A/N: Okay, looking ahead of what I can do later from the ccswikipidea. I've found 4 except the movie card Arrow, I'm not going to do, since they don't play a roll but are mentioned. Bubble, wave, Libra and through. Dropping the cards from 24 remaining... to 20.
But anyway, let's get started.
Chapter 23
It was evening and Li could only blink as he looked down at the card held before him. Shot... Looking up at the one who held it to him, he raised an eyebrow curiously. "Why you giving this to me? Are you not Kinomoto and Uzumaki's friend?" The card rose up in Shizune's grasp as she thrust the card forward again.
"Naruto and Sakura have a lot of cards in their group and I felt, that maybe you should have this one. Yes, they'll ask me why. But I'm simply saying this, you are a friend. And one should get an equal share." Li looked back to the card before taking it from her.
"..." Li looked at the girl. "Thanks... I guess..." Shizune grinned as she stepped back with her arms laced together behind her.
"Well... I'm going home now... Say hi to Meiling for me." With that she turned to leave. Li stared on as the girl walked off. He didn't know what to think, but looking down back at the card, he smiled. Maybe he still might have a chance at becoming the owner of the clow cards.
X X
"Hey, Syoaran..." Li opened his eyes slightly as he found he had nodded off in the autumn weather. "Syoaran, come on get up. Classes are starting and I want you to try my cake." Li grumbled as he sat up.
"Okay, okay..." Li sighed as he pushed himself up. "Let's go..." Meiling frowned slightly and followed Li back to class. As they entered, he glanced to Naruto's group where he and Sakura were. His eyes open slightly more as he spotted the clow card that was amongst the three.
"I wish I could have been here to see you capture the clow card." Tomoyo muttered as Naruto passed Sakura the card back. She'd been missing out on recording Sakura.
"I'm sure you'll be at the next one Tomoyo-chan." Sakura spoke as Naruto nods.
"Plus, I've been missing those costumes you've been doing... Hey, did you get some from the list I passed to you done?" Tomoyo nods.
"Hai, I felt it only fair though that Sakura-chan chooses a few. As Sakura-chan is the lead role." Naruto nods.
"Of course."
"But I also make the costumes... And wish to make my fair share for the pair of you. Basing them off Sakura's outfits to which she uses." Sakura smiled, but there was a show of worry also in her smile.
"Don't overdo yourself Tomoyo-chan, you've done so much for our group when we've needed it." Tomoyo smiled back.
"Arigatou..."
XX(week since.)XX
"So... What do you guys think?" Tomoyo asked as she smiled at Naruto and Sakura as the group of three plus Kero stood in the park at night, going after their next clow card.
The camera fell on Sakura first as she glanced at her outfit, coloured in orange, green and yellow. This consisted of a light green body suit of the top half of the body and arms, which finished with matching colour shorts. Then there was the orange vest/skirt combo with yellow outlining, the vest clasped together with two green buttons, leaving a small square in the middle showing the body suit and is puffed out at the rims on the sleeves.
While the body suit was well done, the large puffy green jester cap in its light green matching colour with orange rim with similar matching yellow outline as the cap dropped back in two slender tails. With long matching green socks up to the knees, and orange boots with yellow outline and green buttons on both, it finished the outfit completely in Tomoyo's eyes.
"It's... Light..." Sakura muttered as she moved her arms. "It's different to your normal clothing Tomoyo-chan. Even the hat's lighter than the one against watery back then." Tomoyo nods with a smile.
"I had Ray-san get me material used to make the ninja uniforms in the village you guys come from. They're very light and durable. I was able to design it so it had very little resistance. You like it?" Sakura nods.
"It's great Tomoyo-chan." Sakura glanced to Naruto. "What do you think?"
"Well it's not my style..." Naruto muttered as he glanced about. "But I will admit it's not bad either. Least it's got orange." Naruto stated as he stood in a darker shade of green clothing, covering the legs to arms. "Sort of like the ninja style uniform in the cabinet at home." Tomoyo nods.
"I thought I would start with that as your primary base Naruto-kun..." Naruto glanced over his shoulder as the orange jacket and had two tails at the base. His also had one large green button on the front. Kicking the orange boots on the floor a couple of times for feel, Naruto glanced back around as he held up the last item. "Is the green cap really necessary?" Tomoyo nods.
"I wanted to try my best with getting something set up in full style to Sakura-chans." Naruto put the cap on, he didn't want to be rude. Plus, Tomoyo was enjoying herself with this much needed matching up.
"I hope you've all finished chatting now." Kero spoke as he floated in a green vest with orange outlining. "But we now have a clow card to focus on."
(Note, that Naruto's may not have been my best set up. But if people want to try help. Please, it would be so nice. ^/_\^)
The group nod as Sakura glanced to Naruto, as he did at the same time before they gave a short nod to one another and both pulled out there items. And spoke in unison without missing a beat. "Key that hides the power of the dark." Both key and coin glowed and floated off their palms. "Show your true form before me," Sakura's circle appeared as Naruto's appeared in his palm.
"I Sakura..."
"I Naruto..."
