Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction ❯ The Subtle Knife ❯ Chapter 1

Disclaimer: CCS belongs to CLAMP and Kodansha. This non-profit non-copyright infringing fanfiction belongs to me.

Canon: No, this is an AU

Pairing: Yue x Syaoran, perhaps implied Clow x Yue and Cerberus x harem girls… I know I'm getting odd looks already!

Title: The Subtle Knife

Summary: Empress Ruby Moon of the Dark Moon Kingdom sends assassin Li Syaoran after the Emperor of the Light Moon Kingdom, Yue…

Notes: OOCness, Clow cards speak in italics and some thoughts are **

Timeline:

Chapter 1

 

“This is no simple task, Li Syaoran, as you are most likely well aware.” The Empress stated. “You are the only one I can trust in this area. Only you have the proper alignment to pass as a citizen of the Moon Kingdom.”

“Yes, my Empress.” Syaoran said. The sixteen-year old looked younger than his years, large, innocent chocolate eyes and mussed brown hair. He was dressed simply, in the dark jacket and pants common all the citizens of the Dark Moon Kingdom, ruled by Empress Ruby Moon.

“Now then,” She said, “You have six months upon which to complete your task, but it must be done before I cast the resurrection to bring back the Greatest Sorcerer ever known, and the rightful lord of this kingdom - Clow Reed. You are one of his descendants, are you not?”

“Only distantly, my empress.”

“It is no matter. As you know, Spinel Sun and Cerberus, of the Dark and Light Sun Kingdoms, have broken all contact with us. However, neither of them would dare prevent this glorious reawakening. Cerberus is a fool who cares only for his stomach and the hundred cooks he employs, and Spinel loses himself in his books and loses touch with reality. Even if he senses my magic gathering, it will be too late.”

“Yes, my Empress.”

“However, Yue has always been the guardian closest to Clow. Ah… I remember those olden days when we had no scattered lands but only the Kingdom of Clow, strong and united, but then the old fool chose to die…” Ruby Moon cut herself off before she said more. It wasn't as if Syaoran would blab to anyone, he was far too discreet for that, but perhaps this would distract him. Enough.

“Although your prowess with the sword and dagger is to be commended, and your magical skills are far from obsolete, I am afraid that as a guardian, even one weaker than I, Yue will be a formidable opponent. Obviously, guile would work best in this case, but Yue is quite sharp and your acting skills are lacking somewhat.”

Syaoran scowled slightly, but nodded in agreement.

“Therefore, I shall grant you some aid…” From within her bodice, Ruby Moon drew out five cards.

Time, Return, Illusion, Erase, and Shadow gleamed darkly, the dim light sparkling off red and gold filigree.

Syaoran's eyes widened. “The fabled cards-!”

“Indeed. Without Clow, they are free for the guardians to command, and travel the kingdoms at will.”

He reached out a hand that barely trembled and received them, but to his surprise, only four remained…

Time, Return, … Dash and… Freeze?

Ruby Moon frowned. “That is quite different. Apparently they chose you. Use them well, Li Syaoran. Now, I have arranged for the papers and apparel to prove you a wanderer - hardly an oddity in times like these. You have some skill with the flute, so if you can obtain employment in the Palace that way, so be it. Or, you may wish to prove with your sword your worth - I hear that Yue picks all his candidates for palace guards personally, and he has none now - the dark plague wiped out most of his country, I daresay. Well, enough of my chattering. Be on your way.”

He bowed politely as he exited. Of course, he wasn't quite allowed to say that his Empress was insane, but!

No one had ever gotten close to Emperor Yue. They claimed that his heart was solid ice, which explained why he was so pale, and his skin was cold to the touch…

Syaoran sighed. What a pickle. In his small but sumptuous quarters, he packed his luggage swiftly, changing into garments of a moderate gray shade, neither light nor dark, but common enough. He belted his broadsword onto his back, glad for once that his mother had made him something plain, nothing fancy to indicate his association with the Li Clan of assassins, all of whom served Empress Ruby Moon. Two daggers went into hip-sheaths, then another two into his black boots. Around his neck dangled an almost invisible pendant, a black bell on a slender black cord, with a small red tassel, but he kept it hidden beneath his shirt. Several other changes of clothing, some necessities, and food for a week went into the knapsack, as he headed for the mountains that separated the two countries.

Dash… Dash made one travel faster, without wasting energy… in that case; it would only take a few hours, perhaps a day…

He stroked the embossed card with his fingertips, wondering… the Clow Cards were a deeply kept secret, but his family knew of some, being Clow's relatives on his mother's side. However, the few books that the Li Clan possessed had only told of the fifty-two elemental cards and the Decision Maker, Cerberus…

If the Clow Cards were scattered the world would fall into chaos, and indeed, after Clow's death, there had been Chaos. Finally, the four guardians split the kingdom into four separate kingdoms, and each took over as a ruler.

Cerberus ruled the Sun Kingdom, small, but pleasant enough, a desert spotted with oases. He cared for naught but his stomach… his kingdom lay to the Eastern lands.

Spinel ruled over the dark forests to the West. Yue's kingdom spanned the frozen mountains of the North, and Ruby Moon the tropical jungles of the south.

Truly, if united again, the Kingdom of Clow would be a wonderful place…

 

It was a pity he hadn't been sent to assassinate Cerberus. A little poison in those sweets the guardian loved so much and poof, instant victory!

Well, no use moping… Syaoran pulled his dark gray cloak more tightly about his shoulders as they entered the realm of ice…

It started to snow. Possibly the Storm card was having fun, or perhaps Cloud or Rain….

He shrugged. It was none of his concern. Freeze protected him from any that might cross his path, and soon, he was nearing the ice castle.

Transparent crystal spires trimmed with silver and marble rose to the sky. Around the castle were clustered several groups of igloos?

Well, perhaps other dwellings would not hold up in these extreme conditions.

 

Freeze and Dash smiled - if a fox and fish can smile, before the spirits faded back into the cards he held. He quickly tucked them back into his jacket.

How… odd.

Well, no matter. He had six month's time to earn the ruler's trust…

It would have to do.

 

Slowly, the metal gates creaked open. A card spirit stood there - from her attire Syaoran guessed she was the Snow Card.

Are you here to see Master Yue?

“Yes, please.” Syaoran nodded.

Ah, another Wanderer. Well, perhaps you can entertain him - he's been absolutely no fun for years…

Syaoran blinked, wondering how he could understand but not bothering to comment. “I see.”

I'll call him. Oh! Are you any good with a sword? I'm just asking…

Syaoran's brow crinkled. Were the cards supposed to be this direct? Or… he gave a half-smile. “I'm decent.”

Excellent! Please come in!

Was it really this easy, Syaoran wondered, as he entered?

 

End Chapter

Completed 5/25/05

Syaoran: I hope this doesn't end up like your other fics

Phantomness: Me too

Yue: …