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 Eleven; Harder To Hide
Li materialised in his chambers, and promptly chucked a nearby vase at the wall. It shattered, and Li smiled in satisfaction. Violence was so good for letting out your rage.
>You were just as weak as she is, back there. You actually acted as though you still cared for her. Like the pathetic loser you used to be.> Li growled, and picked up another vase. He was about to throw it, when a hand lightly caught his wrist.
"I don't know about Kuro and Vega, but I for one would like you to leave a couple of our ornaments intact." Smiling, Yuri took the vase from him and set it down on the table.
"You shouldn't let your anger out, anyway – it provided the fuel you need for battle." She purred.
"Anger is weakness. It only succeeds in clouding the mind." Li sharply returned. But despite his cold words, Yuri could still see the way he was trembling with rage.
"What is it, my love?" In response, Li smashed a fist down onto the table, nearly cracking it in half.
"God, I hate her! I hate her so much!" he snarled. Yuri raised a slender eyebrow, a small smile touching her lips.
"Who would this be? The Card Mistress?" She hedged.
"Her name's Sakura." Li corrected automatically, before growling as he realised what he'd said.
Yuri frowned. She knew that Li had known Sakura before, and that the two had a history, but she'd always thought that their relationship had only been about fighting magic – no more, no less. However, Li's recent behaviour was leading her to believe that there'd been something more there.
"Shhh. You don't want Kuro to hear you like this. He has grown impatient, and is looking for an excuse to relieve you of your leadership." Yuri whispered.
"He's what?" Li's eyes narrowed, and he turned to face Yuri, his rage forgotten.
"He feels that you're not moving fast enough, that you're too scared to fight the little Cherry Blossom."
"Oh really? Then perhaps I'd better remind him who's boss." Li chuckled cruelly, his eyes already alight with ideas to make Kuro suffer.
He'd just found a way to let his anger out.
"Damn him! Why do we have to just sit around like this!" Kuro shouted, pacing round the room. Vega said nothing, and just watched from her seat.
"We did just fine without him! Just fine! And then he just marches in here, takes control…" Kuro kicked at a nearby stool, literally fuming.
"Do this! Do that! I'm so much better than you!" He raved.
Vega shook her head slightly, a smirk forming on her pale lips.
"This wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that you used to be leader before him, would it?" She sniggered.
Kuro whirled angrily, waving his hands wildly to emphasise his point.
"Without me, there wouldn't even be any Dark Monarchs! I was the person who founded us!" He looked at Vega, and his eyes narrowed.
"I was the one who discovered you."
Flashback
Kuro landed on the grass, and stared in awe at the destruction before him. Nothing remained of the hut that had once stood there, except for a few flaming beams and a couple of charred white sticks.
>No, they're not sticks…they're bones. People were in here when it caught alight.> He realised. Listening carefully, he could hear sobbing, and followed the sound. A child was hiding in the shadows, shaking violently.
Walking over, Kuro placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled as she looked up, frightened.
"You did this, didn't you?" He murmured. The girl's eyes widened.
"I didn't mean to!" She sobbed. "I just got so angry when Father threatened to beat me again!" Burying her head in her hands, she began to cry even louder, jerking with the force of her weeping.
"You have nothing to regret, Vega Dante." Kuro whispered. The girl froze, before staring up in shock.
"How…how do you know my name?"
"Oh, I know much more than that. Your mother was Arabic, and fell for an Italian sailor, who brought her back to his country with him. When they had you, they gave you a name that was half Arabic, half Italian. Then, when you were old enough, they began to beat you."
Kuro tilted his head back, a lazy smile forming on his cruel face.
"You don't have to be afraid of anyone, anymore. You have a special power, Vega. One that makes you better than everyone else."
"What should I do with it?" Vega murmured, already falling under the sway of this dashing young man.
"Join with me, Vega. We shall form our own team of powerful magicians, and we will take what has been denied to us!"
"What have we been denied?" She questioned. Kuro grinned evilly.
"Everything. Are you with me?"
Vega studied the hand offered to her, then looked back to the burning hut.
>I did it without even thinking…imagine what I could do if I concentrated…> She thought to herself. Breathing in deeply to steady herself, she reached out and took Kuro's hand.
"I'm with you."
