Chapter Twenty Five
Card Captor Sakura
Crystal Tears
~starjade~
Battle of Eternity
Silence and shock enveloped the room , as the man's footsteps echoed in the room. He walked closer and closer , stopping only a few feet away from them. Prince Melikon glared at Syaoran as hard as he could , his eyebrows narrowing dangerously.
Who does this guy think he is? Melikon thought. Soon , I'll give him a taste...of my own secret weapon...
The other three had walked closer and Nadeshiko let out a cry. " Touya?"
Touya grinned , and Sakura felt her heart warm with hope as she saw Eriol , Meiling and Touya standing rebelliously against the Kichari family. Her eyes grew doubtful as they landed on Meiling , however. She ruined her life....what was she doing here?
And then her eyes landed on Syaoran. It was like those shards of her heart that were ripped apart , piece by piece as the days went by without him suddenly were sown back together. A warmth spread through her body and longing tore at her heart.
" Xio-Lang!" she screamed and started to run over to him. Syaoran's icy amber eyes began to soften as she ran over to him , tears glistening in her emerald eyes.
But all of a sudden , a hand gripped Sakura's arm and jerked her away from Syaoran. She gave a yelp as Melikon growled , dragging her over to him.
" Where the hell are you going , you insufferable whore? Running off to your Knight , eh? You ain't going anywhere , missy!" he yelled into Sakura's face.
Shouts and cries rang over in the front hall as Syaoran walked towards Melikon.
" Let go of her." He said. It was a command , with a hint of ice that would send shivers down the smartest of men.
Prince Melikon laughed. As you can see , he wasn't the smartest of men.
" Yeah , right! I ain't letting go of her so you can have her! This is my prize! I'm going to have her for a year , you can have her AFTER I'm done with her!"
Syaoran's hand gripped tight on his sword as he walked closer , his jaw clenching with fury. There was a lethal look in his ice cold amber eyes. " Let go of her."
Prince Melikon began to look a bit fearful as Syaoran hefted his sword in his hands , ready to swing it at Melikon. Suddenly , Prince Melikon whirled Sakura around , and grabbed a dagger from his boot. Clasping an arm around Sakura as tight as he could , Melikon rose the dagger to her neck.
" Come any closer , and the little missy gets it!" Prince Melikon hissed.
Syaoran halted , as Sakura cried out. She struggled , angry that she couldn't do anything against his strong form. Prince Melikon may not be able to swordfight , but he sure was muscular!
Nadeshiko let out a cry and Fujitaka gasped. " Let go of her , Prince Melikon! I order you to! Otherwise I'll propose war on your country!" Fujitaka thundered.
Queen Kichari let out a shrill laugh , and surprised , everyone whirled towards her.
" A war? On our country? Ha! Your country will be ridiculed forever if you even try! Prince Melikon , do whatever you can to get that Li Brat out of the way. If you need to kill Sakura , then do so. But only if the situation calls for it!"
Tomoyo gasped. " Sakura!"
Eriol looked worried and Meiling was nearly boiling with fury. Not like her expression was any different from Touya's.
Touya yelled , " Let go of my sister , you gaki!" and he ran at Melikon with his sword , full frontal. Syaoran shouted in protest as Melikon quickly dragged the dagger along Sakura's neck.
" AHHHHH!" Sakura screamed and Touya halted , his sword clanging to the floor.
" Sakura?" he said , his voice pained.
Sakura gasped and shook her head , struggling still. " Don't worry.....only a cut..." she said.
Syaoran was now gripping his sword so tight that his knuckles turned white. A muscle jumped in his jaw , and a murderous look appeared in his amber eyes.
"I never knew you were such a coward , Melikon!" Syaoran said quietly , his voice dripping with fury. Melikon jerked , throwing a furious look at Syaoran.
" I am not!" he yelled back and Syaoran smirked.
" If you weren't , you'd fight me. If you lose , leave Sakura and the Kinomoto Kingdom forever. But if you win.....you can kill me."
" No!" Sakura screamed , but Melikon jerked at her neck , shutting her up.
Melikon smirked and ran his tongue over his teeth. " What about Sakura? Do I get Sakura if I win?"
Syaoran took a step forward as if to cut Melikon down right there and then , but halted. He took a deep breath and said through clenched teeth , " Yes."
Melikon crowed with triumph and Syaoran looked down , guiltily for putting Sakura on the line. He looked at Sakura through his chestnut bangs , and Sakura gave him a forgiving look , nodding. He could see the longing in her eyes and felt it slashed at his heart. He was going to win....
Melikon let go of Sakura and looked at his parents. " What do you think we should do?"
