Konnichiwa minna! This is now chapter six of 'The Tournament'! (As if you didn't know already). Sorry that chapters have taken longer in getting out, but I've had a couple run-ins with circumstance lately in the form of the stomach flu (ended up at the hospital overnight) and so have been avoiding screens of all kinds for a while. Yes, even TV (boy did I miss CCS!), but now I'm back and ready to write a whole bunch more! While lying in bed, tons of Ideas started to pour into my head, such as little connections to make this a teensy bit more interesting and the idea of illustrating certain parts (without words, of course), so if anyone knows where I can borrow a scanner for cheap (free would be preferred), please let me know! Arigato to all of those who reviewed, despite the weird things going on at ff.net!
Oh! I almost forgot! I have a couple starting notes before we begin!
#1: The Sakura cards won't be a major part of this fic. I just needed them in there so that Sakura has other things to work on (training-wise. After all, aids are against tournament rules)
#2: No musical notes in the ULT section this time.
#3: This fic is S+S (for those of you who asked). That's not the main focus of the story, but they will be in there! (they're just too kawaii not to be!)
*#4:As for the title of the fic (the 'When Worlds Collide' part), this isn't metaphorical. You'll see what I mean in later chapters…
Dedication:
Kampai!
Arigatos:
Now to the fic!
The Tournament (When Worlds Collide)
A CCS fanfic by Jurei-chan
The young female fighter paused as a modest, yet pleasant dwelling came into view.
"This is it!" she said, heading closer to the door and gesturing for the others to follow her lead. They hadn't gone very far, however, when a voice interrupted their progress.
"OI! KAIJUU! WHERE IN THE SEVEN HELLS HAVE YOU BEEN?"
Sakura winced noticeably as a tall and angry-looking youth appeared, stepping out from behind the door.
"Ni-chan…ano, um…konnichiwa…"
"AND WHY IN KAMI'S NAME DO YOU HAVE THREE STRANGERS FOLLOWING YOU TO OUR HOUSE?" he roared, acknowledging the other three's presence with obvious mistrust.
Syaoran rolled his eyes towards the sky. "Not our day for pleasant introductions, is it?" he smirked.
"Ano…Ni-chan," began Sakura uneasily, "this is Húmi, Ryushi, and Syaoran. They're travelers who I met in the woods. Don't worry, thought," she added, noticing the look that now occupied Touya's face, "They aren't dangerous."
"How do you know?" Touya asked, finally lowering his voice a decibel or two. The look of mistrust remained, however.
"Because they have connections with Kwaihu."
Touya looked the group over with a critical eye. Finally, he nodded his consent. "Okay," he said, "I guess you're gonna have to invite them in, ne?"
"Well, we aren't exactly looking to stand here all night." Said Syaoran, dryly.
The eldest Kinomoto sibling looked at the young warrior as if he was something very unpleasant (like a slug).
"I guess you never learned any manners, gaki, huh?" he said.
Syaoran returned the look 100 %.
"It's none of your business how I was raised." He answered in a mocking tone.
Just as it looked as if the two males were going to burn each other with death glares, Sakura interrupted. "Is Otou-san home?" she asked, hoping to break up the tense moment.
"…Hai." Said Touya, eyes not leaving Syaoran for a moment, "He said to wait for you."
"Arigato." Said Sakura in return for the information. Then turning to her companions, she gestured for them to follow as she led them inside the humble dwelling.
As the three warriors entered the house, Touya took Sakura aside.
"Watch that Chinese one," he said, looking at Syaoran contemptuously from behind, "I don't trust him. He might try to pull something shifty…"
Sakura sweat-dropped at the comment.
"Whatever you say, Ni-chan." She answered, shaking her head.
*********
"So…where are you from?" asked Fujitaka curiously, as the whole group sat at the kitchen table.
The three had accepted Sakura's father's kind offer of dinner. Ryushi also noted that it was easier to break the news of the tournament after a meal. (Ryushi: Awesome! Free food! This has been the best scouting trip ever! Two free meals!)(Húmi: Is that all you think about when you go out scouting?) (Ryushi: Pretty much.)
