Kaminari-chan: Hiyee! I'm back! So how's everybody?
Kero: they're not fine since you're here.
*glare*
Kero: ahehehe! Just kidding! *whistling*
Kaminari-chan: Ei! I'm sorry for a very loooooooonnnnnnnnngggggggggg rest that I had, well you know, my mind kinda get off tracked for a bit. I didn't know that the nursing course is VERY HARD! Ugh! Oh well, I just hope I'll pass the prelims.
Kero: yeah! You and your uncanny dreams
*whacks*
Kaminari-chan: as I was saying, I would like to apologize to the readers---do I have readers?--- oh well, c'est la vie! Again….
I don't own CCS, I don't own any of the songs that I've posted and will later post, so DON"T SUE ME! Or I'll strangle you to death! (j/k) anyweiz, for those who's a bit confused on the characters, here's some info about them…well, actually only about their age….
The girls---Sakura, Chiharu, Tomoyo, Naoko, Rika--- excluding Katzumi are all seventeen. While the guys---namely Syaoran, Seijouro, Aono, Takashi, Eriol and the ginger-haired guy--- including Katzumi are all eighteen. And oh, Syaoran hasn't confessed yet to Sakura, they're just best friends, ok?
And the legend…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"speaking"
'thinking'
flashback
*** - new scene
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*********************************** LAST SCENE IN CHAPTER 3 ****************************
"So?" the lady eyed the couple, "Are you both accepting our invitation?" handing a calling card to the mistress.
Sakura gracefully accept the card, "Hai, Thank you for you inviting us. It's really a great pleasure to be with your family tonight."
"No," the woman said as she cupped the emerald-eyed beauty's face, "We're the ones that are grateful to have you two…"
"Hoe…!?"
"See you tonight!" the couple said as they waved goodbye to the captors, "And before I forget, umm.."
"Sakura. Kinomoto Sakura. And this is Li Syaoran." The mistress gently said as she smiled lovingly to the couple.
"Sakura, the dinner will start at eight, hope you'll be there on time!"
"Hai, Thanks again for inviting us." Waving gleefully to the departing family.
***********************************END OF CHAPTER 3 ****************************
So… let's start!
by : K a m I n a r I - c h a n
Chapter 4 : Haunting Hours of Darkness
"Welcome to Cream Puff! Can I take your orders?" Sakura said to the couple as she puts out her pen and tickler. (kaminari: a tickler is a small notebook, ok? ^__^)
"Oh, we'll have two Strawberry shortcake and two chocolate pearl coolers." The lady in early twenties, said annoyingly to Sakura. She doesn't like the looks that her boyfriend was giving to the waitress.
"Hai! Demo, do you like to try the new flavor of our shakes?"
"And what would that be?" the guy said while giving a flirty smile to Sakura.
"It's---"
"---We don't want that, could you please just give us our orders?" the lady said giving Sakura death glares.
"H-Hai! Be right back in five minutes!"
"Don't be, I'll wait for you, for eternity…" the guy, who's closer to Sakura, hissed with lust in its eyes.
Goose bumps crept its way to the mistress' face, 'Hoe…'.
"Kinomoto-san! You're needed in here!" a threatening tone stood out in the noisy room, although it's pretty obvious that the threat was for the guy and not for Sakura.
"H-Hai!" the mistress said as she strolled her way to the counter.
"Are you okay?" a cold yet obviously has a concerned tone passed to Sakura's ear.
"Hai! Arigatou, Kenji-kun!" Sakura said sweetly at the garnet-eyed guy that's wiping the counter. "And oh, I would like to thank you for saving me and Ayako-chan."
"Hmmp… just be careful next time…" facing his back to the mistress while running his fingers to his shoulder-length ginger-colored hair, "… you're emotions will lead others into danger…"
"Hoe?!" then realizing something, Sakura chuckled, making the guy torque his head to face her.
"What are you laughing at?" Kenji said sternly to Sakura.
"Oh, nothing! It's just that I can't believe that I would encounter another Syaoran in my life." The young mistress said while beaming her true smile. Then, "…Matte, Kenji-kun. What happened to that?" pointing at the bandaged right arm of the guy.
For a moment, Sakura thought she had seen a pair of surprised garnet eyes before seeing a familiar cold glare, "Hmph! And what do you care?" averting his gaze from the innocent emerald pools. "Mind your own business, will you? And don't compare me to that Li-gaki!"
"Did someone called me?" the messy chestnut haired guy breaks in the conversation, giving an obvious glare to the grinning guy.
"Nothing…" As garnet eyes teased amber ones, "…it's just, this tenshi here said that we're alike in many ways… oh well, maybe she's just mistaken… I'm far more sublime than you are. Ja ne!" waving his hands to the baffled couple.
