The Guiding Star

An Old Rival: Chapter Nine

By: Sakura

“You’re getting weak, Xiao Lang,” commented the figure before him.

Xiao Lang looked up in surprise as the figure sheathed his sword. “Yu Hong?” he asked. The figure smirked.

“And here I thought you forgot all about me,” said Yu Hong with mock sadness. The older boy stared down at the Chinese prince, almost condescendingly. “Like I said earlier, Xiao Lang, you’re getting weak. You’ve let your guard down far too much. You’d expect a fugitive to watch his back a little more, but you’re as careless as usual. And to think, you’re considered to be one of the most skilful magicians in the entire Li Clan.” The two men glared at each other, neither making a move. “It’s sad, really,” added Yu Hong with a slight sneer.

Xiao Lang stood up, dusting his robes and pointedly ignoring Yu Hong as he walked over to Sakura’s side. Yu Hong joined him momentarily and studied the sleeping girl. “So, this is Kinomoto Sakura,” he breathed in an oddly quiet tone. He reached a hand toward her face, but pulled back, as if changing his mind. His heart suddenly hardened as another thought washed over him. “Looks like you never change, Xiao Lang,” he said looking away, bitterness in his voice. “First you steal Wing Kay from me. Then you steal this princess from Shui Ken.” Yu Hong turned back to face him, his eyes full of anger and accusation. “You always have to take something that belongs to someone else! Just because you’re a prince, you think you can have whatever you want!”

At the mention of the former girl’s name, Xiao Lang’s mouth had dropped, but had shut tight again when Yu Hong mentioned Sakura. “I did not ‘steal’ Sakura!” he shouted hotly, a sudden blush creeping onto his cheeks.

“You shouldn’t be so loud, idiot,” he stated in a low tone. “If there were soldiers in this area, they would have found you by now.” Yu Hong narrowed his eyes, took a step forward, and stared hard at Xiao Lang. Xiao Lang stood his ground, unflinchingly. “And just why are you blushing?” Xiao Lang’s eyes widened when he realized his face had taken a rather unnatural shade of red and quickly wiped the blush away, muttering something incoherent under his breath. Yu Hong didn’t hear him but knew it was probably the opposite of politeness.

“Also, I did not ‘steal’ Wing Kay from you,” added Xiao Lang afterward. Yu Hong was about to retort but Xiao Lang held up his hand and stopped him. “Forget that already. She’s gone, anyway, and she’s never returning.” Yu Hong didn’t reply to that. It was a topic they both tried to avoid as much as possible. Thinking about it hurt sometimes… “What are you doing here?” asked the Chinese Prince finally, after a few minutes of silence.

“The Elders wanted me to get you,” he answered in a serious tone, choking back his previous anger. “I can’t ever understand why they want to see you so much,” he muttered, with a careless laugh. “One would have thought you were special or something to that extent. Well?” Yu Hong took a sidelong glance at Xiao Lang and found him to be deep in thought. Yu Hong always liked to provoke Xiao Lang and make him angry, because it showed everyone that the Prince wasn’t as perfect as he seemed. “So, the great Prince Xiao Lang is too stuck up to even answer little ole Yu Hong, huh? I expected as much.”

Xiao Lang turned and glared fiercely at Yu Hong. “Shut up,” he said quietly. His expression instantly changed to indifference again. “Then let’s go,” he added, in a cold voice. He gathered Sakura into his arms and left the riverside, Yu Hong following, with a bitter, but rather satisfied smile on his face, thinking of how someday he would show everyone how far from perfect this Prince really was.

~*~*~*~*~*~

“We forbid it.”

“But… Can’t you see? I couldn’t just leave her there!” argued Xiao Lang from his seat with frustration.

The lead Li Elder, Jian Wei, stood up and stared down at the younger Li in a condescending manner. He was a rather intimidating figure. Though getting on in years, he was tall with broad shoulders, and brown eyes that seemed to pierce through one’s very soul. His dark brown hair was braided like everyone other male’s, except for Xiao Lang, whose hair wasn’t long enough any longer for that. “You do realize you have absolutely no say in this matter, Xiao Lang,” he answered coolly. “Kinomoto will be sent back to Li Shui Ken immediately. This topic is closed.” Jian Wei turned around and started to leave, but he paused and turned back to Xiao Lang. “You are to start your journey immediately, for your foolishness with this girl has made you lose much time. Yu Hong will accompany Kinomoto back to the palace. She is no longer of your concern.” The Li Elder turned away again and left the room.

