Disclaimer: All characters belong to the owner of CardCaptors.

Summary: When Sakura's friends leave unexpectedly, she gets happiness from a very surprising source.

~...~ are thoughts.

Author's Note: I thought this might be a great story to experiment with. In the episodes, you generally only get to see a Clow Card's true form for about five seconds tops, so I thought it'd be neat to explore the personalities of at least a few Cards. Also, this is sort of an unofficial part of "Syaoran's Quest," since it has very little to do with Syaoran or a quest. The focus is mainly on Sakura and her, uh..."friends."

Power in My Hands

Kinomoto Fujitaka looked across the dinner table. "Touya, have you seen your sister today?"

"Not really. She stays locked up in her room all the time. Probably has something to do with Tomoyo moving away."

"But it's almost been three months. I'm really worried about her. Sakura doesn't need to be alone right now."

Touya shrugged. "Well, Tomoyo was her best friend, and she moved away so suddenly. I don't think Sakura was especially close to anyone else."

"What about that boy, Syaoran?" Aiden asked. "Sakura seemed to like him."

"He went back to Hong Kong for a while. His cousin, too. No telling how long they'll be gone."

* * * * *

Kero sighed and landed on the pillow, settling down in front of the girl's face. "Sakura?" he asked hopefully.

The girl gave no indication that she even heard him.

He sighed again and placed a small paw on her forehead. "Sakura, I know you're upset about Syaoran & Tomoyo, but you can't do this to yourself. If you never leave your room, you'll die up here!"

Sakura blinked, but stayed perfectly still.

Kero groaned. "Sakura, please! I'm begging you! Just say something! Anything! Talk to me!"

Finally, Sakura's lips parted. "I want to be alone, Kero-chan." With that, she rolled over, turning her back to him.

"What?! You don't speak to me for days, and now that I get you to talk, you tell me to leave?!"

"Goodbye, Kero-chan," she whispered, closing her eyes.

Kero sat down on the pillow and sighed. Even if Sakura wasn't going to talk to him, the least he could do was make sure she didn't get any worse.

* * * * *

The next morning, Sakura did what she had done for the past week. She got dressed, put on her rollerblades, and ventured around town, trying not to think of how much she missed Tomoyo. Not that it worked or anything.

Sakura waved to Nikki and Rita as she flew by the toy store. ~That's where Tomoyo's mother took on us on a shopping spree. Of course, she owns the store, but it was still really nice of her.~

It didn't take Sakura long to realize that there was really no place she could go to escape her memories of Tomoyo. They'd gone everywhere together at some point or another. She wasn't even happy rollerblading anymore, since she was always showing Tomoyo her new moves. ~But not anymore. Tomoyo's gone now, and she's not coming back.~

Sakura then discovered that skating and thinking about Tomoyo were two things that just didn't go together. Mainly because when she thought about Tomoyo, she started to cry, and tears make it hard to see, especially when moving at high speeds.

So it was no surprise that Sakura eventually crashed into someone. It was a surprise that the person was actually strong enough to keep them both from falling, and when Sakura saw his face for the first time, she knew exactly why.

"Akira!" she cried, wiping her eyes. "What are you doing here? I thought you went to Hong Kong with Syaoran and Meiling!"

Akira smiled down at her. "I did. But as it turns out, people seemed to like me more BEFORE Meiling accidentally revealed I'd been dead for some time." He suddenly noticed how red her eyes were. "I also came back because I thought you might need me."

"Huh? Why?"

"I know how it feels to be alone, Sakura."

Sakura blinked. "I'm not alone! I have tou-san and Touya."

"And you're so happy with them that you decided to go rollerblading with tears of joy in your eyes." Akira squeezed her shoulders. "Trust me, Sakura. I have not known you and your friends for long, but I do know that Tomoyo was very special to you. Being separated from her could not have been easy."

"It wasn't," Sakura muttered, lowering her head. "And it still isn't."

Akira lifted her head. "That's why you have me now."

"Uh...no offense, Akira, but you're not my age, and you're definitely not a girl. Even if you were, you couldn't replace Tomoyo."

"I have no desire to, Sakura. I merely plan to make you see that physical separation should not weaken the strong bond of friendship that you and Tomoyo share."

