Hello again! Long time to update, say bye-bye! I'm almost reaching my vacation, so I'll hopefully have enough time to write now! I know everyone says that, but it's not my fault these things happen to me too!
But the wait will be paid off: from this chapter on, the real stuff begins! I'm not saying much more so as not to give in anything, but one thing I'll tell you, this chap is EXTRA big! (take it as an apology for taking this long to update )
Oh, yeah, and a warning note: Sakura uses The fly in this chapter like she used to on the first season, which means transforming her staff; if she can give herself wings, I'm sure she can just make the staff get them like she previously did too!
Without further delay, here we go!
THE LI GUARDIANS
Chapter 7 – THE DANGER
Syaoran slept soundly until the next day, a Sunday. When he finally did wake up, it was almost lunch time, which was why, as he found out later, that Sakura was not in the room he had been sleeping in, but in the kitchen instead, making some ramen for him.
When she came in with a tray, he eyed her questioningly while raising to sit on the bed. She simply told him told him he'd slept for more than 24 hours and it was time he ate. Syaoran made a face, replying he'd gain at least 10 kg if they kept feeding him like that, but the girl only smiled and put the tray with the food on the bedside table, stopping a moment to look down at him pitifully.
"At least he looks a bit better." She thought to herself. "Yesterday he looked so drained and tired, it was stamped on his features. I hope things turn out well, he doesn't deserve this!"
Syaoran noticed this and reached out for his girlfriend, getting her hand in his, settling it on the left side of his chest once he'd gently forced her to sit beside him, her head lowered so that the bangs covered her emerald pools. "I have an idea of what you're thinking, Sakura." He began, placing his other hand under her chin, raising her head eye-level to him, a serene expression on his face. "Can you feel it? My heartbeat? Sakura, it's still here... I'm still here! Please, don't make that face to me... I hate seeing you like this, with that sadness and all that worry. We'll make it through this, Sakura, because I want to be with you... ALWAYS! So please, smile for me; bless me with that pretty face of yours that was able to melt the ice around my heart and make it beat with the passion your own hand is feeling now."
The hand which had been holding her chin was by then crawling up her face and stopping at her cheek, where his thumb wiped the few tears that were falling.
Sakura just couldn't help it; her free hand met his soothing one, gently squeezing it, a sweet smile on her face as she whispered a quick, but meaningful "Hai!" and gave a slight nod in understanding, to which he smiled.
Silently, Yami and Suuki watched everything from the barely closed door.
The rest of the Sunday went by without much commotion. Sakura dropped by her house to get a new set of clothes, since she still had on her uniform and the other clothes she'd used two days ago was a bit... sweaty deciding she was going to stay with Syaoran until he was back to his normal conditions, or at least until the end of the day. Of course, her father had his doubts, but decided to allow it, knowing, or at least trusting, that Syaoran would be respectful. Her brother, however, was seriously determined not to allow such a thing, but Sakura ignored him, knowing her boyfriend's situation was far more a priority than Touya's consent, with which she'd deal later. Gathering her stuff, she hurried back to the Li Guardians' apartment; where Syaroan would stay in order to have more safety to recover his health and strength; leaving a furious older sibling at the front door.
When she arrived, Suuki and Yami were seriously arguing with their "creator" about going or not to school the following day, but Syaoran made it clear he was not going to miss school because of hypothesis. Both Li Guardians gave up eventually, not being their nature discuss for long with their master.
After dropping her things in the room she and Syaoran would be staying in, the couple went out for a walk in the neighborhood; even though they knew it wasn't a smart thing to do, but the Li heir was not going to run or hide, as he put it, besides... he needed fresh air... and also some time to reflect too.
After another pointless argument, Suuki and Yami once more gave in, but silently agreed to follow the couple in secret.
And unknowingly to all four, someone else was following too...
At the park in which they stopped, Sakura turned to look at the boy, silently inviting him to sit under a large tree and enjoy its shade. Syaoran immediately accepted, grasping her hand and leading both towards it. As soon as they reached its roots, the chocolate-haired boy abruptly slumped on the grass, laying his back on the ground and his head over his folded arms. Slowly, he closed his eyes and started to drift away just before feeling a little weight on his stomach, to which he unknowingly smiled, recognizing his girlfriend's head laying there.
Sakura looked at the sleeping face, admiring both his amazingly handsome features and his courage to be able to sleep with such a peaceful and carefree face despite everything that was happening to him.
