Konnichiwa, minna-san! Jurei-chan back again with another chapter of 'The Tournament'! Wow! So many kind reviews! Arigato gozaimasu! …Gomen nasai that it took so long, but I've been really busy lately and decided to rewrite the ending at the last minute (that and Oka-san was using it every other spare minute I had!)^^ As you all know, Sakura has -finally- entered the story! As we read, we all anxiously await the moment when she meets Syaoran! For Ureshi's e-mail question, I have decided to put a chart of names and explanations of all the characters (so far) at the beginning of the story. And to the 'O' in front of 'sensei', the o is honourific (loosely translating as 'great teacher'), a term that I have bestowed on my totally awesome karate sensei, Bruce. Please r&r, minna! It's feedback that keeps me writing!
Arigatos:
Dedication:
Disclaimer:
Ok! I've stalled long enough! On to the fic!
OOPS! Almost forgot! Here's the NOT SO EZ CHARACTER CHART!
Xiao Lang & Syaoran are one and the same. I just like writing Syaoran better than writing Xiao Lang.
Sakura: Just entered the story in Chapter four, a fighter. Will enter the tournament (more about that later)
Syaoran: The main character of the fic, entered in the Tournament because of history and destiny, and some other special little reasons…
Ryushi: A scout for the side of Good, teasing friend of Syaoran
Húmi: Dragon pilot and raiser for the side of Good, friend of Ryushi
Xiu: Old friends of Syaoran's father, Kwaihu, major part of the side of Good's organization and training
Kwaihu: Syaoran's father. Died in the Tournament ten years before. Holder of the 'Kamehame No Kiai' attack.
Yelan: Syaoran's mother. Barely in this fic at all.
Raiden (sama): Immortal leader of the side of Good. Son of the ancient guardian, Kwailwong.
Toya Kinomoto: Sakura's brother. Very protective of her, though he tries to put on the impression that he doesn't care.
Fujitaka Kinomoto: Sakura's father. Still misses Sakura's dead mother.
Shikoku: leader of the team on the side of Good dedicated to 'Special Projects'. Strong and friendly warrior.
Asina: 'Special Projects' team member. Very friendly, pretty, but serious.
Kensu: 'Special Projects' team member. Always joking and getting on people's nerves (It's a hobby of his)
Yao'Xi'Liu: Immortal leader of the side of Evil (known also as the Side of Dark. YXL is also known by the name; "Kuro-sama")
Kung Lao: Fighter on the side of Evil, scout for them.
Shang Soon: Fighter for the SOE, scout, died fighting Kwaihu
'Scorpion': Fighter for the SOE, scout, and otherworld demon
The Tournament (When Worlds Collide)
By Jurei-chan
"Hey! It isn't that funny!"
Syaoran glared down at Ryushi, who was rolling around on the ground, laughing his head off.
"Ryushi, shut up!" said Húmi, poking him playfully, "he's right. You thought I was a guy the first time too!"
It was now Syaoran's turn to laugh.
"Honestly, you two!" the pilot reprimanded, "Don't you have any sense? We should be quiet here! We don't want to attract any unwanted attention."
"Yeah, yeah," gasped Ryushi, finally standing up. Syaoran realized that he actually wasn't as old as he first seemed. He only really looked to be about 25 years of age, the same as Húmi.
The dragon pilot walked to Darun's chest. The dragon seemed to tiredly nuzzle against her as she touched a stone that Syaoran hadn't noticed, placed in the centre of the gigantic scales that made up an armour-like breastplate. There was a glowing of bright red energy, like that of the stone on the end of her staff, and the dragon disappeared.
"Whoa!" said Syaoran in amazement, "Where did he go?"
Wordlessly, Húmi showed him the end of her staff. Inside, he could make out the form of the dragon, curled up in sleep.
"That's how we transport them from one plain to another. It's also a useful way for them to recover energy." Was the only explanation she gave.
"let's get going. We need to find that Japanese recruit that Xiu was talking about...that is, if we want to get to the Lookout before Shikoku and his gang eat every last thing in the place. Remember last time?"
Húmi shuddered at the memory.
"Who is this 'Shikoku' guy?" asked Syaoran curiously.
"He and his two team mates handle 'Special Projects' for our side." Explained Ryushi, "tracking down especially elusive magic, spying on the side of Evil, that kind of stuff.
"Oh."
All this time, Húmi seemed to be looking for something. The other two finally noticed that she had almost completely ditched them.
"Hey! Wait up!" said Ryushi, running to catch up to the red armoured dragon trainer, "Where do you think you're going? Without us?"
"To get started!" said Húmi nonchalantly, "That memory of Shikoku eating every last thing on the Lookout really inspired me to get back as soon as possible."
