Rekindle Chapter 19, a card captor sakura fanfic

Everything was in place. The tables had the clan colors of gold and green, with the clans handpicked china arranged to perfection. The glasses were freshly filled with wine and were waiting for their owners to join them. Sakura was busy moving from table to table, so as to greet new people and avoid Syaoran like the plague. No one seemed to spare her a glance, believing her a foreigner- an outsider. She was in a bright mood because she had asked Eriol to join them so he would be able to help her with the energy transfer required. Syaoran was not amused but could not give chase as he was the heir, so he could not leave his table as people approached him for discussion.

He caught her gaze and attempted to get her attention. She pretended she didn't see him and greeted Eriol and Tomoyo. He watched Eriol place his arm around Sakura and Daidouji. Syaoran gave a quick glance towards his wine but thought better about it realizing he would only make a fool out of himself.

Sakura whispered in Eriol's ear, "Are you ready to assist me this evening."

"In all things Sakura, right Tomoyo-chan?" She gushed under his gaze and nodded. The two were getting along well, and Sakura felt happy for her friend. Perhaps the two could become more than friends.

Sakura's eyes moved around the room and grazed over Ryu and Meiling. She winced as Ryu was staring across the room in hatred, as Meiling talked his ear off. A waltz was played and a few couples approached the floor and started gliding whimsically across the floor. Sakura was actually asked to dance quite a few times but Syaoran kept butting in before Sakura could reply with an agreement or disagreement. He was not helping her move on. She had one last thing to do before she could return home and lick her wounds and hear her brother relentless rendition of "I told you so." Syaoran himself attempted to ask her to dance but she politely excused herself.

She wasn't going to make it easy for him that was for sure. She came to this island professing love for him at every turn but now she had called off the engagement and held him back with false politeness. Where was her spirit? To have crushed what was undeniably chipper "everything is going to be alright" attitude may be something he would have to work on for quite some time. He had envisioned another confession during Christmas. Perhaps pull her aside to give her a gift. He had a week to try to prepare something meaningful. He had no ideas yet that captured a particular amount of the wow factor. He watched Eriol and Daidouji dance together noticing more than a friendly closeness. He wished them the best of luck as he knew magic plus regular relationship complications made for a tough start. After several songs, Sakura made a gestured to have the food brought out from the kitchens and placed on the buffet tables trimmed with green and gold. He was surprised to find many traditional Chinese dishes and only a few of Japanese inspired takes on some old traditional dishes. Syaoran took note of Sakura staring at the crowd with what looked to be a calculated expression. She watched the procession of people filing to get food and returning to their seats.

She gracefully made a gesture to Yelan who stood and made for the center stage. Sakura quickly pulled Meiling aside as everyone stopped to hear the announcement.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, May I engage your attention for a moment? I wanted to welcome you here tonight on this special occasion of yuletide cheer. Dessert will be served in about 20 minutes and more dancing will follow shortly after. If everyone could please move towards their assigned seating we will able to begin soon." People started shuffling around in response as she calmly sat beside her son again.

Sakura turned her attention back to Meiling. "Is there something the matter Meiling?"

"I don't know what you mean?"

"You seem, I don't know…Hyper?"

"Well I get nervous especially when you and I both know Ryu isn't here with me under his own freewill."

Sakura smiled at her, "You really like him don't you?"

"I would say about as much as you like Syaoran when he isn't being an idiot." She wasn't even going to dignify that with a comment.

"Then why does it seem like you are chattier around him?"

"Well Ryu always seemed to like you and you are a bubbly person so I thought…" Her statement died while she tried to look everywhere else but at Sakura.

"Meiling, he is only attracted by my magic."

"Well that's handy because I don't have any magic. How do you know anyways?"

"He is jealous of my abilities and doesn't seem to focus on anything else. Besides you need to show him the real Meiling, not the one you think he wants to see. Don't you want him to love you for you? Anyways tone it down a little, don't try to talk his ear off. Whether you know it or not he admires strength, so give him a good show of your personality." She winked before they heard the trays being pulled along for more courses of dinner.

They went their separate ways, but Sakura stopped dead when she saw her place card had been switched so that she was sitting next to Syaoran. This was not part of the original plan. She glanced over at Tomoyo who was grinning. Sakura glared at her and sat down. Of course immediately Syaoran started in.

