A/N:- For those who are wondering why Meiling calls Tomoyo as Ms. Daidouji and Sakura as Ms. Kinomoto, the answer is simple. In the CCS movie, Meiling calls them by their sir names instead of first names. Considering that this story is its continuation, I simply kept it like that. In the anime, it may be different but I am following the movie. Therefore, for those who do not like it that way, I am very sorry for it. Please forgive me. For those who are wondering why they have not hugged yet; Sakura and Syaoran are simply too shy to hug with two pair of eyes watching and a camcorder recording them. There has not been a moment when they were alone. Anyway, here is the next chapter. Please enjoy.

Disclaimer:- I do not own CCS or any of its characters. So sad. :-[

Chapter 6: Beginning

Sakura and Syaoran could not believe what they just heard and saw. Yelan personally came to teach them the very thing they needed at this time. Unexpected place for hope. Sakura's morning note came true. Syaoran was in greater shock because he did not know his mother could do something like that.

Yelan understood his shock, "No one in the clan knows of this. Your father was the only one who knew. I learnt this art from a school friend. She told me I would need it in future. I believe she referred to today since I never used it in the past. Do not tell the clan elders or it could pose problems for us all."

Syaoran nodded. Yelan turned to Sakura. She continued to stare at the amazing woman before her who appeared unexpectedly to solve their problem. She felt too intimidating all of a sudden. Sakura felt she had a chance now.

Sakura stepped closer with happiness and hope in her eyes, "You will. Thank you ma'am."

Yelan took her fan from Syaoran and held it in both hands. She had a composed face as always. She stared intently in Sakura's bright eyes. She noticed a similar shine in Syaoran's eyes. She turned to look at Meiling and Tomoyo and found them awed as well as happy.

"Meiling. Daidouji. Do you mind accompanying Wei to Sakura's place and bringing her family along?" Yelan spoke with a power that everyone felt in her voice.

Sakura and Syaoran were confused as well as the two girls. They exchanged confused glances and Yelan knew what they wondered. She opened her fan before her half face as earlier.

"Sakura my dear. Before I teach you, you have to make a choice. However, it will be best if you decide in the presence of your family. I believe they know about the cards and the guardians." Yelan spoke in her powerful tone.

Sakura nodded, "Yes. They know. What choice ma'am?"

Yelan turned to Meiling and Tomoyo, "Do not delay girls. Every second holds great value."

Meiling and Tomoyo rushed outside along with Wei close behind. Sakura and Syaoran wondered what Yelan had in her mind. She was a wise and intimidating woman. They knew she had something big in her mind that they will not understand until she tells them about it. Yelan returned her gaze at Sakura. She stared at her for long before suddenly remembering something.

"Where are my manners? Have a seat Sakura. Syaoran dear. Would you mind telling the maid to bring some drinks for her?" Yelan spoke as she signalled Sakura to sit on the sofa.

Syaoran was shocked at his mother's last words. She had never talked to him that way. In fact, she had never asked him to do anything other than train and study. This was the first time. Sakura continued to stare at the elder woman. Looking away from her mysterious eyes was hard for her. Yelan stared back at her as well. Syaoran slowly slipped out of the hall lost in his thoughts. Sakura was getting a bit uncomfortable due to the elder woman's stare. Yelan broke the long silence with Syaoran's arrival with a maid carrying a tray with glasses of juice.

"Do not be uncomfortable my dear. I am simply trying to figure out how such a small and delicate child could house such massive magical powers that could shake the entire world in the dead of the night. Tell me my dear. Did you feel exhausted or very tired when you woke up after your dream?"

Sakura blushed at her earlier words and shook her head in response to her question.

"I felt fine and fresh. I did not even come to know I had seen a magical dream until Eriol called." Sakura spoke sincerely that made Yelan smile one of rare smiles.

"It seems your magic is beyond what I had expected. I wonder if you have already surpassed Clow Reed or not. Did his incarnation say something about that?" Yelan asked with tenderness in her voice.

