Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction ❯ Shadow of the Dragon ❯ Sakura's Ghostly Problems ( Chapter 15 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Lord Archive 
Sakura searches for a means to save Reiko's spirit.
Anime/Manga: Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Supernatural / Romance / Drama | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 09.01.2008 | Updated On: 09.19.2008 | Pages: 8 | Words: 8.0K | Visits: 525 | Status: Completed
Sakura searches for a means to save Reiko's spirit.
Anime/Manga: Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Supernatural / Romance / Drama | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 09.01.2008 | Updated On: 09.19.2008 | Pages: 8 | Words: 8.0K | Visits: 525 | Status: Completed
"Mind if I record this?" Tomoyo asked politely.
"You may, though I don't think this will make any of your highlights," replied Mrs. Mizuki, a woman who looked much like her daughter, Kaho, save that her hair was starting to turn gray.
Sakura fidgeted as she knelt before her one-time homeroom and mathematics teacher's father. He did not look much like his daughter with a strong, chiseled face and deep black hair, but it was obvious that her teacher had inherited her moon magic from him. "Sir, I would like to know what you can tell me about ghosts."
The Shinto priest chuckled. "Straight to the point, huh? And here I thought we could reminisce about my daughter."
Sakura blushed, her hands playing with the sleeves of the kimono Tomoyo had made for her. This so-called 'battle costume' was designed with cherry blossoms and stars. "I didn't mean... We could talk about Mizuki-sensei... I haven't gotten a letter from her recently..."
The Shinto priest smiled. "We can get to pleasure after the business at hand. You wish to know how to deal with a troublesome ghost. I've had requests to purify your school."
Sakura blinked, a little surprised that he already knew why she had come to see him. "Could you?"
"My dear, while that would take care of the haunting, it may not be the best solution. As a priest, I have the power to give ghosts a push to go into the afterlife." Kaho's father sighed. "The problem is that it is a push. If she was just stuck here, she would go where she belongs. However, if the ghost is standing on the brink to hell..."
"She doesn't deserve that!" Sakura cried out.
"No child does," the priest agreed. "Yet therein lies the problem. The ghost must willingly walk away from her anger and hate to properly move on."
"How can we get her to do that?" Sakura pleaded.
"That is a question you must find an answer for by yourself," the priest advised.
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Card Captors Sakura: Shadow of the Dragon
Chapter 15: Sakura's Ghostly Problems
Card Captor Sakura belongs to the fine ladies of CLAMP. Used without consent, all rights reserved.
By: Lord Archive
Author's Warnings:
This contains mature themes not intended for children under thirteen.
This series contains:
Adult situations.
Sexual situations withOUT detailed description of sex nor the naked human body.
Brief moments of violence, some cases involving people getting severely injured and possibly death.
Occasional use of vulgar language.
Japanese humor: which include bathroom jokes, panty fetish and shocking situations.
Depictions of criminal activity committed by fictional characters.
References of homosexuality.
---------------
Meiling whistled to herself as she opened the door to her apartment. She finally found a promising dojo that might be able to teach her something new. Not to mention a couple of the guys who could be potential boyfriends.
There was something amiss as she walked into her home, a nervous edge that seemed utterly out of place. A movement caught Meiling's attention as she saw a girl's hand reaching for a blouse and bra, neither of which were hers, lying on the floor.
Meiling scowled out of jealousy. "Sorry, Kinomoto. Thought you were working on the ghost problem. Didn't know you were _busy_ with Syaoran." She then let out a laugh at the girl's squeak of surprise. "Next time do that stuff in his bedroom."
"Wasn't like we planned on... this." Syaoran sat up, adjusting his shirt.
"You don't have to hide from me, Kinomoto. You've got nothing I haven't seen," Meiling reminded.
Sakura still didn't appear, but her embarrassment now hung in the air.
"Syaoran didn't force you, did he?" Meiling groused.
"NO!" Sakura squeaked out.
"Then there's nothing to be embarrassed about!" Meiling shot at her.
"But... But my chest is all wet!" Sakura protested.
Meiling smirked evilly. "Syaoran, you dog. Slobbering all over your girlfriend. Literally!"
Syaoran scowled at his cousin as he went to get some paper-towels for Sakura.
"Wet one of them, please," Sakura requested.
"Yes. Yes," Syaoran muttered.
Meiling peered over the couch, seeing Sakura attempting to hide her half-dressed state. "Just the chest or did he get anywhere below the waist?" She paused a second. "Did YOU go below the waist?"
Sakura stared up in surprise at the girl. "Hoooooooooeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"
---------------
"Sakura-chan, why didn't you tell me you went beyond kissing with Li-kun?!" Tomoyo asked in a hurt tone, after dragging the girl to a secluded part of the schoolyard during lunch.
Sakura pouted at her friend. "That's not something I want to talk about."
"Why not?" Tomoyo demanded. "Is it because of what Satome did?"
Sakura shook her head fiercely. "No! That's not it at all!" She sighed. "Tomoyo-chan... there are just some things that I want to keep private. Just between Syaoran-kun and me."
"Of course you do." Tomoyo grabbed her best friend's right hand. "But that doesn't mean you can't tell me what it's like to be pleasured."
Sakura looked down. "Yes, it does. You don't really want me to call you up and say I kissed Syaoran-kun for the ninety-seventh time, do you?"
"You've kissed him that many times?" Tomoyo seemed to honestly ask with interest.
"Tomoyo-chan?!" Sakura cried out.
Tomoyo smirked. "Now, Sakura-chan, you know all I want for you to be happy. I just want to know what makes you happy." She then leaned in and whispered. "And I'm really curious about what it's like. I haven't even been kissed, you know, and well... I'd like to know what I'm missing."
"Not as much as I'd like." Sakura blushed at her words.
Tomoyo blinked in surprise. "What do you mean?"
"Ah... well... it felt good, but ah... not as great as Chiharu-chan made it sound," Sakura flustered her reply.
Tomoyo held Sakura's hand tighter. "Promise me that when you first make love, you'll call me immediately!"
"Hoe?!" Sakura shook her head to calm herself. "Tomoyo-chan... I don't think I'm ready for _that_ yet. And, well... when I do... maybe not _immediately_, but I will tell you."
Tomoyo giggled and brought the girl into a hug. "That's a promise."
---------------
As much as Sakura had told Tomoyo that Satome molesting her wasn't an issue, it was. There had been more nervousness than she thought there should be. And when Syaoran touched her bare chest with his hand, part of her wanted to scream. She had been able to bury the unease and discomfort and share a bit of the joy and wonder Syaoran's eyes had shown. What she had done with him was a display of their love, and she desperately wished that Satome had never tainted it.
Sakura shook her head and gazed up at the Church where the funerals of Reiko and Mr. Mihara had taken place. She wished she knew more about her baptized faith and wondered if what she did with Syaoran was a sin. The Catholic religion did seem to have a few odd beliefs regarding sex.
Sakura frowned as she looked around the empty Church, wondering how she could see the priest she had met before. She was thankful that Tomoyo had other business to take care of. As much as she loved her best friend, the constant filming of her actions and the desire to know everything about her was a bit too much at times.
"Can I help you?"
Sakura jumped at the voice. She turned around and bowed. "Hello, Father Morisato... I, ah, have some questions."
The priest smiled at her. "Of course. Please sit down."
Sakura sat down at the edge of one pew, while the priest sat across the isle from her. She fidgeted nervously. "I... ah, wonder what the Church's views are about ghosts?"
"Ghosts?" Father Morisato held a surprised expression. "Well, there are times when souls do seem to linger after they should have passed."
Sakura nodded. "There's a ghost at my school I need help with."
"Well, I'm not trained as an exorcist, so I would not be able to banish a spirit," Father Morisato told her gently.
"What happens to a spirit that's been banished?" Sakura asked with dread.
"The spirit is forced into the afterlife," Father Morisato answered simply.
"Would it be like a Shinto priest? A push? Where if the spirit is on the path to hell, that's where she would go?" Sakura asked desperately.
Father Morisato frowned. "I don't know much about exorcisms, but I think that might be an accurate statement."
Sakura's head dropped. "I want to save her. It's my fault she died. She has a right to be angry at me, but I don't want to destroy her soul or send her to hell. I want to save her this time."
"Ah, you believe the ghost to be Ichimai Reiko, don't you?" Father Morisato guessed.
Sakura nodded.
"I don't know if I have any answers for you." Father Morisato sighed. "We can pray for her to find her way from anger and learn forgiveness."
"I doubt that will happen so easily. It is my fault she died and wants me to suffer," Sakura replied sadly.
"Trust in God to help you," Father Morisato advised. "You are never alone and He may open the path to both save Ichimai's soul and for you to forgive yourself."
