Howdy Y'all! LOL! I don't know where that came from but it just came out. Ugh my teacher's such a tight ass. I did one thing wrong on the project and I had to spent the week to start over. But I'm just relieved that I'm done, finished my exams for the week and on good terms with my teacher. But to top it all. MY COLD IS GONE! HOORAY! Now I'm ready to constantly update! Hah Hah:D

Chapter 7 "More Closer"

"Fuutie, there you are." "Have you seen your brother?" Yelan asked.

"Yes." "I saw him in the halls this morning with his sword again." "But he looked like he was mad at something."

"All right, thanks dear." Yelan then put on a worried look.

"I'm sure it's nothing, Mother."

"Yes, I'm sure you're right." she said. "What really did happen last night, Syaoran?" she asked in her head.

>>Syaoran's Training Spot

Syaoran practiced with his sword, slashing and swiping the blade through the air.

"How could I?" he questioned giving a strong slash. His forehead gotten sweaty from training nonstop.

Sakura's sad face flashed in his mind.

"How could I do that?" (slash) "To her?"

Sakura's face flashed again but now with tears streaming down. Syaoran was now going over the limit slashing as hard as he can go.

"I'm the one who made her shed those tears." he choked with regret.

Sakura's back was faced him retreating back to her room.

"No Sakura! Don't go!" reaching out his hand as if she was actually there which made lose his balance and fell down. His face buried in the dirt and shook in sadness and anger at himself, digging his fingers into the ground.

"…I'm sorry…." he quietly choked. "..please forgive me…"

>>In The Village

Everyone gathered together facing to what looks like a stage. Decorations and banners were put up all around the village to show some sort of respect and loyalty to someone.

"Everyone, listen up!" "Let us show our appreciation to Prince Touya for pursuing and fighting off the enemy in the upcoming battle! Let us hope that this battle will bring peace to our endless feud and show King Fujitaka and Queen Nadeshiko our wishes for Prince Touya to return to Tomoeda safely and in victory!"

The crowd roared in agreement and excitement.

Yelan and Meiling were also in the crowd. The 4 girls ran off to pinch the nearest cute thing they could find.

"I'm getting worried about Syaoran, Meiling. Was he like this when he was with you yesterday?"

"No not at all. Our was just magical. It's any girls dream." Meiling blushed off in her own world. (Surely this girl is in denial.)

"What could it be that's making him act like this?" Yelan saddened thinking in her mind.

Back to Syaoran>>

He stabbed his sword in the ground. He panted wildly dripping insweat trying to catch his breath. He could hear many people enjoying themselves cheering and galloping about in the celebration.

"Not yet.." looking at the village with painful eyes. He still felt bad about what he did and wasn't ready to confront that yet.

He grabbed his sword and got into a stance without flinching. He concentrated on his spiritual energy. "Earth element, I summon thee….Release!"

A plow of dirt shot out rushing into the direction he wanted. "It worked!" he praised but evaporated few seconds after.

"Damn it…why can't I- Argh!" he hissed. "I'm not good enough…" "She wouldn't want anything to do with a weakling."

"One more time." posing in a stance with determination.

"Earth Element.." but louder this time "I summon-" getting cut off by a rumble.

It was an army. The enemy army and along with the kingdom's army. Syaoran could see the Prince and a silver haired man assisting him who looks to be his second in command, but they weren't alone. Both locked in a battle against who looked like the leader of the enemy's army.

"Get back, you bastard!" Touya shouted.

An arrow shot before the enemy leader stopping him from running any further.

"Nice shot, Yuki." addressing his second in command.

"Thanks, Your Highness." Yukito replied back.

Touya grabbed the collar of the leader. "It's over Shiratori. Just surrender or I'll go back with only your head."

Shiratori growled. He looked behind Touya and smirked. "Do as you please." Shiratori murmured.

Yukito caught on to Shiratori's plan. "Prince Touya, look out!"

A group of Shiratori's men cornered him with their weapons ready and aimed on him. The rest of Touya's army was busy fighting off the others.

"So Touya what will it be?" "Take my life and they'll take yours."

Touya gritted his teeth. A sweat drop poured down his head.

"If I ever make it back, the king and queen will never forgive me for this." Yukito thought.

"Fire Element! Excel Now!"

A stream of fire shot towards the group cornering Touya burning them to a crisp. All that was left was a pile of ashes and smoke rising from the spot.

"Wh-What the hell?" Shiratori panicked. "My men….Who did this?"

"I did!" Syaoran answered.

All three looked up at the young boy before them.

"Defeated…..By that punk!"

"I wouldn't talk, Shiratori." "Otherwise…" his eyes glistened. "You'll be next." he said coldly.

