I apologize for having this chapter out so late! GOMEN NASAI! I had a
serious case of writer's block, but at the same time, too many ideas to
implement. I'm really sorry. Plus, it took forever to fix all the plot
holes, missing characters, and other various problems. I'll TRY to get the
next chapter out, and hopefully make it better. GOMEN NASAI!
Chapter 22- Tomoyo-chan's Secret
(Japanese lesson: Hai- Yes) Takumi barged through the gates of the Li manor. "I'm coming, Aerin, my love!" He was still clad in Syaoran's clothes, basically looking identical to him. "Now where did Syaoran say she was again? Ah, I forget. I'll just have to check her room! I must find her!"
A few minutes later, Sakura stretched her arms out wide, giving a giant yawn. She was lying on Aerin-chan's bed. "Ah, it feels nice to get a long rest after everything, even if I'm waiting to be attacked. Just me, a starlit night, a soft pillow, and-"
"AERIN! I'M HERE!" Takumi barged through the door.
"HOEE! Syaoran, what are you-" Takumi leaped at the shocked Sakura, who was beginning to stand up. But before she could get all the way on her feet, Takumi swept her off them. "Aerin, how I've missed you! Every minute has seemed like hours!"
"Wait, what did he say my name was? I couldn't hear him. but why. Syaoran. is he.?" Her face turned red ever so slightly.
"Aerin, I. I." Sakura was too shocked to hear or understand what was happening.
Their lips met and they fell to the ground. "MPH!" Sakura screamed as her face went a mighty crimson. "Is he. does this mean Syaoran, could. he."
The door slowly opened, and Tomoyo disguised as younger Sakura came in. "Is something wrong? I thought I. heard. a thud." Tomoyo's eyes shrunk to little dots, and in her best Sakura imitation. "HOEEEEE!" She dropped the camcorder in her hand and stood in shock. (Though the camera did not break, as Tomoyo would never buy an inferior camera. ^~) Takumi pulled his lips apart. "Huh? You? Who are you? Are you Koji?!"
A sweat drop rolled down Tomoyo's head. "Syaoran? Don't you remember me? You look like you've seen a ghost! I'm Tomoyo dressed up *AS* Sakura? And why are you speaking in Chinese?" Takumi got to his feet. He knew some Japanese. "Wait. this. is. Sakura? She's not. Aerin?" His face turned deep red. "OH, MY GOD! I'm so sorry! I. I'm Takumi!"
Sakura sat up and rubbed her lips, then covered her cheeks, still red from the shock. "So. you're not Syaoran after all?" Tomoyo giggled. "You sound almost disappointed, Sakura!" The disguised Card Mistress shook her head and arms fast. "NO! NO! That's not it at all! I was just. umm. shocked?" Tomoyo gave a sinister chuckle. "Oh, I understand Sakura. Ahem. anyway, nice to meet you, Takumi." She bowed. "I'm Tomoyo Daidouji, but I'm dressed like a younger version of Sakura there, and she's an older version of herself, Sakura Kinomoto, and-"
"Wait. wait. slow down. Alright. Please, start over. Tell me the whole story. And please try to go easy. my Japanese isn't that great," Takumi asked.
**********************************************
Mia sighed and dropped her head down onto the table in boredom. "Sigh. We've just been sitting here for an hour. I can't just take this suspense, knowing Koji is out there somewhere!" Aerin shushed her. "I know this is boring, but listening to the my mother, Li Feimei, yearly is a sacred tradition I dare not break, as dull as it may be."
Tap. tap. tap.
A sound of someone's slow walk came from above. Mia and Aerin looked up and gasped. "KOJI!" They whispered. The villain was walking on a small skylight above, with the light of the moon outlining him. "Aerin, what are we going to do?" The young Li shook her head. "There's nothing we can do. We can't leave. We'd be caught. And with whatever Koji has done to my powers, I can't warn anyone. It's pointless to even try. We just have to wait and hope for the best." Mia sighed. "I only pray this goes well."
*********************************************** THUMP!
"Huh? What was that? .Ah, it must just be the wind." The bartender reacted to a loud sound on the roof.
Syaoran lay slumped out on a table. The guards who were there to guard Takumi were still out cold, drunk and asleep. He had been waiting for hours, until he could take it no longer and had given up on looking for Koji.
"Hello, ma'am," a voice asked the waitress, "but would there be a man named Takumi here?" "Huh? Oh? You a friend of his?" The stranger cracked half a smile. "Actually, I'm not really a friend, but I hope to get. very close to him indeed." "Huh? Well, anyway, he's the boy over at that table." The waitress pointed to Li Xiao Lan, still slumped over. "Thank you."
As the waitress returned to the bar, the stranger reached behind his back. "NOW YOU SHALL DIE!" Koji brought a sword down upon Syaoran's table, and more importantly, at the boy's head.
SHHH! The sword pierced through the table, covering it in red.
Of course, it missed Syaoran, who rolled over, and the sword hit a day-old glass of wine, soaking everything. The boy did not awaken, nor did anyone take notice. The other customers were either out cold or too drunk to notice, while the bartender and waitress had slipped into the back room. Also, the table stayed in place, as it was not totally cut through.
Koji stood in total shock. His eyes shrunk. "He. he dodged my attack. He lies face down on a table, and he dodges before I knew what happened. He must be an expert martial artist. To make me totally unaware that he was even paying attention. But. then why hasn't he fought back?"
Koji looked at the boy's face. "Huh? His eyes are closed. Did. I still hit him or something? Is he dead?"
Syaoran then began to snore. Koji fell to the ground in embarrassment. Tears of disappointment streamed down his face. "I missed a sleeping man. GRRR!" He got to his feet and screamed into Syaoran's ear, "DAMN YOU!"
"AH!" Thud!
