AN: Hey guys, another CCS fanfic for you all to enjoy! Hopefully you guys like my new twist and will R&R soon! Umm, that's really all I've got to say, so on with the disclaimer and then the story!
Disclaimer: I do not own CCS. However, I do own Ronin… sigh, such a hunk, but not as cute as Syaoran….
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Battle of Wits: Chapter One
Kinomoto Kingdom
The princess looked out her balcony. The peacefulness she saw was just a mirage, she new what was really happening on the land around her.
Her country was at war with the neighboring kingdom and here she sat, doing nothing. Sure, she was a Princess, and Princesses were not allowed to fight, but she desperately wanted to help. Her older brother, Touya, had left to the field with her father only a few days ago and how she wished to know if they were all right. She sighed wistfully out the window. Then she heard a knock from outside her door.
"Come in," she called.
"Princess Sakura. Are you only to sit here all day?" someone said coming towards her. The Princess turned to her new companion a girl, with brown hair into two pigtails.
"Chiharu, how many times must I tell you to just call me Sakura," she answered the girl. Chiharu smiled.
"At least a thousand times, but it is unheard of for a maid to call royalty anything but by their titles." She explained, cleaning the room. Sakura sighed and got up from her windowsill.
"Fine dear Chiharu, do as you wish, I do not want to quarrel today." Chiharu looked up from making the bed. It was not like the Princess to give up any fight so easily. She walked over and put a hand on her friend's shoulder.
"You worry for your brother's safety," she said. Sakura looked up in surprise. "I've known you since we were little, you can't hide your emotions from me easily." She smiled. "I know what will make you feel better. The knowledge of you're cousin Lady Daidouji's arrival?" she hinted. Sakura brightened up.
"Tomoyo is coming? When?" the princess asked excitedly. Chiharu nodded.
"Not long from now. In about 2 days." Sakura smiled. She had not seen her cousin Lady Daidouji in a long time. Before the war even started. Chiharu stood up and lead Sakura to the door.
"Now, I suggest a meeting with Yamasaki, don't worry, I will not tell anyone of this meeting." She added.
"Should I give him any messages?" Sakura asked slyly. Chiharu blushed.
"No, thank you." she said as she closed the door.
Sakura walked swiftly through the many hallways, finally reaching the outside. She walked through the grass with her skirt held high toward one of the little huts, containing the servant boys. She went to the third one and knocked on the door. It opened.
"Princess!" a voice said as the owner knelt down. Sakura rolled her eyes.
"Yes, it is I. Is Yamasaki in?" she asked pulling the boy to his feet.
"Umm, y-yes. H-hold on a m-minute," he said going inside. A few minutes later a smiling boy with short black hair appeared.
"Ahhh, Princess Sakura. Why such a pleasure?" he asked.
"Yamasaki, I just had this conversation with Chiharu," his head perked up at the mention of her name. Sakura smirked. "Please, just Sakura. You do it when we spar, why not now!" Yamasaki smiled as he pulled the door closed behind him.
"I just say your given name when we spar because it takes to long to say your title. However it is rude to not say it, for I am just a commoner. And we are not really allowed to spar anyway."
"Yamasaki, you know I do not believe in the whole commoner/ royalty thing." She said as they walked in a general direction. Yamasaki ignored the comment and turned to her, looking silent.
"Our sparring days are coming to an end." He told her.
"What? You and Ronin have been teaching me in hiding since I could hold a sword! Why stop now?" she asked incredulously. He took her hands in his.
"You know that I am a soldier and train men to become ones, that is what me and Ronin do. Well, it is time of war, and we will soon be called to battle." He said sadly. Sakura stared.
"But what of Chiharu? Will you just leave her, maybe to never come back? What about me?" she asked.
"It is not my decision but the king's." He answered. "Ronin had already been called."
"What!?" Sakura yelled. Yamasaki smiled sadly.
"You have not come to see us in awhile. It is not your fault princesses have duties, Ronin left with the Prince, your brother." Sakura stood there and stared, tears threatening to spill from her eyes, but she would not cry in front of Yamasaki. She looked back up at him.
"I feel so useless, all I do is sit and wonder while the men fight for us. I wish I could go with you." Yamasaki looked stern, he was only a year older, but she respected him more than that.
