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Through Another Day
Written by: Shadow
Chapter 3
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"I don't understand mother…" a young man said in question, "Why Japan? For a simple book?"
He glanced up at his mother, a truly awe-filling sight:
You see, if you were to be graced by the presence of the lady that called herself this boy's mother, you would see her divine beauty that she possessed just solely by her intimidating gaze, her eyes boring into your soul, her speech sharp and serious…
"You must understand," the woman said in all seriousness, "that this book was extremely important to your father. Xiao Lang, you must get it back to us at all costs. It would be your father's last wish."
The young boy known as Xiao Lang stared at his mother, some sorrow filling his eyes at the mention of his father, "I understand mother…"
"Good. Your flight to Japan is tomorrow. When you find the book, and I know you will, be sure to call and report that all of the spirits are within the book. If not…"
She never finished her sentence, for her eyes clouded over in grief, a rare sight for such a godly human, "Well, let us hope it does not come to that."
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And the last thing he expected was to find the book after more than a year of searching, in the arms of a mere girl.
He was still more than confused at what had happened, but it wasn't everyday you saw a young girl falling from the sky with a staff in her hands, and totally unconscious. Not to mention a book…
No, a book was wrong…
The book.
He gently took said object from the girls hands, and placed them back over her stomach. She did not shift or protest in her sleep, much to his relief.
Gently, he flipped through the pages. On the inside cover was the names of the previous holders of the book.
Clow Reed was written first, in intricate script, and was almost faded entirely away from view. The book must have been Eons old. It was a wonder the writing was still legible.
He scrolled down the list, reading the chain of holders. It seemed that the first of his direct family to hold the book was his grandmother, the very first head of the Li Clan…
And below her was his father…
Xiao Fang Li it read. The young boy traced his thumb over the name. His late father had owned this book…and now, it would be his turn…
But then he noticed what was written below.
Sakura Kinomoto…
"Sa-ku-ra?" he said, saying each syllable slowly.
The girl who was laying down beside the young man on a bench shifted in her sleep, "Just five more minutes Oni-chan…"
"Brother?" the boy said, "I think you've got it all wrong!"
At the new voice, Sakura's eyes shot open, and she sat up quickly, "Hoee!" she squealed in embarrassment, "I'm sorry! I cannot believe I just fell asleep here…"
Sakura trailed off as the memory came back to her. She was flying…with Sora…and then Kero was gone, and then she was falling…
The young boy across from her raised an eyebrow as the realization hit her. This boy must have saved her…somehow…
"Did…did you?" she started.
The boy nodded, "Its not everyday you see a teenaged girl falling to her death with an ancient book in her hands…"
Sakura blushed a deep crimson, "T-thanks," she stuttered, "But how?"
"How did I save you? Or how did I know about the book?" the boy smirked, crossing his arms in satisfaction as Sakura blushed even deeper at the notion of saving her again.
"Er, both I guess…" she said awkwardly.
The boy shrugged, "The book, I can't tell you about. Family secret," he said in an uncaring manner, but something about the look on his face said that he knew a lot about the book he was holding…and there was another look in his eyes. Something that could be compared to greed maybe…wanting…
He wanted the book…for some reason, Sakura decided. At that thought she grimaced. Sure, the book came with a hefty price, but it was her responsibility…plus she couldn't bare to give away Kero and Sora just yet…they had only just met!
"Okay…" Sakura trailed off, some suspicion in her voice.
"Oh right," the young boy said, turning to her, "the answer to the other question…"
Although Sakura was clearly embarrassed, and the young man was taking advantage of that embarrassment, Sakura was very curious. Just how did he manage to save her?
"Magic," he answered, a satisfied smile crossing his face as he crossed his arms and sat back on the bench.
Sakura tilted her head in confusion, "Magic?" she repeated, as if the word was foreign.
"Yes you dunce, magic," the boy said snidely, "Is it that weird? How else do you think you've been able to use this book. It's all magic."
Sakura looked at the boy, mouth slightly agape. She supposed it made sense: magic.
Still, the idea was so odd to her…just something she had read about in fantasy novels her friend Naoko had shoved down her throat. Never would she have believed that anything in those novels were true, despite how gullible Sakura could be at times.
And yet…it all made sense here. I mean, what else could explain Kero and Sora?
The boy stared at Sakura, his gaze curious as she became lost in her own thoughts. How had this girl come upon this book? More importantly, what was his mother going to say about her being the official new owner? The boy grimaced at the thought. If anything, his mother would be demanding more information…
"So you're name is Sakura right?" the boy asked in fake curiosity that Sakura did not catch onto.
She looked up, broken from her train of thought, and stared at the boy for a moment. He was staring at her intently, "Yes; Sakura Kinomoto. What about you?"
