Disclaimer: I don't own CCS. Sorry.
Author's Note: Before you start throwing tomatoes at me, please let me explain. No worries, I'll update my other stories. It's not like I don't have enough work, lol. But this story? It has to be written. Can't get it out of my mind.
It's going to be short. If you want a long story, check out my other two CCS stories. This is just for a short read. Thanks for reading, leave your comments in a review, por favor? ^-^
'Tournament of my Heart'
Chapter One: Arrival
****
Beautiful elegance shown around the courtyard. The moon cast a silver glow over the great garden. Each of the separate rose buds tilted themselves up, in hopes of catching the glow. The breeze rustled them, giving an appearance of joyful laughter.
It was deserted.
Nearby, the cheers that had been disturbing the night were suddenly silenced.
A whisper broke through. It was a tall, navy-haired man who finally broke the silence.
"It's true then? They're really here?"
"I saw 'em myself. They rode in astride them great stallions you hear stories about," answered another voice. It shook in fear.
"And. . . were. . . they. . . did they. . . was her guardians with them?" came a scared voice.
Another man clamped his hand on the first man's mouth. "Don't mention them, you hear?! They can hear when someone talks about them! Do you want them here?!"
The man pried the first's hand from his mouth, giving a weak glare. "'Course I don't. Who'd want them here?"
Another man spoke up. "They're going to compete?"
The original messenger piped in now. "They were headed straight to the judge's table. All three of them."
A particularly bold man grunted. "The rules say no women can compete. It's distractin' to the men. So what if they're here? 'tiz rules."
Eriol whistled, a strange look of longing in his sapphire-blue eyes. "The judges will make an exception. It'll bring more crowds."
"We're dead," came a small voice.
Suddenly the door burst open and a tall man walked through. His charcoal hair was wildly tangled, giving proof he was in a hurry. His lanky figure strode purposely toward the group of men, cold amber eyes intent on them.
"She's here?"
Before Eriol could respond, a voice broke through the door.
"We're all here, cousin."
Three girls calmly strode through the now open door.
One, a girl with long black hair carefully pulled back into two pigtails, stood off to the left. Her ruby eyes glared furiously at any man they could lock onto. She draped her hand lightly across the hilt of her sword; a threat enough to make many men sweat.
A second stood off to the right. Her raven hair was long and silky. Though her mouth seemed more likely to curl up into a smile, it was now carefully blank. Her large amethyst eyes were looking around the room, taking in every occupant excepting the navy-haired one.
In the middle was a short brunette, her short hair stirring in the wind. Deep emerald eyes shone avidly, taking in the occupants of the room with a calculating look. Her eyes carefully skipped over amber ones. It was too painful to look into amber ones.
While the first woman let her aura flow freely, enjoying the strangled look from the men, the third carefully kept hers contained. It tried to break free from her control, sensing the familiar deep green one. She tightened her grip on it.
When no one spoke, the brunette walked slowly forward. Many of the men stumbled backwards, their eyes on her moving hips. She stopped suddenly, a smile forming on her lips. It didn't touch her eyes.
"What's wrong boys?" she asked, her voice soft. "Scared?"
No one answered; No one dared. All but two of the men were caught looking at her with an expression of fear. One of the rebels was carefully examining the raven-hair companion avidly, but the second was watching her with an expression of longing. She carefully avoided looking at the second one.
Her gentle laugh broke the spell.
"Tomoyo," breathed Eriol.
The raven-haired girl looked at him for a brief moment before turning and striding back through the open door. The man's dark eyes followed her form out, showing hurt.
With a glare at Eriol, the black-haired girl followed her friend out the door, calling worriedly for her. The brunette was alone, but her confident gaze never wavered.
"Hello Eriol."
Surprise breaking him from his longing gaze, he refocused it on the emerald- eyed girl. He bowed politely.
"It's been long, Sakura," he said, immediately regretting the choice of words.
"That was your choice, Eriol. Not mine," she answered calmly, her gaze flickering to the amber-eyed man. Her voice harsh, she added, "Though I don't suppose it was truly your choice."
Wincing from the words, the amber-eyed man spoke hesitantly. "Hello Sakura."
She nodded curtly in his direction. "Li."
Before he could speak again, she was already speaking to the room. "I gather from the few whisperings we overheard you are already aware we'll be competing with you this year?" After a few small nods, she continued. "We come here to fight. We want a clean, fair fight. Do not concern yourself with our sex or well-being. You should spend your time worrying about yourself." A few of the men gulped here. "We're not here for publicity or to gather crowds. We're here to fight. And to teach you something."