Tomoyo and Kero watched on as both continued through their chants. "Command you under out contract. Release!" The key gathered a white whirlwind of energy as it began to spiral as Naruto's glowed with black lightning and in a flash turned into a short handle. Sakura gripped her staff and it grew in length as Naruto gripped his and it shot out in a fast whirling style as it took on the form just longer than Naruto himself. With a twirl, Sakura's stopped in her left palms grip and Naruto whirled his staff and stabbed the base at the ground. His right holding it while his left palm out.
"Excellent!" Tomoyo spoke as she lowered her camera. "I wasn't sure it would work Naruto... But it looks like you were right Kero-chan." Kero nods as Tomoyo glanced to the small beast.
"Well, since Naruto's staff is made from the key and clows power. It was obvious that it would work." Kero stated as both magic users glanced about. "Now... The clow card."
"It's close... But..." Sakura muttered and Naruto nods.
"It's moving about to fast to pinpoint." Naruto finished and both turned round instantly at that. Standing on a small stone pillar, was a small violet cat with a blue gem on its head. It glanced at the four and made a small chirp like noise. Kero pointed his arm out as he recognised it.
"Dash card!" The small creature crouched and took off. "After it!" Naruto crouched with a smirk.
"Let's go!" With that he vanished and appeared by the pillar with a twist on his right foot as it touched the surface, Naruto was off again. Sakura quickly drew out her card, if Naruto was going after it on foot.
"Fly!" With a strike of the card, Sakura, with Kero holding onto the shoulder, took off into the air and Tomoyo followed with her camera on foot. Sakura glanced about from the tree tops as she searched for the two run offs. "Where are you Naruto-kun?" Sakura muttered as she glanced about. Kero spotted movement and pointed out.
"There! I see them Sakura!" Sakura glanced to them and took off as Naruto and Dash raced through the park. Narto glanced over with a smirk at the small cat.
"Think your fast huh? Hate to break this to you... But you're nothing compared to me!" Naruto yelled as he jumped left and dash took off at an angle to escape. Naruto pushed off the ground for power to keep up and pushed off the tree's as he reached them, with a final push he flipped over the small creature as Naruto twirled his staff. "Hado ichi: Sho!" The small creature was blown back and flipped to right itself. Its head shook from the confusion of what happened. "Return to the guise," Dash jumped at the call as Naruto skidded on its location and the small creature took off. "Stay, still!" Naruto called vanishing after it at high speed.
"How are we supposed to catch dash?" Sakura asked. "It's moving too fast to seal."
"Naruto's keeping up with dash, give it time. Dash will slow down." Sakura nods as she followed the two from over head. As Naruto got close, Dash took off across the water. "Now Sakura!" Sakura nods as she flipped off her staff and threw a card out and swung down.
"Windy!" A card burst to life as Sakura touched the ground and the spirit shot out and wrapped round the small creature. "We got it!" Sakura cheered as Naruto stopped beside her. But the smaller spirit wasn't going to give up and battled against Windy to escape. Kero seeing this began to worry.
"Stop! If you fight against Windy!" The small mammal burst out of the cards grasp and shot into the distance over head. Tomoyo glanced from where dash went, to Sakura and Naruto as the pair looked to where it had gone. Taking the slow walk, they headed in the direction of where Dash took off. "Sakura... How far is Dash now?" Sakura looked on ahead as she focused before looking to Kero.
"I sense the presence of the clow card. But it's weak..." Sakura stated as she pointed off towards the houses. As they reached the edge of the forest, Sakura and Naruto looked at the wall. "It's on the other side." Both jumped up and glanced about the garden.
"You heard something over here?" Tomoyo glanced to the voice as another appeared.
"Sakura-chan, Naruto-kun. Someone's coming." Both glance to Tomoyo. "Hurry..." Tomoyo called as she moved to the forest with Sakura and Naruto. Both took Tomoyo's arms and all three jumped into the tree.
"Kids in strange clothing?" The officer muttered as his torch scanned the forest. Both Naruto and Sakura smiled nervously at the strange clothing comment. Tomoyo on the other hand, found the clothing to be rather cute. Kero glanced from Dashes location to the group of three.
"With Dash weakened, we'll try catch it at another time. Let's try again tomorrow." The group nod and with Sakura and Naruto's aid to Tomoyo. The group took off out of sight. Unaware of the events that would unfold.
X X
With a new morning, a new chance...
"You look nice Sakura-chan..." Tomoyo spoke as she recorded Sakura in her new outfit, to try and get Dash. Since Naruto was busy, he was unable to help Sakura this morning as he was currently focused with another task at hand.
"But..." Sakura muttered as she smiled nervously as she stood in her pink sports gear with large blue glove. "Why baseball?" Tomoyo walked up and held her hand out. Sakura passed the ball curiously.
"Well..." Tomoyo turned to the houses. "What better way to get inside, than to get this..." With that said, Tomoyo threw the ball over the trees and into the garden and then glanced to Sakura. Sakura quickly caught on and ran over quickly.
"Excuse me!" Sakura called from the other side of the wall. "I've just come to get the ball back!" As Sakura opened the gate, she glanced about in hopes of spotting Dash.
