Disclaimer: You know the drill; I don't own CCS or CC. Don't sue me, I have to have enough money to buy my dad the one thing he wants for fathers day.
AN. Thanks for the support. There was never a link for up for Chapter 11. I don't know what happened.
AN2: Warning: Violence in this chapter!
No Longer a Child
Training and Tests
by BlahBlahBlah136
*Knock Knock*
"Come in," Sakura mumbled half a sleep. "Hey Sakura, It's time to wake up. We have a training room all today, and you don't want to be late for breakfast," Syoaran whispered gently, as to not wake Kero up. He shook her slightly. "Ohhh, what time is it. It's too early to get up," Sakura groaned and rolled over, "It's only 6:30 am, I have to sleep for at least one and a half more hours." "Come on, Sakura. There are tutors coming at noon. Your dad requested that you take classes with me while your here so you don't fall behind. We also have the small training room from 7:00 this morning to 9:00 tonight!" Syoaran explained.
"How do you live like this!"
"You get used to it after a while"
"Ohhhh," Sakura muttered, and rolled out of bed. The sun was slightly above the horizon and the waves still crashed noisily on the shore. Sakura turned and noticed that Syoaran face was very red. She looked around for what he could be blushing so madly at. Then she figured it out. Sakura was still in her PJs that consisted now of very scimpy yellow bed shorts and a loose over-sized blue T-shirt with teddy bear on the front that had fallen down to expose her bare shoulder. It wasn't a lot of fabric. "Oh, heehee," Sakura sweatdropped, "Yeah, you can leave now." "Uuuuhhh, yeah" Syoaran muttered and shuffled out the door.
Sakura was in the dinning hall in fifteen minutes. No one was talking, just concentrating on eating. There wasn't much socializing at all. Sakura walked to the chair were she had sat the following night. "Hey Syoaran-kun" She said cheerfully. "You have fifteen minutes to eat, so I suggest you start," he advised hurriedly.
Breakfast was done in no time and once again Li-san went to the front of the platform. "I am pleased to tell you that Mao has finished his training. He will be here any time now. Today, the light training room on the north wing will be in use. I warn you that there is a water pipe break in the laundry room, so I'm afraid there will be no more clean clothes until it is fixed. Please do not bring your dirty closes to the laundry room until further notice," One again, as she finished the whole Clan proceeded to leave.
They were all gone when a scraggly brown haired boy walked in to the left side of the room. "Mao!" Syoaran shouted, "I'd like you to meet someone!" "Hey Syoaran, ready for another round at fighting with me? I could just win this time! Who do you want me to meet?" Mao asked happily. Syoaran answered, "Mao, this is Sakura Kinomoto, for Tomoeda District Japan. She'll be staying with us until further notice. She is a guest of mine." Sakura bowed respectfully. "It's very nice to meet you, Mao-san. Syoaran tells me you are a wonderful fighter," She greeted cheerfully. "No, no Kinomoto-kun, the pleasure is all mine. I can tell you are part of what makes Syoaran such a powerful opponent," Mao chuckled, "Might you be Syoaran girlfriend?" "You could say that," Syoaran smiled. This took Mao by surprise. Syoaran never smiled. Even though it was only a small smile, it was shocking to get such a reaction from the young warrior. Mao looked at the couple. 'I don't think I've ever seen something so perfect. They are like two pieces of a puzzle. It's so horrible that the Clan will break them apart. Even if Syoaran wins the appeal, he still may not be able to keep her. I can feel how much she means to him. It radiates from him in all directions' Mao thought solemnly.
"Well, Sakura and I have the small training room today, so we have to go," Syoaran returned to a light scowl. "It was nice to meet you Mao," Sakura smiled. "Same," Mao returned weakly.
Tsu Ling glared at the couple from behind a door at the right side of the room. "Just wait until the month is up, Japanese Trash. I'll have Syoaran all to myself and you will be forever banned from the Li estates."
~~~~~~@
By the end of the first week Sakura was pretty tired. Tutors every week day. Training everyday. The only thing that kept her going was being with Syoaran. She could recall the memory of their first training session together vividly. Sakura couldn't get a proper swing on the sword, so Syoaran stepped behind her and held the sword with her. His face was so close to her's . She listened as he told her kindly how to use the metal weapon. Syoaran moved her hands back and forth with the sword in a swinging motion. Sakura felt so at peace with herself and the world around her, like she was flying but her feet were still on the ground. It was the only thing that made the training bearable.
