Arrrgh! When was the last time I updated? Half a year ago? Soo sooo sorry!!!

Been too busy and writing my other fics…

But anyways, hope you enjoy this chapter. Made it longer for you all!

Chapter 10: Decisions and Clear Water Village

~~*~~

"L-looks like Chen YiDao has finally been defeated. The 20 taels of silver go to Li Xiao Lang."

The crowd cheered loudly, some of the audience staring in awe. It had been the most exciting fight they had witnessed at the arena. The two opponents stood still on the stage, staring indignantly at each other. For some reason, they gave people the feeling that both of them hadn't shown their real talents. But it had been an interesting enough fight already, and no one questioned it further.

The MC jiggled a blue bag in his hands, emitting clinking sounds, and tossed it to Syaoran, who caught it deftly.

"Well done Li Xiao Lang. Hope to see you back again sometime. The Arena welcomes you."

"I doubt it. I'm leaving this town tonight. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be going now. Thanks for the money."

Syaoran walked back to his companions and was immediately smothered by his fan girls. When Meiling finally told each one of them to shove off personally, she began fussing over his bruise, while Kero teased him about what happened up there. Sakura just stood awkwardly on the side, refusing to make eye contact. Syaoran was debating on giving the money bag to her or not when suddenly a voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Li Xiao Lang. May I ask where you and your companions intend on going?"

Syaoran spun around to see YiDao smiling at him. He scowled.

"None of your business."

He was about to turn and leave when suddenly a cheerful voice asked from behind him,

"Why do you ask, Chen Yi Dao?"

The voice belonged to Sakura, yet it didn't sound anything like her usual voice, it was too sickly sweet.

"Well, I have great interest to join your little travelling group here, if you happen to be heading in the same direction as I am. That is, if you don't mind an extra companion."

"Well I'm sorry but I do mind so-" Syaoran was cut off by Sakura.

"We're going through the bamboo forests, to Clear Water Village."

Syaoran glared at her.

Shit. What is she thinking, telling strangers our destination?

(Do you guys mind if I have swearing like this in here?)

YiDao's eyes glimmered. In the last shining rays of the setting sun, his eyes seemed to be azure, glowing like sapphires, in a very alluring way.

"Why it's as fate has brought us together. That's exactly where I'm heading. So, would you mind if I accompany you?"

"Of course not. The more, the merrier. You don't mind right, Meiling?"

Meiling was busy gazing into YiDao's eyes, and shook her head absent mindedly.

"Not at all…"

Syaoran scowled and swore under his breath. Everyone ignored him.

"So, since it's getting dark already, I'll pay for the inn we'll stay at tonight, as a treat for letting me join. Is that alright?"

The girls cheered happily at the thought of a nice comfy bed to sleep in.

Syaoran just let out a colourful string of swear words.

Meiling laughed and whacked him playfully.

~~*~~

(The next morning)

Kero studied their surroundings wide eyed.

O.O so much bamboo…

Syaoran was busy nursing his stiff neck.

"Syaoran, you sure you're ok?" Meiling asked.

He nodded.

"I mean, you slept sitting up on the chair all night. You're neck probably hurts like hell."

"I've felt worse."

Then he muttered something that sounded like 'had to keep an eye on that bastard over there…'

Sakura, meanwhile, was happily conversing with YiDao.

She had learned from chatting with him the previous evening, that he was an orphan, was turning sixteen soon-a few months older than Syaoran, who was already fifteen, and his 'shifu' or master/teacher had died not long ago, so he was just wondering around trying to improve his skills.

Sakura had been comfortable enough to let him know about Kero, about her magical abilities. She had been glad he hadn't been freaked out in the slightest, but had been impressed and extremely interested.

Sakura now considered him as a friend, much to Syaoran's dismay.

"So, Xiao Lang. I've heard these two lovely ladies call you Syaoran. Is that a nickname of some sort?"

