Title: War Beat
Author: Peonyqt1004
*~Chapter 3: A close Call ; The taking of Tomoyo
:-) Thank you everyone for the reveiws~ They were sweet. Hope you like this chapter! Keep those reviews coming! ^^
Syaoran stared at the army in front of them. There were way too many of them for him to fight single handedly, even with another fighter, he could not... no... will never be able to beat the almost amorphous mass of soldiers clad in black in front of him. He felt sick and queasy as he got down and sat behind the large boulders. The strangely shaped stone curved a bit at the top, allowing a small and safe shelter of shade underneath. Syaoran blew on his frozen fingers, the shelter kept the wind from the north from blowing harshly against him, but he was still cold. He felt his companion shiver Beside him. "Cold?" Tomoyo nodded. "I guess, since we're royalty, we're are not used to the cold like little miss warrior over there." Sakura gave him a glare and continued meditating without moving under the boulders. She did not stir as a cold draft blew through them.
Syaoran shivered. "How much food do we have left Tomoyo." "Hardly enough to sustain us till we get to where ever these troops are getting to." Tomoyo replied, her voice trembling with cold as she opened the sack. There was one loaf of bread with small bits and peices of cheese. "Ugh... did you bring any coats?" "Only cloaks... I'm sorry, I didn't know it was so cold--" "Save it." Syaoran said curtly. "Of course, you never went training into the battle feilds in bitter cold before. Here." He took the cloak and laid it on top of her while he hastily put one on. He blew on his hands and held the last cloak within his hands. "Hey Ms. Snob." There was no reply. Syaoran gave an exaspherated sigh. "Hello? You want to freeze your butt off or not?" Syaoran became angry as she gave no reply. "HELLO." Syaoran stated, matter of factly. "If you don't want it I'll--" "Give it to Tomoyo, she must be cold." Sakura replied, her voice a monotone. Syaoran blinked. "Fine." Tomoyo recieved it graciously but kept giving darting glances to Sakura. Sakura was wearing nothing but a thin fabricated silk shirt and brown cotton pants. The bitter cold whipped past them, and Syaoran watched Sakura supress a shiver. "You sure you don't need one?" Recieving no answer he slumped back. He yearned for some water, hot and steaming. He could use a nice hot bath.
Sakura bit her lips as the stupid arrogant prince kept bugging her. But to her relief, he left her alone. The cold numbed her senses, Sakura was grateful for it. It, in a strange way, numbed her torrent of emotions. She was sure where the troops were heading to. It was so close to the small kingdom which she hoped strongly they would not attack. But little hope there, these troops were merciless, and even a small wealth made them greedy like pigs. She could'nt clear her mind, it was always hard for her to do this, but this time... it was truely hard. If she tried, only the image of her parents falling into the crack through the ground came into her mind. Supressing a shudder, she procceeded to get up stiffly. If only she knew for sure. Her little knowledge in magic made it very hard for her to know their true extent. Julian, her brothers friend, was great when it came to small spells. He had taught her the common spell every magical warrior was used to. Such as sheilding oneself, probing magic, sending magic back where it came from, light, and using magic to track where she was going. Of course, as a bodygaurd, she knew there were going to be a big help... but not in THIS wilderness. She curled up, her back facing the boulder wall, as she fell asleep, curled up into a fetal position.
Tomoyo shivered, the cloaks lessened the cold, but only to an extent. She moved closer to the sleeping Sakura. Was she really ok? She touched her friends hand, it was ice cold. What was wrong with this girl?!
Syaoran perched near the edge of the boulders, the onyl way to get up back towards the Dark Forest. He yawned, making sure that he was well concealed, he nearly cried out in fright as he heard two voices coming up towards his way.
"Hahaha... Can you do this?"
There was a rancid smell and a giggle hit the air.
"Hahaha, look, I can hit that little rabbit over there!"
There was a sound, like the tinkling of water.
There was another giggle.
The footsteps resounded as they came closer to where Syaoran was. Syaoran held his breathe, for two reasons, the boys may hear him, the second, the smell of their urine started to come up towards the forest. "Hmmph. I'm a bit upset. I can't belive we were'nt allowed to take prisoners, during the raid we had on the Li family." There was a sigh, "Yea, that Meiling princess was something... and you know, Tomoyo, the Daiijabou princess, I saw her once, wooohhhaa man... she was something." "How about the Kintomoto's family? Did you see that woman with the large green eyes and black hair? She was such a beautiful person, too bad Opitus killed him." There was a snigger. Syaoran felt rage boiling up his veins, he pratically saw red as he suddenly got up, in front of them.
"Syaoran!"
The two soldiers blanched as they recognized the figure in front of them. "Travis, Kevin." Syaoran said, his voice deadly. "Don't talk about my family members like that... and don't take joy in who you killed, they were all innocent." The two boys laughed. "Syaoran." They teased. "Did you see your mother scream? She was a fighter, yes she was, but she died trying, it was funny, how she tried to fend off the magic with a puny--" "ENOUGH!" Syaoran bellowed. His eyes were slitted, his face strained. "You were knighted for honor, this is not honor now is it." The two boys shrugged. "We're getting alot of things we never gotted before, money, women... hell yea, and guess what, Syaoran, don't finger that sword like that, we can call Nubis at any moment and he'll come and kill you." Syaoran growled. "Before you get that horn out for help, I'll have your throats slitted." Syaoran drew his sword, his eyes dangerous. The two boys blanched. They saw Syaoran's fighting skills, it was famous throughout the whole country. "I-i-i-i-i'll scream!" "Like a girl." Syaoran muttered, his sword put out. "We were once friends, but this is where it'll end." The boy fumbled as he drew his horn, Syaoran was in the air and he kicked the horn away, the delicate white ivory horn shattered into millions of pieces as Syaoran faced them again. "Try that again and that'll be your head."
Sakura rubbed her eyes. "Eh?" She saw Tomoyo sleeping just to her right, but at her left, she heard angry voices talking. Stretching, she crawled towards the noise.
Syaoran brought his sword down in harsh hard strokes, feeling quite robust and happy with a strange sort of bitter after taste as he watched their frightened face and their winces at his powerful blows. "I swear I won't tell Nubis you're here!" Travis babbled as his sword fell from his hand. "Please! Please let me go!" Kevin winced, his damaged arm bleeding. "I swear you won't see the light of day when Nubi--" Syaoran swung his sword at Kevin, his face had a horrible grin on it. "Do what? DO what? Kill more innocent people?!" Syaoran demanded. Kevin looked up cooly at Syaoran. "You would'nt lay a finger on me." He said confidently. "I did, whats this?" Using his sword Syaoran pointed to the wound on Kevins arm. "Oh, just a minor glitch." was the insolent reply. "Why are you talking to me as if I'm a regular commoner?" Syaoran asked, his voice low and deadly. "Syaoran!" Syaoran turned around. "WHA--" A spray of sand hit his eye. Cursing, Syaoran staggered backwards as Kevin got up slowly and grabbed Syaorans collar. "It'll be my pleasure to bring the head of Syaoran Li to my master." Kevin punched Syaoran across the face, leaving a bloody nose. "Go." Kevin told Travis with a stoic yet crazed grin. Travis nodded quickly, "I'll go tell Nubis." "I think not." a voice replied.
