CHAPTER 4 - A New Friend
The bed Sakura woke up on was nothing more than a piece of wood. Her head hurt. She tried to remember what happened. The fire...the guard...Aneko...it all came flooding back. Aneko. Syaoran. Syaoran. "Syaoran!" she said.
"Quiet!" came the yell from outside her prison cell.
Sakura felt like crying. She was sure to die. Unless Syaoran came in to save her. No, she didn't want that. He'd only end up hurting himself. Besides, how could he possibly save her? Aneko had overheard her plan, and the guards would have been ready for him at the castle. She realized he could be dead. Just like everyone else who was important to her. Somehow, she counted Syaoran as important even though she had only known him for less than a month.
"Ah, Lady Aneko," said the guard outside. "You may of course visit the prisoner, but if I may say, she is hardly worth..."
"Quiet," said Aneko. "Whether or not she is worth my time is my business."
"Of course, Lady."
The guard came into the cell, with Aneko trailing. "I don't think the prisoner will give you any problems, but just in case, I'll be right outside."
"Of course," she said. He bowed deeply and left the cell.
"What are you doing here?" demanded Sakura. Even though she was frightened and sad, she still felt anger toward the girl.
"I just came to give you some news. Syaoran is still alive."
"What?" said Sakura, standing up.
"Yes, he managed to avoid the guards. As my master said, it was very impressive."
"Syaoran..."
"But I don't think he'd come back for you."
"I should hope not, for his sake. I hope he's already left the city," said Sakura defiantly. No matter how much that was the opposite of how she felt, that would be best for him, and that was important too.
"Yes, well, I don't think he's done that yet." Aneko said, then reached in her bag. "Here, someone brought this for you." She handed Sakura a small stuffed animal, not larger than her hand. It was bright yellow and had white wings on its back. "I don't know who sent it to you, but I thought it would be fun to give it to you myself."
"A stuffed animal?" said Sakura.
"Perhaps it can comfort you. You know, I do feel sorry for you."
"Please, leave," said Sakura. "I've never said this to anyone, but you disgust me."
Aneko pouted. "I only did what my master ordered me to. Besides, he told me it wasn't my fault."
"Well, you shouldn't have listened to him. Your master sounds like a disgusting person, too." Sakura's comment drew a slap from Aneko.
"Never say that about Master!" Sakura said nothing more, the slap stinging her cheek. Aneko sniffed, and got up and left. Sakura was relieved.
Looking over the stuffed animal, she wondered who could have sent such an odd item to her. Then she noticed a little note attached to the inside of the ear with glue. She pulled the note off. The handwriting was tiny, and she had to squint to read it. "This is no use to me, but you can use it. Please stay happy and hopeful. Mistress Mizuki."
"Mistress Mizuki sent it," she said to herself. "Well, I guess it is kind of cute. But it feels...strange."
The doll began to glow and Sakura let go of it and yelped. She watched as it seemed to come to life, and opened its eyes and stared into her eyes. Then it looked around. Sakura cowered as far away from it as possible in the small cell, even though it did not appear frightening at all.
"What am I doing in a prison cell?" it asked, not seeming to notice her. Then it turned to Sakura. "Well?"
Sakura laughed nervously. She didn't believe her eyes. "Mistress Mizuki sent you to me, apparently to prove I've already lost it!"
"And you are?"
"Sakura."
"Well, Sakura, you can call me Kero. Its really Keroberos, but that's too long. I gotta figure out how to get out, which would normally be easy, but...since Kaho sent me to you, then you must be important for something. So I have to get you out, too," said the creature known as Keroberos.
"If you say so," said Sakura, still dazed.
"If I may ask, how do you know Kaho?"
"Mistress Mizuki always fed me food. It was my best meal of the day."
"Kaho always did have the sweet spot for the homeless kids."
"She is very nice."
"She kidnapped me."
"What!?"
"Oh, well, it wasn't really like that. I needed to get away...anyway, let's bust you out. What kind of guard do ya got?"
