Last of the Ri Lon
Sakura walked up to the door and froze. Should I do this? She thought.
Of course you should. He needs someone right now. Her mind argued with her.
But what if he doesn't want to talk? She retorted.
To you of course he will. Her mind decided.
Sakura raised her hand to the door, pausing for a moment before knocking. She waited there until she heard the door being unlocked. Li Showron answered the door. His hair looked like it hadn't been combed in days and his eyes were puffy. He obviously hadn't slept in days.
"Hello Li." Sakura greeted cautiously.
Li looked up and gave a weak smile. "Hello."
Sakura bit her lip. Thinking carefully about what she should say next. She brought up her hands. In them was a chocolate cake. She had made it earlier. "I brought you something to cheer you up." She handed it to him.
He stared at it then looked up. "Thank you. Please, come in." He opened the door and let her in, closing the door behind her.
Sakura walked to the couch and sat down. She looked up to Li as he went to the kitchen. "How are you doing?" She asked.
He didn't answer at first. He placed the cake on the counter and went to the drawer. He pulled out a knife and stared at the blade for a while. He finally answered, "Just fine."
Sakura didn't buy it. "Li you haven't been to school for days and you look like you haven't slept in days either. I'm worried about you."
Li walked over to the cake and brought the knife quickly down on it. Sakura jumped as the knife hit the counter. "Don't worry about me. Everything's going to be fine." At least until I can find a way to get revenge on the Ri Lon Clan for what they did to Meilin. Li thought.
"What do you think we should do next?" Sakura asked.
Li walked into the living room and handed Sakura a plate. She took a small bite and waited for an answer. Li took a bite a cake and chewed it thoughtfully. (How do you chew cake? I don't know, but he did.)
Li thought for a moment. "I've been searching through some of Clow Reed's books, trying to find something."
"Any luck?" Sakura asked.
Li shook his head. "Nothing so far, But I still have a lot to read."
"Well, why don't I help you?" Sakura offered. "You know what they say. Two heads are better than one!"
Li smiled, a genuine smile. Something Sakura hadn't seen in a while. "Thanks. That'd be great." He said.
Sakura smiled back and they finished their cake a little happier.
Sakura turned another page and sighed in frustration. "Still nothing that can be of help to us." She said.
Li rubbed his eyes. "There has to be something to help us defeat the Last of the Ri Lon Clan. I'm not going to stop until we find something."
Something in his voice frightened Sakura. She heard determination, but something else was there. She just couldn't place it. "I'm with you." She said. I need to know he can count on me, but I will also have to keep on him. Make sure he doesn't do something rash. She thought
She went back to skimming the books and came across a chant. "Hey Li. I think I found something."
He looked up and she handed him the book, pointing to the page. He read through it and his eyes went wide. "This chant produces a very strong blast." He continued reading…then stopped.
"What?" Sakura asked.
Li shook his head. "It significantly drains the user's magic power. Leaving them weak." He looked up at Sakura. "That's a very serious side effect."
"But Li…"
"No." He said strongly. "It's too big of a risk to use. I won't allow you to use it."
Sakura sighed and shook her head. "Fine." She took the book back and pretended to keep reading. When Li went back to scanning his book, Sakura secretly copied the chant. Just in case. She thought.
Sakura and Madison ate lunch with the gang like they always did.
"Hey! Is anyone going to the dance this week?" Chelsea asked.
"I plan to." Nikki said.
"I'll go…if someone asks me out." Chelsea said glancing at Zachary.
He caught the hint. "I'll take you." He said. Chelsea smiled.
Just then Li walked by. "Hey Li." Sakura said blushing.
"Hi Sakura." He said as he continued to walk.
Sakura didn't see, but Madison did. A faint blush crept on Li's face just then. Madison got an idea and stood up. She started walking in the opposite direction as Li.
"Hey, Madison. Where are you going?" Sakura asked.
"I...uh… have to use the restroom." She said and walked off.
"So Sakura. Planning on asking anyone out to the dance?" Nikki asked.
