Authors Note: New chapter for my precious readers. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own CCS or its original characters.

Chapter 12: A Return

Sakura and Syaoran began to grow at an alarming rate after their punishment. Yelan was absolutely stunned to see their advancement. Both were filled with confidence and passion for magic all of a sudden. They trained extra on their own even when Yelan was not teaching. Yelan was absolutely shocked to see that they never ran out of magic now. In fact, it had grown a lot since their training started. Both had grown so much stronger.

Nevertheless, Yelan kept everything to herself and was very happy at the results. She could see Syaoran would surpass all his predecessor leaders in terms of magic. She could see that his connection to Sakura would only make him stronger. They were twelve and yet they had the strength to defeat adults. They had such potential and she was already reaching the limits to what she could teach them. They grasped everything so quickly; it was scary. However, both needed it if they were to gain any advantage over their enemy that even managed to get Eriol under his spell.

Two and a half months into their training and Yelan woke up one day t realise that she had nothing more to teach them. They were too good and she never expected them to actually be able to learn everything from her in such a short amount of time. The teachings were worth years of training and they took it all in, in two and a half months. The trio sat in the training hall silently early in the morning. The duo was fired up for the day. Yelan watched them scrutinizing behind her fan. She smiled slightly.

"Syaoran." Syaoran was alert to what his mother would say to him. "I have no doubts but I wish to hear it from you." Yelan watched him carefully. "Will you stay by the card mistress' side even if some day you have to face your own clan in a battle?"

The duo was shocked at the question. They exchanged glances. Sakura was a kind soul and asked him to say no but Syaoran was a determined soul and he would speak only the truth to his mother.

Syaoran replied without a hint of hesitation, "Yes. If I see them at fault, I will surely stand by Sakura's side."

Yelan smiled again. She turned to Sakura.

"Sakura my dear. You are a kind and caring girl. Anyone would fall in love with you. You are adorable, charming." Sakura blushed with a smile. "You have been an excellent student to me. However, I have nothing more to teach you or Syaoran. From here on, you will have to learn through experience. You will learn new things and grow stronger. Please. Never leave my son's side for you are the light of his life."

Sakura blushed even more. Syaoran was red as well. Sakura saw Yelan very serious with her words.

"Do not worry Mrs Yelan. I will never leave Syaoran."

Yelan looked at both of them and then kept her fan down. They knew she wanted to have some serious talks.

"I have taught and trained you in the art of magic no one but I know of in the entire Li clan. I think you can guess my importance in the clan with that. I was forbidden to teach it t anyone other than the next leader of the clan. However, that was to be done only after the person becomes officially the leader. Syaoran is supposed to be it."

Syaoran spoke, "But…"

Yelan shook her head, "I have not told anyone about it. Wei is the only one who knows. The elders might let it be that I taught it to you but they will be against Sakura with everything they have. I am pretty sure they will try to hurt her. That is why I wanted you to be by her side to protect her. They have not taken the fact lightly that she is the new card mistress beating you to it even if Eriol had a hand in it. Therefore, once you retrieve the cards, the guardians and Eriol, be ready to face them. Use everything you two have to defeat them. There are chances that even I will one day become your opponent. Do not hesitate to defeat me. I am sure by then you would be capable enough for that."

The duo saw sadness in her eyes. Yelan did not like the idea but she was preparing them now. She could not go against the clan but Syaoran could and he would have a good reason for it. Sakura felt bad for the woman and shifted closer to her. She took Yelan's hand in her hands and squeezed them slightly.

With a beaming smile, Sakura spoke, "Do not worry. We will make you proud of your students. Please do not hold back at that time against us."

Yelan smiled and Syaoran nodded to agree with her. Yelan took her fan and got to her feet.

"Well you can train however you wish. I will be in my room if you need me."

The duo nodded and Yelan began to leave. Syaoran took out his sword and Sakura summoned her staff. At the door, Yelan turned around with a smile.

"Defeat that mage as soon as possible so that you two could resume your school together."

The duo nodded wit a determined smile.

Yelan had a naughty idea, "And do not let me catch you making out while I am not watching."

Both turned beet red while Yelan left with twinkles in her eyes. Syaoran and Sakura could not look into each other's eyes now. They were feeling embarrassed. Both had a smile on the face as well.