"Baseball's not allowed to be played near here." Sakura glanced to the voice of a girl with pale brown hair and from what Sakura could tell, was probably a year or so older. She wondered what the girl meant till she remembered why she was dressed up like this, to find Dash. As the girl stopped before her, she handed the ball back to Sakura. "I won't say anything." Sakura thanked the girl as she received the ball before leaving. Tomoyo walked up as Sakura left the grounds.
"Mission fail?" Sakura nods to Tomoyo.
"We'll just have try again later..." Sakura stated in defeat.
X X
As the day reached lunch time, Naruto sat on the grass verge as he and Tomoyo, who stood beside him on the stair's, waited for Sakura to finish cheerleading practice. "Sorry I took so long..." Sakura called running up as Tomoyo passed her a towel. "Arigatou."
"I thought of a new plan." Tomoyo spoke as Sakura cleaned her face.
"Really? What is it?" As Tomoyo was about to begin, her gaze was drawn to something and Sakura turned to see what drew her friend's attention as Naruto looked as well. There was the girl, crouched down ready for the 100 meter dash. "That's the girl from this morning..." Sakura muttered as the two runners took off.
"She doesn't seem very excited..." Naruto mused as he took note of the girls' lack of enjoyment from the run. As the two finished, the girl Sakura recognised, recovered on the grass verge as the three stood for several moments before deciding to talk to her.
"Excuse me..." Sakura spoke first and the girl glanced up confused to whom it was talking to her. Sakura smiled as Tomoyo and Naruto stood beside her. "Hello..." The girl's face lit up.
"You're the baseball girl from this morning... You're in the cheerleading squad?" Sakura nods slightly.
"Hai..." Sakura answered as she pondered how to ask. "Um..."
"Tachibana-san!" The group of four turned to the teachers call. "It's time to do the 100 meter dash." There was a sad look in the older girl's eyes as she looked over.
"Hai!" As she ran off, Sakura looked on worried.
"I wonder if she's not doing well?" Tomoyo asked curiously as the girl got ready, the group watched and Sakura's eyes widen in surprise when she sees a glow round the girl.
"Magic..." Naruto muttered as the girl took off. This time, her speed was greatly increased as she shot passed the same girl she raced last time.
"Well done Rei. That's a new personal best." As the group gathered round the teacher to see, Naruto glanced to Sakura.
'Looks like things are getting troublesome.' Naruto stood at that thought. "Sakura-chan, can you fetch Kero-chan and meet me near Rei-san's after school." Sakura glanced to Naruto and nods slowly. As Naruto walked off, Sakura looked back to Rei. Who couldn't be any happier.
When the school day ended, Sakura and Tomoyo headed back to the Kinomoto home before meeting Naruto outside Rei's. But when Naruto saw Sakura, she didn't seem really happy at all. "You okay Sakura-chan?" Sakura shook her head.
"Naruto-kun... Do you think we could leave Dash alone for now?" Naruto looked on confused before shaking his head.
"We can't Sakura-chan..." Naruto stated as Kero poked his head out.
"He's right; we can't leave Dash's power to affect her more. That's what dash's power is used for." Naruto looked on at the conflicted look in Sakura's eyes.
"Sakura-chan... We have to seal Dash soon. Before it gets too out of hand." Naruto spoke as he glanced behind Sakura's form.
"Oh!" Sakura jumped slightly and turned around to see Rei, who was in high spirits. "Seems we're meeting a lot today?" Sakura smiled and nods as Rei invited them round. As Rei passed, Sakura's smile faded as she passed Naruto.
'...' Naruto didn't say anything, but he was worried.
"I'm home!" Rei called to her mother who was sweeping round the front entrance. As she was greeted in return she ran up. "You wouldn't believe the day I've had. I set a new personal best." Naruto glanced to Sakura, she really didn't seem happy.
"Oh! You brought company back with you?" Naruto looked forward as Rei nodded to her mother.
"Hai. They're from Tomeda elementary... Um..." Rei stopped; she didn't even know their names. Sakura glanced up.
"Sakura Kinomoto, 4th grade, class 2." Sakura responded.
"Tomoyo Daijubou..." Tomoyo replied.
"Naruto Uzumaki." Naruto spoke and instantly Naruto was approached by the girl quickly.
"Really?" Naruto blinked confused and slightly worried grabbed Naruto ande dragged the group inside, she seemed very excited. Her mother chuckled lightly as Naruto looked for help. While Tomoyo and Sakura looked on confused, though Sakura was slightly annoyed with how Rei was acting to Naruto.
Once Naruto, Sakura and Tomoyo were seated, Rei sat across from them smiling greatly. "You're related to Genpaku Uzumaki correct?" Naruto blinked with slowly widening eyes.
"You know of onii-chan?" Naruto asked curiously. Rei nods slowly.
"Only because he's dating my idle." There was a still silence. "I think she lives with you, Sakura Haruno?" Naruto and Sakura glanced between each other.
"I didn't know that? Um... How come?" Naruto asked curiously.