He had decided perhaps just apologizing would be a good start, "Sakura, about yesterday, I'm sorry I got carried away, but I don't know I guess… Sakura? Are you listening?"

She was painfully avoiding this conversation. She did not want to relive the embarrassment of knowing the man she loves only wanted her for her body. She looked everywhere but at him in an effort to block out what he was saying.

"Sakura?"

"Sakura!"

"Kinomoto-san." She enunciated so that he got the point.

"You can't be that mad about this!" He was incredulous.

It was the wrong thing to say. "Silent," she whispered as his voice was unable to be heard anymore. She smiled at him as he made angry motions with his hands. She ignored him and glanced over to see how Meiling was doing. Ryu looked stunned as he was receiving an angry Meiling speech. She figured they would be just fine. If it wasn't meant to be at least Meiling could say she had given it her best shot. She moved her hand to get her wine glass but Syaoran caught it and started in again.

"Don't think that this conversation is over." He held her wrist tightly enough that she wasn't getting away anytime soon. Information sharing wasn't always a benefit.

"I'm done talking and living in the past."

"I want to apologize…"

"For what? being the typical guy and not being able to control yourself?" She knew she was being rude, but she felt that is was reasonable. He felt little to no additional emotion for her, she wouldn't even deem it a friendship more of a complicated affair that ended on poor terms. Two people that had connected but fizzled out over time and space. She didn't want to force love on him. She would be worst than Meiling, changing to accept only what was, and not all the parts of Syaoran she knew could care for her.

His eyes flickered and looked like he wanted to say something undignified, "That is insulting!"

"It's the truth." They were staring each other down until Kero flew between them and started gobbling down Syaoran's plate of food.

"KERO!"

He had his mouth full and turned towards his mistress, "Wha?"

"Didn't I already feed you?"

Kero looked peeved, "I was hungry and tired of hiding," when he had said that she glanced around and saw people staring at her. She laughed nervously and tried to shove him under the table. She traded plates with Syaoran leaving hers empty. He re-traded with her and a battle ensued. She pushed and he pushed back. Yelan pretended she didn't know either one of them. His four sisters watched unabashed with rapt attention. Eventually the plate fell on the floor where Kero instantly shot out after the dropped had to do something to diffuse the bazaar situation.

Yelan rose and drew everyone's attention on the stage by going up to make an announcement, "To show the Faith between our two newly joined clans, Sakura will dance with Ryu Ling-Li." She walked across the floor and curtsied to where he was. He bowed to her in the middle of the room. He started leading them in a waltz.

He watched her concentrating, "Are you counting mistress?"

She looked annoyed at being caught, "Perhaps."

"I wasn't aware there was anything else that you could be terrible at." She resisted the urge to stomp on his foot.

"I dance perfectly with Syaoran maybe you just suck as a partner."

He glared at her and increased their pace, and she had a hard time keeping up with his steps. "What is this? A battle of wills?"

"What did you say to Meiling?"

"I told her letting you see the real her was more beneficial."

"I hope you're happy, she is acting weird."

"And you love every minute of it." They bowed to each other as their dance finished, and Meiling eagerly took her place. Eriol came up next to her and kissed her hand eloquently. He gave her a light twirl causing her skirts to flutter in response. She laughed and starting to relax as he expertly danced them across the floor. She spotted Ryu and stuck her tongue out at him childishly as she moved in sync with Eriol. Syaoran was not amused, but he could never seem to get her hand freed from the others as Eriol and Ryu seemed to be switching her between them. Eriol had told Sakura that they had a bet going to see how long they could keep her before Syaoran intervened. They didn't have long to wait and on the 7th dance Syaoran grasped her tightly in his arms and swished her about expertly. She felt her heart speed up; it had been a long time since they had danced together.

"You didn't really think I would drop the matter, did you?"

"I could hope."

"What did I do that was so wrong?"

She closed her eyes at the stinging words, "Well Let's see you are always mean to me and when you want action you decide to play nice to get what you want."

"WHAT?!"

"Don't start."

"If that is the case, why is it always you then?" He was staring deeply into her eyes trying to relay something she was missing.

"What do you mean why me?"

"Why do I only come to you to take care of 'my needs'?"

"I guess I'm just familiar."

