DISCLAIMER: I don’t own Card Captor Sakura.

A/N: Wow. I’ve been planning on revising this story of mine. Hehehe… There won’t be any plot change at all. The renovation of this fic will only be structural. This is my first fic ever and it means a lot to me, but a little fix won’t do any bad, right ? –Sigh- Those were my first days here…

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Greatest Sacrifice; Ch1

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It was like every other nights in Tomoeda. Boring. Utterly boring. There he was, unable to take advantage of every entertainment that was around him—the television, the play station, etc., and he didn’t even know why! Helpless, Kero sat on Sakura’s arm, perhaps thinking of a way to please her and allow him to play. Better yet, eat.

However, he didn’t quite expect what happened. A sudden zap of voltage hit him. “OUCH!” he yelled as he felt pain. Reflexes allowed him to evacuate his mistress’s arm quickly, falling onto the ground.

But something was wrong. He didn’t land. To think the bed was not a meter away from the floor, he should’ve landed in a split second. He was falling in the middle of nowhere… He looked around him and saw the Cherry Tree in the Tsukimine Shrine. He wanted to go near it but he fell on the floor, seeing Spinel Sun. He ran into his rival and touched his shoulder to approach him, but he felt the same pain when he sat on Sakura’s arm.

“…What the?!”

“You still have time.” A familiar voice said.

“Time? What do you mean? Is that you, Clow?”

“You can do it. I’ll give you time.” Another voice said, but this time, it was a woman. “I’ll help you. But you have to be quick.”

“In what?” Kero asked, confused. “Who are you?”

--

“KERO-CHAN!” Sakura yelled.

And in an instant, the magical creature snapped out of his dream, meeting Sakura’s green eyes.

“What’s wrong?”

“Uh…” he looked around, just to make sure. Yes. He was awake. Whatever that was is a dream. “…I had a weird—hey, wait a sec.” The thought immediately left him as he noticed Sakura’s ensemble. “Are you going somewhere?”

“What do you think, Kero-chan?” Sakura asked Keroberos, while posing in front of the mirror, wearing a sleeveless white dress that fit her perfectly. “Is it good? Does it look good on me? Does it make me look… fat?”

He shook his head in reply. “Not one bit! It looks good on you.” Kero said. “Ooh, it’s my first time to see that! I never even saw that in your closet before! Who’s it from?”

“This is what I got from Syaoran-kun for my birthday. I don’t keep it in my closet coz it’s extra special. He told me to wear this when he returns from Hong Kong.” She explained to him, cheeks tainting light pink.

“And you call it a birthday present?” Kero asked, disapproving. “That boyfriend of yours is stupid as usual. Like a kid, nyahahahahaha” he added, laughing hysterically. "I can't believe you like him!"

“What was that?!” She puffed her face in anger. “Take that back, Kero-chan!”

“Fine, fine whatever.” Kero spat, trying to stop himself from laughing. Or else Mistress Sakura will get mad again... that won't be good.

Sakura turned around—away from Keroberos. “B-besides, he’s not my boyfriend.”

“Yet.” He rolled his eyes.

“What? Did you say something?”

“No, nothing. Bring me some Takuyaki, okay?” he said as he rested himself on Sakura's bed. Takoyaki, his ever-favorite food. That would compensate for everything, he guessed.

Sakura nodded.

--

“Morning,” she greeted as she ran down the stairs, hoping to find her brother and her father doing their usual morning routine. However, there was nobody who replied to her greeting. She looked around. Touya wasn’t cooking, and her father wasn’t either. Anxious, she looked at the whiteboard to see their schedules.

DAD: Important meeting going home late. Might eat dinner here.

TOYA: Work. Will be here for dinner with Yuki.

SAKURA: is the monster who overslept… again.

“Oh, so they’re both not he—” She turned around, as if she missed something very important. A vein popped in her forehead when she found the is the monster who overslept… again written beside her name. Obviously, it was her brother who did that. She quickly erased it, gripping onto the eraser as hard as she can to release stress. Onii-chan you… !!

SAKURA: With Tomoyo-chan. Might go home late, eating dinner here.

--

Sakura went to the airport with Tomoyo, her best friend. They stayed and waited in the departure area, and have been there for around ten or fifteen minutes already. Of course, it didn’t beat their anticipation to see their other friend, the other part of their trio.

The girls were bewildered when they saw his signature chocolate brown hair. “Syaoran-kun!” Sakura yelled as she waved at the sight of Syaoran.

Syaoran looked around him to track the familiar voice calling his name. “Sakura,” he smiled, carrying his bags and walking towards the ladies.

“Welcome back, Li-kun.” Tomoyo bowed. “How was your trip?”

“It was alright, thanks.” Syaoran told Tomoyo. He turned his head at Sakura. “How are you?”

“I’m alright. How about you?”

“I’m glad to be back.”

They were staring at each other for some seconds. Until somebody trespassed their imaginary circle, “oh come on, don’t be bashful you know you both want to.” Someone suddenly popped out and pushed Syaoran into Sakura.

Syaoran immediately fell over Sakura. He managed to hold Sakura so that they won’t fall on to the floor.

