Thank you SOOOOOOOO much everybody who took the time to review my story!
Disclaimer – Cardcaptors = Not mine, never will be. And as my sister says, in my dreams!
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Recap –
"Quickly!" Said the man. "We must ride as far as fast as we can! Follow me!" "Wait!" Sakura cried. "What is going on?!" "I will explain on the way." With that he steered his horse and rode through the gate of the castle, with Tomoyo and Sakura close behind...
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As You Wish
They galloped on for many days and many nights. They never spoke except when asking to pass food or for the time. They camped out at night while the man took watch. Sakura ached with curiosity about who this man was, but was so worried about whatever that man seemed to be worried about that she didn't dare ask. Tomoyo, on the other hand, seemed to be getting along with him fine. She could see how Tomoyo was so fond of him. He had black hair and delicate features. He didn't look very strong but you can just tell he is. He had round black glasses around his eyes, which were a dark shade that she had yet to recognize. He always wore a thoughtful expression and when he spoke you can tell he was wise beyond his years.
Sakura had yet to learn his name, but she was afraid to ask. 'What am I afraid of?' she would ask herself. She would never find an answer, but she still could not find the courage to ask. Once she had mustered up a bit of courage and had called to him from her horse which was a bit behind his. She had pointed out that he had said that he would explain what was going on on the way. In turn, he had replied without glancing back that everything would make sense soon enough.
Finally they reached their destination. They were in a thick forest and in a small clearing was a small wood cabin. A small fire with a pot over it stood near the cabin, and next to the fire was a log with an old women sitting on it, tending to the fire. The man got off his horse and walked over to the women while Sakura and Tomoyo studied their surroundings.
It was a lush thick forest of evergreens. Everything seemed to be alive around them and it brought a sense of peace. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, a squirrel busily went around gathering nuts for the upcoming winter. Birds chirped here and there. Sakura sighed and closed her eyes as a warm breeze flew around her.
She opened her eyes to see Tomoyo, the man and the old women watching her intently. An uncomfortable silence settled as Sakura glanced uneasily around her. The silence broke when the man cleared his throat and stepped forward. "Princess-" He began when Sakura cut him off. "Sakura," She whispered. "My name is Sakura. I do not want to be a princess." The man looked startled for a moment before recovering. "A-Alright, Sakura...what we must tell you now will come as a great surprise..."
"Who are you." A small voice said. It was more of a demand then a question. Startled, Sakura looked at the source of the voice, Tomoyo. She had been quiet for some time now. "Ah, yes...I suppose introductions must be properly given first..." "Get on with it Eriol." The old women snapped impatiently. "I'm getting to it!" He shot back. He took a deep breath before saying, "My name is Eriol, and this women," He said, gesturing to the old women, "Would be the Lady Meiling."
Sakura and Tomoyo gasped in surprise. Sakura recovered first and said hurriedly, "The Lady Meiling?" She asked in surprise. "But she wandered into the woods years before and never returned! Rumors were that she was dead!" "Bah!" Cried the Lady Meiling. "Rumors are never true. I had to get away from that wretched Xioxan and that forsaken castle." "But.." Sakura was truly confused now. "Prince Xioxan is your cousin..." "Who cares if he was my cousin. I only tolerated him because of that tiny fact." "Oh..."
"Enough of this!" Cried Eriol. "We must get to the point. Sakura, let me tell you how it started..."
~*Flashback*~
Little Eriol and Little Syaoran were playing knights. "You can't catch me Syaoran!" Cried Little Eriol happily as ran as fast as his little legs could carry him. Little Syaoran laughed gleefully as he raced after Little Eriol. They ran up a hill and rolled down on the other side, catching their breath at the bottom as they stared up at the clouds. It was a beautiful day. The sky was an endless blue and the clouds looked like big puffy white pillows.
"We'll be best friends forever, right Syaoran?" "Sure Eriol!"
The next day Syaoran moved away to the Yue Kingdom, leaving a Little Eriol behind, best friendless, and broken hearted.
For years Eriol and searched for his friend. He searched cities, oceans, mountains, towns. Finally he had come upon the Yue Kingdom, but by the time he had located where Syaoran was staying at, he had been too late. Syaoran had gone off to sea. When he had learned that Syaoran was dead, he was devastated. He had run off to the woods in hopes of finding peace.
Eriol's P.O.V.
I was outraged when I heard that you were betrothed to the Prince Xioxan. I knew you were Syaoran's beloved. I hold no grudge against you now, as I know that you were taken against your will.
One day while I was wandering around the woods I came upon a small wooden cabin with smoke coming out of the chimney. Out of curiousity I knocked on the door, and that was when I met Lady Meiling. She let me stay with her and when she had heard of the you being kidnapped, she had ordered me to go retreive you and bring you here.
I was confused, the Prince Sung Min was kind and I knew that he wouldn't hurt you. Or at least thats what I thought. I snuck in through the kitchen and overheard the cooks talking. The prince was planning to kill you. I did not stay long enough to hear the reason though.
That was when I heard the Yue Kingdom attacking. They wanted you back.
I ran along the hall I turned a corner and collided with a servant, Tomoyo to be exact. Naturally, she was terrified of me, so I calmed her down and explained to her that I was here to help, so she led me to you.
End Eriol's P.O.V.
~*End Flashback*~
Sakura took this moment of silence to absorb all of this in. This man, Eriol, was Syaoran's best friend. But what about those two men that had kidnapped her? When she asked this Eriol had explained that those men were his spies and that they had to help that other man or else they would be found out. The short man with the bald head was one of the Prince's advisors.
Sakura asked another question, why had Prince Sung Min kidnapped her and wanted to kill her. "We have yet to find that out. Perhaps Miss Tomoyo knows the answer to this." At this Tomoyo shook her head. "If I knew anything at all I would have told." They sat in silence for a while before Tomoyo spoke up quietly.
"L-L-Lady Meiling…why did….why did you call for Miss Sakura?" Sakura blinked as she thought about this, why had she wanted her? Lady Meiling looked at Tomoyo. "Because...when I was a child...a man came up to me. A handsome man by the name of Clow Reed. He came up to me and touched my shoulder. He told me....He told me that I was destined to help others. That I was destined to help a certain girl with long auburn hair and emerald eyes… 'Why me?' I asked him. Clow just looked at me and from then on, I knew. I just knew. This was my destiny."
Sakura and Tomoyo sat mesmerized. Lady Meiling looked up from the ground. Her startling red eyes were fierce with determination. What she said surprised all of them. "I am more then 100 years old. I will not die until I do what I am destined to do." Eriol, Tomoyo, and Sakura stared at her openly. They're mouths hanging. Finally Sakura blinked and asked one more question. A question that she had to know.
"Eriol-san…" She turned to Eriol, "How are my parents and the Yue Kingdom? Surely you must know of their well being."
Eriol looked up at her, he was silent for a moment before saying softly, "I don't think you really want to know Miss Sakura…" At this Sakura gulped nervously. "I want to know." She said firmly, with my bravado then she felt. Eriol still sat quietly, looking at the ground. "Tell me, please." She said the last word pleadingly. She had to know.
Eriol sighed and then spoke in a wavering voice, "They're dead."
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Sorry it's kinda lame. =\
Well my computer is back up again! So if you would please review I'll have the next chapter up A.S.A.P.!
