Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction ❯ Shadow of the Dragon ❯ Sakura and the Trouble with Relationships ( Chapter 32 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Lord Archive 
Reforging friendships is one thing, dealing with love can be even more difficult.
Anime/Manga: Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Supernatural / Romance / Drama | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 03.28.2014 | Pages: 7 | Words: 8.1K | Visits: 289 | Status: Completed
Reforging friendships is one thing, dealing with love can be even more difficult.
Anime/Manga: Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Supernatural / Romance / Drama | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 03.28.2014 | Pages: 7 | Words: 8.1K | Visits: 289 | Status: Completed
Sakura giggled nervously at what had ended up as a massive group date. Syaoran sat next to her, with Chiharu and Takashi to his left. Rika sat to her right with Terada-sensei disguised with an illusion to make him look like a teenager. The main reason for her uneasiness was across from her with Tomoyo flanked by Yuki and Kurogane. Even she could recognize the look of jealousy the man cast toward the elementary girl who was busy trying to monopolize Tomoyo's attention. Meiling and her new boyfriend, a senior high school student named Matsumoto, were between Takashi and Yuka. Naoko was visiting Dragon Magazine again and couldn't make it.
"Why do I feel like an extra wheel?" Matsumoto questioned.
Terada pulled at his collar. "You're not the only one. I certainly feel like more would be said if I wasn't around."
"I'm still surprised Daidouji would introduce me to Meiling-chan," Matsumoto commented.
"I thought you two could make a good couple," Tomoyo replied with a flatter tone than she intended. "You were looking for a proper lady and Meiling-chan certainly fits the bill being an heir to one of Hong Kong's oldest and most prestigious families. She can even trace her family line back thousands of years and is descended from many important historical figures. Her family even has proof such myths as the story of Mulan are based on actual events."
Matsumoto raised an eyebrow. "You're descended from Mulan?"
Meiling smirked. "We've got the oldest and most accurate account of her adventures: several journals written by Mulan herself."
"Do feel free to check her background," Tomoyo added.
"For obvious reasons, I wouldn't use his company if I did," Matsumoto replied.
Terada blinked with surprise. "Your family has Mulan's journals? They would be beyond valuable to scholars."
Meiling waved her chopsticks toward him. "The problem is that if they ever left our possession, the Chinese government would immediately take them. Considering they tell a different version of history, there's a good chance they would lock them away or destroy them for being a 'fake.'"
Sakura pouted. "I wish we could learn about history as it really happened, and not have things rewritten and edited."
"You mean like how the Japanese military slaughtered millions of Chinese citizens?" Meiling commented bitterly. "Oh, sure they'll teach you about how the United States nuked two cities off the map, but not one word of making hundreds of Chinese women service Japanese soldiers sexually."
Sakura pouted. "That's exactly it. That isn't something that's been lost because of time, and shouldn't be buried."
"One must learn from history, else they are doomed to repeat it," Terada added. "You're all taught about the concentration camps Germany had, but very little is said about the camps United States used to detain countless Asians in fear they were spies for Japan, let alone the camps Japan used to evict the Chinese and Koreans from their lands."
Matsumoto raised an eyebrow. "This is the weirdest discussion I've ever heard."
"He wants to be a teacher," Meiling pointed at Terada. She then motioned toward Sakura. "Her father teaches archeology at a university. And after learning about all the stuff Japan did when they invaded China, imagine my surprise when your textbooks say China started the war."
"What do you mean? Of course China started it," Matsumoto retorted.
Syaoran folded his arms. "That would actually be a bit of debate as you can pick different start points of the war. Internationally, Japan is seen as the aggressor when a minor conflict over territory Japan forcibly took from China in an earlier war became a full scale battle, however to say China was innocent wouldn't be accurate either since losing that particular battle caused China's military to retaliate."
Sakura giggled. "He wants to be an archeologist more than a corporate president."
Tomoyo shared in the mirth. "So the one you love is just like your father in that regard."
Sakura quickly pouted. "I do have a thing for guys like my Dad, don't I?"
Rika let out a short laugh. "Can't say you're the only one to have that preference."
"Sounds kind of wrong if you ask me," Matsumoto commented.
"Sometimes all a girl wants is someone like her father. It's a matter of security, being with a guy she can relate to and understand better than someone who is different. That this boy could truly love her, just as her father loves her... even if that love isn't the same type," Tomoyo explained. "Then you have girls like me who are on poor terms with their father and don't want someone like him."
"Still sounds a bit incestuous to me," Matsumoto muttered. "So what are we doing next?"
"There's an art exposition in the next ward!" Yuki chirped.
"I was thinking about checking out the freestyle martial arts tournament," Meiling added.
A glint in Kurogane's eyes showed he was more interested in that suggestion.
Takashi let out a sigh. "We're still playing catch up from last week. We'll have to go home to deal with the book report and study."
Sakura's eyes widen. "The book report! I forgot all about it."
"I'll help you with that," Syaoran promised.
"I suppose this means we'll be splitting up," Rika commented.
Sakura pouted at her. "Sorry."
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Card Captor Sakura: Shadow of the Dragon
Chapter 32: Sakura and the Trouble with Relationships
By: Lord Archive
Card Captor Sakura belongs to the fine ladies of CLAMP. Used without consent, all rights reserved.
Author's Warnings:
This contains mature themes not intended for children under thirteen.
This series contains:
Adult situations.
Sexual situations withOUT detailed description of sex nor the naked human body.
Brief moments of violence, some cases involving people getting severely injured and possibly death.
Occasional use of vulgar language.
Japanese humor: which include bathroom jokes, panty fetish and shocking situations.
Depictions of criminal activity committed by fictional characters.
References of homosexuality.
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Naoko bowed respectfully. "Thank you for all your hard work, Ishida-san."
Ishida shook her head. "I'm merely doing my job."
"That may be so, but without you I'd have very little control over my story. It's only thanks to the original contract you got them to accept that prevented them from agreeing to make an anime without my consent," Naoko replied.
"Yet these talks with production companies are not fairing well," Ishida observed.
"Even though it's my story, they don't want to let go of their control. I know I'm not familiar with the animation process at all, but I really don't want them to do something that undermines the entire story," Naoko admitted. "Is asking for just script approval really too much? I'm not asking to write it. I'm almost ready to talk to that stupid company if it means getting just that."
"When the production companies see that you are serious about this matter, they will come around," Ishida intoned.
"I hope so. This whole process is as frustrating as getting them to accept my first several chapters without most of their 'corrections.'" Naoko shook her head.
"As much as they want something new and different, they still want to rely on what has worked in the past. These companies are use to getting their way, and change will only come if you fight for it," Ishida observed.
"So much for this being an easy process," Naoko bemoaned. "Mom's going to be happy I have free tickets to next month's manga convention. Unfortunately I'm now a guess speaker."
Ishida smirked. "Your fame has only just begun."
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Matsumoto looked around wearily the old run down building was packed full of teenagers and young adults. There was an illicit thrill to the air of people cheering on fights that were in progress. "This isn't a legal tournament, is it?"
"Well, not legal, but not exactly illegal either so long as no one gets seriously hurt," Meiling noted. "This started when a bunch of students from different dojo wanted to know which really produced the better fighters. You're not going to get rich fighting here as there's no money at stake, just pride. As such the only Yakuza you'll find here are the ones trying to make a name for themselves."
"So, it's just a bunch of guys beating the shit out of each other," Matsumoto commented with slight disdain. "Can't they do that with tournaments?"
"Tournaments have unrealistic rules to fighting and you'd never know if tai chi can stand up to kenpo as such tournaments are rarely held," Meiling pointed out. "And then you've got martial artists like me trained in multiple schools where any regulated fight would not have me fighting at my best."
"Is there any format to this?" Matsumoto wondered.
"There are five tiers not counting the 'Bottom Feeders' who have not defeated three level one opponents in a row, and they need to beat another Bottom Feeder just to have the right for one battle against a level one. Once you've done that you can start facing level two opponents once you've defended your position against a bottom feeder. You get to move up again when you've beaten three level twos in a row, and so on. If you lose three times in a row to lower level opponents, your rank will go down to that level," Meiling explained.
"Ah." Matsumoto gazed at one of the matches that was in progress. "Do you really enjoy watching guys flail around stupidly? One good punch will knock down these morons."
Meiling smirked. "Care to give it a try? Or are you all talk?"
"You're not suggesting I fight you?" Matsumoto wondered.
Meiling waved her hand. "You're not qualified for that. I'm tier three."
"I'll fight him," Toushiro offered.
