Love On Horseback:
Part Five
Sakura sat behind Li on Lightning's back, her arms wrapped tightly around Li's waist. (Not only because she was afraid of falling off) Li directed Lightning with a pull to the right then went out to the open field. They rode for about twenty minutes, before coming to a fairly large hill, with a single tree growing on the top. Li jumped off and caught Sakura as she too dismounted. He held Lightning's reins and they walked up to the top of the hill.
When they got to the top, Sakura gasped in surprise and awe at the sight. Past the edge of the hill, lay China. The whole countryside, it seemed, could be seen from this peak. "It's beautiful." Sakura gazed at the landscape with wonder.
Li tide Lightning's reins around the tree and took of the guitar and the basket.^_^. "When I was little…" Li started. "I would come here and watched the sun rise and set. See those mountains over there?" Li pointed to the mountains in the East. "Early in the morning, the sun breaks through the morning sky and sheds its light over all of China."
Sakura smiled and watched the sun high in the sky, spread out its rays over the villages, cities, and greenery of the land. "I've never seen anything like it."
Li offered her a hand and together they sat down. They took out the sandwiches and snacks that Aunt Rena had been so thoughtful to make. They ate, laughed and told stories. Sakura was having so much fun, when something caught her eye. It was Li's guitar, leaning against the tree. "Will you play?" She asked.
Li suddenly got nervous. "I…um…haven't really played in a while…and um…"
"Please?" Sakura gave him the biggest puppy eyes she could muster.
Li closed his eyes, but her stare seemed to penetrate all his defenses. "All right." Sakura giggled and jumped for joy as Li got his guitar and took it out of its case.
He put his left hand on the neck, and his right came around to the front of it. Sakura got closer, eager to listen. Li played his hands experimentally over the strings, tuning it and finally taking a deep breath.
Soon he played a tune that began very serene and calm. Sakura closed her eyes and let the melody wash over her and enter her soul. Soon she heard Li's voice. This made Sakura's eyes shoot open and her mouth fall to the floor. Li can sing?
Li:
Tonight it's very clear
Cause we're both lyin' here
There's so many things
I want to say
I will always love you
I would never leave you alone
Sometimes I just forget
Say things I might regret
It breaks my heart to see
You cryin'
I don't want to loose you
I could never make it alone
I am a man
Who would fight for your honor
I'll be the hero you're dreaming of
We'll live forever
Knowin' together that we
Did it all for the glory of love
Sakura recognized the song and started the next verse…
Sakura:
You keep me standing tall
You help me through it all
I'm always strong
When you're beside me
I have always believed in you
I could never make it alone
Li:
I am a man
Who would fight for your honor
I'll be the hero you've been dreamin' of
We'll live forever
Knowin' together that we
Did it all for the glory of love
Sakura:
It's like a knight in shining armor
From a long time ago
Just in time I will save the day
Take you to my castle far away
Li:
I am a man
Who will fight for your honor
I'll be the hero that you're dreaming of
We're gonna live forever
Knowin' together that we
Did it all for the glory of love
We'll live forever
Knowing together
That we did it all for the glory of love
Li: We did it all for love
Sakura: We did it all for love
Li/Sakura: We did it all for love
Li ended the song and faded out with the music. All was silent until a voice sighed. "That was beautiful. Too bad it's the last time you'll ever see each other!" Sakura and Li shot to their feet and turned to see Brian standing on a branch in the tree.
"You!" Sakura screamed.
Li jumped protectively in front of Sakura. "What are you doing back here!?" Li demanded.
Brian sneered at his nemeses. "I'm here to take what is rightfully mine!"
Li grabbed Sakura and pulled Lightning's reins free. Jumping on Lightning, Li pulled Sakura in front of him. Holding her with one hand, tightly, and the reins in the other, Li kicked Lightning hard and Lightning started out in a fast gallop down the hill, back the way they came.
Sakura clenched on to Li for dear life and Lightning sped down back towards the house. Brian attacked with fireballs at the speeding couple. Explosions went off on either side of the escapees. One hit really close to Lightning, making him rear back.
Sakura screamed, but Li wouldn't let her fall. He held onto her and brought Lightning down. They started back at the fast gallop, and soon came to the ranch.
Suzy and Fumi ran to meet them, being alarmed by the explosions. "Are you okay?!"
Li jumped off Lightning and brought Sakura down. She was literally shaking with fear. Suzy ran up to her and caught her as Sakura's legs collapsed under her. Sakura cried onto Suzy's shoulder. Suzy looked worriedly up at Li.
"What happened?" Fumi said.
"An old enemy of ours has come back from the dead. We don't know how, but he's after Sakura." Li explained and looked down at Sakura.
He bent down on one knee and pulled her away from Suzy and into a hug. "Shhh. Don't worry. I won't let him get you."
Sakura's head came up, her eyes wet with tears that continued to flow nonstop. "He's…he's back. And he's after me." She started shaking again.
Li held her tighter and rocked her back and forth. He turned to the hill in the distance, and narrowed his eyes. Brian, I will kill you a hundred times fold for causing Sakura so much pain. This I promise you.
A/N: Like the song? Want to see a music video? Go to Cool Fire Bird's homepage. She's got it there. (That's where I got the song) It's a really sweet collection of clips put together to fit the song, "Glory of Love. " Made for real player, but very much worth it. Her site is: http://members.nbc.com/CoolFB/cherrybl.htm . Check it out! She's got lots of other videos too! ^_^