“I know his magic is similar to Clow’s,” Sakura replied. “But I have not met many magicians other than Clow, and I don’t believe I’ve ever met this master of yours, otherwise I would have recognized his energy. How would you expect me to know him when I’ve never even met him?”

The doll’s logic did not make much sense, and she suppressed her frustration.

“I have turned the cards into my own—they are no longer Clow Cards now. They are Sakura Cards. No one else but me may wield them. I can leave you there all day; I have a class to get to and other things to do, so the choice is yours. You’re welcome to stay frozen.”

It was not exactly true; Sakura wouldn’t leave a menace like this doll unsupervised, but she was playing a role now, and the doll didn’t need to know what her actual thoughts were.

The dark-haired girl watched the exchange between Sakura and the doll closely. Tomoyo continued to hold her phone steady, carefully recording the continued conversation. She knew that Yue would remember and having the pair of guardians discuss these events later seemed only natural, but this was the only thing she could do right now. Perhaps hearing the exact words would provide Kero-chan was better context. The golden-haired creature generally seemed to have a lot of knowledge when it came to things involving Clow Cards and magic, and it seemed to Tomoyo that the strengthening of Sakura's magic seemed to make that even easier for the sun-protected one.

She did her best to stay back, just in case anything else were to happen. This strange doll may seem temporarily trapped, but Tomoyo could not feel assured of what other powers it might attempt to use.

Unseen in the shadows, a figure stood watching the young clow card mistress interact with the doll. He used his magic to cloak himself, figuring she was too yet inexperienced to really sense him. 

She had turned the cards into her own, had she? This he hadn't forseen. Perhaps he had underestimated her abilities. Still, even with this, he was sure he would get what he wanted in the end. Flicking his hand, he shattered the ice surrounding his minion before disappearing. 

~~~

Her master had freed her! She giggled at the thought of him not leaving her to the evil Clow mistress's clutches. He must really love her if he came for her! 

"Watch your back or you'll be sorry,' she warned in a sing-song voice before disappearing. 



Raising his eyebrow in disbelief, he stood their silently as the doll disappeared. "Perhaps it would be wise to stay home today mistress," he said. Who knew what else was out there today. They needed to plan.

She felt a chill run down her spine when the doll disappeared. This felt dangerous—more dangerous than Tomoyo remembered feeling from future interactions with the cards and magic. She believed deeply in Sakura and knew that her dear friend would definitely be able to overcome whatever they were facing, but the violet-eyed girl still worried. She didn't want any harm to befall someone she cared about so much. Already she knew that Sakura had been concerned, and now this was sure to cause more brooding. Tomoyo wished that she could do more to help; she would gladly share any of Sakura's troubles if it would make things easier on the brunette.

When Yue made the suggestion that Sakura ought to stay home, Tomoyo recognized the rationale of the white-haired guardian's suggestion even as she deeply regretted losing her customary walk to school with her dear friend.

"I think Yue-san is right, Sakura-chan," the soft-voiced young woman commented, punctuated with a gentle smile. "Perhaps you should head back. I can talk to your professors and say that you are ill today."

Tomoyo doubted that it would be necessary for her to remain home, as well. After all, it was Sakura that these strange forces were after. Sakura and her powerful, special magic. Tomoyo had nothing of value to the magical world.

She gasped when the ice surrounding the doll shattered, seemingly by itself. The doll disappeared before she could do anything else, but not without a bone-chilling warning.

She didn’t like the idea of missing school for this, but Yue was probably right. She’d want to talk to Kero, too. Between the two of them, perhaps they could figure out something more.

When Tomoyo echoed the suggestion and said she’d go to school alone, Sakura hesitated. “But that doll saw you with me. She also tried to hurt you too earlier. What if she, or whoever is really behind this, appears at school and targets you while I’m not around? Who’ll protect you then?”

She would never forgive herself if something happened to Tomoyo when she wasn’t there.

Tomoyo paused, considering her friend's concerns. It certainly didn't sound unreasonable. Still, Tomoyo herself had a hard time thinking that she would be targeted, but perhaps that was just an undeserved sense of safety influenced by years of avoiding any interest from the magical world. She almost suggested calling up her mother's security service, although she had definitely enjoyed her elder teenager years with less of that kind of supervision. However, it was unlikely that the highly-trained women her mother employed would be suited to deal with a menace like that strange doll. They were only bodyguards, after all.

But Tomoyo hesitated taking the entire day off. She had to work towards her graduation; after all, she would be taking over the Daidouji Toy Company someday in the near future.

The violet eyed girl tried to project comforting feelings towards her concerned friend. Perhaps the third party present could weigh in on the matter. Maybe this was the kind of thing that needed another opinion.

"Well, we wouldn't want that. What do you think, Yue-san?"

Mod Note 

Creators request and consensus among players, the RP is being moved to the graveyard.