Disclaimers: Winged Guardian: Cardcaptor Sakura is the brilliant work of
Clamp which
should never have been
dubbed. And as you can all see,
I'm not a member of
Clamp, sad to say. Well, I can
always dream. =P
Battle of the Two Arch-Rivals
By Winged Guardian
Note
"..." stands for speech
[...] stands for thoughts (if any)
... stands for author's comments
'...' stands for the chapter's title
Chapter 6: 'The Challenge'
Tomoyo and Eriol
Panting, Tomoyo ran down the corridor as fast as she could. She had never been much of an athletic and she could already feel her body tiring.
She could hear light footsteps not far behind her.
Things did not bode well for her.
Tomoyo knew with a deep sinking feeling that Hiiragizawa would eventually catch up with her.
Mind racing for a possible solution, for once, Tomoyo could not come up with one.
At the present, she could only postpone the inevitable.
Frowning with annoyance at the pretty girl running away from him, Eriol increased his pace with ease. He knew that he would be able to catch up with her and he knew that Tomoyo knew that too.
With a spurt of speed brought on by her desperation, Tomoyo ran into a room and tried to slam and lock the door before Eriol reached her.
Her attempts were futile.
Realizing her intentions, Eriol smirked. [You can never escape me this way. Besides, you're forgetting something - I have magic. Even if you were to lock the door, I could open it with ease.]
Reaching the door in quick and wide strides, Eriol slipped into the room just in time as Tomoyo slammed the door and locked it.
Tomoyo's face turned pallid as she realized that she had locked herself in the room with the enemy.
Hastily regaining her composure, she turned on the smirking boy angrily, trying to cover up her nervousness.
"Hiiragizawa. Get lost."
Eriol watched her with amusement, obviously seeing her edginess.
Unperturbed, Eriol turned on the charm, "Why, you were the one who locked yourself with me in this room. Thus, I conclude that you welcome my company."
Eriol smirked as he saw rage, anger, irritation and chagrin cross her striking features.
"Let me make this clear once and for all, Hiiragizawa. I am NOT interested in you by the slightest bit. I would never find you attractive even if you are the last man on earth so quit flirting with me. Your attentions are unsought for." Tomoyo said in a rush, her breath coming out faster than she intended.
Something in Eriol's cobalt eyes flickered but it vanished so quickly that she wasn't sure if she really saw it.
"Oh?" Eriol drawled seductively in a low whisper as he leant towards Tomoyo.
Their faces were scant inches from each other.
Tomoyo broke into a cold sweat.
Tomoyo struggled to gain a hold on her overwhelming emotions and desire. His nearness did strange things to her, causing her heart to flutter and to her shock and horror, Tomoyo found herself coupled with a bizarre desire to kiss him.
Unconsciously, Tomoyo leant closer to him by the tiniest fraction. She was drawn to him. His presence was overpowering. His nearness intoxicated her and scared her at the same time.
No one had ever had this effect on her.
Tomoyo gazed into Eriol's alluring indigo eyes, unable to look away. When Eriol came even closer, she unconsciously held her breath in anticipation as her heart rate increased tremendously.
Eriol kissed her tenderly, sliding an arm around her waist as his other hand caressed her hair.
Entranced, she returned his kiss gently, carefully, almost timidly.
Their kiss deepened and grew more passionate as they discovered in each other what they had never experienced before - love.
*^*^*^*^* Sakura and Syaoran
Sakura smiled, smirking slightly.
She raced, hair flying back in the wind as tendrils of wind blew wild strands of honey- brown hair across her face. Her face was flushed from running, the blood in her veins flowing surely. Her lips were parted slightly in a smile of pure bliss and she closed her eyes in enjoyment, her long, dark lashes resting on her cheeks.
[She looks beautiful.] Syaoran realized with a jolt as his mind's eye saw her with magic.
Her previously annoyed hot pink aura had turned a lighter shade of peaceful pink as it billowed around her, dancing wildly and freely in the wind.
Syaoran noticed with shock that wherever her aura touched grew beautiful flowers and plants, the air around her seemed brighter, as if an invisible torchlight shone on her, lighting up her clear and delicate features.
He felt a warm and indescribable feeling rise up in him, filling him with hope and light as he gazed at the lovely and cherubic girl.
Her every movement seemed to be a graceful yet simple dance to him, her smile the light that shines in the darkness.
