Konnichiwa, Minna-san! ^.^ Don't look at me that way, it hasn't been that long! Anyway, I'm back with another chapter of The Forbidden Clow, and yes, there's a Black Clow Card this time! ^^ However, I will issue a warning: Meiling fans won't like this one bit. I'm basically using her as a villain (or rather, one of them for now, you'll find out about the others in later chapters ^.^). Gomen, but the story just wouldn't work if Meiling was nice and friendly, etc, etc. Oh, and just for the sake of this fanfiction, Meiling has never been to Japan or met Sakura before.
THIS CHAPTER: If you like seeing Syaoran in a jealous frenzy, you'll love this chapter. I'm really going to lay it on thick for him, simply because of this particular card. ^.^ I'm sure other CCS authors will agree with me, torturing poor Syaoran-kun is just so much FUN! ^^ Other than that, the ending may have you surprised.
A NEW FIC??: Also, for those of you who are interested, I have another idea for a small series fic (a humorous one!). I REALLY want to get started on it, and I probably will this coming week. I'd tell you what my idea is, but I'm afraid that someone may just snatch it right from under my nose (and needless to say, I wouldn't like that). Anyway, as I already mentioned, it will be S+S humor, but not the kind you're used to! *Eriol-like grin* If you want to know more, be free to e-mail me and I'll let you know the details, but I just don't want anyone to take the idea (I think it's a GOOD one!)! Kami-sama!!! I REALLY want to write this fic, it's going to be such a BLAST!!! ^.^
Arigato to all R&R-ers and here's my next chapter! Please spare a review if you can find the time and the goodness in your heart to give some input to a poor fanfiction writer! This is for you Minna-san, remember that! Enjoy! ^^
Arigatos: ~The Power, ashley-chan, kiss of death, ~*~Starlight Princess~*~, Leeman, Katie Marie, Negai, soil, melfina, Michelle, Afan (arigato for the very kind review), Jurei-chan, E.B., Gia, Geo(Domo for the unique review ^.^), Erin, angelwings2001, coolmoon03, Horseamew, and Big Wolf.
Disclaimer: Do I have to repeat it?! PLEASE don't make me! ONEGAI! T.T
Dedication: This is dedicated to 4 people who really keep me going on this fic. I want to give a special thanks to ashley-chan (you've been encouraging me to keep up with this fic for a LONG time, arigato!), Leeman (Domo for all the encouragement and I'm glad you enjoy the stories! ^^), Katie Marie (Arigato for reading the whole ficcy and I'm glad you like it! To answer your questions, "Ja ne" generally means "goodbye" or "See you later". When all the cards are captured, the disaster will strike (the one Eriol mentioned in Chap. 5), so don't worry. I'm not ending ^.^), and finally, Jurei-chan (for being a great tomadachi online and reviewing all my ficcys! Domo arigato! Talk to you later!).
The Forbidden Clow Chapter Nine: A Monday Not Soon To Be Forgotten
With her raven hair thrown carelessly over her shoulder, the young teen walked down the airplane's clinking metal stairway, her nose held high. Her ruby eyes flickered menacingly, the fire within them burning hatefully.
She clenched her teeth as an acrid bile rose to her throat. 'SHE WILL PAY!'
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Sakura Kinomoto abruptly woke from her comforting dormancy as the sun's unwelcome rays shed yellowish-white luminance upon her sleepy face.
'And it's Monday...' she thought sourly.
She attempted to return to the beautiful dream world, but decided that it was useless. If she was already awake before the alarm, she might as well get up. At least then she wouldn't have to pay any heed to that annoying ring that would usually snap her out of the dreamy illusions.
Taking just enough time for a morning yawn, she slipped out of bed and into the bathroom. She hated Mondays more than any other day of the week, but she might as well make the best of it.
After a refreshing shower, she slipped into her school uniform and stood in front of her vanity mirror, brushing through strands of her auburn hair. She eyed the reflection of her image curiously, almost getting the feeling that something was out of place. 'Ah, that's just because you're not awake yet.' her mind assured.
Throwing her backpack over her shoulder, she bounced out of the room with her usual amount of genkiness. However, there was still that inexplicable little sensation that seemed to hover in the air around her.
"Ohayo otousan!" Sakura greeted, entering the kitchen.
