Sakura initially refuses to fight Yue, but after he repeatedly attacks her she tries to find card that can confine him without hurting him. She uses the Woody card, but it is a card under Yue's sign of the moon, and he turns it against her, and Yue declares she has failed. Sakura learns that if she fails the Final Judgment, everyone who has ever had anything to do with the cards will forget their feelings for the person they love the most. After seeing a vision of such a world, Ms. Mizuki uses the bell to enable her to break free from Woody's hold. She explains that her bell was created by Clow Reed to give Sakura another chance. Ready to try again, Sakura releases her wand and it transforms, the end changing to a Star. She call's Windy, which Yue denounces as being under him as well, but this time he is unable to turn it against her and is captured. Sakura expresses her understanding of his love for Clow, promises to try her best, asking if they can be friends rather than her being his master. Yue declares the trial successful and acknowledges her as his and Kero's new master. Sakura has a vision of Clow Reed who thanks her and explains that her power is of the Stars, rather than the Sun or Moon. Sakura celebrates with Tomoyo and Syaoran, while Kero and Yue chat briefly before they return to their false forms.

The challenge is over at last. All the cards have been captured, all have been turned. The tests are over, or are they? There may be just one remaining, one that may have to be resolved with the heart. Life has been difficult for Sakura and Li since the day Synoran confessed to sakura that he was in love with her, Li finds it difficult to approach Sakura, whilst Sakura herself is torn, not knowing if she feels the same way for Synoran. The two barly exchange words when they return to school, where they are told by Tereda-Sensi that Eroil is transferring back to England. Sakura, Li, Tomoyo [Armed with her camera as always] and Kero head for Eroil mansion, seeking answers, they are startled when the mansion's front door opens by itself, as do all the other doors from within the building. When the final door opens, the four are shocked to discover that Eroile is holding a party for them!

The earthquake was caused by the Earthy card. Ms. Mizuki is nearby, but there is nothing going on around her. Sakura uses to Sleep card to put everyone except herself, Kero, Tomoyo, and Syaoran asleep; Ms. Mizuki is not affected by the card, however. Sakura uses the Fly card to see from above; while Syaoran makes sure everyone is safe. Sakura eventually uses the Woody card to seal it away. Now with the final card in her possession, Kero is able to transform into his true form. After a short celebration, Syaoran explains that Kerberos, representing the sun, is one of two guardians of the Clow Cards, the other being Yue the judge, representing the moon. Kero explains that the sole owner of the cards will be determined after Yue appears. Suddenly, Yukito magically floats with a light blue aura, and turns into Yue. Ms. Mizuki explains to Sakura that Yukito is Yue. Yue begins the Final Judgment of Syaoran, who tries to fight Yue with a seal, but Yue tells him that it is useless, and he can only use the Clow Cards he currently has. Syaoran tries to use the Time card, but since it is under Yue's jurisdiction, Yue can use it against him. Syaoran is defeated, and it is time for Sakura's Final Judgment.

Tomoyo meets Cerberus after she discovers Sakura's secret and gets a full explanation of the lost Clow Cards and Sakura's designation as Cardcaptor. Cerberus gets given the nickname "Kero-chan" that will stick for the rest of the series. The next day, the students find the school's desks and equipment in large piles. Kero believes it was the work of the card and forces Sakura to go to school at night where she confronts The Shadow. Using the Windy card's binding ability, Sakura is able to capture the Shadow card. Sakura finally accepts her role as a Cardcaptor because of Tomoyo's support.

Sakura and Syaoran are working hard at memorizing the play. Finally the day of the play comes, and after a few denials about going out on stage from Syaoran, the play is on. The play goes well until right before Sakura and Syaoran kiss, when the Dark card appears. Sakura is almost lost in the Dark card until she realizes that she holds the Light card in her heart. The two card counteract each other and show themselves. Sakura seals both cards and before being sealed, they tell her that the final judgment is coming and that is will be up to Yue.

Syaoran's feelings for Sakura have been steadily increasing, though he still doesn't understand why, and Sakura remains blissfully unaware of it. Soon Sakura invites him to go to a teddy bear festival with her, Tomoyo, and Eriol. However, Eriol secretly traps Sakura and Syaoran on an elevator, where the two grow closer. Eriol then creates a large hole in the wall of the elevator, causing Sakura to fall through. Distraught, Syaoran calls out to Sakura by her first name for the first time.

It's April, the cherry trees are in full bloom, and Sakura has entered Tomoeda Middle School. She's reunited with Syaoran, who has returned from Hong Kong, and her new student life has begun.

