Disclaimer: I do not own CCS or its original characters.
Claimer: I own all of my own created characters.
Chapter 25: Sakura's Anger
Time stopped abruptly while the class was in session. Everything stopped moving. The students sat still in their act to scribble in their notebooks. The teacher stopped while speaking. The birds halted mid flight and stayed still outside the window. The players in the stadium turned into life-sized statues while playing football. One of them had kicked the ball hard and it hung in air with its deformed shape due to the powerful kick.
Sakura and Syaoran sighed together. They knew another opponent had come. They had to get ready for battle. They turned to their friends and flinched together to see stars in Tomoyo's eyes. Eriol looked amused as he rested his chin on the table. Meiling smirked at the duo while Jet seemed alert with his spear out. However, he became confused to see the calm behaviour of the others.
Eriol spoke, "Relax Jet. We are not under attack. There is an enemy but only for Sakura and Syaoran."
Jet nodded as his spear disappeared into his bracelet, "Does this happen each time someone comes for them?"
Meiling replied, "Yes. Every time."
He noticed the duo sweating while looking at Tomoyo. He looked at her and had a powerful feeling to stay away from her if he valued his pride and dignity. His fears were confirmed when Tomoyo pulled out two paper bags from god knows where and a camera appeared as well in her hands. She gave the bags to the duo without a word. The order was very clear in her eyes for the duo. Upset her and taste hell.
Sakura and Syaoran sighed as they got up. They left silently with the paper bags as Tomoyo recorded them to the door. Jet watched with slight pity and he had no idea why he felt that pity for the duo. Once the door closed, Tomoyo stopped recording, shut the camera and handed it to the air next to her. The 'air' took the camera from her and soon took Michal's form. Jet was surprised with several things by now but he noticed everyone else the same as ever. Nothing seemed to surprise them.
Michal and Tomoyo shared identical evil smirks before he vanished again. Tomoyo returned to her place and began to read a book. Eriol wrote something on his desk with magic and it soon vanished. Jet did not recognise the dialect so he could not read what Eriol wrote. Moments later, similar dialects appeared and it was longer than earlier. Eriol read it and chuckled. Jet figured that he was conversing with someone. He was not surprised since Eriol used to be Clow Reed. Meiling started to draw pictures on her notebook as she too passed her time.
Jet whispered to Meiling, "Hey. Can we talk?"
Meiling nodded and stopped drawing. She turned to face him.
"No one told me Daidouji was such a good sorcerer. Does magic run in her family as well?" He whispered to her.
Meiling raised her eyebrow, "Why did you think that?"
"Well. Time has been stopped but she can move so easily. Plus she performed a high class space-time magic when she pulled out those bags and camera. It was obvious."
Meiling began to laugh aloud and Jet was surprised that she did. Eriol had heard the conversation so he simply smiled. Tomoyo looked at them curiously since she had been engrossed in her book and did not listen to them.
"Listen Ming. Tomoyo and I have absolutely no magic. Her family is not a magical family even though she is Sakura's cousin. Syaoran is my cousin and I still have no magic. We are ordinary girls with our own set of normal skills."
Jet did not believe it, "Then how do you explain both of you still mobile when time is halted."
Eriol spoke, "That is Michal's doing. He planted a bit of magic in them so that they can avoid being stopped along with time. It is a very simple magic planting and a very harmless amount. That is why they are moving."
Jet was shocked. He stared at the two girls with wide eyes. Tomoyo just friendlily smiled at him while Meiling mockingly smirked.
"But...but what about her incredibly fast space-time magic when she brought out those bags and camera?"
Eriol chuckled, "My friend Jet. That is one of the greatest mysteries of this universe that I am positive even Clow Reed himself would be unable to solve in all his life. No one knows where Tomoyo takes it out from. I have often tried to see it by slowing time as much as I could and I still saw nothing. I gave up eventually. So do not bust your head trying to figure it out."
Tomoyo laughed her infamous laughter and Meiling laughed as well. Jet stared at them and realised that he was speechless. This was a very peculiar bunch and he had become friends with them.
"Can I risk asking what was in those bags?" He asked hesitantly.
Tomoyo replied, "Costumes for battle. I make them."
Meiling grinned, "I help with the designs."
Jet stared in shocked, "And they wear it! In battle!"
Eriol replied, "They do not have a choice. Sakura is too kind. She cannot refuse Tomoyo. Syaoran is caught in the mix because he does not want to worry Sakura over Tomoyo. They model her designs."
Jet asked, "Is that not risky? It is a battle we are talking about. The clothes need to be battle ready and sturdy."
