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Note: I will be revising my old chapters as well as updating so please be patient with me.
Chapter 22: Day TwoWhen it came to elements, Sakura knew that there were four element; Earth, Fire, Wind, and Water. She has been familiar with all of them before in another life. When she explained what the hint meant to Tomoyo, who in turn had some of her best designers come to the Li Palace to help her coordinate a proper outfit for this. The designed outfit was a traditional long sleeve pink Chinese top that flared at the bottom like bird tail wings. As for her bottom wear, they were barely loose black spandex Capri's that had string on the opposite side of the outer knee. Their purpose is that when pull they can be turned into shorts, or can be rolled down into pants. To top it all off, she wore ankle high tennis shoes that looked like high Chinese slipper. All in all, she was ready for whatever task today held for her.
As for Tomoyo, the Li girls had warned her to dress her best for what she would be facing today and to keep a steady mind. Although Tomoyo seemed calmed on the outside as always, she was panicking greatly inside. It was easier to tell Sakura to calm down, but it doesn't work on herself.
A few minutes after finishing getting dressed, the girls were called for breakfast. Again the same intense judgment was given since their last meal. No girls were eliminated expect one who threw up from the nervousness that had overcome her for today's test. Once that was over the girls were separated into two groups. Group one was candidates of both Syaoran and Darien. While group two were just for Eriol. Today already felt like it was going to be a bad start and this was only day two.
Group one was lead through varies hallways of the Li masions. Sakura was sure if anyone was to stray from the group, they might never be found. After several long minutes, the girls arrived at one of the Li Mansion's gardens. However it looked like a jungle. All the girls looked confused over the reason they had been brought here.
That wasn't until Shiefa Li spoke. "It is important that the woman that takes either hand of the my brother Syaoran or my cousin Darien be able to be to handle any obstacles that may come their way in order to achieve the goals that are needed to be fulfill at that time. With that said, today your goal is to search through this training field, filled with wild animals and deadly plants across the world all in one place, with the purpose finding six keys each. You have exactly Five hours to find all six. If you haven't by then, then be prepared to pack your things and return to your own homes. Let the challenge begin!"
As if on cue a giant bell rang and all the girls took off into the depths of the unknown. Sakura was among the few fast ones as they reached the training field first. Upon looking up, all Sakura could see were trees surrounding her. Quickly thinking on her feet, she climbed the nearest one. She then walked gracefully onto one of the thick branches and began jumping from one branch to another making her way on forward. She had to stop when the trail of trees ended.
Before her was a slightly large mountain blocking most of the path to the other side. However, on the sides of the mountain was sand. Sakura narrowed her eyes at the sand. No way would it be that easy. Just to walk around the large obstacle without a problem. In the middle of her thoughts another girl came upon the scene huffing and puffing. Her hands were resting on her bent knees as she surveyed the land as Sakura had. Unlike Sakura though, she wasn't aware she was the only one there. Smiling to herself, the girl ran straight into the sand a victories look on her face. Sakura held her position and watched the girl closely. It was then that she noticed the girl appeared to be getting shorter. Leaning in closer, Sakura gasped. The girl was sinking into the sand, quick sand! Sakura was about to leap down to aid the girl when Shiefa Li's words rang in her ear. Sighing, Sakura did her best to ignore the screams of the girl who she knew would be saved by the Li family later. She began her climb to the top. Every once in awhile, she would slip and slide down a bit. But she kept going. By now, more girls had joined in the climb trail. All Sakura knew was that she has to find those keys and fast.
Once she reached the top of the mountain, she saw one of the Li's bulters smiling at her. He beckoned her over before raising his palm face up to her. On it was one of the six keys. Sakura gently picked up the item before softly thanking the man before taking off to climb down the other side of the mountain. It must have been at least an hour between climbing up and down the mountain. By this point Sakura was exhausted, but determined. Pushing herself on, she moved forward till she saw a wooden sign. It has printing on it so Sakura walked up to it.
"There lies your next key in the mouth near you."