"Well…" began Húmi thoughtfully, swallowing a mouthful of soba, "That's a kind of weird question. I'm from Kyoto, Ryushi's from Okinawa, and Syaoran here is from-"
"I'm from Hong Kong." Interrupted Syaoran shortly. Then, after swallowing his own mouthful of soba continued, "Hong Kong Island."(A.N: If you didn't know, Hong Kong has different islands and whatnot, so he could be from Kowloon, Hong Kong Island, etc.)
"Ahhh, so you must be the one connected to Kwaihu." Noted Fujitaka, leaning back on his cushion. (The table is in the traditional Japanese style; low to the ground.)
Syaoran shifted uncomfortably. "Hai…" he said slowly.
"Kwaihu was a great influence in the village, and a good personal friend of my late wife, Nadeshiko." Said the eldest Kinomoto, looking down at his bowl.
"Gomen." Said Ryushi, taking his head out of the tenth soba bowl long enough to swallow. "It must be hard…"
Syaoran didn't focus on Fujitaka. Instead, he noticed the two children. Touya's expression was unreadable, a sort of mix between sadness and determination. It was Sakura's face, however, that made his heart twist in pity. The young female warrior had her head down, covering her eyes with her bangs. What little he could see of the emerald green was glistening, wet with unshed tears.
It didn't last long, however. Quickly, she wiped her eyes and looked up, flashing a bright smile as she tried to change the subject. "So, what was it that you were going to tell us?" she addressed Ryushi.
Ryushi looked up out of the empty bowl and smiled. "Arigato gozaimasu for the meal, Kinomoto-san, " he said to Fujitaka, who smiled in response, "as for your question, Sakura-chan, I need to explain some things first."
Syaoran saw Touya stiffen noticeably. 'Oh great, ' he thought 'I have a bad feeling about this…'
*********
"NOW WAY IN THE SEVEN HELLS IS SHE GOING TO THAT TOURNAMENT!" Touya roared, "THAT'S THE CRAZIEST THING I EVER HEARD!"
"As I explained to Syaoran-kun's enraged mother," said Ryushi calmly, eyes closed, "Is that you don't really have a say in this at all. In the end, it's really Sakura's decision."
"Then I'm going!"
"I can't allow that." Said Ryushi shortly, losing a little bit of his patience, "Raiden-sama would openly refuse. Plus, you have to be picked up by the magic-seekers, and you weren't."
"But Ni-chan has fighting ability!" said Sakura brightly, "He has to unlock it, though, through aids, like when someone's in danger."
"That's against the rules of the tournament, "said Ryushi, shaking his head. "Aids aren't allowed. That's why you and Syaoran-kun have to learn how to summon the 'Kamehame No Kiai' without the danger factor."
Touya muttered darkly, grudgingly accepting the arguments.
"So, really, it's up to you, Sakura-chan." Said Húmi, looking at the other girl with a soft expression.
"I'll do it." Said Sakura without hesitation.
Syaoran looked at her with interest. He would have assumed that she would give it a little more thought before accepting the proposal. In her eyes, however, he saw a determined fire burning, the intensity he had never seen the likes of which before. 'I wonder why…' he thought to himself.
"So, when do we leave?" asked Sakura.
"Tomorrow morning," said Húmi, "It's too dark to find the portal now. Besides, it's probably already been deactivated for the night."
"You can all sleep in the shack at the back," offered Fujitaka, "It's not much, but that's all we can really give you right now."
"That's ok, " said Ryushi, "Arigato gozaimasu for the offer. We really appreciate it."
*********
"Here's the shack, " said Sakura, leading them to a small building in the woods fringing the village, "I hope you're all comfortable."
"We will be, " said Húmi gratefully, "Now, we really should get some sleep. It'll be an early morning tomorrow."
"Sweet dreams, Ryushi, Húmi, Syaoran…"
"Same to you." Answered Ryushi.
