Heartcaptor Syaoran

AU: Syaoran Li is determined to make the Cardcaptor Sakura Kinomoto his fiance to prove he has the right to become the next Li Clan head. But what if he falls in love with her for real—and has to deal with her long-time crush on Yukito Tsukishiro?

Chapter 1: The New Student

Sakura Kinomoto was sixteen, beautiful, and sweet. Green eyes, light brown hair, and a slender figure, coupled with a cheerful disposition, made her popular with both the boys and girls at Seijyo High. She had a best friend, Tomoyo Daidouji, who was just as beautiful, with long dark hair that curled at the ends, deep violet eyes, and smooth pale skin.

Together they shared a secret: Sakura was the Cardcaptor, who was busy gathering cards after she had accidentally opened a magic book her father had brought home. They'd had a few interesting adventures already, and Tomoyo had happily filmed each one of them. She'd also been delirious with joy because Sakura's adventures allowed her to design and create cute costumes for her best friend.

Tomoyo was currently giggling next to her. "There's a new boy in school! They say he's cuter than your crush, Yukito Tsukishiro!"

"He never could be," Sakura declared confidently. "Yuki is my number one!" And she turned her thoughts to the gentle, silver-haired man with the round glasses. She'd first gotten a crush on him when she was nine and he was a new transferee to her older brother Toya's school—now Sakura's school. She had eyes for no one else ever since.

"Yes, well, let's wait till he thinks the same way," Tomoyo said, laughing. "Especially since he's surrounded by all those beautiful women where he works!"

Sakura sighed. It was awful; since he'd graduated from college, she only saw Yukito when she went to the cafe he and her brother Touya ran just outside Tomoeda. Thank goodness she had the Clow Cards to occupy her; she had to capture them, after all.

"All right class. This is Li Syaoran, who has transferred from Hong Kong," Terada-sensei, their teacher, announced.

A tall brown-haired and amber-eyed boy, looking very handsome in the long-sleeved white shirt and dark pants that were Seijyo High's uniform, entered the classroom. His thickly-lashed eyes darted around the room quickly, as if he were looking for something. Sakura and Tomoyo's female classmates began to whisper and giggle; he was quite good-looking, after all.

'There she is', he thought, and he smiled softly, making the female half of the class swoon. The girl he had come for: Sakura Kinomoto, Cardcaptor.

She was even prettier than her photos; he'd had her investigated when he'd discovered that he would have to fight his own cousin to try and win her. Syaoran remembered the awful scene when the Li Clan Elders had declared that whichever of Syaoran or Eriol Hiiragizawa could bring back the best mate would win control of the Li Clan. Now that was a rich prize; the Lis, after all, owned practically half of Hong Kong, and Syaoran was a prideful person.

Tomoyo whispered, "Cute, isn't he?" Sakura smiled; yes, he was. But she looked out the window and smiled as she thought of Yukito's sweet smile. So she completely missed it when Li Syaoran stopped in front of her desk.

"Sakura Kinomoto," he smiled. "Hello."

Everyone, even Terada-sensei, turned to watch.

"Huh?" Sakura turned her attention to the boy standing in front of her.

He leaned in and touched her chin gently. "You're even more beautiful that I was told you were," he smiled as he spoke softly.

"What? Do...do I know you?" Sakura looked around wildly for an escape; the boy was aggressive, and against her will, she was attracted to him. She looked up at his artfully mussed chocolate-brown hair, deep amber eyes, and...he seemed well-built under his uniform. 'Stop it! I'm in love with Yukito!' she thought.

"Call me Syaoran," he said softly, and walked to the seat behind her, sat down, and commenced staring at the back of her head.

Sakura turned around when she felt his gaze on her, and blushed when she saw Syaoran smile at her. She'd always thought there was no one else in the world she could be attracted to, but Syaoran...she caught herself looking at his lips.

'No no no no!'Sakura scolded herself, then turned around quickly, resolving not to look at Syaoran again.

But something about him...when she had to pass some paper to him, their fingers touched, and she felt a thrill go through her. He was going to be trouble; Sakura just knew it.

'So this is Kinomoto', Syaoran thought. 'This is going to be easy. She's sweet, pretty, and somewhat...out of it? And I actually do like her.' He placed his hands behind his head, and leaned back; it was Advanced Algebra, easily his best subject, and he was going to enjoy just looking at her lovely auburn hair for now...because he had plans for her at breaktime...very pleasant plans that made him smile in anticipation.

At break, Sakura was heading for her locker when a hand gently tapped her shoulder. She spun around to face whoever it was and found herself face to face with a pair of the most gorgeous amber eyes she had ever seen.

