A/N: Hey I was meaning to get this up by Saturday, but I was a little stuck. I think I maybe a little slower updating this story from now on, but I think I still be finished well before the end of the year. This chapter I actually rewrote the second half a couple times. I have another section from Fujitaka's point of view. I like his perspective. I was wondering if you guys think he's in character it's not like he's shown all that much in the anime or manga. Actually though I wonder how in character the other characters are. I know Li is off, but he supposed to be. If something isn't meshing with you I'd like to know. Also if you have any questions feel free to ask. I'll tell you something I'm sure LOL.
And eight reviews! I feel so loved. I appreciate them all. Thank you AngelEmCuti, vintageumbrella, Mrs. Radcliffe 13, Twilight Kisses, Demon of Selen, Kandygurl14, chainedheart999, and Taeniaea. Also thanks to all those putting my story on your alerts and favorite lists. It's all very encouraging. And thanks everyone who is reading this.
Fujitaka was not a religious man. He did not believe in one god or many for that matter. He believed in people. Groups of people leaving just enough of their life behind that even centuries later bits of their thoughts, beliefs and morals could be discovered. He believed in a person piloting their own fate and destiny. Humans had a certain strength to change the world in startling and subtle ways.
He had to wonder though what action sent a boy with a magical book to his daughter.
And hoped that wasn't the cause for his daughter's bone chilling screams the night before.
He made a western style breakfast and she was eating her eggs and bacon contently. She seemed happy, but she spoke not quite enough. Her smile was dimmer by half. Her eyes were just a little too fixed on the center of the plate like she was looking into a shadow of a nightmare that lingered even through the sun's awakening.
"Is Sakura-san alright this morning?" Fujitaka examined his daughter carefully. She was the same, but she was also so different. There was this strange feeling about her. It was like the smile of a person who saw you being born. His daughter knew of mysteries beyond his comprehension, but maybe she always had. And still she was his little girl that could trip on nothing and make friends with everybody.
"Of course, Otou-san."
"Do you want to come by to my work after school? I have something I want to show you," Fujitaka said excitedly because he hoped to take her mind off things and he was really excited about what he was working on.
"I have cheerleading practice. Can I come after that?"
Fujitaka smiled. "Of course, and have Syaoran-san come with you. I think he'd like to see it too and I need his help anyway."
"Can I bring Tomoyo-chan as well?"
"Yes, you can bring her."
"And are you going to remember to leave my name at the door this time? I didn't like being interrogated by that scary lady." Fujitaka chuckled remembering what happened the last time he invited her to his work. Higashiyama had been convinced Sakura was some sort of trouble maker, though, he wasn't sure how she'd gotten that impression from his sweet and kind daughter.
"Don't worry about Higashiyama-san. Syaoran-san has clearance and he'll get you and Tomoyo-san in without problems. I dare say Higashiyama-san and most everyone in my building is a little wary of him."
"Hoe! But Li-kun isn't that scary. He's a really awesome person." Sakura started blushing. "I'm mean he's-Ano-Eto- Li-kun is a nice person." Sakura said hurriedly and obviously flustered. Fujitaka smiled at his daughter kindly.
"Hai, he is, but I don't think he's really making an effort to let a lot of people know."
"I guess that's right, but I think if he wanted he could be a lot more scary."
Fujitaka thought back to some of the discussions he'd had with the boy. Sakura was probably right. Syaoran probably could be more terrifying, er, intimidating than he was presently. "I suppose you're right Sakura-san."
"Anyways, Otou-san I should go. I'm actually going to be on time today," Sakura said as the thought brightened her face. For the first time since she'd come down stairs it wasn't like a cloud was hanging over her. "I'll be off!"
Fujitaka listening to the familiar stomping of his daughter. She certainly managed to make a lot of noise for such a small, petite body. Maybe his son wasn't so wrong. "I'll see you after school!" he called to her and then he heard the door close. "Sakura-san, are you really alright?"
His daughter seemed so different for the last month. Sneaking around to catch Clow Cards. She didn't know the he knew. Syaoran was sure subtle. Letting both him and Toya know what was going on and leaving her in the dark about it. Syaoran sure seemed to be plotting something.
For whatever reason he got to know both him and Toya before introducing himself to Sakura and Fujitaka was sure he knew how to find her long before that. He wondered why he'd integrated himself into their lives like that. It was suspicious, but he didn't seem to mean any harm to them.
He didn't seem really to be doing anything. Hardly anything was happening if one discounted Sakura's recent nightmares which he didn't. These Clow Cards didn't seem to be too dangerous. He'd yet to see Sakura come home with a scratch.
"What are you doing Syaoran-san?" he mused aloud. What was that boy really trying to accomplish?
"I was waiting for you to notice me sitting across from you. I made myself a plate. I hope you don't mind." Fujitaka blinked. Syaoran was-was sitting across from him nonchalantly devouring eggs and bacon. "Good food."
Fujitaka looked at him beyond surprised. "How did you-"
Syaoran waved his chopsticks in a dismissive manner. "The front door was unlocked. Kinomoto-chan didn't see me as she skated by, but perhaps that was because I was sitting in a tree."
