Song of Thunder

Chapter 1

The phone rang at a rather inconvenient time. Syaoran debated whether he should ignore it, or set the hard drive back down to pick it up. After it rang insistently for a while, (of course, phones are never insistent, but they usually seem that way) Syaoran sighed, and being too lazy to get up again, he simply used an old martial arts trick and sent a wave of qi over to the speaker. The energy punched the button, cutting a ring off abruptly.

" Moshi moshi?" Syaoran called, a little louder than normal.

" Ah, gomen nasai, Li-san¾"

" Oh boy, Yamazaki-san, is it the—"

" And are you talking on speakerphone?" Yamazaki asked.

Syaoran rolled his eyes. " Hai. I happen to be busy at the moment, no offense. What's the problem?"

" Need your help."

" No kidding."

" Well, you know that fifth question on the homework?"

" Which homework? Math?"

" Hai. Remember he gave us the formula sheet?"

" It's the quadratic formula."

" Do you have to solve for the square root?"

" What? You can't solve for the square root! It's irrational."

" So we leave it like that?"

" Hai." Syaoran pulled the ram out. He looked at it. " With the plus and minus signs."

" Alright. What did you get?"

" I don't have my homework in front of me."

" Well, I got the square root of negative sixty-two."

" You're kidding me, right?"

" Is that wrong?"

" That's not even a real number."

" It's not?"

" Ow," Syaoran exclaimed flatly, as his finger started bleeding, " Mama's bright idea. Put two systems in one computer."

" Two systems?" Yamazaki's voice was a little cut off by static. " Is that even compatible?"

" It's a freaking macintosh." Syaoran went to the kitchen to wash the cut. " Beats me."

" Why on earth did you buy a macintosh?"

" I did not buy it. My mother did. Insisted that macs are better since they spare me the effort of scanning for viruses every week. Of course, she does it at the expense of my files never being compatible with any other computer."

" Then why are you putting two systems in?"

" Because Mama insisted, that even though all the websites and forums declared that they have no clue how to do this, that macs can be partitioned into PC's."

" There's a huge bug with that. They can't do it yet."

" That's what I told her. Does she listen?" Syaoran found a band-aid and put it over his finger. " Now she's screwed up my computer."

" Where's your mother now?"

" In Hong Kong."

" She's telling you to do this all the way from China?"

" Always a mother's son." Syaoran replied dryly. " Anyway, you can't have a negative square root."

There was a pause. " Oh yeah…how did I get that?"

" Did you square the b?"

" I…oops, I put a negative in front of it."

" There we go." Syaoran closed the hard drive and reconnected everything.

" Say, are you going to the carnival?"

How do people know these things?

" Er…well, this thing might take me a while. I may or may not be in time for it."

" Oh, screw the computer. Come with us. Me and Hiriingaziwa and Chiharu and Rika and Noako. You have to help me win a teddy bear for Chiharu since she promised me earlier she's going to make me an Italian dish."

" What ever happened to getting poisoned by her food?"

" Are you kidding? Her cooking's the best. Tomoyo's not that bad either but Chiharu should be a master chef."

Hmph. Syaoran thought, a little envious. Sakura would make me stuff, but only if I asked. She would not make it of her own accord unless she made a lot and then she would share with other people too, not just me.

" This said by the guy that's actually better than his girlfriend."

" That's not fair, and I could have had my phone on speaker too, you inconsiderate jerk."

" Yamazaki-san, school comes first for me."

" Now, what's that English saying? ' All food…' no wait, ' All play…' darn it!"

" 'No work and all play makes Yamazaki-san a dumb boy'?"

" Hai, that's right." A pause. Then, " Li!"

Syaoran allowed himself to grin very widely.

" You are a rascal. But really, come on. Eriol asked me especially to make sure you come because he needs your help to get something for Mizuki?"

" Why on earth would he need my help to get something for his girlfriend?"

" Because you are good at these weird stuff. And Mizuki's his girlfriend?"

