The sun had just begun to set, painting the sky in brilliant shades of yellow and orange. A cool breeze blew through the country of Clow, stirring up the sands in the desert and giving a much needed respite to the citizens after a hot day. But it was not enough to ease the exhaustion of the soldiers, who lay panting in the courtyard of the palace.

"Man, I have had enough running to last a lifetime!" Dacascos panted, sitting down heavily.

"Oh come on! Don't tell me that's all you boys have got!" a female voice rang out, "Give me three more runs around the palace. Let's go!"

"Give us a few more minutes to catch our breath, Commander!"

"Yeah please!"

"Alright, alright; take 5 minutes. But after that it's four laps not three," the Commander said, the collective groans making her grin.

Dacascos raised his head to get a good look at the Commander of the Clow army, who was now sitting at a table going through some documents. The platoon had been doing drills since the crack of dawn and by now all the soldiers had totally run out of energy; but not the Commander. Even though her fair cheeks were flushed and her body was covered with a thin sheen of sweat, the twinkle in her lilac eyes were a clear indication that she had enough strength to train through the night.

"The princess is pretty impressive right?" said a chubby soldier who was resting next to Dacascos.

"Wait what!" Dacascos exclaimed, "The princess?!"

"Oh yeah… it's your first day right?" the other one grinned, "That insanely energetic young lady over there is none other than the crown princess of Clow kingdom, Ayame."

Dacascos doubled back to look at the princess again. He had heard stories about the crown princess being the Commander of the army, but he had always dismissed them as rumours – it was just impossible! But once the initial shock had worn off, he remembered the other stories about the princess. How much of it was true, he wondered. Time to find out.

"Is it true?" he asked Mr. Chubby next to him, "That she is the one who was supposed to take the throne but passed it on to her younger brother?"

"Younger brother by two minutes, but yeah younger nonetheless," he said. Then he lowered his voice and continued, "They say it's because the nobles didn't support her. Rumour has it that she is the reason why…"

"That's enough chit-chat!" a stern voice said, making the gossiping soldiers jump out of their skin.

"Gen… General Lafarga!" Mr. Chubby stammered, clumsily raising himself from the ground and saluting the blonde man who had interrupted them. Dacascos followed his example.

"You are here to train soldier," the General said, narrowing his dark grey eyes, "You will be wise to remember that."

He then turned and walked away without waiting for a reply, his ponytail swishing slightly in the breeze.

XXX

"You know, Your Highness, if you don't act like royalty, people are going to forget that you are actually a Princess."

"Oh who cares about that? I am the Commander of the Army, that's all they should concern themselves with," Ayame replied, briefly looking away from the papers she had been going through to give him one of her playful smiles.

Lafarga sighed. She had been this way for as long as he remembered. He glanced back at the soldiers he had caught gossiping just moments ago. 'If only they knew what she is really like, they wouldn't be talking about her like that' he thought, sighing again.

"What happened? What's with all the sighs?" Ayame asked.

"Nothing at all, Your Highness," he said with a small smile.

As Ayame turned her attention back to her papers, the General thought about much she looked like the late Queen Nadeshiko. They had the same tall, graceful frame, the same flowing jet-black hair, the same fair skin – though Ayame's was slightly tanned due to all the drills she did in the hot Clow sun. But most importantly, the same, kind eyes.

"Why did you come to see me by the way, Lafarga?"

"I was just passing by actually when I saw you here with the soldiers," he started, remembering why he was here in the first place, "I was wondering why you aren't at the meeting"

"Meeting? What meeting?" Ayame asked, this time setting down the papers, "I wasn't informed of any," she added with a frown.

Anger went through Lafarga like a blazing desert wind, making his nostrils flare. It was just as he suspected. "The archaeologists are back from the ruins," he said, struggling to keep his voice steady, "They are holding a meeting about their findings with King Touya and…"

"The heads of the noble families," Ayame finished, realization dawning on her face.

