Chapter 1: An Imminent Threat
Disclaimer: I don't own CCS.
It was the Age of Gold…it was the Time of Darkness…
A lone figure strolled casually along a wide, dark hallway. Its feet made no sound on the marble floor as it moved. The columns in the hallway allowed shafts of moonlight to illuminate the area in such a way that the figure passed in and out of darkness. The night was still - almost eerie - and there was a chill in the air. The figure made its way to a courtyard and stood basking in the full glory of the moon. Slowly it moved towards a water basin suspended on a pillar. There were many intricate carvings of symbols in the stone of the basin. A supple hand was placed purposefully over the water and hovered there as it made small swirls in it. Soon the hand was removed and the water settled out almost instantaneously. An image appeared in the mirror-like surface.
A girl with emerald-green eyes and long, flowing auburn hair was mopping up something that had spilled on the floor of a kitchen. A small yellow toy-like creature flitted around her head watching her movements with an apologetic look on its face. The figure placed its face closer to the water as if searching for something. The features of the young man were ambiguous because of the almost solid vision in the water. Suddenly he looked up to the sky as if his name had been called and he stood rooted to the spot. A powerful gust of wind blew through the yard and the trees rustled fiercely. He backed away from the basin, turned on his heels and walked back almost reluctantly from where he came. After many turns and many flights of stairs he reached a dark, heavy oak door. Panting slightly from nerves, he quietly pushed it open.
The room was full of ancient ornaments. Books and scrolls littered the tables and floor of the room. Even so everything was immaculately clean. He approached another young man who was standing on the balcony of the room. The lighting was dim and he squinted slightly to get his eyes accustomed to the change. When he was within ten paces of the one he sought, he stopped. The young man on the balcony turned his head to the side and waited for the other to speak. When he heard nothing he spoke.
"What is it?"
After some hesitance the answer was given.
"I think it's time… Akira."
"You're certain?"
The young man breathed. "Even the best of us don't see everything ."
"But are you certain?" asked Akira with some impatience in his voice.
"…Yes."
Akira stared out the window.
"Good," he said. "Inform the others. We shall leave soon."
He continued to speak but the young man drifted off in thoughts of his own as he sensed another person with them. Warily he glanced over his shoulder. His midnight blue eyes narrowed and he spun around. His eyes pierced the darkness around him forcefully.
Hiiragizawa Eriol's blue eyes snapped open. This was perhaps the third time that he had that dream. He rose slowly on his great canopy bed and took his glasses from the nightstand. He put them on and made his way to his balcony. He gazed across the town he was living in. Tonight was not unlike the one in his dream. It was a prophecy he was sure. Akira… he could not place that name to someone of any threat; but something about what he saw seemed familiar to him. The other young man was definitely someone of great power. He felt his, Eriol's presence, who was skilled at hiding his aura even when asleep. His mind was now keenly bent on them. Who were these men? And who were 'the others'? What was their interest in Sakura? He might as well start researching now. He wasn't going to go back to sleep anytime soon. After all Clow Reed always did suffer from slight insomnia. It seemed that he would be returning to Japan soon. That should be a pleasure.
A group of closely knitted girls walked past a milky white table near the centre of a big cafeteria, giggling and whispering to one another as they threw shy glances at one of the most known members of the Li Clan in China. He however failed to notice them. His eyes were focused on the bento he was eating from as his chestnut bangs hung in front of his eyes obscuring his face. He lay aside his chopsticks and looked up. Through the window he could see a peony tree but it was bare. It may flower sometime soon. When it did, it always reminded him of cherry blossoms.
It had been four years since he confessed his love for her; but did she still love him? He doubted that. Someone like her deserved someone who could love her unconditionally and not when others told him it was right to do so. Maybe she had a boyfriend. His chest tightened with the secret thoughts he had almost everyday. How he missed his Xiao Ying.
"Li-san…"
Syaoran stared up into the face of one of the more popular girls in school named Ling. He felt the eyes of everyone in the lunchroom on them - more specifically him. He sighed. Not again. He supposed it would be polite to listen to her since everyone's attention was on them. Perhaps this is why she chose this time to come talk to him. The girl flexed her pale fingers nervously but her dark eyes were determined. She straightened herself.
"Would you like to eat at our table, Li-san?" she asked indicating one some way off from them where her friends were watching along with everyone else. "It could be better than eating by yourself," she said giving him a small smile.
Syaoran packed his bento neatly and deliberately and got up. Without a word he turned his back on her. A hurt face burst into his mind. Her green eyes were so sad at his brusqueness, yet she managed to smile. He sighed once more.
"I'm already done," he said before walking off. It was not the best of denials but he rarely tried to be sociable. There really was no time for interacting with people; he had too much training to do. In Japan he neglected his duties as he was now learning. There was so much he did not know because of it. He had become stronger over these five years, but he still had a long way to go.
"Very smooth," his cousin remarked falling into step with him easily.
"What did you want me to say?" he asked.
"I'm very sorry but…could have been a good starter."
Meilin watched him out of the corner of her eye slyly. It was always fun to irritate him. She tilted her head. He was back to his old reserved ways again. There was only a glimmer of the person he became in Japan. Meilin did not even realize that she had stopped walking until she saw Syaoran turn the corner at the end of the corridor.
"That was very harsh of Li-san."
