Chapter 1: The awakening of envy
(by Xiao-lang, added on 2006-07-13 06:18:32 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
Silence. The body of a woman lay sprawled on the cold stone floor, her dark hair draped over her face, winding round her limbs. Her thin frame was wrapped in a black dress, with a high collar. She sat up, as if it were a struggle to move. As she raised her head, some of her hair fell back, revealing her thin pale face. Her eyes opened, they were a deep emerald green. They seemed to emit their own light, eerily filling the room. A frown pulled down at the corners of her blood red lips. Her time drew near. This would be the last time she would be left alone…
She could feel Clow’s power pulsing from a not too distant location, but it was on the move.
“Clow” she whispered. Her voice was soft, it sounded half like plead, half like a curse. The dank, dark room filled with a white light. The outline of the woman’s body glowed, as slowly she began to fade. Drawing on the feeling of Clow’s magic, she vanished, and the room was left quiet, damp and empty.
-Tomoeda Japan-
Kinomoto Sakura ran fast down the path. The cherry blossom trees either side of her were blooming beautifully, the sun shining through their branches. The young girl turned the corner, her auburn hair and pleated skirt catching the light breeze. Even though she had just started high school, Sakura was still late.
“ahh not again!” she said to herself, adjusting her neck tie. “If onii-chan hadn’t eaten my breakfast too I’d have been on time!”
Li Syaoran was also on his way to school, though somewhat distracted. His brown eyes were concentrating immensely as he walked one foot in front of the other lightly along the thin top of a grey wall. It was pretty high up, but he was sure he wouldn’t fall. Recently he had found himself doing weird things like this. He was of course thinking about Sakura. His cherry blossom. Her jade green eyes and shining smile floated around in his head all the time, like a beautiful curse. Since he had returned from Hong Kong they had promised to be together forever. It was amazing to have found out that Sakura returned his love. That moment when she ran into his arms would replay over and over in his head, and it would make him smile. Which was quite a rare thing for the warrior of the Li clan to do.
They had arranged to meet before going to school. Syaoran turned on the wall and retraced his steps. There was only one problem with all this. His clan. He had returned to Hong Kong to try to face his mother, to tell her he was not marrying Meiling, and to explain why he had no cards, and how he loved the mistress of the Clow. But the Li clan does not take kindly to outsiders, especially if one was to be involved with the future leader… His encounter with his mother flashed into his memory again.
Hong Kong- A month ago-
The tall dark haired woman slammed the folded fan into her hand again. The sharp snap sending a shiver down Syaoran’s spine. Yelan Li paced up and down in front of her son.
“So, Kinomoto Sakura has changed all the Clow cards” she asked in Chinese
“Yes” Syaoran replied, keeping his answers short, like his mothers temper. “They no longer belong to this family” he continued “They are now Sakura cards”
There was a moment of silence.
“The elders are not happy about the break up of you and Meiling”
Syaoran winced internally. This was going to be difficult. His and Meiling’s marriage was prearranged by the elders to benefit the clan.
“Why did this happen?” she asked. She stopped pacing and turned to face her son, her brown eyes watching him. Syaoran took a deep breath. He looked at the floor.
“I-I do not love Meiling” he replied. Feeling a sudden dryness in his throat.
“Since when has it been about love?”
This answer made Syaoran look up at his mother. She had a look of sadness on her face. This is when Syaoran remembered his own parents were chosen by the clan elders to marry each other. His mother was chosen to provide the next leader. At first it was a little worrying that she had four girls. But her fifth and final child was a boy. His mother cupped her precious sons head in her hand, he looked at her. It was rare for his mother to do something so caring. “my dear Xiao Lang” she said “I never want to see you upset” she sighed “But it is your duty, as it was mine, to listen to the elders and-” she stopped. There was an unfamiliar glimmer of something in his eyes. Since the last time they had met, he had matured into a young man. But there was something else, something, or someone in Japan had changed her son. Could it be? The card mistress had not only captured the cards, but also her son’s heart?
She pulled away.
“You are in love with someone else?” she attempted to hide her surprise.
Syaoran flushed.
“I-I am” he felt his heart beat a little faster. Sakura’s smile appeared in the back of his head.
“I see” she replied “and you wish to marry her?”
Syaoran’s eyed widened and his cheeks became pink.
“Ma-Marriage? No-not yet, I mean, we- ” he struggled for words. His mother resisted a smile at her son’s embarrassment.
