(A/N) Hey I'm back with an update! Yay!!! I'm just glad I had time to write this chapter. Things have been pretty hectic. So that none of you are confused, this chapter takes place in the present alright? I'm thinking of just writing pieces of Syaoran's past into separate chapters. I'll warn you guys about that later okay? Hmm, this chapter came out shorter than I wanted. But it'll have to do for now.
Once Upon a Time in China
By Sang H.
Disclaimer - I do not own Cardcaptor Sakura. If I did, I wouldn't be here in Fanfiction.Net!
Chapter 2 - A Plan and A Lonely Princess
Hundreds of horses carrying Chinese soldiers stampeded down a grassy hill. Their notorious leader, Xiao Lang Li leaned forward, one hand grasping the reins of the horse while the other withdrew a double-bladed sword. His soldiers followed pursuit and charged on. Hundreds of armed samurai held their ground at the foot of the slope, blades drawn and prepared to meet their enemies; their horsed general in red armor shouting out commands to his army. In a quiet instant, the two sides clashed in a deafening roar.
Xiao Lang trampled over fallen soldiers and galloped through the mêlée, his eyes skimming through the fierce battle until they fell on a certain red armored samurai. Within seconds, he jumped from his horse, bringing his sword down swiftly. The blade was blocked and the red general turned fiercely, ready to slay his opponent. The general attempted to wound him. Xiao Lang, however, anticipated the attack and grabbed the blade forcefully, unarming the warrior and kicked him, leaving him off balance. In an instant, he stepped forward and then beheaded the red general of the Japan.
Servants strode around luxurious halls and rooms, cleaning or moving flower vases around. General Li strode into a grand hall, a red helmet tucked under his arm, and a samurai sword equipped loosely at his side. A solemn expression hung from his face and his eyes stared emotionlessly at the man that he approached.
"General Li. What have you to report to me this day?" the man inquired. Xiao Lang bowed down and held out the red helmet from under his arm.
"I hold before you the armor of the red general of Japan, as well as his sword. He was beheaded in battle and his army immediately retreated." As the emperor took the red helmet, Xiao Lang took the sheathed samurai sword from his side and held it out to his lord. The ruler examined the helmet before putting it aside on a long table and taking the sword. Xiao Lang rose to his feet and stood silently, awaiting the monarch's comment.
Instead of unsheathing the sword to study the blade, he merely set it alongside the helmet on the table and strolled to the far window overseeing the palace gardens.
"How long ago it was when the emperor of Japan announced his desire for my land. And so many we have lost since then." The king sighed and traced the window pane. "I want this war to end soon. However, it has been proven that Emperor Kinomoto will not be swayed from his ambition to gain my land." The emperor turned to Xiao Lang, walking back to him. He stopped a foot away and stared gravely in the general's eyes.
"I leave the responsibility in your hands, Li. The red general has been slain, so Japan will not attack until another rises to replace him. Use this time to discover what plans Japan has in store for us, and sabotage it. Make it clear that we will not give up our land. Do whatever you must. I want this war to end soon."
Xiao Lang gave a stiff but polite bow. "It will be done, my emperor." The king gave a slight nod and walked past the young man into another room. Xiao Lang paced up to the window where the emperor previously stood and gazed warily at the blooming tree outside. How long has it been now? How old was he exactly? Even he had lost count. A single leaf glided from the tree branch to the grass. Many lonely years had passed since he had left home, and he had only one companion who shared his secret. One who drifted around and visited him now and then.
Xiao Lang sighed. Once this war was over, General Li would be dead, and he would be off to wander once more, until he could show his face when none would recognize him. The endless cycle was tiring, and with each year passing by, Xiao Lang wondered how much longer he could live a life in loneliness, without friends, family, love and happiness. Countless times, he had desperately tried to commit suicide, all which were unsuccessful. And the truth became apparent – no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't die.
A girl sat on a high tree branch, humming a slow melody to herself while fingering a white-pedaled flower. She stared at the flower's soft petal before turning her attention to the clear skies and sighed. If only everyday could be this peaceful and bright. For a second, she glanced into the open window beside her and saw that a messenger was approaching her brother/emperor. Feeling agitated, she threw the flower to the ground and looked away, but couldn't help but overhear the two's conversation.
"What news from the fields?" Touya queried the man bowing before him.
"My emperor... I must report unfortunately," the man on the floor hesitated "that the Red General Hasegawa was headed in his last battle against General Li of China." The messenger kept his head down, waiting for his lord's reply.
Touya remained silent however, his eyes having caught sight of his little sister outside the open window. There she was on the tree branch, swinging her legs and looking tired. Though her face was turned away, he knew that she had heard the news. Times had been hard. Ever since he had decided that he wanted claim of China's lands, there had been no time to pay attention to little Sakura, and she was quite a lonely girl. She had begun eating less and less, and spent more time in her room alone.
"Ohnishi..."
The messenger raised his head, wondering what his emperor was thinking at the moment.