"Surprised you're here." Meiling frowned at the boy she had dated once who was a fellow student at the dojo she attended. "Aren't you level one? He hasn't faced a bottom feeder yet."
Toshiro shrugged. "Kensuke has been pushing me to find my own style and suggested fighting here will get me to learn how. And a higher tier can challenge a lower tier opponent without them qualifying, but lose choice of their next opponent."
"Take it easy on him. He has no idea what he's getting into," Meiling requested in a slight worried tone.
"I will," both boys replied before offering a slight scowl at each other.
Meiling bit her lip as the fight began. She was surprised to see Matsumoto actually land two solid punches. Toushiro responded with a flurry of blows that sent the rich boy flying.
Matsumoto was horribly inelegant as he got up and rushed toward his opponent and got a foot to his face for his effort.
Meiling placed a hand on her date's shoulder. "That's enough."
"I can still fight," Matsumoto mumbled.
"You've already lost," Meiling countered. "If you try again, you'll be carried out."
"Looks like you won this round," Kensuke announced his presence.
Toushiro sagged. "Don't tell me you're my opponent."
Meiling shook her head at seeing yet another former boyfriend, though Kensuke at least gotten a few dates before they realized that things didn't really click. Three dates and not a single kiss and no desire for such. All they had done was talk about fighting. He was a decent friend at least. "Well, this won't go well either."
And Meiling was right. She knew part of the issue of having Toushiro fight Matsumoto was that the boy still held a bit of a crush on her. The fact Kensuke had gotten 'farther' with her put a bit of edge to the boys' friendship.
Toushiro fought more aggressively than he would against most opponents. Which wasn't necessarily a bad thing as the boy did need to loosen up, however Kensuke was a poor choice to leave openings against. Despite both held the same ranking at their dojo, the gap in the skill level was even more evident with the unrestricted fighting.
Matsumoto could only cringe as the guy who beat him was being handed his ass.
After a final blow, Toushiro took an impromptu nap.
Kensuke cracked his knuckles. "I beat my obligated opponent."
Meiling shook her head. "You really don't want me as your third opponent."
"If I can't beat you, I don't deserve to be rank three," Kensuke retorted.
Meiling shook her head. "Well, I do need to beat someone up to get my second match against a tier four."
Matsumoto had seen martial arts films before. What he saw now was nothing like that. The speed was beyond belief. He had thought Kensuke was fast, but Meiling was a level beyond that. If his date had been a guy with that speed, the match would've already been over. She was dancing around him landing blows while dodging and blocking his strikes. And it was not a punch that ended the fight, but the girl putting the boy in a painful grapple, her nails digging into his wrists.
"I give up!" Kensuke cried out in anguish.
An imposing beast of a man strode up. "Well, you've earned your right to a level four fight."
Meiling huffed. "Ichijouji already fought today, didn't he?"
The man nodded. "You should've been here sooner."
Meiling shrugged. "Just don't go into hiding when I get the right to fight you."
The man laughed as he walked away.
"He's level five, isn't he?" Matsumoto guessed.
"The one and only level five," Meiling replied. "And with only ten level fours who don't always show up, getting the right to fight him is a pain in the ass. Since Ichijouji just defended his level four position for a third time, he'll get his chance to challenge for level five. So, there's no way he'll agree to fight me now. Chances are some of the other level fours will show up in a couple hours to watch that fight, but that will be the last one for the day."
"And I suppose you'll want to watch that fight," Matsumoto guessed.
"Of course. Just as he watched my match to see how I fight, I want to see if I can spot any weaknesses in his forms," Meiling replied seriously.
Matsumoto couldn't find a reason to object. He had never really seen real marital arts battles before and getting a chance to see functional masters fight for free sounded good to him.
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"Thanks for letting me know. Talk to you later," Syaoran said into the phone before hanging it up. "That's was Meiling. She'll be eating out and won't be back for a couple hours."
Sakura nodded with a nervous blush. She had finished her report minutes before and while wondering what they could do next, the only decision they had was to stay at his apartment.
Syaoran moved up behind her, and began to massage her shoulders. "Anything on?"
Sakura shook her head while enjoying his touch. Their initial thoughts before the phone call was to watch television, yet there was nothing decent enough to distract them from the fact they were as alone as they were going to be for a while. Even though Meiling promised to be gone for a couple hours, the television might still slow things down enough that the girl might come home while they were less than dressed again. "Syaoran-kun... Let's go to... um... your room."
Syaoran felt a bit of excitement just from the suggestion, but also felt some concern. "You don't have to force yourself."
Sakura shook her head. "I'm not. I just know that if we watch TV that we'd likely start something and well, Meiling-chan will be gone for hours, not the rest of the day."
Syaoran's heart skipped a beat. His girlfriend had been getting bolder lately, going as far as giving him a blow job. He had wanted to be with the girl fully for a long time now. Would today be the day? "Sakura... I love you."
Sakura stood up unsteadily and grabbed his hand. "I love you, too."
Syaoran led his beloved girlfriend into his room, shutting the door tightly.
As noises began to echo from the room, Fanren began to materialize on the couch. "I suppose I should try to get use to this."
A long haired girl with lime green hair ribbons appeared next to her. "That's easier said than done."
Fanren blinked at the girl. "Mirror?"
The girl nodded. "So long as we're tied to them, we'll know some things we'd rather not. I do hope Mistress never gets ideas to use us."
"That'd certainly be kinky," Fanren agreed.
Mirror picked up the television remote and turned up the volume. "I doubt Mistress would get the idea any time soon, and some cards may not object..."
"Considering you were raped and murdered, you'd want no part of it," Fanren observed.
Mirror pouted. "Clow wrote about that?"
"His journals mention that while he was trying to figure out how to save you," Fanren related. "You had every right to be angry."
"Please do not let Mistress know about that. It would upset her despite there is nothing she can do about it," Mirror replied.
"Can we intrude on this 'girl time?'"
"Light? Dark?" Fanren almost gasped.
"Is Mistress Sakura really okay?" Mirror almost demanded.
"She had to insist she was ready three times before they finally started to make love," Dark seductively intoned.
"How are you out here?" Fanren wondered.
"The Celtic myth that sex increases magical energy isn't entirely false. The issue lies in duration," Light explained. "The magic is increased during the act itself and last at most a minute after finishing."
"And considering how old Clow was when he created us... Well, Sakura-chan is liable to manifest us like this far more often," Dark added. She then glanced toward the bedroom. "Hope better not manifest in there. It would really spoil the mood, even if she wants to join the 'fun.'"
"That certainly would," Fanren shifted uneasily.
Mirror smirked. "Having trouble knowing your little brother is having sex right now."
"Well, it's not as bad as thinking about Mother getting laid." Fanren shook her head. "Still a bit unnerving to think he may be starting a family sooner than later."
Light placed her hand on the spectral girl. "You know why you had to haunt your brother, don't you?"
Fanren pouted. "He will need my help."
Light nodded. "And this is a step he has to make in order to help you have the power to assist him."
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Syaoran caressed Sakura's cheek, barely able to believe that the girl was clad only in his bed sheets and their sweat. After months of toying with the idea, set backs and fear they had finally made love. Yet despite how good he felt, he was still worried. "Are you okay?"
Sakura pouted at him. "Of course I am. I never told you to stop, did I?"
"No, but you were tempted, weren't you?" Syaoran pressed.
"A little at the start." Sakura poked the tip of his nose. "Even if we waited to be married first, the first time would still be a little scary. To fully be together I had to face that at some point."
Syaoran pulled her into a hug. "You're too good for me."
"You're too good for me," Sakura protested.
Syaoran kissed her lightly on the forehead. "I want you by my side for the rest of my life."
Sakura blushed. "Are you asking me to marry you?"
Syaoran stiffened at that question. To marry a girl carried a certain responsibility to her, yet just being with her like he had just been-- his seed inside her threatening the possibility of new life. "I... I guess I am."
Sakura giggle at his uncertainty. He at least somewhat understood her fears even if misplaced where they should've been. Having a baby was a lot scarier than agreeing to live with someone. You could walk away from a relationship, you can't walk away from a baby. "Yes," she finally answered. "I want to be with you always as well."
"I suppose you'll need to start learning Cantonese," Syaoran mentioned.
Sakura blinked. "Hoe? Why?"
"Eventually we'll have to move to Hong Kong of course," Syaoran told her. "I could hardly manage my family's holding from Japan."
"Why would you have to?" Sakura wondered.
Syaoran looked at her strangely. "I'm heir to my clan."