Meiling smiled, "Mr Michal supplies us with the material. It is very sturdy, light, and soft and so far has been able to withstand magic attacks as well. I mean, the costumes are damaged but nothing compared to how much they should have been. Mr Michal would not risk it with normal clothing."
Jet found sense in that. He realised that since they were such close friends, they would not risk the duo's lives for some showy costumes. They had to be strong and durable. Jet thought of something.
"Hey. Daidouji." Jet called out to her.
Tomoyo looked at him curiously while Meiling and Eriol resumed their earlier activities.
"What is it Jet?" Tomoyo asked politely.
"Can you make a battle costume for me as well?"
Eriol almost fell off his chair and Meiling ploughed through the notebook. Jet was confused at the actions of his friends. The next moment, he sweated under two massive killing intents emanating from Eriol and Meiling. He did not know why they reacted like that while Tomoyo laughed her evil laughter again with sparkling eyes.
Sakura and Syaoran stood at the top of the mall with Michal. Surprisingly, they wore standard knight suits instead of usual flashy and 'Tomoyoish' costume. Sakura's light armour was pink while Syaoran's armour was green as often seen. Both were comfortable in it and the metals did not hinder their movements at all. It added protection instead since both felt the armour consume a bit of their magic on wearing and reinforced themselves. They knew it was Michal's doing since Tomoyo would not have access to such armour. Michal stood before them with Tomoyo's camera and after a long time, they felt comfortable being recorded.
Michal spoke, "Neymar Kiosi. He is a low ranking guard mage from the Rach clan of Brazil. It is not a very powerful clan but they can hold their own in a battle. Neymar was an orphan and a doctor adopted him. The doctor was good friends with Rach family members so seeing his magical abilities, the clan took him in. He is very loyal to his clan and a dutiful person. But, he has a very strong sense of righteousness. In fact, so strong that sometimes it crosses the line. So be careful against him. He maybe low ranking in the clan but he is above you two in experience and combat skills."
Sakura and Syaoran nodded with confidence. They were nervous and Michal told them nothing about his magical prowess. As a teacher, they figured that he meant for them to figure that part out on their own. Michal turned invisible and a breeze told the duo that he was now behind them. Sakura and Syaoran nodded at each other with a determined look. They extended their senses and picked up strong unknown magic at a distance. Gathering up magic around their body like second skin, they flew towards their opponent for today.
Neymar Kiosi stood waiting for them over the forest behind Penguin Park. He was floating over the trees as if he stood on some invisible platform. However, the duo could tell that there was no platform. They saw levitation magic to its perfection. There was no excess or shortage in the magic. It flowed very smoothly and constantly. That was the first point that unnerved them on arrival. The second point was his large stature. He was easily close to eight feet tall and proportionately wide. Neither of them had seen such a large man. He looked almost like a monster to them. His large moustache only added to his evil looks. Neymar glared at the duo with full intensity as he watched their every move. His large claymore hung on his shoulder as it had a purple glow to it.
"Have you two said your last prayers?" Neymar asked them with his equally scary voice.
Chill ran down their spines at both his voice and his question. One thing became even clearer to them. Losing was not a luxury they could gamble with. They had to win at any cost if they wished to live.
Syaoran got ready with his sword, "There was no need."
Sakura gathered her courage and stood ready as well, "We do not intend to lose to you."
Neymar effortlessly swung his claymore and took a stance as well, "On guard."
He closed the gap between them at an alarming rate. Syaoran barely managed to block his massive claymore with his magically charged sword. The two weapons sparked due to the tussle of dominance. Considering the huge difference in size, Syaoran was holding his own very well. Sakura glided away since she could not take him head-on with only her staff. She would provide support to Syaoran instead. Neymar and Syaoran separated and then charged again. Neymar swung his claymore at Syaoran with his right hand as he aimed a ball of magic at Sakura with his left hand. Syaoran dodged the swing and used the opening to slash at his chest. Neymar shot the ball at Sakura as he pulled back his claymore to block Syaoran's attack.
Sakura charged her staff and yellow strings emerged out of its tip. The strings formed a web in an instant and caught the magical ball before it could hit Sakura. With a swing of her staff, the ball shot back towards Neymar. He was surprised at this event and barely dodged it himself. He was surprised that Sakura caught it with her strange strings and then threw it back at him with equal force and speed. However, the attack had not ended yet since the ball went straight towards Syaoran. Green strings emerged out of his sword as he caught the ball and twirled it around back at Neymar. Neymar had moved to attack Sakura so he barely sensed the attack. It hit him hard on his right side before he could defend.