"Yes my emperor?"
"...I want General Asano here by tomorrow. Go now."
Half confused, Ohnishi stood and nodded his head slightly. "I will, my emperor." With that said, he walked out the hall. Touya stood tall, still watching his sister with a frown on his face. He didn't voice it, but he was truly worried about her. For now, he would leave her alone. Still frowning and deep in though, Touya strolled into the grand hall.
Outside, Sakura gazed wearily at the flowers and closed her eyes momentarily. Life was so lonely. She had no friends and all her brother ever thought about was war and gaining territory. Almost every day, he would be discussing battle tactics and problems about war casualties. One name kept repeating over and over. The notorious General Li of China was the most revered and skilled warrior that China had. For every battle he had charged into he would come out alive and victorious. His name alone brought sorrow to the streets of Japan.
For a second, Sakura wondered how many had died in battle, what their families were feeling. Instantly, she hoped that her brother Touya would never lead a battle, especially against General Li. The one thing that scared her most was a life without her onii-chan. Sakura stifled a yawn as her thoughts drifted off. All these thoughts made her feel sleepy. Slowly she slipped into a light slumber.
Next Morning:
Touya strolled through the palace gardens, admiring the peach blossoms and taking time to relax. However, the sight of cherry blossoms made him frown, for they reminded him too much of Sakura and her distant behavior. Yesterday, she had silently slipped into her room and went straight to sleep without a word to him and without dinner. As an older brother, he would have to act soon, before Sakura ended up seriously hurting herself.
"Brooding over our last loss to China, I assume?"
Touya kept his gaze on the cherry blossoms. "Quite the contrary Asano," he said "I'm worried about my little sister, Sakura."
"I don't think it would hurt to know what is wrong with her." Asano said boldly.
Touya finally turned to face the general and hardened his gaze. "I'll decide on that." He stated sternly. His face then relaxed slightly. "But... she has been distant lately, and refuses to eat sometimes. I'm afraid she'll end up hurting herself somehow. News of war hasn't been kind to her. It makes her ill."
"Ah, perhaps she needs something to take her mind off of war? Other generals and soldiers are gathering for a meeting to decide how to gain advantage for our next battle. While our assembly is discussing warfare matters, the families of the soldiers can meet and spend a few nights in each other's company to forget their worries and sorrows. Perhaps the hime- sama should attend the gathering? It will surely be good for her to meet new friends." Asano proposed.
King Touya rubbed his chin, deep in thought. Perhaps it was a good idea. Sakura would be safe and new company may be good for her.
"Alright Asano. When is the gathering?"
And that's the end of chapter two. Please review. I'd like to know how this chapter came out for you guys. Thanks for reading!
-Sang H.
Once Upon a Time in China
By Sang H.
Disclaimer - I do not own Cardcaptor Sakura. If I did, I wouldn't be here in Fanfiction.Net!
Chapter 2 - A Plan and A Lonely Princess
Hundreds of horses carrying Chinese soldiers stampeded down a grassy hill. Their notorious leader, Xiao Lang Li leaned forward, one hand grasping the reins of the horse while the other withdrew a double-bladed sword. His soldiers followed pursuit and charged on. Hundreds of armed samurai held their ground at the foot of the slope, blades drawn and prepared to meet their enemies; their horsed general in red armor shouting out commands to his army. In a quiet instant, the two sides clashed in a deafening roar.
Xiao Lang trampled over fallen soldiers and galloped through the mêlée, his eyes skimming through the fierce battle until they fell on a certain red armored samurai. Within seconds, he jumped from his horse, bringing his sword down swiftly. The blade was blocked and the red general turned fiercely, ready to slay his opponent. The general attempted to wound him. Xiao Lang, however, anticipated the attack and grabbed the blade forcefully, unarming the warrior and kicked him, leaving him off balance. In an instant, he stepped forward and then beheaded the red general of the Japan.
Servants strode around luxurious halls and rooms, cleaning or moving flower vases around. General Li strode into a grand hall, a red helmet tucked under his arm, and a samurai sword equipped loosely at his side. A solemn expression hung from his face and his eyes stared emotionlessly at the man that he approached.
"General Li. What have you to report to me this day?" the man inquired. Xiao Lang bowed down and held out the red helmet from under his arm.
"I hold before you the armor of the red general of Japan, as well as his sword. He was beheaded in battle and his army immediately retreated." As the emperor took the red helmet, Xiao Lang took the sheathed samurai sword from his side and held it out to his lord. The ruler examined the helmet before putting it aside on a long table and taking the sword. Xiao Lang rose to his feet and stood silently, awaiting the monarch's comment.
Instead of unsheathing the sword to study the blade, he merely set it alongside the helmet on the table and strolled to the far window overseeing the palace gardens.
"How long ago it was when the emperor of Japan announced his desire for my land. And so many we have lost since then." The king sighed and traced the window pane. "I want this war to end soon. However, it has been proven that Emperor Kinomoto will not be swayed from his ambition to gain my land." The emperor turned to Xiao Lang, walking back to him. He stopped a foot away and stared gravely in the general's eyes.
