The 7th Warrior Trilogy
The Beginning
Chapter 2
***************************
" Syaoran?"
" Huh? What?"
" Wake up. The plane's landed. We're at the shuttle port. Thank god."
Syaoran opened his eyes, and looked up into the relieved face of his mother. Stretching his arms, he got up and looked around. The passengers were already leaving, and his mom was hurrying to get their bags out of the overhead.
" Come on. The shuttle is waiting. You didn't put any bags in the back, did you?"
" No, unless you did. I don't remember having any bags besides these."
" Alright. In that case, we should get to the shuttle area as quick as possible. The flight is in an hour or so."
" Oh! Let's go then!"
They hurried out of the plane, and entered the bustling airport. Syaoran couldn't help, but gape. There were so many people! He quickly collected himself, and followed his mother towards one of the many doors. There were lots of monitors displaying destinations.
Flight 160 Destination: Portland, OR Arrival: 6:30/Departure: 6:45
Flight 349 Destination: Abdul, India Arrival: 1:15/Departure: 1:30
He turned his eyes from the board and speedily caught up with his mother. She was looking around, and finally curiosity got the better of him.
" What are you looking for?"
" A man. He was supposed to meet me here to show us the way."
" Oh."
Syaoran remained quiet for a while, when suddenly he spotted a guy who was…well…doing exactly what his mother was doing. He tapped her, and pointed.
" That him?"
" Oh? Yes! That's him. Mr. Terada! Over here!"
The man turned and smiled, walking casually towards her. His hair was downy orange, almost red, and he was extremely tall. His smile was pleasant enough, but there was something eerie about him, and Syaoran couldn't put his finger on it.
" Mrs. Li, I haven't seen you in quite some time."
" Oh, yes. But, this isn't a time for pleasantries. The shuttle leaves in an hour, so we need to get to it."
" Oh, right. This way."
The two talked on their way, laughing and joking, while Syaoran continued to stare around him. They finally arrived at a large open area surrounded by what seemed like miles of chain-linked fence. And in the center of all this: the shuttle.
" Wow!"
" Wow is right," stated Mr. Terada, " This baby was created to hold more then 10 tons of supplies and passengers. It's our very first spaceship for long distances. And when we get to Mars, which supposedly should only take a month or so, I'll give you guys a tour, and you, Syaoran, a tour of my classroom."
" Classroom?"
" Yes, I'm teaching a class for…er…gifted children. You are my first student. As is one other who's on the station. Well, there are others too, on this shuttle anyway…"
" Who?"
" Pardon?"
" Who's the other one you're going to teach that's on the station?"
" Well, let me see…ah yes, her name was…"
******1 month later******
" Sakura!"
" What is it, Touya?"
" I have to leave early today for work. Boss is really getting to me about it. So, can you lock up today?"
" Alright."
" Oh, and there's suppose to be someone visiting today. He's arriving on a shuttle. Your new teacher. When he drops by, he'll take you to your new classroom."
" Well, how do I know who he is?"
" His name is Mr. Terada. I got a call from him from the shuttle. He's going to be here today, and you need to get to his class, okay?"
" Awwww…"
" Don't you start. He's the only person I could contact that is willing to take you in for your unique qualities."
" Face it. I'm a freak."
" I didn't say that, Sakura."
" But, that's what you meant."
" Sakura," Touya turned to his sister sternly. She was a frail girl, ten years old, and her hair was a shiny golden brown like father's had been. Her eyes were green, an unusual color, but pretty in its own way.
" Sakura, I want you to promise me that you'll not tell him about it."
" About what?" Sakura picked at her toast.
" You know perfectly well what I mean. Don't tell him. No matter how good a friend, I want you never to tell him. If you must, it must be a friend you can TRUST."
" Tell who?"
" Mr. Terada. No matter if he thinks he knows, as long as he can't confirm it, you're safe. Just don't tell him. If you use magic, don't tell him why. Do you understand?"
" Yes, Touya."
" Promise?"
" Alright."
" Good. I have to go. You go by the bays and check to see if his flight's in yet."
" Alright."
" Bye, Sakura."
" Bye." She smiled, and walked towards the shuttle bays. It was only after she'd gone, that Touya remembered she was supposed to lock up. Shaking his head, he packed his gear and left.
