Hey, I'm probably going to continue with this story, since I like it so much. This is my edited version, where I changed the Kinomotos back into Japanese people. I'm just writing and there isn't a basic plot. Thanks to all the reviewers who reviewed my last chapter, even though it wasn't many!!! I'm expecting a lot more!!!
The Amber Eyed Gladiator: Forbidden Games
By: Sakuratenshi89
Chapter Two
Emperor's Palace, Tokyo, Japan, 85 A.D.
"Princess, I can't put the dress on right if you keep on moving around like that," sighed Chiharu as she was helping the princess get ready for the banquet that night.
"Really, Sakura, Chiharu is only trying to help, so stop moving!" exclaimed a voice.
The princess turned around and saw a beautiful girl with laughing violet eyes and shining amethyst grey hair.
"Tomoyo!!" she shouted. "I can't believe you're here!! Daddy didn't tell me you were coming."
Her cousin giggled, "It was supposed to be a surprise, Sakura."
Sakura laughed, "Well it really is. I'll bet I know why you're up here."
Tomoyo looked at her innocently, "Oh, you do?"
"You're here to save me from being a total disaster, specifically a fashion disaster," said Sakura sadly.
"You know me too well," laughed Tomoyo. "Brighten up Sakura, by the time I'm done with you, you'll be the prettiest girl at the banquet."
"Thanks," smiled Sakura.
"Chiharu, you may leave now," said Tomoyo.
Chiharu bowed and left Sakura's room.
"Now, let me see." Tomoyo circled around Sakura, inspecting the formal light pink robes she had on. "I like it, but it needs a bit more here and there. And your hair!"
"What about it?" asked Sakura, touching her hair nervously.
"We need to put it up!"
"Oh, well okay, I'll just go call…"
"No, no, I'll do it!"
"But what about you Tomoyo? Don't you need to get ready for the ball?"
"I already have everything I need to do planned out," said Tomoyo. "I plan ahead."
"Yeah, sometimes too far ahead," muttered Sakura.
"What was that?" asked Tomoyo suspiciously.
"Nothing," Sakura smiled innocently.
Tomoyo rolled her eyes.
"All right, I was just saying that you need to live a little and loosen up. You shouldn't plan so much."
"You mean become like you?" asked Tomoyo, Sakura nodded. "Become a free spirit?"
Sakura nodded once again. "Life's too short, live it while you can."
"But you still need to plan every once in a while, you know," stated Tomoyo. "It doesn't hurt to think ahead."
"Yes it does," said Sakura stubbornly. "If you think ahead too much it will."
Tomoyo sighed, exasperated with her cousin. "We don't have time to argue, you better get ready, I think that guests are all ready arriving by this time."
"I really could care less," came the quiet reply. "Daddy is doing this because he wants me to find a suitable husband, and he assumes that I will find one at this banquet."
"And he is wrong?"
"Yes," said Sakura tersely. "What makes you think that any of the men at this banquet are here because they actually want to meet me? I'll bet if I looked real ugly they wouldn't come anymore unless daddy raised my dowry and the benefits of marrying me. They all come because I'm the princess, and they come because they think I'm pretty."
"But you are pretty," insisted Tomoyo.
"No I'm not," said Sakura mournfully. "Not like mother was, I'm just plain."
"Look at yourself in the mirror," demanded Tomoyo.
Sakura did so, but reluctantly.
"How can you say that you aren't pretty? You have the most unusual color eyes, green, they sparkle like emeralds, tell me that they aren't pretty. Your hair is like silk and when I run my hands through it, it slips through my fingers like water. But looks aren't everything. And I would be telling a lie if I said that your personality wasn't the most beautiful part of you," said Tomoyo.
Sakura gave Tomoyo a weak smile, "Now I know why you're my best friend."
"Why?"
"Because you see the best in me, you don't care that I'm the emperor's daughter, or that I'm rich, you like me for me."
"That's right," said Tomoyo. "You better believe that I like you for you."
"I'm looking for a man who loves me for the same reason why you love me as your friend," said Sakura. "My chances of finding him are slim to none. For all I know, he might not even be living in Japan, he might not even speak the same language as I do."
