Of Lions and Dragons

Chapter 8

Disclaimer:

How do I put this lightly? I DON'T OWN CCS! ARE YOU HAPPY NOW?! *sob*

Author's Notes:

Ummmm…I have nothing to ramble about so ummm…just read. (Actually I noticed that some of you are going after MY bishounen Syao-chan and let me just say…BACK OFF! *shrinks in fear as fellow Syaoran fans advance on Little Sakura* Hehehe, just kidding, it's a joke really! Ano…well never mind, I'll just go back to my little Syao-chan obsessed world)

Chapter 8

Fiery amber eyes revealed themselves as Li Syaoran looked up to the ceiling, sighing deeply as he remembered who wasn't far away from him in that very same bed. He turned on his side to gaze at the angel he was currently mesmerized by, hands tucked demurely under her chin, soft honey locks framing her adorable face. The young sorcerer gently stroked her cheek with his thumb, wondering why he couldn't tear his eyes away, couldn't…tear his heart away. 'What is this...this feeling that I derive from being with her? I've never felt this way about anyone before in my whole life. All I know is…life would be unbearably hard without her.' Pressing his lips to her cheek, he gently whispered her name, the last thing that left his lips before sleep rested his body once more.

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Something was wrong, Syaoran, the invincible warrior was cold, alone and lonely. His eyes immediately snapped open, aware of something missing from his side. The warm pink aura that had kept him warm was faded and distant; he turned sharply and beheld ruffled sheets but no Sakura. As his senses began returning to him, he discerned an ominous howling outside, the fierce wind beating against the walls of the inn. Throwing the blankets aside he bolted over to the window and tossed back the curtains, his vision blocked by a mass of swirling white. He blinked and then winced as a pain shot through his back. Syaoran stumbled back to the bed and collapsed onto his stomach as the door flew open.

"SYAORAN!"

'Just great, Meiling is not what I need right now.'

The ebony haired teen wrapped her arms around her chestnut haired fiancée, and frowned noticing a familiar outfit on the floor. "Nani? Why are Kinomoto-san's clothes here?"

Syaoran looked down to the floor where Meiling was glaring and tensed up. "Ano…this is…well…"

"You're sharing room with her?!"

"Meiling…"

Meiling's eyes burned with vehemence. "What kind of a joke is this?"

"Meiling…" 

"I mean for kami-sama's sake you two, I bet she…"

"Meiling!"

"Nani?"

"Where's Sa—I mean Kinomoto?"

Meiling crossed her arms and turned her nose into the air. "Doushite?"

"Meiling…" Syaoran looked to the window, the blizzard swirling with new intensity.

The female Chinese teen looked to Syaoran and sighed. "Fine, she left about three hours ago to go outside."

A strong gust slammed itself into the walls of the inn, Syaoran's frown increasing as he stood up and grabbed a white long sleeved button down shirt. "I gotta go find her."

"Doushite?"

"Because I..." Syaoran bowed his head, chestnut bangs covering his eyes. "Okaa-san will be unhappy if I fail to bring the Card Mistress."

Hastily buttoning the shirt halfway, he darted out the doorway and the inn, Meiling watching the oak door swing back and forth on its hinges. She sank to her knees as a single tear dropped into her lap. "Syaoran…why can't you just admit it…you care for her, she's slowly stealing your heart."

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Syaoran bent his head against the blinding snow pelting his face and body, struggling arduously against the strong gusts of ice and wind. He raised his head and shielded his eyes. He couldn't see anything in any direction; the only thing visible was white. He had lost sight of the inn long ago but that didn't matter, all that mattered was finding Sakura. Taking the small black orb from his neck he swiped it to the side, the familiar sword coming to rest in his trained hand. The Chinese warrior closed his eyes, relying on magic alone was the only way to find the Mistress of the Cards now. A faint sense of Sakura's light pink aura flashed through him and he dashed blindly through the blizzard, not caring where he ended up, as long as he was with her. A lump under the snow up ahead caught his skilled eye and he knelt to the ground beside it, furiously clawing away the snow and ice with bare hands. He stopped short and gasped. There under the snow was Kinomoto Sakura almost completely frozen. Taking the lithe girl gently in his arms he cradled her to his chest, searching frantically for a place to keep her warm. A cave was spotted not too far off and Syaoran quickly made his way toward it, shielding the girl in his arms from the snowstorm. He gently laid her down inside the cave, a single Clow Card fluttering to the damp floor. He picked it up and smiled as he tapped it with the tip of his blade, the rectangle staying in perfect alignment with his sword. "Create Card; wall up the entrance to this cave!"

