Aiya minna-san! Thanks for continuing to read and support my fic! It really means a lot! This IS a S+S fic! Li, Sakura, Meilin and Tomoyo are all sixteen here! Plus I don't depict Meilin here as the typical bratty annoying Meilin so often seen in other fanfics (I am not criticizing anyone's work here!) It's just that I like Meilin and I think it's time we see some other aspects of her! Well, now we start our adventure as we open, Card Captor Syaoran! Starring of course, everyone's favorite scowling bishounen, Li Syaoran!
[ ]-- Authors notes
Card Captor Syaoran: The Syaoran Cards
- Chapter One: Syaoran's Inauguration
Two years pass by…
Li Syaoran scowled as he put his arms across his chest. He always did hate these terribly long formal ceremonies. It not only lasted for hours but they were also required to wear their full ceremonial costumes. They were so hot and stuffy. He squirmed as he tried to adjust the collar of his costume. He wasn't used to the new costume he was wearing. He liked his old green battle gear better. It was comfortable and he was used to fighting and moving around in it. But this was just the start of the many changes he would have to get used to. He wished they would just crown him already or whatever it was they did to inaugurate the new Li Clan master. He had finally made it. Amidst all the trials, enemies, doubts and criticisms he had faced he had finally earned his place as the new Li Clan master. And not only was he the youngest Li Clan master but he was also the first to claim it in just two years of training. A record for the whole clan for it usually took 10 years. He looked out at the sea of faces that were gathered in the courtyard. Everyone was here. People he had grown up with, his teachers, his family, everyone. Most of them had never witnessed an inauguration of a clan master. It was a rare event, one never to be missed for it only happened once in a lifetime. All of them came to witness the honoring of their new leader. And that—was he. Sometimes he'd lay awake at night pondering what it would feel like to be the leader of his people. To be actually be responsible for all the people that were now before him. It scared him a little. To handle such tremendous responsibility when he was only so young, But he knew everything would be okay. He was used to handling such responsibility.
Once again he wrestled with his collar, trying and failing to stop it from choking him. He felt a strong tug on his sleeve and as he wheeled around he was faced with twinkling ruby eyes. "Quit ruining your suit, Li… I mean Syaoran-sama!" his cousin Meilin hissed. Li bit back a smile as he heard his cousin practically stammer out the –sama attachment to his name. He still wasn't used to the idea of being called "Master" but it was one of the things he had to get used to for it would be a title he would now carry for life. But he was glad that his relationship with Meilin had not change, well, at least not dramatically. She was still one of the closest people to him and she still teased him but only when they were alone, afraid that the elders might overhear her calling the head of the clan, a pompous brain. Li felt a tug at the corner of his lips as he tried to imagine the look on the elder's faces and Meilin's had they ever caught that moment.
Meilin looked up proudly at her cousin. He looked every bit of the Chinese warrior that he was. He wore a robe similar to his green one but it was done with a more intricate and grand pattern. The fine silk robe was of a dark jade color with gold trimmings on the cuff of his sleeves, his collar and the hem of his pants. The ancient symbol of the yinyang was emblazoned on the tail of his elegant robe. It was quite a simple robe for a master really but Syaoran had insisted that this was the only robe other than his green one that he would consent to wear. The royal dressmakers had given up trying to convince the stubborn Syaoran into wearing something else and had complied with his wishes but not before sewing a wonderful intricate pattern of a golden dragon that started at his right leg and ended on the upper left part of his chest. She was happy that now he would be the one ruling and leading their clan. She knew that he was one of the best fighters the clan had ever seen and his loyalty, wisdom and courage in combat was unrivaled. But she was also one of the few people who knew that under that cool, serious and seemingly unfeeling mask lies a kind, compassionate caring soul. Over the years, Meilin had grown to accept the fact that Syaoran would never return her feelings for him. It had hurt for a while especially when she knew she was loosing him to that Kinomoto girl but in time it had gradually lessened to a dull thud and was now completely gone. Yusuke, her fiancé probably had a lot to do with it. She had started out hating him the second they told her she was now going to be engaged to him instead of Syaoran. But Yusuke was understanding and he accepted her cruel treatment and violent tantrums. And over the years, she couldn't help but fall head over heels in love with him. And now she was happy. She couldn't ask for anything more! Except maybe… Her upturned face suddenly clouded with sorrow as she looked at her cousin once more. Something about him had changed. Over the past two years, he had gradually become more distant and cold. It was like he was reverting to his old self --to the old Syaoran that existed before he went to Japan. He never allowed himself to smile anymore. He was always frowning but now more so. Laughter from him would be nothing short of a miracle. And he was always choosing to do things on his own. In the past they always left their Sundays open so that they could spar. But they haven't sparred even once in two years. She had chalked it up to him being busy with his training but he always made time for his "closest cousin" before. She sighed inwardly. Her cousin was always distant but when they were in Japan, she had seen him laugh and smile more-and good grief! Even blush more than she had ever seen him do in his whole life! It was probably because of Kinomoto. She narrowed her eyes as she wondered what had become of Syaoran's relationship with that girl. Syaoran had never mentioned her once. And when she did ask Syaoran about Kinomoto—er Sakura, she corrected herself. She had been nice to her. The least she could do was call her by her first name. Syaoran always found an excuse to avoid answering her.