End Flashback
"Remember, Vega? Remember how it felt to actually do something?" He snarled. Vega smiled, and slipped her arms around his waist.
"Still, you have to admit that he's stronger than the three of us put together when he's angry enough. And even when he's calm, he's still a force to be reckoned with." She quietly laughed.
"Still…"
"And he knows a lot about Sakura."
"But…"
"We all agreed, Kuro. Even you." She reminded him.
"Yes, Kuro. So be a good little boy, and remember your place!" Kuro spun around, his eyes narrowing instinctively.
Li stood there, leaning against the door, an arrogant smirk on his face. Yuri stood just behind him, laughing slightly at the expression on Kuro's face. >Damn him. Not only did he take over as leader, he took my Yuri too. > Kuro thought.
Although he liked every woman he met, and enjoyed sleeping around, Kuro had favoured Yuri above all others. >Until that scheming devil waltzed in here and stole her from me. >
"What's the matter, Kuro? Cat got your tongue?" Li sneered.
"Why, I ought to…" Kuro never got any further. Li twisted his hand sharply, and Kuro crashed to the ground as an invisible rope wrapped around his legs, tripping him up.
"I hear you've been saying things about me, Kuro." Li aimed a vicious kick at the other magician's side, smiling at the sounds of agony Kuro was making.
"I don't like people talking behind my back." Kick.
"Especially when those people are meant to be loyal to me." Kick.
"So I'd appreciate it if you stopped." Kick.
"Got it?" Li stepped back to admire his handiwork, and chuckled quietly at the expression of pure hatred that Kuro wore.
"Well have you?" He pressed.
"Yes…" Kuro growled.
"Good." Aloof once more, Li turned to go back into his chambers, before pausing at the doorway.
"Oh, I almost forgot." He said offhandedly.
"What?" Snarled Kuro, as he got to his feet.
"Sakura has a new ally helping her."
Vega raised an eyebrow, ignoring the way Kuro was grumbling in the background.
"What's that got to do with us? We'll crush him like the rest."
"He won't be as easy to defeat as you may think." Li warned, beginning to smirk again.
"Why not?" Yuri pressed.
"Well, he has magic for one thing."
"What does that matter? We have destroyed thousands of magicians in our time. You waste our time, Li." Kuro growled, starting to leave.
"Just wait until you find out who he is the reincarnation of." Li laughed.
Kuro stopped, his curiosity piqued, despite his best efforts.
"Who?" Vega asked. Li winked, enjoying how all their attention was focused on him.
"None other than the only wizard who has ever defeated you."
"You mean…" Yuri whispered, beginning to comprehend.
"Yes. Clow Reed himself."
Leaving the other three to think about the information he'd just released, Li headed back to his chambers, silently laughing.
>Well, well, Eli. It seems like I just dropped you right in it. Oh dear. >
"Ohhh. My head…" Madison groaned, tentatively touching her temple.
"Are you alright, Madison?" Sakura asked, leaning over.
"Yeah. Although I'm getting really fed up of being yours and Li's personal telephone." She answered, winking slightly.
"Are you sure? You look very pale." Eli said worriedly, his mask of calmness pushed aside for the moment.
"I'm fine…thanks for catching me." Madison whispered.
Sakura moved back, her mouth twitching. >Is it just me, or do those two have some secret stuff going on?> she thought to herself. If they did, she would do everything in her power to bring them together. >Just like Madison and Eli tried to do with Li and me. Li…>
Tears forming in her eyes, Sakura looked at where Li had disappeared from. No matter how many times she saw him like this, every time her heart broke a little more at his cruel words, his evil plans…his cold indifference. >Why won't he let me help him? I know that somewhere deep inside him, he's still the same person. And Li would never give up on me if I was the evil one…we're soul mates. >
"Sakura? We'd better return home now. Your dad will be worried about you. Tori's probably out searching already." Kero placed an understanding paw on Sakura's shoulder, wishing that he could make her feel better.
"Yeah…" Summoning a soft smile, Sakura turned to Eli.
"Where are you staying, Eli? After all, your house was destroyed years ago." Eli shrugged, a faint twinkling in his eyes.
"Oh, I found a new place before I came. Ruby and Spinner should be making it comfortable right now."
