''Special note''

All chapters have been read and corrected

suggestion reread all chapters

for better understanding

thx.

Disclaimer: I don't own CCS. CLAMP

Title: Ancient Hope

Summary: In the year 1070 B.C. the half a century rule of the Lian kingdom came to an end. Darkness has corrupted light. Hope has been lost along withits rulers - the Lis. Xun Zi, murderer of the last king now rules the lands and skies as King. There is no longer light, but now in the darkest hour, there has been a shift in time and light shines again.

Genre: Romance/Adventure/ Humor

Some notes

First, this fanfic is the first fic I have ever made, so it may not be the best out there, but I will try my best to make it good. You may see some grammar mistakes here and there, yes, I know they suck, but please just bear with me for now. I'm trying to make sure I catch every mistake I make.

Secondly, please try to understand that life is hard with me at times, and that updates won't be as frequent; but since I'm on vacation, I'll try my hardest to update whenever I can. As soon as school starts, I'm afraid I have to hit the books and bid the internet goodbye (for a bit), but there will still be updates, of course.

Thirdly, I'll try my very best to make this one a great story! Enjoy!

Chapter 1

The Dream

The wind had gone silent.

The kingdom had fallen as its ground reigns with fire and destroys everything in sight. Screams of horror echoed the city as the dark army marched everywhere, destroying everything that stubbled along their way. The sun was no longer shining, but the smoke of fires, burning bodies and buildings covered the skies, making darkness flood the land. The great kingdom of Lian was no more. The birth of the dark king had come. Xun Zi had broken down the walls of Lian and had killed every single soul in the kingdom, including the Lis, the kingdom's former rulers.

The war was lost. Darkness had won, yet one final battle was still at work

The crashing of swords cringed as ash filled the air.

''I won't let you win!'' yelled an amber eyed warrior in the ground as he bled from his arm. Fire surrounded the fight, making his long messy brown hair appear like flames sticking to his face and neck.

''I have already won' responded a red eyed warrior as he applied more force to his sword.

''I will never forgive you, Xun'' Li whispered back as an evil smirk formed on Xun's firm features.

''I never asked for forgiveness, Li'' he said back. With fury, the amber eyed warrior shot towards Xun, who quickly jumped to the side, dodging the ambered eyed warrior. He saw an opening, and swiftly gave him a strong blow to his stomach. He growled, but suddenly elbowed him across his face, making his lip bleed slightly. Getting back in stance, he thrust towards the young warrior.

CLANG!

The amber eyed warrior pushed Xun back, and attacked him with a fast thrust. Xun parried the attack, and gave the amber eyed warrior a strong stab to his shoulder. The two flipped back, and landed gracefully. As soon as their feet hit the floor, they shot towards each other again. The amber eyed warrior swiftly dodged multiple sword thrusts, and attacked with a powerful downward strike as Xun smirked, and disappeared from sight, appearing behind the young warrior with a sword at his neck.

''What made you think you could win me against me, Li'' Xun chuckled pressing his sword against Li's skin, making him bleed slightly.

''Look around you, Li. Your so called kingdom has fallen'' Xun whispered to his ear as he forced him to look around the city.

''The rivers are flooded with the blood of your people, even your family" he said harshly as he pushed the warrior to the ground. The amber eyed warrior blinked back tears as he heard his last words. His family was indeed dead. He was the only one left, so he couldn't disappoint them.

''You won't win'' he whispered back as he balanced himself back up with one knee, and reached for his sword. Xun back was turned to him watching the city fall with fire and screams. It brought music to his ears.

''The last heir dies here'' he whispered as he brought his sword up, and swiftly turned to him bringing his sword down...

Emerald eyes fiercely opened as a young girl sat up almost instantly, gasping for air.

''Not again'' the girl whispered as sweat dripped from her auburn hair to her bed. Gripping onto her pendant that was given to her by her mother, she closed her eyes and tried to convince herself that it was only a dream once again; the same dream she had been having for a couple of days already.

Strangely, they all started and ended the same.

Turning to her clock, she started her morning like she always did.

''Hoeeeeeeee!!!!'' her voice echoed all over the house as she fell off her bed.

That was Sakura Kinomoto for everyone. A typical 5'7, 17 year old girl – well, maybe not so typical, but that was how she started her day.

Getting up quickly, she ran to her bathroom and prepared herself to go to school. She was in her final year in Tomoeda High. Stripping from her pajamas, she stepped into the shower. She knew she was late, but there was no way she was going to go to school smelling like drool. Closing her eyes, she leaned against the wall letting the water wash her tan and lean body, sculpted by the cheerleading she went through every day to stay in shape. Her legs were long, muscles showing with every little move she made. Matching her frame were a pair of green eyes that seemed to brighten up everything it came across with. She was what people would call a boy's fantasy.