Little by little she got used to it. Finally, it all came naturally. She remembered the first time she woke up in her new habit.
~~~ Flash Back~~~
Sakura's eyes fluttered open. She hopped out of bed and walked to her window wall. She'd come to love the way the waves crashed on the shore. It calmed her, and she could feel herself floating in the water, letting the waves pass under her. The sky began to lighten. And then She saw the most wonderful sight. The sun peeked up from the other side of the earth to meet the striking blue sea. It was so beautiful. She would have to ask her dad about moving to the east side of the house. It would be wonderful to see this every day. How could she have missed this sight all of her life? Now she realized how Syoaran could live this way. This was the way you could get the most out of life; making every second count. This was the way she wanted things to be. Forever.
~~~ End Flash Back~~~
Pretty soon Sakura felt stronger than she every had. Her powers had grown ten-fold, and so had her strength, endurance and speed. The end of the month came all too soon.
~~~~@
Sakura and Syoaran sat on the beach in silence, waiting for the sun to come up. Suddenly Li Feimei ran down the sand. When she finally reached the magical duo she spat out, "Today is the day for the Appeal Challenge! The Elders have finished the Tests! They start at Sun-down so you better train some more and get ready!" "Thanks Feimei, you can go now," Syoaran said solemnly. She nodded and walked back up the sand. As soon as she was gone, without a word the two moved closer to each other. Sakura held on to Syoaran's waist for dear life. Syoaran put a comforting arm around Sakura's shoulders. Both new this sunrise could be their last.
(House of Ceremonies, 15 minutes before sundown)
Syoaran and Sakura held close to each other in the waiting room of the court/fighting arena. No words could come from either of the magical warriors. They both knew that this fight would decide everything. Li Sheifa came in the room. "Sakura, it's time for you to come and sit with us." She never said, 'you can see Syoaran after the fight' No one moved. "I'll give you another minute," She decided. She knew it was torture for both of them to have to be put through this. The young woman walked back through the small oak door. "This is it," Syoaran said blankly, "This decides everything." "I better go," Sakura said in the same monotone voice. As she got up, tears started to run down her face. Syoaran's face lost it's emotionless stare and was now fill with concern for his love. "Oh Sakura," he soothed," it's going to be OK." He whipped the tears from her cheeks and wrapped her in a loving embrace. "I'll love you forever, my Xaio Lang," she whispered. Syoaran cupped her chin his hand, and kissed her lightly. "And I you, my beautiful Ying Fa," he assured.
(Seats to the outside of the arena.)
Li Leran watched the Card Mistress as she sat down next to her. Even tears and anguish had not yet marred the young girl's innocent face. Her eye lids were filled with tears as she watched the barren field with empty eyes. The woman admired the girl for all she'd been through. It was unfair that someone so young and so cheerful would find love so soon in life then have to relinquish it all.
Suddenly the hall went quiet. The Elders walked in with their heads held high and sat at the end of the arena on a platform. They nine men were full of prestige and they knew it. The oldest of the Elders stood up. "We, the Elders, have worked scrupulously on tasks worth of the Appeal Challenge of Li Xaio Lang. Li is one of our most skill and experienced fighters, and strongest magical forces. It wasn't easy, but we feel we have come up with the perfect Challenges for the Future leader of the Clan. If he completes all three tests, his crimes will be pain for. If he fails, he will be in isolation training until he becomes Leader of the Clan. On a more casual note; our Xiao Lang has be very sly. Normally, without the challenge he would face four years of isolation training, and 40 years with the failed appeal. The rule states that the Clan Leader cannot be in isolation training unless it has been ruled on by the entire clan. And it is four years to Xiao Lang's 18th birthday when he becomes leader. So, therefor, he doesn't lose anything by taking this Appeal. I think we will have the craftiest Leader since the death of Clow Reed! And now to stop with my droning on and on and lets get to the tasks!"