"Sakura, the battle field is no place for a princess, even you."
"But you and Ronin, the best fighters in the Kingdom, have taught me practically all the styles of fighting there is!" he went to interrupt her but she kept talking. "… Since I was little too! And, I've mastered most of them! I'm even better than you," he gave her a look. "Well, almost better than you!"
"You're just saying all this to comfort yourself. But the fact still remains, you're a princess. Now, neither Ronin or me have ever said that you being a girl makes a difference. Heck, we've been going against your father and trained you behind his back, and you've become more powerful than most of the boys here. But, you are a princess, which means you are a girl, and the battle field is no place for you." he explained. Sakura's lip trembled. Yamasaki sighed.
"Hey, lets go have our last practice. You can even choose the weapon and style." Sakura's eyes glittered as she tried to focus on the matter at hand: beating Yamasaki.
"Now, lets get changed."
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Li Kingdom
"I should be on the battle field, protecting my kingdom, not here, studying!" a man cried.
"Calm down my son. You're place is here, protecting the palace if need be." His mother soothed.
"I want to fight like my father!" he said. The woman rounded on him.
"Your father died in battle Xiao Lang! Do you want to die like him?! I am protecting you!" she yelled. The boy looked down in shame.
"I am sorry mama. You can find me in my study." He said as he walked off. His mother sighed.
"He is getting more like you every day," she said to the air.
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Xiao Lang stalked off to his study. Study, if that's what you call it. He did study in it, he studied martial arts. There he found his trusty punching bag and well, punched it.
"If you concentrate hard enough, you can see your opponent's face in the bag." Xiao Lang scowled.
"And if you concentrate hard enough, you might think to knock!" he said, kicking the bag. The other voice laughed as the owner moved closer.
"Nice to see you too, little cousin." He said.
"Eriol," Xiao Lang acknowledged.
"Been stuck here to long?" Eriol asked.
"Mama, won't let me fight. She says it's to protect me." He answered. Eriol rolled his eyes.
"Maybe that's because you're the only heir to the Li thrown!" he said sarcastically. "And, I might add, you have had no forward progress on building a line."
"There is no one that suits me." Xiao Lang answered plainly.
"She has to meet a very hard standard. Has to fight, take care of her self, something not many Princesses can do." Xiao Lang glared but stopped fighting.
"So, what are you doing here?" Xiao Lang asked getting a towel from the rack and wiping the sweat from his brow. Eriol shrugged.
"I need a reason to visit my favorite cousin?"
"Yes. Usually."
"Oh. Well, then I guess I am here to keep you company and perhaps fight." Xiao Lang turned to Eriol.
"You get to fight?!" he yelled. Eriol nodded.
"Maybe, it depends on how the war turns," he answered.
"But, that's not fair! I am the better fighter and you get to fight while I sit here and listen to my mother talk about suitable princesses." He exclaimed exasperated. Eriol chuckled. "Its not funny!" Xiao Lang yelled. Eriol straightened himself.
"Of course not. I've just never seen Prince Xiao Lang whine so much." That earned Eriol a famous death glare from the youngest Li.
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Kinomoto Kingdom
Sakura blocked Yamasaki's upper blow with her sword as she aimed a kick for his stomach, she hit her mark and it sent him reeling backwards. This gave her time to reset herself in a different stance. Yamasaki smiled and put down his sword.
"Alright you win, but remember, I won yesterday." He said as they put their swords on the weapons rack.
"Yes, but my head was not into the fight." She answered.
"Your head must always be in the fight," Yamasaki said. Sakura rolled her eyes.
"You're starting to sound like Ronin," she accused. He looked at her in mock shock.
"Oh no, I am!" they laughed.
Sakura got changed back into her dress, her formal princess clothes, so no one would know she was practicing. The only ones who knew were Chiharu, Tomoyo, Yamasaki, her teacher Ronin, Nakoto and Rika two other maids. They had been keeping it a secret since Sakura was really young, about 4.
When she got back to her room she found that Chiharu was gone and had pretty much cleaned her whole room. She had just laid down to rest when she heard a knock at her door. She sighed and yelled out that she was coming. She got up and opened the door and smiled. It was her good friend Nakoto, who was also the messenger for inside the palace walls.
