Author's Note: Sorry guys. I have been gone long but it had to be done. Sorry for the late update.

Chapter 20: Li vs Ming

It had been three days since she had that dream. It had been three days already and yet she could not help but think of it often. She shared it with Tomoyo and Meiling as well. They were surprised to hear about it and the other information from Michal and the others. It had been three peaceful days since that night. Sakura was on her way back home alone after parting with Syaoran at the crossroad. She had to buy an ice cream this time for Emi. She was extremely fond of sweets. It has been improving their friendship and Sakura was lad about it. She had recovered a lot in Touya's care. Michal stayed a strict teacher in school and an ever-stricter magic teacher outside it. However, he stayed a wonderful godfather to her.

"Get away from me!" A male voice caught her attention and brought her out of her thoughts.

She turned to the direction of the sound and saw a boy her own age against the wall. Several cats surrounded him and purred delightfully while he looked scared of them. He was trying to get away but the cats playfully advanced towards him. Most of them were tiny kittens.

"Do not come closer! Go away." He shouted at them angrily but the cats purred delightfully in response.

Sakura just smiled at the scene. It was a first for her and it was slightly comic as well. She went towards them and the cats sensed her. They ran away immediately and the boy released the breath he held for long. He looked at Sakura thankfully.

"Thank you very much Miss. They just surrounded me all of a sudden while I was distracted." He spoke politely.

Sakura shook her head, "It is fine. I just did not know that someone could be so scared of cats."

He sighed, "Well I have a phobia for cats ever since I was little."

"I have not seen you before. Are you new in town?"

He nodded with a smile, "Yes. I arrived this morning from China. I will be here for about a week."

Sakura was surprised, "You are here all alone!"

The boy chuckled, "No. My mom came along. She worries too much for me."

Sakura smiled softly, "That is good. Since you are new to town, I think I should show you around."

The boy blushed slightly, "That would be too much to ask. I will be fine on my own. Thank you."

"No. I insist. We do not want our guest getting attacked by another crowd of cats."

The boy flinched slightly while Sakura continued to smile angelically. He admitted defeat, "I...I will be in your care."

Sakura offered her hand, "I am Sakura. Sakura Kinomoto."

The boy took her hand with a look of surprise, "Jet Ming. Pleased to meet you Miss Kinomoto."

Sakura nodded, "You too. Do you mind if I call you Jet?"

Jet shook his head, "It is fine with me Miss Kinomoto."

Sakura smiled wider, "You can call me Sakura."

Jet blushed again and nodded, "S...Sakura then."

Sakura grinned, "Shall we go then?"

Something clicked on Jet's mind, "I am sorry. Not today. My mom would be worried if I am away for long without telling her about it. Perhaps tomorrow. If you are not too busy."

Sakura nodded, "Sure. It is holiday tomorrow so let us meet early then. Right here."

Jet nodded with a smile, "Deal. Thank you for that."

"See you tomorrow then Jet." Sakura bid him farewell in her usual friendly way.

"Tomorrow then, Sakura." Jet was still blushing.

They walked in separate directions. Sakura skipped towards her home happily and remembered to buy ice cream for Emi on the way. Jet walked away silently very cautious of his surroundings. He did not want another cat attack this time. Michal smiled slightly at his desk back at school. Emi was in ecstasy at the sight of ice cream. She ate her share blissfully and pink cheeks. Sakura smiled at her happiness. Touya watched Emi with slight smile.

Touya spoke, "You have been spending your pocket money every day now. Do you still have some left by now?"

Sakura nodded, "I have plenty still. I want to be her friend."

Touya sighed, "I do not know what Uncle Michal is thinking."

Sakura smiled, "Whatever it is, he is thinking for the best."

Touya smiled and silently nodded. Emi was lost in her own world of ice creams.

Syaoran lay on his bed with a frowning face. He has been a bad feeling ever since that morning. He was expecting a battle that day. However, everything has been calm so far. He stayed cautious and wondered why he felt that way. He could not close his eyes since every time he did so, Sakura's face popped up before him and that would distract him for a while. He did not want to be distracted at this moment even if the reason was tempting enough. Something was not right on the day.

Sakura tied her shoes in enthusiasm. It was a holiday and she had a new friend in town. She had to show him around the pretty town of Tomoeda. She had a tune in her mind. Fujitaka simply smiled at her happiness but did not ask her anything. She had already told him about Jet Ming and his condition the day before. She had already stomped on Touya's foot at his teasing. The breakfast had been as exciting as ever for the man. Sakura got to her feet.

