Hehe, I did update! Just on the last day possible for me because I bought sheet music and played it during the weekend and reading the last bokk of CCS manga to complete my collection!. ;) Well, school starts in two weeks for me :( so I hope to update as planned during school. I planned to make this and the next chapter doubly good since Sakura and Syaoran finally meet, which I know you all have been all waiting for. BlueNovaBunny
BNB: Yay, this is starting to turn out like an SS fic fianlly!
Ken: rolls eyes wasn't supposed to be like that at the beginning?
BNB: twitch I twitch started out twitch a little slow, but I think I'm getting a little better in my writing. Give or take a few spelling mistakes.
Ken: Whatever
BNB: Today we have a not so special guest, Koiji Matsumoto! My OC from chapter 2 and 3.
Koiji: Where is Sakura? I must have my Sakura!
BNB: backs away don't worry; you're coming up later in the story to terrorize her.
Koiji: Terrorize her? insert evil laugh here Sakura and I ARE MEANT TO BE!!!
BNB: dodges spit um yeah…
Phoenix: The mental asylum phoned you. That say it is inhuman to use any person in your story.
BNB: What! grabs legal paper Lets see that; by order of the court, Mr. Matsumoto is to be returned to his psychiatrist because we have been notified that you broken him out of the mental hospital. Then subjected Mr. Matsumoto to stare twenty hours at a picture of Miss Sakura Kinomoto while yelling "You'll be obsessed about this girl" for a year. If you do not release him, then you'll be sent to prison indefinitely.
Ken: I warned you not to do that!!!
BNB: pouts but Touya stares at Yuki's picture all day and he turned out fine. I thought it wouldn't hurt Koiji; just make him friendlier with her.
Ken: watches Koiji stare at Sakura's picture
Koiji: drools
Ken: shudders
BNB: Well on with the story, but before that. The reviewers! I'd like to thank lil-cherry-wolf, Vi3t BaBiI, Auroratwin, and Gabzilla for reviewing. And Gabzilla, I feel the same way too about Syaoran. Now if only Clamp will make a poster for me…
Disclaimer: Card Captor Sakura is own by Clamp and when BNB takes over, the world will end.
Chapter 13: Funjou Of Traveling
Sakura stared up at the darkening sky. A depressed groan came from her as she saw rain clouds covering up the last rays of sunlight. The street wasn't a pretty thing to look at either. Muck and some fertilizing remains seemed to cover the entire street. Well that was the docks for you.
Sakura pulled her cloak tighter as she passed more shady characters. She slipped the piece of paper form her pocket that Lord Hiragizawa had given her. On it had the name of her boat. A harmless looking man sat on the dock's corner. 'He looks like he could help me.'
"Excuse Kenkei, can you tell me where this boat is docked?" The old guy peered at her before glancing at the paper.
"I believe that ship left just yesterday for Hong Kong. You've missed it."
"I…missed…it…" Sakura felt like she was falling from the world. She had missed her boat's departure. Now she couldn't get to Hong Kong. Now she couldn't collect the rest of the Clow gems and prevent the Li's from getting it.
Hot tears burned her cheek. What has happened the pass few months had finally taken its toll on her. Everything had seemed to go wrong since Mimi died. 'Oh god, I wish Mimi was here. I need her assurance so bad.' Sakura hugged herself as the raindrops started sprinkling on her head.
The old man clucked his tongue and patted her back. "Don't worry about it. The note in your hand looks like it was given to you from a noble. I'm sure the captain of the ship will agree to let you travel on it once they dock the ship again." Sakura wiped her tears away.
"Do you know when they'll return? The old man scratched his beard.
"Let's see, I recognize that name. They usually take a month to go to Hong Kong on rough waters and a month to come back. So about two months more or less."
"Two months!" Sakura cried. The old man patted her back again.
"Don't worry dear; I know a place you can stay. It's an inn called Ido down the street. Why don't you go down there now before you get soaked." The old man leaned closer. "Tell the owner that Old Man Mazami sent you. You'll get cheaper rent." The guy gave her a conspirator's wink. Sakura nodded and headed for the grandpa pointed.
---
Xiao-Lang stood rigidly as the town's officer asked him his name. He showed him his papers. The guard glanced down at the paper.
"Alright Li Syaoran, you should have been briefed on the rules on entering this city. You may go now." Xiao-Lang wanted to correct the guard on his name's pronunciation but just shook it off. He forgot that the Japanese pronounced Chinese names differently. 'I guess I'm Syaoran until I leave this country.'
He picked up his bag and stared at the pouring sky. 'Guess I need to find a place to sleep today until tomorrow.' He started to walk, but realized the muck of the docks was getting on his clothes. He knew he better find a place soon no matter how depressing it was. He stopped at a Inn with the name written Ido on the sign. Seemed more like a bar then an inn but beggars couldn't be choosers. He entered the building.