"Sleep well," said Húmi.
Syaoran stayed silent.
However, when Sakura had already headed back to the house, and Ryushi and Húmi were settled down, he quietly sat up and looked after her, though she had already long since disappeared into the building.
"Sweet dreams, Sakura…" he whispered quietly before lying back down in an attempt to get to sleep.
*********
It was no use. No matter how he tried, Syaoran couldn't get to sleep.
It was an odd thing, really. His body was exhausted from the battle and the travelling that he had done, but he simply couldn't slip past the barrier between consciousness and blissful unconscious rest.
Quietly as not to wake his companions, he got up and headed out the door. 'Maybe the night air will help?' he thought.
Sitting down, he looked out over the village from his vantage point, noting the quiet peacefulness that settled over the small dwellings at night. Taking a deep breath of the cool evening air, he looked up at the moon and stars that illuminated the night sky. As he looked, however, he saw a dark shape outlined against the bright orbs of ethereal light. It looked like…but that couldn't be…
Syaoran stood up as the figure came lower to the ground, quietly making his way towards the area where he estimated they would land. As he came closer, he could now definitely be sure that it was a person. They seemed to be about his age, with auburn hair and bright green eyes...
'Sakura…' he realized, 'But…she can fly?'
The young girl landed softly on the ground, dismounting the long staff on which she was seated. At her soft whisper, it shrunk to a small key-like thing that she hung around her neck.
Stepping out of the shadows, Syaoran approached her boldly.
"What are you doing ?" he questioned, deciding to start with the reasonable before asking about the unusual.
"I could ask you the same question." Answered Sakura, jumping slightly at his sudden appearance.
"I was taking a walk."
"At this time?" she asked dubiously.
"I couldn't sleep." He answered shortly, "Why are you out?"
"I couldn't sleep either." She explained.
"So you decided to take a late night fly?" asked Syaoran dryly.
Sakura paled.
"You saw me?" she asked, uncomfortably.
"Hai. Any explanation?"
"…….."
"Come on, or I'll tell Ryushi and everybody else." Said Syaoran. The thought that she didn't want to tell him hurt a little('Why?' he thought, 'She doesn't even know me! I don't blame her.')
"…….ok. Fine. You see, I have magic-"
"Instead of just fighting ability? Me too. Everybody, actually-"
"Matte! That's not all there is to it, though." Interrupted Sakura, "I also have Clow magic."
Syaoran looked at her in shock.
"You have…that means that you have the Clow Cards, ne? "
It was now Sakura's turn to look at him in surprise. "You know about the cards?" she asked.
"Hai. But…they're supposed to have been lost…"
"I know that." She said, looking at the ground, "I accidentally let them out of the book when I was ten. I had no clue what was going on, but I managed to recapture them all and turn them to Sakura cards, with Kero's help." She explained.
"Kero? The Guardian beast?" asked Syaoran with interest.
"Hai. After everything happened, though, he went back to sleep as the guardian of the book."
Syaoran looked at Sakura carefully. The memory of her eyes when she had agreed to enter the tournament suddenly came to him, along with the question 'Why?'
"You have other reasons for entering the Tournament, don't you?" he said, looking into her green pools.
However, it was more of a statement then a question. Sakura remained silent for a long time before finally answering.
"I have my duty as a warrior to help where I am needed. And I have my pledge as a warrior to avenge my mother."
"Nadeshiko?" asked Syaoran with interest. It seemed that Sakura and he had more things in common than he had originally thought. Both were in the Tournament for personal reasons, other than just the ones they openly displayed.
"Hai. She was killed by scouts for the side of evil." Said Sakura, eyes blazing at the thought.
~*flashback*~
"Raiden-sama."
Raiden looked at the shadows and smiled.
"Kwaihu. You have returned." He said.
A tall warrior with amber-brown eyes of an unimaginable intensity and unruly dark brown hair, dressed in a dark red fighter's uniform appeared out of the shadows.
"Hai, " said Syaoran's father, "But, I have some bad news. The Side of Evil have began recruiting in our world, and gaining support too."