Syaoran woke up quickly and pushed too much weight on the table, causing it to collapse under his weight. "HOW DARE YOU SLEEP WHILE I'M TRYING TO KILL YOU!" "K-K-KOJI?!" "Huh?" The demon boy looked confused. "How do you know my name? Mmm. The people at the mansion must have told you about me. If that's the case, you must know that I'm here to kill you and steal your soul!" Syaoran staggered to his feet. "Yes, I've heard of you, and I'm ready." Syaoran stood in a martial arts offensive position, ready to strike at any provocation. "Fists against a sword?" Koji closed his eyes and smirked. "You're asking to die a rather fast death. But then again, fighting with a weapon is equally pointless, so I'll at least give you credit for having some coura- OOF!"
Syaoran's foot meet Koji's lower jaw before he could finish his speech. The sadistic one fell onto his back on the floor, covering his mouth. "You know what? You talk too much." Koji licked away a small stream of blood from his cheek. "Why you little, arrogant bastard!" Koji leapt to his feet and crouched down to give a sweeping slice at Syaoran's legs. However, the young Li was not so easily defeated and jumped above the attack to give another blow to the face. "ARGH! Koji was sent back, crashing into the table of the sleeping guards. A bottle of ale came down on Koji's bristly black hair, though this wasn't even close to the amount of punishment required to take his foe down. "Well, you're an annoying little bug, Takumi, but it's time for me to squash you!" Koji reached into his shirt and pulled out.
"NO! IT CAN'T BE! THE LI CLAN FAN!" Syaoran uttered in horror. Koji smiled upon seeing the look of dread on the boy's face. "I see you're familiar with this. I've grown quite attached to it. I think it'll be quite ironic, don't you? You know, having a future member of the Li clan by marriage killed by the very item he was searching for? Well, as you said so kindly before, I talk a bit to much, so instead, I merely bid you adieu."
A familiar circle of magic surrounded Koji as he raised the fan into the air. His black, short hair fluttered in the artificial wind. The conscious customers and employees of the bar took notice and instantly fled out the back door. Syaoran, however, was trapped between a wall and a table, unable to reach a door. He backed against the wall as Koji powered up his attack, whatever it may be. But something surprised Syaoran as one of his hands went through the wall. "Huh?" It was a window covered in a dark curtain. Obviously it was there to block any light, but it was so dark no one really noticed it. Just as this happened, Koji finished his preparations. "DIE!" Syaoran leapt out the window as a sea of flames singed the window and the nearby buildings. Was he burnt as well?
An evil smile was on Koji's face. "Well, that takes care of him. Now, to steal his soul to revive my master." But the second the 'victor' left the bar, he was flipped onto his back and dropped his sword and the Li Fan. When Koji opened his eyes, Syaoran stood above him. He was clad in only a pair of shorts, no shirt, and no shoes, just shorts. Beside him was a still a robe on fire, tossed to the ground. Apparently, Syaoran had not entirely avoided the spell. A look of hatred was on Xiao Lan's face. He grabbed his adversary by the throat, raised a fist, and said, "This is for Sakura!"
Everything snapped in Koji's mind. "Sakura? And he's speaking Japanese? Hey, he looks like. THE BRAT!" Syaoran brought his fist down, but missed when his target swiftly moved to one side, grabbed the fan, and chanted. "WIND!" A sudden gust blew the exposed Li back into a wall. "The little bastard tricked me! Well, I'll show him! By the time he arrives, he'll have a few less friends to worry about saving." Koji got one last look at Syaoran. He was bleeding from a scratch at his hip when it smashed into a wall. He leaped into the air and flew off.
When Syaoran came to, he was alone. "Ugh, where am I?" He was face down in the dirt outside the bar. "DAMMIT! I have to hurry back to the mansion! But first." He shivered. "I need some clothes. Hmm."
One of the drunken guards finally awoke and got to his feet. "Ooh. my head. I'll never drink that much again. this week. I better get back to.. Wherever it was I was going to." He staggered out the bar door, oblivious to the scorched walls and sliced tables. But as soon as he left the tavern, he let out a scream, fell to the ground, and was dragged silently away.
An instant later, Kero-chan floated down out of the sky. "Ah, here's that bar Mia told me to find. But. ummm. Why is it on fire? I better get to the bottom of this. But, hey! Who is that?"
**********************************************
The redness finally drained out of Sakura's face, she kicked off her shoes, and she put her head down on the pillow. Finally, she could rest for a little bit. "Ah, after a day of running around, my feet are sore. This feels so heavenly. I'll . just. rest my eyes and." Sakura nodded off to sleep.
A minute or so later, there was a small tapping against Sakura's window, but she did not awaken.
Slowly and silently, the window was slid open and a dark figure came in. The lights were out and the room was almost pure black. "I can't see a damned thing." Koji uttered quietly. He pulled out a match and lit a candle on the dresser. "Heh. Just as I thought. Asleep. All my sources said this girl can be a heavy sleeper. Well, she'll be sleeping for a long time now!" he whispered.
The demon reached for his sword and slowly unsheathed it. The polished metal reflected his evil face in the light of the candle. He stared at the girl lying on the bed. "No mistaking it, that is her. I better get this over with before that boy comes to and tries to save her." The clock on the wall read 12:17am, 17 minutes later than when Koji had promised to kill someone, but late or not, he was determined to fulfil his promise. He lifted the sword high in the air. Click. The door opened.
"Ummm. excuse me 'Aerin,' but." Tomoyo opened the door and her jaw dropped. "NO! I WON'T LET YOU HURT HER!" Tomoyo leapt into the air and smacked Koji's hand, causing him to drop the sword. Koji turned to the fallen Tomoyo and screamed in anger, "WHY, YOU LITTLE BITCH!" He raised his foot and kicked her in the gut. She yelped in pain.
"Hoe?" Sakura woke upon the noise of Tomoyo's scream. "HOEEE?! TOMOYO! .Errr, I mean Sakura! KOJI! What. Oh, my God!" Sakura backed into a corner. Koji just ignored the fallen Tomoyo and grabbed his sword again. "Hello, Aer-ling. I've heard so much about you. It's too bad we won't have time to get acquainted."