"One."
"One! Ha, this should be easy. I'll just transform." Kero concentrated, and then frowned. "Something's wrong. I can't transform."
"You already transformed from the stuffed animal into the talking stuffed animal!"
"No, its different." Kero flew up the wall and felt along it. "There should be a switch here."
"What kind of prison would have that?"
"In case a guard got trapped by rebellious prisoners. At least, that makes sense to me. Now, shh." Sakura kept quiet while he felt along the wall, then the opposite wall, and the third wall. "Well, unless a bar can pop out of the door, we're stuck." Sakura hung her head. Even though she hadn't figured on there being a switch that would allow for escape, she realized she had hoped for it. "What're you in for, anyway? Petty theft? Dressing like a boy?"
"Arson."
"Oh ho ho! You're in trouble. We still in Maghin? Ooh boy."
"I'll be dead soon," said Sakura miserably. "Best go back to Kaho, since you can."
"You won't die!" said Kero with confidence. "Something will happen."
"I wish I could share your optimism and your upbeat attitude."
"Yes, you should try it. Why don't you tell me why you decided to commit arson?" he said accusingly.
Sakura become defensive. "There was a good reason..."
************
"Ah, that's a good boy," said Mizuki as Syaoran opened his eyes. "You're feeling better, aren't you?" Syaoran nodded, noticing he didn't hurt like he remembered. Then he tried to sit up. And he winced as pain flowed in like a thousand tiny needles from the many wounds on his body. And he grimaced as the hammer-like pain of his left shoulder settled in. "You sure know how to obtain injuries."
Syaoran lay back down and let the pain subside a little. "Did Sakura..." Mizuki sighed. "She isn't..."
"No, she's still alive, but she was found. She's in the prison." Syaoran shot up, and fought back the pain, but Mizuki pushed him back down. "No no, not in your condition."
"But, she'll die soon!"
"And you'll die if you go in there," said Mizuki carefully. "I sent help for Sakura. He should be able to get her out some way or another. You'll just have to trust me." Syaoran nodded, knowing there really was nothing he could do. He doubted he could even walk. "Don't worry about it, Syaoran. Just sleep." Syaoran didn't want to sleep, but he did anyway because he was still tired.
Once he was back asleep, Mizuki said to herself, "You can do it, Keroberos."
**************
The two next days in prison passed slowly for Sakura. She managed to depress even Kero with her story of the past month, so he was not much help in cheering her up. And she couldn't help but wonder what had happened to Syaoran. Aneko had said he was still alive, but she could have been lying.
"Shouldn't I have been executed by now?" asked Sakura.
"Yes, probably. But you wouldn't be executed, you'd be escaping into the countryside." Sakura glanced at him. "I may not be able to transform, but I can still be of help." As demonstration, he flew over, bit the collar of her shirt, and picked her up off the ground. Sakura dangled a whole foot off the ground. "Yeah, I'm pretty strong."
"So you'd pick me up and we'd float to safety?" asked Sakura, sarcasm in her voice.
"Well, of course," said Kero. Sakura didn't reply. "You're very depressing."
"I don't have a lot to be happy about right now."
The cell door opened, and Kero dashed into her breeches pocket. In walked a man dressed all in black, with a long flowing cape. He had visited her before, and she still didn't like him. "Hello, Sakura."
"Now what?" said Sakura.
"I'm only here to give you hope. I don't believe you set that fire. The only witness, that Lady Aneko, is very unreliable. So far, I've managed to delay your execution."
"You? Who are you?"
"I'm a friend, for now." The man paused, and seemed to sense the air. "What's this? Interesting."
"Oh, no," she heard Kero whisper.
"Well, I must leave," the man announced. "Don't give up hope, okay?" Before Sakura could react, the man was gone.
"Kero?" said Sakura.
"I think he sensed me," said Kero. "This could be bad."
"Who was that?"
"The man who created me, Clow Reed."