Sakura stepped forward, angry at the dishonorable thing they have done. She stepped forward, her stiff and cold fingers gripped her fan handles. Travis was off in a flash. Sakura sighed, and threw her metal fan quickly at Travis's direction. Travis saw a flash of metal, and suddenly he was in mortal pain as the flash of metal returned to Sakuras hand. Travis had fallen to the ground, holding his leg in agony. Kevin frowned and kicked Syaoran in the stomache, making Syaoran moan. Sakura's nose flared, how dare he! "It'll take more then your pretty fans to hurt me girl." Sakura bristled. "Go ahead and try!"
Syaoran rubbed his eye, he could'nt see anything, the world was nothing more then a blur as tears from the pain started welling in his eye. He heard Sakura and sighed with relief, but he wasn't too sure about her ability, after all Kevin did pass the Li's Own knighthood test... And belive me, the test wasn't easy.
Sakura whirled around, as if dancing, her fans grazed the enemy, only to be stopped short as the swords powerful strike stopped her fan, an inch from his neck. With effort, she pushed, but he was too strong for her. Instead, she retreated and came into a fighters stance. "Not bad, not bad." Sakura gritted her teeth, this stupid idiot was acting like a royalty... stupid haughty little... Within her haze of anger, she didn't notice that Kevin was moving something to his fingers. "Lets see what you got." Travis, mesmerized by the scene unfolding in front of him, sat there, flabberghasted at the sight. Sakura moved in, her fans flying. The steady sound of her fan beating against the enemys sword made her think of a heartbeat. She twirled and prepared to land another blow when Kevin suddenly launched out and punched her in the ribs. Giving out a little scream, she dropped one fan as she clutched her bleeding rib. He shirt was torn at the side, and so was the skin which was once there. Red blood dripped like a river down her side. "That was dirty." Sakura said, through tightly clenched teeth. Kevin smiled. "Sorry miss." He brought up her sword, with her last effort, she brought up her fan and blocked it. Using her fan to grip the sword tightly, she twisted it so both the fan and sword went flying into the air. There was a clatter as they landed not too far away. Kevin gave a cocky grin as he brought up a hand, covered in her blood. "You want to fight then huh?"
Tomoyo woke from her doze, only to find Sakura missing, crawling over to the side, she saw that Syaoran was missing too. What was going on? Tomoyo drank some water from the water skin and turned quickly when she heard a rather familiar voice.
Sakura stared, a shining razor was attatched at the end of the ring, the one on his middle finger. Her blood stained it. Her blood. Sakura winced as she clutched her ribs. It acher terribly. He tried to land a punch on her. Sakura managed to dodge it by doing a cart whell to the side. Her red blood left trails on the ground. Feeling a bit light headed, Sakura faced Kevin. "You play dirty, don't you." Sakura asked, breathing heavily. She never suspected that a soldier who have been knighted would do such a dishonorable thing... Kevin looked at her up and down. "You know, you are pretty, but you decided to hang with him, and fight, so, I will kill you." Sakura gritted her teeth, ok, this was enough.
Syaoran opened his eyes, the blurry worled sharpened. 'Finally!' He got up quickly, wiping his bloody nose he watched in horror as Kevin and Sakura started a fistfight.
Travis held his broken ankel in a whimper. Syaoran was up again, what was he to do? He did the last thing he could do. Scream.
The sound echoed across the vast wastelands and forests.
"What was that?!" Nubis demanded as he got up quickly. Opitus looked out, using his magical vision. "I see... two of our soldiers, and that Sakura girl and... the Li Prince!" Nubis smiled an evil smile, although his face looked tight. "Send the soldiers there immedietly!"
Syaoran clamped a hand over the soldiers mouth. Have they heard? Syaoran felt a strange magical presence, and using his magic, he saw two magical eyes staring in their direction. "Sakura! We have to go!" Sakura ignored him and continued to fight. "Sakura! They're coming! They used magic!" Syaoran watched as Sakura did not heed his directions, so he slammed Travis's head down to the ground, kocking him out and ran at Sakura.
Sakura's focus was on one thing. Kevin. She wanted to tear him to peices with her hands... She did not heed Syaorans warning, instead, she saw the silver ring come dangerously close to her, she was dizzy, but she was proud to note how many punches and kicks she had landed on Kevin, she saw that Kevin moved with caution now, almost, fear... Sakura grinned and staggered as she suddenly felt a wave of sickness pass over her. The triumph on Kevins face was too much to bear as he raised his arm and procceded to punch her. Sakura kicked her feet upward, missed... but a sudden force hit her, moving her out of the way. Sakura blinked, something was buzzing in her ear. She shook her head to get it out, but she felt weak. The warm person carried her away, her eyes looked up and she recognized Syaorans face. "Syaoran?" He voice was slurred. She felt dizzy... why? She felt so cold... so cold...
"Tomoyo! Lets get out of here!" Syaoran had managed to grab his sword and Sakuras fans as he had ran past the suprised Kevin with the swollen face. "Lets get you and this crazy girl out of here!" He grabbed Tomoyo by the arm and she barely managed to grab their things as they ran towards the east, towards the river.
Nubis arrived there, only to see two soldiers, one of them was panting like crazy and wiping his mouth, the other was lying on the ground, his ankle broken in a strange angle, unconcious. "Did you let them go!" Nubis barked angrily, his purple eyes eyeing the two angrily. "But... I almost killed her sir, she ran away when that Li got up and--" "No excuse!" Nubis warned, his eyes glittering. "I'll see to that, even if it means you dying, get that Syaoran boy out of my way. And don't lay a finger on that girl. She's mine." Nubis stared coldy at Kevin's brown eyes and turned towards his army. "1000 gold for whoever gives me Syaorans head! 1000!" A great roar resounded from the army as they stomped their feet in appreciation. Nubis turned to Kevin. "Take your injured friend with you. Link! Peter! Captain Rath! Find those filthy wrenches NOW!" Saluting their master they turned to Kevin. "Where did they go last?" "Towards Blau River." Kevin replied. The captain nodded. "Alright men! Lets get going!"
Syaoran stumbled, Sakura was bleeding all over him and she didn't look all that good. "Hold on Sakura..." Syaoran whispered. Sakura snorted. "I'm not a weakling... I'm ok, let me walk..." Syaoran refused to. "Stop being such a man about it! I saw you, you nearly collapsed on the floor! You've lost too much blood!" "Since when did you care..." Sakura mumbled, "Arrogant monarch..." Syaoran ignored that part. "Because you saved my life, I'm returning the favor." Tomoyo caught her breathe. "Some men are right behind us! Oh, I'm sos cared! Is Sakura ok?" "You said you can heal right?" Syaoran asked through gritted teeth as they turned right sharply. "Yes... not well though, I can't heal things all the way, I only have a touch of magi--" "Do what you can do." Syaoran replied. "Sakura needs it." "You called me Sakura?" Sakura asked arrogantly, yet weakly. "I'm Kinomoto to you! Hear that ok..." She said faintly. Tomoyo put a hand on Sakura, stopping Syaoran for a bit. A small flash of white sparkled around her wound as Tomoyo chanted something quickly. Sakuras wound stopped bleeding and the reddness was gone. "C'mon." Syaoran shoved Tomoyo toward the rocks. "I think I see something..."
