AN: Gee... People like my fic. I'm so moved. *sniffle*
As usual, I thank everyone who reviewed, and I'm sorry I didn't post this up sooner! Actually, this is pretty soon for me. But still, I'm sorry all the same.
DISCLAIMER: Another chapter, and another boring old disclaimer. Well, everyone knows what I'm going to say: I don't own CCS.
".."=talking ..=thinking ^*^*^*^*=change of setting [AN.]=Author's Notes
Friend or Foe by KawaiiSakuraAngel
Chapter Eleven:
As soon as the training was over, Syaoran sneaked back in, hoping to make he impression that he was never out. If he had just stayed a little bit longer, he would have known that it was now impossible for him to take the cards. If just had just stay ONE moment longer, he would have known that his mission was a failure. But he didn't.
Eriol walked into his study and shut the door. Syaoran was sitting at his desk, bent over, and doing some of his work. When the door opened, he looked and smiled. Now just by the smile, Eriol could tell that Syaoran was definitely up to something. But wouldn't he already know that it was useless, now that Sakura had transformed all the cards?
Eriol mentally hit himself. How could he have forgotten? His own ability to read minds! Eriol acted like nothing was wrong, and merely said that his 'cute little descendent' was doing well. Strangely, Syaoran didn't even seem the least bit mad. He was obviously so happy about something else that he didn't even feel like getting mad. Something was surely wrong.
Reaching into Syaoran's head, Eriol obtained all the information he needed. So his descendent didn't know that Sakura had already transformed the cards, just what happened today. There had to be some way that he can protect Sakura. But then again, this could serve as a test for Sakura. Smiling to himself, Eriol thought over his idea carefully.
^*^*^*^*^*^*^ Later That Night ^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Sakura woke up, her head throbbing. Kero couldn't wake her up, so the only thing he could do was to jerk on her hair. Sakura put her hand over her scalp. "That hurt, Kero," she whined, unaware of what was going on. Just then, she felt an aura.
Kero read the expression on her face. "Took you long enough," he said. Then, more seriously, "I think someone's out to get the Clow Car - uh - Sakura Cards."
Sakura looked at him. "How would you know, Kero?" Kero didn't have a chance to reply as a shadow swept past the window. Sakura messily dressed, then took out Fly.
Key of Clow!
Power of Magic,
Power of Light,
Surrender the wand
The force ignite!
RELEASE! [AN: is that right?]
Soon, she (and Kero) was soaring out the window. All the time, she never noticed that Tomoyo was not in the room.
Gliding in the air, Sakura looked downward, trying to relocate the shadow that had passed her window. Syaoran, meanwhile, just slipped into Sakura's room. Of course, he was stunned to find no one there, not even Kero. Confused, he looked back through the window that he just came in through. Up in the sky, he just barely made out the silhouette Sakura on her staff, with Kero Flying behind her. Scowling, he climbed back through the window, still determined to snatch the 'Clow Cards' from Sakura.
Taking out a charm, Syaoran yelled, "Wind!" [AN: If anyone knows how to say this correctly, I'd be VERY, VERY grateful to them. I don't really know any of the incantations and stuff. ^.^] A strong gust of wind intercepted Sakura's flight, causing her to lose her balance, and fall off her staff.
Syaoran knew that, if she died, it meant that the cards had no mistress or owner. But that would also make him a murderer. Quickly, he shook off the thought. His focus was on his mission, not the outcomes. His mother had warned him from thinking too much. It was the right time to take her advice.
Sakura closed her eyes for the impact with the ground, but was save by Kero, in his true form. Smiling a 'thanks', she faced in the general direction the aura was. "Whoever you are, why don't you step out and face me?" she asked boldly.
Syaoran smirked. If it weren't for Keroberos, Sakura would have fallen to her death. But Keroberos couldn't always be just in time, can he? Unafraid, Syaoran stepped out. He was dressed completely in black, even with a piece of cloth tied across his face, to hide his identity. Sakura was a bit scared, but she felt safe with Kero beside her. She saw 'the figure' almost a sword from thin air.
