Okay this is sad…I didn't get any reviews, again! I just realized that almost half of my reviews come from Wolf Jade! I really don't know if I should be happy about it or just crumble and cry…Sigh…I guess that's how it is to be a nobody out here… I won't change anything yet… I just hope that I'll pick up readers as I go along because right now considering my stats, I don't have a big audience and I find it rather disturbing. Oh well I'll just write for those who took the time to read me up to now. Hey for those who wonder when Sakura's appearance is due for…I haven't really though of it yet. But there'll definitely be some fluff in this story. I just have so many ideas that I think it will take a little time to see her. Probably by chapter 10 tops. I still don't know how long this story's gona be…We'll see! And one more thing, some of you may have noticed that this fic is centered on Li. I think it'll stay that way for the entire story. I don't like the idea of Sakura being stronger than Li and I already said it a little earlier I think. So…If any of you are against it…you could do what you got to do! You can flame me if you want, that'd make reviews at least!!!! Just kidding XD!

It was my birthday last week I'm now officially 16!

Silver Fang the Howling Blade

Kensuke's P.O.V

They'd been training with the Sorcerer for almost 5 years now…And yet the past years seemed like a couple of days to him. They had trained harshly every single day. The wizard was a real monster when it came to training. He had matured over the years and come to understand himself better than he'd ever thought possible, he had gotten so much stronger since their first encounter with Keroberos. Clow Reed had taught him well. He surely wouldn't have gotten this far without the help of his sensei. He had believed in him, telling him that he had potential and the spirit of a swordsman. He still remembered the discussion they had five years ago. Yes he was sure he'd never forget it of his life.

FLASHBACK

I had been sitting alone, away from the fire that the flying bear had started with his magic. It still freaked me out to be near these weird beings but I was slowly starting to live with it. After all we have been living in these mountains for a month now. It was only natural that I'd get familiar with the others. The prince seemed to fair pretty well. He didn't seem to mind living with the eccentric man. I could almost say that he likes it here. He was here to train anyhow. It was a good thing that he found his Sensei bearable. I wondered where it left me in this story. I'd followed his highness to protect him from harm. I hadn't managed to protect him when the flying mouse attacked us and he wouldn't need me anymore when he'd finish his training. I wonder if I wouldn't even be a nuisance to him…

"sigh It's hopeless…!" I whispered bitterly.

I was so entranced into my thoughts that I didn't notice the wizard who was staring intently at my lonely self. I was so distracted by my inner demons that I didn't see him slowly make his way next to me. He stopped right in front of me and coughed to get my attention. I looked up to see him standing right in front of me.

"Aaaak…h-how did you get here?!" I said scrambling backwards and crashing into a nearby tree.

"Itaiii…" I rubbed my head feeling a bump already.

"Watch it Ken-kun... I can call you that unh?" Clow asked as I slowly nodded prying him to continue.

"You shouldn't sit alone like that. You're my second trainee after all. Why not sit next to your Sensei? Or weren't you planning to train with us…" He said looking at me critically.

"Sinc…Waaattt…TRAINEEE!! I wouldn't…I couldn't…unh….I'm so…" I hated it when I stuttered like an idiot. He would surely think that I'm an idiot now and ask me to forget about his offer. I peeked at him bracing myself for what would come at me. He looked amused…Oh no! He was making fun of me!

"Why the surprised expression Ken-kun, you almost shot down Kero-pin last time we met. I had to save him at the last moment or don't you remember? I'm sure that you have some skill. You could turn up to be a great warrior. I'm always right with these things…"

"…" There I was gaping again. I inwardly scolded myself and forced myself to answer him.

"Or was I wrong? I assumed that since you followed the prince, you'd want to train like him…He was so worried when he saw you alone in your corner that he asked me if I could talk to you… He's really something isn't he? Anyhow if it wasn't it, excuse me for bothering you; I wouldn't be of any help for anything else." He said turning around already walking back towards the camp. I followed his retreating figure and looked passed him at the prince. He was watching us intently as if waiting for something to happen. He looked disappointed when he saw Clow walking back towards the camp.

"HE THOUGHT I DIDN'T WANT HIM TO TRAIN ME!" I thought realization suddenly striking me.

"No Reed-sensei matte! I want to train with you! I'd be honored to receive your lessons." I said running after him.

"Oh excellent, we'll start tomorrow. And since you don't possess any magic, you'll only be taught the fine art of the sword. You'll make a fine swordsman don't worry." He said noticing my expression.

