Cards, Love, war, and rebellion
Chapter 3
Authors note: I've managed to get the story this far. no more interludes, but his time I'm doing it normaly. Ping will get his punishment don't worry. and we'll get to the main story in a moment after this chapter. first let's set the mood for the next chapter after this one. Also I don't own CCS.
POV: Yelan
"The situation is getting dire your majesty. It started off as small incidents over the past few years. Nowadays it's becoming more and more chaotic; I fear that a war is inevitable." I informed the Heavenly Emperor. I was visiting the Emperor on his invitation for tea. The emperor is an educated and wise man who tried his best to rule the country. However deep down his eyes expresses a lot of sadness, the reason was he lost his older brother who was meant to be the crown prince. It turns out that he heard about the demon Hong kong is having right now. I thought that it was just your everyday nuisance but recently it's getting worse and worse.
"Please tell me that you're getting allies in this fight!" the Emperor asked from his tea cup.
"The Wu clan have given us their oath, and are helping as best as they can. The clan head said and I quote "we may be rivals but your better than the Long"" I replied
"I know that you and the Long are enemies. I'm losing investigators from them but I have no evidence to back it up." The Emperor pondered.
"Looks like we both are in a pinch." I commented before taking a sip of my cup. Just then then the 1st prince came in.
"Ah Chun Hu my son. What is it that you need?" The emperor asked
"Father, please come with me. We have a package delivered to us." Prince Chun Hu replied.
"Alright let's have a look." The emperor replied.
"Ah Lady Yelan will you come with us?" the first prince requested
"Thank you your majesty." I replied. And so we walked through the hallway into the court room. There we saw a set of servants and guards with two huge crates. One crate was human sized and has holes for air intake with a lock on which was odd. The second one however was a normal crate. I was confused till on servant read the letter had in his hands.
"Greetings form the Daidouji kingdom of the Ni-hon-kaido archipelago. Due to recent events we have found something that belongs to you. Since you were looking for this we thought that we would just hand it over with good intentions! Please forgive us"
Those words were cryptic and confusing. Even the emperor doesn't know what it meant. That was until one guard unlocked the crate and opened the top. He walked around the back of the crate and kicked it over to reveal a man in prison rags beaten and bruised. The emperor was confused as I was, why would they send him a man who seems to be from our country? That is until a delegate recognized him after a few seconds.
"Hold on I know this man! That's Jiang Ping, the last of the tiger triad!" the delegate exclaimed. The emperor and I looked stunned by the fact that the Archipelago gave us a criminal. Then a eunuch came over with a separate letter.
"Your majesty" the eunuch gave the Emperor the letter. As he read the contents the Emperor started to smile and then started to chuckle. I wonder what was so amusing till he gave me the letter.
"It seems that you're son have been busy with an old bounty these past few day!" The emperor told me. As read the letter I realized that my son niece had not only found and confirmed it was Jiang Ping. He also has taken down an illegal gambling and prostitution business. Not only that the letter also clearly stated the names of the people involved in the operation and how the bounty is to be split. Also they provided the evidence which is now in the second crate. I'm surprised that he is doing a bounty on his own free will with some friends. I'm very proud of those two right now. Not only did they increase the clans wealth but they took one more evil man of the street.
"Lady Yelan due to the distributing of the gold I would give you 91 gold yuanbaos for your children's share immediately and you can send it to them later on." The emperor told me.
"Thank you your majesty." I replied.
"Ying!" the emperor called the eunuch "give Lady Yelan here 91 gold yuanbaos as her reward. She'll convert it to silver later. And as for the other 409 gold yuanbaos divide it all till there are 45 each and add an extra each and convert it to yen, Gold and silver should do!"
"Yes your majesty." The eunuch replied. The day of the execution came the next day as Ping was brought to the judge. I had the privilege to see the Execution as ping lost his head to 9 ringed Dao. The sight of Pings head rolling down the execution platform and put on a stake was a sight I find justified for the crimes he committed. I was happy that my brother and his wife have justice served to them. While I was riding back home I realized something. My son told me years before that while he failed to acquire the cards and become their master. He did however mention that the new mistress of the cards was a powerful sorceress and the clan's ancestor's true successor. He never reported it to the elders and only asked me to keep it a secret for now. If I'm right then her help would be invaluable in the upcoming fight. However I will feel guilty for having her in this mess. I hope she will forgive me.
"Boazhai" I asked my young maid who is siting next to me.
"yes mistriess?" Boazhai answered.
"I must send a message to son in the Daidouji kingdom. Do you know any one we could trust?" I asked.
"Ma'am I do believe there is one who I trust with my life." She answered quickly.
"Do tell." telling her to continue.
"He just joined our cause a few months ago and he's proven to be very useful and helpful with his skill. He's a bit of a meathead but he's smart enough to get his job done using any mean, even if he has to keep quite about it. He has a troubled past however his eccentric personality is very contagious. also we got along fine, he even asked for permission to court me." as Boazhai told me about the man she trust in detail. if he really get the job done despite being a bit battle crazed. he's definitely the one for the job.