Yelan stood in her room with a stern face. She read a piece of paper repeatedly. She looked worried and uneasy with the contents. She stared outside the window. Wei came in at that time and bowed respectfully.

"You called for me Mistress." Wei was very polite.

Yelan did not avert her gaze from the window, "Yes. I wish you to deliver my reply to this letter to the elders of the clan as well as others in the clan."

Wei nodded, "Certainly madam. I believe you have the reply ready."

Yelan turned to him, "Tell them I have no intention to separate my son and the card mistress. In addition, I have no intention to step down as the leader of the Li clan after my decision. Therefore, they will have to listen to my orders whether they like it or not."

Wei was alarmed, "But madam…"

Yelan cut in, "There is more. If they join the alliance, I can assure them that I will fight against the card mistress and even my son if I have to. Xiaolang Li is staying by Sakura Kinomoto's side on my approval whether they like it or not. Tell them, he is going to be the future leader of the clan whether they approve of it or not."

Wei gave a slight smile and bowed again, "I will convey the message personally."

Yelan softened up, "You can stay there if you like…"

Wei spoke in, "No madam. My obligations lay only to you and your children. The clan has none of it. I will return to serve you. Expect your daughters with me when I return."

Yelan shook her head, "No. Tell them to take care of things there until I return. We should cut Sakura some slack."

Wei nodded, "True. Farewell madam, for now."

He left while Yelan continued to stare outside the window. Thinking about Sakura and Syaoran always brought a smile on her face irrespective of her mood. She had never seen them together ever since they got together officially and watching them for two and a half months had rid her mind of all doubts regarding them. They were indeed perfect for each other. Even their magic resonated to each other. That was a very rare trait found in a couple. She continued to ponder over her thoughts for long.

Evening set in. Sakura and Syaoran lay on the floor after a long duel. They were out of breath now. They had little magic left. However, they were content. They held hands as they lay side by side with a flushed face.

"Hey Syaoran." Sakura spoke softly with her cute voice.

Syaoran blushed thinking about it, "Yes."

"I want to try and fight him tomorrow night."

Syaoran got on his elbows and looked at her with surprise. Sakura looked determined as she stared at the roof.

"What is the hurry Sakura?"

"I want to try and win it. I have made them wait too long already. I want to win this time and I think I can do it."

Syaoran smiled to see her confidence. He laid down and stayed still.

"Fine. I will come with you. You will have better chances with me around."

Sakura smiled softly, "Thank you Syaoran." Suddenly Sakura had an idea. She immediately added, "My little wolf."

Syaoran turned scarlet. Sakura felt his hand shiver for a while and knew her words had the desired effect on him. She smiled in her head while Syaoran scratched his head with a grin. He loved it when she called him that.

Meiling and Tomoyo came inside the training hall. They had heard the conversation already. Meiling was trying to stop Tomoyo from entering and disturbing the couple. However, Tomoyo did not want to miss recording this moment. Nor did she want to miss out on dressing up her favourite couple for the upcoming battle. She rushed in with stars twinkling in her eyes and her camera in her hand. She pointed her camera at Syaoran's face.

"Say that to him again Sakura." Tomoyo almost commanded her.

Sakura sweat-dropped, "Say what to him Tomoyo?"

Meiling, "Sorry I tried to stop her but…you know how she gets when it is about recording you two in moments like this. I doubt even that bad mage would stand a chance against her when she is like this."

Tomoyo was restless, "Say it already."

Syaoran did not want to be caught in an embarrassing moment. He leapt away from Tomoyo and her camera. Tomoyo chased after him but Syaoran used his new magic to freeze her movements while he escaped from the hall. Meiling smirked knowing that Syaoran knew he could not outrun her at the moment thus he used magic on her. Tomoyo complained about him being unfair and Sakura being partial with her by not freeing her immediately. Sakura sweat-dropped again at her complaint. Meiling just enjoyed the show.

The next evening, Tomoyo managed to get her favourite couple change into her hand-made battle costume. Fortunately, for them, it was not something too embarrassing. While Sakura was fine with what she wore, Syaoran still felt self-conscious wearing it. Especially since he could tell that, even his mother was sniggering behind her fan. She was not doing anything to stop them going out to battle when even he thought that they were not ready yet. Tomoyo just would not stop recording the duo. She was already frustrated that she could not accompany them for the battle. Meiling was enjoying the scene.