Fujitaka sweat dropped. Did he just miss something? The boy's explanation left a lot to be desired. "Er, Syaoran-san, why were you in a tree?" Seriously, why? Are you crazy?
"I like sitting in trees. It relaxes me." Syaoran was finished with his food and had his arms folded on top of the table.
"Well." What did he say to that? Syaoran always seemed pretty relaxed anyway.
"Also I was waiting for your daughter to go by so we could talk."
That made much more sense. Fujitaka wondered why he hadn't said that in the first place. "Talk about what?"
"I just thought you should know that things will be more dangerous from now on."
Fujitaka's clenched his hands into fists. "Is it because of the nightmares Sakura-san has been having? They've been happening for the last few days."
Syaoran nodded. "Ultimately I suppose."
Fujitaka rested his head against his left hand propping it so he could examine the enigmatic boy before him. "Syaoran-san, why are you doing this? Why are you helping my daughter? Why didn't you just deliver the book and leave?" It was a good question. Fujitaka wasn't sure if he wished that was what had happened .
Syaoran's amber eyes grew solemn. "I told her it was because I think she'll be good for the cards. That's true, but sometimes I wonder Kinomoto-sensei. I've been delivering this book since I was three. I've done it all my life until now. I think I might not know what to do now that I've actually done it. Protecting her seemed like as good as an idea as any. I really don't want her to come to any harm." Fujitaka frowned at the boy who suddenly seemed almost lost. If he'd been delivering that book since he was three…
"You've been traveling since your were three? By yourself?!"
Syaoran laughed. "Not quite. When I was little people took care of me. I wasn't some three year old pickpocket living on the streets struggling to get by. Hopping into the backs of vehicles and the depths of cargo ships. Although I've done that, but I was much older. How dramatic and totally unrealistic would that be? I was quite sheltered until I left Hong Kong and even after for a while."
Fujitaka looked at him considering what he said. Syaoran did seem pretty well adjusted all things considered. He didn't seem like a street urchin. He just seemed like he'd had a very, very interesting life. "Syaoran-san, why did you become my assistant? You already knew where Sakura-san was. I told you where I lived that first day."
"Kniomoto-sensei you and your son have been protecting Kinomoto-chan her whole life. It would be downright pompous of me to come in a try to do the same thing without at least trying to keep you in the loop. It was your job first. I know you're polite and all. I've seen that a million times when you bump into that dragon lady-"
"You mean Higashiyama-san." Fujitaka couldn't help, but laugh at his description.
"Yes, the dragon lady. I've seen you politely inquire about her and her kids, God help them, and the weather, but I know that if I just came barging in here with a magical book you would not be so accommodating when I come into your office via sixth floor window or sit at this table uninvited or invited three times over."
Fujitaka waited for him to finish silently as he took a sip of his now cool coffee. And why did Syaoran still enter through the window he wondered.
"You may be nice to everyone, you may be friendly, but you're still a father and you have a right to know."
Fujitaka just stared at him. He still felt like there was something the boy wasn't telling him. "But?"
Syaoran's serious expression faded into a mischievous smile. "But I really have no problem being pompous, arrogant or rude. I became your assistant because I like you. Weird, huh?"
"And you just happened to like Toya-kun as well?" Fujitaka loved his son dearly, but he wasn't the most likeable person.
"Yeah. I know. I think that could have gone either way. But since I'm keeping boys from hitting on his little sister." Syaoran shrugged.
"He actually asked you to do that?" Toya was sure diligent and obsessed, but that wasn't such a bad idea. Fujitaka didn't exactly want his daughter to be hit on by droves of adolescent boys either.
"Yup. I find it amusing. I wonder how he'd react if I hit on her? I'm hoping the small friendship we have will buy me precious seconds to get away." Syaoran looked supremely unconcerned that Toya might one day be after his blood.
"You want to hit on my daughter?" Fujitaka tried to sound threatening, but he was a little disoriented. Why was the boy telling him this? He certainly hadn't asked.
"To tell you the truth Kinomoto-sensei. I've been flirting with her since I met her. We even had the whole get lost in each other's eyes moment. Although I think she was probably just startled."
"Syaoran-san why are you telling me this? You do realize you don't tell this to fathers. We tend to get irritated."
Syaoran shrugged. "I wanted to see how you'd react. Anyway I have some time to kill." And how exactly had he reacted. He was feeling dazed.
"Don't you have to get to school?" The clock told him the Syaoran only had a few minutes and probably be late even if he left now.
"I was planning on being a little late. It'll make a more dramatic impression. Anyways Blue Boy is there so I'm not too worried. He's actually very powerful. More powerful than me in most situations."
Syaoran had told him he was a sorcerer, but not a very powerful one. That his talents laid elsewhere. He mentioned something about a sword or something. "You mean Hiiragizawa-kun?" Fujitaka hardly ever saw that boy, but he'd sure been quick to become Sakura's friend. Not surprising since Sakura was a very sweet girl.
