This is the second chapter! Hope you enjoy! Thak you ver very much to all the poeple that Reviewed my story. You made me so happy! I started jumping like a maniac the instant I saw them. (Literally) Special thanks to: spiffy who was the first person to ever review my story. Thank you very much spiffy!
Elements
Chapter Two: Blades and Transformation
A Fanfiction by Kyo
-*-*-*-*-*-*-
It was a beautiful morning in Tomoeda, a gentle breeze blew the Sakura petals from the Cherry Blossoms, making it even more beautiful. At the shadow of one of this Cherry Blossoms sat two teens. One with auburn hair and emerald eyes, and another one with long black hair and a V8 in hand, recording her green-eyed friend.
Even though both were beautiful and graceful, only one of these two teens interested the amber-eyed boy that stood at the back of this Cherry Blossom. Li Syaoran approached silently from behind, intending to scare the Card Mistress. Tomoyo saw him, as she always saw everything around her, but didn't say anything. Capturing the surprised expression of her best friend would be very funny.
Sakura was wearing yellow shorts and a white sleeveless shirt with pink stripes across, she was barefoot since it was getting very hot. She was having fun dancing around trying to catch the Sakura petals in the air, like a little child. She was so immerse in this innocent diversion that she didn't notice the silent approach of the handsome Chinese warrior. Syaoran walked in complete silence, using his years of training to keep his feet from making any sound. When he was at arm reach from Sakura, he placed his hands on her waist. The Card Mistress screamed like there was no tomorrow, she turned around and saw the responsible of her scare rolling on the grass with laughter.
"Mou! Syaoran! That was not nice!" She complained, laughter in her eyes, smile in her voice.
"Hahahaha! Gomen Sakura, but it was sooo funny! Hahahaha!" After a while he regained his composure and sat beside her. She was pretending to be hurt, but in reality she just wanted his attention. Sakura crossed her arms in front of her and pouted. Syaoran saw this, and knew she wasn't really mad at him.
"Come on, you would never be able to be mad at me for such a stupid thing, would you?" He said, coming nearer to her. A smile tried to show up at the corners of her lips but she managed to keep a straight face.
"Mou, you freaked me out of my mind!"
"But I asked for forgiveness. Will you forgive me, Cherry Blossom?" He begged, as he handed her a single Sakura petal.
Sakura tried really hard to keep a straight face, it wasn't working. "Maybe..." She said, looking at him and picking up the Sakura petal from his hand, at this time she was smiling that addictive smile of hers.
He smiled lightly when she touched his hand to pick up the petal. "Will a tickle attack help you decide?" He asked kindly, his voice just above a whisper. "You wouldn't dare." She challenged in overconfidence. "Wouldn't I?" Her overconfidence changed to incredulity. Sakura stood up and tried to get away from him now that she knew he was serious, but he tackled her to the ground and began tickling her. "Tickle attack!" Sakura laughed hard, trying to stop him. "Forgive me and I will stop," He offered. Sakura tried to talk between one laugh and another, trying to breath. "I'll never forgive you! Hahahaha!" Tears were in her eyes, and her stomach hurt. Syaoran continued the tickle attack for a good two minutes before Sakura shouted, panting hard. "I... hahaha! Forgive... you!" The warrior moved from top of her, panting too. "Thank you! You are the gentlest of souls." He said sweetly. She punched him in the shoulder playfully.
"I'm very sorry to interrupt you, but," Tomoyo spoke with the camcorder still fixed in both Card Captors, they blushed. "Li, where is Meiling? I invited her too."
The sorcerer suddenly looked very tired. "Meiling has decided to go back to Hong Kong." Shock appeared in both teens' faces, Tomoyo's expression turned to one of guilt. "She has been acting very strange since yesterday when I came back from here, and she ate both bottles of my favorite ice cream! How could she?" Sakura giggled, Syaoran suddenly looked so much like Kero! "Anyway," He continued. "she said she didn't want to come, that she would be packing, I told her that I could stay and help her or something, but she refused, and didn't let me in her room. So, I decided to come. She doesn't even talk to me, I don't know what happened to her yesterday."
All three sighed, quickly being replaced by silence. Sakura, who didn't want the picnic messed up, tried to cheer them up. She smirked playfully. "You are it!" She called as she poked Syaoran on his side and stood up, giggling. Syaoran looked at her, a bit surprised, a smile touched his lips and he stood up to run after her. She evaded him masterfully, doing sharp turns and getting deeper into the park that at this time of year was full of Sakura trees in bloom. She ran ahead of him, only for a step or two. They came to the end of the small forest, Sakura first. She stopped to get some air to her burning lungs. That's when she noticed someone was behind her, and she knew instinctively and magically that this was not Syaoran. She turned around sharply.
