Disclaimer:

I have no affiliation with Cardcaptor Sakura or any other of CLAMP's works. Also any similarities to real life events or people are unintentional unless explicitly stated.


Sakura didn't mean to break Meiling's chronophone, but she wasn't going to let her tell anyone where she went. All she wanted was some time alone. Everywhere she went she had to have someone accompanying her. She felt like a caged bird.

So, last night she had enough came up with a plan. Today she grabbed a disposable face mask near the nurses' station as she walked past, and in the toilets changed out of her pink dress into her presence masking clothes and a sky blue dress on top. It was uncomfortably warm wearing so many layers in the humid summer heat, but it was a sacrifice she was willing to make. She put the pink dress into the magically expanding bag, and took out a long black curly wig and put it on along with the face mask. Her reflection surprised her. Her green eyes might be recognisable, but there wasn't much that she could do about that besides to avoid eye contact. Satisfied with her disguise she snuck out from the hospital.

She was disappointed that Meiling discovered her so quickly around the Central district but she refused to go back without a fight.

"Come on, Miss Kinomoto," she said, "Don't be ridiculous. Let's go home."

"I don't want to."

Every time Meiling tried to approach her, she would use the staff to put some distance between them. With luck, Meiling would give up or drop her guard enough so that Sakura could escape.

Meiling's eyes lifted and a heartbeat later a group of people landed on their rooftop. To her annoyance it was Syaoran Li and his sisters. Sakura's eyes stung. She could not, actually she could believe that Meiling would call him to take her home. That did not matter, because she refused to move for him or for anyone else.

"Are you all right?" Syaoran Li asked. He held his sword in his hand.

"Miss Kinomoto refuses to go home."

He looked at her and then flicked his eyes to their surroundings.

"Is that all? I thought-," he exhaled and ran his free hand through his hair. His sword returned to its pendant form. "Never mind, let's all return-,"

Sakura shook her head. "I don't want to!"

"Don't be ridiculous!" said Meiling. "It's not safe!"

"I can handle myself!"

"Wait a moment," he said, hands up. "I know that you can look after yourself, but you have to understand. After this morning's events, it would be dangerous to go outside alone."

"But…" A strong wave of emotion hit her when he said what he said that she couldn't even finish her sentence. She knew that because she didn't have any magical powers her friends and family tended to think she needed extra protection. That was why she learnt Bartitsu, so she could give them the peace of mind that she could defend herself. But everything that happened recently seemed to have put everyone on edge and cause them to forget what she was capable of. She was there in the Lecourt attacks last year. This year she went to the depths of the Walled City and came back again unscathed. She even helped rescue the boys when they were held captive by the spirits and demons on Pok Liu Isle. Despite all of this and more everyone had treated her like a child and constantly reminded her that she was powerless, and then he just said that he knew that she could handle herself.

Putting that aside, she knew that his statement about it being dangerous to be outside alone had some truth in it, but that didn't change her resolve. She lifted her chin higher and refused to let the tears fall.

He held her gaze for a few moments before turning his head slightly towards his eldest sister saying, "All of you go home first. We'll follow later."

"Understood," she said. "Come, Mei-Mei."

"But-,"

His third eldest sister pulled her away by the elbow. "See you later."

Soon Sakura was left with Syaoran Li on the rooftop. She felt somewhat ridiculous with the staff so she turned it into a ring again.

"You can go home too," she said, uncertainly. She didn't want him hanging around out of obligation. "Isn't there the important feast this evening?"

"Not really," he said with a shrug of his shoulders. "Do you want to go home now?"

She shook her head vigorously.

"Then we won't. There are too many people there anyways."

If he really wanted to, he could have called his sisters or even her brother to make her go home. But he didn't.

"Thank you."

She turned from him and removed the mask and wig. She put it in the bag, and then walked to the waist high wall lining the edge of the roof. It was windy and cold up here even with the extra layer of clothing she was wearing but the view of the city across the harbour was worth it. As it became darker, more lights appeared. She watched the ferries cross the harbour and listened carefully for the sound of the wind across the water behind the noise of city below.

There was a rumbling sound behind her and Sakura turned around. Syaoran Li didn't move from his position before, but he avoided her gaze.

He was probably hungry. She was too now that she thought about it.

She faced the wall again and pushed herself up onto it. Her toes were just above the sheer drop to the street below but all she felt was the adrenaline, making her heart pump quickly.

"Wait! What are you doing?" she heard him say.

"I'm going to get some food," she said.

His eyes were wide and had his hands waved wildly about. "We can take the stairs or I'll get us both down safely."

"I don't want to." She smiled at him and then jumped.


Over the past couple days Syaoran had contemplated over the possibility of him liking Sakura Kinomoto. He came to the conclusion that he did like her, but then he worried about whether or not what he actually liked was the idea of liking her after what the others said. That wouldn't have been fair to her.

When he received that call from Meiling he feared the worst. After he found out that she was safe, he was surprised at how relieved he felt. It didn't have anything to do with what the others said. He loved Sakura Kinomoto. It was such a strong word, but somehow it felt right.

And then she jumped of the building.

She bounced to a safe stop on the sidewalk below to the astonishment of the few people around, and waved at him. His heart was pounding in his throat.

Shaking more than he cared to admit, he pushed himself over the edge and used wind magic to slow down his descent. When he caught up to her she started walking down the street ignoring the passers-by who were curiously watching them.

Syaoran followed her as she walked around the business district. All the shops were closed. Just when he was about to suggest heading home for food, she stopped and a fragrant aroma wafted through the air. She looked at him and he nodded. They turned the corner, following the scent and found a lone noodle cart on an empty seat.

He held the hanging fabric aside for her and she sat down. He took the seat next to her.

