Pokemon Fan Fiction / Death Note Fan Fiction / Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ 15 Minute Ficlets ❯ Theme #18 ( Chapter 18 )

Title: Odd Couple Challenge
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: None

Fandom: CCS
Theme: #18, Match
Rating: G
Disclaimer: CCS belongs to Clamp and Kodansha. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfiction belongs to me under international copyright laws and taking it is plagiarism. Thank you. *Phantomness bows*

Summary: Syaoran and Naoko work together on a project

 

Syaoran Li decided that sometimes, he really despised the way Tomoeda elementary worked. The emphasis on friendship and interaction with people he hardly knew was so pronounced that it grated on his nerves. When Tereda-sensei announced the morning after he'd captured the Time Card and woke up screaming from a recorder nightmare, that they were going to do partner projects in the literature section of class, he dropped his folder and narrowly avoided falling out of his chair.

He could have sworn he heard a snicker from Kinimoto's backpack, which meant that the stupid plushie was inside. Nevertheless, he began praying to Clow - and if anyone could save him, his all-powerful ancestor could - that he would not have to work with her. Please.

Clow's spirit must have been listening, because when Tereda-sensei got to his name, he discovered that his partner was Naoko Yanagisawa. Interesting…

In all honesty though, he knew next to nothing about the girl, but she seemed quiet and studious.

Well, she could not be that bad. Certainly not as bad as Kinimoto, or Daidouji, with the way she was always fawning over the girl. Ridiculous…

 

“So, Li-kun, when would you like to work on our project?”

He frowned. “Which book are we doing the report on?”

“Well, if you don't have a preference, I'll pick something.” Naoko said cheerfully. “Do you like adventure stories?” Most boys did.

He frowned, but the suggestion did have merit. It was better than reading a stupid fairy tale. “All right. You can choose, as long as it's not too girly.”

She was too good-natured to be offended, and happily browsed through the bookshelves with an air of familiarity while he doodled on a piece of notepaper.

He watched as she came back with a thick book, old too, by the looks of it, the cover was leather with gold inscribed. Even though he feigned nonchalance, he was interested. This book must contain some important information. Perhaps even something to help his quest for the Clow Cards…

Naoko smiled. “I've already read it, Li-kun, so you can borrow it for a few days. We can meet next week on Saturday, all right?”

He nodded absentmindedly as he flipped the over open, and nearly dropped the book in shock.

The-The Book of Merlin?

He'd heard of Merlin in passing, his family studied Eastern magic, not Western, but he knew enough to be impressed. He eagerly took the book from her with trembling hands and began reading.

Naoko smiled indulgently. She knew the value of a good book…

Syaoran read through everything in less than two days, despite the foreign language. He devoured the book eagerly, wishing that he could learn the magic therein. When Naoko came to do the book report, he was more than happy to work with her.

They spent an afternoon painting a poster, Naoko drew the characters and Syaoran drew the knights, and they both collaborated on the dragon. Really, it wasn't bad, that afternoon, and she was glad that he seemed to be coming out of his shell.

Of course, months later, when they faced the Create card and the giant dragon, he wished he hadn't helped. It reminded him too much of the story, and the magic words he muttered under his breath from the Book of Merlin were wholly ineffective.

That was probably when he realized the Book of Merlin was not magic, but fiction. It was a terrible shock.

Perhaps it explained why he had little interaction with Naoko after.

 

End Fic

Completed 1/22/06

It was for the shrine, but I don't think I posted it there.