Chap3
The smoke finally cleared. Syaoran and Tomoyo ran up to see if Sakura was hurt. But they stopped mid-stride staring at her.
"That is enough you two. If these spells hit you guys it would have hurt you badly."
"I would have jumped it, sis."
Syaoran and Tomoyo just continued to stare at Sakura.
"What guys?! What did I do?"
"Y...yo...you......you...," Tomoyo stuttered.
"I what did I do?!"
"You are holding some powerful magic in your hands as if it is nothing that is what. It is elemental magic too.," said Syaoran for he has finally came back to earth.
"It is nothing. It is just magic. I had to clash it with a neutralizer first though. That is why all the smoke came.," said Sakura modestly.
"No one in our kingdom can do that!," stated the over-excited Tomoyo, making a pad of paper appear out of thin air and started to draw.
"It is quite rare, my sister is the only one who can do that without getting hurt."
"Really Eriol ? That is so COOL!"
"Clam down Tomoyo. And since when were you on first name basis with them?," Syaoran said coldly.
"Hey she is just trying to be friendly, unlike you.," said Sakura after she saw Tomoyo looked some-what hurt.
"You are right. I am not going to be friendly either."
"Whatever. Eriol, why don't we go and practice.," while grabbing Eriol's hand to stop him getting to Syaoran for he was still angry.
"What are you going to practice? How to bow and curtsy and then dance with each other.," sneered Syaoran.
"No, Prince-stubborn-through-his-head. We are going to practice some sword fighting.," gripping
Eriol's wrist even harder, that her nails were pinching his skin.
"A girl can't fight."
"Of yes they can."
"No they can't."
"Can too."
"Cannot."
"Can too."
"Cannot."
"Can too."
"Cannot."
"Can you ever stop fighting Syaoran?"
"Are you sticking it up for the Kinomoto people, Tomoyo?
"Well you don't know that Sakura can't fight?"
"And you know she can?"
"Well we can see. How about we set up a match. Between you and Sakura with just fighting, no magic. The first that draws blood or throws their opponent's sword wins? It will start in one hour. That is two hours before dinner which will give you people plenty of time."
"Fine by me.," smirked Syaoran.
"Me too."
"No. Sakura, you can't just let that guy fight you?"
"Why not, Eriol?"
"Well......"
"It will be okay. And also what is the worst that can happen?"
"You get a scar somewhere."
"Exactly, so let me fight him."
"No."
"Pa..pa..pa..please..." whined Sakura with puppy eyes.
"No, don't give me those eyes. NO..no...nooooooo. Fine, you can fight him." 'Did I just say I will let
her fight him? My stupid pride. I should have said he is really good. Well he is. And those eyes of Sakura's... they get me every time. I have to build up a defense for it.'
"Yeeaa!," screamed Sakura jumping up and down, " I'll do my best."
"I know you will."
~An hour later~
Sakura and Syaoran were getting ready for the fight they were going to take this in one of the less used training yards. They were only allowed swords and spears and daggers. They could use any fighting style. There were to be no magic. They dressed lightly and comfortably. None of them were nervous about the fight except Eriol.
Eriol noticed that there were only a few minutes before they had to go down stairs and his little sister had to fight that prince. He knew even from that little argument that they had that Syaoran in really good at fighting. Also, Syaoran was a full-fledged knight, even though Sakura had learned from the best (himself). He was still worried for his sister. He tried for the last time to make her change her mind.
"Sis, you I know you don't have to do this."
"Of course I do. You know how I would look if I backed out now?"
"Yeah, but...still it is better than getting hurt."
"No, it is not. What is with you? You usually don't get this worried?"
"It's...it's just...it's just that he is really good. Even I think that he is really good. And you know how
rare I give out comments like that when it comes to fighting and magic."
"Well fine. It can deal with that. Don't worry I'll be fine.," she went up to him and hugged him.
"You better. If you kill yourself, I'll never talk or see you again.," hugging Sakura back.
"Okay."
~Among the pages and squires~
"Hey do you know that there is going to be a fight?"
"Between who and who?"
"The Prince and the princess of Kinomoto."
"WHAT?"
"They are fighting?"
"Yeah it is strange. A girl fighting? Ha! Like they can.," smirked a squire.
"Yeah how much you want to bet?"
"Two copper nobles for the prince."
"Any others?"
"Put me down for two copper nobles for the prince too."
After that many put down money for the prince. They all know how good he is. They were all so proud of him and have him as their role model. About when everyone has their put in their bets when the two ladies-in-waiting of the princesses came down and walked by them and stopped.
"Hey, can you guys put me and Andrea down that they will tie and I put in two silver nobles.," said Jean lady-in-waiting to Sakura.
"Are you serious?," a page said almost cracking up.
"Yeah of course. My mistress is really good at the fighting arts."
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA," roared all the people around them.
