Identity
By: Aneko-chan
…
Chapter One
The Traveler
…
Disclaimer: CCS does not belong to me.
…
It wasn't like anyone can just travel around the country freely or by themselves.
Kinomoto Sakura was a lucky person.
She had recently convinced her father about the traveling business and wanting to explore the lands. Her older brother complained about it but lost to their father.
So here she is, walking along a road to the next town. She was enjoying herself; interested in each town's customs and traditions. But they all have something in common.
Everyone she met really respects their King.
Their King; the ruler of all the lands is a very admirable person. He would try his best to make everyone happy and would help out himself if he needs to. Soon, his son would become the King and continue to rule the lands.
Sakura, herself loves the King more than anyone else.
After all, the King is her father.
It was a miracle that her father would let her travel around the country by herself. She was a young woman of twenty three but moreover; a princess.
She got her looks from both her parents. The auburn color of her hair from her father and the beautiful emerald eyes from her mother. Both of her parents were very attractive and young and that's how Sakura grew up beautiful. She became attractive herself and had many suitors.
But she gently refused each and every one of them.
Her father asked her why and she would always reply back with a 'I'm not ready for marriage yet.'
Her older brother, Kinomoto Touya was glad she refused them. He would always ruffle her head and give her a thumbs up.
"Good job, kiddo!", he would say with a carefree grin. Even though she didn't marry, he did. Her sister in law was a very beautiful woman.
Mizuki Kaho. Now Kinomoto Kaho. They had encountered many times in the palace before. She worked as the palace counselor; helping those in need and people who are troubled. Somehow, the two fell in love and got married.
Before Sakura left on her journey, Kaho announced that she was pregnant.
It has been four months since then.
Back on the road; wearing a long and worn out traveling cape; a black tank top; white shorts and ankle length black boots; she skimmed the road for bandits or other travelers.
There were bandits in the world and there can be some nearby. Bandits; thieves; mostly men that steal luggage or money that holds value. If they want, they could even kidnap women and do things Sakura doesn't even want to think about.
She was glad she was taught how to fight when she was little. She had an excellent teacher when she was young and he ended up being her first crush. But she knew he was married and he wouldn't be interested in a six year old girl. So she gave up on him instantly.
She became skilled in fighting and in other arts. She helped out many people in the imperial city and learned how to cook and sew from the citizens. She laughed and danced with them during festivals and events.
She had fun. That was when she thought of traveling to see what other cities; towns; villages were like. She wanted to help those in need; who are poor and starving, she couldn't leave them be.
Aldedge Town. Her next settlement.
Her emerald eyes looked at the sign that pointed towards the town. Before she entered, she looked at the map she had always carried and checked the location.
Aldedge town was well known for its lively people and the festivals taken place which occurs every week.
She couldn't wait to see what kind of things she could learn in this town. She put away the map back into her bag and took a step into the town.
She didn't expect to see things that she was not hoping to see.
It is a small town; filled with quiet and unsociable people. She had walked around the place; earning stares from the townspeople. They obviously knew that she was an outsider; with the clothes she's wearing and since it was a small town, everyone knew each other.
One of the residents; a boy walked up to her and asked, "You're an unfamiliar face miss. Must be a traveler." Sakura nodded. "Will you be staying in this town for a few days?"
Sakura paused a bit. The townspeople sounds like they might be desperate for some money. From the looks of it too.
She couldn't help but notice the pleading look the boy's eyes are giving her.
She gave him a small smile. "Yes." The boy's eager expression turned to surprise.
"R-really?!", he stuttered and then started to grin happily. "I-I mean, that's great!" He then ran towards an older woman who Sakura guess is the boy's mother. She sees the woman's happy expression as she and her son turns to look back at the beautiful young woman smiling at them.
So she stayed.
For the first three days she stayed, she walked around helping people sell off their products. The townspeople were very happy to have her around.
Sakura decided to stay in the town for a while; observing the townspeople. They were scared of something or someone. It was weird. They all looked happy on the outside but by their actions, she could tell something was amiss.
They didn't want to tell her, after what she did for them. The whole town was grateful that she donated; gave them a lot of money to the town and the leader of the town; an old man named Tim asked her for her name. All the townspeople wanted to know and thank her since she became their savior.