Having a surprise look while slipping his gaze to the confused mistress, "Eh?"
'How come…' Sakura asked, shock at the sudden personality change of the ginger-haired guy.
"Kinomoto-san, here's the orders from table four!"
"H-Hai! Coming!" the mistress said with an uneven tone. Somehow she was afraid at the flirtatious behavior of the guy customer, 'So much for escaping that guy.' Heaving a deep sigh.
'So much for escaping that guy.' A soft voice echoed at Syaoran's head. Then as if on impulse, the young warrior looked at the card mistress. Seeing the evident anxiety of the angel, Syaoran carefully lift up the tray with ease "I'll bring these, and you just stay here and wait for me. Besides, its already time for our early leave, ne?"
"Arigatou."
The amber-eyed guy smiled; "It's nothing, and oh, might as well bring your cotton guardian some food…" a slight grin appeared on his lips "…he does have an animated stomach, you know."
"Hai."
"Sakura! Li-kun!"
Sakura look for the source of the voice. Then, "Aono-kun! How did you know where we work?"
"I have my ways, ne, Li-kun?" teasing the amber eyes while flirting at the innocent cheerleader.
"Humph, Mikado-san." the young wolf greeted the guy with a scowl as he walk past the guy making his way to the customer.
"Come here, Aono-kun! You sit here while I take your orders." The mistress said while motioning the red-haired guy to come over.
"Iie, I just come here to---"
"---Kinomoto-san, Mina-san's looking for you." A male voice barges in the conversation. "Who's that guy?" pointing at the redheaded guy beside Sakura.
"Oh, Kenji-kun, this is Mikado Aono…" the mistress said while the indigo-eyed guy bowed in respect. "…Aono-kun, this is Sasami Kenji my co-worker here."
Garnet meets Indigo
'So we meet again.'
'Why are you here?'
'Awww, did I ruined your plan?'
'So, taking the chance to get close to the mistress, huh?'
'Of course, we both seriously needed her, don't you think so?'
Sakura became confused at the guys before her. It's seems so familiar to her. The first guy was glaring while the other guy was just grinning. "Hoe…"
"---Oh, as I was saying I just drop by to see you and Li-kun." Aono said while giving out a smile at the mistress. "Ja ne! And nice meeting you, Sasami-san!" Waving his hand with serious eyes, focused only on the garnet ones as he opens the door before him and stops and look again at the group before landing his stare at the ginger haired lad.
'If you ever hurt Sakura…'
'Of course, it's my mission here, don't you think?'
'If only I could just kill you…'
'I'm waiting…'
Sakura gleefully wave back at the guy at the door. Then, "Gomen ne, demo, I feel that somehow you and Aono-kun knew each other?" looking at the garnet orbs of the guy beside her.
Giving a smile to the mistress, "I think you watched way too much movies…" walking his way to the kitchen door.
"Hoe…"
***
In the dark corner…
'She knows HIM.'
'She knows WHO?'
'Mamoru, I think that guy making its way to the soft heart of the mistress.'
'I begged you, help her. Don't let that bastard touch Sakura.'
'I'm doing my best, as of now, let's just pray that he will not make a move too soon.'
'Hai.'
***
"Is this really me?" as soft voice echoed in the room. It's been two hours now, since they left the shop to prepare for the said dinner. Sakura looked at her vanity mirror once more as another set of unwelcome tears gush in her face. Then a small smile crept on her lips, "Kinomoto Sakura, you're such a plain baka! A sniveler! You always cry! What's wrong with you?" Sakura said to herself as she tried to wipe the moist that's blocking her vision. "What's wrong with me?" huffing some air out while brushing her silky long hair, preferring it not to be tied on this occasion.
Ever since she got back from her old self again, it's impossible for her not to cry when she find herself all alone. She can't help thinking that her family left her with nothing. They left her broken hearted. "Otousan… Oniichan… a-are you r-really…."
D-Dead?
She doesn't understand it all. It's been two years since that tragic accident happened and left a big scar on her innocence. But yet, she can't fully comprehend why there are certain things or events in her recent life that tells her that she was wrong; that her father and brother are still alive; that they are just waiting for a help.
She don't fully understand why all this time, she's still sane… many things happened to her, and yet, she still go on…
"Why?"
"Sakura! Are you not done yet?" a masculine voice broke her trance.
"Coming!" The card mistress beamed a genuine smile, 'Yeah, I remember now!' wiping her face with wet scented-tissue, 'It's the little wolf who keeps me in my rational being all along… Arigatou Kami-sama for giving Syaoran to me… though…' as her eyes dimmed a little, "…he'll be leaving me soon… and then, I'll be on my own again…"
"Have faith mistress…" as soft wind blew in her face, then she tried to look at her closed window.