**************
Clow left the girl alone after his visit. He needed to think on it. He had sensed one magic, one that was similar to his own. "Could it be?" he said to himself. "Keroberos disappeared years ago. What would cause him to surface now?" Clow hated to not know things. But, although the most powerful magician in the world by far, he was not as powerful as legend made him, and he could not predict or know everything. And the girl having magic potential, no matter how small, was another surprise. It seemed very familiar, but Clow could not place it.
**************
"I'm fine, really." Syaoran stood up and stretched about to prove it to Mizuki. "It's been three days since Sakura was put in that prison. They should have had the execution by now, but they haven't. I believe someone is keeping her in there for a reason. So, that means I've got to go in and get her."
"If you're sure you'll be okay," said Mizuki, with a worried tone. "Please, if you can, bring her back here before you leave the city. I need to give her something."
"Okay," said Syaoran. "I'll do my best."
In truth, Syaoran had seen all his small wounds heal, but the shoulder still felt bad. At least he could use it. But it still throbbed with a dull pain. He left Mikuzi and walked with a sense of purpose. He knew he needed another sword, but it was time he got his old one back.
A nobleman lived in a mansion a short distance out of Maghin, and Syaoran approached his house and knocked on the door. A servant man answered the door. "Yes?"
"I must speak to Master Yamazaki. He still lives here, correct?"
"Excuse me, but what business could the Master have with you?" The servant examined Syaoran's clothes, which were fairly unimpressive.
"I am an boyhood friend. I hit upon some misfortune..."
"The Master does not give out money, especially to those pretending to be friends."
"I don't want money. I gave something to Master Yamazaki that he was to watch for me, and now I need to reclaim it."
The servant man sighed. "I don't believe I can bother the Master with such a trivial matter as yourself. Please leave, or be escorted."
"No, just ask him! I'm Syaoran Li!" As Syaoran said it, Yamazaki appeared at the doorway.
"Syaoran, I am surprised to see you here," he said. To the servant, "Please go about your business."
"Yes, master."
"So, I suppose you want the sword back," said Yamazaki, his attention back on Syaoran.
"Yes. I told you I would never want it back, but I have no choice. I must not risk my battle without it."
"Well, I did promise to give it to you if you did so happen to want it back." He clapped his hands. Syaoran scowled. Yamazaki reminded him too much of how his family was, totally reliant on the servants. He wasn't always like that. In some ways, being exiled from his family had made him happy. In others, though...
"Here you are," said Yamazaki, handing him the sword, its appearance deceptively simple. "Have fun."
"Yamazaki...how is are my sisters?"
"They are well. I do believe they miss you, Syaoran. A shame about what happened."
"Yes. Thank you, Yamazaki."
"Whatever you are going to do, Syaoran, good luck."
************
Syaoran examined the sword. It was exactly as he had left it. From his pocket he picked out a magic incantation written on a special paper. The magic only worked when used with the sword he now held in his hand. He felt ready for anything.
The castle seemed more heavily guarded. Syaoran didn't have the luxury of a diversion this time, either. He felt personally responsible for Sakura, since he talked her into making the diversion. And now she was jailed.
Just as he was walking around the castle, two guards grabbed him. He fought against them, but they held tight. "The King's advisor would like to see you. He says he has been expecting you."
Syaoran kept his face expressionless. At least this way he'd be in the castle. "Lead me to him." The guards brought Syaoran into the center court of the castle, where a fountain elaborately bubbled, and dozens of types of flowers grew.
Clow Reed was there to greet him, but Syaoran did not recognize him. He waved the guards away, and they bowed and left. "Syaoran, you finally came."
"Where is she?"
Clow did not answer. Instead he said, "The Li clan should not have made you a rogue. You are more dangerous than they could have guessed. I can feel it. You can make everything they and I've worked for moot."
"I just want to get Sakura out of here. If you won't help me, then get out of my way."
