Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction ❯ The Red Dragon ❯ Ying Fa, Syaoran and Melang ( Chapter 1 )

The Red Dragon

By KangaKilla

Dedicated to: Jai, HAPPY 25th BIRTHDAY

Disclaimer: CLAMP owns CCS not me

Last chapter: Prying it from her hands it had read `CLOW' and that was all, he'd tried to open it but it wouldn't budge. `Ill have to ask her in the morning' he decided and stayed awake the whole knighting keeping a watch over Sakura and Mei Lin so that nothing happened to them during the night.

KK/ if anyone knows another name for Mei Lin could you please tell me?

Chapter one: Ying Fa, Syaoran and Melang

Sunlight floated down over the trees and played over Sakura's face, the filtered light moved with the trees. Xiaolang watched as she stirred and got up sword drawn, `she might be injured but she could be evil.' Sakura scrunched up her eyes, a huge headache was gnawing at her and the pain was so intense that she had to sit up, hands clutching her head, massaging it to get rid of the pain. Groaning Sakura slowly opened her eyes and blinked to see better. A boy stood before her, sword drawn, forgetting about her headache Sakura stood up rapidly and got into a fighting stance. Pain laced all over her body and she winced, letting her guard down slightly she looked down at herself and almost passed out, bandages covered her body, she was semi naked and blood was seeping through the bandages. Sakura snapped her eyes back to the boy that stood before her. `He has the CLOW book' she realised panic settled over her and she glared.

"Where's the book?" she ground out getting lower, not caring about the pain, she had to get the Clow book back. The boy looked at her strangely and motioned with his head where it was. Lying on a rock next to her battered dress, belt and Shoju. Sakura's eyes glittered "who dressed my wounds?" her eyes were back now to the boys, he was rather handsome `trust the enemy to send a handsome boy to put me off my guard.'

"I did, I sense your magic" Sakura's eyes widened `he's the one with the green aura?' nodding her head Sakura stood up and bowed to him.

"Arigato then" and blushing slightly from embarrassment. "Err, you wouldn't happen to have any spare clothes do you?" Xiaolang chuckled and sheathed his sword, going over to his saddlebags he bent down and pulled out a pair of breeches and a shirt, and threw them over his shoulder to Sakura. Sakura grabbed them and began pulling them on slowly ever mindful of her wounds. Once dressed Sakura went straight over to her old things, pulled on her belt because Xiaolang's clothes were way too big for her, and shoved her Shoju into the belt.

~*~

Xiaolang squatted over the fire a pan in his hand and was cooking some meat for breakfast. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Sakura look around for a while and play with her hair. She then turned to him and seemed a little shy.

"Um, I was wondering if I could borrow your sword?" Xiaolang looked at her with a furrowed brow.

"Why do you want my sword?" he asked `is she going to attack me with my own sword?' Sakura self-consciously tugged at her hair.

"I need to cut my hair." She stated not looking Xiaolang in the eye.

"Why?" his interest was perked, `why would she want to cut her hair? Is it some kind of female thing?' confused he took out his sword. "Ill do it, I still don't trust you." Sakura nodded in understanding and turned around. "How much do you want me to cut off?" Sakura just grabbed her hair close to her head and pointed to just below where her hand was, Xiaolang with a very confused expression on his face did as she asked. He watched in amazement as the long tresses fell to the ground in a shimmer of homey brown. Sakura shook out her hair and smiled, running a hand through her hair she separated it and turned to Xiaolang and grinned.

"Arigato again" and with that she went close to the fire, the Clow book now in her hands. Xiaolang watched where Sakura had once been `if she was pretty before she is absolutely gorgeous now' quite alarmed with his thought he shook his head and went to wake up Mei Lin.

~*~

Mei Lin growled as she woke up and swatted the hand that was shaking her.

"Get away, ill sleep in if I want to" she stated and turned over to go back to sleep. A foot in her side rolled her back over and her blanket was taken off of her.

