The Testing of Li Peony
A CCS Fanfic
by SyaoranSword
Disclaimer: I do NOT own anything related to Card Captor Sakura. CLAMP and other companies I may not know of own it all. This is a fanfic and not part of the "official" storyline. The story is only meant for the enjoyment of the author and any would-be readers.
Notes: This is the "setup" chapter. I need to give a little more information, and then the madness will begin. Thanks to the few people who reviewed! Any feedback I get means a lot, and it appears that you think J+P is a good idea. You guys want it, so I'll give it to you! Now for my two-month tribute to 9/11: Ready? Let's roll…
~~~ (place) ~~~ = scene change
" " = dialogue
[ ] = thoughts
( ) = commentary
Chapter 3: Laying Down the Gauntlet
"How long have they been in there?"
Jin glanced at his watch. "It's been about an hour now."
The two kids sat on the steps to the Li Clan meeting hall. They were both in ceremonial garb. Peony wore a cute red Chinese outfit, with white oversized sleeves, and red shoes. Her hair was done into two buns on either side of her head, held by white ribbons. (Not a perfect description, but it's the outfit from the manga picture where Sakura and Syaoran are posing in a cherry blossom tree together.) Jin, on the other hand, wore robes of royal blue, with a hat much smaller than his father's. Waiting with them were Fujitaka and Touya. Everyone else was inside deliberating with the Elders. "I don't see what the big deal is. Why do I have to go through all of this?"
Fujitaka explained to his granddaughter, "You are the only child of your father, the current head of the clan. A girl has never been appointed as the successor, but you have been chosen due to unusual circumstances. The Elders wish to see if you are strong enough, and that is why you undergoing testing."
"But I'm going to be only 12 in a week! I'm not ready for this!"
Touya rested a hand on her head. "Sure you are, little kaijuu. Your kaijuu mom and gaki dad were battling cards when they were 10. You can do it."
Peony smiled at her uncle. "Arigato, Uncle Touya-san." She then stomped on both his feet and kicked his shin, sending him to the ground. "Don't insult my okaa-san and otou-san, and don't call me 'little kaijuu'!"
Jin and Fujitaka sweatdropped at the sight of a slightly ticked Peony standing over a fallen Touya. "You will do fine, Peony-san. You're one of the strongest people I know."
She turned and looked at Jin with sparkling emerald eyes. "You really think so?!"
A faint blush manifested itself on Jin's pale cheeks. "Yes… I do."
She smiled at him, "Arigato, Jin-kun! You don't know how much it means to me to have your support."
"Y- you're welcome," he said with his face darkening and looking off to the side.
Everyone jumped back as the doors to the hall opened. "Peony, enter," came the order from within.
She looked back at the group of men before crossing the threshold. The light pouring in from the entry disappeared as the large doors groaned shut behind Peony. Her eyes adjusted to the darkness illuminated only by candlelit lamp stands on either side of the red carpeting. The soft scent of incense wafted in the air. At the end of the hall stood the entire group. The guardians were in their true forms, and the adults were in full ceremonial regalia. (Eriol made Tomoyo's robes as a Christmas present.) Peony heard their discussion as she approached.
"The terms you have laid out seem satisfactory," said one of the Elders.
"However, we are reluctant to accept one of your conditions."
"My wife and I have considered long and hard what our daughter should be subjected to," Syaoran answered, "She will be rigorously tested by those listed. I have no doubt of that."
"I have complete confidence in Xiao Lang and Sakura," Yelan added. She was given a seat as an Elder when one had died some years ago. "My granddaughter will surely be challenged, and I give my approval to this."
Murmurs of consensus permeated the rest of the Elders' discussion. "It is settled then. We approve of the rules you have laid out." The Head Elder looked up. "Come forward and kneel Peony." She did as she was told. "You are about to face a series of trials. They will determine whether you are worthy of being the future mistress of the Cards and of the Li Clan. If you succeed, you will be named your father's and your mother's successor. Should you fail, the role will be passed to someone else. Your parents will give you the details of this procedure. Do you understand young Peony?"
"Hai, Elder."
"Rise then. All of you know your roles. This meeting is adjourned."
~~~~~~
As the doors to the hall swung outward, Fujitaka, Touya, and Jin watched as the well-dressed group emerged. "Peony-chan," Sakura called to her daughter, "Go to the training room and wait there for your otou-san and me."
"Hai okaa-san." She bowed to everyone and turned to leave.
"Peony san! Would you like me to go with you?" Jin's cheeks held a hint of pink as she smiled cutely at him.
"Sure Jin-kun!" Peony approached him. Jin was finding it harder and harder to look at her without having this strange feeling in his stomach. She stood in front of him and did something Jin didn't expect. "You're it!" she yelled as she poked his nose and ran away giggling.