The door was flung open again. "There he is!" Takumi pointed as a group of women, Mia and Aerin included, barged in. Each was armed with a bow and arrow. Each one was aimed at Koji's head. Koji lifted his hands in the air and dropped his sword. Mia stepped forward. "We finally caught you, Koji. If you touch one hair on the girl's head. God help us. You won't live to regret it." Takumi added, "You're quite the fool, you know that?" Koji's eyes widened. "What?! Two Aerins?! Wait, I get it. one of you is a fake. probably the brat. and this girl on the floor isn't the brat, but one of her annoying friends, right? But you? I thought I left you in a pool of blood at that bar!"
The room fell silent. Sakura's eyes shrank, as did her heart.
Tomoyo lifted herself onto the bed. "Syaoran. no. you didn't. You can't do that, especially with my poor Sakura-chan." Takumi stepped forward and removed Syaoran's hat from his head. "Actually, I'm Takumi. I switched with that boy, you. you."
Sakura's eyes began to water. "Blood. Koji left him in his own blood. but does that. NO! YOU COULDN'T!" Sakura broke into tears on the bed. Tomoyo crawled to her and comforted her as best as she could. Mia swallowed her tears.
Koji grimaced. "This is perfect," he thought, "they think I killed the brat. If I can use this right." He coughed. "Well, maybe he's not dead. yet. But I can save him if you let me go." One servant, who didn't speak Japanese asked Takumi, "What is he saying?" "He says the boy who took my place. he may be dead. But if we let him go, he might live. KOJI! If we let you go, how do we know Li Xiao Lan will live?"
The captive demon smiled. "Heh. You don't." "Dammit," Mia muttered, "what do we do?" Sakura hugged her pillow to comfort herself. "I. I don't know. But I can't let Syaoran die. not after how much he's done for me before I could repay him. He can't!"
Aerin saw the grievance on Sakura's face and said to Koji, ".You may go." "WHAAAAT?!" everyone asked. "If it means Li Xiao Lan will live, you may go." Koji smiled. "Wise choice." One guard slowly moved forward, her bow still aimed at Koji's head. The men were the only ones who really knew how to use the bows properly, but they were gone for the night. Sadly, this made life difficult when all the women tried to hold the arrows back for an extended time. But nonetheless, still holding her arrow back and aiming properly, the guard opened a window behind Koji so he could leave. Sakura cried more, though. "Aerin, I can't let you make this sacrifice for us!"
Aerin hung her head. "Sakura-chan, you must understand. When I saw you and Syaoran. what I saw. I can't let you two be separated. I can't say why, but I can't. I will do anything I can to help."
"Well, isn't that sweet!" Koji laughed from outside the window. Mia's face turned to anger. "YOU BASTARD! WE TOLD YOU TO LEAVE, ALREADY! GO!"
Koji reached down into his shirt. "Well, I WOULD leave, if I didn't have this!" He yanked out the Li clan's fan. The women raised their bows. Takumi held his hand out to them, asking them to hold their fire. "We can't risk hitting the fan." The irate demon cackled. "Well, that's where you're being an idiot, because not shooting me will be your last mistake!" Koji raised the fan high above his head and began to summon another powerful spell. "RAGING FI- AUGH!" Koji was struck in mid-air and came crashing down onto the roof. "What the hell was that?" Mia asked.
Sakura, Mia, Tomoyo, Aerin, and Takumi ran to the window and climbed out onto the roof. As soon as Sakura got her head over the roof and into view, she gasped. "KERO?! And who is that?!" Before her was a fully-grown Keroberos and a man clad in the armor of a Li guard. But why would a guard be fighting alongside Kero?
It didn't matter. Sakura was going to help. Tears still rolled down her face. "I don't know what you did to Syaoran, but I won't let you hurt anyone else!"
"O, Key that holds the Power of the Stars. Reveal your true form to me! RELEASE!" The glowing staff grew from her key and she grabbed it midair. She slowly stepped over to the trio of fighters. Mia and Tomoyo followed closely behind. Aerin and Takumi were nowhere to be seen.
Keroberos pounced down on the demon, but he dodged to one side and blew the beast back with the fan. Tomoyo ran to Kero to check on him. Sakura grabbed a card from her bag. "SWORD!" A yellow light swirled around the staff and changed the Sakura Staff into a long, shimmering blade. Apparently, the 'knight in shining armor' had the same idea as her and drew his sword.
Koji unsheathed his sword as well and a violent battle erupted.
The archers climbed onto the roof as well, but they dared not to fire, lest they hit Sakura or anyone else.
No matter what, Koji could not hit them or the other way around, though it seemed a little one-sided. For some reason, Sakura and the armor-clad man fought well, like they knew each other's moves. But. something seemed familiar to Sakura. "I don't understand it. Who is this guard? His movements. I swear I've seen them before."
Suddenly, the two of them split up. Sakura struck from below while the boy snuck up from behind. As Koji jumped over Sakura's attack, the armored boy struck Koji's sword from his hands and gave a devastating punch to Koji's neck, knocking the poor demon out. Sakura and everyone gave a cheer. Everyone gathered around his body, except for Sakura and the boy, who sat down side-by-side and sighed.
"We got him!" "What will we do with his body?" "Should we kill him now, or just imprison him?" "Let's not kill and stoop to his level. Let's just imprison him for life." "Hey, let's see if he's carrying anything useful." "Does anyone see the fan?" All the female archers gathered around and discussed what to do with the unconscious troublemaker.
Sakura turned to the ally she had just met. "Thank you so much. I think we finally have beaten Koji. And it's all thanks to you. May I ask your name?" The boy prepared to take off his helmet when.
"HEY! YOU GUYS! UP HERE!" Aerin called out. She was waving her arms from the highest part of the mansion. Sakura, Tomoyo, Mia, the armored guard, and Kero climbed up to meet with her. Takumi was there where Aerin had stood when she called out as soon, waiting for them to reach the top. However, Aerin was lying down on the ground.
"Oh, my! What happened to Aerin?" Tomoyo asked. Suddenly, Sakura, Kero, and Mia collapsed as well. "OH, NO! What's going on?!" Only she, Takumi, and the armored man were left standing. Takumi shook his head. "Don't worry, they're alright. It's. THIS!" He pointed to a large, black rock on the roof. "Whatever it is, it's blocking all magic power in the area. Anyone with magic who gets close can't use his or her powers as well. No magic attacks functions that well, explaining why my love couldn't foresee very much into the future. Powers may function at a distance, just not as well as normal. If they get REALLY close, it causes a kind of headache and almost all powers become completely worthless. We have to destroy it!" Takumi lifted his sword and brought it down with a crushing blow to the stone. Nothing. "This is going to be harder than I thought."
