I do not own Cardcaptor Sakura or any of the ninja weapons or techniques used here.
Chapter 7: A Scare and a Memory
"I win, I win! I beat Li-kun!" shouted Sakura happily when she touched the door of the inn. Syaoran came panting behind her and stopped; he put his hands on his knees and was catching his breath.
"You're…such…a big cheat…Kinomoto…" Syaoran gasped in between breaths. Sakura stuck out her tongue at Syaoran and patted his back lightly,
"You're just mad that I beat you…Admit it, you're jealous…" narrowing her eyes at Syaoran. Syaoran caught his breath and glared at Sakura,
"I'll admit that you cheated! You used the dash card to increase your speed! If you haven't used that I would have beaten you fair and square!" Sakura turned her face away from him and crossed her arms,
"You're just jealous because you lost. I thought you were much faster Li-kun, but it seems that I was wrong…" she gave him a small sly smile and it ticked him off right away,
"What's that? Are you insulting me Kinomoto? I'll show you how fast I am! C'mon, let's do it right here right now!" Sakura smiled at Syaorans eagerness but turned her back,
"I would love to Li-kun…" she answered, "But I think this mission is more important than a stupid race…Oh! Here comes Tomoyo-chan and Hiiragizawa-kun!" She waved at them hoping that they will notice where they were. Syaoran just pouted with anger and shoved his hands in his pockets grumbling in Chinese. Sakura giggled at him and thought, "He's kinda cute when he's angry….Wait! What am I thinking? He's always mean to me anyways…He's not cute at all!" She then saw Eriol and Tomoyo approaching them, and Sakura forgot all that she said about Syaoran. "Okay! Now that we're all set and ready, let's go check out the inn!" She proudly walked towards the door of the inn and grabbed the knob. She turned it to the right and opened it; there she saw people eating heartily at tables and there were music blaring out from a piano and a violin. There were people dancing and laughing joylessly as they talked to one another. Sakura smiled broadly and tilted her head towards her friends, "C'mon! We have to register!" The others followed her in the inn and stopped at the registration table,
"Hi my name is Kino-ow!" Sakura was interrupted by a jab onto her ribs. She looked at who did it and it was Tomoyo giving her a "don't-mention-your-name" look. Sakura nodded and turned back to the confused man, Sakura smiled and continued, "Kinomore Satsuki. My friends and I would like to stay here for about a week or so." She nodded at her friends and they nodded at the man.
He smiled back and replied, "Yes, okay. I would like to know your friends names please. This is mandatory for safety issues."
Tomoyo came up first and said her name, "Danita Tadako, sir." The man nodded at her and wrote her name on his notebook.
Then Eriol approached him, "Hiroshi Kiyoshi is my name." Nodding again he wrote the name down.
Lastly Syaoran trudged up to him and mumbled, "Li Shenlong…" The man looked up at him and raised one eyebrow at him. Tomoyo, Eriol and Sakura gulped hoping that the man wouldn't throw them out, since Syaoran gave him a Chinese name.
The man set down his pen and asked curiously, "Are you from China young man?"
Syaoran made no face expression at the question and answered, "Yes sir. I am currently visiting my girlfriend…" He pointed at Sakura without noticing what he had done. Sakura could feel the heat creeping up to her cheeks and gave a small smile at the man looking at her.
The man smiled backed and turned his head back to Syaoran, "Well I say Mr. Li; she is a mighty beautiful girl. I give you many blessings to you and…uh...er…" He glanced at Sakura's fake name and looked up again, "your lover Kinomore Satsuki…" Syaoran looked up with surprised and saw his finger pointing to Sakura. Mentally slapping himself, he blushed furiously and nodded quite fast at the man. The man looked at his book once again and gave a little gasp which everyone heard, "Oh I am very sorry to alarm you but…it seems there is a shortage of rooms today. The only remaining are two rooms…I'm sure that all of you will handle quite nicely. The beds are big enough for two so I think it might work out. Please, this way." He led them out of the busy room and up to a flight of stairs. They followed the man and went down a dark hallway. He then turned right and stopped at two doors beside each other. He pointed to the one nearest to them, "This room is for Ms. Kinomore and Mr. Li. I don't think Mr. Li would like it if he was separated from his sweetie." He then pointed at the room farthest to them, "And this room is for Ms. Danita and Mr. Hiroshi. I'm terribly sorry for doing this you two, but I wanted the others to be together." He bowed at Tomoyo and Eriol who were stunned. The man then turned his heel and left the four shocked.