"His Eminence had sent a messenger for you, I am sure," Lafarga continued, unable to keep the contempt out of his voice anymore, "But one of those stinking geezers must have…"

"That's enough Lafarga," Ayame cut him off sternly, "Remember that you are accusing the noble men of this country of foul play. Besides, I have been running about with this platoon all day. It's possible that the messenger was unable to find me in time"

"But Princess…!"

"Well I guess I'll get the training stink off me and meet Touya later," Ayame shrugged, ignoring her General's protest.

She got up and dismissed the platoon for the day, much to the relief of the soldiers.

"Thanks for letting me know, Lafarga," she said with a smile before heading off to her chambers, but he did not miss the fact that her smile didn't really reach her eyes.

'Even though it was not her fault, even after all that she has done for this kingdom, all that she has sacrificed, nothing has changed has it?'

XXX

"Ah! That was refreshing!" Ayame sighed, stretching her arms above her head as she got out of the bath.

When she wrapped a towel around her and walked to the closet, her eyes fell on the full length mirror on the stone wall, which was reflecting the image of the various battle scars on her back – few had begun to fade away into ghosts while a few stood out on her fair back like streaks of dark paint on white canvas.

"Not the life you had envisioned for me, eh mom?"

Her mind wandered off to the conversation she had with Lafarga earlier in the courtyard as she began to get dressed. He was right, of course – the nobles had made sure that the message about the meeting never reached her. Then during the meeting, they must have used her absence as an excuse to launch into one of their speeches about how she was extremely incompetent and should be stripped of all titles. Then the king and the high priest would have defended her and listed all the battles and diplomatic missions she had led successfully. Then the nobles would have unwillingly silenced their tongues while plotting another way to throw her off her position.

No matter how much time passes, some things never change.

Lafarga had told her to act more like royalty, but Ayame never saw the point of doing so when so many were against it. Even her clothes were not too flashy – a lavender tube top which ended right above her belly button over purple balloon bloomer pants. She completed the look with a matching purple jacket with a silver border. The only thing that could possibly give away her royal status was the belt she wore, which was encrusted with amethysts and moonstones. That too she wore only in memory of her mother.

'Moonstones offer protection Ayame, that's why you should have them on your person' 'Okay. I get that. But why the amethysts?' 'Why you ask? Because they suit you!'

Ayame was shaken out of her day dream by the sound of the maids frantically whispering and running in the corridors outside.

"The young princess snuck out again!"

"Oh dear! His Highness is going to be so cross!"

'Now why the hell would Sakura…' Ayame's train of thought paused when everything clicked into place. She chuckled, the archaeologists were back, meaning 'he' was back too.

'The look on Touya's face is going to be priceless' she thought laughing as she left her chambers and began to make her way to the throne room.

Ayame didn't care if the nobles despised her; the mindless gossip of the citizens didn't matter to her either. She had her brother and sister. That's all she ever needed.

XXX

Ayame was still a little away from the throne room when she heard her siblings' voices echo through the white marble corridors.

"Was Nii-chan being selfish again?"

"I am not like you know."

"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY!?"

"Now, now. Is that they way to talk to each other?" Ayame said as she walked into the throne room.

"Nee-chan!" Sakura exclaimed as she came running and threw her arms around Ayame.

"So tell me Sakura, how was our young archaeologist?" Ayame teased, hugging her back.

"Heh…! How did you know that I…?" Sakura trailed off, blushing.

"Don't I always know," Ayame giggled, pulling Sakura's cheek.

"So how far have the excavations progressed?" she asked Yukito, the High Priest of Clow, who was watching with an amused smile. Ayame changed the topic because she knew her twin was ready with a retort and if he and Sakura started another shouting match, it would be really difficult to stop them.

Yukito caught on and immediately rolled out the plans he had been holding in his hands. "The excavation has progressed a great deal," he said as Ayame and Sakura stood on either side of him to see.

"Does that mean it's almost finished?" Sakura asked.

"Nah," Touya answered, looking out into the desert, "Apparently the ruins are just off the ground"

"That's amazing!" Ayame said, studying the plans carefully, "Looks like they have also found an underground passage."

