All four of the guys behind her had tensed. "Yes," Kero said, "I felt that."
"As did I." Rage replied quietly, staring beyond Sakura and into the odd darkness. "It is no longer shielding from us."
Sakura took a deep breath. Feeling bold (who wouldn't with three big men behind you…especially when two of them aren't human. Oh, yeah, ^.^ and one stuffed lion.) She took a single step forward. "Show yourself!" she demanded, feeling rather proud of the fact that her voice concealed the trembling that was going on in her stomach.
At first, there didn't appear to be any difference in the room. The energy of the card was still high but nothing moved. Then, a dark shape seemed to appear out of nowhere in the darkness, creating an even greater dark. The vague shape of a person could be made out, but it was too dark to make out any details or to interpret which card it could be.
Sakura was about to issue another challenge to the card, but she was stopped with her mouth midway open, Rage startling the hell out of her. "Love?" Rage whispered, his body seeming to go slack for a moment. Sakura looked down at her feet and inched away, nervous that Rage might lose his grip on his sword and drop it on her foot.
After eying Rage for a moment, and trying to figure out just how he knew-or thought, in this case-that it could be Love, Sakura turned her attention back to the dark.
The shadows began receding slowly until brown trousers could be made out, and then a long, brown jacket covering a white shirt. The ends of long, caramel hair became visible, and then the shadows disappeared from a face that was lowered, the eyes hidden. Sakura's eyes widened as she realized that it was, indeed, Love, and that Rage had been right.
"Love." Rage said again, taking another step forward, fully intending to go to the previously absent baka.
"Wait." Sakura murmured, placing a restraining hand on Rage's arm. Sakura felt, with mild alarm, the muscles under Rage's shirt bunch. She fully expected him to pull roughly away from her. She had better explain fast. "Something…isn't right." she whispered to him, her fingers tightening on his arm just in case. She returned her attention to Love and her eyes narrowed suspiciously. She just knew something was wrong. Something just didn't feel…right. She tried concentrating on Love, straining her senses to the max. She tried reaching for her Magical core, her Self-like Yue and Rage had been trying to teach her to do-so that she might use Magic somehow in order to help her sense what she was missing. However, when she reached for that bright, white light that she had seen inside of Yue…she was greeted with nothing.
However, it appeared she didn't need that extra boost of Magic. She concentrated on the spot Love was standing; her senses open as wide as they could be. That was when she felt it. "There's someone else there!" she said urgently, her eyes wide.
There was a short laugh from Love's vicinity. Two black-clad arms came out of the darkness, and, like two striking cobras, came and encircled Love's neck. The darkness vanished abruptly and the cardcaptor group stared as a woman was revealed. She was floating two inches off the ground, arms wound tightly about Love, clinging to his back. Smiling at the stunned group, she rested her chin on Love's shoulder, her glossy black hair falling over one ear and down Love's chest. She had a very feminine, elfin face with fair skin that looked as if it had never seen the sun. Her features were very fine; high cheekbones, delicately arched eyebrows, slanted eyes, and full, red lips. Sakura vaguely noted that her eyes were, indeed, coal black, just as Love had described them. Her irises were so dark that you could not distinguish them from her pupils, and that created a rather creepy effect. It didn't look like she had pupils. Sakura knew without being told which card this was.
"Betrayal." Rage hissed, his voice so menacing on that one word that Sakura really didn't think this card would see the light of another day. Rage's eyes moved from her to Love's still partially hidden face and something in his expression changed slightly. "Love," he said, tone softer, but still with that ice in it. "What do you think you're doing? Come here." he demanded in that way only Rage can.
Sakura gestured to Madison, telling her silently to get out of the way. When things got messy, as, no doubt they would, Sakura didn't want Madison in the middle of it. Madison nodded and moved off as quietly as she could to the sidelines, still videotaping as she went.
Love didn't move. Betrayal's smile grew wider and, instead of Love answering, she said dismissively, "Oh, he doesn't want to talk to you." she reluctantly let go of Love and floated back down to the ground, she disappeared behind Love's shoulders-as she was a few inches shorter than he was-for a moment before stepping out from behind him. Sakura could only gape.
Betrayal wore a tight, black velvet dress that hugged her figure like a second skin. The long sleeves went all the way down to her wrists where half of the sleeve stopped and the other half went on to cover the backs of her hands, ending in a triangle shape. Her shoulders were completely covered by the velvet, no straps or bare shoulders here, but the V in the dresses neckline dipped so low into the valley between the card's breasts that more than a decent amount of cleavage was visible. The scandalous dress went down to cling to a flat stomach, narrow waist, and lush hips. Just below the hips the dress began showing skin in a criss-cross or X pattern running down the card's thighs to just above her knees. There was also a slit that parted the dress from the middle of her left thigh that kept going to the end of the dresses skirt. Slim, unmarked legs peeked out from between the opening. To complete the 'look' she wore black, high-heeled shoes, the heel so thin it looked like it would break under her weight. The shoes were tied together from below the ankle to midway to her knee by thin, black straps that criss-crossed each other (Gee, hope this description makes up for one that Despair didn't have.).