"Can't you let someone else do that? Can't we just live our lives here?" Sakura almost pleaded.
Syaoran pouted at her. "If we were to attempt that I'd have to find a career, and that would liable keep me away from you and our family."
"But wouldn't the same thing happen if you were clan head?" Sakura retorted.
"Not with my family in charge of those businesses," Syaoran pointed out.
"Couldn't you do that from here?" Sakura insisted.
"Not easily as I'd still have to keep an eye on them, and that's easier done in Hong Kong. Or would you prefer me spending most of my week in Hong Kong and being home only for the weekends?" Syaoran demanded.
Sakura scowled. "What about my family and friends? Am I really supposed to leave them all behind?"
"Aren't you asking me to do the same thing?" Syaoran shot back.
Sakura let out a frustrated cry. "You don't understand!" She got out of the bed and hastily put her clothes back on.
"Sakura..." Syaoran really didn't understand why his girlfriend was so upset. How did she not know they'd have to live in Hong Kong? Before he could think of anything to say, the girl he had just made love to was storming out of his apartment.
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Yuki held a confused look as she studied a painting. "How did you manage making that shadow? The brush stroke looks to be too large."
The young woman who was displaying her work blushed. "A happy mistake, actually. I hadn't planned on including that, but the canvas seemed to have it's own idea..."
Tomoyo held a soft smile as her younger date went into an avid conversation with a fellow painter.
Kurogane grumbled behind her.
"You didn't have to watch after me," Tomoyo noted.
"The enemy is likely to make a move soon, and Kinomoto is being watched," Kurogane retorted.
Tomoyo frowned, knowing who was watching her best friend.
Yuki ran over to the next painter's booth and began to look closely at his works.
Tomoyo glided softly after her, while Kurogane was practically stomping like a bored petulant child.
Kurogane's phone began to chirp like a bird. He pulled out and answered with a simple, "What?"
"The love bird has flown the nest. Though she doesn't seem very happy," a man's voice practically sung from the phone.
Kurogane pulled the phone away from his ear, the volume being far higher than it should've been.
"Fye-san, which direction did the bird go?" Tomoyo wondered.
"She FLEW to the north west," Fye's voice chirped.
Tomoyo let out a sigh. "Yuki-chan, I'm afraid I need to head home."
"Wha? Why?" the girl in question whined.
"I find myself suddenly needing to see to a guest," Tomoyo informed with a firm voice. "I'll have to pay for a taxi for you, as I feel I need to get home quickly."
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"Today was far more interesting than I had expected," Matsumoto commented. "I had never seen martial arts outside of a movie before and thought it was all hype."
"Live action martial arts movies more often underplays how strong the art is. If I was to go all out, my arms would be nothing more than a blur to most video cameras." Meiling smirked. "Which annoys Daidouji as any camera portable enough for her to use isn't good enough to record me."
"I'm still surprised she would introduce me to you," Matsumoto added. "I thought she hated me."
Meiling let out a short laugh. "Honestly, you're hardly her favorite person."
"Then why would she introduce me to one of her friends?" Matsumoto wondered.
"This is Daidouji we're talking about, she likely has a few different reasons." Meiling folded her arms. "Though I think the main one is to teach you a lesson that girls are not weaker than boys."
"Oh, really?" Matsumoto replied disbelievingly. "The match you fought would've been over in seconds if you had a guy's strength. You only managed to win because you were a lot faster."
"And would I be so fast if I was a guy?" Meiling countered. "Though I'm not going sit here and say you're completely wrong about most girls. There are a few girls I know that fit the sexist bill of meek little housewife whose only goal in life is to spread legs and drop out babies. I am NOT like most girls. I am going to leave my own personal mark on this world."
"A noble sentiment, but most women of note achieve their fame for who their husband or son was, and not anything special that they did," Matsumoto pointed out.
"You think I don't realize that if Mulan had been a guy, her exploits would be seen as part of history and not be considered a myth? That the easiest way for a girl to become famous is by being an actress? That to even be known as a politician, a woman has to achieve the highest ranks of power, and even then is better known for being a woman than what she accomplished?" Meiling ranted. "I'm not going to let the fact I'm a girl limit me in any way. I can achieve anything a guy can except being a father."
"Piss while standing up," Matsumoto challenged.
"I've done that before, and you're a long way off from me showing you it can be done," Meiling teased.
Matsumoto raised an eyebrow. "You're actually enjoying this."
Meiling poked the tip of the teenager's nose. "What I look for most in a boyfriend is someone who makes me feel I can achieve anything. My last serious boyfriend encouraged me, while I know you'll end up challenging me, even if the goal is just to prove you wrong."
Matsumoto leaned forward. "Can't say I'm opposed to such a challenge." He then tried to complete the distance and kiss her, but all his lips tasted was a stone wall fence.
"I don't kiss on the first date," Meiling hissed with little heat.
"Well, you are supposed to be a lady." Matsumoto let out a force chuckle. "This may just be my challenge."
"One you may get to succeed at, if you manage to keep your pants on. I know that you _might_ be a father soon, but that was before we met. I'm not one for sharing and I'm definitely the jealous type," Meiling warned.
Matsumoto tried to think of something to say back, yet when he turned to look at her, his date was no where to be found. The girl certainly was different and claiming her would not be easy. He could certainly get a girl that wouldn't be so much trouble, but they wouldn't be as much fun.
Meiling had jumped up into a nearby tree and smirked as she watched her date walk off with a determined grin. "Challenge has been excepted." Rather than climb down the tree, she instead leapt to the second floor walkway of her apartment building before going up the remaining flights of stairs to her apartment. Entering her home, she instinctively caught a box thrown at her. "What's the deal?"
"Don't need them," Syaoran muttered irritably.
"Really? I let you know I'm going to be out long enough to use these and you got into a fight with Kinomoto instead?" Meiling spat waving the unopened box of condoms.
Syaoran failed to give any reply.
Meiling folded her arms. "You might as well tell me what happened, or I'll just get the story from Kinomoto and Daidouji."
"I just don't understand her," Syaoran bemoaned. "How could she not know we'd have to move to Hong Kong after being married?"
"Because she's Kinomoto and has to be told the obvious," Meiling countered. She then blinked. "Wait! You actually talked about being married?"
Syaoran blushed. "Um... yeah. Though I don't know if Sakura and I are engaged, separated or what."
"Engaged?" Meiling looked at the unopened box in her hand. "Are you saying the reason you don't need these is because..."
"Sakura doesn't think there's a real reason to use them," Syaoran finished sheepishly.
"So... you two... have done... IT, huh?" Meiling oddly felt as if she had been stabbed.
"Yeah," Syaoran weakly answered.
Meiling wanted to jumped on her bed and scream, find Daidouji and have a good cry, look for someone to beat up, or chase after Matsumoto and put some of the condoms to use. The last option had bad idea written all over it, it was rather late to find any decent opponents, Kinomoto likely had gone off to find Daidouji, so that left.. "Well good for you." She then stomped off to her room.
Syaoran jumped when Meiling let out a bestial war cry and didn't have a clue why she suddenly yelled. Though he had no desire to find out why, with that type of scream she might try to fight him if he did.
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Tomoyo wasn't surprised to find Sakura eating away at chocolate covered rice balls while watching video tapes.
"You didn't have to rush home on my account," Sakura intoned with a huff.
"More like you saved me," Tomoyo returned. "The date wasn't nearly as much fun as I hoped. I felt more like a mother watching after her two kids with Yuki-chan threatening to run out of sight while I was afraid Kurogane would start trouble if nothing happened soon."
Sakura let out a weak laugh.
Tomoyo sat next to her cousin. "Now will I have to play twenty questions or will you tell me what's wrong? You can't tell me it's 'nothing.'"
Sakura pouted at her. "Syaoran seems to think we'd live in Hong Kong after we're married."
Tomoyo blinked at the girl's lack of honorific. "He actually talked about being married?"
Sakura nodded shyly. "Yeah... after he... sort of... proposed."
"And you said 'yes,' didn't you?" Tomoyo pressed.
Sakura began to blush deeply. "I didn't see any reason to say 'no.'"
Tomoyo didn't need to ask what the girl meant by that. Her beloved cousin had finally made love. Now wasn't the time to address that. She clasped her friend's hands. "Sakura-chan, how much thought have you put beyond being engaged?"
Sakura shifted uneasily. "Um... a lot."
"What did you imagine life to be like? Where would you be living? What was his job?" Tomoyo coaxed.
"Um... we'd live in a small house in Tomoeda and... um..." Sakura trailed off.
