Chronos—The Path
By Ukyou
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I ran with the lazenboard in my hand. It lead into a small patch in the forest. I readied my sword, knowing that something could pop out of the bushes at any moment.
I looked around the small patch, and then saw that the lazenboard was pointing right in front of me. I slashes at the air in front of myself, as I noticed that the Clow Card had clearly teleported behind me. It kicked me in the back, I could feel the pain rush up my spine.
Once again, I slashed air, and was kicked again in the back. I was on the ground at the card's mercy. It opened the small bag it was holding, and blew some powder into my face. I slowly became drowsy as a blue-light surrounded me…
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I found myself in the middle of a small field. I remembered about the card, and wondered where I was. I saw a small tombstone near me, as I said the following:
Syaoran, Li
I overlooked it, as I read it again. Li Syaoran. It had my name on it. But why would it…
Then, the tombstone started to melt, as an arrow barely grazed my ear.
I picked up my sword and ran, arrows shooting all around me. Quickly, I turned around and unleased the shield card. I was instantly surrounded by a light blue shield, as the arrows bounced off it.
One of the archers was on horseback, and shot another arrow at me. It bounced straight off, but nearly hit my head. I quickly picked out an element card, and yelled out "Lightning".
A swift bolt hit the archer, as he fell off the horse, unconscience. I remember seeing several more archers, so I ranb into the nearby forest.
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I lay down near a lake, and I washed off my robes. I didn't know where I was, but I knew I would be here for a while. So, I dressed again, and alked off, following the river. I finally arrived at a town, which in old-kanji read "Edo". Somehow, that word seemed familiar.
I saw several people running with carts, and baskets, the entire village bustling with activity. I stopped a man to ask him a question, but he pushed me away and scolded me. So, I merely put away my sword, and walkedinto the nearest place to sleep.
I remember stopping by a small hamlet, near the edge of town. Smoke slowly rose out of the top, as the ripped paper doors opened. A small girl, about my age, 15 or 16 walked out. She carried a pot, and nearly fell holding it. I ran over to help her, and she thanked me. When she smiled at me, I noticed a familiar glare in her eyes.
She invited me inside. It seemed that she was part of a peasant family, and obviously they were very poor. They had very few rice, and they were forced to live in this small hamlet.
I looked at the girl once again, from the corner of my eye, and admired her long black hair. Yet, her face looked familiar. Yet, I had never been here before. I didn't even know where I was.
Her father explained to me that two warrior clans, the Minomoto and T… oh I didn't remember, were fighting in the fields outside of the town. Then, I told him about the archer on horseback. He laughed, and told me that Imust have been powerful to have survived an attack. Everyone was going for the shogonate these days.
Then, I thought quickly.
Shogunate???
Was I in the past???
Then, I remembered the Chronos card. It hit me with its Chronois dust.
I made a fist, and quickly said "Damn." As the small girl looked at me, chopsticks in her mouth.
Then, the father asked me what was wrong as I said "Oh, nothing."
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As it became dark, I sat near the lake in front of the family's house. It seemed that this lake was familiar too. I knew what lake it was. It was in the middle of where the zoo was, near the penguin slide. I looked at where the penguin slide was, and saw a big, big tree. Shame that they had to chop down that tree. It is a beautiful tree.
I asked the father if I could sleep at their hamlet that night. He accepted, but told me that I had to get my own food, for food was scarce. So, I went to the lake to catch some fish.
I sat on the side, near a large stone. I knew about that stone. Sakura and I etched our names into that stone so long ago. Then, Sakura and I kissed for the first time. She giggled, and I just sat there, feeling the magic of it all. Now, it was just blank, and no etching. It kinda made me feel depressed in a way, but I knew it would happen soon. Very soon.
The girl from the hamlet walked out and said hello to me. She thanked me again for helping her, and sat down. She told me her name was "Kumiko". I told her that my name was "Li", and she remarked that it sounded Chinese. I told her that it was only a name, and she took it for granted.
Then, she jumped off to sit on the rock with me. Right next to me too. She kinda scared me half-over with her smile, and she just stared into my eyes, as if they were sparkling diamonds that she wished she could own.
She nudged closer to me, and whispered in my ear that I was "kawaii". I shrieked, and fell off the rock and into the water. She looked at me and smiled. She giggled the same way as Sakura.
I looked into her eyes again. Her eyes looked identical to Sakura's. Also her entire face, it all reminded me of Sakura, of whom I left at home. She reminded me of Sakura so much, that I just had to kiss her…