Loving the Enemy

Disclaimer for Whole story: I do not own CCS. Although that's never going to stop me wishing …

Chapter One.

' Why me?' She bowed her wretched head under her silvery veil that reflected off her teary emerald green eyes. She took one step at a time with her satin silk woven shoes and her elaborately designed dress weighing down her petite shoulders.

At only sixteen, Heraldess Sakura was walking down the aisle. She could faintly hear the Japanese flutes and violins gently strumming a lullaby tune. It was so peaceful and serene yet inside her heart, it was a tornado of nightmares. Her hair was intricately tied up into an elaborate twist on the back of her head and there was silver jewellery on her rings, wrists and neck.

Flower girls walked behind her dressed in a dark gold, throwing golden petals behind her. The corset hurt against Sakura's rib cage and the huge tiara on her head pressed down into her skull. The tiara, made out of the finest precious metal shone in its glory and in its great height with dangling orbs and jewels collected from afar. Rubies, emeralds and sapphires lined her dress in the many folds. Sakura began to pant with the heat of so many layers of dense dragon-skin. It was gauzy but extremely heavy – at least it looked nothing short of beautiful.

Her make up was dark with black lines around her eyes leading to a fine pattern down the side of her face and her lips glistened a blood red. Her green eyes shone starkly in comparison. She folded her hands together and held them up to her face, bowing her head. Anger flared in her mind on this dreaded day. Her fists shook and her stature was rigid. She shook it from herself. She had to keep her composure; after all, she was born for this purpose.

She raised her eyes over her long sleeves held at her nose. Her spirits fell when she saw the few hundred steps to the altar. Part of her wanted to turn away, rip off the clothing and run for her life. Run to where these stupid rules didn't apply and fathers did sell their daughters for money and land.

She started up the steps and the crowd behind her cheered her.

' Here goes. One, two, three..four..'

Meanwhile, in the crowd, a pair of fiery amber eyes smiled onwards. All he could see was the slim robed figure climbing slowly up the steps. At the top was a man of a large build wearing black with a black tattoo on the side of his face. He squinted his eyes to see the King sitting on his throne above the scene, on the balcony in the palace. It was a spectacular sight with its large splendid walls of marble and gold. There was no Heraldine; she had died in the childbirth of Sakura – the Heraldess. He had been hired from the West lands to assassinate the Heraldess. He had obliged under the massive reward offered. All around him, the crowd erupted in celebration as she reached half way up to the altar. Syaoran smiled ruefully as he felt the dagger in his pocket. He couldn't afford to bring a big weapon with him. He'd be noticed and sliced into pieces on the spot.

The politics of this whole arrangement was complicated. It was all circling around the jealousy of two women. This marriage was between the Northlands of the Necromancers and the Eastlands of Enchantresses. The Southlands of sorceresses and Westlands of witches had bound together to form an alliance to destroy the Eastlands.

Queen Hecate of the Southlands and queen Hera of the Westlands both desired Herald Fujitaka's money, wealth and daughter Sakura. Sakura had immense magical powers as an enchantress. Her mother had been most strict in her own training and passed down all of her power. To make matters even more interesting, Sakura had a heart of silver and an endurance that made her ability increase three-fold. She trained long and hard hours and her father employed the best tutors and teachers within the Eastlands to guide her. She was one with the elemental powers who obeyed her beckoning, falling for her charm and kindness.

Hera and Hecate wished to do a deal with Herald Fujitaka but he declined them both. Instead, he took up the Necromancers of the Northlands' offer. There was a more stable future in line for his daughter and she would not be used for evil deeds. He also favoured the prince there, Prince Eriol.

In conclusion, South and West opposed North and East. There was to be a war of witches and sorceresses versus the enchantresses. The Nomads had declined any sort of involvement in the war but seeked to use Sakura's talents for their people. Herald Fujitaka decided to keep Sakura there for the meanwhile whilst preparing the land for war. He didn't want his only and beloved daughter to die.

So Hera of the West and Hecate of the South wanted Sakura. Sakura, now caught in the crossfire between the directional arrows of the Compass, was unable to comprehend why. She hid herself from people and mostly hid herself in her own room. She made few close friends but was polite to all. Hera and Hecate, for a purpose not entirely evil, set about the removal of Sakura from the Eastlands.