"Greetings Princess Sakura," she started. Sakura didn't even try to correct her, she was done for the day. "I have a message from your mother. You are to meet her in her drawing room, as soon as you can," she announced. Sakura's shoulders shrugged.
"Alright, I'll be there," she answered. Nakoto didn't leave. "What?" Sakura asked.
"Now, Princess Sakura." She said. Sakura sighed, she seemed to be doing that a lot.
"Alright, I will. Let me get dressed will you?" she said sarcastically. Nakoto left. Sakura immediately felt bad. She didn't mean to snap at her friend, she guessed the weight of war was affecting everyone. She changed into a plain purple form-fitting dress and put on her "game face" as she left for her mothers room.
Everyone had always said that Sakura took after her mother, Queen Nadeshiko. Sakura always hated being compared to her mother. Sometimes it was nice, but Sakura wanted to be her own person, and she didn't like crowds. When she was compared, it was all about her and expectations. Sometimes it felt like her mother was perfect, and that she should be too. And the problem is, is that she didn't want to be the type of princess or queen, that sat around doing nothing, but that's how they wanted her to be. She even wished she were a prince, a boy, instead, but she had gotten into a lot of trouble at that suggestion. When she finally reached her mothers room she was prepared for whatever they talked about. She knocked and heard a graceful "come in." so she did. She found her mother sitting in a chair toward the window sewing. The queen looked up and smiled at the sight of her daughter.
"Ahhh, Sakura. How are you?" she asked standing and giving her daughter a hug.
"The same as I was yesterday," Sakura said. Nadeshiko frowned.
"Sakura, what is wrong? You are not happy to see me?" she said pulling away.
"No, of course I am happy to see you mother. I just wish, why does Touya have to fight? Why can only Princes fight? Why not princesses?" she asked. Nadeshiko's frown drew heavier.
"Sakura, we have had this conversation before, Princesses are not meant to fight. We are better than that. We stay home, where we are safe. Speaking about being a princess," she began. Sakura hated this conversation. "The reason I called you here is about marriage. You are 18 years old, most princesses have married by 16, and yet you do not even have a suitor." Her mother sighed. "Sakura, I want to have grandchildren, and the kingdom must grow." She said taking her daughters hand.
"Well, what about Touya? Why not pester him? He is after all the heir to the thrown," Sakura answered somewhat sarcastically.
"Touya is currently out to battle, he does not have time to be worrying about courting."
"Exactly!" Sakura yelled. "Neither should we! We should be worrying about the war, not our loves lives!"
"Do not yell at me Sakura! If we loose the war and the men in the family die, we shall be the only ones left, and if we have no children the lineage will die!" she said, voice semi-raised.
"I will marry," Sakura said standing straighter. "When I find someone I love." The queen sighed.
"It might have to be sooner dear Sakura."
"You should talk, you and father fell in love and married all by yourselves." She said. Nadeshiko could not answer to that for she knew her daughter was right. Sakura hearing her mother's silence walked out of the room. Sakura walked down the hallway until she was completely out of range from her mother. Then she turned a corner and leaned against the wall, then let out a breath. She hated talking about marriage. Her mother and father had had her meet with most of the neighboring kingdom's Princes. She had scared them all off, obviously not liking any of them. They had all treated her like a prize.
"I need to spar," she said to herself walking towards the servants' cabins.
When she got there she was about to knock on Yamasaki's door when she noticed it was cracked open and she heard crying. She listened.
"Oh, Yamasaki, do not go!" it was Chiharu and she was crying.
"There, there Chiharu. You know I have to, King and kingdom's orders," he tried to comfort her.
"Oh, forget the orders, I don't want to loose you," she cried again. Sakura felt tears come to her own eyes.
"You won't loose me, I'll be back before you know it." He answered her.
"Promise?" came Chiharu's small voice. Yamasaki didn't answer and Sakura left before he did, she didn't want to know the answer. She ran up to her room, praying for everyone's safety.
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Li Kingdom
"You leave tomorrow Eriol?" Xiao Lang asked the blue haired man.
"Yes. It's hard to think that I'm only 18 and already going to battle," he said looking out the window. Xiao Lang silently agreed. "What started this war anyway?" Xiao Lang shrugged.
"I'm not sure, probably land or something." Eriol looked at him with shock.