Rage wasn't in the least bit phased by Betrayal's appearance having seen her before, and not under great circumstances. His eyes two cool, blue chips, he spoke to Love while keeping his gaze on Betrayal. "Love, what is going on? Are you out of your mind?"
Betrayal shook her finger once. "Tsk. I told you, he doesn't want to talk to you." moving close to Love again she ran her hand over his hair, almost like one would pet a cat. Crooning to him, she said, "And who could blame you?"
"I will ask one more time." Rage said ominously, bringing his sword up. "What is going on?"
Betrayal turned to look at him, a small pout on her lips. But her eyes were glittering. "Rage. We meet again, though you shouldn't be here at all. Tell me," she inquired, "why weren't you killed by my poison?" when Rage neglected to reply she shrugged. "I don't suppose that's the most pressing issue right now though, is it?" frowning, she cast him a disapproving look. "I was so very upset when Love rejected me before. But, I vowed that I would have him. It took a few centuries, but I have accomplished my goal." she smiled.
"Love would never consider forming a relationship with you." Rage scoffed.
"Oh no?" Betrayal demanded. Reaching up, she cupped Love's face in her hand and tilted his mouth towards her. Parting her luscious lips she licked Love's own full ones before she fastened her mouth to his.
This time, Sakura didn't bother to try and restrain Rage; she knew she'd never have enough strength to hold him back. Yue, however, was a different story. Using his wings as extra leverage he held onto Rage for all he was worth, the upset Forgotten straining in his hold like an animal. "Rage, calm down." Yue murmured in his ear. It didn't have much of an effect.
Betrayal pulled away from Love licking her lips. "Mmm…he is simply delicious." she purred. "I would have spent another five hundred years in that cave if it meant I would have him all to myself." she turned her attention to Rage who wore a furious expression. "I can see why you kept him for so long. He must be simply wonderful in bed." Yue tightened his grip, Rage's struggles intensifying.
Sakura watched Betrayal with angry eyes herself. No way would Love ever let her do that to him, not after what she'd done to Rage. Especially because of Rage. "What's wrong with him?" she asked, speaking to the card for the first time.
Betrayal blinked once, as if not understanding the question. "There's nothing wrong with him, my dear. Everything is right. Love, why don't you look at our enemies rather than stare at the floor, hmm?" she suggested, guiding his face up and towards the group with her index finger.
Sakura gasped. Rage stopped struggling abruptly and stared. Love was looking at them all dispassionately, his hazel eyes dull and nearly lifeless. There was no expression on his normally cheery face. He seemed so…empty.
"What have you done to him?" Rage whispered after a lengthy silence, his face a blank mask. It would have appeared that he felt nothing at this moment, if not for the very slight quiver in his voice.
"Why, I've helped him." Betrayal put a hand to her face, looking tragic. "Oh! When I found him he was so absolutely torn! He was so angry…" Betrayal looked to Rage pointedly. "…though he seemed more upset with himself than you, which I cannot understand." looking back up at Love's expressionless face she smiled. Hugging him again, she rubbed little circles on his shoulder with her hand, the motions meant to be soothing. "When I first saw him I was sure I had my chance for revenge." her face hardened abruptly, her eyes glittering. "No one refuses me." she growled. But, that smile was back on her face again and she ran her fingers through the silken strands of Love's hair while saying, "But then I got closer to him and picked up on what he was feeling. I almost fainted!" she declared, overdramatic. "His mind was in chaos! Not only was he furious, but he was also so very, very sad. Well…I couldn't let the poor dear remain like that!" smiling brightly, she continued, "I decided that I'd much rather have him than my revenge. His mind was so fragile at that moment that I just stepped right in. It was easy." she added, as if in afterthought.
"Well, that explains it." Kero whispered to himself. When Sakura glanced at him, silently asking what explained what, he said to her, "It's not easy to control the mind of a Forgotten. It is extremely difficult, even if the one who was doing the controlling was a Forgotten herself. If Love's mind was as fragile as Betrayal says, it would have been fairly easy to just slip in and create a few spells," Kero glared at her, "and work her darker Magicks."
Taking an offensive stance, Rage moved forward. "You shan't have him for long." he promised, sword at the ready.
Betrayal glanced at Rage's stone cold expression and moved slightly behind Love. She whispered something in his ear, and suddenly, Love's eyes weren't so lifeless.
Rage stopped in his tracks, watching Love half warily and half hopefully. "Love?" he questioned.