---------------
Tomoyo walked through the main offices of her mother's corporation. From here, the decisions for Daidouji Toys, as well as numerous other businesses that the Amamiya and Daidouji clans held in interest, were made. There was a strange hush that fell over the room that had nothing to do with her presence.
From one of the conference rooms emerged a young man barely older than she was, though he was much taller. She recognized him as the president and owner of a rival company despite his young age. His stylized white trench coat called importance to him, especially offset by the black suits of his large, burly, male bodyguards. As he stomped past her, he eyed her with nothing but contempt.
Tomoyo frowned back at him. If she was to marry for economic gain, that boy would likely top the list. Not a happy concept as her first impression of him was that he held a similar slant to sexual preference as she did: their own gender. Considering her mother's lack of feeling for her own father, she hoped to not repeat history with her husband running off with a guy.
Sonomi's eyes brightened upon seeing her daughter, but in front of her employees she did not issue her normal exuberant greeting. "We have much to discuss, Daughter."
Tomoyo nodded. Image was everything. And maintaining the air of authority was important in business. The hint of weakness and others will take advantage of it. When they were far enough away from prying ears, she asked, "He wasn't here for a marriage interview, was he?"
"Hardly," Sonomi spat. "I would sooner see this company fall to ruin before I'd let you marry that pompous ass. I doubt you're his type. He's too obsessed with his games and some boy to be good for you."
"I had much the same opinion." Tomoyo eyed her mother carefully. "And how do you know he's obsessed with a boy?"
"When I was supposed to die, he topped the list of marriage candidates." Sonomi smirked ruefully. "Now, there's no one worthy of you."
Tomoyo giggled a little. "Why am I here?"
Sonomi opened a door to her office and Tomoyo barely caught sight of a man standing in a shadow. Her heart sped up at the sight of the black clad intruder, wondering if he was here to assassinate her to get at Sakura.
"Kurogane-san?" Sonomi called out.
The man stepped forward. "That girl is the first to see me."
Sonomi nodded. "Good. We do not want undo attention brought to this."
Tomoyo calmed herself. He was here under her mother's employ. She had a guess as to why he was here, particularly since she was here to meet him. She eyed him closely, taking in his air of dark mystery. The sword strapped to his back did not escape her notice.
"Now, Tomoyo, I would like you to tell him everything you know about Sakura-chan's attacker," Sonomi told her firmly.
For a second, Tomoyo debated sending this man after Satome, though she was sure that would be a waste of the man's skill. However, as much as Satome threatened their virtue, Sakura's true enemy was far more important. "I'm afraid I don't know who he is. I do not even have a specific suspect in mind. And I'm not sure if there is only one person."
Kurogane growled. "Tell me what you do know."
"Sakura-chan is practically engaged to Li Syaoran. The attacks against her seem to avoid putting him and his cousin, Li Meiling, in danger. Only three attacks have occurred with them around. The first of which, using a dragon golem, was likely as much a surprise to her attacker as it was for us as we didn't know he was returning to Tomoeda. The second attack promised to leave two of us unhurt. The third was an ambush in which Li-kun was unable to immediately defend Sakura-chan and Meiling-chan was in no position to help against a giant flying bird. When Sakura-chan had fallen ill and was unable to defend herself, she stayed with Li-kun. No attacks occurred then," Tomoyo told him, noting he held no reaction to her statements that inferred magic.
"So, the one behind this may be against the girl getting close to this Li Syaoran," Kurogane surmised.
"That would be my guess as well. I asked Li-kun if he knew who it might be, but all he would say was that the one his mother suspects has gone missing. He would not answer me if that person was related to the Li clan," Tomoyo added.
"What can you tell me about the attacks," Kurogane demanded.
"Each attack seems to be different. No two have been outwardly the same. However, they do share some similarities. Most of the attacks were made to look accidental, as if they were some tragedy that just happened. The more recent attacks have been more direct, but still offers no clue to the one behind it." Tomoyo pouted. "Save, maybe, one. Years ago, when Sakura-chan was training in her magic, she faced a test which had a piano chasing my voice. A few months ago, a car did the same to Sakura-chan. The mage behind the piano was Hiiragizawa Eriol. He is the reincarnation of Clow Reed, who is of direct relation to the Li clan, so I can not be sure if the spell used belongs to the clan or if Hiiragizawa was announcing he was involved. I have sent a letter to him asking about it, but his reply denied any involvement. That he lives in England and the letter seemed to be properly received would look to discount him as a suspect. However, he is one of the most powerful sorcerers alive and could easily intercept the letter and make it look like he's in England and yet be in Tomoeda."
Kurogane nodded. "Still, it's something to look into. Any more information?"
Tomoyo pouted. "I wish mother had warned me more about what she wanted me to talk about. I have videos of some of the battles." She then looked away from the man for the first time. "I can not be sure that my suspicions are correct. As Li-kun pointed out when I confronted him about my evidence: the one behind this may be testing Sakura-chan for some greater mission or could be out to get her magic for themselves."
"Gut feelings are often the more correct ones," Kurogane stated firmly. "What does your gut tell you?"
"That the person or persons behind this want Sakura-chan away from her beloved and is of relation to the Li clan..." Tomoyo closed her eyes. "Particularly Meiling-chan's side of the family. At one time she was engaged to Li-kun. Though I can not and would not discount Hiiragizawa having a hand in this."
Kurogane nodded. "I would like to see some of these videos to learn more about this enemy."
Though Tomoyo likely knew the answer, she still asked the question, "What will you do if you find the one behind the attacks on Sakura-chan?"
Kurogane smirked evilly while tapping the sword strapped to his back. "I will make sure the attacks end. Permanently."
Tomoyo nodded reluctantly. Part of her hoped that Hiiragizawa had no part in this, but if he was involved in trying to kill Sakura-chan, she would spit on his gravestone.
---------------
"I think I liked it better when Ichimai was resorting to petty pranks," Naoko commented. She had bumped into Sakura, literally, after her friend left the Church. She presented another option for gaining information on their ghost problem.
Sakura looked as if she was trying to hug herself. "I can't believe she spoiled all that food, making so many people sick."
"I'm quite glad that I'm not on any cleaning duty this week. Some of the girls couldn't wait for the toilet and used the sink!" Naoko shuddered.
"From what Syaoran-kun said about the boy's bathroom, it was even worse. I'll have to use Bubbles to clean it." Sakura shuddered in disgust.
Naoko grinned. "At least school has been canceled for tomorrow while everyone who ate the cafeteria food recovers."
Sakura sighed as they arrived at their destination. She wouldn't have considered this option. Not because she didn't believe in it, but because she could attempt it herself.
"Ah, come in! Come in! Let Madam Bara find you the answers you seek!" a woman in gaudy multicolor robes announced with a strange accent.
Sakura pouted at the woman, her slim hope diminishing with the lack of magic in the air. She sat down across from the woman, not expecting anything.
The woman waved her hands over a crystal ball. "You are here in a quest for love!"
"No, I have a boyfriend," Sakura replied.
"Ah, but you want to know if he's the one," Madam Bara returned.
Sakura shook her head. "I'm pretty sure he is. I have different problems. None of which relate to my love for Syaoran-kun."
"That would be my question for Shinji-kun," Naoko commented with a grin.
"Ah, she seems to be interfering in the reading. Trouble with school then?" Madam Bara asked.
Sakura sighed. "No, with someone out to kill me and the ghost of a girl I let die."
Naoko leaned in closer to not miss the psychic's reply.
Madam Bara stared at the girl. "Very funny, Dear. If you are not serious about a reading, I can't help you."
"The future can be seen, but it doesn't work this way. You are a fake." Sakura gazed deeply at the woman, the Dream lending her power in shared annoyance at the fraud psychic. "You remember Higashi-san? You've made too many mistakes with him. He could be your number one person, but you've pushed him away. You have but one more chance, or you will lose him. And I'm sorry about your mother."
Madam Bara blinked. "What do you mean about my Mother?"
Sakura closed her eyes as tears rolled out. "I'm sorry. But from her shall come your last chance with Higashi."
Sakura left while Naoko followed, trying not to laugh at the psychic being the one to get a look into her own future.
---------------
Touya walked into the archaeology department and saw a young woman with dark shoulder length hair riffling through a stack of papers. Her nervousness seemed out of place, but the result was expected. Her schoolwork cascaded from her like a waterfall of paper. He shook his head and stooped down to help pick them up.
"Oh, hi! Sorry, I'm such a klutz at times," the woman giggled sheepishly.
Touya frowned as he gazed into her sky blue eyes and put a block on what little feedback he gave Sakura from his powers. There was something about Togashi Hinami, as listed on her schoolwork, that rubbed him wrong. The same sort of 'wrong' he felt when he first met Li Syaoran.