Raiden looked grim.
"Yao'Xi'Liu is getting desperate," he noted, "Recruits must be scarce in the other worlds."
"I'm worried about the village of fighters in Japan," said Kwaihu, face creasing to a frown, "We know that they prefer not to enter the Tournament because of their Warrior code, but I doubt that the Side of Evil knows, or cares. They might try…"
"I understand." Said Raiden thoughtfully, "You may go and do what you think is fit."
Kwaihu bowed and turned to leave, when Raiden spoke.
"One last thing, Kwaihu," he said.
"Hai?"
"How's Xiao Lang coming?" asked the elder leader with a gentle look.
Kwaihu smiled.
"Fine and getting stronger every day. He'll be a fighter, of that I'm sure."
And Kwaihu vanished into the shadows.
*********
"Is this where all the strong fighting energy was coming from?"
Three figures stood in front of Shotokan village, looking at it critically.
"I'm quite sure. I can sense it." One said, facing the other two.
The three fighters were each dressed differently. One had a yellow tunic with a black sash and Chinese-style pants of the same colour. His hair was long and black, tied back in a ponytail. The second had a black shirt, vest-like which revealed his well-muscled chest, blue pants, and a traditional Chinese hat (you know, the ones that look like flattened domes? Just think Kung Lao from Mortal Kombat). The third was the most unusual one of the lot, with a dark cloak with a hood which hid everything from sight, including most of his face.
The three entered the village, unopposed.
*********
Kwaihu emerged in a well-hidden clearing. Turning to the portal, he placed a seal on it to make sure that he wasn't followed. Turning away from the stone circle, he looked up at the evening sky and sighed. His fighter's sense kept telling him that something was not as it should be, and his fighter's sense was never wrong…
Suddenly, he was aware of a distinct sound in the air. Clashing, yelling, and cries floating to him through the air from an unmistakable direction.
Quickly, he melted into the shadows and headed towards his intended goal.
*********
"So, won't join us, eh?"
The warrior with yellow clothes smiled a twisted grin as he fired another energy blast at the hapless figure on the ground. The target flew back a couple feet, barely moving an arm in an attempt to protect herself. Nearby, a small cry was heard as the figure moaned in pain.
The one with the cloak lifted a cloth to reveal a small girl of about five years, sitting huddled as best she could to herself. The child was presently crying.
All of a sudden, though, she looked up at the threatening creature with wide eyes and stared straight into the red orbs. The scout felt a twinge within him that he knew very well. Only people with strong fighting spirit ever evoked that feeling…
"The girl has immense power," he stated, "Kuro-sama can find a great use for one like her-"
"Get away from my daughter!"
Nadeshiko (if you haven't guessed yet) managed to raise herself from the ground and make her way over to her daughter, forming a protective shield in front of the child. "Sakura will be one with the dark…" she struggled, "Over my…dead body
"As you wish."
Little Sakura watched helplessly as the hooded creature removed the cloak. He was wearing a fighter's uniform in the ninja tradition, mostly black with only the cloth mask, gloves that covered part of his wrists, waist sash, and boots of a pale orange. (A.N~ If you've played MK Trilogy, or I, II, and III, you'll know this guy as 'Scorpion') His head was still covered with a hood, through which his blood red eyes could be made out.
The fighter's emotions were unreadable as he spread his arms above his head and gathered an immense ball of yellow/orange energy. The Nadeshiko closed her eyes, waiting for the impending blow…
"KI SUTO HOTEN HA!"
The blast didn't come. Instead, a large power coursed past the female warrior, hitting the other fighter square in the chest.
The other two looked at their fallen comrade, then at the place where the blast had come from. Out of the shadows, Kwaihu materialized, holding another energy ball at the ready in his hands.
"Scorpion,"
The creature leapt off the ground, landing in a fighting stance.
"So, Kwaihu. I guess we're going to have the pleasure of a match before the Tournament, ne?" he grinned.