Sakura ran straight ahead, leaping past obstacles effortlessly as her eyes closed in contentment.
This was what she loved, running free, free of her burdens and duties, relieving her fears and doubts. She absorbed herself in those moments. It was as if a great weight was lifted from her whenever she ran. And so she ran, her spirit and body as one, relaxing in the rush of wind caressing her cheeks, the strength in her fast and graceful strides. She ran.
She need not open her eyes, for she felt and sensed her surroundings and 'saw' with her magic. She let her senses flow, inhaling in the refreshing air, the scent of flowers and plants. Her magic ran freely, letting her 'see' and feel every single flower and every blade of grass. Her magical aura suddenly touched a familiar rich and forest-green one and she came back to herself in a jolt as she remembered the reason she was running and more importantly, who she was running from.
Her green beryl-colored eyes snapped open as a scowl appeared on her formerly tranquil face and her eyes darkened in annoyance.
Behind her, Syaoran stiffened as she felt a change in her aura and realized that Sakura had finally recalled his presence to her mind.
He smirked. [Finally.]
Sakura knew that she would never lose Syaoran this way. He was dead set on catching her. Taking advantage of Syaoran's foreignness with the woods she had explored all the years when she was younger, which she knew like the back of her hand, Sakura ran in and took twists and turns, trying to shake him off her trail.
Syaoran realized her motives and cursed silently. He had no choice but to follow her. [Damn this girl! She is smart, way too smart for her own good.]
His lips curved up in an anticipating smile and a light appeared in his tawny eyes.
It was a challenge, one he would never refuse.
[Let's see about her. Sakura Kinomoto, the Mistress of the Sakura Cards and well-versed in martial arts, famed all over the world.]
[We'll see if you are truly as good as they all say. As good, or better than I, Syaoran Li, am.] he thought with a reckless grin as the blood in his veins raced, meeting up to the challenge.
*^*^*^*^* Tomoyo and Eriol
They had finally broken apart and both of them were staring at each other in shock and confusion.
Tomoyo suddenly realized how close she was to Eriol and jumped away from him, "AH!" as if she would catch a disease from him.
Eriol smirked and advanced towards her.
Tomoyo swallowed with some difficulty and started backing away.
Eriol just grinned evilly and walked slow and deliberate steps towards the nervous girl.
Tomoyo continued backing up until she felt her back come in contact with the wall.
Eriol smirked triumphantly at the desperate look in Tomoyo's eyes. She could not escape and she knew it as well as he did.
Tomoyo glared at the smirking Eriol and crossed her arms in a defensive gesture.
"What was that for, Hiiragizawa?" Tomoyo demanded.
"I was simply proving my charisma to you since you refused to acknowledge the fact that you are attracted to me." Eriol replied breezily, but underneath the pretense, he was a nervous wreck.
[Do I like her?? Yes! No!!!! No! I do not like her!!! Yes I do! No!!! Yes, actually, I do like her, that's why I followed her in the first place, instead of following Syaoran...and also the reason I kissed her...but is this feeling for real? Or is it merely a crush? Wait. Does she like me in the first place?]
Looking at her closely, he found the answer and smirked. [She feels something for me too. At least it is mutual, but it'll be like getting Syaoran to admit that he actually enjoys my company despite his annoyance with me to get Tomoyo to confess that she likes me. Well, no matter. I'll win her over no matter what.]
Her face hot, Tomoyo immediately denied it furiously, "No I don't! I definitely do NOT find you attractive!!"
Eriol grinned. She was lying.
"Really??" Eriol asked, an immoral gleam in his eyes, "Then, why did you kiss me back?? And why are you blushing now??"
"I...I, I...I" Tomoyo stuttered.
"Face it. You enjoyed the kiss." Eriol said, not bothering to contain his glee or hide his sinful grin.
"I...I...It was just physical attraction... Nothing else... Definitely nothing else..." Tomoyo muttered, her face now a deep shade of cherry red.
Eriol heard that and his grin grew even wider. He knew that she had not intended for him to hear that part.
Continuing wickedly, he added, "Or perhaps you need more convincing."
"NO!" Tomoyo gasped in horror but it was too late. When she raised her head, Eriol had immediately captured her lips in a kiss.
Eriol wrapped his arms around her tightly, drawing her closer until her body was pressed against his.