" I'm just saying." Syaoran clicked the monitor. " Hai! It works! But it's missing the launcher."

Yamazaki paused on the other end.

" Or is it that you want to stay with Sakura? Because we're joining up, you know."

Syaoran felt his face grow hot. " Hey, I never said that." The computer beeped. " Darn it."

" Look, are you going to tell her or not?"

Well, at least the world does not know.

" Yamazaki-san,"

" Look, Syaoran…I can call you Syaoran now, right? I mean, we've known each other for a while now."

" Sure." Syaoran shrugged. " Whatever you want."

" Look, Syaoran-kun, she's dense about this. But she does care about you, you know."

" No kidding." Beep. " She cares about everyone."

" Do I hear a hint of jealousy there?"

Syaoran glared at the screen. " What's your point, Yama…Takashi-san?"

" You have to take the first step with this girl, you know? I mean, I've known Sakura-chan longer than you. She's just that type of girl. She's had that crush on what's his name, Tsukishiro for ages and hasn't told him anything. Though now it seems she's not too interested in him anymore."

Figuring that the whole affair with Yukito was now over and stable, Syaoran decided to tell him." Don't go around announcing this…but that's because she told him."

" She did?!"

Syaoran glared at the screen again. A pop-up window said " Error -5097"

" Oh snap! I didn't know that. But you do know she's been harboring that crush for years."

" I know."

" Gee, gomen nasai, Syaoran-san. But that's…well, I'm guessing it didn't work out?"

" You don't see them holding hands or anything, do you?"

" Gee, never would have known. I mean, they've gone on dates before."

" Too much information." Syaoran cut him off.

" Well, that's a mood-killer. Gomen nasai, again, but uh, well, why don't we set it up so you can tell Sakura at the carnival?"

After I told her? Setting up Sakura for…oh, not a good idea. Especially not for her.

" So that you can all laugh your butts off as she rejects me? I'm touched."

" Hey, just trying to help, you know. You don't have to be that stingy."

" Look, Takashi-san, I've tried, alright? Never worked out."

" How many times have you tried to tell her?"

" I lost count."

" Well, maybe this is the perfect opportunity."

" I give up."

" Nani?"

" I give up on this stupid computer." Syaoran slammed the table. " Know anyone good with computers?"

" Hai, you are."

" You know what I mean."

" Iie. Who told you to get a mac?"

" I didn't get a mac! My mother did!"

" Well, that's a bout of poor judgment. If you had a windows I could probably help you out there, but the only system that's crazier than a mac is a Linux."

" Glad to know I haven't hit the bottom yet."

" Well, anyways, this is good, kind of, since if you're giving up you're coming with us to the carnival?"

Syaoran sat there, staring at the blank screen. " Never mind. I don't give up."

" Oh come on! That computer will still be as messed up as it is when you get back."

" But I'd have less time to fiddle around with it."

" Don't you know that if you work too hard on this for too long your brain gets all mushed? Sometimes it's better if you take a break and then come back after a fresh start."

" Well then, if you really want me to come to the carnival with you guys how about you do my homework for me?"

" That's not what I meant. And I don't want you to come over that much. And I know that you don't mean that either because you're the most…boring person I've ever met."

" Arigatou."

" That's not what I meant either! You know what I mean! You're…you stick to the rules like glue."

Syaoran cocked an eyebrow. " That made zero sense."

" Ugh! Syaoran-san, you are sometimes really really annoying."

" I know."

" But come on. I do need your help. I may be slightly better at cooking most dishes than Chiharu but she's really good at Italian."

" Why the blazes do you want Italian? All they do is put cheese and sauce on it!"

" Spoken like a true ignorant. You have to taste it to believe it. Teramisu, my favorite."

" Tiramisu."

" Heaven in your mouth."

" Chuck full of fat and cholesterol."

" Way to kill a mood, Syaoran-san!"

Syaoran allowed himself another wide grin. Phones were convenient this way.