"What brings you to the archaeology department?" Hanami asked. "Interested in majoring in it?"
"Nah. I'm more social services," Touya replied with cold indifference. "My Dad works here."
"Oh? Are you old Mitsutani's son?" Hanami eyed him carefully. "Though I'd think he'd have grandchildren by now."
"Ah, Touya-kun, what brings you here?" Fujitaka asked as he entered the department lobby.
"Just thought I should warn you that Sakura-chan is working on one of her projects and probably will forget it's her turn to cook," Touya told him.
Fujitaka nodded. "That's not much of a problem. I'll give her a call and let her know I'll grab dinner here."
"One more thing, Dad..." Touya eyed the now shocked Hanami. "Don't tell Sakura-chan about her yet. I don't think she'd understand."
Fujitaka blinked. "Touya-kun...."
"There's a reason she stopped taking your classes, and you know why," Touya returned before stomping off.
Fujitaka rubbed his forehead, wondering why life decided to be more complicated than it needed to be.
"DAD?!" Hanami cried out. "I thought... he's the same age... How old are you?!"
Fujitaka shook his head. "Perhaps we should have a talk over dinner?"
"Sure!" Hanami blushed deeply. "I... ah... mean."
Fujitaka smirked. "As Touya-kun pointed out, you're not MY student."
Hanami nodded. "Right... Um... how did he know...?"
"I think I'll save that question for another time," Fujitaka told her.
---------------
"What is it?" Kurogane almost growled out as he sat in the Daidouji home watching videos.
"Oh, nothing." Tomoyo shifted nervously. "This is the first time someone I don't know has seen these. I'm a bit worried about how good they are."
Kurogane shrugged. "I've seen worse at the movies."
Tomoyo smiled. "Thank you!"
Kurogane snorted. "These really don't help at all. Only the assassin offered any insight. And you are right in that while the one after your friend doesn't seem to care who gets hurt, with the exception of the golem, Li and his cousin are not in any direct danger at any time."
Tomoyo looked away. "You've been in a position of fighting to the death, haven't you?"
Kurogane grinned evilly. "Those are the best fights."
Tomoyo pouted at him. A mix of words dying on her tongue. She finally settled on her original question. "Are these attacks on Sakura-chan truly meant to kill her or merely think it's deadly?"
Kurogane thought about it as he watched a shaking camera image run across a field until it reached Sakura's and Syaoran's comatose bodies, with the latter severely aged from excessive magic usage. "There are two ways to view these attacks. Either the enemy is out to kill her and underestimates the girl and her friends, or her opponent knows her limits extremely well and is pushing her to advance."
"The latter would suggest Hiiragizawa," Tomoyo pointed out. "Which do you believe?"
"The car that attacked the girl reeks of frustration and did nothing to advance her. And the assassin was a wild card, someone that could not be fully controlled." Kurogane gave a cold, hard look. "Your friend has been targeted for death."
Tomoyo sighed. "If you are right in that Sakura-chan is being underestimated, it can not be Hiiragizawa-kun. He knows her magic, as he has the memories of the man who created her cards."
"Are these all the attacks on her?" Kurogane questioned.
"The ones we are sure that were caused by her attacker. I do have other instances that might be an accident or it could've been an attack," Tomoyo answered.
Kurogane groaned a little. "Let's see those."
Tomoyo jumped up and pranced to her video wall. She stifled a giggle, noticing that his eyes had followed her in a manner that held no hostility. For her first 'date' with a guy, it was hardly a bad experience. Still, she would much prefer a girl as her date, especially if she was Sakura... or maybe Meiling.
---------------
Hanami rushed into her apartment, hearing her phone ringing. She kicked her shoes off before picking the receiver up and answering, "Hello, Togashi residence."
"Where have you been?!" a stern voice barked over the phone.
Hanami tossed her purse onto her couch, it landed on a pile of papers and a blouse. "I'm sorry, Mother. I lost track of time at dinner."
"Oh, was it a date?" Mrs. Togashi asked cautiously.
"Well... yeah, it was kind of a date," Hanami replied uncertainly, nervously sorting through the past week of mail.
"Really? Who is he?" Mrs. Togashi chirped.
Hanami bit her lip. "Er... He's a teacher."
"A teacher?" Mrs. Togashi squeaked in surprise. "Isn't he old enough-"
Hanami interrupted. "Yes, I know he's old enough to be my father." She scowled darkly. "That was made painfully clear. He has a son who's apparently a few months older than me."
"If he has a son your age, you should go after him," Mrs. Togashi advised.
"No, I'm not going to go after his son." Hanami growled. "You don't know Kinomoto-sensei, Mom. He's kind, sweet, handsome, and lonely. His wife died over ten years ago, his son has already moved out of the house and his daughter won't be around much longer either. He needs somebody and I want to be that person."
"Hanami...," Mrs. Togashi let out a sigh over phone. "I guess you'd have an easier time with your dream job with him."
Hanami laughed as she tossed a few advertisements at the overflowing trashcan. "Well, that is sort of an added perk. With him I would have a better chance working on archaeology digs."
"Still, Dear... be careful. An older man, especially one with children, may have issues you aren't ready for," Mrs. Togashi warned.
"Yes, Mom," Hanami groaned. "Good night. I'll talk to you later. I need to study. I love you," Hanami said before hanging up without waiting for a reply.
Hanami walked over to her chair, picked up and threw the skirt and bra on it onto the couch. She then plopped into the chair. Despite what she said to her mother, she wasn't entirely certain what she should make of her dinner with her one-time teacher. They had talked a lot, though he had more to say. She could see his loneliness as he talked about his departed wife. However, that was also the problem. After more than ten years, he was still in love with his dead wife. How could she hope to face that? Did she really want to work at getting him to put his past aside and look to her for his future?
---------------
Sakura tried to shake her anxiety as she walked into Penguin Park. The last time she was alone here Satome had tried to rape her. The fact she had faced an assassin with her friends watching didn't help matters. It left her more on guard than she would normally have been. This place had been almost a second home, even during her trials with the cards. Now it was tainted and no longer a safe haven to her. Why did she have to insist on meeting Tomoyo here rather than her house or the school?
Sakura shook her head. She should be thinking of how to deal with Reiko. If someone did attack her, her cards would come to her defense. But the problem with Reiko wasn't a simple one. Everyone who knew anything about ghosts warned that trying to force Reiko into the afterlife would either condemn her to hell or destroy her spirit utterly. Neither was an option she wanted to consider.
Using her own powers, Sakura tried to divine a solution. Using the Dream to take a nap and see the future, had left her even more confused. She had seen a dark dragon looming overhead. From its claws came puppetry threads that were connected to a dream version of herself who danced before a grave marker, calling a bunch of guys to her and then kissing them.
Sakura knew of her weakness to mind-control magic, having her body controlled by Yue during his judgement and by Madoushi, the water sorceress who had sought Clow Reed for centuries. It would not be impossible for her foe to do the same, but what would be gained by insulting the dead and kissing guys?
"Neechan!"
Sakura blinked and looked down at a boy. "Isn't it late for you to be out?"
"I can't find my Mommy!" the boy replied.
"Then we'll find her," Sakura promised. "Where did you last see her?"
"Niichan was getting inta a fight by the slide. Mommy went to stop it. I thought I'd hide from her, but when I got bored 'n came back no one was here!" the boy whined.
Sakura closed her eyes, letting her senses wash over the park to see if she could hear anyone. There were no voices to be heard. She frowned, wondering how he could be left behind.
"Sorry, I'm late!" Tomoyo cried out.
"Hi, Tomoyo-chan," Sakura returned looking around.
"Sakura-chan, do you have my hairbrush? Last I had it when I was brushing your hair at lunch," Tomoyo questioned.
Sakura shook her head. "Sorry, I don't have it. Have you seen anyone on your way here?"
"I haven't," Tomoyo replied.
Sakura looked down. "Do you think your mother went looking for you? Where did you hide?"
Tomoyo blinked in confusion. "I'm not hiding, and why would Mother look for me?"
"Sorry, I was asking him that," Sakura mentioned, still distracted.
The boy glared at the girl. "Yeah! She's talking to me!"
Sakura knelt down. "Can you show me where you were hiding?"
"That way!" The boy pointed toward the forest.
Tomoyo fished out her camera and turned it on. "Sakura-chan... who are you talking to?"
"I'm Touji!" the boy replied.
"He's lost his mother," Sakura added.
Tomoyo shook her head, staring morbidly at the image her camera was showing of a floating white dot in front of her friend. "Sakura-chan... what's his name?"
"I told you!" Touji shouted.
Sakura looked confused. "He just said his name is Touji-kun."
Tomoyo's arms dropped. "Sakura-chan... could you come here for a second, please? I need to tell you something privately."