The Li warrior's expression didn't change. "Go, otherworld scum." Was all he said in reply.
"Scorpion-"
"STAY OUT OF THIS!"
The other two stood well back, creating ample space for their companion.
As the tense moment stretched, a definite charge could be felt in the air. The three Side of Evil scouts stood, energy at the ready.
Suddenly, however, something twinged in Scorpion's instinct. With the natural-born speed of an otherworld demon, he grabbed his two companions' shoulders and disappeared in a small flash of light, just as Kwaihu unleashed the Kamehame No Kiai.(A.N~ Kwaihu's Kamehame No Kiai is different that Syaoran's. He can control the intensity and the objects that he blasts)
After a few moments, the male warrior made his way over to the wounded mother.
"Nadeshiko…daijobu desu ka??"
The female warrior gasped in pain as she weakly managed to lift part of her tunic in order to reveal a large and bloody gash.
"I…iie…" she answered.
Kwaihu looked at her, eyes full of concern.
Nadeshiko continued to speak, despite the effort involved.
"Onegai…Kwaihu…Please…tell Touya and Fujitaka goodbye…from me…I know that I don't…have much time left now…By the time…they return, I…won't be here…"
"Don't talk like that!" Kwaihu whispered, eyes wide.
Nadeshiko smiled grimly.
"They…got me pretty good…back there…but it's worth it."
Kwaihu looked at his friend with regret.
"Onegai, besides tell your family, is there any…last request that I can carry out? From one warrior to another?"
The Japanese amazon looked at her small child with a soft expression.
"Watch…Sakura for me…until her father and…brother return."
Kwaihu nodded his consent.
"Sayonara, Sakura-chan…may you grow up to be all that I could every envision…and more…"
And Nadeshiko breathed her last.
Kwaihu muttered a quick warrior prayer in Cantonese for his fallen friend before walking over to the small child. Sakura looked up at him with her big green eyes, studying with interest his fierce amber ones. Kwaihu's expression softened, and he let out a rare smile. "You'll grow to be a fighter," he whispered with certainty, "Just like my little Xiao Lang will."
A sudden thought came to him.
Holding out his hand, he channeled a little of his power into the palm. Then, he whispered a spell, all the time adding more of his energy until it changed from his scarlet colour to a bright white.
The small Sakura stood frozen in shock as the warrior took her small hand and placed it over the sphere, and even more so when pink energy began to flow from her to join Kwaihu's. The warrior then chanted some more, and the sphere flashed a brilliant white blast and disappeared.
"From now on, you shall be protector of this village. I have gifted you with the means. However, it is you who must figure out how to tap into your uncharted power." He said, "Good luck to you on your journey."
And once more, Kwaihu vanished into the shadows.
~*End Flashback*~
Syaoran looked at Sakura with new respect. 'I had no idea that she witnessed her own mother's death…' he thought. He could now also understand the intense hate and loathing she held for those who had done the horrible deed.
As he studied her, however, his eyes wandered to the object that she had hung around her neck (you know, the key.) Beside it, he also noticed something else.
"What's this?" he asked, lifting it and looking it over.
It was a dragon in half a circle, claws held at the ready. The body was golden, as was the rest of the talisman, but the mane (I never knew exactly what you would call that part of the dragon),claws, and eyes were a pearly white.
Sakura fingered it absentmindedly.
"I don't know," she said, "I've had it ever since I can remember."
Syaoran looked up from the dragon and accidentally met Sakura's green eyes. He suddenly felt something begin to beat rapidly within his chest as he noted the way that the moonlight illuminated her pale skin, giving it an almost ethereal glow. A small breeze blew softly, shifting her auburn locks in a gentle sway. His actions then hit him like a ton of bricks. 'What am I thinking!?' he mentally yelled.
"I-uh-I should be getting back to bed!" he lamely said, heading quickly back in the direction of the shack.
Sakura watched him speed away with a questioning look.
"Hoe? What was that about?" she asked herself puzzledly.
*********
The next morning rose bright and sunny, illuminating the scene that was Shotokan village at daybreak.
