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 Twelve; Old Relationships

Li paced around his chambers, practically spitting with rage. >You idiot! You let her see how much her words hurt you! They shouldn't have hurt you! >

Growling, Li angrily faced the mirror, running a hand through his floppy black hair. In truth, he rather missed his old chestnut coloured hair, but he'd rather die than admit it to anyone. Pity that it had changed when he'd become evil…

Li frowned suddenly, leaning in for a closer look. Was it his imagination, or were a few strands actually looking brown again? Blinking hard, he tried again…and froze.

It wasn't his reflection staring back. Well it was, but not what should have been there. His hair and eyes were back to their usual colour, and his skin wasn't pale anymore. In short, it was how he would have looked at this age if he hadn't become a Dark Monarch.

As he watched, the image in front of him shrank, until the teenager had completely vanished, leaving a scowling ten year old boy in its place. But despite the cold exterior, a caring warmth shone through his amber eyes, revealing just how sweet he could be.

"It can't be…" Li backed away, shuddering. This wasn't possible…it just wasn't possible…The reflection changed once more, shooting up in size until it was even taller and broader than Li was. The man standing there looked almost exactly like Li, except for one difference.

His eyes were a brilliant blue.

"Father…?" Li whispered, placing his hands against the glass. For a moment, he thought he could hear voices, but they soon faded. Then, just like the voices, the image began to fade, slowly shifting into Li's true reflection.

"No! Please…" Sobbing, Li sank to the floor, until he was kneeling there. Head bowed, he stared at the stone, blood red eyes unseeing as he murmured brokenly;

"Father."

"Li?" Yuri crept into the dark room, wary of flying vases. As there seemed to be a distinct lack of soaring china, she ventured forward…only to bump into the still form of Li.

"Li? Why are you down there? Do we have a problem?" Frowning at his silence, Yuri crouched down beside him, and looked at his face. To her shock, his eyes were full of unshed tears, although she had no idea why he'd been crying.

Come to think of it, she'd never actually seen Li crying. Not just because it wasn't really a thing that evil masterminds did, but because Li seemed to prefer hiding his emotions. So what was wrong now?

"Li! Come on, snap out of it!" She shook him gently, and when that got no response, shot a small bolt of power into him.

"Ah!" That got his attention. Scowling, he leapt to his feet, already summoning magic.

"That does it! I…Yuri?" He blinked, wondering when she'd come in.

"Yeah. I've been here for ages. You didn't answer me, so I decided to wake you up a little." Yuri smiled, winking suggestively.

"So not the time, Yuri." Li sighed, stretching his sore muscles. Yuri simply pouted, adopting a little girl pose.

"What was wrong, anyway? You seemed to be in your own little world." She asked, batting her eyelashes persuasively.

Li tensed, throwing a wary glance at the mirror. Satisfied that it wasn't going to play tricks on him again, he shrugged, brushing off Yuri's question.

"Nothing. Or rather, nothing that concerns you." He smirked.

Yuri folded her arms, glaring at him.

"That's it? I wake you up from whatever freaky coma you'd slipped into, and you just wave me away!" Li just grinned, enjoying the way she was getting more and more wound up with every passing second.

"Shut up Yuri, there's a good girl. Now where did we put the spell books?" Yuri raised an eyebrow, stopping in her tracks.

"You mean the ones with all the dark spells in? The spells that even us, the fearsome Dark Monarchs, are afraid to use?"

Li nodded, laughing at the disbelieving way Yuri was staring at him.

"That's right. I need to look up a spell…one that will make our victory that much easier."

"Tell me again…just why are we doing this?" Natalie frowned as the group of friends paused at the nursery gate. Sakura just shrugged, an apologetic look on her face.

"Sorry. Tori decided I needed to help out more in the community, so he signed me up for the Older Sibling Programme." She winced as she watched the screaming children playing inside, and wondered what she'd done to deserve this.

"And the rest of us are here because…" Natalie prompted.

