*I don't own Card Captor Sakura or any of the original characters.
*Keep in mind that everyone is 17.
Destiny Challenged
Amora
Chapter 13
In Troubled Times
**********
Li Fuutie stood motionless in the garden as she stared at the cloudless sky. Even in this perfect weather, something gnawed at her heart. Something had happened to her little brother. Even with the limited magic she did possess, she could still feel his strong green aura from across the ocean.
Ever since Syaoran was born, Fuutie knew what the elders expected of him. He was to be the cold, powerful, and fearless leader that obeyed orders without question. The training he went through vigorously tried to erase every emotion and labeled them as weaknesses. Fortunately, they weren't completely successful and her brother retained some semblance of human emotions.
Fuutie smiled wistfully. She would never forget the time where her brother's hard concrete exterior cracked for the first time.
******Flashback******
A twelve-year-old Syaoran dodged the lightning bolt thrown his way. Glaring at his attacker, he sprinted towards his opponent thrusting his sword into the pavement and propelled himself upward. Spinning in the air flawlessly, he dodged the hacks and slashes of a sword aiming to kill. Syaoran quickly turned and aimed a well placed kick to his attacker's sword arm effectively disarming him before spinning his other leg so that his foot connected with his opponent's temple. All this was done in one fluid motion as Syaoran descended.
Wasting no time, Syaoran was on the larger form in an instant. Using his momentum as an advantage, Syaoran tackled the man to the ground before noticing that there was no resistance. His opponent was already unconscious. Syaoran shook his head in disgust as he went to retrieve his sword. Li Xian was supposed to be the strongest member of the clan. And yet here he say unconscious before Syaoran even had a chance to use magic.
'How am I ever going to get stronger?' Syaoran thought solemnly. For the past two years he had realized how outmatched he was in every category by the Card Mistress and his so-called ancestor. 'I'm so pathetic.'
After notifying Wei and informing him of Li Xian's condition, Syaoran went to find the elders and demand more rigorous training. If he continued to practice like this, he powers would never progress past the level they have already reached. While lost in thought, he unknowingly walked by the living room where all of his sisters were. He was instantly hit in the face by a pillow. As the shock and feathers died down, he turned and glared at all of them.
"What the hell are you doing!" He screamed at them. They glanced at each other innocently before all turning to him once more.
"We don't want to see our little wolf so serious." Fuutie responded with a grin. The others giggled and made Syaoran even angrier.
"You bakas!" Syaoran shouted. The others stopped what they were doing and stared at him. Secretive smiles appeared on each face.
"Hmmm...a Japanese word!" Xiefa commented jokingly. The others caught on quickly.
"You must be thinking of Japan."
"Could it be something in Japan that attracts our Xiaolang so much?"
"I think it's someone." Fuutie said with finality. "The Card Mistress no doubt?" As soon as she said this Syaoran blushed crimson but tried to hide it with a glare. It failed miserably.
"Xiaolang is bushing! Oh he's so cute!" Feimei gushed as she pinched Syaoran's rosy cheeks undaunted by his scowl.
"She must really be something!" Xiefa agreed and patted Syaoran on the head. "It's okay little brother. You don't have to hide anything from us."
Syaoran's temper snapped after a few more comments from Feimei. "That's enough! Raiden Sho-" he chanted but was interrupted when another pillow hit him in the face. After spitting out some more feathers, he was greeted by Fuutie's grinning face.
"Now don't be so asinine Xiaolang. Or we'll have to resort to other measures." Fuutie said with a gleam in her eye. Syaoran glared at her.
"And what can you do?" He challenged. Fuutie nodded quickly to the other three and with one quick motion, they picked him up and carried him outside.
"Hey! What the hell are you doing?" Syaoran protested and struggled but to no avail. He punched and kicked but couldn't get out of their grasp. "Put me down!"
"Whatever you say little brother." Fuutie said mischievously. Uttering a startling yelp, Syaoran found himself tossed haphazardly into the lake. After a few seconds, he came to the surface with a shocked look on his face.
"That was uncalled for." Syaoran growled at them. His sisters were grinning at him from the shore and laughing in their apparent victory. Suddenly an idea formed in his head and he smiled inwardly.
"You asked for it dear brother." Xiefa replied. Her confidence turned into confusion, however, as she saw the glint in his eye. Without warning, he closed his eyes and chanted something incoherent to the four standing near the water's edge.
Syaoran opened his eyes and stared at his sisters. They gasped as they saw a luminous white glow light up his normally amber gaze. "I hope those dresses aren't too expensive." He said with a wolfish grin. "Feng Hua Zhao Lai!"