Fujitaka returned the greeting warmly. "Ohayo Sakura-san. Would you like a little breakfast before you leave?"
"Iie. Thanks anyway otousan, but I don't want to get back into my old habit of arriving late to school."
"Alright." he replied, giving her a hug, "See you tonight then."
"Ja ne!" Sakura called, heading out the front door.
As she strode down her walkway, she grinned up at the shining sun. 'Sugoi! It doesn't seem like Monday at all! Usually Mondays are so dreary and gloomy, but today...quite the contrary!'
"Sakura?"
She jumped three feet into the air. "Hoe!?"
She pivoted on her heel to come face to face with a smiling Syaoran.
"You're so easy to scare!" he chided.
"Syaoran!" Sakura realized, "What are you doing here?"
His face registered slight warmth. "I thought, y'know, we could..uh...walk to school together."
"Un!" she agreed genially.
During their promenade, Syaoran couldn't help but notice that Sakura seemed...different today. There was something rather odd and mysterious about her appearance.
For one, her smile carried a little more sunshine than usual. And an ethereal glow seemed to hang around her like a curtain, making her fair skin shine in the morning light.
"Ano...Sakura?"
The Clow Mistress turned to her dark-haired companion. "Hai?"
'WHOA!' Syaoran thought, eyes growing wide, "Am I seeing things or are her eyes actually SPARKLING?"
She blinked. "Did you have a question? Hello?" She waved a hand in front of his dazed face. "Is something wrong, Syaoran?"
The young Chinese warrior shifted back into reality. "Huh?"
Sakura poked him playfully. "Were you daydreaming or something?"
His face crimsoned. "Ano...ano, Iie. Just thinking." he lied.
"HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!"
Sakura and Syaoran snapped their heads forward simultaneously, searching for the source of the unpleasant noise.
Standing a mere few feet away from them was a girl who appeared to be about their same age, with midnight hair and scarlet red eyes. Her hands were on her hips and she seemed to be trying to burn a hole through Sakura with the glare she was giving. Sakura tilted her head in question and Syaoran grimaced.
"WHO ARE YOU?" the girl demanded, stepping closer.
"Who, me?" Sakura asked cluelessly, pointing a shaky finger to herself.
"Yes, YOU."
"M-My name is Kinomoto Sakura. Who are-"
"KINOMOTO SAKURA!?" the girl raged, as a realization hit her like a ton of bricks, "GET AWAY FROM HIM!! NOW!! I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE UP TO!!!"
Sakura took a step back from the flaming teen and turned to Syaoran questioningly. "What's going on, Syaoran? Do you know her?"
He was about to answer when the raven-haired girl dashed forward and wrapped her arms around him, glowering in Sakura's direction. "STAY AWAY FROM HIM, KINOMOTO!! HE'S MY FIANCE!"
Sakura's whole world seemed to stop turning right then and there. "F-Fiancé?" she croaked in a near whisper.
Syaoran tried to plead with her silently, begging her to understand, but she simply shook her head. "Sorry to bother you two…" she mumbled dejectedly, heading off toward the school.
"MATTE, SAKURA!" Syaoran called after her, trying to get away from the prying arms of the ruby-eyed girl.
Sakura ignored him and sauntered away, bowing her head sadly.
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"Syaoran!" the girl cried, hugging him, "I missed you so much!"
He rolled his eyes and pulled away from her, brushing himself off. "What do you want, Meiling?" he spat.
"You're not happy to see me?" she questioned sorrowfully.
Syaoran pointed down the sidewalk in the aim of where Sakura had gone. "Not after what you just did!"
"What?" Meiling pouted, crossing her arms, "I was just supposed to sit back and watch while she flirted with you?"
"FLIRTED!?" Syaoran near exploded, "We were walking to school together, that's all!!"
"I saw the way she looked at you." Meiling retorted.
Syaoran sighed. "Why don't you just go back to Hong Kong?"
"And leave you here with that WITCH!? NO WAY!"
Syaoran crossed his arms in annoyance. "You have no right to call Sakura a witch, Meiling. You don't even know her!"
"And you call her 'Sakura'?! What happened to you, Syaoran?"
Syaoran tried to change the subject. "I thought I already cleared everything to the elder about this."