"Yeah, someone with amber eyes and dark brown hair?" Chelsea asked.
Sakura blushed. "You guys."
"Oh come on, Sakura. We all know you like him." Chelsea persisted.
"Yeah, and I'm sure he'd say yes." Nikki added.
"I don't know." Sakura said. Maybe I'll wait for him to ask me. She thought.
Madison made sure no one was watching, when she circled around to find Li. She found him in a tree, not too far away from where the gang sat. Madison snuck up behind him and saw he was looking right where Sakura was sitting.
He does like her! Madison thought. "Hey Li!" She yelled.
He got started and fell from the tree. She giggled and walked up to him.
He got up and quickly brushed himself off. "Hi Madison." He greeted.
"Hi Li. Enjoy the view?" She asked.
He blushed. "W-w-what do you mean?" He faked.
Madison crossed her arms and laughed. "Really Li. I can read you like an open book."
Li didn't say anything, just stared at the ground.
"Why don't you ask her out?" She said.
Li's head shot up, bright red. "She'd never say yes." He said.
"Say yes to what?" A voice said.
Both Li and Madison whipped around and found Sakura standing there.
"Sakura!" Madison exclaimed. "What are you doing here?" She asked.
"You took a bit long to go to the bathroom. And I saw you come here."
Li was blushing madly and staring at the ground.
"So what were you talking about?" Sakura asked.
"Uh…uh…" Li stuttered.
"Li wanted to ask you something." Madison interrupted. "I'll leave you two alone.
Sakura frowned and watched as Madison walked off.
Think Li! Think! Li's mind told him. Ask her out!
"Uh…uh…"
"What did you want to ask me Li?" Sakura asked sweetly. Please let it be the dance!
"Will you...would you...like to…"
"What?" Sakura took a step forward. Say it. Say it.
"Care to go to the dance with me?" Li finally managed.
Yes!! Yes!!! Yes!!!! Sakura was elated inside. She cleared her throat. "I'd love to." She said blushing.
Li smiled. She said yes! She said yes!
Li saw Madison watching from a ways away and she winked at him before rejoining the group.
Li looked back at Sakura. "Care to have lunch with me?" He offered. I'm on a roll. Why not?
Sakura shrugged and smiled. "Okay."
He laid his jacket down on the grass for Sakura to sit on and together they chatted for the rest of lunchtime.
Sakura examined herself in the mirror. The dress wasn't that bad, one of Madison's more modest creations. It was short-sleeved dress with a few frills on the shoulders. It ran down to just above her knee. It was a beautiful light pink dress with flowers, peonies to be exact, embroidered on the bottom half.
"It's lovely Madison." Sakura said to her friend next to her. "But one question. Why peonies?" She asked.
Because their Li's favorite. Madison thought. She shrugged. "I don't know. Something different I guess."
Sakura bought it and grabbed her purse. "Let's go." She said.
Madison nodded and followed her friend out the door.
At the dance, Sakura and Madison entered and soon found their friends, Zachary, Nikki, and Chelsea. "Hey guys!" Sakura greeted.
"Hi Sakura!" They replied.
"Where's Li?" Chelsea asked.
Sakura shrugged. "I don't know. We just got here."
"I see him over there by the drinks." Madison said. Sakura turned and saw Li in a nice dark green suit. She smiled to herself. Always knew he loved green. She thought.
"Why don't you go over there?" Madison prompted.
Suddenly Sakura got very nervous. I can't go over there! He's looking too…HANDSOME!!!
Madison gave her a little shove in his direction and slowly Sakura started to walk over to him. Madison reached into her purse and pulled out her digital camera. "Can't miss this one." She said.
Sakura noticed that there was a live band. They played some of the latest songs very well.
Sakura slowly approached Li from behind. When she was close, his head came up. Oh no! He knows I'm here! She froze.
Li slowly turned around and found the most beautiful girl in the whole room. "H…h…hi Sakura." He said. He looked at her outfit. She's amazing!