Many of the men leaned forward, grimly waiting to hear what she would say. They were still caught up in her spell.
"What's that?" asked a pained Eriol finally.
She smiled, the same smile she had used moments before. "The period of male domination is over."
With a short bow, she left through the same door her friends had left through. Two winged creatures joined her there, each falling in step beside her. The room was silent for the second time that night.
"We're dead," repeated the same small voice from before.
****
"I'd say they're still mad," remarked Eriol is a soft voice. He bent down and picked a flower, fingering it lightly.
Syaoran grunted, not looking away from whatever had held his attention for the last couple minutes.
"You think they came here to get even with us?"
Finally Syaoran looked up. "She said they were here to teach us."
"Yeah, teach us we shouldn't have left," he said slowly.
"Well. They don't understand, do they? We had to leave," returned the amber- eyed man. Though his voice was confident, Eriol heard the worry underneath. "If they loved us, they would've waited," he added after a moment.
Eriol shook his head, his navy-hair fluttering. "You can't expect them to understand. We just left and didn't come back. To them it was personal. To us it was business."
The second man growled angrily, slamming his fist into the ground. "But we came back as soon as the Elders let us."
Eriol shook his head a second time. "Doesn't matter. You promised them two weeks. And besides, we left them. Coming back doesn't fix that."
Syaoran had no answer. He let out a slow sigh, his eyes looking furtively into the sky. The two sat in companionable silence for another few minutes before Syaoran finally broke it.
"We've got to get them back."
Eriol scowled. "How do you suggest that? We've been following them for years. They haven't listened to us yet."
"But don't you get it?" cried Syaoran, his voice desperate. "This time they came to us! That's never happened."
The navy-haired man sat in thoughtful silence before asking, "Do you still love her?"
Syaoran's eyes widened from surprise before narrowing in anger. "How could you ask that?! Of course I love her!"
Eriol nodded grimly. "And I Tomoyo. If we still love them, there's always a chance they still love us."
Syaoran sighed again before changing the subject. "How do you think they got Meiling to join forces with them?"
Eriol barked a mirthless laugh. "She loved you too. She may have loved you in a brotherly way, but she still loved you. She was just as upset when you left."
"But she's used to the way our clan works. She should've understood."
Eriol's eyes narrowed on his descendant. "She worked hard to get you and Sakura together. Just as she worked hard to get Tomoyo and me together," his voice softened over his second sentence. He had to shake himself from his memories before he could continue. "Not only did you leave her, but you left the love she fought to get you. Of course she's upset."
Syaoran let out another breathy sigh. Then, he spoke, teasing laughter in his voice. "At least you've only got one woman bent on your destruction. I've got two."
Eriol didn't laugh, only looked at him. "I have to get her back," he said suddenly. Syaoran stopped laughing and patted him on the shoulder.
"Then start repairing the damage now," he said softly. "Before they start trying to kill us."
Eriol gave him a weak smile before jumping up and starting towards a smaller tent in the distance.
'And me?' Syaoran asked himself. 'Am I brave enough to risk my cherry blossom's fury?'
Thinking of it, he let out a sigh. Her anger wasn't something to be taken lightly. Though slow to anger, she was deadly when it was done. He let out a sigh before returning to his large tent.
****
Sakura looked up when she heard the light tap from outside. Yue eyed Tomoyo before getting up to answer it. If the emerald-eyed girl had any doubt of who it was, she knew from Yue's look.
'So it's begun,' she thought. 'Eriol is already trying to win her back.'
She cast a loving look at her friend's sleeping form. Her chest was gently heaving in content sleep. Her eyes weren't as puffy as before, though Sakura was aware she had cried herself to sleep. Meiling caught Sakura looking and gave her a worried glance. They both knew who the visitor was.
'Why did we come here?' she asked herself suddenly. 'Sure, we wanted to prove something, but why this tournament? Are we just as pathetic as them? Is this just some ploy to be with them?'
She shook it away when she heard light footsteps. She turned, a finger to her lip. Eriol caught the look and was quiet. Standing, she drew him back outside of the tent.
"Eriol, why are you here?" she asked. It was a pointless question, as she already knew the answer.
He looked over her shoulder and through the open tent flap.
"How mad is she?" he asked, still watching her sleeping form.