******
" Last call for passengers at docking bay 14." The lady's voice over the intercom was crisp and clear.
Syaoran pulled his bag closer to himself. The station seemed chillier then Earth. He turned around; looking at all the sights, when all of a sudden…WHAM! The next thing he knew, Syaoran was lying on the floor dazed. He looked around, and found to his surprise a girl. She was shorter then him, and a lot skinnier too. Without thinking he spat out the first thing that came to mind.
" Why don't you watch where you're going?"
" Why don't you?" She retorted.
" Why don't you both settle down?" Mr. Terada walked up smiling.
" It was his/her fault." Syaoran and Sakura said together.
" Alright, it doesn't matter whose fault. Oh, Syaoran, look its your uniform."
Syaoran grimaced at the thought of a uniform. Even more when he saw it. It was a two-piece and looked more like a preacher's outfit then station wear. It was then; that Syaoran noticed Sakura was wearing something similar, only with a skirt rather then pants. Deciding anything was better then his clothes, he quickly had an attendant direct him to the men's room so as to dress. Meanwhile, Mr. Terada and Sakura got acquainted.
" Ah, so you must be Sakura."
" Yes. Are you Mr. Terada?"
" I am. And that boy…"
" Is a brat…I want nothing to do with him…"
" Oh, come now Sakura. We mustn't take first impressions so literally."
" I trust first impressions quite frankly, and I get the impression that he's a no good…"
" He's quite a nice boy once you get to know him."
" I don't think there'll ever be a chance of that."
" Sakura," Mr. Terada seemed shocked," Give him a second chance…after all he's…"
" He's got no reason to treat a lady the way he does…"
" I may not have reason to treat a lady the way I do, but you aren't a lady!" Syaoran shouted.
Sakura was shocked to see him standing next to her. Her surprise was quickly covered by anger.
" How dare you sneak up on me! Some gentleman you are…"
" I'm more a gentleman then you are a lady…"
" Why you little upstart!"
" Look who you're calling little! I wouldn't say you're any better."
" Boys, girls, please. Calm down. Class must begin…"
" You mean I have to sit in a classroom with…"
" HIM?" Sakura stared in shock at Syaoran, then, " Never!"
" Sakura, meet Syaoran. Syaoran, Sakura." Mr. Terada performed introductions as if nothing negative had just occurred.
They watched each other, frowning like the other was some drowned rat. Finally, after much mental debate, they shook hands briefly. Mr. Terada shook his head. This would be difficult. As if on cue, 5 other children walked out from the shuttle. Syaoran was puzzled. He didn't remember seeing them on board. Wait, duh, they were probably in the back! Mr. Terada did mention them. Syaoran, you idiot, you better not screw up friendship with them too. You've already made one enemy.
He glanced briefly at Sakura, before turning again as Mr. Terada introduced the new arrivals.
" These will be your other, and only other, classmates. Tomoyo, Eriol, Meilin, and Marc."
Sakura glanced curiously at them. Tomoyo noticed and smiled. Sakura took an immediate liking to her. Syaoran was on the other hand, enjoying this little. Especially not the way Meilin was staring at him. Then, he noticed Marc was looking over Sakura.
Why that little jerk…comes on the station and takes my…wait! What the heck am I worried about? This is the girl who you despise for God's sake. Why in the world would you care if someone else liked her? What is your problem? You have NO interest in her, zero, zip, ditto. So, snap out of it and get on with it. Besides, you got more things to worry about. Like that Meilin girl.
Despite this reassurance, Syaoran couldn't help but give one sad glance at Sakura. He just couldn't get rid of the feeling, that it wasn't suppose to be this way, they weren't suppose to be this way. He noticed Meilin breathing down his neck. That couldn't be good.
*******Author End-note******
So, what do you guys think? Am I good or what? Did I do a good job or what? Speak to me! Please review! I'd like to hear what you think of it so far. Does it make sense? Oh, and I must make one minor note. I made Syaoran a country boy for an explicit purpose. One, he's poor. Poor because, rich people would be less likely to care about such an expensive trip. I think he'd cherish the moment more. Two, I'd have to change his personality considerably if he were rich. Besides, I can hook S+S up easily if he's not from too wealthy a family.
