Fanfiction written by Mae Vargas; (Most) Characters don't belong to me.

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The Iris & the Cherry Blossom
Chapter One

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"Mother, please, hang on!"

A girl of 15 and her older brother of 17 knelt by their mother's bedside. Nadeshiko was breathing fast and hard, she was sickly and wouldn't last much longer.

Tears slipped down Sakura's face as she held her mother's cold hand in her own. Touya had his arm around his little sister, trying to hold back his tears.

Their father had passed away a few years ago. Since then it had been up to the family of three to survive. But Nadeshiko was always a bit weak, and the depression of their small village didn't help her health much. Medicine was scarce. Doctors were too expensive, and they only lived in the towns surrounding Tomoeda Castle, the heartland of the country.

Touya stood up to get the last of their money. He would go to Tomoeda to buy medicine. It would be at least a week of travel by foot, and a few days to find the right doctor, but they needed their mother.

Touya packed a few things and prepared some provisions."I'll be back, Sakura," he said, giving his precious sister a kiss on the forehead. He kissed his mother good bye and left their one-room home.

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Syaoran Li lay beside the pond on his favorite bench under the cherry blossom tree, head resting on his arms, eyes looking at the sky. He looked to his right where a bunch of purple iris' were planted in the flowerbed. He sighed. It had been 4 months since Ayame passed away. But those 4 months seemed like eternity, and he was trapped, frozen in time without her.

"Young Master," Wei, his butler called out to him from the porch. "Your mother will be returning tomorrow, should you not be preparing for her return?"

Syaoran got up and started walking towards the castle. Their garden was situated around the center building of the castle. Even though it was surrounded by rock walls, the sunlight managed to make it's way through and bring the greenery to life.

Ayame loved the garden. She'd take naps on that bench near the pond, and sometimes even sleep there at night until someone chased her back to her room.

His heart sunk as he made his way back to his duties as Prince of Tomoeda Castle, and back to reality.

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Sakura woke up to the sound of hooves pounding outside her house. She glanced at her mother, who seemed to breathing easily, sound asleep. Sakura checked Nadeshiko's forehead and was pleased to feel that her fever had subsided.

She then turned her attention to the noise outside. Neighing and voices could be heard from beyond the walls. She opened the front door to take a peek at the strangers outside.

There were 5 knights from Tomoeda. She could tell from their armor and the green and gold sashes they wore. One of the knights was wearing a green cape with a gold dragon printed on it. He seemed to be the leader, and he seemed to be upset.

"What do you mean we went down the wrong path?" the man in the green cape scolded.

"I-I don't know, this path just doesn't seem familiar." one of the men replied meekly.

"I leave my position to attend to the queen for one minute and you manage to get us lost!"

Sakura looked closer. Her eyes opened wide as she realized what the men were protecting. Attached to two horses was a bright white carriage, painted with the gold and green symbols of the Li Family, the royalty of Tomoeda.

"What is all this noise? Why have we stopped?" said a voice from inside the carriage. The door swung open and a woman stepped out from it. The knight in the cape ran quickly to her side to help her out. She wore a beautiful layered dress, sometime Sakura could only dream of owning. Her arms were slender and her face looked aged and wise. Her hair was neatly tied up in a fancy bun. But Sakura couldn't stop staring at the fancy piece atop her head.

A realization hit her. She was staring at Yelan Li, the Queen of Tomoeda.

The Queen continued to speak, "Where are we?"

"Uh, sorry, your highness, we don't know." All the knights were now bowing, and the one with the cape took his helmet off. He had long silver hair and pale skin. "But we will get you home before dusk tomorrow."

The Queen laughed. "Why are you being so serious, Yue? I'm in no rush, it's not like my son wants to see me.." She trailed off, and there was a hint of sorrow in her eyes.

Yue got up. "Let's go, men. We'll back track until we find the path that will lead us back." The knights started mounting their horses.