"I leave the responsibility in your hands, Li. The red general has been slain, so Japan will not attack until another rises to replace him. Use this time to discover what plans Japan has in store for us, and sabotage it. Make it clear that we will not give up our land. Do whatever you must. I want this war to end soon."
Xiao Lang gave a stiff but polite bow. "It will be done, my emperor." The king gave a slight nod and walked past the young man into another room. Xiao Lang paced up to the window where the emperor previously stood and gazed warily at the blooming tree outside. How long has it been now? How old was he exactly? Even he had lost count. A single leaf glided from the tree branch to the grass. Many lonely years had passed since he had left home, and he had only one companion who shared his secret. One who drifted around and visited him now and then.
Xiao Lang sighed. Once this war was over, General Li would be dead, and he would be off to wander once more, until he could show his face when none would recognize him. The endless cycle was tiring, and with each year passing by, Xiao Lang wondered how much longer he could live a life in loneliness, without friends, family, love and happiness. Countless times, he had desperately tried to commit suicide, all which were unsuccessful. And the truth became apparent – no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't die.
A girl sat on a high tree branch, humming a slow melody to herself while fingering a white-pedaled flower. She stared at the flower's soft petal before turning her attention to the clear skies and sighed. If only everyday could be this peaceful and bright. For a second, she glanced into the open window beside her and saw that a messenger was approaching her brother/emperor. Feeling agitated, she threw the flower to the ground and looked away, but couldn't help but overhear the two's conversation.
"What news from the fields?" Touya queried the man bowing before him.
"My emperor... I must report unfortunately," the man on the floor hesitated "that the Red General Hasegawa was headed in his last battle against General Li of China." The messenger kept his head down, waiting for his lord's reply.
Touya remained silent however, his eyes having caught sight of his little sister outside the open window. There she was on the tree branch, swinging her legs and looking tired. Though her face was turned away, he knew that she had heard the news. Times had been hard. Ever since he had decided that he wanted claim of China's lands, there had been no time to pay attention to little Sakura, and she was quite a lonely girl. She had begun eating less and less, and spent more time in her room alone.
"Ohnishi..."
The messenger raised his head, wondering what his emperor was thinking at the moment.
"Yes my emperor?"
"...I want General Asano here by tomorrow. Go now."
Half confused, Ohnishi stood and nodded his head slightly. "I will, my emperor." With that said, he walked out the hall. Touya stood tall, still watching his sister with a frown on his face. He didn't voice it, but he was truly worried about her. For now, he would leave her alone. Still frowning and deep in though, Touya strolled into the grand hall.
Outside, Sakura gazed wearily at the flowers and closed her eyes momentarily. Life was so lonely. She had no friends and all her brother ever thought about was war and gaining territory. Almost every day, he would be discussing battle tactics and problems about war casualties. One name kept repeating over and over. The notorious General Li of China was the most revered and skilled warrior that China had. For every battle he had charged into he would come out alive and victorious. His name alone brought sorrow to the streets of Japan.
For a second, Sakura wondered how many had died in battle, what their families were feeling. Instantly, she hoped that her brother Touya would never lead a battle, especially against General Li. The one thing that scared her most was a life without her onii-chan. Sakura stifled a yawn as her thoughts drifted off. All these thoughts made her feel sleepy. Slowly she slipped into a light slumber.
Next Morning:
Touya strolled through the palace gardens, admiring the peach blossoms and taking time to relax. However, the sight of cherry blossoms made him frown, for they reminded him too much of Sakura and her distant behavior. Yesterday, she had silently slipped into her room and went straight to sleep without a word to him and without dinner. As an older brother, he would have to act soon, before Sakura ended up seriously hurting herself.
"Brooding over our last loss to China, I assume?"
Touya kept his gaze on the cherry blossoms. "Quite the contrary Asano," he said "I'm worried about my little sister, Sakura."
"I don't think it would hurt to know what is wrong with her." Asano said boldly.
Touya finally turned to face the general and hardened his gaze. "I'll decide on that." He stated sternly. His face then relaxed slightly. "But... she has been distant lately, and refuses to eat sometimes. I'm afraid she'll end up hurting herself somehow. News of war hasn't been kind to her. It makes her ill."
"Ah, perhaps she needs something to take her mind off of war? Other generals and soldiers are gathering for a meeting to decide how to gain advantage for our next battle. While our assembly is discussing warfare matters, the families of the soldiers can meet and spend a few nights in each other's company to forget their worries and sorrows. Perhaps the hime- sama should attend the gathering? It will surely be good for her to meet new friends." Asano proposed.
King Touya rubbed his chin, deep in thought. Perhaps it was a good idea. Sakura would be safe and new company may be good for her.
"Alright Asano. When is the gathering?"
And that's the end of chapter two. Please review. I'd like to know how this chapter came out for you guys. Thanks for reading!
-Sang H.