Shiratori slipped into his pocket. Syaoran saw this and stayed alert.

"Watch out, he's about to do something!" Syaoran warned.

Shiratori pulled out something. Touya and Yukito's eyes widened. He threw it on the ground and a thick black smoke emerged.

"This isn't over, Touya.!" "Mark my words. I will claim what is rightfully mine!"

The smoke vanished. Shiratori and his men vanished.

"Shiratori! That bastard- Where the hell did he-?" "Is everyone in one piece?" he shouted to his men.

"My prince, what did you think Shiratori used just now?" Yukito asked.

"Black magic maybe." "Even if we did not ended up victorious, we now know some valuable information about the enemy."

"Round up the men." "We're heading back to Tomoeda." Touya told one of his generals.

"Yes sir." the guy replied.

Touya and Yukito walked over to Syaoran. Both eyed him very strangely. Syaoran did not like how this looked. Now they were both smiling.

Syaoran was a little freaked out and took a few steps back. "Why are you staring at me like that? What are you planning-?"

Touya and Yukito didn't listen and just went to grab both his arms, Touya on one side and Yukito on the other.

"What the hell is this?" Syaoran kicked and screamed. "Just what the hell do you plan to do with me!"

"My my, Yuki. Some people are just so stingy when you're trying to thank them." he amused.

"They certainly are." Yukito replied smiling back.

Now Syaoran was more confused. "Just what are they talking about. "Cooperate Syaoran, and maybe they'll let you go." he said to himself.

>>At the Palace, The Throne Room

"Touya , you've returned." King Fujitaka happily exclaimed.

"It's good to see you back home in one piece." Queen Nadeshiko praised sitting next to her beloved husband. "How are your men doing?"

"They're resting. It has been a long and severe battle. I can honestly say that even if I didn't come back with Shiratori's head, we still remained victorious. Most of his forces have been eliminated and will bother us no more."

"Either way, I'm just happy that you've returned safe and sound. I thank you very much Yukito." Nadeshiko said.

"And I'm am very grateful for such a praise, my queen." Yukito bowed.

"And who is this fine young man?" Fujitaka added gazing at Syaoran.

Syaoran stiffened not knowing what to say. "Father, this is a guy we came across during the battle. He saved my life when I near death against Shiratori's men."

Nadeshiko gasped. "Mother please don't worry, I'm all right now. Thanks to him." gazing at Syaoran.

The queen sighed in relief. Fujitaka turned to Syaoran and saw that he was tense and wanted to break the tension.

"My boy, it's all right. Tell me, what is the name of a fine knight such as yourself?"

Syaoran blushed at the comment. "Syaoran, Your Highness." "Li Syaoran."

"He's Yelan's son." Nadeshiko happily clasped her hands together.

"Sweetheart don't get too excited." Fujitaka said to his wife. Nadeshiko threw in one of her mega smiles. "So your from the Li household. With such remarkable actions deserves great gratitude. Please let me repay you." "If it weren't for you, my son would not be standing before me today and my wife would never calm down."

"Please it's ok Your Highness." "I really don't want to trouble you-."

"Nonsense.." Fujitaka insisted. "You seem to be around my daughter's age." "Sakura dear, come on out." he called. "There's somebody I want you to meet."

A beautiful auburn haired girl revealed herself. She was wearing an overflowing pink dress tight on her upper body outlining her figure and leaving her shoulders and parts of her cleavage bare for show. No matter how long it has been since Syaoran last saw her, she would always be beautiful to him.

Syaoran blushed so much that his face was beyond red. He did everything in his power to not faint from the heat flaring in his head.

Stepping out into the throne room was Tomoyo and two handsome guys about the same age as Syaoran. One had navy blue hair and grey blue eyes dressed in magician robes and the other had jet black spiky straightened hair with rich purple eyes who looked to be a prince.

"Well well who do we have here?" the navy blue haired boy amused.

The jet black haired boy just growled looking Syaoran.

"Easy there, Shuru." Tomoyo murmured.

"Humph." Shuru replied looking away.

Sakura walked forward to get a good look at Syaoran. Tomoyo and the blue haired boy stared in amusement. Shuru looked at the two burned with fury.

Sakura stared at him trying to remember where she had seen him. Syaoran had a longing look in his eyes begging for her to remember.

"Doesn't she remember?" he sadly thought.

Sakura kept on staring until something shimmered before her eyes. It was a green gemstone hanging off his neck.

Sakura gasped and held onto her stomach. Tears welled up in her eyes. Everyone was now eager to see what was going on, especially Shuru.