Reaching in a pocket sewed to the side of her dress (Tomoyo put it there), Sakura pulled out three cards: Fight, Sword, and Power. Then the fight began. The two were evenly matched, but Syaoran's energy was slowly dying out. Sakura, backed up y the power card had no trouble at all. They clashed their swords together, the metallic ring cutting through the silence of the night. None of them were able to get to each other.
Seeing that Sakura was gaining the upper hand, Syaoran decided to retreat. As he leapt away, he was not quick enough to avoid Sakura's sword. Sakura's sword grazed his left shoulder. But before she had the time to harm him more, he had already changed his sword back into a pendent, and ran off. Unluckily for Syaoran, Sakura had caught a glance of his pendent.
Eriol stood nearby on a wall, watching his half-daughter fight his descendent. To him, it was quite interesting. He smiled to himself as he watched Syaoran escape, and felt happy for Sakura's first fight/victory.
^*^*^*^*^*^*^ The Next Morning (Syaoran's POV) ^*^*^*^*^*^*^
I was just about to get out of bed, when a piercing pain in my shoulder made me lay back down. The cut had gone deeper than I assumed. Looking down, I noticed that part of my clothes were half drenched in my own blood. I decided to ignore the pain, and got up. Taking out some bandages, I hastily wrapped up my wound, put my jacket over it, and rushed out of the room. For once, I woke up after sunrise. Guess I had to skip my training (more like practice) today.
Quickly, I ran towards Hiiragizawa's study, running into a few guards on he way. Just when I was about to reach the door, I ran straight into somebody. I landed on my left shoulder as I fell. I forgot about it, but now the pain was back, and unbearable. I cursed at myself for being so careless. I offered to help the person up, as I was expected to. Boy was I surprised when I saw Kinomoto there.
^*^*^*^*^*^*^ Sakura's POV ^*^*^*^*^*^*^
I was just approaching Eriol's study when a figure banged right into me. The person got up, and offered me a hand. After getting up, I found out that I just ran into Li. I thanked him politely, and turned to walk inside. To my surprise, Li just pushed right past me, and into the study. As he walked by, I noticed something that hung around his neck, on a string. It looked so familiar...
I decided that I would think about it later. I have already promised Eriol that I'd come today. That's when I noticed that Tomoyo was nowhere to be seen. It was weird... She had been behind me the whole time. We were talking just before I bumped into Syaoran, too. Maybe she went back to thinking that I make a nice couple with Syaoran. I groaned. That would mean that she'll do everything she can to put us together.
I walked back down the hall a little bit. Then I spotted Tomoyo, with her quill, drawing something. Sighing, I pretended I didn't notice her attempts to hide whatever it was. "Tomoyo, where were you?"
Tomoyo evaded my question. "Um, Sakura, didn't you say that you had to see Eriol? Why don't we go? You'll be late!" she half yelled, dragging me towards Eriol's room.
^*^*^*^*^*^*^ In the Study ^*^*^*^*^*^*^ (3rd person)
As usual, Eriol seemed to know what Sakura was going to say. "It's ok, you could talk," he said. She guessed he meant that Syaoran already knew about the Clow Cards. Sakura took a second to think over what she was going to say. Again, Eriol interrupted. "So, Sakura, what exactly happened yesterday?" he asked, as if completely clueless. The statement was so obvious, it could have even fooled the densest person on earth. If Eriol really was clueless, he wouldn't have known that something happened yesterday.
Sakura prepared herself to speak again. "Yesterday, someone tried to steal the cards from me. I don't know, but it seemed like they had magic, too. Not to mention that the person was pretty well trained in martial arts. I think I was only able to win because my enemy was running out of energy, and I had the power card to help me."
Eriol grinned. "I see. Did you see who the person was? I could help you find him out, if you want."