The guard raised one hand, signaling he had an idea. He stepped up to the rock and attempted to lift it. It was a great load and would take extreme strength to lift. "Eh?" Takumi noticed, "that's a magic resistent armor suit... Why would a guard need one? In fact, only the captain of the guards has one, but he went to protect me in town." Suddenly, the rock began to move. Ever so slowly, the soldier began to lift the giant boulder overhead. With one giant push, he tossed it off the mansion to the hard ground far below. It cracked into a trillion pieces. Even the smaller pieces the girls found on Koji's limp body shattered in their hands once the big stone was destroyed.
Slowly, Sakura and the others got up. "Ugh. you, you've helped us again. Hoe?" Sakura was surprised to see the guard removing his armor. First, the chest piece, then the gauntlets, and then his boots. Lastly, he removed his helmet.
"SYAORAN!" Sakura leapt from her squatting position and tackled him to the ground in a giant hug. They rolled together down the side of the roof and landed in a pond on one side of the house a few meters below.
"SYAORAN! I MISSED YOU SO MUCH! I was so scared, I missed you! Are you alright? Please tell me you are! I'm just so happy to see you!" Syaoran hugged Sakura back, but his face turned bright red in embarrassment and coldness as the pond was far from warm. "Err, I'm happy to see you too, Sakura. I'm alright, I'm alright, just make sure you don't hug my AHHHHH! .hip, like you just did. it's cut pretty badly." Sakura laughed nervously. "Ahehehehehe. Sorry about that." That's when Sakura stepped back and saw him in good light. After his armor crumbled, he was once again left in nothing but a pair of shorts. To her, he seemed so handsome. Her face reddened as well. "Ummm. Syaoran. I mean. wow. Wait, I mean."
SPLASH!
A body dropped into the pond beside them. Tomoyo's head popped back out of the water. "Tomoyo? What are you doing here?" Sakura exclaimed. The girl stood up in the water and revealed she had "changed" quite a bit. Sakura and Syaoran's eyes opened wide. "TOMOYO!" Syaoran exclaimed. "You're in your teen form? Were you drinking potions from my bag?" Tomoyo nodded. "Hai*, I have, but I needed to! It's an emergency! I was watching from above, and I really didn't want to interrupt your kawaii moment, but we have a severe emergency! Come look!"
As the three temporary teens climbed up to the roof via a large ivy vine growing on one side, sounds of struggle came from above. "After you two fell down into the pond, I ran to grab my camcorder, but when I turned around, Koji had not only awaken, but was furious! He was so angry, he'd do anything to get to you! He started to throw the women left and right. A few girls ran to get help from the men who were still in the village, but Koji seemed to be a whole lot stronger and faster. He knocked the messengers out fast. Even Aerin's mother made it onto the scene and was knocked out. I saw my chance and grabbed a couple of potions. I was too small to carry them all, so I drank one of the teen girl potions to help me carry them. We'll need some of them, I think, to beat him. I don't know how, but all this rage has made Koji more powerful than ever."
Syaoran gulped. "This is great. I'm sure if he is so powerful he destroys my house, I won't be born, either."
As they reached the rooftop, Koji met them right there at the ledge. "Hello, friends." Sakura gave a shriek as Koji grabbed her by the shoulders and threw her over his back onto the roof. Next, he grabbed Tomoyo by the hair and threw her over. Aerin and Takumi charged together from the left and right of Koji as this happened. Aerin was charging electricity from her hands and Takumi had his sword drawn. But before they could hit him at once, Koji leaned towards Takumi and hurled him over and he landed on Aerin, knocking them both out. Syaoran was next, still climbing up the vine; however, he was too far away to grab at the roof. Instead, Koji drew his sword and started to hack away at the ivy on the wall. However, before the last piece of the plant could be cut off and fall to the ground, Syaoran reached for the ledge and held on for dear life. Koji was not done, though. He began to try and strike the ledge and slice off Syaoran's fingers. With each strike, Syaoran pulled one hand away. "SIT STILL AND LET ME KILL YOU!"
As he did this, Sakura ran up from behind, and shoved Koji down into the pond below. She helped Syaoran up and they ran for cover. Koji was angrier than ever. He leaped in one bound back to the roof and charged. In the blink of an eye, he punched Syaoran across the jaw and sent him reeling back into the pile of the female archers. Sakura was hit next, with a crushing kick to the stomach, causing her to double over in pain and collapse. Only Tomoyo was standing, but Koji looked none too concerned with her.
Mia shouted from the ground nearby, "Tomoyo. ugh. it's. time. You have to show them now!" The girl seemed almost shocked. "Here? Now?" "YES, NOW!" "Alright."
Tomoyo reached deep down into her shirt and pulled out a necklace, a violet sphere on a silver chain. "Sakura, can you hear me? I need you to summon a Clow Card or a Sakura Card." "Hoe?" The young Card Mistress didn't understand what was going on, but she complied. "W-W-Windy."
The graceful and gentle spirit of the Wind appeared. It seemed almost confused. It had no order to fulfill. However, when Tomoyo held out her necklace, the spirit charged towards her and. was absorbed into the stone. Sakura, Syaoran, and everyone stared in amazement. A bright light emitted from around Tomoyo. Even Koji didn't move.
A moment later, Tomoyo. floated. down. dressed as an angel. Her dress was of long, tan silk. It flowed elegantly down to her heels. Her feet had no shoes, but a single slit of silk covered part of each foot, leaving each toe and the heel exposed. Two white Angel wings, which seemed to glow with the most shining brilliance, ejected from her back. Her long, black to blue hair was even longer, almost reaching her feet. Her eyes were pools of pure blue, not a trace of black in them at all. They were a pure light blue, pure as her spirit. Finally, a small, golden tiara graced her forehead and held her flowing hair back.