"Yes, Blue Boy. He's very put off by my mysteriousness." It could be very off putting sometimes.
"If I recall correctly he was pretty mysterious himself."
"Exactly." Syaoran fell silent and stared at his empty plate. Fujitaka was always a little unnerved when he just stopped talking and went hours without another word. It was even more disconcerting when he'd just been so chatty.
"So why haven't you told Sakura-san that me and Toya know about here extra extra-curricular activities?"
"I figure the reason she's not telling you is so you won't worry, but I also figure you'll be less worried if you knew. So she gets to think you aren't worried about her, while you get to be less worried since you know where she is and, to some extent, what she's doing."
"That's rather neat, but it's also very sneaky."
"Well if she ever asks me if you and your son know I'll tell her. I don't plan on hiding the truth. I'm just not going mention certain things unless I'm asked."
"If not asked will not tell policy, eh?"
"Pretty much." The clock chimed and Fujitaka realized Syaoran was officially late for school. "I think I'll be going now. I only want to be fashionably late." Syaoran took his plate into the kitchen and emerged 30 seconds later. Fujitaka hadn't moved and Syaoran paused by him on the way to the door. "Oh, and Kinomoto-sensei. Any other Lis hailing from Hong Kong are not here to help. I would just shut the door in their face if any come by. Glare at them if you see them. They are the enemy."
Syaoran quickly slipped and on his shoes and left.
"Lis hailing from Hong Kong?" Did that mean his family? Why was his family the enemy? "That boy can be quite befuddling." That boy. Boy. Why wasn't he in Hong Kong with his family? Why had he even been delivering that book? He's just a boy shouldn't he be doing something normal?
"I think I might not know what to do now that I've actually done it."
And what was it exactly that Syaoran considered dangerous?
Eriol glared at the door of the classroom. Why did it seem like lately he was always waiting for someone to come through it. First Sakura after she'd opened the Clow Book that his wayward descendant had given her. He really wished he knew what that boy was up to. And now he was waiting for that blasted boy because yesterday something bad had blown into to Tomoeda and he wanted to ask him about it.
So of course he was nowhere to be found. Sakura was even on time. Eriol was sure Li Xiao Lang lived to aggravate him and others. He certainly did it enough. He managed to consistently even wear thin Sakura's good humor.
Class was about to begin and he could feel Kaho's presence getting stronger.
And with her was a presence that left his blood a little chill. He noticed Sakura sit up. She seemed to shiver. Whatever had blown into Tomoeda last night was on its way to the classroom.
The door opened and the class fell silent. Not just in deference to the teacher, but in anticipation because following Kaho to the front was a boy who looked strikingly similar to Li. The face wasn't exactly the same. The build was a little slighter. His eyes and hair were black, but he still looked a lot like the still absent boy.
"Today class we have another transfer student from Hong Kong." If Kaho had given him a warning when Li had come now her eyes were sending a full scale alarm. Danger, danger! "His name is Li Kuai Hu. Let's all treat him nicely."
Li Kuai Hu. Li. A Li from Hong Kong he thought it was most certain this boy and Li (they were both Li that'll be annoying) Li number one shared a familial resemblance. Li Two also had a cold demeanor, but where Li One's eyes were unreadable, the hate, malice and insanity were quite evident in Li Two's reptilian eyes.
Kaho directed him to sit on the other side of the room from him.
"But what about that empty seat next to the window Sensei?" Li Two was pointing to the seat behind Sakura. Sakura jumped a little. She looked terrified.
Kaho gave him an apologetic smile. "Someone already sits there. He's just late."
Li Two smiled, but it was far from understanding. Eriol felt like the temperature in the room was dropping and he saw with his extra senses a black mist hover about the room. It was spell to cloud people's minds and the boy sending an even stronger one a Kaho obviously aware she had magic. "But, Sensei, isn't it true that the early bird gets the worm. I want to sit there." He voice was kind like the Serpent' in the garden. It said 'don't worry you can trust me.'
Kaho shook her head. "I'm sorry, but someone already sits there." Eriol frowned. Kaho's voice sounded strange. He could feel her alarm, but he didn't no what to do. He couldn't use magic in front of people not that secrecy was stopping Li Two. He looked around and noticed everyone, but Sakura was in a trance. And Sakura was shaking. He didn't blame her there was something seriously off about this guy.
The classroom door open sharply sending a loud thwack through the room. The whole class jumped. Li One walked into the classroom casually like he hadn't just opened the door with unnecessary force. "Sorry, I'm late Mizuki-sensei. I was sitting in a tree and then I had breakfast." Li's words had the effect of snapping everyone back to reality with there everydayness, well they were a little strange, and Eriol thought it wasn't the best explanation. He was still glad he'd showed up though.
Li Two glared at him. "I wanted to sit in the seat by the window. Would you consider trading me?"
But the new boy was ignored. Li One just sat down like he hadn't heard anything.
"I said I would like to know if you wanted to trade seats," Li Two said his voice very chill. He was sending a spell towards the boy in the corner, but said boy seemed unaffected.