Sakura sighed as she walked over to her friend. "What is it?"
"Do you remember the cliff you fell off of?" Tomoyo whispered.
Sakura looked confused. "Which one?"
Tomoyo was half-tempted to laugh at the reply. "The one your brother also fell from."
"Oh, right. What about it?" Sakura asked.
Tomoyo looked sadly at the girl. "While you were in a coma, Myujin Touji went missing... They found his body after a day of searching at the bottom of the cliff."
Sakura's eyes went wide. "You mean he's...?"
Tomoyo nodded.
"What are we going to do? He wants to see his mother, but he's..." Sakura sagged.
"Are we going to find Mommy or what?" the boy demanded.
Sakura turned around. "What do I say to him? He doesn't know."
Tomoyo paused in thought. "I think that may be half the problem. Still, he wants to see his mother. I will see if I can bring her here."
"You do that." Sakura sighed sadly. "I'll... talk to him."
Tomoyo nodded and ran off.
Sakura walked over to the boy. "Tomoyo-chan has gone to your house to see if your mother had to take your brother there."
"'Kay." The boy grinned at her.
Sakura fretted over what to say to the boy. She tried to think of some way to convince him that he was dead. She put her hand on his shoulder and was a little surprised to feel cold flesh. She should've been able to put her hand through him, but she couldn't. Well, if she couldn't pass through him, then she would need something else that could.
"Want to play catch while we wait here for your Mother?" Sakura suggested.
"Sure!" Touji cheered.
Sakura walked a few feet away and found a small, smooth rock on the ground. She picked it up and tossed in underhand to him. "Catch!"
Touji reached out for it, but the rock sailed through his hands and his stomach without slowing down. He turned around and stared in shock. "How'd that happen?"
"Do you remember where you had run off to?" Sakura asked him.
The boy nodded. "Inta the trees."
"Did you see the cliff?" Sakura asked.
The boy's eyes went wide and wobbled. "I... I was falling." He then shook his head. "That was a dream."
"It wasn't a dream," Sakura told him. "You fell from it."
"It was a nightmare! It didn't happen! Mommy would never leave me when I was hurt! It didn't happen!" Touji cried out.
Sakura stumbled toward him. It hadn't been quick for him. How long did he lay there before he...? She fell to her knees and hugged him. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
"You can touch me. You can't touch ghosts!" the boy continued his protest.
"I can, Touji-kun. Tomoyo-chan never heard or saw you," Sakura told him.
"Liar!" Touji howled. "I called for Mommy! She didn't come! Why isn't Mommy here?! MOMMY!!"
"Oh, my..." Tomoyo gasped.
"Touji..." a woman whispered.
"Mommy!" Touji pulled away from Sakura embrace and disappeared from all but Sakura's eyes.
"Where did he go?" Mrs. Myujin asked.
"I'm right here, Mommy!" Touji ran to the woman but passed right through her, tripping and falling to the ground. "Mommy?"
Sakura wanted to break down crying for the boy, but now wasn't the time. Touji and his mother needed her.
"Mommy!" Touji cried out, trying to touch her.
Sakura wobbled as she walked over to the boy and place her hand on him, this time knowingly imparting a touch of her magic into him.
"Touji..." Mrs. Myujin whispered again. "How?"
"You could say I'm a bit of a psychic," Sakura told the woman.
Mrs. Myujin nodded dumbly, tears welling up in her eyes. She went to touch her son, but only felt cold air.
Touji looked in horror as his mother recoiled from him. "I... I really died... Why didn't you come for me, Mommy? I cried out for you! It hurt! It hurt so bad. The blood... Why didn't you come for me?!"
"I'm sorry! I looked for you! I didn't stop until they found you." Tears streamed down Mrs. Myujin's face. "When you disappeared, I thought someone took you. I didn't think... Why did you go into the forest? You know you weren't supposed to go there! The cliff... that damned cliff."
Touji looked down. "I... I'm sorry. You were with niichan. Always with niichan. I wanted you to worry. I wanted to know you cared."
Mrs. Myujin collapsed to her knees. "I love you, Touji. I will always love you. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you. Can you ever forgive me?"
"If... If you can forgive me," Touji replied.
Mrs. Myujin smiled a little at their personal joke. "I forgive you."
"I love you, Mommy." A flash of light and Touji was gone.
"Touji?" Mrs. Myujin called out.
"He's gone to heaven," Sakura told her. "He's where he should be."
Mrs. Myujin stood up unsteadily and wiped away her tears. "Thank you... Thank you for letting me say good-bye to him."
Sakura bowed. "I'm sorry I couldn't have done more."
"You've done more than I can ever repay you for." Mrs. Myujin touched Sakura's cheek to wipe away the girl's tears. "You even cried for my son. Thank you." She then walked away, with more color to her face than she had when she arrived.
Tomoyo smiled knowingly at her friend.
"What?" Sakura asked.
"You just saw and helped a ghost, and you weren't afraid at all," Tomoyo pointed out.
Sakura blinked. "I... I did, didn't I?"
Tomoyo nodded. "And doesn't this give you an idea of what to do about Ichimai?"
Sakura thought about that for a second. "Maybe, but I don't think I can get Reiko-chan to forgive me."
---------------
Fujitaka traced his finger over a picture of Nadeshiko. What had he been thinking asking a girl out on a date, telling her more about himself than he had told anyone else? He had a wife who he loved beyond measure. If anyone offered him a means to bring her back, he would take it without hesitation.
The teacher sighed. Hinami was a bright girl and certainly pretty in her own ways, but she was no model. Her clumsiness had reminded him of Nadeshiko, but that was where the similarities began and ended. When he talked of archaeological finds, Hinami listened intently while Nadeshiko would just stare blankly and nod. Nadeshiko believed in everything being clean and organized, Hinami often lost her schoolwork.
What had he been thinking? That Touya had practically told him they would be a couple. But was he ready to date again?
The front door opening shook Fujitaka from his thoughts. "Sakura?" He glanced at the time. It was after three in the morning. He didn't even know she wasn't in her bed sleeping.
"I'm home..." Sakura trailed off her greeting. She tentatively peeked into the dining room to see her father sitting at the table. "Sorry I'm so late... I was cleaning up the school after Reiko-chan's last prank. And school is canceled tomorrow, so I can sleep in."
Fujitaka smiled at his daughter, seeing the young woman she was becoming. He was sure she was telling him the truth, as his daughter likely knew she would not get in any trouble with him if she had stayed at her boyfriend's place. He shook his head wondering when his little girl had gotten so big. While he busied himself at the University was his only answer.
"Dad, is..." Sakura's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. She bolted across the room and seemed to hug the air. With the way her body was leaning, she should have fallen on her face. "Mother..."
Fujitaka stood up. "Nadeshiko?"
"Sakura, there will be a time for me to talk to you..." Nadeshiko trailed off.
"Dad needs you now," Sakura finished.
Nadeshiko smiled. "Yes, Dear. I love you."
"I... I love you too, Mom." Sakura glowed softly, imparting a bit of her magic to her mother's ghost so her father could see her.
"Oh, Nadeshiko...," Fujitaka breathed.
"I will be able to maintain your magic for a time." Nadeshiko looked sadly at her daughter. "What I need to say to your father isn't for you to know just yet. I will talk to you later. I promise."
Sakura nodded with tears on her face. "Okay..." She reluctantly pulled away from her mother. "It's a promise."
"You did good today, Sakura. Never forget that I am proud of you," Nadeshiko told her daughter.
"Thank you, Mom." And Sakura left her parents alone.
"Nadeshiko... Is that... really you?" Fujitaka asked with disbelieving eyes.
"Yes, Beloved. I'm here. Just as you've called me," Nadeshiko told him, with neither a smile nor a frown.
Fujitaka bowed his head. "I..."
"I want you to be happy," Nadeshiko told him. "I don't want you to sit home alone. Love is a beautiful thing. Don't throw away what might be to stay in the past."
"Nadeshiko... How can I see someone else when I still love you?" Fujitaka asked her.
Nadeshiko gave him a radiant smile. "Because love knows no boundaries. Our son has found love a second time, with a guy. Our daughter loves a foreign boy. And you know very well the odd relationships my friends were in. You can love again and not betray our love."
"What I want..." Fujitaka trailed off.
"Is something that can't happen for hopefully a long, long time. I will wait for the time you can join me, but I don't mind sharing." Nadeshiko smirked. "I wasn't joking when I suggested inviting Sonomi-chan to join us. Remember, your happiness is my happiness. And I will be quite sad if you remain alone."
Fujitaka reached out to her as her image began to fade. "Nadeshiko... I love you."
"Be happy, Beloved. Be happy." Nadeshiko could be seen no more.