Opening her eyes, she turned off the water and stepped out. With a sigh she took her towel and dried herself up.

Quickly dressing up, she grabbed her satchel, and ran down the stairs of her house. It was a nice two story yellow house with three rooms, and a yard surrounded with beautiful flowers, and a small wall lining their property.

The air smelled like it always did. It was the smell of freshly made coffee and bacons. Smiling, she stepped into the bright kitchen, the sun shining in through the windows, hitting the peach painted walls. A round table was in the middle of the room with three plates of food waiting to be eaten.

''Good morning'' Sakura said cheerfully as she placed her bag in the table and turned up to see her father. He was 40 and had auburn hair and honey brown eyes slightly hidden behind his glasses. He was slightly tan from visiting excavations, and was a teacher in Archaeology. Smiling, he looked at Sakura.

''Good morning, Sakura'' Fujitaka Kinomoto said to his daughter as he poured himself coffee and sat on the table.

In a desk near the table was a picture of a beautiful young woman in her late 20's. She had bright emerald eyes very much like Sakura's, but had long wavy dark gray hair. Her complexion was a stark contrast to Sakura's tan, which was creamy white. She was a model, and she is Nadeshiko Kinomoto, Sakura's mother. She died from an illness when Sakura was only 6 years old at the age of 32.

"Good morning, Okaa-san" Sakura said, smiling as she traced the picture with her finger tip. In the picture her mother had the same pendant she had on. A silver necklace with five cherry blossom petals forming a heart hung unto her neck. Touching her necklace once again, she smiled. This was the only thing that reminded her of her mother every day. It reminded her that Nadeshiko was with her all the time. It was the only thing she cherished from her mother's belongings. For some reason, she believed she had to have it on, no matter what.

Turning her attention to the kitchen, she looked around noticing someone was missing...

''Move it kaijuu. I'm late for class'' came a voice behind her as she was pushed to the side and let the young man pass her.

''I'm no kaijuu!" Sakura yelled to her older brother as he grabbed a toast and took some juice.

''Once a monster, always a monster'' Touya Kinomoto smirked as he ate his breakfast. Unlike her father and herself, Touya Kinomoto had messy black hair matching his dark almost black eyes. He was in college with his best friend, Yukito Tsukishiro. He was 23, and like always was still as overprotective of his little sister (though he won't admit it), no boy could ever get close to her without passing him first.

''I'll show you a monster'' Sakura said back as she stomped on his foot hard, causing him to drop his toast and attend to his foot with a growl.

''Sakura Kinomoto'' Touya growled, glaring at her. Giggling, she looked up to her clock and felt her face pale.

''Hoeeeee! I'm late!'' Sakura yelped as she grabbed her stuff and kissed her father, who chuckled at her everyday routine.

''Save my food, dad. Bye." Sakura yelled running to the door, picking up her skates.

"Bye, 'niichan'' she giggled as she heard him growl after her while she closed the door. Sitting down quickly, she placed her skates on. Standing up, she locked her protection gear on and looked around quickly. Her gaze stopped at the empty house next to hers. The house's sign caught her attention.

''Sale''

It had been empty for some time now. No one had bought it yet or so she thought. The house was just like hers, with some differences in shape and color. The roof was a dark blue and the rest was white.

Sighing, she looked back down to her watch.

''Hoeee! '' she groaned skating off to school.

She was late as usual.

''I do believe it's your third time being late this week, Kinomoto'' Yoshiyuki Terada calmly said as Sakura stood beside the door, looking at him embarrassed.

"Yes, Sensei"' Sakura said taking a glance at her class as she listened to them share their giggles and laughs at her lateness, causing her cheeks to reddened even more.

Sighing, Terada-sensei looked to his left where the buckets hang.

"I'm sorry, Kinomoto; but you know school rules. Being late more than once, and you're out in the hall'' Terada said as Sakura nodded, grabbing the buckets as she walked out, looking like a cherry. Closing the door, Terada began his lecture.

Sakura sighed as she placed her stuff on the floor and carried the buckets of water and stared at the empty hall.

''Who invented this bucket rule anyway?'' Sakura muttered to herself as she tapped her foot on the ground. Her foot step echoed the hall as she sighed, frusrated. The hall was way too quiet for her. Sighing once more, she stopped her tapping as a poster hanging on the wall caught her attention.