"Go away, Eriol. She'll not see you." She turned, expecting her harsh words to send him away. He grasped her arm roughly, pulling her farther from the tent.
When she looked up, his eyes were flaming furiously. "I must see her."
She shook her arm from his grasp, glaring into his eyes. "Control yourself and try to listen." She leaned closer to him to enforce her words. "She doesn't want to talk to you, Eriol. You're nothing to her but a stranger." She cast a short look through the flap before returning her fierce gaze to the navy-haired man. "You made your choice. Did you expect her to accept it?"
With a curt nod, she left him. She didn't see the tear that fell from his eye.
****
'"We're getting married tomorrow, Syaoran! You can't leave!" she
finally yelled. Her voice was unbelieving.
He shifted his feet, but kept his gaze firm. "The elders demand it.
They want me to marry this other woman, Sakura."
She felt her jaw drop and her temper rise. Her voice came out meek.
"And you're just going to do it then? To please the Elders?"
He jumped forward, grabbing her shoulders and shaking them. "Of course
not. I love you, Sakura. I'll come back and we'll be married."
"And Eriol? Must he go with you?" She knew it would break her best
friend's heart.
"I'm sorry. He must," he answered faintly.
Sakura turned and left. Something in her heart knew this was wrong.
Before she reached the door, she asked her final question, her voice
hesitant.
"And when will you be back?"
"In two weeks. I promise," he said quickly.'
She sat up silently, rubbing her head.
'As though I don't think of that enough, why must it remind me every night as well?'
She looked at Meiling and Tomoyo's sleeping forms before stepping quietly out of the tent. In the distance she could see the sun rising slowly.
'But they didn't come back in two weeks,' she thought slowly. Her expression turned pained. 'They were gone for a year before we left.'
Hearing footsteps behind her, she hardened her expression.
"Yes?"
Yue drew near her. "Your first match is with a man named Kyannaf," he said, voice bland. "I've seen him. He's taller than you, but lanky. He is strong, but not very fast. Use your speed and you should be fine."
Sakura nodded slowly. "When?"
He looked at the sun's position before responding. "You should have till midafternoon."
She nodded again, feeling numb from the cold. Wordlessly, the guardian draped his wings around her. Instantly she was warm.
"Thank you," she said softly.
He didn't answer her. The two stood watching the horizon in silence before Sakura shook herself.
"I must get ready."
Yue watched her, silently wishing she would come back. Lately, protecting her from the cold was the only good he could do.
****
The three strode purposely into the practice ring, carefully ignoring the looks they received as they claimed a corner as their own for warm-ups. Sakura watched as Tomoyo and Meiling helped each other to stretch. She stretched by herself, allowing her eyes now to roam amongst the opponents.
She caught her first opponent and immediately saw what Yue had meant. Though he towered over, he was moving without much grace. She switched her eyes to the board on the far side of the room. Squinting, she tried to read who her second opponent would be. It never occurred to her she might not win the first match.
With a frown, she excused herself and started toward the board. Men stepped back hurriedly as she passed.
'Pathetic,' she thought. 'But then again, the male population has proven itself a general let down thoroughly in the past. Why should I be surprised now?'
She traced her fingers lightly across the brackets, letting out a sigh as she realized both Syaoran and Eriol were in a different bracket. She wouldn't have to fight them until the end.
'If they make it that far,' she thought with a silent laugh. Though it made her feel better to think that, she didn't believe the rebel thought for a minute. Syaoran would make it to the finals.
She frowned when she caught Tomoyo's name. She was on Eriol's side of the board. She would have to fight him eventually.
She sighed angrily when she saw Meiling's name. Her friend would be fighting Syaoran in the second bracket.
'At least I don't have to fight my best friends,' she thought grimly. 'Though I will have to fight my fiancé.' She corrected herself angrily. 'Ex- fiancé , Sakura. He's my ex-fiancé.'
She heard a light cough behind her.
"Can I see the board?"
Though the voice seemed cold and deliberate, she could hear the undertone. The warm undertone. Detecting such an undertone had become an art on her part. She nodded curtly and he moved forward.
She shivered at his closeness. Averting her eyes, she tried to force herself to walk away.
Her legs stayed firmly rooted to the spot.
After nearly two years of avoiding him, here he was. She thought her body would've forgotten him, but her legs were proof against that assumption.
Gritting her teeth, she forced a foot to move. His voice called her back.