Tomoyo let out an involuntary gasp.
Tomoyo suddenly became dizzy and her knees felt weak. She was glad of Eriol's strong arms around her as she would have fallen to the floor if he wasn't holding her up.
Suddenly, Eriol's comforting warmth was removed from her and she almost cried out in despair.
Eriol's breath came in gasps and he raked his fingers through his navy blue hair.
"I'm sorry," Eriol apologized. His voice was low and husky with barely suppressed emotions. "I hadn't meant for it to go this far."
Tomoyo nodded weakly, dazed.
With that, both of them swung the door open simultaneously and rushed out, running in opposite directions.
Both of them slammed the door after running to their rooms, a loud sound sounding down the hall, united.
Tomoyo's back was against her door and Eriol had thrown himself onto his bed.
Both of them were breathing quickly and desperately trying to calm themselves down with no effect.
Each were trying to sort out their jumbled mess of thoughts and emotions and were also trying very hard not to think of the other.
Both were failing terribly.
Each were thinking of the other and a sweet smile crept up onto their faces unconsciously as their eyes shone with newfound love.
"Eriol..." "Tomoyo..." Both of them sighed, smiling dreamily. KAWAII!!!
*^*^*^*^* Sakura and Syaoran
Syaoran had tried to catch up with Sakura but she was so fast and familiarized with the woods that he could only manage to keep the girl in his sight.
There was only one way he could catch up with her.
Frowning in concentration, Syaoran called upon his magic and sensed where she was heading next.
Smirking, he cut across her path and before her mind could process what was happening, Syaoran Li had grabbed a solid hold on her wrist.
Sakura shot him a death-glare and veered to her right sharply, trying to wrench her wrist away from his unyielding iron grip.
She almost succeeded. *Almost*
Her unbelievable strength amazed him and he only barely managed to hold on to her because of the earliest lessons taught to him to train his grip. He silently thanked all his trainers who had given him numerous cuts and an infinite amount of bruises just to teach him one single thing - never drop your weapon. It was only because of those lessons that he was able to hold onto the struggling girl.
Syaoran smiled, wry amusement reflected in his ocher eyes. [Who would have thought that the frail and delicate princess could possibly hold such strength and power.]
Syaoran found that he was rather enjoying the feel of Sakura's wrist and held on firmly.
Suddenly, Sakura pivoted around, swinging her right leg up and out in a powerful high kick to Syaoran's neck which would have crushed his collarbone on impact.
Syaoran's defenses immediately kicked in and he dodged and jumped back, forced to release her hand.
Sakura smirked and started attacking him in earnest, using a combination of punches and kicks.
[She is fast.] Syaoran thought, smiling as he blocked her moves again and again. [But I'm even faster.]
With that, he caught her leg in the middle of her kick and twisted it around forcefully ouch, that must hurt , intending to make her fall. He saw a flicker of surprise and grudging respect in Sakura's sea-green eyes when he caught her in the middle of her attack.
However, Sakura was not to be defeated so easily. Instead of falling, Sakura spun her body in mid-air and did an elegant triple-flip, landing a distance away from Syaoran on her feet gracefully, without appearing to break a sweat.
Syaoran smiled. This battle was going to be a tough one.
Both of them circled each other, eyeing the opponent warily, anticipating his/her next move.
In a flash, Sakura suddenly lunged at Syaoran, sweeping her leg out and around to trip him up as she aimed her clenched fist at Syaoran's stomach, intending to knock the air out of him which would earn her a few minutes but Syaoran was too fast for her.
Intercepting her sweeping leg, he leaped up and grabbing a sturdy branch, he swung his legs in a kick to her head with such force that if it hit, Sakura would be knocked out cold.
By her excellent reflexes and years of training, she ducked under his sweeping leg and delivered a searing blow to Syaoran's cheek.
Caught by surprise, Syaoran released the branch, dropping onto his feet as his head jerked back at the impact of her fist to his cheek.
He barely flinched.
He somehow managed to keep up his calm composure.
Sakura struck out mercilessly as she continued to deliver vicious blows without stopping, relentless in her attack.
Syaoran dodged and blocked his fiancée and student's violent blows with the ease of a well-trained fighter.
Sakura continued her assault with the air of a murderer dead-set on killing her victim.
