Chapter 2

Forgotten memories

Sakura returned from shopping with Natsuki and Yue. She quickly went upstairs and put away all the new things for Natsuki, before feeding her again. After she was burped and fed she laid her down for an afternoon nap. Sakura sighed and collapsed on the bed. Who knew a baby could be so tiring? She remembered Yue had been in a strange mood on the way home but hadn't said anything. Pulling the covers over herself she decided to ask him about it later. Within minutes she was fast asleep for a nap herself. Kero poked his head into her room and chuckled at the two fast asleep within.

Sakura entered a deep deep sleep. Strange images danced before her closed eyes. None of them made sense. Finally her subconscious settled on the image of a city. An old city, centuries in the past. Although Sakura had only seen this city once in the present she recognized it immediately as Hong Kong. She could sense the magic of the place. That was what caught her off guard even in her sleep was her feeling of the place.

Completely confused she watched herself walk through a crowded market purchasing what looked like ordinary groceries. Although slightly embarrassed she had to admit she was a striking young women. Long wavy light brown hair fell to her waist in loose braid, tied with a pink ribbon. Deep emerald eyes stared out from beneath long lashes as she surveyed the produce before her.

Now deeply interested in what her dream what showing her Sakura watched herself finish her shopping and leave the marketplace, walking down what looked like an old side road through the city. At first glance it seemed empty but as she continued walking Sakura bumped into someone, knocking her groceries to the ground. Sakura stammered out an apology and began picking up her things. To her surprise she saw large hands also picking up her purchases and handing them to her.

"I believe we are both at fault for the collision. I was not paying attention either." A male voice said with an amused tone. Sakura racked her brain trying to figure out whom the voice belonged to. She was sure she knew that person. She was shocked when her past self finally looked up at the stranger. A tall ageless man stood before her, long silver hair touching the ground by his bare feet. Lavender eyes looked at her curiously. "My name is Yue." He said a little hesitantly. Sakura watched still in complete shock as her past self introduced herself as Sakura. Yue held out a hand offering to help her up and she accepted, dusting herself off. Her and Yue found a nice spot and sat together talking for hours. Finally at mid afternoon Yue spoke up "I am sorry to have kept you busy. Surely your family is wondering where you are."

Sakura looked at the ground. "I have no one waiting for me at home. My mother died birthing me and last year my father joined her in death. My brother is in foreign countries exploring." She said a little sadly. Yue pondered this for a moment.

"Would you care to spend the evening with my master and I?" He asked rather slowly. Sakura looked up surprised but nodded happily as Yue once more helped her to her feet and they made their way to a large mansion. Sakura had passed by it many times.

"You live here?!" She exclaimed. Yue nodded.

"With my brother and master, Clow Reed." Yue replied opened the gate for Sakura before leading her up the walk way and into the large beautiful home. Sakura marveled at the building as she was guided through it. Finally she was brought to what looked like a library, with a large comfy looking red chair. Sitting in the chair was a tall man with long dark hair, pulled neatly in a ponytail. He had a pleasant face, rimmed with glassed. Sakura immediately liked this man. Yue guided her forward, with a gently hand on her arm.

"Master this is Sakura. I bumped into her on the way home and invited her over. I hope you do not mind." Yue said softly. Clow smiled and inspected Sakura closely.

"Of course not Yue. It's good your making friends instead of burying your nose in a book." Clow said with a chuckle. "Besides I can just by looking this is a very nice, kind girl. Please Sakura, wont you join us for dinner?"

Sakura although surprised accepted eagerly. Clow got to his feet and walked out of the room, Yue and Sakura following. Upon entering a large dinner room a startled scream was heard from Sakura as she caught sight of a large mane-less lion. Clow smiled reassuringly.

"That is Kero, my other guardian. He's harmless." Clow said smiling as the lion looked slightly offended at being called harmless. Clow moved into the kitchen followed by the lion named Kero. Yue seated Sakura and took a seat beside her. A few moments later Clow and Kero came out of the kitchen each carrying dishes filled with food. Sakura smiled taking in the sights and smells of all the delicious food that was placed on the table. Kero immediately dug in. Clow followed after heaping a plate full for Sakura. She noticed Yue didn't eat anything and asked shyly about this.