"Welcome," said the noodle cart owner who was also a fox spirit. "Ah, it's been awhile, you two. How have you been?"

"Hoe?"

"Father, it's not them!" said the little fox spirit next to him.

The father adjusted his spectacles. "My apologizes. My eyes aren't as keen as they used to be."

"It's all right," said Sakura.

"Well then, what would you like to order?"

"Umm…" she said, looking at the menu. "What do you recommend?"

"This one here is my specialty," he said, pointing to the first item.

"Then that one, please."

"And you?"

"The same."

"Two specials coming right up!"

The little fox spirit held out a paw. "That will be twenty four Yuan please."

Sakura began to rummage in her magical expanding bag, but Syaoran put his hand over hers to stop her.

"Don't worry, I'll pay."

"But-,"

"I want to pay."

She maintained eye contact and bit her lower lip.

"Thank you," she said finally, with a small smile.

Syaoran blushed to realize that he was probably a little too close to her right now.

He paid for the food and then ate his meal in silence as the little fox chattered away about the tricks he's played with his friends.

"Big sister, what's wrong?" asked the little fox suddenly. "Your face looks kind of sad."

"I'm just kind of tired that's all," she said.

"Oh." The little fox fidgeted for a bit then asked, "Why are you tired?"

"Don't ask that!" reprimanded the father fox.

"I was just asking."

Sakura waved him off. "It's all right. My cousin is really ill that's all."

"Oh, that's not good." The spirit walked around the cart to give her a hug.

After they finished eating they thanked them and got up to go to leave.

"Wait a moment," said the father fox. He took out a clear container and carefully filled it with some soup. He then wrapped it up and put it in a bag for her to carry. "Here. Take this for your cousin. It's a healing soup."

She took it, and but just stared at the bag. "But-,"

He just waved it off. "We received some kindness recently, so we're passing it forward."

"Thank you very much!" she said, bowing. Syaoran bowed too, and when they stood up again the cart was gone.


"Will this really heal her?" Sakura asked Syaoran Li. She heard that spirit food sometimes held healing properties if you could get a hold of them.

"It should," he replied. He pointed to some markings on the side. "It's been sealed and signed."

She could hardly contain her excitement. "Can we take this to Koe?"

"Visitors hours are over though."

"That's right," she said deflated. "But my aunt is staying the hospital, so maybe if we bring it there, she could take it to Koe."

He thought about it. "That should be all right. Let's go?"

"Sure."

He lead the way through the business district and then through the park. It was very peaceful in the park with the soft rustling of the leaves and the humming of the cicadas. An almost full moon reflected on the surface of the koi fish pond.

"Thank you," Sakura said when they were halfway across the bridge over the pond.

"For what?"

"For this evening. It's been a while since I've been able to decide something. And also thank you for worrying about me."

"N-not really."

"I don't think you wouldn't have come when Mei called if you weren't worried… You are really kind."

She smiled at him and then continued on walking. Maybe she was being too honest about what she thought about him, but she had to say it.

"Umm."

She turned around again. He hadn't moved from earlier and wore a serious expression.

"What is it?"

"That's umm. Y-you, I-I,"

The blood drained from Sakura's face. She did say too much. He figured out that she like him, and now he was going to say that he didn't feel the same way about her. She saw the way he had been looking at Yukito Tsukishiro and noticed the way he had been affected by the reveal. She ruined everything.

"Sakura, I love you."

The only thing she could say was, "Hoe? What did you say?"

"I love you," he repeated, more clearly this time.

"That's all I had to say," he then said abruptly. "Let's go deliver the broth."

"Wait!" she yelled. She was too dumbfounded by his confession, to her, that he liked her, Sakura that she realized that she must've stood there like an idiot not answering. She hurried after him and grabbed his hand.

"I thought that you liked Yukito Tsukishiro," she said, lamely.

"Did someone say my name?"


Yukito recognized Sakura Kinomoto, Toya's sister standing before him. The next thing he saw was Syaoran Li standing protectively in front of Sakura Kinomoto with his sworn held before him. Then Yue pushed him from his consciousness.

But as Yue became stronger, Yukito did too.

He focused on trying to gain control by wiggling his toes, a body part that wasn't usually something voluntarily moved often.

Syaoran appeared to be teleporting but Yukito knew it was just because control over the body kept changing.

There was a sharp thwack on the back of his head. He saw double images of Sakura Kinomoto running to the boy's side, pulling him away.

Yukito's felt Yue begin to form her name on his lips, but he covered his mouth and bit down on his tongue. He would not Yue hurt her or anyone else.

You are no match for me.

To Yukito's horror, when he next regained consciousness he was slumped on the bridge's hand rail facing the body of Sakura Kinomoto. He felt a wave of relief when he noticed her breathing.

Then, the sharp metallic taste of fresh blood flooded his senses. He rolled to his sided and dry retched, only to see Syaoran Li lying unconscious and bleeding from two distinct puncture wounds on his neck.

"Yukito," said Toya Kinomoto. His expression was unreadable. Did it hold disgust? Hate?

Yukito scrambled away knocking over a container and spilling its contents.

"Yuki-"

"Don't!" He yelled. Cracks splintered the bridge and the trees. Toya Kinomoto and the crowd around them raised their arms to shield their faces.

Ashamed and horrified at what he had done, Yukito ran away by the light of the moon.


Author's Notes:

My home network is still acting up (gahhh) so I haven't been able to do the check to see if I'm using certain words more than others.

Have I mentioned that one of the inspirations for this whole arc was an image that CLAMP did of Yue dressed up as a vampire? Happy Halloween!

Only 3 or 4 more chapters left. The outline is there, but it's too sketchy right now to say for certain the exact length.

If something doesn't make sense, let me know.