Don't own CCS…

Chapter 1: Stepping Up to the Truth.

A lone figure stood stiffly, staring out the window at the falling snow. Eyes that used to sparkle with life have dulled into hollow emptiness. One small, frail hand grabbed onto the star locket hanging around her neck. Eyes closing, she began summoning them all.

"Your mistress requires your presence. I call upon thee…Release."

Almost at once, a blinding light engulfed the entire room, rendering any viewers sightless for a moment. Slowly the light faded to reveal human-like figures around the room, waiting. Each one looking at their mistress, concern evidently written in their eyes.

"Yue…Kero, you guys, too." The girl whispered sternly, yet softly.

'Li.' The thought seared into her mind. 'He'll know later. He'll understand. He has to.'

Sensing the last two required presence, she turned to look at each of them. Cards with human emotion and forms. They had guarded her well. But, now, it was time to face the truth. Sighing, she began.

"Before I begin, I'd like to thank you all for all you've done. As you all can sense, my power that has been sustaining you has dimmed. It will continue to dim unfortunately." She paused at the surprised gasps. "If I can't support you with my power, then you shall cease to exist, and I cannot allow that to happen."

"What's wrong, mistress?"

"What happening to you?"

"I'm dying." That simple statement brought the whole world to a stop. Those two words shattered the hearts of two guardians.

"I don't have much time left. I'll be lucky if I see it through to the next Christmas. But I'm not worried about. I'm worried about you guys. When I'm… gone, you'll need someone to keep you alive. Someone strong… someone like…" Her voice faded as another picked up where she left off.

"Someone like Li." At her nod, he continued. "Impossible. You passed the judgment, he did not. The cards belong to you, and you alone, Sakura."

Sakura smiled softly. "It is possible, Yue. He is my other half, making him the master to the cards as I am their mistress. My control is his control."

"That's no the way it works, Sakura!" Kero exclaimed.

"He and I are one, Kero. It works."

"We understand, mistress." Light and Dark spoke as one for the others. With that said, the cards began returning to their original forms.

"But Sakura…" Kero began, but a knock at the door interrupted him.

"Li's here." Yue said quietly and calmly as he stared at Sakura.

Sakura walked towards the door. Taking a deep breath, she pulled open the door only to find herself drowning in a pair of warm brown orbs that blinked innocently at her.

"Hey." His deep, smooth voice washed over her like a comforting blanket.

"Come on in, Syaoran. I need to tell you something."

Li looked worriedly at her and stepped within the house. With that, the door closed and a new challenge began.