Konnichiwa Minna-san! Happy Winter! I apologize for the wait the last few weeks of the semester have been hell and with finals week I wasn't able to work on this as much. But now it's winter break and I'll be able to write more.
Disclaimer: I don't own Cardcaptor Sakura or the characters, but the plot is all mine!
Happy Reading!
Chapter Twenty-Four: All kinds of Fighting
Sakura woke up rather late the next morning. Her fever had broken the night before and she felt much better. She got out of bed then got dressed and went to Yue's room. When she entered the room both Yue and Nakuru were asleep and Yue had a now damp cloth on his forehead.
"Nakuru-chan," Sakura said softly,
"Sakura-chan," Nakuru said as she opened her eyes, "How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine," Sakura said, "Is Yue-kun sick?" She asked indicating the cloth on his forehead
"No," Nakuru said, "I just thought that it would help to comfort him. It's funny he asked the same thing. He woke up around midnight and asked me if he was sick."
"Let's let him sleep," Sakura said, "I think oniisan and Yukito-san are coming over later."
Nakuru nodded and followed Sakura out of the room.
A few hours later Yue woke up to someone yelling downstairs. He was irritated; he didn't want to be awake just yet. He got out of bed, opened his door, and he came face to face with Yukito.
"Good morning," Yukito greeted,
"Yukito," Yue said, "What are you doing here?"
"Do you not want me or something?" Yukito laughed
"It's not that," Yue said, "I'm just confused."
Yukito laughed, "You're always confused."
"I most certainly am not," Yue said,
"Yue-kun," Sakura called as she walked over to his room, "How's your arm?"
"It's fine," Yue said, "Just a bit stiff."
"That's good," Sakura said, "Are you going to come down stairs or not?"
"Yeah," Yue said, "But what was all the yelling for?"
"Oniichan," Sakura said
"Ah," Yue said, "That would explain it."
"Oniichan!" Nakuru cried as she threw her arms around Yue's neck
"Imotosan," Yue said as he adjusted to the extra weight on his shoulders, "Let go of me."
"I'm so glad that you're okay," Nakuru cried, "I was worried about you."
"I'm alright," Yue said, "Can you let go now?"
"Alright," Nakuru said, "Is your arm alright?"
"Yes," Yue said
"Hello Yue," Touya said, "Are you keeping kaijuu out of trouble?"
"I am not a monster," Sakura yelled
"Hello Touya," Yue said, "There's something I want to ask you."
"What is it?" Touya asked
"You're a black belt right?" Yue asked,
"Yes I am," Touya replied,
"I was wondering if you would mind sparring with me," Yue said,
Touya looked at Yue, "Are you serious?" He asked. Yue was a lot smaller than he was and it sounded as if Yue had been injured recently.
"Yes I am serious," Yue said, "I want to spar."
"Isn't there a card for that?" Touya asked
"There is," Yue replied, "But she doesn't like me very much and it never ends well."
"I see," Touya said trying to think of a way he could dissuade Yue from his eagerness to spar.
"I can see what you're doing Touya-kun," Nakuru said, "But it's not going to work. Oniichan is incredibly stubborn and if he wants to spar you then let him 'cuz he's not going to change his mind."
Touya sighed, "Fine," he said, "I think I have some old equipment that will fit you. I was around your size when I was…oh…twelve or so."
When both Touya and Yue were wearing the proper equipment everyone went into the yard.
"Sakura-chan," Yue said, "Will you get the fight card out so she can judge the spar?"
"Sure," Sakura said, "We need you to be a judge for a spar, fight!"
The materialized and nodded, "We will need four others to judge the spar," She said, "Do any of you know how to judge a spar?" Fugitaka, Yukito and Nakuru nodded, "Good," She said, "That makes my job easy. Can one of you explain things to Sakura-sama?"
Nakuru nodded and started explaining the rules of sparring to Sakura while the fight card went to make sure that Touya and Yue were ready.
"Are you sure you want to do this Yue-sama?" Fight said, "It's not too late to pull out."
"I understand that," Yue said, "But I want to spar."
"You could always spar me," She said,
"Why?" Yue asked, "So you can do what you did to me the last time we tried that?"
Fight thought for a moment, "That was a good spar…" She said, "You were sore for days."
"What do you mean a good spar?" Yue said, "You threw me into a tree, twice."