Without thinking, Sakura opened her door wide. "I know how to get to Tomoeda, you don't have to waste your time going back." Everyone turned their heads to her. She wore a plain dress, her long hair tied back in a bun, her face, plain. Sakura continued on. "My brother told me there's a fork down this road that divides into 3. You take the middle path and it leads you straight there."

The Queen got down from the carriage, lifted her dress and walked towards the girl. The closer she got to her, the more her eyes widened. Yelan stood right in front of the girl and knelt down to her eye level. She took out a dagger.

Sakura gasped. What is she doing? She couldn't move; her body was frozen. She held her breath and closed her eyes.

Then Sakura felt her hair fall to her sides; the Queen had cut her hair tie. It was long, reaching down to her elbows. She opened her eyes to see amazement in the Queen's face.

"Your name?"

"S-Sakura," she stammered.

Yelan took her long slender fingers and tilted Sakura's head. She did not flinch this time, Sakura held her ground. The Queen looked around at the shabby shack that Sakura had come out of.

"You must come back with me." Yelan commanded.

Surprised, Sakura spoke back, "Pardon?"

"Tomoeda, you must come back with me. There I will clothe you, feed you, you do not belong here."

Offended, Sakura answered back, "No. I do belong here. My mother and brother are here. This is my home." She was about to run back inside when Yelan stood up.

"I'm sorry," Yelan apologized. "I didn't mean it that way. May I speak to your mother?"

"My.. mother.." Sadness flashed across Sakura's face as she slowly opened the door to the Queen.

Yue started to protest, but Yelan went on in. She looked around the house, or room. Her eyes scanned the place seeing nothing of value, nothing that resembled her own dwelling. There was a table with three mismatched stools, a small stove, and furnace, and two large beds. Sleeping on one of them was a woman with long grey hair. Yelan moved closer. She then suddenly realized what she had just stumbled upon in the middle of the forest. She was frightened at the sight of the woman who lay unmoving on the bed.

"She's sick." Sakura said sadly. She was holding her mother's hand.

Falling out of her stupor, Yelan put a reassuring hand on Sakura's shoulder. "Grab everything of importance and pack it up. We will leave for Tomoeda in an hour." Sakura started to panic. "Don't worry, your mother will come with us. There, we will nurse her back to health."

"My brother.." But Yelan didn't hear her.

"We will talk about everything on our way. We must leave soon or we'll never make it.." Yelan glanced at the woman in the bed. It looked like the disease that Ayame died from. And from the looks of it, Sakura's mother didn't have much time. "We must get her to the doctors immediately."

Sakura nodded and started packing her things. There wasn't many things to pack, for most of their treasures had been sold to help them survive.

As the soldiers carefully brought Nadeshiko to the carriage, Sakura took one last look at her home. They had lived here in peace for as long as she could remember. With a heavy heart, she closed the door behind her and locked it.

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Meiling Li sat at the dinner table with her cousin, Syaoran. Like every other night, their meal was eaten with a one-sided conversation.

"Daichi asked me out again today." Meiling said aloud. "Of course I turned him down. He's not my type. And besides, Hina likes him. I can't betray her like that."

Meiling took another bite off her plate. She glanced over at Syaoran who hadn't touched his food at all. It was always like this. Meiling decided to say something about it.

"You know, they're all wondering when you'll start going back to school. You haven't attended classes for a whole semester!" Meiling stood up, hands on her hips. "Syaoran, are you listening to me?" She walked over to his chair. "You stay cooped up in your little library studying all day, you barely go out!

And when you do, it's always to that damned garden! I know you pass your tests and I know you behave and act like you're supposed to, but would it kill you to socialize a bit?"

Syaoran kept his head down. He forked at his food. The scratches against his plate broke the silence.

"I'm worried about you, Syaoran.." Meiling confessed. "I really.. ugh!" She stormed out of the dinner hall, leaving Syaoran alone.