"Yup," Touya confirmed, smirking and looking pointedly at Sakura, "I have told them to keep digging. Meaning – that brat will be so, so, so, so busy!"

"Touya!" Ayame said reproachfully.

But before anyone could say anything, Sakura lashed out, "It's okay! Syaoran likes excavating. When he finds out that he has more work, he will be thrilled!" Then with a loud 'hmph' she ran out of the throne room.

"You shouldn't upset her like that, Your Highness," Yukito said, looking in the direction in which Sakura left with concern. He then turned to Ayame, "You will talk to her later, right Princess?"

Ayame playfully punched Yukito in the shoulder, "How many times have I told you to drop the titles when it's just us!"

"Yeah would you like us to call you 'Your Eminence' all the time huh? We have known each other almost all our lives!" Touya said, punching Yukito's other shoulder.

Ayame looked on at Touya and Yukito fondly while the former continued to tease the latter. All three of them had grown up together in the very castle they were standing. Those memories always cheered her up, no matter how lonely or upset she got.

"That brat drives me crazy!" Touya sighed.

"Well that's because she likes spending with him more than she likes spending time with you!" Ayame teased. "Ow! Let me go!" she yelled when Touya started pulling her hair.

"You three siblings are quite adorable," Yukito chuckled.

"Well!" Touya said, putting his arm around Ayame's shoulders, "My sisters are all I've got, right?"

Then suddenly, Touya's dark blue eyes became serious, "But… he is the one for her, isn't he?"

"It is as per my predictions…" Yukito said quietly, "Syaoran, is the only one who can save Sakura."

Ayame didn't need predictions, she had known it to be true the moment she saw Syaoran and Sakura together for the first time all those years ago. They both were drawn to each other, their fates entwined right from the start. Ayame looked out into the desert, at the ruins which had begun poking their twin towers out of the sands. In the gentle moonlight, they seemed to be radiating power which made the stars look dim. She had always felt the energy vibrating beneath the ruins but it didn't bother her – it didn't seem dangerous. What did bother her was the fact that it was similar to the energy of someone whom she held very close to her heart.

"It's got to do with Sakura's powers, isn't it?" Ayame said to no one in particular, absent-mindedly fidgeting the silver chain bracelet on her left wrist.

"Yes," Yukito said, his light grey eyes clouded with worry, "It's a power that can change the world… and also a power that can bring her trouble."

"Power that can bring trouble. Don't I know something about that…" Ayame said softly.

"Ayame," Touya squeezed his sister's shoulder, "What happened that night was not your fault!"

Ayame just smiled back at her brother. She could see the sincerity in his eyes, she knew he never blamed her. But Ayame could never really stop blaming herself.

"I won't let anything happen to Sakura, Touya. Never."

The words had just left Ayame's lips when she felt magic moving in currents around her. An old, familiar magic, which then began to flow through Yukito.

Yukito dropped everything he was holding and froze, his eyes glazing over.

Touya was about to rush to Yukito's side, but Ayame stopped him, "Don't interrupt him." The magic moving through him was powerful and Ayame did not want to affect the flow in anyway. Touya decided to trust his sister and he stepped back, holding his breath.

"Nothing is set in stone. Determination of one can change the landscape of the future." Yukito's voice had somehow taken a melodious tone, it sounded like him, but it was unlike him at the same time.

"Yuki…"

"Shush, Touya!"

"Seals will be broken, memories will be regained. The child of the universe will wake from its slumber" Yukito continued. He then walked towards Ayame and took hold of her hands gently. "The chaos is almost at hand, Princess. Be prepared"

With that, Yukito let out a soft sigh and crumpled to the ground; but Ayame caught him before he could hit the marble floor. Touya kneeled down next to her, placing his hand on Yukito's forehead.

"He is going to be alright, Touya. He just needs some sleep," she reassured her brother, but held her best friend tight nonetheless. She knew what had happened, but she was having difficulty understanding.

"What the hell was all that about!?"

"It was a prophecy Touya… a prophecy about me."

