F.B: Thanks to those who reviewed. I'm celebrating coz I've got over 100 REVIEWS! throws confetti and does a little dance YAY! gives everyone plushies Onto the story, more author notes below…

Mystery Thickens

Meiling walked indecisively, as she pondered where the Emperor could be hiding. She sighed, as she bowed her head down in frustration.

'Zhung Ting is not a very patient man, how am I suppose to find the Emperor!' Then her thoughts wandered to the amber eyes man she bumped into this morning, and blushed.

'At least something went right this morning,' Meiling thought with a sigh. She decided to go to the Ting's Lair to get some information from her most trusted sources. Arriving at a well built tavern, Meiling stepped in and looked around, till her gaze settled on a young man.

Striding towards him, she smiled and said, "Long time no see Eriol. How are you dear friend?"

Azure eyes smiled in return, replying, "I'm very well thank you. And you?"

"Quite well," as she slid onto the wooden stool. It was intricately carved into the most finest detail. Well, considering that Ting swallowed up two kingdoms already, he could afford anything.

"What brings you here on a fine morning like this?" Eriol said, capturing Meiling's gaze in his own.

Eriol, the young magician who is to become a father in a mere three weeks, with a wife sitting at home looking after her unborn child.

Who would have thought that he worked for Ting for many years, and those years to come.

Holding the white china cup, and watching the tea leaves to swirl to the bottom, Meiling lowered her voice and replied, "Ting wants to know the Emperor's whereabouts. Know anything? Anything at all. He is getting quite restless."

Eriol raised the hot liquid to his lips, and sipped thoughtfully. "There is a young man. I have never seen him before in this area. He lives…near us." Eriol felt panic poke and prod his calmness and imbalanced his nerves. What if it was Xiao Lang? This wasn't good.

Sensing something amiss, Meiling stared at Eriol, which only enhanced the nervousness that wrecked havoc to his inner mind. Pulling himself together, he made sure to have a calm façade, Meiling caught onto things too well. That is probably why she is Zhung Ting's most trusted spy.

"How near?" Meiling asked. "And what does he look like?"

Glancing at the young lady nonchalantly, disguising his adrenaline rush, he calmly spoke. "I'm not sure how near. I only briefly glanced at this young man. He had black hair and medium built structure perhaps. Had a funny accent though…"

"Funny accent?" Meiling raised her eyebrow.

"Funny accent," confirmed Eriol. "Would you like some more tea, and perhaps a dumpling or two?"

"Thanks for the offer, but duty calls," joked Meiling lightly. Duty was integrated into their lives. Duty ALWAYS called.

Something was different about her friend. His eyes were EXTRA sparkly and mysterious.

Thanking him, and seeing his curt nod and warm smile which was greeted with one of her own, she left the tavern with more hope. Eriol said he lived near, so he couldn't be far away now, could he?

Manoeuvring around milling people who had come to the daily market for fresh food, Meiling walked on confidently. That familiar glint of determination settled firmly in her ruby red eyes. She WAS going to find him, no matter what.

Sakura saw a tall man, with flowing white robes walk out of the darkness of the trees. She faced a handsome young man, with WHITE hair, and cold icy blue eyes. This brought chills down her spine.

Nadeshiko moved in front of Sakura. "Who are you?" she asked the young man.

"I am-" he started to speak in a smooth voice, when he was interrupted by sounds of horses and humans near by.

"People are coming," Sakura said stating the obvious.

"I am aware of that," said Yue in a bored tone. "I will hide us for temporary time. Come with me if you shall."

"Such cold politeness. Never knew they were a nice mix," Sakura muttered under her breath, not like the way this man was speaking to them.

Sakura and Nadeshiko decided to follow him, rather than be caught by whoever it was that was coming in their direction. Feeling an arm slip smoothly around her tiny waist, she felt wind go by and found themselves sitting on a branch.

"What-?" Sakura started to yelp in surprise. A firm hand closed around her mouth to force whatever she wanted to emit out of her mouth, down her throat.

She looked into those calculating icy blue eyes to find them giving her a stern look. Gulping, she turned her gaze below her and saw men clad in battle outfits. The swords resting on their belts glinted dangerously in the sunlight that filtered through the thick expanse of the trees. Orders barked out by the leader, saw the other men run in different directions.

The leader sat on a proud horse looking in the directions that the men ran. It was obvious he was searching for something. But what? Before Sakura could further ponder on this, Yue took off again.

Zhung Ting's head snapped in the direction noise was heard, to see something fly away.

'Probably a bird,' he thought. Using his heel, he sharply kicked his horse's flank to usher his horse to move through the forest. 'I felt a strong aura. I'm so sure…'

Sakura slumped to the ground in relief. Yue flied away from hairs breath of getting caught. She caught a glimpse of those golden eyes which seems so familiar.

"Now if I may continue where we let off," Yue drawled. "I insist on knowing where you found the Clow Cards." Yue crossed his arms in front of his chest, looking like a stern teacher scolding his pupils.

"I inherited them, and now they are Sakura Cards," explain Sakura. Yue gave her another penetrating stare, causing Nadeshiko to speak up.

"Her father, Fujitaka Kinomoto, was suppose to look after them but met with an unexpected ending."

"Unexpected ending?" queried Yue with raised eyebrows.

"My father fell off a cliff and drowned in the waters below if you must know," snapped Sakura.

"Such attitude from the Mistress of the Cards," smirked Yue. "You should watch that sharp tongue of yours."

"As you shall watch your inquisitive nature," retorted Sakura. She couldn't stand his pestering nature about things. Her father's death upset her greatly, and she didn't want to endure the thought of thinking about it again.

"I'm deeply hurt Mistress Sakura," Yue replied coldly. He purposely emphasised Mistress Sakura.

Upon looking at the confusion etched across Sakura's face, Nadeshiko cut in before another sharp and witty remark came from Yue.

"This is one of your guardians Sakura. Remember?"

Realisation dawned upon Sakura's face. Ah yes, how can she forget those stories told about the Clow Cards. They spun a wonderful story for her childhood years.

"I remember. The Moon Guardian I presume?"

"Yes." Yue looked impatient and bored with this conversation, yet fascinated that this young girl child turned the cards into her own.

A loud bang alerted the three that someone came in the front gate.

"Ah! Am I interrupting a meeting or something?" a voice spoke. The sun reflected off those golden eyes.

"Because I intend you all to come with me and join me in a feast of victory. I have found where the Emperor is, and now the Card Mistress."

Horror was vivid on the faces of Sakura and her mother, as they saw a whole army swarmed into their house. Even Yue tensed up.

They were done for.

F.B: Yeah I know I haven't updated more than a year. My grandmother died, and my muse didn't pay me a visit until now. I kinda knew what I wanted to write, but no chappies satisfied me. This one is still no really good, but anyhows, review please!