****************
The Female warrior watched the group of strangers from her concealed spot in the trees and surrounding foliage. They didn't seem like the typical travelers that barely ever passed through those mountains. It seemed that they also weren't familiar with the stories that warded the place dangerous.
She continued her silent observations of them, following as they began to walk from the grove that they had landed in, joking with each other and laughing. They didn't seem particularly dangerous, but it was good to be safe. She had learnt that from her mother. At the thought of her, a lone tear coursed down her cheek, which she quickly brushed away. Honestly! After ten years…
Suddenly, the realization of the direction they were headed hit her like a load of bricks. 'The Village…'
Quickening her pace, she rushed to the entrance of the small gathering of houses, making it in the fastest possible time she could while maintaining her presence a secret.
As they approached, she heard one of them speak. "This must be it." They said, a youth with blonde hair in a spiked style and deep sea-green eyes.
That was all she needed to hear. Wasting to time, she jumped out of the foliage that had concealed her, landing in a fighting stance, weapons drawn.
"Not another step!" she ordered, green eyes awake in a bright fire.
*************
The three companions looked in surprise at the female figure barring their path.
"Who are you, and why are you here?" she asked, eyes narrowing in suspicion
Syaoran observed her with interest. She was lithe and willowy, graceful curves accented by her fighter's uniform. Despite the obvious fighting spirit and stubbornness he could unmistakably feel from her, though, she didn't look particularly strong. She was, he had to admit, kind of pretty; honey auburn hair done up in unusual and, he presumed, Japanese style, and incredibly emerald green eyes. Had they not been presently looking at them with incredible mistrust and hate, he supposed that they would be innocent in appearance.
"Who are you?" she repeated, voice edging in distrust
"We are travelers," said Ryushi in brief explanation, "as to why we are here, it's our business. We need to know whether this is the village of Shotokan, and if so, where we might find a certain Kinomoto Sakura."
The reply seemed to surprise the girl. Finally seeming to accept it, she made her own reply.
"This could be Shotokan, and Kinomoto Sakura could live here, but frankly, I don't think I'm going to give you an answer."
Syaoran smirked at her.
"And what's to prevent us from going on in and finding out for ourselves?" he asked amusedly.
Her expression mirrored his perfectly.
"Me."
*****************
Sakura looked at the youth that faced her with slight interest. He was tall, and had amber-brown eyes. His hair was the colour of cinnamon, and messy; dropping into his eyes. Altogether, he was, she had to admit, kind of cute. 'It's almost too bad that we have to fight.' She thought.
"I'll take care of this." He said confidently to his blonde companion, who just sweat-dropped and shook his head sadly
The two fighters faced each other, neither's gaze leaving the other's as they prepared to do battle. A tension seemed to build in the air, but this time differed from the battle with Ryushi.
Suddenly, Syaoran sprang forward, slicing at the female warrior with his sword. To his surprise, she blocked the blow with ease, using her metal blades in a counterattack. Shifting back out of reach, Syaoran took out one of his Ofudas (that's what they're called, right?), and sent a blast of lightning at the opponent. Just before the bolt hit, the lithe warrior raised a pink coloured defense shield, sending the lightning bouncing back at Syaoran. The male warrior barely dodged his own energy-turned-counter. 'Well, she's not bad…' he thought in half admiration at the way that rival was handling the battle.
Then, the opposing warrior stood up.
Syaoran looked in surprise at her. 'She's leaving herself totally open!' he realized, 'a perfect opportunity!'
With more difficulty than he thought he would have, the Li descendant fired an attack at the opponent's back, speeding in quick flip to land there, next to his blast, ready for a finishing blow. All these motions were, however accompanied with a strange sense of…regret. As if finishing this battle would somehow destroy something…precious.
To the young Chinese youth's shock, he saw a puff of smoke as the blast hit, then…nothing.
The female warrior was completely gone.
Plain disbelief was apparent on the remaining opponent's features as he stood, facing the spot of impact in a daze. 'Is she…gone?' he thought in half regret and half disappointment.
However, he suddenly felt a rush of power coming from behind him.
Turning, he was just in time to see the rushing image of energy heading directly for him. Flipping instinctively out of the way, he raised his green energy shield as the blast spread, just as he had expected. However, the blast wound around his shield, almost like a snake, choking the energy closer to the young warrior's body.
All of Syaoran's concentration channeled on keeping the energy which had been turned against him from pressing into his body and choking off his life. He had only ever heard of this happening to people, and had never witnessed it. However, he had never heard how the victims got out of it…if they ever had.
Again, though, he could feel the unfamiliar energy building in his hands as an inner strength seemed to course from a hidden reserve within him. The fire-like feeling spread throughout his body, burning within every cell; an intoxicating rush of power.
Something also seemed to change within the female warrior as the excess energy from the power charge rippled through the air in the battlefield.