Women hurried back and forth, performing the daily tasks to which they were assigned, young girls ran between everyone, chasing each other in small games of tag, giggling happily.
Húmi and Ryushi woke along with the sun, taking a small minute to see the bright, cheery light that flowed between the leaves of the surrounding trees before attempting to wake Syaoran.
This task, however, was a whole lot harder than it sounds. Due to the late-night walk he had taken, Syaoran was still fast asleep, and intended to remain so.
"Syaoran! Get up! We need to get going!"
The youth merely rolled over, purposefully pulling the blanket over his head.
Ryushi sighed.
"You don't want to make me resort to desperate measures, do you?" he asked, smiling devilishly.
Syaoran didn't answer.
"Ok. You asked for it…"
The blonde male whipped out a bucket of water, promptly dousing Syaoran with it.
Syaoran's eyes snapped open as the refreshingly frigid water landed it's mark.
Remaining in his position, he glared up at Ryushi with his infamous death glare.
"You. Are. So. DEAD!" he said through grated teeth.
Húmi sweat-dropped as Syaoran grabbed his own bucket and began to chase Ryushi, attempting to return the favour.
*********
"Sakura-chan!"
A girl wearing a form-fitting fighter's costume of a pale violet ran up to her friend, smiling widely.
Sakura turned and returned the smile. "Tomoyo-chan!" she cried happily, "you came to see me off!"
The girl nodded. "How could I let my í tomodachi leave without saying goodbye?" she asked, genuinely mortified by the idea.
"Everyone," Sakura turned back to Ryushi, Húmi, and Syaoran, "This is my friend, Tomoyo.Daidouji"
"Ohayo gozaimasu," she said, bowing to them.
The three returned the gesture.
"I managed to finish a couple new battle costumes last night when I heard about your entering the Tournament," said Tomoyo, stars appearing in her eyes, "they will look so kawaii on you!"
"Tomoyo-chaaaan!" Sakura whined.
"Here!" Her friend shoved a cloth bag into Sakura's hands.
"Arigato…I think?"
Öhh! Matte! I just have to capture your absolutely kawaii moment!" cried Tomoyo, looking at Sakura's confused expression. Out of nowhere, she whipped out a piece of parchment and charcoal stick. Whithin a couple minutes, a full colour (AN: I don't know where she got the paints from either) picture was the finished result.
"Wow!" said Ryushi, looking at the picture, "It could almost be real!"
"Tomoyo-chan is very gifted." Said Sakura. Smiling at her friend, whereupon, another picture was soon produced. This one was even more incredible. Sakura's hair gracefully blew as her soft smile seemed to shine from the very paper. The sun gently glistened on the auburn locks, giving them a solid dimension.
Syaoran had to admit, it was a perfect likeness.
"Sakura!"
The group turned to look as Fujitaka and Touya came running up. The elder Kinomoto held a small wooden box in his arms.
"Otou-san! Ni-chan!"
Touya looked down at Sakura with a small grin, at the same time as managing to flash Syaoran a quick death-glare.
"Take care, ok Kaijou?" he said. (A.N: I know, it's probably spelt wrong!)
Sakura nodded. "But Touya?" she said.
"Hai?"
"I AM NOT A KAIJOU!"
Touya grinned widely.
"Whatever you say…Kaijou."
Fujitaka interrupted before Sakura had a chance to stomp on Touya's foot. Stepping between the siblings, he addressed Sakura with a serious look on his face.
"Sakura, I know you will make us all proud," he said, "But I know what happened to your fans in the, er, battle yesterday. I don't believe any warrior should be without their weapon, so here."
Sakura accepted the wooden box, curiously lifting the lid.
"ARIGATO!" she cried, hugging her father gratefully.
Syaoran, Ryushi, and Húmi looked inside the container to see a pair of gleaming steel fans(presently in the closed position), carved with a flower design at the base.
"They belonged to your mother," said Fujitaka, smiling, "Use them well."