"You couldn't stop me from stopping you," said Clow. "I'm afraid, however, that you are too dangerous to leave alive." He waved his arm, and a fireball flew from it toward Syaoran. He tried to dodge it, but was too slow, and was flung backwards to land several feet from where he had been, his shoulder screaming.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of Sakura. She could be useful. I can use her like I do my current assistant. I think you know her. A Lady Aneko." Syaoran's eyes opened wide in shock. "Yes, she is my little...apprentice...of sorts."
Syaoran pushed himself back off the ground. "You, you are the one who ordered them killed. You knew all along, didn't you!" he growled.
"Yes," said Clow. "But you wouldn't give up those kids. I needed you to do so to lure you out, and test you. I wanted you to be on my side. But, no, that is not possible. You are too defiant, too much of a lone wolf when it comes to important matters. I don't need that."
Syaoran did not say anything more. He brandished his sword, and Clow's eyebrow rose. "Surely you don't think a toy like that could harm me?" Syaoran threw a magic incanataton up and pressed the flat part of the blade up against it, as he used to do every day in training. But the size of the fireball was larger than he had ever made. The anger burning inside him saw to that. His anger was intense, and it powered up his attack and made the ball shine a brilliant white-hot, instead of the normal red. Clow grew slightly worried, as he watched the fireball form in such a short time.
Syaoran cried out, and the fireball shot out faster than Clow had ever seen magic travel. He could not lower a shield quickly enough and it exploded in his chest, sending him reeling backward. He crumpled to the ground, breathing heavily. Rising slowly, he noticed Syaoran was gone. Slamming his fist into the grass, he tried to make sense of what had happened.
"The boy was strong enough to knock even ME to the ground!" he said, furious.
"You should not have taunted him," said Aneko coolly. "That increased his power."
"Dammit!" Clow snarled. "How foolish am I, to have allowed him to live so long? His powers have been dramatically underestimated, even by me! I must kill him!"
"Come, Master, I shall dress your wounds." She pointed to his chest, where all the clothing had burned away and the skin was raw and bright red.
"Never before," said Clow slowly. "Have I been beaten like that. But, I can only be surprised once. Never again."
******************************************
Continued in Chapter 5
The bed Sakura woke up on was nothing more than a piece of wood. Her head hurt. She tried to remember what happened. The fire...the guard...Aneko...it all came flooding back. Aneko. Syaoran. Syaoran. "Syaoran!" she said.
"Quiet!" came the yell from outside her prison cell.
Sakura felt like crying. She was sure to die. Unless Syaoran came in to save her. No, she didn't want that. He'd only end up hurting himself. Besides, how could he possibly save her? Aneko had overheard her plan, and the guards would have been ready for him at the castle. She realized he could be dead. Just like everyone else who was important to her. Somehow, she counted Syaoran as important even though she had only known him for less than a month.
"Ah, Lady Aneko," said the guard outside. "You may of course visit the prisoner, but if I may say, she is hardly worth..."
"Quiet," said Aneko. "Whether or not she is worth my time is my business."
"Of course, Lady."
The guard came into the cell, with Aneko trailing. "I don't think the prisoner will give you any problems, but just in case, I'll be right outside."
"Of course," she said. He bowed deeply and left the cell.
"What are you doing here?" demanded Sakura. Even though she was frightened and sad, she still felt anger toward the girl.
"I just came to give you some news. Syaoran is still alive."
"What?" said Sakura, standing up.
"Yes, he managed to avoid the guards. As my master said, it was very impressive."
"Syaoran..."
"But I don't think he'd come back for you."
"I should hope not, for his sake. I hope he's already left the city," said Sakura defiantly. No matter how much that was the opposite of how she felt, that would be best for him, and that was important too.
"Yes, well, I don't think he's done that yet." Aneko said, then reached in her bag. "Here, someone brought this for you." She handed Sakura a small stuffed animal, not larger than her hand. It was bright yellow and had white wings on its back. "I don't know who sent it to you, but I thought it would be fun to give it to you myself."
"A stuffed animal?" said Sakura.
"Perhaps it can comfort you. You know, I do feel sorry for you."