"Uh, yeah." He doubted YiDao knew what Japanese was.

"Hm. Interesting. Xiao Lang…Xiao Lang…well since they both have one, I don't want to be the odd one out! I'll make a nickname for you too. Ok, Little Wolfie?"

Syaoran double taked. "Wolfie?"

"It's cute. Haha. Alright, you're officially Wolfie. It's basically your name anyway."

YiDao grinned widely at him, showing his set of perfectly straight, white teeth.

Sakura and Meiling were laughing their asses off.

"Ah, Yi Dao, you just struck a cord."

From that moment on, Syaoran knew he would NEVER get along with Chen Yi Dao.

(Hours later)

The four were nursing their sore legs, sitting against various sturdy bamboo stems, taking a break.

Sakura felt someone towering over her, and looked up. She saw Syaoran staring down at her solemnly.

"We need to talk."

Sakura followed him into a clearing.

"Look, I..I wanted to apologise about yesterday but-"

"But you would like us to continue addressing each other the same way?"

Syaoran blinked at her.

"I…how…?"

Sakura closed her eyes and breathed in deeply.

"Syaoran. All I want to know is, what happened? Don't you remember how happy we were two and a half years ago? How happy we were each time we changed a Card together? When we defeated Eriol? And…and the Hope Card? Do you even realise how much you've changed?! I mean, you don't even smile anymore goddammit!"

When she reopened her eyes, they were moist with unshed tears.

Syaoran remained silent.

"Is it because of your clan? Is it because you're the heir to the Li Clan? Too much responsibility? Oh god what was I thinking? How could I, some random person in a little town like Tomoeda, compare with something like your status? We're talking about the Li Clan damn it!"

Syaoran opened his mouth to speak but Sakura wouldn't let him. She was turning hysterical.

"You know what? I'm glad you asked me to talk today. I've finally realised how stupid I've been. But you know what? You could've told me. You' could've warned me in one of your freaking letters! Told me to stop waiting! Told me to freaking give up on you!"

She ran off once again, ending the argument the same way as their previous one. Except this time, Sakura didn't notice the direction she had run in. She didn't notice, and didn't care.

Syaoran stared after her once again. His legs didn't obey him. He didn't run after her. He just stood there, torn, between what was the right and wrong thing to do.

"Sakura…I'm sorry…"

~~*~~

She didn't know where she was, how long she'd been there. She didn't care. All she knew was that she was sitting, on a blanket of leaves, leaning against a bamboo pole, trying to contain her emotions. But the tears wouldn't stop flowing. She cried, until she forgot what she was crying for.

And when the tears finally dried up, she stumbled around the forest. Lost, in her intention. Lost in direction. Lost in her thoughts.

~~*~~

"Do you think they've made up by now?"

"Made up?"

"Like, uh, become friends again."

"Ah, I see. I'm not quite sure. I don't know their relationship, I don't know what they're arguing about, all I know is Wolfie seems hard to talk to, very secretive and Sakura…seems to be…lost."

"Lost?"

"She doesn't seem to know what to do. And her feelings for him…"

"She hasn't sorted them out yet?"

"Yes but…he's back!"

Meiling turned around to followed YiDao's gaze, to find Syaoran trudging back to them, a hollow look in his eyes. There seemed to be too many emotions to be portrayed in his eyes, so instead, they looked empty. A dull dirty caramel colour, not the sparkling amber eyes he usually had. He just stood, swaying slightly, head hung low.

"S-Syaoran? Where's Sakura?" Meiling cautiously approached him.

His head shot up at the name.

"Sakura?"

"You went to talk to her didn't you?"

"She…ran off."

"She what?!"

"I…don't know."

"And you just let her run off?! This forest is like a freaking maze! If it wasn't for YiDao we wouldn't even know where to go! Who knows what type of people or animals lurk around here!"

Syaoran just stared at her. With that same blank look, like he was soulless, and didn't care about the world.