Instantly a huge boulder appeared in the opening, sealing out the wind, ice and cold. He now turned to his next task. Taking an ofuda from his pocket (AN: Did anyone ever notice that Syao-chan just pops these things out of nowhere?) Syaoran muttered an incantation and the small charm instantaneously lit ablaze. The warrior gathered some brush from around the cave and pushed it into a small pile, touching the flaming ofuda to the dry firewood. A roaring blaze soon warmed the small cave and lit up the faces of its occupants. Syaoran winced from the sharp pain still present from his body but ignored it as he crawled over to Sakura's side. He laid his head against her chest; good she was still breathing but she would soon die if she wasn't taken care of. Syaoran took one of Sakura's frozen hands in his and began to massage it gently, bringing warmth back to her frozen body. For a moment, he almost thought he felt her stir, but quickly dismissed it as he watched her tired and pale form. Silently, he took off his shirt and laid it under the fragile girl's head, making her as comfortable as he possibly could. Syaoran watched with sad amber eyes and bowed his head, chestnut locks hiding his fiery orbs. "How could I…how could I let this happen? I should have protected her, I…" A crystalline drop rolled down his cheek and he touched his finger to it. "What the…?" A tear? Was the future Leader of the all powerful Li Clan crying? No it couldn't be true, but yet there he was, distressed beyond all belief that the angel he cared so much for, may never open her eyes again. He took both her hands in his own and lay down on his stomach beside her. "Onegai…Sakura…don't die on me. You can't! I won't let you." The amber-eyed teen tenderly kissed her cheek and laid his head on her stomach, unbeknownst to him the emerald eyed Card Captor was slowly regaining consciousness. Syaoran sighed deeply and voiced his concern gently. "Sakura…you can't die, you have to open your eyes again…I won't be able to…I…" He trailed off and closed his eyes, not seeing Sakura slowly open hers. The warrior began again. "I…I care about you too much. Onegai Kami-sama, if there's anything you can do, please just let her open her eyes again, let Sakura open her eyes…onegai…" he stopped as his strength began to leave him and his eyes gently closed as he fell asleep by his angel's side. Sakura blinked in obvious surprise at the stern warrior's gentle and tender monologue. 'Syaoran…he…he cares about me? Doushite? I care about him too, a great deal but I never thought that…' Sakura sighed as she released the conflicting thoughts from her mind, absorbed completely in the fact of having the handsome warrior by her side, the image of the amber eyed boy the only thing left in her mind as she drifted off to sleep.

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A pale orange orb began to slowly ascend into the sky, tinting the white powder with a pastel pink glow. Soft flakes fell gently to the ground, deep in contrast to the raging blizzard that had just taken place the night before. Sakura opened her eyes wearily; she ached all over and felt that she would fall should she stand up. A chill passed through her body as she recalled the events of yesterday…

"Tomoyo-chan!"

The violet-eyed girl looked up from her breakfast and the rest of the dining hall glanced in the cheerful girl's direction. Tomoyo nodded to her best friend. "Nani Sakura-chan?"

Sakura danced over to the curtains and threw them aside, revealing a pristine winter wonderland. "Sugoi…" everyone murmured as they trailed off. Sakura beamed back to her friends. "Would anyone like to join me?"

Chiharu and Takashi shook their heads, a similar response coming from Tomoyo and Eriol. "Gomen nasai, we promised Chiharu-chan and Yamazaki-kun that we would help out a little around the inn today."

Sakura clasped her hands under her chin. "Gomen ne! Onegai let me help too!"

Eriol laughed and smiled to his girlfriend's best friend. "Sakura you are far too genki to be kept indoors, onegai go have fun, ne?"

"Hontou?" Sakura asked of her friends' approval.

"Hai!" They chorused together.

Sakura danced around and sang a short tune about the snow before hugging each and every one of her friends. "Arigatou!"

She shut the inn door quietly behind her and skipped about the snow, being ever so careful to disturb as little of the powder as she could. The emerald eyed teen tilted her head to the sky, catching a few snowflakes on her tongue and bare fingertips, all the while getting farther and farther away from the small inn. A strong wind picked up and Sakura shielded her eyes from the offensive snow pelting her face. Magical energy clearly began to pulse around her and Sakura took the small bird shaped necklace from her neck.

