Author-chan's notes: IT'S ANOTHER NEW CHAPTER!!!!! I'm so proud of myself! But I can't take all the credit. All you great people out there reviewed! And I'm so happy that I'm going to post this chapter now, instead of waiting for tomorrow. You people are just SO great! Oh, and I think the version of King Arthur I'm referring to in this fic is the modern version. Bunny actually helped me figure that out! Imagine, that rabbit is actually good for something! (*Something hits Author-chan's head*) OW!!! (*Author-chan picks up a carrot from the floor*) Evil rabbit!!! Why do I always get the evil pets?!
1500 Years in the Future
(Chapter 3)
"That aura is getting closer," Syaoran muttered as he glared towards the direction of the aura.
"Hoe! Do you think they've come to fight us?" Sakura asked.
"I don't know, Sakura," Syaoran replied, "But we have to be ready just in case." Sakura nodded in agreement. Syaoran pulled out the black pendent that summoned up his sword, and called the sword up. Sakura just took her star-key off from around her neck, but she didn't release her staff. The bushes to their right parted to reveal a young boy about their age with blonde hair and blue eyes holding a SWORD?!
"Hoe?" Sakura was confused. The only person she knew who carried a sword was Syaoran. The blonde-haired boy seemed equally confused at Syaoran's sword.
"Wart! Wait! I'm not as young as I used to be, you know!" a voice cried. An old man with a very long beard burst up from behind the boy. He stopped to catch his breath. Then he saw Syaoran with his sword, and he rubbed his eyes.
"I must be older than I thought," the old man muttered, "Because I thought I saw another boy with a sword."
"Merlin," the boy hissed, "I thought you said that nobody carried swords in the year 2001."
"Well then I guess I'm nobody," Syaoran retorted.
"Please, we're not looking for trouble," the old man said.
"No, Merlin," the boy said quietly, "If he wants to fight, then it must be done. A knight does not run from a fight."
"You want a fight, kid?" Syaoran asked, "Well you just found it." Syaoran moved into a Chinese fighting stance, while Arthur moved into an English style one. (If you're a bit confused about the difference between those two stances, here's a hint. Syaoran's "Chinese fighting stance" is where the sword is raised above your head, and is pointed towards your opponent. Your other arm is strait out in front of you, with your pointer finger sticking up so it's only a few inches away from the sword. You can see Syaoran in this stance all throughout the anime and the manga. Arthur's "English fighting stance" is where the sword is raised to about chest level, and the arm that's holding the sword is only slightly bent. The other arm is stretched out at your side. It's kinda like what you see with professional fencers. I'm sorry if this isn't explained very well. I asked Bunny to help me explain it. {*Bunny throws another carrot at Author-chan's head.*} OW!!! STUPID RABBIT!!! Oh, well, on with the fic!)
"English fighting style, huh," Syaoran commented, "That won't help you. I already know all the basic moves in that style. But I bet you don't know a single Chinese move."
"I don't need to know a thing about your style, because I already know it's pathetic!" Arthur said with confidence, "You leave your stomach unprotected. I would say you're being a fool. A fool with a death wish!"
"Wart," Merlin cautioned, "Don't underestimate your opponent!"
"Whatever you say, Merlin," Arthur said, though he planned not to follow his teacher's advice. Arthur charged at Syaoran quickly. To his surprise, Syaoran had moved so quickly, that Arthur hadn't even seen the other boy move. Arthur attacked again and again, but Syaoran blocked each stroke with ease. At last, Arthur stepped back, totally winded and exhausted. Syaoran grinned at him, still looking as fresh as a daisy.
"You done attacking already?" Syaoran asked, "Good. Now it's my turn!" Syaoran charged. Arthur was hardly able to block it in time. Syaoran pushed his weight against the crossed swords. Arthur gasped.
'He's strong,' Arthur thought to himself. Finally, Syaoran pulled back. Arthur sighed in relief. But then, Syaoran charged again. Before Arthur knew it, his sword was 5 feet away from him and he was lying on his back on the ground with Syaoran's sword right in front of his face.
"You know, kid," Syaoran began, "I should kill you." Arthur hung his head. He had lost.
"Syaoran. No," a beautiful voice cried. The two teenaged boys and Merlin turned to Sakura. Syaoran walked up to her and put an arm around her waist.
"But I won't kill you," Syaoran continued, "It's not in my style to kill someone. Besides, Sakura here would probably kill me if I did that kinda stunt."
"I couldn't kill you, Syaoran," Sakura whispered. They turned to face each other, and they finally kissed. Arthur stared. Merlin hid a smile. When the couple finally parted, Merlin cleared his throat.
"Now that I have your attention," Merlin began, "May we be introduced?"
"Hoe!" Sakura yelped, "I'm so sorry! My name is Sakura and this is Syaoran." She bowed to them and nudged Syaoran to do the same.
"Well," Merlin began, "I'm Lin and this is my pupil Arthur who I call Wart."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lin-san and Arthur-kun," Sakura said with her famous 100-watt smile.
"And it is a pleasure to meet you, Sakura-san and Syaoran-san," Merlin answered.
"Lin-san," Sakura began.
"Yes, Sakura-san?" Merlin answered.
"You're not from around here, ne?"
"Quite right. Wart and I live elsewhere."
"Then why are you here?" she asked.
"Wart and I are looking for a blue crystal which we believe to have lost around this area," Merlin answered.
"Oh," Sakura said, "Maybe we can help you. After all, both Syaoran and I have lived here for a very long time. We know this area, you don't."
"Thank you, Sakura-san," Merlin replied.
"No problem," she grinned. Syaoran growled slightly. Sakura and Merlin turned to find Syaoran and Arthur having a glaring-contest. Sakura sighed in dismay.
"Hoe," Sakura sighed, "Syaoran. Don't you get along with anybody?!"
"I just don't get along with him," Syaoran grunted, pointing to Arthur.
"Uh huh," Sakura muttered, "Then what about Onii-chan or Kero-chan or Eriol-kun or –" she was suddenly cut off by Syaoran's hand over her mouth.
"You made your point," he muttered with a blush.
"Merlin," Arthur said after a moment of silence, "May we go and look for the crystal now?"
"You can't go now!" Sakura protested.
"Why not?" Arthur asked.
"Because it'll be dark soon, and it's not wise to be in an area you don't know about in the dark. Someone might try to rob you. Why don't you and Lin-san come over to my house for tea?" Sakura offered.
"But we have to find that crystal!" Arthur protested.
"No, Wart," Merlin said, " Sakura-san is right. Besides, who could pass up tea?"
"Alright, Merlin," Arthur muttered as he sheathed his sword, "Alright."
Author-chan's note: (*Reader sees Author-chan with bandaged hands, wrists, and head.*) OW!!! My hands and wrists must be broken from all that typing! Ah, well, at least I finished this chapter. If you're asking about the bandage on my head, that evil rabbit has been chucking carrots at me all day!!! (*Bunny throws another carrot at Author-chan.*) OW!!! STUPID RABBIT!!! How many carrots do you have anyway?! (*Pan over to see Bunny with a mountain of carrots the size of Mt. Everest.*)