"I will be going then dad. See you later."

She left with that as her father waved at her. Touya still grumbled in a corner.

"I still do not like the idea of her spending the time alone with a stranger, especially when he is from China."

Fujitaka smiled at his son's complain. His over protective attitude towards Sakura never failed him in any case.

"It will be fine Touya. Michal is here to look out for her. He would not let anything happen to her. She is safe."

Touya sighed, "I know. I am still worried. This entire war thing is what worries me. They are unpredictable."

Emi came out of her room looking fresh. Touya and Fujitaka looked at her and smiled.

Fujitaka spoke, "You finally have the strength to move around. Join us for breakfast."

Emi smiled, "Thank you Mr Kinomoto."

Sakura and Jet walked through the streets. She was chirpy and Jet was polite to her. Sakura looked happy to have a new friend and he seemed like a nice person to her. It was afternoon now and both seemed tired after all the walking they had around the small town.

Jet spoke, "I am sort of hungry Sakura. Can we go somewhere?"

Sakura smiled widely and nodded, "Sure. I know a great place. I have not been there in forever."

Jet could not help his smile at her smile, "Let us go then."

Sakura took his hand and he turned pink on the face, "It is this way." She pulled him away.

He ran with her as she led him through alleys and various turns. Soon they were standing opposite a large cafe. Jet read its name, 'Cherry Blossom and Little Wolf Cafe'. A chill ran down Jet's spine reading the name. Next to it was a toy store and his intuitions were practically screaming at him to run and hide in that toy store rather than enter this specific cafe. Sakura pulled him inside. The inside was beautiful and for a moment, Jet forgot about the chill. He suddenly felt a pull at his hand and saw Sakura being strangled by a tall and slim woman in black dress with fair complexion. Her dark blue hairs with red linings covered Sakura's upper half of the body. She made a sad crying face while she strangled Sakura. Sakura was red with embarrassment. The woman had wet blue eyes.

"Where have you been my cutest customer? I missed you so much." She whined to Sakura.

A raven haired, chocolate-eyed man arrived behind her, "Give her some breathing space Elliot. You are choking her."

Elliot released Sakura and turned to Jet. He felt the chill from earlier return in his spine except, it was stronger than ever. Before he could move a muscle, Elliot was pulling both his cheeks with a grin.

"Aren't you a handsome young man? On a date with my cute customer?" She teased with sparkly eyes.

Both turned red.

Sakura replied, "No. No. He is my new friend and he is new to town. I was just showing him around."

Elliot smirked mischievously, "Is that so? I believe you have been taking care of my cute customer as a gentleman should for a girl."

Jet blushed again, "Yes. I have been trying my best."

Sullivan rolled his eyes as he pulled Elliot to her feet. She frowned at him as he pulled her behind him.

"Little miss. Please take your new friend to a table."

Sakura pulled Jet away to a table while Sullivan pulled a complaining Elliot away to the counter. Sakura smiled as he pecked her cheek to calm her down. He whispered something in her ears that made her giggle and she was back in her earlier bubbly nature. She skipped to their table.

"Have you decided on your orders?" Elliot asked them happily.

Sakura turned to Jet, "Order anything you like Jet."

Jet nodded and looked at the menu. The next moment, he flinched. Sakura was cutely confused at his reaction until she looked at the menu herself. The menu had changed from the last time. Today, every item was named after cats. The special was 'Cats and Blossom Special'. Jet was pale as he looked carefully through the menu. Sakura smiled and turned to Elliot.

"We will take the special of the day. Two please."

Elliot grinned, "Coming right up for my 'long time no see', cute customer."

Elliot rushed away with the order and Jet placed the menu on the table feeling slightly embarrassed.

"You are truly scared of cats, are you not?" Sakura spoke softly.

"Yes." Jet was embarrassed.

"Did something happen when you were little?" Sakura asked with concern evident in her voice.

Jet replied sadly, "Yes. Mom told me that when I was two, I once ran into the streets full of cats wanting to play with them. They did not like it and attacked me. When they found me, I was hurt real bad and I was hospitalised. I do not remember anything about that incident but since then, I have a phobia towards cats. I have tried to beat my fears but I have not managed it so far."

Elliot arrived at that time with the orders, "Then perhaps you need to find the person whom you would wish to protect and I am not talking about your family and friends."

Jet looked at her with a frown, "How would that help?"

