Disclaimer: Card Captor does not belong to me, it belongs to Clamp.

Summary: Set in olden times, this fanfiction tells a story of vengeance that goes beyond the borders of murder and torment, and love so strong it suffocates its victim.

Kinomoto Sakura was a mere six year old, born into a wealthy, perfect family of four-her mother, Nadeshiko, her father, Fujiitaka, her brother, Touya and the little angel herself. She had lots of friends, and when I meant lots of friends, I mean it.

Everyday, it seemed as though she would never be spared the chance to experience the emptiness of boredom and solitude because every minute, you would find her out in the open field or in the house playing with her friends. And often, they would be so bustling and noisy that neighbours five blocks away could hear their screams and squeals and go right up to their doorstep and bang on the door, demanding the little group to quieten down.

And of course, if by any occasion Sakura is not found playing with her bosom friends Tomoyo Daidouji, Hirigazawa Eriol and Syaoran Li, I can assure you something bad has happened to either one of the four. And often, those 'something' would turn out to be very bad. Something bad like...

It was a wintry day and the wind was howling and scraping against the roof of the manor that the Kinomotos dwelled in.

"Father! Mother! Look! I can make bubbles appear on my mouth!" Sakura exclaimed as drops of her saliva fell onto the floor as she continued to foam excitedly. Fujiitaka and Nadeshiko could not help but reveal their parental smiles at the little girl's easily aroused excitement and innocence. Touya just gave a small smile before pinching his little sister's cheeks HARDLY.

"OW!" Sakura yelped, as Fujiitaka glared at Touya.

"Heh, sorry, couldn't help it. The little monster was just too cute," Touya replied, scratching his head. There was a knock on the door. Smiling, Nadeshiko went to open it.

Standing as erect as he could and trembling like a leaf, a little boy with chestnut frazzled hair and amber eyes asked shyly, "Erm... is Sakura there?" "Why, come on in, Syaoran, don't stand out in the cold or you'll catch one," Nadeshiko said in her usual motherly tone and gently pulled Syaoran in.

"Hey Syaoran!" Sakura exclaimed, running to her little friend. Syaoran flushed as Sakura gave him a bear hug. "Look! I can make bubbles on my mouth!" she continued, foaming again. An amazed Syaoran stared at her before asking, "Hey! That's cool! How do you do that?"

Sakura was busy teaching Syaoran how to foam when there came another knock on the door. This time, Touya went to answer it.

Swinging open the door, Touya was greeted with the sight of over a hundred soldiers standing behind a general. A familiar general called General Daidouji.

"Daidouji! Come on in," Fujiitaka invited with warmest of hospitality. General Daidouji just looked at him with indifference before unveiling a scroll from his sleeves and unrolling it and read, "By order of the Emperor, Fujiitaka has been found with evidence of treason; he has been seen sneaking in and out of China and making contact with the Xiongnus, our perpetual enemy. His unfaithfulness to the Emperor and his dynasty shall not be taken lightly. As general, it is responsibility to my duty that I have you and your clan exterminated. Guards, take the Kinomotos away to await their execution!"

Fujiitaka's eyes widened as he protested, "I have never even been out of China before! Nor do I even know where the Xiongnus reside! How have I been sighted making contact with them?" "I have witnessed your actions of disloyalty, my fellow friend," a deep voice said.

Syaoran quickly looked up in fear and said, "Father?"

A solemn and swarthy man slowly stepped into the Kinomoto manor. "Li, how could you do this to me? How could you malign me?" Fujiitaka asked, trying to free himself from a guard's grasp.

General Li ignored him and turned to Syaoran, "Son, let us leave and break off all ties with this group of disloyal traitors."

Syaoran protested, "But father, Sakura-" "Syaoran! If you show any hints of defiance right now, you will be punished," General Li hissed and Syaoran quickly quietened down. The father and son left as the guards dragged the Kinomotos out of their manor to the palace.

On the way, as though he had suddenly gained the strength of Hercules, Fujiitaka freed himself from the grasps of the two guards and took out a dagger from his sleeve, In the speed of lightning, Fujiitaka had General Daidouji as his hostage.

"Kinomoto! What is the meaning of this?" General Daidouji hissed angrily. "I'm sorry, Daidouji but I have to clear my name. I can't let my family and I suffer injustice!" Fujiitaka whispered before shouting, "I shall only release the general if you all let my family go!"

The guards looked at one another before hesitantly freeing the Kinomoto family. However, the moment they were freed, General Daidouji managed to snatch the knife from Fujiitaka's hand and stabbed it right into his neck. Blood spurted out as Sakura screamed.

Touya quickly grabbed Sakura by the wrist and ran off into the bushes as the guards quickly caught Nadeshiko, who urged her son on.

"Get the two children!" General Daidouji ordered angrily. The guards quickly sped off to look for the two.

Meanwhile...

Touya stopped running and hid behind a huge tree with Sakura.

He panted before turning to Sakura and saying, "S-Sakura, if you don't hear my voice... don't come out. J-Just hide here-" "No! But I want to stay with you!" Sakura protested but Touya cupped her mouth to shut her up. "Just listen! F-For mom and dad!" he whispered and Sakura stopped struggling as a tear fell from her cheek.

Touya heaved a sigh of relief before sorrow started overwhelming his eyes and he continued, "I have to go and find them! But you! You have to be safe and carry on living. If you hear footsteps, run. Run as far and as fast as you can. Only come out of your hiding place if you hear my voice. Ok?" "No!" "Sakura! Please! For mom and dad!" Touya pleaded but Sakura shook her head vigorously.

"And me," he added, putting his hand on her shoulder. Sakura looked at her big brother for awhile before nodding grudgingly. Touya smiled and gave his little sister his first, and probably last, bear hug before standing up.

Before running back, Touya turned to Sakura and said in a cold tone, "Remember. The Daidoujis and the Lis have caused this. If you never see me or mom or dad again, then we're dead. Don't cry, Sakura. You have to be strong. Yes, that's a good girl. Don't cry. If we're dead, I want you to flee as far as you can to the safest place possible. And grow up healthily and normally. If you ever catch sight of Daidouji or Li, you must remember the pain they have mercilessly inflicted upon us and exact vengeance. Sakura, I know they're your friends but look at your family! Friends don't do break families apart! Or even cause their deaths!"

And with that, Touya sprinted off back, leaving a sobbing Sakura behind.