"Hey babe! What are you doing here, all alone?" He spoke the last two words with a satisfied voice as if he was happy that she was alone.
"Jong-Su." Her voice was cold with a slight hint of fear. This boy studied in Seijou High, same as she, Syaoran, Tomoyo and Meiling. He was Korean and he had courted her since she had met him, a year ago, but of course Sakura was not interested in him. He was violent and couldn't control himself. He had a big ego too, something Sakura couldn't stand.
"Would you like to go out on a date, babe?" He took a step forward to where she was standing. Sakura wished Syaoran was at her side, nobody, not even the strong Korean boy, dared to court her when the Chinese boy was near, even if they knew they were not going out. She was glad they wouldn't come near when he was around. She silently prayed he was near. Her prayers were heard. Syaoran appeared right behind her right shoulder. Some of her courage turned up now that she could feel his green, warm aura reaching out for her own pink, bright one.
"I would never go out with you Jong-Su, and I have told you before not to call me babe." Jong-Su frowned, but dared not to step forward, everybody knew the strength the Chinese teen possessed and how he used that strength to protect the lithe cheerleader.
Syaoran glared some more at the Korean boy before speaking. "You heard the lady Jong-Su, now if you'd excuse us." Jong-Su watched very marveled how Sakura didn't seemed surprised at all that the warrior was behind her, in fact, it was like she had known all the way that he was there. He frowned and glared at the couple before him. He couldn't understand how the auburn-haired girl preferred the cold teen than him, he being the captain of the boxing and basketball teams.
Sakura and Syaoran walked in the general direction where the picnic spot was, each submersed in their own thoughts. Sakura sighed. "Thank you, I don't know what would have happened it you hadn't been there." She stated looking up at him.
He looked down at her eyes. "It was nothing. Like I said yesterday, I'm not going anywhere, if you need anything just ask." She smiled brightly at him. "Thank you! You are a great friend, in the same way, if you need anything, you only have to ask, I'll do anything that's in my hands to fulfill it." A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips at a thought that crossed his mind.
He poked her side. "You are it!" And he ran through the forest. She followed right away, reaching out for him, yelling. "Mou, that's not fair!" And her happy giggles echoed all over the small forest.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
"Thank you for inviting us Syaoran, it's very nice of you." Sakura said sweetly as he stepped out for them to come in, he bowed English style and spoke in an English accent. "It's my pleasure, fair ladies." Sakura giggled contentedly.
"Is Meiling here?" Sakura asked looking around the neat apartment.
"She should be here, why don't you go to the living room while I prepare something to eat? I'll be there in a minute. Would you like anything special?"
"What about Noodles?"
"Okay." He agreed. He entered the kitchen putting on a green apron, the one she had gave him on Christmas, she had bought it because she thought he would look cute on it, and she was right, he looked very cute.
"Meiling are you there?" Sakura sing-sang across the living room.
Meiling came from her room, with a puffy face, looking like she had been crying some time ago. "Hey, Sakura, Tomoyo! What are you doing here?" She saluted, faking her cheerful voice.
"Hi, Meiling! Why didn't you come to the picnic?" Sakura asked, responding to her greeting.
Meiling couldn't keep her fake smile any longer, and she changed it for one full of sadness. "I'm leaving for Hong Kong on Monday, so I thought I should be packing." Meiling said, her voice cracking at the last words. "But why Meiling? Just a week ago you said you liked this place very much, that you didn't want to leave it!" Tomoyo asked with an expression akin to desperation. "I still like this place." She said ever so softly, just above a whisper.
"Then why you are getting back to Hong Kong?" Sakura asked with a very worried face. "I'd rather not talk about it." Meiling said, softly but firmly.
"Okay... if that's what you want." Sakura responded softly.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-
Syaoran kept asking himself why Meiling was going back to Hong Kong, but the more he thought about it, the less it made sense, he knew for sure she was happy here, she had friends and people that cared for her, while in Hong Kong...
He pushed away the thought, if she was so sure about it, then it would be of no use trying to convince her, he knew Meiling, when she set her mind in something there was no way to change it, she could be as stubborn as Sakura.
Cooking always helped him clear his thoughts. He finished the noodles and placed them in four plates, then he called: "Meiling! Could you please put the table?"
Outside the kitchen Meiling was talking softly to Sakura and Tomoyo, who seemed to be trying to cheer her up, or try to convince her to stay, he guessed.