"I have to protect him! Syaoran-kun, I really love you! You probably don't even just how much I do! I wouldn't be able to live anymore if I lost you! Please... keep yourself alive!" Were the thoughts that ran through her mind.
And as she concentrated on the rise of his well-built chest, before it had fallen back to its original level again, she had already drifted away too.
While the silent chestnut-haired couple slept peacefully, another voiceless one carefully watched over the first from another tree not so far away; but all four of them were unaware of another being observing them.
Syaoran offered to accompany her home, since it was Sunday after all and she was due to be there that day, even if she did want to stay with him more, so Sakura decided she'd accept and they walked in silence all the way there, enjoying each other's presence and the rare night, the only exchange or words being a simple question and mischievous answer.
"Sakura, are you going to leave your clothes and things at my apartment, or would you like me to bring them tomorrow? I'm OK with either, it's your choice really."
"Oh, that. It's OK, you don't have to worry about that, Syaoran-kun." She said with a wink and a mysterious smile on her face, to which he gave a confused look, but when she didn't reply to it, they dropped the subject and continued their silent walking.
Once they arrived, Sakura knocked on the door and Touya opened it, not looking too happy that she was late and even less that she had been with Syaoran, but inwardly, he was grateful he had walked her back home. Never minding all this, the girl just went past him and told Syaoran to come in and sit down while waiting, which he did, although not knowing what he was waiting for, while she went up to her room. Touya sighed and closed the door before sitting besides the Chinese boy on the couch.
By the time Sakura came back down 13 minutes later, a backpack in her hands, the brother and the boyfriend were dangerously glaring at each other. The tension could be felt in the air, so she just decided to get it over wit hand tell them of her resolution.
"Oniichan, watashi wa Syaoran-kun to isshou ni iku yo (Brother, I'm going with Syaoran-kun)." The chestnut-haired girl said, sweetly, but firmly, showing no signs of hesitation or room for argument.
With a smile on her face, she looked at both of them: Touya was about to have a rage attack, he was fuming! And poor Syaoran couldn't be any redder...
After a few seconds passed and her words finally sank in, both of them immediately raised from their seats, for the first time being able to say something in unison...
"NANI (WHAT)?!"
To that, she only smiled even more before replying. "I'm going to spend some time at his apartment, so... jya na (bye bye)!"
The imouto (little sister) gave a little bow to Touya and then, linking her arm around Syaoran's, who was still practically paralyzed from the surprise and shock, she dragged him through the door and closed it behind them, hastily calling upon her staff to use The Fly, thus avoiding an angry brother's rage as they soared through the sky, leaving Touya's angry shouts behind.
When they were flying, Syaoran sitting behind her, Sakura started laughing, and eventually, he soon did too. Once the fit died down, he leaned in closer, his cheek caressing hers in a sign of gratitude and affection. The girl only smiled, accepting and enjoying the simple contact.
Taking his hands off the staff, he enveloped her body in his strong embrace, and they flew for hours more above a silent city...
On the next morning, the alarm clock gave its daily 6am cry, immediately waking up the sleeping couple that laid hugged on a green bed. They smiled to each other and took turns using the bathroom, both coming out of the bedroom 20 minutes later, uniforms and all, ready for breakfast.
As they sat at the table, one's eyes searched the other's, seeking comfort, and then, as if the moment was planned, they simultaneously reached out their hands touching the other's, before a simple smile was shared. It took quite a while for them to began eating, at which point the Li Guardians came in and joined them in the morning meal.
To avoid any suspicions, the chestnut-haired couple parted before the school was at view, Sakura first, Syaoran a few minutes later.
When the boy was finally able to "dismiss" his worried fans, who had heard that he disappeared on Saturday, all of the students were already in class. He and his secret girlfriend exchanged glances, and then Syaoran headed to his seat. Of course, almost no one saw the looks between them, but Tomoyo not only noticed, but pretty much guessed something had happened. Giving Sakura her sweet questioning smile, she mutely asked the emerald-eyed girl what had she missed.
Sakura, immediately understanding that her the long-haired girl had already picked up that something between her and Syaoran had happened, turned an interesting shade of red the moment she remembered the facts, but, lowering her voice so that only her best friend could hear, she answered.
"Watashi to Syaoran-kun wa... isshou ni nemureta (Syaoran and I... slept together)." She whispered and, embarrassed, lowered her head so that the chestnut bangs covered her green eyes, but even so Sakura saw Tomoyo's widen. "Don't misunderstand me, Tomoyo-chan! Sleep together, that was it! Nothing more!" She added, struggling to keep her voice down.