Li One turned to him. "Sorry. I like the view too much. I guess you'll have to deal," he said with his normal mask. His was scowl firmly in place, but his eyes were much colder than Eriol had ever seen them. They said 'sit down somewhere else or I'll make you.'
"Oh, I see. That's no problem." Li Two stiffly walked to the seat Kaho had originally directed him to. He sat down calmly enough, but Eriol could see his dirty purple aura simmer sulkily. He wasn't happy.
The student around them seemed to lean away from him and avoid eye contact.
And Seiju High had thought Li Syaoran was scary. God help them.
Tomoyo was very worried by the time Sakura, Eriol, Li and her sat down around a table outside despite the chilly autumn weather. October had just started, but she could already feel winter coming. "Sakura-chan, are you alright?"
Sakura let out a shaky breath. "The new boy is very terrifying." Sakura listlessly picked at he lunch, not eating anything. Tomoyo saw a shadow fall on them.
"I'm very sorry to hear that, Sakura-chan." The voice was cold and left Tomoyo shivering.
Tomoyo nearly screamed when she looked up to find Li, well the new Li, standing not two feet away. "H-Hello, Li-san," she murmured scared, but then Li, their Li, was standing in front of her blocking those cold, cold eyes. She didn't think she'd ever been more afraid.
"Who are you?" the boy demanded obviously annoyed.
"Li Syaoran." From Li's tone he could have been saying your executioner. "I'm from Hong Kong."
"I'm Li Kuai Hu and you're obviously from The Clan. Why are you helping that girl? She's a sorry excuse for a Card Mistress."
"None of your business. I don't really care to answer questions from sub-humans like you."
"Hmm, well you know, cousin, I was just planning on killing her real quick because it's the most efficient way, but," the boy cackled insanely, "I think I'll wait until the Final Judgment. It'll be more exciting. Not to mention more satisfying, but that still leaves you. You annoy me. I think I'll kill you very soon. Tonight perhaps." Tomoyo shivered. What was this boy talking about? How could he talk about death so casually.
"Go away."
"Oh, you don't like that huh? Don't like it when I threaten your little girlfriend. That's why you're helping her. You want to get in her-" Kuai Hu inhaled sharply as an even shaper sword was being pressed very closely to the underside of his chin. Where had Li gotten that sword?
"Listen, cousin, I suggest you leave now. It would be a shame if I had to hurt family." Li's voice and his strategically positioned sword told Kuai Hu he wouldn't like the consequences of not leaving.
"Heh. I'm going to figure out who you are and what your deal is, but until then I'm sure we'll get along splendidly. It'll be a scream." Kuai Hu carefully raised himself up and off the sword point before heading back into the school building.
The four of them sat in and awkward pause until Eriol carefully cleared his throat. "Li, who was he?"
Li frowned obviously not in a good mood. "An idiot." Tomoyo caught herself grinning. That was such a Li answer. "He's the enemy," he said eventually after Eriol continued to look unsatisfied with his initial response.
"He didn't know you were going to be here," Eriol said flatly.
"Nope." Li seemed a little happier now that he could bait Eriol like normal. "I just do all sorts of unexpected things. Maybe I don't even know why I do them."
"Li-kun, does he really want to kill us?" Sakura said glumly. Tomoyo felt bad for her friend. Sakura would feel bad that someone hated her so much for seemingly no reason.
"What he wants is irrelevant. He won't kill either of us," Li assured her quickly and sounding a little grumpy. Perhaps irked. Tomoyo smiled to herself when her friend seemed to relax immensely after hearing his words. Oh, her dear little Sakura-chan. She was so cute. "He is inconsequential."
Tomoyo frowned thoughtfully at Li. He obviously considered his, er, relative a threat, but also clearly dismissed him. It was rather peculiar.
Sakura seemed puzzled too because she examined the boy in front of her with careful eyes. She seemed to come to some sort of satisfactory conclusion though and she shrugged. "Ne, Li-kun, Otou-san wants you to take me and Tomoyo-chan to his office after school. He wants to show us something." She turned to Eriol. "I'm sure you're welcome to come too, Eriol-kun."
Eriol shook his head. "I have business I must attend to."
Sakura seemed temporarily at a loss, but eventually gave him a hesitant smile. "I hope that works out then. Tomoyo-chan you can come right?"
Tomoyo nodded.
"Aren't you going to ask if I can go?" Li teased her. Everyone there knew he would go.
Sakura gave him a coy smile. "I put a spell on you so I figure you have to come. I don't need to ask," Sakura informed him with a sassy smile that almost hid her slight blush. Tomoyo thought it was amusing how Sakura had started responding to Li's flirtations with more calm. She actually left him speechless a few times.
Li laughed and he looked the most at ease he had all day. "You are correct. I was wondering when you'd figure it out."
"Hoe!" Sakura said completely losing her cool. "What are you talking about?"
"You know," he said nodding.
"The thing is, Li-kun, I don't."
"If you say so, Kinomoto-chan."