The world seemed silent. A magnificent aura surrounded the young girl.
But where and when had she gained this awesome power?
To be continued.
Chapter 22- Tomoyo-chan's Secret
(Japanese lesson: Hai- Yes) Takumi barged through the gates of the Li manor. "I'm coming, Aerin, my love!" He was still clad in Syaoran's clothes, basically looking identical to him. "Now where did Syaoran say she was again? Ah, I forget. I'll just have to check her room! I must find her!"
A few minutes later, Sakura stretched her arms out wide, giving a giant yawn. She was lying on Aerin-chan's bed. "Ah, it feels nice to get a long rest after everything, even if I'm waiting to be attacked. Just me, a starlit night, a soft pillow, and-"
"AERIN! I'M HERE!" Takumi barged through the door.
"HOEE! Syaoran, what are you-" Takumi leaped at the shocked Sakura, who was beginning to stand up. But before she could get all the way on her feet, Takumi swept her off them. "Aerin, how I've missed you! Every minute has seemed like hours!"
"Wait, what did he say my name was? I couldn't hear him. but why. Syaoran. is he.?" Her face turned red ever so slightly.
"Aerin, I. I." Sakura was too shocked to hear or understand what was happening.
Their lips met and they fell to the ground. "MPH!" Sakura screamed as her face went a mighty crimson. "Is he. does this mean Syaoran, could. he."
The door slowly opened, and Tomoyo disguised as younger Sakura came in. "Is something wrong? I thought I. heard. a thud." Tomoyo's eyes shrunk to little dots, and in her best Sakura imitation. "HOEEEEE!" She dropped the camcorder in her hand and stood in shock. (Though the camera did not break, as Tomoyo would never buy an inferior camera. ^~) Takumi pulled his lips apart. "Huh? You? Who are you? Are you Koji?!"
A sweat drop rolled down Tomoyo's head. "Syaoran? Don't you remember me? You look like you've seen a ghost! I'm Tomoyo dressed up *AS* Sakura? And why are you speaking in Chinese?" Takumi got to his feet. He knew some Japanese. "Wait. this. is. Sakura? She's not. Aerin?" His face turned deep red. "OH, MY GOD! I'm so sorry! I. I'm Takumi!"
Sakura sat up and rubbed her lips, then covered her cheeks, still red from the shock. "So. you're not Syaoran after all?" Tomoyo giggled. "You sound almost disappointed, Sakura!" The disguised Card Mistress shook her head and arms fast. "NO! NO! That's not it at all! I was just. umm. shocked?" Tomoyo gave a sinister chuckle. "Oh, I understand Sakura. Ahem. anyway, nice to meet you, Takumi." She bowed. "I'm Tomoyo Daidouji, but I'm dressed like a younger version of Sakura there, and she's an older version of herself, Sakura Kinomoto, and-"
"Wait. wait. slow down. Alright. Please, start over. Tell me the whole story. And please try to go easy. my Japanese isn't that great," Takumi asked.
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Mia sighed and dropped her head down onto the table in boredom. "Sigh. We've just been sitting here for an hour. I can't just take this suspense, knowing Koji is out there somewhere!" Aerin shushed her. "I know this is boring, but listening to the my mother, Li Feimei, yearly is a sacred tradition I dare not break, as dull as it may be."
Tap. tap. tap.
A sound of someone's slow walk came from above. Mia and Aerin looked up and gasped. "KOJI!" They whispered. The villain was walking on a small skylight above, with the light of the moon outlining him. "Aerin, what are we going to do?" The young Li shook her head. "There's nothing we can do. We can't leave. We'd be caught. And with whatever Koji has done to my powers, I can't warn anyone. It's pointless to even try. We just have to wait and hope for the best." Mia sighed. "I only pray this goes well."
*********************************************** THUMP!
"Huh? What was that? .Ah, it must just be the wind." The bartender reacted to a loud sound on the roof.
Syaoran lay slumped out on a table. The guards who were there to guard Takumi were still out cold, drunk and asleep. He had been waiting for hours, until he could take it no longer and had given up on looking for Koji.
"Hello, ma'am," a voice asked the waitress, "but would there be a man named Takumi here?" "Huh? Oh? You a friend of his?" The stranger cracked half a smile. "Actually, I'm not really a friend, but I hope to get. very close to him indeed." "Huh? Well, anyway, he's the boy over at that table." The waitress pointed to Li Xiao Lan, still slumped over. "Thank you."
As the waitress returned to the bar, the stranger reached behind his back. "NOW YOU SHALL DIE!" Koji brought a sword down upon Syaoran's table, and more importantly, at the boy's head.
SHHH! The sword pierced through the table, covering it in red.
Of course, it missed Syaoran, who rolled over, and the sword hit a day-old glass of wine, soaking everything. The boy did not awaken, nor did anyone take notice. The other customers were either out cold or too drunk to notice, while the bartender and waitress had slipped into the back room. Also, the table stayed in place, as it was not totally cut through.
Koji stood in total shock. His eyes shrunk. "He. he dodged my attack. He lies face down on a table, and he dodges before I knew what happened. He must be an expert martial artist. To make me totally unaware that he was even paying attention. But. then why hasn't he fought back?"
Koji looked at the boy's face. "Huh? His eyes are closed. Did. I still hit him or something? Is he dead?"
Syaoran then began to snore. Koji fell to the ground in embarrassment. Tears of disappointment streamed down his face. "I missed a sleeping man. GRRR!" He got to his feet and screamed into Syaoran's ear, "DAMN YOU!"
"AH!" Thud!
Syaoran woke up quickly and pushed too much weight on the table, causing it to collapse under his weight. "HOW DARE YOU SLEEP WHILE I'M TRYING TO KILL YOU!" "K-K-KOJI?!" "Huh?" The demon boy looked confused. "How do you know my name? Mmm. The people at the mansion must have told you about me. If that's the case, you must know that I'm here to kill you and steal your soul!" Syaoran staggered to his feet. "Yes, I've heard of you, and I'm ready." Syaoran stood in a martial arts offensive position, ready to strike at any provocation. "Fists against a sword?" Koji closed his eyes and smirked. "You're asking to die a rather fast death. But then again, fighting with a weapon is equally pointless, so I'll at least give you credit for having some coura- OOF!"