"And how do you plan to do that?"

Akira grinned. "Let me worry about that. For now, your only concern is sneaking me into your room."

"WHAT?"

"I assume your father would be a little hesitant to allow a strange, grown man into your room?"

Sakura couldn't help but laugh. "Yes, Akira. Especially if he knew how old you REALLY were."

* * * * *

Twenty minutes later, Sakura opened her bedroom window, and Akira climbed in.

"I get the feeling you've done this before," she said.

"Perish the thought. I may be ancient, but I was a gentleman even then."

"Well, I guess I'll never know for sure. So what's this plan of yours?"

"All I require is something that reminds you of Tomoyo. Possibly something she may have given you that once belonged to her."

Sakura looked a little sheepish. "Well, there are the costumes she made for me. They're all in the back of my closet."

Akira did his best not to smile and failed. "I was hoping for something..."

"Less embarrassing?" she suggested.

"I was going to say more meaningful."

"Oh." Sakura laughed uneasily.

"I noticed Tomoyo was good with video cameras. Perhaps you have a tape that she gave you?"

"Tons of them, also in the closet. She made me copies of most of my captures." Sakura walked over to the closet.

"What's this?" Akira asked, picking up a package on her dresser. "This looks like it might have a tape in it."

Sakura turned around and gasped. "No, that's nothing! Put it back!"

Unfortunately, Akira was already reading the address. "Sakura...this tape is from Tomoyo, and it's dated from a week ago. Why haven't you opened it yet?"

"Just put it down!" Sakura snatched the package from his hands.

Thanks to his superhuman speed and strength, Akira was easily faster than Sakura, and could've taken it back without any trouble. However, he was more concerned with why she hadn't opened it. "What's wrong?"

"I...nothing. Nothing's wrong."

"Then why won't you open the package your best friend sent to you? Tomoyo IS still your best friend, isn't she?"

"Of course! I was just...afraid."

"Afraid of what, Sakura?"

Sakura gripped the package tightly. "I was afraid if I opened it...I'd only miss her more."

"I don't think that's possible. But I do think if Tomoyo sent you something, she'd expect you to open it the day you got it. Do you want to open it, or should I?"

Sakura stared at the package for a long moment. "I can't. You do it."

Akira opened the package and pulled out a video tape. "Should we watch it now?"

"You're going to make me watch it either way, aren't you?"

"Eventually."

Sakura sighed and sat down on the bed. "Go ahead, then."

Akira put the tape into the VCR. "Relax, Sakura. You act like she's going to say goodbye forever." He froze, noticing the horrified look on her face. "Of course, she would NEVER say that."

"Just start the tape, Akira."

Akira hit Play and sat down next to her.

A few seconds later, Tomoyo appeared on the TV screen. She was sitting on a bed, presumably in her new bedroom. She cleared her throat and began. "Hi, Sakura. I know I promised to write you, but I figured you'd like this better. The way I see it, you can record yourself on the tape next, then send it back to me. Once we've filled up the whole tape, I'll make a copy for you. That way we'll each have one."

Sakura sniffled. "She was always so thoughtful."

Akira patted her shoulder. "I know."

Tomoyo continued. "Well, there's good news and bad news. I'll start with the bad news first. I'm really sorry, but I don't think we'll be able to see each other any time soon. Mom says if I'm always flying back to see you, I'll never get used to living here. She wants me to stay at least five months before I can visit you."

Tears begin to fall from Sakura's eyes. Akira quickly handed her some tissue.

"But, there is some really good news!" Tomoyo held up two Clow Cards. "I decided to start patrolling around here, and I just caught the Earth and Return Cards! Isn't that great?"

Sakura's eyes widened. Akira leaned in closer to the screen.

"I would send them to you right away, but I thought they might get lost in the mail, or someone might steal them." Tomoyo put the Cards away and went on. "Syaoran called the other day. He wanted me to tell you that he and Meiling should be back within the next week. But I guess that would be this week, by the time you get this."

Sakura frowned. "Why didn't he call me?"

Tomoyo smiled sadly. "Well, I have to go. I have to be done patrolling by the time my mother gets home. Talk to you later, Sakura."

The tape ended there.

"Now, don't you feel better?" Akira asked.