Well the clue wasn't hard to figure out, but which animals' mouth did she mean? Looking around there were birds flying over heard, roars and growls around her, and different plants. She didn't have the slightest clue were to begin. Well maybe she should play it safe first and try to capture a bird. A few minutes into this impossible mission and she realized trying to capture a bird without hurting it was not the way to go. So moving to plan two, she quickly began walking on foot looking around. It was then that she came across a Venus fly trap, with a key just sitting in its mouth. Just as Sakura was walking up to it, she was surprised that she was tackled to the ground. Looking up she came face to face to another candidate who obviously wanted the key Sakura had found first. She was sitting on Sakura's chest while pinning her arms. Leaving only Sakura legs to move. That was all she needed. Bending her knees pushing up quickly yet strongly, she was able to through the girl off balance and tumbling off her. As Sakura rose, so did the other girl just as quickly. Both girls were reaching for the item when Sakura dropped down to do a low sweep to knock the girl over and then popping back up to grab the key. Of course the fly trap snapped on Sakura's hand and she struggled to get it free. She was successfully after some time, but was wounded. With a wounded hand and two keys down, four more to go.
Moving forward on, Sakura was faced with a waterfall in a rainy environment. The waterfall was extremely tall and very intimidating with it raining as well. Turning her pants into shorts and jumping into the water, Sakura swam toward the waterfall rocks and began to slowly and carefully climb the obstacle. By now she wasn't the only one. Everyone, trying to come up with a method to get them up faster. Several girls' fates were bruise and broken bones as they fell from such high heights. Sakura began to become more nervous but remember why she was going through all this. It was to be with Syaoran, and darn it she was going to make it. With new determination she continued her climb. Once she finally reaches the top, practically crawling at this point. Seeing another butler holding a key for her, she can't help but softly laughs to herself. The things she did for love.
Making her way to the fourth obstacle, she saw nothing but an empty training field with birds. They looked harmless and Sakura couldn't figure out what they could possibly do with the keys till she saw a tiny bird further on the other sitting on a stack of keys. Smiling to herself she began to make her way their till a whirlwind picked up from nowhere and threw her across the field. Much further from her goal. Growling she tried again and got the same result. It seemed the reason for the birds was to create the element of wind. Sakura then remembered that Tomoyo had made the tail feather top for her. An idea popped in her head. Provoking the birds again by trying to walk toward the little bird again. Of course the wind picked up and Sakura didn't fight it but allowed it to guide her in its twist. The when the timing was right she gently shifted her weight to fall out of the whirlwind and onto the ground near the bird. Jumping up quickly, Sakura jumped up and snatched a key before running past the little bird onto her next challenge.
Next she came to a stop in front of a fire maze before her. Smoke and hot blazes covered the whole field. Bring her left sleeve to her face she treks through the fire. No matter what she did, she kept coming to dead ends. And each dead end meant time lost and more burns to her skin and outfit. By now, she was struggling to breath and time was running out. She couldn't give up she just couldn't. Pushing herself forward she ran into more girls facing the same problem. Not good. Instead of worrying about them and what directions they have already gone through Sakura came up with a plan. If she could jump high enough she could see the exit, but how. Well she was supposed to use all resource around her no matter what to achieve her goal. Spotting one of the girls with their back to her, she began to run quickly before planting her foot onto the other girl's back and shoulder before pushing off high enough to spin into the air. She was able to get the view she needed. Landing gracefully, Sakura took off in the direction she saw from her jump. Finally reaching the goal of seeing the exit, sitting there was another butler holding multiple keys. Grabbing the key with quick thanks, Sakura made her way onto the last challenging.
Lastly Sakura was mentally and physically exhausted. Upon reaching the last field was Syaoran's sister. Titling her head in confusing, Sakura still walked forward to see how to obtain the last key. His sister gave a gentle smile before asking a question.
"The last challenge is to tell me what you learned from each challenge?"
It stumped Sakura, as she wasn't the best at putting things into words when put on the spot but she would make it work.
"From the Earth challenge I learned that I must be willing to be sturdy as a rock in mind and body."
"From the riddle challenge, I learned to be prepared for the unexpected and be willing to sacrifice."
"From the Water challenge, I learned to keep on going even as other failed."
"From the wind challenge, I learned to be flow gracefully and let the wind help guide you rather than fight it."
"From the first challenge, I learned to use all resources at my disposal in order to succeed."
"And from this challenge, I learned what I will need to keep in mind to win the ultimate prize, Syaoran's hand."
Li's sister just smiled and gave Sakura the last key and told her that she may wait in the waiting room till the five hours was up.
-Else where-
Syaoran, his mother and Darien were all watching the competition from in a special room. Syaoran couldn't help but keep his eyes and hopes on Sakura throughout the entire competition. His heart thumped hard as he listened to her talk to his sister. He was sure everyone in the room could hear his heart beating so fast and loud. He had been so worried about her safety the entire time. It didn't go unnoticed by his mother who could only smile to herself at seeing her son being madly in love.