Syaoran smirked. In one fast movement, he grabbed her hand firmly and twisted it behind her, forcing her to turn her back to her. He caught her other free hand swiftly and wrenched it behind her.
Syaoran heard a sharp intake of breath from Sakura. He had efficiently disabled her temporarily.
"Give up?" he taunted her, smirking triumphantly.
"Never!" Sakura said defiantly.
A sudden tenseness in her left leg warned him that she was about to lash out with her foot and hooking his leg around hers, he knelt down in one sharp movement, forcing Sakura down to the ground, trapping her limbs and struggling body as Sakura stifled a cry of pain.
Sakura was held down, defenseless.
A soft and menacing growl escaped from her throat. "Release me." she said through gritted teeth.
"No." he smirked.
Slowly, Sakura turned her head around as best as she could in this uncomfortable and utterly humiliating position.
Syaoran found himself looking into Sakura's eyes which had turned into a scorching shade of dark green. Sakura's stormy green eyes were snapping in fury as she stared back at Syaoran, her bottom lip curled up in defiance. Her fiery green eyes were burning like hot coals, boring holes into him. "Let. Go."
To Sakura's outrage, Syaoran appeared unaffected by her furious glare, continuing to smirk, serving only to infuriate the silently fuming girl further, adding fuel to the fire.
Sakura refrained from yelling out all the obscenities and profanities she had heard the palace guards use. Barely.
Suddenly, something in Syaoran shifted and he was gazing at her in a different way as a fierce and unknown emotion surfaced in his amber eyes.
For a strange and unknown reason, her heart started to thump wildly and Sakura suddenly found it hard to breathe as she felt a tingle run up her spine.
With great effort and will, Sakura tore her eyes away from his burning gaze.
He released her.
Slowly, both of them stood up, Sakura eyeing Syaoran warily with an air of mistrust. Ha! She doesn't know how right she is. *evil grin* See what's coming up next
Syaoran suddenly took a step towards her, closing in the distance between them.
un-oh
In one swift movement, Syaoran pulled Sakura into a warm embrace.
Sakura braced herself against his chest, trying futilely to ignore the loud pounding of her heart and the comforting warmth of Syaoran's body against hers.
Sakura couldn't meet his amber eyes.
"What are you doing?!" Sakura protested violently, trying to escape his firm grasp.
However, Syaoran had no intention of letting her go just yet.
Sliding cool fingers under her chin, he firmly lifted her face up, leant down and kissed her softly.
Stunned, Sakura did nothing but to let it happen.
After the kiss ended, the two of them just stood there in each other's arms, staring at the other intently.
Finally realizing what had taken place, Sakura shoved him away violently.
"That's enough, Li Syaoran!! First, you and your cousin barge into my home grounds! Then, you eavesdropped on our conversation! After that, you used unauthorized magic! Then you trespassed in this forbidden grounds, entering this forest! You disturb my peace and now THIS!!! I've stood more than enough!! SYAORAN LI, YOU'RE GOING DOWN!!!"
A shimmering gold sword appeared in the trembling girl's hand and she started slashing at Syaoran expertly, in a blind fury.
Syaoran immediately summoned his sword and started fighting back.
[She fights with style and grace, not slaughtering brutally like a butcher. Her skill is undoubted.] Syaoran admired the strong girl and fierce knight.
"Wait." Syaoran said, holding a hand up. "I have authorized permission to be in the Kinomoto Kingdom and your father, King Fujitaka had requested me to escort you wherever you go and it was a public conversation."
The furious girl looked ready to tear him into shreds.
"I suggest that we settle our differences in a destined time and place. A duel."
When Sakura made no reply, Syaoran continued, "12 midnight tonight. If I win this one, you have to return to the Li Kingdom with me. If you emerge victorious, you can do whatever you want to me, which I believe is to beat the crap out of me if I had not interpreted wrongly."
Sakura ground her teeth. The truth was she didn't have the patience to wait this long.
She wanted to kill him there and then.
"Unless you're afraid to lose." Syaoran said, smirking. He knew perfectly well that that would get to her pride.
"I'M NO LOSER!!! I ACCEPT YOUR CHALLENGE!!!" Sakura yelled as red, hot rage
and fury filled her.
"And you'll regret it." Syaoran stated calmly, a gleam in his confident ocher eyes.
===============================================================
Winged Guardian: Well, well. Wonder who'll emerge triumph in the duel.