At this, the lavender-eyed girl nodded in understanding, sorrow overcoming her for not being able to record that sweet moment between her friends. Suddenly, a thought struck her mind and she risked a glance at the Li Guardians. By doing so, Tomoyo realized not only their worried faces, but their anguished looks toward their "master". "They must be really fond of Li-kun, but it's not love. Than again, he's in real danger, so it's natural that they're worried." She thought, gathering both the information her Sakura had told her on the phone the previous morning and what she was registering at that instant. "I'm glad Li-kun let Sakura-chan tell me all that. If she hadn't called yesterday, I'd be oblivious to all of this and if I did eventually find out, I know I'd be really sad. I'm sure Li-kun thought about that, otherwise he would surely have all the rights to deny Sakura-chan her request to let me in on this story and, of course, she would stick to his desires. Yappari Li-kun wa kawarimashita wa (I knew it, Li-kun's changed)! Youkatta desu wa (Thank goodness)!"
More thoughts in her mind as she looked from Syaoran to his guardians and back to him. A smile crossed her features as a last thought came to her before her attention was elsewhere focused.
"Sore to (And)... I'm glad this whole thing is bringing them closer and closer to each other!"
Right then, the teacher entered the classroom and after a quick speech, the Mathematics test began. It took Tomoyo and Syaoran only two thirds of an hour to complete their answers, Suuki and Yami quickly following, but Sakura her time to the last second of the 120 minutes. She sighed in relief as she finished... the test of her worst subject, after Physics, was finally over, and she didn't do half as bad as she thought she would.
In 30 minutes, the English and Japanese tests would begin.
Suuki and Yami asked for 10 minutes of that time with Syaoran, who, although not uninterested, accepted a little unwillingly. He followed the couple to the patio, the same one where Kurotsuki had attacked him on Saturday. There, the couple turned to face him, and the Li heir noticed the seriousness in their faces.
The girl, as usual, was the first to speak: "Syaoran-sama, how are you feeling?" She asked, although already knowing the answer.
Syaoran hesitated a bit before replying truthfully. "I've been better. My body is not functioning totally like it normally would, but it's not that bad anymore." {A.N.: Has it ever been? }
To this, both Li Guardians nodded, accepting the answer, but Suuki had to tell him something important, so she continued. "Youkatta desu (Thank goodness). Syaoran-sama, you know you're not very well, and you do know that you'll need at least two weeks to fully recover, don't you?" She asked. He nodded, and the the raven-haired girl continued. "Kedo, Kurotsuki wa sono toki made kitto matteimasen. Sore mo watashi wa Syaoran- sama ga wakarimasu to omoimasu (But Kurotsuki is surely not going to wait until then. I think you understand that too). He will attack as soon as he can, whenever he wishes, and that includes this very moment. Syaoran- sama, we just wanted to warn you so as not to be caught off-guard. Unfortunately we cannot avoid it coming to you, so this is the most we can do for now: warn you. Even so, be sure that we will not leave your side! We, your Li Guardians, will protect you with our own lives, the very same which were given to us by you when you were born. These lives that we hold are yours to do as you wish with them!" She finished and, by then, a determined look and tightly closed fists were worn by both of the Li Guardians. Syaoran was once more amazed by their loyalty.
Yami took a step closer and, taking his "master's" hand in his own, the dark-haired boy looked up to the oak-colored one's eyes, a simple request in a whisper escaping by his voice. "Ki o tsukemashite kudasai (Please take care)!" He pleaded; the Li heir nodded silently. Yami gave a thankful smile and, letting go of the other's hand, stepped back to his original place.
Syaoran was about to turn back and return to class, but a thought occurred to him. He looked again at the two, who were once more standing before him, hands on each of their sides as if waiting for a Commander's order. "I need to know something, Yami, Suuki."
"Hai. Nan desu ka, Syaoran-sama?" Yami asked.
"Do you go through all this for me, Syaoran, on your own free will, or do you go through it all for the Li heir, because you were ordered to? Please, I want the truth from your lips. Ki ni suru na, okottenai-kara (Don't worry, I won't get mad)." He asked them, looking straight in one's eyes then the other's.