"Can we talk later?"
Her feelings were carefully blank as she realized everyone was listening to their conversation.
"Why?" she asked slowly. She cursed when she heard her voice wavering.
'Three years of not seeing him and he still affects me like this? Pathetic.'
"Because we need to talk," he answered. She felt him slowly edging closer to her. He was moving like someone trying not to scare an animal away.
With a frown, she turned and spat, "There's nothing to talk about, Li."
Turning on her heel, she angrily strode back to Tomoyo and Meiling. While Tomoyo cast worried glances toward Sakura, Meiling shot glares at the men watching Sakura curiously. Most were openly gaping at the amber-eyed man who had somehow cracked through the brunette's cold demeanor. Syaoran, however, was gazing intently at Sakura.
Excusing herself politely, Sakura left to get a drink of water. She didn't return until the summoning bells were ringing.
****
"I'm sure you're all aware how the brackets work," said the surly man. His voice sounded more like a tough rasp than actual words. His gaze kept straying towards the three girls huddled in a corner. "Just as you know what a clean fight'd be. No nasty punches, 'specially in that," he chucked ruefully, "special area. No magic. No swords. Just fists and wit. Got it?"
When all grumbled agreement, he stood.
"Then I expect those from the first match to be in the ring within five minutes. If you're late, you forfeit, understand?"
Again all grumbled agreement. He left.
She felt Tomoyo's arm on her shoulder. Within seconds, Meiling's joined it.
"One of us is gonna bring home the prize, got it?" asked Meiling with a grin.
Sakura smiled back, laughing for the first time that day. "Was there ever any doubt?"
"And we're going to humiliate our men," added Tomoyo quietly.
The two looked at her hurriedly. She was gazing longingly at Eriol, whose back was to her at the moment. Sakura strung her arm around her friend's shoulder companionably.
"Just seeing what he passed by is humiliating him, Tomoyo."
Meiling shook her head in agreement, watching the two men across from them with grim determination. "And if not, the three of us will do it physically."
****
Author's Note2: This is what happens when you listen to rap first thing in the morning. LoL, guys, I have a favor to ask. Check out one of my good friend's new story! It's her first post and it's REALLY good. Her name is Iris and the story's called Tears of the Past.
Author's Note: Before you start throwing tomatoes at me, please let me explain. No worries, I'll update my other stories. It's not like I don't have enough work, lol. But this story? It has to be written. Can't get it out of my mind.
It's going to be short. If you want a long story, check out my other two CCS stories. This is just for a short read. Thanks for reading, leave your comments in a review, por favor? ^-^
'Tournament of my Heart'
Chapter One: Arrival
****
Beautiful elegance shown around the courtyard. The moon cast a silver glow over the great garden. Each of the separate rose buds tilted themselves up, in hopes of catching the glow. The breeze rustled them, giving an appearance of joyful laughter.
It was deserted.
Nearby, the cheers that had been disturbing the night were suddenly silenced.
A whisper broke through. It was a tall, navy-haired man who finally broke the silence.
"It's true then? They're really here?"
"I saw 'em myself. They rode in astride them great stallions you hear stories about," answered another voice. It shook in fear.
"And. . . were. . . they. . . did they. . . was her guardians with them?" came a scared voice.
Another man clamped his hand on the first man's mouth. "Don't mention them, you hear?! They can hear when someone talks about them! Do you want them here?!"
The man pried the first's hand from his mouth, giving a weak glare. "'Course I don't. Who'd want them here?"
Another man spoke up. "They're going to compete?"
The original messenger piped in now. "They were headed straight to the judge's table. All three of them."
A particularly bold man grunted. "The rules say no women can compete. It's distractin' to the men. So what if they're here? 'tiz rules."
Eriol whistled, a strange look of longing in his sapphire-blue eyes. "The judges will make an exception. It'll bring more crowds."
"We're dead," came a small voice.
Suddenly the door burst open and a tall man walked through. His charcoal hair was wildly tangled, giving proof he was in a hurry. His lanky figure strode purposely toward the group of men, cold amber eyes intent on them.
"She's here?"
Before Eriol could respond, a voice broke through the door.
"We're all here, cousin."
Three girls calmly strode through the now open door.
One, a girl with long black hair carefully pulled back into two pigtails, stood off to the left. Her ruby eyes glared furiously at any man they could lock onto. She draped her hand lightly across the hilt of her sword; a threat enough to make many men sweat.
