A MAIDEN WARRIOR CH 1 MARKED, a card captor sakura fanfic

CHAPTER 1 || MARKED

The fire in the pit had long gone out as the night wore on. Not a single mouse stirred. The rest of the world was in deep slumber except for one person. A hooded figure slipped out of the cottage careful not to make any sudden noise as there were other occupants inhabiting the same roof. For a brief moment, they just stood there, looking at the empty village. It would be alive and bustling within several hours.

'Today will be an interesting day,' the thought crossed their mind not knowing it would foreshadow future events to come before making their way to the outskirts of the village.

Dew was still plainly visible on all the blades of grass under their feet as they entered the forest. Audible were the tweets and chirps of birds resting on branches in the trees. Even the air was refreshing and pungent. The hooded figure headed towards a familiar tree, where a wooden bow and a bundle of arrow quivers were well concealed in its trunk. Slinging the bundle of quivers over their shoulders, they ventured deep into the forest eastbound.

They climbed twenty feet up the tree with ease in order to get a better idea of their surrounding once content with the location. The scenery from afar was simply breathtaking; the sun was just barely beginning to peek over the mountain. It was so majestic. Sudden rustling in the bushes below caught the hooded figure's attention. Careful eyes scanned from all sides to pinpoint where the source of the cause came from. There it was. A wild beast was spotted among the thicket. They opted to watch before making a move as the animal roamed about looking for invertebrates or plants that fancied its taste. When there was a good distance between hunter and prey, they somersaulted off the branch and landed effortlessly on the ground. Drawing the bow, a smiled slowly etched across their face as they pursued after it.

Breathing and movements grew still as they inched closer, avoiding any possible situations that would hinder the chance for a good kill. The beast did not seem to have pick up the hooded figure's presence thus sensing no danger and continued to wander off to a nearby shrub. Without skipping a beat, slender fingers let loose an arrow. It sailed through the air a good several yards, piercing their intended target right in between the eyes. A loud squeal echoed throughout the woods as the boar crashed into the ground.

"Tonight shall be a feast," she said proudly to no one in particular, forging her way over to her victim.

Unsheathing a small knife from its secret compartment, she squatted and slit the boar's throat quickly ending its miserable life. She wiped the excess blood from the knife on a log and put it away then continued to tie the legs before sacking it.

A dejected sigh of frustration escaped from the lips of man who was overworked. Today, however, was not the first time sleep evaded him. He cast aside the silk sheets and got dressed then packed a knapsack before leaving the building. Every morning, without fail, he would be up at the crack of dawn. These mornings were reserved for himself where he could be alone to think and train. A frown appeared on his face clearly displeased with the location then headed west to find a more suitable training ground.

Heavy panting and exhaustion told his body that it was time to call it quits for the day after what seemed like several hours of discipline. Sweat began rolling off his face as he tried to regain control of his breathing. No longer did he feel burdened, but he knew that this feeling was only temporary until he returned to his duties and everything will resume as it was. The sun was now high in the sky. Taking a drink from the flask, he decided that it was time to go freshen up.

Not long after, he came upon a lake, dropping the knapsack and began to undress. The water felt cool against his sweat coated skin causing his body to relax. He allowed himself to float about, relaxing as he took in the scenery - nature was really something. When he was satisfied, he pushed himself out of a lake and got dried. He barely managed to slip on his pants before he sensed that something or someone approaching. He slowly crouched down and hid behind a tree so he wouldn't be seen.

His eyes fixed themselves on a hooded figure on the other side of the lake. Abandoned were the weapons and a large sack. The hood was pulled back to reveal a young woman no older than he. Long auburn hair that was once held up by a double gold headband with braids cascading on the left shoulder now hung freely down to her waist. She untied the hood and let it slip to the ground without care. A jungle green, sleeveless dress with slits on either side of her legs exposed the slightly tanned skin she had. Sitting on a boulder, she removed the straps that criss-crossed around her calves and slid off the leather sandals. She then reached to her right shoulder to unfasten the buckle of the leather belt that wrapped around her torso as well as the leather gauntlets. Finally loosening the tied fabric around her neck, there was nothing left covering her hourglass physique. He found himself staring when he swallowed.

She dove into the lake and resurfaced several feet in front of him. A humming tune filled the air as she washed herself. He deduced that now would be a good time to leave so he headed towards his things. A twig crunched loudly under his foot causing her relaxation to be short-lived. He cursed silently as the woman snapped her head in alertness.

And then, it happened all too fast.

The next thing he knew he was on the ground with a glorious woman straddling him with a knife to his neck. She looked furious. Her eyes narrowed at the intruder as she hissed, "Give me one damn good reason why I shouldn't slit your throat right here, right now."

