Alright.....
(Sorry, i had to remove this chapter for awhile, cos there were some things i forgot to add in...) Shucks! Late again... (But you can't really blame me, you know...with all the prelims and stuff, i'm already REALLY lucky to get out of my room to type secretly)
Anyway, I must thank all of you for your reviews..........i've passed the 20th review- yeah!! (and hope some of you fantasy freaks may like to read and REVIEW *hint, hint* my other original story as well; need to publicize it a bit, cos it doesn't seem to be doing as well as this fan-fic..Hehe! ) So here is next chpt! Sorry it's long, maybe draggy, cos i'm actually writing on an impromptu basis.... (Don't start forsaking this story!! It's just me...I can't stick to a prefect plan, not even a simple one...Argh...) Well, just to answer some questions first...
To Jared: alright... sorry if the other chapter's really boring, I hope you don't find this one another one.(eek, I think it'll be- cos I preferred the previous chapter to this... but it can't be helped, as its kinda essential)
Anyway... to answer your question in the review (thanks for reviewing, anyway!!) –I do have two more stories; actually, one of them was created in a moment of ecstasy.
One, titled 'Sophisticated Magic' is my own creation; it's my original fantasy story. If you love fantasy stories, please read it- and tell me how bad is it. (Not many people are reviewing this one *hint, hint*)
The other story is a card-captor fic too, based on the movie I watched that particular day-'Spy kids 2'. Only the prologue is out, but I promise you, (if I do have the time to continue, that is... don't hit me!!) there'll definitely be lots of action packed in it, plus a bonus—which is, of course—S+S, E+T and maybe Y+C... not sure about that yet... the title is originally '(S+S)py teens =?' but since in fan fiction, symbols don't exist, it became 'SSpy teens ?' with all the other symbols cut off... was I fuming when I logged in!
If you do wanna know more about '(S+S)py teens =?', scroll down- before the starting of this chapter, you should see it. Enjoy!! And thanks for your observation; I'll try to make the story more interesting in the future!!
To : This is lame, sorry, but I really didn't know what to write, you didn't leave a nickname... to answer your question, well, I honestly am not too sure too myself...(don't scream....!!) I'm writing on an impromptu basis, so naturally, the plot comes with me... whenever, whenever. But, to tell you the truth, (about Syaoran and Sakura meeting) I think it'll be at the very most- the sixth chapter... (this is the 4th chapter, by the way...)not more than that. Want to prolong a little (oh no! don't leave....please!!) as I'm really long-winded... so don't mind me, and please bear with it for awhile more.
To Pink Cherry Blossom: Thanks for saying it is cool!! (starfall gives Pink Cherry Blossom a big hug ^-^) oh yes, the visions are there to give you all some subtle (and not so subtle) hints on the story line... that, i've at least had some form of an idea... Can you guess the last vision- what was it? If you do, please review and tell me! I do hope to keep you in a bit of suspense... hope you don't mind! Erm... as for Syaoran... he's definitely strong...!!! He's sooooo cute!! And to your last question about Meiling, well, are you in for a surprise!! Read this chap and find out more!!
To Cherry Angel: (cute name!) okay....er.... you know, you can stop running...
To Gaia: I do like your nick-name, it's really something different. No, and i'm not joking.... thank you so much for telling me its brilliant...(starfall feels like crying...) you really made my day...
To Syaorana: Thank you!! Thanks for the compliment... I'll do my best!
To animegirl-mika: oh.........I really can't say more than 'Thank you', and I think that you deserve much more than that. Thanks for being the first to review and also to steadfastly continue to review every chapter of mine....*sniff, too touching* hope you do like this chapter too!! And, if you don't mind fantasy stories, you can try reading my other original fic... and, thank you once again!!
To orlha: Yeah!! You found this story, too! Thanks for reviewing my fantasy story!!!!!! You really made me so glad! Hope you'll check out my other story- called- '(S+S)py teens =?' but, it's not titled this way, cos of some symbol thingy that they don't accept. That was its real title. The title that came out is 'SSpy teens?' Please check it out, and do give me your frank opinion!!
Here's the 'kinda' preview I promised a number of you... Hope you do like it!! (its not part of 'The lone Statue'!!)
~(S+S)py teens =?~ *A Preview*
"...we battle them first." He replied, calmly.