Sakura thought about the offer. "It's ok, Eriol, I think I can find the person myself." Syaoran grew nervous. Did this mean that she knew it was him all along? Nobody noticed the fact that Syaoran was biting his lip so hard, it was starting to bleed. "I think that the person will come again. All I did was cut him or her on the shoulder. It was a minor injury."
Eriol nodded as his lips curved into a smirk. Syaoran noticed this, and just clenched his fists. If not in anger, it was in nervousness. So maybe Eriol knows. Or worse - they might both know. Syaoran wanted to beat himself up. How could I be so stupid? Of course Hiiragizawa would know. He could read minds! And he probably told Kinomoto that I would come after the cards.
Eriol saw Syaoran's expression from the corner of his eye. Casually, he turned around and said, "Syaoran, I see you aren't feeling well today. If you want, you can go to your room." Syaoran glared at Eriol, but bowed politely, and took his leave.
Tomoyo commented, "Well, you know, Li's face HAS been looking sort of pale today, but it doesn't seem like he's sick." She saw Eriol look at her with an amused expression. So now everyone in the room knows that the culprit was Syaoran except for Sakura. But yet I'm still trying to put them together, which is quite impossible, considering the conditions they're in. Tomoyo sighed. Maybe she was doing this all for nothing. Glancing around, she noticed that nobody was talking. "Uh... Sorry, Eriol, but Sakura and I have something to do, so we'll just go." Tomoyo said, hauling Sakura out of the room.
^*^*^*^*^*^*^ Syaoran's POV ^*^*^*^*^*^*^
For once, I actually have to thank Hiiragizawa. At least he saved me from heaps of embarrassment. Sighing, I looked back out my window. Out of nowhere, I just became so angry with myself I slammed the window with my fists. As soon as I did it, I regretted the action. Again, I had forgotten the cut in my arm.
I took off my jacket and observed the bandages on my shoulder. They were a mess, not to mention that the bandages weren't the best you could find, either. They were in tatters, and were barely in condition to wrap up even a finger. Disgusted, I 'unwrapped' them, not that there was anything to unwrap. Having more time on my hands, I decided to see if I brought better bandages.
After looking for hours, I guess I didn't bring any after all. Putting some new 'bandages' on my arm, I leapt out my window. I had to buy some before it's too late.
^*^*^*^*^*^*^ In the Marketplace ^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Sakura and Tomoyo were taking a small stroll through the marketplace of the capital. Everywhere around them, there were stalls selling food, cloth (Tomoyo was delighted), hair accessories, and... bandages.
Tomoyo nudged Sakura. "Isn't that Syaoran over there? What is HE doing in marketplace, buying bandages?" she asked slyly. The sooner Sakura figured out it was Syaoran, the better chance that she'll be able to win. As long as it doesn't come as too much of a shock.
Sakura squinted, since the sun was in her eyes. "Yeah, I think that's him. Gee, Tomoyo, you have really good eyesight." Inside, she was wondering about what Tomoyo was asking. Why WAS he buying bandages? He didn't seem hurt. And besides, wasn't he supposed to be sick and pale?
Tomoyo answer Sakura's unspoken question with a small white lie. "Perhaps Kin-- er, Eriol sent him to buy some?" she said uncertainly, not sure if Sakura would fall for it. Sakura seemed to fall for her lie. Boy, is she gullible. Tomoyo thought as they continued walking through the busy place.
~ Syaoran just finished buying some bandages, when he felt eyes on him. Instinctively, he turned around, his amber eyes searching through the crowd of swarming people. Nobody seemed to notice him. Being much more cautious, he slipped out of the crowd, and headed back towards the castle. ~
So how's my new chapter? Please review. I need to know how you feel about my story! Also, I hope that I did the incantation right. I got the info from a friend, but I'm still not that sure... (Sorry Angela!)
Anyway, don't forget to review! I really would be happy to see any comments/useful criticism/ideas. (Well, ideas, because not even I know the plot of this story. Heh-heh. ^.^;;;) OF course, flame if you want. But if you ARE going to flame me, tell me how I could make it better!
