Chapter 11
A: n/ Blimey, I am getting fast! But, for me to write the chapter after this (that is if anyone's still interested after the fight) I want TEN reviews! Ten or else no update!
The amount of authors notes I have…they could be a novel in itself lol.
Anyway, a quick review of last time, then on with the story.
Night had fallen once again, and with it a strong chill that seemed to rattle Sakura's bones. She was outside practicing with her new sword. (Yes another one.) This sword was straight and light (for a sword) the stone was in the shape of a love heart, one half pink, and the other half purple. Engraved on one side was Sakura's name, and on the other, Tomoyo's, with small tribal designs adorning the names.
She swung the sword around with more grace than that of a ballet dancer.
The fight would be tomorrow, and for the first time in her life, she was scared of another swordsman. Falling out with Tomoyo could kill her, as she wasn't focused, and prone to distraction.
If she lost…she tried not to think about it.
A: n/ That's quite an interesting ending for last chapter…ahem…don't mind me…
Day of the fight:
Sakura woke up early, the castle was silent and the sky was still dark.
Instead of butterflies fluttering around in her stomach, it felt as if she had wasps buzzing around, stinging her insides.
She rubbed her eyes sleepily, and went to get a bath.
Meanwhile, Tomoyo was in her music room, once again playing Sakura's mothers harp. The harp was 150 years old, to be precise.
Tomoyo played with an elegance that was rare, even for the harp.
Once again, she was playing the song that her own mother had sung to her.
Li castle:
"Li, wake up." Queen Yelan demanded.
He jumped up and stood to attention.
"Yes mother?"
"Well, I was just wondering what time you're going to the field to fight miss Kinomoto."
"Around noon mother. I shall wear my ceremonial robes, to honour the family name."
"Good choice Li." Yelan turned her back on Li, and left his bedroom.
"Phew…I thought she was going to whinge at me for not wearing armour…"
Li mumbled to himself.
Kinomoto castle: Sakura meanwhile, was completely unprepared and hadn't even thought of what to wear, servants were rushing around her. Including Yamazaki, Sakura had returned him to his post, after (regretfully) having him flogged.
"Oh! Fetch Tomoyo, all of you! Except you." she shouted, whilst pointing at Yamazaki.
The other servants filtered out hurriedly, leaving a petrified looking Yamazaki. Sakura flopped down on the stool that previously, she had been standing on.
"I'm sorry that I had you flogged, but it was either that…or death, and I couldn't bear for Chelsea to have seen that."
"Erm…that's alright your highness, I'm grateful that my life was saved."
Sakura smiled at him, she stood up again when her father came in.
"Yes father?"
"So what are you going to wear then? Heavy armour? Chain mail? Breast plates?"
"Well, I've ordered some guards to keep a lookout, and when the prince arrives, to tell me what he's wearing, if he's wearing armour then so will I."
"Very brave Sakura, but then again I expect no less from the RIGHTFUL owner of the title, the princess of swords, eh?"
"Yes father, and I will keep my title."
The king kissed his daughter on the forehead before leaving the room.
Sakura followed him out and returned to her room, crying. She knew there was no way to win if she didn't make up with Tomoyo.
This is all so wrong. I love Tomoyo, forever. I will never love anyone else…and now I'm going to die, and Tomoyo will be there to watch me. That's if she's coming, maybe she hates me so much that she doesn't care if I die or not.
Oh please Tomoyo…I don't want to die.
Sakura lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling. There was a knock at the door.
"Who is it?" Sakura asked, her voice still shaky from crying.
Without waiting for a reply, Tomoyo entered.
"I'm still coming with you, Sakura." It was clear to see that she had been crying too. Her dark and entrancing eyes were now all red and puffy.
"Thank you Tomoyo…I still love you, always have…and I always will."
"I need some time to think, I'm not sure if I love you anymore. I don't know if I can trust you, when you were with that girl, it was the same way that you treated me when we first met."
"Tomoyo…" Sakura sighed.
"I'll be with you, whatever happens. I think I love you like a sister…I'm sorry Sakura."
"I LOVE YOU MORE THAN LIFE ITSELF TOMOYO!" Sakura jumped back in fright, cared of her own sudden outburst.
"I'm sorry-"
"Save it Sakura." Tomoyo said, before storming out.