"A little," Sakura admitted. "But I still want to know why Syaoran didn't call me."

"I can't answer that. But I can go and get those Cards from Tomoyo for you."

"Huh? You can?" Sakura asked.

"Yes, Sakura. Didn't I mention that teleportation was one of my specialties?"

"Um...probably. But you had so many of them that by the time you got to it, none of us were listening anymore."

Akira frowned. "I see."

"Sorry."

"I suppose it WAS a long list. But I should go. This might take a few hours. Teleporting long distances isn't easy on the digestive system."

"You mean you might throw up?" Sakura asked.

"Probably."

"Ew. Then do you think you could teleport into the bathroom instead of here?"

"I'll do my best to remember. Speaking of which, Syaoran asked me to deliver this." Akira pulled an envelope from his pocket.

"You had something from Syaoran and didn't tell me?!"

Akira grinned sheepishly. "Perhaps I forgot?"

Sakura snatched the envelope from him and tore it open. Inside, she found a note and the Life Card. The note simply read, in Syaoran's handwriting, "Here's something to keep you busy." Meiling had also left her own message, but it was less encouraging. "Beware! BA HA HA!"

"Hey, Akira, when did they..." Sakura looked up to see that Akira was gone. "Well, at least he did it quietly." She stared at the Life Card for a long moment. "I can use it later. Right now, I think I'll take a nap."

* * * * *

When Sakura woke up, Kero was sitting on her pillow.

"HI, SAKURA! Great day, isn't it?"

Sakura blinked. "Okay, Kero-chan. What did you do?"

"It wasn't my fault! I was just looking at it, and then it exploded!"

"What?" Sakura sat up. "What exploded?!"

"The Life! It exploded, and then all the Clow Cards started coming to life-"

"WAIT! ALL of them?!"

Kero paused. "Well, no. Just Twin, Firey, Watery, Shot, and Power."

"JUST?! Kero-chan, some of those are Elementals!"

"Hey, you remembered! You're getting better every day!"

"KERO-CHAN!"

"Right, right! Most of them are still here somewhere!"

"MOST?! Who left?!"

"Um...I don't know?"

Sakura grabbed the Key of Clow from her dresser and ran into the hallway with Kero right behind her. They hadn't gone far when Sakura heard strange noises from Touya's room. She opened the door to see the both of the Twins jumping on Touya's bed.

"Well, at least they're here," Kero pointed out.

"You're a Guardian Beast. If you don't guard Clow Cards, what DO you guard?!"

"HEY! It was a lot easier with my old body! But if SOMEBODY hadn't released the-"

"That wouldn't have happened if YOU were doing your job! Oh, forget it!"

Sakura formed the Sealing Wand and was about to return the Twins to their Card forms. Suddenly, the Twins ran to Sakura and fell to their knees, begging her not to seal them.

"Um...that's never happened before."

"Well, they're not exactly destructive," Kero said. "I guess it wouldn't hurt to leave them out...with proper supervision, anyway."

Sakura sighed. "Okay, guys. If you help me find your friends, you can stay out."

The boy twin nodded. "We'll be good!"

"Good we'll be!" the girl twin agreed.

Sakura groaned. "Do they have to talk like that?"

"Afraid so," Kero replied. "Just be glad they don't talk like Shot."

"Why? What does she sound like?"

"You don't want to know. Trust me."

"Okay." Sakura closed her eyes. "I sense one...in the laundry room!"

Sakura charged down the hall and threw open the laundry room. "Hold it right there!" she shouted.

Power was just leaning over the washer when Sakura burst in. She looked up in surprise, then lost her balance and fell in with a splash.

"Oh no! Twins, grab some towels!" Sakura ran over to the washer and stuck her hands in. "The water won't hurt her, will it, Kero?"

"I don't think so. This IS Power we're talking about. She can lift elephants."

Sakura kept feeling around until she grabbed a pair of hands. Then she quickly pulled Power out. She seemed to be okay, except for the fact that the water had been very cold.

The Twins quickly threw some towels over Power.

Sakura kneeled and wrapped her arms around Power. "Sorry about that. Are you okay?"

Power nodded and shivered, leaning into Sakura's embrace.

"What were you doing in here, anyway?"

Power pointed to a pile of clean clothes in the corner.