"You brought them along? Ruby better stay away from Tori…" Yue muttered to himself. Looking up, he noticed how the others were smiling, and realised to his chagrin that they must have heard.
"Well, I guess we better get going. I'll ring my bodyguards and tell them where I…" Madison's eyes fluttered shut, and she fell back into Eli's arms.
"Madison!" Sakura surged forward, panic rising in her.
"Shh, it's ok, Sakura. Li's spell has just sapped her energy." Eli spoke calmly, but his face was strained. He gently shifted Madison around until she was lying in his arms, before beginning to stride away.
"Don't worry! I'll take her home!" He called over his shoulder.
"Ok…" Sakura watched them go for a moment, until Yue's arms suddenly encircled her, helping her onto Kero's back.
"Huh? Guys, you don't need to do this!" Sakura gasped.
Yue simply raised an eyebrow.
"You're tired. You want to go home. Your family will be worried about you." He calmly stated the facts, cutting off Sakura's protests before they'd even started.
"Basically, I want food, and Yue wants to get you home before Tori has a heart attack." Kero smirked.
"Keroberos! It's nothing like that!" Yue exclaimed, small crystals beginning to dance around his fingers.
"Cool it, guys! Just take me home." Sakura snuggled up into Kero, already knowing that she would end up falling asleep.
"And I'm pleased to announce that we have a new transfer student in our class. Eli Moon." Mr. Yoko introduced Eli, smiling at the way his class were beginning to murmur excitedly.
"I believe that those who went to Readington Elementary will already know him." The rest of Mr. Yoko's words were drowned out by the stampede of teenagers – most of the class already knew Eli, and wanted to say hello.
"Eli! Remember me? Ghost girl?" Nikki called.
"I can't believe you're here!"
"Eli! Have you heard the story about the student who returned and…" Zachary began.
"Yes, Zachary, I have. Good to hear you're still telling those stories! Hi, everyone. Where's my seat?" Eli smiled, fending off his overexcited friends.
"Umm…"Everyone looked around, trying to work out where there was a space.
"You can sit behind Sakura, Eli." Mr. Yoko smiled. "After all, that seat's been empty since Li left." An uncomfortable silence fell over the room, and Sakura tensed up. >Please, don't let him sit there! Please…not there…> She knew it was stupid, but as long as that seat was empty, she could imagine that Li was still there – that he hadn't left.
"If it's alright with you Sir, I'd rather sit behind Madison, if that seat's free." Eli answered, guessing how Sakura was feeling.
"That's fine with me. Madison?"
"It's ok with me, Sir." Madison hesitantly smiled, trying to ignore the way her heart was racing a thousand miles per hour.
"Perfect." Taking off his bag, Eli smoothly sat down in the seat behind Madison, trying to hide a grin. >Perfect. I get to stare at the back of Madison's head for as long as I…hey! What am I thinking? She's my friend. Just my friend…>
"Wow, it's just like old times! The whole gang together again!" Chelsea exclaimed at lunch, beaming happily.
"Yes, it's like nothing's changed!" Rita agreed.
"Hey! Don't forget me!" Everyone turned to see Natalie standing there, hands on hips.
"What? I can't help it – I need attention!" Natalie shrugged, looking down in embarrassment.
"Eli, this is Natalie – she moved to Readington this year." Sakura introduced them.
"Nice to meet you." Eli held out a hand, and Natalie took it, blushing slightly.
"Thanks. I mean, it's nice to meet you too." Her blush deepened, and she looked away.
>Oh, dear. Looks like Madison's going to have a rival for Eli's affections. > Sakura thought wryly.
"Hey, are you ok Madison?" Nikki suddenly asked.
"Huh?" Sakura whirled round to see Madison beginning to sway, collapsing.
"Madison!" Sakura made to grab her falling friend, but Eli got there before her.
"Whoa! Steady now…that's it…" Carefully, he wrapped his arms round Madison, pulling her upright.
"Come on, I'll take you to the First Aid Room."
"I'm fine…" Madison protested weakly.
"Sure you are. If 'fine' means almost fainting. Come on." Not taking no for an answer, Eli guided Madison towards the First Aid Room, walking slowly.
Sakura noticed Natalie's sad expression, and felt bad for her. Eli had just unintentionally made it clear that there was only one person he'd consider going out with – Madison.
