Cards, Love, war, and rebellion
Chapter 6
Authors note: alright for those who have guessed it right! It was Asterix the Gaul, or in this case Asterix in Britain. For those who don't know it's a comedy comic about a Gaul who's adventures was around the time when Julius Caesar was in power. It's nothing serious, just an historical comedy fiction. Anyway I think it's time we went to our next chapter. Also I'm having a hard time with Asian style nomadic clothing in this one, also I've mispronounced Yunnan since it has 2 Ns' in the middle so please don't roast me. And as for the food I got those from watching a Netflix series called 'flavorful origins' it's great to watch but please watch it either subbed or dubbed cause it's chinese. Remember I don't own CCS
3rd POV
Liu Chen was at the Hong kong port and arrived late in the morning. As he got of his battered galley he ran to the nearest horse carriage and paid what little he has extra to make it go as fast as they could. As the horses raced through the streets everyone who saw this ran out of the way. He nearly ran over a couple of kids playing but they were rescues by a stranger. The stranger was a foreign man with black hair and glasses. He didn't say his name but he looked disgusted at the direction of the speeding carriage. It took some time but Liu Chen made it to the Long clan compound. As he ran to the grand elders temple, where the elder is probably meditating at this point. He knew that he would be in trouble but he didn't care. He wanted to give the elder the news and hope that he was wrong. He slammed the door open and ran inside till he slid on to his knees and bowed down. The room was dark and had very candles lighting up the place. The elder was the shadowy figure sitting in front of Liu Chen with his back towards him in a meditative position. As the door shut the elder spoke
"Give me a good reason why you came here disturbing me without my knowledge." The elder said
"Grand elder I hope I am wrong but I have news for you." Liu chen said apologetically
"Just tell me and then leave." The elder ordered.
"Yes sir… well you see a few days ago I was on my usual privateering and the last ship I raided had the heir of the Li Clan and Flying monkey Bao on it." Liu chen informed.
"So Xiao Lang's decided to return after all. The coward fled to Ni-hon-kaido for some "unfinished business" as they said… we must prepare for him. He may have gotten stronger." The elder contemplated.
"That's not the only thing elder." Liu Chen informed.
"Go on." The elder informed.
"One of his companions was a mage and a young girl at that. And one of my officers witnessed her magic. He claimed that she was using card magic and believed that it was the Clow cards. I don't think that's true though but he advised me to tell you. I mean it's just an old wives-tale right?" Liu Chen explained.
"And good advice it was Liu Chen." The elder said.
"Elder?" Liu Chen looked up with confusion, He could tell that the elder was happy to have heard the new but also a little bit tense and disappointed.
"If you haven't listened to your officer's advice then there would have been severe consequences for your action. However you came here to tell me hoping you are wrong. Well let me tell you, the cards are real. And here you tell me that they are just a myth? I have seen the cards and their power with my own eyes. You will stop your privateering from now on and set out a warning to all our men and allies to keep a lookout for the people who defeated you. I'll forgive you for your failure you'll make it up to me right now." The elder said
"Yes elder." With that Liu chen left the building to do as he was ordered. The Elder opened his glowing gold eyes as he started thinking about the past.
"So Master, He he he he he… You have chosen a female as your succesor huh? Well look at you falling from grace. Your standards seems to have lowered, I'll see to that she won't live to see the day our war will end with us winning. Soon your cards will be mine and then the world will be ripe for the taking." The elder laughed at the news he was given.
POV: Sakura
I was looking at the dress I was wearing. It was beautiful but Tomoyo has made some additions to all of our disguises to make it look good. My dress was a light blue and white color. It was modified with a bit of embroidery but it looked really nice. Everyone had theirs moddified as well. Boa had a hood added for his to hide his blond hair. Syaoran kun looked like a warrior in his outfit. Pretty fitting if you asked me. While Tomoyo chan and Meiling chan wore the simpler ones compared to me. Tomoyo was the one who suggested for me to wear the prettier one but she insisted. We all had some breakfast and to our surprise it was a grilled rice cake. The inside texture reminded me of mochi back home but to grill it? That was surprising to me at least. Last night dinner was great, the steamed ham and cheese was sweet and savory at the same time. The food last night was delicious if you ask me; I know Han-cho has so many distinct regions and cuisines since it's so large. This early morning we were enjoying our morning meal as Bao payed the full price. Mr Yunnan tried to tell him that he doesn't have to but he insisted since it's just one night. As we were packing up and about to leave till Mr Yunnan gave us a warning.