"When we're back tell him to meet me in my office. and that I have a job for him." I ordered her.
"Yes Ma'am" Baozhai answered.
3rd POV
One week later.
It was about almost two weeks since the bust and the gang was walking out of the palace. Each apart from 2 holding a purse filled with money, and couldn't believe that they got rich under a span of 2 weeks. Syaoran and Meiling were told the Li clan has the reward for them but since it's their gold they would whatever they want with it. Meiling decided to give it to her parent who only took a fraction of it. Syaorans mother had his money stored well in a bank vault safe.
"So Meiling and Syaoran have theirs in the family vault?" Akiho asked.
"Can't be helped, our family lives nearby so it's easy for them to bring it there." Meiling answered.
"I'm surprised that you gave it to your parents Meiling." Akiho said.
"They only took a fraction and gave the rest back to me." Meiling told Akiho.
"I'm betting Li Kun is going to use a good amount of his share for Sakura chans Dowry Right?" Tomoyo teased. The statement gave the latter 2 red faces of embarrassment since they can't deny. Ever since the Onsen incident the couple have been labeled as engaged to be married. To make matters worse Tomoyo has recorded everything from the beginning up to Sakuras wings being spread.
"So Naoko are you really going to buy those books you've dying to buy?" Chiharu asked trying to alleviate the mood
"Are you kidding? Of course I'm gonna buy them. But my mom would furious is I buy the whole library." Naoko answered which made Chiharu sweat drop
"What about you Chiharu chan? You and Yamazaki kun are going to go on that trip next week right?" Sakura asked
"Of course we are Sakura, Okinawa is really great at this time of the year. I can't wait to see Chiharu on the beach!" Yamazaki answered. It made Sakura sweat drop at the comment, and earned Yamazaki a slap upside the head.
"But seriously though, we are going to Okinawa. I always wanted to go there for some time now." Chiharu added.
"Akiho what about you, what would you do with your money?" Naoko asked
"I don't know… Probably use it for college funds or even for later in life." Akiho thought out loud.
"What about you Rika?" Naoko asked
"Well Terada sensei and I are going to his home town later on. Now we've got the funds we can visit his home Island!" Rika smiled with a blush.
"Quite the romantic you two are." Chiharu teased making Rika blush more deep.
"Oh what about you Sakura, what are you and your brother going to do with the money?" Yamazaki asked
"Onichan and Yukito kun are using it for college funds, so I think I'll do the same. I'm planning either to become a royal mage or open my own sweets shop. Demo if choose to become a full time mage I need to go to the Tomoeda's mage Academy and tuition's not cheap. But I really love making sweets, cakes and pastries." Sakura answered.
"I'm willing to bet that Tomoyo is going to use hers as funds for her fashion line with Sakura as the poster girl." Meiling suspected
"Of course I will, seeing Sakura chan in kawaii outfits bring me joy. Ohohohohohohohohohoho!" Tomoyo laughed causing everyone to sweat drop and Sakura to fell comically.
"Since school is over and we've now earned our bounty why don't we celebrate at my place? I'm planning to make a Han-cho style feast for us all" Syaoran told everyone.
"Sounds great" Sakura answered
"Can't wait to try it out" Yamazki answered. Everyone answered in agreement and dinner with Syaoran was set. However one question lingered in everyone except for a certain few. Until Yamazaki decided to be blunt about it.
"So Sakura did you find anything about flower fairies? I'm pretty sure that they are a type of youkai that sure love mischief." That earned Yamazaki fist to the head. However Sakura took it a little more seriously and answered.
"Actually no… we are more like the closed thing to a deity or a celestial spirit from what I've learned. It turn out that we are considered bringers of wealth and prosperity in the Han-cho beliefs." Sakura answered.
"So basically what you're saying is that you're a goddess of some sort?" Naoko asked
"You may call it that." Sakura answered hesitantly.
"It doesn't matter now whether Sakura is a mage, goddess, or youkai for that matter. Sakura is still Sakura and that is never going to change" Chiharu said.
"Arigato min'na" Sakura said with glee. At first she was worried about what others may think. But now she has nothing to worry about.
"Ok guys I'm going to buy my book. See you tomorrow" Nao said as she separates from the group.
"Yamazaki and I have some errands to do. My mother wants me home before dusk." Chiharu said.
"We do?" Yamazaki asked.
"We do moron lets go" Chiharu lectured dragging Yamazaki by the collar.
"I'm gonna go home… Yuna Kun said something about a marriage meeting for me. I want to know why he's doing it." Akiho told every as she left.
"I have a date tonight with sensei guys. Good luck!" Rika said as she scurried off. Now the 4 friends are left by themselves.
"Meiling why don't go home today. I need some time with Sakura alone." Syaoran said
"You sure?" Meiling asked
"yes I'm sure." Syaoran answered.