Night came and time stopped at its usual time. Everything ceased to move with it besides the duo, Yelan and Meiling. Everyone grew serious with it. They felt the huge magical aura at the top of the hill as usual. Yelan could tell that the cards, the guardians and even Eriol were present there. The amount was extraordinary. Yelan grew cautious with it since she had never felt it to such heights earlier. It felt as if he knew they were coming and had prepared for it. She turned to the duo and saw them serious as well. They were cautious as well.

Yelan closed her fan, "Be on your guards. He will not be easy to defeat. If things get too dangerous, there is nothing wrong with a retreat."

Sakura and Syaoran nodded. They left and used their magic to levitate and fly towards the hill with the sakura tree. Yelan and Meiling watched them fly away.

Meiling asked, "Will they win this time?"

Yelan shook her head, "They stand no chance. I am sure her secret guardian will rescue them in time as always."

Meiling looked in the direction they left with worry. Yelan turned to go inside. She saw Tomoyo standing still with her over-excited mood. Meiling smirked to see it.

"I wish there was some way to show her what she looked like when she was so still."

Yelan smiled, "That could be arranged with magic."

Sakura and Syaoran approached the hill cautiously. They could see the army of magical beings around the tree. They all were present to fight the duo under his control while he silently sat under the tree. Sakura and Syaoran gently touched the ground holding their weapons firmly in their hands to battle.

"You made me wait a long time. I should punish you for that. Nevertheless, since you took so much time, I am sure you think you can take me on now. Now if you disappoint me, I will punish you two worse than the last time."

The cards and the guardians stepped aside. The man got to his feet and walked towards the duo. They watched him carefully waiting for any attacks he would try.

"I want to test you two myself. None of the cards or the guardians will interfere. So come at me with everything you have otherwise I will punish you."

Sakura and Syaoran watched the cards and the guardians take a backseat. Only the man stood against them. They looked at each other and nodded. Syaoran rushed towards the man with his sword while Sakura prepared a fireball with her staff. Syaoran flung his sword at him while he dodged it and dodged the fireball again. The ball returned towards him and he summoned a ball of water in one hand. Water ad fire collided to cover the hill with steam. Syaoran decided to take advantage of the vision loss and rushed to him with his sword.

However, the mage countered his sword with a rocky sword of his own. Sakura was behind him with balls of huge air pressure. The man summoned an air barrier and nullified her attack while he twisted his sword in a way for Syaoran to lose his balance. Syaoran leapt away in time to avoid being cut in half by the rock sword. Sakura joined him as well. She had already collected the steam at the tip of her staff. It grew hotter and began to glow red. Syaoran summoned lighting with his sword and used its blast to increase his own speed several folds for the attack. The man easily countered his flaming sword while a wall of black iron grew out of the ground to stop Sakura's attack.

The wall instantly changed form into a rope and glided towards Sakura. Sakura used an air barrier to stop the iron rope and went around it towards the man who was busy in a sword fight against Syaoran. Syaoran had his sword covered in flame while the mage used an ice sword. Sakura struck the ground with her staff and halted. The next instant, the man vanished in mist as four pillars of rock appeared on his four sides to crush him. Sakura found the iron rope clinging to her leg now. The rope threw her off the hill. Syaoran wanted to go after her but the man stopped him with his ice sword. He summoned an air sword in his other hand and sliced it at him. Syaoran dodged it in time. The man immediately turned around to stop a ball of light with his bare hand.

Sakura had returned and she was flying now. The man deflected the ball towards Syaoran who caught it and flung it back at him. The man disappeared and appeared next to Syaoran in an instant. He hit him on the face with a punch. Syaoran could not defend and the impact threw him towards Sakura. Sakura bent down to take his hand and help him up. The mage created a whip of fire in one hand and several shards of ice in the other. He whipped the whip at Sakura and caught her staff while the shards of ice darted towards Syaoran. He pulled Sakura away with his whip while Syaoran used the rock barrier to protect himself. With ice covering his sword, he sliced the whip and freed Sakura.

However, before they could get together, he appeared between them with balls of fire aimed at both of them. The duo dodged the fireball barely and got ready to attack. However, a solid invisible thing hit them simultaneously in the stomach. They fell on the ground in pain. Sakura was glad she had listened to Syaoran when he suggested to cover their body in an air barrier to minimise physical damage. Her stomach did not hurt as it would without the armour. She got to her feet and saw the mage attacking Syaoran with an ice sword. Syaoran was having a hard time holding up against him. Sakura was surprised that even when he moved at such speed, his hood never fell off to reveal his face.

