The Clow

by Yuuki.Odei

In a world where love and peace were long forgotten, they were two people brought together by fate. Now, they will set out on an unforgettable journey through the world of the Clow to fulfill their destinies. Courage will falter in the face of death and hope will be lost in the darkness ahead but together they will discover that their greatest strength comes from their hearts. SxS.

11. Chapter Eleven: The Leader of the Resist

The Clow

Disclaimer: I do not own Card Captor Sakura. Its characters and affiliates are property of CLAMP.

Author's Note: Hi everybody! I'm sorry it took so long to update! This chapter mainly focuses on Syaoran but it's still a great chapter! Here it is, enjoy! I will speak to you all again at the end of the chapter!

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The Clow

In a world where love and peace are long forgotten, two people, brought together in an entwined destiny, will stand and fight the evil force that threatens to consume all hope, including them…

This is the story of The Clow.

Chapter Eleven:

The Leader of the Resistance

She could vividly remember the first time she had seen him. Meiling had been led through various twists and turns throughout the large estate by her beautiful and intimidating Aunt Yelan and had found herself ushered gently into a room. She barely had time to take note that she was in the parlor when she was surrounded by four squealing and giggling young women who immediately pounced on her and began a series of pinching her cheeks and hugging her. Meiling had found out later that the hyperactive young women were her cousins. She escaped by crawling in between their legs and, clutching the worn rag doll she had brought in with her as if it were her lifeline, ran out the door without stopping. Only when she had to rest to catch her breath by leaning against a wall did Meiling realize that she didn't know where she was. She was in an empty, grand marble hall and the nine year old sighed in irritation. Why was the estate so big?

She was about to start off again but stopped as she heard a sound echoing from down the cavernous hall. They were shouts… someone was fighting. Meiling hesitated. She was alone anyway…perhaps there would be people down at the end. Slowly, she began making her way towards the sound and arrived in front of a pair of tall iron doors which were ajar. The sounds of yelling and fighting were coming from within. Meiling slowly leaned forward until her ruby red orbs could see past the small crack that the door allowed from the room beyond.

He was a young boy, about ten years old, with a set of serious amber eyes, glazed over with a tint of scarlet and topped with furrowed eyebrows. His hair, a mess of chocolate brown and chestnut, was matted with sweat. A single sweat drop rolled down the side of his thin face and he stood in a fighting position, facing the opposite side of the room. A light gasp escaped Meiling's lips as her eyes came to rest on this figure. Maybe it was the way he carried himself, or perhaps it was because Meiling had never seen someone so beautiful as the image of this young boy in the ferociou yet calm fighting pose before, but she fell in love at first sight. The image of Syaoran then, she still reminisced about it now, many years later, remembering how her heart beat had quickened and how much harder it was to breathe then.

Her eyes widened perceptibly as she glanced across the room from the ten year old. Two young men who looked to be about fourteen also stood in fighting stances opposite the young boy and were wearing the same white training outfit he was. Both were visibly breathing hard and looked as worn as the boy. Meiling also noticed four ancient looking men, all adorned in black cloaks, observing the fight from the sideline. She briefly wondered about them when her thoughts were interrupted as one of the older boys rushed towards the ten year old with a loud battle cry. Meiling almost covered her eyes. She didn't want to see the fate of the handsome boy that had captured her heart so suddenly. He was so much smaller! He couldn't possibly think of fighting those two! But even as this thought crossed her mind, she saw the boy lunge forward to meet the older boy with a shout of his own. Meiling watched on, becoming more and more impressed as the boy not only knocked the older one down with a flip into the air, but beat his partner too as he jumped to the aid of his friend by hitting him hard in the windpipe. Both of the young boys were sprawled on the ground panting as the boy with the amber eyes stood above them watching, his expression unreadable. The beaten pair stood again, cursing, as they wiped their mouths on their sleeves.

"Stop."

It was one of the elderly men in the black cloaks as he held his hand up. "That is enough for today. You are dismissed." The two boys exchanged looks then got up and bowed to the ten year old, who bowed respectfully in return, and they left through a door to the side of the room that Meiling had neglected to notice. The boy that remained immediately bowed his head towards the elders as they moved forward in unison to stand imperiously before him.

"Xiao Lang," Bo Chen said quietly. Syaoran nodded.

"Yes, elder?"

"That was not enough. Your last hit to the windpipe should have struck him unconscious. It did not. You will need to train harder than you are now," he said coldly. Syaoran nodded.

"Yes, elder."

"You know what to do," Daitaro said quietly without glancing once at Syaoran and the Elders promptly left the room single file out the side door. Syaoran bowed low until they had disappeared through the doorway. He sighed and promptly flipped himself into a perfect handstand. He stayed unmoving in that position as Meiling observed. She was debating about whether or not to make her presence known when the boy spoke.

"You can come out now." Meiling flushed and slowly stepped into the room, opening the door wider as she did. Quietly, she made her way towards the boy who was still doing a handstand in the middle of the training room. When she was standing next to him, holding her rag doll behind her back, Meiling spoke.

"How did you know I was there?" she inquired. Syaoran shrugged and Meiling wondered how he was able to do so in that position.

"I sensed your presence," he simply said and Meiling's eyes widened. "That and you breathe really loud," the ten year old continued and Meiling's flush deepened a shade.

"W-what? I do not!" she insisted but the boy had began to walk away on his hands while his legs dangled in the air. Meiling followed, intrigued.

"How long do you have to do that?" she wanted to know.

"Until I learn my lesson," the boy answered.

"Well, I thought it was really unfair! You beat those two older guys fair and square! And you did such a good job too! I don't know why that old geezer insulted you! And I don't get why you have to do this punishment!" Meiling's nostrils flared with anger and her pigtails actually stood on end as she stomped her feet.

"That old geezer is one of the Elders. I respect them greatly, so you shouldn't speak ill of them," the boy said sternly and he met her eyes with his. Meiling cheeks turned pink as she looked down at him. "Besides, I don't have a say in what they decide. I just follow their orders."

"Why?" she asked but the boy did not answer her. He had stopped walking with his hands and had turned around to face her.

"What are you doing here anyway?" he suddenly asked and Meiling stammered.

"I-uh..."

"It's fine," the boy cut across her. "When you exit, go down the hall, take a left and then a right at the first turn and you should be at the servant's quarter. Ask for Wei and tell him that you're lost. He'll see to you." Meiling could only blink.

"O-Oh…okay…" she replied somewhat lamely and walked towards the door, her rag doll trailing behind her. Syaoran watched her go. At the door, she stopped and hesitantly turned around.

"Hey! What's your name?" she boldly asked and the boy was slightly taken aback at her forwardness.

"Li Syaoran," he answered and Meiling smiled. Li Syaoran…she liked that name. She silently tested in on her lips before he called her attention again.

"What's yours?" he asked and Meiling grinned, flashing a peace sign at him while posing.

"My name is Li Meiling!" Syaoran stared at the strange girl before he nodded curtly.

"You should get going soon. The Elders are going to come back," he said and a look of panic crossed Meiling's face. No way! Those old men were mean! But she wanted to stay a little while longer with him…

"I could just—," she began.

"No," Syaoran cut across her sternly. "Go now." Meiling pouted a little bit before she finally gave in and with a "hmmph," she turned to go, but not before hurriedly giving a wave to Syaoran first. The boy watched her leave and smirked. So that was his cousin…

That was their first encounter and it left Meiling reeling.

Over the years, Meiling watched Syaoran grow and was there, following him at every turn. It wasn't long before she was training with the rest of her relatives either. The elders made all of the bloodline children of the Li Clan train together. Meiling, with her natural brute strength and innate flexibility, easily became admired and accepted among the students. But no matter how hard she tried and no matter how much she trained, she could never match up to the classes star pupil: Syaoran.

He was the best of the best, excelling in all their training. The boys and girls all admired the handsome and serious boy who did not pay them the slightest attention in return. Syaoran focused only on the tasks they were given, working harder than anyone else. The only class in which Meiling beat him was healing; the learning of the different types of herbs that could save one's life and the best way to recognize and treat different wounds. Though she had no magic powers, Meiling still trained hard, wishing that she did possess them so that she could have magical training with Syaoran, whom the Elders trained alone in this. To Meiling, Syaoran was an unreachable perfection. Something she would cherish and admire.

Meiling's admiration soon turned into a sort of puppy love and she followed him around relentlessly. He did not share her enthusiasm though and put up with her endless chatter in silence. Syaoran was never cold or mean to her. He was indifferent, speaking to her only when necessary and Meiling began to lose hope that her feelings would be returned.

One particular day she could tell that Syaoran was in a foul mood. His scowl, which he always wore, was even deeper than usual and his eyes narrowed. Meiling guessed that it had something to do with his sword training that afternoon. Syaoran finished what had appeared to be a flawless routine, but she could tell something was bothering him. In actuality, he had made a minor mistake at the end. Though it had been small, the Elders did not let it slide and they lectured him about it afterwards. Meiling followed him out of the training room as he exited. She had waited for the elders to finish speaking to him.

"Syaoran, what's wrong?" Meiling asked as he heatedly walked ahead of her. Syaoran did not answer, but his speed quickened and Meiling hurried to catch up.

"Syaoran! I said what's wrong?" she continued. No answer.

"Hey! I'm talking to you!" Meiling cried out in irritation. She reached out and brusquely grabbed Syaoran's arm to turn him around. She knew immediately that it was the wrong thing to do. When the boy turned around, his hazel eyes were burning.

"What do you want, Meiling?" he snapped and Meiling looked astonished as she dropped his arm.

"I-I wanted to know…what was bothering you…" she said lowly and Syaoran growled. Meiling looked up, surprised.

"My training is what's wrong. The Elders want to know how I'm supposed to apply the techniques we're taught in real life situations if I can't even learn them properly. How am I supposed to go defeat red imperial army soldiers and demons when I can't even get the routine down? How's that, Meiling?" Syaoran asked angrily. "Now leave me alone," he finished coldly and walked off, leaving Meiling behind on the verge of tears.

Meiling was sitting down in the dining room with her cousins as they gossiped and prepared dinner in the large estate, still sulking and depressed about her quarrel with Syaoran earlier.

"What's wrong, Meiling-chan?" Meiling looked up to see Miyu as she sat down next to her. Miyu had always been good at reading emotions and she was the cousin that was closest to her.

"It's Syaoran!" Meiling shouted angrily and the sisters turned to stare at her.

"What about Syaoran?" Chun Hua asked as she mixed the dressing into the salad. Meiling heaved a great sigh and the sisters exchanged looks.

"He snapped at me today," Meiling said somewhat depressed. "He's never like that. I don't know what's wrong with him and he won't tell me!" she cried out furiously, her hands balled into fists.

"Well, Syaoran was never really one to share his feelings in the first place…" Jian said slowly as she helped pour the dressing into the salad while Chun Hua tossed it.

"Why though?" Meiling demanded and Jian sighed.

"I don't know, Meiling. Even Miyu, who's closest to him, doesn't understand him sometimes," she said. Miyu nodded in agreement.

"He did tell me that he was frustrated because he couldn't test out his training earlier this week… But yes, Meiling, like Jian said, just give him some time. He'll come around. Syaoran is a kind person, really. He just acts cold." Meiling shrugged and heaved another great sigh of depression, muttering angrily to herself. What she really felt like doing was crying. Syaoran was mad at her…

"Okay, the salad's done!" Chun Hua cried out cheerfully and prepared to pick it up to bring it to the table.