Sakura shook her head, "He never mentioned anything. That dawn, he asked me to find the man from my dream since he might know something. He asked me to be careful after that."

Yelan directed to the drink, "We will discuss your dream later. For now, have a drink."

Sakura smiled and took a glass, "Thank you very much."

Yelan watched Sakura drink the juice. Syaoran sat in his place feeling nervous due to his mother's presence. She just had that air around her that would make anyone nervous. Syaoran's respect for his mother only worsened the result. He was too nervous to speak. He wondered how Sakura managed to converse. Nevertheless, Sakura always managed to converse with anyone. She was too sweet. Thinking about her made Syaoran blush.

Yelan found a strange happiness watching the girl before her drinking the liquid from the glass. Something about the little girl eased her heart and filled it with happiness. She remembered her meeting in Hong Kong. She felt the same at that time as well. However, this time the effect was must greater than before. Yelan decided that it was the air around Sakura that had this effect on her. She simply could not get enough of her son's little girlfriend.

Sakura finished her drink and turned to Yelan, "Mrs Li."

Yelan smiled at her formality, "Call me Yelan my dear. Let us be on first name basis."

Sakura smiled and shook her head, "That would be inappropriate. You are elder to me."

Yelan nodded at her words, "In that case, call me Mrs. Yelan. Nevertheless, first name will stay."

Sakura nodded, "Mrs. Yelan then. What are the choices?"

Yelan returned the fan before her face as if trying to hide her secrets from the young sorceress. She stared at Sakura once again with deep eyes that saw more than simply Sakura's eyes. Syaoran fidgeted in his place seeing his mother grow serious. The matter was serious anyway. Sakura wondered if she questioned out of her place.

Yelan broke the long silence, "It is a choice that you will have to make both for you and Syaoran. Whatever you decide, I will consider that Syaoran has made the same decision. I am sure he will not have anything to say about that."

Sakura was surprised. She involuntarily looked at Syaoran. He was surprised as well but when he saw her looking at him, he simply nodded with a smile. Sakura received his approval and felt some pressure off but she still could not bring herself to make a choice that would affect someone else's life other than hers especially if that other was Syaoran. She turned to Yelan with worry in her eyes.

"What if I make the wrong decision? I do not want my choice to hurt Syaoran." Sakura spoke her heart.

Yelan smiled behind her fan once again. Sakura's simplicity and caring nature warmed her up.

"I believe it is already too late for that. You two love each other." Yelan spoke with softness evident in her voice.

Both Syaoran and Sakura coloured up at her words. They simply could not think of something to counter her words. They could not look at each other. Yelan was amused at the result of her words.

"Let us wait for our guests to arrive first. It is an important choice for you and it is best if you make it in their presence. I am sure they will support your decision just as I would." Yelan spoke with motherly softness instead of her usual authoritative tone. Sakura could not hold back a smile and a nod.

Touya cursed, "I swear if that brat has done something to Sakura I will have his head."

Fujitaka could not help but smile seeing Touya so pissed off at the matter. He was indeed surprised when Meiling, Tomoyo and Wei had arrived home to bring them to Syaoran's place at his mother's orders. They told him that Sakura was there as well and it is something important. Touya could not stop being over-protective and detesting Syaoran like always. Currently they sat in the car heading towards the Li mansion. Fujitaka did not show it but he felt slightly nervous with all this.

Touya broke the long silence, "By the way Tomoyo, his sisters are not here as well, are they?"

Tomoyo and Meiling managed to not laugh at the fear they saw in his eyes. They remembered what the quadruplets did to Yukito and him in Hong Kong. That saved them from undergoing the same treatment for longer than they could handle. The sisters were very clingy and over-excited all the time.

Tomoyo shook her head, "Do not worry. Mrs. Li arrived alone. I am sure she does not act the way her daughters do."