They needed her to be part of a ritual which would involve: one, a transfer of powers and two, the revival of a great elemental power of darkness. That was all Syaoran knew.

Syaoran flickered his fingers over the steely blade and saw her gradually climbing up the steps. She was almost at the top now. Hera and Hecate had hired him, a rogue who was banished from the Northlands for murder of a political leader there. So his cousin Eriol had taken his place as prince. Syaoran wandered many years through forests and lived off his instincts. This was a vast change from his royal lush palace life but he had always been a fighter. The best, infact. He did not give up. Hera and Hecate had come upon him and offered him this. Syaoran had lost his heart due to the injustice of the Northlands, his home country. That political leader, Vlad had been a swine and a swindler with the funds of the court. He challenged Syaoran to a fight and Syaoran obliged. Vlad had cheated by employing an assassin to kill him Syaoran from behind but Syaoran still managed to beat him – accidentally killing him with a swipe too close to the heart amidst his fury.

Outlawed. He wanted nothing to do with politics anymore. He wanted to live in peace and solitude. He glanced up at Sakura's disappearing figure and pulled the hood over his head further.

Sakura was trembling with fear. Something in her veins told her so. She was exasperated by the steep climb and had long lost count of the number of steps. She saw the sharp blue eyes of Prince Eriol and winced. She straightened her posture and swiveled her body to face him. To her left side was the Grand Priest of the Eastlands. The vows began.

' Do you Princess Sakura, Enchantress of the Eastlands – take Necromancer Prince Eriol of the Northlands to be your lawful wedded husband in all rituals and eventualities to come?'

Sakura gulped, her tears sliding down her cheeks and disappearing into her long sleeved hands at her nose. The few tears that escaped slid down the bridge of her nose and down her cheeks. The loose sleeves that hung off her hands billowed in the soft breeze.

' I do' She whispered, forcing herself to blank her mind. She wanted to feel no emotion at this point.

' Do you Necromancer Prince Eriol of the Northlands take Princess Sakura, Enchantress of the Eastlands to be your lawful wedded wife in all rituals and eventualities to come?'

' I do' Came a stern reply. Sakura almost cried out as the whole crowd grew into a frenzy and began to dance. Music exploded with loud trumpets and drums.

' You may now kiss the bride'

Sakura, who had been blinkered and unable to see anything except a small slit of scenery in front of her eyes – above her hands covering her face – let her hands drop. Eriol gasped,

' You are truly beautiful Kinomoto' Eriol smiled and he stepped over, enveloping Sakura with his hands placed on the small of her back. He looked at the tears streaming down her face and briskly wiped them away,

' Do not cry my little cherry blossom' He continued. ' I understand the sacrifice you're making'

' Like hell you do' Sakura thought. ' You can marry as many wives as you wish!'

He leant over and kissed Sakura. Sakura's eyes fluttered wide open in shock and her fists were clenched by her side. She had seen people kiss before but she hated the idea of someone violating her body or face. Even worse, Eriol gently moved his lips against hers and pried them open. He soothingly slid his tongue into her mouth and she resisted the urge to bite his tongue. She felt his tongue slide by hers and grimaced. If this was what kissing was like, she never wished to repeat the act. Her fists began to shake with fury and after what seemed an eternity – he withdrew with a smile on his beaming face.

Sakura grinned, plastering her face with fake happiness.

The cheering crowd enveloped Syaoran, who had headed to the back of the multitude. It was his protection and no one noticed a rogue. He withdrew the dagger and it glimmered with the sunlight. Along the side 'Long live the Enchantress' was engraved. He withdrew his hand and closed his eyes to slits to aim. He saw his cousin Eriol withdraw from Sakura.

' Oh sweet cousin' Syaoran smirked. 'Sorry to rid you of your wife'

He pulled back the dagger and with an outcry threw it with all his might.

It sliced through the air and Syaoran's lips instantly curved as he saw its true aim.

' Syaoran!' Hera's voice harshly called in Syaoran's mind. ' Bring her body back alive! Remember! ' Her voice was low and very quiet. Yet, it had a sinister quality much matching her temperament.