"I'll do it!" Meiling suddenly jumped up and ran over to carry the bowl enthusiastically.

"Wait, Meiling-!" *CRASH* Meiling stared down at the floor where the salad now sat in ruins among jagged shards of glass, dressing leaking out all over the tiles.

"That was mama's favorite glass bowl!" Jian cried as she hurried forward to pick up the pieces. "Huan, can you get me a broom and dustpan?" Jian asked as Huan entered from the kitchen to see what the source of the noise was about. She nodded and left.

"I was going to warn Meiling to be careful because the edges might be slippery from the dressing, but-," Chun Hua said as she ran over to inspect the mess. Meiling stood absolutely still, her hands down by her sides as she watched her cousins clean the mess that she had made.

"Meiling, are you alright?" Miyu asked quietly as she approached. Miyu had seen Meiling's hand, cut by some of the broken glass and bleeding freely. She already had a first aid kit in her hands. "Did you get cut?" Miyu continued as she inspected Meiling's fingers. Her cousin stood unmoving, her arms limp down by her side. "Here, let me-"

"No!" Meiling suddenly shouted, slapping Miyu's hands back and her cousins looked at her in surprise. "Just leave me alone! I hate this place!" she cried out and, with a sob, ran out of the room.

"Meiling-!" Jian held onto Miyu's shoulder to prevent her going after their cousin.

"It's okay, Miyu," Jian said soothingly. "I think she's just tired from today. She needs time for herself." Miyu nodded uncertainly.

"Yeah…"

It was a plain looking rag doll, with red yarn for the hair and big black buttons sewn for the eyes. The clothes it wore were faded and patched in so many places the cloth looked checkered. It was the last gift her mother had given to her before she had died and Meiling cherished it, no matter how dirty or ugly it was. It was this doll that Meiling held onto as she cried by herself in the forest alone.

She hated it! She hated this place! Why did her parents have to go and get themselves caught working for the Resistance by the red imperial army? Why did they have to leave her alone? The world wasn't fair! Why did they leave her to live at her cousin's house? She wouldn't have met him and she wouldn't be feeling unhappy right now! Meiling was sitting with her knees to her chest, sobbing quietly, the wound on her hand forgotten and bleeding freely. It wasn't until she heard loud, excited murmuring and the rustling sound of the brush next to her that she looked up. Her scream was muffled and her rag doll dropped onto the forest floor as Meiling was bound and gagged by at least half a dozen Youkai. They gleefully carried her off into the deeper part of the forest on top of their heads, chanting stupidly.

"We've got dinner! Din-ner! Din-ner! Din-ner!" Meiling rolled her eyes. These demons were not very bright… Worry quickly overtook her senses and a feeling of despair spread throughout her insides. No one knew where she was! She hadn't bothered letting anyone know… An unheard sob sounded through the gag that bound her mouth and Meiling's ruby eyes began to cloud over as the realization of her predicament fully hit her. She was going to die… She was going to die all alone with no one to worry about her. Alone like when her parents left her. No one would be coming for her, there was no one left…

She was so caught up in her turmoil that she didn't even notice when the group of Youkai had slowed down and carelessly dumped her onto the forest floor, arguing about who would eat her first.

"I smelled the blood! I should get to eat her first!" an enormous, red horned Youkai roared, pushing past the others. There was a loud sound of protest from the other demons.

"But I found the human female first!" another demon, who looked rather like a man except for the bushy tail and sharp fangs, retorted. The first demon shoved him and missed as he dodged, hitting the Youkai behind him instead. There was a roar of anger and the place was suddenly full of the sounds of fighting as they snarled and tore at one another.

"Stop!" an angry yell surrounded the clearing and the Youkai broke apart to look at the speaker, a demon who very much resembled a snake. "Stop!" he repeated. "We will all eat the girl together!" There was a roar of approval from his companions and they turned towards Meiling, who watched them in horror. She was scared, no, terrified. Meiling tightly closed her eyes. A single tear fell down her cheeks, squeezed out beneath her eyelashes. This was it! She would die. Hopelessness engulfed Meiling and she recoiled, ready to feel the tears in her skin from their sharp claws.

"Hey, you Youkai!"

The demons stopped halfway to their prey and turned towards the source of the noise behind them in the clearing. Meiling slowly opened her eyelids, her eyelashes wet with tears, and her heart skipped a beat as she recognized the deep, amber eyes tinted with scarlet and the messy, chestnut locks that belonged to Li Syaoran. At that very moment, Meiling swore that she would never love another man again.

Syaoran stood, grinning cockily at the Youkai in the faint light of the moon, a sword out, pointed at the group. It was his father's sword. A long, silver blade attached to a gold and green hilt finished off with a braided red rope and dangling onyx sphere.

"Pick on someone your own size," he announced arrogantly. The Youkai took a moment to look at one another before they burst into laughter.

"Pick on someone our own size?" the red demon laughed. "You're not even half the size of one of us!" The snake-like demon eyed Syaoran hungrily.

"Forget that. Let's just make this one our dessert!" he hissed as he lunged forward. The young boy skillfully avoided the attack and leapt into the air, his sword flashing in the moonlight as he sliced the large, red demon in front of him across the chest before thrusting his sword into that same demon's torso. The demon's face showed surprise before he snarled and made to strike the boy in front of him. He suddenly stopped, mid swing, as a golden glow enveloped him from the sword imbedded in his chest. His body began to burn and immediately dissolved into ashes that scattered in the wind. A few seconds later, there was nothing left of the Youkai that once stood there. Only the young boy remained. He stood up straight and flipping his sword, scowling at the remaining Youkai.

"Who's next?" he asked dangerously low. They scattered. He did not hesitate to pursue each one of them in turn. Not one got away, Syaoran wouldn't allow it. After a few moments of chaos, the last Youkai disappeared with a flash of light and Syaoran made his way over to where Meiling sat in a heap on the forest floor. As soon as he had removed the gag and cut the ropes, Meiling began to bawl.

"Waahhhhh! Syaoran!" she choked and Syaoran, embarrassed, could only stand up again and watch the forest, waiting for her sniffles to subside.

Meiling's wails eventually died down into quiet sobs and Syaoran felt it was safe to speak.

"Are you alright?" he asked, looking down at his cousin not unkindly. Meiling only cried harder and Syaoran sighed.

"Why are you crying, Meiling?" he wanted to know.

"Because I almost died!" Meiling managed through loud gasps. Syaoran rubbed the back of his head awkwardly.

"Don't cry, Meiling," he said but Meiling, in her state of unhappiness at her narrow escape of death, only sobbed harder.

"Why not?" she cried. "Why can't I cry?"

"Because everything's going to be okay," was his calm reply.

"And how do you know?" she wailed back.

"Because I just do."

Meiling stopped crying, the last tear dripping down her chin as she looked up at Syaoran, his eyes lost in the night sky. He looked so sure of his own answer that, when he looked down at Meiling, his eyes meeting hers, she trusted and believed it too. Hiccupping slightly, her ruby orbs suddenly met the face of her worn rag doll with the black button eyes. Syaoran was holding it out to her, the last gift her mother had given her. Meiling slowly took it into her hands and hugged it tightly, a huge grin on her face.

"Thank you, Syaoran!" she said happily. Syaoran looked down at the young girl.

"You're welcome, Meiling."

"Wait for me, Syaoran!" Meiling demanded as she ran towards him.

They had been trekking back to the estate for a bit already when Meiling caught up to Syaoran. He was so sweet, rescuing her and all! Like a prince in a fairytale! Meiling gushed, watching the young boy walk ahead of her.

"Syaoran, you're so brave!" she squealed. "How did you manage to defeat all of those Youkai? You must have fought loads of them before, right?" she asked.

"No, this was my first time," Syaoran simply stated and Meiling gasped loudly.

"Whhhaaaattttt?" she cried. "It can't be, Syaoran! You made it look so easy!"

"It was fairly easy. I've been searching for an opportunity to test out my skills in a real fight against demons. Tonight was that test," Syaoran answered. "I never do things without more than one reason to," he said. "And don't call me Syaoran," he added. Meiling ignored his last comment, giggling and blushing uncontrollably.

"Well, Syaoran, you must have wanted to rescue me too then, right? Since you don't do things without having more than one reason to!" she laughed. Syaoran turned red and stammered.

"Er…t-that's…oh, whatever!" Syaoran stomped off and Meiling grinned to herself. He was embarrassed! He was so cute! And then Meiling realized what the problem was. Syaoran liked her but was just too shy to admit it! Quickly, she ran to catch up to him, tackling him with a tight hug to his shoulders.

"Ack! Meiling! Get off of me!" Syaoran stopped and tried to pry Meiling off of him, blushing all the while, but she only nuzzled her cheek closer to his chest.

"Aww, Syaoran!" she cried. Then her eyes opened as a thought hit her. She looked up at him, her orbs twinkling and her face ecstatic. "Syaoran! Let's get engaged!" she announced.

"WHAAATTTT?" Syaoran pulled back and staggered, forcing Meiling to let go, but she moved in again, all the while squealing in excitement.

"Yes, let's get engaged! Let's become engaged until you can find the one you truly love!" she said excitedly. "Until then, you're my fiancé, okay, Syaoran?" She caught up to her flustered cousin and hugged him tightly again. "We're engaged from now on!" she cried with the happiest smile on her face that Syaoran had seen since her arrival. He pried her fingers loose from his shoulders and pulled back to look at his bossy cousin.

"I-that- do whatever you want!" he retorted, his cheeks red as he stomped ahead through the underbrush of the forest. Meiling beamed at his retreating figure.

"He's so shy!" she squealed and ran after him, her arms flapping wildly. "Syaoran! Wait for me!"

That was how the engagement began.

They were speaking in low anxious voices. Meiling drew in a sharp breath from her position behind the doorway that led into the sitting room. She knew that she shouldn't be eavesdropping like this but she could not help it. They were speaking about some very important business and Meiling wanted to know what. Mizuki-san, an old family friend and chief of the Resistance in Soul City, had arrived at the estate just a few moments ago, looking thoroughly shaken and worried. He had informed Wei that he needed to speak to Yelan as Meiling listened to the conversation from the hallway. Now, Mizuki was in the sitting room, discussing the news with Yelan and Meiling's cousins. Syaoran, she knew, had left earlier to train. Meiling frowned and strained to listen to what she could hear.

"-and Akio was captured." There were gasps of surprise and shock from inside the sitting room.

"How is that so, Mizuki-san?" Meiling heard Chun Hua asked worriedly. "How could uncle be captured so easily? He is the leader of the Resistance after all." Mizuki sighed.

"Akio was always very full of himself and the Resistance's power, Chun Hua," he said quietly. "He believed the Resistance, with their men and him as their leader, would be able to dominate any army. He was quite the fool, very unfit to be the Resistance leader in the beginning, but the elders didn't have a choice since your brother was still so young…" There was silence from the sisters and Yelan merely observed Mizuki, her dark eyes betraying nothing. Mizuki continued.