O key which hides the powers of Darkness

Reveal thy true form to me

I Sakura command you under contract

Release!

A lump of snow fell onto the teenager's head and she glared irritated up to the sky. "Let me guess, the Snow Card…"

As if on cue, a pale woman rose from the snow. Flowing light blue, almost white robes floated beyond her in the icy wind, and three ice crystals surrounded her neck, adding to her already sparkling form. Sakura raised her staff into the air but stopped as Snow sent her a glare colder than the ice and shook her head. The Card Mistress backed up and stumbled and as she watched Snow carefully. A few icicles formed in her hands and she bombarded the emerald eyed teen, knocking her unconscious as the snow began to cover her body.

Sakura frowned, "So…that's what happened." She glanced down to the added weight on her stomach and blushed deeply when she beheld the handsome warrior lying on her stomach. His eyes were closed and a small smile touched his lips, reminding her of how he looked the last time she woke up to him sleeping. Reaching out a trembling hand, she began to tangle her fingers in his hair, gently massaging his head and shook her head gently. "Syaoran-kun why did you do this? You've risked your life twice for me already, and I've…I've never repaid you…" The young warrior stirred and spoke gently and deeply without opening his eyes. "Hai you've repaid me in more ways than one…Sakura." Eyes widening in pleasant surprise, Sakura sat up and looked at Syaoran full length. He was wearing only his pants and boots, a few bruises covered his body and he looked exhausted. Gently so not to hurt him, Sakura wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face on his bare shoulder. Syaoran blinked, and then closed his eyes, a smile adorning his lips as he held Sakura close to him. Something wet touched his chest and he placed his fingers under her chin lifting her face to his. He looked to her gently, amber orbs gazing softly into emerald gems, reassuring her that everything would surely be alright. "Onegai, Sakura don't cry…I hate to see you upset."

Sakura blinked at the sudden change in the stoic sorcerer and raised her hand to his cheek. "I was just so afraid Syaoran-kun, afraid that you wouldn't wake up."

"My very thoughts."

"Hoe?"

Syaoran tucked her back into this body and she snuggled against him willingly as he began again. "I care about you Sakura, that's all I can say. The greatest thanks you have given me, is being here for me. I don't feel so alone when I'm with you…I…" he stopped as he chose his words carefully. "You opened your eyes for me again, that alone is thanks enough. No matter what happens, know this, I'll protect you, forever."

A crystalline drop traced a path down Sakura's cheek and she blushed as Syaoran gently wiped it away with his thumb. "Syaoran-kun, I care for you too…demo I don't want you to just protect me. I want to protect you too; I care too much about you to let you go. Know that as long as I'm with you, you never will be alone. I'll stand by your side, forever and ever."

The icy wind howled with ferocity outside; unknown to the couple in the cave, secretly in bliss as they expressed their concern and promise to the one they loved within its walls.

Sakura held her pinky out to Syaoran and he linked it with hers. Sakura smiled demurely and started the promise. "I promise now to stand by your side…"

Syaoran smiled gently and continued. "…to protect you always and forever with my whole being…"

"…and to always make sure we're never alone, as long as we're together, I'll be right by your side." Sakura gently pressed her lips to Syaoran's finger and he did the same, both embracing the other once more as they replayed their devoted and tender promise in their hearts.

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Tomoyo looked up, the sound of soft sobbing coming to her ears. She silently crept out of the bed, feeling a strong hand grab her wrist. She herself was looking down into azure eyes. "I'll be right back," she whispered to her blue-eyed boyfriend. Smiling, Eriol nodded and lay his head back down on the pillow as he watched his amethyst-eyed girlfriend pad softly out of the room and into the hallway. Tomoyo shut the oak door behind her and wordlessly made her way down the hallway. A soft light made a golden path on the hardwood floor and Tomoyo pushed the door open all the way, an ebony-haired teen lying in a crumpled heap on the floor, rivulets of tears streaming down her cheeks. The gray haired teenager knelt by Meiling and laid a hand on her shoulder. "Meiling-chan, what's wrong?"

Meiling slapped her hand away angrily and clutched her hands to her chest. "Nademonai! Leave me alone!"

"Demo…"

"Leave me alone!" Meiling spun around, eyes overflowing with tears, her breath coming in short gasps.

"I can't help you unless you tell me what's wrong, now…what is it?"

