Yes, it has been a long time since I updated, but again it was schoolwork. I'm now required to stay after school every single day and that takes away from my writing time. I'll try to update when scheduled (every two weeks) but I can't promise anything now. Kudos to those that have me on author alert. BlueNovaBunny

BNB: I'm thinking about writing a sequel to this story or maybe should I call it a spin-off. Well what I'm planning to write about is in this chapter so look out for it. I decided now to answer reviews which will be posted at the end of the chappie!

Ken: Clues, Clues, who cares?

SMACK

Ken: Owie

BNB: Ha, that's what you get for being evil. Now for our special guest…Touya!

Touya: /stares/

BNB: Ahem, well ya... What do you think of this chapter?

Touya: /stares/ I did not get to kill that Chinese brat!

BNB: /sweat drop/ Well yeah, do you know how many Li fans would drop kick me and send stink bombs in the mail. It'd be a freakin war zone.

Touya: /stares/

BNB: No wonder Kero always panicked when he stared at him.

Chapter 16: Taiketsu At Night

She marveled at the sight of the forest at night. The thick trees seemed to glow with an inner power…or maybe it was her companion making it happen? She quirked her eyebrow and mused to herself while glancing around.

Eriol sighed and kept pushing forward. He knew in the beginning he wanted Miss Daidouji to come along even though he was "forced", but now he just wanted to scare her off. His pace was much slower than expected and he was getting…distracted. He couldn't help and pause as she indulged in the beauty of nature. He noticed when her eyes sparkled; they resembled gems crossed between sapphires and amethyst. He knew her birthday was coming up and wondered if she wanted gems as a present.

"Lord Hiragizawa, are you alright?" Tomoyo gave him a worried glance and kept poking him in the arm. He just spaced out a moment ago and that really freaked her out. She couldn't have her tour guide dropping dead now.

"I'm fine Miss Daidouji. Just a little tired." Tomoyo huffed.

"Tired are not, we should reach our destination soon without any mishaps. And why the hell are we going such a slow pace? My grandfather can walk faster than this!" Eriol couldn't help but smile at her odd little remarks. He paused as he saw a red glow from the corner of his eyes.

"Tomoyo, can you please run up ahead. There's a cave there where we're going to rest. Set up camp, and I'll be there in a moment." Tomoyo blushed, she never heard him use her first name. It wasn't like they were lovers! But she couldn't help and think it sounded nice rolling off his tongue. Oh god tongue, she was thinking about his tongue. 'Bad thoughts, girl, very bad thoughts.'

Eriol gave her a puzzled look as she sprinted to the cave like demons were right behind her. Well maybe one was…

"Ruby Moon, what are you doing here?"

"Master, I came to tell you that Touya has found Sakura with a certain young Chinese lord. I wait for your orders." Eriol raised his eyebrow. Ruby Moon glared at him. "I would have taken action, but that young lord's presence confused me. He seemed to smell a little like you…"

"Simply put, he's my descendent." Ruby Moon frowned.

"Descendent…but Master Eriol, Clow Reed did marry, but he never had children—

Eriol put a finger to lips. "That is another story entirely; a story that involves a certain Miko we know. Now return to the scene and remove Sakura and my cute little descendent away from Touya quickly as possible."

Ruby Moon growled, "Wouldn't it just be easier to get rid of Lord Kinomoto?"

"Yes, but Sakura would be saddened that her brother is dead. I do not want her to have a heavy heart fore she is like a shinning star, kept a float by the ones she loves. If all her love ones were to parish, in a way she'd cease to exist. Already I can feel a darkness spreading in her heart over the death of her friends. And she needs all her strengths to go through the tests she faces." She nodded in understanding. Her staff flashed out and she bowed low to her master. She will complete her orders.

Eriol stayed in silence for a bit as Ruby Moon disappeared in a mist of crimson. Fates were moving quicker than plan, but then it did take a long time to begin. He walked to the opening of the cave and noticed the markings.

"So the Itsubun is here." He entered the cave and noticed Tomoyo standing in front of something. She stared a gape in terror and awe. 'So we meet my other half…'

/BREAK/

Syaoran couldn't believe his bad luck yet slightly good. The mysterious girl was the one with the Clow Gems, but Kinomoto seemed determined to take her with him. He unsheathed his sword and got into a ready stance. He knew whoever won this battle would claim Sakura and for some odd reason, he didn't want to lose.