"Hi, Li." She said with a blush.
"You look beautiful." He said. Love the flowers!
Sakura smiled and blushed some more. "Thank you. You look handsome too."
Now it was Li's turn to blush. "Would you like to dance?" He said.
She smiled and nodded. "I'd love to." He took her hand and led her to the dance floor. It was a fast song, so Li was a little unsure about how to dance. Sakura started a simple dance to the beat and Li tried his own move.
Soon, feeling a little more comfortable, Li started other moves. Soon he took Sakura's hand and they dance together. A circle formed around them and Li continued to dance great. Sakura followed his lead the best she could. I've never seen him dance like this!!
After the fast song, there was a round of applause and then a slow song cut in. Sakura inched closer to Li and they soon danced slowly together. Li had his hands around her waist, and Sakura placed her hands on his shoulders.
After a while, the music seemed to penetrate the couple and Sakura laid her head on Li's chest. The fresh scent of sakura blossoms filled the air and Li stroked Sakura's hair.
From the sides, Madison recorded the magical moment, happy that her two best friends finally got together. I hope Meilin is happy.
On the rooftop, two dark figures planned their next move. "You know what to do." One asked.
"Yes mistress." The other replied with a bow.
"Good. Now make no mistakes. The Ri Lon Clan will have their revenge and I am the last to carry out our ancestor's plans."
"It will be as you command." The other said and disappeared.
The last of the Ri Lon Clan smiled. "I will avenge my children's deaths. These two don't know whom their dealing with." She laughed and watched intently as her plan began to unfold.
The slow song ending, so Li and Sakura decided to take a break. Sakura went to talk with the girls, while Li went to chat with Zachary.
"You looked so cute Sakura!" Madison exclaimed.
"Yeah, you make the perfect couple." Chelsea added.
Sakura blushed madly.
Back with the boys…
"Li, I bet you wouldn't do it for twenty dollars!" Zachary challenged.
"Oh yeah! Watch me!" Li said and turned towards the stage.
Zachary widened his eyes in surprise. "He's actually gonna do it!"
Li walked over to the side of the stage and got the attention of the lead singer. He whispered something in his ear and the man nodded.
Li looked over to Zachary and gave him a thumbs up. Zachary's mouth dropped to the floor. "The kid's got guts." Then Zachary looked over to Sakura who had her back to the stage. "The others are going to want to see this." He started to make his way over to the others.
Sakura was still chatting with the girls when the Backstreet Boys' song, "Anything For You" started to play.
Sakura then saw Zachary approached them. "You guys. You have to look at the stage." He told them.
Sakura turned her gaze to the stage and almost dropped her drink. Standing next to the lead singer was…Li!
"What is he doing?" Sakura exclaimed.
" Singing you a love song." Zachary explained.
"A what!" She said. She listened as the song continued to play. The band began the chorus while Li just stood there with the mic, looking right at Sakura.
"I'd walk halfway around the world, for just one kiss from you. Far beyond the call of love, the sun the stars, the moon." Li sang. He's good! Terrific even! Sakura was shocked. The rest of the gang had their mouths opened wide.
"As long as your love's there to lead me. I won't lose my way, believe me. Even through the darkest night you know." The lead singer took over.
The band sang the chorus and Sakura found herself mesmerized. She could see Li joined in with them, never taking his gaze away from Sakura. He made perfect harmony with them.
"I used to think that dreams were just for sentimental fools." Li sang.
"And I'd never find someone who'd give there long so true." The lead sang.
"But I knew the very minute."-Li
"Couldn't live my life without you in it." -Lead
"And now I want the whole wide world to knowww!" Li sang his heart out and put emphasized on the last word. Everyone almost feinted because of the accurateness of the notes, especially the last one. (Cause we all know how high it goes).
The band started the next verse and Li took this chance to bow his thanks to the band and make his way back to Sakura. She smiled and rushed up to give him a hug. He took her in his arms and led her to the floor.