And so Meiling slapped him. Hard.

Syaoran slowly held a hand up to his stinging cheek.

"Li Syaoran! I DO NOT like the way you're looking at me right now! You've been a jerk, an ass, and a totally sweet guy at times, but that was just Syaoran! Right now, you need to wake up and stop looking like some lost hobo! I don't care how important Sakura is to you, and what happened between you two. Right now she could have been eaten by some freaking polar bear for all I know!"

"What's a polar bear?"

Meiling glared at Yi Dao and he shrank away.

"Sorry." He said meekly.

"So you need to sort out your feelings, figure out how you're going to face each other in the future, and stop looking like your dad before he died! But most importantly, find out where the freaking hell she is!!"

Immediately, the life shot back into Syaoran's eyes.

My dad…I promised I wouldn't ever be as lost as my dad…

My feelings for Sakura…I…Sakura…

"Sakura…" He murmured. And sped off, so fast he was just a blur.

"Hey! HEY!" Meiling called after him.

"Let him go. He should be the one to look for her."

Yi Dao pulled Meiling back and looked up at the sky.

"Looking at the sun, I'm guess they both left to talk about an hour ago. So shouldn't have gone too far."

"What if he gets lost too?"

"I'm sure Wolfie's sense of direction isn't that bad. If he doesn't come back before the sun starts setting, I'll go look for them. But you'll need to stay here in case they come back while I'm gone."

"I…ok."

"It's just that, no one knows these forests well. I only know the path merchants and such usually take. But outside of the path, I have no idea what hides in this forest. I just hope Sakura doesn't run into…bandits while she's alone."

"Hell you did NOT just say bandits."

The look Yi Dao returned to her told her he was serious.

Meiling began praying.

~~*~~

It's…cold.

Sakura looked around. All she saw as bamboo, bamboo and more bamboo. There seemed to be some movement through the dense bamboo, but after staring for a while, Sakura realise it was probably just a falling leaf.

Ancient China…That's right…I'm in China…and...Syaoran…

She felt tears welling up again and held them back.

"I need to look for Meiling..YiDao. They're probably worried. I need to tell them I'm fine…"

She took another step and felt something coming towards her. She heard it, coming at high speed, whipping against the wind. And before she could react, dodge, take out her key, it hit her, in her arm.

The searing pain that shot through it was unbearable.

~~*~~

(Mmm…tempted to end it there…but then I might get some death threats…ok, continued.)

"Sakura!!" He called.

His well trained sense detected movement nearby.

He heard…what sounded like….the pounding of feet.

"Shit."

~~*~~

She acted out of instinct and ran, clutching her arm. She had pulled the vicious dart out, and now the wound felt like it was on fire.

She heard them, shouting at her to stop.

Bandits.

She felt as though her energy was being drained out of her by the second, she didn't even have enough strength to reach up for her key. Only one thought repeated itself in her head. Run. And yet, they were gaining in on her.

She felt something wet hit her nose. Raindrops fell from the sky.

Finally, her legs collapsed under her, and she was surrounded.

Her vision was starting to get clouded. She briefly saw them, dressed in leathers and furs of the animals they had slaughtered, with brown boots and head bands tying up their matted hair. They were big, much bigger compared to the villagers, with calloused skin, scars covering their faces. Their faces…sneering at her.

And they moved in, lowering their weapons, seeing that she was too weak to put up a fight. One large dirty hand reached out to grab her. She couldn't even scream. She tried to back away, and the owner of the hand fell to the floor with a cry, blood gushing out of the deep slash on his back, revealing someone holding a sword, standing behind him.

Sakura's vision was now blurry. She faintly heard them cry out something incomprehensible, and saw the sword bearing figure charge against the bandits twice his size. She saw him kill them one by one, his agility and lethal skills of the sword too great for them. She saw messy brown hair, amber eyes.

"Sakura! Hold on!"

She recognised his voice.