" Ah well, I'm sure Chiharu will love you all the same."

" You are an inconsiderate jerk."

" Ooh, big words." Syaoran stood up. " I do need to get the homework done, and I've been hacking at the computer all afternoon. I'm heading to the library now."

" Library's closed, genius."

" Darn it." Syaoran sighed. " Just my luck."

" Just ours. Come to the carnival. Seriously, I've never had to work so hard to convince anyone to go have some fun, kami-sama!"

Syaoran sighed. " Fine, I'll come with you guys."

" Hai!" Yamazaki exclaimed, followed by some cheers in the background. Syaoran immediately frowned.

" What the hell?"

" Uh…" Yamazaki laughed, " That was the comedy I have on the television. Hehe, how ironic."

Syaoran cocked an eyebrow. " Takashi-san…"

" Nani?"

" Who's there with you?"

" No one."

" Sure." Syaoran decided to drop it.

" Anyway, meet us at the gate to the park, hai?"

" Hai." Syaoran sent another wave of qi to turn the speaker off. He turned to the computer.

" Oh you," He muttered. " Why can't you just work and give me a break?"

He turned to fetch his coat.

oO

Sakura waved at Yamazaki, Eriol, and Chiharu as she spotted them at the gate.

" Konbonwa!" She called. " Who are you waiting for?"

" Li-san." Eriol replied. " Yamazaki-san finally persuaded him to come after about half an hour of arguing."

" It was not half an hour!" Yamazaki protested. " It took about…fifteen minutes."

" It was half an hour, of you pausing over that negative square root." Chiharu replied. " Face it, you're not that good."

" Bleh."

Sakura blushed. Syaoran-kun is going to be here? She struggled to stop herself from running away

Tomoyo smiled. " Can we wait with you?"

" Sure." Yamazaki laughed

The children chatted for a while, waiting for their friend to come and meet them. Half an hour passed, and no one arrived.

" What's taking so long?" Sakura asked, half glad he was not here, half worried.

" Maybe he went to the bathroom."

" Yamazaki!" Chiharu hit him hard.

" Maybe we should go in first, before the lines get too long."

Sakura looked at Eriol. Eriol's expression was blank, but something made Sakura feel that he was not happy with this idea.

" Hai." Chiharu, on the other hand, liked this idea. " I really want to try that ferris wheel over there."

" Come." Yamazaki led the way. The others followed.

I hope Syaoran-kun is all right. Sakura thought. Biting her lip in worry, she hurried after her friends.

They went through several different rides. It was a pretty big carnival, taking up basically all the space the park had to offer. They went through the haunted house and ate some corn dogs. Syaoran never showed up.

" Ugh, he stood me up!" Yamazaki exclaimed as they got off the merry-go-round.

" Thirty minutes of arguing, and you didn't even manage to get him to come." Chiharu giggled. " I totally won."

" Hai, hai," Yamazaki laughed, " I'll make you Mexican."

" Do you think we should call him?" Sakura asked.

Tomoyo was already taking out her phone and dialing. The group waited as they heard the ring.

" You've reached the voicemail of Li Syaoran." They heard Syaoran's voice say. " Please leave a message. Arigatou—" Tomoyo hung up.

" Hm." The group was thoughtfully quiet. Sakura decided to drop her embarrassment for the moment and took out her cell phone to dial Syaoran's number. That provided the same result.

" You think we should head over to his apartment and see what's up?" Yamazaki asked.

" Hai." It was the first time Eriol took the initiative. " I think that would be a good idea. Let us go then."

Sakura had a bad feeling about this entire affair.

oO

Syaoran had just left his apartment building. In fact, he had gotten as far as two blocks when he looked up from the sidewalk into the eyes of a young man.

Something about those eyes struck fear into Syaoran, who quickly lowered his own and slipped past. The world seemed to darken as he did so, and all of the sudden he could not move.

