Konnichiwa minna! Here's part two! "One day, you find your whole life has changed…" woops! Been listening to "Ordinary Girl" a little too much! Anyway, onto part two! And Gomen that it's taken soo long! It's been sitting in my comupter for AGES!
Disclaimer: CCS, Suto II, The Legend of Zelda (any of them), MK trilogy, and all other games featured in this fic DO NOT BELONG TO ME! If they did, I wouldn't be writing fanfics, but would own a couple dozen cars, and be able to sue all the other poor authors who didn't put disclaimers, wouldn't I?
Giving "Training" New Meaning
Part Two: Accidents Make for…Learning Experiences!
A.N: I'm now going to be using stars instead of the single apostrophe to signify thoughts
*What are you doing here?* thought Syaoran as he approached Sakura's front door, *What's gotten into you? Are you seriously going to listen to any idea that she and that stuffed animal thought up?*
The young warrior stood there for a good while longer, struggling with himself whether or not to knock. Finally, the decision was made for him when the door opened, revealing very genki Sakura.
"Li-kun! Konnichiwa!" she cried, smiling her 1000-watt smile at the handsome youth.
"Sa-Sakura! Umm…konnichiwa…" he replied uneasily. It appeared that he now had no choice but to go along with whatever wacky idea Kero had thought up this time.
"Come in!" said Sakura, being her usual friendly self," You didn't have any trouble getting here, did you?"
"Umm…iie," answered Syaoran," luckily that quack doctor decided to give me crutches before I left…"
Sakura giggled at this, making the already pink Chinese youth turn a deeper shade.
Following the teen cardcaptor inside, Syaoran looked around, noting how clean the house was. Sakura caught him looking, and giggled again.
"That would be Ni-chan's handiwork," she said in explanation to Syaoran's quizzical look, "Some new girl he met is coming over tonight, and he hasn't stopped bugging me about how the house has to stay spotless since!"
Syaoran smirked slightly. Then, a thought hit him.
"About your brother, he…isn't here…is he?" he asked apprehensively, "I somehow don't think I'll be able to run from him in this condition…"
Once again, Sakura giggled.
*I wonder what's got her so happy and genki today?*
he thought, looking at her more directly, *Hmmm…*Suddenly, Sakura's face turned serious, making Syaoran focus on where he was going again, barely managing to avoid running into a plant. Sakura didn't notice, however. Instead, she looked at the mounting obstacle which she had forgotten to take in to account.
"Nani desu ka?" asked Syaoran, noting her almost frown.
"I forgot…" said Sakura, "The stairs…"
Syaoran fell over, anime-style. *How could she forget something like that?* he thought in half-shock, half-wonder *then again, isn't that why you love her-No! I DO NOT! What's wrong with me?*
"Hmmm…this could be a problem," said Sakura, frowning slightly in concentration, "Oh, matte! I got it!"
Syaoran looked at her puzzledly as she pulled out a card, deftly hitting it with her staff.
"Float card, float Li-kun to the top of the stairs!" she commanded.
Next thing Syaoran knew, he was enveloped in a pink bubble and promptly floated to the top of the stairs.
*Not bad…* he thought, smirking slightly, *she's smarter than I thought*
Standing up straight, he followed Sakura as she led the way to her room. *Wow…is she ever pretty from this angle-STOP THAT!*
Syaoran promptly smacked himself in the head.
"Um…Li-kun, Daijobu anata wa?" asked Sakura, looking at him worriedly.
"Hai!" he answered quickly, dismissing her concern.
Together, the two continued to Sakura's room, stopping in front of the door.
"Well, I guess I should leave you alone with Kero-chan," said Sakura, turning to leave, "Call me if you need anything! I'll be downstairs."
"Umm…hai…" agreed Syaoran, "We will…" *What's going on? Why am I so disappointed to see her go? It must be the fact that I'm going in that room and am at the mercy of that stuffed animal*
Sakura skipped off, turning the corner that led to the stairs, leaving Syaoran alone to deal with Kero and his "Training Plan".
Syaoran sighed, pushing the door to Sakura's room open and walking in.
**********
Sakura flopped down on the couch, sighing contentedly.
*I can't believe Li-kun is actually here!* she thought happily *I didn't think he'd agree to come…*
Looking up at the ceiling, she sighed once again, this time slightly sad.
*After we finished with all the Card business, he totally ignored me. I hope we can get to be friends again
Another thought suddenly occurred to Sakura.
*I wonder what Kero-chan's idea was. I hope it works…and I hope Kero and Li-kun can get along long enough to make it work…*
**********
"You have GOT to be kidding me!"