Regaining his composure, he started to assess the delicate situation at hand. One wrong answer or movement could cost him his life. He then spoke in a calm manner, "I was just leaving."

"Of course you were," her tone sarcastic. She was not one who was easily fooled.

"So if you could kindly get off me - "

"You still haven't answered me!" The blade now touched his skin.

"I addressed you, but you refuse to believe it as the truth."

He saw her brows furrow with annoyance and that was the opening he needed. Knocking the dagger out of her hand, he flipped her so that she was pinned underneath him. He held her wrists above her head with one arm to prevent her from attacking, baring her small ample breasts to him.

Emerald eyes grew wide and he knew she realized he had just turned the tables on her. She attempted to free herself, but to no avail. The more she struggled, the more he tightened his grip. If she felt any pain, she did not show it on her face. Bruises were bound to make their appearance later on that day. They both knew her efforts was futile; he was physically much stronger than her.

"YOU -" she began angrily.

"I don't particularly enjoy manhandling women. It's not my thing," he frowned, cutting her off, "I would have preferred if this ended peacefully, but you rather we do this the hard way."

"Get the hell OFF me this instant or -"

"Or what? Are you sure you're in a position be threatening me, seeing how you're naked under me. And well, weaponless might I add," he made a point of lingering his eyes over her body. This moment dawned on her and she wanted nothing more than to shield herself from him, "Anyone passing by would get the wrong idea."

"YOU PIG!" She screamed, her face flushed from anger.

"I'm clearly not as you can see."

Her last attempt to subdue her captor was to headbutt him. He didn't even flinched as tears began welling up in her eyes. It hurt her more than it did him.

"I admire your display of courage, woman," he lifted her chin to look at him with his free hand. She intrigued him this woman.

"LET ME GO, YOU BAST-"

Tired from all the yelling, he did the most unsuspected thing and captured her delectable lips. That should keep her quiet for awhile. She weakened under him as his tongue traced her lips to gain access in her mouth. A moan escaped her lips and he took that chance to deepen the kiss. He enjoyed the way she submitted to him more than he liked to admit. In need of air, he finally broke the kiss and carefully got off her.

Tossing his green silk shirt to cover her body while holding his things in the other arm, he said in a low husky voice, "Let us meet under better circumstances next time."

With that, he disappeared into the thicket, leaving her trembled fingers to touch her unvirgin lips.

The walk back was a complete daze to him. Without realizing it, his legs had taken him back to his temporary home for the weekend. He shut the door behind him as the bag slipped from his grip to the floor, making his way towards the chest across the room. Eyes scanned for something suitable cover his exposed upper body. He wanted to avoid it at all cost if he could; things would be a whole lot simpler that way. Content with a black silk shirt, he pulled it over head, unaware that a pair of ruby eyes watched his every move.

Even as quiet as she spoke, her voice rang loud and clear, cutting through the silence, "Exactly where were you this morning?"

His eyes closed and cursed under his breath, running his hand through his hair. He should have known even stealth was not enough to save him. He would sneak out, come back and she would catch him. Scenarios like these occurred more than he could count. There was no need for him to turn around to know that her arms were folded and legs crossed with a firm look plastered on her pale face. Nothing gets past this woman. Nothing. Damn her.

"Why ask when you already know the answer?"

"You think I would bother if you didn't return half naked?" She nailed him good.

"I was packing my knapsack in the dark so there was a high possibility that the shirt never made it in there…"

For a while, she made no reply and he did not know what to make of her silence, but even more so with her following action. She hugged him from behind, firmly pressing her breasts into his back. He could feel her nipples through the layers of silk that separated their bodies. Any man would be thrilled at the very idea of a woman throwing herself at him, but not he. He couldn't bring himself to feel excited.

"If you permit it, I could prove to be useful. But instead, you leave me to wake up alone cold in this bed, Syaoran," she spoke into his back. Her voice slightly breaking at the end.

He had to hand it to her; she knew exactly what to say to make him feel guilty. Sighing, he turned to face her as he freed himself from her embrace then placed his hands on her shoulders. He tried to sound convincing, "I'm sorry, Meiling. I will try to keep in mind to include you next time, alright?"

The raven haired young woman in front him was no other than his protective childhood companion. Where he went, she went - like a shadow. There was no shaking her. But whenever he got the rare chance to rid of her presence, he would bask in it. She made it her solemn duty to be his wife after his heroic display in an incident that occurred when they were young. He tried to discourage the idea, but there was no changing her stubborn mind once she was set on something. He could not ever see himself marrying to her. Not that there was anything wrong with her, because there wasn't. Just that she was his cousin.

Pleased with his answer, she walked towards the table, "Come, breakfast is served."

Her too short red robe allowed him a view of her ass every time she walked, to which he shook his head disapprovingly as he went to join her.

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