Please review and hope you enjoyed reading my fanfic!
Winged Guardian
Heart_given_Wings@hotmail.com
Battle of the Two Arch-Rivals
By Winged Guardian
Note
"..." stands for speech
[...] stands for thoughts (if any)
... stands for author's comments
'...' stands for the chapter's title
Chapter 6: 'The Challenge'
Tomoyo and Eriol
Panting, Tomoyo ran down the corridor as fast as she could. She had never been much of an athletic and she could already feel her body tiring.
She could hear light footsteps not far behind her.
Things did not bode well for her.
Tomoyo knew with a deep sinking feeling that Hiiragizawa would eventually catch up with her.
Mind racing for a possible solution, for once, Tomoyo could not come up with one.
At the present, she could only postpone the inevitable.
Frowning with annoyance at the pretty girl running away from him, Eriol increased his pace with ease. He knew that he would be able to catch up with her and he knew that Tomoyo knew that too.
With a spurt of speed brought on by her desperation, Tomoyo ran into a room and tried to slam and lock the door before Eriol reached her.
Her attempts were futile.
Realizing her intentions, Eriol smirked. [You can never escape me this way. Besides, you're forgetting something - I have magic. Even if you were to lock the door, I could open it with ease.]
Reaching the door in quick and wide strides, Eriol slipped into the room just in time as Tomoyo slammed the door and locked it.
Tomoyo's face turned pallid as she realized that she had locked herself in the room with the enemy.
Hastily regaining her composure, she turned on the smirking boy angrily, trying to cover up her nervousness.
"Hiiragizawa. Get lost."
Eriol watched her with amusement, obviously seeing her edginess.
Unperturbed, Eriol turned on the charm, "Why, you were the one who locked yourself with me in this room. Thus, I conclude that you welcome my company."
Eriol smirked as he saw rage, anger, irritation and chagrin cross her striking features.
"Let me make this clear once and for all, Hiiragizawa. I am NOT interested in you by the slightest bit. I would never find you attractive even if you are the last man on earth so quit flirting with me. Your attentions are unsought for." Tomoyo said in a rush, her breath coming out faster than she intended.
Something in Eriol's cobalt eyes flickered but it vanished so quickly that she wasn't sure if she really saw it.
"Oh?" Eriol drawled seductively in a low whisper as he leant towards Tomoyo.
Their faces were scant inches from each other.
Tomoyo broke into a cold sweat.
Tomoyo struggled to gain a hold on her overwhelming emotions and desire. His nearness did strange things to her, causing her heart to flutter and to her shock and horror, Tomoyo found herself coupled with a bizarre desire to kiss him.
Unconsciously, Tomoyo leant closer to him by the tiniest fraction. She was drawn to him. His presence was overpowering. His nearness intoxicated her and scared her at the same time.
No one had ever had this effect on her.
Tomoyo gazed into Eriol's alluring indigo eyes, unable to look away. When Eriol came even closer, she unconsciously held her breath in anticipation as her heart rate increased tremendously.
Eriol kissed her tenderly, sliding an arm around her waist as his other hand caressed her hair.
Entranced, she returned his kiss gently, carefully, almost timidly.
Their kiss deepened and grew more passionate as they discovered in each other what they had never experienced before - love.
*^*^*^*^* Sakura and Syaoran
Sakura smiled, smirking slightly.
She raced, hair flying back in the wind as tendrils of wind blew wild strands of honey- brown hair across her face. Her face was flushed from running, the blood in her veins flowing surely. Her lips were parted slightly in a smile of pure bliss and she closed her eyes in enjoyment, her long, dark lashes resting on her cheeks.
[She looks beautiful.] Syaoran realized with a jolt as his mind's eye saw her with magic.
Her previously annoyed hot pink aura had turned a lighter shade of peaceful pink as it billowed around her, dancing wildly and freely in the wind.
Syaoran noticed with shock that wherever her aura touched grew beautiful flowers and plants, the air around her seemed brighter, as if an invisible torchlight shone on her, lighting up her clear and delicate features.
He felt a warm and indescribable feeling rise up in him, filling him with hope and light as he gazed at the lovely and cherubic girl.
Her every movement seemed to be a graceful yet simple dance to him, her smile the light that shines in the darkness.
Sakura ran straight ahead, leaping past obstacles effortlessly as her eyes closed in contentment.