Fuutie knew what was going to happen but it was too late. Bracing herself for the impact, she closed her eyes and screamed. Soon, all four of Syaoran's sisters were blown off shore and into the lake. Four indignant screams could be heard a few seconds later.
"Xiaolang! How could you! I spent hundreds on this dress!"
"My hair is ruined!"
"Just wait until-"
They were all shocked into silence as Syaoran started laughing. It started as a small contained chuckle but the at the looks on their faces he couldn't help it. He burst out laughing until it hurt and he had to hold his sides to contain himself. Tears were streaming down his cheeks.
"I thought haha tha- hahaha you said tha- haha I was too hehehe serious!" Syaoran choked out between fits of laughter. The four were stunned to see their little brother throw away all aspects of self-control. Seeing their faces, Syaoran's mirth increased and he had to submerge himself in the cold water to prevent further outbursts. When he resurfaced, his laughter had died down but his grin did not.
"Don't look so surprised." Syaoran informed them. "Now we're even."
Fuutie recovered from her shock and smiled. "I told you that our brother had it in him!" She announced to the others who were completely soaked. "See! He isn't so cold and heartless as he wants you to think. My opinion is that he's just a big softy." Seconds later she was hit in the face with a huge splash of water. With her long hair clinging to her face, she turned and stared at Syaoran. He just had an impish grin on his face.
"So this is how you want to play Xiaolang!" Fuutie exclaimed grinning evilly. "I think our little wolf needs to cool off." With a nod to the other three, they all charged Syaoran who had the look of abject horror on his face.
******End Flashback******
Fuutie smiled at the memory. It was the first time anybody had ever heard Syaoran laugh. The water fight had lasted all afternoon until the elders came searching for him. Her smile disappeared at the thought of the elders. She knew that the elders felt threatened by her brother. What she didn't know was just how far they were willing to go to neutralize this particular obstacle in their quest for power. She hoped that it wouldn't come to conspiracies.
Looking up, she silently prayed that her brother was all right. A sudden explosion shook her out of her thoughts. Looking around, she was startled to see smoke coming from the right side of the Li mansion. Without thinking, she turned and ran towards the site of the explosion.
Turning the corner, Fuutie froze at the site she saw. The entire right side of the house was blown open. The apparent leader of the attack uttered a sudden war cry as cloaked figures stormed the interior. They were carrying weapons that she didn't recognize but she could feel the magical aura emitted from each of them. The results were devastating. Each shot tore through the frame of the house as if it were made of paper.
Fuutie watched in horror as the members of the once mighty Li clan grimly defend their home. Brave as they were, they were no match for the invaders and their superior weapons. For every spell and incantation chanted, twenty more shots were being fired and each magically found it's target and reduced them to ashes. Fuutie watched helplessly as even the strongest clansmen were gruesomely burnt without remorse. Angry tears streamed down her cheeks.
Looking to her right, Fuutie could see Li Xian running towards her. He started to yell something but was cut off by a beam of incandescent light that tore through him. Screaming in agony, his cries of pain were cut short as his body was ripped apart from the inside until only the charred debris remained.
As Fuutie stared in disbelief at what just happened, she saw a cloaked figure appear in front of her. With fury in her eyes, she charged the figure. Before she could reach it, she saw the weapon being leveled at her and could feel the magic charging.
'So this is the end.' Fuutie thought sadly. She closed her eyes and waited for the end but it never came. The voice of the leader saved her from certain death.
"No! Don't kill that one! She's the one the master sent us here to retrieve!" The voice boomed over the battle. Suddenly Fuutie felt something hit her over the head and she fell to the floor. Thoughts swirled inside her mind as she teetered on the brink of unconsciousness.
'Xiaolang...Please be safe...' With that final thought she succumbed to the much welcomed darkness.
*******Kinomoto Residence*******
Sakura sat silently as she absently surfed through the television stations in her room. The thoughts of her friend's death were still fresh on her mind and she desperately needed a distraction. A pair of deep amber blue eyes once again invaded her mind. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't forget his face for a second.
"No matter what happens. I promise I'll bring him back." These were among the last few words he said to her. He did keep his promise she realized. He had sacrificed himself for her well-being.
Tears formed in her eyes as she realized how much he must have cared for her. 'And I never told him how much he meant to me.' she thought sadly. 'Shaolang-kun...I love you...'
******
Eriol flipped through channels in the living room with Tomoyo leaning against him. Touya sat on the recliner on the opposite side of the room. Nobody said much to anyone as the current situation was overwhelming. Occasionally, Eriol would look down and gaze at his love to make certain that she was still there. The previous events shook him more than he let on.
