Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction ❯ The Red Dragon ❯ The Book of CLOW ( Prologue )

The Red Dragon

By KangaKilla

Dedicated to: Umbrella, thanks for the help

Disclaimer: I don't own CCS CLAMP does so go and talk to them.

Summery: AU set in ancient times, eg no electricity, magic is not a common thing there is the Clow book, Clow reed is dead, and Xiaolang and Sakura haven't met. The Red Dragon is a ruby of magnificent power now yeah I know lots of people have stories about stones of power but ill try and make it as different as possible.

Clans: the Li clan, the Kinomoto Clan, the Shung Hai Clan and the Xioushu Clan. These are all situated in different places eg the Li Clan is in the North, Kinomoto in the West, Shung Hai the South and Xioushu in the east. Now hopefully ill be able to help you understand mostly of what is going on inside my head.

KK/ yes I know that I have SAKURA- cherry blossom and a whole heap of other fics that I have to finish but this had been in my head for days and I cant seem to write anything else so here it is. Hopefully you like it as much as you like SAKURA- cherry blossom O_o

Prologue: The Book of CLOW

Xiaolang Li stood to attention; the Clan leaders had summoned him to be ready for a long journey to the out ridges of Shin liou, the ruins of the once powerful emperor of Jatsuigen, their land and their world. The Red Dragon, a powerful red stone that held the magic of the all-powerful emperor who stored it away just before the demon world struck and before the emperor was killed. The stone was said to bring the land back to what it used to be, and to give the bearer of the stone otherworldly power and strength. Although many thought it to be just a myth others like the Li Clan thought it to be real and wanted in their possession. Xiaolang blew his unruly chestnut bangs out of his amber eyes and stared with a cold hard gaze as the elders conferred, wondering if maybe Xiaolang was too young still. At eighteen years old Xiaolang had proved himself to be a worthy clan leader although they had to wait until he was back from retrieving the stone before he was blessed and given the rightful title. The elders turned towards him and spoke with their scratchy voices.

"Xiaolang Li, son of Hushaw Li (I don't know his dads name) and Yelan Li, son of the Li Clan we have decided to send you to retrieve The Red Dragon to the Li Clans possession and therefore in return for that you will become the leader of the Li Clan upon your imminent return. DO you have any questions?" Xiaolang stood there pondering what had been said, he had awaited this day for some time, the rules of the Li Clan were starting to get to him, he had to take some time alone to actually find out who the hell he was. Shaking his head he bowed to them and was dismissed. He would pack right away, the sooner he went the sooner he could get away from the whole oppressing life of the Li Clan and the big responsibilities that were lain on his shoulders.

~*~

Mei Lin Rae cousin to Xiaolang Li sighed in contempt, they had told her she could go with Xiaolang for a short while, but his journey must be done alone. Deciding that it was a waste of time just going and then turning around when Xiaolang told her to she decided to go and visit his older sister Futtie and her husband in Tasugi, a city that was at least a weeks ride away. Smiling at her own genius she packed her things promptly and went down to have her last comfortable and civilised dinner before her journey with Xiaolang.

Brushing her long silky black hair away from her face she wrapped it into two buns on the sides of her head and let some hang down, slipping on her boots Mei Lin looked at herself in the looking glass, `urg I look like a boy in these clothes' she thought and made a face at herself in the looking glass. Unsatisfied with her appearance Mei Lin walked outside anyway and strapped her bags to the horse she was to ride. `Maybe its not too late to stay here' she thought looking at the "boy" saddle. `This is going to be such a long ride.'

~*~

Xiaolang growled as he saw Mei Lin standing beside her horse waiting for him `why did she have to come? I thought this was MY journey, MY test' shaking his head he glared down at Mei Lin who was only slightly shorter then himself and flung himself on top of his horse and settled into the saddle. Mei Lin glared at Xiaolang and put her hands on her hips.

"Aren't you going to help me?" She cried out, anger evident with the way she stood. Xiaolang just glared right back making Mei Lin take a step back.

"Get up yourself, your only coming with me as a passenger, it is of no concern what you do, just hurry it up, your going to make me loose time." Stopping the hurt tears from forming in her eyes Mei Lin muttered some choice words and pulled herself up somewhat difficultly onto the horse and sat down grabbing the reins `ill get him for that the inconsiderate baka' smiling grimly Mei Lin nudged her horse forwards with her knees and caught up to Xiaolang who in turn spurred his horse into a gallop leaving Mei Lin to follow more slowly but non the less in a gallop also so as not to loose her idiot cousin.

~*~

It was getting dark, the road was becoming hard to see, Xiaolang ordered a stop and hopped off his horse and tied it to a tree branch before grabbing his saddle bags and flinging them to the ground. Mei Lin looked at the ground then at Xiaolang, the ground again and looked back to Xiaolang.