"I'll put it, don't worry Meiling, you two stay here." Sakura offered and walked to the kitchen.
Sakura sighed when she entered the kitchen. "She is decided to leave on tomorrow, no matter what." She told him. He too, sighed. He shook his head sadly.
"You really love her, don't you?" She asked putting the plates on the table. He nodded. "I love her, but not like I... er... more like a friend or a relative." He had almost said "Like I love you", but he didn't. She looked at him strangely, but said nothing. He went on, that way she wouldn't ask questions about his almost slip. "I love her the way you love Yukito." Sakura smiled at him, placing the glasses on their respective places. "Yes, I know what you mean." There was a short silence, then Sakura said: "Have you told her?" Syaoran looked at her, quite confused. "Have you told her, how you love her?" Syaoran sighed. "I've tried, but she doesn't understand. She keeps saying that she loves me, that she will be my bride and stuff like that, even though I have told her that I don't want to marry her." Sakura giggled at his annoyed expression. He tried to glare at her, but found himself incapable of it, instead he smiled at her one of his rare smiles. Smiles that were less rare the more time he spended with Sakura.
"The noodles and Gohan are ready. You call them or I?" He asked placing the plates on the table.
"You call them, meanwhile I prepare some tea." She said taking out 4 cups from his kitchen cabinet. He smiled inwardly, she now knew his apartment very well, after so many years it was only obvious. "Okay." He answered, already leaving the kitchen, with his apron still on.
Outside, Tomoyo and Meiling were talking softly. He didn't want to eavesdrop so he cleared his throat so they could take notice of his presence. They immediately stopped talking, which made Syaoran frown. "Dinner is ready." He said, almost coldly. Tomoyo smiled at him. "Meiling just invited Sakura and me to spend the night here, I hope you don't mind." He was a bit surprised, but hid it very well. "I don't mind, but you will need clothes."
"Don't worry about it, I will call my bodyguards and they will bring Sakura's and my clothes." Syaoran just nodded when Tomoyo took out her cell phone and started talking. He turned around and returned to the kitchen. "Did you know that you are spending the night here?" He asked with a sly smile. She looked up at him, handing him a cup. "Says who?" She asked.
"Tomoyo." Was his simple answer. "She called her bodyguards and they are bringing hers and yours stuff here." He continued, taking a small sip from his tea.
"Then, I'll have to call home, and tell them, may I use the phone?" Sakura asked.
"Sure! You know you don't have to ask. But, Touya will never let you stay." Sakura blinked despite herself. She thought she had heard concern in his voice, she pushed the thought out of her mind. Wishful thinking. She kept thinking to herself. "I don't care if he doesn't agree, Dad is the only one that can decide that." She finally said.
"If you say so." There was a hint of happiness in his voice, but she was not so sure. She stood up to get the phone, and at that moment Tomoyo and Meiling came in, making as if nothing had happened. He saw this as his opportunity to know what happened to Meiling. "Will you tell me now why are you leaving for Hong Kong?" Tomoyo gave him a dirty look before answering. "No, she is not. She might, when she is ready, if ever." Syaoran looked her, actually puzzled, he wondered what could be so bad as not to tell him what was going on, but his train of thoughts were interrupted by one genki Sakura.
"Dad actually let me stay!" She said cheerfully, throwing herself to the nearest person to her, who happened to be Syaoran. He immediately felt the blood rise up to the back of his neck and to his cheeks. When Sakura recovered herself from her burst she apologized. "Gomen, Syaoran but I am so happy!" She said, jumping up and down all around the kitchen. Tomoyo and Meiling giggled, forgetting their troubles momentarily. Syaoran's blush, receded, if only a bit. "It's alright Sakura, now eat before the food gets stone cold!" He chided playfully. She finally sat down before her steaming food, she took her chopsticks and stuffed some food inside her mouth.
"This is delicious Syaoran! You are a great cook!" Said Sakura with a full mouth. Then, the doorbell rang. "I'll get it" Syaoran offered. "It must be your stuff." He stood up and walked to the door, he opened it and just as he had thought, Tomoyo's bodyguards were there carrying two backpacks.
"Good afternoon Li-sama, we brought Sakura-sama and Tomoyo-sama's things."
"Thank you, leave them in the living room." They left the things, bowed and left as quickly as they had come.
They finished eating, and everybody was getting drowsy, so Syaoran called. "Time to go to bed, who will get which room?" To what Meiling quickly responded. "All the girls are sleeping in my room, so you can stay in your room."
"Okay then, I'm leaving. G'night."
