Card Captors~ Shadows In Darkness Part 2

            “Ahh so you did manage to make it after all, I was wondering why it was taking so long” She said in distain. Li glared at her “Who are you? And what do you want?” he demanded anger filling his voice at this woman’s condescending tone.

            “I’m here to kill the master of the cards and to take the powers.” She drawled in a lazy voice.

Auren stepped forward meeting her with strange violet eyes “Which Master?” he questioned calmly as black silver and blue cards spiraled around him. Sakura and the rest gasped except for Errol who smiled slightly at this, he had expected his younger brother to reveal the third deck of cards. The eyes of their enemy widened in shock as Sakura held her staff as well.

            “Yes which Master and Deck?” Clow spoke sharply as he created the illusion of his red black and gold deck swirled around him as he stepped forward as well.

            As Nemis’s eyes shifted to Sakura, Errol and Auren Yue did not like the look in her eyes gently he placed a light hand around Sakura’s waist. He did not like the look he saw in her eyes one bit as he now stood directly behind Sakura.

            “All of them” Nemis screeched as she threw a powerful blast at Sakura, Yue grabbed her and jumped into the air. Calling on his shards he shot them at their enemy, she waved the attack off. Yue landed further away drawing his bow he positioned himself at Sakura’s side and drew back the string, Nemis’s blast caught him in the chest throwing him into a tree. Rendering him almost senseless, he tried to get up but was unable to trembling weakly with a weak groan.

            Sakura was kneeling at his side Yue struggled to one knee as he saw the next attack coming he called upon the moon shield as the next blast slammed into his shield forcing them back. Her power was volatile and strong and it began to weaken as the black force continued to press on his shield. The power was buckling his shield.

            “Shield card protect us, Shield” Sakura shouted as the shield card came to her call just as Yue’s shield flickered out. Yue leaned back against the tree breathing raggedly and shaking weakly his strength severely diminished. How was she so strong? Who was she? Yue shook his head trying to clear it. But his vision remained fuzzy. The coming of the new moon was days away and he was already weak. Yue felt ready to vomit. He groaned softly, Sakura glanced at him in concern a worried look shining in her emerald eyes.

            “Lightening come to my aid. Element Lightening” Li yelled as his element hit their enemy drawing the attention away from Yue and Sakura. Nemis hissed as she lunched at Li

            “Stupid little boy” She screeched and was halted by fire blasts from Kero and Spinnel

She screamed in rage as Naruku attacked with both shard and arrow. Sakura joined her own power to the attack. “Get out of here.” She shouted.

            “Pyrea drive her off, I Auren command thee” Auren commanded as the flaming beast attacked and the enemy screamed and fled. Ice shards hit her as Yue combined his attack with Auren’s and Nemis fled.

            Yue dropped his hand tiredly and leaned against the tree he had been thrown into. Sakura was at his side holding his arm as he sagged to the ground.

            “Are you alright Yue. Have you been hurt?” She asked him as he panted for breath. Yue focused tired silver blue cat eyes on her.

            “I’m alright Sakura-chan I just feel strangely drained.” he answered softly smiling wearily as he stood slowly and painfully.

            “Let’s return to the manor, we can all stay there for the night, it will be safer if we are in a larger group. We stand a better chance together if we have to fight again.” Errol suggested, offering Madison his arm. Madison took it gazing at him with violet gray eyes.

    “Is it over Errol?” she asked shaken staying close to him, as he fixed her with a dark blue violet eyed gaze.

            “For now it is, but she will return and we must be ready for her when she does.” He stated softly.

            “At least she has no guardians.” Meilin stated confidently, Auren glanced calmly his blue violet eyes gleaming in the moonlight.

            “Or she has chosen not reveal them as of yet” he answered calmly in an ancient voice of wisdom. Sakura helped Yue to his feet with Julian’s assistance, and they slowly returned to Reed Manor.