Later after school during cheerleading practice Tomoyo saw Li walk by her as she filmed Sakura. Curious as to where he was heading she followed him. After a while she found herself in the wooded are behind the school.
"Oi, I need to talk to you!"
Tomoyo started, but quickly realized he wasn't talking to her.
The wind picked up and swirled around her.
"I think you should challenge her today. It'll be easier if she has an element on her side," he said to no one, but the wind almost seemed to respond to his words.
"No. He will be taken care of, but for now it is safer to just leave him be."
Tomoyo frowned. It sounded like he was talking about the new transfer student, but who exactly was he talking to.
"Yes, before that."
The wind whipped up some of the dead leaves already littering the ground. As it rushed by the yellow-orange-reddening trees an eerie sound of protest filled the sir.
"I can't allow it to happen. She doesn't need me to help you. I won't be changing my mind."
The wind left. There was the only way to describe the abrupt lack of movement in the clearing.
"Windy, can be quite the drama queen, ne, Daidoji-chan?"
Tomoyo blinked rapidly when she realized he had turned around and was looking at her calmly. Waiting for her to say something. "Uh," she said most articulately.
"Indeed," he said his eyes twinkling. "I knew you were behind me, but I figured, I'm not exactly hiding anything."
"You're not?" Because from where she stood Li was hiding a whole hell of a lot.
"No. I'm not actively stopping any of you from finding out. I'm just not telling."
Tomoyo decided Li was even more complex than she'd originally believed. "Who were you talking to?"
"Windy. She controls the wind."
"What were you talking about just now?"
"What do you think I was talking about? I wonder if you know. You're very observant I've noticed." Tomoyo felt like she'd just been handled a puzzled and told to solve it, but she felt like she had more to lose than just a failed crossword.
"You said 'she' doesn't need you. 'She' is Sakura-chan, yes?"
"Correct. She doesn't need me. She's well beyond it even if she doesn't know."
"When you were talking it seemed like you know what's going to happen."
Li shrugged. "To a certain extent I suppose. I can't see the future."
"Is everything really going to be alright?"
"Kinomoto-chan will be fine."
"Will you be fine?"
"Aren't you full of questions?" he commented sardonically, but she noticed how he did not answer her question.
"I know what her new nightmare is about."
Li just looked at her. She was reminded of a time when she'd looked into the eyes of a lion at the zoo. His eyes hadn't been looking for freedom since it hadn't ever known it, but they still held that look of wanting to be free. Wanting to be free even if that concept wasn't firmly grasped.
"I think I know what you're planning."
He remained still. His eyes followed her words intently.
"I just think you should consider that everyone is entitled to be selfish."
"Selfish?"
"Yes, to want things even though they don't need them, even if they know, or they think, it's wrong."
Li looked her hard for along moment. She wondered how a lion held in captivity all its life would confront that wide African savannas for the first time. "Daidoji-chan I don't intend to be selfish concerning this matter." There was no give in his words. They were firm, unyielding.
Tomoyo smiled at him. "Well, have you considered that maybe she would be selfish. She also has a choice. You both have a choice. Don't forget that, Li-kun."
"I have no idea what you're talking about," he said bluntly and with a little anger.
"I find that hard to believe, Li-kun."
They didn't exchange another word as they walked back to wait for Sakura to finish her practice.
"It's awfully windy all of a sudden," Sakura observed puzzled. The wind was rushing around them. Her hair was flying into her eyes and moth. "It wasn't before."
Tomoyo who was walking to her left just smiled. "Indeed it is Sakura-chan. Don't you think so, Li-kun?"
Li was walking in front of them and just shrugged. Sakura felt that he was acting a little strange, but really he was always a little odd.
The wind started to blow even harder. It felt like it was trying to pick her up and carry her away.
"Sakura-chan!"
Sakura looked to her side to find Tomoyo wasn't there, but below her. The wind was lifting her up into the air. Higher and higher she went until Tomoyo and Li were just dots.
"Hello, Kinomoto-sama."
"Uh, that's a little much, the 'sama'. I'm not really that special."
"Modest too, I see. I am Windy. I control the winds."
"Er, nice to meet you." Sakura felt awkward because there was no face for her to look at. It's like I'm talking to myself.
"I've been waiting to meet you for a long time."
"That's cool." Windy seemed nice, but Sakura felt like she was walking into a trap.
"So did you know that wind has eyes and ears everywhere?"
"Not really." The line of questioning seemed ominous somehow.
"It's true. I know lots of things."
"Okay." Why was she feeling so nervous?
"Aren't you going to ask what it is I know?"
"I guess I could. What is it you know?"
The wind whispered in her ear and she felt her face getting hotter and her cheeks turning rosy.
"Hoe!" I'm so embarrassed. It wasn't fair to tease her when she 15 stories off the ground.
"Kinomoto-sama is very fun to tease. I like you. Good Luck."
Sakura could feel the cheeky smile in her voice. What did she mean by good luck?
It was then that Sakura realized she was falling. "Hoe!!"