"Now if only someone would replace my sword…" said Syaoran, smirking slightly.
*bonk*
"Ow! What was that for?" he complained, rubbing his head.
Húmi put away the staff, which she had used mere seconds before.
"This is a really wonderful moment!" she cried, "Did you have to wreck it?"
Syaoran sweat-dropped.
"Girls…" he muttered
*Bonk*
"Anyway, it's time to go!" said Ryushi, trying to stop Húmi from hitting Syaoran again.
The four warriors began to walk off, heading out of the village, but Syaoran turned back.
Quickly. He went to Tomoyo and addressed her.
"Umm…Daidouji-chan? May I ask a favour of you?"
The dark-haired teen looked at the Chinese fighter with slight interest, meanwhile eyes still following the figure of her fried as it grew more distant.
"Hai?" she replied
"Umm…that second picture you painted…may I have it?"
Tomoyo looked at Syaoran with more interest.
"Any particular reason why you want Sakura-chan's picture?" she hinted slyly.
Syaoran blushed hotly.
"Iie!" he cried, "I just think you are very talented!"
Tomoyo smiled knowingly.
"Here," she said, handing him the parchment fragment without more comment, "I think you should go and catch up with the others now."
"Arigato." Said Syaoran gratefully, pocketing the picture and running off to rejoin the group.
'Hmmm…if I'm not mistaken, Sakura-chan has an admirer.' Thought Tomoyo, watching as the young warrior's figure became more distant, finally disappearing altogether.
*********
Three bodies emerged from the portal depths.
"I wonder why Xiu wants us to wait for them here?" asked one of the fighters.
The three were dressed in the traditional fighter's clothes that marked most recruits for the side of good. The first had dark brown hair with messy bangs that fell into his eyes, tied in a medium-length ponytail. His eyes were a deep shade of blue, with slight purple tints. The second was a girl of slight build, with light purple hair and violet eyes to match. The third was a guy of about 19 with spiky green hair, green eyes, a long black cloak, and goggles (think Taichi from Digimon and his hairstyle & goggles).
"I have absolutely no clue, Asina," said the first one.
The one with green eyes flashed a mischievous grin. "I do, Shikoku," he said.
Shikoku looked at him in surprise.
"Kensu? Know something serious? I must be dreaming. Please, someone pinch me."
"Anything you say, boss-man!"
Kensu gave Shikoku a hard pinch.
Asina shook her head at her brother's antics.
"Anyway, why do you think we got sent?" she asked.
Kensu grinned again.
"…to stop us from doing an encore presentation of last time we came back from a scouting trip." He answered.
Shikoku stopped trying to strangle Kensu.
"You know…I think you might actually be right about that…" he said, thinking the possibility over.
Kensu turned a cartwheel for absolutely no reason.
"You know I am, Boss-man." He said teasingly.
Shikoku looked at Kensu with interest.
"Kensu?" he asked.
"Hai?"
"Keep calling me that and I can guarantee that you won't be attending the tournament in less than 30 pieces."
Kensu winked roguishly.
"Whatever you say, grandpa."
"As if! I'm barely older than you!"
"Hmmm, sometimes I wonder about that…" said Asina.
"WHAT?!"
"I mean, sometimes I don't know whether Kensu is nineteen, or six."
Shikoku laughed.
"I see your point." He agreed.
Kensu merely shrugged his sister's comment off.
"I'm the same age as you," he said, grinning, "The difference is that I know how to have fun."
"And I don't?" asked Asina, mock frowning.
Kensu looked her over with a critical eye.
"…I hate to break it to you, but when it comes to fun, you're about the same level as grandpa here!"
"Why you…"
*bonk*
Kensu sat down, hard, rubbing his head.
"No fair!" he cried, "You have a bo!"
Asina slipped the Bo back into it's usual carrying spot on her back.
"All's fair in Love and war," she said.
"And this is neither!"
The female warrior merely waved away the comment.
"Close enough." She answered.
"Shhht! I hear someone coming!" hissed Shikoku, "everyone to their stations!"