"Strange…as if…. I've heard someone…" then her emerald orbs widen in realization, "H-Hoe? T-There's a ghost in my room!" as she vigorously ran her way outside her room.
***
The young warrior gently arranged the collar of his forest green, long-sleeved polo, "Syaoran!" a worried voice boomed in the receiving room and, "Eh?" as the clock ticks for another second, the young wolf found himself embracing a fragile and shaking tennyo in his arms.
"Sakura, What happen?" a squeaky voice was heard as the yellow creature emerge in the scene that's obviously come from the kitchen.
After sometime, the young sorceress broke away from the warrior and smiled at her guardian beast, "I'm okay now… I-I just felt some presence in my room."
"Could that be---"
"---Nope, It's not Mamoru. But it really scared me to death." She quickly replied. Then a scarlet hue move stealthily on Sakura's face as she realized their situation.
Syaoran become aware of their present condition and he hurriedly distance himself to the mistress. Then heat rose from his face, stunned at the tennyo in front of him.
"What?" a confused mistress asks the bedazzled warrior.
The young warrior sighed in amazement, "Y-You're beautiful…"
"Yeah, the gaki's right, Sakura. That color compliments your eyes very well." Kero said as he laid down his feet on the warrior's shoulder. "Though I don't assume that you and the gaki over here talked about color coding."
Sakura looked down and scrutinize herself. She don't understand why the two beings in front of her, that's presently killing each other, were astounded at her above-knee-length dress, "It's just a simple spaghetti strap. How come---"
"That's the whole point!" Kero said while puffing, "… even the simplest style makes you look an elegant lady! Ne, gaki?"
The creature didn't receive any reaction at the guy below him, all the warrior could do is to stare at the mistress with admiration in its amber eyes.
"Arigatou." Bowing at the two beings in front of her. "…Matte, where's Yukito-san?"
"He said he'll just visit his grandparents, you know, old age." The animated toy said, waving his index fingers, "Demo, don't worry, he said that he'll be there whenever you need him. Now go, or you'll be late on your appointment. Remember, food waits for no one. "
"Hai!"
Syaoran handed a black same-length coat to Sakura, making her looked up to him with confusion, "Here… it's a bit chilly outside, might as well wear some comforter."
"Domo." The cheerleader said gratefully to the amber-eyed guy.
***
"So the beautiful flower decided to go…" a deep voice booms in a dark room, "…might as well join her and give her some surprise."
***
Ding! Dong!
"Kinomoto-san! Li-san!" as the big door swung open at the duo, revealing a lady in an elegant red dress. "Thank you again for accepting our invitation. Come in. I'll show you where the others were." Gesturing the couple to the main lobby while the card captors hand over their coats to the attendant beside the mistress of the house.
Tip... Tap... Tip.... Tap….
Sakura can't help but be awed at the place before her. 'This is sure a lot bigger than Tomoyo-chan's house…' she silently said in admiration as she takes her time, scrutinizing the paintings and the pictures on the wall, not noticing the ocher eyes that were staring at her for who knows how long.
'Why is it that I have a feeling something terrible will happen?' taking a last worried glance at the auburn-haired beauty. Then he looked at the woman in front of them, '…deep russet hair with teal eyes? Beautiful!' smiling inwardly as he remembered someone from his native land, '…and she is really poised just like Ma-ma.' picturing the amber-eyed woman in his mind.
"Who's she?" a soft voice echoes in the hallway as the two beings stop, finding their selves in the emerald pools of the mistress.
Syaoran averted his gaze at the cheerleader to look at the portrait behind her. It was a sketch of a sea-green-eyed lady in her late-teen years, wearing mauve kimono that complements her waist-length straight, black hair.
"That's my ancestor, I think she's my great, great, great grandma. Heh, I lost track of our family tree." The lady said while giving a feeble smile to the pair. "Come, we're almost there." as she starts to walk again.
***
'She's here.'
'Please protect her for me, will you?'
'Of course, especially now that Mamoru watch her like a hawk. I bet he'll do something tonight.'
'Just be careful out there, and I give you my trust to protect Sakura.'
'Arigatou.'
***
"'neesan! 'niichan!" a babyish voice was heard instantly as the ballroom door swung open before everyone's eyes.
Sakura immediately scans her eyes at the crowded room, which is mainly composed of circular tables and a long rectangular one at the front for the hosts and guests of honor. Seeing the owner of the voice, the cheerleader called cheerfully Ayako's name as she saw the curly chocolate hair bouncing at the middle of the ballroom. She can't help but smile as the little girl in white gown approaches her while clinging to the tan-haired kid behind her.