' Do not invade my mind Hera' Syaoran instantly cut off any mental connection previously placed by Hera. He felt his mind go blank for an instance and felt Hera withdraw.

Syaoran snapped back the scene and dived forward, using the drums as a beat. He shoved people out of the way and sprinted through the dancing crowd. He heard around him the massive gasps and cries of people as they heard the princess scream.

Sakura heard a high pitch whistle and her head shot to the right to find a sliver of silver..

She screamed as she felt the cold contact of metal diagonally slice into her flesh, into the right-side of her fragile ribcage. Her limp body fell back and Eriol cried out in shock. He was just about to reach her but was dragged away by his personal bodyguards. Touya, Sakura's brother and soon to be Herald erupted from King Fujitaka's side and jumped off the balcony onto the altar space below.

Syaoran, admiring the panic he'd caused reached the altar steps and climbed up with agility, taking five or six steps at a time. The people below cried out for their princess and Syaoran's gaze darkened at the sight of Sakura's brother, Prince Touya, helping Sakura. He reached the top in no time and withdrew his long blade.

' I suggest you move' Syaoran muttered in his cold voice. Touya glanced up and his brown eyes reflected extreme fervor as he had been injured within his warrior heart.

' You did this' He whispered, void of feeling and unable to speak.

' I do' Syaoran mocked Sakura's and Eriol's wedding vows.

Touya's hand reached out for the blade on his side and he screamed, withdrawing his sword in a single fluid motion.

They both engaged in battle. Clashes sprung from above and below. Touya aimed left and Syaoran smiled, levitating himself to avoid the swipe. Touya aimed right and Syaoran counterattacked. Touya was forced to fall back, stumbling backwards as Syaoran hit over and over. Both swords chimed as they collided and both young men pushed on their blades. Sweat beaded their foreheads as the sharp sides of the blades slid up and down. Syaoran smiled and whispered,

' You don't see how powerful I am, do you?' His blade began to glow red hot and the heat shot down Touya's arms. Touya let go of his blistering hot sword immediately with a cry and Syaoran saw his chance. He leapt over and roughly pulled Sakura up to his side.

' Cerberus!' He cried and a black bat-winged creature with three dog heads landed on the altar spot. The crowd beneath were in disarray, screaming, hollering and shouting, 'The Westlands are upon us! The Southlands are upon us! Save us!'

The long whip like tail complete with a red frayed end thrashed the ground. The curved claws of its robust limbs dug deep into the fabric carpet. It cried out an ear-piercing caw before bending its heavy shoulders forward. Syaoran leapt on with the Heraldess in his arms.

Touya ran after Cerberus gripping his sore hand but it took off and soared into the skies. Touya knelt down, shouting and bellowing,

' Sakura!!!!!!'

Tears brimmed his usually commanding eyes and his spirit sunk below his feet. He had failed to protect his sister.

A soft beating gently blended into her dream full of soft feathers and tender petals. She slowly fluttered her tired eyes open and they immediately widened,

' Awake?'

Sakura cried out and she gripped onto a large spike in front of her. She looked around to find herself flying. What this spike was she soon realized. Her mouth fell open as she saw that the black spike that supported her was one of many lining down the ridges of this monster's back.

Her eyes glanced to the person sitting a metre or so in front of her, nearer the monster's head. She screamed,

' Get me off this!' Her wedding dress was ripped badly at one side and the tiara was missing.

' I suggest you remove your jewellery. It may attract ravens and other creatures of the middle lands'

' We're in the middle lands?' Sakura shrieked. ' Are you out of your mind? The monsters out here are unheard of'

' Perhaps' Was the simple reply. Sakura resisted the urge to throw herself off. Her eyes fell to the back of this monster.

' I suppose you want to take me to the Westlands' She whispered through the thunderous blasting of the wind through them.

' Yup' He wanted no emotional attachment now and most of all, no contemplation of his acts after this kidnapping. Sakura shook her head in disbelief,

' Have you no heart? She watched in horror as he shook his head. He didn't even reply. Sakura's eyes began to water and fill with enraged tears,

' I hate you!' She pushed herself off her knees and threw herself at her captor. Syaoran, unsuspecting of this began to slip. His grip had not been in preparation of this. His hands slipped over Cerberus' short black fur and they both slid off his back.