"But you speak many languages Sakura," said Tomoyo gently. "I know that you will find the one who is out there for you. I am sure of it. You will know whom he is when the time comes, and I will try to help as much as possible. After all, what are best friends for?"
"Thanks Tomo," said Sakura, hugging her friend tightly, wiping away her tears that had begun to fall at the beginning of Tomoyo's speech about her beauty.
"Now let's get you ready for the banquet shall we?" asked Tomoyo, handing Sakura a handkerchief, which she took gratefully.
Sakura nodded, smiling.
Journey Back to Japan, 85 A.D.
Syaoran sighed heavily as they continued marching on. They had been walking nonstop for two days. Some of the captives just couldn't handle it, so they died on the road and were left to be eaten by wild animals. Others were just so weak that they were left to die by the orders of Touya Kinomoto, the captain of the Japanese army.
He scowled; they were a merciless and ruthless people. Killing people seemed to be just an everyday occurrence for them. They seemed to enjoy it too, which was just sickening.
"We don't enjoy war," said a voice quietly from beside Syaoran.
Startled, Syaoran turned and saw the captain himself, Touya, riding his horse beside him. He remained silent.
"Nobody enjoys killing, we do it for our country. Not all of us are bad people Li. We conquer other nations because we can, and because we are able to help them in their terrible state. Also we kill because it is our duty to protect the people, and defend our country," said Touya quietly.
"Why are you talking to me?" asked Syaoran suspiciously.
"Because I had nothing better to do," Touya said in a surprisingly light tone. "And I felt that you could use a bit of company, seeing how lonely you were down the line, all by yourself, without anyone to talk to you."
Syaoran looked at him skeptically.
"You want the truth?" asked Touya.
He nodded.
"Well the truth is, Li, I find you to be very interesting, you intrigue me," Touya said truthfully. "You are one of the few people who are very well educated and can actually hold an interesting conversation."
"What about that general who caught me?"
"Oh Yukito?" asked Touya, nodding towards the grey haired general. "He's great overall, but he can be dense when it comes to a few things."
Syaoran glanced at the grey haired man who they where speaking of. Come to think of it, he did look a little bit out there, as if he weren't from this world. He almost had a magical look about him. That was impossible though, the only people who knew magic were…it couldn't be, it just wasn't possible.
"Oh, so you sense it too hmm?"
Syaoran gave a slight jump, knocking him from his thoughts; he had completely forgotten that Touya was there.
"Sense what?" asked Syaoran gruffly.
"You know what I'm talking about," said an amused Touya.
Syaoran shook his head.
"Don't play innocent with me, I know that you know that I'm talking about…magic."
'Wait,' thought Syaoran. 'If he knows about magic and can feel that aura around Yukito, then that means…'
It was then that Syaoran felt a burst of dark blue, almost black aura in the atmosphere. How could he have been so stupid? Obviously these men were very well trained and could hide their auras. Hiding the aura was a sign of great strength and ability. Only, how…
"I'll bet you're wondering how I was able to know that you have an aura," said Touya.
Syaoran gaped at him. It was as if he read his mind.
"I can't read minds," said Touya calmly, while inside he was laughing at the man, "The question was written all over your face. You shouldn't make your questions so obvious."
Syaoran scowled at the smug looking captain, making him smirk.
"If you really want to know how I found out, well let's just say I did some extensive research on the Li family, and I know who you really are, to tell you the truth, I know basically everything there is to know about you."
Syaoran panicked. "You can't tell them who I really am…"
Touya held his hand up, silencing the prisoner. "I won't, I am the only one who knows who you really are, and I'm not about to go around telling everyone."
"Thank you," said Syaoran quietly.
The two men remained silent, but in their hearts, they knew that there was a bond beginning to form, the bond of friendship that would be everlasting, no matter how stubborn they were, and how much they would try and deny it, they had a bond of eternal friendship.
Emperor's Palace, Tokyo, Japan, 85 A.D.
"Where is that girl?" muttered the emperor, who sat on his throne, giving a smile to everyone who passed by him. "I told her that she was supposed to be here before the guests arrive, and what does she do to me? She comes after all the guests have arrived, actually she's not even here yet!"