She knew what she had to do. She began to collect all her magic at the tip of her staff in the form of a ball. Syaoran noticed it and decided to stall the man until he had no time to escape the attack. The sword fight continued. Sakura's ball had become as large a two soccer balls in a short amount of time. With all her power, she blasted the ball towards him. Syaoran held him in place until the ball was close enough. Then he leapt away to avoid it. The man did not even flinch as he turned around to face. He stood straight and effortlessly stopped the ball with his bare hand.

Both Sakura and Syaoran were shocked as the attack dissipated without affecting him in the least. Nevertheless, that was to be expected. He was powerful and Eriol must have used better magic compared to them. Syaoran and Sakura were now at his two opposite sides. With a nod, they lunged at him together. Syaoran with his lightening sword and Sakura with her burning staff. The man did not flinch. His ice sword vanished to their surprise and he caught their weapons with his fingers easily. Their magic vanished with that. The duo was shocked. Before they could move, he threw Syaoran away with a flick of his wrist and pulled Sakura closer.

Ruby caught Syaoran to prevent any damage and held him by the waist. Syaoran saw him separate Sakura from her staff with a jerk. It turned into its key form and Sakura was left defenceless. Syaoran struggled but Ruby held him tight. Sakura was scared as she watched the mage standing before her. She still could not use her magic without the staff. She knew Syaoran was trapped so he could not come either. She saw Eriol standing before Syaoran.

Syaoran shouted, "Let her go. Do not hurt her. Please."

Eriol smirked, "Is that how plan to fight your enemies? Beg them to let her go. My cute little descendant."

Syaoran was shocked. He recognised his familiar mysterious smile. Eriol was supposed to be in his control so then why did he still have that look and attitude.

Spinel spoke, "Just watch them."

He turned to Sakura. The mage looked at the key and then gently placed it around her neck. Sakura was shocked to see him so gentle with her. He patted her head softly next, a few times and then turned towards the tree. He went and silently sat under it while they watched him in confusion.

"Tomorrow night. Come back here and I will tell you everything. You two have grown a lot and I am satisfied with it for now. Take them all with you."

Sakura and Syaoran were shocked. She saw Eriol with his usual warm smile. She saw her guardians back to their usual selves. She saw her cards surround her with a gentle and warm aura. Everyone was back to how they were.

"A word of warning." The duo looked at the mage. "Once your cards and guardians return to their dormant forms, do not summon them for now. It might kill them with a burst of your own magic. You two still cannot control it that well."

Eriol nodded, "That is true. Do not summon them Sakura."

The duo was shocked that he supported him. They turned to the man. A bead of white light had appeared in his palm. Suddenly the light filled entire area and blinded them. No one could open his or her eyes now.

"I am proud of you my little flower. However, your troubles have yet not come to an end."

Sakura heard the female voice and recognised it immediately as her mother's voice. Tears appeared in her eyes as she fell asleep under the spell. When the light cleared, Sakura and Syaoran were asleep on the ground. Eriol and the four guardians were still present while the mage sat under the tree with the 'Sakura' book. He opened it and all the cards returned inside it. He closed the book, locked it and levitated it towards Yue.

Yue caught it, nodded and left with Sakura and Keroberos. Ruby picked up Syaoran and left with Eriol and Spinel. The time once again began to flow while the man stayed at the base of the tree staring at the incomplete moon. Nadeshiko's ghost appeared next to him gliding in the air.

"She has grown a lot. Do you think it was because he was with her?"

The man replied, "I have no doubt about that. Nevertheless, they have a very long way to go Nako. They have so much more to learn. Neither of them has yet understood the countless possibilities of magic that they have with the power they control. So many cards, so many charms; it is as if they have an ocean of possibilities but they only use its surface. They have so much to learn."

Nadeshiko smiled softly and placed her hand on his shoulder, "I am not worried. The three of us are with them."

He looked at her and nodded, "Yep. You, her and me. We will make sure they survive through with this…stupidity."

He got to his feet and stared at the stars. "Stars and Blue Moon" He whispered softly.

End of Chapter 12

Short action true but that was just a trailer to what is coming up next. Expect a lot.

Read and Review and forgive any mistakes…