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The night passed, uneventful. Yelan eyed Sakura suspiciously as she slept, her mother's head in her lap. She looked exactly like Ayame except for the green eyes. But it didn't matter. The only thing she cared about was her son, Syaoran.

What did frighten Yelan a bit was Sakura's mother. Yelan knew of her. She recognized Nadeshiko, even though she had grown a little older and paler. It was the past that Yelan was afraid of. She pushed the thoughts to the back of her mind.

They arrived at dawn. Sakura awoke just in time to watch as they passed the marketplace of Tomoeda City. Her eyes were wide with amazement. She had never seen so many people before, at least, not that she could remember. They trotted up a winding path towards the castle that stood atop the hill. Large gates swung open to let the party pass. Finally, they halted.

Sakura was helped out of the carriage by a guard while her mother was placed on a stretcher and taken into the castle. Yelan said something inaudible to one of the maids and then turned to Sakura. "She will show you your room. I will meet you in a little while." Yelan smiled.

Sakura nodded and followed the woman who was now carrying what little luggage she had. She was led up too many flights of stairs, turned into hallways that all looked the same, and finally reached a door at the end of a hallway. The maid unlocked it and set her luggage near the wardrobe.

Sakura looked around the stone room she was in; it was bigger than her whole house. She sat on the cold bed, her feet barely reaching the ground. Looking around, she saw a dresser with a mirror, a comfy-looking chair, small sofa, a wardrobe, and a door that led to a bathroom.

"If you need anything, just call." the maid said, showing Sakura a tiny bell beside the door. Attached to it was a string that led into the walls. "It's best you wash up and change. There are clothes in the wardrobe. Sakura nodded. The maid left without another word.

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Meiling put on her favorite red dress. She neatly combed her hair. She decided to leave it down today. Her auntie Yelan had just come back and told everyone to get themselves ready for a feast that evening. She had an announcement to make to the castle. Meiling wondered what it was.

"Hopefully, she has decided for Syaoran and me to marry!" she pondered out loud.

Tomoyo, her servant girl of the same age, rolled her eyes. She was used to Meiling talking on and on about Syaoran and her fantasies about their futures. She once promised Tomoyo that when they married, Tomoyo would be the one to look after their babies!

She thought nonsense of all her ideas, but she could only agree. After all, Meiling was part of royalty. Tomoyo was only a servant girl.

"Hopefully," Tomoyo replied as she tied a gold sash around Meiling's waist. "There you are, pretty as a pearl!" Tomoyo smiled.

Meiling looked at herself in the mirror. She never told Syaoran about her secret crush on him. She looked up to him since the day he saved her, and ever since then she slowly grew to adore him.

They were in the castle garden. He was 8, practising his swordsmanship. She was 5, admiring the koi fish swimming in the pond. Young Meiling threw a rock at the fish and laughed as they swam away in terror, looking for shelter from the falling rocks. "Look, Syao!" she said as she pointed to the fish. She got up to show her cousin, but she lost her balance and fell into the water.

Meiling didn't realize how deep it was. She gasped for breath, realizing she couldn't swim. She felt the oxygen slowly disappearing, and the top of the pond was slowly slipping away.

She was drowning.

She kicked and waded her arms, but she just couldn't bring herself to the top again. Finally, Meiling gave up. Her body was urging her to breath. She closed her eyes, as she watched the last ray of light shine through the water, the last light she'd ever see.

She woke up to voices. A man in a white coat was huddled over her, moving some sort of cold appartus around her chest. She heard her mother sobbing. Her eyes slowly opened as she got used to the piercing light.

She lay on the bench beside the pond. Meiling slowly got up as sighs of relief were heard. Her mother cried louder and rushed to her side. Meiling looked around and saw Syaoran, drenched with water, and a towel around his shoulders.

She didn't need anyone to tell her what happened. She already knew.