            Errol helped make arrangements showing them where they could stay and which rooms were available. He lead Sakura up the stairs to a room with cherry blossom walls and a border of golden stars.
            “Here Sakura this is your room for your time here.” He said as Sakura entered and gasped her magic circle was painted in thin gold lines on the ceiling. The window faced out on the garden and had a clear view of the full moon. Her new bed was of cherry wood and it had pale pink sheets and blankets, the comforter had a combination of pale silver moons and gold stars.

            “You decorated this for me?” She asked Errol just smiled.

            “Well no actually, Naruku decorated it Yue’s room is next to it and Kero’s room is on the other side.”

            “Kero has a room?” Sakura asked with a funny look, Errol just laughed.

    Sakura went back down stairs, and helped her moon guardian up to his room. She noticed he seemed to be in pain. His room was pale blue with a silver border the blankets on his bed sprinkled with silver stars and moons. She left him to get changed as he had switched back into his false form. She went to her own room and found the closet stocked with not only Madison’s costumes but a whole brand new wardrobe. Getting changed into a pajama set she tried to sleep but couldn’t. She got up and went down to the gathering room where they had all sat before. She sat by the fire the others having gone to bed. She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn’t notice another person approaching.

    “Sakura are you alright?” Auren asked softly fixing Sakura with his strange eyes. Sakura looked up and smiled slightly.

    “I’m worried about Yue. Ever since Errol assisted me in separating he and Julian, I’ve been having strange dreams. In these dreams Yue is ill, some of them occur more than once. I want to protect him, I don’t want him to suffer any more.”

    “I can see you care for Yue deeply. Clow was right to choose you as his new Master. But I have looked into Yue’s future and I have seen him in a state of severe illness. He would lay his life down for you, you complete him Sakura and he loves you very much. Clow saw you in Yue’s future I am glad it has come to past, Yue needs you in his life.”

    “Auren? What about this evil how will we defeat her?” Sakura asked hesitantly

    “I do not know Sakura. Only time will reveal what is needed to be done.” He answered softly there for a time.

    Yue woke from a troubled dream, slowly returning to reality he lay there sensing his older brother snoring in his room. He frowned sitting up slowly when he could not feel Sakura in the next room. He sat in bed as he blinked slightly glassy eyes as he pushed back the pale blue blankets. He gazed around the room, his room as a child he sighed. Yue got up slowly and padded down the halls of his child hood returning to the library where they had gathered earlier, he noticed a fire crackling in the fireplace.

    “Sakura chan?” he questioned groggily and sleepily. Sakura went to him wrapping his arm about his waist.

    “Yue are you alright? What are you doing up?” She asked him looking into his unfocused silver blue eyes. Yue seemed slightly disoriented to Auren who did not say anything not wishing to worry Sakura with more things.

    “Get some sleep Sakura, we will talk more in the morning.” Auren told her softly, Sakura nodded helping her guardian up the stairs and leading her back to bed.

    Auren remained where he was as he smiled knowing someone had been in the shadows listening the entire time.

    “Could you not sleep either Brother?” he questioned gently, as Errol approached him sighing.

    “There are too many worries for me to sleep tonight. I fear that this battle will not only be for the cards but for Yue’s life. I fear for Yue’s life, it is going to be very hard on him, we both know how sensitive to fever and sickness he is. I fear Yue may not survive this battle.” Errol answered.

    Auren nodded bringing out the red black and gold cards in their sun pouch handing them over. Errol looked slightly surprised

    “You found the other two decks, the Zodiac cards and Celestial cards?” he asked. Auren nodded slowly.

    “As soon as I was reincarnated and reached the age of sixteen I reclaimed our decks. We will need all the power we can get in order to win the war that is to come. The Celestial cards will only obey you. They only answer to you.” Auren answered softly as he and Errol sat in a companionable silence.

    The next day Sakura woke, dressed in a sweet pale pink shirt and pants, as she went downstairs she was greeted by all the others except Yue.

    “Where is Yue?” she asked, Kero looked at her eating a plate of scrambled eggs.

    “Yue is still asleep he isn’t awake yet, he hasn’t come down.” Kero answered. Sakura frowned and went back upstairs to check on him. She found Yue still asleep tossing and turning, rushing over she ran her fingers through his silvery hair.