“No,” thought Xiao Lang, almost despairingly, “she just can’t go back to Shui Ken. There has to be some way… If only there was something - some reason - that would let her stay with-” Something bright caught his eye at that moment… A necklace of coins sat on a side table. The coins were round with a square whole in the center, with words written around it. Then it came back to him. Sakura possessed a pendant; a small gold star encircled in pink. The Star pendant had been essential for his mission. Xiao Lang leapt to his feet and hurried after the Li Elder. He ran down the hallway until he reached its end.

Jian Wei had been sorting through old parchments from his desk when someone burst into the room. The Li Elder turned around angrily and glared at the intruder. No one was allowed to enter his room without his consent. Finding Xiao Lang again, his face contorted with anger. “If this is about the Japanese girl again… I’ve already told you, this subject is closed and-”

“But, Elder Jian Wei,” interrupted Xiao Lang quietly, “Kinomoto Sakura possesses the Star pendant. Surely that is reason enough for her to stay with me.”

The Li Elder reeled back with surprise and dropped the scroll he had been reading. “You cannot mean…” Xiao Lang nodded silently. Jian Wei quickly processed the new facts through his mind. Xiao Lang could be making it up…just so she could stay with him… On the other hand, she really could have it…but if she didn’t have the proper magic to wield it, she would still be useless. “Let us see her,” he finally told Xiao Lang, “and then we’ll decide.”

~*~*~*~*~*~

With eyelids fluttering open, Sakura awoke, only to find herself lying in a bed. She couldn’t understand how she had gotten there. The last thing she remembered was falling asleep against Xiao Lang’s shoulder while they had been travelling, in a hurry to get away from his cousins’ home. Sitting up and stretching with a yawn, she peered through the drapes and took in her new surroundings with a glance. She was definitely not back at the palace. Although she was in a small room, Sakura could see that the place was void of any decorations. It was a plain four-walled room with a bed on one wall, a small table on the adjoining wall, and doors on the wall opposite of the table. Even the drapes for the bed were a plain blue colour. The fourth wall was devoid of anything except for a small window, which someone had left open, letting the moonlight stream into the room. If it weren’t for that window and a little candle alight on the table, the room would have been pitch-black.

“Finally awake?” came a voice from behind the wall of the head at the bed. Sakura suddenly froze and released her hold on the drapes at once. She hadn’t realized there was someone else in the room. As she heard footsteps approaching, Sakura slowly moved backward until she hit the wall, and stayed close to it. The steps were walking around to the side of the bed. When the steps stopped, she could see the shadow of a figure through the drapes and watched rather fearfully as the figure pulled the drapes open and held them with one hand. Although the light coming from the window illuminated the figure, Sakura could see immediately that it was a man, but this didn’t make her feel the least bit better. The unknown person tied back the drapes to both sides of the bed and sat down. Sakura stared at him soundlessly. This man was rather handsome with dark grey eyes and his long forest green hair braided simply. The aura surrounding him seemed to be one that held immense power…and power that still had yet to surface.

Finally finding her voice, Sakura asked him, in a rather timid voice, “Who are you?”

The grey-eyed man watched her for a moment without saying anything. Suddenly, he stood up and flashed her a grin. Bowing slightly, he said, “My name is Li Yu Hong. You’re Kinomoto Sakura?” It was more of a statement than a question. Sakura nodded wordlessly. “It is my given task to accompany you back to the palace.”

“Back to the palace…” repeated Sakura blankly. “You can’t mean…back to Prince Li…?”

Yu Hong nodded. “You are his concubine after all. Xiao Lang had no right to kidnap you like that. He’s caused everyone so much trouble and-”

“I am…I am no such thing!” she interrupted vehemently. Yu Hong fell silent at her sudden outburst. “And Xiao Lang didn’t kidnap me,” she added, a little more quietly. “He saved me, really…”

Anger suddenly flashed in Yu Hong’s dark eyes. He reached out and held her shoulders in his tight grip, pulling her to her feet. Sakura tried to struggle out of it, but he was far stronger than she was. “Don’t you dare think of Xiao Lang as your saviour,” he hissed into her ear. “That…boy…has used other girls like you… They were just as innocent as you - just as stupid - thinking he could help them. He doesn’t care for you; only himself!” He released her and Sakura fell back onto the bed. Listening to him walk across the room, Sakura wondered if she imagined the bitterness etched all over his face, and the way he shook when he spoke about Xiao Lang. There was such hatred in his tone. But were his words true? Was Xiao Lang really that sort of person?