"You only gave thought to what you want, not what he wants or even needs to do, didn't you?" Tomoyo pointed out.
Sakura frowned deeply as she looked away. "But he's asking me to leave everything behind."
"Sakura-chan, did you honestly think we'd all live in Tomoeda for the rest of our lives? Even if you convinced Li-kun to stay here, you may find yourself left behind as everyone else has moved away. Meiling-chan is only visiting. Once your troubles end, she will be returning to Hong Kong. Rika-chan will likely be the first to move away considering her fiance will find employment difficult to secure. Even though I'm unlikely to move, as heir to Daidouji Toys and the Amamiya Group, chances are my time will be swallowed up by work and you'll rarely see me. Naoko-chan's future is liable to be wrapped up with her career and may find it necessary to move away. Even though Chiharu-chan technically owns two homes in Tomoeda, where she lives will be tied to how Yamazaki-kun will make a living for them. While they are the most likely to stay in Tomoeda, there's no certainty that they won't sell their homes and move elsewhere," Tomoyo noted. "That's not even going into your own family. Once you're married, your father won't have any reason to turn down archaeological digs anymore. And your brother is already forging a new life with Tsukishiro-kun, is he not?"
Sakura stared with wide unseeing eyes. "I... I never thought about that."
"That's not to say we will lose contact with each other. Even if you live in Hong Kong a simple 'hello' is only phone call or an email away," Tomoyo pointed out.
"But why do I have to be the one to move?" Sakura whined.
"Sakura-chan, the only thing that ties Li-kun to Tomoeda is you, but what holds you here?" Tomoyo questioned seriously.
Sakura stood up, stomped her way to the window and opened it to the cool autumn breezes. Wings sprouted from her back and the girl took flight.
Tomoyo almost glided to the window, gazing at the retreating form of her first love. "Good-bye, Kinomoto Sakura." With a heavy heart, she reluctantly shut her window.
------------------------
Author's Notes
Coming Next:
Chapter 33 - Sakura and Syaoran?
Syaoran wonders what to make of Sakura ignoring him as she tries to find her answers.
I'm sure a few wonder why I approached Sakura and Syaoran making love for the first time like this. Let's see if I can answer those questions ahead of time.
Why wasn't the set up more romantic?
If either Sakura or Syaoran went into a big production of planning a romantic evening, it would fail-- whether or not sex would be expected as part of said romantic date. That Sakura's enemy is against their relationship, it would be an open invitation to attack them if only to ruin the mood. Not to mention planning ahead to have sex would add pressure for them to perform, in particular making it harder for Sakura to say 'no' if she began to feel uncomfortable.
Why not at least show them making out before Sakura deciding to go the final step?
I wanted Sakura's first time to clearly be her choice. Being a magical girl was not something she wanted to be, rather it was a task that Clow Reed pushed on her. That she came to be friends with the cards and accepted her magical potential doesn't change that she was not allowed the option of being a normal girl. Now one might argue peer pressure may have influenced her decision to have sex, the fact Sakura didn't make love much sooner shows it was not a major factor. And I didn't want her aroused before she made the choice, considering the decision would've been influenced by her body's reactions. Naoko may have waited longer had Asaba not molested her before she decided to go all the way, and Chiharu found herself unable to say 'no' for her first time. Here, at least, I wanted Sakura to enter the bedroom of her own free will, not influenced by anything than her own heart and mind.
Why didn't I write out the scene of them making love?
There's two main reasons: First too much risk of going into too much detail of the actual act of sex. I already toe the line of going full adult rating, and did not want to risk jumping past it. Second, my desire to make the scene perfect and the knowledge two virgins are going to make mistakes would make it impossible to write.
Going over the chapters and plotting when events occurred on the calendar, I became worried I had run into 'anime time' in which a single month may have over ten weeks of time reference within it or what seems to be a series of events that seem to happen within days of each other yet months were supposed to between the first and last of those events. I discovered that there's only one discrepancy when Teikei noted Naoko's chapter was from 'three months' ago when it should've been referenced as 'two months.' While that reference could still work, but that would mean this chapter would occur Christmas weekend rather than the last weekend of November. And there are a few things planned for Christmas.
OMAKE
Syaoran wished arriving at his classroom would be a safe haven from the insanity he had experienced since yesterday, but his class was anything but normal. That half his class were children from some of the richest families in Hong Kong was only a little unusual. The first real clue this was class wasn't typical was that every single student had some sort of training to fight, not just the usual martial arts when some of the students were skilled with swords, bows, or guns. But what really set the room apart was that his classmates were definitely less than sane.
Richard Wong would be dangerous with his pranks if his ego didn't get in the way. He couldn't just explode paint bombs at the school, he had to sign his name all over the walls. It certainly made the school's watchdog's job easier.
Ciel Phantomhive was that watchdog. He was an aloof person who worked on solving various violations of school rules no matter how much that put him at odds with the other students, which was an issue considering he was among the least trained to fight and that was with a sword.
The watchdog's only ally beyond the school staff was Elizabeth Midford, his distance cousin and fiancee. A very excitably girl to say the least, and something of a rival to his own cousin and pseudo-fiancee. He doesn't even know why the rivalry exists or Elizabeth's reasons for keeping her fighting prowess a secret from Ciel.
Anita King preferred making origami out of books than reading them and was no slouch in the fighting department either.
Jianliang Jenrya Li was half-Chinese and half-Japanese and one of the more normal classmates if you discounted his obsession with computers and a certain card game. If not for sharing the same last name despite not being related, it might've been harder for Syaoran to remember his name
Yang Xiao Long may have a Chinese name but her large chest and long blond hair clearly showed she had more than a little British in heritage. She was yet another girl able to beat most of the boys at the school, especially if they damaged her hair.
The quiet Blake Belladonna was the opposite in appearing more Chinese while having an English name. Syaoran knew very little of her beyond being Yang's best friend.
Lian Dao has a single spike in his hair, rarely talks, and prone to violent outbursts for less reasons than Yang with her hair.
If you want to lose your money quickly, Faye Valentine will happily take it off you, whether through gambling, getting something they couldn't buy by any other means, or dates that will never end in a bedroom.
Lin Yao was just about as shady as Faye, owing just about everyone money despite being from one of the richest families. His goal is to be achieve power through politics, yet seems to do nothing with his position on the student council.
Chun Hyang was a Korean orphan who left her home country after a corrupt politician was responsible for her mother's death. Syaoran only knew about that as the girl was Meiling's best friend and most common sparring partner.
Then of course was Meiling, his cousin who decided they would be engaged unless he found someone he loved more. Then the girl jealousy chased away any girl that could potentially like him. He knew he would have to tell her about the incident with the Soul Reaper, but didn't have a clue how to explain it that didn't sound like a lie. The truth certainly wouldn't work considering Meiling has never seen a ghost, but his sisters were liable to tell her about him sleeping with a girl soon.
The teacher entered the classroom and cleared his voice. "We seem to have a new student."
Syaoran stiffened in his chair as a girl with auburn hair and emerald eyes shyly walked into the room and bowed to the class. "Um, I'm Sakura Kinomoto. Pleased to meet you all."
"You can sit next to Syaoran Li," the teacher intoned.
Sakura nodded and despite a few vacant seats in the room, she went straight to the one next to him. "We meet again."
Syaoran immediately felt a hand at the back of his collar. Not surprising as that was where his cousin was seated.
"What did she mean, 'again?'" Meiling hissed.
Syaoran couldn't figure out what to possibly say to her.
"I kind of accidentally slept with him last night," Sakura sheepishly replied.
"WHAT?!" was echoed from most of the class, Meiling easily being the loudest.
* Omake setting comes from Bleach belonging to to Tite Kubo and Shounen Jump. Jenrya Li is from Digmon Tamers and belongs to Toei Animation, Akiyoshi Hongo, and Chiaki Konaka. Lin Yao is from Full Metal Alchemist and belongs to Hiromu Arakawa. Richard Wong is originally from Patlabor and created by Headgear. Ciel Phantomhive and Elizabeth Midford originate in Black Butler, belonging to Yana Toboso. Chun Hyang came from CLAMP's interpretation of a Korean folktale. Yang and Blake are characters from RWBY created by Monty Oum and Rooster Teeth Productions. Faye Valentine is from Sunrise's Cowboy Bebop. Anita King comes from Read or Dream manga and R.O.D. the TV anime which was made by Hideyuki Kurata. Lian Dao (Ren Tao) is from Shaman King and created by Hiroyuki Takei. All rights reserved.