Life returned to the hazel depths and they glittered…but not with mirth. Drawing his sword slowly from its sheath, Love pointed it at Rage's chest. Love watched Rage with such damning hatred in his eyes that Rage felt his wall of ice crack, wanting to cave in. As if the eyes weren't bad enough, words began pouring from Love's mouth, "You! Have you come to condemn me again! I don't know why you even bothered to show up. Surely, you would be better off without me. You barely even notice me half the time! Too wrapped up in her." Love pointed his sword at Sakura. Laughing bitterly, he said, "You don't even care! You've never cared about me." making a sudden and unexpected move, Love lunged at Rage screaming, "I'm tired of being your bloody shadow!"
Giving a surprised yell, Rage stumbled backwards and away from Love. Even surprised, he managed to block Love's thrust. But Love didn't just leave it alone after one strike. Jumping into the air, Rage sought to avoid Love's furious onslaught, dodging Love's attempted killing blows like a gazelle dodges a cheetah.
"Rage!" Sakura exclaimed, afraid for both him and Love.
She ran two steps, intending to help, but Rage yelled, "No! I can hold him! Defeat Betrayal! Once she is sealed…" Rage trailed off as one blow came almost too close. He weaved right and away from the observatory wall, Love's sword just missing him and slamming into the plaster behind him. Huge chunks of the wall exploded outwards and scattered on the floor below. Love attempted to pull his sword from the wall, but found that he could not, the force behind his attack having driven the sword solidly into the thick tower's walls. Watching him carefully, Rage continued, "…once you seal her, her Magic will cease and the spell will be broken."
Giving his complete attention back to Love, Rage launched his attack while Love was distracted. Rather than using his sword, though, he used his fist to knock Love back. Love grunted in pain and lost his grip on his sword, falling back in the air. Getting over the pain in his jaw Love came back at Rage, swinging his own fist at Rage's pale face.
Sakura watched Love and Rage fight for a millisecond more before confronting Betrayal. Lifting her Clow wand in a threatening manner Sakura said, "You've caused enough damage. It's time you were sealed again."
Betrayal laughed, the sounds of Rage and Love's battle echoing in the background, truly amused. "And who's going to seal me? You? I don't think so." she eyed Sakura up and down, her eyes full of contempt. "You may be descended from Clow Reed little girl, but I have centuries on you."
Betrayal flung her arms wide and summoned up a great gust of wind. Bringing her arms together in front of her she propelled the wind forward, intent on knocking Sakura clear through the glass of the observatories windows and out into the empty air to her death.
Sakura clutched her Clow wand in her hands and braced her arms in front of her. "Shield!" the little pink bubble formed around her, Li, and her guardians. Sakura narrowed her eyes as the wind hit her, feeling the Shield card straining against it. But it was holding.
Betrayal laughed at Sakura's attempt to protect herself and increased the strong gust of wind to a forceful gale. Sakura cried out as her shield began to vibrate, too much pressure being put upon it. She felt like she had when she'd battled the Hate card. The Shield card had not been strong enough to keep Hate's fire out indefinitely, and it wasn't strong enough to keep out Betrayal's winds.
Arms came around from behind Sakura to land on her own arms near the Clow wand, making her jump and nearly loose her hold on Shield. "It's okay, Sakura." Li's voice said in her ear as a warm body pressed into her back, supporting her.
Sakura took a risk and chanced a glance over her shoulder. Li's face was inches from her own and he was wearing his trademark scowl, a glare directed over her head at Betrayal. Sakura just watched him for a few moments. Then, gathering courage from him she focused on the Shield card, strengthening it. It may be holding again, but for how long? "We can't keep this up forever!" Sakura said to Li, yelling to be heard over the whistling of the wind. "We need to go on the offensive!"
"I don't know about you," Li yelled back, a touch of humour in his voice, "but I'm a bit busy at the moment!"
"Give up!" Betrayal advised, her voice easily heard over her own wind. "Give up, and I might kill you quickly rather than slowl…" Betrayal cried out in surprise, feeling a second shield go up around Sakura's. Not only was this shield strong, but it was made out of Air! She received another surprise as her wind slowly turned back on itself and headed towards her. She cut off her spell before it could send her flying through the observatory glass. Glaring at Sakura, who wore a surprised expression of her own on her face, Betrayal asked, "Who…?"
"You forget," Yue exclaimed, suddenly appearing in the air above the Forgotten's head, "that I have centuries on you." forming his icicles in his hand, Yue sent them straight for Betrayal.
Giving a cry of alarm this time Betrayal dodged backwards furiously. As she did so, Betrayal unhooked several of the needles from her bracelet and hurled them at Yue. The needles were so small and flung so fast that Yue almost didn't see them coming. Stopping his assault on Betrayal he flung himself to the right in midair. Two of the needles came within millimetres of his face, just missing and slicing a few strands of his hair instead, sending the silver bits floating to the floor.