Sakura, Tomoyo, Meilin and Syaoran head into town for a day of fun. The four are not alone in their venture as the Dream, in the form of a butterfly, tags along. When the group enters Tokyo Tower to see an exhibit there, Sakura falls under the Dream's spell. At first, the vision that the Dream presents to Sakura is comical. Later, the Dream takes a more serious tone by expanding upon Sakura's reoccurring dreams concerning the Clow guardians' Final Judgment. Sakura becomes frightened of the images of this future, however, the Dream flashes clips from Sakura's past to remind Sakura of all the obstacles that she has overcome. Outside of Sakura's dream, Syaoran realizes that something is wrong and uses the Time card to freeze the Dream card. Snapped out of the Dream's spell, Sakura is able to successfully capture the Dream card. However, as it was Syaoran that stopped the card's effects, the Dream card belongs to Syaoran.

Eroile stands above Sakura, Synoran, Kero and Tomoyo, and reveals the truth at last: He is the reincarnation of Clow Reed himself! He then casts a spell that eclipses both the sun and the moon. This puts those not entuned with magical power to sleep. As Yue and Toya race to the shrine, Toya collapses, with no power to call his own any more, the spell is able to affect him also. Eroile then challenges Sakura to use her abilities to break his spell of Darkness or everyone will sleep forever! With Kero and Yue being kept busy by Spinal Sun and Ruby Moon, Sakura knows she is vulnerable, so she strikes quickly. She uses the shield card to protect Synoran and Tomoyo and uses the jump card to get closer to Elrole, but the sorcerer summons a fire spell to drive her back, Skaura falls backwards, Synoran uses wind magic to catch her, but in doing so, drains himself of all his remaining strength. After further battle, and more card changing, Sakura realises that only the power of light can shatte

Ms. Mizuki announces that the class will by doing a play for the school arts festival. Sakura realizes that the woman she sees in her reoccurring dream is Ms. Mizuki. Roles are assigned by amida drawing. Sakura has the role of the prince and Syaoran is the princess. The two have lunch with Yukito, who asks about the play. Sakura and Syaoran are too embarrassed to tell him what roles they are playing. They agree to practice their lines together in the morning at school. Toya makes Sakura breakfast and warns her about doing "reckless" things. Sakura meets Syaoran in a hallway and the Sand card rushes around behind them. They practice outside and almost get to the kissing scene, when the Sand card forms a vortex around them. They get away using Fly, but Syaoran gets caught in the vortex again. Sakura uses Watery and Syaoran uses Freeze to freeze the Sand. Sakura seals the card and it comes to both of them, but she lets Syaoran have it.

Remembering his promise to Meiling that he would be her "fiancé" until he found someone he loved more, Syaoran calls her to tell her that he is in love with Sakura, though he is taken by surprise when Meiling arrives in Tomoeda for the day. While Meiling spends the day with her old friends, the group is attacked by a set of enchanted penguin statues at the playground.

Toya and Yukito are starring in an independent film directed by Nakuru for their school fair, and Nakuru gives Sakura a role. Sakura later begins to notice that Yukito is losing his power and is starting to fade away. Things come to a head when Yukito passes out and falls of a veranda while shooting the film, though he is saved by Toya and, secretly, Sakura. Toya finally manages to tell Yukito the truth about his power, telling off Nakuru when she attempts to interfere. In order to maintain Yue's power and existence, thus allowing Yukito to survive, Toya sacrifices his powers to save him, though losing the ability to sense when Sakura is in danger. As such, Toya has Yue promise to protect Sakura, as well as himself. Having overheard, Sakura realizes that Toya had indeed known about her secret all along. She confronts Kero about why he didn't tell her about Yue/Yukito; Kero explains that he did so to prevent her from blaming herself, since her power alone wasn’t enough to sustain him, and thus act irrationally because of it. Not wanting Yukito to disappear again, Sakura resolves to confess her true feelings to him.

After viewing Nakuru's film, Sakura tours the high school fair with her friends, while Toya comforts Yukito when he appears troubled by the fact that he is not human. Alone with Yukito in one of the attractions, Sakura tells Yukito how much she likes him. However, Yukito gently rebuffs her, saying that her love for him is merely platonic, and that he already has someone he loves; Sakura, in a rare moment of insight, realizes that person to be her brother, Toya. Yukito tells Sakura that the person she loves most is still out there when Sakura senses Clow Reed's presence once more. Using the Maze and Illusion cards, Sakura manages to trap the presence and discovers it to be coming from Eriol, though she loses consciousness. Eriol jumbles her memory of the discovery, acknowledging that she has indeed grown powerful to find him. Sakura tells Syaoran of her experience with Yukito and, despite her understanding and acceptance of the matter, begins to cry. Knowing that now is not the time to tell her that he loves her, Syaoran comforts her and assures her that she will find the person who she loves the most.