The Li Guardians showed no signs of hesitation upon answering in perfect unison. "For you, Syaoran-sama; not only because you gave us our lives, which we use to serve you only, but because both of us have come to love you... for what you are your Li Guardians and your slaves, who will do whatever you want, from delivering messages to being sex toys, we'll do it happily, as long as it brings you satisfaction. That is our duty... and our will."
The chocolate-haired boy couldn't help but to look at them with admiration, and the next thing he knew, he had both of them in his arms, giving them a warm hug from the heart, surprising the Li Guardians. What made the couple happier, though, was the one simple word he said right after, but the word was said with such emotion, it was obvious it was a sincere heartily pronouncement, and because of that, he almost made them cry.
"Arigatou na, Yami, Suuki." Syaoran said it almost like a whisper, bringing both closer to himself.
Eventually, they parted... and Syaoran ran back to the room; the Li Guardians did the same when they recovered from the shocking, but pleasant, sensation of being hugged by him, also running back shortly after their "master".
None ever realized something else was watching everything...
Back to their classroom, Syaoran changed the subject when asked by everyone what the "lovers" wanted. In a short period of time, the teacher came back to begin the next tests, so everyone sat back in their seats.
The tests were handed out and, at precisely 10am, the teacher signaled for them to start.
Tomoyo finished in the record time of thirty-five minutes, while Syaoran was only half done. Even though Japanese wasn't exactly his favorite subject, it never really took him that long to finish its test. The problem was that he was worried... worried that his two Li Guardians might die in a feeble at attempt to protect him... and he definitely didn't want that.
Still focused on the matter, he never noticed a shadow coming at light speed in his direction from outside until it was practically by his side; even so, the boy was still able to dodge it, leaping out of his desk just as the black matter forcefully entered the room, breaking the window, shards of glass flying everywhere.
Everyone in the classroom quickly raised themselves from their own desks, most of them and running out not a second after Syaoran got up and yelled "Nigerou (run away)!" loudly; they didn't need to be told twice. The only ones that stayed were Sakura, Suuki and Yami, who stood beside the Li heir, and Tomoyo, who stood way behind them, knowing perfectly well this wasn't the kind of battle she could help win, due its danger; the less she stayed near, the safer she and the others would be.
The Li Guardians, the Li heir and the Sakura Cards wielder all were in their fighting stances; the first with his sword, the latter with her staff and cards already at hand; and only one thing in their minds:
"It's the last battle... and it's Syaoran-kun's/Syaoran-sama's/my life at risk. Therefore, winning is not only an option, it's an obligation."
END of CHAPTER SEVEN – THE DANGER
A.N.: I know, I know, I'm making Sakura cry a lot, but she IS a cry-baby, damn it! She cries all the time in the TV series and in the manga... and there goes Syaoran comfort her again and again! Argh! I should kill her, yeah! That's a good idea, I'll kill Sakura instead of Syaoran! Hahahahahahahaha!
And a poetic Syaoran is also a bit weird, but I thought it was irresistible, so I put it in the fic anyway!
One thing I noticed I better leave clear, just in case someone hasn't understood: Suuki Moriko is the abrasive one, Yami Kage is the sweet and caring, but quiet type. None speak much unless it has something to do with their "master".
Oh, yeah, we've now covered more than half of the chapters, but only approximately 2/5 of the story, so hold your horses 'cause we've still got a relatively long way to go!
"Next, on The Li Guardians: the final attack, the deaths of two important characters, Kurotsuki is coming back to this world! All this and more on Chapter 8 – The Sacrifices death warning! & another extra-large chapter warning!"
Please REVIEW and tell me what you think or inform me of any mistake I might have made (they happen whether we like it or not), whether it was ONE spelling mistake or varied incoherencies! Oh, and if you have any doubts, I'll gladly answer them, as long as it doesn't give the story away!
Loki: The more reviews, the faster she updates!
Syaoran: Unfortunately... ¬¬
Kai: Hey, at least you're alive! I'm in the middle of a dying process in "Different Lives"!
Kouichi: Thank goodness she hasn't started the Digimon Frontier fic yet...
Kai: Why? --?
Kouichi: Don't ask. ¬¬
Loki snickers
Syaoran/Kai/Kouichi: What? Oo?
Loki: She doesn't have any motivation to do a fic for me, at least not yet... ==
Syaoran: Lucky you. ¬¬
Let's leave the bickering characters alone... oO'''''
Syaoran-Lover aka KLKL (KouichiLokiKaiLi) signing out!