Syaoran sat on Sakura's bed, frowning at the guardian beast as if he had gone completely mad.
"Hey, hey! I'm perfectly serious, kid!" retorted Kero, "And I'd appreciate a little gratitude! Jeez…"
Syaoran's expression didn't change one bit.
"yeah, but-VIDEO GAMES? Honestly…I expected better, even from you!"
"I don't see YOU coming up with any brilliant ideas, Einstein! Now, will you try it or not?"
Syaoran sighed in defeat.
"Ok. Fine. This better work…"
**********
"Now, there are many different kinds of games…" began Kero, speaking as if he was lecturing on some University course, "For your particular needs, I recommend we begin by trying you out on several different types to discover what fits-"
"Will you stop it with the 'Vintage Wine' type lecture?" asked Syaoran, glaring at the small stuffed animal-like guardian.
Kero let the comment pass by waving one of his yellow arms (er, paws?) in the air dismissively.
"Anyway, kid, let's start you on fighting games."
Kero quickly whipped out a copy of "Suto II" and started it up, handing the controller to Syaoran
The beginning stories rolled by, and then Syaoran got to the first screen.
"Umm…what am I supposed to do?" he asked Kero, looking extremely lost.
"What the screen says…" said Kero, shaking his head sadly, "Press 'Start'." *Boy, I'm actually starting to feel sorry for this poor kid, Imagine! Not knowing how to play "Suto II"…*
Syaoran followed the screen instructions, selecting his character from the options available.
"Ahh…now we begin, Kid!" said Kero excitedly, "Let's see what you got!"
Kero quickly selected his own character.
"Umm…but I don't know how to play!" said Syaoran desperately.
Kero, however, was way too involved in the game, so Syaoran began to randomly press buttons like crazy.
Kero quickly beat him with a quick energy blast from his character, followed by a well-timed 'Upside-down kick'
"That was unfair!"
"Not my fault that you don't know how to play!"
"Anyway, I don't think this is really the kind of game I'm looking for."
"Hmmm…well, that probably means that street-fighting style games aren't the way to go."
Syaoran sighed.
"Well, what else do you have?" he asked in resignation.
Kero thought hard
"Well…there is traditional Martial Arts-style fighting games…let's see you give that a whirl…"
The little yellow creature pulled the game out of the console and replaced it with "Mortal Kombat Trilogy"
Syaoran began the game by following basically the same pattern as in the previous game. This time, however, when Kero was reaching for the control, he quickly grabbed it out of the small creature's paws.
"Ah- hey!"
"Sorry, stuffed animal, but this time, I think I'm going to play on my own!"
Kero sighed in disappointment.
"Don't say I didn't warn you…"
Syaoran pondered over the 'Character Select' screen, finally landing on 'Sub Zero'
During the first battle (against Sonya), he didn't do to badly, actually managing to win by accidentally tapping out the combo to freeze her solid. After that though, the matches became a lot harder. Though he hated to admit it, Syaoran was actually finding this game not as bad as he had originally thought it would be…that is, until the next fight.
"Noob Saibot" said the narrative voice, announcing the next fighter that he would have to face.
Kero looked worriedly at Syaoran.
"Are you sure you don't want me to take over for ya, kid?" he asked, "Even I, the great Video games master, have trouble fighting the computerized version of Noob Saibot."
"Nah, I'll be fine." Said Syaoran, eyes concentrated on the screen.
Kero shook his head.
"FIGHT!"
There was a flash of something black, then a whole bunch of yells as Sub Zero was attacked from above, behind, below, and every other direction in what seemed to be a couple seconds. Blood was everywhere as the narration declared the first round to be won by the black shadow.
Syaoran looked at the screen in shock, but quickly recovered as 'Round Two' began.
This round followed in much the same way, until the Voice said something that Syaoran shuddered to think of after.
"FINISH HIM!"
He watched in horror as the opposing character performed it's grisly last attack, resulting in an explosion of body parts, blood, and gore.
"Yeah, it ain't pretty when you lose…" said Kero, looking at the horrified expression on Syaoran's face.
"Umm…I don't think fighting games are the way to go…" said Syaoran shakily. Sure, he'd fought Clow Cards and supernatural creatures, but they had never gone out like that…
"Well, we could try an RPG…"
"What's that?"
"The RPG is a genre of video game requiring great skill and reflex, as well as quick thinking, a good sense of judgement, and shrewd survival skills. It has taken many years of dedicated animators and scenario writers to reach the incredible standards at which it is today-" began Kero, speaking with integrity.
Syaoran snorted.
"You make it seem like some kind of gourmet cooking!" he laughed at the way that the guardian beast had described the game.