The Baldest Elder stood up, "The first task tests strength, endurance, and fighting skill. One, Xiao Lang is subject to fight the demon created by the Elders and/or Leader of the Clan." Just then two large men opened a gate at the same end of the arena as the Elders. At the same time a door opened at the other side of the ring. Syoaran stepped into the light. His face was sullen and he hung his head. Sakura knew of his presence, but her eyes were fixed on the other portal. That's when they felt it. It started as a small tremor, slowly getting larger. It grew and grew until the chairs flew a centimeter off the ground with each pound. The two guards looked in with curiosity. Two massive jaws with giant saliva dripping teeth bit down on them as they screamed in sheer terror. Most of the females, including Sakura, turned their heads away from the gruesome scene. The whole audience winced as they heard the bones cracking in the beast's enormous mouth. And the mouth was all they could see of it so far.
As the rest of the beast emerged some of the clan members fled the building. The Elders smiled at their accomplishment. They seemed to take pleasure in succeeding in creating the most horrendous beast to ever terrorize the earth. With a final pound the giant beast fully emerged. It was slimy and brown-green. It was huge and dragon-like. (Think of a dragon from Escaflowne and you have exactly what this beast looks like) Syoaran was a picture of calm, but Sakura could somehow feel his nervousness. His aura was stiff and a little could. He was afraid of something. What was it? Suddenly an anger streak race through his blazing green aura. He charged at the beast with war-cry that rang through the hall and into the hearts of the room's occupants.
(Syoaran's POV, a few minutes earlier)
My heart beat hard and loud as I stood in the empty ring. It beat through my whole body, pounding in my head. My heart quieted when I saw Sakura in the stands. She was so beautiful. 'I need to protect her. She is so wonderful' A gradual pound began in my stomach. 'I thought I controlled my heart beat!' I thought in surprise. Then I realized it wasn't my heart. A few moments later the audience noticed the tremors too.
What seemed like ages later I saw it's luminous eyes staring at me in the darkness. I felt the beast inhale ominously. It smelled something. Flesh. I could feel it's hunger through his eyes. Forgetting that the Elders had control of the beast I tensed. In a sudden lunge the gargantuan mouth consumed the two guard that had opened the gate in sickening ravageness. Then the beast came fully into the light. Our gazes met. I could feel it's evil desire to take my life away from me. It seemed to see into my soul. It wanted to take much more away from me than my physical life. In killing me the beast would take my family and friends away from me. It would take Sakura away from me. I wouldn't let it! "You won't take Sakura away from me," was what I tried to shout, but all that came out was a aggressive war-cry as I ran to meet the beast's flesh with my sword.
(Author's POV, Same time)
The monster and Syoaran were ingaged in a fierce battle. It seemed insurmountable that the battle would end before long. Both combatants tore on mercilessly.
The giant monster's tooth came down on Syoaran's arm, creating a foot and half long gash and an inch deep. The warrior clenched his teeth to muffle a scream of sheer pain. He launched up on the monster's back, but slipped off due to the smile that seemed to come out of the skin itself. The ominous beast sent a blast of blazing hot red fire. "Mou, what else can it do, juggle?" Syoaran said, still grinding his teeth together. He ran up and got a pole-vault jump with his sword. Locking his legs around the giant beast neck, Syoaran pull his sword back. His legs only wrapped half way down the beasts neck each because of monster's size. Syoaran plunged the sword into the top if the beast's head.
The beast went down, HARD. The force was so great that it sent Syoaran sailing across the room. The crowd was silent. The breeze played with Syoaran's hair as he stood to his feet. He slowly walked up to the beast. Touching his nose, he leaned down to pay respects for the beast.
Suddenly the reptile reared it's head and swallowed Syoaran whole! (AN:heehee) Sakura screamed out in agony, "Noooo, Syoaran!!!!" The rest of the crowd was trained to keep their composure in the face of death. Li Leran took the Sakura in her arms. The untainted young girl shook uncontrollably. "Shhhhh. I know, sweety, I know," Li-san comforted.
A great ripping noise filled the air, startling the spectators. A glint flashed down the side of the creature's side. A goo-covered Syoaran stepped out of the cut made in the beast's belly. "I have to hand it to you Elders. You can make the grossest beast in the world, and you still remember to make it's guts the grossest too!" Cheers erupted from the crowd who didn't just sit and stare. Syoaran looked up in the stands for his love. He found her smiling in the arms of his mother. He smiled back and blew her a kiss. She giggled.