Touya glared at her knowing that she was teasing him. The sparkling amusement he saw in the two girls' eyes was proof enough. He grumbled inaudibly and began to stare outside the window at the road. Suddenly his eyes went wide in surprise. The girls noticed it and were puzzled.

Touya spoke as he tried to look behind, "Cherry Blossom and Little Wolf cafe! When did that open? Why that name?"

The three people could not help but chuckled at the distasteful tone of his voice with the last question. They could tell he hated seeing the two names together. He did not like anything that pointed to his sister being together with 'that brat'. Nevertheless, he was genuinely confused about the cafe.

Meiling spoke, "No idea. We saw it today and they serve great sundaes. It must have opened recently."

Touya looked at her, "There was a tree there only four days back. How could shop appear out of nowhere in merely four days? It is not possible."

Fujitaka smiled like always, "Now now Touya. You might be confusing the place with some other place that looks the same. It happens all the time."

Touya looked at his father and then nodded. He continued to stare outside the window again. Meiling decided to have fun with him.

Meiling looked at Fujitaka, "Mr. Kinomoto. Do you mind catching a sundae with us when we return at that cafe? They serve great variety and very delicious."

The man nodded, "Sure. If Touya would accompany us, that is."

Touya huffed with annoyance but nodded. Tomoyo knew what Meiling was up to. She decided to play along.

Tomoyo spoke, "Today's special was Cherry and Wolf holding hand sundae with extra toppings, if I recall the name correctly. That was very delicious."

Both noticed Touya flinch and even Fujitaka could not help but smile broader at the name.

"I think I would love to have that." Fujitaka spoke nicely. Touya continued to grumble.

Meiling looked at Tomoyo, "Tomorrow special is I think Blossom and Wolf sleep together, right?"

Tomoyo grinned, "Yes."

Touya almost shouted, "What?"

Fujitaka placed his hand on the frustrated son, "Now now Touya. It is not as if they are mentioning our Sakura. You do not have to be so angry."

Touya wanted to say something but swallowed his words and sat back, once again staring outside as if trying to kill everyone he saw on the road. Tomoyo and Meiling had fun teasing him and Fujitaka saw right through it. The rest of the ride was silent. Both father and son were awed at the size of the mansion. The beauty of the gardens attracted them. The car stopped before a massive door.

Wei spoke from front, "We are here sirs and madams. Mistress Li will be waiting for you in the living room."

He opened the car door for them to get out. Meiling and Tomoyo led them inside and indeed Yelan sat close to Sakura while Syaoran sat opposite her. Tomoyo and Meiling did not miss the satisfied look in his eyes seeing Sakura the 'the brat' sitting away from each other.

Yelan got to her feet on seeing the guests. Sakura and Syaoran followed her suit and stood up. Touya and Syaoran glared daggers at each other. Tomoyo and Meiling went to Sakura's side. Yelan stepped forward to welcome her guests.

"Mr. Kinomoto. I believe this is our first meeting. Welcome to my house. Pleased to meet you."

Fujitaka felt her authoritative presence simply through her voice. She intimidated him somehow. He managed a smile towards her.

"The pleasure is all mine Mrs. Li." Fujitaka smiled his usual smile.

Yelan turned to Touya. He did not look intimidated. Yelan smiled at his stand.

"We meet again wolf hunter." Yelan spoke softly to him.

Touya raised his eyebrow at the last two words but still spoke, "It is a pleasure to see you again Mrs. Li."

Tomoyo decided to ask Yelan the question her cousin and friends could not gather the courage to ask.

"Mrs. Li. Why did you call Touya as wolf hunter? We were simply wondering."

Yelan looked at her and then at Syaoran with a satisfied smile.

"That was the picture I got of him on our last meeting and from Meiling's description." Yelan spoke calmly.

The two girls giggled to see Syaoran flustered for a moment and then scarlet to see Sakura's confused cute face. Sakura just looked from one face to the other before realising that she was the only one who had not understood what Yelan meant. She turned red with embarrassment and Tomoyo did not fail to record it.

