A/N: Although this could be considered slightly AU, just in case I let something slip: Spoilers up to the end of the manga!

Knock First

Syaoran ambled down the hallway, head in the clouds. With his mind drenched in thoughts of the princess, he didn't notice when he bumped into Kurogane at first.

"Hey, Kid? What's wrong with you?"

"Oh! Sorry Kurogane! I guess I didn't see you there!" Syaoran quickly bowed in apology, still in a little bit of a daze.

"Whatever. Where're you coming from?"

Syaoran shifted nervously on his feet. "No where really, but I am trying to get somewhere." His light hinting would hopefully be enough to get Kurogane to move, but no such luck today.

"You're not trying to wonder off on your own again are you? Ever since we finally settled here you haven't stopped for a moment of rest. The journey's done, Kid. You should be enjoying the peace, not twitching all over the place!"

When did Kurogane get so chatty? Or was it that Syaoran really appeared that fidgety. If it was enough for Kurogane to mention it, then he probably should take it easy. The last thing he needed was his mentor being nosy—not to mention if Kurogane got involved then surely Fai and Mokona wouldn't be far behind.

"I'm sorry," Syaoran remarked solemnly.

"Tch. Just relax a little kid. I'd hate to see you turn out like me." With this the powerful ninja moved along, leaving his young disciple to swallow down the words. Syaoran was the only one who truly knew the extent of Kurogane's past. That's how the Suma native wanted it. Syaoran repeatedly asked him whether or not he would ever tell the others, but the answers were always much the same: "I don't think so."

Shaking his head clear of the thoughts, he continued on.

Few things excited Syaoran anymore. He traveled many worlds, after all, and after his fast-paced life came to a screeching halt, he felt as if nearly every task remained unexplainably mundane. One thing that could get his heart pumping and blood rushing happened to be the one thing he fought most his life for—the princess.

Anxiously he approached her chamber door, knocking gently, afraid he may alert the wrong people to his presence. Like Touya. He shuddered at the thought of what Touya might do if he caught him sneaking around his sister's bedroom.

The door creaking open broke him from his paranoid thoughts as Sakura peeked out from behind the door.

"Princess," he breathed, smiling softly at her.

"I told you! Sakura, just Sakura!" she told him in feigned anger, but she couldn't help breaking out into her own smile in the end. "I'm glad to see you here Syaoran," she mumbled, blushing.

Feeling his heart pounding erratically Syaoran returned the sentiment by pulling her out from behind the door and wrapping her up in a hug.

"S-Syaoran!" she exclaimed, blushing harder.

"I'm glad to see you too, Sakura," he murmured. They stood like that, tightly holding on to each other for some time, before Syaoran spoke up again. "Ah, Princess Sakura, I was wondering if you would like to—?"

Suddenly Fai came crashing down the hallway, speak whistling, with a rather peeved looking Touya chasing him. "Stay out of my room!" The two rushed by and Syaoran and Sakura were left there, hearts pounding and mouths a-gap. A long moment passed before Touya raced back to where they were still standing shell-shocked.

"And Brat, stay away from my sister!" he commanded, dragging Syaoran off by the collar of his shirt.

"Wait!" Sakura called out helplessly, watching as her brother took off after Fai again with Syaoran in tow. "Touya!" she called out angrily. Letting out a small sigh she returned to her room and flopped down on the bed. Touya was so unfair, and what did Syaoran want to ask?

Meanwhile, deeper into the castle…

"I'm going to kill that good for nothing mage once I get my hands on him," Touya muttered darkly, still dragging Syaoran along.

Kurogane perked up as they raced past him. "Kill the mage? I want in on this." He ambled after them, while Syaoran could only think to himself what lousy luck he had.