This was what she loved, running free, free of her burdens and duties, relieving her fears and doubts. She absorbed herself in those moments. It was as if a great weight was lifted from her whenever she ran. And so she ran, her spirit and body as one, relaxing in the rush of wind caressing her cheeks, the strength in her fast and graceful strides. She ran.
She need not open her eyes, for she felt and sensed her surroundings and 'saw' with her magic. She let her senses flow, inhaling in the refreshing air, the scent of flowers and plants. Her magic ran freely, letting her 'see' and feel every single flower and every blade of grass. Her magical aura suddenly touched a familiar rich and forest-green one and she came back to herself in a jolt as she remembered the reason she was running and more importantly, who she was running from.
Her green beryl-colored eyes snapped open as a scowl appeared on her formerly tranquil face and her eyes darkened in annoyance.
Behind her, Syaoran stiffened as she felt a change in her aura and realized that Sakura had finally recalled his presence to her mind.
He smirked. [Finally.]
Sakura knew that she would never lose Syaoran this way. He was dead set on catching her. Taking advantage of Syaoran's foreignness with the woods she had explored all the years when she was younger, which she knew like the back of her hand, Sakura ran in and took twists and turns, trying to shake him off her trail.
Syaoran realized her motives and cursed silently. He had no choice but to follow her. [Damn this girl! She is smart, way too smart for her own good.]
His lips curved up in an anticipating smile and a light appeared in his tawny eyes.
It was a challenge, one he would never refuse.
[Let's see about her. Sakura Kinomoto, the Mistress of the Sakura Cards and well-versed in martial arts, famed all over the world.]
[We'll see if you are truly as good as they all say. As good, or better than I, Syaoran Li, am.] he thought with a reckless grin as the blood in his veins raced, meeting up to the challenge.
*^*^*^*^* Tomoyo and Eriol
They had finally broken apart and both of them were staring at each other in shock and confusion.
Tomoyo suddenly realized how close she was to Eriol and jumped away from him, "AH!" as if she would catch a disease from him.
Eriol smirked and advanced towards her.
Tomoyo swallowed with some difficulty and started backing away.
Eriol just grinned evilly and walked slow and deliberate steps towards the nervous girl.
Tomoyo continued backing up until she felt her back come in contact with the wall.
Eriol smirked triumphantly at the desperate look in Tomoyo's eyes. She could not escape and she knew it as well as he did.
Tomoyo glared at the smirking Eriol and crossed her arms in a defensive gesture.
"What was that for, Hiiragizawa?" Tomoyo demanded.
"I was simply proving my charisma to you since you refused to acknowledge the fact that you are attracted to me." Eriol replied breezily, but underneath the pretense, he was a nervous wreck.
[Do I like her?? Yes! No!!!! No! I do not like her!!! Yes I do! No!!! Yes, actually, I do like her, that's why I followed her in the first place, instead of following Syaoran...and also the reason I kissed her...but is this feeling for real? Or is it merely a crush? Wait. Does she like me in the first place?]
Looking at her closely, he found the answer and smirked. [She feels something for me too. At least it is mutual, but it'll be like getting Syaoran to admit that he actually enjoys my company despite his annoyance with me to get Tomoyo to confess that she likes me. Well, no matter. I'll win her over no matter what.]
Her face hot, Tomoyo immediately denied it furiously, "No I don't! I definitely do NOT find you attractive!!"
Eriol grinned. She was lying.
"Really??" Eriol asked, an immoral gleam in his eyes, "Then, why did you kiss me back?? And why are you blushing now??"
"I...I, I...I" Tomoyo stuttered.
"Face it. You enjoyed the kiss." Eriol said, not bothering to contain his glee or hide his sinful grin.
"I...I...It was just physical attraction... Nothing else... Definitely nothing else..." Tomoyo muttered, her face now a deep shade of cherry red.
Eriol heard that and his grin grew even wider. He knew that she had not intended for him to hear that part.
Continuing wickedly, he added, "Or perhaps you need more convincing."
"NO!" Tomoyo gasped in horror but it was too late. When she raised her head, Eriol had immediately captured her lips in a kiss.
Eriol wrapped his arms around her tightly, drawing her closer until her body was pressed against his.
Tomoyo let out an involuntary gasp.