She snapped back to reality as the elders began their introduction of Syaoran. "My brothers and sisters." A man who suspiciously looked like a Chinese version of Santa Claus minus the white beard [Happy Holidays!] acknowledged the crowd with a tender tone though his powerful voice resonated throughout the whole yard. "It is my honor and privilege to introduce to you our new leader. I am forever thankful to Kami for allowing me to live to see this very day. We all know who Li Syaoran is. Some of us have grown up with him, some have taught him, some have fought him and known his strength, some have watched him grow from a shy little boy to a brave and wise warrior as I have done." The old man paused momentarily as he gave an affectionate glance to Syaoran who was trying in vain to hide his blushing. "Some- no- many of you have grown to love him and some of you, his tone dropped into a sarcastic tone, have despised him and had done anything and everything in your power to see to it that he failed." He suddenly smiled and continued, "But it is you who failed for we are now here, today, to honor him and celebrate his success. And no one in this field can claim to match his skill and courage in combat. It is evident to any man that he truly is the direct descendant of our greatest leader, Clow Reed. But no man is perfect, that is why no leader is. Even the great Clow Reed had his faults. And we all now that Li Syaoran is not perfect. And ,yes, he had failed to recapture the Clow cards and bring it back to the clan's possession. But he accepted his failure and learned from it. He accepted defeat and for a warrior there is no greater shame than this. He also came back to us to accept all responsibility for his actions. He confronted defeat as bravely as he faced its consequences. He claimed responsibility even when it was easier to just runaway or put the blame on someone else. Now, some of you might be doubtful of his leadership because of his young age. But let me reassure you, Li Syaoran is one of the wisest counsels I've ever had. Don't let age fool you, my brothers and sisters. For they are merely numbers not a sound basis for you to judge a person's character by! Why if you would judge me by my age I would probably be stuck in some old shrine, sipping tea and sleeping all day!" the elder exclaimed causing laughter to erupt among the crowd. It was hard for anyone to imagine the great Seoyang Li, a former master of the Li clan himself, doing nothing but sleeping all day! " Seoyang smiled, "And now my, brothers and sisters I fear I have rambled on enough. It is time I let the man speak for himself. But of course before we let him speak…" Seoyang turned to Syaoran and gestured him to his side. As Syaoran approached him, Seoyang took a golden box out of a servant's hands and placed it in front of him. Syaoran quickly got down on both of his knees and bowed his head. Seoyang smiled tenderly as he gingerly placed his hands on top of Syaoran's head. All was dead silent as he began the incantation:
Descendants of thy clan of Li
Passed down thy responsibility
To lead our great glorious clan
Give your power to this man.
The elders in the crowd looked around apprehensively. Some of them have seen this ceremony before. But something wasn't right. One of them pointed to the sky and hissed softly, "Look!" The elders looked up at the sky just in time to see what seemed to be droplets of light slowly descending on the stage showering Syaoran and Seoyang with its rays.
Bind him forever with your power
Make him lead us to our finest hour
Use him as your finest tool
Bless with bounty his faithful rule
The elders looked on in amazement as they heard Seoyang begin to recite a part of the incantation none of them had ever heard before.
Release thy Guardian
Force of Light
Break the seal
Let magic ignite!
The crowd looked on as Seoyang took out a golden band that was the traditional headpiece of the Li clan masters from the box. Every single leader of the clan had worn that band until they were no longer capable of leading. It was a beautiful ancient piece that was made out of pure solid gold. It was a thin simple band. Its simplicity adding more to its beauty. But what made it so exquisite and worthy of its place on the leader's head was the emerald orb that was in the center of the band. But as Seoyang placed the band on Syaoran's forehead, they saw something that never happened before. The emerald orb as if in reaction to making contact with Syaoran began to glow. It started out as a faint shimmer then it began to get brighter and brighter in a rapid pulsating beat. The crowd gasped in awe. The elders went into shock as they saw the stone's reaction to Syaoran.
Send forth thy dragon
Of Old Prophesy
The chosen one is now crowned
Fulfill his Destiny!
Suddenly, a loud rumbling noise was heard from the skies. The people stared in shock as they saw a green ancient iridescent dragon slowly snake its way across the sky leaving in its wake a trail of white light. The children trembled with fear as they moved closer to their mothers and their mothers in turn hugged their children closer to them. As the dragon neared the crowd, the people shook with fear and all bowed to him giving the ancient creature, a mythical one no more, its due respect. The dragon seemed to smile at them or that is what some say as it made its way up front stopping briefly in front of Syaoran and Seoyang before it completely entered into the emerald orb on Syaoran's forehead. The crowd stared entranced as Syaoran was engulfed in a blinding jade light. His cinnamon hair flaying about in the wind revealing his handsome solemn face. His body that was adjusting to the sudden influx of power was emitting his awakened aura. Among the crowd, the reactions to the sight before them were mixed. Syaoran's friends and family were delighted. Many were awestruck. The elders stared at each other in confusion, knowing fully well what this could mean. And as if in confirmation to their thoughts, Seoyang smiled slowly and whispered, "It has begun…"
Just what exactly had begun? Tune in on the next episode of Card Captor Syaoran! So did you like it? Think it sucked? Reviews please! Please email me at webmistress@rkfan.com if you'd like to get a hold of me! All forms of feedback are welcome! Please review and watch out for Chapter 2! Thanks so much! REVIEW! REVIEW! Arigato minna-san!