Syaoran and Sakura did not take any chances. Both of them shot several smaller balls at him and Neymar took that attack head on. He took a few shots before swinging his claymore in a very wide arc around him. It created a shockwave that travelled forward and destroyed the remaining shots. Sakura and Syaoran had to dodge it. Neymar took this time to close the gap with Sakura. However, Sakura seemed prepared as a huge earthen spike shot up directly under him and Neymar had to jump away or he would have been impaled. Sakura stepped on the spike and chased after him fearlessly. With the slightest movement of her fingers, new spikes would emerge out instantly aimed to impale him. Neymar was forced to stay on the run.
Syaoran made it harder from him since he continued to attack him with his lightening charge sword in one hand and a fire whip in the other. Neymar had great difficulty staying away from the earthen spikes as well as parrying Syaoran's sword. It left him avoiding the whip by a hair's breadth and that irritated him. He bolted away with a sudden burst of speed to create a gap between them. However, he hit an earthen wall instead that cracked due to the impact. Neymar reflexively jumped away with surprise and noticed a golden tint to the wall before it went back to the ground. Sakura held that golden glow so it had to be her work. He was surprised that she had anticipated his direction of movement and came up with such a counter.
"You two are not half bad. You use magic I have never encountered before. Though you lack my level of speed, you can still keep up with me if only barely." Neymar spoke in a calm tone.
Syaoran grumbled, "Well we were almost done in once before by a speed freak so we worked on that. We are still inexperienced and lack power."
Sakura spoke, "Do we have to fight mister? I do not like fighting."
Neymar glared at them, "You two will prove a threat in the future to my clan. My clan demands your extermination and I have been tasked with that job."
Sakura shouted, "What you have been tasked is to murder two innocent children?"
While Neymar showed no change, Syaoran was slightly surprised. He never thought that Sakura would show such anger. It was surprising for him that knew her very well.
"What did we ever do to anyone to deserve all this? Why can we not be left alone peacefully?" Sakura asked with irritation on her face.
Neymar replied calmly, "It is not what you have done. It is what you will do in the future. While you are little children, you have done nothing bad. But once you grow up, you will definitely change and the power you control will definitely corrupt you and make you evil. We have no choice but to cut such a threat in its bud."
Sakura shouted again, "Where is the guarantee that any of that will ever happen? You are saying what you assumed to be true. What would you do if none of that happened? How would you make it up to our friends, to our families?"
Neymar seemed a bit surprised at this. Syaoran noticed it as well and he decided to let Sakura continue. Perhaps she was getting to him with her talks. Nevertheless, he stayed on guard for any attacks from Neymar. It will not be that simple.
Sakura spoke, "If you bring me that guarantee; that Syaoran and I will turn bad in the future; I promise you that I will myself hand over my life to you."
Neymar grew serious, "Enough talks. My job is to kill you two and I will return to my clan with your heads."
Though Neymar said that, Syaoran could tell that Neymar was conflicted now. Whatever Sakura was doing, he could see some results on Neymar. The duo readied themselves for a much tougher battle now. Neymar went down to the ground and the duo stayed airborne as they watched his every move. A few minutes had passed and no one had made any move. They stood cautious and ready to act as soon as even one moves. The atmosphere was very tense between them. Anything could trigger the continuation of the deadly battle. Even the smallest of sounds. And that was exactly what triggered it. The sound of a pebble hitting the concrete broke the silence and Neymar dashed at the duo at an alarming speed.
Syaoran dodged using his sword for leverage and avoided getting cut by his claymore while Sakura created a web of her golden strings around her to stop three earthen spikes Neymar seemed to have thrown at her midst his dash towards Syaoran. With a wave of her wand, she threw the spikes back at him. Only this time, she put them on fire. Neymar destroyed them with his claymore and then immediately dodged Syaoran's lightening attack. Syaoran caught his lightening with her web and directed it back at Neymar. He was not surprised that she could do that. He saw it earlier so this time he was not caught off-guard. He hit the ground and slapped it with his palm. An earthen wall rose between him and the lightening attack. He was out of Sakura's view but Syaoran could see him.
He immediately sent his green strings towards Neymar from his sword. Neymar jumped away and the strings followed him. He used his superior speed and skills to dodge all the several dozen strings. Sakura formed another web behind him with her strings to catch him. However, he noticed it and jumped over it to get past the golden web. Syaoran's green strings hit the web and the strings mixed up. That gave Neymar a moment to stop his retreat and he instantly darted towards Sakura. However, the pause was only for a moment since Syaoran's strings immediately darted towards him from her web with earlier speed as if they never hit the web.