"Anyway, Jade town, the village nearest to the foot of Mori Mountain, was supposed to be one of the first areas that the Resistance attacked in our plan to overthrow the emperor. We were to take over it and lead troops from there into Soul City since it has so many useful hiding places in the mountain for our supplies. It's also advantageous because we have the upper ground and can easily spot incoming enemies from far off. Akio could not have chosen any better. It was the perfect location to take over. He had heard that there were only two squads of the red imperial army soldiers defending the town when he and the members of the Resistance arrived. It seemed that luck had struck on our side because that day the captain was called into Soul City to speak to the emperor as well. It was supposed to be an easy victory…" Mizuki trailed off.

"What was wrong then?" Huan asked, her voice soft. "Why didn't they just defeat the two squads? I'm sure there were more Resistance members than red imperial army soldiers, weren't there, Mizuki-san?" she asked. Mizuki laughed bitterly.

"Oh, there was, Huan. The Resistance members that came with Akio doubled that of the red imperial soldiers that day," he said.

"So what went wrong then?"

"Well, it seems that being the leader of the Resistance for seven years hadn't shrunk Akio's head any," Mizuki paused to scowl, "That fool underestimated those two squads of soldiers and led the men of the Resistance to their death. We lost most of our men in that attack alone…" Silence followed his words.

"How?" Jian finally croaked.

"Even though they didn't have a captain, the red imperial army soldiers took orders from a newly promoted lieutenant. The lieutenant wasn't an amateur though and directed his army in the battle with strong force. The men who survived said that they'd never seen such a skilled fighter in the red imperial army before. He led the charge against Akio and they won. Now Akio is captured and heavily injured, waiting to be hanged tomorrow afternoon at the gallows, that fool," Mizuki said shaking his head. Miyu gaped.

"One man led the red imperial soldiers against the Resistance members and won?" she asked incredulously. Mizuki nodded.

"Who is he?" Yelan spoke and every pair of eyes in the room shifted to her.

"He joined the imperial army three years ago and was made lieutenant just a few months back, Li-san." Mizuki inclined his head towards her. "The most skilled soldier in the army right now, I would daresay."

"What is his name?" Miyu asked softly. Mizuki paused, his eyes hard.

"Kinomoto Touya."

The sisters and their mother looked grim.

"I hear he's going to be promoted to captain," Mizuki continued, "for the capture of Akio, our leader. We know he's been wanted for a long time now since he publicly announced who he was a few years back. This capture is a big blow to the Resistance, another one of our leaders gone…" Mizuki said quietly. The room had become entirely silent as the impact of these words hit each young woman.

Outside of the door, Meiling had put a hand over her mouth. The Resistance leader was captured! She slowly removed her hand as she heard Chun Hua speak again.

"But surely the Resistance can get him out?" she cried. "He can't die! If he does, the Resistance will be leaderless! There has to be a way to rescue him…" she said almost in a pleading tone of voice. Mizuki-san shook his head.

"There is no way, Chun Hua. That idiot made sure that everyone knew he was the Resistance leader. He will be guarded round the clock with extra precaution. The noblemen want to see him hanged."

"But…it's too soon! He can't die yet…" Miyu said quietly. She sounded as if she were holding down a small sob.

"There is no way to predict these things, Miyu," Mizuki said gently. Miyu nodded, her hands in her lap. There was an understanding now among the five people in the room (and unknown to them, Meiling too), and it was Yelan who voiced it out.

"The Resistance leader is no more. There will be a new one," she spoke in a strong and calm voice and the others turned to her, the tension thickening in the room.

Finally, Miyu spoke in a trembling voice, "What does this mean for Syaoran?" No one said anything because no one had an answer for her.

Meiling turned to go. She had heard enough. As she made her way up the stairs, unseeing, her newly acquired knowledge passing through her mind at a million intervals a second. Li Akio was Syaoran's uncle. He had no children…and Syaoran was the last in the bloodline of the Li Clan…Meiling gasped quietly. There was no one else. Syaoran was the Resistance leader if his uncle died. It was all down to him now; there was no way around it. All of his hard work and dedication led up to this moment…would he be strong enough to accept the burden of becoming the leader of the Resistance? How must he be feeling about all of this?

Unknowingly, Meiling had reached the kitchen upstairs and was in front of the doorway leading onto the balcony. Her eyebrows furrowed in worry, she didn't even notice the figure that was already standing there. Only when she caught a glimpse of those dark, chestnut-colored locks flying in the wind with her glazed over eyes did she stop dead in her tracks. Syaoran…

He was standing quite still, his back turned to her, his shoulders stiff. From below, she could hear the sounds of his sisters, mother, and Mizuki-san speaking from the sitting room and Meiling knew that Syaoran could hear them as well. When did he get back and how long had he been standing there? Had he heard everything? Meiling moved forward slowly until she was right behind him. Syaoran did not turn around, didn't even acknowledge her presence and she knew that he had heard the entire conversation. She noticed the way he was standing now, slightly hunched over, his posture submissive and his head bent down, but his fists were clenched tightly on the balcony railing. So tight, he had dug into his palms with his nails and was drawing blood from his hands, wetting the balcony ledge. Syaoran did not seem to notice. Meiling's eyes widened and she moved forward to say something. Her fingers were millimeters from touching his shoulder when Meiling suddenly stopped. She was afraid…the air around him was suddenly foreboding and she realized that he was not in this time, this dimension. His mind was somewhere else, somewhere she could not understand and she took a quick step back. Tears formed in her eyes as she watched the silent figure of her cousin, watched his inner struggle, his body tightened and damp with sweat. And for the first time in her life, Meiling walked away from Syaoran.

Meiling ran without looking, wiping her tears on the back of her hands as she went. She didn't understand it herself but it made her sad to see her cousin so lost. What was going through his mind? She half wished she would have asked back there but she couldn't. His presence, the air around him was so thick with tension, so tight with anxiety that she had no room to breathe…

So she was surprised when she bumped into a pair of sturdy legs, much taller than herself, and she looked up, her face shining with tears and her nose red from crying.

"Are you alright, Meiling-sama?" the figure of Wei asked worriedly as he observed her with his round glasses, perched at the end of his nose. Meiling shook her head. She was in the hallway, near the servant's quarter.

"Would you like to talk about it?" Wei asked gently. Again Meiling kept her lips closed and shook her head. Wei smiled understandingly.

"Is it about the young master?" he asked and Meiling's eyes shot up. Somehow, the old servant always knew… She sighed and meekly nodded her head. Wei observed the young girl. He remembered the first time he had seen her. She had come in, boldly asking for him in the servant's quarters, and after he had gotten her settled, she had burst out about her excitement in meeting the young master and accidentally, he was sure, in the moment, revealed that she quite arduously "loved" him, as she had put it. Meiling was quite the opposite of that now, slumped over in defeat. Wei had never seen a time when Meiling was not wearing that smug smile on her face, following the young master around and he gave a curt nod.

"Let us speak somewhere else, Meiling-sama. You know those maids are some of the worse gossips I know," he said with a wink and led the way down the hall. Grumbling, Meiling followed.

"It is quite alright for you to feel that way, Meiling-sama," Wei finally said after a small stretch of silence. She had just explained to him the reason she had been crying earlier as they sat on top of the roof, watching the sun set out in the west, its colors, so reminiscent of autumn, fell across the earth, dappled with pink. "We, including myself, who worry for the young master all feel that way. He is a very special young man," he said quietly and Meiling nodded dumbly. Yes, Syaoran was indeed very special to her.

"The young master is thirteen now, Meiling-sama. Being thirteen comes with a lot of responsibilities in itself, but I doubt that any boy that age would have the responsibility of leading the Resistance hanging over his head," Wei said. "Young master has known his whole life that this day was going to come, the day when he would need to step up as Resistance leader. He has been mentally and physically preparing himself this whole time. However, merely preparing body and spirit may not be enough to really lighten the impact of these duties laid on his shoulders. Young master is coping with it the best that he knows how. Only time will tell if he's able to lead as his father once did."

"But Syaoran-," she croaked and Wei nodded slowly, closing his eyes.

"Yes, the young master's past and present have led up to a future that depends on this. If he accepts this life, he will need to live it all the way through and he is well aware of that. It will not be easy, Meiling-sama. Judging by how you're taking the news, you already know it will be difficult for him or anyone else who chooses this path for that matter." Meiling didn't say anything but her ruby red eyes had begun to sparkle with unshed tears. "The best that you and I, or in fact, anyone, can do for the young master now is be there to support him as best we can… He will not ask for it, as we both know how stubborn and hard headed he can be, but he will need our help, our support, and our love." The tears escaped. Meiling didn't even bother wiping them away. She turned to Wei.

"Wei?" she asked. He looked at her from behind his glasses, his neat servant's suit dark against the fading light.

"Yes, Meiling-sama?" he asked gently.

"Do you think Syaoran will be alright?" she wanted to know. Wei was the only person, besides Miyu, who really understood Syaoran. Meiling was very inquisitive and highly aware of her surroundings for only a twelve year old, Wei thought.

Wei wanted to tell the young girl not to worry and that the young master would surely be alright, but he couldn't tell her something he did not believe in.

"I don't know, Meiling-sama. I don't know…"

Meiling descended the stairs and passed by Syaoran's bedroom door on her way to her own later that night. Light from a single candle still burned from his room. She could see him crouched over the table, drawing up maps and plans and working diligently, and she let a single tear roll down her cheek as her talk with Wei repeated itself in her mind.

The role of Resistance leader was not all glory and fame. If she had a choice, she would not wish that role upon anyone, not even Syaoran.

It was a gloomy day with ominous grey clouds covering the dark sky. From a distance, you could hear the sounds of clapping thunder. The air smelled damp as a strong wind blew from the north, carrying with it the moisture of the rain.

The noblemen were excited. Today would mark a day in the history of their reign, the hanging of a Resistance leader. It was to be the biggest hanging in the Clow, drawing people from all over it to witness the death of the leader of the slaves' one hope, the Resistance.

This was the first hanging of a known Resistance leader, since the man had announced himself to be the leader of the Resistance seven years ago when he first stepped up to take over for whoever had been the previous leader. The noblemen were never really sure who the leader was over time. There would be changes and even if a leader of the Resistance was caught in the past, they wouldn't admit to the role they played. Ever since the man had admitted to being the new leader, he'd been causing trouble all over the Clow and had become the most wanted man. It wasn't until his most recent exploit, the attempt to overthrow Jade Town, that he finally slipped up, which led to his capture, and the noblemen were going to celebrate this occasion. They had come from all over, in their expensive carriages and with their impressive lines of soldiers. The square in Jade Town, at the foot of Mori Mountain, was packed with people today. Slaves, noblemen, children, and animals alike were here to witness the death of a very important man.

And he certainly looked important with the huge parade that brought him to the gallows. The soldiers used a horse to drag the metal cage that held the Resistance leader all through town before they reached the gallows. They enjoyed the feeling of winning over their opponents and, by this time, the young leader inside of the cage was more heavily hurt than before, bleeding from the impact of the hard ground and speed that shook his mobile prison.

The crowd shrieked and booed and protested while the red imperial soldiers had their fun. One man stood on top of the platform, watching the show of humiliation with a bemused expression on his face. His hazel eyes never left the Resistance leader being ridiculed in his cage. His raven black hair flew about on top of his head in the damp, warm wind. With his tall height, one look was all it took to know that the young man was a captain of the red imperial army. Kinomoto Touya watched, a small satisfied smile on his face, as the horses began to slow down and stopped in front of the raised platform.