What do I do? What do I do? I can't fly! She paused in her manic thoughts. Actually she could fly. Quickly she summoned her wand and called Fly. She managed stop her descent just two stories from impact. "That was close," she said in a voice barely shook.
"Well done."
"Windy-san, you dropped me!"
Windy's laugh was like the first breeze of spring and blew around her. "You were never in any danger."
"Forgive me if I have to disagree. Why did you do that?"
"I wanted to see if you could think fast, especially after being flustered."
"That's why you said that-"
"Yes, but also because it was fun."
"Hoe!"
Stunned Sakura absent mindedly flew down to the ground where Tomoyo and Li were. Windy materialized before her and bowed. "We shall have lots of fun I think, Kinomoto-sama."
"I'm glad you think so. Return to the guise you were meant to be in! Clow Card!" Windy quickly flowed into a card and floated to Sakura's hand. "Phew."
"That was amazing Sakura-chan. Too bad I didn't film it!" Tomoyo was practically dancing with excitement.
"Uh, yeah, too bad." Sakura was kind of glad she hadn't been filmed. She found it embarrassing.
"How cute," a cold voice drawled from behind them. "Sakura-chan is just so adorable."
Sakura spun around to find Kuai Hu sitting in a nearby tree. "You!"
"Yes, how kind of you to notice, Sakura-chan."
"Don't call me that!" Sakura was angry, but she was also afraid. She got really bad vibes from the new kid.
"What do you want?" Li was standing in front her and Tomoyo glaring up at the boy.
"Nothing really Cousin. Just thought I'd say 'hi.' I was going to capture Windy, but Sakura-chan captured it faster than I thought. It seems the cards are going easy on her. I wonder why. Do you know Cousin?"
"You should crawl back to Hong Kong. You don't belong here."
"And you do? What exactly are you doing here Cousin? What are you hoping to accomplish?"
"You will leave here defeated."
Kuai Hu started laughing. "Defeated? Cousin, I'm much stronger than you and the new Card Mistress isn't even worth mentioning."
Sakura felt his words tear into her. She wasn't even worth mentioning? It hurt to be dismissed so easily.
"Yes. You are a more powerful sorcerer than me, but you are still going to fail. It's only a matter of time." Li crossed his arms and looked incredibly bored.
"Cousin, you're not making much sense. You admit your weakness in the same breath you predict my defeat. Are you crazy?" Kuai Hu quarter turned his head to the side, his eyes gleamed with madness.
"Go away. You said you're after the cards, but there are none available here. So go. There's no point in unnecessary and unpleasant encounters."
"Oooh, don't you sound tough, but you know Li Xiao Lang, I made a few calls and I know who you are. You disappeared when you were three, a month shy of four. You've been gone. It's very curious, don't you think?"
"No."
"You like to talk don't you? I can tell."
Li just remained silent. Sakura looked nervously between the two. She wished Kuai Hu would just leave. His aura gave her a headache.
"Heh. Well. The love I'm feeling from you is overwhelming. I was going to kill you tonight, but I think I'll wait. Wouldn't it be more fun if I killed your little girlfriend first? I think that would be more fun. What do you think, Xiao Lang? Cousin? Buddy?"
"I think you're a fool. Go away."
Kuai Hu pouted. "You're no fun. 'No' and 'Go away'. No passion or emotion. Where is that sword from earlier? It's like your ice."
Li turned around. "Let's go. You're father is waiting." Sakura cast a nervous glance to grinning boy in the tree. She nodded hesitantly. She was reluctant to turn her back on him. "Don't worry. I'll take the back. Besides he's not going to follow us."
Fifteen minutes later they were finally on a bus getting closer to her dad's work. Sakura felt relieved, but also a little dejected. Kuai Hu obviously considered her about as dangerous as slug. "He's wrong."
Sakura looked up at Li startled. He was looking at her solemnly. "But he said he was more powerful than you."
Li snorted. "So? I'm not a very powerful sorcerer. You are very powerful. That's just one reason why he's an idiot."
"Everyone with sense knows Sakura-chan is most amazing and can do anything," Tomoyo said taking one of her hands.
"Uh, thanks you guys. I feel much better." She smiled as she looked out the window. The sun rays glinted off the frame and sparked a question in her. "Ne, Li-kun? Where do you keep your sword?"
"I carry with me always." Sakura shared a confused look with Tomoyo. There was simply nowhere Li could be hiding his sword and it had disappeared as fast as it'd come at lunch.
"Um, it's not that I don't believe you, but, like, where?" Seriously that thing had been around four feet long. It wouldn't fit in his book bag.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"Where is your sword?"
"You want to know where my sword is?"
"Yeah." When asked her that question he made it sound silly.
"With me."
"With you?" Was she missing something?
He nodded. "Yes, with me."
"But where?" Where was he storing it?
"I told you. With me. Where else would it be?" He sounded confused at this point.
"Li-kun! You never make sense." Honestly she never seemed to know what he was talking about. It felt like he told her quite a bit, it was just she didn't know enough in the first place to decode what the words meant.