Syaoran's foot meet Koji's lower jaw before he could finish his speech. The sadistic one fell onto his back on the floor, covering his mouth. "You know what? You talk too much." Koji licked away a small stream of blood from his cheek. "Why you little, arrogant bastard!" Koji leapt to his feet and crouched down to give a sweeping slice at Syaoran's legs. However, the young Li was not so easily defeated and jumped above the attack to give another blow to the face. "ARGH! Koji was sent back, crashing into the table of the sleeping guards. A bottle of ale came down on Koji's bristly black hair, though this wasn't even close to the amount of punishment required to take his foe down. "Well, you're an annoying little bug, Takumi, but it's time for me to squash you!" Koji reached into his shirt and pulled out.
"NO! IT CAN'T BE! THE LI CLAN FAN!" Syaoran uttered in horror. Koji smiled upon seeing the look of dread on the boy's face. "I see you're familiar with this. I've grown quite attached to it. I think it'll be quite ironic, don't you? You know, having a future member of the Li clan by marriage killed by the very item he was searching for? Well, as you said so kindly before, I talk a bit to much, so instead, I merely bid you adieu."
A familiar circle of magic surrounded Koji as he raised the fan into the air. His black, short hair fluttered in the artificial wind. The conscious customers and employees of the bar took notice and instantly fled out the back door. Syaoran, however, was trapped between a wall and a table, unable to reach a door. He backed against the wall as Koji powered up his attack, whatever it may be. But something surprised Syaoran as one of his hands went through the wall. "Huh?" It was a window covered in a dark curtain. Obviously it was there to block any light, but it was so dark no one really noticed it. Just as this happened, Koji finished his preparations. "DIE!" Syaoran leapt out the window as a sea of flames singed the window and the nearby buildings. Was he burnt as well?
An evil smile was on Koji's face. "Well, that takes care of him. Now, to steal his soul to revive my master." But the second the 'victor' left the bar, he was flipped onto his back and dropped his sword and the Li Fan. When Koji opened his eyes, Syaoran stood above him. He was clad in only a pair of shorts, no shirt, and no shoes, just shorts. Beside him was a still a robe on fire, tossed to the ground. Apparently, Syaoran had not entirely avoided the spell. A look of hatred was on Xiao Lan's face. He grabbed his adversary by the throat, raised a fist, and said, "This is for Sakura!"
Everything snapped in Koji's mind. "Sakura? And he's speaking Japanese? Hey, he looks like. THE BRAT!" Syaoran brought his fist down, but missed when his target swiftly moved to one side, grabbed the fan, and chanted. "WIND!" A sudden gust blew the exposed Li back into a wall. "The little bastard tricked me! Well, I'll show him! By the time he arrives, he'll have a few less friends to worry about saving." Koji got one last look at Syaoran. He was bleeding from a scratch at his hip when it smashed into a wall. He leaped into the air and flew off.
When Syaoran came to, he was alone. "Ugh, where am I?" He was face down in the dirt outside the bar. "DAMMIT! I have to hurry back to the mansion! But first." He shivered. "I need some clothes. Hmm."
One of the drunken guards finally awoke and got to his feet. "Ooh. my head. I'll never drink that much again. this week. I better get back to.. Wherever it was I was going to." He staggered out the bar door, oblivious to the scorched walls and sliced tables. But as soon as he left the tavern, he let out a scream, fell to the ground, and was dragged silently away.
An instant later, Kero-chan floated down out of the sky. "Ah, here's that bar Mia told me to find. But. ummm. Why is it on fire? I better get to the bottom of this. But, hey! Who is that?"
**********************************************
The redness finally drained out of Sakura's face, she kicked off her shoes, and she put her head down on the pillow. Finally, she could rest for a little bit. "Ah, after a day of running around, my feet are sore. This feels so heavenly. I'll . just. rest my eyes and." Sakura nodded off to sleep.
A minute or so later, there was a small tapping against Sakura's window, but she did not awaken.
Slowly and silently, the window was slid open and a dark figure came in. The lights were out and the room was almost pure black. "I can't see a damned thing." Koji uttered quietly. He pulled out a match and lit a candle on the dresser. "Heh. Just as I thought. Asleep. All my sources said this girl can be a heavy sleeper. Well, she'll be sleeping for a long time now!" he whispered.
The demon reached for his sword and slowly unsheathed it. The polished metal reflected his evil face in the light of the candle. He stared at the girl lying on the bed. "No mistaking it, that is her. I better get this over with before that boy comes to and tries to save her." The clock on the wall read 12:17am, 17 minutes later than when Koji had promised to kill someone, but late or not, he was determined to fulfil his promise. He lifted the sword high in the air. Click. The door opened.
"Ummm. excuse me 'Aerin,' but." Tomoyo opened the door and her jaw dropped. "NO! I WON'T LET YOU HURT HER!" Tomoyo leapt into the air and smacked Koji's hand, causing him to drop the sword. Koji turned to the fallen Tomoyo and screamed in anger, "WHY, YOU LITTLE BITCH!" He raised his foot and kicked her in the gut. She yelped in pain.
"Hoe?" Sakura woke upon the noise of Tomoyo's scream. "HOEEE?! TOMOYO! .Errr, I mean Sakura! KOJI! What. Oh, my God!" Sakura backed into a corner. Koji just ignored the fallen Tomoyo and grabbed his sword again. "Hello, Aer-ling. I've heard so much about you. It's too bad we won't have time to get acquainted."
The door was flung open again. "There he is!" Takumi pointed as a group of women, Mia and Aerin included, barged in. Each was armed with a bow and arrow. Each one was aimed at Koji's head. Koji lifted his hands in the air and dropped his sword. Mia stepped forward. "We finally caught you, Koji. If you touch one hair on the girl's head. God help us. You won't live to regret it." Takumi added, "You're quite the fool, you know that?" Koji's eyes widened. "What?! Two Aerins?! Wait, I get it. one of you is a fake. probably the brat. and this girl on the floor isn't the brat, but one of her annoying friends, right? But you? I thought I left you in a pool of blood at that bar!"