Fujitaka bowed his head, fighting the urge to cry. He promised her that he would not cry. He thought he felt her touch. Perhaps he did. After over a decade of holding in his tears, they finally flooded out from his eyes.
---------------
Author's Notes:
Coming Soon - Chapter 16 Sakura's Doppelganger
Sakura faces herself in a battle with everything at stake.
Sorry. No omake this time. Instead expect the next chapter in a few weeks.
"You may, though I don't think this will make any of your highlights," replied Mrs. Mizuki, a woman who looked much like her daughter, Kaho, save that her hair was starting to turn gray.
Sakura fidgeted as she knelt before her one-time homeroom and mathematics teacher's father. He did not look much like his daughter with a strong, chiseled face and deep black hair, but it was obvious that her teacher had inherited her moon magic from him. "Sir, I would like to know what you can tell me about ghosts."
The Shinto priest chuckled. "Straight to the point, huh? And here I thought we could reminisce about my daughter."
Sakura blushed, her hands playing with the sleeves of the kimono Tomoyo had made for her. This so-called 'battle costume' was designed with cherry blossoms and stars. "I didn't mean... We could talk about Mizuki-sensei... I haven't gotten a letter from her recently..."
The Shinto priest smiled. "We can get to pleasure after the business at hand. You wish to know how to deal with a troublesome ghost. I've had requests to purify your school."
Sakura blinked, a little surprised that he already knew why she had come to see him. "Could you?"
"My dear, while that would take care of the haunting, it may not be the best solution. As a priest, I have the power to give ghosts a push to go into the afterlife." Kaho's father sighed. "The problem is that it is a push. If she was just stuck here, she would go where she belongs. However, if the ghost is standing on the brink to hell..."
"She doesn't deserve that!" Sakura cried out.
"No child does," the priest agreed. "Yet therein lies the problem. The ghost must willingly walk away from her anger and hate to properly move on."
"How can we get her to do that?" Sakura pleaded.
"That is a question you must find an answer for by yourself," the priest advised.
---------------
Card Captors Sakura: Shadow of the Dragon
Chapter 15: Sakura's Ghostly Problems
Card Captor Sakura belongs to the fine ladies of CLAMP. Used without consent, all rights reserved.
By: Lord Archive
Author's Warnings:
This contains mature themes not intended for children under thirteen.
This series contains:
Adult situations.
Sexual situations withOUT detailed description of sex nor the naked human body.
Brief moments of violence, some cases involving people getting severely injured and possibly death.
Occasional use of vulgar language.
Japanese humor: which include bathroom jokes, panty fetish and shocking situations.
Depictions of criminal activity committed by fictional characters.
References of homosexuality.
---------------
Meiling whistled to herself as she opened the door to her apartment. She finally found a promising dojo that might be able to teach her something new. Not to mention a couple of the guys who could be potential boyfriends.
There was something amiss as she walked into her home, a nervous edge that seemed utterly out of place. A movement caught Meiling's attention as she saw a girl's hand reaching for a blouse and bra, neither of which were hers, lying on the floor.
Meiling scowled out of jealousy. "Sorry, Kinomoto. Thought you were working on the ghost problem. Didn't know you were _busy_ with Syaoran." She then let out a laugh at the girl's squeak of surprise. "Next time do that stuff in his bedroom."
"Wasn't like we planned on... this." Syaoran sat up, adjusting his shirt.
"You don't have to hide from me, Kinomoto. You've got nothing I haven't seen," Meiling reminded.
Sakura still didn't appear, but her embarrassment now hung in the air.
"Syaoran didn't force you, did he?" Meiling groused.
"NO!" Sakura squeaked out.
"Then there's nothing to be embarrassed about!" Meiling shot at her.
"But... But my chest is all wet!" Sakura protested.
Meiling smirked evilly. "Syaoran, you dog. Slobbering all over your girlfriend. Literally!"
Syaoran scowled at his cousin as he went to get some paper-towels for Sakura.
"Wet one of them, please," Sakura requested.
"Yes. Yes," Syaoran muttered.
Meiling peered over the couch, seeing Sakura attempting to hide her half-dressed state. "Just the chest or did he get anywhere below the waist?" She paused a second. "Did YOU go below the waist?"
Sakura stared up in surprise at the girl. "Hoooooooooeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"
---------------
"Sakura-chan, why didn't you tell me you went beyond kissing with Li-kun?!" Tomoyo asked in a hurt tone, after dragging the girl to a secluded part of the schoolyard during lunch.
Sakura pouted at her friend. "That's not something I want to talk about."
"Why not?" Tomoyo demanded. "Is it because of what Satome did?"
Sakura shook her head fiercely. "No! That's not it at all!" She sighed. "Tomoyo-chan... there are just some things that I want to keep private. Just between Syaoran-kun and me."
"Of course you do." Tomoyo grabbed her best friend's right hand. "But that doesn't mean you can't tell me what it's like to be pleasured."
Sakura looked down. "Yes, it does. You don't really want me to call you up and say I kissed Syaoran-kun for the ninety-seventh time, do you?"
"You've kissed him that many times?" Tomoyo seemed to honestly ask with interest.
"Tomoyo-chan?!" Sakura cried out.
Tomoyo smirked. "Now, Sakura-chan, you know all I want for you to be happy. I just want to know what makes you happy." She then leaned in and whispered. "And I'm really curious about what it's like. I haven't even been kissed, you know, and well... I'd like to know what I'm missing."
"Not as much as I'd like." Sakura blushed at her words.
Tomoyo blinked in surprise. "What do you mean?"
"Ah... well... it felt good, but ah... not as great as Chiharu-chan made it sound," Sakura flustered her reply.
Tomoyo held Sakura's hand tighter. "Promise me that when you first make love, you'll call me immediately!"
"Hoe?!" Sakura shook her head to calm herself. "Tomoyo-chan... I don't think I'm ready for _that_ yet. And, well... when I do... maybe not _immediately_, but I will tell you."
Tomoyo giggled and brought the girl into a hug. "That's a promise."
---------------
As much as Sakura had told Tomoyo that Satome molesting her wasn't an issue, it was. There had been more nervousness than she thought there should be. And when Syaoran touched her bare chest with his hand, part of her wanted to scream. She had been able to bury the unease and discomfort and share a bit of the joy and wonder Syaoran's eyes had shown. What she had done with him was a display of their love, and she desperately wished that Satome had never tainted it.
Sakura shook her head and gazed up at the Church where the funerals of Reiko and Mr. Mihara had taken place. She wished she knew more about her baptized faith and wondered if what she did with Syaoran was a sin. The Catholic religion did seem to have a few odd beliefs regarding sex.
Sakura frowned as she looked around the empty Church, wondering how she could see the priest she had met before. She was thankful that Tomoyo had other business to take care of. As much as she loved her best friend, the constant filming of her actions and the desire to know everything about her was a bit too much at times.
"Can I help you?"
Sakura jumped at the voice. She turned around and bowed. "Hello, Father Morisato... I, ah, have some questions."
The priest smiled at her. "Of course. Please sit down."
Sakura sat down at the edge of one pew, while the priest sat across the isle from her. She fidgeted nervously. "I... ah, wonder what the Church's views are about ghosts?"
"Ghosts?" Father Morisato held a surprised expression. "Well, there are times when souls do seem to linger after they should have passed."
Sakura nodded. "There's a ghost at my school I need help with."
"Well, I'm not trained as an exorcist, so I would not be able to banish a spirit," Father Morisato told her gently.
"What happens to a spirit that's been banished?" Sakura asked with dread.
"The spirit is forced into the afterlife," Father Morisato answered simply.
"Would it be like a Shinto priest? A push? Where if the spirit is on the path to hell, that's where she would go?" Sakura asked desperately.
Father Morisato frowned. "I don't know much about exorcisms, but I think that might be an accurate statement."
Sakura's head dropped. "I want to save her. It's my fault she died. She has a right to be angry at me, but I don't want to destroy her soul or send her to hell. I want to save her this time."
"Ah, you believe the ghost to be Ichimai Reiko, don't you?" Father Morisato guessed.
Sakura nodded.
"I don't know if I have any answers for you." Father Morisato sighed. "We can pray for her to find her way from anger and learn forgiveness."
"I doubt that will happen so easily. It is my fault she died and wants me to suffer," Sakura replied sadly.
"Trust in God to help you," Father Morisato advised. "You are never alone and He may open the path to both save Ichimai's soul and for you to forgive yourself."
---------------
Tomoyo walked through the main offices of her mother's corporation. From here, the decisions for Daidouji Toys, as well as numerous other businesses that the Amamiya and Daidouji clans held in interest, were made. There was a strange hush that fell over the room that had nothing to do with her presence.