Elliot smiled wisely, "That way, when the time comes for you to choose between winning or loosing to your fears to protect that special someone, you will choose to win over it. You will face it and defeat it no matter how hard it gets. Fear or phobia can never win in that situation."

Jet was shocked to hear her wise words while Sakura just smiled thankfully to her. He had not expected her to be that wise from her earlier antics.

Sakura asked Elliot, "You really love Sullivan too right?"

Elliot smiled softly, "Sullivan means everything to Elliot. She will do anything for him. Just as Elliot means everything to Sullivan. They mean the world to each other and are happiest when they are together."

Sakura nodded and began to eat happily. Jet began as well. They talked and ate in the cafe. Elliot and Sullivan watched the duo from a distance with smiles while Elliot took care of other customers as well. After finishing the sundae, Jet paid the bill to Sakura's complains and left with her.

Elliot spoke, "She is really dense."

Sullivan replied, "Not as much as she used to be. At least she noticed him flinch from the cat names and she noticed how much we loved each other."

Elliot smiled, "That means she is growing up. What will it be like this time?"

Sullivan replied, "No idea. He says it will be funny but slightly difficult for her."

Elliot gave him a curious look, "Difficult? How so?"

Sullivan shrugged, "No idea. We are to only run this cafe and keep her happy whenever she comes."

Elliot looked outside the window with a worried look, "But...there is no guarantee they will come here everytime they feel down. She came after such a long time today. We cannot step out of the door."

Sullivan stayed silent as he worked on the counter. Elliot returned to her work.

Jet and Sakura walked together on the road feeling full after that sundae. While Sakura looked happy, Jet seemed tensed for some reason.

Jet spoke, "That woman was strange."

Sakura gave him a curious look, "You think so?"

"Yes. I mean...how any person could be...so weird."

Sakura thought about it and remembered Syaoran's quadruplet sisters. She shivered slightly at the memory. Then remembered Yelan being similar to that, at times.

"I do not know. I know five more women that act the same way she does."

Jet was surprised, "Seriously?"

Sakura nodded.

Jet smirked, "You have some weird tastes."

Sakura cutely pouted at him, "Hey! They are all good people."

Jet smiled and raised his hands in surrender, "Fine. I was just teasing you."

Sakura smiled, "The oldest of them is like a mother to me. She loves me like her daughter. The rest four are her daughters. They are a strong family and very warm as well."

Jet lost his smiled and continued to walk straight. Sakura was too lost thinking about Yelan, Syaoran and others to notice the change in him. They walked around the town for the rest of the day. They had fun together.

In evening, they parted ways for their homes. Jet watched Sakura skip as she walked towards her home. After a while, he sighed and walked away dragging his feet. He entered his home and fell on the couch. A woman carrying a pot and wearing an apron entered from the kitchen.

"You okay Jet?" She asked with a worried tone.

Jet immediately stood and was surprised at her attire. "Mom! Why are you in that dress? Where are the servants?"

She smiled beautifully at him, "Well I thought I should cook something for my son today personally. It has been a while I did so."

Jet was slightly pink, "Okay. Thanks mom."

"Dinner will be ready shortly. Why do you not get fresh in the mean time?"

Jet nodded and then fell on the couch again, "I am really tired."

She turned serious, "You spent the entire day with her."

"Yes."

"Did you find anything?"

"Yes. She is a monster."

She raised her eyebrow, "What do you mean?"

"We walked all day with barely any rest. My entire body is hurting. I feel like even the tip my hair hurts. But she...she went home skipping and singing as if she was not tired at all. She was not tired at all."

The woman frowned, "Anything else?"

"Nothing."

The woman smiled, "You seem like you enjoyed being with her."

Jet grumbled, "She...is a good company."

She smirked, "Well you are the one who became friends with the girl you call monster."

He turned pink again but stayed silent. His mother laughed at his state. She returned to the kitchen. Jet stayed on the couch for long lost in his thoughts.

Sakura entered the park and saw Michal with Syaoran. Nadeshiko was sitting by the bench.

"I am sorry I am late." Sakura shouted as she ran to Michal.

Michal smiled and patted her head fondly, "Did you have friend with your new friend?"

Sakura nodded with a beaming smile, "I had lots of fun."

Syaoran asked, "What new friend?"

Sakura replied, "I met him yesterday. He is new to town and I volunteered to show him around Tomoeda."

