Hey guys. Sorry it took so long to get this chapter up. I was ready to put it up days ago, but then that whole FF.net error happened so I had to WAIT! Can you believe I actually started writing the storyline for upcoming chapters instead of finishing this chap? Yeah well. Also Arigato guys, for giving my fanfic a go. It's great to entertain people at the same time as entertaining yourself! I hope you like this one as well.
Remember to REVIEW and tell me what you think! I'm eager for anything you might have to say.
Chapter 14 – Syaoran goes too far / Darkness and The Black Pharaoh's weakness.
Syaoran staggered and then collapsed onto the ground, gripping his sword tight. Sakura fell onto her knees.
Syaoran grunted and then carefully stood up again, one hand gripping his sword – the other clutching at his chest. He slowly lifted his sword in front of his about to attack, but before he could, Sakura strongly held onto his shoulder. Syaoran whirled around in confusion. "At least use the Power card!" She urged. Syaoran was about to argue in indignance, but stopped to look at his bloody chest. He looked up and muttered, "Right…"
Sakura quickly transferred the Power card onto his sword then let Syaoran do his stuff. The thing with sharp claws was about to swipe at Syaoran again, but he quickly ducked and ran under the monsters aloft arm, to draw the monster away from the others. The monster roared in annoyance and turned to find where his victim had run off to. "Come and get me!" Syaoran amusedly drawled. The monster raised its claws, but Syaoran was too fast. He ran up the nearby wall (Yes he actually did! ^_^) and back flipped off it. He ignored the sweat rolling down his forehead and the excruciating pain in his chest and forcefully thrust his sword in the creature's neck. Normally our powerful Syaoran, would've been able to easily finish him, off, but since he was already injured the Power card was able to fill in the strength. The creature took one last brief breath and died. Unfortunately Syaoran, also fell to the ground adding to his already immense pain. Sakura worriedly ran up to him.
"Are you alright Syaoran?" She timidly asked. Syaoran grunted in response then, forgetting his own pain, went over to see how Tahoka was. He saw Tahoka huddled in the corner clutching his own stomach, with tears pouring down his innocent cheeks. "Are you all right Tahoka?" Tahoka briefly stopped crying to look up at the concerned Syaoran. "It hurts." He whimpered. "Where? Your chest?" He asked, concerned. Tahoka nodded. "Let me see then!" Sakura said. Syaoran jumped, not hearing her walk up to them. He scowled when the little boy nodded and Sakura knelt down and kindly smiled at him. Tahoka smiled back at Sakura, while Syaoran scowled even harder. She began to carefully lift up Tahoka's shirt when he squealed and closed his eyes. "More gently huh?" Sakura asked, even though she already WAS gentle. Tahoka weakly smiled, "No, your really gentle Sakuwa." Sakura examined his chest cut and concluded, "I think it's only a shallow cut, it should be fine as soon as it's washed off. Do you want Syaoran to do it?"
"No thankyou. I'd rather you do it Sakuwa." Sakura blushed and avoided looking in Syaoran's eyes. "A-Are y-you sure Taho?" She mumbled. He nodded, "because Syaoran's already hurt!" he added. (Smart kid we have here! And I'm not being sarcastic)) Sakura's eyes widened as she remembered that Syaoran also had gotten hurt badly. She stood up and looked at Syaoran. "T-That's right! Let me help you!" She timidly asked. Syaoran shook his head, slightly annoyed. "I can take care of myself!" He tartly replied. "O-o-oh okay. I just wanted to help."
"You've already caused enough damage." He dangerously whispered so that only Sakura could hear him. "What do y-you mean?" She asked startled at his harsh words. Syaoran closed his eyes, to try and calm down. Sakura could see this and took a step back. "What's wong?" Tahoka asked, looking at the two of them. "N-nothing Taho. Forget it," Sakura responded. Sure! Syaoran bitterly though. Just deny it!
Tahoka didn't believe Sakura, but held his tongue. "You guys remind me of mummy and daddy...Are you going to marry each other?" he asked. Before Sakura could answer, she heard Syaoran say sharply, "No Tahoka, we're NOT." Alarm filled Sakura's whole body at Syaoran's piercing words, and was about to look at Syaoran when…"There you guys are!" Someone shouted wearily. Syaoran turned around and saw Kai and Kinako running up to them. Kai looked at Syaoran oddly, "Are you alright Syaoran?" He asked.
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" Syaoran replied slightly annoyed.
"Never mind. Forget it." Kai muttered looking at Kinako. Kinako shrugged.