"Please, leave," said Sakura. "I've never said this to anyone, but you disgust me."
Aneko pouted. "I only did what my master ordered me to. Besides, he told me it wasn't my fault."
"Well, you shouldn't have listened to him. Your master sounds like a disgusting person, too." Sakura's comment drew a slap from Aneko.
"Never say that about Master!" Sakura said nothing more, the slap stinging her cheek. Aneko sniffed, and got up and left. Sakura was relieved.
Looking over the stuffed animal, she wondered who could have sent such an odd item to her. Then she noticed a little note attached to the inside of the ear with glue. She pulled the note off. The handwriting was tiny, and she had to squint to read it. "This is no use to me, but you can use it. Please stay happy and hopeful. Mistress Mizuki."
"Mistress Mizuki sent it," she said to herself. "Well, I guess it is kind of cute. But it feels...strange."
The doll began to glow and Sakura let go of it and yelped. She watched as it seemed to come to life, and opened its eyes and stared into her eyes. Then it looked around. Sakura cowered as far away from it as possible in the small cell, even though it did not appear frightening at all.
"What am I doing in a prison cell?" it asked, not seeming to notice her. Then it turned to Sakura. "Well?"
Sakura laughed nervously. She didn't believe her eyes. "Mistress Mizuki sent you to me, apparently to prove I've already lost it!"
"And you are?"
"Sakura."
"Well, Sakura, you can call me Kero. Its really Keroberos, but that's too long. I gotta figure out how to get out, which would normally be easy, but...since Kaho sent me to you, then you must be important for something. So I have to get you out, too," said the creature known as Keroberos.
"If you say so," said Sakura, still dazed.
"If I may ask, how do you know Kaho?"
"Mistress Mizuki always fed me food. It was my best meal of the day."
"Kaho always did have the sweet spot for the homeless kids."
"She is very nice."
"She kidnapped me."
"What!?"
"Oh, well, it wasn't really like that. I needed to get away...anyway, let's bust you out. What kind of guard do ya got?"
"One."
"One! Ha, this should be easy. I'll just transform." Kero concentrated, and then frowned. "Something's wrong. I can't transform."
"You already transformed from the stuffed animal into the talking stuffed animal!"
"No, its different." Kero flew up the wall and felt along it. "There should be a switch here."
"What kind of prison would have that?"
"In case a guard got trapped by rebellious prisoners. At least, that makes sense to me. Now, shh." Sakura kept quiet while he felt along the wall, then the opposite wall, and the third wall. "Well, unless a bar can pop out of the door, we're stuck." Sakura hung her head. Even though she hadn't figured on there being a switch that would allow for escape, she realized she had hoped for it. "What're you in for, anyway? Petty theft? Dressing like a boy?"
"Arson."
"Oh ho ho! You're in trouble. We still in Maghin? Ooh boy."
"I'll be dead soon," said Sakura miserably. "Best go back to Kaho, since you can."
"You won't die!" said Kero with confidence. "Something will happen."
"I wish I could share your optimism and your upbeat attitude."
"Yes, you should try it. Why don't you tell me why you decided to commit arson?" he said accusingly.
Sakura become defensive. "There was a good reason..."
************
"Ah, that's a good boy," said Mizuki as Syaoran opened his eyes. "You're feeling better, aren't you?" Syaoran nodded, noticing he didn't hurt like he remembered. Then he tried to sit up. And he winced as pain flowed in like a thousand tiny needles from the many wounds on his body. And he grimaced as the hammer-like pain of his left shoulder settled in. "You sure know how to obtain injuries."
Syaoran lay back down and let the pain subside a little. "Did Sakura..." Mizuki sighed. "She isn't..."
"No, she's still alive, but she was found. She's in the prison." Syaoran shot up, and fought back the pain, but Mizuki pushed him back down. "No no, not in your condition."
"But, she'll die soon!"