XXX

"These two never stop do they," Yukito laughed lightly.

"More like they can't stop even if their life depended on it," Ayame sighed.

The royal siblings along with the High Priest were in a carriage, on their way to the ruins for an inspection. Well Sakura was not there for the inspection, obviously. And Touya knew that too, which was why he was hell bent against it till Ayame intervened. The King of Clow unwillingly let his little sister come along, but that didn't mean he would stop the relentless teasing. And Sakura was never the one to back off.

"Just let them go at it, I'm sure they will stop once we reach there," Yukito said, chuckling softly at the vein which had begun throbbing on Ayame's forehead.

"Well if they don't, I'm going to make them" Ayame whispered, throwing a murderous glance at her siblings which they totally ignored.

Ayame then turned her attention to the silver blonde Priest. He seemed to be his normal, cheerful self, as if nothing had happened the night before.

"You know are staring right?" Yukito said with a kind smile, "You worry too much princess, I'm fine."

"Are you saying that just to ease my mind?"

"No, no. But…" Yukito's smile melted away, a solemn expression taking its place, "I am unable to divine the future clearly since last night. It's as if everything is in flux. Nothing is clear anymore."

'Has this got something to do with me? Because of what I said?' Ayame thought to herself, but she didn't say it out loud. Instead she asked, "So is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

But before Yukito could reply, the carriage stopped.

"Looks we have reached," Yukito said, peeking out of the curtains. He touched Ayame's hand lightly and said, "I know you have a lot of questions. I promise I will answer all of them later today."

Ayame just nodded as Yukito stepped out of the carriage. An indescribable feeling gnawed away at the pit of her stomach, like a premonition. She had had a few of these before, and nothing good had ever followed them.

"Where the hell do you think you are going?"

"I will go where ever I want, what is to you!?"

The voices of her squabbling siblings shook Ayame out of her reverie. While she was busy musing, she hadn't noticed Touya and Sakura slip out of the carriage after Yukito. 'They are at it even out there' she sighed as she stepped out, closing the door behind her.

"Alright stop it both of you!" Ayame said, taking hold of Touya's ear with one hand and Sakura's ear with the other. "This is not the palace where you can yell at each other to your heart's content like five year old's, you hear me?" she continued, ignoring her siblings' protests. "Touya, what would the citizens think if they saw their king being a bully to his little sister? And Sakura, is this the way to talk to your elder brother? Hmmm?"

"Fine, we're sorry," they both chorused.

"Good," Ayame huffed as she let go of their ears.

"Alright then I'm off," Sakura chirped and she hopped away with a lunch basket towards the ruins.

"Let her go, Touya" Ayame said when she saw her brother open his mouth to protest.

Ayame giggled as Touya stomped away, then followed him.

It was typical hot afternoon in Clow kingdom. The sun beat down mercilessly and the heat made every object in the distance simmer. 'It's amazing how all these people get their work done in this heat' Ayame thought, pulling up the hood of her magenta cloak to shield her face from the glare of the sun. Numerous tents dotted the area around the ruins, which stood tall and proud. Various people ran to and fro, carrying work materials and plans and a constant 'bang-bang' of hammering echoed throughout the entire camp – work was moving at full speed.

Ayame caught up to Touya, who was standing in the shade of the towers, talking to one of the archaeologists.

"Keep this pace up. At the end of the day make a concise report of all the work done and send it to the palace. I want to stay informed," Ayame heard Touya say. She looked on with pride at her twin brother, who looked as regal and authoritative as their father had when he was the ruler. She had always known that he would make a fine king and was pleased that Touya was filling in the shoes of King Clow Reed very well.

"What are you looking at?" Touya asked, sweeping his black hair out of his eyes.

"Well, it's just hard to believe that you were arguing with your younger sister like a petty little child just moments ago," Ayame teased.

"Yeah, whatever."

"Where is Yukito by the way?" Ayame couldn't see the white clad priest anywhere nearby.

"I sent him ahead with some work. There is something I need to talk to you about," Touya said seriously. "Why were you not there at the meeting yesterday?"