There they danced, Madison recording, and confessed their love to each other.
"Sakura, I love you. And I'll always be there for you no matter what." He told her.
"Li. I want you to know you can always count on me because I love you."
Madison smiled at the two, while Nikki and Chelsea both cried into Zachary's shirt, though Zachary didn't seem to mind one bit.
Li leaned in to kiss Sakura, and she closed her eyes, and they were just about to kiss when…
They heard Madison scream. A chair went whizzing by their heads and crashed behind Madison. Li instinctively pull Sakura down and covered her with his body, as a shield. He looked up and saw the broken chair against the wall.
"What happened?" Sakura asked.
Li slowly got up and looked to see who had thrown it. A boy, who Li didn't recognize, was in a fight with someone else. Both Li and Sakura felt some kind of magic. A dust of sorts started to fall on people. It was a light green and nobody seemed to notice it.
Wherever the dust landed, fights would break out.
"What is with everybody?" Sakura asked.
"What the matter Sakura? Mad because all the attention's not on you?" Madison said out of nowhere.
Sakura turned and frowned. "What's the matter Madison? You never acted like this before."
Madison sneered and threw a punch at Sakura. Li jumped in front and blocked it. "Madison! Stop!"
Madison threw another one, and Li ducked out of the way. What has come over her?! She's never acted this way before! I never even knew she could fight!!! Li thought. Li looked up at the mist. That's it!
Li dodged another punch and grabbed Sakura's hands. He could see others had broken into fights too. Zachary was in a boxing match with another boy, while Nikki and Chelsea were at it. Everyone who could fight was and the room had turned into a riot.
Li pulled her through the crowd and outside. He hid behind a bush and signaled for Sakura to stay quiet. Madison soon came out and both card captors could see a green aura around her. The same color as the dust! Madison soon gave up and went inside to pick another fight.
"Li? What's happened to the others?" Sakura asked worriedly.
Li tried to think. "It has something to do with that dust we saw inside." He said. It made them hate each other. Made them full of deceit. "Sakura that's it. That dust wasn't dust, but seeds. Seeds of Deceit." He explained.
"You mean it makes them feel mean to each other?" She asked. He nodded. "Where do you think it's coming from?"
Li stretched out his senses and found two points. One on the inside and one on the roof. The one on the roof was the one he had been hoping to encounter for a while now. The last of the Ri Lon Clan. She was his.
Li turned to Sakura. "You take charge of getting our friends back to normal." He instructed her.
"What about you?" She asked.
He took out his sword. (I don't know where he got it, but you ever notice that you can't see it until he brings it out anyway?) "I'm going to go after the person behind it." He said behind gritted teeth.
Sakura didn't like the sound of that at all. He was going to do something stupid. "Li are you sure? Whatever's up there has to be pretty strong. Why don't we…"
"No. This is my fight. I will not have Meilin's death be in vein." He said. He looked up and the roof, and jumped up, leaving a worried Sakura behind.
Sakura closed her eyes and tried to think. How am I going to stop this riot without hurting them? Then Sakura looked down at her dress. "Well, I defiantly can't do it in this." She looked through her purse and pulled out a shirt and shorts. "It's a good thing I brought an extra pair of clothing.
She made her way to the school restrooms and changed. She took out her key. Lucking I brought this too. "Key of Clow. Power of Magic. Power of Light. Surrender the wand. The force ignite." She said. "Release!!" Her key turned into a staff and she grabbed it.
Sakura entered the dance hall and was shocked to see it in total ruins.
All the decorations were torn and ripped. Chairs and tables were overturned or broken. Everyone was still fighting and didn't even notice her come in. Unfortunately, one person had been looking for her and therefore noticed her.
Madison made her way through the crowd towards Sakura. "What are you doing back her 'Mrs. Perfect'!!" She accused.
Sakura held her staff in a defensive position. She didn't want to hurt her friend, but she had to do something.
