Hey! I'm back with a new chapter. I wonder why I'm writing this though since I had almost no reviews for the last chapter. At least I got some encouraging stats since I'm on the author alert of a couple of peeps and I'm on the fav author list of Wolf Jade. I thank you again you're review really surprised me! You actually took some time to read my bios even if it's so small I have to write more on that… I don't think I'm really into this like the other authors I have to make sure I don't loose interest in this at some point…And the fact that almost no one reviewed after 2 chaps doesn't really help. But anyhow, Wolf Jade you rock! You actually know where Benin is! And you did a project on it too! Lol must've been hard finding something to say on that place. Nothing ever happens there. At least they don't get all violent like the other African countries. I never actually really lived there. Heck, I wasn't even born there (I was born in Ivory Coast for those who know where that is.). You're the reason I'm even writing this right now… And don't worry pink-cherryblossoms1 I didn't forget you; thanks for reviewing too! I hope you'll keep on reading, I noticed that I'm kinda slowing the pace of this story a little too much. And ummm that's about it, on with the story!

The Heart of a Warrior

Li clenched his fists annoyed that he had been left sitting here alone for hours… It wasn't like he had time to lose anyways. The weird man had led to this river and had left without even saying a word. This man had dared to leave a prince of the Li Kingdom waiting like an idiot for him in some random wooded area!

Yes… a prince of the Li Kingdom, for all it was worth he thought bitterly. Its generals were so weak that he had to come this far to beg… Yes beg! For help from that eccentric buffoon, he had schemed to attack them last night and the young prince hadn't forgiven him for it yet. Yue…, he almost instantly thought, Yue had something to do with this man. The little pup he had grown so fond of seemed to be more than a little mutt after all. He had seen him following the man sticking to him as if he where his shadow. He wondered if this person was as strong as the legends said. After all, he had sent some weird spirit to do his biding… Had he lost his touch over the years…? He looked into the small river next to him, its clear waters rustled down a small fall in front of him… He sigh, he hadn't felt so serene in a long time. He had even almost forgotten how it felt to be at ease. When he sat here next to that river he felt like he had nothing to worry about, no Kinomotos to slay ,and no sister to rescue. The mention of his sister woke him from his trance.

"So much for the leisure time he said I needed…" He though miserably.

He wouldn't last long alone in these woods; he was already starting to think about things he shouldn't… He sigh suddenly he felt like this would be a long evening.

Somewhere near the unsuspecting prince, dark shadows observed him, following his every movements attentively. There were two shadows to be exact two beings that you readers had met before. Yue and Clow observed the prince sulking in the woods. They floated over him, discussing over trivial matters.

"He's stronger than I'd expected, a lot stronger." Clow said visibly excited.

"I still don't understand why you're so happy that this boy surpassed you Reed-sama…" Yue said indignantly

"I was tracked down because of my powers Yue-san. I had to flee from my own land and leave behind loved ones. I had to run to this Kingdom and be tempted by the devil (AN: I wonder if you get what I'm talking about here.). I had to wander in this realm for almost two centuries. There are so many reasons I could enumerate as to why this changes everything…I'm not the strongest magician of this world anymore, no one will need to come after my powers any longer. After I help this young man I'll truly be in peace. Left to live next to Yunaa's side forever…" He said whispering.

"Reed-sama…" Yue looked at his former master and creator. A nostalgic air surrounded him all of a sudden.

"Who is this wizard you told me about?" He said remembering their conversation the day before.

He snapped out of it and turned to look at his companion. He seemed lost for a second and finally picked up what the chibi-wolf had said. He smiled mysteriously and looked down at the prince.

"This is for you to find out and for me to keep unrevealed" He said grinning cheekily.

"Seems like you already forgot what was on your mind Reed-sama. Things never really change with you I guess." he said sighing

"Glad you think that way Yue-san, I'll do my best to train the boy and stop thinking of my sad past…" he said looking morose again.

"I wander sometimes why we know nothing of this part of your life Reed-sama. Did you really erase our memory of those moments or did you seal us before fleeing there. Even so… Why wouldn't you want us to know anything about it?" He thought grimly.

"Why the sour face Yue-kin (AN: A little kin from Tsubasa here )?" Clow said grinning.

"How much longer do you intend to toy with the prince Reed-sama?"

"As long as It'll take to make him crack." He looked at Yue to see his surprised expression.

"Don't worry, it's for his own good. He won't be able to control his energies if he can't even exteriorize his feelings correctly. We don't want to see him berserk again now do we?"

Yue shuddered at the thought. He wasn't sure he would be able to convince the prince's second self again.

"He needs to control his emotions or they might drive him to oblivion. He has too much power for us to risk losing him to the dark arts. The wizard would be more than pleased to have him on his side. We won't let that happen it wouldn't be fun…" Clow said looking at his right.