* I realize this omake is far more tell than show. However, trying to reference every crossover character in any other fashion would potentially make the omake longer than the chapter. Though I'm finding myself interested in this set up. With Chun Hyang's dead mother potentially being a soul reaper, the Dao family can easily being made to be the equivalent to the Quincy, and Sebastian of Black Butler could be used in a number of ways-- possibly even take Aizen's place as a major villain. That's not even going into the backgrounds of the other characters that can be used for story potential. Or using various CLAMP series as a source to make many of the Soul Reapers, especially the characters from X. There's plenty to use to make a series similar to Bleach at it's core yet become a very different story.
"Why do I feel like an extra wheel?" Matsumoto questioned.
Terada pulled at his collar. "You're not the only one. I certainly feel like more would be said if I wasn't around."
"I'm still surprised Daidouji would introduce me to Meiling-chan," Matsumoto commented.
"I thought you two could make a good couple," Tomoyo replied with a flatter tone than she intended. "You were looking for a proper lady and Meiling-chan certainly fits the bill being an heir to one of Hong Kong's oldest and most prestigious families. She can even trace her family line back thousands of years and is descended from many important historical figures. Her family even has proof such myths as the story of Mulan are based on actual events."
Matsumoto raised an eyebrow. "You're descended from Mulan?"
Meiling smirked. "We've got the oldest and most accurate account of her adventures: several journals written by Mulan herself."
"Do feel free to check her background," Tomoyo added.
"For obvious reasons, I wouldn't use his company if I did," Matsumoto replied.
Terada blinked with surprise. "Your family has Mulan's journals? They would be beyond valuable to scholars."
Meiling waved her chopsticks toward him. "The problem is that if they ever left our possession, the Chinese government would immediately take them. Considering they tell a different version of history, there's a good chance they would lock them away or destroy them for being a 'fake.'"
Sakura pouted. "I wish we could learn about history as it really happened, and not have things rewritten and edited."
"You mean like how the Japanese military slaughtered millions of Chinese citizens?" Meiling commented bitterly. "Oh, sure they'll teach you about how the United States nuked two cities off the map, but not one word of making hundreds of Chinese women service Japanese soldiers sexually."
Sakura pouted. "That's exactly it. That isn't something that's been lost because of time, and shouldn't be buried."
"One must learn from history, else they are doomed to repeat it," Terada added. "You're all taught about the concentration camps Germany had, but very little is said about the camps United States used to detain countless Asians in fear they were spies for Japan, let alone the camps Japan used to evict the Chinese and Koreans from their lands."
Matsumoto raised an eyebrow. "This is the weirdest discussion I've ever heard."
"He wants to be a teacher," Meiling pointed at Terada. She then motioned toward Sakura. "Her father teaches archeology at a university. And after learning about all the stuff Japan did when they invaded China, imagine my surprise when your textbooks say China started the war."
"What do you mean? Of course China started it," Matsumoto retorted.
Syaoran folded his arms. "That would actually be a bit of debate as you can pick different start points of the war. Internationally, Japan is seen as the aggressor when a minor conflict over territory Japan forcibly took from China in an earlier war became a full scale battle, however to say China was innocent wouldn't be accurate either since losing that particular battle caused China's military to retaliate."
Sakura giggled. "He wants to be an archeologist more than a corporate president."
Tomoyo shared in the mirth. "So the one you love is just like your father in that regard."
Sakura quickly pouted. "I do have a thing for guys like my Dad, don't I?"
Rika let out a short laugh. "Can't say you're the only one to have that preference."
"Sounds kind of wrong if you ask me," Matsumoto commented.
"Sometimes all a girl wants is someone like her father. It's a matter of security, being with a guy she can relate to and understand better than someone who is different. That this boy could truly love her, just as her father loves her... even if that love isn't the same type," Tomoyo explained. "Then you have girls like me who are on poor terms with their father and don't want someone like him."
"Still sounds a bit incestuous to me," Matsumoto muttered. "So what are we doing next?"
"There's an art exposition in the next ward!" Yuki chirped.
"I was thinking about checking out the freestyle martial arts tournament," Meiling added.
A glint in Kurogane's eyes showed he was more interested in that suggestion.
Takashi let out a sigh. "We're still playing catch up from last week. We'll have to go home to deal with the book report and study."
Sakura's eyes widen. "The book report! I forgot all about it."
"I'll help you with that," Syaoran promised.
"I suppose this means we'll be splitting up," Rika commented.
Sakura pouted at her. "Sorry."
------------------------
Card Captor Sakura: Shadow of the Dragon
Chapter 32: Sakura and the Trouble with Relationships
By: Lord Archive
Card Captor Sakura belongs to the fine ladies of CLAMP. Used without consent, all rights reserved.
Author's Warnings:
This contains mature themes not intended for children under thirteen.
This series contains:
Adult situations.
Sexual situations withOUT detailed description of sex nor the naked human body.
Brief moments of violence, some cases involving people getting severely injured and possibly death.
Occasional use of vulgar language.
Japanese humor: which include bathroom jokes, panty fetish and shocking situations.
Depictions of criminal activity committed by fictional characters.
References of homosexuality.
------------------------
Naoko bowed respectfully. "Thank you for all your hard work, Ishida-san."
Ishida shook her head. "I'm merely doing my job."
"That may be so, but without you I'd have very little control over my story. It's only thanks to the original contract you got them to accept that prevented them from agreeing to make an anime without my consent," Naoko replied.
"Yet these talks with production companies are not fairing well," Ishida observed.
"Even though it's my story, they don't want to let go of their control. I know I'm not familiar with the animation process at all, but I really don't want them to do something that undermines the entire story," Naoko admitted. "Is asking for just script approval really too much? I'm not asking to write it. I'm almost ready to talk to that stupid company if it means getting just that."
"When the production companies see that you are serious about this matter, they will come around," Ishida intoned.
"I hope so. This whole process is as frustrating as getting them to accept my first several chapters without most of their 'corrections.'" Naoko shook her head.
"As much as they want something new and different, they still want to rely on what has worked in the past. These companies are use to getting their way, and change will only come if you fight for it," Ishida observed.
"So much for this being an easy process," Naoko bemoaned. "Mom's going to be happy I have free tickets to next month's manga convention. Unfortunately I'm now a guess speaker."
Ishida smirked. "Your fame has only just begun."
------------------------
Matsumoto looked around wearily the old run down building was packed full of teenagers and young adults. There was an illicit thrill to the air of people cheering on fights that were in progress. "This isn't a legal tournament, is it?"
"Well, not legal, but not exactly illegal either so long as no one gets seriously hurt," Meiling noted. "This started when a bunch of students from different dojo wanted to know which really produced the better fighters. You're not going to get rich fighting here as there's no money at stake, just pride. As such the only Yakuza you'll find here are the ones trying to make a name for themselves."
"So, it's just a bunch of guys beating the shit out of each other," Matsumoto commented with slight disdain. "Can't they do that with tournaments?"
"Tournaments have unrealistic rules to fighting and you'd never know if tai chi can stand up to kenpo as such tournaments are rarely held," Meiling pointed out. "And then you've got martial artists like me trained in multiple schools where any regulated fight would not have me fighting at my best."
"Is there any format to this?" Matsumoto wondered.
"There are five tiers not counting the 'Bottom Feeders' who have not defeated three level one opponents in a row, and they need to beat another Bottom Feeder just to have the right for one battle against a level one. Once you've done that you can start facing level two opponents once you've defended your position against a bottom feeder. You get to move up again when you've beaten three level twos in a row, and so on. If you lose three times in a row to lower level opponents, your rank will go down to that level," Meiling explained.
"Ah." Matsumoto gazed at one of the matches that was in progress. "Do you really enjoy watching guys flail around stupidly? One good punch will knock down these morons."
Meiling smirked. "Care to give it a try? Or are you all talk?"
"You're not suggesting I fight you?" Matsumoto wondered.
Meiling waved her hand. "You're not qualified for that. I'm tier three."
"I'll fight him," Toushiro offered.
"Surprised you're here." Meiling frowned at the boy she had dated once who was a fellow student at the dojo she attended. "Aren't you level one? He hasn't faced a bottom feeder yet."
Toshiro shrugged. "Kensuke has been pushing me to find my own style and suggested fighting here will get me to learn how. And a higher tier can challenge a lower tier opponent without them qualifying, but lose choice of their next opponent."
"Take it easy on him. He has no idea what he's getting into," Meiling requested in a slight worried tone.
"I will," both boys replied before offering a slight scowl at each other.