    “Yue, Yue wake up.” She said, Yue opened his luminous silver blue eyes, they were dull and tired.

    “Sakura” he croaked out. She stroked his hair, helping him to sit up.

    “It’s alright Yue nothing is going to harm you, I promise I will protect you. I won’t leave you like Clow.” She soothed him, he looked up at her breathing raggedly.

    “How are you feeling?” she asked quietly, Yue took a ragged breath blinking exhausted eyes.

    “I feel strange, tired, weak, and drained.” He answered having been broken of the habit of hiding things from her a year ago. “This is only natural though, the new moon is approaching.”

    “Do you feel up to getting dressed? Can you eat something? She asked and he nodded standing weakly Sakura supported him, he was very unsteady.

    “Let’s get you downstairs to eat something first. Then Julian can help you change.” She said gently helping him down the stairs. Yue sat down at the table, as Auren watched worriedly Yue put his head down on the table trying to ignore the strange sick feeling in his stomach. Yue was extremely pale, much paler then he was normally if that was even possible.

    “Sakura, may I just have White tea please. I don’t think I can manage any food at the moment” he whispered putting his head back down on the table allowing his body to slump against the solid object.

    “Oh Yue” Sakura murmured softly as she went to boil water only to find Errol was already boiling the water and mixing in a golden white colored powder. A fragrant soothing smell issued from the kettle.

    “Here help him drink this; it should help restore his energy.” Errol said softly handing her the mug. Auren approached Yue hesitantly and eased him back leaning the angel against him. Yue had the same glazed feverish look that he’d had after the battle. Auren did not like the sickly tinge that had begun to set in.

    “It’s alright dear Yue, just lean against me, and trust me” He soothed Yue tensed for a moment before slumping against him. Sakura lifted the cup to his lips and tilted it slightly Yue slowly drained its contents, before resting against Auren. Sakura got up and refilled the cup with Errol’s special tea and coaxed Yue to drink it down.

    Yue coughed hard, and moaned weakly as both Auren and Errol exchanged worried looks. Auren eased Yue to his feet.

    “Yue, let’s take you back up to bed, you need rest.” He soothed the moon guardian, Yue only leaned heavily on Auren as Clow’s brother gently guided him back to his room helping Yue to lie back down. Auren placed a hand against the Moon Guardian’s brow to discover it was heating up fast. Yue watched Auren with glazed eyes.

    “Why didn’t you reveal yourself sooner?” he whispered softly, gazing up at Auren from the bed, where he lay in pale blue silk pajamas. Auren drew the blankets over Yue so that he would not become chilled.

    “I’m sorry dear Yue, I had to gather the other decks, to reclaim them from where they had been hidden. It was not my wish to cause you pain.”Auren responded. Yue’s eyes held a hint of the betrayal Auren knew he must have felt from losing the younger magician. From downstairs they felt a powerful surge of magic and frantic voices.

    “SAKURA NO! DO NOT RISK THIS! IT’S TOO DANGEROUS!” Errol cried out, Auren was on his feet as Yue stumbled out of bed and grabbed Auren for support the two men made their way downstairs. Yue gave a strangled gasp when they came to the common room, Sakura hung over her magical seal suspended in mid air. Something shone between her hands, her wand lay forgotten across her seal.

    “Sakura” Yue managed in a strangled voice, his strength was fast leaving him.  Errol shone brightly as Clow came forward and caught the weakened moon angel as he collapsed to his knees. Two cards appeared in Sakura’s hands and the magic vanished.

    “Yue, are you alright my son?” Clow asked softly, Yue opened dull silver blue eyes.           

    “Master Clow” he whispered “I feel so strange I don’t understand.”

    “Shh Yue” he soothed, holding the guardian close. Errol could feel Yue beginning to become warm and feverish as he was unable at present to draw power from Sakura. Yue was becoming lighter in his arms. Clow placed a hand on Yue’s brow sustain the moon guardian with enough magic to prevent him from fading.