'Oh boy, I thought I had dodged that one' Ayame mentally winced. She had hoped that the events of last night would have driven this particular topic out of Touya's mind… but then again, who was she kidding – nothing ever slips past Touya.

"I also know that Yukito had sent a messenger to inform you about the meeting and Lafarga told me that the messenger never reached you," he continued, his eyes narrowing.

"Lafarga, that idiot!" Ayame muttered under her breath.

"Why didn't you tell me!?" Touya yelled, but not loud enough to attract attention, "Those stupid nobles! How dare they…!"

"Touya! You can't possibly go against them!" Ayame tried to reason with him, "You need their support to govern this kingdom."

"For how long do you intend to take this insult?" Touya's voice shook with anger, "You don't deserve this!"

Ayame took her brother's hand in hers and said softly, "What I deserve and what I don't deserve is not the point. What is important is that you have all the support you need to be a good king. You already pissed them off when you made me your adviser and the Commander of the Army. You shouldn't anger them more."

Whatever Touya was about to say next, she didn't hear – the ground began to rumble and shake violently. The shockwave sent all the tents toppling. Equipement began to crash into the ground. Samples and exhibits were knocked off. The archaeologists scattered throughout the camp, trying to save their work. But it was not the apparent earthquake that had Ayame's attention.

The power which rested beneath the ruins, the one which always felt like a calm lake, had begun to swirl and stir. A storm had begun raging and the intensity of it sent a shiver up Ayame's spine.

"Ayame! Touya!" Yukito was running to where the twins were standing.

"Yukito! Are you alright?" Touya called out.

"Yes!" he panted, holding Ayame's hand for support, "This… this is not an earthquake… Something is happening underground!"

Yukito's words just made her panic a little more. As if to make matters worse, Ayame felt another disturbance, this time a lot closer to them.

"Something is coming!" she said to no one in particular, drawing out the two scimitars, which were hanging from her belt. Touya drew out his sword too and they both stood protectively in front of Yukito.

Almost as if on cue, the air near them began to ripple and something that could only be explained as a cut in space appeared a few yards away from them. The cut widened into an opening and people began to file out of there – people dressed from head to toe in black armour with a red bat-shaped sigil embossed on their shoulder plates. The new comers spread out into the camp, surrounding the whole area, ready to attack.

"Where the hell are all these people coming from!?" Touya growled, his eyes darting to and fro, counting all the assailants.

"From another dimension." The words sprang from Ayame's lips without a thought, as if remembered from a long forgotten memory.

The soldiers all had claws instead of swords and had already began attacking the people around them. Now was not the time to think about where these people were from. The archaeologists couldn't fend off these attackers, it was time to jump into action.

"Alright brother mine, looks like it's time for sword practice," Ayame smirked as she took her battle stance.

Touya did the same. "The one who takes down most of these bastards wins."

With a curt nod, the twins flew off into opposite directions, cutting and hacking as they went. Soon Ayame found herself surrounded by five of the black soldiers. They slowly closed in on her, watching her unblinkingly, their bloodstained claws raised, ready to attack.

"Five on one is not fair, is it?" Ayame asked, while shifting to a position which was the most defendable.

One of the soldiers charged forward, his claws aimed at her. Ayame dodged the claws with ease and slashed at his chest. Blood spurted out as she pushed him into one of his companions and both of them crashed to the ground. She knocked the wind out of the third soldier with an expertly placed kick and using the momentum it gave her, charged at the fourth and cut open his throat with one clean swipe. The second soldier had just managed to push his dead companion off him when Ayame plunged one of her scimitars right into his heart, killing him instantly. By now, few more soldiers had gathered around her, but instead of charging at her confidently, this time they all seemed a little wary.

Now, Ayame made the first move and she systematically began taking the enemy down – kick, slash, punch, thrust; she kept up a steady rhythm and soon all the soldiers lay dead or dying around her. 'Serves you right you filthy bastards.' she thought, wiping away the blood from her face. She checked herself for any injuries, but apart from a few tears on her cloak and jacket, she seemed to be fine.