The room fell silent. Sakura's eyes shrank, as did her heart.
Tomoyo lifted herself onto the bed. "Syaoran. no. you didn't. You can't do that, especially with my poor Sakura-chan." Takumi stepped forward and removed Syaoran's hat from his head. "Actually, I'm Takumi. I switched with that boy, you. you."
Sakura's eyes began to water. "Blood. Koji left him in his own blood. but does that. NO! YOU COULDN'T!" Sakura broke into tears on the bed. Tomoyo crawled to her and comforted her as best as she could. Mia swallowed her tears.
Koji grimaced. "This is perfect," he thought, "they think I killed the brat. If I can use this right." He coughed. "Well, maybe he's not dead. yet. But I can save him if you let me go." One servant, who didn't speak Japanese asked Takumi, "What is he saying?" "He says the boy who took my place. he may be dead. But if we let him go, he might live. KOJI! If we let you go, how do we know Li Xiao Lan will live?"
The captive demon smiled. "Heh. You don't." "Dammit," Mia muttered, "what do we do?" Sakura hugged her pillow to comfort herself. "I. I don't know. But I can't let Syaoran die. not after how much he's done for me before I could repay him. He can't!"
Aerin saw the grievance on Sakura's face and said to Koji, ".You may go." "WHAAAAT?!" everyone asked. "If it means Li Xiao Lan will live, you may go." Koji smiled. "Wise choice." One guard slowly moved forward, her bow still aimed at Koji's head. The men were the only ones who really knew how to use the bows properly, but they were gone for the night. Sadly, this made life difficult when all the women tried to hold the arrows back for an extended time. But nonetheless, still holding her arrow back and aiming properly, the guard opened a window behind Koji so he could leave. Sakura cried more, though. "Aerin, I can't let you make this sacrifice for us!"
Aerin hung her head. "Sakura-chan, you must understand. When I saw you and Syaoran. what I saw. I can't let you two be separated. I can't say why, but I can't. I will do anything I can to help."
"Well, isn't that sweet!" Koji laughed from outside the window. Mia's face turned to anger. "YOU BASTARD! WE TOLD YOU TO LEAVE, ALREADY! GO!"
Koji reached down into his shirt. "Well, I WOULD leave, if I didn't have this!" He yanked out the Li clan's fan. The women raised their bows. Takumi held his hand out to them, asking them to hold their fire. "We can't risk hitting the fan." The irate demon cackled. "Well, that's where you're being an idiot, because not shooting me will be your last mistake!" Koji raised the fan high above his head and began to summon another powerful spell. "RAGING FI- AUGH!" Koji was struck in mid-air and came crashing down onto the roof. "What the hell was that?" Mia asked.
Sakura, Mia, Tomoyo, Aerin, and Takumi ran to the window and climbed out onto the roof. As soon as Sakura got her head over the roof and into view, she gasped. "KERO?! And who is that?!" Before her was a fully-grown Keroberos and a man clad in the armor of a Li guard. But why would a guard be fighting alongside Kero?
It didn't matter. Sakura was going to help. Tears still rolled down her face. "I don't know what you did to Syaoran, but I won't let you hurt anyone else!"
"O, Key that holds the Power of the Stars. Reveal your true form to me! RELEASE!" The glowing staff grew from her key and she grabbed it midair. She slowly stepped over to the trio of fighters. Mia and Tomoyo followed closely behind. Aerin and Takumi were nowhere to be seen.
Keroberos pounced down on the demon, but he dodged to one side and blew the beast back with the fan. Tomoyo ran to Kero to check on him. Sakura grabbed a card from her bag. "SWORD!" A yellow light swirled around the staff and changed the Sakura Staff into a long, shimmering blade. Apparently, the 'knight in shining armor' had the same idea as her and drew his sword.
Koji unsheathed his sword as well and a violent battle erupted.
The archers climbed onto the roof as well, but they dared not to fire, lest they hit Sakura or anyone else.
No matter what, Koji could not hit them or the other way around, though it seemed a little one-sided. For some reason, Sakura and the armor-clad man fought well, like they knew each other's moves. But. something seemed familiar to Sakura. "I don't understand it. Who is this guard? His movements. I swear I've seen them before."
Suddenly, the two of them split up. Sakura struck from below while the boy snuck up from behind. As Koji jumped over Sakura's attack, the armored boy struck Koji's sword from his hands and gave a devastating punch to Koji's neck, knocking the poor demon out. Sakura and everyone gave a cheer. Everyone gathered around his body, except for Sakura and the boy, who sat down side-by-side and sighed.
"We got him!" "What will we do with his body?" "Should we kill him now, or just imprison him?" "Let's not kill and stoop to his level. Let's just imprison him for life." "Hey, let's see if he's carrying anything useful." "Does anyone see the fan?" All the female archers gathered around and discussed what to do with the unconscious troublemaker.
Sakura turned to the ally she had just met. "Thank you so much. I think we finally have beaten Koji. And it's all thanks to you. May I ask your name?" The boy prepared to take off his helmet when.
"HEY! YOU GUYS! UP HERE!" Aerin called out. She was waving her arms from the highest part of the mansion. Sakura, Tomoyo, Mia, the armored guard, and Kero climbed up to meet with her. Takumi was there where Aerin had stood when she called out as soon, waiting for them to reach the top. However, Aerin was lying down on the ground.
"Oh, my! What happened to Aerin?" Tomoyo asked. Suddenly, Sakura, Kero, and Mia collapsed as well. "OH, NO! What's going on?!" Only she, Takumi, and the armored man were left standing. Takumi shook his head. "Don't worry, they're alright. It's. THIS!" He pointed to a large, black rock on the roof. "Whatever it is, it's blocking all magic power in the area. Anyone with magic who gets close can't use his or her powers as well. No magic attacks functions that well, explaining why my love couldn't foresee very much into the future. Powers may function at a distance, just not as well as normal. If they get REALLY close, it causes a kind of headache and almost all powers become completely worthless. We have to destroy it!" Takumi lifted his sword and brought it down with a crushing blow to the stone. Nothing. "This is going to be harder than I thought."