Yelan turned her attention towards Fujitaka with a serious look. He noticed it and paid full attention to her.

"I came here to teach Sakura a form of magic that she will need in order to win the battle before her. However, before I teach her, Sakura has to make a choice." Yelan spoke firmly unlike her soft tone until now.

Every eye turned to her. They have been waiting to hear about this all along. Sakura lost her embarrassment and Syaoran lost his blush. Meiling lost her snickering; Tomoyo kept her camcorder in her purse and Touya stopped glaring at Syaoran. Fujitaka looked at Yelan with full attention and for the first time in Sakura's memories, he was not smiling.

Yelan spoke, "The teaching is not a problem and neither is the learning. The problem lies with the fact that we do not have enough time to teach Sakura and Syaoran. Normally it takes more than a year but we only have a few months. Therefore, it will be difficult if Sakura continues her school along with her training."

Every eye went wide with shock. Yelan clearly hinted that Sakura's school and training could not go together.

Yelan continued, "A year when you are fully devoted to training. More than five years, if we do it along with her school. The choice is yours to make Sakura."

Sakura asked, "Why do we have only a few months?"

Yelan sighed, "I am afraid that is how long your cards will survive if they are still in this town."

The girls gasped at her words. The boys were horrified. Yelan's eyes held deep sadness that proved she was serious with her words. Sakura was almost in tears. Fujitaka and Touya felt very sad for Sakura.

Yelan spoke, "You are their master so your magic will reach them all the time. However, they must be fighting to free themselves and that will weaken them over the time. There will come a time when your magic will not be enough to sustain them and they will perish. This is only if they are in the town. Once outside, I am afraid they will last only a few days. I just hope they are still in town."

Sakura wanted to cry but she did not. She sat on the couch while the others just watched her. Yelan continued to look at her with sad eyes. After a long silence, Sakura got off her couch and looked at Yelan with confidence in her eyes. That surprised even Yelan.

Sakura spoke, "I think I knew that part. You simply confirmed it. I know they are still in the town. They are still alive and I will save them. Teach me. I will spend all day training if I have to but I will save them."

Yelan smiled at her and then went to her. Others were surprised at her words. She knew about it! She never mentioned something like that before to anyone. Yelan kept her hand on her shoulders.

"It is good to see you so confident and hopeful. I am sure you will succeed." Yelan spoke soothingly.

Sakura turned to her family, "Dad. Big brother. May I?"

Fujitaka and Touya exchanged worried glances and then sighed together. Fujitaka smiled at his little daughter.

"Whatever you decide my dear? We are with you." Fujitaka spoke.

Touya spoke, "You will miss a lot of school. Do not come to me crying when you have all the pressure."

Tomoyo rushed to Sakura's side, "Leave that part to me. I will help you with all the school studies when this problem is solved. I will give them some nice reason for your leave."

Sakura smiled, "Thank you Tomoyo. Thank you dad. Thank…"

Touya cut in, "Keep it with you." He did not seem very happy with the idea but he knew the importance.

Sakura turned to Yelan, "By the way, how does my decision decide for Syaoran?"

Syaoran looked at Yelan asking the same question. Yelan hid her face behind her fan again.

"If you had decided to continue school, I doubt I would let Syaoran stay home all day. Instead, I would have him join you in school and protect his girlfriend." Yelan spoke with a light tone.

Both Syaoran and Sakura turned beet red at her last words. Touya flinched but decided to stay quiet. Meiling snickered at their condition and Tomoyo once again recorded them with a dangerous glint in her eyes. Fujitaka just smiled as always. Syaoran and Sakura could not look at each other. They have been blushing too much lately.

Fujitaka cut the silence, "Well if there is nothing else to discuss Mrs. Li, I believe we should head home with Sakura. It is getting late now."

Yelan stepped towards him, "About that Mr. Kinomoto, I would recommend that Sakura stays with me for the time being. I will teach her and keep a watch over her progress. I promise I will not let her be uncomfortable in my house."