"Get your lazy butt up now Mei Lin, were leaving in half an hour so get up" Mei Lin growled again and sat up brushing back her hair and glared at Xiaolang's turned back. That's when a shorthaired boy by the fire caught her attention, the clothes were way to big on the boy but that didn't matter, `another boy? Oh I'm so lucky and this one isn't even my cousin.' Grinning mischievously Mei Lin fixed herself up as well as she could and strutted over to the boy by the fire. Mei Lin cleared her throat and began batting her eyelashes when the boy turned around and she gasped out loud. Laughter soon followed the gasp and Mei Lin turned angrily to Xiaolang.

"What is she still doing here?" she growled going over to Xiaolang.

"Having breakfast" he stated and then walked over to the fire to see how it was going. Mei Lin growled. `I will not be made a fool of' and with that she walked over to the fire and pushed the girl over and sat in her place. Before Mei Lin could blink the point of a Shoju was at her throat.

"Xiaolang" Mei Lin gasped out looking helplessly over to her cousin. Xiaolang turned around and frowned.

"I suggest you don't do that…"

"Sakura" she finished and pulled the Shoju slowly away. "Don't do that again or next time you wont have a head left got it?" she asked and went to sit down on the opposite side of the fire away from Mei Lin.

Xiaolang looked between them and sighed.

"This is Mei Lin my cousin and I am Xiaolang Li." Before he could finish Sakura was up again and in a fighting stance, Shoju out and pointed at them.

"Li Clan" she hissed and there was a hint of fear in her eyes. Both confused Mei Lin and Xiaolang looked at each other.

"I think she's gone crazy," Mei Lin stated.

"What about the Li Clan?" he asked and stood up ready to draw his sword if need be.

"You own the Teshu ninja" she spat anger now taking over her body. Xiaolang nodded his head.

"And your point is?"

"You killed my family" although this wasn't fully true it was a possibility and Sakura knew it. Xiaolang held up his hands in defence.

"I did no such thing, sure we own the Teshu ninja but so do other clans, ours are only a small amount." Sakura wouldn't let up, sliding towards her dress with her eyes still on Xiaolang and Mei Lin she fished in her dress for the dagger that had pierced her shoulder the night before. Finding it she threw it to the ground in front of them.

"Is that your mark?" she asked them pointing to the hilt of the dagger. Picking it up Xiaolang studied it but shook his head pulling out a dagger that could have been its exact copy only it had a different design on the hilt. Throwing it to Sakura he pointed

"That's ours" he stated, Sakura didn't take her eyes off the two of them and quickly glanced at the dagger. Nodding her head Sakura put away her Shoju and went back to the fire to sit down. Sakura looked up at the still standing Xiaolang.

"Do you know who it is?" she asked in a small voice. This threw Xiaolang off his guard, first she was threatening them and now it sounded like she had no energy at all. Xiaolang sat down as well

"No." Sakura dropped her head into her hands and tries to hold back the tears as Xiaolang continued. "Why are they after you?" his voice was soft and Mei Lin bristled. `He never sounds like that when he talks to me' she thought glaring at this Sakura girl.

"Can I trust you?" she asked looking back up at him again.

"I swear on the grave of my father, you can trust me." Sakura shook her head.

"No, that is a Li promise, it means nothing to me." Xiaolang became angry with that, swearing on his father's grave was a huge thing; even Mei Lin couldn't believe that he had sworn on his father's grave just to gain the trust of this scruffy girl pretending to be a boy. Sakura stood up and walked towards him

"A blood oath" she said and grabbed Xiaolang dagger in her hand and cut a straight line across her palm and handed it to Xiaolang who did the same.

"I swear on my life's blood to trust you, with all my secrets and will take them to the grave and beyond" Sakura said and grasped Xiaolang's hand.

"I swear on my life's blood to keep your secrets and trust you with my life and will protect you." Both shook hands three times then marked their blood on the others forehead and bowed to the other. Mei Lin watched with her mouth gaping. `A blood oath was strong and if one didn't keep it then they would be killed on the spot by the other for dishonour. Sitting down near each other Sakura drew in her breath.