Syaoran answered , " A bit of sparring , of course!"
Melikon smirked. " With one change....magic , allowed."
The room turned silent and King Kichari and Queen Kichari started to screech with laugh , their voices echoing in the silence. It sent icy chills down everyone's spine.
" You didn't know we had magic , did you?" sneered Queen Kichari.
Eriol glared. " I was fully aware of this fact. But it isn't strong enough to do one bit of damage!"
Prince Melikon shrugged. " That is why I should be allowed to use magic and Syaoran....Syaoran should be banned from using magic in this match."
Sakura burst out , " That is totally unfair!"
Syaoran nodded slowly. " It is fair. You don't have enough magic do...well do any damage to me at all.....but I do have enough magic....Fine. I agree to this."
" Syaoran!" Sakura protested , but Nadeshiko held her back.
" My daughter , you'll have to let it go. All you can do now is pray."
Sakura shook her head and buried her nose in her mother's shoulder , shaking with tears. Melikon had a trick up his sleeve , she knew it! And Syaoran was putting his life on the line!
Her eyes dried , determinedly. She was ready.....ready to help Syaoran beat that bastard once and for all!
~~~~~~~*****~~~~~~
He was angry. He could not believe it. This....this...worthless piece of crap was challenging him to a swordfight over SAKURA?
And he actually put her life on the line.
Syaoran never felt so guilty in his life. He hated that feeling , and he never used to feel guilt. Whenever he made Meiling cry , he just felt a sense of annoyance. When he used to tease Sakura , he felt triumph. Now , he felt...guilty?!?
Eriol was right. He was getting soft.
Growling , he yanked on leather gloves and began to polish his sword. After the agreement , Eriol had let them both get ready for the fight. This usually happened between Princes arguing for a Princesses' hand. It always was resolved in a swordfight.
But this was different!! He knew Sakura didn't love Melikon...he was sure of it!
Groaning , he collapsed into a wooden chair and stared at the blank walls around him. Made of cold grey stone and covered with swords , shields , and spears , it didn't brighten his mood anymore.
This was HIS chance to whisk away Sakura....and he was challenged by a bigger , stupider man who's looks seemed to make every woman swoon.
That gave him a touch of panic. Did Sakura fall for Melikon's looks?
Suddenly , he heard a clicking sound at the door behind him. He whipped around quickly and gasped. There , standing in the poor light streaming through the window stood Sakura. Her hair was messed , her expressive emerald eyes bloodshot and rapidly filling with tears , and her expensive gown wrinkled.
She looked beautiful.
He felt his throat choking up and he quickly turned around , awkwardly.
" Hey....Sakura...."
Sakura smiled faintly. " Hey , Syaoran...."
The silence stretched on.
Syaoran coughed. " How's it going...with you?"
Sakura nodded , fast. " Good , Good....what about you?"
Syaoran nodded too. " I'm good too...."
The silence began to stretch as thin as a rubber band. Syaoran felt his heart yearning to rush towards Sakura...but his stubborn pride wouldn't let him.
Suddenly , in a small voice , Sakura whispered. " I missed you."
Syaoran felt his heart soften. " I....I.....I still love you , you know..."
Sakura giggled , and Syaoran's heart soared. " Well, I don't love you."
Syaoran smiled , but then stopped and blinked as he understood her sentence.
Wait a minute.....
" What? After all that trouble I went through , you don't love me anymore?" Syaoran burst out.
Sakura smiled , mischievously. " Uh huh. You bore me. I rather like Melikon's spunk , don't you?"
Syaoran sputtered. " But-But-"
Sakura shook her head. " Poor Syaoran. You didn't think I actually had feelings for you anymore?"
She came closer to him and Syaoran's heart dropped.
" Then why....why am I...fighting..?" Syaoran stuttered , but his voice was cut off as Sakura pressed her lips against his. He jerked back in surprise as Sakura's hands crept up his arms and around his neck , clinging to him.
Syaoran gasped. He wasn't exactly...expecting that.
Soon , because of his own density , his instincts decided to take over. He ran his hands down his arms and clasped her hands with his , interlacing their fingers. He pressed against her with an urgency he had never felt before. Her warm lips moved over his , and he felt like he was in heaven.
They kissed for a long time , their bodies pressing against each other , panting heavily from the lack of air. Suddenly , Eriol knocked softly on the door.
" It's time , Syaoran..." Eriol muttered , as if he knew what was going on.
He probably did.
Syaoran sighed , his heart lighter than it had been in years. He took a deep breath and looked into Sakura's eyes.
" I'll win for you.." he said determinedly , the familiar ice covering his amber eyes. " I won't let that Melikon win..."