Sakura smiled as she replied to Tim's question. "Just call me…Anette."
Anette was her second name. Everyone around the country knows of the Kinomotos. The King; Prince Touya and Princess Sakura. If she told them her real name, they would make a big fuss about it and start treating her differently.
She didn't want that.
In the first time of her life, she was glad she didn't show her face to the outside besides the imperial city in where she grew up.
It was the first time she had ever wanted to truly help these people. As much as possible. She wanted to get them back their laughter and smiles that they don't show often.
It wasn't that long until she knew what was really happening.
She met a bartender at night. A beautiful woman who told her everything. She called herself Tabatha; in her late forties but still beautiful. Long raven silky hair tied into a ponytail and wears a normal blouse and skirt to fit the mood.
Sakura herself admired the older woman. She was elegant; more elegant than herself could ever be. And this woman was willing to tell her about what happened to this used to be lively town.
She told her that in the beginning Aldedge town was a lively town; filled with kindhearted people here and there; a town filled with bustling people. Everyone was happy.
That is; since two years ago.
Tabatha talked about the next town over called Strongbay.
Strongbay's leader, Li XiaoKien was a strong leader. Although he got carried away too much to actually demand a huge amount of money from Aldedge every month or else some of Aldedge's residents would be taken to work it off in their own town.
At first, they didn't believe the man. They called him crazy, who bickers nonsense. Until he actually did sent out a bunch of strong looking men to their town. The townspeople of Aldedge was so frightened because they weren't strong and their men were not fighters as the people of Strongbay are.
So they gave in and paid the huge amount of money.
And they've become so poor and unable to take care of themselves. And slowly one by one, people started to leave the town and find a new place to reside in.
Sakura thought about the town right next over.
Strongbay Town, known for its beautiful ocean landscape scenery.
She couldn't believe such a thing happened in her country; let alone, not even her father knew about this!
"T-that is preposterous!", she managed to say. Tabatha nodded; agreeing.
"It can't be helped." Tabatha said as she filled a glass of juice for Sakura and put it in front of her. "The Li's are in control. They're strong and demanding."
Sakura snapped. "What about the King? They should've told him. He would've done something about it!"
"It's not something we could just do Anette!", Tabatha retorted. "We don't have that much money like you to travel so far just to contact the King!"
She said it well. Sakura opened her mouth to speak but then instantly closed it; not knowing what to say.
Tabatha sighed as she rubbed her forehead. "Sorry, but all we can do now is rely on ourselves."
Rely on themselves? Sakura couldn't believe it. It's been two years this happened and she doesn't see a thing on whether they relied on themselves when she resided here. Where's their pride and dignity of being an Aldedge citizen? She doesn't see any of it!
"I'll help." She instantly replied as she took a sip of her juice.
Tabatha, for one, didn't expect to hear that. "What…?"
Sakura's emerald eyes turned to stare straight into Tabatha's brown eyes. "I said I'll help."
"There's no way you can wi—"
"Do you know that for sure?" Sakura asked. "If what you said is true, this'll be interesting." As she finished her drink, she paid with the tip and sat up to leave. She ushered a goodbye hand motion as her back was turned towards the stunned bartender.
It's been a while since she fought but if the Strongbay people were strong as Tabatha say, it'd be quite fun. She likes the action. All she had to do is wait until the twenty first this month and every month.
Either way, she's getting the Aldedge people's life style back.
…
"…She doesn't even know what she has just gotten into", Tabatha muttered as she took the empty glass and started to wash it.
…
And little did she know, Kinomoto Sakura was going to encounter a huge problem.
…
END CHAPTER
Author's Notes: First chapter is done. This story started as a dream that I had and I thought that it would be interesting to make it into a fanfic xD. I even drew a couple of pictures of how Sakura and Syaoran would look like in this story, in royalty clothes to traveling clothes x). If you want to see how they look like, tell me in your reviews and I'll just upload them to my Deviantart as scraps xD.
I hope you all like this first chapter. It's quite different from my other fanfics but it's based on a fantasy world so I'm not gonna bother explaining. You guys should know :) Please read and review! :D