Tomoyo suddenly became dizzy and her knees felt weak. She was glad of Eriol's strong arms around her as she would have fallen to the floor if he wasn't holding her up.
Suddenly, Eriol's comforting warmth was removed from her and she almost cried out in despair.
Eriol's breath came in gasps and he raked his fingers through his navy blue hair.
"I'm sorry," Eriol apologized. His voice was low and husky with barely suppressed emotions. "I hadn't meant for it to go this far."
Tomoyo nodded weakly, dazed.
With that, both of them swung the door open simultaneously and rushed out, running in opposite directions.
Both of them slammed the door after running to their rooms, a loud sound sounding down the hall, united.
Tomoyo's back was against her door and Eriol had thrown himself onto his bed.
Both of them were breathing quickly and desperately trying to calm themselves down with no effect.
Each were trying to sort out their jumbled mess of thoughts and emotions and were also trying very hard not to think of the other.
Both were failing terribly.
Each were thinking of the other and a sweet smile crept up onto their faces unconsciously as their eyes shone with newfound love.
"Eriol..." "Tomoyo..." Both of them sighed, smiling dreamily. KAWAII!!!
*^*^*^*^* Sakura and Syaoran
Syaoran had tried to catch up with Sakura but she was so fast and familiarized with the woods that he could only manage to keep the girl in his sight.
There was only one way he could catch up with her.
Frowning in concentration, Syaoran called upon his magic and sensed where she was heading next.
Smirking, he cut across her path and before her mind could process what was happening, Syaoran Li had grabbed a solid hold on her wrist.
Sakura shot him a death-glare and veered to her right sharply, trying to wrench her wrist away from his unyielding iron grip.
She almost succeeded. *Almost*
Her unbelievable strength amazed him and he only barely managed to hold on to her because of the earliest lessons taught to him to train his grip. He silently thanked all his trainers who had given him numerous cuts and an infinite amount of bruises just to teach him one single thing - never drop your weapon. It was only because of those lessons that he was able to hold onto the struggling girl.
Syaoran smiled, wry amusement reflected in his ocher eyes. [Who would have thought that the frail and delicate princess could possibly hold such strength and power.]
Syaoran found that he was rather enjoying the feel of Sakura's wrist and held on firmly.
Suddenly, Sakura pivoted around, swinging her right leg up and out in a powerful high kick to Syaoran's neck which would have crushed his collarbone on impact.
Syaoran's defenses immediately kicked in and he dodged and jumped back, forced to release her hand.
Sakura smirked and started attacking him in earnest, using a combination of punches and kicks.
[She is fast.] Syaoran thought, smiling as he blocked her moves again and again. [But I'm even faster.]
With that, he caught her leg in the middle of her kick and twisted it around forcefully ouch, that must hurt , intending to make her fall. He saw a flicker of surprise and grudging respect in Sakura's sea-green eyes when he caught her in the middle of her attack.
However, Sakura was not to be defeated so easily. Instead of falling, Sakura spun her body in mid-air and did an elegant triple-flip, landing a distance away from Syaoran on her feet gracefully, without appearing to break a sweat.
Syaoran smiled. This battle was going to be a tough one.
Both of them circled each other, eyeing the opponent warily, anticipating his/her next move.
In a flash, Sakura suddenly lunged at Syaoran, sweeping her leg out and around to trip him up as she aimed her clenched fist at Syaoran's stomach, intending to knock the air out of him which would earn her a few minutes but Syaoran was too fast for her.
Intercepting her sweeping leg, he leaped up and grabbing a sturdy branch, he swung his legs in a kick to her head with such force that if it hit, Sakura would be knocked out cold.
By her excellent reflexes and years of training, she ducked under his sweeping leg and delivered a searing blow to Syaoran's cheek.
Caught by surprise, Syaoran released the branch, dropping onto his feet as his head jerked back at the impact of her fist to his cheek.
He barely flinched.
He somehow managed to keep up his calm composure.
Sakura struck out mercilessly as she continued to deliver vicious blows without stopping, relentless in her attack.
Syaoran dodged and blocked his fiancée and student's violent blows with the ease of a well-trained fighter.
Sakura continued her assault with the air of a murderer dead-set on killing her victim.
Syaoran smirked. In one fast movement, he grabbed her hand firmly and twisted it behind her, forcing her to turn her back to her. He caught her other free hand swiftly and wrenched it behind her.
