Chapter 2: "Enter Kaho"

Hiragizawa Kingdom

The dark room was dimly lit by the crystal sphere that was located in the center of the room. He gazed intently at it.

Its time... He smirked.

The chair he sat on was way too big for his size. His dark silhouette showed him to be a young man. His round glasses shone from the light emitted from the sphere, and it prevented his eyes from being seen. The blue haired boy bent towards the sphere. Things were about to get interesting. And he was NOT going to miss this.

A dark panther-like creature laid curled up beside his chair. It was probably asleep. It was huge, though. Obviously not your average predator feline. Then again, an ordinary panther would not be lying around in room like a tamed kitty cat.

Its eyes suddenly opened up to reveal its azure sclera with sharp black pupils. The pupils moved around the room excitedly. Almost as if it was waiting for something- and that waiting was finally over.

The creature stood up and yawned loudly. A large butterfly-shaped crest on its chest lit up and illuminated the room further. It was blue- just like its eyes. But that wasn't all that was blue. The creature stretched out its forearms and from its back came out huge dark butterfly-wings with spots that had the shade of the brightest and shiniest sapphires.

It turned its head toward the sphere its master was looking at, and bore out its large off-white fangs. It seemed satisfied- very satisfied...

"Looks like someone's having fun..." The creature spoke.

"Oh you have no idea... I've waited so long for this."

The creature went back to its curled up position, but continued to look at the orb.

"But I must wonder. Whatever is the girl for?" A feminine voice spoke up.

A woman wearing an elegant black dress levitated out of the darkness from behind the room. She had long pink hair. But the darkness prevented her face from being seen. Just like the panther, she too had giant black butterfly-wings. Only her's had red spots on them instead of blue.

"Princess Daidouji?"

Both the creature and the woman looked towards the young man with glasses, expecting him to finish. He laid back into his chair, looked away from the orb and clasped his hands together.

"I'm gonna use her to get closer to Card Captor." He smirked.

"Master, why would you even need to do that? You could easily do your job just by sitting idly in this place." The black animal-like creature licked its paw.

"He could..." The woman with butterfly-wings answered for the young man. "But what would be the fun in that?" She waved her hand around like the answer to the question was pretty obvious.

The creature snarled at the woman and went back to its nap-taking position.

"Yeah, whatever."

The boy laughed and faked a hurt expression.

"Spinel Sun, I was expecting you to have more faith in me. And don't worry, I'll be extra careful... If that's what you're worried about..."

He turned towards the winged woman, smiled, and then back towards the crystal sphere.

"Oh yeah, and Ruby Moon, we're gonna have a lot of fun... This girl... She's very powerful."

Ruby Moon looked toward the orb. It showed the visage of a certain green-eyed and auburn-haired princess.

"Princess Kinomoto... My, my... She's too pretty for her own good." Ruby Moon licked her lips and smiled.

Spinel Sun, the winged panther, looked at the princess, quite unimpressed.

"Oh jolly…"

"Don't fret Spinel. I'm sure you'll have your fill..." The man spoke up again.

Ruby Moon looked at the young man's mischievous smile and laughed.

"You'll never change… Clow Reed."

The man bent towards the orb once again and waved his left hand over it. The visage that was being shown in it clouded up and disappeared.

He looked up to reveal the blue poles behind his circular spectacle frame. The malicious smile still stretched across his face.

"Let the games begin..."

Kinomoto Castle Colosseum

The swords clashed. The metallic rebound rung through their ears.

"Not bad, Prince Touya."

"Hmph.. Well, I am the best." The prince had a proud grin on his face.

He pushed his opponent's sword forward and then swung it out of his hand.

There, done...

The prince withdrew his sword.

"And stop calling me that."

"Stop calling you what?" Yukito asked with a bright smile on his face, acting like he didn't know what he was talking about.

"God dammit, Yukito..."

Touya turned around to walk away. He stopped midway to look back at his sparring partner.

"Oh yeah, don't think I didn't realize that you lost on purpose..."

Yukito scratched his head unmindfully. The silly grin still on his face.

"Oh, however did you find out?" He asked Touya playfully, the sarcasm practically dripping from his words.

"I'm gonna get you for that... You know that!"

Colosseum Sidelines

Syaoran watched as the boy in front of him imitated Prince Touya's moves.

"Did you see that!? He was like all over him! There's no way anyone can stand up to the prince! He's the best of the best from the Royal Knights!"

"That so?" Syaoran asked cluelessly. He had no idea what was going on. This was his first day inside the kingdom.

The happy-go-lucky boy put his hand out towards Syaoran.

"Hi, I'm Yamazaki... Takaishi Yamazaki! But you can just call me Yamazaki! You seem like a new face... Not from around here... Definitely no."