"Yeah, I know," Fight said, "Clow wasn't too happy about that was he?"
"To hell he wasn't!" Yue yelled,
"Ooh, feisty aren't we?" Fight said, "You're cute." She flicked Yue's nose then looked over at Sakura, "Do you understand the rules Sakura-sama?"
"I think so," Sakura said
"Alright," Fight said, "I take it that the two of you know the rules of a spar." Yue and Touya nodded, "Alright, touch gloves," Touya and Yue did what they were told, "Bow…spar!"
Yue and Touya both when after each other, Touya kicked. Yue back flipped and when he landed he punched Touya right in the chest.
"Stop," Fight called, "Score!" The five people judging the spar gave Yue a point, "One point, Yue. Touch gloves…spar!"
Touya had seen what Yue was capable of doing but he still didn't want to hurt Yue. He punched but at the same time Yue side kicked and hit first.
"Stop," Fight called again, "Score," Yue received two points from everyone, "Two points Yue. Touch gloves…spar!"
This time Touya wasn't going to hold back. He kicked Yue hard in the chest knocking the guardian over.
"Stop," Fight called, "Score," This time Touya got two points, "Are you alright, Yue-sama?"
"Yeah," Yue said
"Okay, you don know that you could duck out when ever you want you know." She said, "Touch gloves…spar!"
Both Touya and Yue weren't going to hold back. Touya felt bad about knocking Yue over, but his silver haired opponent was stronger than he looked. After Touya's last kick, Yue had to give it everything he had. Both combatants threw kicks at each other and hit at almost the same time.
"Stop," Fight called, "Score!" Unlike the last few times this hit was hard to judge, Fight and Yukito gave Touya two points. Fight because she didn't like Yue very much and Yukito because from the angle he was at he had not seen Yue's hit. "Winner Yue, touch gloves…bow."
"You know, you're a lot stronger than you look," Touya said, "Were you in to martial arts?"
"Yes," Yue said,
"What rank do you hold?" Touya asked,
"Black belt," Yue answered
"What level?" Touya asked
"Third," Yue answered
Touya started at Yue in shock,
"Hard to believe, isn't it?" Fight said, "But Yue-sama does hold a third-level black belt."
"Oi Sakura,"
"Sakura-san!"
"Meiling-chan, Syaoran-kun," Sakura said, "What are you doing here?"
"Meiling was worried," Syaoran said, "So I got permission to transfer to Japan for a while."
"Hey are you guys sparring?" Meiling asked, "Can we join?"
"I don't see why not," Fight said, "Touya just lost to Yue-sama. Do you have any equipment?"
"Ironically we do," Meiling said, "Wait a second. Yue beat Sakura-san's older brother? What rank are you?"
"Third-level black belt," Yue said
"That's the last thing that I would have expected you to be," Meiling said, "You just don't seem to be the type."
Yue sighed, "What do you have against me?" He asked
"Well," Meiling said, "You're kinda scrawny. You don't look like you're built for physical battles."
Yue sighed, and fight walked over, "Ah I see you've discovered my favorite game Yue-sama bashing," Fight said, "Just be careful things can get messy. Are you and your partner ready?"
"Yes," Meiling and Syaoran said
"Alright," Fight said, "Karate style rules apply. Are you two ready?"
It took Meiling all of three seconds to beat Syaoran in the first round.
"I'm outta practice," Syaoran claimed
Meiling raised an eyebrow, "Sure you are," she said.
"Alright," Fight said, "Touch gloves…bow…Spar!"
Once again Meiling struck before Syaoran could move.
"Stop," Fight called, "Score," Another two points for Meiling.
"Why do I have a feeling that this is going to be a very one sided battle?" Touya mused out loud.
"Because Syaoran is out of practice," Meiling said
"I am not," Syaoran called
"Alright," Fight called, "Touch gloves…bow…Spar!"
Syaoran made an almost desperate attempt to make contact with Meiling but she was too quick and punched before he could do anything.
"Stop," Fight called, "Score!" Everyone gave Meiling one point, "Winner Meiling."
Yue walked up to Syaoran, "You're used to battling with magic, aren't you?" He asked,
"Yeah," Syaoran said, "Meiling doesn't have magic so she goes through more physical training than I do. You look a lot better than you did the last time I saw you."
"Thank you," Yue said, "Why did you come back?"