"Uncle Fujitaka?" came an excited voice.
Fujitaka looked up and saw his niece, Tomoyo Daidouji, and smiled warmly, "Hello Tomoyo, how are you today?"
"I'm doing great Uncle," said Tomoyo. "Sakura will be down in a few minutes."
Fujitaka smiled again, she had answered his question before it had even come out from his mouth. "Thank you Tomoyo, my, you just read my mind."
"I could tell by your face," laughed Tomoyo.
A hush spread over the banquet.
"She's here," smiled Tomoyo.
'Why can't they just go on with whatever they're doing?' thought Sakura as she walked down the path to her father, all the while self-conscious of her appearance as every person in the room stared at her. 'I'm just the princess; they don't have to stare at me as if I'm an alien or something. Don't these people have any sense of respect? They're making me really nervous.'
Sakura finally reached her father, much to her relief. She took her place next to her father, on his left. The seat to his right would be empty, and would be for a while.
"Let the feast begin!" announced Fujitaka as he stood up. "Enjoy!"
The guests cheered and they sat down and began feasting upon the many delicacies and fancy dishes that were placed before them.
Tomoyo sat on Sakura's left so Sakura would feel more comfortable, seeing as they were the only two women their age.
A tall, good-looking youth stood up and cleared his throat to get the attention of everyone in the room, and when he had it, he began to speak, his dark blue eyes focused on Sakura the entire time. "Let's give a toast to the emperor Fujitaka, may he live long, and to his beautiful daughter, the princess Sakura, may she also live long and find a suitable husband!" He raised his wine cup as a toast; the others followed him, drinking to their emperor and princess.
"That is Paulus Julianus the second," whispered Tomoyo to Sakura. "He's a very decent man from what I've heard about him. He's also very rich and handsome, he's the heir to the Roman throne."
"Tomoyo, not you too," moaned Sakura quietly. "I thought you were on my side."
"I am," said Tomoyo. "I'm just telling you that."
"I can find out by myself," said Sakura. "But thanks for the background information Tomo."
Tomoyo smiled and went back to her dinner. 'I know you'll find the one you love one day, and I'll help you, even if it kills me.'
Journey Back to Japan, 85 A.D.
"You know, we could really use a break," said Syaoran, grinding his teeth to keep the pain in his legs from getting to him.
"You're the only one who's said that so far," commented Touya lightly.
"And you know why," hissed Syaoran. "It's because they're all afraid to come up to you and tell you that we need to take a break from all this walking. Yes, even your friend Yukito. So I'm telling you now: we need to stop walking right now and take a break."
"I'm not tired. Plus I don't think we should stop until we reach the shore where we docked our ships."
Syaoran rolled his eyes. "Are you trying to make me strangle you, or are you just stupid?"
"You wouldn't strangle me, not with my soldiers around, ready to strike you down at any second," smirked Touya.
"You're riding a horse," Syaoran ignored Touya's comment. "We aren't, of course you aren't tired."
Touya laughed sheepishly. "That's true isn't it?"
This comment made Syaoran sweatdrop; obviously the captain wasn't as bright as he had thought.
"All right, we're resting here for tonight," announced Touya as the army marched into a clearing with the prisoners of war.
Loud happy but tired cheers were heard from the crowd. Shouts of "Finally!" and "Thank you!" could be heard.
"What'd I tell you?" said a smug Syaoran. "I told you they were tired."
Touya scowled. "Shut up. If I didn't admire you so much, I'd strangle you right now."
They watched as the other soldiers and prisoners set up the camp before Touya set up his own tent with the help of Syaoran.
Syaoran sighed heavily as he finally got a fire going and he plopped down on a log next to it, holding his hands near the fire, trying to gather some heat.
Touya got out from his tent and sat down across from Syaoran and watched the prisoner try to warm himself. He kept silent, but watched him thoughtfully before speaking, "Do you ever miss them?"
Syaoran, startled, glanced up and looked at Touya, confused. "Miss who?"
"Your family."
"Of course I miss them, but I was taught to be able to live without them, why are you asking?"
"I was just wondering, you don't really seem like the family type of guy, you know, one who's married and has kids. Because if you were, I was just thinking, you would have been more, well difficult. You would have asked to say goodbye to your wife and kids or something."