Kero flew over to them. "Hey, she washed all your costumes, Sakura! Ugh. And even some of mine..."

"You did that for me?" Sakura asked.

Power nodded, doing her best to smile, though it was difficult to do with her teeth chattering.

Kero scratched his head. "Wait a minute. She's centuries old. How did she know how to use a washing machine?"

Sakura ignored him and cupped Power's small face in her hands. "Thank you," she whispered, kissing her forehead.

Power smiled and wiggled her elfin ears.

"Hey, now how did she do THAT?"

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Kero-chan..."

* * * * *

After a quick trip to the public swimming pool, Sakura brought Watery home. When questioned about her "little friends" by several police officers along the way, Sakura managed to convince them that they were just neighborhood kids starting a performance troop of modern-day mimes. When asked about the way they were dressed, Sakura replied that they also worked at the circus part-time. The Twins were especially convincing with their tumbling act.

That meant that Firey and Shot were still roaming the streets. However, when Sakura walked into her room, it was clear that at least one of them had returned.

"AH! MY ROOM!" she screamed. "What happened in here?!"

Power took one look and tugged on Sakura's arm to get her attention. Then she formed a gun with her hands and made shooting motions.

"I guess she means Shot," Kero said.

Power nodded rapidly.

"Well, where is she now?" Sakura asked.

Suddenly, there was an explosion outside.

"What was that?!" Kero yelled.

"It's her! She's on the roof!" Sakura sprang to the window, summoning her wings. She flew up to the roof, where she found the source of the explosions.

Firey and Shot were sitting on the roof, eating popcorn out of a large bowl. Every now and then, one of them would find an unpopped kernel and throw it into the air. Then they would try to see who could hit it the fastest. The combination of their powers was resulted in some very loud explosions.

Sakura blinked several times before finding the words she was looking for. "What in the world are you two doing?"

Shot looked over at her. "PLAYING 'SHOOT THE KERNEL'."

"OW!" Sakura covered her ears. Now she knew what Kero meant. Apparently, Shot's voice sounded a lot like bullets flying from a gun.

Firey giggled. "Sorry. I meant to warn you."

"WARN HER ABOUT WHAT?" Shot asked.

"OW OW OW! Just stop talking, please!" Sakura pleaded.

Shot looked at Firey and shrugged.

* * * * *

"Let me see if I understand this. These people are who again?"

"Foreign circus people, tou-san," Sakura replied. "They're really very friendly."

"I see. And why is it they have to stay here again?"

"They got separated from the rest of the circus people, and they don't speak any English. One of them can write it, though."

"Why haven't I heard about a circus around here lately?"

Sakura shrugged. "I didn't know about it, either. But don't they LOOK like circus people?"

Her father glanced over at Shot. "Well, THAT one does. She looks like a spray-painted porcupine! And the two I saw earlier, what were their names?"

"Power and Watery. Power does a strong-man...well, strong-girl act, and Watery performs with tiger sharks."

"Don't they have real names?"

"Yes, but it's easier to call them by their performance names. They're foreign circus people, remember?"

Shot held up a sign that read, "I'M FROM YUGOSLOVIA."

"Right. But why do they have to stay with you?"

Sakura grinned. "Well, if you were lost in a strange land, and you saw a cute girl on rollerblades, wouldn't YOU ask her for help?"

Her father blinked several times. "I fail to see your point."

"Oh, come on, tou-san! It's not like we don't have enough room!"

"That is true, but..."

"Please? I promise I'll keep them out of trouble! And it's only until the other circus people come back to town! It shouldn't take TOO long..."

He still looked doubtful. "Sakura, I don't know if-" He glanced down to see Power & Watery hugging his legs and making pouty faces. "Well, they ARE awfully cute..."

Shot held up a large sign that read, "PLEASE, TOU-SAN?"

He sighed. "It would be wrong to just kick them out. Okay, they can stay."

Power jumped up and hugged his neck, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"Affectionate little things, aren't they?"

Sakura smiled. "Only when they want something."

* * * * *

"Are you sure she'll be here to pick us up?" Meiling asked. "You know she's not the most dependable person."

"Don't worry, Meiling," Syaoran replied. "I told Sakura several times. She'll be here."