He responded to her taunt, "You're not getting away from me!" The adults and guardians watched in mild amusement as Jin chased the retreating figure. Sakura noticed her husband and her brother both scowling, and she couldn't help but laugh at the irony of the situation. [Those two might have something in common after all…]
~~~~~~
The happy laughter of the young friends echoed through the Li's house. Peony took cover behind the couch as Jin rushed in. "Where are you Peony-chan?" She quickly covered her mouth with her hands to stifle her mirth. Unfortunately, he heard her and smiled his father's evil smile at her hiding place. He stepped softly. "Could you be…" he jumped onto the seat cushions. "… behind the couch?!?"
"HOEEE!!" Peony tried to run, but Jin had her around the waist.
"I caught you!" He spoke too soon. She slipped easily out of his grasp, and ran to the training room. Jin followed and shut the door. "Nowhere to run."
"That's ok. I'm tired of running anyway." Peony took a fighting stance. "Come and get me!"
He looked at her and a sweatdrop rolled down the side of his head. "Uh Peony-san, you know you are an expert in martial arts. I wouldn't last a minute against you."
A mischievous smile curled on Peony's lips. "Then it's you who is trapped Jin-kun." He panicked and tried to reach the door. The next thing Jin knew was that he was pinned down to the mats. "You really should learn to defend yourself."
They heard the door slide open, and there stood Peony's parents. Sakura and Syaoran blinked a few times before the mother said, "Is everything alright, Peony-chan?"
The children blushed as Peony quickly moved from her position. "W- we're alright okaa-san. Jin-kun and I were just sparring."
Her father's cold, hard gaze fell upon the prone form of Jin. "Since you're finished, please leave the room. We want to talk to Peony alone."
The boy hastily stood up and retrieved his hat. "Hai Li-san!" He bowed to them and hurriedly left.
[Otou-san, I wish you wouldn't always scare off Jin-kun like that,] she thought as her mom and dad sat with her on the matted floor.
"Peony-chan, did you understand everything the Elders told you?"
"Hai otou-san. What exactly do I have to do?"
"There are seven days before your birthday. You will be tested on each of those days by someone different. The tests can take place at anytime, but you will know who your opponent is one hour before you must face them. The tester is the only one who can judge whether you pass or fail."
"I understand."
"We are proud of you, Peony-chan. No matter what happens, you will still be our daughter, and we will still love you."
The little girl felt tears welling up as she went to hug her parents. The touching scene of the family would have been lost had it not been for the camera lens that peeked into the room.
~~~~~~
"Eriol-kun, you outdid yourself this time." The mistress of the Li Clan looked at where her expansive backyard used to be. "I didn't know you could create a replica of the Roman Coliseum."
"He's been watching 'Gladiator' again," commented Tomoyo.
Her husband grinned sheepishly. "It's a great movie, and what better venue to hold the trails than a gladiator arena?"
"You'd better not have lions and tiger pits in there, Eriol-kun."
"Now now, my cute descendant. You should know lions and tigers and bears are hardly a match for little Peony-chan. I don't condone cruelty to animals either."
"Then what do you call what you did to Peony-chan's goldfish?" Syaoran accused him.
"Hey! I thought we agreed to never speak of that again. It was an accident!" Eriol calmed down as he threatened, "Mention one word to my little niece and my dear Tomoyo-chan may just find and play the tape of the hot tub incident."
Sakura and Syaoran glowed red as Eriol smirked and Tomoyo said, "I remember that! It was so KAWAII! Ohohohoho!!"
The leader of the Li Clan glared at his blackmailer and growled, "Fine!"
His wife rubbed his shoulders. "Syaoran, calm down. Relax." Sakura felt his muscles become less tense as she continued the massage. "Feel better honey?" She got a nod and a grunt of approval as she whispered, "Let's finish this later. We need to get Peony-chan ready."
Syaoran turned around and had his wife in his arms. He bent toward her ear and softly said, "Every little thing that you do, baby I'm amazed by you… Sakura." He kissed her tenderly, and she responded in kind. Both lovers wanted more, but they quickly ended it and looked into each other's eyes, seeing their mutual devotion and love.
"Eriol-kun, you're going to have to build another closet for my tapes."
"Yes, koishii."
~~~~~~
The living room was packed after the banquet. Everyone felt like taking a nap after eating that much food, but the night had just begun.
"Your testing begins tonight Peony-chan."
"Hai otou-san. Who will I be facing?"
Sakura answered, "Your first opponent is… Yue."
To be continued…
It's Peony vs. Yue in the next chapter! Who will win? Read and review please!