Noticing the flabbergasted expressions of the people, especially the male population as the ethereal beauty walks through the door; Syaoran can't help but start to do his famous glare, motioning everyone to go back to their business, which the people grudgingly did.
"'neesan…'niichan…" the girl said while huffing and puffing for breath in front of the card captors, "… thwis wis Kyo-niichan! Mwy brwothwer!" as the midnight black eyes grumpily stare at Sakura.
'Hey! Don't be smug on Sakura like that!' the young wolf growled at the spiked-haired kid before him. Unconsciously clutching the mistress waist.
'H-Hoe!' yelping silently as strong arm wrapped at her waist. 'Why do I always end up at Syaoran's arm every time I met new friends.' She thoughtfully asks in silence.
"Kinomoto-san, Li-san, this is my eldest son, Kyoichi." The russet-haired woman said in a gleeful voice, breaking the glaring contest from the two gentlemen. Knowing her son for seven years, she bet that it'd do some teasing to the young warrior beside her.
"Wo jue de ni hen ke ai! Jia gei wo hao ma?" (I think you are cute! Will you marry me?) the boy said in Chinese lingo, standing apart to the confused Ayako while smiling childishly to the Mistress of the cards.
Sakura became baffled at what the boy said about her. 'What did he say? Hoe?! What if it's something important?' assuming nervously at the same time blaming herself for not listening to Syaoran that she should learn other language than Japanese and English. '…maybe he wants to make friends with me!' trying to assure herself while giving the boy her ethereal smile.
"Ni shi zou shen me de?" (What are you?) Syaoran asked in his native tongue annoyingly to the kid in front of him. Earlier he took notice of the happy look of Sakura about the brat's sentence, and frankly, he doesn't like it at all. '…he knows that Sakura doesn't understand Chinese… he's taking advantage of it…Grrr!!!' steaming furiously inside.
The boy smiled a Cheshire grin at the warrior. "Ying Fa Qing ren!" ( Sakura's Lover!)
"Hoe? Sumimasen Shinomori-san, demo ossharu koto ga wakarimasen. Now I'm definitely lost!" (I don't understand) the young mistress whispered at the woman beside Syaoran, only to receive a knowing and it's-a-secret smile. Dejectedly, she tried to avert her gaze again to the competing guys beside her. The first is grinning while the other is glaring. 'Oh, well… it seems that we have a new Eriol.' as she shook her head warily at the scene before her.
Hearing the defeated sigh of the mistress, the woman cough a few times trying to call their attention as she clasp Ayako's hand and patted her son's head "Umm… Li-san, I'm sorry for the behavior of my son, he seems to have a little crush on the beautiful tao…" (kaminari: 'tao' means 'peach' which is also used as a name for a bride. Hehehe! See where Kyoi-kun's mischievousness came from?) Making the two guys blush at the same time, "…anyways, let's just continue our greetings to each other over there." Pointing at the rectangular table where the blue-gray-haired man and a woman in seventies talking to somewhat familiar face to the card captors.
"Yay! Fwud!" the little girl said with pleasure as she pulls Sakura towards the table.
***
"So, How was the trip?" the blue-gray haired man asks the old woman beside her as he adjusts his spectacles.
The old woman beamed a smile, making her face a bit younger. "It's okay but I must say that I'm a bit amazed at the competing skyscrapers here in Japan…" Closing her eyes in the process, "…it's just really telling me that I've been living in China for too long… Tell me, Shin'ichi…." The old woman looked up as she heave a sigh, "…has Mei accepted the whole incident?" she said with expectation in her eyes as she took a glance at the lady in red dress that's currently talking to the two new comers at the ballroom.
"Hai…" the man said in somewhat akin to sad tone, "…but I think, she's really fated that she'll know about her background, sooner or later." Also staring at the group near the ballroom door.
The old woman turned her gaze to look at the man beside her son-in-law that's silently contemplating to himself. "And who's that young man beside you, my son?" she asked making both guys looked her way.
"Oh, where are my manners?" Shin'ichi said while scratching the back of his head, "Mother, this is Mikado-san."
Taking the cue from the older man, the red-haired guy in ponytail continue the introduction, "…I'm Ayako's sensei" as he bows respectfully at the elder woman.
"Ah! So you're the famous Aono-shenshei that's our little Ayako was talking about! Hhm?" Laughing proudly that she successfully mimic her granddaughter's childish voice.
The youngest guy in the conversation smiled, "…Hai! That would be me." as he looked again at the now approaching group. "…Gomen nasai, demo, sumimasen." (I'm sorry, but I need to be excused.) Giving his respect at the two elders while standing simultaneously towards the card captors.