"They want the Clow book" she stated and pulled to book closer to her.

"Why? Its just a book." Mei Lin interrupted. Sakura continued like she hadn't heard Mei Lin's comment.

"It's a powerful book that contains magical cards created by Clow Reed himself. It was once in the possession of the Li Clan until they gave it to us as a gift of our treaty together. My family figured out what was in it and that to open it you had to contain magic and that only the chosen one could. We have kept it safe and in our possession for all these years until we were attacked last night by the Teshu ninja. I was told to keep running and not look back or stop. They know what I look like and who I am that was why I cut my hair. I know it's not a big thing but it will throw them off track for a while. And I am headed to the mountains of Ascria where the reincarnation of Clow reed resides." She looked at them both and stood up

"Arigato both of you for helping me, I wont burden you any more sayonara" and Sakura turned to leave but Xiaolang stopped her.

"We are travelling in that direction and I made a blood oath to protect you, come with us, it'll be safer and we can make sure that you don't get yourself into trouble, I've only met you for a couple of hours and already I know you'll get into more trouble them you can handle." Sakura blushed and looked away but nodded her consent and sat back down.

"XIAOLANG YOU BURNT OUT BREAKFAST" Mei Lin screamed as they all watched the food burn in the pan. Shaking her head in amusement Sakura waved her hand over the food and it turned back into an eatable meal. Both turned back to her while she shrugged and pulled some meat out of the pan and began eating. Shaking his head Xiaolang took a peice too and begin eating `this girl sure is weird, though she can cook' he smile and stretched he back, standing up Xiaolang walked swiftly to his saddlebags and shoved all of his things in.

"We leave soon so pack up and be ready."

~*~

Sakura yawned as she trailed alongside the riding Xiaolang and Mei Lin.

"You know you can ride up here with me" Xiaolang offered once again, Sakura smiled but shook her head.

"I'm ok walking, I need to keep myself moving or ill become stiff." She then motioned to her vast amount of bandages. Xiaolang frowned and looked back down at her.

"You do realise that we are going to be going through towns and they will notice and recognise a Kinomoto?" he asked, Sakura looked up and him and chewed her lip.

"But I do look like a boy don't I?" she implored. Xiaolang studied her for a while then shrugged.

"Kind of but I can still figure you're a girl." Sakura sighed and looked at Mei Lin.

"Do I look like a boy?" Mei Lin looked down her nose at Sakura.

"I suppose so, I mean look what your wearing." She stated disgusted. Sakura frowned and looked at Mei Lin.

"But your wearing things like me" she stated and turned to the snorting Xiaolang who had his eyes straight forwards and a slight curve to his mouth "I suppose ill just have to wait and see what other people think of me." Sakura shuffled the Clow book to her left hand and pulled up her pants, her feet were starting to hurt and no wonder, Xiaolang hadn't had any spare shoes to give her and Mei Lin had refused to let a `smelly girl wear her precious shoes on dirty feet.' Sakura sighed and stopped for a bit to brush off the bottoms of her feet. Xiaolang stopped his horse and looked back at Sakura.

"Get on the horse, we can get to town quicker and then we can buy you some shoes." Sakura looked at him and smirked.

"I told you that you could leave me behind" Xiaolang shook his head.

"And I told you I made a blood oath." Sakura grinned and walked slowly to Xiaolang.

"If you insist" she stated and put her hands near the back of the saddle and lightly touched to stirrup and hulled herself onto the back of the horse and steeled herself.

"Alright back there?" Xiaolang asked and went to spur his horse on when Sakura stopped him.

"We should have different names I mean what if they recognise me and with you?" Mei Lin growled.

"Lets just hurry up, I want a bed to sleep in tonight."

"Well let me see, my name can be translated to Syaoran in the Kinomoto Clan, and Mei Lin's can be Melang in Xioushu Clan and Sakura hmm… Ying Fa, from the Li Clan" both girls looked sceptical but Xiaolang didn't wait for any protests as he kicked his horse to move faster, he wanted a bed as well.