Meiling stood firm. "I won't let you give up your Clan just like that! I'm here for you now, Syaoran. You don't need that Kinomoto girl!"
Syaoran started walking toward the school. "You have no idea what's going on here, Meiling."
"OOOO!!!! It's that 'Kinomoto' that's done this to you!" she fumed, "She poisoned your mind!"
"What are you talking about, Mei-"
"I'M GOING TO PUT A STOP TO THIS!" Meiling announced, charging off to the school.
Syaoran reluctantly followed after her. 'Oh kami-sama...why me?'
****************************************
"Ohayo, Sakura-chan!" Rika, Naoko, and Chiharu greeted as Sakura walked in.
Sakura didn't even bother with a simple 'hello'. She merely sulked to her seat on the far side of the room and put her head down.
"I wonder what's wrong with, Sakura-chan?" Chiharu wondered, "She's usually so cheerful and happy."
"Yeah." Rika agreed, "I hope everything is okay."
"Sakura-chan is probably just tired." Naoko assured.
"Yeah." they agreed, though still unsure.
Sakura gazed out the window sullenly. 'This is turning out to be the worst Monday ever...'
She felt a sudden wave of anger and betrayal well through her. 'And he never even told me he had a fiancée! Doesn't he know how much I...'
She bitterly turned her head from the bright sun. 'No...he doesn't know how much I love him. But with a fiancée, he wouldn't even care.'
Breaking away from her dismal thoughts, she looked up at the doorway as she heard two familiar voices approaching. Sure enough, moments later, Eriol and Tomoyo strode into the room, chatting intently about something.
"Yes, really!" Tomoyo spoke excitedly to Eriol as they approached their seats, "I caught it all on tape!"
Eriol grinned. "You'll have to show me sometime, Tomoyo-san."
Tomoyo was about to reply when she finally caught sight of Sakura. "Ohayo, Sakura-chan!" Tomoyo waved, smiling happily.
Sakura looked up, but didn't say a word.
Tomoyo ceased her waving and her smile dissipated. "What happened?" she asked, putting a friendly hand on Sakura's shoulder. 'I hope this doesn't have anything to do with Li-kun.' she thought.
"I'll tell you later."
The two best friends were suddenly interrupted as the deep voice of the British boy filled the air. "Ohayo, Sakura-san. Don't be so glum!"
Sakura looked up and Eriol seemed taken aback, almost in awe. Regaining his composure, he took her slender hand and bent his head to kiss it in his old way of greeting. "I must say, Sakura-san, you look absolutely radiant today." he spoke, as if he were entranced.
All three classmates abruptly turned toward the sound of stampeding feet. "Let go of her hand right now, Hiiragizawa!!" Syaoran's voice bellowed.
Sakura didn't even bother looking at Syaoran. Instead, she gazed over to the doorway, where she saw his raven-haired fiancée. 'Strange, she seems upset about something.' Sakura noted.
"I told you to LET GO!"
She was snapped out of her contemplation as she felt her hand forcefully ripped away from Eriol's. She finally glanced up at Syaoran, giving him a rather vexing glare. "Keep your hands off of me."
Syaoran only got out a "But-" before he was interrupted by Meiling. "You keep your hands off my Syaoran." she corrected, promptly glomping him.
"Fine with me." Sakura spat, turning her head away from them.
Tomoyo and Eriol sweat-dropped. "Excuse me." Tomoyo pried, noting the pained look Syaoran was giving to Sakura, "What's going on here?"
"I can explain." Syaoran spoke up, hoping to get through to Sakura.
"I'm Syaoran's fiancée!" Meiling interceded, grinning.
"N-NO! Matte, there's more to it than that! I-"
This time Tomoyo interrupted, giving Syaoran the mother of all death glares and the 'how-could-you-hurt-my-Sakura-chan-like-that' look. "I think we've heard enough, Li-kun." she decided.
"NO! But-"
The teacher chose that moment to enter the room. "Settle down class! And take your seats please."
The students obeyed, seating themselves, all except Meiling.
"We have a new student today!" the teacher continued, "I would like everyone to give a warm welcome to Li Meiling."
Meiling stepped up to the front of the class. "Ohayo." she greeted with a bow, using quite fluent Japanese.