"Because I signed us all up! It'll be fun!" Madison chirped up. Natalie groaned, wishing for the hundredth time that Madison hadn't recovered her energy so fast.

"Well, I guess we'd better make the best of a bad job." Sighed Eli, looking like he was resisting the urge to run away. Rolling up the sleeves of his long blue shirt, he started forward…only to be restrained by Madison.

"Whoa, slow down Eli. They're kids, not a bunch of dangerous monsters." She smiled.

"What's the difference?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. Madison blushed, fiddling with the sweet Chinese dress she was wearing. >Damn…how can Eli make me feel this way?>

"Relax, you two. Maybe they won't even notice we're here." Natalie grinned brightly, and turned back to the gate. Immediately, her eyes widened, and she screamed as a seething mass of children knocked her down.

"Hi!"

"Hey, new friends!"

"Want sweets now!" Sakura and the others sweatdropped, watching as Natalie disappeared under a pile of three year olds.

"Help meeee…" She moaned.

"Oh heavens! Bad children! Get off her, right now!" A woman barked, hurrying over and helping the dazed Natalie up. Shooting an apologetic smile at the group, she offered her hand.

"Misha Blossoms. I'm the co-ordinator of the Older Sibling Programme. That is, I assume, why you're here?" The others nodded, and shook her hand, feeling relieved that there was someone sane here.

"Do we have to? I kinda don't want to do this anymore…" Natalie muttered, shooting evil glares at the toddlers. Misha sighed, biting her lip.

"No, you're free to leave if you want. That happens a lot."

Sakura saw how disappointed she looked, and stepped up, slinging an arm round her friend's shoulders.

"Don't worry, we'll all stay." She beamed happily at Misha, ignoring the looks Eli and Natalie were giving her.

"One day, I will kill you Sakura. I mean it." Natalie growled as she surveyed the chaos before them.

"Oh, I don't know. I think they're growing on me. They are rather sweet after all." Eli laughed, ruffling the hair of the little girl in his lap. She'd wanted a story, but had fallen asleep before Eli could even open his mouth.

"Is that who you're choosing as your younger sibling? Sheena?" Sakura asked. Eli shrugged.

"I'm not really sure. Probably, if she agrees. Have you seen who Madison chose?"

Sakura stifled a giggle. Madison had teamed up with Rosa, a ginger haired toddler who loved dresses just as much as Madison did. The two of them were in another room, already designing new clothes.

"Hey! Just what do you think you're doing?" Natalie scowled, frowning down at the small boy who was hugging her leg.

"You're pretty. Are you a model?" Natalie blushed, picking him up.

"No, models are much prettier than me. Who are you?"

The boy blinked cutely, already snuggling into Natalie's arms.

"Nile…will you be my big sister?" Natalie smiled, lightly stroking his hair.

"Sure."

Sakura shook her head at Natalie's change of heart, and turned back to the kids. Nile had been right though – Natalie did look like a model. She was wearing a green cropped shirt, green elbow gloves, a green mini skirt, green shoes…a whole lot of green actually. Sakura was getting a faint idea that it was Natalie's favourite colour.

>Now if only I can choose a sibling…> Sakura thought to herself. Looking around her, Sakura tried desperately to decide. >The little blonde girl…? No, she's spiteful. The black boy…? No, he's already assigned to another person…>

"'Scuse me." Sakura jumped as a high pitched voice spoke up behind her, and she spun to see who it was. A boy with emerald eyes, who was also much shorter than the rest, was staring up at her.

"Yes?" Sakura crouched down so that she was eye-level with him, watching the way he fidgeted nervously.

"I was just wondering…are you going to teach us ma…martial arts like the other boy did?"

Sakura gaped at him, trying to take in what he'd said.

"You…you're learning martial arts!" She finally managed to gasp out. The toddler shrugged, looking away.

"The boy was teaching us on Saturdays, but he suddenly stopped coming a while ago. Will you teach us instead?"

He stared up at her pleadingly, and Sakura felt her heart melt.