Leran was grinning too. Her son never acted like this. This girl was what would make him happy. She had reached the Syoaran that had been lost so long ago. The tentative clan leader knew she had to help them.
"And now the second test!" shouted the Elder with the longest beard, "This task will test wisdom, intelligence and two other things that we will divulge at the end of this task. One, Xiao Lang is subject to answer the questions created by the Elders and/or Clan Leader." The shortest Elder stood up. "an electric train is heading north at 200 miles per hour. The wind it blowing south at 50 miles per hour. which way does the smoke go?" Syoaran starred at his feet. He repeated the question in his head several times until he got it. "An electric train doesn't make smoke," He said matter-of-factly. "Correct," the Elder said and sat down.
The tallest Elder stood up. "There is a rope over a fence that is 5 feet long exactly on each side. On one side of the rope is a monkey with a banana. There is a weight on the other side of the rope that weighs exactly as much as the monkey. The banana weighs one ounce per square inch. The banana is as long as the age the monkey's mother was when she was two thirds as old as the monkey is now. The rope weighs as much as the weight minus the weight of the banana. The monkey is as old as the banana plus one fourth of the monkey's mother's age. The monkey's mother is one third of the weight of the weight minus the her age when she was five sevenths as old as the monkey will be when he weighs twice as much as the weight. The rope leans toward the monkey's side of the fence because of the lacking of the extra five ounces on the side of the weight. The rope leans to the side of the monkey at an angle with the fence that is what the monkey's mother's age plus the age of the monkey when the next American new year comes around. The monkey's years have been measured by the Chinese new year since the monkey's mother was as old as the monkey is now. If the monkey's mother were to replace the monkey right now the rope would shift more toward her side 28 degrees in angle. The rope and the weight together weigh as much as the banana plus the monkey, plus the monkey's mother's cousin's grandchild. How long in square inches is the banana?"(AN: Heehee, my favorite question) Silence followed this Elder's question. The attendance of the Hall anime blinked several times. A cricket chirped. The wind blew. Everyone thought, and thought, and thought. "Five square inches!!!" Syoaran yelled with confidence. "Correct," smiled the Elder and sat down. Cheers erupted once again from the baffled crowd. Many people sat in puzzle at their seat trying to figure out how the Future Leader of the Clan had gotten the answer.
The oldest Elder stood up, " If today, right now, you had to decide weather or not you would stay and be the leader of the clan or to be banished from the clan and live forever with the Card Mistress, what would you chose?" There was a collective gasp from the audience. Who could answer such a question? Surely the right answer would be to stay with the clan. These were the Elders and they did what was best for the clan, and Syoaran was best for the clan. These truly were the perfect tests.
(Sakura's POV)
I feel questioning and malevolent stares as people pondering about the question that had been asked. Staring ogled-eye at Syoaran, who was standing defiantly in the ring I thought, 'You know the right answer is the clan. Don't sacrifice it all for the my. Syoaran, pick the clan' "Please" I whispered under my breath. If it all came down to this I wanted him not to suffer. Even though living without him will be breaking, I'll get through it knowing he is OK. Please Syoaran, pick the clan.
(Author's POV)
'So it all comes down to this,' Syoaran thought, 'Well, there is now question about it,' "I would stay forever with Sakura," he smiled, "no question!" The whole audience gasped again, even Li-san. "Noooo," Sakura screamed inwardly. The crowd immediately broke into questioning with the people around them. 'Did I hear the right,' 'what's going to happen now,' 'oh man that girl is going to get it,' 'I almost feel sorry for her,'
"Correct," the Elder shocked the crowd," this task tested honesty and integrity. Syoaran has proved honest to his feelings and not devided within himself. These two things must be found in a true leader. Not many of the crowd cheer this time, each for their own reasons.
The skinniest Elder stood up, "The Third Task tests integrity and will power. One, Li Xiao Lang, must fight one of his own clan to the death. The person to fight must be preselected by the Elders and/or the clan leader. Li Xiao Lang is subject to fight to the death with Li Mao Xeituri."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In case any of you are a little dense, no offense, that mean's Syoaran either has to kill Mao (The nice guy, remember?) or Mao has to kill Syoaran. What will I happen? Only I know the answer! Review and I'll get the next chapter up all the sooner.
AN: I know there is some controversy about the names of Syoaran's family, but I'm just going to keep the names the same.