"Well... Sakura's the best runner around for her age. I idle her because she started from the bottom and worked her way up. I want to come first in the track event at the athletics meet. I had been hearing a lot about her and was going to be at one of the meets. But she was injured before it... So she never got to run."
'If I remember right, Sakura was injured when she left with onii-chan for a week... I wonder if this was related to the ninja world.' Naruto mused curiously before turning his attention back to Rei. "But onee-chan probably won't ever know about your goal to win..." Naruto responded and Rei shrugged.
"It wouldn't matter... Just to come first, to prove myself Sakura would have... Even though she never did do the athletics meet after that." Naruto sat back and looked up. It seemed very interesting this information. "I wasn't sure of myself lately because I hadn't been doing well." Rei continued. "But, I did really well today."
"We saw." Tomoyo spoke as Naruto glanced to Sakura again.
He could feel it... Sakura's sadness, her uneasiness with the fact Rei was being helped by Dash without knowing. And not wanting to intervene. 'Sakura-chan..?' Naruto glanced forward as Rei mentioned all her thanks to Peewee.
"Peewee?" Sakura asked confused as Rei mused how to explain it.
"I found it last night..." Rei glanced to Kero. "About the same size as that plush toy there... But it was injured..." Rei stated as Sakura looked on.
"Injured..." Sakura glanced down slightly; it was her fault Dash had been injured, if she had waited a bit longer.
"Maybe it's thanks to Peewee I was able to run so fast today..." Rei mused to herself aloud. She was never that quick and Peewee just turned up over night and now she did a new personal best today.
"It's the power of the clow card..." Kero muttered to Sakura while Rei was lost in thought before chuckling.
"Do you think that's strange?" Rei asked and Sakura shook her head and disagreed with Rei at that comment.
"Just like a good luck charm." Tomoyo commented as Rei nodded with an amused smile before looking to Sakura and then to Kero slightly.
"Is that small plush your holding your good luck charm too, Sakura-chan?" Sakura glanced down as she pondered what to really say for Kero.
"W-well... It's something like a good luck charm, or a mascot..." Sakura stammered out as Rei got an idea.
"I know," Rei started as she stood. "Would you three like to see Peewee?" Sakura opened her mouth to say something as Rei turned. But she didn't know what to say.
"Now's our chance!" Kero whispered. As Rei reached the door, Sakura stood quickly.
"Rei-san." Sakura blinked as she turned to Naruto as Rei turned round curiously. "Sorry about this, but I've just realised we need to be heading home..." Naruto said glancing to Sakura who was looking to him as he looked back. "Maybe we can see Peewee another time... Later..." Naruto spoke as he moved and slightly helped Sakura along who was slightly dazed by Naruto's sudden actions. Tomoyo picked up Kero and gave her goodbye as Rei saw them out. As they got into the park, Kero asked what that was about. But Naruto didn't say anything as Sakura walked behind him, looking to the floor.
"Naruto!" Kero called. "We could have caught dash." Naruto stopped as Kero continued. "As long as Dash stays in her care, it's only going to affect the girl more." Naruto glanced back.
"Do you not understand right now, Keroberos...?" Naruto asked as he turned round and looked to Sakura. "Not only could we not catch Dash so openly like that. But you don't understand right now, what Sakura-chan is feeling." Kero sighed lightly.
"We can't leave dash with her forever..." Kero stated.
"We know that..." Naruto retorted.
"Then we'll have to sneak in another time to get dash." Naruto glanced from Kero to Sakura, before moving back to Kero.
"We'll see."
X X
'What to do... What to do... What to do...' Naruto mused to himself as he sat in his chair in class. 'Sakura-chan... She really doesn't want to do it. If dash disappeared, Rei-san would be upset... But, we can't let dash help her win... But Sakura isn't up for it, she feels responsible for hurting Dash with Windy.' Naruto closed his eyes as he thought for a moment. 'I don't want to do it... But I guess I'll need to step in to deal with Dash... I hope Sakura-chan will be okay with that.'
"She outran her record pace again." Naruto sat straight and glanced to Tomoyo as she Sakura with their friends looked down on the track where Rei was running. Sakura nods in agreement as she waves down to Rei.
"She was fast." Chiharu spoke as Naruto leaned back on his chair.
"She sure was." Naoka added as Chiharu looked back to the running field.
"I heard she's one of the favoured to win the girls' 100-meter dash at the next track meet." Naoka nods as Sakura glanced across.
"She's amazing. I know she's in 6th grade..." Naoka commented and glanced to Chiharu. "What's her name?"
"That's Rei Tachibana." Sakura turned to the voice of her math's teacher as Naruto glanced from the teacher to Li as he stood not far from them. Li glanced to him before glancing away.
'I wonder if he suspects something.' Naruto mused as he listened to their teacher explain to Sakura and the group. Though, he missed some of the beginning... Glancing back he noticed Sakura's look as she heard how the teacher had commented on how Rei was doing well lately. 'This is what I don't like...' Naruto mused to himself as Sakura glanced to Chiharu who called to her. 'Sakura knows that it's because of dash that Rei's doing so well... But if she took dash, it could hamper Rei's confidence as she does he runs as normal pace... She doesn't want Rei to be upset, having done so well... But doesn't want her to win through something that isn't her own skill...' As Sakura walked off, Naruto stood and followed as Li watched the pair leave. Something seemed to be up with the Kinomoto girl...