Yue intrigued looked in the same direction to see Kero and The second boy venturing into the forest. He hadn't sensed them after all. Keroberos was known to get distracted when he was hungry. He smirked looking at them running around the bushes trying to find tracks. He sure was out of it…

"Arrrghhhhhhhhh! Where are they! I'm getting restless here. I need to eat something before I go mad! Reed-sama promised he would cook for me!" Kero said wailing.

"Are you sure you're the mighty beast that attacked us yesterday. You sound more like a whining stuffed doll to me." Kensuke said watching the flying bear thrashing around him.

Hearing Kensuke insults, He turned around glared at he boy.

"Hey Gaki! Don't push your luck, the other brat saved your life last time but he won't be here to save you again if you push me!" He said dangerously

He flew at his eye level and engaged in a glaring contest with the equally ticked and hungry boy.

"Shut it teddy before I pluck out those wings of yours." He spat glaring back at the magic beast.

"Why you!" He said hammering his head with his small fists

Clow watched the scene a comical expression etched on his face. It had been a long time since he had company. He had forgotten how funny it was to live around others. He turned back to the guardian of the moon, who was looking too at the two a grave expression engraved on his features.

"He couldn't really forget his pain after all…He iss similar to the prince in so many ways" He though gazing at the frowning wolf.

"Yue-san I've been wondering for a while there…Why are you in this form? As far as I'm concerned, I didn't give you this appearance when I created you. You're so small… You look adorable and all but it seems as if you lost a big chunk of your powers to maintain this appearance."

"There's no real reason…I just felt like starting out with a new appearance, completely new. I needed too; I was starting to get restless. It's not a big deal I'll just take back my original form if something comes up." He answered, his expression switching to a nostalgic one.

"O…"

"…"

"Well let's get down there before Kero-kun completely flattens the boy." He joked trying to lighten the mood. Seeing that it had almost no effect on the Moon Guardian he descended stopping above the two fighters. He looked up to see his companion, still in deep thought. He sighed and flew to stop the fight.

"These three will need to forget about their personal problems if they are to work together…This Kensuke seems to be the only one who's actually focused on the task at hand. If only the other two were as reasonable."

"It's enough now you two! Behave for once, Kero-kun and let out friend Kensuke be…" He looked at the boy in question who stood gaping and watching him floating in the air.

"Are you surprised? I though that the rumors said that I was a ghost? Ghosts float or don't they?" The boy looked terrified, he scrambled backwards backing up against a tree.

"Gh-g-Ghost!" He stuttered.

"Yes…I am a ghost but don't worry child I'm not here do you any harm. Quite the contrary when I think about it…" He said looking thoughful

"Ha ha ha! You shut your yap now that you came face to face with the great Clow Reed! Look at him Reed-sama he looks like a gaping fish" Kero said pointing at the terrified boy.

"You're Clow Reed…" He whispered carefully. He got up and looked at the floating man. He didn't look that unusual…Except for the fact that he was floating that is. He looked normal enough with his long dark hair tied behind him and his mages robes. The teddy was flying next to him, smirking at him. He probably had fun. He could tell just by looking at his reaction. He suddenly heard something behind him. He turned around to see the prince's pup jumping out of a bush. He looked at them skeptically. He looked almost human sometimes, with those deep blue eyes…

"Yue! You're back I though you were lost. How did you find us? You have no idea how Li-sama will be happy to see you."

Keroberos was about to greet his friend when Clow signaled him to keep quiet. Kero looked at him puzzled. He wondered why he couldn't…He looked at his master pointing at something. He followed his sign to see the boy, Kensuke. His mouth formed into an o like shape as realization suddenly struck him. The boys didn't know about Yue's real identity. How had they named him then? Had he used his powers to influence them? Anyhow, Kero knew he wouldn't be able to keep this side of him secret for much longer…Considering the boy's power…Now that he thought of the boy, he wondered what the old wizard had in store for him. As if he read his mind, he turned around to smile at him. Sometimes he forgot that his old master had the power to read minds.

"Kero-kun, we'll start as soon as the boy's ready to face his inner demons. He seems to think that this training will help get rid of his fears and tears. And I'm sure that he'll realize that only himself can erase these memories or at least get over them."

"Reed-sama…"

"He'll be able to do it I'm sure of it! He has potential and the strong will. He'll pull through. It'll be his first test; if he has trouble getting over these hardships, I don't think he'll be able to face what I have in store for him next."

"I knew you'd say something like that Reed-sama! The brat will get to suffer will he? He'll pay for blasting me like he did yesterday!" Kero said smiling evilly

"Oh sure he will…" He said smiling back at the sun guardian.