"I wouldn't be surprised if you got better at it then the prince himself. And trust me I've trained exceptional swordsmen. I know how to sniff talent."

"Yes sensei, whatever you say, I'll do my best!" I exclaimed excited by the news. He would train me! Along with the prince! He said I had potential!

I skipped back towards the camp following the smiling man; this was the beginning of my journey…

END OF FLASHBACK

Yes he had suffered a great deal afterwards. For the training, the shape up, and the practices but, it had paid off. He was strong now and he felt renewed, born under a different star. Reed-sensei had shown him the path of the sword and he knew he was born to follow it. It was almost over, the prince only had to duel the mage in one final battle. And surely, the student would surpass the master…

"I just hope that I am right" I thought looking down at the forest where it had all begun.

Li's P.O.V

We had been had been walking for a couple of minutes and I still didn't know where he was taking but, I couldn't explain why I felt so nostalgic all of a sudden…Somehow I felt like we had done this before. 5 years had passed and I was now stronger than ever. Clow Reed was right after all… His training really paid off with the both of us. I bet that mother wouldn't recognize us if she saw us. I ran a hand through my growing beard. Even Ping had taken a bit of our disheveled look. His once clean and brushed fur was full of knots and flees. Thinking about that I'd have to give him a good shower after this. I stopped when I saw him turn back towards me. I hadn't even noticed that we weren't in the forest anymore. Oh my! This was…!

"This is where we first met and this is where your training will end. You were a good student Prince Li, better than I imagined anyhow. You learned very fast and where already facing each other like I promised you...The hard work, the years of bruises, awful cooking and tyrannical training are almost behind you. Well…they will be if you are able to beat me." He said already in a fighting stance.

"So this is what it was all about Sensei! I should've known you're not the type to take me out here for nothing but…Why only me? Kensuke also took your training why not test him?"

"It's simple you're the one I made the promise with. I know you're still not fully in sic with your power. The only way to really test yourself and gain some confidence in your abilities is the actual battlefield. Think of it as the final test."

"I'll finally be able to vent my frustration on you Sensei. You really gave us a hard time." I said taunting him.

"I take it you're ready for our little fight. You'd better be because here I come!" He said leaping towards me.

Here the challenges start for him…

FLASHBACK

We had been laboring fields and irrigating them for weeks now. And I still didn't know how doing some gardening could help us fight. It was getting frustrating especially with the flying bear flying around and playing the overseer. He really took pleasure in seeing us suffer. Our sensei wasn't much better. Most of the time, he was nowhere to be seen. Either in his shack, which no one except him had the right to venture in or wandering in the forest like a lost spirit. It didn't look like he took our training very seriously and it was really troubling me. Our own sensei didn't even take time to watch us "train" and even less to teach us how to fight. He was simply fooling around with us! For the last months, we had gone through his training at an almost diabolical rate. At dawn, we woke up and went down the mountain to fetch water from the source and then back up to water the fields before noon but those were only the days when we didn't have to work the land. We were doing peasant work instead of military training. I had to talk to our Sensei and put a stop to this masquerade. I knew I wouldn't fair much longer at this rate. I mean the moment we started to get accustomed to a pace that he put it to a far superior level. I just wasn't reasonable. This wasn't how it was supposed to be and I had to clear things with him. Yes I had to. I got up and headed towards his shack. I entered the wooded area next to his shack and was surprised to find him standing on a rock not far from our settlement. He seemed to be waiting for someone or something. He got up when he noticed that I was standing not far from him. Clow Reed looked up at me and smiled knowingly.

"What is it your highness? Aren't you supposed to be training?"

"I'm here for matters concerning this training…"

"Oh…is that so? humm…Very interesting do you like the exercise? I don't think that people your rank are used to these things. Even the weak Kensuke's better at it than you." He said with a mocking tone. He really could be irritating when he got into it.

"I wouldn't even really call it training Reed-sensei. If I knew this was your secret technique I would've simply stayed in the castle and asked the royal gardener for lessons." I spit back.

"O feisty aren't you? Gardening lessons you say…Well well your words really hurt me…And here I thought you loved you training." He replied his voice dripping with sarcasm. I was about to snap back when motioned me to keep quiet.

"Follow me would you? I'll show you why you're doing all this." he said disappearing in the bushes.

