Author'sNotes: Phew. What a month! So hectic.

Disclaimer: I do not own CCS or any of its main characters.

Chapter 15: The Almost Defeat

Tomoyo's eyes sparkled as Michal gave her the camcorder with the recordings of the battle. Sakura and Syaoran sweat-dropped to hear her evil laughter when they returned the costume to them. She was having fun. Sonomi and Nadeshiko talked excitedly at a distance. Sakura and Syaoran were tired and wanted to return home. They felt better having won the first battle but both knew that is was merely the beginning. Things will turn dangerous with time. They had to grow stronger before that. That night, both fell asleep as soon as they fell on the bed. Yelan covered Syaoran with the blanket in their house. Kero did it for Sakura in her room.

The next day at school was the same as ever. None knew anything about the battle from the previous day and Michal was very strict as a teacher. Sakura and Syaoran seemed to be his favourite for target practice with chalk. Tomoyo and Eriol turned out to be second best. For the rest of the class, the day was as normal as it could be with Michal. Sakura and Syaoran could tell that Eriol kept a watch around the school all the time. They felt his magic.

The lunch was the fun. Everyone sat together under the tree to eat. Sakura and Syaoran sat with Eriol in between. Syaoran silently grumbled while Eriol was amused at it. With Eriol in between neither could steal glances now. Sakura, however, was not sad at all. She was too distracted to be sad. She could see Nadeshiko waving at her with loving eyes from the staff room window. Nobody could see her as the teachers passed by her.

The training during the evening was the same as ever. The duo had grown a bit stronger after the first battle. They had better control over their magic now. However, Michal did not let them use the cards and charms yet. Yelan, Sonomi, Kaho and Nadeshiko sat together to talk while Tomoyo and Meiling talked to Eriol during training. Michal was gentler outside school since he was no teacher here. He simply acted as an opponent to the duo. He did not teach them anything new. He had his fun time battling them and never letting them gain on him. The duo fought him seriously with everything they had only to fail with every tactic. Yet, neither was worried. With every loss, they felt stronger.

A week passed just like that. The duo had improved a lot. The days were peaceful. No one had attacked them since that girl. Eriol had been pulling many strings in the shadows along with his guardians. Yelan had been more troubled lately but she never missed the duos training and watching Syaoran peacefully sleep after it missing Sakura's presence. Kaho knew everything going on and simply stood by Eriol and Yelan to keep them strong. Michal hid everything and stayed relaxed along with Nadeshiko while the duo trained vigorously.

Sakura, Syaoran and Tomoyo came out of the school gate and found Michal already waiting for them there. He smiled to see them and looked at Tomoyo.

"Where is Meiling?" Michal asked them.

Tomoyo spoke, "She had to stay back to talk to a teacher."

Michal nodded, "Then we will wait for her."

Sakura asked, "Is something the matter Uncle Michal?"

Michal smiled and nodded, "Today will be your second battle. Be ready. Tomoyo will have to leave and I cannot let her go alone. Meiling is a good choice."

In a flash, Tomoyo took out a pair of costume from her bag with sparkly eyes. The duo sweat dropped still wondering whether she carried it with her all the time. Michal smirked and took out the camera from Tomoyo's bag even before she asked him to. Tomoyo grinned evilly and Michal had equal evil in his eyes. The duo just stared at him knowing that he was having his fun in the entire matter.

Meiling came in a hurry. She halted before them with raised eyebrows. She knew the glint in Tomoyo's eyes. She would recognise it anywhere. She saw the camera in Michal's hands and amusement in his eyes. She noticed the funny dresses in the duo's hands and she guessed the rest. Meiling smirked now and they knew that she knew.

Meiling spoke, "I will make sure to see that video to see how you two look in that dress."

Syaoran glared daggers at her but she avoided them. Sakura was pink on her cheek now.

Michal spoke, "Meiling. How about you accompany Tomoyo to her home and stay there until Syaoran comes to get you? It should not take too long."

Meiling nodded and left with Tomoyo.

Michal turned to the duo, "Get going now. Your opponent will be here any second."

The duo nodded and ran away carrying the costumes. Nadeshiko came out of his pocket and floated next to him watching the duo run to a good position.

