Chapter 5 : A Card Unsealed

Tuesday

Syaoran was preparing for yet another encounter with his archenemy. Tomoyo watched him from the side with a look of amusement. She was about to toss another snide remark in his way when the classroom door slid open to reveal a tired, frowning Eriol.

Tomoyo was shocked by the way that her usually cheerful friend looked. Syaoran had noticed it, too, and his look of hatred had momentarily wavered.

"Eriol?" Tomoyo worriedly asked her friend.

. Eriol gave her a half-hearted smile.

"Tomoyo, you should worry about yourself a bit more." Eriol replied. Then, as he turned his back to her and Syaoran, he added; "Be careful."

"Of what?" Syaoran asked.

"A dark force seeks to destroy you. It will hunt you down using someone you are close to," Eriol warned, his expression serious. "During this time, the four of you must stay together. Your friendship will decide whether you succeed or fail."

Before the two card captors could reply, Sakura and Meilin burst into the classroom, squealing.

"Syaoran!" Meilin whined. "Why did you tell me that you were here? You traitor, you left me outside alone!"

"Right," Tomoyo rolled her eyes. "You were the one who wanted to talk to Rika and Chiharu."

"I thought that you didn't get along with them, Meilin," Syaoran mumbled.

"I do!" Meilin said, her tone suggesting that she had been offended by her cousin's remark. "What makes you think that I don't?"

"You two fight way too much," Sakura sighed. "Meilin, Syaoran didn't mean it. Meilin have lots of friends, right, Syaoran?"

"Right, Sakura." Syaoran answered.

Sakura had settled the fight for now, but how long would this truce last?

Apparently, not for long. By the time Syaoran had explained his new findings to his friends, a disaster was just waiting to happen.

"Use your common sense, Syaoran, all of the cards are sealed!" Meilin said matter-of factly.

"Since when have you been rational, Meilin?" Syaoran replied.

"Sorry, Meilin, but I agree with Syaoran," Tomoyo admitted. "There's evidence enough that he's telling the truth."

"What's your reason, Tomoyo?" Meilin challenged.

"Just take a look at the things around you! The lasin board lighting up, Eriol's sudden mood swing,- " Tomoyo began.

"Everyone has mood swings, Tomoyo!" Meilin cut in. "Even you!"

"This is turning bad," Syaoran mumbled. Sakura nodded in agreement.

"If there really are Clow cards, then why is Syaoran the only one who knows that they're there?" Meilin added.

"Good point," Tomoyo said, trying to make peace. "Meilin, you're right. Why is Syaoran the only one who can feel their presence?"

"Because Syaoran is a blood descendant of Clow, and Clow's the one who made the cards," Sakura answered.

"As am I, Sakura." Meilin pointed out. "Face it, Syaoran. It's your imagination. And as for Eriol, just leave him alone for a few days and he'll be better."

At that, Tomoyo exploded.

"Do you understand the meaning of a friend?" Tomoyo snapped.

"I do, card captor of the weak," Meilin said acidly.

"Weak? Tomoyo is NOT weak!" Syaoran protested. "Y-y-you aren't worthy of being a cardcaptor yourself!"

Meilin's eyes flashed dangerously.

"I'll remember what you said, Syaoran Li. Come on, Sakura. They're not worth it."

Meilin angrily flounced off. Sakura followed her after giving Syaoran a worried look.

Things had taken a turn for worse, and it was not only for the card captor quartet.

Four floors above them, Eriol heaved an exasperated sigh. The card captor quartet had failed to cope with the situation, and the consequence of this argument would be immense.

To be continued. . .