Sakura could not remember the last time she actually found it that difficult to repress an over-whelming emotion that threatened to suppress her; she was feeling exactly that, now. Her irritation against this mere boy, no, she corrected herself, man was so great that she couldn't help but grit her teeth in frustration. However, there were more important things at hand; at the moment- like getting rid of the common enemy...first.
Touya's dead stare made her jerk back to reality. What was she doing, thinking about frustration at a moment and place like this? She turned her sole attention to her older brother.
She watched through hawk eyes as Touya moved silently to face the phYons, his motive clear and simple to her. She knew what she was supposed to do- they were a team and would overcome everything as a team, regardless of any consequences... especially if it was done in front of another pair, which included a arrogant, self-centered,...
Touya's head started to turn back, indicating specifically for her to start the gadget working. Now. Sakura saw that she had missed his performance; he was already half- way through his part.
Sakura did not hesitate. She swung her long, silky hair to her left shoulder, then tranquilly stroked and tapped the chain that clung to the curve of her neck. The pendant found hanging loosely near her throat followed the same delicate procedure
When she had finished her indoctrination, she let a little confidence be exhibited on her lips; her slight curve of a 'so-called' smile, though her eyes were intent on The Enemy. There were hordes of them hidden and waiting, itchingly ready to put the arrows and sparks into the air when necessary. She would grant them their wish in a moment's time.
Sakura glanced at her mechanic all-in-one watch. It was about time the gadget started; it had taken enough time to prepare.
Sakura nodded to Touya, who was waiting for her signal- then braced herself for what was to come...
~End of Preview~ (the next scene after this is a fighting scene... don't miss this part!!)
:
New words for this chapter
*my magic: its means the magic that Syaoran has control over already, something like 'tamed' magic.
Flow~: refers to the kind of 'presence' magic (like vision, in its normal form as wild magic) gives off- only used when referring to magic.
*glass arena: its something like a place to view the stars, the sky, or a storm without having the worry of getting hit by the rain, nor struck by lightning. This is due to its total enclosed area, and to go in, it requires the use of magic. This glass arena can withstand any kind of weather, and is a place where Syaoran and Yelan frequent.
~THE LONE STATUE~
CHAPTER 4: BETRAYAL- BUT WHO?
~in the future; the 22nd century~
"My Syaoran! Where are you? "A shrilly voice penetrated into the training room.
Syaoran internally groaned. She was at it again.
^When will she ever cease to pester me? ^ He thought dully, his elated mood gone like the passing wind.
"SYAORAN! I'M WORRIED SICK 'BOUT YOU! .....Please......" she added the last word in a small whisper.
Syaoran sighed. He heard the last word she had said to herself, and a small pang of guilt crept up his spine. Her voice had echoed through this training room twice fold.
The training room was specially built in a way that it benefited the person (people) in the interior- noise from outside can be heard, from the loudest bang to the softest whisper. However, anyone who was walking through the aisle, even standing in front of the training room's huge door with an ear pressed onto it, would never hear a single thing. This was due to the vacuum space that surrounded and separated the internal and outer rooms-preventing sound from passing through. Noise detectors-done by magic- were used to amplify everything that was said outside, giving the person inside absolute advantage.
The only danger that Syaoran could think of was if the enemy and him was stuck in the training room- with the both doors shut. That, he knew, would spell disaster as it was the only safe place he could hide; any spell cast would bounce harmlessly back to its rightful owner, but only if it was cast from the outside.
Syaoran turned his thoughts back (reluctantly) to Meiling.
^ Of all the times she must appear..... ^ His thought immediately turned to his newly-caught magic. It would do no good if Meiling were to see it....
^My magic... where should I store it?^ He brainstormed, trying to think of a suitable place to keep the wild magic at bay.
^With the rest of *my magic? No, they're tuned to obey me at my every whim; they will not welcome a different sort of Flow as if it yet...^
^Maybe.... maybe I'll just keep it until my wing for now. ^ He thought hastily, as the door was slammed hard. The sound of its impact reverberated throughout the room, causing him to flinch involuntarily at the loudness of it. He then flinched internally when he saw how angry Meiling was at him for keeping her out.