"I think I've seen him somewhere. Don't you?" the old woman said thoughtfully as she faced the baffled pitch black eyes behind the spectacles.
***
"Matte, Ayako-chan! Everyone's looking at us." the shocked mistress of the cards said in half poised, half fret manner while the girl in front of her literally drags her towards the table. Then, "Hoe?!" as she met the indigo orbs twinkling at her, making Ayako stop from pulling the lithe cheerleader behind her
"Good evening, milady!" the owner of the voice said gentlemanly whilst kissing the angel's hand.
"Aono-shenshei!"
"Aono-kun!" Sakura gaped as blush crept towards her face.
Receiving the expected result from the tenshi, the pre-school teacher took hold of the mistress' elbow gently, "May I escort the beautiful angel at the table?" he said, looking his way to the glaring wolf behind them.
"A... s-sure!" Sakura stutters, slowing her pace to grab little Ayako's hand as she also saw the obvious frown from the future Li-clan leader.
***
Mei smiled at the sight before her eyes. It's like the bedtime love story that her grandma had told her once---a lone wolf watching melancholy from the shadows, as bees swarm their way towards the waiflike blossom. Not knowing that the flower also longs for him. Together, they live in life of secrecy. The wolf protecting his beloved from everything, while the flower reject all the men who asks for her and silently wait for the recognition of a certain guy.
Clandestinely loving each other from afar.
'But will they also end up like Sumire and her protector?' she silently wonder at the situation as she looked again at the somber guy between her and Kyoichi, "…Um, She's beautiful." Uttering softly for she only wanted the wolf to hear what she had said.
"Eh?" the growling wolf retort shockingly. Making him halt his next stride.
The elder woman patted the sorcerer's head like a mother that's reprimanding her desperate son, "…you forget my child, as your eyes gaze at what entice you; you're not the only one who has perceived it…" receiving a questioning amber orbs, "…what I mean is that you're not the only one who has smelled the drop of perfume in a crowded ballroom… Don't let things go on your way." smiling at the stunned warrior alongside her.
"Arigatou." The captain of the soccer team beamed, expressing his gratitude to the lady near him as his gaze stop at the lithe cheerleader at the table.
***
Dark teal orbs scrutinize the lithe card mistress beside her as the pre-school teacher pulls a chair for the angel. 'I think I've seen her somewhere…' the old lady alleged mutely. Then she scans her eyes and saw the protective stare of amber orbs on the fragile blossom. '…especially that young man.' Following her gaze as the group---composed of her daughter, grandchildren and the young stoic man---also sits in the host's table.
Now that all of the people are seated in their proper places---the old lady on the center of the rectangular table that's facing the guests on the circular ones; Mei, Shin'ichi and Kyoichi at the old woman's right side while Sakura, Syaoran, Aono and Ayako on her left---Mei stands up and clapped her hands, making the guests and her family focus their attention to her. "A pleasant evening to all of you. We're here to celebrate the arrival of someone whom I looked up as epitome of knowledge and kindness…" signaling her mother to stand up, which the old lady at her left did elegantly, "… none other than my mother, Chaio Fei Rong! And so, with no further ado…this celebration formally starts now. Qing zi bian! Nin chi hao!" (Help yourself! Bon appetit!) As the two women take their respective seats and thunderous applauses surrounds the ballroom.
"Ni gui xing?" (What is your name?) Inquired the eldest in the table.
"Hoe?" Sakura said in impulse, giving quizzical look at the old lady in her right.
Seeing the gullible expression of the young mistress in his right side, Syaoran can't help but smile, "Sakura, she's asking for your name." he whispered while nodding at the beaming woman beside Sakura. Eyeing the woman that he had just translated the unfamiliar vernacular.
"Oh." the emerald-eyed seraph riposte in realization as her face colored like her red wine and thanking the young wolf in the process. "Gomen nasai, Chaio-san. I'm just not very familiar with your language. I'm Kinomoto Sakura."
"Ah, so you're the one who saved my granddaughter's life. Thank you very much. That's very heroic of you."
"Umm, well… it's nothing. I-I mean, I think anyone can do the thing I did."
Fei smiled at the reply of the auburn beauty. 'Such a humble creature…' she thought as she noticed the beaming warrior beside the young lady, assuming that the lad is also Chinese like her. "Ni ye hui shuo zhongwen hua ma? Ni shi nar de ren?" (Do you know how to speak Chinese, also? Where are you from?)