"Be careful ok guys. The Long clan are always coming here in the mornings for drinks. And they're chasing my customers away. But don't worry I've asked a friend of mine to help you out. Be sure to go to the stables alright?" Mr Yunnan said. I looked at him with sad eyes; a nice guy like him is losing business because of a couple of bullies. Just then I heard a door open, I don't know who they are but I am betting that they are members of the Long clan.
"You opening inn keeper?" I heard the leader ask rudely.
"I'm always open, and it's breakfast time. So drinks aren't ready at this time." I heard Mr Yunnan grumbled a bit because of those. Me and my friends finished our food, took our luggage and head off.
"Hey wait up!" I heard the leader shout. We all looked up at him to see the problem. The leader is wearing a blue chanpao as well as some partial armor indicating that he is a warrior or a mercenary of sort.
"What are you northern nomads doing here?" The Leader looked at us very suspiciously. I was very nervous but then Syaoran kun spoke up with an odd accent.
"Uh we are just traders. We came down south for trading opportunities." We all nodded at Syaorans words. I was hoping the leader would buy this story but he didn't look to convinced. But then he said something odd yet relieving.
"Oh… And here I hoped that you're here for a challenge or something. Cause I would have taken you on anyway if you were a warrior but traders? Go on be on your way."
With that We all left the inn. We walked up to the stables where Mr Yunnans friend was waiting for us. He gave us a horse cart as well as his best horse to pull it for us. As we got on the cart we trotted away towards Hong kong. As we rode away from the port village I started to notice that there is a whole lot of bamboos around. It was a beautiful sight to see, I never thought that the country side would look this nice.
'Maybe we should move to the country side later' I though as I went to look at Syaoran kun. The possibilities of life for the two of us is endless. I kept on starring at Syaoran kun for quite some time till he turned his handsome face to look at me and smiled.
"What you two smiling at?" Meiling asked us with smug grin on her face.
"Nothing" Both me and Syaoran said at the same time.
"Ara could this be the 'lover think alike' thing?" I could tell that Tomoyo was teasing us. Teasing me and Syaoran kun has become one of her favorite past times these days. One of these days she will have me and Syaoran kun be her dress up dolls and have us look like husband and wife. Though would not mind that.
"Guys I understand the lovey-dovey you got going out but please try not to go overboard and go making out." Bao kun's comment was more than enough for me to look down blushing. I'm sure that Syaoran kun was sharing my embarrassment. I'm happy that my friends want to support my relationship with Syaoran kun but sometimes they can get very nosey.
3rd POV.
The patrol leader from Mr Yunnans inn came out with a gourd of wine. As he came out with a purse full of money he gambled from his pratol mates. As he was walking out a messenger from the Long clan came to them
"Partol leader!" the messenger called.
"What is it." the Patrol leader asked bored.
"Message from the clan… search and capture 5 individual. A blonde with gold eyes. a man with short brown hair, and 3 women, 1 has black hair and black eyes. another has black hair and red eyes, while the last is green eyed with brown hair. They are allies of the Li clan and the green eyed girl is a mage." The messenger said. The squad leader looked surprised at the description and realized he let go a set of enemies of the Long clan.
"The Nomads!" the leader yelled. Realizing what he had done wrong, he called his men to follow him as he ran to catch up with the ones he has let go.
Far of in the distance of the forest and cliffs while time has passed. The gang went around the curve of the cliff enjoying the view of the country side. However the moment they cleared the curve, up ahead are two characters blocking their way in the distance. One was a well-dressed man holding a sword of an ancient design (AN: think like a han dynasty jian) while arms crossed, and he didn't look happy. The female of the the two was standing far back from him with an annoyed look on her face and she's definitely not annoyed at the gang.
"Who are these people, Long clan?" Syaoran asked.
"Don't think so but they are trouble, especially the man over there." Boa deduced, and he was right. As the gang drew closer to the 2 people waiting, the man suddenly jumped up onto the cart grabbed Sakura and threatened her with his blade.
"HOE!" Sakura yelped
"You hold the Li clan heirloom woman. Just to let you know those cards belong to the Li clan and should only be used by a Li! Now give them up and" the stranger got interrupted when a sword blade flashed to his neck.
"Let Sakura go you twit." Syaoran threatened.
"Lord Li?"
"DO IT NOW" Syaoran interupted while keeping his threat. the assailant let go of Sakura and went off the cart.
"Daijobu Sakura chan?" a worried Tomoyo asked.
"Hai. I'm a little shaken but otherwise I'm fine" Sakura answerd timidly. Her wings popped out giving of a nervous flutter.