Rain still falls on Tomoeda. In her kitchen, Sakura thinks about the previous night when she was unable to release her key into the staff. Touya comes downstairs and notes that she's up early as well as calling her a monster, but is visibly concerned when Sakura makes no retort. She asks him if Yukito was going to visit their house that night and he tells her that Yukito hadn't planned on it, but that he would probably come if they were having something good for dinner. In Sakura's room, Kero thinks about the strange presence he sensed the day prior, hoping it wasn't what he thought it was.

A new trimester starts and Sakura is now a fifth grader. She walks to school with Yukito, who gives Sakura a watch as a late birthday and start of fifth grade present. Sakura's new homeroom teacher turns out to be Ms. Mizuki. Sakura looks out the window and thinks she sees cherry blossoms, but realizes it is snow. Later, the snow is piling very quickly, even though it is April. It turns out to be the doings of a Clow Card. Sakura with Tomoyo look down at the snow-covered city to find the card with the Fly card. They stop at the big penguin at Penguin Park where Syaoran and Meilin appear. Syaoran tells the group that it is the doings of the Snow card. Suddenly, a blizzard surrounds them and it appears to be following people with magical powers. Sakura tries to use the Fly card to get herself, Kero, and Syaoran away from the blizzard. Syaoran uses a fire spell to try to stop the blizzard from following them, but it just becomes more furious. In the middle of the flight, Sakura realizes the watch she got from Yukito is gone. Sakura gets angry and releases the power of Firey to burn all the snow and captures the Snow card. Even though Sakura caught a card, she cries because she lost Yukito's present to her. Kero leaves Sakura and Syaoran to get Meilin and Tomoyo. Ms. Mizuki appears and gives Sakura the watch she lost and Sakura thanks her, while Syaoran glares at Ms. Mizuki.

Sakura has a fever, but goes to school anyway because of a group project. Later, Sakura gets dizzy and is sent home with Toya by the nurse. Toya stays home to watch over her. When Toya is making food for her, Sakura senses a Clow Card, and it turns out to be the Cloud card. Sakura uses the Mirror card to make a clone of herself, so Toya will not notice that she is gone. Sakura, using the Fly card so she can capture the Cloud card. Toya comes in Sakura's room with food and offers it to Sakura's clone. Sakura travels toward the Cloud card, but when she is blown off her staff, Syaoran saves her with a wind spell. Sakura learns that Syaoran and Meilin are going after the Cloud card as well. Back in Sakura's room, Sakura's clone asks for the medicine and Toya replies that she should not take medicine when she is not sick, because she is not Sakura. Toya asks the Mirror card to hide the fact that he has a vague idea of what Sakura is doing and the Mirror card agrees. Back outside, Syaoran hits the Cloud card with various spells and gets it to its original form and Sakura seals it. The card is Syaoran's, but he gives it to Sakura. Sakura returns to her room and falls asleep in her bed. Nadeshiko appears and heals Sakura. She tells Toya that she was a bit worried and then tells Sakura to do her best, before disappearing. Sakura's father appears saying that he was worried about Sakura because she was acting strange this morning, and Toya tells him his hunch was right and that mother appeared. The next morning, Sakura is as cheerful as ever, and her father is home helping make breakfast. Sakura thanks her mother for staying by her side.

Meilin gets a call from her mother, who wants her to come home. Meilin tells Sakura the next day that she is going back to Hong Kong next week. Syaoran appears, and asks Meilin if she told the teacher she is going back to Hong Kong yet. Meilin asks Syaoran if he feels she is getting in his way, and Syaoran says that is not it. Meilin runs off, calling Syaoran an idiot. At the end of school, Sakura invites Meilin to her house and they have a chat with tea and sweets. Sakura tries to make Meilin feel that she is not a nuisance to Syaoran. Meilin tells Sakura about how she fell in love with Syaoran. In the middle of their conversation, Sakura senses a Clow Card. Meilin decides not to go, but Sakura drags her along and tells her there are things only she can do. Meanwhile, Syaoran is getting beaten by the Twin card. After a couple of failed attempts, Sakura thinks that Meilin and Syaoran can work together to keep the two bodies of the Twin card immobilized, so she can seal them away; they try it, and it works. Sakura seals the Twin card, and it goes to Syaoran because he and Meilin weakened it. Syaoran tells Meilin that he never thought that she was in his way. Sakura, Tomoyo, and Kero go to the airport with Syaoran to say goodbye to Wei and Meilin. Meilin asks Syaoran if he remembers the promise, which is until Syaoran finds a girl he likes more than her, she will be his bride. Meilin whispers a thank you to Sakura for saving them with her magic, before she leaves.