"Well….this is JUST GREAT! WHY IN THE WORLD AM I STUCK WITH YOU?" Sakura pointed a nasty finger at Syaoran and stomped the floor. She crossed her arms across her chest and did a big "humph." Eriol and Tomoyo glanced at each other and shrugged. They didn't really mind being together; but then they smiled evilly at each other and glanced at Syaoran and Sakura.
Nodding, Eriol opened the door to their room, "Shall we go Tadako?"
Tomoyo nodded and smiled, "Why yes Kiyoshi, I must unpack right away. Oh! And Satsuki? Have fun! I'll visit!"
She entered into the room and Eriol winked at Syaoran, "Be nice Shenlong! Don't do anything rash now to poor little Satsuki!" He then closed the door softly leaving the two glaring at each other.
Sakura turned away from Syaoran and went to the door. Before opening it she turned her head to Syaoran, "Well Shenlong, I just want you to know that this is all your fault." She opened the door and went inside the room. Syaoran growled and stomped towards the room following Sakura, he saw Sakura put down her bags and lay on the bed. The bed was a queen size and it had a light purple comforter over the mattress. The room was quite large and it had green wallpaper with cherry blossoms decorating it. There was a small bathroom next to them and a balcony peering at the mountain.
Syaoran glared right at Sakura and angrily replied, "Tell me Satsuki how this is my fault."
Sakura got up from the bed and stared right at Syaoran, "I'll tell you this is your fault…It's your fault because you had to make up that story of me and you being girlfriend and boyfriend. If this hadn't happen Shenlong, I would be with Tadako right now!" She turned her back on Syaoran and bristly walked to the balcony. She leaned on the railing of the balcony and sighed stressfully. She could hear that Syaoran was unpacking his things and putting them into his drawers. Sakura turned and went back inside the room. Also unpacking, she felt awkward around Syaoran since she never slept or been together with a man in the same room. But then she noticed that there was only one bed, her cheeks were starting to flare up with redness and looked at Syaoran who was too busy unpacking then to notice Sakura's gaze, "Hooooeeee…" she softly said.
Syaoran heard it and stopped what he was doing, "What's wrong Miss Smarty Pants?"
Sakura looked at him, "There's only one bed…"
"So…?" replied Syaoran.
"You're such a dunce! Don't you get it? One bed! Two of us!" Syaoran looked at her strangely and Sakura groaned.
But then as if a lightning just hit him right on the head, Syaoran noticed what Sakura was scared about. "Oh great…we have to sleep together!"
Sakura nodded at him and held up her hand that was clenched, "Jankenpon (rock, paper, scissors the game) will decide whoever gets the bed. Best out of three." Syaoran nodded with agreement and held out his hand also.
Both of them took a step back and held their hands in front of them, "JAN-KEN-PON!" Sakura then released her hand to scissors and Syaoran had paper. Syaoran scowled and Sakura smiled triumphantly. They did it again and then Sakura had rock and Syaoran had paper; Syaoran won the second round. It was all tied up and both of them were staring at each other intently.
They withdrew their hands and shouted, "JAN-KEN-PON!" Sakura had paper and Syaoran had scissors. Sakura was shocked; she lost the game and now she had to sleep on the floor.
Syaoran smiled proudly and withdrew his hand; he blew on it and rubbed it onto his chest, "Looks like I get the bed…" He resumed unpacking leaving Sakura stunned and looking at her hand which held paper. Sakura felt like she wanted to shout at Syaoran and start beating him up, but she held it all in. She took a deep breath and sighed. Seeing that she already finished unpacking she grabbed her pajamas and went inside the bathroom. She quickly changed and stepped out. Sakura was wearing dark green pants and shirt. It had light pink cherry blossoms over it and it bordered the outline too.
Passing Syaoran he looked at her strangely, "Why are you getting ready for bed when it's still in the middle of the afternoon?" Syaoran was right, the sun was brightly shining and people were outside looking at the sights.