Syaoran…

And she fainted.

~~*~~

He had run towards the stomping of feet and recognised her immediately. The fragile victim getting chased by the numerous brutal men behind her. And he had jumped in, killed them one by one, powered by the thought of what they were planning to do to her.

He eyed her wound, the blood trickling down her arm. Black, thick blood.

Shit. They used poisonous darts.

After all the fur covered bodies lay on the ground, leaking blood that melded with the rain, washing the muddy ground, did he finally sheath his sword.

He rushed over and picked her up, bridal style. The rain was now falling so hard, he could barely see. It seemed like it was night already.

Even the weather's against me.

~~*~~

He had lit a small fire, using his magic, in the middle of the cave. He had no idea where they had been heading, he had just carried her and ran, shielding her as best he could from the pounding rain. He wouldn't be surprised if it started hailing.

But he couldn't worry about their torn, soaking clothes at that time. He inspected her wound tenderly, careful not to hurt her. Her skin was deathly pale, and there was no colour in her lips. The skin and flesh around the wound was starting to become purple in colour. Feeling her pulse, he realised, fortunately, the poison hadn't reached her heart yet.

They had used a brutal venom, a deadly one used to kill large animals like bears. They had only put a small amount on the dart, so she could die a slow death, after they had had their fun with her. He felt sick, cursing that he had let them die too easily and quickly.

It was Sakura's magic shielding her heart, keeping her alive.

Her Cards floated in a circle above her, warming up the cave, concerned for their master.

Syaoran was glad he had learnt well in the past two years. He supported Sakura into a sitting position, held his palms against her back and began chanting a spell in Chinese, one of the many healing spells he had secretly learnt in his room, from a book his Elders had forbidden him to read. The reason being, the spells healed, by transferring life energy. Syaoran's palms began to glow, his green aura surrounded him. He braced himself.

(Meanwhile…)

"Holy shit where are they?!"

Meiling and YiDao were in a small shield created by Yi Dao, who had shown Meiling that he did have a tiny bit of magic, he learnt against his masters wishes.

"You can't even see anything in this rain!"

Meiling suddenly noticed Sakura's brown bag lying in the rain. It seemed to be moving around. And there was muffled shouting.

She ran out to retrieve it. Back under the shield, she opened the bag, and out shot something furry, yellow, soaking wet, very angry, swearing profusely.

"Whoops. Forgot about you Kero."

~~*~~

(About half an hour later)

Syaoran fought to keep his eyes open. He felt like he had given all his energy to Sakura, and then dug deeper, to give his life force. Thinking again, that was probably what the spell had done. His body was begging him to stop, stop before he killed himself. He couldn't breathe any air into his lungs, and his whole body felt like there were a million needles jabbing at him relentlessly.

Yet looking at Sakura, the colour back into her face, her lips now rosy pink, he continued on. The black blood leaking out of her wound was the poison, being forced out by Syaoran. Slowly, painfully slowly, the black gradually became a bright red, indicating the blood was now clear and pure. The wound then slowly closed up until it was a tiny brown speck, a small scar that would go unnoticed.

Sakura's chest rose and fell evenly, after a long rest she would be fine.
And Syaoran finally stopped, lowering his hands, relieved.

~~*~~

The rain had stopped pouring, and was now just a small harmless drizzle.

Yi Dao was preparing to go look for Sakura and Syaoran, when Meiling suddenly cried out.

"I see someone coming!"

Syaoran stumbled into view, holding Sakura in his arms, looking half dead, scaring the hell out of the two of them.

They rushed forward to meet him. Reluctantly, he used the last of his energy to place Sakura in YiDao's arms, and collapsed to the floor.

"Syaoran! SYAORAN!"

"Hey Wolfie!"

"What happened to the Brat?!"

They sounded distant. A small smile stretched across his lips, he didn't know how he had done after, he was supposed to have no energy left, but Sakura was safe, and that was all that mattered.

