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Love of War
Chapter Nineteen: Back to Japan

Sakura hopped off the dock and onto the fresh soil of Japan, taking a deep breath of the sea air.

"Ready to go?" Tomoyo asked, standing beside her.

Sakura nodded, fiddling with her hands a bit.

"What's wrong Sakura?" Tomoyo said, looking at her friend oddly. "You've been acting…odd, ever since we got on the boat"

"Oh, it's nothing." Sakura smiled. "Probably just a little nervous"

Nervous. Yes. Lying to her best friend? Also yes.

Sakura wasn't just nervous, she was happy, excited, confused, everything.

She couldn't get the night before out of her head.

Her emerald gaze floated over to Syaoran, who was standing with Eriol, chatting away about something. She remembered him, the feeling of his lips on hers, his body on top of her.

"Sakura?" Tomoyo asked, tapping her friend. "Are you okay?"

Sakura nodded, her eyes worried. "Tomoyo…I did something"

Tomoyo gaped at her friend. What could Sakura possibly do that she would look that worried?

"What?"

"I…" Sakura sighed, whispering into Tomoyo's ear.

"You slept with-" Tomoyo all but shouted, Sakura slapping her hand over her friend's mouth.

"You tell anyone, especially Eriol or Touya, and I will kill you"

Tomoyo giggled. "So how was it?"

"Tomoyo!"

"Ready to go?" Syaoran asked, appearing at Sakura's side.

Sakura jumped. "Uh…yeah"

Tomoyo smiled and walked away from the two.

"You okay Sakura?" Syaoran asked.

Sakura nodded, kissing him lightly on the cheek. "I'm fine"

Syaoran smiled and wrapped his arm around her waist. "Like I said before, I'll protect you"

Sakura smiled, leaning against his shoulder. "Thank you."

XxXxX

"This place gives me the creeps." Eriol said under his breath. He, Tomoyo, Syaoran and Sakura were walking through a thick, dark forest. "It's so dark"

"I can fix that." Sakura said, pulling her star key from her neck. "Oh key of the star with-"

"No!" Syaoran said. "Not yet Sakura. You have to save your strength."

Sakura nodded and put her necklace back on. She and Tomoyo had each been given new outfits to wear in battle. Sakura's was a dark green tube top with thick straps that hung off her shoulders, the top tied up from the front with dark drown string. Her skirt was such a rich brown it looked black, it fell above her knees in slight strips. Sakura's boots were black that tied all the way up to her knees.

Tomoyo's was a dark bluish-gray dress that tied up the front like Sakura's, it was off the shoulder but long sleeved. She wore high lace boots that rose to her knees.

Syaoran turned to Eriol. "Eriol? You want to do the pleasure?"

Eriol nodded and lifted his hand to his side and opening his palm. Suddenly, a large glowing symbol appeared beneath him.

"Wow…" Sakura breathed, watching as a staff with a moon and sun suddenly appeared in his hand.

Eriol smiled. "You and Syaoran aren't the only ones with magic"

Tomoyo gaped at her lover. "Why…wouldn't you tell me?"

Eriol smiled and kissed her cheek. "Sorry Tomoyo"

"He's Clow Reed's descendent." Syaoran said, turning away from the three. "His magic is somewhat like yours Sakura"

Sakura turned to Syaoran, then to Eriol. "Really? Cool."

Tomoyo laughed. "You two can compare powers later okay? For now, we have to find Meilin"

Sakura nodded, agreeing.

The group of four continued to walk through the forest, everywhere they went growing steadily darker. Eriol's staff helped somewhat though.

"Why don't you make that thing brighter?" Syaoran asked over his shoulder.

Eriol shook his head. "Not unless you want them to be warned of our approach"

Syaoran smirked. It was like Eriol to be a smart ass at a time like this.

They continued to walk for hours in search of the hideout that was sure to be nearby.

"I can sense Yue and Kero getting closer." Sakura said suddenly. "We're getting closer"

Tomoyo smiled. "That's-"

She was cut off by an arrow hitting the trunk of a tree next to her. She screamed and fell backwards to the ground.

"Tomoyo!" Sakura cried, kneeling beside the girl. "Are you okay?"

Tomoyo nodded, her eyes worried. "Yeah I'm fine"

Sakura looked around her, Syaoran and Eriol were standing on either side of her and Tomoyo, Syaoran's sword raised, ready to fight and Eriol's staff ready.

"I have to use it now." Sakura whispered, gripping onto her necklace.

"Sakura no!" Tomoyo said. "You have to save your strength!"

