A Big Mystery

by SailorStyx

Summary:

Kero tries to locate the new powerful source of magic in Tomoeda while wondering what’s with Sakura.

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Notes:

This fic was supposed to be purely comedic but I think a little sadness/melancholy slipped in towards the end by accident.

“I’m sensing magic, powerful magic, but I just can’t pinpoint the source,” Kero said as he sat with his arms crossed across from Sakura on her bed.

Meanwhile Sakura was wrapping a piece of black licorice around a riceball, not for the first time that night, before eating it. After gulping down the last bite, she said, “I’m sure you’ll find it eventually, Kero, but I’m out of riceballs and licorice and I’m still hungry. The convenience store down the street is still open so I’m getting more.” She hopped up from her bed, brushing the loose crumbs from her belly, and started looking in her closet for a jacket.

“Hey, Sakura, don’t you think you should be careful what you eat? You’ve been getting sick an awful lot lately. Probably from all the weird stuff you’ve been eating. And a magician’s magic is influenced by what they eat, especially young ones like you.”

“I can’t help it, Kero. I just . . . crave odd food combinations. Can’t the opposite be true? That developing magic can influence your food choices? Besides, it’s just a little nausea and vomiting. It can’t be that serious, but it’s not like I have time to schedule a doctor’s appointment.”

“For your first point, impossible. I should know. I’m old and know a lot about magic. For your second, maybe. It’s true you don’t have any other symptoms and I know how busy you are, but I still can’t help but worry. Especially with this new powerful unknown magic source in Tomoeda. I hope they’re not connected.” He watched her attempt to zip up the jacket she had chosen. “Another thing that worries me is how you can be gaining weight when you keep throwing up.”

Sakura finally got the zipper over her protruding belly and zipped it all the way up since it was a chilly fall night. “I haven’t gained that much weight!” she protested with a pouty look. Silently though she had to admit that if she got any bigger she’d have to go shopping for new clothes. Or maybe just ask Tomoyo to make her new ones since she was on a budget. She’d worry about that later though. “Are you coming with me?”

“Nah. I have some things to do. Just don’t forget to bring me something.” Years of being shoved into backpacks and/or having to pretend to be a stuffed animal had taken its toll and Kero was fine with just relaxing at home while Sakura worried about getting around town.

“Okay. Suit yourself,” Sakura said as she opened her bedroom door to leave.

“Well, I have just one question before you go.”

“Yeah?”

“Where’s the punk? We could really use his strong sensing ability right now, as much as I hate to admit it.”

“He went back home to Hong Kong a few months ago. Said there was important family business he had to take care of as the Li clan heir. I’m not sure when he’ll be back.” Sakura tried to hide her sadness as she said those last few words and left.

Kero continued to sit on her bed with his arms crossed and concentrated on the mysterious magic source. Strange he thought. The signal appears to be moving. But where is it and where is it going? This, combined with Sakura’s odd behavior and weight gain, were very vexing indeed.

Notes:

Saw a thread/comment on the CCS subreddit about how this series contradicts the rest of the CLAMP verse on one particular point and it got me thinking too hard about certain uh mechanics and this fic was the result.