"I'm always hearing that."
"Because you are always not making sense."
"Oh, is that how it is?"
"Yes!"
Li started laughing.
"But that still doesn't explain where your sword is," Sakura mumbled. Tomoyo nodded beside her.
"Maybe it folds up," Tomoyo offered sounding very doubtful.
"Yeah, sure. Maybe," Sakura agreed sounding just as unsure.
"Kinomoto-chan, you're not worried about the dragon lady are you? Because trust me, I can deal with her." Li was looking decidedly amused as he studied her, propped lazily against a lamp post. "Just think of me as your white knight."
"I'm not scared of her exactly." She just terrifies me. Sakura decided not to even comment on the white knight thing.
"Well good. Follow me ladies." Li lazily walked up the steps to the building. Him and the guard exchanged nods and they were in the building without incident. Although the guard looked like he was a little alarmed. The lobby felt pleasantly warm after the chilly autumn air.
"Oh, I see you've decided to use the door today." The voice was high and whiny and belonged to scary, er, scary (damn she's not!) woman that was the receptionist in her father's main building.
The woman's comment seemed to be directed at Li since she was glaring at him unveiled contempt. Li shrugged. "I was bringing guests, but you know, I think we could still use the window."
What was he talking about? Use the window?
"No, Li-san," she sounded like she wanted to say something much ruder, "I insist that today you use the door and sign in. Like all employees are supposed to. It will be the second time you have ever technically been in this building." It was obvious this woman was very vexed by Li.
Li just bowed to her. "Well, since you asked so nicely, how can I refuse?" His voice was indifferent, but Sakura could tell he found the situation humorous. He quickly walked up to the reception desk and signed in she assumed.
"And what about your visitors?" The woman's voice was grating at her nerves. That woman knew who she was. Why was she being so difficult?
"They've been requested by Kinomoto-sensei. He works here. I believe you've met."
"Yes, I know who he is."
"Well, then I'm sure you'll have no problem with me escorting these two ladies to his office. Don't worry if they break anything they will be asked to leave." Li turned to her and Tomoyo. "Ladies?" he offered them both an arm.
Sakura couldn't stop herself from giggling and neither could Tomoyo. They all linked arms and started out of the lobby towards the hallway on the left. "Li-san, those girls need to sign in!"
"Sorry I can't hear you, Higashiyama-sama!" Li said loudly which caused more than just Sakura and Tomoyo to burst into laughter. "You'll have to roar louder!" They probably made a strange sight. Cold, stoic Li linking arms with two giggling girls.
When they reached the elevator they did actually hear something that sounded eerily like a roar.
Once they were safely inside the elevator and Li had pressed the 6 button he smiled at them. He leaned down like he was confided a secret with them. "She's pretty fun to rile up, ne?"
Sakura happily nodded in agreement. This latest encounter was much better than the last thanks to him. Halfway down the hall they stopped in front of a door. Without knocking Li swung open the door saying, "Oi! Kinomoto-sensei, look who I brought!"
Sakura saw her father jump a little as she and Tomoyo filed into the room. "Er, Syaoran-san. I see you used the door."
"Why does everyone keep saying that?" First the scary lady, and that woman they'd passed in the hall had mentioned it and now her father.
Her father smiled at her ruefully. "Well, you see Sakura-san, he normally uses the window."
"But isn't your office on the six floor?" Tomoyo asked sounding confused.
"Believe me I know, but he says its faster."
"It is faster," Li said with a knowing smirk. Sakura sweat dropped. He would use the window.
"Scared me the first couple of times, but it's actually alarming for him to use the door now."
"Uh, well," Sakura really didn't know how to respond to that. Her father seemed to have adapted well to Li's oddities.
"Anyway I have something to show you." Fujitaka started spreading out pages of pictures and indecipherable writing on them. "This is something we just recently found sealed in a stone box. It's a legend referring to king I've never heard. At least I think so. They don't actually mention him by name which is strange. The emission of his name seems deliberate."
Sakura examined the pictures. In many a figure was draped in dark colors and had sinister smile on his face. There was also a very sad looking man who seemed to be surrounded in yellow. There were depictions of what looked like mass executions and rivers of tears. Sakura shivered. "What's this story supposed to be about?"
Her dad shrugged and smiled at her. "I'm not really sure. My command of hieroglyphics could be better. I mostly just know the basics so I can read warnings of traps and curses. That's why I wanted Syaoran-san to come. I figured he could read it."
"Li-kun, you can read hieroglyphics!" Sakura was impressed. "How did you learn them?"
"From friends." His answer hid as much as it revealed probably more. His amber eyes gleamed with secrets untold.
"Friends?" How many people had friends that could teach them hieroglyphics?
"Well, they thought I should learn to read them after I learned Ancient Egyptian."
"Hoe?" That made everything so much clearer.
"Syaoran-san, can be very confusing, ne, Sakura-san?" Sakura looked at her father. His words struck her as strange. Sometimes it felt like her father knew more than he let on.
"Hai."