Syaoran nodded. He hid his thoughts from Sakura. He was feeling jealous all of a sudden. His girlfriend spent the day with another guy without his knowledge and he did not like that one bit. The hanging out could be passed off as a date. That was so unfair. Even he has yet to go on a date with Sakura. Thinking about it made him blush and Sakura gave him a cute, confused look that brightened the colour ten folds over. He was going to find out about this guy.

Syaoran asked, "So...when are you meeting with him again?"

Sakura replied, "We did not talk about meeting again. If I see him somewhere, I will be sure to ask him. Why?"

Syaoran cleared his throat, "No reason. I was just thinking that...maybe next time...i could tag along with you two. I mean...i would like to meet your new friend as well."

Sakura nodded, "Sure."

Michal winked at Nadeshiko and she simply giggled in reply. Both of them knew what all went in his head. Sakura was too dense to think about it.

Michal spoke, "Let us begin the training now."

Both nodded and Sakura placed her bag next to her mother on the bench. Syaoran prepared for the training while still thinking about her new friend. He did not like hearing about it but he could not complain, yet. Better concentrate on training for now.

Three days passed peacefully. Sakura did not meet her new friend. She did not talk much about him either. Michal was still the same strict teacher in school. He was even stricter during training. Sakura and Syaoran were advancing steadily but three days is too little a time to tell any difference. They knew they were advancing from the results they had so far in battles. They might have lost the last one but they had learned from it. They were trying harder than ever. Michal still did not find them good enough to let them use anything other than the 'star wand' and the 'sword'. The cards were still waiting for the day Sakura would use them again. Sakura was not worried for them. They were at a safe place and she had recently met them for the very needed magic transfer. Three days had passed as normal as they could be.

The fourth day was different. Michal came to fetch Sakura and Syaoran after school. They knew instantly that another opponent was coming for them. The previous loss had affected them a little and they were nervous. If the opponent this time is more powerful compared to the last one, they would have a much harder time. Meiling and Tomoyo were present as well. However, they looked uncertain for some reason unlike their usual excited and starry looks. Of course, Sakura was too dense to notice that.

Michal looked at the duo, "Are you two ready?"

Sakura and Syaoran nodded nervously. Tomoyo and Meiling took out a package from their bags. They exchanged uncertain glances before Meiling gave her package to Tomoyo.

Tomoyo stepped forward, "These are your dresses for today. Get changed fast."

Sakura and Syaoran nodded together still wondering why they have to wear embarrassing things for the fight. Sakura did it for Tomoyo since she was her best friend and cousin. She would put a lot of efforts into the dresses and Sakura did not want to let her down. As for Syaoran, only he knew just why he wore them.

Fifteen minutes later, Sakura's scream echoed in the sky, "!HOE!"

The gang was now at the top of a building. Sakura was red faced and wore a cheerleader's outfit. Syaoran wore a soccer uniform and stared at Sakura with blushed cheeks without even blinking. Tomoyo was busy recording Sakura and Meiling smirked as she switched her gaze between Syaoran and Sakura.

"Tomoyo! Why this outfit? How will fight in this?" Sakura complained.

Tomoyo chuckled nervously, "This is not my design or idea."

Sakura turned to Meiling, "Then it is your prank!"

Meiling shook her head in denial, "No. Tomoyo and I actually planned something else."

Tomoyo came next to her, "Yes. We received a call five days back and told to make these outfits for today's battle."

Sakura was confused, "Who called you?"

"Uncle Michal did."

The duo turned to Michal who carelessly went through the settings of the camera. They knew that he would be recording in Tomoyo's place. He loved Sakura but he adored Tomoyo as well. That much was certain since he always did things to make her happy, like letting her design battle costumes and recording them for her.

Sakura shook her thoughts aside, "Uncle Michal. Why did you ask Tomoyo for this outfit?"

Michal replied, "Because you do not fight in today's battle. You will only watch Syaoran's battle."

The four of them were surprised at his words. Nadeshiko stayed afloat next to him with a smiling face. She seemed to know his mind on this well enough. However, they could not think of a reason for this. They fought together and still lost the last match. How could he expect them to win with only Syaoran battling.

Sakura panicked, "But...Uncle Michal! I cannot..."

Michal bent down before her and placed his palm on her head fondly with a soft smile, "Trust me Sakura. I am sure Syaoran will be more than enough for today. Besides, I am sure that once he sees the opponent, he will himself ask you to step back. He will have his reasons."