X X
"This is really getting too you Sakura-chan..." Naruto muttered as he and Sakura stood on the open roof of the school. Sakura was sat down by the wall as Naruto stood beside her with his back to the wall. As he stood there, he really was beginning to feel like a broken record, repeating to Sakura having mused about it minutes ago.
"I really can't do it Naruto-kun... I know that if Rei win's... It will be because of dash... But I can't just leave the clow card on the run... I didn't want to hurt Dash either... And Rei seems so happy, if Dash was to go... It would affect her more than just running." Naruto glanced aside as he looked to the distance, more repeats. He knew Sakura too well maybe.
"Sakura... I'll get dash." Sakua glanced to Naruto as he stared onward at the town round them. "If you feel..."
"No..." Sakura muttered looking down. She clenched her hands. "I know you want to do what's best... But I have to do this..." Naruto glanced down. Sakura's gaze was on the floor looked forward. "But..."
"You have to do it before the track... And before Dash recovers." Naruto stated as he sat down, as he did, he glanced to Sakura once more. He looked forward in thought. 'You won't do it before it's too ate Sakura...'
At the end of the school day Sakura left to see Rei as Naruto and Tomoyo headed for the gate. Saying they would wait for her. Having watched Rei several times as she did her sprints, Sakura continued to weigh out her choice. She really didn't know yet. As Rei took her final run, she stopped as she finally noticed Sakura. "Sakura-chan!" Sakura gave a quick bow. "You're in the cheering squad, right, Sakura-chan?" Sakura gave a slow nod. "You're coming to the meet next week, right?" Sakura gave an uneasy yes. "Please cheer for me."
"S-sure..." Sakura responded as Rei's teacher called. Rei gave her farewell, with a mention of Dash's recovery and took off to her sensei. As Sakura turned to leave, she felt now that she knew what to do. When she reached the gate, Tomoyo was waiting. "Wh-where's Naruto-kun?"
"He said he was going on home. Said he had things to do." Sakura nods slowly as Tomoyo looked at Sakura sadly. She really didn't seem herself.
"So have you come up with a decision?" Kero asked as he poked out the bag as they walked. Sakura didn't respond as they walked in silence.
Meanwhile, Naruto stood in a tree with Yuki on his shoulder. His eyes on the small cage in the house as the fox glanced to Naruto. "Are you ready...?" Naruto nods as the fox looked forward. "But why let it out first? Why not seal it trapped in the cage?"
"I want a rematch against dash. This time, I'll catch it for sure..." The fox jumped down onto the branch.
"That girl is never going to be as strong as you hope her to be... You must remember that, she's too kind hearted. One so weak shouldn't be in charge of such power like the clow cards." Naruto sighed as the fox jumped down to the wall and into the garden.
'You have yet to understand, just how strong Sakura-chan is Yuki... One day you'll see just how strong she is...' Naruto mused to himself as dash's cage was opened and Yuki pounced on the small creature. There was a scuffle and both rushed out.
"Now Naruto!" Yuki called as Naruto nods and jumped down. Dash stopped and rushed off in another direction. Naruto crouched as Yuki landed on his shoulder.
"Let's go..." With that Naruto pushed off. 'This time round... I'll catch you dash.' Naruto stated to himself as he kept up a close pace. Even short of full recovery, dash was a figure hard to keep up with. But while Naruto was focused solely on dash, he didn't notice the familiar magic signature's of Kero and Sakura ahead.
Though with Sakura and Kero currently, things weren't too well going.
"I can't do it..." Sakura started as she came to a stop in the park. Kero flew out the bag quickly.
"What are you saying!" He asked as he faced the young cardcaptor. Sakura looked at Kero with a saddened look.
"Can we wait till after the track meet next week to seal Dash away?" Kero shook his head.
"By then Dash will be fully recovered! We have to capture it while it's weak." Sakura looked on sadly.
"But Rei-san thinks she's doing well because of Peewee... Can't we wait till after the meet to capture it?" Sakura asked again as she glanced aside.
"We can't do that! Dash is not an easy card to capture! If it fully recovers!" Sakura looked forward.
"I know that! And I'll do my best also! I promised Naruto I'd," Sakura stopped as she felt the presence of a clow card. Kero sensed it also and turned to look beyond Tomoyo down the path. As they both looked on, Dash landed on the path. "That's..."
"Dash!" The small creature glanced back to Naruto and took off as Naruto landed on the path on one foot in a crouch. Sakura's eyes widen as she opened her mouth to call out. But Naruto was gone before she could move. "No, Naruto-kun!" Sakura called as she quickly ran after him. Kero grabbed on just in time as Sakura used the same move as Naruto and vanished in a rushed of energy.
Meanwhile, Naruto and Yuki were in hot pursuit of the small creature. 'Okay... Now it's time to practice this technique...' Naruto mused to himself as his eyes widen and he glanced back.
"What is it Naruto?" Yuki asked.
