Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction ❯ The Subtle Knife ❯ Chapter 2

I'm actually trying hard in this fic, so I hope someone likes it!

Notes: ** for thoughts, some of the time, Clow Cards speak in italics

Chapter 2

 

Snow led him down several corridors, all lovingly decorated in silver and white and hints of blue and gold, but all empty…

It was odd. He couldn't really feel any other auras here. He could feel his guide, since she was so close to him, and perhaps two or three others that might be card spirits, but this place felt so empty…

Finally, a set of large double doors swung inwards. They were quite fine doors, carved out of ice with Jack Frost's paintings dancing over mirror-bright surfaces, little sprays of frost in sweeping patterns, but what caught Syaoran's attention was their familiar- yes, almost familiar feeling…

I made those doors, a voice suddenly whispered, sad…

“Freeze?”

The card seemed to pulse once, although he wasn't sure how he felt it, but no matter… Snow had opened the doors and dragged him in when he didn't seem to be moving fast enough.

Yue-sama, I've brought him.

“Interesting.” Syaoran jerked his eyes upwards. There, seated on a throne - well, he assumed it was a throne, although it seemed more like a chair carved out of black onyx, which stood out against the blinding light of the other furnishings, sat an angel.

That was his first reaction.

Long, white hair fell past his feet, contrasting with the pristine white of his garments and his feathered wings, but the eyes that met Syaoran's were an artic blue, shading towards silver and lavender occasionally. In his bare hands, rested what looked like a small mobile - Libra, a voice whispered in his mind. So although Yue - and this had to be Yue - might look harmless, he most certainly wasn't.

“Why have you come to my kingdom? This is the land of eternal winter. I doubt any one would choose to come here of their own free will,” The moon guardian smiled thinly. “Did you see those few igloos out there? That's where the other guardians send their convicted prisoners. No kingdom is perfect, you know.”

Syaoran swallowed thickly. Libra was a card that could judge whether what you told was truth or not….

“What's your name, boy?”

“Xiao Lang,” He whispered. The Chinese version of Syaoran -for in Clow's kingdom they spoke a mixture of Chinese and Japanese, and most of the Li Clan lived in Cerberus's land, and he chose to speak Chinese. A small branch lived with Ruby Moon and served as her assassins - his mother's line.

Libra didn't tip and Yue nodded. The boy was speaking the truth at least. “Why are you here?”

“I…” Well, he couldn't just blurt out that he was here to assassinate Yue! Somehow, he did not think that would go over too well…

All of a sudden, everything seemed to stop. A different voice spoke, sorrowfully gentle.

You must not lie to him, Syaoran. If you lie all will be lost… tell the truth, and if you believe it to be truth, Libra will not judge you false.

We cannot buy you much time, Syaoran, but please, think of something!

Wait. This made no sense. Why were the Cards, Clow's Cards, helping him? If he was trying to kill one of Clow's guardians!

He shook his head. He'd ponder later.

For now…

He watched as the brown peeled from his vision - time must have restarted. “I'm here to seek employment.”

Yue frowned. Libra hadn't tipped… “Of what use would a mortal be to me? I have no need of guards or attendants - I have the Cards of the moon to command at my will.” Snow flushed from where she was guarding the door.

 

“I… well, I heard that you needed guards… since most of the ones you hired were dead…” He flushed under that scrutinizing glare. True, empress Ruby Moon stared at him all the time, but this was different!

The moon guardian frowned. True, to an extent… he was a child of the moon and really, it was lucky the Cards did not feed off his energy or he would have been sucked dry within hours…

This child…

He frowned, the feeling of familiarity…. So this child had moon magic, somewhat trained, but not much, and he had Clow's blood, perhaps…

“Very well.”

Syaoran blinked. * What? *

“Amuse me,” Yue snapped his fingers and Libra vanished. Syaoran hesitated, before he took out his flute. It was simple enough, stainless steel like so many other flutes in the land. Bringing it to his lips, he began to play…

Originally, he had planned several folk tunes, but now, something compelled him to play, so the shivering cadenzas and trills crescendoed into a blizzard of sound, reminiscent of the snow swirling outside the windowpanes in fierce array.

Snow smiled inwardly. She appreciated the music. It captured her essence - this Syaoran was talented, if nothing else. Outside, the snow spiraled and danced with her command. Slowly, the song wound down to a close…

 

Interesting. Quite interesting. He had expected, perhaps, a country bumpkin of Cerberus's type - happiness and laughter and those things that weren't real. The music was quite lovely, indeed. Song might wish to have a chat with him.

“Can you fight?”

Syaoran nodded, keeping his eyes lowered, as expected before an Emperor. Luckily, it also served to hide his fear…

“Fight.”

Syaoran blinked, then watched as a girl in pale blue materialized. She didn't wait before attacking him, and he quickly began blocking her strikes with his flute.

Amusing, using a musical instrument as a weapon, and yet, it served him quite well… within several more strokes Fight had backed up, and Xiao Lang pressed closer… moments passed, and yes, the victor was becoming quite clear…

“Enough.”

Fight and Xiao Lang both blinked.

“That's quite enough, Syaoran. You seem capable enough.” He shrugged at the boy's stunned look. “That's your name in Japanese, or didn't you know?”

“I…”

He had been afraid that Yue had found out about his assignment from Ruby Moon, but apparently that wasn't the case.

“Snow, show him to a room.”

Snow nodded as she led Syaoran out. I'm sure you and Yue-sama will get along well!

“Really?”

Of course! If my siblings like you, there must be something special about you!

“Your siblings?”

The four you've brought with you, of course! It's so odd. I didn't think any of them would settle down, except for Sweet, who lives with Cerberus-sama, and Create, since he lives in this castle…

“Oh, the Cards…” That made sense…

Snow grinned. You should talk to Song! She'll probably like your music as well! Here's your room!

Syaoran nodded, wondering just what he had gotten himself into.

 

End Chapter

Completed 5/25/05

Syaoran: Hm

Phantomness: I hope this Plotbunny lives…