"That's bull." The was possibly the silliest thing she could have said, there are more expectations when it's someone you know you are making love to.

"And how do you figure that."

"It's easier to get with a girl you barely know, and besides I have a god damn fan club anyone of them have offered on more than one occasion and I haven't taken them up on anything."

She felt sad knowing women constantly threw themselves at him. She thrust herself out of his arms and Eriol and Ryu started alternating her again, leaving Syaoran alone on the floor. He was frustrated because she had missed the point of what he was trying to tell her.

He saw his mother ushering Sakura up the stairs to the stage to give her speech. After he let her finish he was someway going to get her to sit still and listen.

Sakura cleared her throat, "Good evening, this is one of the first functions to acknowledge the united clan. I am your hostess for the evening Kinomoto Sakura. Many of you don't know me but have received knowledge of me through my actions. With some guidance I have been able to add nearly a million dollars to our endowment. You may not realize this but I have been acting as the executive leader to the Li clan for some time now…" she paused expecting there to be an uproar, but all she heard was cold silence. She glanced at Yelan who made an encouraging motion.

"I um, had noticed some abuse among your collected leadership and struck a bargain with these individuals. It is time I complete my side of the deal. It has been my pleasure to serve you and to understand the inner workings of this magnificent clan. I have noticed great passion and traditional beliefs which are hard to come by in today's world. It will be my greatest honor to pass the torch of my leadership on to someone I am confident will bring more greatness to this small nation of people. Hiirigawaza Eriol please rise." Syaoran about fell out of his chair. What the hell was going on? Clow's reincarnation was not even a member of the Li Clan. He would be devastated if Eriol took over. He had already claimed Sakura's undying friendship, he wasn't weaseling him out of a clan too.

Her gaze swiveled towards him. "Li Syaoran please come forward to the symbol painted on the floor in front of me." Eriol was on the stage with her as Syaoran walked up towards the front of the room. On the floor was a sun and moon adjoined with stars forming a circle protectively around it. The magicians looked at each other as Syaoran stood on the symbol.

"Key which hides the powers of the dark…"

"Key which hides the powers of the stars…"

"Show your true form before me…"

"I Eriol, command you under our contract…"

"I, Sakura, command you under our contract…"

"Release…"

It was an impressive show of magic. Their clothes had changed. Eriol was wearing his blue sun robes, and Sakura was wearing a pink set with stars on them. Sakura whispered "memory." Syaoran glowed as she changed his clothes to those of his ceremonial robes. He had shredded these in a fit of passion knowing he would never see her again. The two magicians were far from finished yet.

"I Eriol, controller of the Sun and Moon…"

"I, Sakura, who holds the legacy of the stars…"

"Ask to unleash my powers in a new form…"

"To join Moon, Sun, and Stars…"

"To join Moon, Sun and Stars…"

"Under one power this night…"

"With powers combined…"

"Release our staffs a forced Unite…"

The room went blindingly bright and the symbol Syaoran was standing on turned into a second magic circle as Eriol's and Sakura's magic became one magical circle. Eriol held Sakura in front of him as they both grasped the wand. Their wands had changed into a one large staff that melded pink and gold along the pole like a candy cane. The Star sat on top of Sun and Moon. The three shapes spun as power was wielded through the staff.

Syaoran started to glow on top of the magical circle. Sakura spoke, "Li Xiao Lang, One true heir to the Li Empire. We give you what fate decided long ago. Move card, remove and open the possession I seek." Syaoran's sword was yanked out of his holder and flew in front of him opened. He couldn't move, but his eyes widened. He knew she was powerful but only he was supposed to be able to resurrect the sword, the power she was cultivating amazed him.

"Orb of power inside my body come forth and become one with your true leader." A light looked to be trying to push out from Sakura's body. Her face was contorted with pain and she was starting to have beads of sweat run down her face. She closed her eyes to concentrate as Eriol tried to hold her closer to absorb some of the pain. The orb of light broke free and was starting to spin out of control. She teetered for a moment in exhaustion, Eriol held her close to stabilize her.

"I'm alright," she said faintly. Her hands fanned out as Eriol took control of the staff. They stopped the orbs rotation and guided it toward Syaoran. His sword floated up to clash with it as it melded into the blade. Syaoran watched it right in front of his eyes and felt the rush of power he received, unlike Sakura it didn't hurt him only seemed to make him stronger.