Meiling took a deep breath and sat up on her heels. "It's…its Syaoran."

"Nani? Li-kun? What about him?" She inquired a sort of curiosity coming to her voice.

Meiling blushed and shut her eyes. "I…I really love him, more than anyone in this whole world demo…"

"Actually, how did you and Li-kun meet? How were you engaged?" Tomoyo knew that what Meiling said must be true, but she wasn't worried, she knew Syaoran's feelings for Sakura. But still, to Meiling it must be hard, to know the one you love, that their heart belongs to someone else. Again Meiling blushed. "Well…Syaoran and I have known each other forever. You see, since we are both of the Li Clan, it was only customary to keep the blood line within the family."

"So…you were betrothed at birth?"

"Hai and we were none too happy with it either. We were too young to understand what the repercussions of that decision would be; we had not idea what it meant."

Tomoyo nodded for Meiling to continue and the Chinese teen began again. "One day, I was playing with my kitten, Tao. We wandered a little ways off from the estate and we got lost. I was so frightened…it began to get dark and the island is extremely large, so…I had no idea where to go. I could hear all these noises, and Tao began to shiver. A twig snapped nearby and Tao jumped from my arms, her little claws leaving a deep cut in my arm. She darted off into the darkness; I never knew where she went. As I backed up to a tree the footsteps came closer and closer. I shut my eyes and waited for whatever it was. A comforting hand was laid on my shoulder and there stood Syaoran, a look of concern on his face. He first examined my arm and asked if I was alright, all I could do was stare at him in dumb shock. He had always been quiet, stoic, and stern, never laughed, never smiled. Now here he was, being the kind, gentle one I know and love. You have to know Daidouji-san, beneath Syaoran's cold exterior, he truly is gentle, it's almost like a front he puts up, I suppose he thinks people will see it as a weakness."

Tomoyo giggled. "Eh? Li-kun weak? That's something I can't imagine."

"Anyway, I couldn't stop crying, Syaoran thought it was because of my injury demo it was Tao. I was only four and she was the most important thing to me. Between sobs I managed to tell him about Tao and without a word he darted off into the foliage, telling me to follow the magical path he had traced here. I stared after him and then looked to the path of green light stretching off through the dense thickets, glowing with Syaoran's energy. I followed it back to the estate and waited on the front steps, I waited for so long, hours I think. Suddenly it began to rain, harder and harder. Soft footsteps sounded on the cobblestone path and Syaoran appeared through the large arch; I ran to meet him. He was drenched with rain and a few bruises and scratches covered his arms. Then I looked down to his arms to see what he was holding so preciously to his chest. I questioned him and he revealed a peach colored ball of fur; my beloved kitten Tao. I threw my arms around his neck and made a vow that I would love him forever, making him promise to be my fiancée until he found another girl he loved demo…"

Tomoyo cocked her head to the side. "Demo?"

Meiling sighed and buried her face in her hands. "I think I should call off the wedding."

"Doushite?"

"Syaoran's heart belongs to someone else…who am I to prevent him from having what he loves and desires."

"Meiling-chan…" Tomoyo pulled the disheartened girl into a friendly hug. "You should never give up on what you love but, if you truly love Li-kun, then keep him in your heart. He'll always be there, and eventually you'll find someone else to make you happy."

"I'll never find anyone I love as much as Syaoran."

"How do you know?"

Meiling wiped the tears from her eyes and forced a tiny smile. "I'll just have to cry all my tears now…then I'll never have to cry for Syaoran again."

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"Sakura…Sakura…wake up."

The teen Card Mistress's eyes fluttered open and she smiled as she gazed into Syaoran's warm amber orbs. "Ohayo Syaoran-kun."

Syaoran chuckled. "It's more like 'konnichiwa' now."

"Hoe?"

Syaoran waved his hand and the boulder flickered for a moment, letting Sakura get a glimpse of the afternoon sun setting beyond the trees. "It's already afternoon."

Sakura stopped Syaoran's hand in midair so the image remained. She frowned as she watched the snow fall, still in abundance though less ominous then before. "Syaoran-kun…that's a Clow Card."

"The Snow? Hai, I figured that."

Sakura stood shakily, her knees faltering before she could stand stably on her own two feet. Syaoran gripped her wrist at gazed at her with a quizzical expression. "What do you think you're doing?"

Sakura tapped him on the nose. "Going to capture the card, that's what."

"Iie."

"Nani?"