What is this? Syaoran thought, frightened, as he tried to get his limbs to obey. He felt someone come up behind him.

" So you are the reason for all this commotion," He heard the man say, for it has to be the man. The world became so black he might as well be blind. Syaoran felt his breath quicken and tried to steady it to no avail. A slim cold hand circled his throat.

" We cannot have you know the directions before we are certain, can we," The man's voice sneered. The hand tightened and Syaoran tried to thrash, but he was paralyzed and he could not hold on to consciousness much longer…

Syaoran opened his eyes to find himself in darkness. The space he was in was tight and confining, and kept shaking as if it were moving.

I'm in the backtrunk of some car.

Twisting, he realized that his wrists and feet were tied painfully together, and there was a gag in in his mouth. Heart pounding, he opened his eyes wide to make use of whatever light may come through the lid.

" The child is awake." He heard.

" No matter. He cannot see where we are going."

More frightened now, Syaoran pressed against the lid. It did not give, obviously. He tried to remove the gag but there was little room to maneuver his arms. He choked on his own saliva and tried to get his hands near his mouth, twisting his body awkwardly.

" Are you certain he is a Li?"

" The descendant of Clow Reed. It has to be him. He matches the description."

" He feels strange. His magic is not like the others."

" They did say he practices a different kind of magic, and he trained a lot in qigong."

" Qigong?"

" Hai."

The voices whispered more, but this time Syaoran could not hear over the rumbling of the car. He continued to struggle, but it was no use. The lid was locked and he could not free his wrists.

The car came to a stop. He heard the car doors open and shut, and the lid was released from the lock. It opened to reveal several figures, but it was too dark to make out how many. One of them reached down and hauled Syaoran out by his air. Syaoran grunted in pain as he landed on the dirt. Some of it got in his eyes, and he tried to blink them out, but another hand grabbed him painfully by the arm and dragged him across the ground. Syaoran looked up, and between the tears from the dirt and the shadowy figures he could make out a large shrine.

By the time they were inside Syaoran was bleeding and hurt. The room seemed large from the echoes of the shoes, but it was too dark to determine just how big.

" How long before it begins?" A female voice asked.

" Not long. Tie him to the wall there."

Once again Syaoran was hauled up and dragged across the floor. They untied his wrists, and he used this advantage to send a blast of metal qi into one. She staggered back with a grunt, but a chain wrapped itself around his wrist and secured it to the wall. Not deterred yet, Syaoran sent another blast of metal qi into the second attacker, but even though the man backed away from the blow, the same thing happened to that wrist.

" Kid knows his qigong, not bad." The woman coughed a little. " Hard, painful, and cold. What a pity, really."

They left his feet alone, and the gag.

In a burst of flame, the room was lit. It was a large hall, with embroidered tapestries lining the walls. Syaoran was blinded by the light for a moment, but when his vision cleared he saw that his abducters were all wearing oriental robes, with various shades of red. They formed a circle in the center of the hall and began to chant in a strange language.

Syaoran tried to find any weak links in either chain, but they seemed to be made of magic and were unyielding. He tried to break them with qi, but he was not strong enough. Outside the wind howled through the trees, as if bringing an omen. The hall darkened again, save for the red figures.

Fear tugging at his heart, Syaoran's eyes widened as he saw a pale red orb float from the center of the circle and slowly ascend to the ceiling. The abducters backed away as the orb began to glow and shimmer. Slowly it began to form a solid shape, and two blazing eyes opened at the top, followed by a wide, gaping mouth lined with sharp dagger-like teeth. Flames shot up from inside it and all around it, and the air began to grow hot as smoke lined the walls. It towered over Syaoran, nearly filling the great hall.

" All hail, the Fire demon!" One man shouted, and Syaoran recognized him to be the man that he bumped into earlier that evening. " Feast upon the gift we bring you!"