"Good night Syaoran!" Sakura said with a drowsy smile when he walked by her side to get to his room. He blushed and nodded, unable to use his mouth. When he finally got to his room, he closed the door behind him and leaned on it. He sighed. He stripped from his shirt and headed to the bathroom, all the way thinking of how Sakura made him forget all his self-control, all his training with a single smile, how his knees went weak and his face went red when she looked at him, how he felt truly happy and smiled more frequently when she was around.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-
Sakura sat in the living room couch. All three girls had finished cleaning the kitchen, she wondered why Tomoyo and Meiling hadn't talked much trough all of their cleaning. They were now getting the dishes done, they had insisted on getting them clean themselves and let Sakura rest in the living room. She protested, but both girls didn't let her do anything about it.
She could hear the shower and knew Syaoran was taking a bath. She blushed and shook her head to get it clear from the thought of Syaoran completely naked in the bathroom. She sighed. She loved her more than anything in the world, but she was afraid. Afraid of rejection, afraid to ruin their wonderful friendship forever. She wouldn't be able to live if that happened, she depended completely on him. She sighed again. The shower had stopped and she knew he was now getting changed. She should be getting changed too. She stood up and headed toward Meiling's room where her things now were.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-
Inside the kitchen, Tomoyo and Meiling were having a little chat, mostly about why she was leaving for Hong Kong.
"I think it is for the best I leave." Meiling said, her voice cracking. A single, sad tear escaped from her eye and ended in the floor.
Tomoyo did the best to comfort her. "Why do you think that? You know everybody here will miss you very much." Meiling nodded. "I know they will miss me, and I'll miss them, and I'll miss you and Sakura, you are the greatest friends I've ever had. And I'll miss Syaoran even though he doesn't love me." Meiling ended in a hush, just above a whisper, silent tears trickled down her cheeks. Tomoyo had to lean nearer to her to hear what she was saying. "Meiling, don't say that, you know that Li loves you. It's just not the way you want it to be. She loves you like his friend and his Cousin." Tears flowed freely from Meiling's eyes. She nodded. "That's why I need to get away from him, I'm only getting in the way. I know he loves Sakura. It shows, I was blind." Tomoyo smiled sadly and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You are a very good friend Meiling, I'll always be by your side, all of us will. I'm sure you will find true happiness someday." Meiling smiled up at her, with a tear strained face. "And you will too." Tomoyo merely nodded.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-
It was now midnight, everything was quiet in Syaoran's apartment. Only the even breathing of four teens could be heard. But that didn't mean all of them were asleep. Tomoyo and Meiling spoke in quiet voices. "So when are you leaving?" Tomoyo asked, careful not to wake the sleeping Sakura up. Sakura and Tomoyo both slept in sleeping bags while Meiling slept on her own bed.
"On Monday."
"That's a day from today." Meiling nodded sadly. "I already got everything packed, I'll buy the plane ticket tomorrow and that's it. My parents already know I'm leaving." Just then Sakura started to stir a bit and she moved as if trying to reach out for something, she muttered something in her sleep. "What is she saying?" Meiling asked looking curiously at Sakura's stirring form. Tomoyo leaned closer to hear. Her features softened when she figured out what was she saying. "She is saying: Syaoran? Where are you?" Meiling was a bit surprised at this revelation. Sakura was dreaming of Syaoran. Seeing her surprise, Tomoyo quickly explained. "Remember that bear Li gave her as a gift? She named it Syaoran and sleeps with it every night, that's why she is looking for it." She said it very quietly as not to disturb the already waking up Sakura. Both teens closed their eyes and pretended to be sleeping just as Sakura opened hers.
It took a moment for Sakura's senses to return, at first she didn't remember where she was, next all of it came as a crashing wave, she was at Syaoran's apartment and in Meiling's room. She sat down on her sleeping bag, she knew she will not be able to fall asleep again, she never could when she wasn't hugging Syaoran-bear. It sounded childish, but it was true. The only way she could fall asleep again when she woke up in the middle of the night was to hug Syaoran-bear close to her heart.
She stood up quietly and left Meiling's room. She went to the living room, she thought that maybe if she watched some TV she would be able to fall asleep again.
"Can't sleep either?" A deep voice suddenly spoke.
"EEEEEEPP!" Sakura yelped and jumped backwards. "Oh! It is you Syaoran, you scared me to death!" Syaoran chuckled. "Make that two in a day." Sakura smiled picturing the day's events in her mind. He was lying down on the couch, but when Sakura motioned toward him, he immediately sat down, making a space for her to sit. There were no lights on, only the moonlight bathed the room with it's silver rays.