Nadeshiko asked, "Are you sure about letting them fight this battle alone? It could be too tough on them."

Michal smiled, "They cannot have all the battles easy. They will not get stronger if they do not know their own weaknesses. If they lose, I will be there to protect them. Do not worry Nako. Everything will be all right. The three of us will watch over them until the end of this war."

Nadeshiko smiled this time, "Yes. How long has it been since I last met her? She is doing her share right?"

Michal nodded, "She is doing great. She is fulfilling her role in this war very well. We all wish for their best."

Nadeshiko closed her eyes with a warm smile.

Michal spoke, "You know what." She looked at him curiously. "I think you looked cuter when you were her age."

Nadeshiko laughed, "Well my Sakura had to get something from Fujitaka."

Michal chuckled, "If Fuka heard that, he would have a heart attack and Somi would dance with joy."

They laughed together imagining the scene. Michal took her hand and walked away. Nadeshiko glided next to him towards the battlefield.

Sakura and Syaoran were again embarrassed due to the costume. Sakura wore a red kimono with cherry blossom designs on it. It should not have been embarrassing if only it was a normal kimono. Instead, Tomoyo had shortened it to reach only half her thighs. She wore matching sandals over a white socks. Sakura was very embarrassed before Syaoran. Syaoran wore an onmyoji uniform, except, it was pink in colour. That was what embarrassed him. He had metallic shoulder plates, elbow guard and knee guard as well for protection. Tomoyo had been thoughtful towards him in this dress though she had been mischievous with the colour. Syaoran, however, found Sakura very beautiful in her clothes. Michal ad Nadeshiko watched them from a distance with a smile.

Michal whispered, "I think Meiling was a part in this as well."

Nadeshiko nodded. Michal went to them with a stern look this time. They grew serious as well.

"Albert Walker is your new opponent. He is good with water and fire magic. He is a novice just as Emi was. However, he is a bit better compared to her. Nevertheless, he is merciless and ruthless. He will go for the kill right from the start. Try not to lose sight of him for he is good with hiding his magic. Therefore, be careful. Remember. Attack is important but defence is equally important and it can come in more than one way. Good luck."

He sniggered and pulled out Tomoyo's camera. Sakura and Syaoran sighed as Nadeshiko went inside his pocket and he vanished as well. He was simply invisible and recording them for Tomoyo. They felt nothing even when they tried. They could see a mage fly towards them but they felt nothing from him. The man stopped opposite them. He stared at them and then smirked evilly. Chills ran down their spines at the smirk.

A spear appeared in his hands with flame covered blade. Without warning, he attacked Sakura. Syaoran managed to intervene in time and save Sakura since she would find it difficult to counter a spear. He knew that she could handle a sword since they fought together but a spear was new to her. He deflected his spear but just barely. Sakura managed to create an air barrier before Syaoran and stopped his flaming attacks. Syaoran was surprised and had not seen the flames until Sakura stopped them. Albert fell back slightly pissed off at the failure. Syaoran and Sakura were alert as well as slightly nervous this time.

Suddenly he vanished with a pop. The duo was caught off-guard. They looked around and tired to search for him but could not do so. He had hid his presence too well blending with the time magic. They stayed close to each other trying to find him by any means. There was a short silence before Syaoran pushed Sakura away. Albert had appeared between them with his spear. He snarled at Syaoran's quickness. Two balls of water appeared on either side of his spear and darted towards both of them in the shape of a drill. The duo floated around to avoid the drills but it followed them around inching closer. Albert watched them with no mercy in his eyes.

After a few minutes of running, neither could escape anymore. Both knew it so they turned around and tried their best defence. Syaoran created a barrier of air while Sakura managed to make one with the ground since she was close to it. The barriers only managed to reduce the power as the drill managed to break through and hit them. Sakura and Syaoran shouted together feeling pain and cold. However, the water had lost enough power to not hurt them much. Albert grinded his teeth again. The duo got to their feet soaked head to toe. They wanted to dry off but could not do so now.