Without turning Sakura went straight to the bed and covered herself with the blankets, "I'm taking a nap, too much excitement happened today." Sakura said coldly.
Surprised, Syaoran looked at her, "All mad for some stupid game…" he thought.
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"Well? Can you hear anything Eriol-kun?" asked Tomoyo impatiently. Eriol shushed her and leaned more onto the wall trying to hear what Sakura and Syaoran was saying. All he heard was that Sakura was going to take a nap.
Eriol shook his head in disappointment and faced back to Tomoyo, "The way that I heard is that Kinomoto-san is angry of losing to "Jankenpon." So now she's taking a nap."
Tomoyo shook her head and sighed, "Sakura hates to lose on such a simple game. The only way to calm her self down is taking a nap." Eriol chuckled and glanced back at the wall he was listening. He smirked a bit and looked back at Tomoyo who was on the bed thinking to herself.
He went up and sat down beside her, "Is anything wrong Tomoyo?"
Looking up she saw Eriol looking at her straight in the eye; she blushed a small tint of red and shook her head, "Oh, I'm just thinking of a way to get those two together! They're so kawaii together!" She clasped her hands together and she had stars in her eyes.
Eriol smiled at her and thought of something, "Ah Tomoyo, I think I've got a plan!"
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As Syaoran finished the final load of unpacking he glanced at where Sakura was sleeping. She was under the covers and had a serenity look on her face; her beautiful auburn hair covered half of her face and she was breathing soundly. Syaoran walked up to her and sat next to her on the bed smiling, he carefully tucked the hair that was covering her face behind her ear. Sakura stirred a little but she slept on in a beautiful slumber.
Syaoran looked at her with soft eyes and thought, "So beautiful, she looks like an angel when she sleeps." But then he caught himself, did he say that she was beautiful? He cussed and got up from the bed, "What am I thinking? She's just an annoying girl who is a poor sport…But…" He looked at Sakura again and sighed. "I've never felt this way before. When ever I am with her she always makes me feel peaceful and calm at the same time. It's as if I want to be with her more..." Syaoran thought about this more but stopped when he heard Sakura starting to wake up. Sakura lifted herself off her pillow and rubbed her eyes; she had a good nap after what happened to her and Syaoran. The sun was still up and the sun rays bathed her face into it. She felt refreshed and she got out of the bed. "Mhmmmmm! That was great!" Noticing that Syaoran was staring at her she turned to him, "What's wrong? Was I snoring or something?"
Syaoran just smiled at her and shook his head, "Not at all, I had my ear muffs covering the noise..." He smirked and glanced at Sakura who was starting to get angry.
Sakura was about to burst but she sighed and shook her head, "I don't wanna argue right now. Just tell me the truth, did I snore?"
Syaoran was a bit taken back but smiled at how she didn't want to argue; he really didn't want to argue either, "No, you didn't. I heard absolutely nothing." Sakura smiled at him which made him blush. Laughing at Syaoran she grabbed some clothes in her cabinet and went into the bathroom to change. Shortly after, she came out wearing a light pink tank top with tight white shorts. The shorts had pink embroidered cherry blossoms on the sides. Sakura grabbed her fan that was leaning on her cabinet and opened the door.
Just before stepping out of the room a hand grabbed hers, turning around she saw Syaoran with a worried face, "Don't tell me you're training again Kinomoto…"
Sakura smiled at him and nodded, "Yeah, I need to perfect this. I still have a lot of practice to do. Don't worry Li-kun, I'll be okay." Trying once again to leave the room Syaoran still held her to her place, "Li-kun, please let go. I promise I won't be reckless like last time."
Syaoran shook his head at her, "No, I know you Kinomoto. After you reach your limit, you try to do one last technique and then after that you collapse! I don't want that happening again. You gave everyone a scare." Sakura looked at the worried look in Syaoran's eyes and she knew she couldn't do anything to convince him.
She smiled lightly at him and said, "Why don't you come with me while I train? That way you can watch me if I am being too reckless and you can stop me. You could also train with me too!"
Syaoran thought about the idea for a moment and then turned back to her, "Fine, I'll come with you. I need some brushing up on my skills also."