"You mean to say that you are the prince and don't know why your kingdom is at war?" Xiao Lang growled.
"Mother said not knowing would protect me, no one will tell me. I hate it, just like I hate not fighting." Eriol was sympathic toward his cousin, but would not show it.
Next Day
"So you're leaving?" Xiao Lang asked as he watched Eriol get into his armor.
"Yes, I fight for the Li Kingdom," Eriol said solemnly. Xiao Lang's features shared a look of loss, sorrow and jealousy.
"So I found out why you are at war," Eriol said walking over to him. "You were right, it was over land, the Kinomoto's wouldn't cooperate, but you landed the first blow. Sounds like the Li kingdom to me," Eriol joked. Xiao Lang of course, scowled. Suddenly they heard a bell. Eriol sighed.
"Well, that's my call."
"Funny how you fight for someone else's country when the prince does not fight." He said ironically. Eriol made the move to leave, but Xiao Lang stopped him and put his hand out, Eriol grasped it and they shook hands.
"Good luck," Xiao Lang said. Eriol nodded and left. As soon as Eriol left Xiao Lang stalked up to his mother's room.
"Mother," he said as he barged through the doors. "I want to fight for my kingdom!" Yelan Li looked up from her book.
"No," she said plainly. Xiao Lang looked disbelieving.
"What!? Why can my friend from a different kingdom come and fight for us, and yet the Prince cannot!?" he yelled. Yelan stood up.
"I will NOT loose another person I love!" she yelled. Xiao Lang didn't care, he wanted to fight.
"You cannot keep me from protecting my country!" he yelled as he stormed out.
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Kinomoto Kingdom
Sakura paced nervously in the hallway outside her bedroom, Tomoyo was supposed to come today. She also paced in worry about her brother and father, not to mention the rest of her kingdom. Then she heard a girly shriek.
"Sakura!" the princess turned right before a big black blob jumped on her, knocking her over.
"Tomoyo!" she yelled back. They helped each other up. "I haven't seen you forever!"
"I know! It's been too long, especially with the war and all," Tomoyo answered. Sakura's face fell. Tomoyo put a hand on her shoulder.
"Let's talk about that later, now is only for smiles and giggles!" she said. She stopped to look at her friend.
"You've grown your hair out," she said looking at Sakura's back length soft brown hair.
"And you've kept it the same," she said admiring Tomoyo's long, black, curly hair.
"Come on, lets go talk!" they walked into Sakura's room and discussed the usual things: Tomoyo's love life, Sakura's non-existent one, other peoples, the newest fashions (Tomoyo did all the talking) and more. Suddenly, the door slammed open. It was Nakoto.
"You're brother and father are back! And you're brother is injured!" she said. Sakura and Tomoyo got up at once and raced out the door. Sakura was way faster than Tomoyo and got to the front gate first. She saw her father's horse, but it was carrying not only her father, but another as well. There was another rider besides them. She ran out holding her skirt at a full sprint toward the riders. She found the other rider to be Ronin. She looked at him and their eyes locked, he nodded. She tore her eyes from his and turned to her family. Touya was sitting in front of her father, head slumped forward. She saw that he was still wearing full armor, but blood was gushing from a wound to his shoulder.
"We need a doctor!!!" Ronin yelled. Sakura hurried to keep in step with the horses as people rushed past, either staying out of the way or trying to help.
"What happened?" Sakura huffed.
"He got stabbed by the commander of the Li army. Managed to kill him though," Ronin said.
"Is it deep?" Sakura asked, trying to get a better look at the wound. Blood had never affected Sakura, and right now she was glad. She was really worried about her brother. Ronin carried Touya through out the castle behind her father, and she behind Ronin. After twisting and turning they reached the medical wing were Touya was placed on a bed. Right after a doctor and healer came in. Touya was sweating now.
"He has a fever," the doctor said as he and a few others removed the armor. Touya made a noise that resembled a howl as they removed the blood crusted armor. Sakura felt Tomoyo shutter beside her as she herself cringed. When the armor was off the doctor immediately reacted.
"The wound is still bleeding, hurry, someone get some rags." He yelled and a few maids ran out of the room. Sakura took this as an opportunity to go to her brother. She darted around the doctors so not to get in the way toward her brother. When she got to him, she took his hand in hers.