And then, Syaoran let loose.
"Kamehame no KIAI!"
Two voices coursed through the already charged air, reaching an incredible volume
There was a blinding flash of light, and then the unmistakable crack of thunder, caused by the colliding energies.
When the flash resided and everything could be seen, the sight that greeted the two spectators was breathtaking.
Both dueling warriors were lying on the ground, a good fifty feet away from each other, separated by a giant crater of scorched earth. Both were totally still.
Suddenly, both moved at the same time, groaning in pain. The amount of damage seemed equal on both sides.
Running over to Syaoran first, Ryushi supported the warrior youth in his attempts to get to his feet. Taking out the pouch of Senzu beans, he handed two him. 'Here, " he said, "I have a feeling you're gonna need both of these."
"Wha…What happened?" groaned Syaoran, lifting a hand to his aching head.
"I'd say we just witnessed a double display of the Kamehame No Kiai," said Ryushi seriously, "something that, in all the history of the worlds, has never happened. Ever."
"how…?"
"That, I can't answer." Said Ryushi.
Meanwhile, Húmi was attending to the other warrior, who, like Syaoran, was having doubts about the Senzu beans.
"Oh, come on!" said Húmi desperately, "That guy you were fighting ate two just now, so they can't be any harm to you!"
Finally accepting the two beans offered to her, Sakura chewed them experimentally. Swallowing, she then stood up, pure amazement written all over her face.
"Arigato gozaimasu!" she said happily. The her expression turned suspicious. "-but why would you want to help me?"
Húmi sighed. "Because we never meant this to turn into a full fledged battle." She explained.
The answer seemed to satisfy the female warrior, who nodded in approval.
"Gomen nasai," she said to the three, "I didn't mean to be so much trouble, but it is my duty to protect the village. There must be some way that I can make it up to you…"
"There is. " said Ryushi quickly, "Just tell us what we wish to know."
Sakura hesitated. Finally giving in, she spoke. "yes, this is Shotokan, " she said, "and as for Sakura Kinomoto, I am her."
The three looked at her in surprise.
Finally, Syaoran spoke, breaking the silence that had settled.
"You're Kinomoto Sakura?" he asked in disbelief, then turning to Ryushi, "You mean to tell me that we've come all the way across the ocean on a dragon, avoiding other armoured riders and death to recruit her?"
Ryushi sweat-dropped.
"Xiao Lang…" he began, "Maybe you should think back on the battle you two just fought and realize the difficulty that you had. We need fighters, and they're physical appearance has NOTHING to do with their fighting ability."
Syaoran just crossed his arms over his chest, glaring at Sakura. The fact that he hadn't won the battle aroused an odd feeling of anger against the female warrior.
"Just don't go getting any ideas that you're better than me, got it?"
It was now Sakura's turn to sweat-drop.
"Look…" she began, " You fought really well. I have no intention of comparing abilities with you."
Syaoran kept the glare on his face, even though the comment had struck an odd feeling within him.
"Anyway," said Ryushi, trying to break the tense moment, "I believe some introductions are in order. I am Ryushi, warrior and scout for the side of Good and Raiden-sama, this is Húmi, dragon raiser and trainer for the side of Good, and the guy with the serious glare plastered to his face is Xiao Lang Li, recruit for the side of Good and World Combat Tournament."
"Wait a minute…Li? Any connection to Kwaihu Li?" asked Sakura curiously.
Ryushi didn't answer. He knew it was up to Syaoran if he wanted to reveal the connection shared with the legendary fighter.
However, what Syaoran did surprised everyone.
"He was my father." He blurted suddenly.
After the fact, he had to resist the urge to slap his hand over his mouth form the looks of confusion and shock that the other's were giving him. He didn't know what had possessed him to reveal the fact, but it was something that he couldn't deny. It seemed that the green-eyed girl was having some kind of strange effect on him.
"…not that it's any of your business." He finished lamely, glaring angrily at her once again. The feeling that she had some kind of effect on him added insult to injury, so to speak.
"Please, come with me then." Said Sakura, regaining her composure. The glare that Syaoran was giving her made her slightly uncomfortable, as well as unhappy. She didn't actually like having enemies.
The group was just about to oblige, when Syaoran stopped them. "My sword…" he began.
Húmi looked at him strangely, "Where did you leave it?"
Syaoran looked around in confusion. "I had it with me in the battle…"
Suddenly, he dashed to the other side of the crater. They saw him stoop and pick up an object from off the ground. Slowly, he made his way towards them.
"Are you okay?" asked Húmi in concern as she saw the expression on his face.
"My…sword…" was all that the youth could say.
The other three looked at the object held in his hands, a hilt and part of a snapped blade.