Sakura screamed and Syaoran desperately tried to grab something to hold himself. When that failed, they both began to tumble through the putrid air of the middle lands.

' Cerberus!' Syaoran shouted at the top of his voice. Sakura closed her eyes and tried to perform an enchantment but it failed. Her mind was blank and her hands shook with purposelessness. The wound at her side bled freely and attracted ravenous predators. Sakura shielded her face with her arms as she saw a ruby red creature flying towards her. She could feel its heat raw against her skin and felt helpless whilst falling in the endless sky.

She removed her arms as the wind pulled her body open and saw the red creature in front of her fly off another direction as black Cerberus shoved it roughly aside. On one of its great paws hung Syaoran. He reached out his hand and caught Sakura in his grasp.

Forcefully pulling her against him, he climbed up his patronus – Cerberus. With most of his energy, he dragged himself up his leg and over his broad shoulder. Once he was lying down on his front, panting and trying to regain some strength he shouted,

' Are you out of your mind?' He retorted, remembering the previous question she'd asked. Sakura, lying also on her front with Syaoran's arm draped across her back answered breathlessly,

' I want to go home. What do you expect you selfish coward?' She threw his hand off and sat up, edging herself away from him with her back against a spike on Cerberus' back.

Syaoran knelt up, clicking a few joints into place.

' Suicide is not an option' He chuckled. 'What a tumble'

Sakura's eyes widened and she spat,

' We almost got killed!'

Syaoran shrugged and glided back to his original position before the tumble.

' You almost got killed. Monsters here know better than to fight me' He smiled ruefully whilst patting Cerberus' neck. Sakura shook her head in disgust and looked away deciding there was no escape. She was deep in thought in why she couldn't do magic. She could feel Cerberus' mighty muscles moving under her small body. She glanced down at her hands in her insecurity; she was nothing without her magic. Her fingers twitched and she could feel herself burning. Her magic was still within her but she was unable to express it. A blunt pain began in her side because she was now unable to heal herself. She gritted her teeth with her emerald eyes shining fiercely as the pain increased and intensified.

Syaoran hadn't slept for days whilst on this adventure and had fought many creatures on his way to the Eastlands from the Westlands. His head began to drop forward with his intense amber eyes falling behind hooded eyelids. Cerberus' wings pounded the air as he made progress between the lands. Patroni never needed to sleep. They were guardians of the elements.

All of fire, water, ice, earth, wind, metal, spirit, thunder, soul, star, light and darkness existed. The twelve patroni were born out of the Merlin's skilful hands. He was the original sorcerer able to funnel and create white magic many aeons ago. This white magic was used and distorted by many. Merlin had only ever needed darkness to guard the night but now, darkness was one of the most powerful. The mortals were able to contain the patronus by using a willing enchantress – so she called herself – who took darkness in her arms and made the patronus her own guardian. There, she sealed him in a large ice crystal in the cold and barren Southlands.

Sakura slammed her hands on her knees in frustration. Her fingers didn't respond to her mind and she was mentally exhausted in trying. Her face was tense in aggravation and she was shaking. This was the first time in her life she felt so petty and unable to do what had become as essential as breathing. The pain in her side was so stifling she had to then bite in her hand to prevent herself from bawling.

Syaoran kept looking ahead and urging Cerberus on.

' Ride' He murmured. ' You can go faster Cerberus'

Sakura winced loudly and Syaoran rolled his eyes.

Sakura began to cry silent tears. She had lost all sight of dignity and was a single leaf floating down a turbulent stream. She felt so small to the world yet the world thought so important of her.

' We'll be landing at Nain village soon' Syaoran thought of Cerberus' welfare and the fact he was growing tired.