"Alright… Tomoyo lets go. I think it's best to leave the engaged couple alone for now." Meiling said.
"Eh?" Tomoyo wondered as she was dragged by Meiling. With that Sakura and Syaoran are alone.
"So what do you want say to Sakura kid?" Keroberos asked as he flew out of Sakuras purse.
"I thought you were at home plushy." Syaoran said.
"Hey I'm here so you won't do anything stupid kid." Keroberos answered. Syaron looked at Keroberos with deadpan eyes then pulled out a large piece of hard candy.
"Candy!" Keroberos shouted. Then Syaoran threw it far in a certain direction.
"Wait for me!" Keroberos yelled as he flew after it.
"That's quite tacky." Sakura commented.
"He's a gluten so it's easy." Syaoran answered. The couple looked at each other and then they start to laugh at how Keroberos easily fell for that trick.
"Come on let's go to the park." Syaoran suggested
"Hai!" Sakura answered. The two came to the park which is covered with bonsai trees big and small, Sakura trees, bamboo, maple trees, and Wisteria trees. The couple came to a set of Wisteria trees which have twisted together their trunks to look like a knot. The couple climbed and sat on one of the protruding horizontal trunks. It was quite for a couple of minutes till Sakura broke the silence.
"Ano Syaoran kun."
"Nani?" Syaoran asked
"Do you consider me a goddess?" Sakura asked with a slight blush.
"Why do you ask that?" Syaoran wondered
"Now that my wings have spread and became a flower fairy you've been acting a bit different lately." Sakura answered
"I have?" Syaoran pondered.
"Yes… please be honest with me. Is it because I'm a deity in your people's eyes that you're like this?" Sakura added
"No" Syaoran answered
"What do you mean no?" Sakura looked confused
"I'm actually holding back right now. And it's really difficult." Syaoran clarified
"hoe. Holding Back?" Sakura asked confused as ever. As she looked at her lover she could clearly see that he's slightly shaking as if he's trying not to jump or something.
"Let's just say Tomoyo is right about one thing though." Syaoran said as he looked at Sakura with teasing eyes "those wings certainly make you look cuter." With that Sakura blushed but she puffed her cheeks as she pout.
"Don't stoop down to her level, she's telling me this for days now!" Sakura shout pounding Syaorans shoulders.
"That hurts." Syaoran said. He grabbed Sakuras hand to stop her from pounding him more as he looked at her with loving eyes. "Sakura my view of you didn't change. Those wings of yours are just an aesthetic. I didn't fell in love with you because of your looks, but because of your personality. Every time you show your Naïve smile, or sing a childish song, or show your determination, and being friendly all the time, it makes my heart pound harder and harder. The more you showed me those sides of yours the more I want to be with you. And I love you for who you are." The couple then cuddled each other for a good minute.
"Syaoran kun what are you going to do when we graduate?" Sakura asked.
"I'm thinking of becoming your father's apprentice." Syaoran answered.
"You want to become a scholar?" Sakura said surprised.
"When you've done nothing but martial arts and magic for your entire life some consider you a meathead. I want to follow in your father's footsteps mainly because it's different from what I've done all my life. And I wish to do something that's the opposite of what I know." Syaoran answered
"Will my father accept you?" Sakura wondered.
"I've already talked to him about it and he gladly accepted it. he told me that once I graduate not only will he make me a great scholar, but one worthy enough to take his place when he retires." Syaoran explained.
"That great Syaoran kun" Sakura shouted as she hugged Syaoran. They wanted stay like this for a long time however decided someone ruined it.
"KAIJU" shouted the angry voice of Touya. The couple looked up to see Touya who has a bump on his head holding Keroberos by the scruff of his neck as he's happily sucking and munching the candy Syaoran threw with Yukito not far behind.
"You shouldn't throw such stuff like this around" Touya shouted.
"Nailed him didn't I?" Syaoran asked rhetorically while looking at Touya with a sweat drop.
"You did." Sakura answered with a similar sweat. As the two went down to get scolded. At the same time miles away across the sea, a ship was arriving to a small port of a village near the city of Tomoeda. Bow of the ship stood a figure wearing a conical hat popular with Han-cho farmers, peasants, and travelers. He held an aura of warrior and there was something supernatural about him. And because of that many of the sailors and passengers kept their distance. As he Looked on at the Island destination as he though.
'so this is the Daidouji kingdom heh? I wonder what the kingdom may hold. And if I'm right then Xiao lang is probably somewhere in the captol…' the figure thought as he looked on
"Just you wait Xiao lang… we will meet Each other soon. And when we do, it's going to be fun" the figure said with a smirk.
Aurhors not: sorry for another cliffhanger and yes this is a short chapter and next time Ill make a longer one. If ya'll want to know who this OC character is you must wait for the next chapter. You'll know soon and if you're thinking he may have a connection with or probably is the main antagonist? Well you will know in the next chapter and you might be surprised. Until then see ya in the next chapter.