Meiling bit her lip as the fight began. She was surprised to see Matsumoto actually land two solid punches. Toushiro responded with a flurry of blows that sent the rich boy flying.
Matsumoto was horribly inelegant as he got up and rushed toward his opponent and got a foot to his face for his effort.
Meiling placed a hand on her date's shoulder. "That's enough."
"I can still fight," Matsumoto mumbled.
"You've already lost," Meiling countered. "If you try again, you'll be carried out."
"Looks like you won this round," Kensuke announced his presence.
Toushiro sagged. "Don't tell me you're my opponent."
Meiling shook her head at seeing yet another former boyfriend, though Kensuke at least gotten a few dates before they realized that things didn't really click. Three dates and not a single kiss and no desire for such. All they had done was talk about fighting. He was a decent friend at least. "Well, this won't go well either."
And Meiling was right. She knew part of the issue of having Toushiro fight Matsumoto was that the boy still held a bit of a crush on her. The fact Kensuke had gotten 'farther' with her put a bit of edge to the boys' friendship.
Toushiro fought more aggressively than he would against most opponents. Which wasn't necessarily a bad thing as the boy did need to loosen up, however Kensuke was a poor choice to leave openings against. Despite both held the same ranking at their dojo, the gap in the skill level was even more evident with the unrestricted fighting.
Matsumoto could only cringe as the guy who beat him was being handed his ass.
After a final blow, Toushiro took an impromptu nap.
Kensuke cracked his knuckles. "I beat my obligated opponent."
Meiling shook her head. "You really don't want me as your third opponent."
"If I can't beat you, I don't deserve to be rank three," Kensuke retorted.
Meiling shook her head. "Well, I do need to beat someone up to get my second match against a tier four."
Matsumoto had seen martial arts films before. What he saw now was nothing like that. The speed was beyond belief. He had thought Kensuke was fast, but Meiling was a level beyond that. If his date had been a guy with that speed, the match would've already been over. She was dancing around him landing blows while dodging and blocking his strikes. And it was not a punch that ended the fight, but the girl putting the boy in a painful grapple, her nails digging into his wrists.
"I give up!" Kensuke cried out in anguish.
An imposing beast of a man strode up. "Well, you've earned your right to a level four fight."
Meiling huffed. "Ichijouji already fought today, didn't he?"
The man nodded. "You should've been here sooner."
Meiling shrugged. "Just don't go into hiding when I get the right to fight you."
The man laughed as he walked away.
"He's level five, isn't he?" Matsumoto guessed.
"The one and only level five," Meiling replied. "And with only ten level fours who don't always show up, getting the right to fight him is a pain in the ass. Since Ichijouji just defended his level four position for a third time, he'll get his chance to challenge for level five. So, there's no way he'll agree to fight me now. Chances are some of the other level fours will show up in a couple hours to watch that fight, but that will be the last one for the day."
"And I suppose you'll want to watch that fight," Matsumoto guessed.
"Of course. Just as he watched my match to see how I fight, I want to see if I can spot any weaknesses in his forms," Meiling replied seriously.
Matsumoto couldn't find a reason to object. He had never really seen real marital arts battles before and getting a chance to see functional masters fight for free sounded good to him.
------------------------
"Thanks for letting me know. Talk to you later," Syaoran said into the phone before hanging it up. "That's was Meiling. She'll be eating out and won't be back for a couple hours."
Sakura nodded with a nervous blush. She had finished her report minutes before and while wondering what they could do next, the only decision they had was to stay at his apartment.
Syaoran moved up behind her, and began to massage her shoulders. "Anything on?"
Sakura shook her head while enjoying his touch. Their initial thoughts before the phone call was to watch television, yet there was nothing decent enough to distract them from the fact they were as alone as they were going to be for a while. Even though Meiling promised to be gone for a couple hours, the television might still slow things down enough that the girl might come home while they were less than dressed again. "Syaoran-kun... Let's go to... um... your room."
Syaoran felt a bit of excitement just from the suggestion, but also felt some concern. "You don't have to force yourself."
Sakura shook her head. "I'm not. I just know that if we watch TV that we'd likely start something and well, Meiling-chan will be gone for hours, not the rest of the day."
Syaoran's heart skipped a beat. His girlfriend had been getting bolder lately, going as far as giving him a blow job. He had wanted to be with the girl fully for a long time now. Would today be the day? "Sakura... I love you."
Sakura stood up unsteadily and grabbed his hand. "I love you, too."
Syaoran led his beloved girlfriend into his room, shutting the door tightly.
As noises began to echo from the room, Fanren began to materialize on the couch. "I suppose I should try to get use to this."
A long haired girl with lime green hair ribbons appeared next to her. "That's easier said than done."
Fanren blinked at the girl. "Mirror?"
The girl nodded. "So long as we're tied to them, we'll know some things we'd rather not. I do hope Mistress never gets ideas to use us."
"That'd certainly be kinky," Fanren agreed.
Mirror picked up the television remote and turned up the volume. "I doubt Mistress would get the idea any time soon, and some cards may not object..."
"Considering you were raped and murdered, you'd want no part of it," Fanren observed.
Mirror pouted. "Clow wrote about that?"
"His journals mention that while he was trying to figure out how to save you," Fanren related. "You had every right to be angry."
"Please do not let Mistress know about that. It would upset her despite there is nothing she can do about it," Mirror replied.
"Can we intrude on this 'girl time?'"
"Light? Dark?" Fanren almost gasped.
"Is Mistress Sakura really okay?" Mirror almost demanded.
"She had to insist she was ready three times before they finally started to make love," Dark seductively intoned.
"How are you out here?" Fanren wondered.
"The Celtic myth that sex increases magical energy isn't entirely false. The issue lies in duration," Light explained. "The magic is increased during the act itself and last at most a minute after finishing."
"And considering how old Clow was when he created us... Well, Sakura-chan is liable to manifest us like this far more often," Dark added. She then glanced toward the bedroom. "Hope better not manifest in there. It would really spoil the mood, even if she wants to join the 'fun.'"
"That certainly would," Fanren shifted uneasily.
Mirror smirked. "Having trouble knowing your little brother is having sex right now."
"Well, it's not as bad as thinking about Mother getting laid." Fanren shook her head. "Still a bit unnerving to think he may be starting a family sooner than later."
Light placed her hand on the spectral girl. "You know why you had to haunt your brother, don't you?"
Fanren pouted. "He will need my help."
Light nodded. "And this is a step he has to make in order to help you have the power to assist him."
------------------------
Syaoran caressed Sakura's cheek, barely able to believe that the girl was clad only in his bed sheets and their sweat. After months of toying with the idea, set backs and fear they had finally made love. Yet despite how good he felt, he was still worried. "Are you okay?"
Sakura pouted at him. "Of course I am. I never told you to stop, did I?"
"No, but you were tempted, weren't you?" Syaoran pressed.
"A little at the start." Sakura poked the tip of his nose. "Even if we waited to be married first, the first time would still be a little scary. To fully be together I had to face that at some point."
Syaoran pulled her into a hug. "You're too good for me."
"You're too good for me," Sakura protested.
Syaoran kissed her lightly on the forehead. "I want you by my side for the rest of my life."
Sakura blushed. "Are you asking me to marry you?"
Syaoran stiffened at that question. To marry a girl carried a certain responsibility to her, yet just being with her like he had just been-- his seed inside her threatening the possibility of new life. "I... I guess I am."
Sakura giggle at his uncertainty. He at least somewhat understood her fears even if misplaced where they should've been. Having a baby was a lot scarier than agreeing to live with someone. You could walk away from a relationship, you can't walk away from a baby. "Yes," she finally answered. "I want to be with you always as well."
"I suppose you'll need to start learning Cantonese," Syaoran mentioned.
Sakura blinked. "Hoe? Why?"
"Eventually we'll have to move to Hong Kong of course," Syaoran told her. "I could hardly manage my family's holding from Japan."
"Why would you have to?" Sakura wondered.
Syaoran looked at her strangely. "I'm heir to my clan."
"Can't you let someone else do that? Can't we just live our lives here?" Sakura almost pleaded.
Syaoran pouted at her. "If we were to attempt that I'd have to find a career, and that would liable keep me away from you and our family."
"But wouldn't the same thing happen if you were clan head?" Sakura retorted.
"Not with my family in charge of those businesses," Syaoran pointed out.
"Couldn't you do that from here?" Sakura insisted.
"Not easily as I'd still have to keep an eye on them, and that's easier done in Hong Kong. Or would you prefer me spending most of my week in Hong Kong and being home only for the weekends?" Syaoran demanded.