~*~

The Village came in to view it was rather large for a village but one none the less, the houses were made of bamboo and straw but looked comfortable, in the middle of the village square there was a well where people were congregated and talked amongst groups. Xiaolang slowed his horse down to a stop and both he and Sakura got down, Sakura then nudged Xiaolang to help Mei Lin down since she was supposed to be a lady, Mei Lin had changed into a dress just before they came into the city saying that she didn't want to be going around being called a boy. Sakura just smiled and shook her head saying that you had to do some things sometimes, and then it dawned on her. `If I'm supposed to be a boy, shouldn't I have a boy name?' Sighing she poked Xiaolang, he turned towards her with a questioning gaze.

"I'm supposed to be a boy, so I should have a boys name" she said raising her eyes brow, grinning in embarrassment he nodded his head.

"How about Shin Lu?" he asked Sakura just nodded her head; she couldn't come up with boys names anyway. Mei Lin was looking around disdainfully.

"Where's the inn?" She asked with a disgusted note in her voice. Sakura and Xiaolang both looked back at her.

"Over there" Sakura said pointing to a place with a sign overhanging it saying "Inn" Xiaolang covered his mouth and changed his laughter into a cough before going back to pulling off his saddlebags and Sakura took down Mei Lin's.

~*~

Du Kaiko smiled as the door opened to his inn, in came three young people, two boys and a lovely lady. She had beautiful flowing back hair and fiery red eyes. The tall boy next to her had glaring amber eyes and messy chestnut hair and the boy that was just coming through behind the girl and boy was absolutely stunning, the boy had beautiful honey brown hair and wonderful emerald green eyes that sparkled, he was short and thin and rather petite, `must be young' Sakura smiled at the man behind the desk and looked around in awe.

"So what you the young miss and lads like ehh?" he asked and the tall boy looked quickly at the younger boy for a moment before coming closer.

"Two rooms, one with two beds the other with one." Kaiko nodded his head and went to where the keys were.

"We have a policy, the men one side and the ladies on the other, that way we know nothing beds happening around the place got it?" Xiaolang again looked at Sakura before nodding his head.

Kaiko watched as the young boy elbowed the taller boy and whispered to him.

"Ask him if he knows where there's any shoes," she said fiercely, she needed them badly, her feel were cracked and bleeding. Nodding Xiaolang asked. Kaiko watched the little exchange between the two boys with slight amusement; the older boy was listening intently and seemed to agree with whatever the young boy had said.

"Do you know where we can get any shoes?" Kaiko looked shocked a little, he wasn't expecting that kind of question and leaned over the counter and looked down, there, the younger boy had no shoes on and they were covered in dust and blood.

"You alright sonny?" Kaiko asked concerned and came out from behind the counter. "There's chairs over there, go and take a seat." Sakura looked at Xiaolang who nodded his head and she went over to the chairs to sit.

"Alrighty, there's a shop just down the street and to the left where you can get some shoes for the lad, now your rooms are that way sir, up the stairs number seven and miss yours are up those stairs number thirteen." Kaiko handed the keys while Xiaolang gave the man some money and pocketed the key and headed over to where Sakura was sitting.

"Come on, lets get some shoes" and he hulled up the sitting Sakura both heading for the door.

"Well be back later Melang don't get into any trouble while were gone" Mei Lin just huffed and walked up the stair with her bags over her shoulders an angry look in her eyes.

~*~

Sakura sighed as they reached the shop with the shoes and grinned as Xiaolang sat her down and went to find someone to help them. A young girl came out and walked straight up to Sakura.

"Can I help you sir?" she asked slightly blushing as Sakura looked at her and smiled.

"Yeah, I need some shoes for travelling." She stated just as Xiaolang came back in with a man trailing behind him. Smiling Xiaolang ruffled Sakura's hair making her growl slightly.

"I see you've found some help" and sat down next to Sakura waiting for the girl to finish getting Sakura's measurements for the shoes. "I think maybe we should get you some better clothes, I mean they are a little big." Sakura grinned and nodded her head in agreement.