"It virtually is! So don't diss it!" yelled Kero, seemingly very insulted by Syaoran's lack of respect for the category, "An amazing blend of story, great animation, cool characters and weapons-"
"Let's just get this over with," sighed Syaoran, sensing that Kero would probably go on for a good while longer on the virtues of the RPG, "What does 'RPG' stand for, anyway?"
"Role Playing Game." Answered Kero, loading the game, "Let's try one of my personal favourites, "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time."
Syaoran turned his attention to the screen, thinking lastly before the game began, *What have I gotten into now?*
**********
"Hey! How's it going?"
Sakura entered her room, carrying a tray piled with two glasses of lemonade, along with an assortment of different foods. "I thought you guys might be a little hungry, so I brought you something to eat." She said, looking at the two who were currently absorbed in the game.
Kero paused the game, flying over to the tray happily. "FOOD! Arigato!" he cried, grabbing one of the pudding containers in both his little paws and ripping off the lid.
Syaoran stood up quickly when he realized that he was sitting on Sakura's bed still. "Umm…arigato…" he said, making his way over to the tray. The youth blushed bright red when the teen Card Mistress smiled at him brightly.
"Well…enjoy!" said Sakura, walking out the door.
Kero watched Syaoran's face with interest, noting the disappointment that was apparent when the sorceress left the room. "So…you like my mistress, huh kid?"
Syaoran snapped out of his daze, glaring at the small yellow creature. "Iie! As if!" he replied, turning slightly red.
Kero shook his head sadly at the youth's attempts to deny his feelings. "Give it a rest, kid. It's really obvious by the way you stare at her and blush every time she talks to you. Face it, you like her!"
Syaoran was about to try and dismiss Kero's comments again, but stopped. *Am I just in denial?* he questioned himself, *Well…that would explain everything that's gone on for the last while, including my ignoring her after all the card were captured and turned into Sakura cards…I didn't want to get too close, knowing that eventually I might get too attached…*
While all this was passing through Syaoran's head, Kero was finishing up the last of the snacks. "You ready?" he asked breaking Syaoran out of his daze for the second time.
"Uh, hai." He answered, making his way over to the TV. "What's next?"
"Well…you just cleared the Deku tree, so next is Hyrule Castle Town and infiltrating the castle in order to talk to the princess." Said Kero in answer, "Now, this next part takes careful timing, since if the guards see you, it's back to the beginning again."
Syaoran nodded, following Kero's instructions carefully. *This is turning out better than I thought it would,* he thought, sneaking 'round a guard and continuing, *I mean, I never thought a game could be this challenging. And the sword handling isn't that far off. The story isn't too bad either…*
**********
"So…how did the first day go?" asked Sakura as she and Syaoran made their way down to the front door.
"Oh, not too bad." Said Syaoran, looking straight ahead in an attempt to focus on something other than the pretty female cardcaptor next to him. To tell the truth, he had actually had fun. The idea wasn't as far-fetched as he had originally thought it to be. After the first couple misses game-wise, things had worked out quite well. He had reached the third Dungeon, which Kero said was pretty good for a first-timer.
The two reached the door, stopping in front of it. "Well…oyasumi nasai," Said Sakura, looking awkwardly at the floor, "see you tomorrow."
"Oyasumi-nasai…" repeated Syaoran, looking up to meet her emerald eyes as she raised her head. Though he knew he could have stayed looking into her eyes all night long, he was well aware of how impossible that was. Using every last ounce of self-control, he managed to tear his gaze away, turning to walk out the door.
He has managed to walk almost all the way to the corner of the street, when he heard footsteps following him at a run. Turning expectantly, he saw Sakura rushing towards him.
"Matte!" she called out, running to catch up. He stopped, waiting until she had reached him.
"Nani desu ka, Sakura-chan?" he asked.
Sakura stopped in full shock. *He…he called me by my first name…* she realized.
"I forgot to say "Sleep well" to you…" she explained, blushing slightly.
Syaoran was presently aware of his actions, and mentally kicking himself in the head. *Why did I just do that…?* he groaned inwardly *I am such a Baka…wait a minute, nani?*
"Uh…sleep well…" he replied awkwardly. *Please don't have noticed…*
"Umm…did you just call me 'Sakura-chan'?" asked Sakura quietly, not really knowing how to bring the topic up.
* Oh great! She noticed…I hope she doesn't hate me for that…*
"Sorry…I didn't mean to-" he began to apologize, but Sakura interrupted him.
"I'd really like it if you would call me 'Sakura'." She said, looking down at the ground.
Syaoran could barely believe his ears. *She's not mad? Whew!*
"On one condition…that is."