Syaoran looked at her in awe, she looked beautiful bathed in the moonlight. She giggled, and he stared at her a bit confused. "What are you laughing at?" He asked mock-annoyed. "Nothing." She shrugged. "I just felt like laughing."
"Oh." Said Syaoran, who found nothing else to say.
"Why can't you sleep?" She asked suddenly, staring into his amber-eyes. He couldn't look away this time. "Too much stuff in my head." He finally looked away. "You?" He asked side-glancing at her.
"I felt like something was missing." She said truthfully, looking at the carpet at her feet. "Missing?" He asked curiously, not fully understanding. "Yes, missing. But... I don't know what's that is missing." She said in a whisper, as if trying to gather her thoughts so she could understand them. She knew she couldn't sleep because she was not hugging Syaoran-bear, but was there something else? He looked at her, trying to decide what to do.
"I'm sure you will find that missing thing." He said near to her ear in a whisper. Sakura felt a warm shiver run through her body when she felt his warm breath so close to her. She immediately knew what was that thing that was missing in her life. Syaoran was that someone missing in her, she wanted him to be a deeper part of her life.
She leaned on his shoulder, this made both of them to lean on the couch too. He stared at nothing for a moment, processing what had just happened. There was a long silence. Syaoran felt how Sakura's breathing turned even and relaxed. She had fallen asleep. He wondered what was she dreaming about.
"Syaoran..." Sakura breathed softly, but very clearly. He snapped out of his thoughts.
"Hai?" Just then, he discovered that she was still asleep. He blushed madly. She was dreaming of him!
Long moments passed and nothing was heard but Sakura's even breathing and his own. He didn't want to wake her up, but he couldn't stay like that all night. And he definitely couldn't get back to his room while they were like this.
He slipped from beneath her quietly and picked her lithe form in his arms, careful not to wake her up, and took her to his room. Moments later he got out with a pillow and a blanket and prepared to sleep on the couch.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-
"Hoeeeeeee!!!!!" Sakura's little voice reverberated through the apartment. Good thing everybody was up already or they would have had a heart attack. Syaoran chuckled when she saw her get out of his room desperately. She stopped dead on her tracks when she heard him laugh. She looked at him and blushed madly, suddenly becoming very aware of the thin slip she was currently wearing.
"Hoee!!!" She repeated, more quietly this time. He chuckled again and reentered the kitchen. "Want something for breakfast?"
"Er – Yes, Pancakes." She looked around, searching for something.
"Why you shouted Hoe when you woke up?" He asked slyly. She stopped searching and blushed again. "I... thought I was late for school... and I didn't recognize the room, but when I saw everything was green I guessed whose room it was." Then she asked, getting her robe. "Where are Tomoyo and Meiling?"
"They left early this morning, they went to buy some things and the plane ticket too." She entered the kitchen and saw him in that cute green apron again. She smiled but kept in a chuckle.
"Why was I in your room?" She asked, blushing a bit.
"You fell asleep yesterday when we were talking in the couch. So I took you to my room." He responded simply. "I... I did?" She stuttered. "I'm sorry, I guess I was not very good company then." He smiled at her. "Don't worry. Here are you pancakes." He said placing them in the place right in front where he always sat. "They look great, thank you." He looked away. "It's nothing, so what do you want to do today?" He asked in a casual voice. "Tomoyo and Meiling said they were going o take a while, so we have time. What do you want to do?" He repeated. Sakura thought for a moment. Then her smile turned into sly one. "Mighty Li Syaoran is asking me on a date?" She asked playfully. Syaoran blushed but didn't look away. "if you say so. You owe me for falling asleep on me yesterday. But first you gotta get changed." This was her turn to blush.
"Okay." She smiled at him. "How about the amusement park, it's been awhile since we went there. And they are having some kind of fair there!" He smiled in return. "Okay then, we will go to the amusement park."
-*-*-*-*-*-*-
Sakura giggled and laughed, dancing around the park, enjoying herself and also enjoying the company she had. Syaoran walked behind her, watching her dance and laugh, with a beautiful smile on his lips. She dragged him by the wrist, laughing all the way, pointing at games and prizes she wanted.