From one of the conference rooms emerged a young man barely older than she was, though he was much taller. She recognized him as the president and owner of a rival company despite his young age. His stylized white trench coat called importance to him, especially offset by the black suits of his large, burly, male bodyguards. As he stomped past her, he eyed her with nothing but contempt.
Tomoyo frowned back at him. If she was to marry for economic gain, that boy would likely top the list. Not a happy concept as her first impression of him was that he held a similar slant to sexual preference as she did: their own gender. Considering her mother's lack of feeling for her own father, she hoped to not repeat history with her husband running off with a guy.
Sonomi's eyes brightened upon seeing her daughter, but in front of her employees she did not issue her normal exuberant greeting. "We have much to discuss, Daughter."
Tomoyo nodded. Image was everything. And maintaining the air of authority was important in business. The hint of weakness and others will take advantage of it. When they were far enough away from prying ears, she asked, "He wasn't here for a marriage interview, was he?"
"Hardly," Sonomi spat. "I would sooner see this company fall to ruin before I'd let you marry that pompous ass. I doubt you're his type. He's too obsessed with his games and some boy to be good for you."
"I had much the same opinion." Tomoyo eyed her mother carefully. "And how do you know he's obsessed with a boy?"
"When I was supposed to die, he topped the list of marriage candidates." Sonomi smirked ruefully. "Now, there's no one worthy of you."
Tomoyo giggled a little. "Why am I here?"
Sonomi opened a door to her office and Tomoyo barely caught sight of a man standing in a shadow. Her heart sped up at the sight of the black clad intruder, wondering if he was here to assassinate her to get at Sakura.
"Kurogane-san?" Sonomi called out.
The man stepped forward. "That girl is the first to see me."
Sonomi nodded. "Good. We do not want undo attention brought to this."
Tomoyo calmed herself. He was here under her mother's employ. She had a guess as to why he was here, particularly since she was here to meet him. She eyed him closely, taking in his air of dark mystery. The sword strapped to his back did not escape her notice.
"Now, Tomoyo, I would like you to tell him everything you know about Sakura-chan's attacker," Sonomi told her firmly.
For a second, Tomoyo debated sending this man after Satome, though she was sure that would be a waste of the man's skill. However, as much as Satome threatened their virtue, Sakura's true enemy was far more important. "I'm afraid I don't know who he is. I do not even have a specific suspect in mind. And I'm not sure if there is only one person."
Kurogane growled. "Tell me what you do know."
"Sakura-chan is practically engaged to Li Syaoran. The attacks against her seem to avoid putting him and his cousin, Li Meiling, in danger. Only three attacks have occurred with them around. The first of which, using a dragon golem, was likely as much a surprise to her attacker as it was for us as we didn't know he was returning to Tomoeda. The second attack promised to leave two of us unhurt. The third was an ambush in which Li-kun was unable to immediately defend Sakura-chan and Meiling-chan was in no position to help against a giant flying bird. When Sakura-chan had fallen ill and was unable to defend herself, she stayed with Li-kun. No attacks occurred then," Tomoyo told him, noting he held no reaction to her statements that inferred magic.
"So, the one behind this may be against the girl getting close to this Li Syaoran," Kurogane surmised.
"That would be my guess as well. I asked Li-kun if he knew who it might be, but all he would say was that the one his mother suspects has gone missing. He would not answer me if that person was related to the Li clan," Tomoyo added.
"What can you tell me about the attacks," Kurogane demanded.
"Each attack seems to be different. No two have been outwardly the same. However, they do share some similarities. Most of the attacks were made to look accidental, as if they were some tragedy that just happened. The more recent attacks have been more direct, but still offers no clue to the one behind it." Tomoyo pouted. "Save, maybe, one. Years ago, when Sakura-chan was training in her magic, she faced a test which had a piano chasing my voice. A few months ago, a car did the same to Sakura-chan. The mage behind the piano was Hiiragizawa Eriol. He is the reincarnation of Clow Reed, who is of direct relation to the Li clan, so I can not be sure if the spell used belongs to the clan or if Hiiragizawa was announcing he was involved. I have sent a letter to him asking about it, but his reply denied any involvement. That he lives in England and the letter seemed to be properly received would look to discount him as a suspect. However, he is one of the most powerful sorcerers alive and could easily intercept the letter and make it look like he's in England and yet be in Tomoeda."
Kurogane nodded. "Still, it's something to look into. Any more information?"
Tomoyo pouted. "I wish mother had warned me more about what she wanted me to talk about. I have videos of some of the battles." She then looked away from the man for the first time. "I can not be sure that my suspicions are correct. As Li-kun pointed out when I confronted him about my evidence: the one behind this may be testing Sakura-chan for some greater mission or could be out to get her magic for themselves."
"Gut feelings are often the more correct ones," Kurogane stated firmly. "What does your gut tell you?"
"That the person or persons behind this want Sakura-chan away from her beloved and is of relation to the Li clan..." Tomoyo closed her eyes. "Particularly Meiling-chan's side of the family. At one time she was engaged to Li-kun. Though I can not and would not discount Hiiragizawa having a hand in this."
Kurogane nodded. "I would like to see some of these videos to learn more about this enemy."
Though Tomoyo likely knew the answer, she still asked the question, "What will you do if you find the one behind the attacks on Sakura-chan?"
Kurogane smirked evilly while tapping the sword strapped to his back. "I will make sure the attacks end. Permanently."
Tomoyo nodded reluctantly. Part of her hoped that Hiiragizawa had no part in this, but if he was involved in trying to kill Sakura-chan, she would spit on his gravestone.
---------------
"I think I liked it better when Ichimai was resorting to petty pranks," Naoko commented. She had bumped into Sakura, literally, after her friend left the Church. She presented another option for gaining information on their ghost problem.
Sakura looked as if she was trying to hug herself. "I can't believe she spoiled all that food, making so many people sick."
"I'm quite glad that I'm not on any cleaning duty this week. Some of the girls couldn't wait for the toilet and used the sink!" Naoko shuddered.
"From what Syaoran-kun said about the boy's bathroom, it was even worse. I'll have to use Bubbles to clean it." Sakura shuddered in disgust.
Naoko grinned. "At least school has been canceled for tomorrow while everyone who ate the cafeteria food recovers."
Sakura sighed as they arrived at their destination. She wouldn't have considered this option. Not because she didn't believe in it, but because she could attempt it herself.
"Ah, come in! Come in! Let Madam Bara find you the answers you seek!" a woman in gaudy multicolor robes announced with a strange accent.
Sakura pouted at the woman, her slim hope diminishing with the lack of magic in the air. She sat down across from the woman, not expecting anything.
The woman waved her hands over a crystal ball. "You are here in a quest for love!"
"No, I have a boyfriend," Sakura replied.
"Ah, but you want to know if he's the one," Madam Bara returned.
Sakura shook her head. "I'm pretty sure he is. I have different problems. None of which relate to my love for Syaoran-kun."
"That would be my question for Shinji-kun," Naoko commented with a grin.
"Ah, she seems to be interfering in the reading. Trouble with school then?" Madam Bara asked.
Sakura sighed. "No, with someone out to kill me and the ghost of a girl I let die."
Naoko leaned in closer to not miss the psychic's reply.
Madam Bara stared at the girl. "Very funny, Dear. If you are not serious about a reading, I can't help you."
"The future can be seen, but it doesn't work this way. You are a fake." Sakura gazed deeply at the woman, the Dream lending her power in shared annoyance at the fraud psychic. "You remember Higashi-san? You've made too many mistakes with him. He could be your number one person, but you've pushed him away. You have but one more chance, or you will lose him. And I'm sorry about your mother."
Madam Bara blinked. "What do you mean about my Mother?"
Sakura closed her eyes as tears rolled out. "I'm sorry. But from her shall come your last chance with Higashi."
Sakura left while Naoko followed, trying not to laugh at the psychic being the one to get a look into her own future.
---------------
Touya walked into the archaeology department and saw a young woman with dark shoulder length hair riffling through a stack of papers. Her nervousness seemed out of place, but the result was expected. Her schoolwork cascaded from her like a waterfall of paper. He shook his head and stooped down to help pick them up.
"Oh, hi! Sorry, I'm such a klutz at times," the woman giggled sheepishly.
Touya frowned as he gazed into her sky blue eyes and put a block on what little feedback he gave Sakura from his powers. There was something about Togashi Hinami, as listed on her schoolwork, that rubbed him wrong. The same sort of 'wrong' he felt when he first met Li Syaoran.
"What brings you to the archaeology department?" Hanami asked. "Interested in majoring in it?"
"Nah. I'm more social services," Touya replied with cold indifference. "My Dad works here."
"Oh? Are you old Mitsutani's son?" Hanami eyed him carefully. "Though I'd think he'd have grandchildren by now."
"Ah, Touya-kun, what brings you here?" Fujitaka asked as he entered the department lobby.