With a terrible roar, the creature stretched its long thick neck down at Syaoran, who struggled against the chains. The poor boy coughed and wheezed as the smoke entered his lungs. The great beast extended its claws and closed its grip around Syaoran's body. It pulled. Syaoran screamed in pain as the fires burned him and the chains held his arms back. He felt something within his core build up as he desperately tried to thrash, before it became bigger and bigger and was suddenly released.

With a great roar, the beast pulled back as white sparks fluttered up its arm and went through its whole being. It exploded in a bright light that blinded Syaoran and knocked him against the wall. Pain seared through him and he coughed up blood. He dropped to the ground, the chains clattering away from him.

Head and ears ringing, Syaoran could barely breathe. He was aware of the loud shouts and running steps on the temple floor. When he opened his eyes he could not see anything, but he sensed the aura of one of the men casting a spell and heard, though muffled, him shouting, " Kill the gaki!"

Syaoran sensed the auras of the sorcerers rushing toward him, and the buildup of power, ready to be unleashed to kill him. He had no idea how this all started or what the purpose of all this was, but he willed, despite being wounded and severely weakened, that strength he felt earlier that destroyed the beast, for he was certain that was what destroyed the fire demon just then. Slowly and reluctantly, the power grew within him, and before it could reach the intensity it had before, Syaoran pushed it out.

The temple shook, and Syaoran screamed as chunks of the structure began to fall and the world roared around him. He felt the auras of the sorcerers wink out of existence as the chunks of stone landed on them. The world quaked and seemed to shift all over, and Syaoran felt nausea roll over him like a wave. Pain took up his entire consciousness, before that, too, faded away into blissful nothing.

oO

" What's wrong?" Touya asked. " You're suddenly very jumpy."

" I can't help but feel something bad just happened." Yukito replied. " Or maybe it's the other me."

Touya paused. He was still very tired, but he stayed alert for Yukito's sake. " Is Sakura going to be all right?"

" I don't know." Yukito slipped from the table. " I sense her. She's…she's not where the source is."

" What source?"

" I don't know…I'm changing."

Even after the transformation though, Yue remained where he was. Touya was glaring at him.

" Don't you think that was a little risky, changing like that in public?"

Yue looked at him. Touya continued to glare.

" I have to go." The guardian told him.

" Be careful." Touya warned.

Yue took off. Touya allowed himself to slump over the table and doze.

Yue flew as fast as he could toward the disruption. There was a sense of urgency about this whole situation, and he was probably not as careful as he should, but his mind seemed to be taken over by this instinct to hurry and get there, or something horrible will happen, if not already.

It was a good distance away by air, which showed how powerful the magic had been. In the moonlight he saw smoke rising into the sky and caught the scent of something burning. It was a new ruin of a temple.

Diving down, Yue took in the damage. The entire structure had collapsed. He landed lightly on the ground and pondered on the sight before him. Did no one notice? But the temple was far enough from everything else. There was a dirt road that led up to it, but it did not seem to be used that often as grass and weeds grew over it, and the only reason Yue could tell it was a road was because of the car that was lying on its side a few meters away.

He hesitated because of the flames, and the heat that scorched his face, but after a while he sent a blast of wind which blew them out. He started making his way through the rubble, not certain what he was looking for, but searching all the same.

There were several corpses, burnt black till their features were completely unrecognizable. Yue looked around, wondering what kind of spell had caused such destruction. Perhaps he should go and warn Sakura about this, keep her on guard, but at the same time she had enough on her mind…

There was something moving though. Someone.

Yue cautiously approached the wheezing figure. The cloth had been scorched, like the others, but under Yue's fair light he could tell the cloth was red. A hood covered the face, and Yue lifted it. It was a young man with startling deep eyes. Yue could swear they were black.

The man looked up at Yue, still struggling to breathe. Blood poured from the side of his head into his eyes and the man winced at the sting. Yue wondered what he should do. He had no idea if the man had been the cause of all this, or the victim.

Deciding to take his chances, Yue lifted the man and took off without bothering to look through more of the rubble.