There was a crash in the corridor. Shouting followed it.
"Watch where you're going!" it was Tomoyo shouting.
"I'm sorry your highness."
Sakura peered around the corner.
"Ah, princess, we have the report on what the prince is wearing, he has arrived already."
"Good, read me the report."
The soldier nodded and began:
"The prince is wearing a strange green outfit, the sign of harmony in the middle. There is no sign of any visible armour, we are unsure of whether it is concealed, but he is moving without any difficulty at all. He is accompanied by a girl of around the same age she is wearing a short, white, red and gold dress with long sleeves. We do not know who she is."
"Thank you." Sakura replied. The soldier bowed and walked back.
Sakura returned to her room and opened her wardrobe. She cursed loudly. She still had no idea of what to wear.
Once again, Tomoyo came back, this time holding a large bag.
"This," Tomoyo declared "is an outfit that I had made for the fight. It is slightly difficult to penetrate it with a sword."
Sakura took the bag from Tomoyo's hands and opened it gratefully.
Inside, there was a pink and blue dress with matching hat and boots.
(A: N / I have a link to it bcos I cant be bothered to describe it… http/ )
She smiled at Tomoyo, and was surprised to have it returned.
She changed hurriedly, not wanting to make the prince angry at waiting, and it turn, making him fight better.
Sakura walked to the main entrance, with Tomoyo in her wake. Her father was there waiting.
"Father, if the girl intercedes, launch an arrow, but make sure it misses, if she does it again, then hit her."
King Fujitaka nodded, before taking hold of Sakura's shoulders.
"Win for the family name."
Sakura held the tears of nervous apprehension back. She tried to speak, but her knew that she would vomit if she opened her mouth, instead she smiled and nodded.
The great oak doors were opened and Sakura let the smell of summer overwhelm her. Two horses were waiting for them, with purple and pink overcoats. (Or whatever they're called lol)
Tomoyo and Sakura clambered onto their horses and rode slowly to the impending fight.
They rode in silence, and soon, prince Li and the girl were in sight.
They rode up to them and disembarked from their horses.
"Ah princess Kinomoto, we were beginning to think that you weren't going to show up."
"As if I wouldn't." Sakura replied tartly.
"Rather tetchy…anyway, how rude of me. This is Meilin Rae, she's 16, my fiancée and holds the title 'Lady Of Fists'."
Tomoyo gasped. But Li continued.
"Sometimes secrecy is the best thing. Kinomoto, I've been waiting for this day 8 years…since I was ten and you were only 9, and yet you gained a title. Because I am a year older, the title rightfully belongs to me."
"Its lot a matter of age, it's a matter of who's best!" Sakura roared before drawing her sword and lunging at Li. He drew his sword out quickly and countered her attack.
"That's un swordsman like princess. You attacked before I had drawn" he said whilst in a ferocious lock.
Sakura growled at him.
"I own the title, you thief and copy!" she retaliated.
Tomoyo flinched at hearing Sakura so harsh and angry. She was standing next to the Meilin, who was watching the fight with fierce anxiety. Tomoyo watched it with a growing amount of nervousness.
Sakura backed out of the lock and swung her sword above her head to block Li's high attack.
Sakura attacked again, this time attempting to take out his knees. But he blocked again.
How am I supposed to beat him? He's too fast!
Syaoran smiled, acting as if he wasn't afraid.
That was close… I wasn't expecting her to be this good…shit! Stomach hit!
Instead of defending Li dodged to the side and swung for Sakura's neck, she ducked.
Beads of sweat were visible on her, and Li's foreheads. They were both scared.
"Come on Li!" Meilin was heard to shout, she tried running in, but an arrow landed at her feet.
Tomoyo snarled. "Do that again and they'll hit. That was just a warning."
Meilin bared her teeth, looking like a wild animal.
Li and Sakura remained oblivious to Meilin and Tomoyo's argument, they were concentrating intensely on each other's sword.
High. Block. Low. Block, attack high, damn he blocked!
Sakura gritted her teeth.
She's too good, I'll have to disarm her.
True to his word Li didn't bother blocking once again, he evaded another of Sakura's attack and swung at her arm, sensing the sword, Sakura tried to dodge, but she wasn't fast enough.