She scanned the camp for more of the black soldiers, but between her, Touya and the few soldiers from the Clow Army she had posted around the ruins, all of the attackers from the other world had been taken care of. She spotted Yukito on the other side of the camp and began walking towards him when she saw his eyes widen in fear.

"Ayame behind you!"

Ayame turned and managed to dodge the attack just in time, but not fast enough, earning a vertical cut above her right eyebrow. One of the soldiers she had assumed to be dead was standing in front of her, panting heavily as he prepared to charge again. But Ayame was too quick for him and she drove both her scimitars into his chest without a second thought.

"Are you okay?" Yukito asked, running towards her.

"Yeah, yeah… except for this," Ayame said, pointing to the cut, which was bleeding profusely now, "It's going to end up as a scar."

"It looks pretty badass if you ask me," Yukito chuckled.

"So then, how many did you kill?" a smug voice asked from behind them.

Ayame turned around, a cheeky reply already there at the tip of her tongue; but when her eyes fell on Touya, her mind went completely blank in panic. He was still standing, but his skin was sickly pale and he was breathing very heavily. He then lost his balance and was about fall down when Ayame caught him, just in time.

"Touya! TOUYA!" Ayame screamed in panic as her twin lost consciousness.

"The blade the assailants used, it must have been poisoned," Yukito replied, his voice trembling as he helped Ayame set Touya down. "Ayame that cut above your eye…" Yukito continued but she cut him short.

"Don't fuss about that now! You know poisons mostly have no effect on me!"

"Ayame-san!"

Ayame turned to the source of the voice, relieved to hear that at least someone was alright. But her relief immediately turned into despair when she saw her sister in Syaoran's arms unconscious instead of running beside him as she had expected. Ayame ran the rest of the distance to him. When she did reach him, she brushed her hand on Sakura's forehead, but recoiled instantly. Her heart started pounding in her chest, 'I… I can't feel her soul anymore! She's gone cold!'

"Ayame-san… I don't what happened… the ruins… feathers…" Syaoran tried to explain; his eyes wide and filled with desperation at his inability to do so. He kneeled while still holding Sakura, struggling to find the right words.

Ayame placed her hand on his head to comfort him. "It's alright Syaoran," she said with calm she was definitely not feeling, "Take a deep breath and tell me what happened."

"That won't be necessary," Yukito said quietly. Ayame hadn't noticed the High Priest walk up to them. "Touya is not fine now, but he will be Ayame. I won't let him die," he added looking at Ayame. He then kneeled down next to Syaoran "I will read your memories, it will be much quicker."

While Yukito went through Syaoran's memories, Ayame took a deep breath to steady her reeling mind. It was just too much to process. The kingdom attacked by mysterious assailants, her brother poisoned, her sister's body soulless in the arms of the boy who was like family to her. The power in the… the power in the ruins! 'It's… it's locked up… I can't feel it anymore! What the hell is going on around here?!'

'The chaos is almost at hand, Princess'

Yukito's words from the night before sprung into her mind uninvited. Could it be? Could the trouble Yukito had predicted be starting right now?

"The princess' feathers scattered, didn't they?" Yukito asked, unable to keep worry out of his voice.

"Yes!" Syaoran answered desperately.

"Feathers?"

"Something inside the ruins forced Sakura's soul to manifest outside her body in the form of wings, composed of numerous feathers," Yukito explained, getting up.

"Wait a minute! If the feathers are gone that means…" Ayame couldn't complete the sentence, she didn't want to accept what had happened.

"Those feathers were her memories, all of them, since the day she was born… they are all gone now. The princess has lost her soul," Yukito said gravely, confirming Ayame's worst fear.

"If she doesn't get them back she will die!" Ayame cried out, but regretted it immediately – Syaoran froze when he heard the words, staring at Sakura's unconscious form in disbelief. 'I can't lose control like that, I have to be strong!'

Syaoran held Sakura tighter in his arms, "There has to be something!" he said, his voice trembling slightly, "There has to be something I can do!"