Their eyes met. He didn't say anything. Neither did she. Their eyes were locked for what seemed like eternity. Then Syaoran slowly turned away to get inside to dry off. There were no thank you's exchanged, no words of courtesy.

But since then, Meiling has never looked at Syaoran the same. She would forever be in debt to her cousin.

Staring now at her reflection in the mirror, 15-year-old Meiling wanted to be the one to take care of Syaoran. She lived through her first obstacle, the auburn-haired, brown-eyed Ayame. But now that she was gone, Meiling knew it was her time to shine. It was her that would save Syaoran this time.

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Sakura was lying in her new bed when a knock came at her door.

"Come in," she said, quickly getting up, straightening out the white dress she had picked out from the closet. It was Queen Yelan.

Sakura was surprised by her attire. She was dressed in a green and gold gown. Her long dark hair lay across her shoulders. She looked very regal and beautiful. A glittering headpiece shone atop her head.

"How are you finding your room?" Yelan asked.

"Umm, spacious, not what I'm used to." Sakura giggled nervously. "I don't supposed you have smaller rooms."

Yelan laughed. How honest the girl was. She took a seat at the mirror and turned the chair to face Sakura. "Now I know that we've just met, but I have a favor to ask." Sakura nodded quietly. "You see, I have a son. He's stubborn, quiet, and quite reserved. Now, I believe you can somehow make a difference."

Sakura gave her a puzzled look. "Pardon me, your majesty, but how am I supposed to do that?"

Yelan smiled inwardly. She may look like Ayame, but there were definite differences. Sakura was quite outspoken. "You may not know it yet, but you've already have a trait that will help you." She was, of course, talking about her looks.

Sakura furrowed her eyebrows. Yelan moved to sit beside her on the bed. Yelan took Sakura's freshly washed hair and started to braid it.

"You needn't worry about your mother. I have my personal assistant and doctor, Wei, looking after her right now as we speak. I trust him with my life, so I hope you do the same with your mother's. I will take care of you. I will clothe and feed you. I only ask of one thing, and that is to heal my son's heart. Bring him back to the way he used to be."

Sakura didn't know what to say. She was perplexed. How ironic it was to see a queen asking for help from a poverty-stricken child. She did the only thing she could think of and nodded her head. It's only the prince, she thought to herself. How hard could this be?

Yelan finished and tied a ribbon at the end of Sakura's braid to set it. She got up and took a closer look at the girl. Now that Sakura was washed and clothed in white, she couldn't tell it was a different person; the person standing in front of her was Ayame. Ayame had always worn white dresses, her hair in braids, and a reserved smile on her face.

Sakura looked innocently up at the Queen, not really knowing what to do.

"I will call on you when I need you, but you must stay here in this room until then." She didn't like the sound of keeping put in a room by herself. She wanted to see her mother. "You are not to leave until I call you, understood?"

But Sakura couldn't go against the word of the Queen. She nodded in agreement. The Queen then said a few words of good bye and left Sakura alone.

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Touya had been walking for a day and a half. He was exhausted from the little food and rest he got. But the needs of his family drove him forward.

"Mother.." he whispered. His eyes were closing now. He could barely see the road in front of him. "Saku.. Sakura.."

On the side of the road, Touya collapsed.

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Sakura looked around her new room. She was, again, lying on the large bed, big enough to fit her whole family.

She got up and walked to the window. Unfortunately, her room didn't give her the view of Tomoeda. Instead, it led to the castle garden, a huge square of greenery and wildlife. Sakura was amazed by all the colors. Back at her home, flowers never bloomed like this.

It was then that a moving figure came to her attention. He came from one of the entrances to the garden and walked slowly to the pond. He was dressed in a black sleeveless shirt and loose black pants. He made his way to a large pink blooming tree and sat down. She couldn't get a clear view of him after that, but she continued staring anyway.