Betrayal looked down at the sleeve of her dress in disbelief. One of Yue's icicles had managed to hit her and had torn her beautiful, black creation. Not only had it torn her clothes, but there was a shallow gash running from the beginning of her arm at the shoulder to just above her elbow. Looking back up at Yue she noticed that he had managed to avoid all of her poisonous pins. Narrowing her eyes, she muttered, "Something will have to be done about you."
Betrayal looked at the three remaining cardcaptors starting with Sakura, who had called the Shield card back as soon as Yue went on the attack, another card now clutched in her fist. Betrayal quickly passed her by, sensing nothing from her except a dense, pink cloud whenever she tried to pick thoughts from the cardcaptor's head. She moved to Li next. He didn't seem to have the sort of impenetrable cloud surrounding his mind, but when she tried picking his thoughts for something useful to use to turn him against his friends, she was greeted with a part of that cloud she had sensed from the girl. It was almost as if…a part of her was in the boy. Betrayal didn't quite know what that meant, but she did know she was reluctant to try and break that pink cloud…and that annoyed her to no end. She shouldn't be reluctant in anything concerning this girl. But…she had a feeling that if she tried to break that pink cloud the results would not be pretty.
She turned to Kero next and her gaze sharpened as it landed on the false form of the Sun Guardian. His mind was open and vulnerable…and all she was getting from him were feelings of self-doubt. Smiling wickedly, Betrayal secretly let out a tendril of her Power of Persuasion directly towards the Guardian Beast, whispering little lies into his head. No one noticed Kero's eyes slowly go blank; they were too focused on Betrayal.
Smiling at Sakura, Li, and Yue now, Betrayal raised her hands slightly in a sign of surrender. "Well, it looks like I might have a bit of trouble facing all three of you. Why don't you just seal me, I don't want anymore wounds than I already have." she said sweetly.
Sakura exchanged glances with Li. Both expected a trap. Somehow, it just wasn't conceivable that after all Betrayal had said and done that she would give up merely because she had been wounded. But what could they do? If she refused to fight then the only other thing to do would be to seal her.
Sakura took a hesitant step forward, not sure what to expect.
"Be careful." Li whispered behind her, his sword at the ready.
Sakura raised the Clow wand. "Betrayal card! Return to your power, confi-ahh!" Sakura cut off mid-chant as a large, orange shape brushed by dangerously close to her, a gust of air following in its wake. She looked up just in time to see Kero, in his true form, barrel straight into an unsuspecting Yue, sending the Moon Guardian crashing to the ground. Sakura couldn't help but wince as she heard an ominous crunch as Yue hit the ground, followed by a cry of pain.
"Kero!" she screamed. "Stop it!" she didn't have time to wonder how Kero had managed to transform into his true self with Death still left to capture first because Kero was speaking in the next instant…
Crouching over Yue, Kero bared his teeth. "You think I didn't notice? You think all of the private talks between you and my Mistress went unnoticed? I know what you're trying to do!" he growled, pressing a paw painfully into Yue's chest. "You wanted her for yourself, didn't you? It was the same with Clow Reed! Always demanding more of his time, alone, than was your right! And now you're doing it with Sakura! When you went out on the roof to talk that one night, you were trying to convince her to discard me, weren't you? You were trying to convince her that you were the stronger Guardian! You. can't. have. her." he enunciated slowly. Kero leaned forward, intent on taking half of Yue's face off with his teeth.
"Kero!" Sakura yelled again, rushing forward.
Betrayal blocked her way, shaking her head, giving the impression that Sakura should know better. "I think we should let them sort out their differences…Kero Beros does not seem happy with Yue at all." she said sadly, pouting.
"Get out of his head. Leave him alone." Sakura warned, an anger boiling up from the pit of her stomach and leaking out into her voice. Kero was one of her best friends and the thought of him being influenced like he was at the moment really upset her, and that was an understatement.
"Oh, I don't think so." Betrayal said calmly. "You see, with both of your Guardians in their true forms now, I really don't want them aligning themselves with you at the moment. Four against one really isn't fair, you know. Six against one is even worse." tilting her head to the side, Betrayal gazed at Sakura quizzically. "However did you get both Love and Rage to join you? In all my years I never thought I would see the day one of us aligned ourselves with Clow Reed's forces. It's unheard of."
"Things change." Sakura murmured.
"Yes…I suppose they do." Betrayal said quietly. "Anywho," she quipped, smiling brightly, "with only the two of you to deal with now I don't think I'll have much of a problem. You don't look like much." she observed.
"Appearances can be deceiving." Sakura muttered, having had enough of being insulted by her 'High-and-Mightiness'. "Firey! Release and dispel!"