"Who do you think you are you bandit?" Meiling shouted.
"Uh well"
BONK
The assailant winced by the hit the girl gave him on the head. Apparently she was deeply annoyed with him.
"What was that for?" The guy asked. Then the girl pulled out a scroll from her sleeve. As she rolled it out she pointed to a certain section. As the man read to context he started to realize what he did. He looked to the group and kotow.
"I sorry Ma'am I wasn't thinking!" The man apologized. Everyone was so confused at his actions, all except Bao.
"Well Shanyuan it seems that you still haven't learn to think things thoroughly yet have you?" Boa asked.
"Sorry Bao" Shanyuan apologized.
"Still it's great to see you guys again." Bao chortled happily as he got of the cart to hug his friends.
"Are they friends of yours Bao" Keroberos asked as flew out of Sakuras bag.
"Oh yeah where are my manners. . . Everyone these are my team mates and good friends. Shanyuan is the most skillful out of us in terms of weapons and knows every trick in the book. Yet he still isn't smart enough to realized things and has zero patience and far to prideful for his own good" Bao answered.
"I see" Tomoyo answered, everyone sweat dropped at the fact that their would-be assailant was an idiot. However Boa continued.
"However Shi here is the most reasonable of the team and the brains behind all of our missions. However she can't talk." Bao informed.
"Why?" Sakura asked curiously.
"You see she had a near death encounter a year prior she joined the Li clans allies. She had her neck slit by a knife. She was lucky to have survived at the cost of her voice, but she can communicate via emotions and body language." Bao answered while Shi exposes her neck to show her scar. Everyone was surprised by this revelation but they all gave their greetings and introductions. Shi looked at Sakura a good second, Sakura smiled at Shi but then Shi's eyes sparkled as she realized she's seeing a flower fairy.
"I think Shi is admiring you because you're a flower fairy Sakura." Keroberos said observing Shi.
"Yah think?" Sakura said embarrassed.
"Now how did you learn of the fact that I'm on a secret mission Shanyuan?" Bao asked while looking grim at Shanyuan.
"I uh. . . was worried about you and I overheard about the Clow cards and may have placed a tracing charm on you." Shanyuan said.
"And this is why I keep telling you to get your facts right, so stuff like this wouldn't Happen! What if you go the wrong idea got yourself killed for something so stupid! . . . Now for the last time Shanyuan think before you act before you could get us into trouble." Bao yelled. As Bao berated the poor Shanyuan the gang failed to notice the Long soldier coming up.
"There they are lets get them!" the leader yelled. As the shouting was barely heard Keroberos was the first to notice them.
"LONG CLAN!" Keroberos shouted. Everybody looked at the direction of the incoming soldiers.
"Great they found us out!" Bao yelled
"NO TIME, LET'S GET OUTTA HERE!" Meiling yelled.
"Quick cut across the fields" Syaoran instructed as Meiling wheeled the cart across the fields. The Long clan soldiers were quick to follow but the cart was speeding away. Far off in the distance a beautiful garden was set up by a wealthy family. But this family isn't an ordinary family, they are the Wu clan. The heir and eldest son Wu Chang was a handsome fellow wearing an elaborate blue hanfu with a top knot on his jet black hair. He's as skillful as he is narcissistic. To many women he's considered the perfect man and he knows it. Problem is that he hates his narcissistic side and he's well aware of it. That still didn't help him being too pompous for his own good at time. He was sitting in the pavilion of the garden drinking tea as his sister Wu Daiyu walks in. She was wearing a daxiushan of various blue coloring, and her hair was highly elaborate and she was considered one of the most beautiful girls in the region. Many suitors try to court her or even ask for a possible marriage but she had her eyes on one man in particular. However to her knowledge the man she likes is not in the country and she was sad at that fact.
"Brother when do you think that he will return?" Daiyu asked.
"I don't know dear sister. But I had heard a rumor about the fact that he was writing to someone in Ni-hon-kaido. Some say that it was a woman he was writing to." Chang said.
"A woman brother? No way he would do that . . . besides I've already send a letter of possible marriage to the mistress of the Li clan just Yesterday. I've even asked father to deliver it personally." Said Daiyu dismissively
"I wouldn't be so sure Dear sister. Xiao lang has been there for two years now. I wouldn't be surprised if he has found a woman to be his lover." Chang said. Before Daiyu would retaliate, a thundering sound of a horse racing was drawing nearer and nearer. Chang looked at the direction of the sound to see what the commotion was. As he listened he could faintly hear people shouting.
