AN: My official update day will be Thursday. I just wanted to post this one early. Thank you so much for reading my insane ramblings and reviewing.
Disclaimer: I don't own CCS
2 thousand years earlier Continued…
"We'll make adjustments Li," said Yamazaki. "You can convince your fiancé to have your reception in the Hill Copper Inn's main ball room. We can have the windows open and put crosses on the window frames."
"What about the rooms on the upper floors?" asked Syaoran as they brought their horses to a halt. The company dismounted and began to set up camp for the night.
"We'll put crosses on those windows too." Yamazaki started taking the saddle off of his horse to let her roam, "Look Li, we all adore Ms. Kinomoto and we wouldn't want to see her get hurt not to mention anyone else. We will do everything in our power to protect her."
"I still worry," he replied. Syaoran also let his horse roam; they had been traveling for hours.
"Li if you're so worried about the whole situation, don't you think it would be better if she knew what we are about?" asked Yamazaki as he started unpacking his cooking gear.
"No I like her innocence. If I tell her she'll be in danger," Syaoran began setting up their tent.
"But I don't get it. Wouldn't she be better off knowing what's out there? I mean to say she would be able to take precautions." Yamazaki grabbed kindling from an underbrush and was able to start a fire.
"No, I think she'll be fine." Syaoran stopped talking as he became preoccupied with an unusually short rope.
"I don't mean to be listening to your conversation, but may I give some advice?" Both men looked over at the approaching man, his tent apparently finished. Syaoran never understood how Eriol could be done so fast. He was definitely abnormal. "Here I can fix that for you Li."
"I can figure it out Hiiragizawa." But Eriol stepped in anyways. The tent was upright in a matter of seconds; Syaoran could only scowl at Eriol.
"I've known Ms. Kinomoto for some time and I believe you underestimate her," said Eriol in a pleasant tone, the same tone he used for just about everything. Definitely abnormal, Syaoran thought.
"I don't think I underestimate her at all."
"Sure you do. You're protective of her because you love her. That's why you cannot see her unknown powers," Eriol replied.
"Unknown powers? What kind of riddle are you going on about now?" asked Syaoran slightly perturbed.
"All I'm saying is she is smarter than she looks and she will have taken notice to your behaviors."
"Are we going to talk all day or are we going to get some food in our bellies?" asked Yamazaki. Eriol was back in a flash with food supplies from one of the wagons and the three worked together to make some decent food. While dinner was cooking Eriol drifted off to some of the other camp fires to talk with the other men. Yamazaki and Syaoran were joined by a few others to share in the meal. They made small talk but Syaoran did not know these men as well as he did his own Company and did not feel free to discuss Sakura in front of them. He couldn't wait to get to Trambith City and meet up with his original Company, not to mention seeing his fiancé again. After Syaoran had had his fill he went to check on his steed.
Black Hawk was a very high spirited horse. He hated that just about anyone but was somehow able to tolerate Syaoran. He could also tolerate Sakura. That's actually how they met. Black Hawk was just being broken in and even though most of the Li family had tried to ride him, only Syaoran prevailed as having the stamina. Black Hawk didn't make it easy for him.
Xxxxx Flash Back xxxxX
"Come now boy!" he called, but Black Hawk didn't seem to listen to him. Black Hawk was refusing his bridle for what seemed like the hundredth time. He was about to give up when he heard a soft giggle from the other end of the barn. Intrigued he called out to the person. When no one answered he turned back to his horse that backed further into his stall. Syaoran was about to advance again when he heard the giggle again. A little annoyed Syaoran closed the stall door and headed to the end of the barn. He came around the corner and saw a pretty girl about the same age as him, no older than 16, being nuzzled by the head of a beautiful pumpkin-color coated horse. The girl had auburn hair trailing down her back and she wore a riding habit that consisted of black trousers, brown leather riding boots, a white bell sleeved chemise top and a green tunic overlay, that went to her knees but had slits on either side up to the hip. She wore a belt that had hooks and snaps for any objects she may require at any time, currently it was empty. Her appearance made him feel as though he were unclean in his plain white top with a green vest, dirty trousers and muddy boots. Unconsciously he tried to flatten his wild brown locks of hair. As if she felt his presence she looked over to him and smiled.
"My name is Kinomoto Sakura, what's yours?" her voice was almost musical.
"uh…" Syaoran was almost at a loss for words, "Oh uh Syaoran… no… I mean Li Syaoran." She giggled again and patted the horse before she came up to Syaoran.
"May I help you with anything?" she asked.
"No not really. What are you doing here?"
"I know this stable belongs to the Li family but I absolutely adore that baby there," she smiled. "He's got the most perfect mane don't you think?"
"I guess," replied Syaoran blushing a little.
"Can I help you with anything?" she asked again. Syaoran scratched his head thinking. It couldn't hurt to let her stay around could it?
"All I'm doing is trying to train my horse. I can get close to him but he won't let me put the bridle on him." He led her over to the stall where Black Hawk was kept.
"Maybe he's just to wild," she stated. Syaoran shook his head, it couldn't be that. Before he could stop her she had opened the stall and was walking towards the tempered horse.