As usual, I thank everyone who reviewed, and I'm sorry I didn't post this up sooner! Actually, this is pretty soon for me. But still, I'm sorry all the same.
DISCLAIMER: Another chapter, and another boring old disclaimer. Well, everyone knows what I'm going to say: I don't own CCS.
".."=talking ..=thinking ^*^*^*^*=change of setting [AN.]=Author's Notes
Friend or Foe by KawaiiSakuraAngel
Chapter Eleven:
As soon as the training was over, Syaoran sneaked back in, hoping to make he impression that he was never out. If he had just stayed a little bit longer, he would have known that it was now impossible for him to take the cards. If just had just stay ONE moment longer, he would have known that his mission was a failure. But he didn't.
Eriol walked into his study and shut the door. Syaoran was sitting at his desk, bent over, and doing some of his work. When the door opened, he looked and smiled. Now just by the smile, Eriol could tell that Syaoran was definitely up to something. But wouldn't he already know that it was useless, now that Sakura had transformed all the cards?
Eriol mentally hit himself. How could he have forgotten? His own ability to read minds! Eriol acted like nothing was wrong, and merely said that his 'cute little descendent' was doing well. Strangely, Syaoran didn't even seem the least bit mad. He was obviously so happy about something else that he didn't even feel like getting mad. Something was surely wrong.
Reaching into Syaoran's head, Eriol obtained all the information he needed. So his descendent didn't know that Sakura had already transformed the cards, just what happened today. There had to be some way that he can protect Sakura. But then again, this could serve as a test for Sakura. Smiling to himself, Eriol thought over his idea carefully.
^*^*^*^*^*^*^ Later That Night ^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Sakura woke up, her head throbbing. Kero couldn't wake her up, so the only thing he could do was to jerk on her hair. Sakura put her hand over her scalp. "That hurt, Kero," she whined, unaware of what was going on. Just then, she felt an aura.
Kero read the expression on her face. "Took you long enough," he said. Then, more seriously, "I think someone's out to get the Clow Car - uh - Sakura Cards."
Sakura looked at him. "How would you know, Kero?" Kero didn't have a chance to reply as a shadow swept past the window. Sakura messily dressed, then took out Fly.
Key of Clow!
Power of Magic,
Power of Light,
Surrender the wand
The force ignite!
RELEASE! [AN: is that right?]
Soon, she (and Kero) was soaring out the window. All the time, she never noticed that Tomoyo was not in the room.
Gliding in the air, Sakura looked downward, trying to relocate the shadow that had passed her window. Syaoran, meanwhile, just slipped into Sakura's room. Of course, he was stunned to find no one there, not even Kero. Confused, he looked back through the window that he just came in through. Up in the sky, he just barely made out the silhouette Sakura on her staff, with Kero Flying behind her. Scowling, he climbed back through the window, still determined to snatch the 'Clow Cards' from Sakura.
Taking out a charm, Syaoran yelled, "Wind!" [AN: If anyone knows how to say this correctly, I'd be VERY, VERY grateful to them. I don't really know any of the incantations and stuff. ^.^] A strong gust of wind intercepted Sakura's flight, causing her to lose her balance, and fall off her staff.
Syaoran knew that, if she died, it meant that the cards had no mistress or owner. But that would also make him a murderer. Quickly, he shook off the thought. His focus was on his mission, not the outcomes. His mother had warned him from thinking too much. It was the right time to take her advice.
Sakura closed her eyes for the impact with the ground, but was save by Kero, in his true form. Smiling a 'thanks', she faced in the general direction the aura was. "Whoever you are, why don't you step out and face me?" she asked boldly.
Syaoran smirked. If it weren't for Keroberos, Sakura would have fallen to her death. But Keroberos couldn't always be just in time, can he? Unafraid, Syaoran stepped out. He was dressed completely in black, even with a piece of cloth tied across his face, to hide his identity. Sakura was a bit scared, but she felt safe with Kero beside her. She saw 'the figure' almost a sword from thin air.