"Damn it! Sakura and Kero! I didn't sense them till just now..." Naruto stated as he looked back. Yuki glanced back to Naruto.
"You don't have time to worry on her... Seal dash now." Naruto looked forward.
"Okay!" Naruto reached into his shirt. "Ancient clan hear my cry!" Naruto called as he threw the coin forward as it glowed. "Unleash the power of the seven within my soul." The seal appeared as the coin touched it and the sword hilt burst through the other side as Naruto ran passed and grabbed it. "Come forth!" Naruto called pulling the blade out and flicking the grip round in his hand. "Yuki!" Naruto called as he flicked his left hand forward and Yuki took on its brown spirit form. "Now, merge with the sword!" There was a flash of light as the energies connected.
"What's that light?" Kero asked as they saw something flicker in the trees. Sakura looked on worried; she wasn't going to make it.
"Here goes..." Naruto stated as the blade glowed and Naruto jumped and flipped in mid air. "Earth art! Palms of earth!" Naruto yelled as he stabbed the blade into the ground. As dash touched the ground, the earth shot up as hand reached out and for the small creature. Dash jumped aside one, but another hand reached out and grabbed it. A high pitched call of panic echoed out as Naruto pulled the blade out and he vanished once again. Appearing, Naruto looked at dash, struggling against the earth that now contained it. Naruto swung the blade out and it turned into the sealing staff as yuki landed on the rock arms. "You've been out match..." Naruto called twirling the staff. "Return to the guise you were meant to be in!" Naruto called swinging the staff forward as Sakura appeared.
"Matte Naruto-kun!" Sakura yelled in haste.
"Clow card!" Naruto called without stopping. The small creature glowed and spiralled into tip as it took form of the card. As the glow faded, the card floated up and into Naruto's hand. The staff glowed and returned to coin form. Glancing from the card, Naruto turned slowly. "Hey Sakura-chan..." Naruto spoke turning round. As he did, Sakura walked up and grabbed his shirt. Naruto stared at her as Sakura's gaze was hidden by her hair. He glanced aside. "You wouldn't have caught Dash in time..." Sakura tugged forward.
Sakura tensed, before pushing Naruto away. He stumbled into the dirt arms and they burst into dust. Sakura turned quickly and walked off as Naruto slowly sat up, he watched her leave before looking at the ground.
"I'm an idiot..." Naruto muttered as he punched the ground. Yuki glanced to the girl's retreating form with Kero before looking to Naruto. "Sakura's really upset now..."
"She's upset because of her own weakness..." Naruto shook his head.
"Don't put words in my mouth Yuki... Sakura's not upset because of that... It's because..." Naruto stopped as he stared at the ground. 'It because I didn't trust her to do it herself... I let myself decide without thought... And Sakura now feels betrayed...' Naruto put a palm to his face. 'Why do I not think ahead before hand?' Naruto stood slowly and looked on to where Sakura walked off. He looked to the card in his hand. His form slacked as he looked at the ground. "What am I going to do?"
Meanwhile, Tomoyo stood waiting for Sakura to return. When she did, Sakura looked far more upset than before. "Sakura-chan..." Sakura walked passed without a word and walked off. Tomoyo looked from Sakura to the woods before following. And moments later, Naruto stepped out glancing at Sakura's retreating form. Looking to the floor, Naruto glanced to dash in his hand and sighed as he shrugged his form slightly. He needed help.
X X
There was only one person Naruto could go to for help. Only one...
"Onee-chan..." Green eyes glanced up from the book they were focused on to see the young male standing at her door way. Sakura smiled as she set her book down. But once noticing that upset look, concern came first.
"Naruto, what's wrong?" Naruto glanced up slightly as the girl looked on before smiling and waving him over. "Come here you..." Sliding on the bed, Naruto slowly walked up and sat down on the bed. Only to be dragged into a light hug as the older girl sat back against the bed. Her arms wrapped round him as Naruto remained looking at the bed covers. "What's happened?" Naruto sighed as he decided to get on with it.
"I've upset Sakura-chan..." Sakura raised an eyebrow curiously.
"How so? What happened for you to upset her?" Naruto glanced up as Sakura looked down. "Start from the beginning..." Naruto looked forward again.
"A couple of days ago a clow card called Dash appeared. But before we could seal it, it broke from Windy's power and was left injured in the care of a girl called Rei... Without her knowing, Dash has been giving her power to run faster, so she could win the track meet," as Naruto continued, Sakura continued to take in what was said. "Sakura-chan didn't know what to do... She knows that it would be bad if Rei won using Dash's power. But she doesn't want to do anything since Rei is in such good spirits and is really happy about her achievement... And maybe because she feels responsible about inuring dash without giving it more time..." Naruto stopped a moment as he lowered his head slightly.
"I asked Sakura what she was going to do... She said she was going to catch dash... But not when... I knew..." Naruto closed his eyes. "I knew Sakura wasn't going to do it till after the meet... So I went after Dash this afternoon without Sakura-chan knowing... And captured dash. But Sakura showed up and..." Naruto clenched his palms. Sakura noticed the slight shaking in the arms. She pulled the blond closer as she played with his blond hair.