Sakura was still unconvinced. Syaoran decided to stay silent even if he had to say something. Michal was no fool and he must have a reason to say that about him. He wondered what was so special about the current opponent.

Michal kissed her forehead, "The secret to your role for today lies in your costumes. If you find it, you will realise just how you can be of Syaoran's help even without fighting alongside him."

Sakura nodded with a confused face. She could not figure out how she could be helping him if she has to just watch him battle. Tomoyo and Meiling knew that it was tough for her but even they had no idea about the situation.

Michal straightened up, "He is close. You better get ready Syaoran."

He turned to Tomoyo and Meiling, "I will send you two to your homes."

Tomoyo, "Good luck Syaoran. It will be alright Sakura."

Michal clicked his fingers and immediately the duo turned into light and vanished. Time stopped right after that and they knew that the battle had begun. They felt a magical presence at a distance that stayed its ground instead of coming to them.

Michal smiled, "Well. I think we better get moving."

Syaoran spoke, "Normally they come to us."

Michal smiled, "Well some of them have pride. They do not got to the enemy. Enemies go to them."

Sakura was surprised, "Is that so?"

Michal smirked as he pinched her cheek, "You are too gullible young missy. Cute, but gullible. Your opponents are simply getting cautious and taking in consideration the part that you two are actually stronger than you look."

Syaoran asked, "Will you not tell us anything about the opponent as you usually do?"

Michal shook his head, "You will not always have that data. You have to get used to situations where it is an ambush from unknown magicians. I am going to have you two begin at a safer situation."

Syaoran and Sakura understood the meaning of his words. He was readying them for the future where they would not have him watching over them. This was a war and anything could happen in wars. They have to be ready when the time comes. They have to be stronger than today. Michal smiled to see their determination and turned invisible. The duo held onto their sword and staff respectively tighter and flew towards the opponent.

From high in the sky, they could tell that the enemy was on the ground. He was in their school grounds probably due to the open space available there. They hurried together to the destination. It took them three minutes to reach it. But they had used some magic in flight for the purpose. Now they knew that their opponents earlier never fought at their best. Yet, the last one defeated them easily. They had so much to learn and grow.

A lone figure sat in the centre of the football field. He wore a red battle suit similar to what Syaoran used to wear in his initial days in Tomoeda. It had the design of a white tiger on the front. He wore a black mask in the shape of a white tiger's face. He sat straight with his shiny spear blade in his lap. Sakura was cautious but she felt Syaoran's magic flicker. She looked at him and saw him surprised.

"Syaoran?" Sakura asked him.

Syaoran stepped forward and brought his hand before Sakura.

"Step back Sakura. I will fight him alone." Syaoran seemed determined.

Sakura was shocked, "What? But..."

"I know this guy Sakura. He is from the Ming clan. He is the heir to the clan. We are the same age and met at times when we were younger. Li clan and Ming clan have been at war for centuries. During Clow Reed's time, there was peace but only temporary. Today there are no fights because my mother and his mother, the two leaders made a non-violence pact. But if he is here, they must be breaking the pact."

The person got up and took out a scroll from his pocket. He tossed it at Syaoran that caught it and began to read it. Sakura did not know Chinese but from Syaoran's shocked reaction, she could tell that it was no good.

"This is ridiculous. This cannot be." Syaoran seemed furious.

Sakura asked in worry, "What happened?"

"The pact is unaffected. He is here by the orders of a higher authority than even the two leaders. This entire battle has nothing to do with the two clans. Just as the previous opponents, he is simply here to defeat us on orders. Mother even signed it to agree to that."

Sakura clutched her wand tighter in worry. She felt a hand on her shoulder and knew that Michal was trying to comfort her. Syaoran rolled the scroll and returned it to the opponent. He returned it to his pocket.

"Just you and me. One on one battle. Is that okay?" Syaoran spoke.

While the opponent nodded, Sakura did not want it. Michal's hand on her shoulder was exactly what kept her from screaming out her denial. He had told them about it earlier. Just as he said, Syaoran proposed her out of this battle.

Syaoran looked at Sakura, "We still need to figure out the rolls of our costumes. Since I will concentrate on fighting, you will have to think about it. I am sure Michal must have used it as a clue to tell us about a way to win this battle."

Sakura realised that it could be so. She nodded with determination and stepped back. Syaoran got ready with his sword and the opponent was ready with his spear. The battle would be intense and they had to win at any cost. Sakura needed to figure out just what clue Michal left with these costumes.

End of chapter 20.

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