Eriol grimaced. "Is this all you can gather? 100 men?" Zachary shrugged. "Thats all from the ones Loyal to Li. They can't fight, but their young and their ready." Eriol grimanced again, 'This can take a while.' "Ok." Eriol said outloud. "I only know the few finer arts of the sword and fighting, I will teach all of you, under out allegence to our lord, we will fight!" Eriol sighed as a few men let out a ragged cheer. 'This can take a while... maybe too long... the longer I wait, the more power Nubis will get.'
Syaoran shoved Tomoyo and Sakura down a small crack which could only fit three skinny teenagers. Wincing, Syaoran grabbed a few rocks and shoved it at the entrance, praying the soldiers would'nt look here. He heard footsteps. "I swear I saw someone here." a voice said gruffly. "You sure?" someone barked. Someone laughed. "This is a cliff damn you, we've been lead here and theres nothing here. Let us go down south, after a through search, we will go back if they are not anywhere, meet me at the tree." There was a swift response as the soldiers dissppeared down the rocky road. Syaoran watched this from the crack near the floor. Summoning light, he looked towards the other two with difficulty.
"We might have to stay here for a while so make yourself comfortable." Sakura nodded weakly, already drifting off to sleep. Tomoyo looked at Sakuras wound. "Syaoran, this wound, at the right side of her ribs...its facing you, can you tell me the color of her wound? Is it bruised?" Syaoran blushed slightly as he leaned toward Sakuras back and towards her side. Her wound looked white, stringy red flesh hung about the wound, the skin exposed under the first skin was red, there was no sign of a bruise. " Her torn off fleash is pale, her second skin is red, and her wound is jagged and peices of her skins hanging about." Syaoran felt as he was about to hurl. Tomoyo sighed. "I can't do anything... Syaoran, here's some water from the water skin." There was a ruffling sound. Syaoran felt the damp water skin under his hands. "Pour water onto the wound, if you have a clean dagger, cut off the dangling skin." Syaoran winced. He withdrew the small dagger hidden under his boot with difficulty, scraping his chin, he took out the small dagger, and with the skills and caution fo a surgeon, he removed the excess skin. He heard Sakura whimper as he pulled at her wounds. He scooted himself farther down and poured water upon the wound. Her chest heaved at the contact, moaning in pain, Sakura moved away from him. He grabbed her and pulled her back, regretting it when Sakura let out a small cry. Tomoyo's voice sounded worried. "Is she doing ok?" "I guess so... but this wound needs dressing..."
Syaorans keen ears picked up the sound of retreating footsteps. "Lets get out of this cramped place..." he muttered, his leg was starting to cramp. Tomoyo made a sound of approval as they crawled out from the crack. Syaoran managed to drag Sakura out. "Wake up stone head." Sakura blinked. "Hmm? Mommy, its not morning yet." Her glazed eyes shut again as she curled to her side and she cried out as her wound scraped against the rough floor, she was instantly awake and standing weakly. Her wound had opened up again. Syaoran cursed. "Your more trouble then I thought." He grumbled. "If it wasn't for you I would'nt have gotten this!" Sakura retorted. "Who told you to get in my buisness! I could've handeled it!" "No you could'nt!" Sakura yelled. "They did the old blinding the eye trick! They would've had your throat by then! And your nose is still bleeding." Syaoran wiped his nose again. "Ugh... He hit me pretty hard." "Your heads to hard to crack, I'm suprised it even did that." Sakura said mockingly. Syaoran glared at her. His nose bled all over his shirt and mixed with Sakuras blood which stained the front of his shirt. Sakura eyes the mess and sighed as she ripped the already ripped shirt of hers and wiped his nose. "Tomoyo, your magic can heal this." She was right. His nose ceased to bleed, but the bruise at the side of his face didn't cease to exist. Tomoyo managed to get it less swollen, but it had turned an interesting shade of green.
Eriol swung his sword, back and forth, back and forth, it was rythemic. His sword flashed before him as he practiced in front of Zacharys apple tree. He stopped as he stepped closer to the apple tree. Its bark was flawless, its whimsical little ridges and its dark brown color was healthy, yet, little gnawing at the bottom of the tree caught his attention. Of course. He touched the ragged teethmarks. It was queer, the teeth mark was unlike any normal tree eaters marks. The teethmark was rough, this creature had a hard time trying to gnaw at this tree. He gave a chuckle and noticed something yellow groaning at the bottom of the tree. "Huh?" Eriol crept up to it. It was a strange thing, it had short yellow fur, golden beady eyes, large mouslike ears, and a tail of a lion. It moaned again. "I'm sooo hungry..." Eriol cocked his head, his specs sliding down his nose in disbelief. It... just talked? "My teeth is sore and I didn't even get my job done halfway!" The yellow creature started to bang its head against the trunk of the tree. Eriol, startled, grabbed it by the tail and noticed its small frail wings fluttering helplessly around his hands. "Leggo leggo!" It squealed. Eriol ignored it and observed the creature, its wings were broken... Hmmm... "I SAID LEGGO!" The creature rounded on him and bit his finger. A loud yell of pain shook the night.
Sakura took a dip in the river, stripping off her dirty clothes, she felt the great feeling of cleaness. She dunked her head the in water several times, enjoying the refreashing but cold sensation of silky water against her skin. She winced as a dull pain hit her ribs, but it was ok... her wound did not bleed, Tomoyo had seen to that. She scowled as she remebered Kevin. Grrr.... she wanted to strangle him. He had cheated, and it was a dishonorable thing, but she concluded that he didn't know honorable even if it stood there in front of his face. She could still see the silver metal flashing... wait... her fans! She forgo her fans! Sakura scrambled out of the water and washed the blood out cleanely from her shirt. SHe hurriedly put the wet shirt back on and pulled on the pants and boots and ran back towards the camp.
Tomoyo warmed her hands against the fire, her hair still wet from her quick dip in the river too. Her hair was almost jet black from the dampness. Syaoran shook his head, water splashing everywhere as he came up to her, without a shirt on. With much dignity, Tomoyo gave a little shreik and put her hands in front of her eyes. An eccentric grin lit his face, but he asked the question which had been in his mind. "Wheres Sakura?" "She went to take a quick dip..." "I'M HERE!" Sakura panted, her eyes hectic. "My fans! Where are they--" Syaoran stared at her, her hair fell about her eyes wetly, giving her the look a dew wet rose would have, her lips were blooming red and her shirt was wet... he could see the faint outline of... NO! He would'nt think that way! He cleared his throat. Sakura gave no reaction whatsoever. 'What happened to the swooning girls... and them falling at my feet?' Syaoran thought to himself. Any girl in his kingdom would've died to see him without a shirt... as if reading her mind, Sakura turned to him, "What are you looking at? I've saw better looking muscles then that at my academy!" Sakura hit Syaoran hard on his stomach and 'hmphed'. "So where my fan?" Syaoran rubbed his stomache, warming himself by the fire. "By my shirt." "Wheres your shirt?" Sakura asked patiently. Syaoran threw her a cocky grin. "Where do you think? By the fire smart one." He pointed next to Tomoyo. Sakura turned red and stomped off towards her fans. She withdrew them from the knap sack and quickly sheathed them at her belt. Syaoran sat by the fire, amused.