"Hai." The young sorcerer answered in Nippongo for the mistress' sake, (Kaminari: okay! I know it sounds crazy because what Syaoran had said can still be a Chinese language---Cantonese to be exact---demo, I'm using Mandarin language here, which is I'm more familiar than Cantonese---hey, I said more, so I'm not an expert. It's been a while that I've spoken my other language, I'm better in speaking in 'tagalog' language, kaya pagpasensiyahan nyo na.----Also, I'm very sorry for some spelling 'coz we all know that its very difficult to put Mandarin into English writing, ok? And I'm using Mandarin 'coz I don't want Syaoran's name to be 'Siu Long' moreover, Sakura's name to be 'Jing Fa' which is a Cantonese or the true lingo of the people in Hong Kong. So just bare with me! Though I may be using Cantonese in some chapters here. Ooops! No spoily! =P ) "…Watashiwa no namae wa Li Xiao Lang desu. Hong Kong, Chugoku kara." (My name's Li Xiao Lang from Hong Kong, China)
"The Li-clan?"
"Hai"
"No wonder you have the eyes and the physique of a true warrior..." As smile sneaked its way to the dry lips of Fei, "…and a man of few words."
"Arigatou, for the kind words. It's truly a pleasure for me to meet you and be eulogized by you."
"Ah, don't be…" Fei said waving her left hand modestly, "…I'm the one that should be grateful to have you here, Honorable Sorcerer Li Xiao Lang…" as she avert her stare to the emerald-eyed lady, "…and also you, Card Mistress Sakura."
""How did you---""
"---know?" Fei answered consciously at the baffled couple and whispered, "If I'm not mistaken, you're the missing future leader of the most powerful clan in China…" Receiving a nod from the warrior, "…So I guess, you're not missing at all, but in some confidential undertaking for your family, ne?"
"I would definitely agree with you. It's just, my family is not accustomed to be so open into the public." The young wolf reply civilly.
"And as for you," looking intently at Sakura,"…it seems that your power, Mistress, is so strong that you can't completely lock it up."
"Oh."
"And I also felt the power of the cards that's surrounding you."
"Sumimasen, Chaio-san…" the young wolf interrupted, "…but how come you know so many things about magic, I mean, I know that your family is second to ours in wealth and magic, but how about the cards? I think it's our family secret."
The gray haired woman smiled as she put down her utensils, "All that you've said a while ago about our ancestry are true…" hearing small gasp from the mistress, "… but I think you forgot the war of three kingdoms..."
"You mean---"
"---Yes. The treasure that the three kingdoms were fighting for is the Clow book. So it seems that the secret isn't really a classified one. But don't worry, I think only the three clans knows about the real history behind the war.".
"So that speaks a lot." Syaoran said in understanding as he took a glimpse at the young mistress. Seeing the mystified expression, Syaoran took one of Sakura's hands and press it firmly, "I'm going to tell you later, I promise."
"But no nee---"
"But I want to." Insist the young wolf. "Besides, it's about the Clow book."
"Arigatou."
The old lady can't help but beam a warm one at the unconscious affectionate performance that the card captors, "And so I think that we should stop conversing and focus on our meal, ne?"
""Hai!""
***
"May I have this dance?" a masculine voice broke Sakura's thought as she gazes at the ocher orbs beside her dancing partner. She didn't realize that the song had just ended and the orchestra's starting to play another one.
"S-Sure" she answer back forgetting that's she's with someone.
"Oi! Zhe shi wo taitai!" (Hey, this is my wife!) Retort the youngest male heir to Chaio family, not letting go of Sakura's left hand.
"Hoe?!"
"Ni kan shang qu mei na me da. Ni de nian ling you duo da?" (You look pretty young. How old are you?) As fiery wolf eyes glared at the spiked boy before him also grabbing---yet still gently---Sakura's right hand at the same time.
"Wo qi sui!" (I'm seven years old!)
The young wolf sniggers at the answer, "Qi? Ni lei le ba? Yao la ma?" (Seven? You must be tired. Go potty?) he said teasingly making the boy fumed in anger. "Tai shi wo wei hun fu, Dui bu qi." (She's my fiancé, sorry.) Seizing completely the befuddled Mistress of the Cards.
"Zhou! Goupi!" (Damn! Bullshit!) As Kyoichi walk away in rage.
Deeming that the young boy has really given up, Syaoran torque his head to the cherub before him and placing his hands in Mistress' waist, "I'm sorry about that---"
"---Xiaolang, ni Zhongguo hua shuo de hen hao." (Syaoran, you speak Chinese very well.)
"Eh?" the Li-clan warrior responds shockingly as he recalls his conversation to the young boy… 'Oh no…' making his head spin and his face ruby with blood, '…I've just said that she's my fiancé…' "U-Um...I-I … ah---"
"---Got you there!" Sakura said in her native tongue, "…it's the only phrase I remembered when Meilin taught me your language." Smiling at her achievement at the young beet red warrior. "…though I hope you'll tell me what you two talked about earlier."