Syaoran didn't know why she was in tears but he didn't want it this way. Sakura shot forward to Syaoian embracing him a hug making him fall down along with her.

"Wha!" Syaoran yelped falling to the floor.

Sakura was crying but smiling. "Happy tears?" he thought.

"Thank goodness! Thank goodness you're all right!" she cried.

"Princess.."

She took his hand and put it against her cheek as if he was caressing it. Shuru was getting angrier at the scene before him. Syaoran couldn't believe what she was doing and yet he liked it.

"I always knew that I would see you again."

Syaoran gave in to the warm touch of her skin. He embraced her in a hug.

"Promise that you'll never make me worry like that ever again?" she whispered.

"I promise." he ensured.

"I can't take much more of this…Guards!" Shuru ordered.

The guards pulled Syaoran away from Sakura as Shuru pulled Sakura into his arms.

"Shuru, what are you doing?"

"It's all right, Princess Sakura. He won't hurt you anymore."

"But Shuru, he didn't-"

"How dare you put your filthy commoner hands on the princess, you lowdown commoner?" addressing to Syaoran. "Don't you dare think you'll get away from this without punishment, you low class piece of trash!" Shuru hissed.

"What the hell did you just call me!" Syaoran roared.

"You heard me! You commoner!" Shuru didn't realize his grip tightened on Sakura.

"Shuru please, you're hurting me." Sakura winced.

"Do you have a problem with me!" Syaoran shouted.

"What took you so long to realize that!" Shuru fought back tightening his grip even more.

Sakura screamed in pain pushing Shuru away not able to take anymore pain and ran forward before she was about to faint. Shuru and Syaoran grew alert at this.

"Sakura!" Shuru shouted in concern. Syaoran fought out of the guards grip and made it in time to catch her.

"Syaoran…" she whispered looking at him with a smile.

"Hush …Don't say anything…" he whispered trying to comfort her.

"Get away from her!" Shuru shouted again.

"Give her to me." "I'll tend to her." Tomoyo suggested.

He handed Sakura over to her. Unlike Shuru he knew he could trust Tomoyo.

"Why don't I just rid us all of your presence right now? There isn't a place for you here, commoner. Neither is there in the Princess' heart." Shuru said. Luckily Sakura was unconscious not hearing their conversation as she was in Tomoyo's arms.

"Don't get so cocky, jackass. You're cheap talk won't save you here." Syaoran replied in a normal tone but coldly unsheathing his sword. Shuru stepped back in fear at this new side of Syaoran. Usually Syaoran would just shout back but he won't forgive anybody for hurting Sakura.

"Come at me then." Shuru insisted still shaking.

"With pleasure."

Shuru and Syaoran were about to charge and engage against each other.

"Stop this, the both of you!" Fujitaka ordered.

Both stopped instantly. "Now calm down the both of you. I can see that the both of you truly care about my daughter. But lets not create a riot here. My daughter will be most devastated if she saw two of her friends injured. "

Hearing the mention of Sakura hit them on the spot

"My apologies, King Fujitaka." Shuru bowed.

"I apologize too, Your Highness.."

But Fujitaka didn't see the two boys secretly exchanging death glares.

"So now, do you think you two will get along now?" Fujitaka questioned merrily.

"Very." both gritted in unison.

Another chapter done! I hope this is long enough. Again I'm really really sorry I took so long to update. But like I said, I do I to share the computer and I would've posted sooner if that asshole didn't use the computer for 6 whole hours. An I apologize if the fluff and romance seemed a bit off this time. I have been feeling drained and from now on, LOL I'm just sticking to Nyquil. That's it:D Hehehe!

Now in conclusion, Shuru is a prince from another kingdom who was planned to marry Sakura and he is madly in love with her, which would explain his attitude towards Syaoran. But don't worry, Sakura doesn't like him that way. The furthest she can see him is as a friend. Pretty much the same way she sees Syaoran right now. But all that will change with a little revelations in the mix (HaHA! I'm on a roll) Ok, So this chapter was based on introducing a sort of rivalry and jealousy for Syaoran (Heck, I know girls love watching Syaoran getting jealous …I do too - especially in CCS) it brings flare to the whole S&S coupling. And why I added all the magic in the story… I don't know how to explain it, but I felt like including it to enhance the story and the romance (for example: the kiss on the balcony, I THANK ALL OF U FOR UR COMMENTS ON THAT! CruellyInnocent blushing from overwhelming comments -- ) So feel free to comment me and suggestions are more than welcome if u would like me to include something in the story. Thank you for all of ur support. And review as much as you can! The more u review, the faster I'll update. Now that my teacher is gone for a whole week LOL!