Neymar had to once again change direction. He did not want to be caught by them since he had no idea what would happen in that case. He could not use his claymore on it either since he saw her take control of his magic effortlessly with those strings. He could guess what would happen if they touched his claymore. He darted away from the strings faster than they could follow and stopped before swinging his claymore in a large arc. The weapon left behind an arc of intense fire that Neymar shot at the Syaoran. He did not stop his Claymore's arc and sliced another one towards Sakura. Both Sakura and Syaoran let go of the strings and flew away to avoid the fire attack.
Neymar slapped the ground and the area around him rose. It started to shoot hundreds of rock senbons at them like bullets. Sakura instantly created a transparent wall of air before herself and reinforced it with her golden string web while Syaoran pulled up a sand wall from the ground to protect himself. The rocky needles hit the walls and broke for Sakura while sank in the sand harmlessly for Syaoran. Neymar moved while the senbons attacked them and the duo seemed to have had similar thoughts. Syaoran magically reinforced his armour to his best abilities and increased his strength as much as possible for him. He met Neymar's claymore with his magically charged sword in mid air. The impact of two weapons striking created shockwaves that blew away everything in the surrounding area.
Neymar, however, proved himself to be more powerful as he pushed his sword back. Syaoran almost lost the grip of his sword as he was pushed back. Neymar wasted no time and pulled a punch at Syaoran. Syaoran defended with his free hand's wrist guard. The metal plate took the punch and with a green glow reflected it back at Neymar. It pushed him back this time and both Syaoran and Neymar were surprised. Neymar felt that his fingers were broken but he loved them and found they did not break, simply hurt a lot. Syaoran took his stance again, feeling slightly more confident with the armour.
Neymar sliced to his left and right with his claymore to defend against two boulders. He destroyed them effortlessly before punching at his feet. Syaoran noticed that concrete had enveloped his feet to prevent him from escaping the boulders. He could see Sakura's magic in the shattered pieces and knew that Sakura had been ready for Syaoran to push Neymar back. He smiled and once again darted towards Neymar. Sakura was now preparing some large spell. Neymar flew towards her but Syaoran got in his way. Their weapons clashed once again to create the shockwaves and Syaoran held his ground this time. He was giving Sakura the time she would need to prepare her magic.
Neymar could sense the magic build up around Sakura as she concentrated. He could sense Syaoran's huge magic as well in all his routes towards Sakura. He was adamant in stopping Neymar from reaching Sakura. If only things were that easier. Syaoran knew he could not hold Neymar for long. They clashed several times and each shockwave would ravage the ground under them. Sakura had her complete concentration on preparing her magic. She was glowing pink now. She had her eyes shut as well. Syaoran knew that he was her only defence in this time. She trusted him to keep Neymar busy while she concentrated and Syaoran would honour that trust. He loved that girl after all.
Neymar was getting impatient as the glow around Sakura was increasing. He had begun to sweat as well and wondered if he will escape that magic unscathed if she hit him. He had to stop her before she finished it or he can say his victory goodbye. Neymar charged at Syaoran again and he was ready to defend Sakura. However, Neymar used his speed and skills to sidestep Syaoran and go around him. Syaoran reflexively activated his magic he placed as back up while he was clashing with Neymar for this situation. Training with Michal had taught them both many things.
Green strings suddenly shot out of the ground and formed several layers of defensive barrier between Neymar and Sakura. They immediately caught fire like the whip they used earlier. Neymar did not slow down and sliced through them with his claymore risking the dangers. Stopping Sakura held priority now. His claymore was lost to him but he had created a gap long enough for him to pass through before the strings fixed itself. The claymore stayed hung in the web for a few moments before it transformed into a bracelet. Green strings wound it tightly.
Neymar had reached Sakura. He did not slow down but pulled his fist. He aimed his punch at her face while she stayed afloat defenceless. The punch was faster than what normal eyes could follow. It was blur and hit Sakura's face in a flash. Or so it should have been. Right before her face, his punch hit something that exploded back in his face. The impact threw him back and pain sheered through his arm as he stabilised his balance in air. He looked up and growled in fury. His clash with the strings had given Syaoran enough time to get to her and protect her.
Syaoran had put his wrist guard between Sakura and Neymar's punch. The power of the punch was reflected back at him. Sakura escaped without a scratch and she continued to concentrate on her magic. Neymar noticed that his fingers were broken and his arm probably broken as well. If not broken, his bones had probably cracked by the power of his own punch. He glared at Syaoran before he noticed that his wrist guard had lost its green glow. Instead, it was broken now. Syaoran pulled it off and threw it. It was useless now. His sword hand was now open around the wrist.