"I'll do it; I'll give you the card afterwards."

Sakura frowned at his last statement and knelt to the floor gathering his shirt into her hands, she pulled out his arms and slipped the white garment over his frame, buttoning it up halfway as she spoke gently. "Self-sacrifice isn't always a good thing Syaoran-kun. You don't always have to do things alone. I meant what I said with my promise, as long as I am with you; you'll never have to be alone."

"Demo Sakura…"

"Iie…it's settled, from now own we face things together, ne?"

Syaoran sighed defeated and picked up his sword from the ground. "Yosha Sakura, you win."

"Yatta! Let's go, ne?"

Syaoran nodded and with a wave of his hand the boulder disappeared and the Created Card floated back into Sakura's pocket. "Syaoran-kun when did you…"

She never had time to finish, the removal of the boulder allowed a torrent of icy snow and wind to pelt the two teenage Card Captors with its wintry fury. Syaoran immediately stood in front of Sakura protecting her from the onslaught of ice and shielded the two of them with his hands. A glowing rectangle flew into the air, followed by a tap from the sealing wand. "Shield!"

Instantly a pink shield surrounded the pair, relieving the burden from both of them. Sakura raised her staff into the air and closed her eyes as she brought it down onto the snow.

Return to the form you were destined to be-

She stared in horror at the rectangle beginning to from at the tip of her staff. The card began to materialize and then flickered, creating a force that propelled Sakura backwards into Syaoran's arms. "Doushite?"

Syaoran said nothing and concentrated as a card came into his hands. It simply burned with magic energy and he released it into the air. "Fiery! Sweep over the expanse of snow and melt it beneath your fingertips!"

Instantly the elfin fire sprite emerged from the card and swept over the snow, leaving fresh green lawns and flowers behind him as he passed over the winter landscape. The Snow looked frightened from side to side as her snowy surroundings began to disappear, her own face bearing an expression of sadness as she dissolved into the ground and into the rectangle forming at the tip of Sakura's wand. The quadrangle glimmered for a moment with uncertainty then fully materialized into a card in Sakura's hands.

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"Oi! There they are!" Meiling jumped and down excitedly as two familiar figures came up to the inn. The ebony haired teen called for everyone in the house before running to greet the two forms. "Syaoran!" She threw her arms around his neck and smiled as she whispered in his ear. "I'm glad you're all right." Then she turned to Sakura and smiled, eliciting a very frightened look from Sakura as Meiling enveloped her into a tight hug. "Kinomoto-san, I'm glad you're okay too!"

"M-Meiling-chan…" Sakura stuttered, completely baffled.

Meiling leaned spoke softly. "I really am glad you're alright Kinomoto-san. You mean a lot to someone that I care about, I just want him to be happy."

Sakura blinked perplexedly and cocked her head to the side. "Hoe?"

Meiling giggled and skipped back to the inn. "Don't worry…I'm sure he'll find the courage to tell you one day."

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"Are you sure you have to go?" Chiharu questioned sadly from the dock.

Sakura peered over the edge of the medium sized vessel and nodded as Syaoran and Meiling appeared beside her. "Hai, Chiharu-chan, we'll come back to visit, ne?"

Chiharu nodded vigorously, her auburn ponytails bouncing as she did so. "Hai!"

Takashi poked his pointer finger into the air. "You know, once upon time ships didn't have sails. The crew had to manually paddle itself across the ocean with their bare hands. The salt from their tears of weariness leaked into the sea and that's why it's salty today."

Sakura and Syaoran looked to Takashi, buying his tall tale hook, line and sinker. Chiharu growled and placed her hands around Takashi's neck as she began his daily strangling.

With a final wave from its occupants, the small ship pulled out of the docks and slowly sailed off for the island of the Li Clan.

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AN: I know the whole Meiling thing was very similar to the Twin Card episode and the episode where she comes back from Hong Kong and finds out Syaoran loves Sakura but I was at a loss for an idea gomen nasai! I did create Takashi's lie though, so if someone else has already used this I'm sorry, I didn't know. Onegai review and sorry for taking so long!

My Little Dedication: This Chapter goes out to all of you that have reviewed from the beginning and a very big thanks goes to Kero~chan, who's numerous emails have really helped out a lot! Also I'd like to give a big arigatou to my school buds, Steph-chan, Cassie-chan, Ashley-chan, Leah-chan and Mal-chan, and to my bus buddy Nicole-chan!