"Yue is a magical creature, like Kero. Neither of them need food to survive, only magic. Kero like to eat that's the only reason he does. Yue is a little more practical." He said with a smile. Sakura ate to her fill than helped Clow clean the dishes even though he insisted a guest need not do that. They all went back to the library for a couple of hours, reading a talking and having a good time.

It was getting late when Sakura realized she should be getting home. She had a busy next day and was hoping to rest a bit to be prepared. Excusing herself and thanking Clow for his hospitality she left with Yue, who had insisted on walking her home. The walk was silent, each watching the other, how they walked, their expressions etc. Upon arriving home Sakura thanked Yue for her wonderful night out. He nodded quietly and seemed to be in thought. Suddenly he leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss on her cheek.

"Feel free to visit any time. I know everyone enjoyed your company tonight." He said softly before turning around and heading home.

Sakura woke in her room; clearly remember the strange dream she had. Glancing over at the crib she saw Natsuki was awake and once again playing with the stuffed toy. Sakura smiled and got up, went over to the crib and picked up the small baby. She sat back down on her bed, rocking Natsuki gently. A knock on the door startled Sakura

"Come in." she called not taking her eyes off the baby in her arms. "Hey Yue." She said sensing his presence enter the room. Finally glancing up at her guardian she saw him set a tray down on her bedside table.

"Your father made dinner while you were sleeping. He asked me to bring it up to you along with a bottle for Natsuki." He explained, watching her hold the baby protectively. His expression unreadable but there was a strange emotion in his aura, something Sakura had felt before but couldn't place it. She nodded her thanks to Yue and picked up the bottle and began to feed Natsuki. When the bottle was empty Yue took it back and put it on the tray. Carefully he took Natsuki from Sakura so she could eat. Yue held the baby properly much to Sakura's surprise, as she was about to instruct him on handling a child. She quietly ate her soup and sandwich and took Natsuki back. Much to her dismay the baby began to whimper softly. Sakura frowned wonder what was wrong.

"Mistress, I think she needs be changed." Yue said as he collected the dishes and left the room. Sakura took Natsuki to the bathroom and laid her on the change table and inspected her diaper. Much to her surprise Yue was correct; the baby needed a change fast.

On her way to the bathroom Sakura failed to notice the open crack in Yue's door that held his and Kero's face. They watched their young mistress care for the baby. Yue had a far away look in his eyes as he watched her.

"Clow was right. She's a natural mother." Kero said softly earning a glare from the silent moon guardian. "Are you sure you don't want to say anything to her? Maybe she could remember." He added hopefully. Yue shook his head slowly

"History is known for repeating itself. I would not condemn her to that fate again." He said his hair shielding his face from view, despair in his voice. Kero sighed. After all this time he still blamed himself. Kero nudged the door open fully and started out. He stopped in the doorframe and looked back at the silent guardian.

"It's not your fault you know. You did what you could but your powers were never a match for hers." He said. Yue slammed his door shut, tossing Kero out with the blow. Sakura jumped, the slam startling her. She noticed Kero floating by and picked up the now clean Natsuki and started after him.

"What's going on Kero?" She asked a little worried. Kero shrugged putting on his usually carefree face.

"Yue's in a mood again." He said making a face before floating downstairs. Sakura smiles a bit, knowing he was after the delicious cake smell in the air. She gently rapped on Yue's door. There was no answer. After a few more knocks with the same answer she slowly nudged the door open. She saw Yue sitting on his bed, untied hair spread out behind him, covering his face. She approached slowly afraid of startling her oblivious guardian.

"Yue?" She called softly, watching his fist clench and unclench. Holding Natsuki in one arm she carefully reached out to Yue, her hand heading to brush back his hair. Her hand never made it though. Another hand, belonging to Yue roughly grabbed her wrist and jerked it away from him. Sakura uttered a soft cry of surprise.

"Don't touch me." He growled, tossing her hand away. Sakura recovered from her surprise quickly.