“Hoe! Meilin-chan!” Sakura pointed at the raven-haired lady who stood nearby them. “I-it’s you!!”

“Meilin! What are you doing here?” Syaoran asked. He, too, was shocked. “I don’t remember bringing you with me in the flight…”

Tomoyo smiled. “I’m glad you made it on time, Meilin-chan.”

“Hoe?”

--

“I came here yesterday,” Meilin told them as she swung herself on the swing in Penguin Park. There hadn’t been much differences. Actually, nothing changed at all. “Without any of you knowing.”

“I thought you locked yourself up in your room.” Syaoran clearly remembered.

“You did that?!” Sakura interfered.

The brunet nodded. “She was heartbroken, apparently.”

“Exactly.” Meilin said, and then she choked on her words “W-wait, no I wasn’t! I was just pretending to be locked up in my room so I’ll surprise you! I know that Syaoran won’t allow me to come with him no matter what. I had to be aggressive!”

“Hoe?” Sakura asked, confused. She looked at Syaoran, who shook his head, as if saying ‘no, hell would I do that.’

“I asked Meilin-chan to use the newest device from my mother’s company. It’s like a recorder that’ll automatically work if you hold the material it’s connected to.” Tomoyo explained. “It was a perfect device for Meilin-chan, actually.” She continued. “She needed something that would distract them, while I needed someone to test the newest product.”

“So that’s why I didn’t see you the entire day yesterday...” Syaoran contemplated. “That means those yells weren’t really you…”

“They were me, of course! It just wasn’t live.” Meilin smiled. “I stayed at Daidouji-san’s place for the night. Until when are you staying here, Syaoran?”

“A week,” Syaoran said. “I’ll be leaving exactly seven days from now... which is Saturday.”

“What about you, Meilin-chan?” Sakura asked.

“I’ll stay here until Thursday. Just to catch up with Daidouji-san’s birthday,”

“Thank you very much, Meilin-chan. I greatly appreciate your presence for my birthday.”

Meilin smiled and saw the ice cream truck coming.

“Ice cream!” she stood up from the swing and pointed intensely at the truck like a child. “Ice cream!” She repeated.

“Would you like one, Meilin-chan?” Sakura asked fondly.

“Why, yes!”

“What about you, Tomoyo-chan, Syaoran-kun?”

“No thanks,” Syaoran declined. “I’m stuffed.”

Sakura stood up from her swing. “What about you Tomoyo-chan? Do you want ice cream too? My treat!”

“I don’t want an ice cream, but thanks for asking.” She told her best friend.

“Okay... then...” Sakura grabbed Meilin’s wrist, “hurry,” and ran into the ice cream truck, leaving Syaoran and Tomoyo alone. The two of them stood comfortably away from each other—Tomoyo was standing beside Meilin’s swing, while Syaoran on the other side of Sakura’s swing.

“It’s a good thing they’re both athletic.” Tomoyo said. “Sakura-chan and Melin-chan really do have a lot in common.”

“I almost forgot it’s your birthday on Thursday.” Syaoran said. “Is that why you asked me to come here so suddenly?”

Tomoyo smiled. “That’s one of the reasons why I’m asked you to come here.” She confirmed. “Plus Sakura-chan seemed to miss you a lot, too. I don’t want to see Sakura-chan sad for my birthday. I’d be sad as well if she were sad.”

“Yeah,”

“By any chance, did I bother you?”

“No, not really, I’d actually have to thank you.” Syaoran said. They looked at Sakura and Meilin who were picking ice cream. “I...I really wanted to... to see her.” He admitted. “I only needed a reason to.”

Tomoyo smiled. “You don’t need to have a reason to visit us here, Li-kun. Sakura-chan and I will like that very much…” She explained to him. “Especially Sakura-chan.” They watched as their friends bought ice cream. “You know, Li-kun, she smiles differently when you’re around.”

He blushed.

“Tomoyo-chan! Syaoran-kun!” Sakura waved, calling their attention. “Hurry! Hurry!”

“Coming,” Tomoyo said. “Shall we go?”

“Yeah.”

--

“A voodoo doll? Who would ever want to use something like that, right?” Meilin asked Tomoyo as the four of them were walking home. It had gotten dark, and they’ve been to quite a lot of places in Tomoeda already.

“Probably witches, Meilin-chan,” Tomoyo chuckled.

Meilin jumped. “Exactly! And you know there are also…”

“Voodoo doll?” Sakura asked in amusement. “I wonder how that topic came up to Meilin-chan and Tomoyo-chan’s conversation.”

“Yeah,” Syaoran agreed. “Demo, it’s Meilin. She can talk about anything.”

There was a brief moment of silence before Sakura decided to speak up. “U-uhm, so you’re leaving on Saturday already? That’s… kinda fast…”

He knew he couldn’t agree more, but he couldn’t tell her. In fact, he didn’t want to go through the topic of leaving anymore. “Did anything happen while I was gone? Did you use any of the cards?”