Touya's eyes narrowed when he saw the purplish-black mark forming around his sister's eyes. "You bastard," he snarled, "you'd hit a woman just because she's my sister! You'll die today." He leaped at Syaoran.

Syaoran defense were down by the fact that his enemy just declared the girl his sister. His mortal enemy's sister was the one who was collecting the Clow Gems? Shock was running throughout his system, but at least body knew it was about to be sliced in half. Instincts let him dodge a mortal blow by Kinomoto and only come out with a shallow cut that ran along his arm. He knew it wasn't dangerous now, but blood loss could make it deadly. His left arm was loosing strength and this was a two-handed sword.

When he parried Kinomoto's next blow, pain and heat screamed up his arm. He felt a little light headed and his force was weak but managed to nick Touya in the shoulder. He felt his left arm go numb and switched the weight of the sword to his right. He dodged another blow and went on a fury attack. He was pissed about all the events happening so far and he knew because of that he would make a mistake. He closed his eyes in acceptance and Kinomoto's blade came swinging down.

His eyes flew up as a strong gust of wind carried Sakura and him above his attackers. The wind was definitely magic orientated and it kind of sense like Clow's magic. It was Clow's magic! He looked over to Sakura and saw a determined look on her face. 'My life is in her hands,' were his last thoughts before he fainted from blood loss. Sakura took note of it and flew towards the south. She was surprised when she looked back to see a snow storm concentrated on the area where the fight was. That was strange…

/BREAK/

Syaoran slowly opened his eyes, but squeezed them shut as he felt another burst of pain flare up his arm. 'Sleep was bliss, reality hurt,' he mused. He opened his eyes and saw his arm was bandaged with herbs. He saw what type of herbs they were and knew they were used to accelerate healing. Thus the throbbing pain almost making him faint again. He tensed up as he heard the rustling of feet.

Sakura appeared from the trees carrying a water bowl. She had fresh bandages hanging over her elbow. She gave him a bright smiled and set down next to his arm. He blinked in confusion as she started to unwrap his soiled bandaged, clean the wound, and start to wrap fresh the herbs and bandages around his arm.

"Why are you doing this?" Sakura sighed and sat on her hunches looking at him.

"I did it because I didn't want more blood shed over me. Too many people have died already. I know you'll try to kill me, but I just can't leave you helpless here. You helped me get away from that tavern and stood as my protection while we were traveling."

Syaoran sat quietly and stared at her. She was definitely a unique person. Anyone else that was in her position would've killed him already. She seemed so innocent to be gathering the Clow Gems for evil purposes.

"Sakura, I won't kill you. When I saw you capture that Clow Gem, I knew deep down that this was meant for you. It's just that I have told all my life that I was meant for this, but when I saw you use the staff meant for capturing. I just knew…"

"Eriol told me that you were trying to get the gems so you could use them to destroy my family. Now I know that isn't true because I know you would destroy your enemies not using magic. I think I'm destined for this." Syaoran nodded.

"I'll keep traveling with you and watch you collect this. But know this Sakura; if I see corruptive use of them, I will have to kill you." Sakura shook her head in agreement. She gave him a speculative glance. Syaoran tried to inch away by the look in her eyes. He felt she was about to ask him something he didn't want to do.

"Syaoran, since you can fight and all; I was wondering if you're willing to teach me how to use a sword?" He groaned but thought better. It'll be less dangerous for her if she learned how to use a weapon.

taiketsu (n) confrontation; showdown

miko (n) priestess

Reviews:

Vi3t BaBiI: Yes you are a royal reader and thanks for the support! I thinking I need a lot of support since a certain friend /cough/ Ken /cough/ is so negative.

The-Wolf-of-Stars: I try to hurry next time, but I can promise at least 1 chapter per month!!!...Okay maybe that isn't a good thing compared to the other authors that can dish it out every week. .'

Auroratwin: Hehe, a lil devil told me to cross-dress Syaoran. But at least being raised with four older sisters should give him a keen fashion sense. . did that sound right? Anyway…Oui, je parle francaise. Er, say 'somewhat' in French?????

Phoenix: ReVIeW!!!!!!