The soldiers pried the lock to the cage open and roughly pulled out a young man with chestnut-colored eyes and a shaven head of black hair. The young man was looking at the soldiers defiantly, angrily. His body, chiseled and muscular, was covered by rags and injuries. Some cuts were still bleeding. There was a large bruise over his chest as well. The Resistance leader staggered and the two soldiers pulled him up roughly, kicking him in the stomach. He could barely stand and let out a cry of pain. The onlookers were entirely silent now. Quickly, they dragged him up the gallows by his arms, towards Touya, whispering insults at him as they went. Touya nodded at them and they shoved the prisoner towards the rope, pushing him to stand.

The Resistance leader was weak and powerless, hungry and had been tortured many times. He did not have the strength to stand. A soldier held him up while the other fixed the noose around his neck. When this was done, the two soldiers turned expectantly to Touya, who stood watching, a stony expression on his face. Touya cleared his throat as now everyone on the square was staring at him in silence. He could see a few women and children crying in the audience, but it did not faze him. These things failed to do so after some time.

"Li Akio. You are guilty of leading the Resistance and charged for numerous assaults against the red imperial army. You lent a hand in the escape of slaves and threatened our emperor! You are guilty of destroying property and the stealing of weapons and other goods from Noblemen! You're punishment is death by the gallows," Touya paused and the crowd began making noises, words of anger from the slaves, agreement from the Noblemen. "Do you have any last words, Resistance leader?" Touya sneered, speaking quietly. Akio did not say anything. It was hard to guess what he was thinking from the look on his tired and bloodied face. The Resistance leader had his eyes downcast, as though searching for something, and suddenly he lifted his head up towards the dark clouds, towards a bluff on the cliff as the wind picked up and flashes of lightning began tearing above the earth.

Akio gave a grim smile and looked towards the crowd, illuminated as a streak of lightning struck right above him.

"We will see freedom!" he cried and Touya quickly hid his surprise. After all, who could imagine a voice that carrying and that loud to issue from someone who looked about ready to die? "This is not the end, my friends, my family! This is only the beginning! My death is nothing but a stepping stone into the reality where slaves will one day be equals. To the reality where we will fear no one! Do not give up hope, for freedom is near! DO NOT GIVE UP MY BROTHERS! The prophecy is coming true! Do not fear, be brave and lead us steadfastly towards this new era, for peace is a long fight. It is not something that we may grasp immediately! Sacrifices will be needed along the way! Here is mine! Here is mine! To the Clow! To the Clow!" Akio pumped his tied hands into the air several times as he said "the Clow," and the slaves roared their approval, their hope, crying and shouting and jumping with joy.

They surged forward and the red imperial army soldiers who had been holding them back fought for control while the Noblemen retreated to their carriages. Touya quickly looked around, reaching for his sword.

"Kinomoto Touya."

Touya turned to see the Resistance leader looking directly at him as he spoke, his eyes a clear, brilliant bronze. "You are a strong fighter and a strong leader, but it will not always be that way. You will need to find a reason to fight and to live…" Touya stared. Akio was panting, as if each breath cost him more than he could give. "You were able to defeat me…but you have a different destiny…I can feel it…" Akio paused, his chest heaving, but his eyes never left Touya's. "Over time, things will start to change…you will find that when they do, you will start to change as well."

Touya opened his mouth but at that moment, the floor beneath the Resistance leader dropped and his face, which Touya had seen just a moment ago, disappeared below the platform. The crowd gasped and some women screamed. The rope that had been tied to the noose went taut and Touya could see it, straining and moving violently about, keeping the hanging body suspended in the air. He heard the grunts and spitting of the Resistance leader as he tried to get some air into his lungs, thrashing about as his body parts hit one another. It was futile as the rope tightened with his efforts. After a few moments, the rope became still, swinging lightly from side to side and the noises stopped completely. Touya stared at the swinging rope as another flash of lightning lit the sky above. He clenched his jaw and, fighting back the urge to vomit, retreated from the platform.

Syaoran was tense, all of his senses alert, as he stood on a bluff overlooking the hanging just right below it. From there, he could hear every single word; see every person as clearly as if he'd been standing next to them. He saw when the red imperial soldiers brought his uncle, humiliating him first, and Syaoran clenched his jaw as he burned with anger, his hands tightly formed into fists. He looked below and saw a single man with a red army uniform on, standing on the platform with dark raven hair and hazel eyes, watching the resistance leader's humiliation with a small smirk on his face as they dragged him around in the cage. At that moment, Syaoran felt a hatred so powerful he knew he'd never felt this way about anyone before. He was actually trembling from his anger. Syaoran surveyed the man, his amber eyes narrowed.

Kinomoto Touya. He would never forgive Kinomoto for what he was about to do… Syaoran's attention was brought to again when the soldiers brusquely dragged his uncle out of the cage. The crowd was making a lot of noise as they did and the flashes of lightning in the sky became more frequent. Syaoran's fists shook when he noticed that they had tortured and haphazardly shaved his uncle's head. It was already humiliating enough to die by their hands; must they take his hair too? Despite his uncle's appearance, Syaoran did not turn away. He watched, his lips in a tight line, and he heard when his uncle spoke. He knew that Akio was looking for his aura, feeling Syaoran out in the crowd. Akio had looked up into the bluffs when he finally spoke and, as Syaoran listened, he became more and more stony, his stance stiffer with each word.

"This is only the beginning! My death is nothing but a stepping stone into the reality where slaves will one day be equals. To the reality where we will fear no one! Do not give up hope, for freedom is near! DO NOT GIVE UP MY BROTHERS! The prophecy is coming true! Do not fear, be brave and lead us steadfastly towards this new era, for peace is a long fight. It is not something that we may grasp immediately! Sacrifices will be needed along the way! Here is mine! Here is mine! To the Clow! To the Clow!" Syaoran was sweating, his hands shaking.

Yes, his uncle's destiny. His uncle was a stepping stone…but why did he say it so easily? It was not that easy at all… Syaoran would have to lead now. Have to take up that position of Resistance Leader. He was the last of the Li Clan; no one else could do it. Of course, he had known his whole life, but the pressure of taking on the role had not quite register inside Syaoran's head yet. He knew, but he still denied. Denied his future, his past, his present, now all dedicated to being the leader of the Resistance… He would die a hero or live to see peace restored to the Clow, these were the only two options he had. And Akio's words echoed in his mind.

Do not give up hope! Do not give up…

"Never give up hope, Xiao Lang." Syaoran looked up. His father had said the same thing. His father…

"Why must you go? Why can't I go too?" A six year old Syaoran inquired of the tall man that was his father.

The man had dressed himself for battle and was ready to leave when his six year old son, tired of being left behind, decided to take a stand. His father turned to survey him. Syaoran couldn't remember the exact shade of his father's eyes, but he knew they always seemed to twinkle at him.

"Because you must stay here and protect your mother and sisters," was the deep reply. Syaoran looked down at the ground then back up at his father.

"You don't have to go…" he muttered, but his father heard him and bent down in front of him, placing a large hand on his son's shoulder.

"I have to go, Xiao Lang. I have to lead the people to freedom. If I don't, then who will?" he said quietly.

"Can't other people do it?" Syaoran asked his father almost angrily. His father shook his head.

"No, Xiao Lang. Only I can do it. Being the Resistance leader means living it until I finish it. And a finish means leading our people to freedom. Many people depend on you and, you in turn, must depend on them too, no matter how difficult it is. Every life is in your hands."

"But there are too many soldiers and Youkai! You will lose if you go!" Syaoran protested, but his father merely smiled kindly down at his only son.

"We will never know if we don't try. I am doing this so that one day, in the future, you will be able to live a better life without worrying that your children will be in danger because of the noblemen or Youkai. I am doing this for the people of the Clow," his father said. Syaoran did not reply. "One day, Xiao Lang, you will understand," he said quietly and, giving his son a firm one armed squeeze, stood up again.

"I have to get going." Syaoran looked up as his father walked towards the entrance of their home in the estate decidedly, wondering what was running through his mind, when his father suddenly stopped. Slowly, he turned around and walked back to Syaoran. He held something out to him and Syaoran stepped forward to examine what was in his hands.

"Ah, I almost forgot to give you this," he said softly. Syaoran stared at the braided red rope from which a black sphere of clouds moved around restlessly on his father's outstretched palm. He looked back up at his father, alarmed.

"I can't take that! You'll need it in battle!" he cried. His father smiled.

"No, Xiao Lang. You will need it more than I do," he said. "Take it and use it well. It is yours now." Before Syaoran knew it, the sphere was thrust into his hands and his father had already reached the door. Syaoran opened his mouth but it was his father who spoke again.

"Good luck, my son," he said turning his head to look at Syaoran. As he watched his father walking away to battle for freedom, somehow, Syaoran knew that it would be the last time he would see him. Syaoran knew his father would not return.

"Never give up hope, Xiao Lang."

Syaoran was beginning to slowly understand his father's actions that day, the reason for always fighting even when the odds were against him. The reason for being the Resistance leader…

He came to again when the crowd below began surging forward and he could see his uncle speaking to Captain Kinomoto. Syaoran strained to hear but the wind was too strong and the sounds too loud. Thunder boomed from the distance and lightning lit up the bluff he was standing on.

"Syaoran…" Syaoran did not turn to look at Meiling as she slowly made her way towards the edge where he was, holding her hand out to him. "Syaoran…" she repeated quietly but she daren't touch him.

Syaoran ignored her and turned quickly when the crowd below screamed in denial, roaring in all directions as his uncle's body drop beneath the platform. Meiling gasped and turned away, shutting her eyes, tears leaking out.

Syaoran watched, unblinkingly as his uncle's body dropped, suspended by the rope. The initial drop had not broken his neck, as was typical, and he struggled for air as his face turned purple. His swollen tongue began to hang out of his mouth and his eyes rolled back as he choked. His uncle made one more attempt to raise his hands to the rope choking his neck and was halfway there when his hands dropped, swinging flimsily along his sides. His uncle's limp body simply dangled in the wind. Sweat damped Syaoran's forehead and his amber orbs were clear and hard. He swallowed, his whole body rigid, his hands balled into fists, his fingernails digging into the flesh of his calloused palms. Syaoran felt a firm hand on his shoulder. He didn't have to turn around. He knew the aura of the man who held his shoulder and was squeezing it tightly. At that moment, all the noises of the crowd, the thunder, the world itself, disappeared. Syaoran could feel nothing of the wind, just that rough, cold hand on his shoulder, squeezing it painfully… This was it. And just as suddenly, the man released his shoulder and walked away as the world, the noises, and the feelings returned. A feeling like he had been punched surfaced in the pit of Syaoran's stomach and he lost his breath, fought for air, as a bolt of lightning lit the bluff again, drenching it in white, hot light. Syaoran's face was illuminated, bathed in a fierce glow.

He stood unmoving, trembling all over, and when Ginchiro disappeared from the bluffs, Syaoran paused for a second, then tore off in the opposite direction with his head down, his eyes screwed shut, running as fast and as hard as he could.

