Disclaimer: I do not own Cardcaptor Sakura.

This is yet another experimental story. Hope you all like it.

Over the Border

I thought I told him already…that…that I would never, ever, not in a million years ever marry Li Syaoran! Sakura thought desperately, "Father, is it absolutely necessary that you sacrifice your own daughter so that your own country may gain money in return? So that we will no longer be in poverty? Is this what you truly desire?"

Fujitaka glanced at Sakura, and he shook his head slowly, "It is for what we believe in, Sakura, not for what we want…or need."

Sakura stood up, and she said loudly, "I understand. You want this country to remain in peace. If I refused, they will cast war upon us. See you soon then, father. I'll go meet him now." She began walking, but she felt as if…she just had to contradict her damn father, "But war will be cast on this country anyhow, seeing as you forced the Li's only heir…to marry a dying girl." And with that, she left the room, feeling the cold wind blowing behind her.

Sakura didn't particularly like this. In fact, she felt as if she'll hate that boy at first sight. It was only a matter of time before the Kinomoto country perished.

She whispered, "It is only a matter of time before the Kinomotos' death. The question is: how long before it actually happens."

…

"I refuse! I will not marry that girl. You betcha! Damn politicians that thought of this idea…honestly, I am rather DISAPPOINTED to see how disorganized you bunch are…sacrificing me (and my body I would like to add) to this foreign girl…let go of me this instant!" Li Syaoran yelled at the top of his voice. The whole group heard a slight 'squeak' at the end of his screaming, and the group laughed.

"Our Syaoran is growing up!" they all squealed.

Li Syaoran snorted, "Pfft. It only proves I'm normal! Now, untie me!"

"Magic word?"

"NOW."

Li Syaoran felt a silence falling over his escorts and the maids as footsteps began approaching him. He felt someone slice the ropes that held his hands together and behind his back being cut apart, and Li Syaoran immediately sat straight, "What's with this!" he demanded.

The girl in front of him also let out a sigh, "He's right. Why were you guys tying him up?"

A maid scurried forward, and she said quickly, "It was because Prince Syaoran was having trouble sitting still. He was threatening to destroy the castle if he was to remain in this room any longer."

Sakura Kinomoto, the emerald eyed girl's, mouth twitched, and she said slowly, "And I suppose… you believed him?"

One of Li Syaoran's escorts, Eriol Hiiragizawa, said carefully, "Prince Syaoran – I have never seen him so angered in my entire life. I thought it would be best if he was kept under watch."

Sakura smiled to herself, "I think that would have been quite alright if you contacted me immediately. I would have come to see him straight away…"

Li Syaoran, in the back, said loudly, "Who are you to muddle in my business!"

Sakura Kinomoto sharply turned around, and she narrowed her eyes at him, "Well hello to you too, Li!"

Li Syaoran narrowed his eyes, "Who are you to call me Li! You must address me as the Prince."

"For an idiot who claims to be a prince, you sure embarrass your country." Sakura said carefully, "And I would suggest you change your tone around me, Li."

Li Syaoran looked at Sakura closely, and he sniffed, "Oh god…don't tell me…"

Sakura laughed, "Listen closely kiddo, because I'm your fiancée."

Li Syaoran's face grew red, "Kiddo? Just who are you calling a kid, you dolt! I can't believe I'm going to marry you of all people!"

…

"Father, I do not believe this marriage will work out for the best."

"Damn right, Kinomoto! Who are you to tell me who to marry?" Syaoran said with an 'hmph' at the end of the sentence and he crossed his arms.

Sakura looked at him gently, and she smiled. But as soon as he turned back around, Sakura pasted her sensible and polite face on again. She couldn't do it. No matter what…she couldn't ruin his life…she is a burden. Within the next year or so marry Li Syaoran, she would die.

It was known that a Kinomoto girl will not pass the age of twenty, unless the curse is broken. This curse was passed down by several generations, and with each Kinomoto girl that had ever lived on the earth, they had never passed much further into adulthood.

Sakura knew of her fate. She was eighteen already, and at the most, she had two years left.

The curse can not be broken easily. It was written in the Clow Book that only one woman had ever broken free of the curse. That was Nadeshiko Kinomoto, Fujitaka's grandmother. He coincidentally married a woman named Nadeshiko, and during the happy years of their marriage, they gave birth to Touya Kinomoto. He proved to be a successful leader.

However, a few years later, when Touya was seven, Nadeshiko gave birth…to a girl. She was devastated, because she knew her child might not even live for twenty years.

They named her Sakura.

…

End of Chapter One.

…

Author's Note: Yes, quite the short little prologue I like to make. I promise the next chapter will be much longer (which means more work for the editor). hugs Jana. This is a strange story alright. I apparently started working on this story half a year back…but then I gave up on it. Don't ask me why, because I have no idea myself. I finished the later half, half a year later, and made up the curse made. Yep, my imagination runs strongly. XD