Syaoran's nose wrinkled as the room smelt of smoke, sake, and unwashed bodies. He was right; this was more of a sake house then an inn. He sat down at the table near the fireplace and hailed the bartender over.
"What do you need young man." The owner drank in the sight of the stranger. His clothes were very rich and new looking. He knew he had a noble amidst him. He also knew nobles' taste went very wicked. Maybe if the guy found a girl in his bed he would be very obliged to pay well.
"I would like a room for the night and some dinner." The owner nodded too eagerly for Syaoran's taste, but he probably would get the job done faster then most others.
Makoto drew his friend aside. "Do you see that young lord there?" Hauro nodded. "Get the girl that came in today. You know the one the Old Geezer sent to us. She would probably serve the young lord well and he'd pay us a fortune in thanks."
His shady friend just nodded and took the stairs to the young girl's room. Makoto's eyes followed Hauro as he climbed upstairs. When ever a girl was sent here by that Old Geezer, he sometimes felt sorry for them. But then he realized gold was much better than a conscious.
---
Sakura stopped folding her clothes and hesitated before her door. The knock on her door came again. This time she decided to open the door. The door opened a crack and she saw the inn owner's friend.
"Yes?"
"I have brought cloth to dry yourself." Sakura exhaled in relief. She remembered how the bad the neighborhood looked and was a little scared to open her door. She swung the door open and let him in. The man handed her the cloth and stared at her. Sakura looked at him nervously. 'Why is he staring at me so…intensely?'
She turned her back on him and started fingering her folded clothes. 'Why won't he leave?' She only heard a creak in the wood to tell that Hauro had moved closer. She slowly turned around. A fist came slamming into her face. Then her world was black.
---
Makoto growled as Hauro laid the girl on the bed. Already her eye was turning a dark purple. Maybe the young master wouldn't care? When he saw Hauro's handiwork, he had become snippy. Lords usually like to do the bruising themselves and didn't want their women to look used until after they were through with them. He gave an exasperated growl, and then left the room, towing his servant with him.
---
Syaoran could barely keep his eyes open. The food and warmth of the fire was definitely getting to him. He yawned and decided it was time to go to bed. He steps heavily pounded on the stairs. It seemed like forever until he reached his room. A peaceful sigh escaped him when he fell into his bed.
Syaoran smiled to himself. He didn't give the owner enough credit, the bed was warmed for him. He wiggled around and felt something blocking him; something warm and shaped like a person. His eyes flew open and he lit the candle.
His hand paused above his sword when he realized it was a girl. A groan slipped from him. It wasn't like this hadn't happen before. The owner of inn wanted to please him too much.
Syaoran sighed and looked at the girl. She was actually quite beautiful. A frown marred his features. He noticed an ugly purple bruise forming on her right eye. She must have gotten that from a pervious customer.
Syaoran went downstairs and glared at the owner. Makoto cringed under the young lord's glare. The girl must have refused him. He knew he should have been worried she would refuse, but the young lord looked so strong. A puny girl couldn't dither him unless he actually cared.
"I would like a bowl of cold water and a cloth." An uneasy silence passed between them. Syaoran's amber eyes flared up to a golden hue. "I would like them now!" Makoto nodded meekly and ran to the kitchen.
Syaoran grabbed the bowl hastily shoved at him. Never mind that some of the water spilled on him. He grumbled to himself as he climbed up the stair. The door creaked open.
His hands worked swiftly; soaking the cloth and squeezing the excess water out. Syaoran was satisfied that the water was cold enough to numb his fingers a little. He lightly spread the cool cloth over her eye. He checked her arm and neck for other bruises that might be there. None. After he was sure her eye would be only slightly swollen in the morning, he really looked her over.
Though her dark locks were dulled by the twilight, the candle made it looked like a golden halo surrounded her angelic face. His hand caressed her face lightly. She was so beautiful. Syaoran felt himself lean closer to her. Maybe one soft kiss would be nice to remember this night by…
Her eyes opened. Syaoran felt himself gasp at the brilliant shade of green orbs that stared back at him. Then she screamed. Ah, the funjou of traveling…
Funjou (n) disturbance; trouble
Kenkei (n) wise elder brother; polite reference to another's older brother or to one's senior
Ido (n) water well
BNB: Kids, what have we learn today about the elderly srangers?
Ken: Never trust an old person; any old person.
Phoenix: fore they might be pimps in disguise!
BNB: You have learned and gets teary eyed I'm so proud! breaks out crying
BNB: Yes, another chapter complete! Aren't I'm just the evilest thing in the world with my short cliffhanger? grins Next is Chapter 14: Funkyuu Everywhere.
Phoenix: rEvIeW!!!!