"Xiao Lang…"
Sakura's expression was unreadable. It looked mostly like shock and regret. Then, a thought hit her.
Running to the other side of the crater, she looked around for something. It took her considerably longer to find what she was looking for. When she did, however, her expression was just like Syaoran's.
Coming back, she looked at the group. "Don't feel bad," she said, "my fans got destroyed too."
Syaoran looked up and met her green eyes. It looked like she was about to cry. This filled him with a sudden pain in his chest. For some reason, the thought of seeing her sad hurt.
"Hey," he said, attempting to cheer her up slightly, "They're just weapons. At least we didn't lose anything really important, like life."
His efforts were not it vain, as she wiped her eyes and took a breath. "Un." She agreed.
"Let's get going!" she chuckled, "but…"
"What?" asked Ryushi in concern.
"Well…Xiao Lang is a Chinese name, isn't it?" she continued hesitantly.
"So?" asked Syaoran, voice showing slight annoyance.
"I catch her drift, " said Húmi, "since we're in Japan, you should have a Japanese name."
"NANI?" cried Syaoran in disbelief.
"How about…Syaoran?" asked Sakura innocently.
"Perfect." Said Húmi in approval, while Ryushi nodded his head.
"WAIT ONE DAMNED MINUTE!" cried Syaoran, "WHY THE HECK SHOULD I HAVE TO CHANGE MY NAME TO SUIT THE COUNTRY WE'RE IN?"
"Syaoran, she's right in this matter." Said Ryushi, placing a hand on the livid youth's shoulder, "Most of the recruits are Japanese, so it's customary, and it also makes you less conspicuous to everybody here. Even your father's name was changed to 'Kwai-san' while he was here."
"What do you mean…recruits?" said Sakura curiously.
"If you have somewhere we can sit, we'll explain everything." Said Húmi tiredly.
"Why don't you come to my house?" asked the young woman hospitably.
"Fine with us!" said Ryushi and Húmi in unison, "What about you, Syaoran-kun?"
*mutter mutter* *growl*
"Oh hush!"
********
As they made their way through the village to Sakura's house, Syaoran and the others noticed something weird. All the people they had passed were women. Upon entering, they hadn't seen a single guy among the groups of females.
"So…you've figured it out?" asked Sakura, smiling slightly.
"yeah." Growled Syaoran, "You people are amazons."
"Hai." Came the cheerful reply, "We're all women in Shotokan. Except for Otousan and Ni-chan, there aren't any men within the village."
"Kuso…" muttered Ryushi under his breath, "I really don't feel like arguing with any more protective and angry parents…"
"Oh! Don't worry about Otousan!" said Sakura reassuringly, "It's Ni-chan you'll have to sedate. He's very protective of me."
"How did you know that what we have to offer is dangerous?" asked Ryushi curiously.
"Well, that battle was pretty hard, and I have a feeling that if I accept this 'Proposal' of yours, I'll be in many others like it."
"Sharp." Said Ryushi approvingly.
********
^^What will happen when Ryushi, Syaoran, and Húmi meet Sakura's father and *shudder* brother? What ties does Sakura have with Syaoran's father in order to know the 'Kamehame No Kiai'? Well, if you want to find out, please review! The more reviews I get, the more I feel like writing the next chapter, and the sooner it gets out! Arigato to everyone who reviewed all the other chapters, I owe it all to you!. Please send any questions that you may have to me at sweet_sakura7@hotmail.com
P.S. If there are any other 'Must read Books' that you've come across, please e-mail me so that I may add them to the list!
ULT:
Must Read Books: Harry Potter- J.K.Rowling, Broken Sky- Chris Wooding, Karate-do; My way of Life- Gichin Funakoshi, Dreamland Japan- Frederick J Sobol, The Anime Companion, & Anime Essentials- both by Gilles Poitras, The Sword of Shannara- Terry Brooks, The Hobbit- J.R.R. Tolkien, The Chronicles of Redwall- Brian Jaques
Songs listened to: *"Utah Saints take on the Mortal Kombat theme"- Utah Saints, *Techno Syndrome 7" Mix"- The Immortals, *A Taste of Things to Come", *Demon Warriors/ Final Kombat", *Goro vs. Art", *"Haicyon+On+On"-Orbital, "Komodo (save a soul)"- Mauro Picotto, "My Console"- Eiffel 65, "Top of the World"- Rascalz, "The Rockafeller Skank"- Fatboy Slim, "Praise You"- Fatboy Slim, "Equador"- DJ Sash, *"Control"- Traci Lords
*Note: all songs with a star preceding their names are from 'Mortal Kombat: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack'
*Other note: I don't, in any way, claim to own these songs either. Lots of lines from the Mortal Kombat movie might also be stolen in the making of this fic.(If you've seen it, you'll know which ones)