"Syaoran!" Meiling called after him, but she knew she could not catch up to him now and instead held her hands close to her heart, aching for him, as tears fell from her closed eyes. 'Syaoran…'

When he had reached a deserted place in the middle of the forest, Syaoran doubled over onto his knees and dry retched onto the trunk of a giant redwood tree. Heaving, Syaoran leaned over to throw up again but nothing came out. There was nothing in his stomach. Shuddering, he wiped his mouth on the back of his sleeve and blinked rapidly at the moisture accumulating in his eyes. He kneeled there, hands clutching at the soil on the forest floor. He didn't know how long he stayed there, a million thoughts running through his head while the event he'd just witnessed replayed in his mind

There could be no more mistakes. The lives of everyone close to him relied on his actions… Syaoran, with a frustrated grunt, hit the ground in front of him.

The thunder above boomed loudly one more time and the white light of a lightning bolt struck the forest area once more, bathing it in color. Syaoran, panting, leaned against the ground with this forearms, unmoving. The first drop landed on the nape of the new Resistance leader's neck, cooling down the feverish feel of his skin. It seemed to evaporate as it landed on the burning surface and Syaoran blinked as he felt it. Then the sky ripped open and rain poured onto the earth. Syaoran lay there, feeling the rain as it fell onto his shoulders, his skin, and he slowly put his head up, eyes closed, towards the sky. Each drop felt like a weight, a responsibility, as it hit him. Each raindrop felt like a life that now depended on him, and Syaoran stood up, his messy, chestnut locks damp, accepting the rain as it continued drenching him as if he were also soaking up the responsibilities. And he knew at that moment, that his life was changed forever, because from now on, Li Syaoran was the Resistance leader.

He was alone in the room with only the largest window ajar, letting the moonlight and the cold breeze in. He reached a hand up to his face and removed the white mask that had been covering it and set it down onto the table in front of him slowly, his amber-red eyes serious as he stared down at it, lost in thought.

"What's that?"

Syaoran didn't even turn around as his cousin let herself in. He was used to Meiling popping up in the least expected places. He took a moment before he answered her question. She was craning her neck to look over his shoulder at the white mask.

"This is something to protect the people of the Clow with, Meiling," Syaoran said quietly as he fingered the mask. Meiling stared at it in curiosity, her hands behind her back.

"How will you lead with that, Syaoran?" she asked. "They won't know who you are," Meiling pointed out. Syaoran nodded.

"I know. It's better that way. To them I'll just be…" Syaoran paused and looked out the open window, the wind blowing his messy chocolate locks, "I'll just be a spirit…" Meiling nodded and silence fell between the two as they stared out at the open grounds of the estate.

"Tomorrow is your first official day as the role of Resistance leader…" Meiling began."Aren't you scared, Syaoran?" she asked softly.

"No," he answered quietly. "No, I'm not scared, Meiling. I have to do this… it's what I'm here for. These last four years, the Elders have led the unstable Resistance. It's up to me to return it to its full power. I've always thought like you too, that being the Resistance leader is some kind of role I have to play. I realize now that it's not a role. Being the Resistance Leader means having the power to change the injustice the poor civilians are forced to deal with. Being the Resistance Leader means having a say in all that's corrupt. The Resistance Leader is not a role but a life, one that I'm living right now. And I will continue to live it until we win. Someone needs to lead everyone to a brighter future. That person will be me."

Syaoran turned towards the window, staring out into the night. The moon shone on his face and the wind blew his hair, slightly longer now, about. Meiling could only gape at the man she had loved since she was nine. He was a different person now. He had grown up significantly in the last four years. Syaoran was more serious now, hardly laughing, hardly smiling. He was not the same boy who had rescued her and gotten the attention of the Youkai with a corny, "Hey, Youkai. Pick on someone your own size." line, he was the Resistance Leader who said only cool, meaningful things. Syaoran's freedom, his youth, and his future had been taken away from him and he simply let it slip away. He had a mission and he would complete it. Syaoran had decided that a long time ago. Meiling stared at the handsome young man now standing in front of her in silence while he stared out into the open, lost in thought.

He was no longer skinny and lanky. He was tall, standing near 5'11, with broad shoulders and a nice tan over his hard chest and washboard abs. His body had toughened and filled out with muscles. Syaoran's hair, a dark, chocolate brown when he was a boy, had lightened in color from all his time in the sun and was now a deep chestnut. His eyes though remained the same amber color, tinted with scarlet. There was no glint of happiness or amusement in them. They remained cold and distant. Meiling unconsciously shivered. Syaoran had really changed. He was a man now. A very hot man at that…

"Don't worry about me, Meiling," Syaoran said as he turned to his cousin again after awhile, "I'll be fine. I'm one of the heroes in the prophecy, aren't I? Isn't it my destiny to destroy this evil?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Syaoran! You should still be careful!" Meiling pointed out. "Besides, you won't do it alone, remember?" she reminded him. Syaoran nodded thoughtfully.

"You're right, Meiling. It's both the Clow Card mistress's fate and my own to meet this evil and get rid of it," he said.

"But we don't even know who she is!" Meiling protested. "What if she's a noblewoman, Syaoran?" she cried heatedly. "Don't you care?" Syaoran did not answer right away. "We know now that you're one of the heroes in the prophecy but what if the other person doesn't show up?"

"She will. I don't know, Meiling…I just have this feeling that she will come, you know?" Syaoran confided to his cousin. "Our paths will cross…I just hope that…" Syaoran cut off softly and Meiling prodded her cousin on.

"Hope that what, Syaoran?" she asked taking a step towards him. Syaoran turned to Meiling, his face serious.

"I just hope she's pretty," he said, a smirk on his lips and Meiling exploded.

"Pretty? Pretty? I hope she's drop dead ugly so you won't fall for her while working with her!" she shouted furiously and Syaoran chuckled quietly to himself.

Now, the Clow Card mistress was here and, to make matters worse, she was not pretty, she was gorgeous! Even Meiling could not deny Sakura's beauty, though she would never admit it out loud.

And how could this…this…girl just come into Syaoran's life and try to get close to him when she didn't even understand him! Didn't grow up with him! Didn't even know him! How dare she make him so flustered when she was around when Syaoran hardly ever even laughed around Meiling his entire life!

Meiling glared at the young woman who had fallen onto the ground in front of her with intense dislike and hatred, her anger rising at each passing second. Sakura stared up at Meiling with nothing but confusion and a little fear in her emerald orbs.

"I SAID LET'S FIGHT, GIRL!" Meiling shouted, raising her fist as she slammed her foot down in front of the young woman, making dust rise from the ground. Sakura gasped unwillingly.

"I-I-," she stuttered back, looking up into the balls of flames that were now Meiling's eyes.

"I think it's a great idea, Ying Fa!" Sakura whipped her head around to stare at Jian, who was smiling and giving her a thumbs up. "You should fight Meiling! She's very good! She's been learning martial arts since she was nine!" Jian continued cheerfully nodding her head up and down. Sakura gaped.

"Yes, I think you should do it, Sakura-chan." Sakura turned.

"E-eh? You do?" Miyu only smiled.

"You could learn a thing or two to help with training," she suggested. Sakura began to sweat. Miyu laughed at the expression on Sakura's face. The truth was that she wanted to see a fight between them. How would Sakura fare against her violent and aggressive cousin Meiling? Miyu was curious to find out. Before Sakura could even make sure that Miyu and Jian were serious, Tomoyo gasped and called her name warningly.

"Sakura-chan!" Sakura turned just in time to avoid a hard kick from Meiling. Her leg hit the ground instead, sending waves of dust flying into the sky.

"READY OR NOT, GIRL, HERE I COME!" Meiling shouted heatedly as she raced towards Sakura, who had began a sort of half sprint towards the other side of the courtyard, clutching at her head. Meiling was making quite a ruckus to meet her at the other end, which included explosions from the field.

Miyu watched on a little hesitantly. 'Hmm…maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all…' she thought but Jian was observing with unholy amusement, an evil grin on her lips. Miyu sweatdropped at her sister's enthusiasm. Tomoyo had her hands clasped together, biting her lip worriedly as she witnessed Sakura dodging Meiling's fast jabs.

Sakura was getting tired. Meiling was quick. It was taking all of Sakura's will power to stay focused and dodge as Meiling threw attack after attack, kicking and punching Sakura. Sakura could hardly keep up with the speed of Meiling's attacks! Meiling feigned a head shot and Sakura moved her arm up to protect her skull.

'Hah!' Meiling thought. With a smirk of triumph, she kicked her unwilling opponent hard in the stomach and Sakura flew back into the wall forcefully. Her body slid down slowly, the air completely knocked out of her. She winced as pain engulfed her ribcage and she doubled over, only to hastily roll to the side as Meiling kicked the spot where she had been just seconds before. Sakura winced as she tried to get back on her feet.

'Strong! She's so strong!' Sakura thought, breathing heavily as she again attempted to run from Meiling. She was so persistent!

"Come back here, girl!" Meiling shouted angrily as she chased after Sakura. Kicking off of a stone bench, Meiling flew into the air and landed a kick on Sakura's back, in between her shoulder blades. Sakura toppled forward and fell onto the dusty ground with a small cry as the skin on her knees tore.

'Ha!' Meiling thought triumphantly. 'Just as I thought! The Clow Card mistress is weak!'

Jian's twins, Ping and Ling, ran to their mother, crying and pointing.

"Mommy! The monster is hurting princess!" A temple on Meiling's forehead throbbed to boiling point as she heard this and she turned lividly to the twins who burst into tears as soon as they saw her face. This gave Sakura enough time to scramble back onto her feet. She was breathless and weak, stinging all over with pain. Turning around, Sakura gasped and only had enough time to move to the side as Meiling, faster than before, began a series of skilled jabs and kicks aimed only at her face. Sakura blocked each one, but as they came quicker, she was reduced to using both of her arms to shield her face, grimacing in pain each time Meiling's hits made contact with her arms. And with horror, Sakura realized that her planted feet had slowly begun to move back as Meiling's attacks came.

'Meiling's so strong! And she's so skilled!' Sakura thought through clenched teeth. 'How can I survive this?" she thought frantically. At that moment, she saw a flash of movement beneath her arms and she instinctively dropped her arms to protect her stomach from Meiling's blow. Sakura realized too late that it was a feigned attack again and Meiling, a triumphant smile on her lips, quickly drew her arm back and slid it forward towards Sakura's face. Her lips parted in surprise as Meiling's fist made contact with her cheekbone and she flew back.

"Sakura-chan!" Tomoyo cried, standing up, her hands over her mouth. Miyu had half risen too.

"Ying Fa!" Sakura lay in a crumpled heap in front of the wall she had smashed into, breathing shallowly. She was on all fours and trying get up again to no avail. Her tired muscles and aching body would not listen to her and she cringed as she felt what she knew was an open gash on her cheekbone, bleeding lightly.

"Girl! It's not over yet!" Sakura's head shot up. Meiling was charging towards Sakura, her fist drawn back and out in front of her. This was it, the finishing blow! Then she could prove once and for all that she was stronger than the Clow Card mistress! Meiling gave a small twisted smile as she saw the young woman crouched down in front of her quickly approaching form, her emerald orbs fearful.

"Hiiyyyyyaaaahhhhhhhh!" Meiling raised her fist and with all of the strength inside of her arm, brought it down upon Sakura, a satisfied smile on her face. 'I win, girl!'