"Meiling comes from Hong Kong, the same as your classmate Li Syaoran. Make her feel at home, Minna-san."
Meiling happily greeted her new classmates as the sensei debated on where to seat her.
In the back of the room, Syaoran scribbled on a scrap piece of paper and folded it, quickly tossing it onto the edge of Sakura's desk as unnoticeably as possible.
Sakura blinked as the little white note appeared next to her arm. Upon opening it, she immediately recognized the handwriting as Syaoran's.
Sakura,
Please meet me under the tall oak tree in the schoolyard at lunch. I need to talk to you.
-Syaoran
Sakura stared at the paper for awhile, before simply replying 'Why?' and chucking it behind her.
Syaoran eagerly unfolded the paper. Only one word was written. 'Why?'
He was perplexed by the question and wasn't particularly sure what to say. 'Maybe now would be a good time to tell her...'
He quickly scratched some writing onto the paper and placed it back on her desk. Sakura sighed and casually unwrapped the same paper and read it over.
Two reasons. First of all, I have an apology, and second...I have something else I really need to tell you. Please, Sakura. It's important.
Sakura's eyes saddened at the revelation of his intentions. 'Why is he going to bother telling about his fiancée if I already found out on my own? And an apology? For what, not telling me sooner?' She wrote a quick reply and turned around halfway to put the note on his desk.
He unruffled the creased paper.
I'll be there.
He resealed the note and stuffed it in his uniform pocket, suddenly feeling in higher spirits than before.
"Alright, Meiling...why don't you sit next to Syaoran?"
Meiling's eyes lit up. "Arigato!" she thanked the teacher, prancing to her waiting desk, "Hey, Syaoran!"
He sighed in frustration and turned to look out the window. "Leave me alone, Meiling." 'I won't let her get to me.' he thought, feeling a smile work its way onto his features, 'After lunch hour today, she'll just have to deal with my decision.'
"Excuse me, BOYS!" the teacher spoke up, obviously annoyed by something, "But may I ask exactly WHAT is so interesting about Kinomoto-san?"
Syaoran looked up at the sound of his beloved's name and felt his face get red in pure rage. "NANI!?"
The entire male population of the room was agape and gawking at Sakura. Even the teacher now shut his mouth and was looking in her direction in some sort of awe.
Syaoran glared at all of them, as a warning, but was astounded when they completely IGNORED him!
Sakura looked around the room nervously. 'Why are they all staring at me? Do I have something on my face?'
The glaring warrior was dumbfounded. Not ONE guy heeded his warning! Unable to contend with his boiling animosity any longer, he abruptly stood up, knocking his chair over in the process. "What's WRONG with all of you!?" he yelled, catching everyone's attention instantly, "Do you have a STARING problem or something?!"
He passed his intimidating glare around the room, as if daring even one of them to cast another glance in Sakura's direction. It seemed to work for the time being. One by one, each guy reluctantly turned back to whatever they were doing before, some whispering quietly with their close by male friends.
Syaoran retrieved his chair from the floor behind him, and sat down again, casting a glance or two around the room now and then. 'The NERVE of these guys!' he thought, 'Don't they ever give up?'
The young Li Clan warrior spent his entire morning warding people away from the Cherry Blossom. Every time the bell would ring, guys would flock to Sakura like a bunch of annoying flies. They would crowd around her, asking her out, telling her how beautiful she was, etc.
Thankfully for Syaoran, Sakura would turn them all down; politely refusing each and every time one of them asked.
But strangely enough, it didn't stop them from coming.
*****************************************
Lunchtime came rather quickly and Syaoran hurried to get to the oak tree, remembering that he was supposed to meet Sakura there. Unfortunately, Meiling found him before he could get there.
"Syaoran! Wait up!" Meiling called, abruptly pointing to something on the other side of the schoolyard. "If you're looking for Kinomoto, she's over there." Meiling reported, smirking.
Syaoran followed the finger's path, which led to a very large group of boys. Looking a little closer, he could just barely see a familiar auburn head among the mob. 'There they go AGAIN!' he thought, an anime vein popping out from his head, 'Why can't they just leave her alone!?'
He took a heavy step in their general direction, holding his fists stiffly at his sides. 'How can I talk to Sakura when they're all over her!?'