A second stood off to the right. Her raven hair was long and silky. Though her mouth seemed more likely to curl up into a smile, it was now carefully blank. Her large amethyst eyes were looking around the room, taking in every occupant excepting the navy-haired one.
In the middle was a short brunette, her short hair stirring in the wind. Deep emerald eyes shone avidly, taking in the occupants of the room with a calculating look. Her eyes carefully skipped over amber ones. It was too painful to look into amber ones.
While the first woman let her aura flow freely, enjoying the strangled look from the men, the third carefully kept hers contained. It tried to break free from her control, sensing the familiar deep green one. She tightened her grip on it.
When no one spoke, the brunette walked slowly forward. Many of the men stumbled backwards, their eyes on her moving hips. She stopped suddenly, a smile forming on her lips. It didn't touch her eyes.
"What's wrong boys?" she asked, her voice soft. "Scared?"
No one answered; No one dared. All but two of the men were caught looking at her with an expression of fear. One of the rebels was carefully examining the raven-hair companion avidly, but the second was watching her with an expression of longing. She carefully avoided looking at the second one.
Her gentle laugh broke the spell.
"Tomoyo," breathed Eriol.
The raven-haired girl looked at him for a brief moment before turning and striding back through the open door. The man's dark eyes followed her form out, showing hurt.
With a glare at Eriol, the black-haired girl followed her friend out the door, calling worriedly for her. The brunette was alone, but her confident gaze never wavered.
"Hello Eriol."
Surprise breaking him from his longing gaze, he refocused it on the emerald- eyed girl. He bowed politely.
"It's been long, Sakura," he said, immediately regretting the choice of words.
"That was your choice, Eriol. Not mine," she answered calmly, her gaze flickering to the amber-eyed man. Her voice harsh, she added, "Though I don't suppose it was truly your choice."
Wincing from the words, the amber-eyed man spoke hesitantly. "Hello Sakura."
She nodded curtly in his direction. "Li."
Before he could speak again, she was already speaking to the room. "I gather from the few whisperings we overheard you are already aware we'll be competing with you this year?" After a few small nods, she continued. "We come here to fight. We want a clean, fair fight. Do not concern yourself with our sex or well-being. You should spend your time worrying about yourself." A few of the men gulped here. "We're not here for publicity or to gather crowds. We're here to fight. And to teach you something."
Many of the men leaned forward, grimly waiting to hear what she would say. They were still caught up in her spell.
"What's that?" asked a pained Eriol finally.
She smiled, the same smile she had used moments before. "The period of male domination is over."
With a short bow, she left through the same door her friends had left through. Two winged creatures joined her there, each falling in step beside her. The room was silent for the second time that night.
"We're dead," repeated the same small voice from before.
****
"I'd say they're still mad," remarked Eriol is a soft voice. He bent down and picked a flower, fingering it lightly.
Syaoran grunted, not looking away from whatever had held his attention for the last couple minutes.
"You think they came here to get even with us?"
Finally Syaoran looked up. "She said they were here to teach us."
"Yeah, teach us we shouldn't have left," he said slowly.
"Well. They don't understand, do they? We had to leave," returned the amber- eyed man. Though his voice was confident, Eriol heard the worry underneath. "If they loved us, they would've waited," he added after a moment.
Eriol shook his head, his navy-hair fluttering. "You can't expect them to understand. We just left and didn't come back. To them it was personal. To us it was business."
The second man growled angrily, slamming his fist into the ground. "But we came back as soon as the Elders let us."
Eriol shook his head a second time. "Doesn't matter. You promised them two weeks. And besides, we left them. Coming back doesn't fix that."
Syaoran had no answer. He let out a slow sigh, his eyes looking furtively into the sky. The two sat in companionable silence for another few minutes before Syaoran finally broke it.
"We've got to get them back."
Eriol scowled. "How do you suggest that? We've been following them for years. They haven't listened to us yet."
"But don't you get it?" cried Syaoran, his voice desperate. "This time they came to us! That's never happened."
The navy-haired man sat in thoughtful silence before asking, "Do you still love her?"
Syaoran's eyes widened from surprise before narrowing in anger. "How could you ask that?! Of course I love her!"
Eriol nodded grimly. "And I Tomoyo. If we still love them, there's always a chance they still love us."
Syaoran sighed again before changing the subject. "How do you think they got Meiling to join forces with them?"