Sakura scowled. "What about my family and friends? Am I really supposed to leave them all behind?"
"Aren't you asking me to do the same thing?" Syaoran shot back.
Sakura let out a frustrated cry. "You don't understand!" She got out of the bed and hastily put her clothes back on.
"Sakura..." Syaoran really didn't understand why his girlfriend was so upset. How did she not know they'd have to live in Hong Kong? Before he could think of anything to say, the girl he had just made love to was storming out of his apartment.
------------------------
Yuki held a confused look as she studied a painting. "How did you manage making that shadow? The brush stroke looks to be too large."
The young woman who was displaying her work blushed. "A happy mistake, actually. I hadn't planned on including that, but the canvas seemed to have it's own idea..."
Tomoyo held a soft smile as her younger date went into an avid conversation with a fellow painter.
Kurogane grumbled behind her.
"You didn't have to watch after me," Tomoyo noted.
"The enemy is likely to make a move soon, and Kinomoto is being watched," Kurogane retorted.
Tomoyo frowned, knowing who was watching her best friend.
Yuki ran over to the next painter's booth and began to look closely at his works.
Tomoyo glided softly after her, while Kurogane was practically stomping like a bored petulant child.
Kurogane's phone began to chirp like a bird. He pulled out and answered with a simple, "What?"
"The love bird has flown the nest. Though she doesn't seem very happy," a man's voice practically sung from the phone.
Kurogane pulled the phone away from his ear, the volume being far higher than it should've been.
"Fye-san, which direction did the bird go?" Tomoyo wondered.
"She FLEW to the north west," Fye's voice chirped.
Tomoyo let out a sigh. "Yuki-chan, I'm afraid I need to head home."
"Wha? Why?" the girl in question whined.
"I find myself suddenly needing to see to a guest," Tomoyo informed with a firm voice. "I'll have to pay for a taxi for you, as I feel I need to get home quickly."
------------------------
"Today was far more interesting than I had expected," Matsumoto commented. "I had never seen martial arts outside of a movie before and thought it was all hype."
"Live action martial arts movies more often underplays how strong the art is. If I was to go all out, my arms would be nothing more than a blur to most video cameras." Meiling smirked. "Which annoys Daidouji as any camera portable enough for her to use isn't good enough to record me."
"I'm still surprised she would introduce me to you," Matsumoto added. "I thought she hated me."
Meiling let out a short laugh. "Honestly, you're hardly her favorite person."
"Then why would she introduce me to one of her friends?" Matsumoto wondered.
"This is Daidouji we're talking about, she likely has a few different reasons." Meiling folded her arms. "Though I think the main one is to teach you a lesson that girls are not weaker than boys."
"Oh, really?" Matsumoto replied disbelievingly. "The match you fought would've been over in seconds if you had a guy's strength. You only managed to win because you were a lot faster."
"And would I be so fast if I was a guy?" Meiling countered. "Though I'm not going sit here and say you're completely wrong about most girls. There are a few girls I know that fit the sexist bill of meek little housewife whose only goal in life is to spread legs and drop out babies. I am NOT like most girls. I am going to leave my own personal mark on this world."
"A noble sentiment, but most women of note achieve their fame for who their husband or son was, and not anything special that they did," Matsumoto pointed out.
"You think I don't realize that if Mulan had been a guy, her exploits would be seen as part of history and not be considered a myth? That the easiest way for a girl to become famous is by being an actress? That to even be known as a politician, a woman has to achieve the highest ranks of power, and even then is better known for being a woman than what she accomplished?" Meiling ranted. "I'm not going to let the fact I'm a girl limit me in any way. I can achieve anything a guy can except being a father."
"Piss while standing up," Matsumoto challenged.
"I've done that before, and you're a long way off from me showing you it can be done," Meiling teased.
Matsumoto raised an eyebrow. "You're actually enjoying this."
Meiling poked the tip of the teenager's nose. "What I look for most in a boyfriend is someone who makes me feel I can achieve anything. My last serious boyfriend encouraged me, while I know you'll end up challenging me, even if the goal is just to prove you wrong."
Matsumoto leaned forward. "Can't say I'm opposed to such a challenge." He then tried to complete the distance and kiss her, but all his lips tasted was a stone wall fence.
"I don't kiss on the first date," Meiling hissed with little heat.
"Well, you are supposed to be a lady." Matsumoto let out a force chuckle. "This may just be my challenge."
"One you may get to succeed at, if you manage to keep your pants on. I know that you _might_ be a father soon, but that was before we met. I'm not one for sharing and I'm definitely the jealous type," Meiling warned.
Matsumoto tried to think of something to say back, yet when he turned to look at her, his date was no where to be found. The girl certainly was different and claiming her would not be easy. He could certainly get a girl that wouldn't be so much trouble, but they wouldn't be as much fun.
Meiling had jumped up into a nearby tree and smirked as she watched her date walk off with a determined grin. "Challenge has been excepted." Rather than climb down the tree, she instead leapt to the second floor walkway of her apartment building before going up the remaining flights of stairs to her apartment. Entering her home, she instinctively caught a box thrown at her. "What's the deal?"
"Don't need them," Syaoran muttered irritably.
"Really? I let you know I'm going to be out long enough to use these and you got into a fight with Kinomoto instead?" Meiling spat waving the unopened box of condoms.
Syaoran failed to give any reply.
Meiling folded her arms. "You might as well tell me what happened, or I'll just get the story from Kinomoto and Daidouji."
"I just don't understand her," Syaoran bemoaned. "How could she not know we'd have to move to Hong Kong after being married?"
"Because she's Kinomoto and has to be told the obvious," Meiling countered. She then blinked. "Wait! You actually talked about being married?"
Syaoran blushed. "Um... yeah. Though I don't know if Sakura and I are engaged, separated or what."
"Engaged?" Meiling looked at the unopened box in her hand. "Are you saying the reason you don't need these is because..."
"Sakura doesn't think there's a real reason to use them," Syaoran finished sheepishly.
"So... you two... have done... IT, huh?" Meiling oddly felt as if she had been stabbed.
"Yeah," Syaoran weakly answered.
Meiling wanted to jumped on her bed and scream, find Daidouji and have a good cry, look for someone to beat up, or chase after Matsumoto and put some of the condoms to use. The last option had bad idea written all over it, it was rather late to find any decent opponents, Kinomoto likely had gone off to find Daidouji, so that left.. "Well good for you." She then stomped off to her room.
Syaoran jumped when Meiling let out a bestial war cry and didn't have a clue why she suddenly yelled. Though he had no desire to find out why, with that type of scream she might try to fight him if he did.
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Tomoyo wasn't surprised to find Sakura eating away at chocolate covered rice balls while watching video tapes.
"You didn't have to rush home on my account," Sakura intoned with a huff.
"More like you saved me," Tomoyo returned. "The date wasn't nearly as much fun as I hoped. I felt more like a mother watching after her two kids with Yuki-chan threatening to run out of sight while I was afraid Kurogane would start trouble if nothing happened soon."
Sakura let out a weak laugh.
Tomoyo sat next to her cousin. "Now will I have to play twenty questions or will you tell me what's wrong? You can't tell me it's 'nothing.'"
Sakura pouted at her. "Syaoran seems to think we'd live in Hong Kong after we're married."
Tomoyo blinked at the girl's lack of honorific. "He actually talked about being married?"
Sakura nodded shyly. "Yeah... after he... sort of... proposed."
"And you said 'yes,' didn't you?" Tomoyo pressed.
Sakura began to blush deeply. "I didn't see any reason to say 'no.'"
Tomoyo didn't need to ask what the girl meant by that. Her beloved cousin had finally made love. Now wasn't the time to address that. She clasped her friend's hands. "Sakura-chan, how much thought have you put beyond being engaged?"
Sakura shifted uneasily. "Um... a lot."
"What did you imagine life to be like? Where would you be living? What was his job?" Tomoyo coaxed.
"Um... we'd live in a small house in Tomoeda and... um..." Sakura trailed off.
"You only gave thought to what you want, not what he wants or even needs to do, didn't you?" Tomoyo pointed out.
Sakura frowned deeply as she looked away. "But he's asking me to leave everything behind."