A strong hand gripped Meiling's wrist right before her fist made contact with Sakura's tightly closed eyes and Meiling found herself being roughly pulled up as she stared into deep amber orbs… And they were angry…

"Syaoran!" Miyu shouted, standing up. Meiling stared back into Syaoran's eyes as he held her motionless in front of him by her wrist.

"Meiling," Syaoran growled and Meiling winced. He was mad. She looked away and saw Miyu and Tomoyo running towards them from the other side of the courtyard.

"Meiling," Syaoran repeated dangerously and Meiling hesitantly looked up into his eyes. "What did I ask of you earlier?" he said through gritted teeth and she winced. His grip on her wrist was tight. She did not answer but defiantly closed her lips and looked away. She was annoyed too! Didn't he know that? But it wasn't going to work. Syaoran knew his cousin's tricks too well. He stepped in front of her so that she couldn't ignore him.

"What did I ask of you earlier?" he repeated quietly and Meiling faltered.

"Oww, Syaoran, you're hurting me!" she yelled as she tried to pull her wrist back to distract him but Syaoran kept a firm grasp on her.

"I asked you what I told you to do earlier!" he said dangerously and Meiling averted her gaze. She looked back up at the young Resistance Leader with a pout on her face.

"But Syaoran—!"

"No buts!" Syaoran interrupted her coldly. "I specifically asked you to do something and you disobeyed me!" he said angrily. Meiling's lower lip trembled.

"Syaoran—,"

"I don't want to hear your excuses, Meiling, I—," but he was cut off as a soft voice spoke.

"It's alright, Syaoran."

Both Meiling and Syaoran turned to look at Sakura, who was slowly standing up, wincing and dusting herself off, her auburn locks hanging loose from her bun.

Syaoran ignored Sakura and turned back to Meiling.

"It was my idea," Sakura said, taking a step forward and Syaoran looked back at her.

"What?" he asked, completely bewildered.

"What?" Meiling repeated. She was looking at Sakura as if she were mad. Sakura nodded determinedly.

"Yes, it was my idea to fight Meiling," she said quietly. "I wanted to fight her, Syaoran. I still do." The two cousins blinked.

"What?" they repeated at the same time again. Sakura sighed and gingerly touched the blood from the graze on her cheek. She winced.

"I want to fight Meiling, Syaoran," she stated firmly and Syaoran stared hard at her.

"No," he automatically said and turned back to his cousin. Sakura moved forward.

"I want to show you that your training didn't go to waste, Syaoran! I want you to see what I've learned so far!" Sakura said in a loud voice. She was determined and Syaoran could see that same "I can do anything" look she always got in her eyes. He dropped his voice, edging closer to her.

"Sakura," he said through gritted teeth. "I never trained you to in fight hand-to-hand combat," he muttered. Sakura grimaced, then quickly shook her head.

"Well, I can learn now! I can learn now, Syaoran!" she said hurriedly and Syaoran closed his eyes in exasperation. Sakura stared at him expectantly. Finally, he opened his eyes and looked at her sternly, studying the mess that she was right now.

"Do you really want to do this?" he asked lowly and Sakura nodded determinedly.

"Yes, I'm not weak. I can take care of myself, Syaoran. I need to get stronger on my own…"Sakura stated as she stared defiantly back at him. "Besides," she said and turned to look at Meiling, "she hurt me." Meiling's eyes flashed dangerously at Sakura.

Syaoran hesitated, then with a sigh, released Meiling's wrist, dropping her. She glowered at Sakura as Syaoran began to walk off the field without saying another word. He stopped when he was standing right next to Meiling.

"Go easy on her," he instructed quietly so that only Meiling could hear.

And he left, going over to stand on the sidelines to watch with his sisters and Tomoyo.

Miyu glanced at her brother as he came over to stand next to her. He had folded his arms over his chest, watching the fight that had not yet begun. Syaoran's eyes flickered to her and she grinned sheepishly, then hurriedly pointed to Jian, who stood next to her.

"I was only following big sister!" she said quickly. Syaoran looked over at Jian who caught his gaze.

"Well, I thought it was a bad idea from the beginning!" she said, holding her hands up in innocence. Syaoran just shook his head and rolled his eyes, turning his attention back onto the courtyard where Sakura stood, facing Meiling.

"Do you think she'll be alright?" Tomoyo asked softly as she nervously bit her nails, watching. Syaoran nodded.

"She's Sakura. She'll be fine." He fixed his posture, his eyes never leaving the auburn haired beauty. 'Let's see what you're made of, Sakura…'

Sakura watched Syaoran walk away. The truth was that she did want to fight Meiling in order to test out the results of her training. She wanted to go against a strong opponent, and Meiling was indeed, a very strong opponent! Initially, Sakura had not wanted to fight Meiling, but now the situation called for it. Meiling had struck her so many times already and she was determined to pay her back the amount of hits that she had taken. Sakura stared at her hands, clenched into tight fists, her lips in a tight line, and her face set with determination. Yes! She could do it! Her emerald eyes sparkled with her "invincible" look and exhaling a deep breath, Sakura turned around to face Meiling and gasped, taking several quick steps back, tripping on the last one.

Meiling looked…livid. Did she grow in the last few seconds? Because Meiling looked huge too, looming over Sakura like the devil. Sakura cringed. Smoke seemed to be radiating from Meiling's skin while fire came from her mouth and Sakura couldn't help but wonder slightly what she could have done to possibly get Meiling so hot headed.

Go easy on her… Syaoran's voice reverberated inside Meiling's head like an echo and she literally breathed out flames. 'Go EASY on her?' With a roar of fury, Meiling rushed at Sakura. "GIIIRRRLLLLL!"

Sakura scrambled. Meiling practically flew at her while Sakura could hardly dodge in time, so fast was her opponent. Her kicks and punches seemed to increase tenfold in strength and power from before, and Sakura fought for control over what she was doing, instead of only weakly blocking.

Miyu winced as she watched. Sakura was getting her butt kicked, literally. She glanced at her brother to see what he made of the fight, but as usual, his face was an unreadable mask. Only his tightly clenched jaw revealed his unease. She wondered what he was doing in the courtyard in the first place and how he just "happened" to wander across their fight. Syaoran came because he had felt Sakura's aura, her presence, here. Miyu was sure of that. Even in this situation, she smirked lightly and she turned back to observe the fight.

Sakura was running away. There was nothing she could do at this point. Until Meiling paused or calmed down, she was going to have to do the only logical thing: run. Sakura felt like a coward, dodging and staggering away from Meiling's path of destruction, but really, there was nothing else she could do. All of the training that she had done with Syaoran had disappeared from her mind, leaving nothing but a blank, empty space and a small buzzing sound behind. Sakura clutched her head. Why?

Meiling found that there was a way to counter Sakura's habit of fleeing, and as the Clow Card mistress ran from her, Meiling immediately blocked her path, easily reading her movements. If the girl didn't want to fight, Meiling would force her to fight! Really, Meiling had expected much more than this from the girl!' She feigned another attack and Sakura was knocked back with a large graze on the other side of her cheek to match the first one as Meiling finished with an uppercut. The young woman landed on her back, skidding a few feet before she launched herself into a defensive position once more, her back burning as she moved. Meiling was already next to her and Sakura ducked to avoid a high kick from the furious Chinese girl.

"Ha! Is this all you got?" Meiling snorted and Sakura blinked. This momentary pause allowed Meiling to hit Sakura fully in the stomach with a hard punch and a kick to the side which sent the young woman flying yet again.

"Sakura-chan!" Tomoyo cried out and Miyu gasped loudly. Syaoran watched silently, but his features tightened.

Sakura's eyes widened as her breath left her and she collided with a bench on the other side with full force. Lying among the rubble that it had been reduced, she fought for breath, her sides aching, her face rubbing into the rich, red dirt of the courtyard. Sakura whimpered. She was in pain. It hurt…it hurt a lot…she reached over and felt a sticky substance on the back of her neck and winced when she brought her hand back to investigate. It was blood. The collision with the bench left the back of her neck wounded and bleeding freely. Tears filled Sakura's eyes and she lay in a crumpled heap on the ground, breathing heavily, trying to hold back the sob that threatened to come out of her lips. She bit her lower lip to keep from crying out in pain. Her body hurt all over. She lay on the ground, her cheek feeling the coolness of the earth upon it. It was a soothing feeling after Meiling had hit it earlier and terror seized Sakura's heart as she helplessly watched Meiling slowly make her way over, closer and closer, a mocking smile on her lips.

'How could I think that I could defeat her? How could I think that I could fight with her evenly?' Sakura scolded herself, angry. Meiling was strong. In fact, she was stronger than Sakura could ever have imagined. It was foolish to fight her…useless… She wouldn't win; she couldn't avenge herself for all the hits she'd taken… Sakura's eyes blurred over and she blinked quickly to refocus them and then she saw him, watching from the sidelines, his eyes never leaving hers. Syaoran stood with his arms crossed, observing her quietly, and suddenly Sakura's battered spirit was revived, energy and determination filled her once more.

'No… No! I cannot give up now! Syaoran's training, his time spent teaching me will not go to waste! I'm not weak and helpless! I will not let people get hurt protecting me! I need to become strong on my own!' she thought fiercely.

She had already promised herself that she would never let another person get hurt protecting her again! She was not weak. She would get strong, and the only way to do that, was to get through her obstacles… Sakura looked at Meiling and as she did, her hands had clenched themselves into fists on the ground and, using all the muscles in her arms and legs, Sakura slowly pushed herself up with effort, wincing at the pain as her bones and muscles protested. Breathing heavily, Sakura pushed, little by little, until she was in a sitting position. Then with a last will of effort, Sakura stood up, her knees shaking, and she faced a bewildered looking Meiling, who had lost her smirk. Sakura arranged herself into a fighting position. She had taken on an offensive stance, panting and trying to quell the stitch in her side. Her whole body shook, weak, exhausted, but she willed it to become still.

Meiling stared. Didn't that girl know when to quit? Fine, Meiling had no problem showing her! She would just have to crush the remaining strength in her so that she would never stand again! It did surprise her though, how the girl could still get up. Meiling had thought that that last move would have finished her off. Frustrated, Meiling rushed towards Sakura again, who blocked forcefully this time. Meiling was forced to move back as Sakura pushed her away with a shout. Something was different this time. Meiling could feel it as she landed on her feet across from her opponent and hesitated. The girl's eyes had changed…there was a hard look in them now, something akin to fearlessness…

Meiling was fast, from what Sakura saw, so she would need the element of surprise to land a blow on her. Sakura's eyes widened as an idea came to her.

'Right!' she thought brightly. She would try that one out. It occurred to Sakura that, ironically, out of all that Syaoran had taught her, this would be the lesson she chose to execute but it didn't bother her right now. This was something that she'd always been good at! This would give her the advantage of surprise that she needed. Sakura gathered her energy, like charging a battery, waiting for the right moment. A little boost of magic in there would help. This had to be executed quickly and perfectly if she was going to fool Meiling… Concentrating on that warm, pink aura near her heart, Sakura called it forth and it surrounded her, bursting through her body and filling her blood. She would need this extra energy. A pink glow began to surround Sakura, emanating from her strongly as she watched Meiling, her facial expression neutral. Meiling had already started towards Sakura, ready to attack as she stood motionless in the courtyard.