"My pants keep falling down every time I walk." The girl kneeling in front of Sakura blushed again while listening to the two males talk in front of her, both of them were handsome, well the tall one was handsome but the smaller one was beautiful is a man could be said to be beautiful. Finished Tomoyo stood up and bowed to the two men.

"I will be back shortly" she stated in a small voice and walked to the shelves looking for the right sized shoes.

"That girls seems to like you Shin" Xiaolang said nudging Sakura. Sakura snapped her mouth at Xiaolang to shut up.

"Be quiet, and she does not" Sakura said blushing at the assumption that the girl was liking Sakura like that, it was very uncomfortable to be liked by a girl knowing that you were one too. Tomoyo came back and knelt in front of Sakura and slipped the shoes on her feet.

"How do they feel?" she asked while Sakura stood up and walked around in them.

"They're all right, Xi-err- Syaoran stand up." Xiaolang stood up and looked at Sakura confused until he felt the impact of a kick to his stomach. "They're perfect, lovely shoes thankyou" Sakura said while Tomoyo blushed and bowed her head smiling. Xiaolang was still spluttering after the surprise attack on him and glared at Sakura. "What?" she asked innocently and then smiled. "Pay the girl and lets go and get me some new clothes" she stated and bowed to Tomoyo. "It's was nice meeting you-"

"-Tomoyo" she finished. Sakura nodded her head and went to leave dragging the angry Xiaolang behind her. She stopped at the door and waited patiently for Xiaolang to pay Tomoyo before grabbing Sakura's shirtsleeve and pulling her outside with him. Sakura was laughing while Xiaolang growled and roughly shoved Sakura into the clothes shop and ordered that they get Sakura new clothes quickly. The people working there hurried around to get the clothes for the angry man and the laughing happy smaller boy who had amazing emerald eyes.

Once they had gotten their clothes they headed back towards the inn.

"Arigato Xiaolang, that was fun." Sakura said running into the now crowded inn. Men everywhere were drinking beer and eating large amounts of food. Sakura stopped her cheerful entrance when she spotted one particular person.

"YUKITO" Sakura cried out and the whole inn went quiet. Xiaolang came in behind Sakura and watched as a tall silver haired man stood up and came running towards Sakura and they both hugged tightly. Xiaolang felt a slight pang in the pit of his stomach but brushed it off and walked slowly to where Sakura stood.

"Who is this?" Yukito asked glaring down at the slightly shorter boy.

"A friend Yukito, he saved me." She said. Yukito nodded his head and shook Xiaolang's hand in gratitude.

"Yukito where's Touya and- " Yukito held a hand to her mouth and pulled her quickly to the corner where there weren't many people around.

"They are all fine Sakura but they're not back at home, that was destroyed as were so many other people. They're headed to the mountains just as you are, keep heading there, I have other things to take care of but I'm glad your alright" he said and hugged her again. "I have to go now, I heard a rumour that a boy with green eyes was staying here and I had to see if maybe it was you disguised and I was right. Stay safe and make sure that you keep the book safe. They know you have it Sakura and they will do anything to get it." Yukito placed a hand on Xiaolang's shoulder and looked him in the eyes. "Keep her safe friend." and with that said Yukito left in a whirl of his cape. Xiaolang looked at Sakura and smirked.

"Well I guess that means I'm stuck with you until you reach the mountains." He said and grabbed her arm and pulled her up the stairs to eat in their room.

~*~

"Night Xiaolang" Sakura said sleepily.

"Night" and with that Xiaolang heard the soft breathing of Sakura while she slept on the bed across the room from him. `So she knows about Clow Reed and how we are ancestors of him, but I thought the Clow book had long been destroyed and who is the chosen one?' then it occurred to him that he was sleeping in the same room as a girl and he didn't feel uncomfortable. Unable to keep a straight train of thoughts Xiaolang succumbed to sleep.

~*~*~*~*~

KangaKilla: so what did you think???