"Well, I can't do martial arts either. But I can teach you gymnastics if you want." She offered. He tilted his head to the side considering.

"Ok! I'm called Hunter." He announced cheerfully. Sakura smiled back.

"That's a funny name." Hunter glowered at her, hands on his hips.

"Well, what's yours then?" He asked defiantly.

"Sakura." She said. Hunter stared at her.

"That's a funny name too."

"I guess so. Hey, do you want to team up with me? You know, be my younger sibling?" Sakura asked, getting an idea.

"Yeah! 'Kura, you're the best!"

"Ok, so maybe it was fun." Natalie grudgingly admitted as they walked through King Penguin Park. Their day at the nursery was over, and they intended to make the most of what was left of their Saturday – so naturally, they were headed for the aquarium.

"Yeah, Rosa has such an eye for style! She even knew how tacky lace really is!" Madison crowed. Everyone else stopped and stared at her. Blushing, Madison ducked her head.

"Hey, I can't help it!" Eli laughed and wrapped an arm around her.

"We wouldn't have you any other way!"

>Oh, yes, definitely chemistry there.> Sakura sniggered. She was just working on a plan of action, when a chill ran up her spine. From the corner of her eye, she watched as Eli also stiffened, looking around him.

"Eli? Do you sense it too?" She asked urgently. Eli opened his mouth to respond, but a bolt of power slammed into him before he could answer.

"Eli!"

The midnight haired teen slowly sat up, blinking dazedly. Sobbing, Madison ran to him, and slipped his glasses back onto his nose.

"I'm fine, Madison." Eli gently pushed her off him and stood up, although he couldn't hide the way he was trembling.

"That's a pity. How about now?" A cruel voice taunted, before yet another blast struck Eli down. Sakura whirled, getting angry.

"Shield Card! Release and dispel!" As the protective bubble closed around them, Sakura turned back to Eli, who was still struggling to get up.

"Stay still, Eli! You're injured!" Madison pleaded. Eli just shook his head, and got to his knees.

"I've…got to…help…" He groaned. Sakura placed a hand on his shoulder, and smiled.

"It's alright, Eli. I can do this on my own." Gripping her staff tightly, Sakura ran out of Shield's bubble…ready to fight.

"Don't worry, Cherry Blossom. We're not after you today." Sakura looked up, and saw Kuro standing there, a wicked smirk on his face.

"Just send out Clow's reincarnation, and we'll leave you in peace…for now." Sakura glared defiantly up at him, hardly able to believe that he thought she'd actually do that to a friend.

"You're wasting your time, Kuro. She'll never trade a friend for her own safety." Another voice spoke up, and Li moved out of the shadows. Sakura could feel her lip curling.

"What is it with you Dark Monarchs and trees? There is such a thing as the ground!"

A figure leapt from the branches and landed on the floor. As it straightened up, Sakura realised that it was the younger looking girl…Vega, was it?

"Up a tree, on the floor, it doesn't matter. We'll still beat you." She sneered. Gulping, Sakura swung her staff, pointing it at the new arrival.

"Release! Firey! Windy! Earthy! Water!" At her bidding, the four spirits billowed forward, until they surrounded Vega and the tree.

"Impressive. I never knew you had it in you to summon all four elements at once. Too bad it won't do you any good." Yuri called down. Sakura's eye twitched at the condescending tone, and she snapped.

"If you think I'm so pathetic, come down and fight me! Or are you scared of magical spirits like these?" She yelled angrily. Even now, she could see the way those Monarchs were sniggering, laughing at her…

"Well? Are you going to or…"

"'Kura! 'Kura! You forgot your purse!" A high pitched voice piped up behind her. Heart sinking, Sakura looked back, and saw Hunter running towards her.

"No! Get out of here, it's not safe!" She cried, fear for Hunter overwhelming her. The little boy slowed down, taking in what was happening. Then, before anyone could stop him, he ran between Sakura and the Dark Monarchs.

"Whoever you are, leave 'Kura alone! I know martial arts!" He threatened, striking a fighting pose.