"WHY DID YOU KEEP-.......!?!!" Meiling yelled. She stopped just in time to see Syaoran pull his hand down (In order to compress the magic into a tiny, glowing sphere and shove it into his long sleeve. If you can recall from the previous chapter, this is Vision in its real form... Vision had ceased to exist and is now only magic.)*A/n: if you really still do not understand this part, please review and tell me- I'll explain to you in greater detail in the next chap* and.... and smiled. She melted.
Syaoran knew that the only way he could get pass her inquisitive questions was to smile; it was the easiest way to block out what she saw just seconds before his breathtaking smile. Though he didn't really like the method, it was still the fastest escape route out. And, what made it so successful in the first place, was that she always fell for it.
He turned his head straight to face her directly and quickly tried to start conservation.
"What brings you here, Meiling?" His face was starting to itch.
"Err... just to remind you to inform me about your whereabouts if you're intending to go out today." Her cheeks were a bit pink.
^ My goodness! Is that true? Is Meiling blushing.......^ His eyebrows widened a little in shock. (A/n: it must have been real shocking- Syaoran seldom shows any emotions or facial expressions.)
^All right... so he knows....^ Meiling's cheeks flushed a deeper pink.
"Well...I'm going to practice my skills here all day, so would you kindly not disturb me?" Syaoran felt his weak smile trembling slightly; that meant that his control over it was beginning to wane. He desperately fought for another way to recover. However, before he found another route to escape-
"I'll be off then. I know you need your privacy, and just for today, I'll grant you that. Aunt Yelan talked me into it, mind you, but not for the first time I do agree with her." She rambled, hardly noticing Syaoran's lack of interest. "Anyway, you'd better cherish this freedom..." she suddenly tittered, giggling a little nervously.
Syaoran immediately snapped back into concentration- the number of times he had seen Meiling actually giggle could be counted on one hand. And when that happens, the consequences was-he just couldn't bring himself to think about it...
"...for the day of the confirmation concerning our engagement has at long last be set and confirmed. It'll take place in the following week- on a Saturday. We'll be a real couple- not that we are not now- but you'll officially be my fiancée, just as it was supposed to be! Isn't that absolutely grea...." Meiling's words failed her for the moment, as she turned at last to see the expression of her 'fiancée's' face and his eyes.
It was dark and terrible, full of anger, contorted with the strain of the barest thread ever woven. The heat he radiated was so strong that it sizzled the air, and very nearly choked the life off her. She saw his white knuckled fists, and realized how very mad he was.
But it was his eyes- his flaming eyes that seared a hole into her heart. They dragged her with them, and showed her the vastness of his betrayal; how he felt about it. They engulfed her completely, drinking her mind and pouring out it's grieve and sorrow, hurt and utter desolateness, the overpowering sense of real bitterness. She felt all this in an instance, but it seemed to hold her for a lifetime.
She retreated a step, her hand flying to her chest, trying to gasp for air but unable to do so. When she was finally released from her captivity, she headed to the doors without a moment of hesitation. Meiling never looked back.
It took Syaoran a few seconds to recollect his thoughts and sense to judge that sitting on the floor or the training circle would be a better choice than standing up, fuming. He sat down, but his anger was still barely in check.
^OF ALL THE LIES!^ His brain exploded with the words that were spoken with such venom.
He tried to calm himself down, and recalled every single word his mother had told him about his engagement with Meiling.
~Flashback~
"My son." Yelan slid up to Syaoran's side with apparent ease, staring straight into the darkening sky that promised a wet night.
Syaoran gazed far into the horizon, both of his hands gripping the metal rail tightly as he stood on the enclosed glass area. His only acknowledgement towards his mother was a slight nod of his head.
She knew that he was exceedingly frustrated, but could do nothing about the promise. It could not be broken till the other party was willing, and the time for him to choose a bride was arriving soon- too soon for him, as she could plainly see.
The elders had decided on that evening- no, finalized the bond stating that Syaoran was to become the ancient leader of his Li clan. However, to be the leader, there were many conditions Syaoran had to fulfill- one of them was to marry before the age of twenty; the latest, at twenty. The rest of them all he had long accomplished and this was the only one- the last one in fact- that he had to do.
And that, was the one thing that he found trouble obeying- to actually fall in love. To him, love was something he wasn't exposed to much and he did not know how to react to it, nor know how to respond to it. It was a kind of hindrance to him, and the sooner it was disposed off his shoulders, the better off he felt he would be.