A few moments passed in silence. Yelan felt amused by the reaction.

Touya broke it with his yelling, "No way is that brat living under the same roof as my sister!"

Fujitaka scolded Touya a bit for his outburst and turned to Yelan with an apologetic smile.

"I am sorry for my son's ill-manners Mrs. Li. I am sure Sakura would have a great time here."

Yelan shook her head, "You do not have to worry. You can come anytime you wish to meet her. Do not worry wolf hunter. My son will do nothing to hurt your sister."

Touya did not like his new name much but somehow, he could not deny that it did fit him. He simply grumbled and glared deadly daggers at Syaoran. Syaoran was flustered about the concept of living with Sakura for a few months to notice Touya's glares. Sakura was in a similar state and Tomoyo was having her time recording her favourite couple.

Fujitaka and Touya left after a while along with Tomoyo and Wei. Meiling decided to stay with Sakura, jokingly, to protect her from Syaoran. Yelan had a feeling that she was forgetting something very important. She sat on the couch and began to ponder. Sakura sat at a little distance from Syaoran without knowing that he was there. Syaoran seemed oblivious as well. Both were staring at Yelan pondering over something and expecting her to say something. Meiling sat between them and sighed to see that they did not notice each other.

Yelan spoke suddenly, "Oh my! I completely forgot to ask them to sit and have a drink with us. I guess the tension in the air got to my head as well. I am really very sorry for my mistake Sakura."

Sakura just smiled, relieved that it was not something big, "Do not be. I doubt anyone remembered that."

Yelan stared at Sakura with soft eyes for a long time. Syaoran and Meiling exchanged glances.

Yelan spoke, "You are a very bright girl Sakura. You surprised me when you said that you knew about the cards."

Sakura grew slightly sad, "It was just a hunch. I did not know if I was correct. You confirmed it. I noticed it in my dreams. I was simply praying that I was wrong."

Yelan spoke, "Relax your mind Sakura. We will start tomorrow morning. Today, you should relax your mind and body so that you are in full strength tomorrow. I will meet you during dinner and then we will discuss about your powerful dream and other dreams you just mentioned."

Yelan got to her feet with Sakura's nod and gracefully left. Sakura decided to go to the garden and ease her mind. Syaoran and Meiling stayed close by without spoiling her time alone. The sky slowly grew dark. The trio lost track of time until a maid came to call them for dinner. None had uttered a word in all this time. They went inside together and found Yelan waiting for them in the head chair at the massive dining table. She smiled to welcome them and they greeted her. The dinner began. After a short silence, Yelan asked Sakura to narrate her dreams in the sequence she saw them. Sakura's first dream surprised Yelan so much that she stared at Sakura with open mouth. Syaoran had never seen his mother surprised in his life with anything. He was shocked to see her reaction and wondered what surprised her. Sakura felt slightly uneasy. A few moments later, Yelan checked herself and asked her to continue. Her second dream did not surprise her at all.

Yelan asked, "You have never met this man before, have you?"

Sakura shook her head. Yelan considered it for a while.

"When he hugged you, the way you felt, do you remember it?"

Sakura nodded.

"Has anyone ever made you feel like that in the past?"

Sakura shook her head, "It was completely new. Yet I had a feeling that I knew it from long ago. I just could not place it. He had a strong presence and yet it was soothing. His touch was very protective. It was similar to dad's touch but still different. Eriol said I had to find him fast. Mom was with him so that only explains that he is nice person."

Yelan considered it, "How do you that this person is a man and not a woman?"

Sakura smiled, "I just know that the person was a man."

Yelan smiled to her, "Tears of joy, familiar touch, familiar presence, familiar gaze and familiar feeling. This person has to be of great importance in this matter. Considering that your mother is involved, I wonder if there is some way to find him."