“No,” Sakura said. “I haven’t been using the Clow Cards since the Sealed Card. Oh yeah, I remember, I used the Sweet on my Big Brother’s birthday since the cake I baked didn’t taste good...” Sakura gave Syaoran an embarrassed smile.

“I see.” Syaoran said.

“But it was too sweet.” She continued. “And Onii-chan doesn’t really like anything that I make!” She remembered, frustrated. “He thanked me but called me the planet’s worst baker! Onii-chan is really a meanie!”

Syaoran spat. He wasn’t exactly fond of Sakura’s older brother. “Let’s see him bake then.”

“It was alright since—wait, did you say something?”

He shook his head, gesturing her to continue.

“Oh okay. Uhm… where was I? Ah, yes! It was okay since Kero-chan ate it. Kero-chan still loves sweets so much that he finished the entire cake by himself! I was amazed… I’m pretty sure it wasn’t that good, but hey!” Then she opened her eyes as if she just remembered something “Oh yea!”

He cocked an eyebrow. “…Yea?”

Sakura looked over at her best friend, and Syaoran followed her gaze. He immediately got what she intended.

“Yeah.” Syaoran said. “But I think she’ll be the one baking the cake for you... Knowing Daidouji...”

“But that’s not right! We should still try… our best, you know.”

“Yeah,” He agreed.

“Let’s stop by the bakeshop then? Or maybe the library?”

“Okay.”

“It’s Meilin-chan and Li-kun!” They heard somebody acknowledge their presence.

Sakura and Syaoran took a look.

“It’s Chiharu-chan and Yamazaki-kun!” Sakura grinned.

They ran into them, together with Tomoyo and Meilin who came in first.

“I didn’t know you were coming back!” Chiharu said. “And just on time for Tomoyo-chan’s birthday!”

“That’s exactly why we came here!” Meilin told her. “How are you?”

“We’re fine,”

“That’s great!”

“Oh, yeah, I just remembered, tomorrow I’m going to the indoor swimming pool together with Yamazaki-kun, Rika-chan and Naoko-chan. Wanna come with us?” Chiharu asked. “Everyone’s still here and they all miss you!”

“Sure!” Meilin said. “We’re not doing anything tomorrow, right?”

Syaoran shrugged. “I don’t think so.”

“No, I’d gladly come with you...if that’d be okay...”

“Of course it’s okay!” Chiharu said. “What about you, Tomoyo-chan?”

“I’m not doing anything tomorrow so please do take me with you.” Tomoyo said.

“Alright then, we’ll meet at the Train Station?” Chiharu said. “Tomorrow at 10:00 a.m!”

“Did you know,” Yamazaki suddenly said while popping out of nowhere in front of Sakura and Syaoran—his two and only constant victims. “That trains, before, were made of Glass?” He lectured them, eyes still closed.

“Hoe?” Sakura was bewildered. Syaoran’s face was filled with confusion and amazement at the same time. “Glass!” she added. “But... but that’ll crack easily! And… and the—”

“Not the glasses before. They were strong!” Yamazaki said. “They were actually stronger than diamonds!”

“HOE?!”

“Those glasses were everlasting and very strong and the doors can’t ever be opened when it’s moving. It’s actually more hi-tech than the trains we have today because they were not only computer-powered, but the drivers and ushers inside are ROBOTS! But one day, a train caught fire and the doors won’t open, so everyone inside died. The relatives of the people inside—”

Chiharu grabbed Yamazaki’s ear. “We’ll see you tomorrow, then...” she said as she dragged Yamazaki away, though it didn’t really stop him from talking.

… who died had so much pain that they decided to do something to demolish all the glass trains and make non-glass trains. I believe the glasses used for the trains are buried under the deepest part of the Pacific Ocean.”

“Th-the pacific ocean?!” Sakura repeated in disbelief.

“H-how’s that supposed to happen?” The brunet thought aloud.

“Simple.” Yamazaki continued, though they were considerably far already. “They asked the Ghost Sharks to bury it.”

“GHOST sharks!” Sakura yelled. “You mean the spirits of the sharks?”

“No, a ghost shark is a kind of a shark which lives under the sea. They are barely seen coz they live way down below the body of water. You’d be lucky enough to see one in your lifetime.” Yamazaki said as-a-matter-of-factly.

“ENOUGH with your lies, Yamazaki-kun.” Chiharu said. They turned right.

“A lie...?” Syaoran said.

“If it was a lie then the ghost sharks are really ghosts—”

“That part wasn’t a lie, Kinomoto-san.” Meilin said,

Sakura sighed.

--

Meilin and Tomoyo said their goodbyes to Syaoran and Sakura. They have passed by the Daidouji palace before Sakura’s house, and instead of renting a hostel, Tomoyo kindly offered her house to them. Meilin and Tomoyo reasoned being tired for asking to be left, while Syaoran, being the gentleman that he was, chose to bring Sakura in her house before returning to rest.

“We’ll see you later then, Syaoran.” Meilin waved goodbye to Sakura and Syaoran.

“Then, if you may excuse us here,” Tomoyo bowed. “Please be careful.”

“Yeah.”

“Thank you, Tomoyo-chan.”

--

Thanks for reading, please do review. Much appreciated.