"I have to." Sakura said. "Oh key of the star with power burning bright. Reveal the staff and shine your light!" She shouted. "Release!"

Her star key began to glow in her hand as she chanted, spinning around and around until it stopped and was her staff.

Sakura stood, Tomoyo getting to her feet. "Syaoran where are they?"

"I can't see any of them." Syaoran growled, his grip on his sword tight. "Fuck"

"I know how to get them out." Sakura said. "Shadow card!" She shouted, tossing the card into the air and hitting it with her staff.

A shadow person appeared in front of her.

"Find the enemy, show me their shadows." Sakura ordered.

The shadow nodded and sunk into the ground, disappearing.

The creature returned seconds later, and to Sakura's horror, they were completely surrounded.

"We're surrounded." She whispered to Syaoran.

He groaned. "No"

A shill laugh was heard from behind him and he turned suddenly, catching ruby eyes.

"Meilin!" He gasped.

Meilin smirked at Syaoran, the two swords in her hands looked dangerous, as did she."Hello Syaoran, what are you doing here, in our neck of the woods?"

Syaoran glared at her despite himself. "Meilin what are you doing? Don't do this!"

He heard Sakura gasp and he spun around. Doremi was standing behind her, his sword pressed up against her throat, his free arm encircling her waist.

"Doremi." Syaoran snarled, making a move to attack him.

Meilin's sword stopped him. "I don't think so Syaoran, your fight is with me"

Syaoran looked around him. Where was Eriol? Tomoyo?

Then he saw them; they were being dragged off by two large men.

"Eriol!" Syaoran shouted.

"Pay attention Syao." Meilin smirked, striking him with her sword.

Syaoran stumbled backwards, gripping onto his shoulder where Meilin had hit him. "Why are you doing this?"

"Why?" Meilin laughed. "Oh come on Syaoran! You really can't guess?"

Syaoran shook his head, keeping one eye on Meilin and one on Doremi.

Doremi had his hands around Sakura, dragging her, kicking and struggling, away into the dark forest.

"Sakura!" Syaoran shouted, trying to rush after her.

Meilin jumped into the air, landing in between him and Sakura.

"Get out of my way Meilin." Syaoran warned, raising his sword. "I don't want to hurt you"

"Too late Syaoran." Meilin snapped. "You already did"

She charged at him, slashing her swords at his body. He blocked.

"Meilin stop!" Syaoran shouted at her. "Please"

"Why?" Meilin asked angrily. "You don't understand, do you Syaoran?"

"Understand, what?" He asked, pushing her back with his sword.

"You broke my heart Syaoran!" Meilin cried, thrusting her sword forward, barely missing Syaoran's chest. "By choosing that bitch Sakura!"

"Meilin we're cousins!" Syaoran said angrily. "It would never work! I never loved you like that"

"Well I loved you!" Meilin snarled. "And you betrayed me! I was by your side for years, and that…that girl showed up and you suddenly fall in love"

"Meilin you don't understand!" Syaoran said. "I love Sakura, you can't change that! But I love you too, but as family"

Meilin glared at him. "Well I loved you more than that Syaoran. But it's too late now"

"Please!" Syaoran begged. "Come back to China with us, there's nothing here for you"

"Nothing here for me?" Meilin sounded amused. "Please, Syaoran, don't make me laugh. There is way more here for me than there will ever be back home"

"W-What are you talking about?"

"Once my master gets the girl's power, I'll have complete power"

Syaoran smirked. "You really think that he will share his powers with you?"

"I never said he would." Meilin growled. "But if my master is powerful, then so am I. We will be unbeatable"

"But…Meilin. You've got to know, deep down that this is wrong"

Meilin glared at him. "Fuck you"

With that she dove towards him, her swords slashing like she was a demon possessed.

"You can't win against me Syaoran." Meilin smirked. "I've trained with you for years, remember? I know your every move"

Syaoran smirked. "Well then, that means I know you're every move too!" He dove to the ground, swiping his feet across hers, knocking her to the ground.

"Ugh!" Meilin gasped, hitting the ground, hard. "Bastard!"

Syaoran took the dagger from his boot and stabbed it with all his might into the ground, pinning the neck of her shirt with it.

She tried to pull the knife off, but was unable.

"New technique." Syaoran smirked, patting her lightly on the cheek.

"I'll kill her Syaoran! You know that!" Meilin shouted as Syaoran got to his feet and sheathed his sword, staring to walk away.

"Not if I can help it." Syaoran said, turning from her and rushing into the forest.

Okay! Hope you liked it! Next chapter is a bit…yeah, you'll hate Fujitaka. Anyway, REVIEW WHILE YOU STILL CAN!