Sakura turned pink, she had been distracted, after punching Syaoran in the stomache, she felt lightheaded. She lied, Syaoran looked good without his shirt, but she'd reather die five times and burn in hell before she told him that! Drawing herself closer to the fire, she watched as Syaoran flapped his wet shirt twice in the air and threw it on. Oh, she did hate him. She grabbed her armsleeve, and reluctantly tore her blouse sleeves off. "Sakura!" Tomoyo gasped. "Its cold and you're ripping--" "Look, I have a cloak don't I?" Sakura said absently as she tired both of the torn sleeves about her ribs, securing them. "I don't want to get infected." Tomoyo gaped. "Sakura... thats not... womanely." Sakura got up, her eyes suddenly flaring. "Womanly?! So are you saying that I'm NOT a girl?!" Tomoyo gasped, knowing that she had touched a touchy subject. "No... its just that..." Sakura turned on her heels, feeling tears fill her eyes. Oh, she did hate it when people mentioned things like that to her.
**Flashback**
A little girl with shortly cropped brown hair, a small pudgy face and large green eyes punches down a guy who dissed her mother. "Don't say that again!" Sakura flexed her fingers. The boy cried out as she was pulled away from the boy. "Stop it Sakura!" "But mommy! He said you worked in a bar and that you were a whore!" "Tsk tsk, don't listen to him dear. You know things like that are not true." Sakura stomped her feet angrily. "Apologize to my mommy!" The boy stared at her in horror and left screaming. "Look what you've doen Sakura!" Her mother scolded, her green eyes sad and angry at the same time. "Stop being so childish and petty!"
"Look! Sakura is a boy!" The boy she had beated up before said. "Look at her, she beat me up!" The children laughed. "Yo are a girl." One of them said. "No! Look! She wears pants, not dresses, and shes not pretty enough to be a girl! Look at her! She looks like a guy with her short hair! Hahaha! What kind of guy would like her?" "HOW DARE YOU!" Sakura raged, coming around the corner, from her face, everyone knew she heard everything." The boy blanched but stayed put. "Boy boy!" Sakura punched him in the face, his face was a bloody mess when he got up, everyone shrieked and backed away as Sakura grabbed the boy abd started punching him over and over again, this time, the boy bit her arm. They were a rolling on the ground, angrily, Sakura grabbed his hair and pulled, recieving with relish the loud yell the boy gave off till. "SAKURA!" Sakura stopped as someone grabbed her by the collar. "Would you stop it? The boys nearly bald! Why can't you be more like a girl instead of a boy?" Her mother demanded angrily as she grabbed Sakura by the ear and dragged her home.
**Flashback ends**
Syaoran looked after Sakura. "Whoa... she got all touchy again..." Tomoyo winced. "Its not her fault, its mine, I've known her for a long time and I kenw I should'nt have done that." Tomoyo froze, she heard something coming closer. "Do you hear that?" Syaoran tensed. "Wait... I don't know..." Syaoran got up, he sensed something strange in the woods, he could pratically see what it was with his magical eye... straining, his green magic aura lept from him into the forest. There was a sudden movement in the forest as five creatures, looking like half wolves lept from the forest, they were salivating like crazy. Syaoran gulped as he grabbed his sword. "What the HELL is that thing?" The creature stepped forward, it lifted its muzzle in the air and sniffed hungrily. It gave a pointy grin as it rounded on Syaoran. "Hmmm... You humans do smell good... We are were wolves, we were once men until we've became part of our tribe." The wolves circled Syaoran and Tomoyo. "And we've found you during out hunt." The one with one grey eye and one blue eyes smiled. "Much better then the rabbit dinner we thought we'd get..." Syaoran gritted his teeth, Sakura was out there... alone and hurt!
Sakura wiped her eyes as she stared down into her reflection. Large green eyes peered up at her. Her hair was still short, like a mans. Sakura angrily threw a rock into the water and was disgusted with herself, her body, her mind, her life. She still remebered the words that stung even till today... they had been spoken over five years ago, and they still stung.
'She looks so much like a boy, I doubt she'll find any suitors, I'm sorry Nadeshiko, but my boy doesn't want her to be his bride, he doesn't want anything that can kill him to be his bride...'
'Your so ugly! I'll never love you! You look and act like a man!'
Sakura sniffed again, she wiped her tears and stared into her reflection. Her face was still small and pretty to look at... but her body... it was sneiwy, thin, and muscular... nobody wants that... she would never be loved. Sakura felt like screaming and ripping her reflection apart. But that could'nt change who she was. Her body was that of a acrobat, a fighter, not a dancer or...or... a fit wife. 'Men.' She thought bitterly. She shivered through her wet shirt and sighed, crouching in front of the river. Her friends, like Tomoyo, were all small, thin, slightly round, and had smooth beautiful hands.... Sakura stared at her hands. It was the hand of a farmer, a man. Her small slender hands were still soft, but callouses were evident between her thumb and index finger... and a large scar marred her hand. It was the shape of a crescent, it started from the wedge of skin between her thumb and indez finger, all the way around to the wedge between her pinky and the ring finger. Sakura shook her head, this was no time to think of that, she whould be going back. Still smarting from Tomoyo's words, she promised herself, that she didn't care if she was manly. She would'nt show any weakness... not even the feelings that every blossoming women was destined to have.
Syaoran fended them off, the one with the yellow eyes was already dead. If only he could... Tomoyo screamed. He cursed, he had been lured away from her! He realized this as he turned and saw that the wolf people were setting Tomoyo on their backs and leaving. The last one who stood before Syaoran grin. "Sorry, Our boss likes meat which is a bit tender." Syaoran gave a roar, but the wolf was too quick, as the sword came down, the wolf was already dissppearing into the woods. Syaoran grunted as he sat down. He had to find Tomoyo before...
"Syaoran?"
Syaoran gulped and looked up at the green eyes, haughtily he looked at her, his nose up in the air arrogantly. "What baka?" Her eyes blazed as she slowly asked the question he dreaded hearing. "Where is Tomoyo?"
Eriol sucked on his finger, it hurt like hell. The creature sat in front of him, entertaining the army with the fact that this small creature had bit Eriol and caused him to scream in a high pitched voice. He scowled deeply, until the creature said something which was too fantastic and unbelievable for words. "I am Keroubous, the gaurdian of the seal!" It said, puffing up proudly. "You?" Eriol asked with a squeak. "The powerful creature? The one who protects the seal to the legendary stone of power? You?" Eriol stared as the creature nodded, Eriol could'nt help it... He let out his long bays of laughter, which was cut off by a long high pitched scream, and more laughter from his army.
Nubis stared at the map. "This is the way to... where?" Opitus remained calm, although, he was very very fusterated. "The kingdom of the Starrs! Remeber? They are said to be holding they key to the Stone of power!" Nubis stared at Opitus, and laughed. "This small city with barely no power... hold something like that? Outrageous!" "Reasonable." Opitus answered angrily. "Who would suspect that it would be in the weakest city all this time?" Nubis was silent, his eyes showing a glimmer of greed. "You have a point there Opitus."
To be continued....
Reveiw please~! Nxt one will be out soon.