Sakura nodded and he brought her hand to his lips and kissed it , before rushing out the door. Sakura stood alone in the room , her hands on her hips , a slight dazed look resting on her face.
" That...was really , really corny..." she said out loud , looking at her hand. She cracked up , her heart soaring. Her love was back...and he was going to win!
~~~~~~****~~~~~
A crowd screamed in anticipation. A red ring in a large circle. People crowding around the ring , cheering as if this was a common thing they saw everyday. The sun blared down from the blue sky , shining in rays of hope. Clouds covered the sky , greying up the clearness of the blue sky.
A roar went through the crowd as a tall , black haired man walked into the circle. His blue eyes sparkled with anticipation. He smirked at all the woman in the crowd , winking at each of the women whom he had shared a bed with. He really made himself at home in the Kinomoto Kingdom.
Another, louder roar went through the crowd as a chestnut haired man walked in. He gripped his sword in his hands until his knuckles turned white and with cold amber eyes , pierced straight through Melikon's sapphire ones.
Syaoran could feel Sakura's eyes on him where she sat at the edge of the ring. She wasn't screaming , or cheering. She just sat and stared at Syaoran , her eyes slowly filling with worry.
Another man walked into the middle of the ring and held up a hand. The crowd silenced as the relentless sun heated their backs.
" Prince Melikon of the Kichari Kingdom and Prince Xio-Lang Li of the Li Kingdom will fight to first draw over the hand of Princess Sakura Kinomoto of the Kinomoto Kingdom. This sword fight will be won by first draw of blood. No fouls will be allowed , and once the first draw as been made , you will both bow and the winner will be announced. Fighters , ready?"
Syaoran got ready , staring straight at Melikon. He gave a quick glance at Sakura , who stared back at him. She nodded slightly and Syaoran turned back to Melikon , with renewed strength.
Melikon didn't even try to get ready. He stood there , with his hands on his hips , smirking.
" And the fight will BEGIN!" The announcer screamed , hurrying out of the ring. Melikon sneered at Syaoran. Syaoran grew confused. Why wasn't he fighting?
Suddenly , a ripple went through the air and Syaoran jumped back in surprise as magic crackled around Melikon.
The dark magic settled around Melikon's form and a person from outside the ring handed him a gleaming sword. Melikon got into stance and whirled the sword expertly.
Sakura gasped. Wait a minute...
Melikon whipped the sword around him in a flurry of moves and Syaoran blinked at the rapid strokes. Melikon smirked.
" I am now the best Swordfighter in the world!" Melikon growled in a low voice. " That's what my magic does. It makes me better than my opponent. It is a low profile magic , because it doesn't do anything else but that. Yet your friend was wrong. It can do a hell of a lot of damage!"
Sakura leapt up. " Announcer , stop the match! That is unfair!"
The announcer shrugged , his eyes worried. " The match had already started. We can never interrupt a match when it is started. We have to hope that those two have enough honour to obey the rules..."
Sakura's heart dropped. Syaoran had enough honour....but Melikon was a filthy weasel who held complete disregard of ANY rules...
The fight had started and the roar of the crowd was at an all time. Syaoran circled Melikon , his amber eyes steely. Melikon grinned and lashed out at Syaoran.
Syaoran leapt back , and whirled around , sweeping the sword at Melikon's midsection. Melikon blocked effortlessly , and fluidly rose the sword and slammed it on Syaoran's , flipping Syaoran.
Syaoran gasped as he whirled through the air and landed with a WHUMP on his back.
Melikon stood above him , sneering. " Who's better now?"
Syaoran growled. He leapt to his feet , and charged at Melikon , attacking him with a flurry of sword strikes. Melikon blocked each and every one of them , finding the time to laugh at him.
" Syaoran , Syaoran. Just stop trying. You'll never make it!" Melikon guffawed and Syaoran's eyes narrowed.
" You are going down." Was all Syaoran said. His voice was icy , and Melikon just rose his eyebrows.
Melikon suddenly lashed at Syaoran's midsection and the tip of his blade ripped through Syaoran's shirt. The crowd gasped and Sakura stood up , her eyes filling with tears.
Did Melikon just cut Syaoran? Did Melikon draw first blood??
Syaoran gaped at his shirt , and opened the rip. Sakura let out a sigh of relief. No blood had been drawn.
How could he have done that? Syaoran thought , staring at Melikon's triumphant face. How could he be ...better than him? Was it true? Was there no way of winning this fight?
Sakura saw Syaoran droop and she felt her chest tighten. " Xio-Lang! Syaoran , listen! You can do it! You can beat him! With me!" Sakura shouted.