Sakura nodded at him and replied, "Good! Now that's settled I'll meet you at the back of the inn. There's a forest nearby and it's perfect for training for the both of us!" She darted out of the room before Syaoran could say anything else. Syaoran stood there for a minute and then went back into the room; he quickly got his clothes and changed in the bathroom. He came out wearing a forest green sleeveless shirt with dark brown shorts. Grabbing his sword that was leaning on the bed he swiftly went out the door closing it behind him.
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"So, they're training outside? Well let's put this plan into action Tomoyo…" spoke Eriol after releasing himself from the wall. Tomoyo nodded with excitement and started to prepare her things that she needed to capture the moment that Sakura and Syaoran are going to be in. Eriol was thinking of what to make Sakura really scared of to make her go to Syaoran. He then glimpsed at Tomoyo and then asked, "Tomoyo, what are Kinomoto's deepest fears?"
Looking up she saw an evil glint in his eyes. She smiled evilly, getting the picture why he asked, "Well, first of all she is deeply scared of………."
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Syaoran joined Sakura at the entry of the forest who was waiting patiently for him. She noticed Syaoran coming up and she grinned brightly, "Ready to go Li-kun? Maybe after a few hours of training by ourselves we could have a little match together. What do you say?"
Syaoran smirked, "You're on Kinomoto." Sakura laughed at the fire in Syaoran's eyes. She then turned and entered into the forest, she continued walking until she saw a little clearing.
Running towards it she called out to Syaoran, "Li-kun! Over here!" She waved her arm towards him who was a little ways a way. Syaoran saw Sakura waving at him and he jogged towards her. "Ready?" she asked as soon as he arrived.
"You bet." Responded Syaoran, he then unsheathed his sword and admired the glimmer that it gave. Smiling, Sakura turned her back and jumped onto a stump. Taking her fan, she unraveled it to its true form. Syaoran was watched her intently; to see what technique she would be doing.
Sensing Syaoran's stare she spun around and gave him a curious look, "What's wrong Li-kun?"
He snapped out of his trance and shook his head, "It's…it's nothing.
Sakura smiled and said to him, "Do you want a little preview of my attacks?"
Syaoran cocked an eyebrow at her and retorted, "I already saw what kind of techniques you use. Why bother?"
Sakura giggled, "No, no. I have more techniques then that. C'mon, I'll show you." She turned back around while Syaoran concentrated at her fan. Sakura then bit her thumb until blood was starting to drip out; she then placed the blood onto her fan. Raising her fan she shouted, "KUCHIYOSE KIRIKIRI!" with immense strength she swung her fan and once again the white ferret came out. Syaoran gaped at it…what was that? The white ferret carried a scythe that it was holding and headed for the forest on Sakura's half. With immense speed it slashed every single tree that it encountered with leaving nothing but logs all over the place.
Syaoran was stunned, "How does she have so much power?" Syaoran's mouth was slightly opened as he looked at all the fallen logs scattered in the forest.
Sakura turned and smiled at him, "Well? What did you think?" As she saw Syaoran's mouth opened she giggled at him. "I think that's all I'm going to show you Li-kun. I don't want you to show you all my surprises!"
She winked at him and Syaroan just smirked, "Whatever. Do what you want." He parted from Sakura and went to another clearing so she wouldn't be able to spy on him.
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After two hours were passed, Sakura folded up her fan and ran towards where Syaoran was training. She swiftly moved around the trees and finally found Syaoran polishing his sword. She looked at the trees surrounding him and saw they were all cut up and logs were scattered everywhere. Smiling, she decided to sneak up on Syaoran's back while he was cleaning his sword. Dashing to bush to bush she finally had herself behind Syaoran; giggling she jumped out of the bush and wrapped her arms around Syaoran's neck, "BOO!" she shouted. Startled Syaoran dropped his sword and turned to who grabbed him. He saw Sakura smiling with delight and her head was on his back and she was laughing joylessly. Syaoran turned bright red and held Sakura's waist so she wouldn't fall. "I surprised you Li-kun! Admit it, you were totally surprised!" Syaoran looked down on her and saw the laughter in her eyes; Syaoran smiled lightly at her and chuckled a bit. Sakura gasped, "YOU SMILED! This must be the first time I have ever seen you smile with happiness! Wow…..you look much better with a smile on your face Li-kun. You should do it more often." Taken back slightly Syaoran just let the comment slip.