The boy was taken aback by the question, as if he was not expecting it…but why shouldn't he be? He had initiated the conversation. He made it sound like he was interested in getting to know her on at least an acquainted level.
"Er, my Japanese name is Syaoran," he said uneasily, "but my real name is Xiao Lang."
Sakura held out her hand, as a friendly gesture, "Pleased to meet you Xiao Lang," she said innocently.
The boy looked at her hand for a moment, stunned, as if the concept was odd to him, but finally accepted the handshake, "I actually prefer Syaoran," he stated, "But yes…good to meet you."
He ended awkwardly, jerking his hand out of Sakura's grasp, and turning his attention back to the book.
"Thank you by the way," Sakura said after what seemed like an hour of silence, "for saving me. I'm not sure what happened there."
The boy known as Syaoran looked up from the book, and immediately was stricken by Sakura's lovely face. Her smiled seemed to bore right through him, and he found himself going completely red.
"S-sure," he stuttered, "It was nothing."
"Do you live around here?" Sakura continued, "I don't think I've ever seen you at Seijuu High, and you look like you're about my age…"
Syaoran was totally lost. What was this girl doing? Didn't she realize she had almost died a moment ago? Wasn't she concerned at all? And more importantly, what was Syaoran going to do when he reported the status of the book to his mother?
The thought alone was enough to make Syaoran shiver. His mother would most likely be angry. He had found the book much too late…
"Syaoran?" Sakura asked, concerned, "You okay?"
Syaoran snapped out of his daze, and sat up strait, but not looking at Sakura, "Er, I go to Tomoeda High. I'm in tenth grade."
Sakura looked at him inquisitively. He seemed so familiar…
"That's it!" Sakura thought, grasping where she had seen him before.
"Our rival school," she said, smirking as a thought formed in her head, "We always kick your butts at soccer."
Syaoran turned to her immediately, "That's a lie," he said with fury, "I've been on that team for almost two years. We won last season, and we've been kicking your school's sorry ass this year too!"
Sakura smiled, "I know that," she said, "but I was just thinking you looked familiar. You were the one that made a header into our goal right?"
Syaoran sat back again, and blinked, "Yeah," he said, surprised she had witnessed, let alone remembered that game at all.
Sakura laughed, "As far as I'm concerned my school has too big of an ego. When you won that championship game with that goal, that was the first time we had lost in years."
Syaoran looked at Sakura oddly, and after a few moments, a smile broke out over his face, "You know, you're kind of odd."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Sakura said, her voice raising slightly.
Syaoran got up, and started to walk away, book in hand, "That's for you to interpret. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to make a phone call. I need to borrow this book too."
Sakura could sense the smirk written all over his face. She stomped her foot onto the ground as she got up, "Hey!" she yelled, "Stop, that's my book!"
Syaoran just continued walking, "Actually, it's technically mine. This book has been passed down in my family for a long time."
Sakura stopped, "So…then…are you related…to Clow?" she asked as she worked it out in her head.
Syaoran shrugged, "I suppose, but you'd have to go back more years than I could count to get to Clow in my bloodline. I am a Li, from the Li Clan of China. My mother sent me here to retrieve this book because the last holder left it here."
Sakura stood behind Syaoran helplessly, not sure what to do. If what he said was true, then the book did belong to him. But Sakura couldn't subject him to the burden the book carried. She didn't want to be responsible for his death. Besides, he seemed like a nice person, and he saved her! No, Sakura decided she really didn't like this idea.
"Hold on a minute!" Sakura called out, walking after Syaoran again, "Hey!" she exclaimed when he didn't stop to acknowledge her.
"Don't worry," he said nonchalantly, "I'll give it back to you tomorrow. You still have to capture the spirits in here. Only you can do it since you wrote your name in it. I just have to report where it is to my mother, and give her the details. Okay?" he said honestly, "I promise I'll give it back tomorrow…"
Sakura stopped in her tracks. He seemed sincere enough, but just to make sure, she asked him anyway, "You do promise right? This is my responsibility, not yours."
Syaoran stopped, and turned to look at Sakura. She was very determined, he could tell. In a sense, Syaoran was jealous of her determination, but more admiring. Sakura was an interesting girl if nothing else.
He nodded, to reassure Sakura that he would indeed give her the book the following day, and then, he was gone, using his magic to teleport away to who knows where.
Sakura grimaced. She hoped Kero and Sora would be okay with Syaoran…and more than anything she hoped nothing would happen to them.
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A/N: Well, here's chapter three. I was a bit disappointed with this one, mostly because I had to change Syaoran's attitude a bit. Don't worry, he'll have his regular jackass attitude soon, but when it comes to the book, he needs to be responsible…because…well…his mom… lol
Anyway, I BEG you to review. BEG! lol