~BlahBlahBlah
AN. Thanks for the support. There was never a link for up for Chapter 11. I don't know what happened.
AN2: Warning: Violence in this chapter!
No Longer a Child
Training and Tests
by BlahBlahBlah136
*Knock Knock*
"Come in," Sakura mumbled half a sleep. "Hey Sakura, It's time to wake up. We have a training room all today, and you don't want to be late for breakfast," Syoaran whispered gently, as to not wake Kero up. He shook her slightly. "Ohhh, what time is it. It's too early to get up," Sakura groaned and rolled over, "It's only 6:30 am, I have to sleep for at least one and a half more hours." "Come on, Sakura. There are tutors coming at noon. Your dad requested that you take classes with me while your here so you don't fall behind. We also have the small training room from 7:00 this morning to 9:00 tonight!" Syoaran explained.
"How do you live like this!"
"You get used to it after a while"
"Ohhhh," Sakura muttered, and rolled out of bed. The sun was slightly above the horizon and the waves still crashed noisily on the shore. Sakura turned and noticed that Syoaran face was very red. She looked around for what he could be blushing so madly at. Then she figured it out. Sakura was still in her PJs that consisted now of very scimpy yellow bed shorts and a loose over-sized blue T-shirt with teddy bear on the front that had fallen down to expose her bare shoulder. It wasn't a lot of fabric. "Oh, heehee," Sakura sweatdropped, "Yeah, you can leave now." "Uuuuhhh, yeah" Syoaran muttered and shuffled out the door.
Sakura was in the dinning hall in fifteen minutes. No one was talking, just concentrating on eating. There wasn't much socializing at all. Sakura walked to the chair were she had sat the following night. "Hey Syoaran-kun" She said cheerfully. "You have fifteen minutes to eat, so I suggest you start," he advised hurriedly.
Breakfast was done in no time and once again Li-san went to the front of the platform. "I am pleased to tell you that Mao has finished his training. He will be here any time now. Today, the light training room on the north wing will be in use. I warn you that there is a water pipe break in the laundry room, so I'm afraid there will be no more clean clothes until it is fixed. Please do not bring your dirty closes to the laundry room until further notice," One again, as she finished the whole Clan proceeded to leave.
They were all gone when a scraggly brown haired boy walked in to the left side of the room. "Mao!" Syoaran shouted, "I'd like you to meet someone!" "Hey Syoaran, ready for another round at fighting with me? I could just win this time! Who do you want me to meet?" Mao asked happily. Syoaran answered, "Mao, this is Sakura Kinomoto, for Tomoeda District Japan. She'll be staying with us until further notice. She is a guest of mine." Sakura bowed respectfully. "It's very nice to meet you, Mao-san. Syoaran tells me you are a wonderful fighter," She greeted cheerfully. "No, no Kinomoto-kun, the pleasure is all mine. I can tell you are part of what makes Syoaran such a powerful opponent," Mao chuckled, "Might you be Syoaran girlfriend?" "You could say that," Syoaran smiled. This took Mao by surprise. Syoaran never smiled. Even though it was only a small smile, it was shocking to get such a reaction from the young warrior. Mao looked at the couple. 'I don't think I've ever seen something so perfect. They are like two pieces of a puzzle. It's so horrible that the Clan will break them apart. Even if Syoaran wins the appeal, he still may not be able to keep her. I can feel how much she means to him. It radiates from him in all directions' Mao thought solemnly.
"Well, Sakura and I have the small training room today, so we have to go," Syoaran returned to a light scowl. "It was nice to meet you Mao," Sakura smiled. "Same," Mao returned weakly.
Tsu Ling glared at the couple from behind a door at the right side of the room. "Just wait until the month is up, Japanese Trash. I'll have Syoaran all to myself and you will be forever banned from the Li estates."
~~~~~~@
By the end of the first week Sakura was pretty tired. Tutors every week day. Training everyday. The only thing that kept her going was being with Syoaran. She could recall the memory of their first training session together vividly. Sakura couldn't get a proper swing on the sword, so Syoaran stepped behind her and held the sword with her. His face was so close to her's . She listened as he told her kindly how to use the metal weapon. Syoaran moved her hands back and forth with the sword in a swinging motion. Sakura felt so at peace with herself and the world around her, like she was flying but her feet were still on the ground. It was the only thing that made the training bearable.