"Sakura? Can I talk to you for a second, please?" It was Syaoran Li.

"Er, sure," Sakura said. Syaoran smiled; up close, she really was quite beautiful; those green eyes were arresting. I'm going to enjoy courting you, he thought.

He led her to an area at the back of the school, near an old sakura tree. Sakura was a bit uneasy; Syaoran was not the type of boy she hung around with. Come to think of it, she didn't hang around with boys; she usually was to be found with Tomoyo, Chiharu, Naoko, and Rika.

"What is it?" Sakura asked. She was avoiding looking at him; the way he looked at her was unsettling.

He didn't respond; instead, he came closer. "Sakura...May I ask, have you got a boyfriend?"

"What?" Sakura's eyes opened wide. It was an impertinent question, after all.

"I just wanted to know if I had to worry about anyone, is all," Syaoran said.

"I...No, but..." Sakura stammered.

"Good," Syaoran smiled. "Would you like to have one?"

"What, you're giving boyfriends away?" Sakura couldn't resist retorting.

"No," and he took her right hand in his own. "I would like to tell you then that I wish to court you," Syaoran smiled, and brushed his lips over the back of her hand.

Sakura turned red, and said, "Hoee?" She pulled her hand out of Syaoran's, and began to stammer, "I...no...Yukito-san...I can't!"

"You said you didn't have a boyfriend," Syaoran pointed out calmly.

"Yes...but..."

"So I'd like to apply," Syaoran said cheerfully.

Sakura knew her mouth was agape and she had to shut it soon, but...she'd never had anything like this ever happen to her.

"Ah...I'm not...I..."

"I'm just asking permission so that I can give you presents," Syaoran said. He came closer...he had Sakura pinned against the chain link fence separating Seijyo from the middle school; his lips were coming closer to hers. "Just say yes, and I'll try to make you happy."

To his shock, Sakura managed to wriggle out from between his arms, then she ran away.

"What the...Sakura!" He quickly gave chase, gaining on her because his legs were longer. She was running blindly away from him, and was headed straight for a small ditch. "Stop, Sakura! Please stop!"

She refused to listen, and Syaoran made an almighty leap to try and catch her before she could fall into the ditch. He was barely in time; Sakura screamed, and closed her eyes, trying to shield her face. Syaoran took the brunt of her weight, and fell into the ditch himself instead, Sakura on top of him.

When Sakura opened her eyes, she realized she was all right. Someone had saved her...and it was Syaoran, groaning under her.

"I...I'm sorry!" Sakura brought her hands up to her face. "I...Li-kun,"

"I told you to call me Syaoran," he said weakly but cheerfully. "Glad to see you're okay."

"But you're dirty now!" Sakura wailed.

"Better that than you hurt," Syaoran said gently. He lifted a hand to brush some dirt off Sakura's back.

They sat there for a while, until Syaoran picked up Sakura, set her on the ground outside the ditch, and checked to see if she was all right.

"Really, Li..."

"Syaoran," Syaoran corrected.

"...Syaoran, I'm all right."

"You were so upset," Syaoran said.

"Um...I've never had anyone ask me what you did before."

"Pity," Syaoran said. "I intend to marry you, Sakura Kinomoto."

After gaping for a few seconds, Sakura finally managed to whisper, "You're crazy."

"No. I just happen to like beautiful girls who are also Cardcaptors," he said softly.

Sakura broke free of his embrace and backed off. "How do you know about that?"

"Because I have magic too," he smiled. Syaoran drew out a red-tasseled ball pendant, closed his eyes, and it expanded into a large sword.

"Okay...who are you?" Sakura demanded.

"I am of the Li clan in Hong Kong. Clow Reed, who created the cards you're capturing, is my ancestor. So I'm here to help you," and Syaoran bowed gallantly.

"Er..." and Sakura raised an eyebrow. "Why would you want to help me?"

"Like I said," and Syaoran resumed dusting the dirt off his shirt, "I would like to be your husband."

"Hoee!" Sakura yelled. "I'm only sixteen!"

"Me too," Syaoran said. "So I figure that we can have a nice little date soon, so you can get to know me."

"But..."

Just then, the bell rang.

"Come on," Syaoran said. "Let's not be late." He held Sakura's hand, and she blushed.

People stared as they walked back into the classroom that way, and Syaoran smiled when she didn't pull her hand out of his; she was too flustered and embarrassed. As they reached their seats, Sakura turned to him, and said, "Thank you for saving me."

"You're very welcome," Syaoran said.