Eriol barked a mirthless laugh. "She loved you too. She may have loved you in a brotherly way, but she still loved you. She was just as upset when you left."
"But she's used to the way our clan works. She should've understood."
Eriol's eyes narrowed on his descendant. "She worked hard to get you and Sakura together. Just as she worked hard to get Tomoyo and me together," his voice softened over his second sentence. He had to shake himself from his memories before he could continue. "Not only did you leave her, but you left the love she fought to get you. Of course she's upset."
Syaoran let out another breathy sigh. Then, he spoke, teasing laughter in his voice. "At least you've only got one woman bent on your destruction. I've got two."
Eriol didn't laugh, only looked at him. "I have to get her back," he said suddenly. Syaoran stopped laughing and patted him on the shoulder.
"Then start repairing the damage now," he said softly. "Before they start trying to kill us."
Eriol gave him a weak smile before jumping up and starting towards a smaller tent in the distance.
'And me?' Syaoran asked himself. 'Am I brave enough to risk my cherry blossom's fury?'
Thinking of it, he let out a sigh. Her anger wasn't something to be taken lightly. Though slow to anger, she was deadly when it was done. He let out a sigh before returning to his large tent.
****
Sakura looked up when she heard the light tap from outside. Yue eyed Tomoyo before getting up to answer it. If the emerald-eyed girl had any doubt of who it was, she knew from Yue's look.
'So it's begun,' she thought. 'Eriol is already trying to win her back.'
She cast a loving look at her friend's sleeping form. Her chest was gently heaving in content sleep. Her eyes weren't as puffy as before, though Sakura was aware she had cried herself to sleep. Meiling caught Sakura looking and gave her a worried glance. They both knew who the visitor was.
'Why did we come here?' she asked herself suddenly. 'Sure, we wanted to prove something, but why this tournament? Are we just as pathetic as them? Is this just some ploy to be with them?'
She shook it away when she heard light footsteps. She turned, a finger to her lip. Eriol caught the look and was quiet. Standing, she drew him back outside of the tent.
"Eriol, why are you here?" she asked. It was a pointless question, as she already knew the answer.
He looked over her shoulder and through the open tent flap.
"How mad is she?" he asked, still watching her sleeping form.
"Go away, Eriol. She'll not see you." She turned, expecting her harsh words to send him away. He grasped her arm roughly, pulling her farther from the tent.
When she looked up, his eyes were flaming furiously. "I must see her."
She shook her arm from his grasp, glaring into his eyes. "Control yourself and try to listen." She leaned closer to him to enforce her words. "She doesn't want to talk to you, Eriol. You're nothing to her but a stranger." She cast a short look through the flap before returning her fierce gaze to the navy-haired man. "You made your choice. Did you expect her to accept it?"
With a curt nod, she left him. She didn't see the tear that fell from his eye.
****
'"We're getting married tomorrow, Syaoran! You can't leave!" she
finally yelled. Her voice was unbelieving.
He shifted his feet, but kept his gaze firm. "The elders demand it.
They want me to marry this other woman, Sakura."
She felt her jaw drop and her temper rise. Her voice came out meek.
"And you're just going to do it then? To please the Elders?"
He jumped forward, grabbing her shoulders and shaking them. "Of course
not. I love you, Sakura. I'll come back and we'll be married."
"And Eriol? Must he go with you?" She knew it would break her best
friend's heart.
"I'm sorry. He must," he answered faintly.
Sakura turned and left. Something in her heart knew this was wrong.
Before she reached the door, she asked her final question, her voice
hesitant.
"And when will you be back?"
"In two weeks. I promise," he said quickly.'
She sat up silently, rubbing her head.
'As though I don't think of that enough, why must it remind me every night as well?'
She looked at Meiling and Tomoyo's sleeping forms before stepping quietly out of the tent. In the distance she could see the sun rising slowly.
'But they didn't come back in two weeks,' she thought slowly. Her expression turned pained. 'They were gone for a year before we left.'
Hearing footsteps behind her, she hardened her expression.
"Yes?"
Yue drew near her. "Your first match is with a man named Kyannaf," he said, voice bland. "I've seen him. He's taller than you, but lanky. He is strong, but not very fast. Use your speed and you should be fine."
Sakura nodded slowly. "When?"
He looked at the sun's position before responding. "You should have till midafternoon."
She nodded again, feeling numb from the cold. Wordlessly, the guardian draped his wings around her. Instantly she was warm.