Little by little she got used to it. Finally, it all came naturally. She remembered the first time she woke up in her new habit.
~~~ Flash Back~~~
Sakura's eyes fluttered open. She hopped out of bed and walked to her window wall. She'd come to love the way the waves crashed on the shore. It calmed her, and she could feel herself floating in the water, letting the waves pass under her. The sky began to lighten. And then She saw the most wonderful sight. The sun peeked up from the other side of the earth to meet the striking blue sea. It was so beautiful. She would have to ask her dad about moving to the east side of the house. It would be wonderful to see this every day. How could she have missed this sight all of her life? Now she realized how Syoaran could live this way. This was the way you could get the most out of life; making every second count. This was the way she wanted things to be. Forever.
~~~ End Flash Back~~~
Pretty soon Sakura felt stronger than she every had. Her powers had grown ten-fold, and so had her strength, endurance and speed. The end of the month came all too soon.
~~~~@
Sakura and Syoaran sat on the beach in silence, waiting for the sun to come up. Suddenly Li Feimei ran down the sand. When she finally reached the magical duo she spat out, "Today is the day for the Appeal Challenge! The Elders have finished the Tests! They start at Sun-down so you better train some more and get ready!" "Thanks Feimei, you can go now," Syoaran said solemnly. She nodded and walked back up the sand. As soon as she was gone, without a word the two moved closer to each other. Sakura held on to Syoaran's waist for dear life. Syoaran put a comforting arm around Sakura's shoulders. Both new this sunrise could be their last.
(House of Ceremonies, 15 minutes before sundown)
Syoaran and Sakura held close to each other in the waiting room of the court/fighting arena. No words could come from either of the magical warriors. They both knew that this fight would decide everything. Li Sheifa came in the room. "Sakura, it's time for you to come and sit with us." She never said, 'you can see Syoaran after the fight' No one moved. "I'll give you another minute," She decided. She knew it was torture for both of them to have to be put through this. The young woman walked back through the small oak door. "This is it," Syoaran said blankly, "This decides everything." "I better go," Sakura said in the same monotone voice. As she got up, tears started to run down her face. Syoaran's face lost it's emotionless stare and was now fill with concern for his love. "Oh Sakura," he soothed," it's going to be OK." He whipped the tears from her cheeks and wrapped her in a loving embrace. "I'll love you forever, my Xaio Lang," she whispered. Syoaran cupped her chin his hand, and kissed her lightly. "And I you, my beautiful Ying Fa," he assured.
(Seats to the outside of the arena.)
Li Leran watched the Card Mistress as she sat down next to her. Even tears and anguish had not yet marred the young girl's innocent face. Her eye lids were filled with tears as she watched the barren field with empty eyes. The woman admired the girl for all she'd been through. It was unfair that someone so young and so cheerful would find love so soon in life then have to relinquish it all.
Suddenly the hall went quiet. The Elders walked in with their heads held high and sat at the end of the arena on a platform. They nine men were full of prestige and they knew it. The oldest of the Elders stood up. "We, the Elders, have worked scrupulously on tasks worth of the Appeal Challenge of Li Xaio Lang. Li is one of our most skill and experienced fighters, and strongest magical forces. It wasn't easy, but we feel we have come up with the perfect Challenges for the Future leader of the Clan. If he completes all three tests, his crimes will be pain for. If he fails, he will be in isolation training until he becomes Leader of the Clan. On a more casual note; our Xiao Lang has be very sly. Normally, without the challenge he would face four years of isolation training, and 40 years with the failed appeal. The rule states that the Clan Leader cannot be in isolation training unless it has been ruled on by the entire clan. And it is four years to Xiao Lang's 18th birthday when he becomes leader. So, therefor, he doesn't lose anything by taking this Appeal. I think we will have the craftiest Leader since the death of Clow Reed! And now to stop with my droning on and on and lets get to the tasks!"