"And you'll die if you go in there," said Mizuki carefully. "I sent help for Sakura. He should be able to get her out some way or another. You'll just have to trust me." Syaoran nodded, knowing there really was nothing he could do. He doubted he could even walk. "Don't worry about it, Syaoran. Just sleep." Syaoran didn't want to sleep, but he did anyway because he was still tired.
Once he was back asleep, Mizuki said to herself, "You can do it, Keroberos."
**************
The two next days in prison passed slowly for Sakura. She managed to depress even Kero with her story of the past month, so he was not much help in cheering her up. And she couldn't help but wonder what had happened to Syaoran. Aneko had said he was still alive, but she could have been lying.
"Shouldn't I have been executed by now?" asked Sakura.
"Yes, probably. But you wouldn't be executed, you'd be escaping into the countryside." Sakura glanced at him. "I may not be able to transform, but I can still be of help." As demonstration, he flew over, bit the collar of her shirt, and picked her up off the ground. Sakura dangled a whole foot off the ground. "Yeah, I'm pretty strong."
"So you'd pick me up and we'd float to safety?" asked Sakura, sarcasm in her voice.
"Well, of course," said Kero. Sakura didn't reply. "You're very depressing."
"I don't have a lot to be happy about right now."
The cell door opened, and Kero dashed into her breeches pocket. In walked a man dressed all in black, with a long flowing cape. He had visited her before, and she still didn't like him. "Hello, Sakura."
"Now what?" said Sakura.
"I'm only here to give you hope. I don't believe you set that fire. The only witness, that Lady Aneko, is very unreliable. So far, I've managed to delay your execution."
"You? Who are you?"
"I'm a friend, for now." The man paused, and seemed to sense the air. "What's this? Interesting."
"Oh, no," she heard Kero whisper.
"Well, I must leave," the man announced. "Don't give up hope, okay?" Before Sakura could react, the man was gone.
"Kero?" said Sakura.
"I think he sensed me," said Kero. "This could be bad."
"Who was that?"
"The man who created me, Clow Reed."
**************
Clow left the girl alone after his visit. He needed to think on it. He had sensed one magic, one that was similar to his own. "Could it be?" he said to himself. "Keroberos disappeared years ago. What would cause him to surface now?" Clow hated to not know things. But, although the most powerful magician in the world by far, he was not as powerful as legend made him, and he could not predict or know everything. And the girl having magic potential, no matter how small, was another surprise. It seemed very familiar, but Clow could not place it.
**************
"I'm fine, really." Syaoran stood up and stretched about to prove it to Mizuki. "It's been three days since Sakura was put in that prison. They should have had the execution by now, but they haven't. I believe someone is keeping her in there for a reason. So, that means I've got to go in and get her."
"If you're sure you'll be okay," said Mizuki, with a worried tone. "Please, if you can, bring her back here before you leave the city. I need to give her something."
"Okay," said Syaoran. "I'll do my best."
In truth, Syaoran had seen all his small wounds heal, but the shoulder still felt bad. At least he could use it. But it still throbbed with a dull pain. He left Mikuzi and walked with a sense of purpose. He knew he needed another sword, but it was time he got his old one back.
A nobleman lived in a mansion a short distance out of Maghin, and Syaoran approached his house and knocked on the door. A servant man answered the door. "Yes?"
"I must speak to Master Yamazaki. He still lives here, correct?"
"Excuse me, but what business could the Master have with you?" The servant examined Syaoran's clothes, which were fairly unimpressive.
"I am an boyhood friend. I hit upon some misfortune..."
"The Master does not give out money, especially to those pretending to be friends."
"I don't want money. I gave something to Master Yamazaki that he was to watch for me, and now I need to reclaim it."
The servant man sighed. "I don't believe I can bother the Master with such a trivial matter as yourself. Please leave, or be escorted."
"No, just ask him! I'm Syaoran Li!" As Syaoran said it, Yamazaki appeared at the doorway.
"Syaoran, I am surprised to see you here," he said. To the servant, "Please go about your business."
"Yes, master."
"So, I suppose you want the sword back," said Yamazaki, his attention back on Syaoran.