*Phew* 'Save by her memory!' he whispered, regaining his composure, 'I should thanks Kami-sama for making Meilin as Sakura's tutor…or else…' smiling to himself, knowing too well that his cousin only confuses a student than really helping an apprentice.
"Earth to Syaoran! Earth to Syaoran!"
"Ah! I'm sorry; I must have been dozed off." Keeping his pace slowly for Sakura to follow. "Are you sure you don't have any idea what we're talking earlier?"
"Why? Am I included in your conversation? Do I have to know it?"
"Iie!" Syaoran answered back defensively, "I-I'm just asking, well, it's mostly curses after all." Relaxing his tense muscle a bit.
Sakura became wide eyed as she firmly took hold of Syaoran's broad shoulder, "You mean you said awful words to the kid? You big meanie!"
"Of course not!" amber eyes start to be guilty, averting his look to the emerald cuts "…well, I'm just asking if he's tired or something." 'At least, there's some truth in what I've said.' As he felt the anxious body of the lady in front of him became relaxed.
"Oh."
"Ne, Sakura. About the relationship of Chaio's family to ours… well, as she had said, we're the most powerful in China and the Chaio's family is the next in line." Looking keenly at the emerald orbs before him. "And about the war of the tree kingdoms… well, it's a long story, but to make it concise, it's about the war of the three powerful families in China hundreds of years ago---The Li, Chaio, and Lung."
"Wait, that's the three species of dragons in China, ne?" The beauty said, waiting for the reply of the young sorcerer that's holding her. "Well, if I'm not mistaken."
"Hai." Smiling at the seraph before continuing, he's so amazed at the knowledge of this mistress about his country, well… not in speaking though. "It is a belief in our country that dragons ruled the land first and were considered as gods. Furthermore, these three families were judged as the descendants of the three dragons, giving them the authority to rule what's their dragon is representing."
"Go on, I'm catching it, although a little blurry now and then."
Syaoran grins at the cute face of the cheerleader, gripping its small waist, making her closer to his body as they dance, "Lung, the forebear of the dragon of heaven ruled the mountain side; Chaio governed the marshes and wetlands, and as for our family, the Li, we reigned the ocean side for hundreds of years."
"Never thought your history was that complicated." Smirking at the young wolf, as the sorcerer took her right hand and lifts it up, suggesting that she should turn around.
Immediately after the emerald-eyed mistress gyrate, Syaoran wrapped again his brawny arms to the lissome flower, inhaling the intoxicating scent of cherry blossom and honeysuckle, "But that's not the interesting part yet..." Looking down at the emerald eyes that's studying him, "…Stories about the great sorcerer Clow Reed of the Li clan spread through the land, and of course, his powers and about the cards. Because even though Chaio and Lung were powerful, they don't possess strong magic like ours. And that makes us different." Referring to his clan. "Though, Clow-sama distanced himself to our clan, living in isolation together with his two guardians. Maybe it has something to do with the clan itself---its stupid regulations, perhaps."
"Just like you hate it yourself." Sakura grinned.
"Hai!" nodding in accord, 'Because they don't want me to be near you.'
The young cheerleader smiled at the grump expression of the young wolf, "So, Eriol must be very popular then, ne?"
"Not Eriol, Clow-sama." He answered rather cleverly, "…and so after Clow-sama's death, greed overwhelm the land, making the three parties strive for the cards and its promising power. Well, as for our kin, we just fight what's rightfully ours---because, the old man is too wise and never left any traces of the Clow book." Then he stopped, thinking if he should continue or not, seeing the waiting expression of the mistress, he give in, "…and that's when your father and his occupation comes in."
"Oh." Sighing at the memory of her deceased loved one.
"And so, the war broke out making bloodsheds and clashes of magic until our clan wins, but no prize." Drawing the attention of the mistress to him.
"You mean the Clow book?"
"Yes. And so the three kingdoms made a treaty that the real reason for the war must be classified, giving the commoner wrong information about the warfare. And also to end the war and just live peacefully again."
"Now, that's one happy ending." Sakura said, removing her grasp to the warrior's shoulders, somehow regretting because of the unwelcome cold wind that follows.
"Yeah." He replied somehow sadly because of the ending note of the orchestra as they both bowed their heads in appreciation.
"Thanks for the dance and some history lessons."
"Yeah, no prob---"
AAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Syaoran!" Sakura yelled while people started to panic and others run for the exit.
"Hai!" grabbing Sakura's hand as they run through a door that's leading to a garden. 'Mamoru! Damn you!' he thought angrily, biting his inner cheek, '…don't include Sakura in this or else…' turning his gaze as to the running auburn head beauty behind him, sending pressure to its slender hand.