Author: Peonyqt1004
*~Chapter 3: A close Call ; The taking of Tomoyo
:-) Thank you everyone for the reveiws~ They were sweet. Hope you like this chapter! Keep those reviews coming! ^^
Syaoran stared at the army in front of them. There were way too many of them for him to fight single handedly, even with another fighter, he could not... no... will never be able to beat the almost amorphous mass of soldiers clad in black in front of him. He felt sick and queasy as he got down and sat behind the large boulders. The strangely shaped stone curved a bit at the top, allowing a small and safe shelter of shade underneath. Syaoran blew on his frozen fingers, the shelter kept the wind from the north from blowing harshly against him, but he was still cold. He felt his companion shiver Beside him. "Cold?" Tomoyo nodded. "I guess, since we're royalty, we're are not used to the cold like little miss warrior over there." Sakura gave him a glare and continued meditating without moving under the boulders. She did not stir as a cold draft blew through them.
Syaoran shivered. "How much food do we have left Tomoyo." "Hardly enough to sustain us till we get to where ever these troops are getting to." Tomoyo replied, her voice trembling with cold as she opened the sack. There was one loaf of bread with small bits and peices of cheese. "Ugh... did you bring any coats?" "Only cloaks... I'm sorry, I didn't know it was so cold--" "Save it." Syaoran said curtly. "Of course, you never went training into the battle feilds in bitter cold before. Here." He took the cloak and laid it on top of her while he hastily put one on. He blew on his hands and held the last cloak within his hands. "Hey Ms. Snob." There was no reply. Syaoran gave an exaspherated sigh. "Hello? You want to freeze your butt off or not?" Syaoran became angry as she gave no reply. "HELLO." Syaoran stated, matter of factly. "If you don't want it I'll--" "Give it to Tomoyo, she must be cold." Sakura replied, her voice a monotone. Syaoran blinked. "Fine." Tomoyo recieved it graciously but kept giving darting glances to Sakura. Sakura was wearing nothing but a thin fabricated silk shirt and brown cotton pants. The bitter cold whipped past them, and Syaoran watched Sakura supress a shiver. "You sure you don't need one?" Recieving no answer he slumped back. He yearned for some water, hot and steaming. He could use a nice hot bath.
Sakura bit her lips as the stupid arrogant prince kept bugging her. But to her relief, he left her alone. The cold numbed her senses, Sakura was grateful for it. It, in a strange way, numbed her torrent of emotions. She was sure where the troops were heading to. It was so close to the small kingdom which she hoped strongly they would not attack. But little hope there, these troops were merciless, and even a small wealth made them greedy like pigs. She could'nt clear her mind, it was always hard for her to do this, but this time... it was truely hard. If she tried, only the image of her parents falling into the crack through the ground came into her mind. Supressing a shudder, she procceeded to get up stiffly. If only she knew for sure. Her little knowledge in magic made it very hard for her to know their true extent. Julian, her brothers friend, was great when it came to small spells. He had taught her the common spell every magical warrior was used to. Such as sheilding oneself, probing magic, sending magic back where it came from, light, and using magic to track where she was going. Of course, as a bodygaurd, she knew there were going to be a big help... but not in THIS wilderness. She curled up, her back facing the boulder wall, as she fell asleep, curled up into a fetal position.
Tomoyo shivered, the cloaks lessened the cold, but only to an extent. She moved closer to the sleeping Sakura. Was she really ok? She touched her friends hand, it was ice cold. What was wrong with this girl?!
Syaoran perched near the edge of the boulders, the onyl way to get up back towards the Dark Forest. He yawned, making sure that he was well concealed, he nearly cried out in fright as he heard two voices coming up towards his way.
"Hahaha... Can you do this?"
There was a rancid smell and a giggle hit the air.
"Hahaha, look, I can hit that little rabbit over there!"
There was a sound, like the tinkling of water.
There was another giggle.
The footsteps resounded as they came closer to where Syaoran was. Syaoran held his breathe, for two reasons, the boys may hear him, the second, the smell of their urine started to come up towards the forest. "Hmmph. I'm a bit upset. I can't belive we were'nt allowed to take prisoners, during the raid we had on the Li family." There was a sigh, "Yea, that Meiling princess was something... and you know, Tomoyo, the Daiijabou princess, I saw her once, wooohhhaa man... she was something." "How about the Kintomoto's family? Did you see that woman with the large green eyes and black hair? She was such a beautiful person, too bad Opitus killed him." There was a snigger. Syaoran felt rage boiling up his veins, he pratically saw red as he suddenly got up, in front of them.
"Syaoran!"
The two soldiers blanched as they recognized the figure in front of them. "Travis, Kevin." Syaoran said, his voice deadly. "Don't talk about my family members like that... and don't take joy in who you killed, they were all innocent." The two boys laughed. "Syaoran." They teased. "Did you see your mother scream? She was a fighter, yes she was, but she died trying, it was funny, how she tried to fend off the magic with a puny--" "ENOUGH!" Syaoran bellowed. His eyes were slitted, his face strained. "You were knighted for honor, this is not honor now is it." The two boys shrugged. "We're getting alot of things we never gotted before, money, women... hell yea, and guess what, Syaoran, don't finger that sword like that, we can call Nubis at any moment and he'll come and kill you." Syaoran growled. "Before you get that horn out for help, I'll have your throats slitted." Syaoran drew his sword, his eyes dangerous. The two boys blanched. They saw Syaoran's fighting skills, it was famous throughout the whole country. "I-i-i-i-i'll scream!" "Like a girl." Syaoran muttered, his sword put out. "We were once friends, but this is where it'll end." The boy fumbled as he drew his horn, Syaoran was in the air and he kicked the horn away, the delicate white ivory horn shattered into millions of pieces as Syaoran faced them again. "Try that again and that'll be your head."
Sakura rubbed her eyes. "Eh?" She saw Tomoyo sleeping just to her right, but at her left, she heard angry voices talking. Stretching, she crawled towards the noise.
Syaoran brought his sword down in harsh hard strokes, feeling quite robust and happy with a strange sort of bitter after taste as he watched their frightened face and their winces at his powerful blows. "I swear I won't tell Nubis you're here!" Travis babbled as his sword fell from his hand. "Please! Please let me go!" Kevin winced, his damaged arm bleeding. "I swear you won't see the light of day when Nubi--" Syaoran swung his sword at Kevin, his face had a horrible grin on it. "Do what? DO what? Kill more innocent people?!" Syaoran demanded. Kevin looked up cooly at Syaoran. "You would'nt lay a finger on me." He said confidently. "I did, whats this?" Using his sword Syaoran pointed to the wound on Kevins arm. "Oh, just a minor glitch." was the insolent reply. "Why are you talking to me as if I'm a regular commoner?" Syaoran asked, his voice low and deadly. "Syaoran!" Syaoran turned around. "WHA--" A spray of sand hit his eye. Cursing, Syaoran staggered backwards as Kevin got up slowly and grabbed Syaorans collar. "It'll be my pleasure to bring the head of Syaoran Li to my master." Kevin punched Syaoran across the face, leaving a bloody nose. "Go." Kevin told Travis with a stoic yet crazed grin. Travis nodded quickly, "I'll go tell Nubis." "I think not." a voice replied.