"Meiling was worried about you and Sakura," Syaoran said, "The last time we saw you, you slept though our conversation. I don't blame you for doing so though, you looked terrible. I told the elders that the holder of the cards and the younger guardian were in danger and they let Meiling and I come."
"You still worry about Sakura-chan?" Yue asked
"Of course I do," Syaoran said, "I care for her very much. Even though we're not dating anymore, I still care for her as a friend." Yue glanced sideways at Sakura who was talking to Meiling and Tomoyo who had just shown up. "You like her don't you, Yue?"
"Who would that be?" Yue asked his cat-like eyes still focused on Sakura and a light smile graced his face.
"Sakura," Syaoran said. Yue turned towards the boy, his violet silver eyes wide,
"What makes you say that?" Yue asked
"You're smiling," Syaoran said, "I've only seen you smile once and you've never been this open with her." Syaoran smiled, "I won't tell anyone."
"Yue-sama," Fight called, "Are you ready for the battle for first place?"
"Yue," Syaoran said, "There's something I want to ask you later."
Yue nodded then turned to fight, "I am," He said
Fight walked up to Yue, "Just don't lose," She said, "I want to be the only girl who can kick your ass."
Yue glared at Fight, "Did Watery teach you that one?"
"I don't know what you are talking about Yue-sama," Fight said,
Yue sighed, "Never mind," He said
Fight laughed then gave Yue a rather hard pat on the back, right where his wing joint would have been if he had them out. Yue gasped then glared as he had to kneel down due to pain, "Ha," Fight said, "That gets you every time."
"You had to do that didn't you?" Yue growled as the sharp pain started to go away, "You know that's the most sensitive spot on my back."
"Yeah, that's why I did it," Fight said, "Lose and I'll do it two times harder both sides."
Yue sighed and stood up, "This is the main reason why I don't spar with you anymore," Yue said, "You cheat."
Fight didn't answer she just walked over to Meiling, "I wouldn't dock you points if you "accidentally" kicked Yue-sama in the back right where is wing joint would be," She said, "Are you ready?"
Meiling nodded and followed Fight to the ring with Yue right behind her, "What did she tell you?" He asked in her ear
"To kick you where your wing joint would be," Meiling said
"Don't listen to her," Yue sighed, "She doesn't like me."
"I've noticed," Meiling said,
"Are you two ready for the first place spar?" Fight asked as Yue and Meiling took their positions opposite each other, "Bow…touch gloves…Spar!"
Meiling moved as fast as she could but she couldn't keep up with Yue and she got kicked.
"Stop," Fight called, "Score…two points for Yue-sama. Bow…touch gloves…spar!"
Once again Meiling tried to hit Yue but he got her first. She couldn't believe how fast or how strong Yue's attacks were, but then again he did hold a third rank black belt.
"Stop," Fight called, "Score…another two points for Yue-sama." She turned towards Meiling, "Come on you've been training in the martial arts all your life."
"I'm only fifteen," Meiling said, "Yue's what, two hundred years older than me?"
"True," Fight said, "Alright, bow…touch gloves…Spar…"
Meiling tried her best she knew that all Yue needed to win was a well aimed punch. She saw Yue pull his left hand into a punch and she kicked, but Yue hit first. Yue on the other hand did not see Meiling kick and just after he felt his left fist connected with Meiling's chest protector he felt a sharp kick in the side.
"Stop," Fight called as both Yue and Meiling fell. Meiling because she had given that kick everything she had and then some and Yue because the kick he had taken, "Score…Winner Yue-sama."
"You've got a good kick," Yue said as he gasped for breath, "You need to focus more and you'll get better."
"I would have never expected that kind of fighting from you," Meiling said, "And Syaoran said that you're still no where near full strength from being sick."
"What's the matter, Yue-sama?' Fight asked as she once again hit Yue where his wing joint would have been. Yue gasped as the sharp blow to his back caused him to once again lose his breath, "Tired out are we?"
"You're…not…helping…" Yue choked out as he tried to breathe
"What was that?" Fight asked as she placed her hand on the sensitive spot on Yue's back causing him to flinch, "Are you out of shape?"
"Don't do that!" Yue yelled as he was finally able to breathe again.
"Alright," She said, "You did make it so that I am still the only girl who can kick your ass. Kinomoto Touya and Li Meiling please come to the ring for the second place match."