Questions assaults Sakura's head, making it heavy as she try to catch up with the warrior that's pulling her. 'Why now? Why here? Why with many people?' thinking of some rational answers behind Mamoru's assail when she felt that the young warrior stop at their tracks, making her stomach lurched at the sight before them, not hearing Syaoran's yell to the people, asking to call for an ambulance. "W-We're l-late…"
Two corpses lying…
The first has a horrified appearance in its cold face while the other is swimming in its own pools of blood with some scratches here and there; causing Sakura to looked back and snuggles at the Li-clan warrior's broad chest. "H-How can h-he do that to them…t-they're innocent! I-It is so awful…" she said in between her sobs as the young wolf murmur some soothing words to the fragile flower. Both are too shocked at the scene laid upon them. Then…
It hit them…
"'Tousan! 'kaachan!" a hurt voice wailed behind them as a white little figure came out of the door and straight to the carcasses. "Obasan! oniichan! Tasukete!" she cried to no one in particular.
Sakura rolled her eyes and saw the guests only staring at the poor girl, 'What's with them? As if they don't care.' Instinctively crumpling Syaoran's shirt and walked down at the hysterical girl, "Ssshhh… don't worry Ayako-chan, the ambulance is coming and we'll get the help we need soon…" she muttered to the frenzied girl in her arms. She understands what's the little angel's feeling right now.
Syaoran can't believe at the sight before him, 'How cruel! How can you stoop so low and kill innocent people, Mamoru!' he yelled in his mind, hoping that the loser will hear his protest. Then he felt two auras coming from behind---the first is a calm yellow one, but he can feel that it's getting weaker every second and the other is a flaring red---and then he saw the fiercest midnight orbs that's looking keenly at the dead bodies and the two ladies.
"Ma-ma… Da-da…" the young boy said in a heartbreaking voice as it clutches his fists into balls, shivering at the view. "MAMA!!!! DADA!!!!"
"Hushhh… Kyoi-kun that's enough." Fei said, calming the raging boy beside her. She too can't still believe the events, but she's a Chaio and a strong one, so she should be composed and be strong for her grandchildren. "…be strong for your sisters' sake…"
'Sisters?' Syaoran asked to nobody, walking towards the mourning old lady and her grandson, feeling ashamed of himself, "I-I'm sorry, I-I didn't see it coming." He said regretfully, "…I must have prevented it for---"
"---it's alright…" the old woman said in understanding, giving one of her motherly look at the depressed warrior and patting its shoulder. "…it must have been fate…." Then Fei passed out.
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Kaminari: AT LAST! The end of this chapter! I didn't think that I can end this, but it's a cliffhanger ne?
Kero: Hmmm… not bad for a monster like you.
Kaminari: Nani?
Kero: Ehehehe… nandemonai!
Kaminari: oh, never mind! I'm too tired to argue a stupid stuff animal like you!
Kero: hey!
Kaminari: as I was saying, reviews are very much welcome, BUT NO FLAMES! I want some really inspirational one, ok? Thank you very much. I'll try to submit another chapter, but till next time! You just wait. I want at least 20 reviews for this chapter! Ok?
Watshiwa anata no daisuki desu ka!!!!! (",) MMMWWWAAAAAAHHHHHH!
P.S.
Hmmm… for some fun, I want to ask you two questions and hope you'll answer me at the reviews….
#1 who do you think is mamoru?
#2 who's the phantom at Sakura's room
P.P.S.
the story that i've written about the war of the three kingdoms are all mine, so if you want the story, just ask permission first, ok? I spend much time in thinking about that topic so don't snatch it, ok? Arigatou.
So Ja!!!!!!
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PREVIEW FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER*******************************************
"Shut up, Shoda." Sakura retort, not minding her manners. Heck! This man doesn't need her respect. "It's too early to ruin my day." She added, putting down her books at the desk.
"Aww… Why such temper? Your pretty face doesn't suit your mood." Flirtatiously crawling his arms to the raging mistress.
'God! Can this guy be serious for once?' crossing her arms at her bosom, 'I changed my mind.' Raising her eyebrow as she saw the serious look of the guy. "What's with the look?"
Azure orbs stare closely at Sakura as tears started to build up in its corner. "How could you betray me?"
'Huh?'
"How could you hurt me like this?"
'What did I do?' Sakura thought as she saw the whole class looked at her with odium.
"H-How could you dated Li-san and do some hideous things with him. Then, not telling me that you just gave birth to a girl. Moreover, how did you hide your big tummy?"
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END PREVIEW *************************************************
Finished: July 28, 2002
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