Chapter 4

The "D" is for Doyen

I dare say training was going very well. Kero had joined us for some lessons in magic and martial arts and despite the relationship between Syaoran and Kero being as poorly as ever, I was happy with the progress we were making. Dad called once a week to check on brother and I. Brother and Yukito worked a lot and were rarely home. I had a feeling brother was hiding something from me but I had not had the opportunity to ask him about it yet.

Tomoyo messaged me often telling me she would come see me during the next school break and that she had been working in more customs for me to try on when she got here. The routine felt familiar much sooner than I had expected, so much so that I almost forgot the danger bestowed upon me. That was until in one of our daily strolls, Syaoran got quiet and asked that we talk.

"I have some news for you. I have been in touch with Hiragizawa, he is coming in a few weeks to help"

I was happy to hear I would see an old friend but worried about the significance of the trip.

"Is everything okay?" I asked, concerned.

"I had an idea of who the sorcerer who may be after you is, he has been intercepting communication with Hiragizawa to keep him away from you but Hiragizawa was able to break the spell briefly to find out where we were and help... however, we think our enemy also knows where you are so we need to be prepared"

"He? Who is he?"

"We think it's Yuna D. Kaito" he paused. I recognized the name right away, my eyes opened in disbelief.

"Akiho?" I asked, worried for my friend.

"Yes, her guardian. I am not sure if Akiho is involved in this mess or not, but I knew the name when you introduced us that day... he is a powerful sorcerer after all, the thing is that he never hid his true identify so I was unsure if he was behind any of this until now. His sudden appearance in Tomoeda worried Hiragizawa so he investigated him with the help of the Li Clan. We had been in touch with one another until Hiragizawa made the connection that Yuna D. Kaito was the sorcerer expelled in England. We still don't know what he wants but it's clear now that he is after you"

"I don't understand... what could he possibly want from me?" I asked, trying to recall my brief interactions with the butler but noticing nothing of concern. Akiho had been present while I created and captured cards in various occasions under the spell of the Snooze Card so I did not think she had anything to do with this.

"We think perhaps your cards... or even worse... your magic is what he is after. It has to have a connection with the magical object he stole, but we don't know what that object is to help us figure things out"

I knew it was possible, to take someone's magic away completely. I knew of brother and Yue although for some unknow reason brother had just recently gotten back some of his power. If he took my power away what would happen to Kero and Yue? The Sakura Cards? The New Cards? Panic overtook as I thought of the possibilities.

"Is he more powerful than Eriol?" I questioned, hoping for a negative answer but already suspecting the truth.

"No... He was bestowed the "D" title only given to those of great power. The "D" is for "Doyen" in English, making him the master of power in England. Hiragizawa heard he uses an ancient type of magic, very dangerous but effective when used right. He caught up to the fact we knew he was after you and severed communication between all of us to separate us but Hiragizawa broke through the spell to locate you. We will have a meeting with the Li Clan when he arrives to come up with a plan"

"If he is that powerful, how can we stop him?"

"Don't worry Sakura, we won't let him touch you. We will figure something out." Syaoran tried to reassure me but I could tell he was scared too.

"I will train hard, I promise" I told him, knowing a new battle will start soon.

From that day onwards, I dedicated every single day to training, even the days I was supposed to rest. I made it a point to use at least 3 clear cards daily and I read the books Syaoran's sisters gave me before going to bed in an effort to learn as much as I could. I found the books quite interesting as they spoke of which powered spells could be strengthen by each month and each season or how I can use strong emotions to increase impact in my magic. Although the concepts were hard to grasp, particularly as I did not like to fight, I knew this was a necessary evil, especially as I learned more about my enemy.

In one of our magic lessons, Syaoran had explained to me that our enemy had been bestowed the D title in his society which indicated he was the most powerful among them. This meant that I needed to be prepared, but I also needed all the help I could get. His magic was ancient and difficult to master. Syaoran had confided in me that he was also learning techniques created by Clow to increase his magic but they drained his energy more quickly so he had been studying on his own too to find ways to balance the power inside him to allow him to use more powerful spells more freely.

As for me, using the cards every day proved effective. I was no longer subconsciously creating any more cards but the stress of the situation we were in caused a different kind of problem. I noticed I was tired more often, no doubt due to the use of the cards. I was also more irritable and angry than usual. With my focus fully in training, I was no longer the same Sakura I was a month ago. I could tell Touya, Yukito, Kero and Syaoran had noticed, with them being closest to me. I started to isolate myself whenever I could, I was having trouble controlling my emotions and whenever anyone confronted me about it, I would deny anything being wrong and push them away. I didn't want to tell them about my fears and worries, or about the dreams that still haunted me after a dizzy spell. I didn't want to worry them. Since I no longer shared a room with Kero, keeping all of this a secret was easier. The truth is that the dizzy spells came more and more often, the same dream threaten me almost daily.

One night I was studying one of my magic books on my desk, practicing channeling my emotions into a charm without success when I was interrupted by a familiar knock in the door. I ignored is as I had done for the past few days, but the door opened this time despite my lack of response, breaking my concentration once more.

Syaoran entered the room, closed the door behind him and sat on my bed, directly behind the desk I was working on.

"Sakura" he said softly, trying to gain my attention "what is wrong? And please don't tell me there is nothing going on when I can clearly see there is... I am worried" he finished, sadness etched in his voice catching me by surprise.

I sighted, closed the book and made my way to the bed to sit next to him. I could not look him in the eye for some reason, I felt so vulnerable at that moment.

"I don't know... I wish I could tell you, I wish I could see myself as easily as I see you, like I told you, that day..."

I knew he remembered that conversation, although it had been interrupted by the clear card Mirror. This was the best way I could explain how I was feeling, I had started to lose myself.

"I see you clearly Sakura' he approached me and hugged me tight from behind as he whispered these words, knowing better than myself this was what I needed. 'I see the worry that consumes you slowly, the pain and the anguish you are feeling... but I also see the love you have for all of those surrounding you, the ability to persevere, the strength inside you... You don't need that mirror Sakura because I will always be by your side, reminding you of who you are"

"Syaoran... I can't do this, I don't want to put anyone in danger, my family, my friends... it's just not fair, will this ever end? Will there be peace awaiting us in the end? Is this my destiny?" I cried as I spoke those words, the questions that have been in my mind for some time now finally being spoken out loud, unable to control the overwhelming feelings consuming me.

Syaoran felt the desperation in my voice, he moved the chair so I was facing him and held my face in his hands to make eye contact with me.

"The path for those with magic is not an easy one but you will never be alone. I will make sure we find peace, that I promise you" Then I saw him smile at me and all my insecurities, my fears and my anguish seemed to disappear, if only for a moment.

"Sakura. I love you" he whispered and he kissed me softly on my lips. I was not expecting it but somehow the kiss sealed this promise and for the first night in a long time, I felt at peace, with renovated hope that the future will be brighter.

Unbeknown to us the enemy was coming closer with each day waiting for the right time to strike.