"Although one has to wonder with a the circles he talks in if he ever gets dizzy, ne, Kinomoto-sensei?" Tomoyo asked curiously a odd smirk curving her lips. It was suspicious.
Tomoyo and her father laughed. Sakura was confused. She slid a glance a Li. He was impossible to read, but he didn't seem to get the joke either.
After letting out a happy sigh her father turned to Li. "So can you translate this story?"
Li shrugged. "I could, but I already know it. I've heard it many times."
Fujitaka's smile faltered. "Oh, I see, well, that's rather interesting. I was sure this story has been lost for several centuries if not much longer. Iwate-san already read some of it and said he'd never heard of anything like it. He's spent half his life in Egypt."
"I'm sure most people have never heard of it." Li was leaning against a book case with his arms crossed. "It probably has been lost for over a millennium."
Outside noises filtered in through the cracked window, but none of the rooms occupants made a sound. "How is it you know it then, Syaoran-san?" Her dad was looking a Li like he was complicated jigsaw puzzle, but Sakura couldn't help but feel half the pieces were missing if they'd even come in the box.
Li smiled. "Friends."
Friends. Who were these friends? "Ne, Li-kun, do you want to tell us the story?"
"I guess it couldn't hurt. It isn't very happy though," he warned. They all looked at him expectantly. "Long ago, in a land of deserts and kings who communed with the gods, a sorcerer was born. His name was Bakari. He was kind and just man and praised by all. He preformed miracles for nobles and commoners. It was said he could see the future and even shape it. The pharaoh at the time heard of him one day and called Bakari before him and demanded that he serve him. Bakari declined and the pharaoh let him go. Or least he appeared to. That night Bakari was captured by sorcerers trained in the dark arts all hired by the pharaoh. They were able to surprise Bakari and subdue him sealing his powers away so he couldn't use them unless they allowed it. He was then brought before the pharaoh again where he was told that he would serve him or people of Egypt would suffer. The pharaoh was cruel and had no qualms with committing genocide and Bakari knew this. The king demanded Bakari create a tool that his sorcerers could use to attack neighboring countries. Bakari desperate to save his friends and family and the people in his beloved country did. The pharaoh used it to completely wipe out neighboring nations. He also used to hold his people in a strangle hold of fear. Eventually Bakari died of heartbreak and regret and the pharaoh seemed to almost live forever, but finally died. Egypt once again rejoiced the rising of the sun and the tool was lost."
"That is sad," Sakura said softly. It was strange, but the story almost seemed familiar. It was like recognizing a melancholy melody on the radio.
Li just nodded. "Though it is said that the tool as long it existed would be used to wreak havoc on the world. That price Bakari paid for his people's relative safety was the lives of countless innocents to come."
"Li-kun, does that mean you think that this tool is still terrorizing the world today. Wouldn't we know if that many people were dying?" Sakura was alarmed. The story was really not happy.
"In a world so large it is easy to be unclear of how many people there should be, but you know what I think?"
"What?"
"I think in the right hands this tool could do incredible good. A tool reflects the heart of its user after all. Don't you think, Kinomoto-chan?" Li had walked closer to her and leaned down. He was looking straight into her eyes and it felt like her was telling her a secret. Maybe more than one.
"Hoe?"
Li stepped back and laughed. "Yes, of course! Nothing less!"
"Thank you for telling us the story Syaoran-san." Her dad was sending an exasperated and irritated look at Li. "Although I've noticed every time you explain something the subject matter only becomes more murky. I'd be wary of karma. You're due to be very confused someday soon I'd say."
Li looked warily at her father. "Karma you say?"
Tomoyo clapped her hands with glee. "A confused Li-kun would be most entertaining to film. And if Sakura-chan could be confused as well I could film them both being that way. It would very cute I think."
Sakura laughed nervously. Why did she have to be confused as well? It wasn't like she went around saying weird things that were impossible to understand. Tomoyo's eyes were that certain shade that told Sakura she was in full daydream mode. Sakura sweat dropped.
"A tool reflects the heart of its user."
The world's secrets were whispered wind tickling at her ears. As she watched Tomoyo daydream and her father smile she felt the future unfolding outside the window. The winds of change were blowing. Li looked at her with eyes that told no stories.
She wondered why he still entered through the window and carried his sword with him always.
And she wondered why a part of her was terrified while the other part was eerily calm.
"The past holds many secrets. Some are painful."
Why had windy whispered that before disappearing into card form?
A cold wind from the north slipped in through the window.
Li stood up and closed it.
A/N: This ending seems kind of abrupt to me, but also kind of like it this way. I'm sorry there wasn't a whole lot of obvious conflict, but the whole overriding conflict of the story was addressed and alluded to all throughout the chapter. Lot's of hints. I wonder what Windy whispered in Sakura's ear way up in the sky? Lol. She's one of my favorite cards. The next chapter is more exciting action wise. There will be blood! lol
Also sorry about the confusion when refering to the two different Lis. Hopefully the characters will become less confused and their references will be less spastic. I mean them, not me. I know what's going.grins