    “What is happening to me?” he asked weakly. It wasn’t even the new moon and he felt severely weakened.

    “You need rest” Clow answered gently laying Yue down. He went to check on Sakura. Luckily she wasn’t dead just exhausted. Clow picked up the cards she had just created. They were new cards he’d never seen before. Clow placed the cards with the rest of Sakura’s deck. He then returned to the moon guardian. Yue lay motionless where he had been lain and he was fighting for air. The dark sickness had already begun to weaken and eat away at the protective shields that prevented Yue from being at the mercy of sickness.

    Clow gently lifted Yue in his arms and held him. The new cards was under the moon angel’s jurisdiction. This explained why Yue was now so weak. Clow carried Yue up to his bedroom and lay him down. He drew the blankets over the unconscious guardian, tucking them firmly around him. Auren joined him.

    “How is he?” Auren questioned. Clow glanced at his brother.

    “I am gravely worried Auren. The new moon is fast approaching. Yue is already so very weak. I am not sure how much Yue can take. The new moon drains Yue not only brings down his shields but it severely drains him of his energy. I am afraid that at this rate he may not survive the new moon with the toll that this illness and his already weakened condition has taken on him. I am worried that the battle will be the judge of Yue’s survival.”

    “I have seen this many times in my dreams. I believe that Sakura has also seen it in her dreams though she is not aware of what her dream is representing. Yue’s life now hangs in the balance. The dream was a warning of what could be. It is a premonition in which if this new evil wins Yue will die.”

    Sakura woke groggily, she found Kero staring at her disapprovingly and slightly miffed.

    “What happened?” she asked him as she sat up. Kero shifted in irritation. Sakura noticed Yue was not present in the room.

    “What you did was very dangerous. You created two very powerful cards. And under Yue’s jurisdiction. Yue is already weak to begin with. What were you thinking?” Kero reprimanded. Sakura wilted.

    “I felt something inside Kero. All I could think of was helping Yue, saving Yue from whatever is hurting him.” She said quietly. “Where is Yue?”

     “Resting in his room, he is extremely weak. With the evil sickness attacking his shields attempting to spread through his body and the coming new moon it has taxed him greatly. Also the creation of new cards under his jurisdiction depleted what strength he had left. I would not recommend trying that again Sakura. Unlike me Yue must rely on you for some of his energy. He can generate his power and magic on his own, but most of his strength and energy are sustained by how strong your magic is. You in other words sustain Yue’s energy. He does not have a huge reserve of his self supporting energy. When you created that card Yue was already so depleted that he was in danger of fading. Clow assisted him with a bit of his magic but Yue is not doing well. Auren is watching over him. ”

            Sakura threw the blankets off and got up feeling slightly tired still but she had to see Yue. Padding softly out of her room to Yue’s which was next to hers. She knocked softly on the door. Errol opened the door.

            “Hello Sakura,” he said calmly as he came out of the room,

            “How is Yue, Errol? Is he alright?” Sakura asked in panic.

            Errol pushed the wire framed glasses up on his nose and looked down at her. He came out into the hall shutting the door softly behind him.

            “At the moment it would be best if Yue has a few moments of quiet. I must speak with you for a moment Sakura.” He answered leading her down the hall to his study. Sakura followed him and sat when he told her.

            Errol studied her through violet gray eyes, lacing his fingers together.

            “Sakura, do you understand the cost of what you did today?” He questioned. Sakura felt fear choke her throat.

            “I never meant for anyone to be hurt. There was this feeling, I can’t explain it. Please I love Yue I would never hurt him.”

            Errol looked grimly into the fire. Sakura fell silent, she wanted Errol to say something.

            “What you did was extremely dangerous and because of it the situation is dire. Yue is severely weakened. He is very ill Sakura. He was already weakening due to the coming of the new moon. The attack only worsened his condition. I cannot say he is dying because it hasn’t progressed that far. But it is safe to say Yue cannot take much more of this. We must win this war if Yue is to have any hope of surviving. Also you would do well not to create anymore cards under Yue’s jurisdiction for the time being unless you have no other choice.”