"Will you two stop your telepathic communications for a sec and move out of the way?" Syaoran angrily called then held up his blood soaked sword. "Maze card! In the name of the moon, return to the guise that you were meant to be in!"
***
Syaoran sat in the tall Cherry tree that was in the school grounds. It appeared that he was watching all the other teenagers talking. He had already declined the offer to join in the soccer match. But in fact, Syaoran was deep in thought, trying to remember what had happened only a few days before, but wasn't having much luck. It was all blurry and he couldn't really remember what had happened when he had entered the maze. He glanced at a shadow on the ground and suddenly, as if magically he was unfrozen and could remember the whole thing…
* FLASH BACK….*
He somehow knew which way to go, and was about to turn the corner, when something blocked his way. Syaoran peered closer and saw that it was that boy again. The one all dressed in black. "What do YOU want now?" Syaoran asked.
"To have some fun!" He answered, and then disappeared. Syaoran stared at the spot where he had been in confusion then felt something touch his right side. He turned to find that the boy had re-appeared there. "I promise this won't hurt much!" he happily sneered and then grabbed Syaoran's head forcefully. Syaoran struggled to get out of the boy's firm grip but couldn't so decide to stall for time. "Who are you anyway?" He tried.
"You can call me The Black Pharaoh!" he answered.
"T-The what!" Syaoran burst out. "That's the funniest thing I've ever heard in a long time!"
"Oh Little Wolf. That's not going to work on me this time. Now in a few seconds I want you to shut up or I'll do it for you." Syaoran didn't like his tone so he kept quiet. He felt The Black Pharaoh's cold hands slide into his head and start to rack his brain. Syaoran screamed in pain as cold, dull, darkness entered his head. For a moment he couldn't feel anything except the darkness and then it was gone. The Black Pharaoh released Syaoran and he collapsed on the ground. "W-What did you d-do to me?!" he whispered, terrified.
"I'd take in all the light the sun has to offer, because if you don't, you'll regret it!" The Black Pharaoh coolly relied. "After all, I'm not called 'The Black Pharaoh' for nothing! Now run along, I'm sure you're determined to save your little friends, from the terrors I have set in this maze!" And with that, he was gone. Syaoran shuddered and stood up. What does that guy mean anyway? And then he heard Tahoka scream and panic filled him. He hurriedly kept running…
* END OF FLASH BACK…*
"What DID he do to me anyway?" Syaoran thought out loud and then was jolted out of his thoughts by a flying soccer ball. It struck him right on the forehead and he almost fell out of the tree. "Sorry Li!" Someone called. Syaoran scowled and rubbed his head.
***
"Hey Syaoran, can you help me with question 9?" Sakura asked him, juggling her math's book in her right hand. "What did you say?" he asked.
"If you could help me with my math's homework…"
"Why?"
What's with all the questions? Geez Li-kun! It's either yes or no! Sakura though, somewhat annoyed.
"Because I really don't understand it, and you're really good at it!" Sakura said, instead.
"Whatever. I somehow doubt that I would even CONSIDER helping you anyway. I've got much more important things to do. So go ask someone else before I get really pissed off!" he answered bitterly, clearly meaning every word he said. Sakura was taken aback. Never had she know Syaoran to be the type who snapped at simple questions. Even when he had first come, he HAD acted rather arrogant, but that was just lack of maturity. "Oh…fine I WILL then! Sorry Syaoran, how stupid of me to ask you for help since CLEARLY it's so BELOW you." And with that Sakura stormed off. She didn't see the satisfied expression on Syaoran face, or hear the comment he sneered at her retreating back, "Stupid bitch!"
Why is he being so mean lately? And not just to me, to everyone he comes across. And he rarely complains about anything that he doesn't want to do. He just keeps his feelings to himself and does it! So why change now? Sakura thought a she walked down the street. She stopped briefly, to wipe her blurry eyes. She hadn't really a clue why she was so upset. She assumed it was just hormones, but still! It didn't HELP the situation. She heard a 'beep' from beside her and realized that it was her watch. It read 4:30. Crud! Why am I taking so long? Cheerleading practice ended ages ago! And she quickly ran down the street only to find that it had started raining. She cursed again as it started to get harder and was relieved to find that she had almost reached her street anyway.
***
Syaoran flung the apartment door open, half tiredly, half annoyed. "Whoa. Do I ask what happened to you?" Kai asked from the sofa. "Rain card" Syaoran muttered then disappeared into his bedroom, to change into dry clothes. "Did you get it?" Kai called after him. "I'm not going to even BOTHER answering that one!" Syaoran said annoyed. Kai snickered and looked back down at his exercise book.