"Go back to the nursery, Hunter! You'll only get hurt." Li ordered sharply.

>Huh? How did he know Hunter's name?> Sakura thought. The toddler's eyes widened, and he stared up into the tree.

"Sensei?" He squeaked. Sakura gasped, suddenly making the connection.

"The boy was teaching us on Saturdays, but he suddenly stopped coming a while ago."

>It was Li…he was the one teaching them martial arts!> Shaking slightly, Sakura tried to push Hunter away, but failed miserably.

"Please, Hunter. It's for your own good!" She begged, but the brave little boy stood his ground.

"No! I'll protect you…even if I have to fight Li!" Striking another pose, Hunter stared up at her imploringly. Getting desperate, Sakura tried once more.

"Hunter, please…"

"Enough of these games. If the kid wants to stay in the way, then that's his fault." Yuri snarled. Sakura looked up sharply at these words, but by then it was too late to do anything. Yuri chucked a fireball at Hunter, laughing as it engulfed him.

"Nooooo!" Sakura screamed, reaching for her cards. >I'm not going to reach Water in time…oh why did I let it turn back into a card!> As Hunter's cries grew fainter and fainter, Sakura felt tears beginning to run down her face. >Too late…why do all my friends suffer?>

To her shock, a torrent of water suddenly appeared out of nowhere and fell down onto the burning Hunter, putting the flames out.

"What the…" Spinning, Sakura gazed up into the tree again. Li stood on the tip of the branch, his face a mask of concentration as he twisted his hand.

As the final flame hissed out of existence, he slowly opened his eyes. But instead of attacking Sakura, or one of her friends, he instead whirled on Yuri.

"What did you think you were doing!" He bellowed.

Yuri's smug smile faded away, leaving only confusion as Li yelled at her.

"He was in the way. I removed him." She said proudly. She opened her mouth to say more, but was shocked into silence when Li smacked her across the face.

"L…Li?" She gasped, cradling her stinging cheek. Li just scowled at her, his red eyes flashing dangerously.

"He was no threat to us. You didn't need to hurt him like that!" Li growled icily. Clapping his hands, he began to fade away, staring hard at the other three until they started to follow.

"That's enough for today. Go back to base."

Sakura sat silently in front of her mirror, the events of the day running through her exhausted mind. Hunter had been burned so badly…the paramedics had said he would live, but he would have to stay in hospital for fewmonths at the very least.

>He's in such pain right now…> Sakura angrily brushed tears away, before ripping her key from around her neck and throwing it to the floor. >I never asked for this…to be a Cardcaptor…all it's given me and my friends is grief.>

Sighing, she bent down and picked it up again, once more tying it around her neck. >That isn't true though, is it? Flower helped me to stop Dad and Madison's mum arguing. And if I hadn't become a Cardcaptor, I'd have never met Kero and Yue. Or Li.>

For a moment, Sakura wondered whether it would have necessarily been a bad thing to have not met Li, but she soon dismissed the thought. After all, without Li she would have found it lot harder to catch the Clow Cards and turn them into Star Cards. His actions in the past made up for those he had chosen in the future.

>And he saved Hunter, didn't he? Hunter…>

Hunter whimpered slightly as he accidentally tightened the sheets around himself. Even though the nurses had given him painkillers, they hadn't been able to completely numb the pain. It even hurt just to lie there.

He was badly burnt all over, but his hands had received the worst damage. He'd heard the doctors whispering, and had gathered that they thought he'd have trouble with them even when he was healed. Something about nerve damage. Hunter didn't really understand, but he knew it was bad.

Sighing, he glanced around his small room yet again. His parents hadn't returned from the day trip they'd been on yet, so they didn't know what had happened to their little boy. Sakura and the others had tried to stay, but they'd been sent away so that Hunter could get some rest.

>Rest.> He wasn't tired, just in pain. And to make matters worse, there was nothing to take his mind off it. He was so bored. If only he had someone to talk to, or a television…

A sudden rustle at the window made him freeze, and he called out in a small quavering voice;

"Who's there?" For a moment there was no answer, and Hunter was about to decide that it had just been the wind, when a shadowy figure dropped in through the open window.