"Yes. I told you I would never want it back, but I have no choice. I must not risk my battle without it."
"Well, I did promise to give it to you if you did so happen to want it back." He clapped his hands. Syaoran scowled. Yamazaki reminded him too much of how his family was, totally reliant on the servants. He wasn't always like that. In some ways, being exiled from his family had made him happy. In others, though...
"Here you are," said Yamazaki, handing him the sword, its appearance deceptively simple. "Have fun."
"Yamazaki...how is are my sisters?"
"They are well. I do believe they miss you, Syaoran. A shame about what happened."
"Yes. Thank you, Yamazaki."
"Whatever you are going to do, Syaoran, good luck."
************
Syaoran examined the sword. It was exactly as he had left it. From his pocket he picked out a magic incantation written on a special paper. The magic only worked when used with the sword he now held in his hand. He felt ready for anything.
The castle seemed more heavily guarded. Syaoran didn't have the luxury of a diversion this time, either. He felt personally responsible for Sakura, since he talked her into making the diversion. And now she was jailed.
Just as he was walking around the castle, two guards grabbed him. He fought against them, but they held tight. "The King's advisor would like to see you. He says he has been expecting you."
Syaoran kept his face expressionless. At least this way he'd be in the castle. "Lead me to him." The guards brought Syaoran into the center court of the castle, where a fountain elaborately bubbled, and dozens of types of flowers grew.
Clow Reed was there to greet him, but Syaoran did not recognize him. He waved the guards away, and they bowed and left. "Syaoran, you finally came."
"Where is she?"
Clow did not answer. Instead he said, "The Li clan should not have made you a rogue. You are more dangerous than they could have guessed. I can feel it. You can make everything they and I've worked for moot."
"I just want to get Sakura out of here. If you won't help me, then get out of my way."
"You couldn't stop me from stopping you," said Clow. "I'm afraid, however, that you are too dangerous to leave alive." He waved his arm, and a fireball flew from it toward Syaoran. He tried to dodge it, but was too slow, and was flung backwards to land several feet from where he had been, his shoulder screaming.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of Sakura. She could be useful. I can use her like I do my current assistant. I think you know her. A Lady Aneko." Syaoran's eyes opened wide in shock. "Yes, she is my little...apprentice...of sorts."
Syaoran pushed himself back off the ground. "You, you are the one who ordered them killed. You knew all along, didn't you!" he growled.
"Yes," said Clow. "But you wouldn't give up those kids. I needed you to do so to lure you out, and test you. I wanted you to be on my side. But, no, that is not possible. You are too defiant, too much of a lone wolf when it comes to important matters. I don't need that."
Syaoran did not say anything more. He brandished his sword, and Clow's eyebrow rose. "Surely you don't think a toy like that could harm me?" Syaoran threw a magic incanataton up and pressed the flat part of the blade up against it, as he used to do every day in training. But the size of the fireball was larger than he had ever made. The anger burning inside him saw to that. His anger was intense, and it powered up his attack and made the ball shine a brilliant white-hot, instead of the normal red. Clow grew slightly worried, as he watched the fireball form in such a short time.
Syaoran cried out, and the fireball shot out faster than Clow had ever seen magic travel. He could not lower a shield quickly enough and it exploded in his chest, sending him reeling backward. He crumpled to the ground, breathing heavily. Rising slowly, he noticed Syaoran was gone. Slamming his fist into the grass, he tried to make sense of what had happened.
"The boy was strong enough to knock even ME to the ground!" he said, furious.
"You should not have taunted him," said Aneko coolly. "That increased his power."
"Dammit!" Clow snarled. "How foolish am I, to have allowed him to live so long? His powers have been dramatically underestimated, even by me! I must kill him!"
"Come, Master, I shall dress your wounds." She pointed to his chest, where all the clothing had burned away and the skin was raw and bright red.
"Never before," said Clow slowly. "Have I been beaten like that. But, I can only be surprised once. Never again."
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Continued in Chapter 5