Syaoran shook his hand nervously.

"Hey Yamazaki! I'm Syaoran." He introduced himself with a bent smile. Why am I having a weird feeling about this guy? I mean, he seems pretty nice...

Yamazaki was waiting for him to finish with an expectant expression.

"Oh no, it's just Syaoran... I mean that's what they call me… And you're right. I'm not really from here. I came here from the far east."

"Oh... That' fine, I guess..." Yamazaki said with an unsatisfied expression. But it quickly left his face. He forced himself beside Syaoran and put his arm around his back friendlily. Syaoran seemed a bit uneasy though.

"So welcome to the Kinomoto Kingdom! Trust me, yer gonna love it here! The people here are really nice!"

"Well, I'm glad... I mean, umm, that's good know..." Syaoran looked like he was about to throw up for some reason.

Yamazaki sent him a worried look.

"Geez. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I guess..."

Syaoran looked around the Colosseum.

There wasn't much of an audience today. But what he did spot was a girl with auburn hair and emerald eyes from across the field.

Wow... I've never seen eyes like those before... He fell into a trance. She was wearing a beautiful white dress that made her look like an angel.

Wow, she's probably the prettiest girl I've ever seen in my whole life... Her skin was as fair as snow and she seemed like she was glowing.

Yamazaki waved a hand in front of his face and he snapped out of it.

"Huh, what? Oh, I'm sorry... I was just thinking about something..."

"Looks like we got a day dreamer, huh?" Yamazaki joked.

"Anyway," Yamazaki pointed towards the other side of the Colosseum. "That's the king. King Fujitaka. And beside him is Princess Sakura, his daughter."

Syaoran gulped. Nice going, idiot... Now you have a thing for the princess... THE PRINCESS! And, you even didn't notice that there were so many people surrounding her. They're all probably her bodyguards. Of all the people, you just had to look at her!

Syaoran shook his head violently. Get her out of your head! For your own good...

Gareth walked towards the two boys.

"Lord Gareth!" Yamazaki stood up in salute.

Syaoran watched him and after full comprehension, did the same thing.

"Sit down, Takaishi! No one does that here." Gareth scolded him annoyedly.

Yamazaki gave him a sheepish smile. Gareth rolled his eyes.

"You boys are up."

He patted Syaoran on the shoulder encouragingly. "C'mon son, show me what you're made of. Go break a leg."

"What?" Syaoran asked, now as confused as ever.

"That's just an expression, don't worry... Boy, you need to lighten up!" Gareth assured him as soon as he understood what Syaoran was thinking.

This is gonna take a while. The man sighed.

"I, umm, apologize, I'm not used to this country's way of, umm, speaking…"

"Oh yeah? Whatever then... Just go grab your sword."

Syaoran brought himself together. When it came to combat, he always used his own trusty sword. He took out his scabbard from the cloth that was wrapped around his waist. Fortunately, he got a new change of clothes once he was brought into the castle.

"Lord Gareth, may I use my own sword?" Syaoran asked him boldly. He was NOT going to fight without his sword.

"Well, sure. I mean the swords we use in the castle are one of a kind. The best I'd say. Do whatever you want. We'll call off the fight if it breaks though... I have high hopes for you, son... Just don't let me down, alright?"

"I won't." said Syaoran, finally raising confidence into his voice.

"C'mon Syaoran!" Yamazaki was already on the battle ground.

"I'm coming." This is it! Time to show'em what I'm made of! Syaoran smiled.

The Battle Ground

"You ready, buddy? Want me to go easy on ya?" Yamazaki drew his sword.

"No. Give me your best shot... Because I'm gonna give it my all!" Syaoran told him with steel determinism. He drew his sword out as well.

"Whatever you say buddy ol' pal." Yamazaki took his battle stance.

"It's now or never." And Syaoran took his.

Gareth looked at the two boys from above.

That sword. Never seen anything like it before.

"COMMENCE!"

Both the boys charged at each other. The swords clashed and locked.

"Hmph, you're pretty strong for someone your age..." Yamazaki praised. But he wasn't going to back down.

"Not too bad yourself..." Syaoran bit his bottom lip. He pushed and slashed. Yamazaki was taken aback but maintained his footing.

"Woah!" Yamazaki took a defensive stance. This is bad… He gulped

That's it! Syaoran was waiting for this. He charged at the opponent smoothly, his sword held back, to deliver a devastating blow.

Yamazaki lifted his sword up to protect himself.

Another clash!

This time with a lot more impact than the last one.

The blades vibrated. Yamazaki sworn he could've felt his hilt heat up.

What the heck's going on? His eyes widened.

Syaoran pushed with more force.

Harder!