"Well you look rather cute when you smile Kinomoto."
Sakura redden and whispered softly, "Arigato Li-kun. Now…are you ready for our little match?" She let go of his neck and stood up straight.
Syaoran smirked and answered, "Of course! But this time it will be a whole lot different than last time." Sakura laughed and started to walk towards where she was training. Then all of a sudden the sky began to darken and the forest was overcome with darkness. Sakura who noticed the strange color looked up; she fingered her fan that was tied to her back. Then all of a sudden there were moans and groans that were coming out of the tree trunks. Then sounds of a loud high-pitched scream were overcoming the moans and groans and Sakura started to quiver. She dropped her hand from her fan and started to put it around her arms. Syaoran looked at the foreboding forest and then saw Sakura's back starting to tremble. He looked at her strangely and then she fell onto her knees and she was now shivering all over her body. Syaoran ran up to her and knelt beside her, "Kinomoto? What's wrong?" He looked at her more closely and tears were starting to fall from her eyes. He gaped at her and held her hands, "Kinomoto? This isn't like you."
Sakura sniffed quietly and looked at Syaoran with sadness in her eyes. She looked up at Syaoran's caring eyes and moved closer to him. She then put her head and hands onto his chest and was starting to whimper. "I never told you that I am terribly frightened of ghosts and….that...screams…remind...me of…" She then started to cry even more and she wrapped her arms around his waist.
Syaoran looked at her with concern and then wrapped his arms around her trembling body, "Its okay Sakura, I'm here. You have nothing to be afraid of. I won't let anything harm you…" Sakura's eyes widened with surprised.
But then she smiled and drew herself closer to Syaoran feeling safe in his arms, "Arigato Syaoran…" she said softly.
Syaoran was a bit surprised from her calling him his first name, but drew her closer to him, "You're welcome." Then the sounds of moans and groans disappeared and the light returned in the forest. The sun was back with its beautiful rays shining down on them. Sakura stopped shaking as she felt the warm sunrays bathing her back; she looked up and made a small smile onto her lips.
She turned back to Syaoran and smiled at him who was also looking at the sky, "Syaoran-kun, thank you so much. You probably thought that I was a big scaredy-cat and a cry-baby."
Syaoran shook his head with resentment, "Not at all…But can I ask you something?"
"Go right ahead. No ones stopping you…" Sakura said.
"Why were you scared from all those moans and screams?" Sakura froze. She was speechless. Then memories ran through her mind and then she clutched her head with her hands. Sakura was screaming and was starting to cry again. Sparkling new tears were falling onto her tear-stained face once again. Syaoran watched her agony and didn't know what to do.
Then Sakura started screaming words that didn't make sense to Syaoran, "IT WAS MY FAULT! SHE ALMOST DIED BECAUSE OF ME!" Syaoran gazed at Sakura and then he drew her even closer; so close that Sakura could feel Syaoran's own breath.
"If you don't want to talk about it…It's fine by me." He spoke. Sakura looked at his amber eyes and smiled a "thank-you" to him. She slowly got out of his grasp and stood up.
She started walking towards the inn, "Thanks a lot Syaoran-kun. Sorry, but I have to cancel our little fight. Right now I'm not physically or emotionally fit to fight. It's getting late anyways, we better go."
Syaoran stood up and looked at her worriedly, "Kinomoto-"
But Sakura cut him off and turned to face him, "Call me Sakura…" with saying that she turned back and grabbed her fan and started heading towards the inn.
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"ERIOL! HOW COULD YOU? DID YOU SEE HOW SAKURA CRIED?" yelled Tomoyo. Eriol and Tomoyo were both hiding in a tall tree when they saw what happened to Sakura and Syaoran. After Eriol made the groans and screams disappeared, they saw at the state Sakura was in, and ran back to their room. They finally returned into their room and both were starting to argue.
"It was your idea to do that Tomoyo. It's not all of my fault! You're the one who gave those ideas to me! I just chose the best ones!" Tomoyo scowled and turned her back on him.