"Syaoran! Look at that one! Isn't it kawaii?" He looked at where she was pointing and found it was plush wolf cub with a green T-shirt and Ying Yang design on it. "You want it?" He asked, but he was already handing two 100 yen coins to the shop-keeper. "Yes!" She said loudly, secretly keeping in a hanyan. In the game he had to shoot 5 darts and pop five green balloons if he wanted the plush wolf cub. He shot the 5 darts in quick succession and 5 balloons popped almost at the same time. The shop-keeper looked at him with great admiration. He smiled and handed Syaoran the stuffed animal. "Here you got, you earned it, for your girlfriend, I suppose?" Syaoran gave Sakura the toy and blushed the brightest shade of red ever to reach his face, he was practically glowing. "She is not my girlfriend, she is just a friend." He managed to stutter, even though he felt he was going to choke. Sakura giggled at his reaction and hugged the wolf close to her heart. The shop-keeper looked surprised. "She is not? Well, it looks like it, sorry, my mistake." Both of them gave thanks to the shop-keeper and left the little shack. For some reason it was feeling to hot to stay, even if it was in the open.
They walked around the game zone for a while, Sakura pointing and saying Look! Every time she saw something cute. Soon they came to game where you showed your fighting skills by beating an opponent that was supposed to have never lost a battle. Sakura was trying to convince Syaoran to beat the guy.
"Come on Syaoran, you can beat that guy with your eyes closed!" He stared at her looking over his shoulder, since she was pushing him toward the ring. "You are starting to sound like Meiling." He said matter-of-factly. Sakura pouted. "I'm not! I'm just telling the truth!"
"You're saying you can beat me with your eyes closed?" A voice with a strong Korean accent asked.
Both Card Captors immediately stared at the direction the voice was coming. "Jong-Su." The warrior said with an ice cold voice. He stood before Sakura protectively, his muscles tensed in a fighting stance. But then Sakura spoke defiantly. "Yes, he can beat you anytime." Syaoran stared at her quite puzzled. Then she whispered to his ear. "Give him a good lesson he will never forget." He felt a pleasant tingle course his spine, he could never deny anything when she asked for something, she always had her way with him.
Jong-Su frowned when he saw Sakura whisper something he couldn't quite make in his ear. He frowned even more when he saw a tender smile in Li Syaoran's lips dedicated sorely to Sakura, then he saw how it turned into an almost evil smirk when he redirected his eyes to him.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-
Sakura had a good reason to make Syaoran beat Jong-Su to a bloody pulp. He was in charge of making the classes where Syaoran was not with her a cruel punishment. And she knew Syaoran would be more than glad to make all his bones snap. The warrior had been protective of the Card Mistress like this for a while now, ever since Jong-Su appeared on the picture, and a lot before with all the Clow Cards.
At any moment now the two fighters would appear on the ring. It was not exactly a ring, more like a platform. The rules for the fight were easy, they would loose if they were knocked out, if they fell from the platform or if they gave up. The prize would be chosen by the current champion (Jong-Su) and it couldn't be changed.
Sakura sat at her sit in the front row, clutching little Kazu (she had already named the stuffed wolf cub) to her heart. All the crowd went silent, the two fighters were now arriving. Syaoran was now wearing a green gi with a white sash, he had changed because he couldn't fight with jeans, while Jong-Su was wearing a blue gi with a black sash.
Sakura smiled her brightest and sighed dreamily when Syaoran gave her a grin and a wink. Now that both contenders were in their places it was time for Jong-Su to choose the prize. He could choose whatever his contender possessed. Syaoran frowned when he saw the violent Korean boy smirk evilly. "What will be the prize?" The Chinese teen asked. Jong-Su's evil smirk was getting on Syaoran's nerves. He raised a hand and pointed his finger to the crowd, Syaoran directed his eyes to where he was pointing and gasped. He was pointing right at Sakura, who looked confused and scared.
"I want a date with Kinomoto Sakura." He stated flatly.
"I don't own Sakura!" Syaoran hissed. Sakura looked at him and saw that he was real angry, he was glaring at the boy fiercely, like he did when a Clow Card hurt her.
The teen kept smirking. "But you are having a date with her, aren't you? Then, I can ask for it." Syaoran was about to reply when Sakura stood up and said, "it's okay Syaoran, I know you can beat him, besides I'm looking forward to having another date with you." She winked and he blushed a very cute shade of pink. She giggled and Jong-Su frowned seeing the kawaii moment the two had. Sakura sat again on her seat, still hugging Kazu. Both teens bowed and took a fighting stance. "Don't get too confident, I'm not letting you win." Said the Korean fighter as he launched a punch directed to Syaoran's face, which he dodged easily. "I suppose you're not." He said with a smirk. This is going to be an easy fight. He thought. Dodging another punch and a kick. Jong-Su kept kicking and punching and Syaoran kept dodging and blocking. He will get tired if he continues like this, well the better for me. The warrior thought, making up a strategy.