''Winter Spring Formal''

It was one of the biggest dances of the year. It was two days away, and she had no date. Of course, she had been asked to go by a number of guys, but she was still waiting for someone to ask her; someone she thought to be out of her league. He was popular, not that she wasn't, but she wasn't exactly confident. And the guy just happened to be one of the most popular guys in school. Sure Sakura was like one of the popular girls in school and all but she never though she was up to his league. High School...a place where your judged by the way you look or by the people you stand with. What a place to be at. Thankfully for Sakura her friends kept her going and her sweetness towards everyone got alot of people to like her. She was one of those few who cared about everyone and didn't base any one by status.She had her times where she had to stand up for herself and her fellow students that where considered low standard to there school. She was truly one of a kind.

But back to the guy, he was one of those drop dead looking guys. With black messing hair that shined everywhere he went, with a light tan and very yet nice muscular body 6'0 and deep blue eyes and great smile to match package was Tenchi Su. Captain of the soccer team and quarterback to the football team. This was Tenchi Su the boy of the year and crush in Sakura's eyes. Sure it started out as mere attraction but for Sakura it grew into something more, not love, yet not far from it. To her Tenchi was one of the nicest boy she had ever met, he was charming, smart, and good to all the students or so she thought. But remember the keyword was to her. Sure Tenchi was a nice boy to her but to every one beneath him...well lets just she he wasn't so nice or charming. But Sakura never seemed to notice this.

''Two more days'' Sakura whispered to herself. Sighing, she put the buckets down. ''What's taking him so long anyway?'' she asked herself. Two weeks had passed since she heard a rumor going around, saying that Tenchi was going to ask her to the dance. As much as it wasn't a shock to most students, it was a shock for her.

''Maybe it was just a rumor'' she said to herself as she turned and hit herself against the wall.''I'm so stupid'' she muttered to herself as she hit her head against the wall yet again, not noticing someone behind her.

''Did you know they say talking to yourself is a sign of insanity?'' came a deep male voice, startling her as she jumped and came face to face with Tenchi Su. Blushing Sakura shook her head.

''Good morning, Sakura''

"Good morning, Tenchi" Sakura said, smiling brightly as he looked down at her buckets.

''I see you're late again'' he said, chuckling as shook his hall pass at her. ''You should wake up earlier'' he suggested as she blushed.

''So what brings you here in the hall?'' Sakura asked, picking up the buckets, not noticing how he eyed her.

''Bathroom'' Tenchi said, straightening himself as she turned to him.

''Well you should get back to class. You wouldn't want you to end up like me'' she giggled making him chuckle.

''I suppose'' Tenchi said turning to leave but stopped half-way.

''Can I ask you something?'' he asked.

''Yes?'' she asked.

''I know the answer may be yes, but do you have a date for the dance yet?'' he asked as her eyes widened softly.

''No'' Sakura answered, shaking her head.

''What? I would have expected you to have someone by now'' he laughed. ''I know it's late notice and all, but would you mind going with me'' he asked, making her almost drop the buckets.

''I mean I would have asked earlier, but I thought you already had a date and...'' Tenchi kept going, but she cut in.

''I would love to'' Sakura said smiling as he smiled and nodded, coming close to her.

''Really?'' he asked making her blushed.

''Yes'' Sakura said, avoiding his eyes.

''Do you like me Sakura?'' Tenchi asked so close to her she could feel his breathe.

''Y-Yes, of course, I do'' she stuttered as she let him take the buckets and place them down; he straightened up to her face once again.

''No, do you really, like me like me?'' he said, bringing his hands up her shoulders.

''umm...'' Sakura muttered as she looked in his blue eyes and felt her cheeks redden. He was far too close, and the way he lowered his head and closed his eyes and held onto her shoulders made it seem like he was going to kiss her, so she nervously closed her eyes and waited for what she thought was going to be her first kiss.

She waited, but nothing ever came. Opening her eyes, he no longer was looking at her but behind her. Turning slightly to her left, she saw Terada standing next to the door with the rest of the class watching her. Sakura felt the heat rise beneath her neck and covered her face.

''Hoe'' Sakura whispered, embarrassed.

''I'll see you later, Sakura'' Tenchi coughed as he walked off quickly.

''Yeah'' she whispered off to him, and turned back to her teacher.

''Kinomoto" Terada coughed.

''Class time is a time to learn not time for...teenage activity'' Terada said as she blushed and nodded. ''I expect you to carry on with your buckets and... nothing else'' Terada said as she nodded.

''I'm sorry'' she whispered as her class burst out laughing.

''Class settle down'' Terada-sensei said trying to calm the class down and then started a lecture explaining how school was important and how it should be respected and how all students should obey the rules.

School was truly being unfair with her that day. It certainly couldn't get any worse, could it?

Well, there you have it folks.

The first chapter of this long story, I suppose. What do you think? Is it good or bad? Should I continue writing it?

I need your opinions.They matter a lot to me!

Life is truly a mystery...

Yours truly,

MyDarkMystery