"What are you doing? Get of the horse and tie it up," Xiaolang snapped before going into the trees to gather firewood. Mei Lin mimicked Xiaolang before sliding slowly off of her horse and setting herself down. `I really do hate it when he's all nasty like that' Mei Lin smiled slightly `I suppose that means that I hate him all the time' shrugging Mei Lin pulled her bags off of her horse and settled on the ground pulling out some food and a blanket, it was getting cold `hurry up Xiaolang, get the fire going I'm flipping cold' grinding her teeth she settled back to wait for him.

~*~

Sakura watched minimally aware of what was going on around her. `This is getting to be boring' stifling a yawn Sakura went back to listening to her father speak to the elders about something or another. A loud crash was heard down the hall way that startled Sakura, placing her hand on her Shoju (I couldn't help it I like those fan things, all those who don't know what a Shoju is I made up the name for it but what it is are razor sharp metal fans that are used when fighting,) and kept it there, her eyes trained on the door, it swung open quickly and was closed almost Immediately. Her brother stood there, blood dripping down his arm, startled she launched herself off of her chair and ran to his side, Yukito Touya's best friend stood there sword drawn and he was turned towards the door ready to fight.

"Touya what happened?" Sakura asked frightened, she brushed her honey brown hair from her eyes to get a better look at Touya, "who was it?" she asked. Touya turned his gaze to her; it was slightly pained and hurt.

"They're after the Clow book, Sakura, get it and run." He ordered and pushed her to Yukito "take her and protect her, well hold them off for as long as we can, whatever you do DON'T let them have to book." And with that Touya dragged Sakura towards the door and looked out of it, the cost was clear and opening the door he pushed her and Yukito towards the library and ran down the opposite way to them to where the fighting sounds were coming from. Yukito grabbed Sakura's arm and pulled her thought the halls to the library, pushing the door open they rushed to where the Clow book was held and Sakura grabbed it holding it close to her chest. The sounds of fighting were getting closer. Yukito looked towards the door, a worried look crossed his face as he ushered Sakura over to the window where he opened it and pulled her up.

"Run Sakura, keep going and don't look back." With that Yukito dropped Sakura out of the window and closed it behind her just as the library door crashed open and the sound of Yukito and Touya shouting could be heard. Sakura eyes wide if fear for her family ran just as Yukito told her to, the book was important and if that was what whoever was attacking them wanted then they would not get it.

Sakura crouched behind the well Shoju in one hand and the Clow book clutched to her chest in the other. She could see who was attacking Bukiro village, they were dressed in black and had a dark blue scarf wrapped around their heads. `Teshu ninja' her mind stated and her fear now grew for her. They were an ominous enemy and tough to beat. Once the coast was clear Sakura dodged behind buildings and trees to stay hidden, she was almost out of the village until she bumped into one of the Teshu ninja. Growling low in her throat so as not to show any fear Sakura launched herself at the ninja, the sooner she got rid of him the sooner she could get away and keep the book safe, if she dawdled here then more ninja were sure to see her with the book. The ninja took out a samurai sword and twisted it so that the blade gleamed. Both fighters jabbed and lunged trying to gain the upper hand. Sakura getting a little peeved that the ninja wouldn't back down decided that fighting dirty was the prince she had to pay if she wanted to get out fast, so lowering her honour Sakura kneed the ninja in the place where the sun doesn't shine and left the poor ninjas to wallow on the ground in pain. Jumping over fallen logs she scrambled away from her burning village and following Yukito's orders she didn't look back not once, but not looking back cost her a lot, she didn't see the ninja behind the tree that pulled back his arm and through a dagger straight at Sakura's back and only by the will of fate did she slip and it landed in her shoulder, digging deep into her flesh, crying out in pain she gripped her shoulder, her Shoju back into her belt, the book still in her hand. Stumbling in the growing dark Sakura did not stop her running, she didn't look back to see who had hit her or to see if they were still following her. The trees were becoming thicker and she was starting to get black dots before her eyes. Realised that she was loosing too much blood and would collapse soon she sent out her magic, her own creating a SOS to anyone with magic that was close by. All sorcerers whether evil or good would take in a fellow mage if they were in need of help. It was because that magic was so rare that this happened. Stumbling Sakura fell to her knees and slowly pulled herself up wincing as she had to use her arm where she'd been hit by the dagger to help her get up. Again she continued to move, she had to get as far away from Bukiro as possible.

Eyes closing with exhaustion Sakura flung them open as she sensed a slight green aura that was getting closer to her. `Someone coming to help me?' she asked herself as tears of pain and exhaustion travelled down her face. `Please be someone coming to help me' trying to hold onto consciousness Sakura sent out another magical cry for help hoping that whoever possessed the green aura would answer her call.