Suddenly, Meiling spotted something strange. "Syaoran."

"What is it?"

"Look!" she hissed, pointing wildly.

Syaoran followed her finger to see two girls standing near the baggage claim. One of them looked a lot like Power, except she was wearing one of Sakura's school outfits. The other was holding up a large sign that read, "WELCOME HOME, MEILIN AND SYAORAN!"

Syaoran blinked several times. "She didn't. She WOULDN'T."

Sakura came running up a minute later. "Hi, guys! Welcome home!" She gave them both big hugs.

"Sakura, you took them out in public?!" Syaoran whispered.

"Well, sure. I can't carry all your bags by myself."

Power quickly took their bags and smiled.

"These are ancient beings! You don't just take them anywhere!"

"HEY, I'M ONLY TEN CENTURIES OLD!" Shot protested.

Everyone in the airport cringed.

Power clamped a hand over Shot's mouth and grinned weakly.

Syaoran sighed. "We're going to have a long talk about this when we get home, Sakura."

"Can't it wait?" Sakura asked, kissing his nose.

"No, it can't!"

"But I missed you," she whined, kissing his cheek.

Syaoran seemed less insistent. "Sakura, don't think you can change my MMMMPH!"

Sakura cut him off with a passionate kiss.

Power gasped and covered Shot's eyes.

"HEY, I WANNA SEE!"

Syaoran broke the kiss, feeling a little lightheaded. "Fine, we can about it later. Let's just get them out of here NOW."

Sakura smiled. "I thought you'd see it my way."

* * * * *

"Okay, Akira. Tell them why they all can't sleep in my room again."

Akira sighed and looked at the various Clow Cards sitting on Sakura's bed. "As you can see, there just isn't enough room here. You'll have to go back to your Card forms."

Most of the Cards were upset about that, especially Firey, who claimed that since it was summer, she should be allowed to roam around in the heat. But one by one, Sakura began returning them to their Cards, until only Power was left.

Sakura raised her wand again, but Power suddenly ran forward and hugged her tightly, burying her face in Sakura's shirt.

Sakura slowly lowered the wand. "Power, you know I can't play favorites. Everyone has to go back, even you."

Power shook her head and tightened her grip on Sakura.

"Hmm. It seems she's grown attached to you."

"That's not funny, Akira." Sakura patted Power's head. "Look, I like you, too..."

Power raised her head and smiled hopefully.

"...but you really should go back now. I promise I'll let you out in the morning."

Power shook her head again and pouted.

"Don't look at me like that!"

Power's lower lip began to tremble.

"Stop that!" Sakura protested weakly.

Power hid her face in her hands and looked as if she was sobbing.

"Oh, Power..." Sakura sighed heavily. "Why does she have to like me so much?"

Akira looked thoughtful. "Did you use her much?"

"Well, sure. I mean, she's Power! And when we were fighting that shadow thing, I automatically used her every time I transformed."

"That might explain it, then. I hate to say this Sakura, but I don't think you can just use them whenever you want. They are people, too. They have feelings."

"Stop making me seem like the bad guy here! Doesn't anyone remember the shadow?!"

Akira grinned. "I certainly do. But you have to consider Power's feelings. She's worked very hard to keep you safe all this time, and you are a very likable person. Is it any wonder she cares for you so much?"

Sakura frowned. "I never thought being likable could be a bad thing."

"Well, it is your fault."

"Shut UP, Akira!"

"Sorry."

Sakura groaned loudly. "I can believe I'm doing this." She turned and pulled Power's hands away from her face. "Listen up, Power. If you PROMISE to behave and do what I ask you, you can stay out tonight."

Power nodded seriously.

"AND! You have to help me watch the other Clow Cards."

Power kept nodding.

"And you have to help out with the laundry, since you seem to be so good at it."

"Sakura, isn't that one of your chores?" Akira interrupted.

Sakura shot him a look. "Quiet, you."

Power was still nodding.

"You can stop that now, you know."

Power stopped, a pleading look on her face.

"Okay, you can stay out already!"

Power's face lit up, and she hugged Sakura even tighter than before.

"Okay, okay! Hey, wait a sec--OW!"

Power quickly let go, looking very apologetic.

Sakura winced and rubbed her back. "Well, that's going to be sore for a week."