Syaoran heard her voice calling to her , but he ignored it. This time , Sakura was wrong. There was no way...
Melikon let out a warrior cry and leapt upon Syaoran. Syaoran rose his sword and blocked the move. His arm shook with the impact and Melikon smirked. Now Melikon was attacking and Syaoran was barely blocking. Sweat came in big drops from his forehead , soaking his bangs and dripping down to the floor. Finally , Melikon's flurry of attacks paused and Syaoran dropped to his knees , panting.
Melikon was barely breaking a sweat.
There was no way....
Melikon sneered at him. " So , Syaoran Li....ready to admit defeat? It would've been better if this whole fight never had happened. You could've had your little ' Cherry Blossom' after a year...after I was done with her. I mean , there are a lot of other women out there....I don't want to bed just one."
Syaoran's hand gripped tight on his sword , and his sweaty bangs hid his sorrowful amber eyes. Sakura....
Melikon continued , knowing exactly what Syaoran was going through. He sneered with contempt. " I mean , now I'm going to have to kill you , and you won't be able to have Sakura. Well , what remains of her after I'm done! I will ridicule her in front of the whole Kingdom , make her my servant and bed her every night. Then I will break it off with her after a year and make it look like she was cheating on me. Then her kingdom will be ridiculed forever. All because of you."
He laughed , snickering his head off. Syaoran's head bowed in defeat. His heart broke with the thought...the thought of Sakura being a whore to Melikon because he had lost in a single sparring match...
Sakura's voice suddenly broke through the darkness slowly enveloping him. Her voice was panicky , emotion filled.
" Don't listen to him , Syaoran! You can beat him! I believe in you! Please , Syaoran , get up! I love you....I love you too much to let you go....."
Syaoran could hear her start to cry , but he couldn't feel anything. He could hear the tears of pain that rolled down her cheeks , the frustration and fear that rushed through the crowd , through Tomoyo , Touya , Meiling , Nadeshiko , Fujitaka...
He was aware of it all...
But he couldn't! Melikon....Melikon was the better fighter...
Without even cheating.....
He could never win....
" XIO-LANG!" Sakura screamed her voice torn.
He was on his knees , bowed down before Melikon , who raised his sword dramatically. The whole crowd gasped in fright.
The sun heated Syaoran's back and shone through the dismal cape around him.
Melikon raised his sword higher and brought it down with increasing speed at Syaoran's head.....
The time ticked...
The sun blared down...
Everything was quiet....
And then a roar of surprise leapt through the crowd.
Syaoran had rose his sword and had blocked Melikon's sword. The clang of the two blades rung through the crowd. Melikon's eyes widened as Syaoran rose his amber eyes to his. His piercing amber eyes shone through his sweaty chestnut bangs and he gave a little smirk.
" Are you ready?"
With that , he leapt to his feat and lashed out at Melikon. Melikon rushed backwards , too shocked to retaliate. Syaoran lashed again and again at Melikon , his muscles wincing at the impact of their blades as they crashed together. His blade was nothing but a silver sparkle through the air lashing at Melikon over and over...
And finally , Syaoran stopped , his chest heaving. The crowd squinting ,wonderingly. Who had won?
Melikon stood alone in the centre of the ring , as Syaoran backed off. A single cut appeared in Melikon's arm and a drop of blood slowly fell to the floor.
It splashed in red drops.
Silence enveloped the stadium.
" AND THE WINNER IS XIO-LANG LI OF THE LI KINGDOM!" The announcer screamed and a roar went through the crowd. People spilled out into the ring and Syaoran was covered in people hugging him, tearing up.
Shocked , Syaoran grinned for the first time , smiling at the sun. He laughed as Meiling leapt at him , Touya gripped his hand and Eriol wrapped him in a brotherly hug. Fujitaka slapped Syaoran's back and Nadeshiko tearfully hugged him and Sakura...
Sakura stood at the edge of the crowd , tears of joy running down her face. Syaoran stared at her and then opened his arms.
Sakura laughed , her smile lighting up Syaoran's world. She ran to him , leaping into his arms , and kissing him furiously. The crowd cheered and people enveloped the two lovers who were finally reunited.
~
A moon of light
Shone through a cape
Of dark velvet
Jewels of hope
twinkled in the sky
And I waited
Wishing for your arms
My heart filling with desire
You never come
And a darkness rains down
Shards of ice and pain
Flooding my body
Until your arms
Envelope me in love
And a crystal tear
from pools of green
falls down my cheek
never to be seen again
~
a/n: The EPILOGUE IS COMING UP! HOPE YOU LIKED DA CHAPPY!
ANd the poem is miney!
BUH BYE! REVIEW!
~starjade~