            “May I go see him?” Sakura asked, her voice was thick with tears. Errol nodded and Sakura rushed from the room. She stood outside Yue’s room for a moment before opening the door. The curtains were open as were the large windows which let in a refreshing cool breeze. The waning moon cast a feeble silvery light across the bed where Yue lay. Sakura approached the bed. Yue was sickly pale, sweat beaded the angles brow, the effort of his shields fighting to prevent the sickness from taking hold was costing him. Tremor’s ran through Yue’s slender body; his shaggy silver hair was plastered and tangled around his face.

            Sakura nearly sobbed at the sight of him. Reaching down she gently gripped his hand, usually his hand was cool but tonight it was clammy. Yue slowly opened his pale silvery blue eyes.

    “Sakura?” He croaked in whisper, Sakura settled on the bed sitting next to him. She could not believe what she was seeing.  Her Yue one of the strongest of the guardians slowly succumbing to sickness.

    “My brothers told me what you did.” His smooth silver voice was raspy. Sakura flinched, she knew he was probably angry with her. He hated when she did dangerous things.

    “Do you have the cards?” Yue questioned, he looked a bit stronger. Sakura ran her fingers through her guardian’s silver hair.

    “You need to rest.” She told him gently, taking his long slender hand.  His hands were so talented, his thin slender fingers were adept at playing the piano and painting the most ethereal art. But they were dangerous as well.

    “Sakura,” his voice became stern though it still betrayed his weakness. “I wish to see the card under my jurisdiction.” He stated, sitting up and sinking back against the head board. The effort left him feeling sick and dizzy. Sakura took out the new cards. In the months she’d been the Mistress of the Cards she’d created a total of six new cards. But she’d just created two more under his sign. Sakura handed them to him, Yue held them examining them. Slowly he tossed them into the air where they hung glowing a silver blue.

            “Reveal your names and purpose. I, Yue the guardian of the moon and the Judge command thee.”

            The cards flashed brightly and appeared to them one was an elf like female holding a cloth and bowl. The other was similar to the light card a seven pointed star shone on his brow.

            The first card floated forward. “I am Heal. The Mistress wants to help you so I was created.”

            The second card floated forward. “I am Save I hope I will be needed in the future.”

Yue nodded slowly, feeling extremely dizzy. His head pounded and his stomach was the worst kind of sick. It was all he could do to hold himself together returning the cards to their card form. He trembled violently before fainting. Auren came in and found Sakura holding Yue in her arms. The moon guardian was completely limp, having collapsed against his mistress his head lay weakly on her shoulder; his face was beaded with sweat. Kero came running into the room.

            “What happened?” he demanded. Auren helped Sakura lay Yue back on the bed, folding the blankets over him.

            Auren held the cards that had been on the bed. “I believe he commanded them to reveal their true forms.”

            Kero looked sad, “Little brother, you need to hang in there.” He said quietly. Auren placed a hand on Kero’s head. “It is best to allow him rest Keroberus, come let’s let him sleep.”

            “You both go ahead, I want to be here in case my brother needs something.”

Auren nodded and placed a hand on Sakura’s shoulder, Sakura looked at Yue tears sparkling in her green eyes.

            “Please come and get me if he needs me.” She said, Auren guided her out of the room. Kero climbed up onto his younger brother’s bed and lay down lying his head in Yue’s lap.

            “You need to be alright Yue. You need to beat this.” He stated softly.

Yue woke the next morning to find his older brother’s head resting in his lap. The sickness and dizziness had gone though he still felt weak. It was about ten o clock in the morning.

            “Oni chan?” Yue called softly. Kero stirred then looked up at his brother.

            “You’re awake, how are you feeling?”

            “Much better, I am hungry.” Yue responded, his voice sounded pale and tired but he felt better than he had. Auren entered helping Yue out of bed and to get cleaned up. Yue showered and dressed in pale comfortable house clothes. Auren helped him down the stairs where the others were relieved to see him somewhat recovered. After they’d had breakfast they gathered in the common room. Sakura embraced Yue happy to see him well.