Now, this very evening in fact, the elders had summoned him and his mother. They held an impromptu meeting which concerned his very future and the only condition that he had not completed (a/n: starfall's trying really hard not to laugh... how are you supposed to 'complete' a marriage? Kinda weird... but I couldn't find any other better word/words to substitute inside this sentence... If any of you can give suggestions, please feel free to review and inform me. Thanks!) had been put forward this night. It became quite a grave affair, and Yelan was questioned why he had no wife yet. At last, they decided that Syaoran would be given some time to find a girl, and Yelan was to help him in every way possible. This was finally agreed upon, and the elders decided that it was fair- they would reserve the seat for Syaoran till he turned twenty. If he did not get a wife by then, the post would go to the next in line, who most probably had produced an heir. But, until then, they (the person next in line) would just have to wait...
Yelan recalled how emotionlessly Syaoran responded to their decision- it was to be expected; it was only usual for him to react like this- to not react at all. She knew that he had the mentality of- 'there is no true love in this world' and she regretted greatly not showing more of this love to him. He had grown up in this shut-off place, where love was banished and skills were what one needed the most. Though she constantly reminded herself to spend more time with her son, which, she knew, was next to impossible. With her tight schedule, her son's rigorous training hours notwithstanding, she could not find time off to see him, to spent quality time with him. And this has continuously been the case, till now....
In this *glass arena, Yelan could see through her son's face- the tight white-fists that gripped the metal rail did not escape her, too. She smiled a bitter-sweet smile and hid it from the view of her child.
^A grown and mature man... something I still can't accept.^ She thought to herself.
"Syaoran," she paused for a second to get his full attention and then continued, "how are you going to solve this problem?"
Syaoran turned and faced his mother. He studied her facial appearance- then replied in a monotone.
"I have no idea, but it seems that Meiling is the only option I have now... but," he tilted his head slightly down, in order to break eye contact with Yelan," I... I simply don't love her, mother. I've tried; I've tried so hard that it hurt, but... I just can't. I have no idea why."
Yelan could see plainly the anguish in Syaoran's face. He went on.
"But, if this matter is going to be the last thing that separates me from being the leader, I'll do it; I'll marry her. I don't want everyone's effort on me to go to waste, and everyone's hope, as well. ...and maybe, she'll help teach me to love her; she seems to like me that much." The last sentence was added in after some hesitation, as though he himself didn't believe it'll happen. He gave a resigned sigh. Yelan's heart went out for him.
"Syaoran, I've told you before, and I will tell you again- I will never force you to marry someone that you don't love, much less, like. But, my son, you have to promise me that you will never give up the hope of finding your true love- even after the age of twenty. To me, that's an extremely young age to tie the knot, but now are times that require extreme measures." She left it unsaid that the leader seat would be taken up by somebody else not him if he didn't marry by twenty.
"I know you're stressed with this commitment, and I hope this... will help relief some of the ache. Well," at this point, Yelan paused for a while, but persisted eventually, "I will do my best to persuade the elders for more lee time, and I won't try to make you love Meiling, not after all these years"
Syaoran stood there in mute shock, willing himself to show his mother a part of how relieved he was, and the appreciation he felt. He just couldn't move.
Yelan took in her son's motionless reaction slowly- she saw the slight widening of his eyes, the sudden small movement of his head- all the little details that he himself could not see. She smiled- a bittersweet one, then took off into the night by her magic, leaving Syaoran in the glass arena alone to enjoy the wet night.
~End of Flashback~
Syaoran recalled every single detail of that dark night, when his mother and he were at the glass arena- what she had said to him.
He remembered... and knew his mother to be a person to be trusted.
^Then... why? Why would she abruptly throw an 'engagement day' at my face? And not tell me? Unless....^
^There's someone else interfering with this.^ And Syaoran knew just who that person was...
~to be continued~
So... its a bit like a cliff-hanger... would you say? I love cliff-hangers!! (eee...sorry... i know i'm weird)
Please review to tell me whether this chapter was alright, and try to guess who's the person who betrayed Syaoran!! And... thanks for all those wonderful reviews!!
Alright!!! This is a new notice: Anyone who does want me to inform you when I update my chapters, please leave your e-mail address down so that i can get to you!! I saw this from one of the writers, and thought it was a swell idea!