The Past Returns

Sakura's Magical Evolution

In the quiet of her room, Sakura held the grey bear Syaoran had given her, a simple reminder of their time together. Her peaceful sleep was shattered by an annoying ringing, pulling her back to consciousness. She sighed, burrowing deeper under the blankets in a futile attempt to escape the noise.

As the sound grew more irritating, Sakura's groans turned into frustrated mutters. She reached out, fumbling for the alarm clock. When she finally found it, she pressed the snooze button, but to her dismay, the ringing continued.

"Stupid alarm clock," she muttered groggily. But as her sleepiness faded, she realized her mistake—it wasn't her alarm clock; it was her phone.

With a reluctant sigh, Sakura got out of bed and reached for her phone. She squinted at the bright screen and sleepily answered, "Hello...?"

"Sakura?" came a voice from the other end.

"Huh?" Sakura mumbled, rubbing her eyes.

"It's Tomoyo. I'm on my way to your place right now. I know it's early, but—" Another voice interrupted in the background, causing Tomoyo to cut herself off. "Look, I have to go. See you soon."

The call ended abruptly, leaving Sakura staring at her phone. Her brow furrowed as she wondered, What could Tomoyo want so early?

Kero, who had roused from his slumber, fluttered over to Sakura, rubbing his eyes with tiny paws. "Who was calling you so early?"

Sakura let out a sigh and replied, her voice still carrying the remnants of sleepiness. "It was Tomoyo... She said she's on her way here, right now."

Kero, always eager for sweets, couldn't help but add, "I hope she brought us some treats."

But then, Kero's playful demeanour shifted as he noticed Sakura's troubled expression. "What's wrong? You've been distant since sealing the Void Card. Are you sure it didn't take that feeling away?" he inquired, his fuzzy face displaying genuine concern.

"I'm sure," Sakura responded, her tone weighted with solemnity. "Tomoyo was right about the Void and Nameless Cards merging to create the Hope Card. My feelings of love are intact. It's just... Touya and I had a major argument, and I've never seen him so upset. Usually, we patch things up within a few hours, but this time he brought Syaoran into it. He yelled at me for trusting Syaoran too much."

Sakura's voice trembled as she continued, pacing back and forth in her room. "Kero, I love Syaoran. It took me a long time to realise it, and even longer to tell him. But now that I have, I don't want him to leave," she confessed, her emotions welling up, and tears beginning to fall.

Kero gazed at her with a mixture of sympathy and helplessness, knowing that there was little he could do to alleviate Sakura's emotional turmoil when it came to Syaoran. It was a matter only Syaoran himself could address, and he couldn't stay in Japan for much longer due to school and his new living arrangements.

"Um... Sakura, didn't you mention that Tomoyo would be arriving soon?" Kero inquired, his curiosity evident as he observed Sakura, who was still in her nightdress. Sakura gasped in horror as she realised the need to get ready on time. The room filled with the sounds of her hurried movements, slamming and crashing into things as she frantically got dressed.

Tomoyo, Sakura, and Kero were now sitting in Sakura's bedroom, savouring slices of chocolate cake that Tomoyo had brought with her.

"Sakura, don't worry about Touya's anger toward Li; he's just concerned about his little sister," Tomoyo reassured Sakura after hearing her account of the argument.

"You know what's surprising? I can't believe that you confessed your true feelings to Li, and I wasn't there to capture it on video," Tomoyo lamented, her heart slightly aching.

Sakura blushed at the memory of when she had revealed her emotions to Syaoran.

"I did manage to record Li's confession, though. It's a pity I didn't capture yours," Tomoyo added, gazing at her best friend. Sakura rubbed the back of her neck and shifted her attention to the Hope Card, which she had taken out to examine more closely.

"Kero, remember when I mentioned that I didn't want anyone else taking my Cards and that I want to use them without my staff?" Sakura said, changing the topic. Kero glanced at her while nibbling on his cake.

"Yes, Sakura, it requires a tremendous amount of concentration and control over magic to use them without a medium," Kero pointed out, taking another bite of his cake.

"But it is possible, right? If she put in enough effort?" Tomoyo asked as she observed the pink Sakura book nearby.

"Yes, it is indeed possible for Sakura to wield the Cards without her staff, but it will demand rigorous practice, as well as time and energy," Kero replied, recalling Clow Reed's abilities. "However, I strongly suggest you consult with Eriol before attempting anything," he added, looking directly at Sakura.

"I'll make sure to be there each and every time you practise, Sakura," Tomoyo promised, grasping Sakura's hands tightly.

"Thanks Tomoyo," Sakura said.

Their intimate moment was interrupted by a sudden knocking at the door. Sakura got up from the floor and walked over to her bedroom door, opening it.

"Syaoran, what are you doing here?" Sakura asked in surprise as Syaoran entered the room. Sakura blushed and quickly averted her gaze, only to find Tomoyo wearing a sly smile.

"Hey, kid, has Sakura filled you in on her plan to use her Cards without the staff?" Kero called out to Syaoran, who looked at him with wide eyes.

"You want to do what?" Syaoran blurted out, his voice rising unintentionally. Sakura looked at him with a hint of shyness, as if she had done something wrong.

"Well, I think it's a great idea," Tomoyo chimed in, coming to Sakura's rescue. "Sakura will be able to use her Cards without summoning the staff. After all, we know it can be done."

Syaoran still looked concerned. "But won't Sakura be in the same situation she was in when she was transforming the Cards into Sakura Cards?"

"Don't worry about it. I've told her to run it past Eriol first before she tries anything," Kero reassured him. He had confidence in Sakura's abilities, as long as she put in the effort. However, he did acknowledge that getting Sakura to finish her homework on time was challenging enough.

Syaoran's expression softened, and he looked down at the ground. "Sakura..." he began, his voice trailing off as he seemed a bit flustered. "I was hoping that we could go for a walk?"

Sakura, blushing, replied, "I would like that very much." She glanced at Syaoran, who stood there like a statue, seemingly lost in thought.

Before anyone could say more, Tomoyo quickly intervened, breaking the moment. "Oh my, look at the time! I better be heading out myself. I have a few things to do with Meilin before summer vacation ends." With that, she dashed out the door, leaving Sakura and Syaoran in the doorway, their feelings hanging in the air.

A/N (Edited 31/07/24)