We walked in the forest for what seemed to me like hours. I had no idea where he was taking me. Maybe he wanted to abandon me next to a river in the middle of nowhere again. I shuddered at the thought the last time had been enough for me. We finally arrived in a clearing. The sun above us shun brightly, as if mocking me it blinded me preventing me to drink in the scenery around us. This clearing looked oddly familiar

"Here we are…Now lets see what my training enables you to do…" He said turning to look at me. I had never seen him so serious. I looked around to find myself in a clearing, a very familiar one at that. It was the clearing where we had first met! It didn't look any different though…The ashes from our fire were still here, even the leftovers from our dinner were still were we had tossed them; erm…If we could say that…

He walked up to me a smirk now visible on his face. "Well…If you think that my training is useless why don't you try proving your point by lifting this dead trunk over there." He said pointing at the log in question.

My eyes widened when I looked at the trunk too. It was humongous; I had never seen such a trunk before… Trees that big didn't grow in the Li Kingdom, I was sure of it. The only answer would be that he used his magic to grow it… Yes it made a lot of sense. That sly dog would've wanted to grow it but why? It was already impossible for me to lift the real thing! Why would he want me to be right?

"Well…I don't have time to lose you know." He said still pointing at the log.

There I thought that he had completely lost his mind. I decided to lift the trunk and prove that his training hadn't helped us at all. I walked next to the dead tree and positioned myself to lift it. I grabbed it and tried to pull it a little. As predicted, it didn't move an inch. The old man really was senile after all. I tried harder but to no avail, it didn't budge. I heard a snicker behind me and I imagined that it was my sensei who was laughing at my expenses.

"You can't even lift that maybe you were right after all or…You could be the weak one." He said chuckling.

I don't what happened when he said it. But it just struck a cord and the only thing I could think about was that I would lift this log and wipe that irritating smile of his off his face. I suddenly felt a burst of energy, it flowed through me and I could feel it concentrating in my arms. What was it? Was it the magic they said I had? All I know is that it felt very different from the last times. I lifted the log and sent it flying without breaking a sweat. I looked at the log, already a dot in the sky and then at my hands astonished by what I had just accomplished.

"See you needed my help in the end…I'm amazed though that you could lift that log with the little physical training I gave you." He exclaimed looking at the sky, the log wasn't visible anymore. He whistled and turned back to me.

"Physical training?"

"Yes your physical capabilities weren't up to your magical ones. You needed to get stronger or you wouldn't be able to perform prowess like the one you just performed. The magic would've completely destroyed your body and left you crippled if we went on like this. I realized that when you collapsed last time. I was so impressed with your power that I forgot that the power you wielded could've been too much for you. Your body wasn't able to take the strain so I decided to increase your physical strength via those training methods. I'm amazed at your physical abilities thought your body adapted so quickly! I'm even wondering if your even human! Your power is incredible!" He said looking at me visibly amazed.

"Then can we start the real training?!" I asked hopeful.

"Unfortunately you're not ready yet…look at yourself you're a mess and you barely used a little of your power. You're not in shape yet. You will be in a month or so if you keep on progressing at this speed…"

He was right I felt totally wasted all of suddenly. I was drenched with sweat and my body ached all over. I felt like I had just run a marathon. A question popped in my mind, Reed-sensei had explained why I needed to train but did it have to do with Kensuke?

"You're friend is almost ready too. He needs a lot more strength to wield a sword. His arms aren't fit yet for battle. He can barely wave a sword around; I wouldn't be able to teach him anything in these conditions." He said as if reading his mind.

"But when will this be over…?"

"When the time comes we'll fight it off to decide if you are ready. This I promise you."

"Wait up!" I shouted seeing him walking off.

"So are you ready for some training?"

"What you expect me to train after the strain you just put me through!"

"O that's right!" He replied chuckling

"You mean you were actually serious about it!"

END OF FLASHBACK

I barely had time to jump out of the way and dodge his attack. I smiled defiantly, it this was the best he was capable off he wouldn't last long against me! He looked up at me a humorous glint in his eyes. He had read my mind again. He started to chant a spell. I looked intrigued as a magic circle formed itself underneath him and a silver sword materialized in his hand.

"Brace yourself young prince! I've never lost a battle with this sword in my hand!" Clow smirked and jumped up, high in the sky.

I tried to follow his movement but found it impossible because of the sun that was blinding me. If I couldn't see him I'd have to sense him. I held my ground trying to find my master. I felt a flicker of power behind me and quickly turned around to see Clow Reed dashing towards me.