His face scrunched up and he looked fierce. The drastic change in his expression surprised both Yamazaki and Gareth.

Yamazaki heard a crack. Oh boy…

Right before his eyes, his blade shattered into a million pieces. Luckily, Yamazaki closed his eyes just in time. He was thrown a few feet from where he was standing, holding a hilt with a broken blade. He yelped in pain.

Syaoran jerked forward because of the momentum. His sword dropped from his hand. His arms were aching badly now.

Probably just over-exerted myself... Nothing to worry about… He panted.

He rushed towards Yamazaki, who was being helped up. Yamazaki almost lost his consciousness.

"Wow... What was that?"

He looked at Syaoran to see his worried face.

"Don't worry buddy…" Yamazaki said dizzily. "You won fair and square…That was… amazing…"

He smiled with a silly expression and gave Syaoran a thumbs up before fainting.

Two of the men carried him out of the Colosseum.

Syaoran looked at Gareth guiltily.

"I… don't know… what happened... Honestly." He looked down. His words were weak, even he himself didn't believe what he was saying.

Gareth patted him on the shoulder consolingly. He didn't know what happened either. But he wasn't disappointed.

"You got power and technique kid." Gareth smiled approvingly.

"But you need to learn how to control it. And perfect it."

Syaoran looked up towards him with an unsure expression.

Gareth laughed.

"You worried about Takaishi? He'll be fine! One of the strongest fellas I've ever seen!"

Colosseum Sidelines

"Do you think Takashi will be alright?!" Sakura asked worriedly with her hands clasped. He was one of her old childhood friends.

Chiharu, who was sitting beside her was almost in tears, her hands over her mouth.

"Don't worry Chiharu! He just fainted… I'm sure he'll be fine." Sakura consoled her putting holding her hand.

"I hope… I just wish he wasn't so reckless!" Chiharu said, as a tear escaped her eye.

Sakura smiled. He'll be fine... Yamazaki's one of the best young fighters here in the kingdom. But what really made me curious was the other boy- never seen him before. He seemed pretty strong for someone his age. Didn't really get to look at his face though...

Sakura snapped out of it when one of the guards called out to her.

"Princess Sakura, Princess Kaho wants to have a word with you."

"What? Kaho's back?!" Sakura couldn't believe it. Sakura looked at Chiharu with a worried face. Chiharu smiled, wiping the tear from her face.

"Don't worry! I was gonna leave anyway. I need to pay a visit to that jackass..." Chiharu pouted jokingly.

"Well, I'll see you later then, alright?"

"Sure."

The two girls hugged each other before parting.

Battle Ground

Syaoran watched as the princess left. He shook his head exasperatedly. Oh my god, Syaoran! What are you even doing?

"That's a nice blade you got there."

"Huh?"

Syaoran looked at his sword that laid on the ground. Not a single scratch on it. He picked it up and looked at Gareth.

He smiled.

"I had this ever since I can remember. Literally, I don't even remember when I got it. I guess… it was just… always with me."

Gareth nodded.

"I learned to use it at a very young age. It's the most valuable thing I have… It's the only thing I have." Syaoran said while dreamily examining the object.

"What's her name?"

Syaoran looked up at Gareth quizzically.

"Every fighter names their sword."

Kinomoto Castle

"Kaho!" Sakura ran towards her sister-in-law and hugged her tightly from behind.

Kaho was taken aback.

"Oh, Sakura!" She turned and hugged her back. "I've missed you so much!"

Sakura looked at beautiful red-haired woman in front her. She was only bit taller than Sakura now that she's grown.

A little four-year old peeked out from behind Kaho. She grinned happily at Sakura. One of her front teeth had fallen off recently and it made her look exceptionally cute.

Sakura bent down to look at her niece.

"Hey there Rin! How's my little princess doing?"

"I'm great!" Rin said brightly.

She had beautiful black hair like Touya. Sakura patted her on her head lovingly and stood up. Kaho smiled at her daughter.

But there was a distant look in her eyes for some reason…

Sakura turned around to see her father entering the hall, followed by Touya.

"Father, how do you do?" Kaho asked Fujitaka with a smile.

"Better. After seeing you, my dear."

They hugged and the King kissed her on the forehead.

"Touya!"

"Kaho!"

The two kissed tenderly after finding each other in each other's arms.

Sakura looked at them happily.

What would it be like to have someone to love?

"Grandpa! Daddy!" Rin rammed towards the king and prince.

"If it isn't the loveliest and most beautiful little princess in the kingdom!"

Kaho watched as the family exchanged words of love.

If only it could always be like this…

Her expression hardened and she cleared her throat loudly.

Everyone turned towards her.

"Sakura. There is something we need to discuss about..."

-X-