Soon enough Jong-Su was gasping and panting, trying to recover his normal breathing. He saw with amusement and anger that Syaoran was breathing normally and not a single drop of sweat had appeared on his skin, while he was practically drenched in his own.
All the crowd was gasping and cheering every time the Chinese warrior managed to get away from the angered Korean boy. Sakura cheered for her champion, watching with awe every time he slapped or dodged a blow or a kick.
Syaoran smirked. He had seen a perfect opening in his opponent's defenses. He blew a mighty kick directly at his gut. Jong-Su backed away some paces gasping, trying to refill his deprived lungs with oxygen. Syaoran gave him a second kick directly at his chest that sent Jong-Su to the floor a few feet away from him, and finally, he fell from the platform.
Sakura cheered and a second after she threw herself to Syaoran's arms. He blushed a deep shade of red while the girls in the crowd giggled and took the hands of their boyfriends while muttering "Don't they look cute together" to each other.
Sakura finally let go of him, very reluctantly, and whispered to his ear. "You won another date with me." Syaoran could only smile dumbly. She giggled.
Meanwhile, on the floor, a very angry Jong-Su observed the couple, muttering very colorful curses in Korean. "She'll be mine." He thought, while making up new ways to kill the strong Chinese warrior in a very painful and slow way. He felt envy every time Sakura touched Syaoran. He felt hatred every time she smiled only for him, for she smiled her brightest when she was with the teen.
Jong-Su had planned to use that prize to invite her to the Spring Ball next Friday, but he had lost that opportunity. He would had been the most envied boy in the whole school if only the sorceress went out with him to that ball. Sakura was very popular among all the male population, even tough she didn't seem to realize that. All the boys that attended Seijou High wanted a date with her, the only impending obstacle was, of course, the Chinese boy. Syaoran was the only male that she considered a friend, everybody else were only acquaintances.
Jong-Su's blood boiled every time he thought of the many times he had been rejected by the emerald-eyed teen. "But... at the end she will be mine. I promise." He hissed viciously, causing nearby mothers to back away with their children.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
The stars shone high above, it was very late, time for the park to close. Sakura was very tired, her eyes kept closing and she was leaning heavily on Syaoran, who was very tired too. Sakura yawned. "I had a very good day. Thank you, Syaoran." She said sleepily. "You are welcome, you still owe me another date." He said playfully. She smiled drowsily and her eyes sparkled. "Whenever you want." She suddenly jumped, starling him. "What is it?" He asked urgently. "I forgot Kazu somewhere." Syaoran looked puzzled. "Kazu?"
"Yes, Kazu. The wolf cub you won for me."
"Where do you think you left him?"
The park was almost empty by now, not a single soul could be seen through the dense darkness that was now covering that area.
"I don't remember... Maybe at the last game we went."
"That's not too far away, come on."
They walked in the general direction of the roller coaster. They finally reached the game. Sakura spotted the stuffed toy almost immediately. "I found him!" She said loudly, already by it's side. Suddenly a feeling overwhelmed Sakura, a very well known feeling tugging her magical senses along with Syaoran's. Both turned around at the same time, looking exactly at the same direction.
"Clow Card." Syaoran hissed, touching the pendant that hung from his throat, a single thought was all it took to make his sword appear at his hand, the blade catching the little light there was and reflecting it. There was a rustle in the bushes, both Card Captors looked at the spot.
More like a reflex than a thought, Li Syaoran took Sakura by the waist and jumped backwards, away from danger. The Clow Card glared at them fiercely, it made Sakura flinch and Syaoran to glare back. It was a very dark Clow Card. Covered with a pitch black sleeveless robe, showing it's bluish arms, that were tattooed all over with drawings that spoke from death and tortures, it was not a very nice creature indeed. You could tell it was a she by the way it moved, she was gracious but deadly at the same time. She had two sharp, vicious blades in each of her hands, those were the objects that gave it it's name.
"Blades." He hissed, gripping his sword and standing in front of Sakura protectively. The Clow Card smirked at the name, and attacked again. Syaoran dodged, pushing Sakura aside, two fights in a day were getting to his nerves. He gave a thrust with his sword, trying to make as much damage as possible.
Sakura called her wand, she sensed this Card was a powerful one since it was able to keep up with the warrior in a sword fight, no Clow Card up to this moment was able to do that.
"O Key of Clow,
Power of Magic, Power of Light,
Surrender the Wand,
The force Ignite!
REALESE!"