"What did you expect? He rejects everyone. Just because he's heir to the Li Clan, he thinks no one is good eno -"
The girl paused mid-sentence as Meilin glared down at her. She always disliked girls like this. They never thought anyone had feelings besides themselves. Did they really think that denying someone of happiness was an easy thing to do? Her cousin of all people knew how it felt not to be happy; it was not something he would wish on anyone. If he was not going to set the record straight then she sure was going to.
"Finish it!" she commanded.
The girl watched her cautiously. By now people were starting to notice the tension in the air. Meilin was well-known for her fiery temper and loudness. Getting on the wrong side of her was madness. Meilin clenched her fists and narrowed her eyes to slits.
"I said finish it."
For a long time no one moved. The silence was deafening and all breaths were held.
"She was only trying to cheer me up Meilin. We all respect Li-san," said a little voice. Ling raised her hands in a sign of truce. "Duibuqi."
Meilin glanced at her and eased her stance. There were some disappointed expressions in the crowd that had gathered but they still waited to see what would happen now.
"Fine." Meilin scanned the students who were congregated around her. "But you should probably know," she said lowering her voice. "Xiao Lang already has a girlfriend."
Gasps and murmurs burst from the group and the latest news began to spread like spilt water.
"Who - Who is she?" Ling stuttered.
"She's a beautiful and kind-hearted person," said Meilin as she turned to walk off. "None of you stand a chance." She smiled wistfully.
Syaoran was standing around the corner listening to Meilin. He could not believe what he had just heard. He was torn between anger and bliss. Moving away from the scene as Meilin approached he continued to dwell on her words. He wished they were all true but unfortunately, for some, childhood crushes fade.
It was late in the afternoon when Syaoran returned to the Li compound. He made his way to the main Li Clan mansion solemnly. He only had a short time to himself after football practice. He was going to begin his daily routine of swordsmanship training soon. Wei greeted him on the way to his room.
"Syaoran-sama."
Syaoran inclined his head to the old man respectfully.
"Where is Chenglei-sama?"
Normally he would have been narrating all of Syaoran's duties to him for the day by now. His absence was truly amazing but welcomed. Syaoran felt lighter for a moment. Chenglei was one of the most domineering members of the Elders. Most thought he considered himself the leader even though he was only fifth in command. Personally, Syaoran was surprised he had not tried to take over already. Of course, that was not a serious notion. No one would dare to disobey the Li Clan hierarchy and rules. The consequences when you failed were too great to be worth it. A mere disownment would be most desired.
"What is wrong, Wei?" His trusted friend had remained quiet along their walk to his room.
"I did not mean to worry you Syaoran-sama." He bowed. "Li-sama is in a Council with the Elders. Their meeting has been taking place the entire day."
Syaoran pondered on this as he invited the man into his room for privacy. He stared at his green carpet. "What is their meeting about?"
Wei straightened his glasses on his face and cleared his throat. "I cannot be sure…"
A smirk made its way to Syaoran's face. Wei was one of his mother's personal spies. He must know what was going on.
"I think it has something to do with a new threat. There have been a series of omens occurring for months now."
Syaoran was fully alert now. He had been having dreams for some time now. There was always a male oracle watching Sakura's every move and taunting him in his sleep. He ignored these dreams but now he was sure of what they were.
"What do they plan to do?"
"That I do not know. The Elders rarely converse aloud, as you know young master."
"I am sure that all of this has something to do with her," murmured Syaoran.
Wei smiled knowingly. "The Card Mistress will be fine. She's a powerful lady."
"But so naïve as well."
Syaoran blushed fiercely at his show of concern. "It is my duty to protect the Clan. Naturally I must go assist her with this threat."
"If it is the wish of the Elders."
Wei and Syaoran both bowed reverently before the queen-like being that was Li Yelan. She flowed into the room and gazed at her son. Syaoran made his will strong although he could not help feeling intimidated by his mother.
"I will speak with them."
"What makes you believe so strongly that the Card Mistress needs you?"
He flinched. It was one of the few topics he was sensitive about and she knew it. Maybe she did not need him but he would not sleep at night knowing that he was not there to protect her just in case something did happen. Cerberus and Yue were great guardians but they were not really human. They protected out of duty, not out of true willingness and that could make all the difference.
He could not voice his thoughts aloud though. His mother expected it and he was disgusted at his predictability. He knew he disappointed the Clan when he failed to become Card Master but when will the time come where he would stop paying for it? Besides there really was not much that he could do. Why did they believe otherwise? His mother had exited his room as quickly and as quietly as she had entered. Syaoran held his mother in high respect but she did not understand his connection to Sakura. She could not possibly grasp how in his heart he knew Sakura would need his help. She had the power but she lacked the wisdom and refinement of a true magician, and so until then he would watch over her always.
A/N:
I'm sorry: Duibuqi
Xiao Ying: Sakura's real Chinese name. I did some research and asked a Chinese friend and it's more correct than Ying Fa which is like the actual flower. Xiao Ying and Xiao Lang go together nicely though, right!
Really Yin Hua is Sakura and Xiao Ying is like a nickname - affectionate
Hey Tomodachi (Friend), this is a continuation of Cardcaptor Sakura after the last movie where the void was captured as you may have figured out. People say it's hard to continue from this point but I'm gonna give it a try. I do plan to finish this and I have half of the story planned out. If you want to make suggestions or give ideas you can when you critique this fic. You can flame if you like, I'll just ignore you. Right now I have exams but I'll try to update soon. I may be late in doing so but I'll make up for it with a great chapter okay! Read and Review please, I'd really like to know what you think. Until next time, Ja ne!