Madison took a swing at her, but Sakura ducked under it. "Madison stop!" Sakura pleaded, but was not heard. Madison took another shot at her, this time Sakura caught it and twisted it behind Madison's back. "Madison, come to your senses! I'm your friend!" She told the outraged girl.
Madison struggled but Sakura held her in place. "I never liked you!" She yelled.
Sakura was shocked. Why would Madison act this way? Sakura had to stop her friend before she hurt herself. But she could only think of one way. Sakura reached up to Madison's neck and pinched. Madison immediately stopped struggling and collapsed into Sakura's arms. She dragged her friend over to the wall and laid her up against it. "Rest Madison. I'll take care of everything."
Sakura turned to the crowd and noticed her friends were also in a fistfight.
Zachary and the other boy were yelling while trying to beat each other to a bloody pulp.
"You stay away from my girl!" Zachary yelled.
"Your girl! All you do is tell nonsense! I could treat her better!" The other boy retorted.
"Could not!"
"Could to!"
They began throwing more punches at each other.
Meanwhile, Nikki and Chelsea were having their own catfight.
"You think you're better than me!?" Nikki yelled.
"I am better than you!" Chelsea stated.
They started slapping, puling hair, and scratching each other. Your basic catfight.
I have to stop this! Sakura thought. But how?
Sakura glanced at the sleeping Madison against the wall. She suddenly got an idea. She reached into her pocket and produced a card.
She looked around at all the people. I can't do it here. She thought. She went back into the restrooms and found no one there.
"Sleep card. Put everyone to sleep!" She hit the card with her staff. "Sleep card! Release and dispel!"
Sleep came out of the card and went to the main dance hall. Sakura was hot on its trail. It flew over the crowd and began to put everyone asleep.
When it was done, Sakura looked around. "Whoever made those seeds of deceit has to be around here somewhere."
On the roof…
Li could feel the witch approach before he saw her. He growled and raised his sword in a defensive position.
When she appeared, Li was shocked at her beauty. She had long green hair, with a few braids intertwined. Her garments consisted of red silk and her eyes shone of a sunset orange.
"You came at last, little wolf." She said. "I didn't think you would be so gullible." She twirled a sakura blossom in her fingers.
Li gritted his teeth. "What do you mean!?"
She smiled. "Leaving your precious cherry blossom at the mercy of my minion. How very selfish of you."
"Sakura?" He said. "You leave her alone!"
"I have no intention of doing any such thing. She is to pay for Clow Reed's foolishness!"
"You will not harm her!" Li warned.
"Or what? You'll destroy me? Come on then. You want blood for you cousin don't you? You want revenge. You can feel it in your bones." She taunted.
Li clenched his sword tightly. "I'm warning you. Don't push me. Leave Sakura out of this. If you want to punish Clow Reed, punish me! I am his descendant!"
She laughed. "Oh no, little wolf. It's not as much fun. I will destroy your only other love in this world. Just like I destroy this flower in my hand." She crushed the small sakura blossom in her hand, released it, and it fell to the ground.
"You on the other hand," She continued. "I will continue to string you along like I have this whole time."
Li was nearing the boiling point. "I am not your toy, nor was I ever!"
"Oh yes you were." She corrected. "It was you who led me to the card mistress. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been able to fulfill my ancestor's revenge." She bowed. "Thank you."
"You lie!" He yelled.
"I would do no such thing." She said. "My four children were to take care of this before me, but amazingly you took care of them with only minimal casualties for you. That little wrench cousin of yours got in the way of a very good attack by two of my kin. Too bad she didn't survive so I could destroy her now."
Li hit the max of his patience. "That was my cousin! You will show her respect!"
"Why? She was just a little pest that needed to be exterminated."
Li roared and charged at her, his sword raised high above his head.
Sakura went around to make sure everyone was all right and started to search for the presence she'd felt earlier. Suddenly, she felt something behind her and whirled around. She saw something coming at her, but couldn't move fast enough.
The creature rammed into her and pinned her against the far wall. She hit her head and felt hot liquid start to fall from her wound. All she could see were stars obscuring her vision.