Betrayal created an Air shield around her as Firey headed her way. She laughed as the shield absorbed Fireys flames harmlessly. "You'll have to do better than a Clow card if you want to defeat me! Those pathetic cards do not even compare to us!" Betrayal projected the Air in her shield outwards and blew Firey away from her and back to Sakura and Li.
Sakura felt her cards panic and knew that Firey could not stop itself in time. "Firey! Return!" Sakura called back quickly, relieved when the flames from Firey were pulled into the card and not her flesh. Glancing over at Li, she said, "I don't know if my attacks are strong enough to break through her defences, Li."
Holding a charm out in front of himself he glared at the card while he replied to Sakura, "The card's strong Sakura, no doubt about that, but you can't think that way. We've got to stop her. To help Yue and Kero…" after a pause, "…and Rage and Love, too, we've got to beat her. Firey didn't seem to work, why don't you try another one of the element cards? They're the strongest."
"Right." Sakura nodded. Sakura took out the four cards and regarded them in her hands. Earthy, Firey, Windy, and Watery…but which one to use? She didn't dare try Windy-though she loved the card dearly-knowing Betrayal's talents with the air currents about her. She already tried Firey. She looked over at Kero and Yue. Yue was still fending off the Sun Guardian, trying desperately to keep those huge fangs away from his throat. So she dared not use Earthy either, she didn't want to risk upsetting Yue with a jolt to the tower. Sakura shivered, an image coming to her mind of a startled Yue losing his purchase in Kero's fur and Kero's head descending to…
Sakura glanced down at the last card in her hand. "Right…Watery it is."
~
"Kero Beros! You must calm yourself!" Yue commanded urgently, his arms straining to push Kero back.
"And give you the advantage?" Kero snarled, "I think not. When I've finished with you Sakura will have no choice but to talk to me when she has a problem. Not you."
"You do not understand." Yue explained as calmly as possible…well…as calmly as you could when there was a good three hundred pound lion sitting on your stomach. He knew, though, that he couldn't over-react. He must try to make Kero see reason with logic, counter Betrayal's half-truths with irrefutable facts. Kero must be made to see how utterly foolish Betrayal's lies sounded.
Slitted, silver eyes met spun gold ones and Yue said earnestly, "Betrayal is making you do this, Kero Beros. You must see this. Everything you are accusing me of now is nothing more than a subconscious fear you have been harbouring, nothing more."
"You're lying." Kero hissed, lunging forward suddenly. Yue's head jerked back and slammed into the floor as Kero's teeth came just a little too close to his face.
Shaking his head, dazed, Yue's arms began to tremble with his lack of concentration. Realizing the new danger he was in, he knew that he could not continue this on the ground. Kero Beros had too much of an advantage in the position he was in…and Yue could not hold him indefinitely.
Taking a deep breath, Yue tensed and pushed his great, white wings against the floor sending him careening forward. Kero, surprised by the sudden upward momentum, was abruptly flung off the Moon Guardian to land unceremoniously on the floor. Yue didn't wait and took off into the air, knowing Kero would follow him. That was fine…as long as he wasn't pinned to anything.
Kero did indeed follow him, snarling furiously as he leapt up into the air. He formed a fireball in his mouth and shot it with precision at Yue. Yue raised a shield and braced himself for contact. The fireball hit and strained against the shield before fading back into the air when it could not get through. Dropping the shield, Yue regarded Kero calmly. "As long as we have known each other, Kero Beros, have you ever known me to try and take away the affections of our Mistress?" he asked reasonably.
"You attempted such with Clow Reed." Kero growled, lunging forward.
Yue avoided Kero's airborne attack, his long, lean body an advantage in the air. "I never tried to take away Clow Reed's affection from you, Kero Beros. I admit I was greatly unhappy when Clow Reed told us he was leaving. If it appeared as if I was spending more time with him after that…can you blame me? But I did not discourage him from seeing you…ever. You were always very much a part of him, as was I. There were no favourites, Kero Beros." Yue finished quietly.
Kero shook himself vigorously, as if shaking off all that Yue had just said. "That is the past. Clow Reed is gone. It is Sakura that I am concerned about now." giving a pain-filled growl, Kero said, "She never comes to me anymore. It's always to you. You're always the one she runs to, the one she calls. It is as if I do not matter. You know how I feel! You did this on purpose! You said so yourself. You wanted to spend all your time with Clow Reed. Now that he is not here you are using Sakura as a substitute. It's not right!"
"Think about what you are saying, Kero Beros." Yue prodded urgently. "You are jealous of the attention Sakura has been recently paying me. You are upset because of Sakura." Drawing himself up, he insisted. "You are her Guardian. You are here to protect her. Whatever trouble exists between us we must always put our Mistress first, and right now…you are not doing so!!" Kero started, so surprised was he to hear the normally composed Moon Guardian's voice raised. Taking a breath to collect himself, Yue went on, "Your feelings toward me at the moment do not matter. Our Mistress is in trouble. This foolish fight you wish to indulge in now puts our Mistress at risk because she has next to no defence against Betrayal."