There was a sudden surge of magic in Sakura's magic that broke their eye contact and both looked at her. She opened her eyes and pointed her staff at Neymar. Before Neymar could think of reacting, Sakura's staff shot him a powerful pink laser. It hit him faster than he could react and the impact threw him into the ground far away. Sakura's pink glow started to reduce alarmingly fast as the laser continued its assault on Neymar in the ground. A few seconds later, Sakura pulled back her staff and panted. The continuous use of her magic to such a degree had tired her out. Syaoran helped her to the ground. She was very tired.
"I hope that finishes this battle." Sakura whispered to him.
Syaoran nodded, "I hope so too. You pulled back early though."
Sakura chuckled, "His magic was fading very fast. Anymore and he could have died."
Neymar jumped out of the rubble in a tattered state. He had a purple barrier before him. However, it was heavily damaged. Syaoran got ready with his sword while he pushed Sakura behind him. She was not in a state to battle now. She had pulled a desperate magic and it cost her lot of her stamina. He knew she would be out of the battle for a while. He needed to hold on until she was rested enough. The purple barrier broke and Neymar fell on his knee. His clothes were heavily damaged and Neymar was much bruised.
Neymar spoke, "You were asking me for guarantee of the danger you two pose. That last magic should be good enough guarantee. Two kids that started learning magic only recently are able to pull of such a high level magic. What else reason should there be?"
Syaoran answered him, "Why do you think we had to learn such a magic? Before this war over our lives started, I was as powerful as any other kid is in my age from any clan. Then this all started and months later we are using the sort we would learn only after we grew up. What do you think pushed us into this? Even a timid rat will bite you back if you push it in a corner."
Neymar had no answer to that. He just stood up and charged at Syaoran. Syaoran dropped his sword seeing that his opponent was unarmed. He dashed at Neymar and punched him square in the face with his magically strengthened punch. Neymar could not react or defend against it and he just fell back. Syaoran touched the ground next to his large body and found him in much pain. He could not move and that agitated him. Syaoran straightened up knowing that his battle had ended.
"Kill me." Neymar spoke. "I cannot return to my clan with this lose. I have dishonoured them. Kill me."
Syaoran looked at him, "That is too bad then. We are not murderers. So you will have to return alive to your clan."
Sakura came next to Syaoran, "We never intended to kill you sir. We just want to be left alone. We just want to be treated fairly and be friends with everyone. We just want to be given a chance. You people decided it on your own that we are dangerous and never gave us any chance to prove you wrong."
Her words struck something in his heart and he looked away. Sakura sat down next to him and gently rubbed his wounded arm. She had tears in her eyes and Syaoran knew her heart very well. He placed his hand on her shoulder to give her support. She was low on magic so he had begun to pump his own magic into her armour to relieve her of its burden. He sensed her magic calm down with that. Sakura felt very warm and loved at his gesture.
"I am very sorry I hurt you sir. I do not know any powerful binding magic and you were too fast for our magical strings. I am very sorry sir." Sakura cried next to him and it seemed to have touched his heart.
He held a guilty expression now. Her tears fell on his arm. Syaoran did not want to see her cry but he could only stand by her. She was too soft and too kind. She was only person he knew that would cry for her enemies. She was a pure soul. And he was glad he could protect her.
Her tears disappeared inside Neymar's body and his wounds began to heal up. It shocked the three of them. The healing finished in a few seconds. Considering the wounds and broken bones he had, the healing was amazingly fast. He sat up and tested his arms. Neymar felt no pain anymore. His magic was very low but his physical wounds had all healed up completely.
He looked at Sakura with shock, "What did you do cardmistress?"
Sakura shook her head frantically, "I did nothing. I have no idea how that happened." She turned to Syaoran, "I sensed your magic too. Did you do something?"
Syaoran shook his head, "No. I did not even use my magic save for on your armour. We never learned such a large-scale healing magic. We are still at cuts and bruises."
Michal's voice rang in their head, 'I will tell you everything later. For now, we need to leave. I have to resume time soon and fix the damage from this battle before that.'
Sakura and Syaoran nodded together. Neymar stared at them.
Sakura spoke, "I am sorry but we need to leave. My guardians cannot hold time for too long. Please have a safe journey."
Syaoran handed him the claymore turned bracelet and then he flew away with Sakura leaving Neymar slightly bewildered. He was trying to contemplate everything and much of it confused him. He left as well since he did not want to be around when time would resume flowing. That would bring unnecessary trouble for him from the locals.
End of Chapter 25.
Read and Review everyone. Thanks to all my readers for being patient with my story.