Reaching in a pocket sewed to the side of her dress (Tomoyo put it there), Sakura pulled out three cards: Fight, Sword, and Power. Then the fight began. The two were evenly matched, but Syaoran's energy was slowly dying out. Sakura, backed up y the power card had no trouble at all. They clashed their swords together, the metallic ring cutting through the silence of the night. None of them were able to get to each other.
Seeing that Sakura was gaining the upper hand, Syaoran decided to retreat. As he leapt away, he was not quick enough to avoid Sakura's sword. Sakura's sword grazed his left shoulder. But before she had the time to harm him more, he had already changed his sword back into a pendent, and ran off. Unluckily for Syaoran, Sakura had caught a glance of his pendent.
Eriol stood nearby on a wall, watching his half-daughter fight his descendent. To him, it was quite interesting. He smiled to himself as he watched Syaoran escape, and felt happy for Sakura's first fight/victory.
^*^*^*^*^*^*^ The Next Morning (Syaoran's POV) ^*^*^*^*^*^*^
I was just about to get out of bed, when a piercing pain in my shoulder made me lay back down. The cut had gone deeper than I assumed. Looking down, I noticed that part of my clothes were half drenched in my own blood. I decided to ignore the pain, and got up. Taking out some bandages, I hastily wrapped up my wound, put my jacket over it, and rushed out of the room. For once, I woke up after sunrise. Guess I had to skip my training (more like practice) today.
Quickly, I ran towards Hiiragizawa's study, running into a few guards on he way. Just when I was about to reach the door, I ran straight into somebody. I landed on my left shoulder as I fell. I forgot about it, but now the pain was back, and unbearable. I cursed at myself for being so careless. I offered to help the person up, as I was expected to. Boy was I surprised when I saw Kinomoto there.
^*^*^*^*^*^*^ Sakura's POV ^*^*^*^*^*^*^
I was just approaching Eriol's study when a figure banged right into me. The person got up, and offered me a hand. After getting up, I found out that I just ran into Li. I thanked him politely, and turned to walk inside. To my surprise, Li just pushed right past me, and into the study. As he walked by, I noticed something that hung around his neck, on a string. It looked so familiar...
I decided that I would think about it later. I have already promised Eriol that I'd come today. That's when I noticed that Tomoyo was nowhere to be seen. It was weird... She had been behind me the whole time. We were talking just before I bumped into Syaoran, too. Maybe she went back to thinking that I make a nice couple with Syaoran. I groaned. That would mean that she'll do everything she can to put us together.
I walked back down the hall a little bit. Then I spotted Tomoyo, with her quill, drawing something. Sighing, I pretended I didn't notice her attempts to hide whatever it was. "Tomoyo, where were you?"
Tomoyo evaded my question. "Um, Sakura, didn't you say that you had to see Eriol? Why don't we go? You'll be late!" she half yelled, dragging me towards Eriol's room.
^*^*^*^*^*^*^ In the Study ^*^*^*^*^*^*^ (3rd person)
As usual, Eriol seemed to know what Sakura was going to say. "It's ok, you could talk," he said. She guessed he meant that Syaoran already knew about the Clow Cards. Sakura took a second to think over what she was going to say. Again, Eriol interrupted. "So, Sakura, what exactly happened yesterday?" he asked, as if completely clueless. The statement was so obvious, it could have even fooled the densest person on earth. If Eriol really was clueless, he wouldn't have known that something happened yesterday.
Sakura prepared herself to speak again. "Yesterday, someone tried to steal the cards from me. I don't know, but it seemed like they had magic, too. Not to mention that the person was pretty well trained in martial arts. I think I was only able to win because my enemy was running out of energy, and I had the power card to help me."
Eriol grinned. "I see. Did you see who the person was? I could help you find him out, if you want."