Sakura stepped forward, angry at the dishonorable thing they have done. She stepped forward, her stiff and cold fingers gripped her fan handles. Travis was off in a flash. Sakura sighed, and threw her metal fan quickly at Travis's direction. Travis saw a flash of metal, and suddenly he was in mortal pain as the flash of metal returned to Sakuras hand. Travis had fallen to the ground, holding his leg in agony. Kevin frowned and kicked Syaoran in the stomache, making Syaoran moan. Sakura's nose flared, how dare he! "It'll take more then your pretty fans to hurt me girl." Sakura bristled. "Go ahead and try!"
Syaoran rubbed his eye, he could'nt see anything, the world was nothing more then a blur as tears from the pain started welling in his eye. He heard Sakura and sighed with relief, but he wasn't too sure about her ability, after all Kevin did pass the Li's Own knighthood test... And belive me, the test wasn't easy.
Sakura whirled around, as if dancing, her fans grazed the enemy, only to be stopped short as the swords powerful strike stopped her fan, an inch from his neck. With effort, she pushed, but he was too strong for her. Instead, she retreated and came into a fighters stance. "Not bad, not bad." Sakura gritted her teeth, this stupid idiot was acting like a royalty... stupid haughty little... Within her haze of anger, she didn't notice that Kevin was moving something to his fingers. "Lets see what you got." Travis, mesmerized by the scene unfolding in front of him, sat there, flabberghasted at the sight. Sakura moved in, her fans flying. The steady sound of her fan beating against the enemys sword made her think of a heartbeat. She twirled and prepared to land another blow when Kevin suddenly launched out and punched her in the ribs. Giving out a little scream, she dropped one fan as she clutched her bleeding rib. He shirt was torn at the side, and so was the skin which was once there. Red blood dripped like a river down her side. "That was dirty." Sakura said, through tightly clenched teeth. Kevin smiled. "Sorry miss." He brought up her sword, with her last effort, she brought up her fan and blocked it. Using her fan to grip the sword tightly, she twisted it so both the fan and sword went flying into the air. There was a clatter as they landed not too far away. Kevin gave a cocky grin as he brought up a hand, covered in her blood. "You want to fight then huh?"
Tomoyo woke from her doze, only to find Sakura missing, crawling over to the side, she saw that Syaoran was missing too. What was going on? Tomoyo drank some water from the water skin and turned quickly when she heard a rather familiar voice.
Sakura stared, a shining razor was attatched at the end of the ring, the one on his middle finger. Her blood stained it. Her blood. Sakura winced as she clutched her ribs. It acher terribly. He tried to land a punch on her. Sakura managed to dodge it by doing a cart whell to the side. Her red blood left trails on the ground. Feeling a bit light headed, Sakura faced Kevin. "You play dirty, don't you." Sakura asked, breathing heavily. She never suspected that a soldier who have been knighted would do such a dishonorable thing... Kevin looked at her up and down. "You know, you are pretty, but you decided to hang with him, and fight, so, I will kill you." Sakura gritted her teeth, ok, this was enough.
Syaoran opened his eyes, the blurry worled sharpened. 'Finally!' He got up quickly, wiping his bloody nose he watched in horror as Kevin and Sakura started a fistfight.
Travis held his broken ankel in a whimper. Syaoran was up again, what was he to do? He did the last thing he could do. Scream.
The sound echoed across the vast wastelands and forests.
"What was that?!" Nubis demanded as he got up quickly. Opitus looked out, using his magical vision. "I see... two of our soldiers, and that Sakura girl and... the Li Prince!" Nubis smiled an evil smile, although his face looked tight. "Send the soldiers there immedietly!"
Syaoran clamped a hand over the soldiers mouth. Have they heard? Syaoran felt a strange magical presence, and using his magic, he saw two magical eyes staring in their direction. "Sakura! We have to go!" Sakura ignored him and continued to fight. "Sakura! They're coming! They used magic!" Syaoran watched as Sakura did not heed his directions, so he slammed Travis's head down to the ground, kocking him out and ran at Sakura.
Sakura's focus was on one thing. Kevin. She wanted to tear him to peices with her hands... She did not heed Syaorans warning, instead, she saw the silver ring come dangerously close to her, she was dizzy, but she was proud to note how many punches and kicks she had landed on Kevin, she saw that Kevin moved with caution now, almost, fear... Sakura grinned and staggered as she suddenly felt a wave of sickness pass over her. The triumph on Kevins face was too much to bear as he raised his arm and procceded to punch her. Sakura kicked her feet upward, missed... but a sudden force hit her, moving her out of the way. Sakura blinked, something was buzzing in her ear. She shook her head to get it out, but she felt weak. The warm person carried her away, her eyes looked up and she recognized Syaorans face. "Syaoran?" He voice was slurred. She felt dizzy... why? She felt so cold... so cold...
"Tomoyo! Lets get out of here!" Syaoran had managed to grab his sword and Sakuras fans as he had ran past the suprised Kevin with the swollen face. "Lets get you and this crazy girl out of here!" He grabbed Tomoyo by the arm and she barely managed to grab their things as they ran towards the east, towards the river.
Nubis arrived there, only to see two soldiers, one of them was panting like crazy and wiping his mouth, the other was lying on the ground, his ankle broken in a strange angle, unconcious. "Did you let them go!" Nubis barked angrily, his purple eyes eyeing the two angrily. "But... I almost killed her sir, she ran away when that Li got up and--" "No excuse!" Nubis warned, his eyes glittering. "I'll see to that, even if it means you dying, get that Syaoran boy out of my way. And don't lay a finger on that girl. She's mine." Nubis stared coldy at Kevin's brown eyes and turned towards his army. "1000 gold for whoever gives me Syaorans head! 1000!" A great roar resounded from the army as they stomped their feet in appreciation. Nubis turned to Kevin. "Take your injured friend with you. Link! Peter! Captain Rath! Find those filthy wrenches NOW!" Saluting their master they turned to Kevin. "Where did they go last?" "Towards Blau River." Kevin replied. The captain nodded. "Alright men! Lets get going!"
Syaoran stumbled, Sakura was bleeding all over him and she didn't look all that good. "Hold on Sakura..." Syaoran whispered. Sakura snorted. "I'm not a weakling... I'm ok, let me walk..." Syaoran refused to. "Stop being such a man about it! I saw you, you nearly collapsed on the floor! You've lost too much blood!" "Since when did you care..." Sakura mumbled, "Arrogant monarch..." Syaoran ignored that part. "Because you saved my life, I'm returning the favor." Tomoyo caught her breathe. "Some men are right behind us! Oh, I'm sos cared! Is Sakura ok?" "You said you can heal right?" Syaoran asked through gritted teeth as they turned right sharply. "Yes... not well though, I can't heal things all the way, I only have a touch of magi--" "Do what you can do." Syaoran replied. "Sakura needs it." "You called me Sakura?" Sakura asked arrogantly, yet weakly. "I'm Kinomoto to you! Hear that ok..." She said faintly. Tomoyo put a hand on Sakura, stopping Syaoran for a bit. A small flash of white sparkled around her wound as Tomoyo chanted something quickly. Sakuras wound stopped bleeding and the reddness was gone. "C'mon." Syaoran shoved Tomoyo toward the rocks. "I think I see something..."