Kero's eyes flickered uncertainly. "But I…" he trailed off, his brows knit together, confused, the voice of Betrayal on one side, the voice of Yue on the other.
Yue took advantage of his confusion. "If you do not cease your attack, Kero Beros, and let us both help her, Betrayal will kill her."
~
Rage didn't know what to do.
Love seemed hell bent on causing him serious harm. Rage didn't know what it was that was driving Love's sense of betrayal, and every time he attempted to speak with Love about it, it only seemed to enrage him further. As the fight wore on it became increasingly more violent, Love's attacks more brutal, more determined.
"Love," Rage demanded, catching Love's fist and trapping it, blocking another blow meant for his head. "What is it that enabled Betrayal to gain this power over you! What is bothering you!?"
Yanking his hand from Rage's grasp, Love yelled, "You're what's bothering me! It's you, it's always been you!"
Rage reared back, surprised. "What are you talking about? What have I done that's made you so upset?"
Love laughed. "You just answered your own question." sobering, he ground out, "If you haven't figured it out by now, you don't deserve to know." Then, pulling a knife from his jacket, he slashed at an unsuspecting Rage.
Rage jerked back, but not in time to stop the edge of the knife from slicing a shallow gash into the side of his cheek. Grabbing Love's wrist faster than Love was able to move, Rage twisted. Love cried out and the knife dropped from suddenly nerveless fingers. Tightening his grip, Rage lifted and then flipped Love over his head into the air behind him.
Love caught himself just short of the wall. Looking back at Rage, he slowly moved his fingers, determining that Rage hadn't broken his wrist. "It's nice to know you won't hesitate to hurt me when you get the chance, even after all we've been through."
Rage snorted, he couldn't help it. "That's a bit hypocritical, don't you think? You've been trying to put a sword, your fists, and now a knife," he gestured to the slowly seeping wound on his cheek, "through my skull. What do you call that?"
"Retribution." Love whispered.
Rage regarded Love with a weary expression. "What have I done? I cannot hope to end this without knowing what it is that I have done that makes you so angry you seek bloodshed."
Fists clenched at his sides Love said nothing for a moment. "I will not tell you the whole thing, but I will tell you this…" he hissed. "You've made my life a living hell! Every moment of every day I hurt. You have caused me so much emotional damage I feel as if I've fallen into a black hole where there is nothing but darkness. The pain never goes away, never ceases! It would be bearable…if not for you. All you need do is simply open your mouth and I am cut to the quick!" pausing, he lowered his head. "No one should have such power over one person," he whispered, "no one should be able to hurt me as you do."
There was silence between them. Rage stared at Love's lowered head, his long time friend's words repeating them in his head, especially the last whispered words. Though he still did not understand what he's done to evoke such feelings of pain in Love one thing was abundantly clear…he made Love's life a living hell.
Rage frowned, for the first time in his life feeling a pain on the inside rather than the outside that was caused by another. Love's words…hurt. They hurt him. The concept was unbelievable, though now that they were out in the open he could not deny it. Love was the only one who had stayed with him through the fight against the Forgotten when Clow Reed was still alive, all the years of imprisonment in that dank, dark cave. He was the only one there when the depression set in after Clow Reed had trapped them, thinking himself betrayed. Rage had come to…rely…on Love. Yes…that was it. He had come to rely on the constant company, the support, the witty remarks, the foolish jokes, and that ever present grin. After all that Love had given him, it appeared he had nothing to give in return except a world of suffering.
"You…wish to kill me?"
Love looked up at the quiet tone, something odd about it. He was greeted with Rage's impenetrable stare. Tensing, jaw locking, he said, "I wish to get rid of the bane of my existence, who just happens to be you."
Silence, then, "Well, get on with it."
Love blinked, momentarily speechless. Then his eyes narrowed, "Are you mocking me?"
Rage shook his head very slightly. "No. I am not quite familiar with foolish emotions, but when I think about the pain you say you are in…" Rage trailed off frowning again, unable to find the necessary words he was looking for. "I have taken away a good portion of your life. As they say, an eye for an eye, and what-not."
Love watched Rage for a moment more, his attitude not at all what he normally would have expected. He glanced over at the far wall, at his sword that was still imbedded in it, and then back at Rage. Floating towards it, he watched Rage carefully, looking for any signs of a trap. When Rage made no move to stop him, just watched him with unusually dull eyes, Love turned his back and made a dash for the sword. Reaching it, he pulled it from the wall with a grunt, using most of his strength to do the job. Turning back, he found that Rage still hadn't moved. For some reason, Rage's passivity angered him. Walking toward him on air, he sneered, "What? Not going to fight back?" he raised his sword in front of him. "Somehow I just don't believe that. You never go down without a fight. Hell…you never go down, period."