"Turn that back!" Touya's voice shook Eriol out of his thoughts. Eriol jumped at the sudden comment but did as he was told. The screen flickered back to an overhead picture of what looked like a huge structure devastated by an earthquake. A broadcaster's commentary described the situation.
"I'm currently flying over what was once the Li Manor. Unbelievable as it may seem, this destruction you witness was once the home of the wealthy and powerful clan that has led Hong Kong for hundreds of years. Approximately four hours ago, this symbol of prosperity was leveled by unknown means. It is also unknown as to why anyone would destroy this once beautiful estate and brutally murder all of its inhabitants. Investigators are baffled at how the assailants managed to break into this heavily defended sanctum and completely destroy it within minutes. The Hong Kong police say that they arrived within a mere half hour after the attack supposedly commenced but found nothing except charred debris and bodies burned beyond recognition. There were no survivors."
The three stared at the screen in shock. Their mouths hung open as they tried to comprehend the news that had just been delivered.
"Unbelievable..." Eriol said softly after a few minutes. "How could this be happening?"
"Goddamnit!" Touya growled in frustration. "I knew something like this would happen! That bastard Kiryle and his followers won't stop unless- " He was cut off as he saw his sister standing in the doorway with the entire pack of Sakura Cards in her hand.
"There were no survivors." Sakura whispered with her head bowed. "Kiryle has taken everything from me..." She lifted her head and her eyes snapped open. The other three gasped as they saw the fire of determination light up her emerald green eyes.
"He must pay! I won't rest until he's stopped!" Sakura shouted with such fierce determination that the other three couldn't comment. Without another thought, she turned and ran out the door.
****************
A pair of deep amber eyes opened slowly. As the person looked around his surroundings, he couldn't distinguish one color from another. His vision was still blurry.
"Where am I?" He asked himself as his vision cleared. "Am I dead?"
A soft chuckle snapped him out of his thoughts. Cerulean eyes greeted him as he turned to look for the source. He examined the newcomer with a raised eyebrow. She was easily the second most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her long blonde hair cascaded to her mid back and shimmered in the light. Her full lips and perfect curves made her the epitome of a seductress. Her soft azure eyes twinkled as she gazed over him.
"That will be for you to decide. For now I have a proposition for you my little wolf..."
A/N: Thanks for reading my story and for any reviews you might give. Any suggestions or comments are appreciated and will be used to further write this fic.
*Keep in mind that everyone is 17.
Destiny Challenged
Amora
Chapter 13
In Troubled Times
**********
Li Fuutie stood motionless in the garden as she stared at the cloudless sky. Even in this perfect weather, something gnawed at her heart. Something had happened to her little brother. Even with the limited magic she did possess, she could still feel his strong green aura from across the ocean.
Ever since Syaoran was born, Fuutie knew what the elders expected of him. He was to be the cold, powerful, and fearless leader that obeyed orders without question. The training he went through vigorously tried to erase every emotion and labeled them as weaknesses. Fortunately, they weren't completely successful and her brother retained some semblance of human emotions.
Fuutie smiled wistfully. She would never forget the time where her brother's hard concrete exterior cracked for the first time.
******Flashback******
A twelve-year-old Syaoran dodged the lightning bolt thrown his way. Glaring at his attacker, he sprinted towards his opponent thrusting his sword into the pavement and propelled himself upward. Spinning in the air flawlessly, he dodged the hacks and slashes of a sword aiming to kill. Syaoran quickly turned and aimed a well placed kick to his attacker's sword arm effectively disarming him before spinning his other leg so that his foot connected with his opponent's temple. All this was done in one fluid motion as Syaoran descended.
Wasting no time, Syaoran was on the larger form in an instant. Using his momentum as an advantage, Syaoran tackled the man to the ground before noticing that there was no resistance. His opponent was already unconscious. Syaoran shook his head in disgust as he went to retrieve his sword. Li Xian was supposed to be the strongest member of the clan. And yet here he say unconscious before Syaoran even had a chance to use magic.
'How am I ever going to get stronger?' Syaoran thought solemnly. For the past two years he had realized how outmatched he was in every category by the Card Mistress and his so-called ancestor. 'I'm so pathetic.'
After notifying Wei and informing him of Li Xian's condition, Syaoran went to find the elders and demand more rigorous training. If he continued to practice like this, he powers would never progress past the level they have already reached. While lost in thought, he unknowingly walked by the living room where all of his sisters were. He was instantly hit in the face by a pillow. As the shock and feathers died down, he turned and glared at all of them.
"What the hell are you doing!" He screamed at them. They glanced at each other innocently before all turning to him once more.