Eriol grimaced. "Is this all you can gather? 100 men?" Zachary shrugged. "Thats all from the ones Loyal to Li. They can't fight, but their young and their ready." Eriol grimanced again, 'This can take a while.' "Ok." Eriol said outloud. "I only know the few finer arts of the sword and fighting, I will teach all of you, under out allegence to our lord, we will fight!" Eriol sighed as a few men let out a ragged cheer. 'This can take a while... maybe too long... the longer I wait, the more power Nubis will get.'
Syaoran shoved Tomoyo and Sakura down a small crack which could only fit three skinny teenagers. Wincing, Syaoran grabbed a few rocks and shoved it at the entrance, praying the soldiers would'nt look here. He heard footsteps. "I swear I saw someone here." a voice said gruffly. "You sure?" someone barked. Someone laughed. "This is a cliff damn you, we've been lead here and theres nothing here. Let us go down south, after a through search, we will go back if they are not anywhere, meet me at the tree." There was a swift response as the soldiers dissppeared down the rocky road. Syaoran watched this from the crack near the floor. Summoning light, he looked towards the other two with difficulty.
"We might have to stay here for a while so make yourself comfortable." Sakura nodded weakly, already drifting off to sleep. Tomoyo looked at Sakuras wound. "Syaoran, this wound, at the right side of her ribs...its facing you, can you tell me the color of her wound? Is it bruised?" Syaoran blushed slightly as he leaned toward Sakuras back and towards her side. Her wound looked white, stringy red flesh hung about the wound, the skin exposed under the first skin was red, there was no sign of a bruise. " Her torn off fleash is pale, her second skin is red, and her wound is jagged and peices of her skins hanging about." Syaoran felt as he was about to hurl. Tomoyo sighed. "I can't do anything... Syaoran, here's some water from the water skin." There was a ruffling sound. Syaoran felt the damp water skin under his hands. "Pour water onto the wound, if you have a clean dagger, cut off the dangling skin." Syaoran winced. He withdrew the small dagger hidden under his boot with difficulty, scraping his chin, he took out the small dagger, and with the skills and caution fo a surgeon, he removed the excess skin. He heard Sakura whimper as he pulled at her wounds. He scooted himself farther down and poured water upon the wound. Her chest heaved at the contact, moaning in pain, Sakura moved away from him. He grabbed her and pulled her back, regretting it when Sakura let out a small cry. Tomoyo's voice sounded worried. "Is she doing ok?" "I guess so... but this wound needs dressing..."
Syaorans keen ears picked up the sound of retreating footsteps. "Lets get out of this cramped place..." he muttered, his leg was starting to cramp. Tomoyo made a sound of approval as they crawled out from the crack. Syaoran managed to drag Sakura out. "Wake up stone head." Sakura blinked. "Hmm? Mommy, its not morning yet." Her glazed eyes shut again as she curled to her side and she cried out as her wound scraped against the rough floor, she was instantly awake and standing weakly. Her wound had opened up again. Syaoran cursed. "Your more trouble then I thought." He grumbled. "If it wasn't for you I would'nt have gotten this!" Sakura retorted. "Who told you to get in my buisness! I could've handeled it!" "No you could'nt!" Sakura yelled. "They did the old blinding the eye trick! They would've had your throat by then! And your nose is still bleeding." Syaoran wiped his nose again. "Ugh... He hit me pretty hard." "Your heads to hard to crack, I'm suprised it even did that." Sakura said mockingly. Syaoran glared at her. His nose bled all over his shirt and mixed with Sakuras blood which stained the front of his shirt. Sakura eyes the mess and sighed as she ripped the already ripped shirt of hers and wiped his nose. "Tomoyo, your magic can heal this." She was right. His nose ceased to bleed, but the bruise at the side of his face didn't cease to exist. Tomoyo managed to get it less swollen, but it had turned an interesting shade of green.
Eriol swung his sword, back and forth, back and forth, it was rythemic. His sword flashed before him as he practiced in front of Zacharys apple tree. He stopped as he stepped closer to the apple tree. Its bark was flawless, its whimsical little ridges and its dark brown color was healthy, yet, little gnawing at the bottom of the tree caught his attention. Of course. He touched the ragged teethmarks. It was queer, the teeth mark was unlike any normal tree eaters marks. The teethmark was rough, this creature had a hard time trying to gnaw at this tree. He gave a chuckle and noticed something yellow groaning at the bottom of the tree. "Huh?" Eriol crept up to it. It was a strange thing, it had short yellow fur, golden beady eyes, large mouslike ears, and a tail of a lion. It moaned again. "I'm sooo hungry..." Eriol cocked his head, his specs sliding down his nose in disbelief. It... just talked? "My teeth is sore and I didn't even get my job done halfway!" The yellow creature started to bang its head against the trunk of the tree. Eriol, startled, grabbed it by the tail and noticed its small frail wings fluttering helplessly around his hands. "Leggo leggo!" It squealed. Eriol ignored it and observed the creature, its wings were broken... Hmmm... "I SAID LEGGO!" The creature rounded on him and bit his finger. A loud yell of pain shook the night.
Sakura took a dip in the river, stripping off her dirty clothes, she felt the great feeling of cleaness. She dunked her head the in water several times, enjoying the refreashing but cold sensation of silky water against her skin. She winced as a dull pain hit her ribs, but it was ok... her wound did not bleed, Tomoyo had seen to that. She scowled as she remebered Kevin. Grrr.... she wanted to strangle him. He had cheated, and it was a dishonorable thing, but she concluded that he didn't know honorable even if it stood there in front of his face. She could still see the silver metal flashing... wait... her fans! She forgo her fans! Sakura scrambled out of the water and washed the blood out cleanely from her shirt. SHe hurriedly put the wet shirt back on and pulled on the pants and boots and ran back towards the camp.
Tomoyo warmed her hands against the fire, her hair still wet from her quick dip in the river too. Her hair was almost jet black from the dampness. Syaoran shook his head, water splashing everywhere as he came up to her, without a shirt on. With much dignity, Tomoyo gave a little shreik and put her hands in front of her eyes. An eccentric grin lit his face, but he asked the question which had been in his mind. "Wheres Sakura?" "She went to take a quick dip..." "I'M HERE!" Sakura panted, her eyes hectic. "My fans! Where are they--" Syaoran stared at her, her hair fell about her eyes wetly, giving her the look a dew wet rose would have, her lips were blooming red and her shirt was wet... he could see the faint outline of... NO! He would'nt think that way! He cleared his throat. Sakura gave no reaction whatsoever. 'What happened to the swooning girls... and them falling at my feet?' Syaoran thought to himself. Any girl in his kingdom would've died to see him without a shirt... as if reading her mind, Sakura turned to him, "What are you looking at? I've saw better looking muscles then that at my academy!" Sakura hit Syaoran hard on his stomach and 'hmphed'. "So where my fan?" Syaoran rubbed his stomache, warming himself by the fire. "By my shirt." "Wheres your shirt?" Sakura asked patiently. Syaoran threw her a cocky grin. "Where do you think? By the fire smart one." He pointed next to Tomoyo. Sakura turned red and stomped off towards her fans. She withdrew them from the knap sack and quickly sheathed them at her belt. Syaoran sat by the fire, amused.