~*~

Xiaolang stooped in his search for firewood, there was the flare of pink magic he'd felt earlier and had passed it off as his imagination. Feeling it again he moved slowly towards it, sword out ready to fight if that was what it intended. Eyes wide to see better in the dark all his senses were on the alert. There, just up ahead he heard the slow and clumsy footsteps of either a creature or a human, he wasn't sure, sword at the ready he hid up in a tree and squatted waiting.

~*~

Sakura stumbled again and fell with a soft thud on her side, her injured arm screamed out in pain and Sakura along with it. Rolling onto her back Sakura held it tightly to staunch the blood that dribbled down her arm. Eyes closed in pain Sakura didn't notice the figure as it jumped from the tree just a few paces away from her and take cautious steps towards her. Mumbling Sakura pulled herself back cursing herself for crying out. Getting up slowly Sakura searched the trees behind her for any black clad figures, sighing in relief she secured the Clow book under her arm and went to take a step forwards and fell to her knees.

"I have to keep going, they can't get it." She whispered to herself trying to get up again. Xiaolang watched in amazement as the girl before him continued to fall and get back up, he could tell she was injured and any normal girl would have just given up and stayed on the ground to die. This girl was different and he could feel the diminishing pink aura, `this is the one that called for help' he realised and cleared his throat to announce his arrival.

Sakura looked up from the ground and stared, there was a man looking down at her, she could sense a faint green aura and smiled slightly.

"You came" she stated relieved. "You came" she repeated before collapsing to the ground unconscious due to the lack of blood and exhaustion.

Xiaolang's eyes widened `was she just staying awake waiting for someone to show up?' he asked himself as he was bent over her prone form checking her wounds, there was a gash that was across her thigh and the deep wound in her shoulder where the dagger had once been. Sighing Xiaolang ripped some of his clothes and wrapped it around her wounds to stop the bleeding then placing a gentle hand on her forehead he checked to make sure she didn't have a fever and satisfied that she wasn't going to die anytime soon he picked the girl up not even noticing that she was still clutching tightly the Clow book.

~*~

Mei Lin stood up abruptly as she heard a twig snap and turned towards the noise, there was a rustling of bushes and then out came Xiaolang carrying a girl in his arms. Mei Lin growled `he left me alone in the woods so he could go and frolic with some girl?' she asked herself angrily and was about to say something until she saw a sticky substance on the girl's clothes. `Blood?' she thought and her eyes widened at the thought and she felt faint. Xiaolang quickly glanced at Mei Lin before setting the girl down.

"Quickly, grab some ointment, wood to start a fire and some bandages." Mei Lin huffed in annoyance but complied all the while watching out of the corner of her eyes as Xiaolang started to undress the girl. `What is he some kind of pervert?' she thought eyes widening, `I'm travelling with a pervert' calming herself down Mei Lin did everything she was told and stood back as Xiaolang pulled off the last of her outer clothing, leaving her in only her breast band and loin cloth (oh so primitive isn't it?) she had a beautiful body but Xiaolang wasn't even taking notice of that, he had just found out to what extents her injuries were, she had scrapes and bruises all over her body, gashes across her stomach and almost everywhere on her body. It was actually scary to think that this could happened to a girl. Lighting the fire with his magic Xiaolang brought out a pot from his bags and used his magic again to fill it with water.

"What happened to you?" he asked Sakura quietly as he looked over her body and only then did he realise what he had done and that he was looking at a semi naked woman who had an incredible body. Blushing profusely and glad it was dark he turned to the water and soaked some cloth in it before bringing it back to the injured girl to clean her up. Wincing as he wiped the blood away from her shoulder he grimaced.

"I'm going to have to sew that up" he stated the Mei Lin behind him. "Get me some leather twine and a needle." He ordered going back to the job at hand. Lifting Sakura gently onto her side he gasped. Her back was just as bad as her front. Growling he actually swore that he'd kill whoever did this to her. `I have no idea who this girl is and yet I'm protective of her? What's gotten into me?' slightly confused he pushed all thoughts from his head unless it concerned the medical treatment he was giving the girl.

"Mei Lin came back and stood there for a while playing with the hem of her shirt before asking a question that both embarrassed her and horrified her.

"Do you think that maybe she was raped?" she asked quietly. Mei Lin noticed that Xiaolang's back stiffened before he continued washing the girl.

"I don't think so," he replied in a whisper. "There would be… er blood thee," he said a little uncomfortably. Mei Lin nodded her head and sighed in relief.

It took a whole hour to get Sakura patched up and safe in a blanket near the fire. Xiaolang watched as Mei Lin went to sleep but he couldn't. `Who had done this to that girl and what was the book she had been holding so tightly?' he had noticed it when he was undressing her. 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.

~*~*~*~

KangaKilla: so what you think? I think its pretty good so far, finally I got that out of my head. A pretty good prologue if I do say so myself, now maybe ill be able to continue with SAKURA- cherry blossom.