Yu Hong had reached the window and was about to pull it shut when something stopped it from moving. He was roughly pushed aside as another figure slipped in and closed the window behind him. The only light in the room was the candle.

“You should watch what you say about me, Yu Hong,” said Xiao Lang coldly.

Dusting himself off, Yu Hong glared at the Chinese Prince. “It’s not like what I said isn’t true,” he sneered.

Completely ignoring him, Xiao Lang walked the length of the room until he reached Sakura’s bedside. “How are you feeling?” he asked her softly, in a tone quite different from what he used for Yu Hong. “Better?” Sakura nodded slowly. “Are you…” Xiao Lang suddenly hesitated, as he tried to find the right words. “Do you think you can come with me now…to see the Council?” A look of surprised sprang to Sakura’s expression, but she nodded all the same. Xiao Lang helped her up from the bed and while she slipped on her shoes, Sakura chanced a glance at Yu Hong. He was still glaring at Xiao Lang, a rather sour expression on his face.

Xiao Lang led her out of the room and down the hallway silently. As Sakura watched him out of the corner of her eye, she noticed he had a rather strained expression on his face. “Is it true?” she asked quietly, breaking the silence. When Xiao Lang turned to her questioningly, she continued. “Is it true I have to be sent back to Prince Shui Ken?” Xiao Lang look startled at the question, but he didn’t answer. Instead, he chose to look away. “I see…so that’s how it is…” Sakura stopped walking at that point. Noticing she had stopped, Xiao Lang turned back and rejoined her.

“Look,” he said softly, placing his hands on her shoulders lightly, but Sakura refused to face him, “I don’t want you to be sent back to him. I’d rather die before he can get his hands on you. But I can’t argue with the Council. They’re going to decide what will happen; whether you stay with me or be sent back. But,” he added, taking hold of Sakura’s chin and gently lifting her head to face him, until their eyes locked together, “I promise I’ll do everything I can to make sure you don’t return to him.” Sakura’s bright emerald eyes stared into Xiao Lang’s searchingly, trying to find hope…to believe what he said.

Suddenly, someone behind Xiao Lang cleared their throat loudly and the pair broke apart. “Elder Chung Nan,” said Xiao Lang, bowing quickly. When the Li Elder looked past Xiao Lang, his eyes settled on Sakura, and he raised an eyebrow. Sakura, remembering her manners, followed suit and bowed to the Elder. “Well,” said Chung Nan, rather stiffly, “if you’re finished whatever you are doing, the Li Elders are ready to see you.” He turned, led the way down the hall and into a small, darkly lit room, with Xiao Lang and Sakura following meekly behind. The Elder immediately shut the doors behind him.

The room they had now stepped into was only slightly larger than the room Sakura had previously occupied. Before them was a circle of eight tables. At each table was seated one man. In the center of the room, with a slightly higher table and chair, sat Li Jian Wei. To his right were Li Ying Yu, Li Sik Kan, and Li Shun Shui. To his left were Li Chung Nan, Li Lok Man, Li Tik Yuen, and Li Shuk Yue. These eight men made up the Council of the Li Magicians, and they were some of the most powerful in the entire Li clan. The last man was Xiao Lang’s half-brother, and the second son of the former Emperor of China. As well, he was the youngest in the council. However, of this eight, three of them were older and much more experienced. They were looked up to, as well, and were considered wise in their years. These were the three Elders and the decisions they made were always final. They were Li Ying Yu, Li Chung Nan, and, of course, Li Jian Wei.

“Step forward,” commanded Jian Wei in a stern tone. Xiao Lang and Sakura immediately stepped to the center of the room. Sakura blinked as of a sudden spotlight had been placed on her, when she realized she felt a strange draft. Looking up, she saw that she not exactly in a room, but almost outdoors. In the center, where the roof should have been, there was an open ceiling, open to the night sky above. The moonlight flooded in through this gap and was the only source of light there.

“Kinomoto Sakura,” spoke Jian Wei quietly, yet instantly drawing her attention, “it has been mentioned to us that you possess a certain gold star pendant, also known as ‘the guiding star’. May we please see it?” His last sentence was more of a command than a request, but Sakura hadn’t moved once since he had spoken. Guiding star? What was that supposed to mean? Her hand moved to clutch the tiny star nestled on her throat, underneath her robes. This star pendant…it was given to her by her father before he died… It was merely something that had belonged to her family for generations…right? But when she thought about it, Sakura had no idea where her father had gotten this pendant.