Sakura turned pink, she had been distracted, after punching Syaoran in the stomache, she felt lightheaded. She lied, Syaoran looked good without his shirt, but she'd reather die five times and burn in hell before she told him that! Drawing herself closer to the fire, she watched as Syaoran flapped his wet shirt twice in the air and threw it on. Oh, she did hate him. She grabbed her armsleeve, and reluctantly tore her blouse sleeves off. "Sakura!" Tomoyo gasped. "Its cold and you're ripping--" "Look, I have a cloak don't I?" Sakura said absently as she tired both of the torn sleeves about her ribs, securing them. "I don't want to get infected." Tomoyo gaped. "Sakura... thats not... womanely." Sakura got up, her eyes suddenly flaring. "Womanly?! So are you saying that I'm NOT a girl?!" Tomoyo gasped, knowing that she had touched a touchy subject. "No... its just that..." Sakura turned on her heels, feeling tears fill her eyes. Oh, she did hate it when people mentioned things like that to her.
**Flashback**
A little girl with shortly cropped brown hair, a small pudgy face and large green eyes punches down a guy who dissed her mother. "Don't say that again!" Sakura flexed her fingers. The boy cried out as she was pulled away from the boy. "Stop it Sakura!" "But mommy! He said you worked in a bar and that you were a whore!" "Tsk tsk, don't listen to him dear. You know things like that are not true." Sakura stomped her feet angrily. "Apologize to my mommy!" The boy stared at her in horror and left screaming. "Look what you've doen Sakura!" Her mother scolded, her green eyes sad and angry at the same time. "Stop being so childish and petty!"
"Look! Sakura is a boy!" The boy she had beated up before said. "Look at her, she beat me up!" The children laughed. "Yo are a girl." One of them said. "No! Look! She wears pants, not dresses, and shes not pretty enough to be a girl! Look at her! She looks like a guy with her short hair! Hahaha! What kind of guy would like her?" "HOW DARE YOU!" Sakura raged, coming around the corner, from her face, everyone knew she heard everything." The boy blanched but stayed put. "Boy boy!" Sakura punched him in the face, his face was a bloody mess when he got up, everyone shrieked and backed away as Sakura grabbed the boy abd started punching him over and over again, this time, the boy bit her arm. They were a rolling on the ground, angrily, Sakura grabbed his hair and pulled, recieving with relish the loud yell the boy gave off till. "SAKURA!" Sakura stopped as someone grabbed her by the collar. "Would you stop it? The boys nearly bald! Why can't you be more like a girl instead of a boy?" Her mother demanded angrily as she grabbed Sakura by the ear and dragged her home.
**Flashback ends**
Syaoran looked after Sakura. "Whoa... she got all touchy again..." Tomoyo winced. "Its not her fault, its mine, I've known her for a long time and I kenw I should'nt have done that." Tomoyo froze, she heard something coming closer. "Do you hear that?" Syaoran tensed. "Wait... I don't know..." Syaoran got up, he sensed something strange in the woods, he could pratically see what it was with his magical eye... straining, his green magic aura lept from him into the forest. There was a sudden movement in the forest as five creatures, looking like half wolves lept from the forest, they were salivating like crazy. Syaoran gulped as he grabbed his sword. "What the HELL is that thing?" The creature stepped forward, it lifted its muzzle in the air and sniffed hungrily. It gave a pointy grin as it rounded on Syaoran. "Hmmm... You humans do smell good... We are were wolves, we were once men until we've became part of our tribe." The wolves circled Syaoran and Tomoyo. "And we've found you during out hunt." The one with one grey eye and one blue eyes smiled. "Much better then the rabbit dinner we thought we'd get..." Syaoran gritted his teeth, Sakura was out there... alone and hurt!
Sakura wiped her eyes as she stared down into her reflection. Large green eyes peered up at her. Her hair was still short, like a mans. Sakura angrily threw a rock into the water and was disgusted with herself, her body, her mind, her life. She still remebered the words that stung even till today... they had been spoken over five years ago, and they still stung.
'She looks so much like a boy, I doubt she'll find any suitors, I'm sorry Nadeshiko, but my boy doesn't want her to be his bride, he doesn't want anything that can kill him to be his bride...'
'Your so ugly! I'll never love you! You look and act like a man!'
Sakura sniffed again, she wiped her tears and stared into her reflection. Her face was still small and pretty to look at... but her body... it was sneiwy, thin, and muscular... nobody wants that... she would never be loved. Sakura felt like screaming and ripping her reflection apart. But that could'nt change who she was. Her body was that of a acrobat, a fighter, not a dancer or...or... a fit wife. 'Men.' She thought bitterly. She shivered through her wet shirt and sighed, crouching in front of the river. Her friends, like Tomoyo, were all small, thin, slightly round, and had smooth beautiful hands.... Sakura stared at her hands. It was the hand of a farmer, a man. Her small slender hands were still soft, but callouses were evident between her thumb and index finger... and a large scar marred her hand. It was the shape of a crescent, it started from the wedge of skin between her thumb and indez finger, all the way around to the wedge between her pinky and the ring finger. Sakura shook her head, this was no time to think of that, she whould be going back. Still smarting from Tomoyo's words, she promised herself, that she didn't care if she was manly. She would'nt show any weakness... not even the feelings that every blossoming women was destined to have.
Syaoran fended them off, the one with the yellow eyes was already dead. If only he could... Tomoyo screamed. He cursed, he had been lured away from her! He realized this as he turned and saw that the wolf people were setting Tomoyo on their backs and leaving. The last one who stood before Syaoran grin. "Sorry, Our boss likes meat which is a bit tender." Syaoran gave a roar, but the wolf was too quick, as the sword came down, the wolf was already dissppearing into the woods. Syaoran grunted as he sat down. He had to find Tomoyo before...
"Syaoran?"
Syaoran gulped and looked up at the green eyes, haughtily he looked at her, his nose up in the air arrogantly. "What baka?" Her eyes blazed as she slowly asked the question he dreaded hearing. "Where is Tomoyo?"
Eriol sucked on his finger, it hurt like hell. The creature sat in front of him, entertaining the army with the fact that this small creature had bit Eriol and caused him to scream in a high pitched voice. He scowled deeply, until the creature said something which was too fantastic and unbelievable for words. "I am Keroubous, the gaurdian of the seal!" It said, puffing up proudly. "You?" Eriol asked with a squeak. "The powerful creature? The one who protects the seal to the legendary stone of power? You?" Eriol stared as the creature nodded, Eriol could'nt help it... He let out his long bays of laughter, which was cut off by a long high pitched scream, and more laughter from his army.
Nubis stared at the map. "This is the way to... where?" Opitus remained calm, although, he was very very fusterated. "The kingdom of the Starrs! Remeber? They are said to be holding they key to the Stone of power!" Nubis stared at Opitus, and laughed. "This small city with barely no power... hold something like that? Outrageous!" "Reasonable." Opitus answered angrily. "Who would suspect that it would be in the weakest city all this time?" Nubis was silent, his eyes showing a glimmer of greed. "You have a point there Opitus."
To be continued....
Reveiw please~! Nxt one will be out soon.