Yue stood up and walked over to where Syaoran was sitting, "What did you want to talk about?" He asked
"What do you remember from the judgment?" Syaoran asked
Yue's eyes widened, "Why do you want to know?" he asked,
"Because the other day I was given a book by one of the elders," Syaoran said, "And it was one of the few that I've read that mentioned you. And it stated that the younger guardian, the judge, would be under a spell through the duration of the judgment."
"What?" Yue exclaimed
"Hold on let me finish," Syaoran said, "It also said that it would keep your magic from reaching full power and that the spell would break when you were defeated."
"Who would put me under such a spell?" Yue asked rather outraged at what the Chinese teenager in front of him had just said,
"Is it really all that difficult to figure out Yue?" Syaoran said
"Clow!?" Yue gasped, "But why?"
"Think about it Yue," Syaoran said, "Would you have given Sakura a fair chance at the judgment?"
Yue thought for a minute then sighed, "Probably not," Yue said
"That's why Clow did it," Syaoran said, "He wanted it to be fair for Sakura."
"Hai?" Sakura said as she walked up to the two, "You did really well Yue-kun. Are you hurt anywhere?"
"No," Yue said, "I'm alright."
"What were you talking about?" Sakura asked
"The other day the elders presented me with a book," Syaoran said, "It was one of the few books I've read that mentioned Yue and it said that through the duration of the judgment, Yue would be under a trance."
"Trance?" Sakura asked
"A spell," Yue said, "Apparently Clow put me under some kind of control spell to ensure a fair judgment. I still don't understand any of it."
"He did it so you wouldn't try to kill the candidates, Yue," Cerberus said as he walked up to Yue,
"You knew?" Yue asked, "Why did you not tell me?"
"I didn't know how to tell you," Cerberus said, "You're not the easiest person to talk to."
Yue sighed, "I'm a little irritated that everyone seems to know more about me then I do," he said
"Well you're the most complicated of all of us," Nakuru said, "Think about it, oniichan, you're the only one who doesn't have your own source of power."
"Yue the only person who knows everything about you is dead," Cerberus said "So can we drop this conversation before you kill someone."
"Well it's been fun," Fight said as she walked over to the small group, "But I have to return to my card form. Let me know how you're feeling tomorrow, Yue-sama." Fight smirked then once again hit Yue where his wing joint would have been, "See ya!"
Yue cried out in pain and slumped to his knees, "Dammit I hate it when she does that," He said
"What's wrong Yue-kun?" Sakura said as she knelt down next to Yue
"His wing joints are the most sensitive part of his body," Cerberus said, "Even when they're not out."
"Are you going to be alright?" Sakura asked
"Yeah," Yue said as he stood up, "Imotosan was the first person who realized that weakness."
"Oh yeah I was, wasn't I?" Nakuru said, "Weren't we just fooling around and I threw a book at you and you just passed out?"
Yue sighed, "That was it," He said, "Did Clow get angry at all?"
"Well kinda," Nakuru said, "And he told us if we used that method to get you to pass out all the time then we would get in trouble."
"And yet you still did it," Yue said,
"Of course," Nakuru said, "I wasn't one to listen to directions."
"Don't remind me," Yue grumbled
"Sakura-san," Meiling yelled, "Syaoran and I are leaving!"
"Aw, can't you stay for supper?" Sakura called back.
"Is that alright?" Meiling asked,
"Sure it is," Fugitaka said, "We've got more than enough food."
"If you insist," Syaoran said
"Yay," Meiling cried, "This means I don't have to cook tonight!"
"You mean I don't have to cook tonight," Syaoran said
"What's that's supposed to mean?" Meiling asked
"Well I'm just saying that whenever you start something, I'm the one who ends up having to finish it." Syaoran said,
"That's so mean!" Meiling yelled.
"But it's the truth," Syaoran said
"I don't care it's still mean!" Meiling yelled
"Well come on," Fugitaka said, "I'm sure you're all hungry from working so hard."
"So," Sakura said as they ate supper, "If Yue-kun was in a trance during the judgment, should we check the footage from the judgment?"
"Let's not," Yue said as he helped himself to some rice
"The world is gonna end!" Meiling exclaimed causing everyone to look at her, "He's eating!"
"Yes," Yue said calmly, "And what of it?"