    “So now what are we going to do?” Li questioned. Errol pressed his fingertips together.

    “What do we know about this new foe?” He said. Auren nodded.

    “The Nemis is after the Master’s of the cards. The Star Cards in particular.” Auren stated “What we need to determine is what kind of magic she possesses. Is she acting alone or does she have a greater power that she is working with.” He answered.

    “We know her name is Nemis. I believe her power is not compatible with the Cards. When she was attacking me, it was unlike any other power I have ever experienced.”

    “She is a dark based power. It is a strange power.” A girl with coal black hair and sapphire blue eyes stood in the doorway. Her sister was identical to her except for the color of her eyes which were silver gray.

    “Katara, Kasumi you have made it.” Auren greeted.

    “Greetings Auren, we received your message and have come to join your battle. We recently moved here and felt the evil that has appeared. Katara has inherited your Moon cards. Where I am in control of the elements, my guardians are Orrias and Skiddy. Katara’s guardians are Kana and Ryuu.”

            “Auren, the lady who seeks to destroy Sakura is of a rival family of your’s and Clows she seeks to possess all the cards. She wishes to weaken Sakura by destroying that which is precious to her. The name of the woman who controls Nemis is Odara.” They felt the force from in the town, black and evil and much stronger.

            “Looks like we arrived none too soon.” Katara stated softly, Ryuu glanced at her

They hurried to the park Tory and Julian remaining behind at the mansion preparing for when the others returned. Yue was in bed when he felt the dark presence. Julian tried to convince him that he was to stay but Yue could only think of the danger Sakura was in. The battle was fierce as everyone used cards.

            The evil sorceress aimed a bolt of dark violet power at the young Card Mistress as Sakura was distracted fighting an earthen creature created out of mud. There was a flash of white as Yue grabbed Sakura and leapt into the sky. Bur the bolt hit Yue’s side. Sakura felt him gasp in pain as he landed and set her down. Odara glared hatefully at them. Again she lashed out at Yue, but with a flash of light Windy blocked the power and Mirror reflected it back at its maker.

            “You better watch out for your moon flower he seems ill.” She cackled. Windy turned towards Yue and cushioned him as Yue sank to his knees. He was jerking trying to draw a full breath. Silvery red blood dripped from between his fingers as his other arm hung limp at his side. He collapsed limply towards the ground. Auren caught him and held him. Errol and Sakura rushed to his side. His breath was labored and he had fainted. Kasumi looked up at the sky. Ryuu followed her gaze.

            “They are eclipsing the moon, because they know that Yue is more sensitive the phases of the moon, which will give them a greater advantage over us.”

            Sakura’s power flared brightly, “YOU WILL LEAVE HIM ALONE!” she screamed. Rage took her as she summoned multiple cards all four elements, sword. Dark and Light all in their true forms. And then she did something no one expected. She destroyed the girls evil guardians. Odara fled and Sakura’s friends and guardians were staring at her with close to awe.

            “Yue?” Sakura called. But her angel did not regain consciousness. His thin frame hung limp in Errol’s arms. They returned to the Clow mansion, with a new sense of fear. Fear and worry for Yue’s condition was evident in everyone’s mind.

            Yue was placed in bed and his side and arm were bound. This time Sakura remained with him. She lay down next to him, holding his frail form. Feeding him magic while he slept willing him to pull through this latest attack.

            Yue woke the next morning wracked with pain, vertigo and nausea. Uncomfortably he coughed hard his whole body quaking from his coughing. This only served to make his sick and dizzy head pound more painfully.

            “I am going to be ill.” He whispered, his cool, silvery velvet voice rough and hoarse. Sakura held the bin for him and he vomited. Yue continued to grow worse as the day went on. Finally exhausted he gave into a deep sleep. Once he was resting Sakura left Kero watching over him.

            Sakura was afraid for him, she went to Errol and Auren. The Card Mistress looked at the pair. Tears filled her green eyes as fear and panic resonated through her.