"Kinomoto wait!" She put her hand out to the horse trying to touch his nose and he reared back. Syaoran ran into the stall afraid that the horse would hurt her and he tried to pull her away from the horses flailing hooves.
"Shhhhh papa," she said despite Syaoran trying to pull her away. "Calm down papa, we're not going to hurt you." Miraculously her voice seemed be calming Black Hawk. Sakura nudged Syaoran to let her move closer to the ill-tempered horse and reluctantly he agreed. Eventually Sakura was able to touch his nose and pet his forehead.
"His name is Black Hawk. Black because he has the blackest coat I've ever seen and Hawk because he has lighter colored mane and tail. His name also suits his temper."
"Can I sit on him?" she asked.
"I don't think that's wise he usually doesn't allow anyone but me." She looked at him perplexed.
"How could you have ridden him when you haven't broken in the bridle?"
"I rode bareback and used a lead rope." She begged and begged and finally he relented and helped her up onto the horse. At first Black Hawk was uncertain and Syaoran feared he might throw the girl but he calmed down with some soothing words from Sakura.
"He likes me," she said smiling. Making up his mind he asked her, "Would you like to go for a ride?" She nodded her head and he climbed up behind her. He took the lead rope and was about to nudge Black Hawk forward when a barn cat jumped down from the rafters. Black Hawk spooked and Syaoran lost his grip on the lead rope. He would have fallen off if it had not been for wrapping his arms around Sakura who had enough sense to grab a hold of the mane. Black Hawk took off. Syaoran moved his hands to hold the mane as well. "Li I'm scared!"
"It's ok, grip with your knees and thighs, besides I'm behind you," he said trying to reassure her. He could feel her trembling as Black Hawk pelted full speed across the open land.
"How do we stop?" her once gentle voice took on a tone of panic.
"It's ok, Sakura, I won't let anything happen to us. He'll keep going till he is tired out. Try to enjoy the wild ride." Sakura calmed a little bit.
"I can call you Syaoran right?"
"Anyone who is brave enough to climb onto the back of Black Hawk can call me whatever they want," he said smiling. She relaxed against his body as Black Hawk took to one of the trails. Syaoran kept her mind at ease by getting to know about her family and telling her about his. They talked about interests too. By the time Black Hawk slowed, and eventually stopped it was almost night and they were far from the city.
"I know a small way station not too far from here. We can camp there for the night and head back home in the morning." They managed to get a hold of Black Hawks lead rope and headed in the direction of the way station. Once there they put Black Hawk in the provided paddock and started a fire in the fireplace of the small cabin. There were some stores there for them to eat from and they sat on the floor in front of the fireplace to eat the food.
"Is your family very religious?" asked Sakura.
"Why do you ask that?" said Syaoran biting off a piece of bread.
"Well there's a cross on top of the chimney outside and there are crosses on the windows not to mention the outside of the door." Syaoran confessed that he didn't know much about them but in later years he would definitely know what they were for. The night dwindled and the two started to feel drowsy. Syaoran dragged the mattress from the adjoining room and placed it in front of the fire.
"It's warmer in here. You take the mattress," he said. Sakura shook her head.
"I don't mind sharing. It's silly for just one person to sleep on it." The mattress was queen size and after more arguing Sakura convinced him. They snuggled under a blanket and for a time watched the fire together. "Do you think our parents are worried about us?"
"Most likely, don't worry I'll take full responsibility," said Syaoran, he could only imagine the implications of a young girl staying with a young man for one night. One thing is for sure he was not looking forward to meeting and explaining all this to her older brother Kinomoto Toya.
"No, I couldn't let you!" exclaimed Sakura looking at him. Emerald met Amber. "I cannot let you take the fall; I wanted to ride Black Hawk. No one could have predicted that the cat would have spooked him."
"Fine, but you have to promise," he said with a smirk playing across his lips.
"What? Promise not to let you fall on your own?" she asked cocking her head.
"Exactly."
"Ok, I promise not to let you fall on your own."
"We have to seal it too."
"And how do you propose we do that?" she asked smiling a little; it seemed she knew where Syaoran was heading.
"We have to seal it with a kiss." She gasped though Syaoran couldn't tell if she was faking or actually shocked.
"Ok," she said after a moment or two. Syaoran sat up and Sakura followed suit. She was apprehensive, but she seemed slightly excited. Syaoran grabbed her arms and pulled her closer, her eyes drooped and her lips parted slightly, the facial expression made her irresistible. He slowly leaned in and finally planted his lips on hers. That kiss seemed to last forever.
Xxxxx End Flash Back xxxxX
Yup those were the days. Black Hawk found him and nudged Syaoran looking for an extra treat beyond the usual grains. Syaoran gave him the last fresh apple and pulled out a horse brush that he'd brought with him. Syaoran sighed thinking about those days. That night meant a lot to both of them. Though nothing happened beyond the kiss, it was an impulsive moment that neither would ever forget. Their lives forever connected. The implications by their families made him wish they had gone further on that that night, he was sure neither one would be happy until he finally married her. He wasn't upset about having to marry her, because he truly loved her. But even still he couldn't wait until his wedding night, a night where they could finally finish what they had wanted to start, and a night they had waited for for nearly four years.