"Just thought I should warn you that Sakura-chan is working on one of her projects and probably will forget it's her turn to cook," Touya told him.
Fujitaka nodded. "That's not much of a problem. I'll give her a call and let her know I'll grab dinner here."
"One more thing, Dad..." Touya eyed the now shocked Hanami. "Don't tell Sakura-chan about her yet. I don't think she'd understand."
Fujitaka blinked. "Touya-kun...."
"There's a reason she stopped taking your classes, and you know why," Touya returned before stomping off.
Fujitaka rubbed his forehead, wondering why life decided to be more complicated than it needed to be.
"DAD?!" Hanami cried out. "I thought... he's the same age... How old are you?!"
Fujitaka shook his head. "Perhaps we should have a talk over dinner?"
"Sure!" Hanami blushed deeply. "I... ah... mean."
Fujitaka smirked. "As Touya-kun pointed out, you're not MY student."
Hanami nodded. "Right... Um... how did he know...?"
"I think I'll save that question for another time," Fujitaka told her.
---------------
"What is it?" Kurogane almost growled out as he sat in the Daidouji home watching videos.
"Oh, nothing." Tomoyo shifted nervously. "This is the first time someone I don't know has seen these. I'm a bit worried about how good they are."
Kurogane shrugged. "I've seen worse at the movies."
Tomoyo smiled. "Thank you!"
Kurogane snorted. "These really don't help at all. Only the assassin offered any insight. And you are right in that while the one after your friend doesn't seem to care who gets hurt, with the exception of the golem, Li and his cousin are not in any direct danger at any time."
Tomoyo looked away. "You've been in a position of fighting to the death, haven't you?"
Kurogane grinned evilly. "Those are the best fights."
Tomoyo pouted at him. A mix of words dying on her tongue. She finally settled on her original question. "Are these attacks on Sakura-chan truly meant to kill her or merely think it's deadly?"
Kurogane thought about it as he watched a shaking camera image run across a field until it reached Sakura's and Syaoran's comatose bodies, with the latter severely aged from excessive magic usage. "There are two ways to view these attacks. Either the enemy is out to kill her and underestimates the girl and her friends, or her opponent knows her limits extremely well and is pushing her to advance."
"The latter would suggest Hiiragizawa," Tomoyo pointed out. "Which do you believe?"
"The car that attacked the girl reeks of frustration and did nothing to advance her. And the assassin was a wild card, someone that could not be fully controlled." Kurogane gave a cold, hard look. "Your friend has been targeted for death."
Tomoyo sighed. "If you are right in that Sakura-chan is being underestimated, it can not be Hiiragizawa-kun. He knows her magic, as he has the memories of the man who created her cards."
"Are these all the attacks on her?" Kurogane questioned.
"The ones we are sure that were caused by her attacker. I do have other instances that might be an accident or it could've been an attack," Tomoyo answered.
Kurogane groaned a little. "Let's see those."
Tomoyo jumped up and pranced to her video wall. She stifled a giggle, noticing that his eyes had followed her in a manner that held no hostility. For her first 'date' with a guy, it was hardly a bad experience. Still, she would much prefer a girl as her date, especially if she was Sakura... or maybe Meiling.
---------------
Hanami rushed into her apartment, hearing her phone ringing. She kicked her shoes off before picking the receiver up and answering, "Hello, Togashi residence."
"Where have you been?!" a stern voice barked over the phone.
Hanami tossed her purse onto her couch, it landed on a pile of papers and a blouse. "I'm sorry, Mother. I lost track of time at dinner."
"Oh, was it a date?" Mrs. Togashi asked cautiously.
"Well... yeah, it was kind of a date," Hanami replied uncertainly, nervously sorting through the past week of mail.
"Really? Who is he?" Mrs. Togashi chirped.
Hanami bit her lip. "Er... He's a teacher."
"A teacher?" Mrs. Togashi squeaked in surprise. "Isn't he old enough-"
Hanami interrupted. "Yes, I know he's old enough to be my father." She scowled darkly. "That was made painfully clear. He has a son who's apparently a few months older than me."
"If he has a son your age, you should go after him," Mrs. Togashi advised.
"No, I'm not going to go after his son." Hanami growled. "You don't know Kinomoto-sensei, Mom. He's kind, sweet, handsome, and lonely. His wife died over ten years ago, his son has already moved out of the house and his daughter won't be around much longer either. He needs somebody and I want to be that person."
"Hanami...," Mrs. Togashi let out a sigh over phone. "I guess you'd have an easier time with your dream job with him."
Hanami laughed as she tossed a few advertisements at the overflowing trashcan. "Well, that is sort of an added perk. With him I would have a better chance working on archaeology digs."
"Still, Dear... be careful. An older man, especially one with children, may have issues you aren't ready for," Mrs. Togashi warned.
"Yes, Mom," Hanami groaned. "Good night. I'll talk to you later. I need to study. I love you," Hanami said before hanging up without waiting for a reply.
Hanami walked over to her chair, picked up and threw the skirt and bra on it onto the couch. She then plopped into the chair. Despite what she said to her mother, she wasn't entirely certain what she should make of her dinner with her one-time teacher. They had talked a lot, though he had more to say. She could see his loneliness as he talked about his departed wife. However, that was also the problem. After more than ten years, he was still in love with his dead wife. How could she hope to face that? Did she really want to work at getting him to put his past aside and look to her for his future?
---------------
Sakura tried to shake her anxiety as she walked into Penguin Park. The last time she was alone here Satome had tried to rape her. The fact she had faced an assassin with her friends watching didn't help matters. It left her more on guard than she would normally have been. This place had been almost a second home, even during her trials with the cards. Now it was tainted and no longer a safe haven to her. Why did she have to insist on meeting Tomoyo here rather than her house or the school?
Sakura shook her head. She should be thinking of how to deal with Reiko. If someone did attack her, her cards would come to her defense. But the problem with Reiko wasn't a simple one. Everyone who knew anything about ghosts warned that trying to force Reiko into the afterlife would either condemn her to hell or destroy her spirit utterly. Neither was an option she wanted to consider.
Using her own powers, Sakura tried to divine a solution. Using the Dream to take a nap and see the future, had left her even more confused. She had seen a dark dragon looming overhead. From its claws came puppetry threads that were connected to a dream version of herself who danced before a grave marker, calling a bunch of guys to her and then kissing them.
Sakura knew of her weakness to mind-control magic, having her body controlled by Yue during his judgement and by Madoushi, the water sorceress who had sought Clow Reed for centuries. It would not be impossible for her foe to do the same, but what would be gained by insulting the dead and kissing guys?
"Neechan!"
Sakura blinked and looked down at a boy. "Isn't it late for you to be out?"
"I can't find my Mommy!" the boy replied.
"Then we'll find her," Sakura promised. "Where did you last see her?"
"Niichan was getting inta a fight by the slide. Mommy went to stop it. I thought I'd hide from her, but when I got bored 'n came back no one was here!" the boy whined.
Sakura closed her eyes, letting her senses wash over the park to see if she could hear anyone. There were no voices to be heard. She frowned, wondering how he could be left behind.
"Sorry, I'm late!" Tomoyo cried out.
"Hi, Tomoyo-chan," Sakura returned looking around.
"Sakura-chan, do you have my hairbrush? Last I had it when I was brushing your hair at lunch," Tomoyo questioned.
Sakura shook her head. "Sorry, I don't have it. Have you seen anyone on your way here?"
"I haven't," Tomoyo replied.
Sakura looked down. "Do you think your mother went looking for you? Where did you hide?"
Tomoyo blinked in confusion. "I'm not hiding, and why would Mother look for me?"
"Sorry, I was asking him that," Sakura mentioned, still distracted.
The boy glared at the girl. "Yeah! She's talking to me!"
Sakura knelt down. "Can you show me where you were hiding?"
"That way!" The boy pointed toward the forest.
Tomoyo fished out her camera and turned it on. "Sakura-chan... who are you talking to?"
"I'm Touji!" the boy replied.
"He's lost his mother," Sakura added.
Tomoyo shook her head, staring morbidly at the image her camera was showing of a floating white dot in front of her friend. "Sakura-chan... what's his name?"
"I told you!" Touji shouted.
Sakura looked confused. "He just said his name is Touji-kun."
Tomoyo's arms dropped. "Sakura-chan... could you come here for a second, please? I need to tell you something privately."
Sakura sighed as she walked over to her friend. "What is it?"
"Do you remember the cliff you fell off of?" Tomoyo whispered.
Sakura looked confused. "Which one?"
Tomoyo was half-tempted to laugh at the reply. "The one your brother also fell from."
"Oh, right. What about it?" Sakura asked.