Sakura thought about the offer. "It's ok, Eriol, I think I can find the person myself." Syaoran grew nervous. Did this mean that she knew it was him all along? Nobody noticed the fact that Syaoran was biting his lip so hard, it was starting to bleed. "I think that the person will come again. All I did was cut him or her on the shoulder. It was a minor injury."
Eriol nodded as his lips curved into a smirk. Syaoran noticed this, and just clenched his fists. If not in anger, it was in nervousness. So maybe Eriol knows. Or worse - they might both know. Syaoran wanted to beat himself up. How could I be so stupid? Of course Hiiragizawa would know. He could read minds! And he probably told Kinomoto that I would come after the cards.
Eriol saw Syaoran's expression from the corner of his eye. Casually, he turned around and said, "Syaoran, I see you aren't feeling well today. If you want, you can go to your room." Syaoran glared at Eriol, but bowed politely, and took his leave.
Tomoyo commented, "Well, you know, Li's face HAS been looking sort of pale today, but it doesn't seem like he's sick." She saw Eriol look at her with an amused expression. So now everyone in the room knows that the culprit was Syaoran except for Sakura. But yet I'm still trying to put them together, which is quite impossible, considering the conditions they're in. Tomoyo sighed. Maybe she was doing this all for nothing. Glancing around, she noticed that nobody was talking. "Uh... Sorry, Eriol, but Sakura and I have something to do, so we'll just go." Tomoyo said, hauling Sakura out of the room.
^*^*^*^*^*^*^ Syaoran's POV ^*^*^*^*^*^*^
For once, I actually have to thank Hiiragizawa. At least he saved me from heaps of embarrassment. Sighing, I looked back out my window. Out of nowhere, I just became so angry with myself I slammed the window with my fists. As soon as I did it, I regretted the action. Again, I had forgotten the cut in my arm.
I took off my jacket and observed the bandages on my shoulder. They were a mess, not to mention that the bandages weren't the best you could find, either. They were in tatters, and were barely in condition to wrap up even a finger. Disgusted, I 'unwrapped' them, not that there was anything to unwrap. Having more time on my hands, I decided to see if I brought better bandages.
After looking for hours, I guess I didn't bring any after all. Putting some new 'bandages' on my arm, I leapt out my window. I had to buy some before it's too late.
^*^*^*^*^*^*^ In the Marketplace ^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Sakura and Tomoyo were taking a small stroll through the marketplace of the capital. Everywhere around them, there were stalls selling food, cloth (Tomoyo was delighted), hair accessories, and... bandages.
Tomoyo nudged Sakura. "Isn't that Syaoran over there? What is HE doing in marketplace, buying bandages?" she asked slyly. The sooner Sakura figured out it was Syaoran, the better chance that she'll be able to win. As long as it doesn't come as too much of a shock.
Sakura squinted, since the sun was in her eyes. "Yeah, I think that's him. Gee, Tomoyo, you have really good eyesight." Inside, she was wondering about what Tomoyo was asking. Why WAS he buying bandages? He didn't seem hurt. And besides, wasn't he supposed to be sick and pale?
Tomoyo answer Sakura's unspoken question with a small white lie. "Perhaps Kin-- er, Eriol sent him to buy some?" she said uncertainly, not sure if Sakura would fall for it. Sakura seemed to fall for her lie. Boy, is she gullible. Tomoyo thought as they continued walking through the busy place.
~ Syaoran just finished buying some bandages, when he felt eyes on him. Instinctively, he turned around, his amber eyes searching through the crowd of swarming people. Nobody seemed to notice him. Being much more cautious, he slipped out of the crowd, and headed back towards the castle. ~
So how's my new chapter? Please review. I need to know how you feel about my story! Also, I hope that I did the incantation right. I got the info from a friend, but I'm still not that sure... (Sorry Angela!)
Anyway, don't forget to review! I really would be happy to see any comments/useful criticism/ideas. (Well, ideas, because not even I know the plot of this story. Heh-heh. ^.^;;;) OF course, flame if you want. But if you ARE going to flame me, tell me how I could make it better!