"How did he get there so fast?!" I wondered quickly jumping out of harms way barely a second before he drew his sword and furiously slashed at the spot standing where I used to be. He jumped back in the trees and vanished behind the leaves. He was hiding again hoping to catch me off guard! I concentrated again trying to find his energy signature. I found him in front of me but, oddly he was really far from me and seemed to be moving even further away from me. What was he thinking! He suddenly stopped and I felt it. He was radiating with and incredible energy. What was he trying to do?! He was too far away from me to hit with his sword. The energy bubbled and raged uncontrollably. I suddenly felt a detonation in his aura and sensed it beaming towards me.

"Damn Offensive Magic! He's really serious about this! I won't be able to dodge it. If I do I might get blown away by the shockwave! I'll have to use magic!" I thought gravely.

I had to shield myself and I had the perfect spell to do so. I started to chant the spell, letting its magic envelop me.

"Defensive spell, power level 3 Holy Shield!" I screamed feeling the energy screen surrounding me. I hoped it would hold on.

The moment I summoned my shield I saw the dark beam crashing out of the forest. This wasn't child's play! He was using level 3 chaos magic! The beam collided with my shield. It smashed and kept on pushing my defensive wall. It was tearing me inside, holding the shield was really taking a lot out of me. I wasn't used to this yet. It felt like it was tearing my mind apart bits by bits every shackle against the shield felt like a needle piercing through my head. The beam finally subsided giving me the opportunity to lower the shield. I collapsed exhausted by the effort.

"Kuso I let my guard down!" I thought already feeling Reed's aura behind me.

I quickly got up and turned around trying to dodge his next attack but turned to find him already less than 2 meters away from me. It was too late…

"I lost…"

He raised his sword and preparing to strike me. I felt something wane inside me. I heard a heartbeat. Clow seemed to feel it too since he stopped in his tracks and looked at me awed. The beat quickened, something was wrong.

"Use me…!"

The sword in Clow's hands glowed brightly. He threw it away as if it where red-hot. Oddly it flew off in my direction. I instinctively raised my hand and reached for it. It called out to me. The silver blade yearned for my touch! I took hold of the sword and rose in the air. With this sword in my hands I felt like I could bring down mountains. Reed looked at me in a dream-like state and then finally took hold of himself, chanting a new spell and summoning a battle staff. He looked at me smirking.

"I guess I really looked for it! I can't be helped; He wasn't made for me after all"

He got back in his fighting stance and started mumbling incoherently. A seal started to form itself under him. He was using the same spell but somehow it felt different. The power I felt channeling in his staff was nowhere near the blast he sent a while ago. How could he muster some much energy? Was he some kind of demon!? I wouldn't be able to block this one and I needed to counter-attack quickly or I would lose the match. I stood helpless floating above him as he finished chanting the formula and sent concentrated the energy in his staff. He was putting it all in this attack!

"Dark Maelstrom!" He shouted unleashing his dark magic upon me.

I stood my ground and looked at the sword. I didn't know any powerful offensive spells. The heartbeat started again. I could heart it clearly now. I focused on it and channeled all my energy. The sword blazed enveloped by my aura. I could see it swirling around the blade. What in the world was happening…I didn't know it myself. The sword was beating in my hand; it was alive trying to tell me something.

"Throw me" The voice whispered again.

I threw the sword and it flew directly towards the beam. Light and darkness collided ripping the forest itself apart. The two forces clashed covering the field with dust. The clearing filled with light and an explosion was heard. I suddenly felt myself being pushed back by the shockwave. I covered my eyes shielding myself from the dust and light. The next thing I knew Iwas in a tree. AndI could hear this voice talking to me.

"Greetings Li-sama, my name is Silver Fang."

Male Author

Born to be the champ after the girls that is…

Whew! That was hard to write. I really hate proof-reading my work. It's a pain! So I think that from now on I'll just write the story one day and proof-read it the other. I'm so pissed off and tired after writing these chapters that usually I can't concentrate on what I'm reading. It was pretty hard to write this chapter btw. I'm so busy lately…I actually found time to write this since I finished my English assignment faster than I had expected. I also watched Gundam Seed last week so it took pretty much all of my computer time. Seriously that anime's mad!! It's even better than Gundam Wing! I won't be updating too much for the next 4 weeks I think… I have the finals coming up in December and the winter break afterwards so the next chapter should be up by then. I apologize if you didn't like the fight scene. I don't like it myself but I'm too lazy to rewrite it. I'm actually trying to update during the week to see if I'll get more reviews. If it's the case I'll update in the middle of the week instead of Saturday. That's about it…I guess…OOOO yeah! Next chapter, they'll leave from the mountains and go head back home. For some reason, I find this chapter really boring. If this doesn't work out as planned I'm thinking off writing something else…