"Oh, give it up, Syaoran!" Meiling pleaded, latching onto his arm like a blood-sucking leech, "Kinomoto is too busy with her 'fanclub' now. You don't need her!'
Syaoran desperately wrenched his arm away from his so-called 'Fiancée', facing her with his ever-present scowl. "Just stay out of it, Meiling! For the last time, GO BACK TO HONG KONG!"
"You just wait, Syaoran! I'll prove to you that Kinomoto is bad news, no matter how long it takes!" And with that, Meiling stomped back off toward the school, mumbling to herself as she went.
Syaoran sighed in relief, happy to be rid of his obsessive cousin for at least a moment, and turned back to his previous task: Saving the Clow Mistress from the mass of hormone-driven males.
Much to his immediate surprise, he apparently wouldn't need to intervene at all. Sakura had somehow managed to squeeze out of the tight swarm of boys and was presently making a wild dash for the oak tree. When at last the fazed out group of highschoolers realized that Sakura had gotten away, she was already safely hidden behind the expansion of the large oak tree and out of their sight.
Syaoran smiled to himself and headed for the tree, ready to fully explain everything to Sakura. Upon reaching it, he checked to make sure he wasn't followed by any of the 'zombie guys' and joined her under the shelter of the tree.
"Hey." he greeted casually, "I see you made it away from your mob of admirers."
She looked up and frowned. "You have no idea how long it took me to get away from them!" she whined, "Every single time I turned them down, they'd just come right back again! I don't think I can take anymore!"
Syaoran looked away and glowered. "I know just how you feel."
"Y'know, Li-kun, I'm getting the feeling that this is happening for a specific reason. I think it's a-"
He felt a wave of unhappiness at how she reverted to his last name, but tried to ignore it. "A black Clow Card?"
She nodded. "Hai. I can't find any other explanations. Demo...I can't figure out what card this could possibly be, either. I'll have to ask Kero-chan later."
"Sakura...about why I asked you to meet me here..."
She didn't look at him, but it was apparent what was going through her mind as she sat gazing woefully upon the ground.
He knew she was thinking about his engagement to Meiling. And he needed to at least try to apologize for keeping it a secret from her. "First of all, I need to apologize for not telling you about Meiling. Truthfully, I wanted to forget about her." he explained, "Yes, she's my fiancée by prearranged marriage of the Clan, but it wasn't my choosing. I thought the elder would have cleared that up to the Clan, but instead, it seems they sent Meiling to try and drag me back." He sighed and took a breath, "Gomen, I know I should have told you sooner, but I didn't want to hurt you."
"It hurts more when you wait." Sakura spoke up.
Syaoran looked over to her, feeling a knot tie in his gut as a tear made its way down her face. She abruptly turned to face him, more and more streaks running from her emerald eyes. "I didn't need you to tell me about your fiancée, Li-kun. I found out this morning on my own. Demo, I still can't believe you never told me. We've been through so much together, and you never once mentioned anything about having a fiancée! I thought our friendship was close, to the point where I could tell you almost anything! And you've been hiding that from me all this time!"
She gradually stood up from her position beneath the oak tree, her tears falling to the grass below. "I'm really happy for you and Meiling, Syaoran. I'm not angry about that." She waited for a moment, until he looked up, meeting her eyes. "To tell you the truth, I'm angry with myself."
Syaoran seemed perplexed. "Why would you be angry with yourself?" he questioned, looking up at her from where he sat.
She choked back a new wave of tears. "Because I fell in love with you."
That's chapter 9 Minna-san! I really wasn't going to end there, but it seemed like the perfect place to stop the chapter. I hope you'll all stay tuned for the next one. This may be the last Black Clow Card, but I'm not sure yet. Depends on how the rest of the continuation of this chapter goes. Anyway, arigato for reading, and I hope it was at least slightly enjoyable. Gomen, this is probably a bit short for my usual chapter length, but it's REALLY hot in this room right now, and it's hard to stay in here for too long. But I should be back next week with another chapter. ^.^ Until then, Ja Minna-san! ~Manda-chan
Review please! It really helps when you tell me what you thought about my writing. Besides, it's not easy to stay in this sauna-like room to type. It's like hell in here. *passes out from heat*