The Baldest Elder stood up, "The first task tests strength, endurance, and fighting skill. One, Xiao Lang is subject to fight the demon created by the Elders and/or Leader of the Clan." Just then two large men opened a gate at the same end of the arena as the Elders. At the same time a door opened at the other side of the ring. Syoaran stepped into the light. His face was sullen and he hung his head. Sakura knew of his presence, but her eyes were fixed on the other portal. That's when they felt it. It started as a small tremor, slowly getting larger. It grew and grew until the chairs flew a centimeter off the ground with each pound. The two guards looked in with curiosity. Two massive jaws with giant saliva dripping teeth bit down on them as they screamed in sheer terror. Most of the females, including Sakura, turned their heads away from the gruesome scene. The whole audience winced as they heard the bones cracking in the beast's enormous mouth. And the mouth was all they could see of it so far.
As the rest of the beast emerged some of the clan members fled the building. The Elders smiled at their accomplishment. They seemed to take pleasure in succeeding in creating the most horrendous beast to ever terrorize the earth. With a final pound the giant beast fully emerged. It was slimy and brown-green. It was huge and dragon-like. (Think of a dragon from Escaflowne and you have exactly what this beast looks like) Syoaran was a picture of calm, but Sakura could somehow feel his nervousness. His aura was stiff and a little could. He was afraid of something. What was it? Suddenly an anger streak race through his blazing green aura. He charged at the beast with war-cry that rang through the hall and into the hearts of the room's occupants.
(Syoaran's POV, a few minutes earlier)
My heart beat hard and loud as I stood in the empty ring. It beat through my whole body, pounding in my head. My heart quieted when I saw Sakura in the stands. She was so beautiful. 'I need to protect her. She is so wonderful' A gradual pound began in my stomach. 'I thought I controlled my heart beat!' I thought in surprise. Then I realized it wasn't my heart. A few moments later the audience noticed the tremors too.
What seemed like ages later I saw it's luminous eyes staring at me in the darkness. I felt the beast inhale ominously. It smelled something. Flesh. I could feel it's hunger through his eyes. Forgetting that the Elders had control of the beast I tensed. In a sudden lunge the gargantuan mouth consumed the two guard that had opened the gate in sickening ravageness. Then the beast came fully into the light. Our gazes met. I could feel it's evil desire to take my life away from me. It seemed to see into my soul. It wanted to take much more away from me than my physical life. In killing me the beast would take my family and friends away from me. It would take Sakura away from me. I wouldn't let it! "You won't take Sakura away from me," was what I tried to shout, but all that came out was a aggressive war-cry as I ran to meet the beast's flesh with my sword.
(Author's POV, Same time)
The monster and Syoaran were ingaged in a fierce battle. It seemed insurmountable that the battle would end before long. Both combatants tore on mercilessly.
The giant monster's tooth came down on Syoaran's arm, creating a foot and half long gash and an inch deep. The warrior clenched his teeth to muffle a scream of sheer pain. He launched up on the monster's back, but slipped off due to the smile that seemed to come out of the skin itself. The ominous beast sent a blast of blazing hot red fire. "Mou, what else can it do, juggle?" Syoaran said, still grinding his teeth together. He ran up and got a pole-vault jump with his sword. Locking his legs around the giant beast neck, Syoaran pull his sword back. His legs only wrapped half way down the beasts neck each because of monster's size. Syoaran plunged the sword into the top if the beast's head.
The beast went down, HARD. The force was so great that it sent Syoaran sailing across the room. The crowd was silent. The breeze played with Syoaran's hair as he stood to his feet. He slowly walked up to the beast. Touching his nose, he leaned down to pay respects for the beast.
Suddenly the reptile reared it's head and swallowed Syoaran whole! (AN:heehee) Sakura screamed out in agony, "Noooo, Syoaran!!!!" The rest of the crowd was trained to keep their composure in the face of death. Li Leran took the Sakura in her arms. The untainted young girl shook uncontrollably. "Shhhhh. I know, sweety, I know," Li-san comforted.
A great ripping noise filled the air, startling the spectators. A glint flashed down the side of the creature's side. A goo-covered Syoaran stepped out of the cut made in the beast's belly. "I have to hand it to you Elders. You can make the grossest beast in the world, and you still remember to make it's guts the grossest too!" Cheers erupted from the crowd who didn't just sit and stare. Syoaran looked up in the stands for his love. He found her smiling in the arms of his mother. He smiled back and blew her a kiss. She giggled.
Leran was grinning too. Her son never acted like this. This girl was what would make him happy. She had reached the Syoaran that had been lost so long ago. The tentative clan leader knew she had to help them.
