Second in Command

If someone could give me a brief tutorial on how to upload chapters or how to make the tab button show up on documents, I'd be most appreciative. Cardcaptor Sakura does not belong to me but to the people at Clamp. Second in Command is based off of Lynette Dyer Vuong's collection of short stories in her book, The Golden Carp: And Other Tales From Vietnam.

Chapter 1: An Imperial Summons

"One, Two, Three…, block, parry, strike!" Touya thought frantically in his head. He could see his challenger grinning at him. Gritting his teeth, he knew he was losing, but refusing to give up, he stabbed at his opponent's vulnerable abdomen. Hearing a sickening clang as his sword met the cobbled stone walkway, he glanced around quickly wondering where his foe went. With a small gasp he felt the sword's point in his back and groaning, he closed his eyes in preparation for the coming blow.

"Ha, ha, ha, big brother!" Sakura crowed triumphantly, "now you have to do my chores for a whole week."

"You were cheating kaijuu," he muttered futilely, but was met with a swift kick in the shin.

"I am not a monster!" she hissed quietly and glared at him. "I won fair and square." Touya glared right back at her.

Quiet clapping ended their little glaring match, and both children bowed quietly to their father who was referring the match.

"Wonderfully played, both of you," Kinomoto Fujitaka looked upon both his children. Using his cane as support, he stood and poured them both a cup of tea. "As usual Touya, your impatience has allowed your opponent to side-step you and attack from behind."

Despite training them both equally Fujitaka was proud to see his youngest out besting her older brother. He believed both to be excellent swordsmen, fully capable of defeating any who challenged them. Sakura interrupted his quiet reverie by picking up the empty cups and tea kettle.

"I'll take these inside, Father," she murmured.

Sakura stepped inside their quaint home on the edge of a pristine lake. Keeping a wide berth from the fire lit in their kitchen fireplace, Sakura placed the dishes in the sink to wash later. Staring into the dancing flames she could feel her old fears rising. Ever since her mother's death rescuing her from their burning shed, Sakura had always felt a slight fear of fire. She felt pitiful having to ask her father or brother to light the stove everything time she had to cook, but nothing she could do would shake her trepidation of going near it. Sighing quietly, she set out the noon time lunch.

"That was a delicious meal Sakura," Fujitaka complimented her. Touya began clearing the dishes off the table when they heard a knock on their front door.

"I'll get it," Sakura sang out. Nearly tripping over a rug, she ran to answer the door.

"Why is it that she can be such a klutz just walking, but she manages to beat me at swordplay every time?" Touya questioned his father. Fujitaka could only answer with a shrug and a sympathetic smile.

"Father! It's Yukito at the door!" Sakura re-entered the room. Following her was the tale silver-haired assistant to her father at the local school and best friend of Touya. Bowing slightly in greeting, Tsukishiro Yukito sat down.

"Oh! Did you just finish lunch?" he questioned. Sakura grinned.

"I'll fix you something quick to eat," she replied cheerfully as she went back to the kitchen. She had always had a small crush on the always smiling boy, but knew that it was just an infatuation.

Making sure that Sakura had completely left the room. Yukito laid out a scroll of parchment on the table.

"No!" Touya exclaimed.

"Shh! Keep your voice down," Fujitaka admonished him. "So it's true Yukito?" he questioned the boy as he sat down.

"Unfortunately, sir. You're heard that the Huns have been attacking the northern Chinese border, but the skirmishes in the East have developed into a rebellion," Yukito said gravely. "They've asked for one male from every household that is of age and physical capability to enlist. My father is going for his household."

"I'll go," Fujitaka said quietly after reading the scroll that detailed the call to battle and reasons of war.

"No Father, you've already served. Besides with your injury, the army might not take you," Touya argued. He couldn't bear to say that his father might be killed because of that bad leg.

Fujitaka had served in the army in the previous war. Thanks to his education and unique perception in battle, Fujitaka was valued as a designer of attack and counter attack against the enemy. He had received an honorable discharge and a small stipend for the injury to his leg that would force him to walk with a cane for the rest of his life.

"I'll go. I'm the eldest and the only son. It's my duty to go," Touya retorted.

"No, I'll go," came a voice from the kitchen doorway. All three men looked up to see Sakura. Carefully placing a sandwich in front of Yukito Sakura continued. "Big Brother, no offense, but I have a better chance of surviving battle than you do."

"You can't go! He protested, "You're a girl. There's no way they're letting a girl into the army!"

"Not if I disguise myself as a boy," she countered.

Standing up and slamming his hands on the table Touya bellowed, "I can't believe that my little sister is thinking of going into the army disguised as a boy!"

"Fine! I'll challenge you for it! First person to disarm their opponent wins," Sakura exclaimed.

Stepping into the courtyard, the two participants grabbed their swords. Touya blinded by anger and fury soon found himself disarmed in less than a minute by Sakura.

Quietly Sakura murmured, "Now you see why I have to go."

"Alright," Touya admitted, "But I still don't like this idea."

The next couple of days were spent in instruction for Sakura on how to pass as a man. By carefully cutting her hair off to her shoulders, tying it up in a traditional warrior's knot, and binding her chest, she could pass for a 15 year old male despite her 18 years of age.

"Square your shoulders, take large steps, not small ones, and keep to the sidelines. You don't want to call attention to yourself, Sakura," Fujitaka warned her.

The day finally came when she would approach the main camp. Sakura stepped out the door with her pack and mounted her horse, Kero. Just as she was about to start off, she was approached by Touya.

"Kaijuu…" he muttered.
She was about to contradict him when she saw the seriousness of his face.
"You're my only little sister. I know family honor is important, but…" he paused quietly. "Just come back alive ok?"

Looking up quickly she observed Touya's eyes had unshed tears in them. Nodding quietly, and mounting her horse, she set off.
"I love you," she whispered as she passed the gateway of her home.
Sighing quietly both Fujitaka and Touya watched her as she rode off.
"Nadeshiko watch over her," Fujitaka thought in silent prayer.

More emotion, and Syaoran in the next chapter.

Please review,
Grignard