But then she sighed and felt bad for hurting Sakura, "I totally forgot about that memory…." She said softly. But wasn't soft enough and Eriol heard her.
"Memory? What memory?" Tomoyo jolted; she was caught and there was no turning back.
She sighed again and then turned to Eriol, "Well, it all started when Sakura was seven…………"
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Sakura opened to the room to hers and Syaoran's and took out her sleeping bag. She unrolled it and spread it on the floor. She quickly changed into her pajamas and took out the two pig-tails on her hair. She put the ribbons near the sink and left. After coming out of the bathroom Sakura saw Syaoran already in the room changed. He was wearing forest green pants and shirt. Syaoran was cleaning his sword once again and then after a while he put it back in his sheath. Hearing the door close he turned and saw Sakura already dressed for bed. He looked at her sullenly and spoke, "Sakura are you sure you're okay on sleeping on the floor? I could switch with you if you want…"
Sakura smiled at him kindly and waved her hands in front of her, "Oh, its okay. You won the game fair and square so you deserve the bed. Don't worry, I'll be fine."
Syaoran looked at her unsurely, "If you say so. But we can still switch if you want…" Sakura shook her head and didn't say anything else. She climbed into her sleeping bag and covered herself. Syaoran was still looking at her and asked once more, "Sakura, about earlier…Why were you shouting as if it was your fault that you didn't do? What's more you said that someone almost died because of you. Do you want to talk about it?" Sakura said nothing and tears were falling once again from her eyes. But Syaoran did not see this since all he saw was her back. After hearing no reply he decided to drop the subject. He went into the bed and pulled the covers up to his chest and closed his eyes thinking what Sakura was shouting about in the forest.
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Sakura tossed and turned in her sleeping bag and then woke up with a start. She was sweating and in the background thunder was clapping. She looked at the window and another startling clap of thunder made Sakura jump. Sakura clutched her head for she still had memories of the screaming from earlier. Sakura wiped off the sweat from her forehead and got up quietly. "I need a glass of water…" she thought. Quietly tip-toeing out of the room not to wake Syaoran she left. Sakura climbed down the stairs and went to the main floor where there laid a bar that was opened 24/7. She went to the bartender and asked a glass of water. He nodded and gave her the glass. She thanked him and went to one of the tables to sit down. Sakura sat down and laid her head into her hands frustrated. She had a splitting headache and even now the memory was still floating in her head. Sighing deeply Sakura took a sip of water from her glass. At that time a hand was placed onto her shoulder;
Sakura turned quickly and saw Syaoran with a reassuring face, "Are you okay?" he asked. He took a seat beside her and stared.
Sakura nodded and replied, "Yes, I am…" but added, "…sorta." He looked at her puzzled. Sakura sighed, "In the forest when you were comforting me you heard me shout "It's all my fault. She almost died because of me!" You remember that don't you?"
Syaoran nodded, "Yeah, so what about it?"
"This was a long time ago and it stuck with me ever since…..You see…"
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"Mommy! Mommy! Come here!" shouted Princess Sakura. She was in the practice hall training on her fan. Her mother was in the back room reading a book about spells and tactics for battle. Sakura came running in the room clutching her fan tightly to her side. Nadeshiko looked up from the book and saw the flushed but happy faced Sakura.
"What is it Sakura dear?" she asked softly.
Sakura was smiling and panting at the same time, "I mastered a technique from the fan that Tomoyo's dad gave me! It took a long time but I did it!"
Nadeshiko smiled at her daughter proudly and hugged her tightly, "Good job my darling…Is that all you wanted to tell me?"
Sakura shook her head rapidly and replied, "Nope! Since I mastered it finally I want to use it on a fight! Since you are a sorceress and a ninja could I fight you?"
Nadeshiko looked at Sakura surprisingly but then smiled, "Of course. Now I must warn you, I will not go easy on you. Since I have put you into much training I want to see your skills, alright? I want you go hard on me as if I am an enemy, can you do that Sakura dear?" Sakura nodded and raced to the practice gym. Nadeshiko sighed and ripped part of her dress so she could move easily. She also took off her shoes and tied up her long dark silver hair into a ponytail. She entered into the gym and saw Sakura stretching. Sakura turned and saw that her mother was ready.