“In a months time I shall contact you” she said “I shall do some talking with the elders” She bowed. Syaoran retuned her bow. She issued he could leave. He turned, “Xiao Lang” she called. He stopped and tuned his head. “Give my regards to the Mistress of the cards”. Syaoran nodded, bowed again, and slightly bewildered left the room.
-the present-
A month had passed. Together forever, that’s what they had said. He hoped with all his heart that everything would be ok. He was happiest when he was with her. She made all problems melt away. Suddenly he heard the sound of hurried footsteps. He felt her gentle warm presence mingle with his senses, like a breath of fresh air. He turned his head too see Sakura running towards him. He sighed lightly with relief. He flipped effortlessly off the high wall. He stood and brushed his suit jacket down.
“Syaoran!” she cried, puffing slightly “gomen-ne!”
Syaoran smiled
“It’s alright” he said, and pulled her into a hug. Sakura nuzzled herself into his protective aura and breathed deeply. Sometimes she wished she could just breathe him in, like a drug, she was addicted to the boy holding her. He could feel her heart pumping wildly, she must have run fast all the way to meet him. Holding her was an amazing feeling, he felt as if he could protect her from everything. And if hugging was that good, what was kissing going to be like? He hadn’t kissed her yet. There hadn’t been a right opportunity… He felt his stomach spin a little. And what about after kissing?
“Onii-chan ate my breakfast because apparently I was too late out of bed” she sighed “so I had to make some more and-” A finger pressed lightly on her lips
“shh” Syaoran whispered. She looked up at him inquisitively. “don’t worry, we’ll make it before the bell”
Sakura smiled and nodded, she swore he could reassure her of anything with those big brown eyes. They began to walk side by side.
“Syaoran?” Sakura suddenly asked
“hai?” he answered
“what were you doing on that wall?”
Syaoran felt a knot tie in his throat
“ah” he began “I was just… uh…”. He had been thinking about Sakura. And their relationship, and how much he loved her, Sakura grinned as she saw his face go pink, as it did so often. She found it cute how he stammered… “I-I find it easier to think in high places” he finsihed. Sakura giggled. She remembered how she would often see Syaoran when he was younger sitting in a high branch of a tree.
“and what were you thinking about?” she poked his side lightly.
“ah..well” he began. He let out a small sigh “nothing”
Sakura pouted.
“Nothing?” she raised an eyebrow “hmm nothing eh?” suddenly she turned and tickled his sides wildly. Syaoran jumped back with surprise and attempted desperately to contain laughter.
“ahh! Sakura! No! tomare! Onegai!” he cried between light laughter, Sakura giggled mischievously as she tickled him.
“I never knew you were ticklish!” she cried. He fought against her playfully, trying to pull her arms away. “tell me!” she whispered into his ear. Syaoran felt her warm breath on his ear and cheek and his whole body went quite numb for a moment. He flushed. Sakura continued tickling, but he barely felt it. Suddenly Sakura screamed as he grabbed her arms lightly and put her in a gentle arm lock. She wriggled, moaning playfully.
“awww Syaoran!” she pined “no fair!” She struggled under his gentle grip. He pulled her close to him. She stopped. Blushing slightly as she felt his warm body press against her back. They stayed still for a moment before Syaoran released her. Sakura felt his grip loosen and turned to face Syaoran. They stood staring for a moment. Both of their hearts beating fast. Syaoran leant down slowly till their noses were almost touching.
Their school bell sounded in the distance. Sakura jumped, Syaoran pulled away.
“hoooeee!” Sakura cried “Now we’re both late!” she took off running “come on Syaoran!”
Syaoran stood stunned. So close.
“Damn bell” he cursed under his breath in Chinese, as he began to run after her.
She watched them from a short distance away, She was using her powers to keep her physical form from sight. Curiously she looked on at the two teens. Why was Clow's magic coming from this girl? and the boy too... a desendant purhaps?. She dug her nails into the tree she stood beside, her natural reactions taking over. She took a sudden disliking to this auburn haired beauty. Her green eyes, her happy smile, her energy and attentivness to the boy with her. The woman made a low hissing sound.
It was not fair.
This girl had an aura that was warm, welcoming, and loved. She could feel the protection she recieved from not only the boy, but others too. This girl was extremely loved by all.
Another hiss escaped her lips.
Why should she be left alone? when this girl had so many loving her?
She watched the teens leave in a hurry, and followed them, staying in the shadows
-End Chapter 1
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