When her vision cleared, she screamed. A lizard like creature (Think about the lizalfos from Zelda: Ocarina of Time) was holding her tight. It flicked its tongue out and it brushed up against Sakura's cheek. She cringed.
It opened its mouth to speak and at the close proximity, Sakura cringed her nose at the stench. "I don't know why the missstressss sseesss you asss a threat. You're just a little girl."
Sakura got mad and kicked him, you know where. He doubled over in pain. "Maybe your mistress doesn't know me too well!" She said.
His head came up and he lunged at her. She used jump and jumped high into the air. He ran into the wall with a thud. She landed behind him and brought up her staff. "Are you the one who release the seeds of deceit?!" She demanded.
The lizard creature shook his head clear and turned around to face her, bearing his fangs. "Yessss, it wassss me. My missstresss wantsss you taken care of ssso ssshe can have her revenge." He replied. He jumped at her again, but she dodged out of the way.
"Is she the last of the Ri Lon?!" She asked.
"That sshe isss." He answered. He reached into a side pouch and withdrew some dust. He threw it at her and she barely moved out of the way. Something told her that if she got that stuff on her, she'd be a goner.
Sakura felt Li above her and she knew he needed her help. I have to get out of here and help him!
Sakura brought up a card and threw it in front of her. "Sword card! Release and dispel!" She twirled her baton and hit it with the tip. "Sword card!"
Her staff came up and turned into a sword. When the lizard made another move against her, she slashed at it with her sword. It cried out in plain as the sword sliced into the skin on the shoulder. It cringed back as purple blood began to ooze from the fresh wound.
Sakura used this opportunity to make a dash for the door. As soon as she started to get a lead, the lizard flicked its head up and snarled. He pulled back and started to leap after her.
Sakura ran and never looked back. Suddenly, she tripped on one of the many sleeping forms and went down. She looked back to see where the creature was but didn't see anything. She stood up and heard something land behind her. She whirled around and saw the lizard inches from her face.
Before she could react, the creature opened his hand and blew the magical dust over Sakura. She held her hands up to ward it away, but it was no use. Sakura felt the dust land over her body, cold to the touch. She looked at her hands and found her vision got blurry. She looked up at the creature, whom smiled, then all she knew was darkness.
Li dodged another black magic attack from the woman and answered with an attack of his own. She was grazed by the lightning and snarled at Li, whom simply smiled.
"You can not defeat me! And if you do, you will lose your love!" She yelled.
"I don't believe you! I will destroy you and avenge my cousin's death! I have sworn so and will not break such an oath!" He told her.
"You should not fight me. We are on the same side. You want revenge. You thirst for my blood to spill out at you hands. We are one of the same." Her hand came up and tempted him to come forward. "Join me. I do not wish to fight you. We would make a great team. My battle is with the card mistress. Give her up and end this conflict."
"I will not surrender her life for yours!" He yelled. "You will perish tonight!"
She smiled, then looked past him and nodded. Li frowned, but suddenly found himself flying through the air.
He landed hard on the roof, and heard something in his leg crack. He tried to get up, but fell down again. He looked at what had happened and found a lizard like creature holding a lifeless form. It had short auburn hair…
"Sakura!" Li yelled as he realized it was she. He tried again to get up, and managed to get to his feet.
The lizard brought Sakura to the woman, and laid it before her. She smiled and laughed out load. "Finally! After so many centuries! My ancestors will have their revenge!" She brought out a sword and raised it above her head. She turned to Li. "Now watch as your last love is destroyed!!" She brought the sword down….
"No!!!! Force know my plight! Release the light! Lightning!!!" Li said and lightning struck both the sword away and the lizard. The lizard disintegrated under the power, but the woman growled and retrieved her sword.
Li brought forth his own sword, as she charged at him. Their swords hit and sparks began to fly. She attacked, but she blocked. The battled using their full strengths, for they knew this was the beginning of the end. Only one would leave this battlefield alive.