Tomoyo looked sadly at the girl. "While you were in a coma, Myujin Touji went missing... They found his body after a day of searching at the bottom of the cliff."
Sakura's eyes went wide. "You mean he's...?"
Tomoyo nodded.
"What are we going to do? He wants to see his mother, but he's..." Sakura sagged.
"Are we going to find Mommy or what?" the boy demanded.
Sakura turned around. "What do I say to him? He doesn't know."
Tomoyo paused in thought. "I think that may be half the problem. Still, he wants to see his mother. I will see if I can bring her here."
"You do that." Sakura sighed sadly. "I'll... talk to him."
Tomoyo nodded and ran off.
Sakura walked over to the boy. "Tomoyo-chan has gone to your house to see if your mother had to take your brother there."
"'Kay." The boy grinned at her.
Sakura fretted over what to say to the boy. She tried to think of some way to convince him that he was dead. She put her hand on his shoulder and was a little surprised to feel cold flesh. She should've been able to put her hand through him, but she couldn't. Well, if she couldn't pass through him, then she would need something else that could.
"Want to play catch while we wait here for your Mother?" Sakura suggested.
"Sure!" Touji cheered.
Sakura walked a few feet away and found a small, smooth rock on the ground. She picked it up and tossed in underhand to him. "Catch!"
Touji reached out for it, but the rock sailed through his hands and his stomach without slowing down. He turned around and stared in shock. "How'd that happen?"
"Do you remember where you had run off to?" Sakura asked him.
The boy nodded. "Inta the trees."
"Did you see the cliff?" Sakura asked.
The boy's eyes went wide and wobbled. "I... I was falling." He then shook his head. "That was a dream."
"It wasn't a dream," Sakura told him. "You fell from it."
"It was a nightmare! It didn't happen! Mommy would never leave me when I was hurt! It didn't happen!" Touji cried out.
Sakura stumbled toward him. It hadn't been quick for him. How long did he lay there before he...? She fell to her knees and hugged him. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
"You can touch me. You can't touch ghosts!" the boy continued his protest.
"I can, Touji-kun. Tomoyo-chan never heard or saw you," Sakura told him.
"Liar!" Touji howled. "I called for Mommy! She didn't come! Why isn't Mommy here?! MOMMY!!"
"Oh, my..." Tomoyo gasped.
"Touji..." a woman whispered.
"Mommy!" Touji pulled away from Sakura embrace and disappeared from all but Sakura's eyes.
"Where did he go?" Mrs. Myujin asked.
"I'm right here, Mommy!" Touji ran to the woman but passed right through her, tripping and falling to the ground. "Mommy?"
Sakura wanted to break down crying for the boy, but now wasn't the time. Touji and his mother needed her.
"Mommy!" Touji cried out, trying to touch her.
Sakura wobbled as she walked over to the boy and place her hand on him, this time knowingly imparting a touch of her magic into him.
"Touji..." Mrs. Myujin whispered again. "How?"
"You could say I'm a bit of a psychic," Sakura told the woman.
Mrs. Myujin nodded dumbly, tears welling up in her eyes. She went to touch her son, but only felt cold air.
Touji looked in horror as his mother recoiled from him. "I... I really died... Why didn't you come for me, Mommy? I cried out for you! It hurt! It hurt so bad. The blood... Why didn't you come for me?!"
"I'm sorry! I looked for you! I didn't stop until they found you." Tears streamed down Mrs. Myujin's face. "When you disappeared, I thought someone took you. I didn't think... Why did you go into the forest? You know you weren't supposed to go there! The cliff... that damned cliff."
Touji looked down. "I... I'm sorry. You were with niichan. Always with niichan. I wanted you to worry. I wanted to know you cared."
Mrs. Myujin collapsed to her knees. "I love you, Touji. I will always love you. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you. Can you ever forgive me?"
"If... If you can forgive me," Touji replied.
Mrs. Myujin smiled a little at their personal joke. "I forgive you."
"I love you, Mommy." A flash of light and Touji was gone.
"Touji?" Mrs. Myujin called out.
"He's gone to heaven," Sakura told her. "He's where he should be."
Mrs. Myujin stood up unsteadily and wiped away her tears. "Thank you... Thank you for letting me say good-bye to him."
Sakura bowed. "I'm sorry I couldn't have done more."
"You've done more than I can ever repay you for." Mrs. Myujin touched Sakura's cheek to wipe away the girl's tears. "You even cried for my son. Thank you." She then walked away, with more color to her face than she had when she arrived.
Tomoyo smiled knowingly at her friend.
"What?" Sakura asked.
"You just saw and helped a ghost, and you weren't afraid at all," Tomoyo pointed out.
Sakura blinked. "I... I did, didn't I?"
Tomoyo nodded. "And doesn't this give you an idea of what to do about Ichimai?"
Sakura thought about that for a second. "Maybe, but I don't think I can get Reiko-chan to forgive me."
---------------
Fujitaka traced his finger over a picture of Nadeshiko. What had he been thinking asking a girl out on a date, telling her more about himself than he had told anyone else? He had a wife who he loved beyond measure. If anyone offered him a means to bring her back, he would take it without hesitation.
The teacher sighed. Hinami was a bright girl and certainly pretty in her own ways, but she was no model. Her clumsiness had reminded him of Nadeshiko, but that was where the similarities began and ended. When he talked of archaeological finds, Hinami listened intently while Nadeshiko would just stare blankly and nod. Nadeshiko believed in everything being clean and organized, Hinami often lost her schoolwork.
What had he been thinking? That Touya had practically told him they would be a couple. But was he ready to date again?
The front door opening shook Fujitaka from his thoughts. "Sakura?" He glanced at the time. It was after three in the morning. He didn't even know she wasn't in her bed sleeping.
"I'm home..." Sakura trailed off her greeting. She tentatively peeked into the dining room to see her father sitting at the table. "Sorry I'm so late... I was cleaning up the school after Reiko-chan's last prank. And school is canceled tomorrow, so I can sleep in."
Fujitaka smiled at his daughter, seeing the young woman she was becoming. He was sure she was telling him the truth, as his daughter likely knew she would not get in any trouble with him if she had stayed at her boyfriend's place. He shook his head wondering when his little girl had gotten so big. While he busied himself at the University was his only answer.
"Dad, is..." Sakura's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. She bolted across the room and seemed to hug the air. With the way her body was leaning, she should have fallen on her face. "Mother..."
Fujitaka stood up. "Nadeshiko?"
"Sakura, there will be a time for me to talk to you..." Nadeshiko trailed off.
"Dad needs you now," Sakura finished.
Nadeshiko smiled. "Yes, Dear. I love you."
"I... I love you too, Mom." Sakura glowed softly, imparting a bit of her magic to her mother's ghost so her father could see her.
"Oh, Nadeshiko...," Fujitaka breathed.
"I will be able to maintain your magic for a time." Nadeshiko looked sadly at her daughter. "What I need to say to your father isn't for you to know just yet. I will talk to you later. I promise."
Sakura nodded with tears on her face. "Okay..." She reluctantly pulled away from her mother. "It's a promise."
"You did good today, Sakura. Never forget that I am proud of you," Nadeshiko told her daughter.
"Thank you, Mom." And Sakura left her parents alone.
"Nadeshiko... Is that... really you?" Fujitaka asked with disbelieving eyes.
"Yes, Beloved. I'm here. Just as you've called me," Nadeshiko told him, with neither a smile nor a frown.
Fujitaka bowed his head. "I..."
"I want you to be happy," Nadeshiko told him. "I don't want you to sit home alone. Love is a beautiful thing. Don't throw away what might be to stay in the past."
"Nadeshiko... How can I see someone else when I still love you?" Fujitaka asked her.
Nadeshiko gave him a radiant smile. "Because love knows no boundaries. Our son has found love a second time, with a guy. Our daughter loves a foreign boy. And you know very well the odd relationships my friends were in. You can love again and not betray our love."
"What I want..." Fujitaka trailed off.
"Is something that can't happen for hopefully a long, long time. I will wait for the time you can join me, but I don't mind sharing." Nadeshiko smirked. "I wasn't joking when I suggested inviting Sonomi-chan to join us. Remember, your happiness is my happiness. And I will be quite sad if you remain alone."
Fujitaka reached out to her as her image began to fade. "Nadeshiko... I love you."
"Be happy, Beloved. Be happy." Nadeshiko could be seen no more.
Fujitaka bowed his head, fighting the urge to cry. He promised her that he would not cry. He thought he felt her touch. Perhaps he did. After over a decade of holding in his tears, they finally flooded out from his eyes.
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Author's Notes:
Coming Soon - Chapter 16 Sakura's Doppelganger
Sakura faces herself in a battle with everything at stake.
Sorry. No omake this time. Instead expect the next chapter in a few weeks.