"I've never seen you eat before," Meiling said,
"Join the club," Nakuru said
"You've seen me eat before," Yue said
"Not recently," Nakuru said
"How about we change the subject," Yukito said before Yue could reply,
"Yue-kun," Sakura said, "I don't know much about your past. I would like to know more about you."
"You shoulda asked me," Cerberus said, "I remember more about Yue's childhood than he does."
"Oniisan," Yue said, "Don't start this again."
Cerberus cleared his throat, "Yue was…rather on the small side when he was younger," Cerberus said
"What do you mean?" Sakura asked as Cerberus got this glint in his small black eyes
"Oniisan!" Yue snapped, "Don't go there."
"When Yue was ten he was about the size of a six year old," Cerberus said, "We used to torment him so much because of it."
"Oniisan," Yue said, "I said enough!"
"No you didn't," Cerberus said, "You just said don't go there."
"It means the same thing," Yue said
"Well," Cerberus said, "How am I supposed to know that?"
"If you didn't spend so much time playing games and stuffing yourself and more time educating yourself you would know!" Yue yelled
"And maybe if you didn't spend so much time up on your high horse you'd be more understanding," Cerberus yelled, "Pipsqueak!"
"Now he's done it," Nakuru said
Yue grabbed a handful of the rice that was on his plate, "I AM NOT A PIPSQUEAK!" He roared as he threw the rice at Cerberus who was knocked back by the mere force of the throw.
Everyone stared at Yue who was now standing and still trembling with rage, "You're gonna pay for that one Yue!" Cerberus said as he transformed and grabbed a handful of curry and threw it back at Yue. Yue pushed his chair back and Syaoran got hit.
"BATH SPONGE!" Meiling as she too pick up a handful of the food in front of her and threw it hitting Yukito.
"What was that for?" Touya asked as he stared down the Chinese girl
"It's alright To-ya," Yukito said as he laughed. He was thoroughly enjoying this little battle, "I don't mind it at all."
"I mind," Touya said as Kero was forced back due to another attack from Yue and Touya took the opportunity to hit Nakuru.
"Touya-kun, what was that for?" Nakuru whined as she blindly threw a handful of food and hit Tomoyo.
"Senior year of high school!" Touya yelled
"Sakura-chan push forwards!" Tomoyo said as she threw food at Yue
"Why me?" Yue asked
Tomoyo smiled, "Just a warning," She said sweetly, "You know what I mean."
"Oi monster," Touya said as he picked up the rest of the food on his plate, "Eat up!"
"Dame dai yo, To-ya*," Yukito said as he took his plate and shoved it Touya's face.
"Enough!" Everyone looked over at the door and Fight, Erase, Bubble and Windy stood in the doorway
"As much as it amuses me to see you covered in food Yue-sama," Fight said, "I'm disappointed that I wasn't the one to put it there."
"Food is supposed to be eaten," Erase said as she got rid of the rest of the food on the table, "Not thrown."
"Now I know why I made so much food," Fugitaka said
Fight walked up to Yue, "So, who got you?" She asked
"Tomoyo," Yue said
"Good girl," Fight said as her hand hovered around Yue's back and Windy took notice
"Fight don't you dare!" Windy said as she rushed to knock Fight's hand out of the way and accidentally hit Yue's back in the process.
Yue gasped then hit his head on the table, "Why do I bother?"
"Yue-sama," Windy said, "I'm so sorry."
"It's alright," Yue said as he straightened up, "Sakura-chan I'm going to take a shower then go to bed. Tomoyo may I speak with you please."
"Hai," Tomoyo said as she followed Yue out of the room
"Windy, Erase, you may return to your card forms," Yue said as he walked out of the room, "Tomoyo what was that warning for?" he asked
"If you should ever make Sakura-chan cry," Tomoyo said
"I can assure you Tomoyo," Yue said, "That will not happen."
"Like I said Yue-san," Tomoyo said, "It was a warning."
She then went back into the kitchen and Yue was left standing there on the stairs. Once again he could feel the aura coming off of the teenager and his head started to hurt as fatigue set in. // What do you mean by a warning Tomoyo?//
Yue was kind of OOC in that wasn't he? Oh well let me know what you thought and I'll have chapter twenty-five up ASAP!
*Dame dai yo - don't do that.
Excalibur-Shark 7