Seeing a look of impatience cross the lead Elder’s face, Sakura unclasped the necklace, approached the high table where he sat, and placed the star on his table. Jian Wei picked up the tiny pendant with interest and studied it thoroughly before placing it down on his desk again. He sat back thoughtfully in his chair for a moment as all pairs of eyes turned to him to hear his comment.

“You were right, Xiao Lang,” Jian Wei said finally, giving her the pendant back. “But,” he added abruptly, when he saw the look of relief on Xiao Lang’s face, “it does not mean that she is capable of using it to its full extent. To her, this pendant could simply be a pretty little piece of jewellery that she likes to wear.”

Sakura stared at the Elder, forgetting it wasn’t showing good mannerisms, but she couldn’t help it. It meant she was going back to Shui Ken, didn’t it? She flinched slightly at the thought of him. She just couldn’t think of someone she hated more…

“However,” added the Li Elder again, seeing the look of horror on Sakura’s face, “we can test her to see if she can wield the powers of the star. After all, it is her possession and it would be rude to simply take it from her.” Jian Wei gave Sakura a slight smile, showing he was still capable of that sort of expression. “How does that sound to you?”

Before Sakura could answer, Xiao Lang took a step forward and flung a protective arm before her. “Hold on a moment. What do you mean by ‘test’ her?” he asked, glaring at the Elder. “What do you plan to do to her? If you hurt her…” Sakura looked up at Xiao Lang with surprise.

Jian Wei raised an eyebrow. “Rather keen in her safety, aren’t you?” he asked softly. “We would never give her a task she would be unable to accomplish. The task I have in mind would only test to see if she is capable of using the star pendant in her possession.”

Xiao Lang’s gaze hardened. “I’ve been through many of your tasks, Elder Jian Wei,” he said steadily, “and some of them I had barely been able to make it through with my life. How would I know Sakura wouldn’t be put through the same thing?”

“Because Elder Jian Wei gave you his word.” Xiao Lang turned around and faced the person who had spoken out. It was Shuk Yue. “If Elder Jian Wei says he won’t give her a task she wouldn’t be able to accomplish, then he will do just that. There’s no need to doubt his word, Prince Li.” By the look in Xiao Lang’s face, it was obvious he wasn’t any less reluctant about the entire manner.

“I accept and will do any task you wish to bestow on me.” Xiao Lang wheeled around in shock as he watched Sakura bow to the Elder.

“Sakura…you can’t possibly mean it…”

“Then we shall proceed, Princess Kinomoto,” said Jian Wei as he stood up. “We give you our word that if we find you acceptable, you may accompany Prince Li on his journey. However, if you aren’t viewed as acceptable, you will be sent back immediately to the palace, where, in technical terms, you now belong.” Sakura nodded her consent. But Xiao Lang was beside himself.

“Sakura,” he said, trying again. “You-”

“Prince Li,” interrupted Sakura, addressing Xiao Lang formally, “you’re the one who told me that the Council will decide whether I can stay or be sent back. I have to do this… But I promise you that I won’t fail.”

“Sakura…”

The other two Elders, Chung Nan and Ying Yu, rose from their seats as well. “If you’ll just follow us, Princess Kinomoto,” Ying Yu told her, not unkindly. Sakura nodded and followed them out of the room. She didn’t look back.

Xiao Lang watched her go, an expression of anger and sadness on his face. Through the entire time he had known her, Xiao Lang had never felt an inkling of magic within her. Either it was hidden deep down inside of her or she had none whatsoever. Either way, he wished her the best in her task.

Author’s Note: Gomen nasai! I realize it has been a long time since I updated this fic. The reason being because I had writer’s block and I had no time! =( As well, exams are now looming ahead once again. *sighs* There was supposed to be a different event that occurs in this chapter, but it got pushed back into the next chapter.

So, is Sakura going to stay with Xiao Lang or be sent back to Shui Ken? *shrugs* I don’t even know yet. ^_~ Would you like to decide again? Let me know soon, before I start the next chapter!

Bitter rivalry between Xiao Lang and Yu Hong, ne? As you can see, they obviously despise each other a great deal. And just who is “Wing Kay”? Don’t worry, you’ll all find out in due time. ^_~ But this chapter does raise quite a few questions, notice? =)

Do you all hate this fic or something? It’s been a very long time since I had any feedback regarding this… Or have I just taken too long to update? *sweatdrops* Just tell me what you think about this…

*Sakura
~The Animé Archives Team