He landed a deep cut on her arm.
She cried out with the pain and dropped her sword. Li picked up the sword and hurled it in the opposite direction.
"You are at my mercy princess, but to make it fair, I shall lose my own sword." Li threw his sword at Meilin's feet, who picked it up hastily. Ready to return it to him, should the need arise. Everything was going according to plan.
Sakura was confused, why had he not just killed her?
"What do you want from me?" Sakura asked, just as confused as Tomoyo.
"Either you and your friend come with me, or die."
"Id rather die." She hissed.
"Have it your way then."
Tomoyo tried to run in and help Sakura, but was grabbed by a strong pair of hands. It was Meilin.
"Sorry princess, the same rule applies to you."
Tomoyo was powerless in her arms, and gave up struggling immediately. She had never exactly been too athletic. She flopped to the floor, watching Sakura through blurry eyes.
Li aimed a punch at Sakura's face, it was blocked by Sakura's arm. Having had a limited amount of training in the martial arts herself.
Why is this girl so bloody complicated?
"Li! Take her out by her pressure points." Li heard, but Sakura didn't, she remained still, whilst Li circled her like a vulture.
He ran at her and before Sakura could defend herself Li had jumped and bore down on her by ramming his elbow into Sakura's shoulder.
Sakura fell to the ground, holding her shoulder. She stood up again, swaying slightly.
Li almost seemed to glide behind her when he kicked her in the back of the legs, she fell to her knees before him, still clutching her shoulder. Before she had a chance to stand up, a light blow was delivered to her temple.
It wouldn't kill her, but instead knocked her out instantly, due to the fact she was already losing consciousness.
She lay on the floor, knocked out.
Tomoyo screamed.
Li sighed.
She was so pretty…I didn't mean to kill her.
Meilin knelt beside her and checked Sakura's pulse.
Tomoyo was crying her heart out and flung herself on top of Sakura.
"She lives." Meilin said, her voice barely a whisper.
Tomoyo stopped crying, relief flooding over her like a tidal wave.
Li scooped Sakura's limp form up, (bridal style) Sakura's head flopped back, it would appear that she was dead.
Li cleared his throat and shouted. "DO NOT ATTACK! I WILL TAKE THIS GIRL AND THE OTHER TO MY CASTLE, SHE LIVES. SHE DIES IF YOU ATTACK, I WILL SEND A MESSENGER LATER!"
The king Fujitaka heard him.
"Don't shoot!" he said to the soldiers who were raising their bows. "We will wait."
On the field meanwhile;
"Meilin, bring the other girl."
Tomoyo didn't react to Meilin's violent shoving, she just followed with her head hung low.
Li smiled to himself. He glanced at Sakura, noticing all of her beauty.
It's a shame, she loves the other girl.
"Meilin, bring the swords too!" Li shouted.
Meilin skipped away from Tomoyo and over to the swords. They were heavy.
"Hey, bitch, take one and don't try anything funny."
"I don't know how to wield a sword." Tomoyo said flatly. She took Sakura's sword, and for the first time, she noticed that her name was also on the sword. She smiled.
I love you Sakura. I know I do, I'm sorryThey all walked to the Li castle in silence, Meilin skipping around like a child.
"Meilin will you cut it out? Its annoying!"
The giant doors of the Li castle opened, and stood there was the Li royal family.
"Congratulations Li, but why have you brought them? Why didn't you kill them?"
"Years ago mother, you asked me to, besides we can use them."
Yelan smiled at her sons astounding memory.
"Fine, lock them in different guest rooms. We will get some servants to attend to Kinomoto later."
Li grunted and carried Sakura up the stairs, followed by Tomoyo, then Meilin.
Meilin took Tomoyo to a drab and dingy looking room. She shoved Tomoyo in, and without a word, slammed the door and locked it.
Li meanwhile, was more cautious of the Kinomoto. He placed her gently on the bed and chained her arms to the bedposts. She had said shed rather die and they were high up enough to jump out the window and instantly kill herself.
He took one last look at the beautiful princess, before locking the door behind him.
Li sighed. Who knew what his mother had planned for the beautiful angel.
A:n / Blimey, I'm glad that's out the way lol. I hope you liked the fight. See I even went onto 8 pages for you guys!
Anyway, I want reviews!