'Ha! The girl is giving up!' Her posture was motionless, her head down submissively and her eyes closed. Meiling raised her fists.

Syaoran unfolded his arms and his eyes widened slightly as he felt and saw Sakura's aura begin to unfold from her body, surrounding her in a faint pink glow. Miyu's mouth hung open in surprise and she stood up slowly. Jian noticed the aura of her magic as well and smiled. Who knew that Ying Fa's magic was so strong?

Unlike Syaoran and his sisters, Meiling could not see the aura forming around her opponent and was thus unaware of the power Sakura was beginning to generate. "Come on, girl! BRING IT ON!" Meiling barked as she rushed towards Sakura, her facial expression greedy, a large evil smile on her lips. She cackled with glee and her nostrils flared in excitement! Yes! She would defeat this girl! Yes, she was so close! HAHAHAHAHAHA! She was going to destroy the girl right now! HAHAHAHAHA!

As soon as Meiling was in reach she swung ferociously, aiming for Sakura's already marred face. Meiling's eyes widened when the girl suddenly disappeared in front of her. She blinked, confused, and looked up into the sky. The next thing Meiling knew, a foot had connected with the top of her head, sending her to the ground hard, face first, kicking up a cloud of dust where she landed.

"I-I did it!" Sakura breathed, amazed as she gracefully landed on her feet in front of the Chinese girl. She was staring in disbelief at Meiling, who was still sprawled out on the ground. "I-I really did it!" she cried loudly and turned to see Tomoyo and Miyu both running towards her with ecstatic expressions on their faces, Jian and the twins not far behind. Sakura grinned widely and pumped her hands into the air.

"I did it, Tomoyo! I landed a blow on her!" Sakura shouted happily, jumping around. Tomoyo couldn't help but grin at these words. Yes, Sakura had landed one blow, but she had received at least a hundred blows in return. But who was she to ruin her best friend's mood when she clearly was so happy? Instead Tomoyo nodded enthusiastically and smiled. "Yes, Sakura-chan, you really did!"

"Wow, Ying Fa, I am impressed," Jian said as she reached Sakura and Sakura rubbed the back of her head sheepishly.

"Yes, you were wonderful, Sakura," Miyu agreed and Sakura blushed.

"Ah, thank you," she said quietly. Meiling had picked herself up while Sakura was being praised and with a "hmph" in Sakura's direction, she furiously stomped off the courtyard, her ruby eyes flashing dangerously.

A movement from the corner of Sakura's eye caught her attention and as Tomoyo, Miyu and Jian discussed the match, Sakura looked over to the entrance of the courtyard. Meiling was leaving. Then she saw Syaoran, still standing by the sidelines, duck his head, place his hands in his pockets, and follow Meiling out. Sakura suddenly didn't feel that great anymore. She sighed. 'Of course he would go after his fiancée…' she thought ruefully.

Syaoran watched as Sakura launched herself into the air, flipping three times with such speed he couldn't help but be impressed. He had no idea she could move that way. Her magic, he knew, gave her an advantage in speed and Meiling, who had not seen that coming, was knocked down as Sakura struck. He did not miss any details with his keen eyesight and a grin flitted across his face when he realized that Sakura's foot had didn't actually touch Meiling's head. No, it had been her magic, her aura, emanating from her body that had connected with the top of Meiling's head and it had the same effect. Meiling, unable to see magic, probably thought that Sakura's magic had been her foot…

Now Sakura was surrounded by Daidouji and his sisters, jumping around excitedly. Syaoran watched as Meiling stomped off the field and he followed her, ducking his head to hide his smile.

Meiling could not believe it! How could that…that girl land even one blow on her? After all the abuse she'd taken, how had she landed a hit? Meiling was so sure that she had been weak! And she was! She was! But then why was she able to take Meiling by surprise like that? She could not explain it and it made her feel weak and foolish. Now she was ashamed of herself for losing in front of Syaoran like that… 'Syaoran…' she thought bitterly and her eyes stung with tears of anger and resentment.

"Can I sit here?"

Meiling hastily wiped them away as she glanced at Syaoran. She didn't answer him and merely turned away with a "hmph." Syaoran sat down next to his cousin anyway, enjoying the view of Olympus City from a rooftop as the wind played on his face. After awhile, Syaoran spoke.

"She's not that bad, Meiling." Meiling chose to ignore this and looked away, sniffling. Syaoran turned to look at his cousin.

"Give her a chance. She's not as weak as she looks." Meiling still refused to speak and Syaoran sighed inwardly. He would need to keep talking until she was ready to explode like she usually did.

"She's the Clow Card mistress. I've told you already that I will need to work closely with her. Take the opportunity to get to know her. She really isn't as bad as you think." Syaoran heard a muffled sound and turned to survey his cousin.

"I don't think she's that bad," Meiling suddenly whispered and Syaoran's eyes widened in surprise. "She can't be all that bad when she managed to land a blow on my head, can she?" she asked but her eyes were still shaded with animosity and Syaoran chuckled lowly. Meiling turned to her cousin, bewildered.

"What's so funny?" she asked.

"Sakura never hit your head with her foot, Meiling," he said seriously. "She missed by several centimeters. It was her aura surrounding her body and foot that hit you. It may have felt like her foot, but it was her aura."

"What? Really?" Meiling cried, shocked. Syaoran nodded with a crooked smile.

"Really." A small grin appeared on Meiling's face. Syaoran had smiled at her!

"Ha! So the girl didn't defeat me! Hmph! She's not that great after all!" she said triumphantly. Syaoran didn't say anything. He merely stood up and dusted his pants off.

"At least think about giving her a chance, Meiling," he said quietly before he walked off. Meiling turned to watch him go, but Syaoran stopped and half turned to her.

"Oh and, Meiling," he said and she looked up at him. "Thanks for going easy on her." Then he was gone. Meiling sat on top of the roof for awhile, listening to the sounds of late afternoon as the red and gold sun sank lower into the horizon. For the first time since she had met him, Meiling had a small feeling that she was starting to lose Syaoran.

Olympus City

Province of Wind

5:23 PM

Syaoran paused in his writing and looked down at the map in front of him blankly.

Satoshi and Yamazaki exchanged looks across the table, huddled over their own scrolls. The pause in the Resistance Leader's quill was unusual. Syaoran seemed to be thinking deeply about something and it was distracting him. And they could tell that it certainly was not about the Resistance this time, for they were sitting around a small table, discussing the events of the meeting that was going to take place that very night.

Syaoran's eyes seemed to refocus and he looked up at Yamazaki and Satoshi, who both cleared their throats and hastily began drawing up their plans again.

"Do we have the floor plans ready?" he asked Satoshi abruptly. Satoshi nodded.

"Yep, all done, Li," he said. Syaoran turned to Yamazaki.

"How are the copies? Do we have enough yet?" he inquired and Yamazaki pretended to be hurt by the question.

"Of course, Li. Do you think that I'm so incompetent that I would not be able to copy a few dozen floor plans?" he asked. Syaoran hit him lightly on the side of the head and stood up.

"It's not your competence I'm worried about, it's you," he said and walked towards the door of the small room. Satoshi and Yamazaki stared at him curiously.

"Where are you going?" Satoshi asked and Syaoran paused with his hand almost to the doorknob. He grabbed it and turned the handle, looking back at the two men crouched over the small table.

"I have a promise to keep. I'll be back before the meeting starts," he said and disappeared out the door. While Yamazaki shrugged and continued hand copying the maps, Satoshi watched the door that the Resistance Leader had just disappeared through.

What kind of promise was it? He couldn't help wondering. Lately, Li had not been himself. He seemed edgy and distracted, very different from the Li before, who didn't seem to have eyes or ears for anyone or anything but the Resistance.

Did it have something to do with Sakura? He had noticed that Li and Sakura got along quite well now. It was the complete opposite the last time he had seen them together. Li had even suggested that they protect only the soul instead of the girl's actual life, but now his feelings regarding Sakura seemed antithetical to the ones he'd originally held. The few times that Satoshi had seen the Resistance Leader and the young woman together in Olympus City, they had seemed at ease with one other, dare he say comfortable even! This wasn't just rare, it was impossible, seeing as how difficult it was for anybody to get close to Li. Satoshi knew him well, but that was only because they'd been working together for a few years now and had subsequently become friends. He was willing to admit it, that Li's comfort with Sakura made him sort of jealous… He wanted to spend more time with her! Utterly perplexed, Satoshi turned back towards the map he was supposed to be copying, running a hand through his red hair. He would need to keep an eye on those two…

Syaoran hurried along the busy street. It bothered him, a constant reminder…he kept telling himself that it was only because he had promised in the first place.

Besides, if it wasn't now, there would be no more time later. He was going to be busy the next couple of days and he had estimated that he had a couple of hours to spare before the meeting. This had been on his mind for a few days already, bothering his conscience… There was nothing else to it. He had promised and he would ensure that his promise was kept. It was not because he wanted to spend time with the girl! He reminded himself that as he reached the gate of a familiar looking house. Syaoran hesitated as he raised his arm to knock on the door. After a few seconds, he gritted his teeth and rapped the door loudly. There was a silence and then the door was flung open.

"Syaoran!" Came the delighted voice and he nodded curtly to Jian, who stood, beaming at her younger brother. "What brings you here?" she asked as she stepped back to allow him room to enter. He did, brushing past her into the hallway and glanced back at her as she closed the door behind him. He ignored the last question, his cheeks rather pink.

"I-I, where's Ying Fa?" he asked gruffly, avoiding all eye contact with his sister as he said this. It was a wise thing to do because Jian's face now held a smug smirk. She tapped her chin thoughtfully.

"Hmm, Ying Fa?" she said, playing around. Syaoran averted his eyes, choosing to look at the house instead of his sister. "She's upstairs, in her room but—," before she could finish her sentence, Syaoran had already climbed up the stairs two at a time. Jian only shook her head and let out a giggle of delight that changed to horror when she heard a great shout of laughter from the kitchen.

"Shoot! I left the twins alone with the cookies!"

Syaoran knocked again, this time more impatiently.

"Come out, little Sakura!" he called. He heard a noise from within but failed to discern it.

"No, I'm tired! My body hurts! I want to stay in bed today, Syaoran!" Sakura hollered back. She was casually lying on her bed, her butterscotch locks spread all around her. She truly did hurt. Her body was bruised and aching in various places. It had been a bad idea to fight Meiling earlier and Sakura regretted it immensely. She had been looking forward to an afternoon spent alone in her room, napping and resting…

"Come out!" Syaoran insisted again, and this time she could hear the impatience in his voice.

"Why?" Sakura asked almost to herself but Syaoran heard.

"I was planning on going out today…you know, to look at the market place…" Syaoran began and Sakura's head shot up.

"You were?" she shouted gleefully. "I mean, oh, you were?" she asked in a calmer tone, trying to hide the excitement in her voice. Syaoran heard it anyway. The Clow Card mistress couldn't fool him!

"Yes, I was thinking of taking you along, but…seeing as how tired and weak you are…I guess I'll have to go by myself…" Syaoran drifted off and was pleased to hear loud footsteps cross the room. He grinned to himself. She was so easy to convince… so he was surprised by what Sakura yelled at him next from the other side of the door.