"We don't want to see our little wolf so serious." Fuutie responded with a grin. The others giggled and made Syaoran even angrier.
"You bakas!" Syaoran shouted. The others stopped what they were doing and stared at him. Secretive smiles appeared on each face.
"Hmmm...a Japanese word!" Xiefa commented jokingly. The others caught on quickly.
"You must be thinking of Japan."
"Could it be something in Japan that attracts our Xiaolang so much?"
"I think it's someone." Fuutie said with finality. "The Card Mistress no doubt?" As soon as she said this Syaoran blushed crimson but tried to hide it with a glare. It failed miserably.
"Xiaolang is bushing! Oh he's so cute!" Feimei gushed as she pinched Syaoran's rosy cheeks undaunted by his scowl.
"She must really be something!" Xiefa agreed and patted Syaoran on the head. "It's okay little brother. You don't have to hide anything from us."
Syaoran's temper snapped after a few more comments from Feimei. "That's enough! Raiden Sho-" he chanted but was interrupted when another pillow hit him in the face. After spitting out some more feathers, he was greeted by Fuutie's grinning face.
"Now don't be so asinine Xiaolang. Or we'll have to resort to other measures." Fuutie said with a gleam in her eye. Syaoran glared at her.
"And what can you do?" He challenged. Fuutie nodded quickly to the other three and with one quick motion, they picked him up and carried him outside.
"Hey! What the hell are you doing?" Syaoran protested and struggled but to no avail. He punched and kicked but couldn't get out of their grasp. "Put me down!"
"Whatever you say little brother." Fuutie said mischievously. Uttering a startling yelp, Syaoran found himself tossed haphazardly into the lake. After a few seconds, he came to the surface with a shocked look on his face.
"That was uncalled for." Syaoran growled at them. His sisters were grinning at him from the shore and laughing in their apparent victory. Suddenly an idea formed in his head and he smiled inwardly.
"You asked for it dear brother." Xiefa replied. Her confidence turned into confusion, however, as she saw the glint in his eye. Without warning, he closed his eyes and chanted something incoherent to the four standing near the water's edge.
Syaoran opened his eyes and stared at his sisters. They gasped as they saw a luminous white glow light up his normally amber gaze. "I hope those dresses aren't too expensive." He said with a wolfish grin. "Feng Hua Zhao Lai!"
Fuutie knew what was going to happen but it was too late. Bracing herself for the impact, she closed her eyes and screamed. Soon, all four of Syaoran's sisters were blown off shore and into the lake. Four indignant screams could be heard a few seconds later.
"Xiaolang! How could you! I spent hundreds on this dress!"
"My hair is ruined!"
"Just wait until-"
They were all shocked into silence as Syaoran started laughing. It started as a small contained chuckle but the at the looks on their faces he couldn't help it. He burst out laughing until it hurt and he had to hold his sides to contain himself. Tears were streaming down his cheeks.
"I thought haha tha- hahaha you said tha- haha I was too hehehe serious!" Syaoran choked out between fits of laughter. The four were stunned to see their little brother throw away all aspects of self-control. Seeing their faces, Syaoran's mirth increased and he had to submerge himself in the cold water to prevent further outbursts. When he resurfaced, his laughter had died down but his grin did not.
"Don't look so surprised." Syaoran informed them. "Now we're even."
Fuutie recovered from her shock and smiled. "I told you that our brother had it in him!" She announced to the others who were completely soaked. "See! He isn't so cold and heartless as he wants you to think. My opinion is that he's just a big softy." Seconds later she was hit in the face with a huge splash of water. With her long hair clinging to her face, she turned and stared at Syaoran. He just had an impish grin on his face.
"So this is how you want to play Xiaolang!" Fuutie exclaimed grinning evilly. "I think our little wolf needs to cool off." With a nod to the other three, they all charged Syaoran who had the look of abject horror on his face.
******End Flashback******
Fuutie smiled at the memory. It was the first time anybody had ever heard Syaoran laugh. The water fight had lasted all afternoon until the elders came searching for him. Her smile disappeared at the thought of the elders. She knew that the elders felt threatened by her brother. What she didn't know was just how far they were willing to go to neutralize this particular obstacle in their quest for power. She hoped that it wouldn't come to conspiracies.
Looking up, she silently prayed that her brother was all right. A sudden explosion shook her out of her thoughts. Looking around, she was startled to see smoke coming from the right side of the Li mansion. Without thinking, she turned and ran towards the site of the explosion.
Turning the corner, Fuutie froze at the site she saw. The entire right side of the house was blown open. The apparent leader of the attack uttered a sudden war cry as cloaked figures stormed the interior. They were carrying weapons that she didn't recognize but she could feel the magical aura emitted from each of them. The results were devastating. Each shot tore through the frame of the house as if it were made of paper.