"Come on, guys! Let's go to the Tuck Shop!" Chelsea brightly suggested.
"Yeah!" Everyone started to leave, before noticing that Sakura and Natalie weren't coming.
"Don't you two want to come?" Rita called. Sakura just smiled and shook her head.
"Nah, I want to talk to Natalie. You lot go ahead!"
"Ok, then…" Chattering happily, the other headed off, leaving Sakura and Natalie alone.
"Natalie? Are you alright?" Sakura asked in concern.
"Yeah…just seeing that…" Natalie shrugged slightly, her beautiful chocolate eyes shining with tears.
"So I guess Eli's off limits then…" Natalie sighed. Sakura slung an arm round her shoulders.
"Never mind, Natalie. It's not exactly like you're stuck for boyfriends – all the guys want to go out with you!"
If anything, these words seemed to make the other girl feel worse.
"Yeah, great. A gang of morons after my body. Yay." Sakura frowned at Natalie's reaction.
"Huh?"
"Think about it Sakura. They don't even know me. They just think I look good."
"Well, it's a start." Sakura offered. Natalie just scowled, shaking her head.
"But that's not what I want! I want someone to really get to know me…to fall in love with my spirit…haven't you ever felt that way about anyone?"
The question threw Sakura. Before she could stop herself, millions of memories of Li came flooding into her head, each one threatening to make her break down and cry.
When Li first arrived and resisted any attempts to make friends.
When Li finally accepted her, and began to help out.
When Li confessed his feelings for her.
"Ohhh…" Sakura placed a hand over her mouth, stifling a sob. Natalie immediately noticed, and smacked herself on the forehead.
"I'm sorry, Sakura! I forgot all about Li!"
"Huh? You know about Li?" Gulped Sakura, attempting to get herself under control.
"Well, a bit. I mean, the others told me how he was really cold when you first met, and how he eventually opened up to you. How you became friends…and began dating. How…how he left you." Natalie looked like she wanted to ground to swallow her up, as she fidgeted guiltily.
"It's ok, Natalie. It's been over a year now – I should be able to control myself." Sakura bit her lip, just about managing to close the floodgate of memories that had opened up.
"What was he like?" Natalie asked softly. Sakura smiled.
"When he'd finally opened up, and wasn't trying to hide his caring side? He was…nice. More than nice – he was everything to me. He had these eyes, you know? In fact, they looked kind of like yours…only a bit more amber."
Natalie flinched, suddenly nervous.
"Like mine…ha, ha, ha. But mine are more chocolately, right?"
"Oh, absolutely. But anyway…he could just say a million things with those eyes. In some ways, it was easier to work out what he was thinking by looking at his eyes, rather than listening to him."
Sakura wrapped her arms around her body, shivering slightly.
"And then he left me…he'd promised me that he wouldn't ever leave me…and he did."
Li leaned against the tree trunk, suddenly feeling strange. Neither girl had noticed him up here, and he'd decided that it would be fun to eavesdrop. But it hadn't turned out like he'd expected.
You broke her heart. A little voice whispered.
Good. he thought, but even he realised that he lacked conviction.
All she ever did was care about you, and you just chucked it back in her face.
Well, she was interested in Will, wasn't she?
You never had any proof…
"Shut up, shut up, shut up!" Li yelled, bashing his head against the tree. Damn his conscience! Damn it! If he could, Li would have got rid of it long ago.
"Wha…?" Sakura walked over and looked up the tree, her eyes widening as she saw who it was.
"Li!" He froze, before staring back down at her. >Oh, Hell. > The sunlight was just catching her emerald eyes, making them sparkle prettily. Li gulped, trying to hold back the well of intense emotions that had suddenly appeared inside of him.
Sakura just gazed up at him, confusion masking her features. >He's been eavesdropping…why? > Immediately, she remembered why this scene was so familiar. How many times had she caught a younger Li in a situation like this, arguing with his own inner emotions?
>Wait, emotions? What has Li got to argue about with them now?> she wondered.
"Li? As in your old boyfriend?" Natalie asked excitedly, hurrying over. Sakura whirled in a panic.
"No, Natalie! Don't come any closer! He's not…he's not the boy I used to know!"