Albert summoned two huge fireballs aimed at each of them. Syaoran had seen it and already begun to create a strong barrier of air, water and rock. Sakura had yet not seen it. She had just turned around to face him. She was surprised to see the huge fireballs. Before she could do anything, the balls began to shoot several smaller fireballs at them at a great speed. Syaoran did not notice that Sakura was not prepared until the last moment. He could not move as he watched Sakura's weak barrier break to pieces while the rest exploded hitting her. His barrier managed to withstand everything and he was safe but he was in panic now. He knew she would never escape that unharmed. Albert grinned widely seeing that he has succeeded with one. Both could sense Sakura's magic so they knew she was still alive.

The smoke concealed her as the battle stopped for a few moments. Syaoran felt lost when suddenly something darted out of the smoke towards Albert. He was caught off guard as Sakura stopped opposite him and with a thrust of her wand, several air shards darted towards him. Albert went defensive and stopped every shard with his barrier. Syaoran was glad to see Sakura perfectly fine. She had not suffered any harm. However, she looked more serious than before. While Albert was fighting against the shards, Sakura captured the two huge fireballs with her yellow strings and combined them to form a single fireball. Albert knew from Emi's battle what was coming. He spun his spear at great speed as the fireball began to shoot several smaller balls at him.

Syaoran noticed a very fine fabric cover Sakura over her clothes up to her shoes. He could feel massive amount of her magic in that covering. He remembered Michal's words about defence coming in more than one way. He did not know what Sakura did but he got a hint. He hardened his own clothes for defence to the best of his ability. That should keep the sudden attacks away. Albert stopped the last fireball and straightened. In an instant, he summoned two balls of fire and water. Several weapons darted out of them made from the respective element. Sakura pulled her covering before her and the weapons would vanish hitting it. Syaoran's clothes fought them just as well.

Suddenly Albert vanished. Before either could get ready, he appeared and punched Syaoran on the face with a flaming fist. It burnt his cheek as he fell far away. Sakura got worried for Syaoran and lost her concentration for a moment. Albert used that moment to appear behind her and hit her on the neck. Sakura's eyes widened as slowly she began to see darkness. She began to lose her consciousness. Albert caught her as she lost it entirely. He bound her with magical ropes. Syaoran came at the top of his speed and was shocked to see Sakura captured. Albert had raised his spear with sinister grin to kill her in a single swipe.

Syaoran knew they had been defeated. He was supposed to protect her and he failed in that. Syaoran dashed towards them in the attempt to save her. He watched as his blade inched towards her neck. He knew he could not make it in time. He still tried his best. Albert was absolutely merciless. His eyes showed that he was enjoying it. Inches from Sakura's neck, her earlier fine robe suddenly appeared and stopped the blade. Albert was surprised but did not expect what happened next. His flaming blade snapped into pieces. Syaoran was surprised as well. He was happy to see her safe. Albert moved away from her as Syaoran reached her. Sakura's eyes suddenly opened. Syaoran was glad.

"I am so sorry Sakura. I could not protect you. Are you alright?"

Sakura was silent. Too silent. She did not respond to his words. She silently stared at Albert. Suddenly Syaoran noticed something odd. Albert noticed it as well. Sakura's eyes were different. They were not as warm as always. Her face did not smile. Sakura did not look herself. Her eyes were cold and empty. Her face was blank. Albert felt chills this time watching her. He knew something was not right.

Neither got to respond. Sakura appeared before Albert at super speed and punched him in the stomach. Albert coughed blood and back off but Sakura got behind him and kneed him in the spine. Albert almost felt his spine break from the impact. He summoned his remaining magic to form a ball of light and darted it towards Sakura like a laser. However, Sakura simply slapped it away with the back of her hand. She summoned a blue bow with a red arrow. She fired it Albert and he could not move due to fear. Syaoran was shocked at her power. He knew that this was not the Sakura he knew. This was someone else. The arrow hit Albert and he screamed in agony. The impact did not kill him but threw him out of sight. Syaoran knew he was alive since he could still feel his magic now that he was not hiding it.

Michal appeared next to Syaoran. Syaoran did not notice him and watched Sakura with shock and worry. Sakura looked at him with her blank eyes. She did not smile her usual smile. She had won after an almost defeat in such a strange way. Something was off about her. Syaoran feared for the worst now.

End of Chapter 15

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