"You're an idiot you know that right?" Naruto nods slowly. "You know why don't you?"
"It's because I didn't seal Dash without Sakura knowing how I felt... Because I went ahead and not give Sakura a cha," Naruto flinched as Sakura tapped the top of her fist against his head.
"Wrong... You've done something worse that not asking her... I thought you were a good friend..." Naruto glanced round. Her gaze was one Naruto wasn't familiar with. "You've damaged the bond you and Sakura have for the simple fact. You did it alone."
"Alone..." Sakura nods. "But..." Sakura held her hand up as she made Naruto turn round. For a moment Naruto looked on confused.
"Name one time... That you sealed a card alone... That both of you were aware of?" Naruto looked down.
'Loop... No, we we're caught in a clow card, and weren't aware of it and time was at hand... Maze...' Sakura raised one finger as she kept the rest curled up.
"Every card you two have faced was together. Only a few don't count." Sakura started as Naruto looked back at the older girl. "Time, because you were unaffected by it because of Kyuubi," Naruto nods.
"And I didn't really think it would be best to repeat another day." Sakura raised a second finger.
"Sword, you two didn't know of it till you came home and spotted me attacking Genpaku-kun. Were Ray dealt with it and Sakura sealed it." Naruto nods as a third finger rose. "Next, Loop. The one you two and that ninja were trapped in. Li broke the seal to get to you two out and you sealed it thanks to Kero." Naruto nods again. "Maze, this was out of your control, as it trapped you, Shizune-chan and the Li's in with you." Naruto nods again as his head looked at the bed. "You see now right, every card so far you two have dealt with. Other cards had reasons outside their control... But this time, you sealed a card, that, not only did you do because you felt Sakura couldn't. But you did it without her... A team works together. They face things together and get through it together. Going against one another and doing it alone..." Sakura's gaze softened as she glanced away. "Leads to actions that cannot be forgiven or changed." Sakura looked back to Naruto.
"It did it for Sakura... I was only trying to he-," Naruto stopped as Sakura tapped his forehead.
"Help comes in many forms. But doing something, that shows one is not capable, is not helping Naruto-chan..." Her hand rested on the boys head as Naruto looked down again. "You need to sort things out..." Naruto nods.
"Yeah... Big time..."
XX
"It's strange..." Li muttered as he watched students in the class room. "Uzumaki is never late..." Meiling glanced over.
"Maybe he's sick Syoaran?" Li shook his head.
"That's one thing I learned first of all very quickly... He's never sick, ever." Meiling looked on curiously before looking to Sakura, who was looking out the window.
"Hey, Kinomoto." Sakura glanced round, curiously. "Where's you blond boyfriend too?" Sakura blinked before glancing to Naruto's spot. Li noticed it, as well as Tomoyo. There look in her eyes before looking forward.
"Don't know... Maybe he's sick..." Sakura muttered before looking out the window as Meiling looked to Li to prove she was right. 'Naruto-baka...' Tomoyo stared at Sakura before looking down sadly. It had never been this bad between Naruto and Sakura, ever... Even for Naruto to not come into school.
This is a first, since it has only happened with Sakura that they both don't turn up. To not turn up himself, is a bad sign...
But Sakura's attitude could only boil for so long... And, it took till midday, before Sakura's frustration on Naruto faded. But, she found she couldn't forgive him, even more so as she watched Rei running. But, she could see the lack of effort in her usual style, or the spirit that had been there the day before. 'You can do it Rei-san...' Sakura turned to walk off and head for home. Maybe Naruto would be in tomorrow and ready to say sorry.
XX
As the autumn leaves fall, Rei looked up at the sky longingly from her garden entrence... Her mind on one thing alone.
'Peewee... What happened to you? Where did you go?' Rei asked herself sadly as she sat at the edge of the carpet through the sliding panel. She just couldn't find it in her now to run... How was she going to reach up to Haruno's level now?
"Rei-chan..." Rei glanced up at her mother's call.
"Hai?" Standing, she looked to where she heard the voice come from.
"You have visitors." Rei glanced to the sound of footsteps and out from beside the wall, Naruto walked out from round the corner.
"Naruto-san!" Rei smiled lightly, "What brings you here..." Rei's voice died out as she looked at the figure behind Naruto.
"Hello Rei-chan." Sakura Haruno spoke with a smile. "I heard something quite interesting." Sakura chuckled as Naruto stared stunned as Rei turned into some sort of fan-girl at the sight of her idol. Only for Rei to regain her composure. "How about we have a chat? I hear you're having trouble."
XX
A week passed, and Naruto never showed his face to school that whole week. Even for Naruto, that worried Sakura. And she now felt bad that maybe she went too far... Even if what he did was wrong, he was only trying to help her.
She didn't bother to go see him, worried he might not want to see her, or say something he didn't mean due to what happened. But how long can Naruto not show his face to her?
But right now, she had to put that aside, as right now, she had to focus on cheering for Rei. Who seemed in high spirits even with Dash sealed away? But while she cheered as Rei reached into the finals, she could tell something was off... But it wasn't the race. But, something in the air she could sense.