Ayame felt Yukito's magic swirl around him as he summoned the moon staff of the High Priest of Clow, "There will be no hesitation" he said quietly, "I will send you to another world, to the place where wishes are granted by a person with the same power of the moon"

"Wait!" Ayame said, clenching her fists, "I am going with him."

She had had enough. She had stood on the side lines for far too long. Touya had been right – she had quietly taken every insult the nobles handed out to her without a protest. She stood by doing nothing as he and Yukito debated with the nobles at every meeting for her sake. She had stood by helpless when her mother died. She had accepted everything life had thrown at her without a single struggle. But not this time.

'No more! I promised I will protect Sakura at all costs. I don't care what destiny has in store'

"Yuki…" she said softly, "I know… I know that Syaoran is the one, the only one who can save Sakura. But I want to help… no, I can help!" she added firmly. "Please, you have to let me go!"

Yukito looked like he was about to protest, but then understanding flashed through his face. "Alright" he said with a small smile.

"Just a moment" Ayame said as she ran over to where Touya was lying down. She kneeled down next to him and gently cupped his face with her hands.

"A-ya-me…" Touya said weakly, his eyelids struggling to open.

"Now don't strain yourself" she said softly, "I came to say goodbye Touya. There is something I have do… and for that I have to leave."

"There is nothing I can do… to stop you… can I?" he whispered.

"Nothing at all" she whispered back, kissing his forehead.

The pain in Ayame's chest only intensified as Touya's dark blue eyes fluttered shut. She looked on at the handsome face which was her first memory, her strongest support system, her first and oldest friend. She hated the fact that she had to leave him this state, but she couldn't leave their younger sister helpless as well. Ayame had made a tough choice, one she knew her twin would never be happy with, but she knew he would come around eventually.

Ayame placed another swift kiss on his head and walked back to Syaoran.

"Ayame-san…" Syaoran said, looking up at her as she took her place next to him.

Ayame placed an arm on Syaoran's shoulder. "Everything will be alright," she said, both to him and herself. She then looked at Yukito and asked, "This person you are sending us to, who is it? What do we do when we get there?"

"She is called the Witch of the Dimensions," Yukito answered, twirling his staff. A magic circle appeared beneath their feet. The air began to move in circles around them, in tune with the magic as the ground they were standing on began to liquefy and rise around them.

"Tell her everything," Yukito shouted, struggling to make himself heard above the roaring of the wind, "Find a way to save her."

With that, the ground engulfed them, spitting them out into an empty space shaped somewhat like a tunnel. Ayame had never experienced anything like this before – it was as if she was just floating freely, but the small lights, which seemed to be inlaid into the grey-black walls of the tunnel, hurtled past them; indicating that they were moving. But before she could make sense of what was happening, she felt the familiar tug of gravity as they were pulled to one side. Then just as suddenly as the whole thing began, they were dropped to the ground.

Ayame steadied herself. They had landed in front of little, queer house which was surrounded by structures whose height could rival that of the ruins of Clow. It was quite a sight to take in, but that's not what demanded Ayame's attention.

In front of them stood a tall, pale, graceful woman, dressed in a gown which was as black as her poker straight hair. Her red-eyes eyed them curiously – as if she had been waiting for them.

"Are you the Witch of the Dimensions?" Ayame asked.

She tilted her head ever so slightly as she answered, "I have been called that."

Ayame was about to state their purpose but Syaoran beat her to it. "Please! Help save Sakura!" he cried out.

As the witch began moving towards them to take a look at Sakura, Ayame's gut told her that nothing was going to be the same ever again.

XXX

A/N: Yo guys! That was chapter number 1. Hope you all liked it. Feedback is very important for every writer, so don't forget to hit the review section to tell me what your opinion about this chapter was.

Also, General Lafarga from earlier on in this chapter is the one from Magic Knight Rayearth. The one thing I have always loved about Tsubasa is how CLAMP kept giving us different versions of their previous characters. It's something I intend to keep doing throughout my story.

So, that's it for now. Until the next time!