And darkness enveloped him.

~~*~~

Syaoran groaned. A throbbing head ache pounded at his head. He felt too tired, drained, to do anything. Light was shining through his eyelids, forcing him to open them. Strangely, he heard birds chirping and felt something soft under him. Syaoran's eyes flickered open, and he realised he was in an unfamiliar room, on a bed.

Where am I?

He noticed a mop of auburn hair lying beside him. Sakura was sitting on a chair, next to his bed. She had fallen asleep on her folded arms, leaning over and using his bed as a pillow.

Careful not to wake her, Syaoran sat up and got off the bed. He stifled the cry that almost escaped his lips as a searing pain shot through him. And the memories flooded back.

Who knew the spell would be this painful…

Sakura…

He looked at the sleeping figure, and realised, from her position, she must have been well enough to look after him as he lay unconscious.

That means…she's alright.

Happiness bubbled inside him. He tried standing up, supporting himself using the bed post. His legs felt too weak to support his weight. He tried to take a step towards the table in the middle of the room, to get water. Every step was painful, slow, and took so much effort that by the fourth step, Syaoran was breathing more heavily than he had been while fighting off the bandits, or training back in Hong Kong. He was tempted to just resign to crawling. He took another step, and he couldn't take it anymore. He fell to the ground, the sudden movement startling Sakura, jolting her awake. He blinked when she realised the bed was empty, and her eyes widened even more when she saw Syaoran on the ground, gasping for air. Concern immediately replaced her surprised expression. She rushed over to help him up, to the table. Neither of them spoke until Syaoran was seated comfortably, drinking the cool water, feeling the cold liquid sooth his parched throat.

"How long have I…"

"Two days."

"Oh. …Where are we?"

"Clear Water Village. Li Shan's house. Meiling and YiDao are outside."

Syaoran's eye widened at this.

"YiDao got the villages to help carry both of us, unconscious at the time, to here. Meiling showed Li Shan the Li Clan badge, and he accepted."

"Oh."

"…"

"…"

"She told me about your spell book."

Syaoran look at Sakura, and realised she wasn't making eye contact with him. Instead, she was staring at a particular dent in the wooden table. Syaoran stared at the dent too.

"She…did."

"Why?"

"Why…what?" Though he knew clearly what she was asking.

He faced her, and realised she was looking him this time. The coldness in her eyes sent chills down his spine. Yet he saw hints of curiosity, sadness, and…longing.

"Why did you risk yourself…and save me."

"You know the bandits weren't that hard to take down."

"You know I'm not talking about that."

"I…"

"Why'd you use the healing spell…when you knew the consequences."

"Do you really need me to answer that?"

"Yes."

"I'm sure you know the answer. Please stop making this so complicated."

"You know much more than I do that I'm not the one making this complicated."

Syaoran didn't answer.

"If you risked your life, and saved me because of the reason I thought you did, then why are you doing this? Is it because of the Clan? Are they forcing you into this?"

"I'm sorry Sakura. But at times like that, I would never leave you to die. I acted out of instinct. But just normally…"

Sakura waited for him to continue.

"Maybe we should just try…to be…just as…friends."

"I want to know why, Syaoran."

"I'm sorry."

He didn't continue. She inhaled deeply.

"Well, if that's the case, I don't see the point of going to first name basis Li."

The pain in his heart was much more overwhelming than the consequences from the spell casting.

"I'm sorry." He was all he could whisper.

~~*~~

Aww come on. That was worth a review right? I didn't make it a cliffy. LOL. But hey, it was longer, like I promised!

BTW THIS IS S+S I WOULD NEVER MAKE IT ANYTHING ELSE!

I just didn't want the whole story to be..oh my dear Syao-kun and my darling Saku-chan mwa mwa mwa. I wanted to make it more interesting.

So pleasssseeee review!!!!!! Even if it's just yelling at me for not updating!!!