"You're doing well Rei." Rei nods to her sensei as she gave her a pat on the shoulder. "Just the final push... You ready?" Rei nods with a smile.
"Hai, with the help I've had. I'm ready..." Rei glanced up as the final call for the 100 meter dash.
"Good luck." Rei nods to her sensei and walked up to the start line. She'd done everything, thanks to Sakura Haruno's help, that she could to improve. But she had only wished she could have had Peewee with her still.
'I'm sure Peewee is fine Rei-chan... Where ever he is, I'm sure he'd left knowing you could do it. He believes in you, maybe that was why he left. Like some sort of guardian spirit...' Sakura's words lingered in her mind as Rei closed her eyes for a moment. 'Peewee...'
And then the strangest thing happened. A high pitched and very familiar squeak reached her ears. And as her eyes opened, there, jumping at the finish line. Was Peewee...
Sakura herself couldn't believe her eyes, but it wasn't a whole Dash, it was like a ghost. The small clow card vanished before the pair and only those pair of eyes. As no one but them saw it.
'Peewee...' Rei muttered to herself is surprise. Was that really...
"Rei-san!" Sakura called out and got Rei's attention. "You can do it!" If Dash was here, so was Naruto... Maybe... Maybe he had come to help? Rei became more focused now, with Sakura Haruno's help. And Peewee out there wishing her luck.
She couldn't lose!
"Ready!" The runners tensed. "Go!" As the shot of the pop gun, everyone took off. From behind the stands, Naruto looked on as the clow card stopped glowing and he stepped out beside the Haruno girl to watch Rei win. Sakura glanced down with a smile.
"Let's go..." Naruto nods and both walk off. But just as they almost get out of sight, Sakura was able to locate Naruto's suppressing energy in time and quickly go after him.
"Naruto-kun! Onee-san!" Naruto stopped just after Sakura, but didn't face her like she did. The young Kinomoto girl stopped as she glanced to the pink haired girl. "You both came?" Sakura nods at her young friend.
"Well, I couldn't let my chance go by to see the fruits of her training... We really had to work hard..." There was a few moments of silence as the cardcaptor took it in.
"Y-you helped Rei-san?" With a nod, Sakura looked to Naruto. "Then you..." Naruto glanced to Sakura, and raised Dash.
"I brought Dash along, to let him cheer Rei-san on. We played no part; she didn't win with magic but her own skills... Sakura helped when I asked for it..." Naruto lowered the card as he looked forward with his gaze to the floor. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry I went off like that and sealed Dash. I should have put my faith in you, and not pushed your role as the cardcaptor aside..." Sakura looked down as the older girl watched between the two. "I'm an idiot who rushed off to do things alone... When I'm trying so hard to help you, I went overboard just so Li didn't get more clow cards... I know I can't be forgiven so easily..." Sakura smiled slightly as she shook her head.
"It's my fault as well Naruto-kun." Naruto glanced back confused as Sakura looked down slightly. "Because I wanted Rei-san to do her best. I let her keep using the clow cards power. Just to win... Which isn't right... I had too many things to make my choice..." She glanced back up with a full smile. "I'm happy you were able to make the decision I couldn't. And help Rei-san in the process Naruto-kun." Naruto grinned and scratched the back of his head.
"No problem." With that he gave a thumbs up, "That's what friends and teammates are for right?" Sakura nod and all three turned to the crowds cheering. "Looks like you better get back with your squad; they'll all begin to worry. And Rei-san would be happy you cheered her at the end." Sakura nods.
"Thank you again Naruto-kun... And thank you onee-chan..." With that she turned round and sprinted back to the track. "I'll see you at school!" Naruto gave a final wave with a smile. The Haruno watched on with a smile of her own.
'They'll have they're up's and down's... But I know these two will make it through whatever obstacle it maybe.'
XXXXXXXX
Done! Man, I thought I wouldn't be able to make the final bit. But I did it, and about time too.
Now, I'm going to let you all know this small bit. All clow card information will be put on the front of my profile. Under ccsn's title. Showing who's got what.
I'm finally seeing the final set up with this series. I know now what must be done and what will happen and all the small bits that will lead up to my grand finally! It will be awesome!
Now several notes... A personal one to myself. I'm an idiot for not fixating my stories better, looking over them, I really missed out important titbits... And I know I'll miss out the right spelling, words all together and other kinds of stupid things... Damn my bad habits. And I'm sorry if many readers were put off with it. (Even if no one said a single thing...)
Now before I go, note, 6 card or so are left with five episodes left, since dash is in ep30. Then it's movie time! Boyah!
Now, I'm going to give you readers a choice. CCS movie, or something completely different. And you can give you say what the movie could be. The best ones will be put to vote at the end of chapter 35 with name to whom said what. At the end of the 7 chapter quarter. Since it will be the 5 series of 7 since I started way back. Anyway, time for bed. Night!
Now, I'm going to do something I didn't do before, a next time! Since the next chapter will be a grand battle!
So with a grand foe unlike before seen for a thousand years, will take show once more, and what's this? A new technique?
So next time on Cardcaptor Sakura Naruto: Resonance of souls. The fox clans greatest power unleash!