"Sakura-chan, did you honestly think we'd all live in Tomoeda for the rest of our lives? Even if you convinced Li-kun to stay here, you may find yourself left behind as everyone else has moved away. Meiling-chan is only visiting. Once your troubles end, she will be returning to Hong Kong. Rika-chan will likely be the first to move away considering her fiance will find employment difficult to secure. Even though I'm unlikely to move, as heir to Daidouji Toys and the Amamiya Group, chances are my time will be swallowed up by work and you'll rarely see me. Naoko-chan's future is liable to be wrapped up with her career and may find it necessary to move away. Even though Chiharu-chan technically owns two homes in Tomoeda, where she lives will be tied to how Yamazaki-kun will make a living for them. While they are the most likely to stay in Tomoeda, there's no certainty that they won't sell their homes and move elsewhere," Tomoyo noted. "That's not even going into your own family. Once you're married, your father won't have any reason to turn down archaeological digs anymore. And your brother is already forging a new life with Tsukishiro-kun, is he not?"
Sakura stared with wide unseeing eyes. "I... I never thought about that."
"That's not to say we will lose contact with each other. Even if you live in Hong Kong a simple 'hello' is only phone call or an email away," Tomoyo pointed out.
"But why do I have to be the one to move?" Sakura whined.
"Sakura-chan, the only thing that ties Li-kun to Tomoeda is you, but what holds you here?" Tomoyo questioned seriously.
Sakura stood up, stomped her way to the window and opened it to the cool autumn breezes. Wings sprouted from her back and the girl took flight.
Tomoyo almost glided to the window, gazing at the retreating form of her first love. "Good-bye, Kinomoto Sakura." With a heavy heart, she reluctantly shut her window.
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Author's Notes
Coming Next:
Chapter 33 - Sakura and Syaoran?
Syaoran wonders what to make of Sakura ignoring him as she tries to find her answers.
I'm sure a few wonder why I approached Sakura and Syaoran making love for the first time like this. Let's see if I can answer those questions ahead of time.
Why wasn't the set up more romantic?
If either Sakura or Syaoran went into a big production of planning a romantic evening, it would fail-- whether or not sex would be expected as part of said romantic date. That Sakura's enemy is against their relationship, it would be an open invitation to attack them if only to ruin the mood. Not to mention planning ahead to have sex would add pressure for them to perform, in particular making it harder for Sakura to say 'no' if she began to feel uncomfortable.
Why not at least show them making out before Sakura deciding to go the final step?
I wanted Sakura's first time to clearly be her choice. Being a magical girl was not something she wanted to be, rather it was a task that Clow Reed pushed on her. That she came to be friends with the cards and accepted her magical potential doesn't change that she was not allowed the option of being a normal girl. Now one might argue peer pressure may have influenced her decision to have sex, the fact Sakura didn't make love much sooner shows it was not a major factor. And I didn't want her aroused before she made the choice, considering the decision would've been influenced by her body's reactions. Naoko may have waited longer had Asaba not molested her before she decided to go all the way, and Chiharu found herself unable to say 'no' for her first time. Here, at least, I wanted Sakura to enter the bedroom of her own free will, not influenced by anything than her own heart and mind.
Why didn't I write out the scene of them making love?
There's two main reasons: First too much risk of going into too much detail of the actual act of sex. I already toe the line of going full adult rating, and did not want to risk jumping past it. Second, my desire to make the scene perfect and the knowledge two virgins are going to make mistakes would make it impossible to write.
Going over the chapters and plotting when events occurred on the calendar, I became worried I had run into 'anime time' in which a single month may have over ten weeks of time reference within it or what seems to be a series of events that seem to happen within days of each other yet months were supposed to between the first and last of those events. I discovered that there's only one discrepancy when Teikei noted Naoko's chapter was from 'three months' ago when it should've been referenced as 'two months.' While that reference could still work, but that would mean this chapter would occur Christmas weekend rather than the last weekend of November. And there are a few things planned for Christmas.
OMAKE
Syaoran wished arriving at his classroom would be a safe haven from the insanity he had experienced since yesterday, but his class was anything but normal. That half his class were children from some of the richest families in Hong Kong was only a little unusual. The first real clue this was class wasn't typical was that every single student had some sort of training to fight, not just the usual martial arts when some of the students were skilled with swords, bows, or guns. But what really set the room apart was that his classmates were definitely less than sane.
Richard Wong would be dangerous with his pranks if his ego didn't get in the way. He couldn't just explode paint bombs at the school, he had to sign his name all over the walls. It certainly made the school's watchdog's job easier.
Ciel Phantomhive was that watchdog. He was an aloof person who worked on solving various violations of school rules no matter how much that put him at odds with the other students, which was an issue considering he was among the least trained to fight and that was with a sword.
The watchdog's only ally beyond the school staff was Elizabeth Midford, his distance cousin and fiancee. A very excitably girl to say the least, and something of a rival to his own cousin and pseudo-fiancee. He doesn't even know why the rivalry exists or Elizabeth's reasons for keeping her fighting prowess a secret from Ciel.
Anita King preferred making origami out of books than reading them and was no slouch in the fighting department either.
Jianliang Jenrya Li was half-Chinese and half-Japanese and one of the more normal classmates if you discounted his obsession with computers and a certain card game. If not for sharing the same last name despite not being related, it might've been harder for Syaoran to remember his name
Yang Xiao Long may have a Chinese name but her large chest and long blond hair clearly showed she had more than a little British in heritage. She was yet another girl able to beat most of the boys at the school, especially if they damaged her hair.
The quiet Blake Belladonna was the opposite in appearing more Chinese while having an English name. Syaoran knew very little of her beyond being Yang's best friend.
Lian Dao has a single spike in his hair, rarely talks, and prone to violent outbursts for less reasons than Yang with her hair.
If you want to lose your money quickly, Faye Valentine will happily take it off you, whether through gambling, getting something they couldn't buy by any other means, or dates that will never end in a bedroom.
Lin Yao was just about as shady as Faye, owing just about everyone money despite being from one of the richest families. His goal is to be achieve power through politics, yet seems to do nothing with his position on the student council.
Chun Hyang was a Korean orphan who left her home country after a corrupt politician was responsible for her mother's death. Syaoran only knew about that as the girl was Meiling's best friend and most common sparring partner.
Then of course was Meiling, his cousin who decided they would be engaged unless he found someone he loved more. Then the girl jealousy chased away any girl that could potentially like him. He knew he would have to tell her about the incident with the Soul Reaper, but didn't have a clue how to explain it that didn't sound like a lie. The truth certainly wouldn't work considering Meiling has never seen a ghost, but his sisters were liable to tell her about him sleeping with a girl soon.
The teacher entered the classroom and cleared his voice. "We seem to have a new student."
Syaoran stiffened in his chair as a girl with auburn hair and emerald eyes shyly walked into the room and bowed to the class. "Um, I'm Sakura Kinomoto. Pleased to meet you all."
"You can sit next to Syaoran Li," the teacher intoned.
Sakura nodded and despite a few vacant seats in the room, she went straight to the one next to him. "We meet again."
Syaoran immediately felt a hand at the back of his collar. Not surprising as that was where his cousin was seated.
"What did she mean, 'again?'" Meiling hissed.
Syaoran couldn't figure out what to possibly say to her.
"I kind of accidentally slept with him last night," Sakura sheepishly replied.
"WHAT?!" was echoed from most of the class, Meiling easily being the loudest.
* Omake setting comes from Bleach belonging to to Tite Kubo and Shounen Jump. Jenrya Li is from Digmon Tamers and belongs to Toei Animation, Akiyoshi Hongo, and Chiaki Konaka. Lin Yao is from Full Metal Alchemist and belongs to Hiromu Arakawa. Richard Wong is originally from Patlabor and created by Headgear. Ciel Phantomhive and Elizabeth Midford originate in Black Butler, belonging to Yana Toboso. Chun Hyang came from CLAMP's interpretation of a Korean folktale. Yang and Blake are characters from RWBY created by Monty Oum and Rooster Teeth Productions. Faye Valentine is from Sunrise's Cowboy Bebop. Anita King comes from Read or Dream manga and R.O.D. the TV anime which was made by Hideyuki Kurata. Lian Dao (Ren Tao) is from Shaman King and created by Hiroyuki Takei. All rights reserved.
* I realize this omake is far more tell than show. However, trying to reference every crossover character in any other fashion would potentially make the omake longer than the chapter. Though I'm finding myself interested in this set up. With Chun Hyang's dead mother potentially being a soul reaper, the Dao family can easily being made to be the equivalent to the Quincy, and Sebastian of Black Butler could be used in a number of ways-- possibly even take Aizen's place as a major villain. That's not even going into the backgrounds of the other characters that can be used for story potential. Or using various CLAMP series as a source to make many of the Soul Reapers, especially the characters from X. There's plenty to use to make a series similar to Bleach at it's core yet become a very different story.