Summary: Syaoran lost the mother he always thought he never had in a tragic event. He grew up powerful and cold. Along him stood the most faithful servant he will ever come to know, Sakura. She is lady at heart and a strong warrior in total, who is Sakura really in Syaoran's life?

A Warrior in Waiting

PROLOGUE:

It was always gloomy in this side of the kingdom. The irony is, the palace stood here. Many always thought that the kingdom will be doomed, just by the mere sight of its darkly shaded edges due to the lack of sunshine hitting the well-smoothened brick walls. The mystery of the palace gloomy state lies within the place itself…

Long auburn tresses whipped randomly as the owner tried desperately to fix it into a bun shape. It took moments for her hair to be tied in its perfect state, staring one more time into the mirror she gave a worried look before deciding to put on her servant hat. She gave a heavy sigh and gave a rueful glance at her servant clothes before leaving her quarters.

It was indeed a sunny day, that is, just not inside the palace. The clouds seem to like crowding on top of the castle and almosteveryone in the palace gloomed about it.

"Nadeshiko!" someone called from the opposite side of the corridor. She whipped her head on that direction and gave a small acknowledgment.

"The little prince asks for you assistance!" the other servant respectably said "I swear to the gods that he only shows what little affection he is allowed to show to you" and continued the rest of the phrase with a low mumble of words.

She heard it of course. "Yes, I will be there shortly"

"Good, wait him any longer he may start throwing his arrogant tantrums to all the servants who happen to pass by his chamber"

She bowed and quickly excused herself, determined to go directly to the little prince.

He has been waiting for her after he demandingly asked for her presence. He always liked Nadeshiko-san, he was as close to a mother he had never had. Although he never showed affections showing what he really felt for the servant it seemed that she knew it anyway. She was always there comforting him when his father scolded him on a day filled with failure, especially with his training. He is but just 10, a young kid filled with so many responsibilities. He hated it but learned to live with it. It was his fate after all, to lead his kingdom at an appropriate age. Nadeshiko was always there to help him live through the day. Comforting him just what he thinks a mother would do. She would often tell him to think of her as his mother, he would refuse but deep inside him his heart is smiling in contentment. Nadeshiko once told him that she had a daughter 3 years younger than him who lived just outside the palace wall. He didn't know if he should be jealous or angry toward her daughter. She was so lucky to have a mother like Nadeshiko-san. She is so selfless and amiable.

He heard a soft knock on his door and glanced at the door before barking "come in!"

Nadeshiko knocked softly and waited for the prince's acknowledgement on her gesture.

"Come in!" she heard, and quickly and yet gracefully opened the door and bowed at the little prince before her. He reminds her so much of her daughter, so cute! Little prince Syaoran had a fully built cheek with just a tint of roundness in it. He had those glassy auburn eyes that showed little feelings in his surrounding, just the way his father grew him up to be. His messy chocolate hair stood out among other princes, not just because of its colour, but also the kind of way his hair would go to every direction in a more artsy and graceful manner. It was neither too neat nor too messy; it was just in between both. He was unique! And she treated him like her own child.

She smiled at him and gave a curtsy. "Your highness…"

"Hello Nadeshiko-san" he said in a dry manner but showed a tint of adoration. "How is your day going so far?"

"So far so good, prince Syaoran" she smiled and sat on the floor when the prince gestured her to sit. Later he sat Indian style and faced her.

"How about you, how is your day going so far?" She asked. He gave a sideway glance, as if thinking deeply on what to say. "I hope it will go well…" he replied shortly. "Would you like to tell me more of your life?" he continued with a question.

"Hmmm….Well, I have to children, one I have told you is a girl, and the other is a boy" she smiled at him "The boy is named Touya, he soon will join the army and I hope that someday, he will stand beside you as a loyal subject"

"I will become a strong king someday and I hope to meet him soon…how about your daughter?"

My answer never came, because after he asked that question I heard a noise just outside the door, calling my name. I gave a glance at the prince, "May I?"

He nodded and I quickly popped my head outside the door.

"Thank God! Nadeshiko-san!! You must go home immediately!! I think your family needs your presence at home!" said a servant. I turned pale, hoping for the best yet It seemed to not been working because I know, that something tragic is bound to happen. I dashed out of the door completely forgetting the presence of his royal highness just behind me. I ran and ran until I reached my home and was met by not the prettiest sight of all…

She has forgotten I was just behind her back. I heard it all, I surmise something bad must have happen to her family to have her forgotten a presence of someone important. Without a word of good-bye she just left. I hope nothing bad would happen to her and her family, and yet, he felt his prayers may not be answered. He waited and waited, it took so many hours before a small chaos irrupted from some passing servants who seemed to have been to occupied with what they were gossiping about to remember they were so nearby his bed chamber…

"She is gone…Nadeshiko-san I mean." A servant said in a somewhat lowly yet loud voice.

"How could that have happened?!" said another servant nervously and he heard her cry in sorrow. A servant who must have known Nadeshiko very well said. "She was still smiling so brightly this morning…how could things go so awry the next time?"

In his room, he had gone completely frozen. Nadeshiko-san dead? But wasn't he just talking to her this morning? Must these good-for-nothing servants play pranks on me? A prince?! He angrily thought.

It took him moments to finally recover before he forcefully pulled the door open and stepped out the door. He made his presence known and glared at the servants. "How dare you lowly servants talk such things in my palace and in my presence too? Nadeshiko-san is not dead! She won't be dead! Do you hear me?! Now leave!" He ordered.

The servants scurried away and left him after he had ordered them to leave. He was about to enter his chamber when he saw his father. For once he saw his father let down his guard. "I'm so sorry, I know you adored her…I'm just so sorry…"

Right then and there, I knew I won't be able to see her smile again…and right there and then I have realized that I have lost another mother…

He cried on her grave when everyone left, and vowed this would be the last tear he will shed…forever…

"Be strong…my child…for him. Serve him…as best as you…could. Be a lady at heart and a strong…warrior in total…live on, he…need's you…" those were her mother's last word before her hand dropped lifelessly on the floor.

Next Chapter: Nadeshiko is still part of chapter one. In this part, I will only let you see what really happened when she arrived home. Also, this will be the chapter where Sakura appears after 9 years.

I have finally written another story after 2-3 years? Last time I wrote I think I was either 12 or 14...And now I am 16. XD

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