Power looked as if she might cry again.

"Oh, don't start that again. I'll be fine."

"You did the right thing, Sakura," Akira said.

"Weren't you leaving?"

Akira chuckled. "I get the message. Sleep well, ladies." With that, he faded from sight.

"Show off," Sakura muttered as she turned to Power. "I guess I should loan you some of my PJs for the night. Unless you're okay wearing the pink stuff?"

Power hugged herself.

"Okay, so you like the pink stuff. Now, I'm not going to keep calling you Power. If you're going to be my friend, you need a name."

Power scratched her head, then beamed and pointed at Sakura.

"No, you can't have my name. It's mine."

Power looked extremely disappointed.

"You need something that says, 'I'm here, I'm cute, and I'm pink.' What says that?"

Power shrugged.

"Well, what about Pinky?"

Power beamed and nodded.

"You're not hard to please, are you?"

The newly-named Pinky shook her head.

"Okay then." Sakura turned to her closet to search for a sleeping bag. She didn't find one. When she turned back around, Pinky was sitting on her bed. "Wait a minute. I said you could stay out, but I didn't say anything about you sleeping in my bed. Where am I supposed to sleep?"

Pinky moved over and patted the spot next to her.

Sakura shook her head and sighed as she walked over to the bed. "I've done weirder things than that, and I'm way too tired to argue. Okay, you win."

Pinky grinned and pulled Sakura into the bed.

"Not so rough!" Sakura slipped under the blanket, then turned off the lamp. She felt a tap on her shoulder. "Don't tell me you're scared of the dark."

Pinky shook her head, then picked up one of Sakura's dolls and hugged it.

"Uh...okay. You can borrow Mr. Bear if you want. I don't mind."

Pinky shook her head again and picked up a doll that looked a lot like Sakura, then pointed at her.

"Yes, it does look like me. What about it?"

Pinky shook her head violently, then hugged the doll and pointed forcefully at Sakura.

"Wait. You want to hold ME?"

Pinky beamed.

"Um...Pinky, I'm glad you like me and everything, but I have to draw the line somewhere."

Pinky frowned, then pointed at herself. She traced the outline of a heart with her fingers and pointed at Sakura.

Sakura's eyes widened. "Um...did you just say what I think you said?"

Pinky nodded rapidly.

"Pinky, that's really sweet, but you're a GIRL, not to mention a Clow Card. Isn't there some male Clow Card that...excites you? Well, wait. I don't think there are any male ones...except for that one Twin."

Pinky placed a hand over her heart and made a patting motion. Then she did the same to Sakura.

"I'm going to have to learn sign language. Did you just say our hearts beat as one?"

Pinky nodded.

"Poetic little thing, aren't you? I'm flattered, but I'm in love with Syaoran. You know that."

Pinky grabbed Sakura's hand and pulled it to her heart.

"Yes, I can feel your heart beating for me. But I still love Syaoran, and you're still a GIRL."

Pinky looked as if she might cry again.

Sakura groaned and shook her head. "Okay, look. If you promise not to try anything, I guess I don't mind cuddling with you. But if I feel your hands going anywhere they shouldn't, you're going back to your Card. Are we clear on this?"

Pinky nodded and pointed to Sakura's mouth.

"What are you...? NO, Pinky! I am not kissing you goodnight!"

Pinky shook her head and pointed to her forehead.

"Well...oh, fine. Come here."

Pinky moved much closer and wrapped her arms around Sakura.

Sakura hesitated, then kissed Pinky's forehead. Before she could move away, Pinky quickly pressed her lips to Sakura's, then blushed and tried to look innocent. "You are NEVER to do that again," Sakura said, glaring at her.

Pinky nodded in agreement and closed her eyes.

Sakura sighed and closed her own eyes.

A few minutes later, Pinky slowly opened her eyes. Sakura was fast asleep by then. Pinky smiled and whispered, "Sa-ku-ra," in a shaky voice. It wasn't perfect, but it was a start. It wouldn't be too hard, she reasoned. Most of the other Clow Cards were here friends, and she was fairly certain she could convince Firey & Shot to teach her. Once she learned how to talk, she'd be able to tell Sakura exactly how she felt. But that's another story for another day...

At Long Last, The End!