"I'm sorry Yue. I just….I know something is wrong. I want to help. That's what friends do." She said softly, hoping to pacify the angry guardian.

"The only way you can help me is by leaving me alone." He growled again. Sakura, stung by his tone, left the room saddened. She headed to her own room and watched Kero devour cake and play video games. For the rest of the day she was in a sad silence, wondering what was wrong with her moon guardian and if she made it worse.

Yue listened to her leave, feeling her aura. He sighed knowing his anger had made things worse. Angrily he mentally bashed himself for being angry with her. She was only trying to help and he had taken his anger out on her. He watched her from the hall, feeling a tight sadness in his chest at her expression. He never wanted to make her that sad, ever. He remembered Syaoran had made her that sad once. It was the last time they had seen each other.

FLASHBACK

Yue remembered being in the school grounds. Sakura, Kero, Tomoyo, himself and Syaoran. They were up against a far more powerful sorcerer than they had ever fought before. Yue desperately tried to think of a way to defeat this foe but couldn't. She seemed to be able to defeat the cards, his Mistress's power, even Syaoran's. Blow after blow was sent their way. Everyone was tiring from useless attacks, dodging, running, shielding and using magic.

Finally Sakura fell, her energy almost spent. The enemy had seen his chance to defeat the Card Mistress and took it, hurling balls of evil energy toward the fallen girl. Sakura saw it coming and did her best to put up and feeble shied. Yue and Kero raced towards their mistress but knew they would never make it in time.

Syaoran ran in front of Sakura and covered her body with his own. The blast going right through her shield and striking him. Sakura's eyes filled with tears as she realized Syaoran's sacrifice. Warmth spread through her as she looked up into his brown eyes. He smiled at her through his pain, transferring his magic to her.

Sakura picked up her fallen staff and carefully got up, leaving Syaoran on his back. Yue and Kero knew what to do. Without words, they once again became one with her staff. Through their combined powers they were able to defeat the enemy but by the time this had happened it was too late for Syaoran.

Tears poured down her face as she watch her love drawing his final breaths, laying in a puddle of his own blood. Sakura tried to stanch the flow but everyone knew it was to late. His face was porcelain white, his breaths now coming in gasps. Reaching up he cupped her cheek, staining her face with his blood.

"Love again Sakura. Don't live alone…..I….want…be happy." He whispered softly. Sakura suddenly calmed and focused her remaining power and soon held a new card in her hands called The Heal. She tossed the card into the air just as Syaoran's eyes closed. The card fell uselessly to the ground. Kero and Yue watched as she tried over and over again t use the new card on Syaoran but with no effects. Yue finally knelt down and pulled the hysterical girl into a hug. Kero leaned his head on her shoulder. They did their best to comfort their mistress.

END OF FLASHBACK

Yue sighed feeling worthless. She was finally getting back to her old self and now he had to ruin simply because he was angry. 'Of course.' He thought 'I have every right to be angry, not at her, but at myself. Maybe you'll understand one day Sakura. But then you'll have every right to hate me as well. I failed you once. I can't fail you again.' He sighed again taking in her aura.

"I can't deny I want you to be mine again. I only hope you don't remember. I couldn't live through your hate." He whispered before curling up in bed and falling into a troubled sleep.

Far Away

A girl with long black and blood red eyes watch the Card Mistress much like Eriol used to watch Sakura. She studied Sakura, watching to see how she progressed with her dreams. Taking a sip of wine she switched her view to the infants mother.

"Good people are so easy to manipulate. I never wanted you child Nayami, but she can help me get what I want from the card mistress." She said allowed to herself. Selecting 2 gruesome creatures she sent them after the child's mother, and turned her attention to Sakura once again. "Once your dreams have revealed all they can you shall be easy to manipulate too. For once you remember what happened I shall come for you again and this time you will stay dead, and I shall be the Card Mistress." She said laughing cruelly.

A/N: well there was go….chapter 2 redone…I still hope this pace isn't to fast. In the original I had half my plot revealed by now. Lemme know what you think of the pace. . And please like I said in the first chapter try to be constructive with criticism. Thank you

Nacris