But when she looked at how her mother was dressed she frowned, "Mother, why did you rip your beautiful dress? Now you look like some peasant!"
Nadeshiko laughed heartily at this statement and answered, "Oh Sakura dear, I ripped it so I could move around more freely." She glanced at the surroundings around her. "Hmm, I don't think this gym will do quite well. Come Sakura, we will battle in the small clearing of the forest." Nadeshiko exited the practice hall from the back door which led to the clearing in the forest near their castle. Sakura bounded after her mother and finally they came upon the clearing. Nadeshiko went to one side and Sakura took the other. Nadeshiko gazed at her daughter who was hesitantly clutching her fan, "Sakura, remember I want you to fight me as if you want me killed. Can you do this?" Sakura waited a moment and nodded slowly to her mother. Nadeshiko heaved a sigh and thought, "She may not be ready to do this. But I must see how she is progressing." Nadeshiko then shifted her weight and did some hand motions; Sakura clutched her fan tightly waiting for the attack. When Nadeshiko finished she shouted, "Kage Bunshin no jutsu!" Then beside her were two more replications of her. They all looked identical and Sakura became confused.
She quickly shook it off and took out her star key and held it in front of her,
"O Key that holds the power of the Stars
Show me your true form
Under the contract, I, Sakura command you
RELEASE!"
The key became a wand and then Sakura took out a card, "WOOD!" tree branches came out of the card and then Sakura pointed, "Wood strike the right one!" The branches squeezed the right one but it was a replication. The remaining two came running at Sakura and was about to punch her but Sakura jumped and went over them. She took out another card and summoned "The Thunder."
It came out and was about to struck Nadeshiko but she held out her hand and shouted, "SHIELD!" A dome came over her and the thunder was then disintegrated. Nadeshiko did some more hand motions and then shouted, "KATON! HOUSENGA NO JUTSU!" taking a deep breath she exhaled fire balls and were starting to strike Sakura; but she dodged each and every one of them. Taking this advantage of Sakura not paying attention to her Nadeshiko jumped and hid herself amongst the trees. After Sakura dodged each fire ball she glanced up and saw that her mother disappeared. Smirking she used this as an advantage, taking out her fan she unraveled it. Sakura bent her knees and lifted up the fan. It was still pretty heavy for her but she held out.
Raising it she shouted, "NINPOU FUUSAJIN (dust wind)!" she swung her fan and a great wind was overcoming Nadeshiko.
She covered her face and opened one eye to observe what her daughter did "Interesting, Sakura used her charka to release a great wind that hits all enemies. But shouldn't it be hitting me by now?" But then she saw at the nearby branches that dust was coming out. Nadeshiko gasped and then the dust hit her, "I understand now, the force of the wind can make dust come out by branches, rocks or anything on the ground to blind their opponents." As more dust blinded her she lost balance and fell out of the tree. Feeling that she was falling Nadeshiko summoned another replica of herself and the replica took hold of her arm and swung her to another branch to prevent her self from falling to the ground.
Sakura saw her mom going to another branch, she lifted her fan again and shouted, "DAI KAMAITACHI NO JUTSU!" This time wind blades came out and it was going straight to her mom. Nadeshiko saw the wind blades coming at her and she couldn't do anything to protect her self. The blades slashed her body and one accidentally hit her in the chest that was close to her heart. Nadeshiko screamed of pain and started falling down. She finally landed and she laid there motionless. Sakura smiled and thought, "I did it! I beat mom!" She ran towards her mom who laid there with many cuts and gashes on her body. "Mommy! What did you think of that? Did I do well?...Mom?" Sakura stared at her mother who was still lying motionless; not moving a muscle. Sakura shook her a little, "Mommy? Are you okay?" Sakura leaned her head towards her mom's heart and heard it beat softly. She gasped and found out that her mom was nearly dying. "MOM! WAKE UP MOM! DON'T DIE ON ME!" Tears were flowing out of her eyes and then she screamed out, "GUARDS!" At once a trio of guards came at her aid and saw Queen Nadeshiko lying on the ground motionless and all the terrible gashes on her body. "Guards get the healer quickly! My mom is in a terrible state right now. Quickly, GO!" The soldiers gave a bow and ran for the healer. Sakura knew a little about healing jujutsu and she practiced on only cuts. Sakura made up her mind and was starting to heal the other gashes that she did.