Sakura's heart panged. She was without family, friends and Kero. Kero was her blissful guardian. He was robed in pure white fur with streaks of gold and silver marked throughout. A pair of small white feathered wings framed his adorable face with clean white teeth which Sakura looked after so carefully..most of all..the bright beige eyes which showed such care and love. He was always the shoulder to cry on and her favoured Patronus. She bundled her hands into her gown, using her imagination to feel Kero's fur and his warmth. She crossed her eyebrows and thought a moment. How ironic, Kerberus..Cerberus…guardian of the gates of hell…guardian of the heaven gates…

Cerberus beat his vast wings and rose higher in the sky. All the three heads growled distinctly before they began to look hazy. In an optical illusion, they melted into one fearsome head. Syaoran looked around at Sakura, whose head was bowed low. He shook his head before Cerberus swept down in a mighty motion. He dived so abruptly that Sakura screamed and slid forward into Syaoran's back.

Syaoran cursed himself and resisted the idea of pushing her off. He didn't want to kill her or else he wouldn't get his reward. Through huge fluffy clouds in the dimming sky they swept down. Cerberus leveled off and Sakura, through half closed eyes saw a small village come into view. In the central lands?

' A village? Here?'

Syaoran snorted, 'You're so ignorant'

Sakura squeezed her eyes tight, her body firmly against Syaoran's. The final descent came into view and they plummeted vertically down. Sakura bit her bottom lip and Syaoran smiled as Cerberus gently touched the ground with his ebony wings arched back.

' Get off Heraldess' Syaoran said, motioning his head to the ground. Sakura glanced over and gently slid off down his leg. She landed and fell forward onto her knees. Syaoran shook his head,

' Women' He mumbled. He gracefully leapt down onto his feet and began to walk towards the village. The sun was setting on this relatively large village – almost a town. It cast large purple shadows on the houses and the huge lake in the middle gently rolled water. Sakura looked around, blinking slowly. She had never thought the barren central plains could have villages at all.

Sakura with a heave pushed herself up onto her legs before stumbling after Syaoran. He walked so fast. Sakura kept her eyes on his loose black trousers and his black shoes. She swayed left to right and people who looked on saw a blur. She must have looked so out of place with her ripped and torn wedding gown. Blood dripped down one side and the extremely expensive material was falling out of place. Her feet hurt with her shoes and her hair was falling from the once stunning arrangement. She could hear people whispering and the voices echoed and chimed in her mind. It gave her a headache and her fingertips ached with magic.

' Give us a room for the night' She heard Syaoran vaguely saying something to a woman with a small chink. She heard footsteps on a hard wooden floor. She slipped against the doorway and held on with a small soft whimper.

Syaoran haltered, it sounded much like Fulmen, the thunder..younger patronus..

He'd lost her.

He'd lost Fulmen, one of his favoured patronus who he'd lost to a battle with a tigris. He had pushed Fulmen too far.

She was out there somewhere. Alone. He would rescue her one day. He'd find her and train her to be a mighty Patronus the way she deserved.

' Father. Mother. Guide me' He heard Sakura mumble and he looked back,

' Move Heraldess' He thought of her as weak and a pity. He was expecting a strong woman with a fierce temperament, vicious and able to knock him out in a single blow.

He walked on and Sakura followed slowly. Syaoran looked back again and his temper flared.

' By the time you get up the steps, it will be morning!'

A small bark from behind Sakura caused her to jump. A small black puppy with sparkling red eyes bounced past her and Syaoran, up the stars. Sakura stumbled at the steps and sat on her side,

' Look girl' Syaoran marched over and grabbed Sakura's arm violently. He dragged her up the stairs with her gently moaning from pain behind. She tripped on the last step and fell into Syaoran. He shook his head, kicked open a door and pushed her inside.

Sakura stumbled onto the bed and lay on her front. She began to sob, gripping the covers with her delicate fingers and her legs failing under her. Her life had gone from bad to worse. Marrying Eriol was one thing. Being kidnapped was another.

She hurt so badly. Inside. Physically she would heal but mentally, it was not so easy. She pulled herself up on the bed with the little strength she had. She heard the door close and lock behind her. Her back ached just as her side did. She closed her eyes slowly before gently falling asleep – tears still falling down her face.

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Right! Re-written. Hopefully for the better. Here is an illustration to help you understand.

Nomads

Witches Enchantresses

Sorceresses

Only women of west east and south are blessed with magical powers.

Only men from north.

[ this will be brought up later on]

Witches [Hera] Sorceresses [Hecate] v. Enchantresses [Fujitaka]

Lea xXx