"I'm only eighteen, you seriously think I would be married and have kids?" asked Syaoran, horrified.
"You're only eighteen?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Nothing, it just seems like you would be older, being the captain of the Chinese army and all," muttered Touya. "You're only two years older than the kaijuu, to think."
"I know, I'm young for a captain, but what can I say, I was the best out there," said Syaoran, then he asked, "Who's kaijuu, if I'm not mistaken, that means monster?"
"You're right, it does mean monster, but it's just my nickname for her."
"Okay," said Syaoran. "You're not really being anymore specific. I'd like to know who this 'her' is."
"Well not until you tell me who you really are."
"I already said I'm the captain of the Chinese army, what more could you want?"
"You aren't just the captain of the Chinese army, are you?"
Syaoran knew this question was coming from before. But his tan face still paled a little before regaining it's natural light bronze color, he then asked Touya calmly, too calmly to Touya's liking, "How would you know who I really am?"
"I'm not completely stupid," said Touya with his eyes narrowed. "I know royalty when I see them, plus I've studied Chinese history, I think I've told you, and your surname is in there. We like to keep things up to date, so Li is the most recent royal family name we have. And according to our record keepers, Xiao Lang Li is the Prince of China, heir to the throne. Syaoran is the name you give us because it is your Japanese name."
"So, you know who I am. Does anyone else know?"
"No, just me. But I have a few questions I'd like to ask, Prince Xiao Lang."
"You can call me Syaoran."
"All right then, Syaoran," said Touya, stressing his name. "What I'd like to know is why you left when us when you're the only heir to the throne."
"It's kind of a long story."
"Well I have all the time in the world then, you said the men were tired, I could give them longer time to rest."
Syaoran sighed before speaking, "Well you know I have magic. I am part of the Li Clan, or you could say the royal family of China. The Li Clan is run by the Li Elders, made up of the wisest and usually the eldest men in the Clan, they have total rule over everything, but of course my mother, the current ruler gets the final say in most situations. There has been this saying in my family for generations that one day 'To this family will one of the most powerful sorcerers in the world be born.' My family was losing hope when no son had been born to my mother. So it was a shock when I was born to her, she would have never thought that after having four girls, she would finally receive a boy, me.Another thing about me shocked everyone. My aura was nothing like anything the Elders had ever seen, it seemed endless to them. It was amazing, from that moment on, they knew I would be very powerful. They knew that I was the one in the saying. And about me being the only heir to the throne, my mother is still able to run it, and if she isn't able, then my eldest sister can run it for me until I return home."
"What if you never return home?"
"Then my eldest nephew will. The Elders will be rather disappointed though, because they knew that I would be a great asset to the Li clan, with the magic I have, all my children and the generations to come would have magic. Right now, very few people in the Li clan have magic. I was raised to be the perfect Chinese emperor and Li clan leader, and losing me would be a great loss to my family."
"So you're basically going to be one of the most powerful magicians in the world?"
Syaoran nodded slowly. "I will have unlimited power, supposedly. I don't quite remember the saying."
"Well, what kind of magic are we talking about?"
"I don't know," shrugged Syaoran. "All I can do right now is summon up the elements and I can do a bit of other things. But I'm assuming it's the kind of stuff like with a flick of my hand a whole town sets aflame, or something like that."
"Oh," was all the stunned captain had to say.
"Don't worry, I wouldn't set your country aflame, even though I should. But maybe a thanks is needed, because this really is the start of my journey. So I guess I'm thanking you for capturing me, I would've never started my journey, if you hadn't come and invaded China and took me as a prisoner."
"Okayy," said Touya, glancing at Syaoran strangely. This guy was seriously strange. Who would thank their captor for capturing them?
Syaoran smirked. "Having some trouble digesting all that information I just gave you? If you need some help, I would gladly help you, captain."
Touya growled, even though he knew that Syaoran was just teasing. "You better shut that mouth of yours right now Li."
"I wasn't going to say anything else anyway," shrugged Syaoran. "I have something else I need to take care of before we go even further."
A/N: The next chapter probably won't be up for a while; I still need to do some editing.