The guard raised one hand, signaling he had an idea. He stepped up to the rock and attempted to lift it. It was a great load and would take extreme strength to lift. "Eh?" Takumi noticed, "that's a magic resistent armor suit... Why would a guard need one? In fact, only the captain of the guards has one, but he went to protect me in town." Suddenly, the rock began to move. Ever so slowly, the soldier began to lift the giant boulder overhead. With one giant push, he tossed it off the mansion to the hard ground far below. It cracked into a trillion pieces. Even the smaller pieces the girls found on Koji's limp body shattered in their hands once the big stone was destroyed.
Slowly, Sakura and the others got up. "Ugh. you, you've helped us again. Hoe?" Sakura was surprised to see the guard removing his armor. First, the chest piece, then the gauntlets, and then his boots. Lastly, he removed his helmet.
"SYAORAN!" Sakura leapt from her squatting position and tackled him to the ground in a giant hug. They rolled together down the side of the roof and landed in a pond on one side of the house a few meters below.
"SYAORAN! I MISSED YOU SO MUCH! I was so scared, I missed you! Are you alright? Please tell me you are! I'm just so happy to see you!" Syaoran hugged Sakura back, but his face turned bright red in embarrassment and coldness as the pond was far from warm. "Err, I'm happy to see you too, Sakura. I'm alright, I'm alright, just make sure you don't hug my AHHHHH! .hip, like you just did. it's cut pretty badly." Sakura laughed nervously. "Ahehehehehe. Sorry about that." That's when Sakura stepped back and saw him in good light. After his armor crumbled, he was once again left in nothing but a pair of shorts. To her, he seemed so handsome. Her face reddened as well. "Ummm. Syaoran. I mean. wow. Wait, I mean."
SPLASH!
A body dropped into the pond beside them. Tomoyo's head popped back out of the water. "Tomoyo? What are you doing here?" Sakura exclaimed. The girl stood up in the water and revealed she had "changed" quite a bit. Sakura and Syaoran's eyes opened wide. "TOMOYO!" Syaoran exclaimed. "You're in your teen form? Were you drinking potions from my bag?" Tomoyo nodded. "Hai*, I have, but I needed to! It's an emergency! I was watching from above, and I really didn't want to interrupt your kawaii moment, but we have a severe emergency! Come look!"
As the three temporary teens climbed up to the roof via a large ivy vine growing on one side, sounds of struggle came from above. "After you two fell down into the pond, I ran to grab my camcorder, but when I turned around, Koji had not only awaken, but was furious! He was so angry, he'd do anything to get to you! He started to throw the women left and right. A few girls ran to get help from the men who were still in the village, but Koji seemed to be a whole lot stronger and faster. He knocked the messengers out fast. Even Aerin's mother made it onto the scene and was knocked out. I saw my chance and grabbed a couple of potions. I was too small to carry them all, so I drank one of the teen girl potions to help me carry them. We'll need some of them, I think, to beat him. I don't know how, but all this rage has made Koji more powerful than ever."
Syaoran gulped. "This is great. I'm sure if he is so powerful he destroys my house, I won't be born, either."
As they reached the rooftop, Koji met them right there at the ledge. "Hello, friends." Sakura gave a shriek as Koji grabbed her by the shoulders and threw her over his back onto the roof. Next, he grabbed Tomoyo by the hair and threw her over. Aerin and Takumi charged together from the left and right of Koji as this happened. Aerin was charging electricity from her hands and Takumi had his sword drawn. But before they could hit him at once, Koji leaned towards Takumi and hurled him over and he landed on Aerin, knocking them both out. Syaoran was next, still climbing up the vine; however, he was too far away to grab at the roof. Instead, Koji drew his sword and started to hack away at the ivy on the wall. However, before the last piece of the plant could be cut off and fall to the ground, Syaoran reached for the ledge and held on for dear life. Koji was not done, though. He began to try and strike the ledge and slice off Syaoran's fingers. With each strike, Syaoran pulled one hand away. "SIT STILL AND LET ME KILL YOU!"
As he did this, Sakura ran up from behind, and shoved Koji down into the pond below. She helped Syaoran up and they ran for cover. Koji was angrier than ever. He leaped in one bound back to the roof and charged. In the blink of an eye, he punched Syaoran across the jaw and sent him reeling back into the pile of the female archers. Sakura was hit next, with a crushing kick to the stomach, causing her to double over in pain and collapse. Only Tomoyo was standing, but Koji looked none too concerned with her.
Mia shouted from the ground nearby, "Tomoyo. ugh. it's. time. You have to show them now!" The girl seemed almost shocked. "Here? Now?" "YES, NOW!" "Alright."
Tomoyo reached deep down into her shirt and pulled out a necklace, a violet sphere on a silver chain. "Sakura, can you hear me? I need you to summon a Clow Card or a Sakura Card." "Hoe?" The young Card Mistress didn't understand what was going on, but she complied. "W-W-Windy."
The graceful and gentle spirit of the Wind appeared. It seemed almost confused. It had no order to fulfill. However, when Tomoyo held out her necklace, the spirit charged towards her and. was absorbed into the stone. Sakura, Syaoran, and everyone stared in amazement. A bright light emitted from around Tomoyo. Even Koji didn't move.
A moment later, Tomoyo. floated. down. dressed as an angel. Her dress was of long, tan silk. It flowed elegantly down to her heels. Her feet had no shoes, but a single slit of silk covered part of each foot, leaving each toe and the heel exposed. Two white Angel wings, which seemed to glow with the most shining brilliance, ejected from her back. Her long, black to blue hair was even longer, almost reaching her feet. Her eyes were pools of pure blue, not a trace of black in them at all. They were a pure light blue, pure as her spirit. Finally, a small, golden tiara graced her forehead and held her flowing hair back.
The world seemed silent. A magnificent aura surrounded the young girl.
But where and when had she gained this awesome power?
To be continued.