"Thank you," she said softly.
He didn't answer her. The two stood watching the horizon in silence before Sakura shook herself.
"I must get ready."
Yue watched her, silently wishing she would come back. Lately, protecting her from the cold was the only good he could do.
****
The three strode purposely into the practice ring, carefully ignoring the looks they received as they claimed a corner as their own for warm-ups. Sakura watched as Tomoyo and Meiling helped each other to stretch. She stretched by herself, allowing her eyes now to roam amongst the opponents.
She caught her first opponent and immediately saw what Yue had meant. Though he towered over, he was moving without much grace. She switched her eyes to the board on the far side of the room. Squinting, she tried to read who her second opponent would be. It never occurred to her she might not win the first match.
With a frown, she excused herself and started toward the board. Men stepped back hurriedly as she passed.
'Pathetic,' she thought. 'But then again, the male population has proven itself a general let down thoroughly in the past. Why should I be surprised now?'
She traced her fingers lightly across the brackets, letting out a sigh as she realized both Syaoran and Eriol were in a different bracket. She wouldn't have to fight them until the end.
'If they make it that far,' she thought with a silent laugh. Though it made her feel better to think that, she didn't believe the rebel thought for a minute. Syaoran would make it to the finals.
She frowned when she caught Tomoyo's name. She was on Eriol's side of the board. She would have to fight him eventually.
She sighed angrily when she saw Meiling's name. Her friend would be fighting Syaoran in the second bracket.
'At least I don't have to fight my best friends,' she thought grimly. 'Though I will have to fight my fiancé.' She corrected herself angrily. 'Ex- fiancé , Sakura. He's my ex-fiancé.'
She heard a light cough behind her.
"Can I see the board?"
Though the voice seemed cold and deliberate, she could hear the undertone. The warm undertone. Detecting such an undertone had become an art on her part. She nodded curtly and he moved forward.
She shivered at his closeness. Averting her eyes, she tried to force herself to walk away.
Her legs stayed firmly rooted to the spot.
After nearly two years of avoiding him, here he was. She thought her body would've forgotten him, but her legs were proof against that assumption.
Gritting her teeth, she forced a foot to move. His voice called her back.
"Can we talk later?"
Her feelings were carefully blank as she realized everyone was listening to their conversation.
"Why?" she asked slowly. She cursed when she heard her voice wavering.
'Three years of not seeing him and he still affects me like this? Pathetic.'
"Because we need to talk," he answered. She felt him slowly edging closer to her. He was moving like someone trying not to scare an animal away.
With a frown, she turned and spat, "There's nothing to talk about, Li."
Turning on her heel, she angrily strode back to Tomoyo and Meiling. While Tomoyo cast worried glances toward Sakura, Meiling shot glares at the men watching Sakura curiously. Most were openly gaping at the amber-eyed man who had somehow cracked through the brunette's cold demeanor. Syaoran, however, was gazing intently at Sakura.
Excusing herself politely, Sakura left to get a drink of water. She didn't return until the summoning bells were ringing.
****
"I'm sure you're all aware how the brackets work," said the surly man. His voice sounded more like a tough rasp than actual words. His gaze kept straying towards the three girls huddled in a corner. "Just as you know what a clean fight'd be. No nasty punches, 'specially in that," he chucked ruefully, "special area. No magic. No swords. Just fists and wit. Got it?"
When all grumbled agreement, he stood.
"Then I expect those from the first match to be in the ring within five minutes. If you're late, you forfeit, understand?"
Again all grumbled agreement. He left.
She felt Tomoyo's arm on her shoulder. Within seconds, Meiling's joined it.
"One of us is gonna bring home the prize, got it?" asked Meiling with a grin.
Sakura smiled back, laughing for the first time that day. "Was there ever any doubt?"
"And we're going to humiliate our men," added Tomoyo quietly.
The two looked at her hurriedly. She was gazing longingly at Eriol, whose back was to her at the moment. Sakura strung her arm around her friend's shoulder companionably.
"Just seeing what he passed by is humiliating him, Tomoyo."
Meiling shook her head in agreement, watching the two men across from them with grim determination. "And if not, the three of us will do it physically."
****
Author's Note2: This is what happens when you listen to rap first thing in the morning. LoL, guys, I have a favor to ask. Check out one of my good friend's new story! It's her first post and it's REALLY good. Her name is Iris and the story's called Tears of the Past.