Kensuke turned his attention back to the two hearing them cackle like two witches. He really wondered if they could trust this man…

"Where are they! I can't believe he dared to leave me here, a prey to my dark thoughts…" He sighed for the hundredth time of the day feeling them already creeping into his head. He tried to forget all he saw in that village that day and to cover the hatred he felt for the beasts who committed these crimes but he knew all too well that he had completely failed. He couldn't do anything about it now. He was completely under the control of his impulsions. And he had a cinch that the Old wizard knew about it. And he was sure he wouldn't let him train before he got rid of this problem.

"He didn't give anything to eat either. Or does he expect me to get food at the same time?" His stomach grumbled as if trying to confirm what he had just said.

"Maybe I was wrong to come here after all…I'm not learning anything here." He said forgetting his grumbling stomach.

He got up and walked towards the small river. At least he would get something to drink. He bent to his knees trying to take a sip of the clear waters but stopped abruptly when he saw his reflection in the water. He didn't know what he had sensed the moment he saw his reflection in the water but somehow, he felt like he had the answer to his questions…

"I get it now! If I am to become a warrior I'll need to start thinking like one. My mind must be pure and focused like these clear waters. My thoughts will need to be like this river flowing eternally always trying to find a new trail. I'll need to reflect the impurities in my heart like this water reflects my image. Old geezer I finally got it. You'll be forced to train me now!" He thought triumphantly.

"You really are impressive, Prince Xiao-Lang."

The prince surprised by this intruder, almost fell in the stream. He quickly turned around to get a good look at his new sensei. He still wore that irritating smirk on his face. He looked surprisingly young for a wizard two centuries old. He walked towards him and soon found himself right next to him. He ruffled his hair affectionately.

"You surprised me once again your highness. He didn't think you would figure it out so quickly." He said walking over to the river. He gestured him to follow his lead. The prince curious onto what the wizard had to teach him followed without questioning him. They walked along the river bank for a couple of minutes before he finally stopped and bent over peering at the river.

"Look at the river now…"

He did as he was told looking into the waters. At first he saw nothing. And then it struck him, he couldn't see his reflection into the water anymore!

"What is it, you look surprised." The magician said knowingly.

"I can't see my reflection in the water anymore! Is it one of your tricks old man!" Li shouted furiously

The irritable smirk slowly made its back on the magicians face. He couldn't resist it! He would taunt the boy one last time.

"You mean you didn't figure it all after all. Oh my! Here I thought we could start our training. I guess I'll let you think about it a little longer." He said feigning to leave the prince.

"Don't you dare Old man! I've had it with your enigmas. I don't have time to lose. And I certainly waste my time playing your idiotic games." He roared his aura flaring.

"Uh Oh! Wake up call!" The magician thought sensing the boy's aura.

"Fine! Kids these days…" He stopped in the middle of the sentence feeling the princes glare.

"Ahem! As I said, this river's magical."

"Magical?"

"Don't interrupt me! Do you want to know or not! This river shows the reflection of those who doubt. It was the only way for me to make sure that you were sure about this. You have to be in synch with your feelings when you practice magic or your emotions will get the better of you…" He said looking at the prince.

"Purity, Clarity and Harmony are the elements that this water thrives on. If you lack those qualities, the waters will reject you. Thus reflect your image. They are also the fundamentals of my art. Without these qualities you wouldn't have been able to gain the heart of a warrior. A soldier with no doubts who stands for what is right. Your partner already had it figured out. You were the only one left. Now that we've taught you that, you'll be able to start the real thing."

"You'll really teach me your ways."

"Rest assured, it's only the beginning of your miseries. The hardships are ahead. Are you really ready for what's in store for you? " He said smirking.

"I wouldn't have it any other way!" He said looking defiantly at his new master.

Male Author

Born to be the champ, after the girls that is…

There we go! I think I'll stop here. One may ask why this chappie's so small but I told you I would do something if I didn't get enough reviews. I really don't see the point of writing chappies of 4500 or so, if I'm only gona get 2 reviews per entry. But basically, I have three reasons why I wrote such a small chapter. Uno, I told you I would get mad I no one reviewed. Dos, I really don't think I'd be able to update once a week with big chapters and tres, well ummm…I didn't feel like writing at all. That's why I wrote another lame chapter. Seriously when I reread myself I can't believe the things I write sometimes. Peeps would think that I took psycho. or something…I don't btw I dropped it 'cause it was too boring. Neways I thank again Wolf Jade for her/his (AN: My guess is that you're a she though but I couldn't find out exactly on your bios.) continual support. Sorry I haven't found the time to read your fics yet. Writing this story takes most of my reading time. The next chapter should be a lot more consistent both in actions and information. At least I hope it'll be the case .

Show me some love and press the magic switch!