"What?," said Andrea lady-in-waiting to Tomoyo.
"You know our prince is the best there is."
"I know that, but you weren't there when the Princess of Kinomoto took the magic of the two princes and curl it up into a ball. It was elemental magic too."
"They aren't allowed magic in this fight."
"So? My mistress is as good as fighter or better than any one of your knights.," stated Jean in a matter-of-factly tone.
"Whatever. Well we all will be at the fight and I will put you down as a bidder. I guess you ladies will be there too?," said the page finally remembering his manners.
"Yeah. We will be accompanying our mistresses to the fight. I guess we will meet each other there and when we come to claim our money. Lets go Andrea."
~ At the court~
Sakura came down to the field and noticed that not only were Eriol, Syaoran and Tomoyo there but there were a couple dozen of pages, some squires and a couple knights. 'I thought this was going to be private. Guess not.' She came down with her sword in hand, that she called Flower Goddess, for it had many flowers delicately carved on the hilt. The blade itself had perfectly carved flowers on it in the most beautiful pattern. She was wearing a sleeveless Chinese kimono that had slit all the way to the hip. It was pink and had many violet flowers on it. Underneath she wore a pink shirt and a pink set of breeches. 'These clothes will do nicely. I can move freely in these clothes. I have to thank Tomoyo for these. She is good at sewing. She has great taste.' She goes up to her brother as he warns her for the last time.
"Do you know what you are up against?"
"Yes. I do know Eriol. I was watching you guys battle. I was observing his techniques. And can you shut up?"
"Fine. I'll shut up. And where did you get these clothes?"
"Tomoyo gave them to me. She made them herself."
"Really? She is good. She has good taste."
"Awww. My bro likes my new friend.," said Sakura with a smirk.
"I do not like her! How can you think that?!," hissed Eriol.
"Whatever. It is not every day that you compliment people."
"Oh, just shut up. Hey you see. Those boys are amazed at your shape.," joked Eriol.
"Shut up!!! I am not to be talked to like that. They have a princess that is much prettier!"
"Hehe. I was kidding. Don't lose your temper. Well fine they are not looking at you but the prince is."
"God! Can you ever stop teasing me! Why can you shut up and go to snuggle up to Tomoyo. Hmmmm?"
"Aurgh. Fine, I am leaving once I start this match."
"Oh, I have a question."
"What?"
"Why are there so many people here? Wasn't this suppose to be private?"
"It was, but they all want to watch."
"Can't the prince send them off?"
"Well he can, but he doesn't want to. The larger the crowd you make a fool of yourself to the better it is for him."
"Humph! He is not going to beat me that easily. HE is the one who is going to make a fool of himself."
"Well sis, be careful and good luck."
"Thanks."
Syaoran was just standing there, watching the two talk. They seem to be fighting and arguing. He notices that Sakura is wearing a set of clothes that Tomoyo made. 'It fit her just right. Hey she actually looks quite good in it. WHAT AM I THINKING? How can I think that? She is my opponent. Well it looks like they are done. Better get ready.'
"This is a match between Princess Sakura of Kinomoto and Prince Syaoran of Li. The match doesn't a time limit and the first one to draw blood or be checked loses. There is no magic evolved. All fighting techniques and swords will be allowed. Do both of you understand?," said Eriol.
Sakura and Syaoran both nod their head. "Well in that case, let the match begin."
Sakura and Syaoran got into fighting stance and watched each other very carefully. The pages and squires started to cheer for their prince, while Eriol encouraged Sakura. Tomoyo, who had a sketch pad with her, Jean and Andrea just stood off to the side and watched them. Sakura peeked off to the side, but kept an eye on Syaoran. Syaoran took that chance and lunged forward with incredible speed and aimed the sword towards Sakura's knee. Sakura responded just in time. She blocked the swing and did a crescent cut followed by a butterfly cut and spun around and did a jump hook kick at a speed that was barely visible. Everyone here was shocked except for Jean and Eriol. Syaoran was shocked the most shocked that he almost got hit by a jump spin hook kick followed by a sweeping kick and a round house. 'God. I can't believe it that she can fight. She almost had me! I can't lose to a girl! Well, she is good for a girl. Who taught her? Maybe her brother. He is really good. He could have beaten me if this princess didn't put an end to that fight.' They never thought that a princess could actually fight let alone fight at that speed. Syaoran blocked each attempt and did his series of kicks, blocks, cuts and swings. Sakura countered every attack and tried to cut the prince but couldn't manage it. They both concentrated on their opponent and tried to find a hole in their techniques. This fight goes along for about an hour and both were starting to tire. Ten minutes before dinner, they both found a flaw in their movements. They both jumped at the chance and lunged at each other. Sparks flew as the swords hit each other and within a blink of an eye both had their swords at each others neck.
"WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU TWO DOING?"