"What on EARTH are you doing?" Syaoran asked, stepping into the living room again. "Catching up on some school work."
"A bit eager aren't we?"
"Some people actually like getting good grades!" Kai shot back at Syaoran.
"What are you implying exactly?" Syaoran asked narrowing his eyes. Kai ignored him and wrote something down. He looked up again as he heard knocking at the door. "You get it drowned rat!" Kai said busily, grabbing his text book. "Why should I Mr. smart ass."
"Because I'm working, and don't be so immature." Syaoran glared at Kai and opened the door.
"Hi Syaoran." Kinako said happily. Syaoran grunted and walked away. "Where do you think you're going?" Kai asked angrily. "To the shower – if I'm smart enough to know where it is!"
Kai groaned and put his text book down. "Sorry Ako. You know Syaoran when he has a temper." Kai apoligised, walking up to Kinako.
"I'm guessing that you caused it."
"Hey! It's not my fault he can't take a joke!"
"Whatever Kai. Demo, what DID happen?"
"Syaoran got soaked in the down pour."
"Right! Anyway, I just came over to see how everything was – THAT, and I was bored."
"Uh-huh. Well you haven't come to the right place."
"What do you mean?"
"Syaoran's going to be giving me death stares the whole afternoon, and I'M doing school work."
"I see." Kinako said amused.
***
"I'm sorry but I still don't get it. What DID you do to the Little Wolf?" Chloe asked.
"Simple! I can't believe you STILL don't get it!" Voltaire shot back at her. She scowled – oh if looks could kill!
"Ok. To put it simply, I transferred the 'Dark' card into Syaoran's mind." The Black Pharaoh told her.
"You did WHAT?" She exclaimed.
"Blondes NEVER get it the 50th time." Voltaire muttered to himself.
"Like oh my god! That's sooooo racist Gramps!" Chloe shot back.
"ENOUGH you two!" the Black Pharaoh yelled. The two stopped arguing immediately.
"With the dark card placed firmly into Syaoran's mind, it will only be a matter of time before his mind will be filled with darkness. Therefore killing his spirit and great entertainment for us, I might add!" he grinned.
"So for now until the process is complete The Little Wolf shall just be a complete bastard to whoever happens to cross his path – unless the plan fails…" Voltaire said.
"There is no need for that kind of thinking! My plan cannot fail! By the time his friends realize it will be too late to save him. Meaning that there will be no-one able to capture the rest of the Tsuki cards, assuring Hell upon earth!" The Black Pharaoh grinned again. "But, I will of course be there to ensure that the plan WON'T fail. Now. If you'll excuse me, I'm going to lie down! "
As soon as he was gone Chloe giggled, "It's so funny don't you think? Urashima's so jealous! Just because that Kinomoto girl's in love with Syaoran!"
"Don't you mean his 'Cherry Blossom?'" Voltaire corrected. Chloe giggled again. "To think the great and powerful Motoko Urashima's got a weakness! A girl!"
"I feel sorrier for the Little Wolf," Voltaire said thoughtfully.
"Why?"
"Well you know Urashima. Whenever there's something that he wants, he'll stop at NOTHING to get it!"
"Yeah! Showdown between the Black Pharaoh and the Little Wolf! I can't wait to see how this turns out! Urashima's basically only decided to transfer the Dark card into Li's mind, so that he could snap at Kinomoto and their precious relationship would go down the drain!"
"Oh NOW you get it!" Voltaire sneered.
"What's that supposed to mean you...you… OLD MAN!"
"How DARE you! You little stuck up tart! Don't forget the only reason why you are WITH us - because Urashima and I felt sorry for you and let you plan revenge on Kaiju!" Chloe's eyes widened in fury, but didn't say anything.
"Now if you'll calm down, you'll remember that The Black Pharaoh had asked us to come up with a plan to 'pull wool' over Kinomoto and the other brat's, eyes. They mustn't know what's going on, or The Black Pharaoh will certainly NOT be in a good mood."
"I guess you're right Gramps. Friends?" Chloe elegantly held out her hand.
"Dream on Barbie!" Voltaire said, walking away.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Funny eh? The things your mind asks your fingers to type. Now why on earth would The Black Pharaoh have a thing for Sakura? Dunno myself. Blame my fingers ^_^
Please be sure to review, 'cause lately I need all the motivation I can get! Have a nice time doing whatever you're doing. So until next time…