Syaoran heard a sharp intake of breath from Sakura. He had efficiently disabled her temporarily.
"Give up?" he taunted her, smirking triumphantly.
"Never!" Sakura said defiantly.
A sudden tenseness in her left leg warned him that she was about to lash out with her foot and hooking his leg around hers, he knelt down in one sharp movement, forcing Sakura down to the ground, trapping her limbs and struggling body as Sakura stifled a cry of pain.
Sakura was held down, defenseless.
A soft and menacing growl escaped from her throat. "Release me." she said through gritted teeth.
"No." he smirked.
Slowly, Sakura turned her head around as best as she could in this uncomfortable and utterly humiliating position.
Syaoran found himself looking into Sakura's eyes which had turned into a scorching shade of dark green. Sakura's stormy green eyes were snapping in fury as she stared back at Syaoran, her bottom lip curled up in defiance. Her fiery green eyes were burning like hot coals, boring holes into him. "Let. Go."
To Sakura's outrage, Syaoran appeared unaffected by her furious glare, continuing to smirk, serving only to infuriate the silently fuming girl further, adding fuel to the fire.
Sakura refrained from yelling out all the obscenities and profanities she had heard the palace guards use. Barely.
Suddenly, something in Syaoran shifted and he was gazing at her in a different way as a fierce and unknown emotion surfaced in his amber eyes.
For a strange and unknown reason, her heart started to thump wildly and Sakura suddenly found it hard to breathe as she felt a tingle run up her spine.
With great effort and will, Sakura tore her eyes away from his burning gaze.
He released her.
Slowly, both of them stood up, Sakura eyeing Syaoran warily with an air of mistrust. Ha! She doesn't know how right she is. *evil grin* See what's coming up next
Syaoran suddenly took a step towards her, closing in the distance between them.
un-oh
In one swift movement, Syaoran pulled Sakura into a warm embrace.
Sakura braced herself against his chest, trying futilely to ignore the loud pounding of her heart and the comforting warmth of Syaoran's body against hers.
Sakura couldn't meet his amber eyes.
"What are you doing?!" Sakura protested violently, trying to escape his firm grasp.
However, Syaoran had no intention of letting her go just yet.
Sliding cool fingers under her chin, he firmly lifted her face up, leant down and kissed her softly.
Stunned, Sakura did nothing but to let it happen.
After the kiss ended, the two of them just stood there in each other's arms, staring at the other intently.
Finally realizing what had taken place, Sakura shoved him away violently.
"That's enough, Li Syaoran!! First, you and your cousin barge into my home grounds! Then, you eavesdropped on our conversation! After that, you used unauthorized magic! Then you trespassed in this forbidden grounds, entering this forest! You disturb my peace and now THIS!!! I've stood more than enough!! SYAORAN LI, YOU'RE GOING DOWN!!!"
A shimmering gold sword appeared in the trembling girl's hand and she started slashing at Syaoran expertly, in a blind fury.
Syaoran immediately summoned his sword and started fighting back.
[She fights with style and grace, not slaughtering brutally like a butcher. Her skill is undoubted.] Syaoran admired the strong girl and fierce knight.
"Wait." Syaoran said, holding a hand up. "I have authorized permission to be in the Kinomoto Kingdom and your father, King Fujitaka had requested me to escort you wherever you go and it was a public conversation."
The furious girl looked ready to tear him into shreds.
"I suggest that we settle our differences in a destined time and place. A duel."
When Sakura made no reply, Syaoran continued, "12 midnight tonight. If I win this one, you have to return to the Li Kingdom with me. If you emerge victorious, you can do whatever you want to me, which I believe is to beat the crap out of me if I had not interpreted wrongly."
Sakura ground her teeth. The truth was she didn't have the patience to wait this long.
She wanted to kill him there and then.
"Unless you're afraid to lose." Syaoran said, smirking. He knew perfectly well that that would get to her pride.
"I'M NO LOSER!!! I ACCEPT YOUR CHALLENGE!!!" Sakura yelled as red, hot rage
and fury filled her.
"And you'll regret it." Syaoran stated calmly, a gleam in his confident ocher eyes.
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Winged Guardian: Well, well. Wonder who'll emerge triumph in the duel.
Please review and hope you enjoyed reading my fanfic!
Winged Guardian
Heart_given_Wings@hotmail.com