Their First Capture Together

Syaoran insisted on walking Sakura home, much to Tomoyo's surprise. This time, she reached out for his hand, and Syaoran quietly laced his fingers through hers.

Then Syaoran stopped.

"Did you feel that?" Syaoran stood still, looking aroud warily, and he brought out his sword. "Suggest you bring out the sealing rod now," he said to Sakura.

"Um, okay," she said, and began the incantation that summoned the Key. "But what did you sense?"

"You can't feel it?" Syaoran said in surprise. "Close your eyes. Reach out with your senses. When you feel something that doesn't seem to be in sync, try to track where it's coming from," Syaoran said.

Sakura closed her eyes. "I can't feel anything," she said.

"Try again," Syaoran suggested.

Sakura tried again, but couldn't feel anything. She looked so embarrassed and disappointed that Syaoran had to chuckle.

"Okay, yeah, I'm not as magically powerful as you," Sakura pouted.

"No, no. It's just...you were so cute," Syaoran said, and he touched Sakura's cheek with his thumb.

"Ehh..." Sakura blushed. "Stop that."

"Stop what?" Syaoran decided to press his advantage, and was about to come close again when...

"Watch out!" He cast a wind spell with the words "Fuuka shourai!" and they were lifted off the ground just as a bolt of lightning struck the spot where they were standing just seconds ago.

"A Clow card!" Sakura yelled. Syaoran had her in his arms, and he smelled her; she had a flowery, light scent, and he liked it very much.

"You have to return it to beast form first," Syaoran said, "before you can seal it."

Sakura pulled out Windy, and Syaoran held her hand.

"No, Sakura. Windy can't stand up to Thunder. Let me try to weaken it first," he suggested, as he set them down on top of a tall building. She nodded, and Syaoran cast the Lightning spell he had used earlier. When it struck the strange ball of lightning, it roared then turned into a large lion.

"There you go! Hurry, seal it!" Syaoran yelled. Sakura quickly raised her staff and sealed the card. But when the card was sealed, it floated over to Syaoran.

"Thank you! Oh, thank you so much!" She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him, then found herself too close to his face again.

Syaoran smiled. "Now you owe me, Sakura," he said softly, as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "Plus...I have your card."

Sakura blushed. "Syaoran..."

"Tell you what, Sakura..." Syaoran said. "For every card I help you catch, how about a kiss? I'll give you back the card if you kiss me."

"But...you're not my boyfriend," Sakura said breathlessly. Her arms were still around his neck, he was pleased to note.

"Working on it," Syaoran said, right before he lowered his lips on hers.

Sakura noticed Syaoran was coming closer...closer...and then his lips claimed hers in Sakura's first-ever kiss.

It was a soft, sweet kiss, gentle and tender. Syaoran discovered he liked kissing this girl; her lips were soft and she was so surprised, she yielded to him. He closed his eyes as she closed hers, and when he'd caught her bottom lip between his lips, she sighed. He placed his hand behind her nape to pull her closer; capturing this girl's heart was going to be such a pleasant thing.

Sakura suddenly realized that she had just surrendered her first kiss to a boy she barely knew, and gasped. And yet...how she wanted more, and she couldn't understand why. She couldn't understand why, but kissing Syaoran felt so good, and she tightened her hold on his neck. She almost whined when he pulled his lips away suddenly.

"Get your hands off my sister!" roared Toya Kinomoto as he pulled Syaoran off Sakura. "What the fuck do you think you're doing kissing her?"

"Hey, butt out!" Syaoran roared back. "I wasn't raping her. Any idiot can see she liked it!"

They turned to Sakura, who blushed.

"I happen to know who her crush is, so don't even bother trying to tell me you're the new boyfriend. I don't consider you suitable!" Toya snarled.

"Not yet, but getting there," Syaoran and Toya then began to glare at each other.

"Onii-chan, Syaoran, please stop it," Sakura said.

"I forbid you to date this guy!" Toya said.

"Well since you don't live at home you'll never know," Sakura said archly.

"Are you planning to see him again?"

"I..." And then Sakura suddenly lost her breath. "Yukito-san!"

"Hey! They had pizza buns!" the silver-haired Yukito said cheerfully. "I got four. Here," and he handed one each to Toya and Sakura. Then he turned to Syaoran. "You new?"

"Er...just transferred to Seijyo. I'm in Sakura's class," Syaoran said. Yukito made him feel uneasy. And when he saw how bright Sakura's eyes went when she stared at Yukito, Syaoran felt his heart sink. 'She has a serious crush on him,' he thought.

And worse, she had forgotten about him and how he had kissed her.