Another figure, a girl in a red dress, came running into view, though she didn't go as far as the pond. "Syaoran!" Sakura could hear the girl from her window. "Your mother is calling for you!"

The black figure, Syaoran supposedly, started to move. He stopped and took a look at his surroundings. It was then that they met eye to eye for the first time. She was looking straight at him, and he happened to pass his gaze across her window.

She reacted on instinct. Sakura smiled and waved. Thank goodness she was all washed and clean; she didn't want to look more out of place than she already was.

Then came a knock at her door. It was a servant girl with grey eyes and pale skin. "Excuse me, Miss Sakura, the Queen has entrusted me with the task of attending to your needs," she said politely as Sakura got up from her spot at the window and rushed to the door.

"No, no need to call me so politely," Sakura laughed. She had forgotten about the boy in the courtyard garden. "I'm in no position for anyone to call me a miss." Sakura smiled widely at the girl. She looked no older than she was. She held out her hand. "My name is Sakura."

"Umm.." the servant girl looked unwilling, but she couldn't refuse. "She took Sakura's hand and shook it. "I'm Tomoyo."

"Tomoyo, huh?" Sakura said. "Let's be friends!"

Tomoyo smiled and nodded.

Down below in the garden, Syaoran stood there frozen. His eyes were wide open, his face was pale. Had he just seen what he thought he saw? Or did his eyes deceive him?

"Come on, Syaoran! It's time for the dinner! Your mother is calling for you!" Meiling voice disturbed his thoughts but that smile still lingered.

Ayame had just smiled and waved at him through that window.

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"Thank you all for making it here," Yelan spoke to the ballroom full of guests. "As I'm sure you are all aware, in 4 months, my son, and heir to the throne, will be turning 18."

Yelan stood at the top of the staircase, Syaoran dressed in his royal garments beside her. A sword with the Li insignia carved into the handle hung by his side. He looked unaware, as if his mind weren't dwelling on the events of the present. He kept thinking back to Ayame, smiling and waving, from a third story window.

"I have gathered everyone this evening because you have daughters, neices, or relatives suitable to become my son's bride." The guests in the room started to stir. Low murmurs filled the room. Yelan continued on. "In 3-months time, there will be another banquet held by the royal family. It is then that my son will choose his bride. Enjoy this evening, for there will be much preparation in the days to come." Yelan took a sip from her cup as she walked away from the ballroom, leaving Syaoran in his daze.

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It was dark outside. The lamps were lit, making the garden seem somewhat wistful.

Sakura couldn't take it any longer. She couldn't stand being alone the whole day. All she did was stare out at the garden. No one entered or exited since that girl in the red dress and that boy named Syaoran. Castle life sure wasn't exciting.

Time for an adventure, she told herself.

Sakura opened the door and peered out into the hallways. No one. She walked down one hall and up the next, being very careful not to bother anyone. She didn't want to get caught.

Finally, stumbled across the garden entrance. It didn't seem so huge from the window, but from the ground it was massive. The lights made a path to the pond.

Sakura's legs ached from walking around the huge castle. Luckily she spotted a bench. It was the same one that the boy, Syaoran, had sat on. She quickly made her way, avoiding the pond, and sat her tired limbs down. She lay on her back and looked up at the dark sky. The stars looked beautiful, they always did. Even at her old home, they shone bright.

Her heart sank, thinking of her home.

Just then a rustling sound rang through the garden. Sakura sat up as she looked for the source. A shadowy figure stood at the garden entrance.

She couldn't see who it was, the light from the castle illuminated their figure, but made their facial features disappear. She slowly got up and started walking towards them.

For the second time that day, Syaoran was held in awe. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. A girl in a white dress, laying on the bench, looking up at the stars. It was like his memories were flooding back to him all over again.

But this was for real. He wasn't just seeing things. The girl in walked from the bench slowly towards him. That white dress, that long braided hair, that light complexion.

Could it be?

He held his breath and let out a single word.

"Ayame."