When the healer came he saw Sakura trying to heal her mom's cuts and gashes, "Princess Sakura thank you for your assistance here. But please I will take over from here." Sakura nodded and more tears were starting to fall from her emerald eyes. Shortly after, King Fujitaka and Prince Touya came seeing at what the commotion was.
As the King saw at the state his wife his eyes widened and turned to Sakura, "WHAT HAPPENED HERE? WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR MOTHER?" bellowed the King. Sakura looked down and told him the whole story of the fight. Each part of the story Fujitaka's face became redder and redder. At the end of the story he was as red as a tomato, "HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO YOUR MOTHER! YOU ALMOST KILLED HER! DO YOU SEE WHAT YOU DID? DO YOU? WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY FOR YOURSELF?" Sakura's body was shaking as her father boomed at her. She didn't want to look at her older brother's face; but Touya's face was shocked.
Tears came streaming out of her eyes more quickly. She opened her mouth to speak but then they heard a small beautiful voice speak, "Fujitaka, please don't blame your daughter. She was only listening to what her mother was saying. I wanted to test out her skills. If you need to blame someone, blame me." Fujitaka took his face off Sakura and faced Nadeshiko. He saw her all healed and good as new. She was standing up but was trying to keep her balance. Helping her up was the healer who was smiling brightly. Nadeshiko face her daughter and smiled warmly, "Sakura, you did well. I am very proud of you. You will grow up to be a fine sorceress and ninja just like me." Sakura just stood there and tears of sadness were changed to tears of happiness.
Seeing her mother alive and well again she collapsed onto the ground and was starting to whimper, "Mother, I am so sorry at what I did…" she gasped out to her mother.
Nadeshiko was walking up to her slowly when the King walked in front of her, "Nadeshiko, you shouldn't get up. You're still weak from the injuries your foolish daughter gave you."
Nadeshiko only glared at him with her piercing grey eyes, "For your information Fujitaka. She did a wonderful job on her fighting tactics-"
"But-"he started.
"But nothing. I told her to fight me as if she wanted to kill me and she did just that."
"But-"
"Also she even tried to save me. I taught her some healing and she healed all of my wounds on my arms, legs, face and some of the ones that were on my body. Instead of punishing your daughter you should be thanking her! I wouldn't be here shouting at you if it wasn't for her and the healer!" Fujitaka was taken back at his wife's attitude towards him. He glanced at Sakura who was now standing up and her head was down. Nadeshiko passed her husband and gave Sakura a hug. "You did well my daughter. I am very proud of you." Sakura returned the hug and cried softly in her mother's arms.
O
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"When my father realized at what I did to save my mom, he apologized for shouting at me. Now when ever I hear a scream it reminds me of my mom screaming out of pain…" concluded Sakura. It was two in the morning and Sakura and Syaoran were still awake. Syaoran looked at her as she looked at her glass of water. He was speechless and was still taking it all in. Sakura looked at him who was silent, "He probably thinks I'm some freak…" She got up from her seat and turned her back from him, "We better go to bed now. We still have to investigate on that guy." She started to walk but then was stopped by an embrace.
She turned her head and saw Syaoran staring at her, "I understand Sakura. I know how you feel. I almost killed my cousin, Meiling too. Don't worry about it though; it's all in the past. If you feel lonesome I am right here to cheer you up."
Sakura smiled and held his hands that were around her waist, "He's so warm and caring. Arigato Syaoran-kun." She thought.
After a minute or so he and said, "C'mon, lets go to bed." But then he noticed that Sakura was already asleep in his arms. Syaoran smiled and then lifted her up. He carried her to the room where they could sleep and find out more of the man with the black cloak the next day.
Hi peoples! That's Chapter 7 for you! Quite long is it not? Ahahahaha, I had a lot of fun doing this chapter. Added some flash backs and S+S fluff. Ehehehe…Please Read and Review! Opinions are most welcome! But please go a little easy on me…even though I love writing, my writing skills are not as great. Stay tune for Chapter 8!