"What is that?" Chang thought out loud. Before he could think clearer horse drawn cart burst out of the neatly and recently trimmed hedge. As the gang raced through the garden they shouted their apologies
"Gomenasai!" shouted Sakura and Tomoyo at the same time.
"Hi Wu Bye Wu!" shouted Shanyuan.
"Sorry for the mess" shouted syaoran
"Can't stop! We're being chased!" Meiling Yelled. As the siblings see the cart ran through the garden straight to the other side and into another field that goes straight to another road. Chang was really ticked by the fact that his family garden was ruined by a racing cart even though it was just cleaned early this morning.
"This behavior is absolutely barbaric!" Chang yelled. Daiyu on the other hand was surprised and hopeful for the fact that Syaoran has returned to Hong kong. She hopes that they can become a good couple. However all of that was cut short as the Long patrol group who were chasing the gang came into the garden.
"Don't let them escape!" the leader yelled as they got into the garden. However as soon as they came in the leader screeched to a halt as he nearly got himself impaled in the neck by a spear. The leader looked furious to see Chang holding a spear to him.
"Sir you are trespassing on my garden. Leave now and I'll show you mercy." Said Chang firmly. But the patrol leader was not having it.
"Hey you moron who do you think you are going against the mighty Long clan?" he shouted angrily. Clearly he does not know that Chang is the heir to the Wu clan and nor does he know that he is Wu clan territory.
"Clearly you haven't heard of me. If that's how it is then I will explain it to you with my skills you low life." Chang chortled. Daiyu wasn't paying attention at her brothers' fight. Instead she was looking at the direction the cart went.
'Was that lord Xiao lang? if he has returned than I must become his wife as soon as possible before he could become the leader.' Daiyu thought. Little did she know that Syaorans heart is already taken and will only have one wife and he has already chosen who he wants to marry. Meanwhile as the gang were running away from the patrol.
"I think we lost them!" Meiling shouted.
"Good than that means we can slow down and move normally." Shanyuan said.
"How off course are we?" Keroberos asked
"Actually we are on a bit of a shortcut so we should be there in the afternoon before dusk atleast." Bao answered. Then Shi looked at Sakura and pulled out a tablet and showed a sentence saying something
[How come Keroberos looks like a small toy Mrs Fairy]
( AN: I'll be ussing [] for shis' writing tables)
"Let's just say that he uses this form to be less conspicuous." Sakura answered while sweat dropping.
[That's something. But can I please touch your wings?] Shi wrote. Sakura was nervous with people touching her wings, she was still getting used to them. She can't fly with them because they are a little weak and underdeveloped for flight, however they still looked beautiful to those who payed attention to them. Sakura had just learned how to hide her wings carefully while still keeping them safe. As the gang went back on the road the trip went by uneventfully apart from a few interesting conversations here and then. All from Bao and Shanyuan reminiscing on their childhood and Tomoyo, Meiling, and Shi were talking about Sakura and Syaoran while the latter were talking about meeting his family. Sakura was nervous about meeting Syaorans mother since he told her that she was a strict woman when it comes to him since he's the heir and her only sons. His sister on the other hand were something else according to Syaoran, he told Sakura all the embarrassing things they have done to him.
Two hours have passed from midday and the roads were getting wider and busier by the minute. The gang could see that they are nearly there at Hong kong. The feeling of nostalgia was present among everyone in the group. As they went around a bend that overlooks a cliff side the group could see the walls of the city.
"Ladies and gentlemen I give you Hong kong" Bao said as he marveled at the gates. Hong kong for a city was huge, the walls extend for miles and one could clearly agree that the wealth of the city must have come from the trade that often comes here almost every single day. A new challenge have come for the gang as they knew that whatever happens they will have each other's backs.
Authors note: Alright we're in Hong kong now. For those who have guessed who the shadowy figure was, congratulations to you. Now some of you are asking why I added a character who wants to marry Syaoran. Well I like to add a little drama when it comes to romance and according to Chinese history, men of nobility often have more than one wife but I won't let Syaoran take another woman. That would be against the SyaoSaku fandom. And sorry for giving Sakura a short POV time. Also some of you may be asking why did I make one of my characters a monkey hanyou? Well that is a reference to the mythical character sun wukong the monkey king from 'journey to the west'. Some of you are probably saying "Come on man. . . why not go into the city now?" that's for the next chapter. SPOILER ALERT: Sakura is going to meet the family. Please let me know in the review section of what you want to see in the next chapter. Who knows maybe your ideas will be in my next chapter.