"Hey, it's me, the squirt," she whispered. He turned his head toward her.
"Hey," he whispered back then groaned as the doctor applied something to the wound.
"You know you're gonna be alright." She stated. Touya smiled.
"My sister, she thinks she's always right," he managed to croak. Sakura frowned.
"Of course I'm right. You're gonna make it through this," she demanded.
"I guess I don't have a choice in the matter now," Touya joked.
"Of course you don't have a choice!" Sakura yelled. She felt a hand on her back and turned. It was Ronin.
"It's best we leave the doctors to do their work," he said softly. She turned back to her brother.
"I'll be ok. Remember I don't have the choice not to," he managed a wink and Sakura was lead away. As she left she saw her mother watching from afar.
Ronin lead her to the hall.
"I'm sorry I could not prevent this," he apologized. Sakura turned to him.
"It wasn't your fault! How could anyone blame you? You're my protector not his, you were busy with your own battle," she said taking his hands in her. He looked at her with deep blue eyes with emotion that everyone, save for Sakura, could find. Love.
Ronin was three years older than Sakura, the age of 21, and the King's "right hand man." The age difference didn't stop them from falling in love. When Sakura was 16 and he 19, while he was teaching her to fight, they had realized that they were more than friends. The King had found out and had frowned upon them, but for a while that didn't stop them. Only a few months ago had they realized that it would never really work. Now they loved each other as siblings.
"You're right," he finally said and Sakura beamed back at him.
"Sakura." She heard a voice which she turned to. It was her mother and she was giving her the "I told you so" look. Sakura thought back to the conversation they had had earlier. Her mother was now stressing her to bear an heir now that her brother was wounded. Ronin looked at her with questioning eyes.
"Mother wants me to get married, and now she's pressuring me because Touya's wounded," she explained walked toward her room. Ronin walked with her.
"Get married when you find the right one, don't let the problems of your parents pressure you." he told her as they reached her door. She opened it, but turned to him.
"But she is right, I must do it soon." She gave him a sad look and went into her room. When the door was closed she balled her hand into a fist and said determinedly,
"There must me something I can do!"
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Li Kingdom
On the way to storming off to his room Xiao Lang had heard of the Kinomoto Prince's fall and of the fall of their very own Commander. Xiao Lang would miss the old man, but his focus was on Eriol. Sure, he could take care of himself, but since he wasn't fighting (he inwardly growled) he didn't know how good the Kinomoto fighters were. He hated going against his mothers wishes, but she was not thinking of others on this one, she was being selfish. Xiao Lang stopped. But she did have a point: he was the only son to the widowed Queen of the Li Kingdom, the only man left. If he didn't marry and/or produce an heir, the Li line would end. He growled, scaring a nearby maid. When he reached his room he let all of his anger and frustration out. He threw everything from pillows to hard things across the room and shattering and hitting against the walls.
'I wish Eriol were here, he'd know what to do,' he found himself thinking. Another breakable thing hit the wall. 'I can't believe I just thought that!!! Ugh!'
"To fight or not to fight. Is that you're question?" he heard a voice say. He whirled around to see his other cousin Melin.
"Ya, that's just about it. How'd you know?" he said sitting down on the bed.
"You're mother talked to me about reconsidering an engagement," she answered sitting next to him.
Melin and Xiao Lang had been engaged since they were born. A powerful union between two halves of the family. They had gown up as friends not knowing their future, till one day when they were 14 they found out they were to be married. They took it considerably well, pretty much fine with the notion since they were friends and Xiao Lang hated all other females. But when they were 16 Xiao Lang had found himself loving Melin only as a sister and Melin had fallen in love with the Prince of the Kyoko Kingdom. After a few months of Melin's secret romance and Xiao Lang's brotherly love the two had called their families together to break the news. That day they had broke off the engagement. At first the grown-ups were really angry with the news, then Melin's family had agreed with the love of the Kyoko Prince. Xiao Lang's mother had never quite forgiven him since he had not found another love.
"When did you arrive?" Xiao Lang asked as he watched Melin pick up the pillows from the floor.
"Not too long ago, I saw Eriol off," she answered sitting down next to him.
"Why are you here?" Xiao Lang questioned again.