Rage didn't respond. Love frowned, annoyed. "What's the matter with you? Say something, damn it!" he snarled. Rushing forward, he backhanded Rage across the face. Rage's head turned but he made no sound. When he turned his face back to Love, his eyes were still that dull shade of blue. It hurt to look at after seeing the blue so sharp it rivalled the sea. Furious, needing a reaction, Love formed a ball of pink energy in his hand. "Fight back!" when there was still no response, Love cried out in frustration and anger, drawing his hand back and letting the ball go. It hit Rage square in the chest and with a grunt he fell from the air.
Landing with sickening thud on his back, Rage lay where he had fallen, not moving. Love teleported from the air down to the ground so that he was standing directly over Rage. There was a pained expression on his face and his eyes were shut. Raising his sword in a threatening manner, Love demanded, "Get up." When Rage didn't move he kicked him in the ribs. This drew another grunt from Rage but nothing else. "Look at me!" Love yelled. Rage opened his eyes slowly, regarding him with a sad expression. Enraged, Love put one foot over Rage so that he was standing with one foot on either side of his stomach. "Fight me." He said again, pointing the tip of the sword at Rage's throat. "Do something, damn it!" he yelled suddenly, tears suddenly forming in his eyes. "Fight me!"
It looked as if Rage wasn't going to reply again, but suddenly his mouth moved and one word formed at his lips, "…No."
One tear finally fell from those luminous caramel eyes, sliding down his cheek to land on Rage's shirt. Dropping to his knees he gripped the front of Rage's shirt with one hand. "Why won't you fight me?! Why won't you defend yourself!?" he finished by shaking Rage by his shirt, as if to emphasize the question.
"Fine." he snarled, letting go of the shirt. "Whether you fight back or not is of no concern to me." he informed him, though his eyes were still misty. Bringing his sword to Rage's throat, he said, "I'll kill you now and end my pain. It ends with you."
Love held the sword at Rage's throat, but his eyes were on Rage's. He stared into the twin orbs, dull and devoid of any emotion, even amusement. He blinked, hard, as the memory of those same two eyes came to his mind, a picture of them bright and sparkling when he was amused, hard and brutal when angry, and glittering with rage whenever he fought. He remembered those little half smirks Rage was so fond of giving, though he never really ever smiled, Love didn't think he knew how. He remembered the thoughtful expressions on his face whenever something was taking up his complete attention, how he would sit when sharpening his sword, that same look on his face. He remembered the wistful expression on his face when he first told him about Sakura; the first time Love had seen him so close to smiling. The look hadn't been for him, but oh, how happy he had been that Rage had finally found someone to love.
"I can't do it." He whispered, the spell's web cracking. The sword, now held in a trembling hand, was slowly taken away from Rage's flesh. His eyes were swimming now, and more tears fell, this time landing on Rage's own cheeks. "I tried, I tried so h-hard," he cried, his voice catching on the last word, "but I can't. I couldn't l-live…" Love bent down, staring intently into those eyes. "couldn't live without you." He whispered.
Then, doing something that returned the life back to those blue eyes when all his fighting had failed to, Love kissed Rage, and the spell shattered.
~
Yue watched with bated breath as Kero's eyes flickered with pain and uncertainty. "What will it be, Kero Beros?" Yue pressed, "My life…or Sakura's?"
"I cannot let her die." Kero whispered raggedly. His face tightening into a mask of determination, he declared, "I will not let Sakura die!"
Yue felt as well as saw Betrayal's spell shatter, Kero's desire to help Sakura much stronger than his desire to take the Moon Guardian's life. Kero shook his head slightly, "Yue?" he asked questioningly.
"Betrayal placed a spell on you, Kero Beros. You have managed to break through it. We must help Sakura, she is in grave danger."
Kero tensed at this. He was suddenly very glad Betrayal's magic had enabled his transformation into his true form; he was now able to actively help Sakura in her battle against the Forgotten.
Kero nodded at Yue's earlier words. "Yes, let us hurry."
~
"I'm going to use Watery, Li." Sakura murmured to him. "But, I'm afraid that if Betrayal puts up that shield again, Watery won't be able to get through."
"We have to try, Sakura. I'll help you as much as I can." He promised. "Maybe, if we combine water attacks-my element chants to Watery's power-we might just be able to break through." he suggested.
"It's worth a try." Sakura said hopefully.
"Are you two done chatting over there?" Betrayal asked, a slightly bored note to her voice. "If you insist on spending all your time discussing your battle plans, at least speak up a bit so I can hear you." She smiled. "Makes it easier to crush you."
Sakura and Li exchanged glances.
"Watery! Release and dispel!"
"Element, Water!"