Another few minutes passed in silence. They ate while Sakura continued to smile faintly at the memory of her dream. Yelan could tell that she was very happy at the moment. She decided to break the silence since more had to be discussed.

Yelan asked, "What part of the second dream gave you the idea that your cards have little time left?"

Sakura looked at her with worry, "I saw the exact same dream this morning along with the addition of Eriol, Nakuru and Spinel. I saw the difference between the two dreams. The cards seemed a bit paler today morning compared to normal. They felt weaker than before. It was not much but only a little. It made me think that if they continue to get weaker, they will die someday. "

Syaoran looked at her with worry evident in his eyes from across the table. Yelan saw their sadness. She had understood a lot by now.

"You are the master so your cards will not accept magic from any other sorcerer unless it is to help you. A sorcerer with so much power to control fifty-three cards, four guardians and Clow's incarnation simultaneously is no doubt ordinary. You cards know this and they know they cannot use their remaining stock of magic unreasonably. Breaking from his control would be futile and waste of magic. I believe your cards collect their magic along with the guardians and Eriol. They try to contact you with it and during the time, they take some magic from you for survival. However, in such a short time, they are unable to take enough magic without alert the sorcerer. This is just my assumption and I could be wrong. However, let us consider that as our best explanation." Yelan told them.

Sakura nodded. Syaoran followed her. Meiling sat in her place silently. Something clicked on her mind suddenly.

Meiling spoke, "By the way Aunt Yelan, did Syaoran tell you about the notes we found?"

Yelan raised her eyebrow at Syaoran, "I heard about no such thing."

Syaoran bowed slightly, "I apologise mother. It simply slipped my mind at that time and after talking to Sakura, it did not look dangerous anymore."

Yelan turned to Sakura, "Sakura dear. What about the notes?"

Sakura smiled slightly, "They are from the man in my dream."

Yelan was surprised but kept her composed facade. She waited for Sakura to continue.

"They have the same feel to them that I felt in my dream from him. He brought us to our homes after last night. He saved Meiling and asked her to stay out of this battle. He has been protecting us. However, I think he is not strong enough so he cannot defeat him or free my friends. That is why I want to help him fight that evil sorcerer."

Yelan smiled at her, "I hope we could meet some day. I have to thank him for protecting my son and niece."

Yelan soon finished eating and turned to look at the three kids. She stared at Sakura for a while thinking something. She brought out her fan and half covered her face with it.

"Sakura dear. I am sure you will have trouble sleeping alone in an entirely new place. Would you like to have company?" Yelan asked her gently.

Sakura smiled, "Sure. I would love to…"

Yelan cut her off, "That is good. It is settled then. Syaoran."

Syaoran looked at his mother, alert, "Yes mother."

Yelan continued to smile, "Do you mind having Sakura dear over to your room for the nights?"

After complete three second, a scream rang through the entire mansion, "HOE!"

Sakura and Syaoran were beet red. Both on their feet and looking shocked. Yelan looked amused behind her fan. She found Sakura especially adorable due to that scream. Meiling barely hid her giggles.

Yelan looked at her son, "Be a good boy and escort Sakura to your room."

Syaoran stuttered, "But…mother…"

Yelan spoke again, "Are you going to leave Sakura dear alone in a stranger room when she wants to spend the night with you? Be responsible Li Syaoran."

Yelan did not use a commanding or a disappointed tone. She used an amused tone instead. Meiling caught it but Syaoran did not. The fact that she used his full name was enough to make him follow her words. Sakura looked from Syaoran to Meiling to Yelan before nervously following Syaoran to his room. Meiling sat in her place and watched them walk stiffly out of the hall. Once they were out Meiling turned to Yelan.

"What are you up to Aunt Yelan?" Meiling asked her politely.

Yelan, knowing that her niece was intelligent, replied, "Is it not obvious my dear?"

Meiling smirked, "Who would think that you have such a side as well Aunt?"

Yelan continued to hide her face, "I am a woman at heart my dear Meiling."

End of Chapter 6