Introduction
A year has passed since Li fell prey to the Evil Card, and he's trying to cope with the effects. With his dark side closer to the surface, he can get angry very quickly – a fact that everyone notices.
Since he moved back to Readington, Sakura has been the rock in his life, the only person able to keep him balanced. But when an argument gets out of hand, Li makes a drastic decision…to walk out of her life forever.
Another year passes, and Sakura is once again under threat from evil forces. But without Li to protect her, is this the end for the 16 year old Card Mistress?
The scars of the past come back to haunt them…Chapter Four; The Truth Is Told
"It's really too bad of you, I honestly never thought there'd be a time when you kept information from me." Sakura glared fiercely at the guardians, amused to see the way that they hung their heads like disobedient puppies – even Yue. She sighed, and put her hands on her hips.
"Why can't I ever stay angry at you for long? It's not fair!" Sakura spun and went into the kitchen to get some tea, leaving the guardians alone for the moment. Kero turned to Yue, a wicked gleam in his beady eye.
"See, I told you she wouldn't stay mad if we gave her the puppy dog act."
The corner of Yue's mouth twitched in what might have been a smile, and he nodded.
"Yes, it seems like you were right after all."
"So what exactly am I facing?" Sakura blew on her tea to cool it down, and looked expectantly at her guardians. The two of them glanced at each other, before nodding, and Kero looked up at Sakura.
"We're not sure. We think it's the 'Big Three', the three worst evil doers in the world. They joined together centuries ago, with the sole idea of causing trouble. But if it really is them, they've found a new member. Which is very worrying."
"Why? Because there'll be more of them?" Sakura asked.
"Well, yes, but mainly because the original group haven't had a new member in 300 years. Out of all the evil magicians over the years, none have been deemed powerful enough for their elite group…until now."
"For them to have accepted another person…it indicates that the new member must be extremely strong, and very bad news." As Kero fell silent, Sakura put down her cup of tea. She didn't want the others to see how her hand was shaking.
"But who are they?" Yue stood up suddenly, his face full of pain as he turned to the window.
"They, Mistress, are the people who nearly killed Clow Reed centuries ago."
"We had just been created, so we were fairly...inexperienced. Barely more than a week old, and we had to engage in battle already. The 'Big Three' had heard about the great wizard Clow and his magical cards, so they had come to claim them." He paused, a cold smile forming on his face.
"But they weren't counting on us."
"They had not been informed of our creation, so they arrived pretty boldly, daring to smash right through the front door. If it had just been Clow, they might have subdued him eventually. But with us helping, Clow managed to drive them away."
"As Kero and I were newly created, we had lost a lot of energy in the fight. And it was when we were resting that the 'Big Three' attacked once more. Clow received numerous injuries before we were able to help him." Yue's eyes clouded over with hidden agony, and he forced the tears of shame that had sprung up away.
"This latest strike was their own downfall. Clow had had enough, and sealed them away in another dimension, like he did with Su Young. But we all knew the spell wouldn't last." He finally stopped talking, and stared sorrowfully at his mistress.
"We just didn't think it would be so soon."
Sakura sat in a daze on the swings, lost in her thoughts. >The three…well, four strongest evil magicians in the world, and they're all out to get me.>
"Sakura!" Blinking, Sakura pulled herself out of her mind, and looked up at the girl who stood beside her.
"Madison?"
"Yeah, remember me? Your best friend? The one who was meant to come over after school?" Sakura's eyes cleared, and she mentally hit herself on the head.
"Oh, I'm sorry Madison. I just needed to get away and think for a while."
Her friend's face softened, and she sat on the swing next to Sakura.
"It's alright. I saw you here as I was walking to your house. So, I guess you found out what you're facing."
"Yeah." Sakura filled Madison in on what Kero and Yue had told her, and the girl's eyes widened in horror.
"Sakura…this is terrible! They sound as if they really want to hurt you!" Her voice shook slightly, and she glanced away, trying to take it all in.
When she looked back, Sakura's vivid emerald eyes were glazing over, and she was falling limply backwards off the swing.
Sorry for the short chapter, but I didn't really have time to expand on it - I might come back to it someday and edit though...but until then, read the next chapter - it's much longer!
Read and review, please!