Li's head cleared at Sakura's words, and he began to grin nastily. >That's right…I'm not. > Catching the girls off guard, he leapt down, seizing the unprotected Natalie.
"Let her go, Li!" Sakura ordered. Li's smile just got bigger.
"Why should I, Avalon? As you said, I'm not the boy I used to be…" He tightened his grip round Natalie's throat, making her whimper in fear.
"What's to stop me snapping her neck right now? Or I could just blast her with my magic – I so hate to get my hands dirty." Li sneered. Natalie stared at him with wide eyes.
Sakura flexed her hands, unsure of what to do. She had to save Natalie…but if she did, then the other girl would find out about her powers…
"Key of the star, with powers burning bright, reveal the staff and shine your light! Release! Shot Card!" Sakura stood there, trembling as she held her staff out in front of her.
"Let her go, Li. Or I'll order Shot to attack you." Sakura said shakily.
"You wouldn't dare. You don't have the guts to hurt another human being." Li sniggered. Sakura's eyes filled with tears, and her expression became sorrowful.
"But that's just it. You're not a human being anymore." Li stiffened at Sakura's words, and he slowly relaxed his grip until Natalie was able to squirm away. But he didn't even seem to notice.
"Thanks, Li. Li?" Sakura studied his proud face, noting uneasily how blank his features had become.
"Li?"
Flashback
"Do you know what I like best about you, Li?" Sakura asked, leaning back into the waiting embrace.
"What?" Li smiled, leaning forward to kiss her.
"That you're human." She sighed blissfully, snuggling closer to him.
"Eh?"
"You're kind, considerate…and you wouldn't hesitate about putting yourself in danger to save me. And that's what I like about you." Sakura grinned.
"So even if I didn't have magic, you'd still have fallen for me?" Li smirked.
"It may have taken slightly longer, but yeah. I would have." Sakura yawned, and Li pulled her head onto his shoulder.
"Come on, dozy. I think I'd better get you home." He laughed, lifting her up.
"But you're my favourite pillow…" She murmured softly. Li flushed, and began to carry the already sleeping girl home.
"I love you, Sakura Avalon. And I will always try to be your favourite human being too."
End Flashback
Without saying a word, Li melted into thin air, as if he'd never been there. But Sakura still caught the look of pain that was on his face.
"Sa…Sakura?" Natalie shakily whispered. Sakura hugged her, relieved that she hadn't been hurt.
"I don't understand…what just happened?" Sakura sighed inwardly, and began to explain it all. She just prayed that Natalie wasn't as into battle costumes as Madison was.
"How are you feeling, Madison?" Sakura asked, smiling at her best friend. Madison certainly seemed to be much better – she was sitting up in the First Aid Room's bed, and hanging on Sakura's every word.
"I'm fine now. Eli gave me some herbs when the nurse wasn't looking." Madison was practically bouncing, and Sakura bit her lip to keep from laughing. It was kind of funny to see her usually observant friend like this – she had no clue that she cared about Eli.
"But what about you and Natalie? From what I heard, you two have been through a lot. I'm just sorry I wasn't there to help." Eli said smoothly, seemingly oblivious to the fact that he was absentmindedly stroking Madison's hand.
"We're alright, thanks to Sakura! She said stuff like how he wasn't a human being anymore, and he sorta froze, so I managed to get away! And even though he didn't do anything after that, I'm sure that Sakura could have taken him out!" Natalie was dancing on the spot. Now that the fear had worn off, she was back to her normal bubbly self – except ten times more hyperactive,
"You said that to Li?" Madison looked at Sakura sharply, not quite believing it. Sakura shrugged, feeling slightly ashamed of herself.
"Yeah…although I'm regretting it now. It really affected him. It was like looking at a model of someone – it looks just like them, but it's not really. It felt like Li wasn't even there anymore."
She looked down at her hands.
"I really hurt him today. And I can't help wondering…does that mean I can still get through to him? Is he really too far gone to be saved?"
Oh, the angst! I looked back on my previous chapters, and realised that some of them were way too short, so I decided to go for a longer one this time. Ack!
Please read and review guys! I've been getting a lot less lately on this story, and it makes me feel like no one's enjoying this. (which may be true...hmm). If it will help people to review, I'll start replying to any new ones I receive for this chapter. Just watch out for the end of the next chapter!