Heart sinking slightly, the male cardcaptor looked at his companion.
"Which is…" he asked apprehensively.
"As long as I can call you 'Syaoran-kun'." Finished Sakura, blushing bright red. *Luckily, it's dark…*
Syaoran was in pure shock. * She wants to call me by my first name?…*
"…okay. Deal, Sakura-chan." He finally brought himself to speak.
Sakura smiled.
"Ja ne, Syaoran-kun. Sweet dreams." She answered.
"Arigato. Dream well…Sakura-chan." *I know I will…*
With that, both teen went their separate ways, each thinking:
* This has been one of the best days of my life…*
***~~~~~~~~~~***
This is about two weeks later…
*Ding Dong*
"Oh! That has to be Syaoran-kun!" said Sakura happily, running towards the door.
"Since when do you call that gaki by his first name? And what would he be doing here?" asked Touya, getting his coat as he got ready to leave for work.
Sakura didn't answer her older brother. Instead, she opened the door expectantly, being rewarded by the sight of her injured friend.
"Ohayo Gozaimasu, Syaoran-kun!" she exclaimed happily.
Syaoran blushed his customary shade of red as he stuttered his usual reply of "O-ohayo, Sakura-chan."
Touya came to the door and stared fixedly at the Chinese youth. To everyone's surprise, however, he didn't say anything, merely casting a casual eye over him and walking out the door.
Syaoran was only puzzled by this for a couple seconds before becoming distracted by the pretty young sorceress standing infront of him. Smiling a large and happy smile, she grabbed his hand and began to lead him inside and to her room. "Come on!" she giggled, "You're late already!"
For the first time in his life, Syaoran actually allowed the traces of a smile to appear on his face. Her own happiness was just too infectious not to catch.
**********
"Uh, don't you think it's time to go now?"
Sakura stood, looking in disbelief at the sight that met her eyes. Syaoran was totally and completely focused on the screen. Sure, Syaoran did tend to do everything as well as he could, but his face didn't even carry a trace of "This is stupid!" or "I couldn't care less". In fact, he actually looked like he was having fun…
Carefully, she made her way over to him, pausing the game.(she knew how touchy gamers can be when they're playing a game and don't want to lose what they're doing at the moment) Lifting her hand, she placed it on his forehead. "Daijobu?" she asked with a great deal of concern showing through her incredibly and impossibly green eyes. Syaoran blushed deep crimson from both the feel of her hand on his skin and her worried look. *Kami-sama, help me! Wow, are her eyes ever green…OMG we're close enough to kiss-STOP IT! Think other thoughts not to do with Sakura before you do something stupid…*
"Uh, yeah. Daijobu." He answered quickly, using all his self control to rip his gaze away and find something else-ANYTHING else- to focus on.
"Ok…"she answered uncertainly. Syaoran was half relieved, half disappointed when she removed her hand. All this disappeared, however, when the game was unpaused and he continued to play. Sakura watched in amazement as he seemed to forget that she was even in the room as he tapped furiously on the buttons.
Leaving the room in absolute shock, she managed to catch a glimps of Syaoran dancing around after his triumph in beating Phantom Ganon from the Forest Temple. The faint strains of "We Are the Champions" followed her all the way down the stairs. (A.N: Gomen! I know everyone's sick of that one since "D2: the Mighty Ducks"!)
**********
***~~~~~~~~~~~~***
(This symbolizes the passing of time, as in a couple days, etc.)
"Syaoran-kun, I think you should go outside before your eyes fry."
"But-"
"No buts! Out!"
"Wahhhhh! Why'd you do that?"
Syaoran sat, eyes totally shocked as he mourned the now dark screen.
"Come on! You still need to move! That can't be healthy!"
The male cardcaptor merely crossed his arms over his chest and pouted.
"Mou! You'll be in even worse shape than Kero-chan if you don't move around more…"
"HEY! I resent that!"
Syaoran, however, stood up, abruptly walking out. "What are we waiting for?" he asked, popping his head back into the room, "Christmas? Let's get going!"
**********
***~~~~~~~~~~~***
"Ok! Snacks!"
"Oh boy!" Kero exclaimed, rushing over to the tray Sakura carried. In about two seconds, he had already finished the cookies provided and had started on the pudding.
"Syaoran-ku-"
Sakura looked on, shocked at the blur that was green and cinnamon. Syaoran (giving a whole new meaning to the word "Wolfed") dug into the food, tying with Kero as they both rushed back to the game.
Sakura stood by, speechless.
**********
Finished! Keep your eyes open for chapter three!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh! And as always, ONEGAI, SPARE A REVIEW! Wai! Arigato to those who reviewed chapter one!