Sakura said loud enough so the whole room could here. "All members of the Li clan please rise and recognize your new leader." All the Li's clapped while the Ling's remained seated. Ryu looked uncomfortable under her gaze. He sigh and stood clapping, he was looked at with surprise and then one by one the rest of the lings rose as well. It would be impossible after recent events to resurrect what was their old clan. The Li's were prosperous and together the clan was now China's top clan of leaders.

"As customary a new elder council will be formed." She seemed to need to catch her breath as Eriol started his part as Clow's reincarnation.

"Blood of my Blood, I wish to bestow upon you the gift of foresight. You will receive premonitions which will help you to aid your people to plan for the future. This is not something that can be controlled, premonitions only come at their own will, but not when you want them. These may be irrelevant, so think over them thoughtfully descendent of Clow Reed."

Syaoran looked pained within the magic circle as Sakura fought to stand upright. "I as well have a few gifts for you. Crystal blossom of my power make a link between my staff and this sword should your master be in need of my assistance. These two entities will become one when you are in grave danger use this wisely as my magic is difficult to control when it is out of my hands. I believe there are a few more things as well. Cards of Sakura appear." A crystallized Cherry blossom formed a pink emblem on the hilt of his sword.

Sakura looked powerful with her robes blowing around her as she grasped the staff with her and Eriol's combined might. All 58 cards sprang from her robes and enfolded in a circle around them.

"Cards I seek show yourself before me." Three cards remained as all the rest flew back into her clothing. She took a large breath and continued. "The return, the time, cards created by Clow, reborn under Sakura, discard your form and reincarnate under a new master, Li Xiao Lang." The cards true forms sprang out and swished around before forming a green card with a yin and yang symbol on the back. Sakura wobbled a bit and Eriol tried to keep them upright but he was losing power as well when she turned cards, this was precisely the reason she asked him to help her. He added a little more energy into the staff as she was able to stand a little bit straighter.

"Just one more, everything will be alright." The room grew bright from her pink aura. "Truth card made by Sakura discard you form and reincarnate under your new master, Li Xiao Lang." She wheezed slightly and willed herself to stay upright a little longer. "The truth card will allow you to determine the honesty with your people, yourself, and your enemies. This tool will become invaluable but do not over use it lest you will become paranoid. The return should help you locate a source depending on your needs. You can learn from leaders mistakes in the past and talk to those who are no longer with us. The time card is to give you a way to turn back time, mistakes will be made in your lifetime but everyone should have an undo button." She smiled brightly at him as he felt himself being able to move on the circle. It dissipated, but the magic was still present.

"My last Act before leaving shall be to erect a change of advisement, as I said before there will be a new collected body of elders…" She pitched slightly forward; her eyes had a will of their own as she tried to fall asleep. Eriol used the last of his strength and grabbed her back. She momentarily was awake. The two of them found a last spurt of magic and grasped the staff tightly in a white knuckle grip.

"By my legacy of the stars there are five points to complete a whole. Meiling Li, Ryu Ling-Li, Yelan Li, Shinto Ling-Li, Ying-Lai Li." The five people summoned were arranged around Syaoran like the points of a star. "By divine witness we have formed this group to guide your leader and care for a great people, may your will be strong, but your passion for the people be stronger." The magic circle burst with light and each of the five new members of the elder council were wearing a yin and yang symbol necklace which signified their position.

The magic around the circle dropped and Sakura crumpled to the floor, Eriol Fell to his knees from the energy drain trying to cradle her before succumbing to sleep himself. The staff started to teeter and with his absolutely last bit of strength he pulled a potion from his robe and threw it on the floor. You could hear the glass smashing and they both teleported in a flash of light. Syaoran had raced to the stage as soon as he saw Sakura fall, but he had been too late and now she was out of his grasp. His mother joined him on the stage. Yelan spoke clearly, "This concludes our formal announcements for the night; please enjoy the rest of the evening." She stepped away and people sat stunned before getting up to dance as the orchestra began to play again. Most people spent the remainder of the night discussing the quirks of the evening., A foreigner leading them? A non-Li?

Syaoran saw the attention was off him and proceeded to scour the building for her. She was not to be found. He went to her apartment and found all her personal belongings gone. He realized a bit too late she had left and taken his heart with her.