"Don't be scared, Hunter. It's me." The person whispered, and Hunter relaxed.

"Li! Thank…Thankyou for saving me." Li didn't accept the little boy's gratitude, and instead turned away.

"Don't thank me. If I hadn't brought Yuri and the others there, you wouldn't have been harmed at all." He said bitterly. Hunter thought for a little while, before asking something very important to him.

"Why are trying to hurt 'Kura?"

Li looked down at the small shape in the bed, trying to ignore the burns on the boy's face. Hunter's emerald eyes were pleading, and he wished that they didn't look so much like Sakura's.

"You know I told you all those stories long ago? About a beautiful sorceress and some magical cards?"

Hunter nodded; they'd been his favourite tales.

"Well, they were real. Sakura's the Card Mistress I told you about." Li continued. Hunter's eyes grew wide, and he would have clapped his hands if he hadn't been burnt.

"Does that mean that you're the guy who was really nasty to her, then fell in love with her?" He asked. Li's eyes grew shadowed, and he looked down at the floor.

"Yes." He whispered.

"Then why are you trying to hurt her?"

"A lot of reasons. But the main one is…I'm the bad guy now, if you hadn't guessed from the clothes and blood red eyes." Hunter stared up at him, his little face solemn.

"Do you have to be the bad guy?" He asked. Li stiffened, fingering his dark clothing absently.

"I made my choice long ago. I have to follow that path now." He said in a tone that was almost sad. Hunter stared at him unhappily.

"Does that mean you can't visit me again?" Li shook his head as he stroked Hunter's singed hair, careful not to touch any burnt skin.

"Sorry, Hunter. Just…stay away from me and the three that were with me, ok? Let Sakura fight her own battles – she's strong enough to defend herself and her friends. Please? For me?" Hunter considered, before slowly nodding.

"But I can still talk to 'Kura and her friends?"

"Yes, as long as you don't get between her and me." Li stepped back slightly, and drew one of his old ofudas from his pocket. Moving closer, he tucked it into Hunter's hand, wincing at the sounds of pain Hunter made at the contact.

"Don't let the doctors or nurses take this away from you, alright? It's a magic paper with healing properties. It will help you get better faster, and take away any of the remaining pain." Li whispered.

Hunter looked down at his hand. Even though he'd only just grasped the ofuda, it was already taking away the throbbing pain that he'd been feeling. In fact, he could almost feel the magic working it's way through him.

"Thanks Li. Li?" But his midnight saviour had disappeared, leaving only an open window and a flapping curtain as proof that he'd been there.

Oooh! Is Li really as evil as everyone thinks he is? Find out next time, in chapter 13! But in the meantime, read and review! And no, I haven't forgotten my promise. I'm going to reply to my reviews right now!

anime flower - yes, at the moment, Li (Syaoran)'s good side is still in him somewhere...but something's going to happen in the next chapter that will change him for the worst...and by the way, thankyou. Out of all my reviewers, I think you've been the most loyal, so thankyou so much for that!

BeyMistress05 - Thanks for your comments! You can't stop? Then I guess my story's like Pringles, right? (Once you pop, you just can't stop! Ha ha!)

Midnight Tempest - Again, thanks for your comments. I'm glad you think so highly of it, and I'll make sure to 'keep it up'!

gamma-rae - Yes, I'm trying to increase the size of my chapters when I can, although sometimes I fail miserably. And I'm happy to tell you that yes, Natalie has secrest of her own...but you're not going to find out until much later in the story!

a person - I'm glad that you like my story, and I hope that you continue to read!

Fai - Yes, you may have reviewed chapter 1, but I'm going to reply anyway, since I know for a fact that you've read the whole thing. Thanks so much for doing like you promised and trying it out! I'm glad that you enjoyed the prequel to this story, and I'm just going to say that there will definitely be a sequel...it's a trilogy after all, right?