    “What can I do to help Yue? He’s becoming worse. There must be something we can do.”

Errol slowly shook his head. “His illness is tied to the fight with this new battle. The only way I can see of saving Yue is do not lose this battle.” He answered, Auren looked sympathetic.

            “Is this some other kind of sick test? One meant to test me in some other way?” she sobbed. Sakura was breaking apart, this fight was wounding her golden heart and Errol looked sadly at her.

            “I am afraid this is no test that I can control Sakura. This woman is Clow’s enemy that we thought was sealed. She was a daughter of a Sorceress named Bakia. After that my memories fade.”

            “Please Errol, you have Clow’s knowledge. Help Yue, break their link on the moon. Do something.”

            Unknown to the three in the room Yue had heard their discussion and tread silently down the hall.

    “Sakura” Yue stood in the doorway looking pale, “Sakura, you must focus. You cannot be distracted by my illness. Focus on the cards and thinking of a solution to defeat Odara.” Yue answered his silvery voice soothed the Card Mistress to a point.

            Sakura crossed to him wrapping her arms around his thin frame. She snuggled into the warmth of his body. He smelled like the night after it rained. Cool and fresh despite his sickness.

            “Yue, I won’t let you die.” Sakura said, the look of determination in her eyes was not like anything Yue had seen before. This look was much deeper, stronger. Yue sighed he wouldn’t let her worry.

            “Sakura, you may not have a choice.” Errol said softly. Sakura turned towards him anger flashing in her eyes. Suddenly her magic flared, they could feel the warm golden magic of the Card Mistress the aura of her magic almost rivaled Clow Reed’s level of power.

            “It is time for me to stop playing stupid little girl. They are trying to Eclipse the moon because Yue is sensitive to the phases of the moon. It’s time to play by my rules, not that twit’s. I have been speaking to the older cards. Windy, Light and Dark as well as the Elemental cards, they have been teaching me more and now I know how to summon multiple cards in unison to work together in combination with one another. It is time to show that witch that I earned my right as Card Mistress and I am not going to lie down while she kills my Moon Angel.” Sakura stalked out of the room.

            Yue looked exhausted; he looked to his former Masters. “How much time do I have left?” he asked them quietly his smooth voice strained with exhaustion. Errol looked softly Yue, Auren stood and guided Yue to a seat.

            “We are unsure, by all rights you are stronger then Clow believed possible. But your illness is tied to the battle. The evil beings we now fight against are eclipsing the moon. They must be very powerful if they are able to do so. Yue we do not know how much time you will have once the poison overcomes your shields. If they succeed in eclipsing the moon, your reserves of magic will wane. You will be at death’s door. Because Sakura has given you a new false human form and altered that form to be human, you may yet have a chance. But once the poison has overcome your shields you will not be able to return to your guardian form. You will be trapped as human, though some magic will remain.” Errol answered. “Your illness might be slowed down if you revert to your human form for now Yue.”

            Yue looked calmly at them, his wings folded tightly against his back. If he was rendered human with only slight access to his magic he would be unable to protect his Star. His strength was weakening. He could feel it but he would not leave Sakura unprotected. Yue groaned as pain pulsed through him.

            “But what about my Mistress” he gasped Yue’s knees began to buckle and Errol caught him. In magical ability he forced Yue to revert to his human form, hoping it would slow the illness now compromising his shields. Yue lay chalky white in his arms. What would they do if Yue were to die? For once even Errol was at a loss of what to do.

            “If Yue dies I fear that Sakura will turn to darkness.” He said softly. Sakura felt overwhelmed by everything. She needed to get away. Sakura fled into the large walled garden fleeing back to the huge old sakura tree. Using the Jump card she got up into it’s branches climbing as high as she could. From her safe hide away she looked up at the stars. The moon was a thin crescent in the sky.

            “How are we going to defeat this new threat?” she asked herself scanning the cards. But then Yue entered her thoughts. Tears filled Sakura’s eyes, everything seemed so hopeless. Yue was sick, after everything had finally worked out now he was being dragged into a fight he may not survive.