Sakura looked around to where she was. There was nothing but darkness. Then she began to here things. She heard Li call her name.
He cares for me. He needs me.
She walked towards the sound, but found nothing in the abyss. She looked down and saw a piece of paper. It was the chant she'd written down from Li's book. It glowed with a misty light. She picked it up and found renewed strength. She knew what she had to do.
Don't worry Li. I'm on my way.
Li saw the attack come, but couldn't move his sword fast enough. It was hit out of his hand and the woman followed up with a strong kick to his stomach. He went flying and landed on the roof. He felt pain erupt from his leg and he remained on the ground.
The woman laughed at began to walk towards him, when she heard something. She turned to see Sakura had woken up. She stood wobbly at first, but then held a defensive stance.
"Impossible. You were struck down buy the magical dust. How did you survive?" The woman asked.
Sakura said nothing but began to draw power from within. She started to glow with a pink aura. It enveloped her and the light grew so intense, the woman cringed back.
Li had to slightly cover his eyes against the brightness, but thought he heard Sakura start to speak. She started to say a chant of some sort.
Oh no. I recognize that chant! It's the one from the book!
"Sakura no! Don't do it! Please!" He begged her.
She paid him no heed and continued to say the words. The woman too recognized the words. "No! You wouldn't dare sacrifice yourself!" She cried.
Sakura finished the chant and a ray of light shot out of her and came at the woman with lightning speed. The woman fell to her knees against the blast and when the light died down, she was still alive!
Sakura collapsed from the use of her power and fell into unconsciousness.
Li used what little strength he had left and dragged himself to Sakura's side. He raised her limp head into his lap. "Sakura." He said through the tears that had started to fall. "Why did you so it?" A tear fell on her cheek. "Why?"
Sakura's eyes fluttered opened and she looked up and smiled. "Because I love you. Your fight is my fight." She reached up and stroked his cheek. He held her cheek against his skin.
Then Sakura's pink aura glowed and Li's own aura of green began to glow. He felt renewed strength and looked down at Sakura in surprise.
"I gave you the last of my powers. Use them wisely." She said and slipped back into unconsciousness.
Li laid Sakura down gently and kissed her forehead. "Don't worry. I won't let you down." He turned to the weakened woman as she struggled to get up.
Li's eyes burned with a vengeful fire. "I will destroy you for harming Sakura and my cousin!" He picked up his sword and advanced, but stopped. He heard a voice behind him.
"Li don't." It said.
Li turned around and saw Meilin! She had on a pure white dress and angelic wings came out of her back. "Meilin?" He whispered.
She smiled. "I thank you for protecting Sakura, but don't do this." She warned. "Do you truly think I want revenge? Do you think I want blood on my hands? I gave up my life so you could be with Sakura. Please don't throw it away. She has given you the most precious gift of all. Don't misuse it."
Li looked down at the ground then at Meilin. He wanted her to be able to stay, but knew in his heart that she couldn't. "I will heed your words. My oath is broken. I will miss you."
She nodded. "And I you, but I will watch over you, just as you have always watched over me. Please take care of Sakura. You two are destined to be together. This is what fate has decided ages ago. You two will save this world again. With your power and your love. Do not grieve for me for I am happy now, and I want nothing more than for you to be happy as well. Take care cousin. And good luck." She began to fade away.
"Good-bye cousin..." He said with a wave. Then he added under his breath. "…And thank you."
He turned around once more to the woman and raised his sword. "I will rid this world of your evil. Not for my own purpose, but for that of everyone." He transferred his power to his sword, and brought it down on her.
The woman shrieked her dying breath and died on that rooftop. Li went over to Sakura and scooped her up. Her eyes opened once more and she smiled. "Is it over?"
He nodded. "It is." He leaned down and kissed her passionately on the lips. Something he'd wanted to do for ages. Somehow he knew his cousin was smiling down on him. Thank you Meilin. May you now rest in peace.
Stay tuned for an epilogue soon.