In a matter of seconds, the area seemed to be totally empty.
*********
"This is it!"
Ryushi, Húmi, Sakura, and Syaoran entered the clearing where the portal was situated. The four had been travelling for most of the morning, and now it was around noon.
Syaoran wiped his forehead with his sleeve. "Whew!" he said, "I'm not used to mountain terrain!"
The portal was an upright stone circle with strange carvings adorning it's edges. In the middle, a strange water-like substance hung, looking like a moving mirror into which they were supposed to step.
Suddenly, a booming voice cried out over the area.
"What are you doing here?" it asked loudly, "Be you dark, or light; of day, or night?"
"Ryushi answered easily.
"We're of light, as are you."
The voice continued.
"Those who pass may only do so by giving an offering of food to the great kami."
"Kensu, you can quit it with the voice," said Húmi, bored.
The young warrior seemed to materialize out of thin air.
"How did you know it was me?" he boomed.
"The food comment gave it away." Answered Ryushi.
"Shikoku! Asina! They're with us!"
Two forms dropped out of the foliage above.
"Ah, Ryushi, Húmi, and their recruits! We were expecting you!" said Asina warmly.
"Sakura-chan, Syaoran-kun, this is our special projects team; Shikoku, Asina, and Kensu." Introduced Húmi.
The two recruits bowed to the senior fighters, who returned the greeting. Kensu did more.
"Ah! Finally! A kawaii recruit!" he cried, grabbing Sakura's hand, "I am very pleased to meet you, fair lady."
He bend and kissed it, making a big show of gallantry.
Syaoran felt an anger rise within him at the gesture, especially when he saw Sakura blush lightly.
"Uh…um…arigato?" she said uncertainly.
Shikoku shoved Kensu unceremoniously from behind.
"Come on, Romeo," he said, "We gotta get going."
Again, Kensu grinned roguishly.
"Hai, Boss-man!"
The green-hared youth made good his escape, running into the portal, closely followed by a pursuing Shikoku.
"Are you ready?" asked Húmi of Sakura and Syaoran.
"Hai." They both answered simultaneously
"Good. Here we go!"
Syaoran, Sakura, and the remaining group stepped into the liquidy wall, leaving the clearing as deserted as it had been before…almost.
A couple seconds after the fighters had left, a shadowy form appeared out of nowhere. Faster than the eye could see, it glided into the portal, mere moments before it closed..
*********
Well, that's all for now, minna! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE spare a review! I live for feedback! It's so nice to know that people actually read your stories! I know that some of the CCS gang seem a little out of character, but I had to make it this way for the sake of the fic. As you have noticed, this will be a S+S fic, but probably won't have a lot of the other characters in it (except for Touya and Fujitaka; sorry! No Meiling! I like her, but I would have to put her as one of the fighters on the SOE) As for Syaoran liking Sakura at the present moment, he sort of does,(subconsciously), but he doesn't know it yet.
ULT
*This time, everything is Martial Arts related!*
Kyu levels for Shotokan Karate Federation
9th Kyu- White belt ( Kata: Heian Shodan)
8th Kyu- Yellow belt( Kata: Heian Nidan)
7th Kyu- Orange belt( Kata: Heian Sandan)
6th Kyu- Green belt ( Kata: Heian Yondan)
5th Kyu- 1st Purple belt( Kata: Heian Godan)*Jurei's level*
4th Kyu- 2nd Purple belt( Kata: Tekki Shodan)
3rd Kyu- 1st Brown belt( Kata: Tekki Nidan, Basai Dai)
2nd Kyu-2nd Brown belt( Kata: Tekki Sandan, Basai Dai, Kanku Dai)
1st Kyu- 3rd Brown belt( Kata: Basai Dai, Kanku Dai, Empi, Basai Sho)
Quote of the day: "…..It is like a finger………
……Pointing at the moon….
……Don't concentrate on the finger………
…….or you will miss all that heavenly glory."
~Bruce Lee ( from WB's Enter the Dragon)