"No! You can't trick me into going! I'm going to rest today, Syaoran! I'm too tired!" And he instantly heard the creak of the bedsprings as the irritating girl flung herself down like a ragdoll onto the bed again. Syaoran gritted his teeth. The nerve of that little…ah, he was wasting his time. Syaoran took a second to calm himself down and then walked away deliberately, making sure to step loudly.

From inside her room, Sakura could hear Syaoran heading towards the stairs and felt a little guilty. But really, she was so tired! And sore! And her bruises made her face look awful! She had seen them after the fight and hardly recognized herself! Nothing doing, pal! She was not going to the market today, regardless of what Syaoran said! She was going to get some rest and hopefully heal a bit. Tomoyo and Miyu had already tried convincing her to go with them to buy some sweets earlier to no avail. Really, nothing would coax Kinomoto Sakura out of that room and that was final! She heard Syaoran's voice again from the top of the stairs.

"Fine, Sakura! Don't come with me then! I guess I'll just go ride the carousel by myself today since today is the only day they let the public ride for free!" Syaoran paused for the effect. It was silent, then he heard the young woman leap out of bed with thundering footsteps.

"WAIT! Wait, Syaoran! A carousel? They have a real carousel? Really? And it's free rides today? Free?" she squealed excitedly while she jumped around the room trying to put her shoes on her feet. Syaoran chuckled quietly then, keeping his voice level, he answered in a carefree tone.

"Why yes, Sakura, the biggest carousel in the city with all kinds of different animals to ride and such, but if you don't want to go…" he took one step down the stairs when the door to the room burst open and Sakura flew out, strands of her hair stuck to her flushed cheeks, breathless, and still trying to put her left shoe on.

"Oh, no you don't mister! I'm going with you!" she cried as she hopped towards him. It was really quite a sight to see and a smile touched Syaoran's lips. Clearly the young woman was ignorant to how charming she could be at the most unexpected moments… Syaoran blushed lightly as he thought this and watched as Sakura struggled to put her shoe on, reaching out a small hand to grab the sleeve of his shirt just to ensure that he would not leave without her. She succeeded and looked up at him with big sparkling emerald eyes.

"Come on, let's go! Let's go!" she cried, practically dragging him down the stairs as she held onto his shirt sleeve. Syaoran could only follow, holding back the laughter that threatened to escape.

"Don't you think that's a bit too much?" Miyu asked Tomoyo as they exited the candy shop. Tomoyo only smiled.

"No, in fact, I don't think I bought enough," she answered. She and Miyu mingled into the crowded streets of Olympus City.

"My goodness, Tomoyo-chan, you certainly have a sweet tooth!" Miyu laughed. Tomoyo giggled, placing her sweets inside of her shoulder bag.

"They're not for me. I'm buying them for Sakura-chan," she said happily. Miyu gaped.

"Ying Fa can't possibly finish all of that!"

"Oh, you will be surprised. I don't know anyone with a bigger sweet tooth than Sakura-chan," Tomoyo said as they stopped to admire some pins in a booth on the side.

"I didn't hear her ask," Miyu mused and Tomoyo looked up mischievously.

"Yes, she caught me at the very last second and hissed it to me." Miyu burst out laughing.

"That's what that noise was! I was sure it was Jian's kettle on the stove having sprung a leak!" she said as the two chuckling young women continued walking.

"It's a shame Ying Fa didn't want to come out today," Miyu said and Tomoyo agreed.

"It really is," she sighed. "I wonder what she's doing right now though." The two neared the center of Olympus City. There was a large crowd here, mainly formed of little children, excitedly babbling away. Miyu and Tomoyo looked ahead and found the reason why. A beautifully crafted carousel sat in the middle of the square and the sign said that they were giving free rides today.

A little girl and her brother ran past them, almost knocking Tomoyo down as they hurried towards the carousel.

"Hurry, before all the good animals are taken!" the girl shouted at her brother and he ran faster. Tomoyo smiled at them reminiscently as Miyu spoke.

"So, where should we—" her sentence died abruptly as she and Tomoyo spotted a familiar green eyed young woman dragging a young man with striking amber eyes in the opposite direction. Both women whipped their heads around and gaped openly. Miyu recovered first.

"Was that—?" Tomoyo nodded, clasping her hands excitedly.

"Should we—?" Miyu began but the younger woman had already slipped her cloak on, lifting her hood over her long, raven black hair, amethyst orbs sparkling. Fighting the urge to laugh, Miyu followed Tomoyo's example and the two young women quickly set off in the direction that the "couple" had gone. The afternoon suddenly looked more promising!

"Let's look over here. I don't think I've gone over here yet!" Sakura called behind her excitedly as she ran ahead. Syaoran watched the young woman, following her, half amused and half exasperated.

"Weren't you the one who wanted to stay in your room all day because you were too tired?" he asked as he caught up to the energetic Clow Card mistress.

"Hmm, yes, well, circumstances change," Sakura replied evenly as she examined a well-made doll on display.

"And what circumstances would those be?"

"Those would be the circumstance that since I'm already here, I might as well look around," Sakura said shrugging nonchalantly and Syaoran hid his smile.

"Well, unlike you, little Sakura, I don't have much time and I'm tired from baby-sitting you. Let's call it a day and go back," Syaoran said, his eyes sweeping the sky. Sakura laughed.

"Oh, come on, Syaoran, grow up! A little tiredness won't kill you! This coming from the guy who travels for days without rest!" she said as she poked his chest playfully. Syaoran grinned down at the young woman.

"And who are you to tell me to grow up, Miss Sakura? This coming from the young woman who fought with an eight-year-old over the pink pony she wanted to ride on the carousel!" he shot back indignantly as he tapped her nose but his eyes were shining. Sakura glared at him, blushed, and hastily turned away, muttering under her breath. Syaoran caught the words "favorite" and "once in a lifetime opportunity" and laughed openly at her. He had forgotten how much fun it was to make fun of her since he had barely spent any time near Sakura since they arrived in Olympus City. He didn't quite know why he behaved this way around her either. Syaoran was hardly the type to be so irritating or tease someone so thoroughly before, but there was just something about Sakura that brought out this side of him. Her reactions were too fun not to witness. He found that he actually looked forward to her company!

Sakura flushed. Darn that Syaoran! Always humiliating her! She turned around, a scalding retort on the tip of her tongue, her finger pointing at Syaoran.

"Well, you're-!" she was cut off as Syaoran suddenly grabbed her finger and quickly pulled her towards him. Sakura's eyes widened and she found herself in front of a warm chest.

"Kawaii!" Tomoyo giggled as she and Miyu watched from behind a vendor's stall. Miyu smiled. She had never seen Syaoran act this way around anyone before and it intrigued her. The guy was smiling like crazy! The Clow Card mistress and her brother were getting along better than she had expected them to.

Sakura's cheeks heated up and she looked into a pair of amber eyes, not watching her, but the person behind her, carrying blocks of wood on his back which stuck out on each side. He wasn't aware that many people were ducking to avoid being hit and Sakura realized that she would have been one of those people if Syaoran hadn't stepped in. She looked up to say thanks, but he was looking down at her now, almost angrily.

"Don't you ever look where you're going?" he demanded of her. Sakura was speechless for a moment then she got furious.

"I do! I don't need you to look after me!" she yelled back stubbornly. She was too humiliated to see that Syaoran's facial expression had changed completely. He no longer looked upset. Instead a look of consternation was plastered to his face. He dropped her finger and simply walked off, leaving a very baffled Sakura behind. What just happened?

Syaoran ran a hand through his hair agitatedly. He had lost his temper. He had gotten angry at Sakura, and for what? He didn't understand. For a few seconds there, all he could think about was her and her safety. All that had mattered then was Sakura and he had found himself growing agitated at her carelessness. Why did she have this effect on him? What was happening to him?

Sakura trailed behind Syaoran, glancing at him through her lashes. She should have been grateful that Syaoran had saved her earlier, but all that came out was a mean retort. That's why he was ignoring her now. Really, she was the worst. Sakura sighed, biting her lower lip and making a decision, she caught up to the young Resistance Leader. She walked a step behind so as not to annoy him. He looked mad…

"I'm sorry," she said quietly. Syaoran stopped walking. "I'm sorry that I yelled back at you. What I really wanted to say back there was thank you…" Syaoran turned around and, sighing, looked straight into her eyes.

"Sakura," he said, "I didn't mean to snap at you earlier either. I-," whatever he was going to say was left unfinished as he felt a familiar presence. His head shot up and he looked straight at two hooded figures who had hastily covered their faces and were now pretending to look interested in buying some cactus plants. Syaoran growled deep in his chest and strode towards the two.

"Miyu," he simply said as he reached his sister. The two young women turned around, their hoods still up.

"Syaoran! Fancy meeting you here!" Miyu chirped innocently. Tomoyo could only giggle. Sakura walked over and noticing who it was, smiled brightly.

"Tomoyo! Miyu!" Tomoyo only smiled haughtily at Sakura while Syaoran watched wearily. He turned to his sister.

"What are you doing, Mi?" he asked afraid to hear the answer. Miyu giggled.

"Daidouji-san and I were just observing a couple of interesting specimens," she said which brought laughter from the other woman. Syaoran nodded curtly. He understood that they were spying. Sakura though, looked interested.

"What kind of specimens?" she asked. Miyu grinned.

"I'll tell you later, Ying Fa," she said coyly, glancing in Syaoran's direction. Syaoran rolled his eyes.

"Well, since you're here, I'm going to head back," Syaoran said. He turned to Sakura. "Satoshi and Yamazaki are waiting for me. Go back home with Miyu and Daidouji-san," he told her before he walked off. The three women watched him fade into the crowd and then turned to go.

"What were you doing here with Li-san?" Tomoyo asked. "I thought you were too tired to go anywhere?" she asked with a raised eyebrow. Sakura turned a pretty shade of pink.

"I didn't know there was a carousel!" Sakura replied indignantly. "And it was free rides all day! Besides, Syaoran just showed up and wanted to show me around town," she added as an afterthought. Miyu giggled, a finger on her chin.

"Hmm, I wonder why he'd do that?" she asked teasingly. Sakura shrugged as they pushed their way through the crowd back towards Jian's house. Suddenly, an image of two pinkies, entwined together reappeared in her mind and Sakura smiled happily, suddenly laughing delightedly as she realized why.

"Because Syaoran always keeps his promises!"

Chapter Eleven End.

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Author's Note: So, I know the wait on this chapter was long and I'm sorry! I actually had it written out a while ago but didn't post it up because I was debating about the length of it. It was supposed to be really long, you see, but then it turned out to be too long, so I'm separating it into two chapters! The next chapter should be out next week or sometime like that. I've been real busy with school and work and hardly get time to write, but I can't stop thinking about the story itself so I finally just sat down and got it done. There's a lot of mistakes here and there in this chapter because I really didn't go back to revise it that much! Anyway, this chapter is mostly about Syaoran and his history and we ended the fight with Meiling and Sakura. The next chapter will be more interesting as it focuses on the Resistance itself, then we're headed to more exciting things. Thank you for being so patient! You guys are the best ^^ Look for the next chapter sometime next week!

Ah, don't forget to Read and Review! Now, I'm off to write, write, write! :)

-Yuuki ^^