She had to do something quick, Syaoran wouldn't be able to keep up with the card for much more, he had had a very tiring day already.
The warrior felt his arms were lead, his lungs burned and it felt like his head was spinning around, that was when he tripped. The vicious Card noticed this and prepared to strike with it's blades, but Sakura had noticed too, lucky for Syaoran. She called her Shield Card just about the same time she saw him trip.
"Shield Card, Release and Dispel! REALESE!" A transparent pink bubble appeared around Syaoran just as Blades was about to hit him right on the forehead. It yelled in frustration and headed directly to Sakura, it's eyes speaking of hatred. Sakura flinched but didn't back away. She kept her ground bravely. Just then a familiar scream was heard into the night sky. It was Syaoran's scream.
"Freeze Card, Release and Dispel! REALESE!" A gigantic fish came out of the card just as the warrior stoke it with his sword. The fish was made out of ice. Cold and power followed it everywhere. "Freeze this threatening force!" Syaoran ordered the card.
Blades glared at the fish, but you could tell by it's posture that it feared the tremendous freezing force the creature possessed. Freeze touched the Clow Card, and where it touched, ice started to appear. The ice was covering the Clow Card very quickly, even though it struggled. A few seconds later the ice had covered the whole Card, turning it into a gross ice statue.
But it was starting to break.
Small cracks appeared on it's surface.
Sakura only had enough time to react before the blades broke through the ice. She raised her wand above her head and chanted. "Blades Card! Return to your power! Confined! Blades!" Enormous arms of bluish smoke seemed to drag the now struggling and frozen Clow Card into it's card form. The glowing rectangle flew directly to Syaoran's hand. He only had enough strength to reach out for it, he panted hard before asking "You okay?"
"Yes, I am okay," she answered walking toward him "How about you?"
"I'm okay" He responded with difficulty before falling to the floor. Sakura caught him just before he hit the ground. "You don't seem okay to me." She chided, but apparent concern was in her voice. "I'm fine, just a bit tired, let me rest for a minute." He said between breaths. Sakura nodded.
But there was no time to rest, a second after, a huge creature jumped before both Card Captors. Sakura stared at it blankly. It looked amazingly like the Change Card, but this one also changed colors, it was now orange, now red, now green and now it had a rainbow pattern. It was getting Sakura dizzy, she decided it wasn't a normal creature, so she nudged Syaoran who had his head on her lap with his eyes closed. "Syaoran? I think we have a problem." She told him, her eyes never leaving the creature, who walked very, very slowly toward them. "What is it?" he asked, opening his eyes and trying to bring to focus his surroundings. "There is another Clow Card." She said slowly as if trying not to scare the Clow Card away. "Another Clow Card?" He asked, sitting up, but he had no time for anything else.
The Clow Card had pounced over him, moving at an amazing speed for what seemed to be such a clumsy creature. Sakura jumped backwards, trying to move the creature away from top of the nearly-squashed-to-death sorcerer with her wand, it didn't seem to be working, though.
"Aaaaaggghhh!" Syaoran yelled in frustration while he tried to get the thing to move from top of him, but it was very heavy. "Sakura" Do something!" He yelled, or tried anyway, he couldn't yell while he was being flattened to death by the lizard-like Clow Card. Sakura tried to think. "We need to seal it! But I don't now it's name!"
"Think! It has something to do with the Change Card! Think names that have something to do with it! God, this thing is heavy!" He panted trying to get oxygen to his burning lungs.
"I know!" Sakura suddenly yelled.
"You know?" He looked at her hopefully, struggling to get the creature off him.
"Transform Card! Return to your power confined! Transform!" Instantly, arms of green smoke covered the creature and a glowing rectangle appeared in middle air. This time the card went to Sakura's hand. She cheered and jumped. "We did it! Syaoran we did it!"
There was no response, She stopped cheering and looked around, searching for him, but Syaoran was nowhere to be found. "Syaoran?" She questioned the darkness. "Where are you Syaoran? If this is a joke you are so gonna pay!" She warned, but she was getting worried and scared. Just then, she spotted her stuffed toy, but instead of one, there were two. "What?" She asked no one in particular, she got closer to them and started to feel his familiar aura, but instead of his usually controlled green aura, it was a chaotic jumble. But she couldn't be mistaken, it was Syaoran's aura and the closer she got to the two toys, the stronger the feeling became.
"Syaoran?"
To be continued...
-*-*-*-*-*-
For those who are wondering, no, Syaoran is not a stuffed animal. -_-;; But if you want to know what happened, you will have to wait till next chapter is up! ^_^ If I get reviews, that is... -_-