"What not happy to see you're best friend?" she inquired, but cut him off when he was about to apologize. She sighed before she continued. "Me and Saburo were supposed to get married next week, but he was called off to help you," Xiao Lang looked up in surprise.
"You're getting married now?! Aren't you only 18 years…old…" he trailed off. Meling smiled.
"Yes, I am 18 years old, 16 is usually the age in which people are married Xiao Lang." She answered. It dawned on Xiao Lang like the morning sun. He really was 2 years past marrying age, that's why his mother was bugging him so much. He focused on the second bit of information she had given him.
"Wait. Why is Saburo fighting for us?" he asked. Melin was putting back together the knocked over vase.
"The Li Kingdom needed backups and since I am linked to the Kyoko Kingdom, your mother asked for us," she explained again.
"I'm sorry," Xiao Lang said softly. Melin froze.
"What? The great Li Xiao Lang apologizing?" she teased. Xiao Lang, of course, growled.
"Hey, I feel like everything is my fault," he said looking out the window. "Mom won't let me fight, so your loved one does." He sighed. Melin came and put an arm around him.
"Hey, no one blames you, you're the only male left in the direct line of the Li family. We have to protect you," she said. Xiao Lang stood up.
"No! I should be protecting my kingdom!" he yelled.
"Then go," Melin whispered.
"What?" Xiao Lang asked unbelievingly.
"Go, do what you think is best," she said a little louder.
"Are you kidding? What about the rest of the Li line?" Melin shrugged.
"I don't know. But I'm sure you'll figure it out," she said walking out the door to let her cousin think.
And think is exactly what he did. And by the time he was done thinking he knew his mother was not going to like his verdict.
It was night when Xiao Lang stuck his head out of his room looking for anyone coming or going. He stealthily ran to the weapon room hidden by the shadows. In the weapon room he found his fathers armor chest and opened it. He regally put the contents on that were inside. When he was done he left for the stables. As he was mounting his horse he saw a light flicker from a candle from on the other side of the room.
"Xiao Lang!!!" a voice yelled. He turned as his horse trotted away. It was his mother.
"I'm sorry mama," he whispered as he galloped away.
"XIAO LANG!!!" a cry hit the air.
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Kinomoto Kingdom
Tomoyo could hear her friend tossing and turning all night. She didn't dare wake her friend or go see if everything was all right. Sakura would automatically apologize for keeping her up. But it wasn't the only thing keeping her up. Tomoyo was worried about what was going on in the Princess' head. She was worried Sakura would do something drastic to help her country. Something a little too drastic. So when Sakura suddenly sat up in bed, Tomoyo pretended to be asleep. After she heard the door shut, Sakura being on the other side, Tomoyo got up and followed her friend. Sakura and Tomoyo crept through the night. Tomoyo had no idea where they were headed but she followed anyway. Pretty soon she recognized her surroundings, they were in the medical wing. Tomoyo hid behind a corner as Sakura checked to see if anyone was around before going into Touya's room, when she was out of sight Tomoyo crept to hear better to the door. Touya seemed to be asleep as Sakura took his hand in hers.
"I'm sorry Touya, that you are hurt. I am also sorry for my leaving."
'Leaving?' Tomoyo thought.
"I must save my kingdom, I feel as though I am doing nothing, and I will not let my gender get in the way of that. You see I have to go. Don't worry I'll be all right. Take care of mother." She got up and walked towards the door. A look of utter surprise crossed her face when she found Tomoyo standing in front of her.
"I'm coming with you," Tomoyo said.
"What?"
"I'm coming with you. I may not be able to fight but I can still help," Tomoyo stood straight. Sakura wanted companionship, but she didn't want to place Tomoyo in danger, but she also couldn't change Tomoyo's mind.
"Tomoyo, you're my friend and I don't want you to get hurt,' Tomoyo's face was still determined. Sakura sighed. "But I know I can't change you're mind on this." She finished. Tomoyo immediately lit up and clasped her hands together.
"Oh this is so great! On another adventure with the beautiful Princess Sakura!" she said with stars in her eyes.
"Tomoyo, we're going to the battlefield," Sakura sweatdropped. Tomoyo waved her off.
"I know, I know," Sakura sweatdropped again.
It was early in the morning when Sakura and Tomoyo snuck out of Sakura's room with all the supplies they would need and the sun was barely up when they rode off on their two horses.
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