Fuutie watched in horror as the members of the once mighty Li clan grimly defend their home. Brave as they were, they were no match for the invaders and their superior weapons. For every spell and incantation chanted, twenty more shots were being fired and each magically found it's target and reduced them to ashes. Fuutie watched helplessly as even the strongest clansmen were gruesomely burnt without remorse. Angry tears streamed down her cheeks.
Looking to her right, Fuutie could see Li Xian running towards her. He started to yell something but was cut off by a beam of incandescent light that tore through him. Screaming in agony, his cries of pain were cut short as his body was ripped apart from the inside until only the charred debris remained.
As Fuutie stared in disbelief at what just happened, she saw a cloaked figure appear in front of her. With fury in her eyes, she charged the figure. Before she could reach it, she saw the weapon being leveled at her and could feel the magic charging.
'So this is the end.' Fuutie thought sadly. She closed her eyes and waited for the end but it never came. The voice of the leader saved her from certain death.
"No! Don't kill that one! She's the one the master sent us here to retrieve!" The voice boomed over the battle. Suddenly Fuutie felt something hit her over the head and she fell to the floor. Thoughts swirled inside her mind as she teetered on the brink of unconsciousness.
'Xiaolang...Please be safe...' With that final thought she succumbed to the much welcomed darkness.
*******Kinomoto Residence*******
Sakura sat silently as she absently surfed through the television stations in her room. The thoughts of her friend's death were still fresh on her mind and she desperately needed a distraction. A pair of deep amber blue eyes once again invaded her mind. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't forget his face for a second.
"No matter what happens. I promise I'll bring him back." These were among the last few words he said to her. He did keep his promise she realized. He had sacrificed himself for her well-being.
Tears formed in her eyes as she realized how much he must have cared for her. 'And I never told him how much he meant to me.' she thought sadly. 'Shaolang-kun...I love you...'
******
Eriol flipped through channels in the living room with Tomoyo leaning against him. Touya sat on the recliner on the opposite side of the room. Nobody said much to anyone as the current situation was overwhelming. Occasionally, Eriol would look down and gaze at his love to make certain that she was still there. The previous events shook him more than he let on.
"Turn that back!" Touya's voice shook Eriol out of his thoughts. Eriol jumped at the sudden comment but did as he was told. The screen flickered back to an overhead picture of what looked like a huge structure devastated by an earthquake. A broadcaster's commentary described the situation.
"I'm currently flying over what was once the Li Manor. Unbelievable as it may seem, this destruction you witness was once the home of the wealthy and powerful clan that has led Hong Kong for hundreds of years. Approximately four hours ago, this symbol of prosperity was leveled by unknown means. It is also unknown as to why anyone would destroy this once beautiful estate and brutally murder all of its inhabitants. Investigators are baffled at how the assailants managed to break into this heavily defended sanctum and completely destroy it within minutes. The Hong Kong police say that they arrived within a mere half hour after the attack supposedly commenced but found nothing except charred debris and bodies burned beyond recognition. There were no survivors."
The three stared at the screen in shock. Their mouths hung open as they tried to comprehend the news that had just been delivered.
"Unbelievable..." Eriol said softly after a few minutes. "How could this be happening?"
"Goddamnit!" Touya growled in frustration. "I knew something like this would happen! That bastard Kiryle and his followers won't stop unless- " He was cut off as he saw his sister standing in the doorway with the entire pack of Sakura Cards in her hand.
"There were no survivors." Sakura whispered with her head bowed. "Kiryle has taken everything from me..." She lifted her head and her eyes snapped open. The other three gasped as they saw the fire of determination light up her emerald green eyes.
"He must pay! I won't rest until he's stopped!" Sakura shouted with such fierce determination that the other three couldn't comment. Without another thought, she turned and ran out the door.
****************
A pair of deep amber eyes opened slowly. As the person looked around his surroundings, he couldn't distinguish one color from another. His vision was still blurry.
"Where am I?" He asked himself as his vision cleared. "Am I dead?"
A soft chuckle snapped him out of his thoughts. Cerulean eyes greeted him as he turned to look for the source. He examined the newcomer with a raised eyebrow. She was easily the second most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her long blonde hair cascaded to her mid back and shimmered in the light. Her full lips and perfect curves made her the epitome of a seductress. Her soft azure eyes twinkled as she gazed over him.
"That will be for you to decide. For now I have a proposition for you my little wolf..."
A/N: Thanks for reading my story and for any reviews you might give. Any suggestions or comments are appreciated and will be used to further write this fic.