Sakura once again has the dream in which she is facing the Tokyo Tower. She clearly sees Ms. Mizuki, but this time, Mizuki is accompanied by another figure with long hair and wings. She wakes up early to see Yukito compete in an archery competition. Sakura explains what she knows of her dream to Kero before running down to make breakfast. She meets up with Syaoran and Tomoyo at the archery competition, and Kero tags along too. At the archery tournament, Sakura finds that Ms. Mizuki is one of the challengers and ends up in the finals alongside Yukito. During the fierce match, Kero pokes his head out of Sakura's bag upon sensing tremendous magical power, shooting a piercing glare at Ms. Mizuki. Sensing his gaze, Ms. Mizuki loses her focus and the tournament. Later during lunch, Sakura discovers that Kero is missing from her bag. Searching for him, she is astonished to find him in the middle of a private conversation with Ms. Mizuki. While walking home, they run into Toya once again, this time dressed in a bear costume giving out balloons. After he leaves, there is an earthquake, likely caused by the final Clow Card.

Sakura’s class receives a new transfer student, Eriol Hiiragizawa, a boy from England, and he starts charming Sakura, making Syaoran jealous. Later on, Sakura receives a vision from Clow Reed that he may bring trouble to her, and that night an unnatural storm hits town. Sakura decides to investigate, and discovers that the storm was created by magic. Sakura tries to end the storm, however trouble arises when Sakura attempts to use her Clow Cards.

Sakura grows in magical strength and power for every Clow Card she transforms into a Sakura Card, while Yue's energy begins to falter. Yue also comes to the realization that Eriol is in fact Clow Reed and transforms in front of him. However, Eriol makes Yukito faint and erases his memory of him ever realizing who Eriol truly is; Clow Reed, since he is not yet ready to reveal himself and also reverses Yue's transformation back into Yukito. Syaoran, in the meantime, has fully realized his strong romantic feelings for Sakura and consults with Tomoyo, who helps him deal with his jealousy towards Eriol and gives him the confidence (just barely, though) to speak his mind to the oblivious Sakura. Before he can do so, however, both he and Sakura sense Clow Reed's presence once again, this time in the form of a basketball that leads them through the school at night.

Kero is almost positive that Toya knows everything about Sakura's secret, though Sakura dismisses his claims, saying Toya would make fun of her if he did. Toya, meanwhile, is certain that Nakuru is deliberately interrupting him while he tries to tell Yukito the truth about why he is always feeling fatigued. The two make plans to buy a Christmas present for their father, though Sakura senses Clow Reed's presence again.

Sakura Kinomoto awakens from a dream of standing near the Tokyo Tower. She introduces herself, her family, and her friends. After coming home from a normal day at school, Sakura hears a sound coming from the basement. She finds a glowing book and opens it to find a deck of 52 cards. When she accidentally activates the Windy card, the other cards blow out of her house. Cerberus appears from the book and formally appoints Sakura as the "Cardcaptor" and gives her the Sealing Wand. Sakura captures the Fly Card, but she adamantly insists she does not want the job. All the same, she shows quick thinking, considerable magical power, and sheer joy on her first ride on the tamed Fly

Sakura begins to wonder if the bizarre goings on are connected to Clow Reed's presence, though she is aware that Clow is long deceased. At recess, Rika shows everyone a teddy bear she made. Sakura decides to get her own teddy-bear-making kit at the craft store where she sees Eriol buying several spools of string. That night, Sakura and Kero once again sense Clow Reed's presence and meet up with Syaoran and Tomoyo.

Eriol casts a spell on Kerberos and Yue so that they are unable to revert to their guise forms, much to Sakura's dismay, since it is understandably difficult to hide their true forms for long. Fortunately, Toya and Fujitaka are out for the day, and Sakura has them help around the house while reminiscing about their time with Clow Reed.

Sakura uses the Return card with the help of the cherry blossom tree at the temple. In the past she first sees Keroberos and Yue talking. Kerobers says hes concerned about the cherry blossom tree because its already spring and it hasn't blossomed. Clow Reed sees Sakura then walks over to the 2. He uses the flower card to help the tree. The images fade and Sakura passes out. (Return is a time card and requires alot of energy to use. Sakura wakes up and finds herself leaning against a sleeping Keroberos. Clow Reed said he let her rest so her energy could return. He says he knows she's from the future. She tells him that strange things are happening in the future and they sences his magic. The scene changes and Sakura is runnig down a hall in Clow's house. She runs past a room but doubles back to see. This time she can only watch, for the Return cards power is running out. Yue and Keroberos seem upset. Clow Reed has told them that he is going to die. Both guardians are upset at this.