"And now the second test!" shouted the Elder with the longest beard, "This task will test wisdom, intelligence and two other things that we will divulge at the end of this task. One, Xiao Lang is subject to answer the questions created by the Elders and/or Clan Leader." The shortest Elder stood up. "an electric train is heading north at 200 miles per hour. The wind it blowing south at 50 miles per hour. which way does the smoke go?" Syoaran starred at his feet. He repeated the question in his head several times until he got it. "An electric train doesn't make smoke," He said matter-of-factly. "Correct," the Elder said and sat down.
The tallest Elder stood up. "There is a rope over a fence that is 5 feet long exactly on each side. On one side of the rope is a monkey with a banana. There is a weight on the other side of the rope that weighs exactly as much as the monkey. The banana weighs one ounce per square inch. The banana is as long as the age the monkey's mother was when she was two thirds as old as the monkey is now. The rope weighs as much as the weight minus the weight of the banana. The monkey is as old as the banana plus one fourth of the monkey's mother's age. The monkey's mother is one third of the weight of the weight minus the her age when she was five sevenths as old as the monkey will be when he weighs twice as much as the weight. The rope leans toward the monkey's side of the fence because of the lacking of the extra five ounces on the side of the weight. The rope leans to the side of the monkey at an angle with the fence that is what the monkey's mother's age plus the age of the monkey when the next American new year comes around. The monkey's years have been measured by the Chinese new year since the monkey's mother was as old as the monkey is now. If the monkey's mother were to replace the monkey right now the rope would shift more toward her side 28 degrees in angle. The rope and the weight together weigh as much as the banana plus the monkey, plus the monkey's mother's cousin's grandchild. How long in square inches is the banana?"(AN: Heehee, my favorite question) Silence followed this Elder's question. The attendance of the Hall anime blinked several times. A cricket chirped. The wind blew. Everyone thought, and thought, and thought. "Five square inches!!!" Syoaran yelled with confidence. "Correct," smiled the Elder and sat down. Cheers erupted once again from the baffled crowd. Many people sat in puzzle at their seat trying to figure out how the Future Leader of the Clan had gotten the answer.
The oldest Elder stood up, " If today, right now, you had to decide weather or not you would stay and be the leader of the clan or to be banished from the clan and live forever with the Card Mistress, what would you chose?" There was a collective gasp from the audience. Who could answer such a question? Surely the right answer would be to stay with the clan. These were the Elders and they did what was best for the clan, and Syoaran was best for the clan. These truly were the perfect tests.
(Sakura's POV)
I feel questioning and malevolent stares as people pondering about the question that had been asked. Staring ogled-eye at Syoaran, who was standing defiantly in the ring I thought, 'You know the right answer is the clan. Don't sacrifice it all for the my. Syoaran, pick the clan' "Please" I whispered under my breath. If it all came down to this I wanted him not to suffer. Even though living without him will be breaking, I'll get through it knowing he is OK. Please Syoaran, pick the clan.
(Author's POV)
'So it all comes down to this,' Syoaran thought, 'Well, there is now question about it,' "I would stay forever with Sakura," he smiled, "no question!" The whole audience gasped again, even Li-san. "Noooo," Sakura screamed inwardly. The crowd immediately broke into questioning with the people around them. 'Did I hear the right,' 'what's going to happen now,' 'oh man that girl is going to get it,' 'I almost feel sorry for her,'
"Correct," the Elder shocked the crowd," this task tested honesty and integrity. Syoaran has proved honest to his feelings and not devided within himself. These two things must be found in a true leader. Not many of the crowd cheer this time, each for their own reasons.
The skinniest Elder stood up, "The Third Task tests integrity and will power. One, Li Xiao Lang, must fight one of his own clan to the death. The person to fight must be preselected by the Elders and/or the clan leader. Li Xiao Lang is subject to fight to the death with Li Mao Xeituri."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In case any of you are a little dense, no offense, that mean's Syoaran either has to kill Mao (The nice guy, remember?) or Mao has to kill Syoaran. What will I happen? Only I know the answer! Review and I'll get the next chapter up all the sooner.
AN: I know there is some controversy about the names of Syoaran's family, but I'm just going to keep the names the same.
~BlahBlahBlah