Two highly pressurized water geysers headed straight for Betrayal. Laughing loudly, this being the most fun she's had in centuries, Betrayal raised her shield again. The water exploded into the shield, leaving water coursing down the entire expanse of it…but the shield held.
Eyes glittering, Betrayal exclaimed, "It's no use! You cannot defeat my shields! Nothing you can throw at me will possibly be able to break through! You are beaten!"
"Not yet we're not!" a huge, orange fireball followed by a string of icicles accompanied the sudden statement from out of the air.
"Kero!" Sakura cried, taking her eyes off Betrayal long enough to glance up into the sky. She smiled happily, tears gathering in her eyes, as she saw both her Guardians in the air together side by side. Returning her attention to Betrayal she smiled again, though this time it was filled with renewed hope and a sense of triumph.
Kero and Yue resumed their attack on Betrayal's shield, this time non-stop. Betrayal winced as the extra pressure being put on her shield weakened it. "How did you…?" she began, wondering how on earth Kero could have possibly escaped her spell. She couldn't finish, however, as all of her concentration was focused on holding her shield.
Sakura's expression was determined behind her Clow wand, Watery continual attack bombarding the Forgotten's defence. She could feel the colossal resistance, but she could also feel-and see-the added amount of effort and concentration from Betrayal as she held her shield against the added attacks of Kero and Yue. It was taking effort, though. At this rate, Sakura knew Betrayal would eventually tire and her shield would falter…but…Sakura couldn't keep her attack going forever, either. Neither could Li or her Guardians. So, the real question was…who would tire first?
Sakura couldn't wait and take the chance that Betrayal might outlast them all. She had to do something and she had to do it now.
Sakura stared at Betrayal, thinking. The glistening rivulets of water caught Sakura's eye and she frowned. Then her eyes widened. "Li! I have an idea!"
"What?" he said simply, his attention completely focused on what he was doing.
Recalling Watery, Sakura pulled out another card. She regarded it for a moment and then watched Li's water spell assault the surface of the shield. She looked back down at the card again and hoped this might work. "Li, Kero, Yue! Stop your attacks when I tell you to!" she yelled, getting ready.
"What?!" Li asked again, though this time Sakura had his complete attention.
Sakura just shook her head, staring at the Forgotten. Gathering up her courage, she yelled, "Now!" the three attacks all stopped immediately. Not giving Betrayal any time to take advantage of the respite she called forth her card…
"Thunder! Release!"
A loud crack of thunder was heard just before a yellow streak of lightening crashed through the ceiling and smashed into the wet shield. Betrayal screamed as her shield, a super conductor, gave almost immediately under the superior might of Thunder.
As soon as the shield was down, Sakura and Li simultaneously called out, "Thunder!" "Element Water!"
The two attacks hit her at the same time, the combination particularly violent. When the two cardcaptors called their forces back, the effects were devastating. No longer was Betrayal the beautiful, confident woman who had clung so shamelessly to Love's back. Now, her long black hair was matted and singed, damp and completely uneven from where Thunder had burned the strands to a crisp. The fair skin was greyish now, almost black in some places. The dress was torn and burned in so many places it might have not even been there for all the good it did now. A direct hit by a lightening bolt would have killed a normal person…but Betrayal was still standing…and she was still alive.
Sakura watched with disgust as charred, blackened lips pulled back from Betrayal's mouth and smiled at her…she wondered how Betrayal could possibly smile like that. "Very clever," a thin, raspy voice came from the broken body. "But you haven't quite finished me off yet."
Feeling nauseous, Sakura raised the Clow wand, intending to seal her.
Betrayal picked a handful of her poisoned needles from her somehow undamaged bracelet and flung them in Sakura's direction. Surprised, not having expected Betrayal to have any sort of energy left in her to fight, Sakura almost didn't dodge the needles. "Jump!" she cried. Landing, she chanted quickly, "Betrayal card! Return to your Power, confined! Betrayal card!"
Betrayal was slowly pulled into the card. Sakura reached up and pulled the card out of the air. She looked down at the Betrayal card-she was staring up at her with a seductive gleam in her eye, one arm raised, the bracelet on her wrist in plain sight-and sighed.
Kero and Yue landed in front of her and she grinned at them, relieved that that was finally over. Kero was now back in his false form, the Magic that had sustained transformation gone now that Betrayal was sealed. Sakura put the Betrayal card away and walked towards Kero, prepared to give him a big hug…
"Sakura…"
Sakura turned around and regarded Li, still smiling. "Yes, Li?" the smile faded from her face, though, as she got a good look at his expression…something wasn't right…
That was when she noticed the blue-tipped needle sticking out of Li's arm.
To be continued…
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Well now…I've written myself quite a pickle here. ;p I've got quite a few things that need to be dealt with next chapter now. *sigh* Why can't I just write simple stuff that's easy to take care of?? Oh well ^.^ them's the breaks.