Chapter 3 Meeting Sakura

Another week had passed and there were a lot of casualties that came to the clinic aside from those who seemed to be suffering from an ailment. Li Fei Xi and Li Pei Pei were renowned doctors though they were simple people. They lived from away from the center of the capital, though still within the boundaries of the capital. They had a house, which a part also served as their clinic.

People would come and seek treatment, even if their homes were a little far. Any one who needed treatment was welcome. The couple would also find time to make house calls and visit local hospitals to help out or to follow up or refer a patient. They were well loved by the community.

It was just over an hour after lunch. They were tending with the last of the patients. Sakura tried to help out as much as she could. She did the necessary paper work and filing. She was the one who called patients when they were to be shown in. She helped them by being a nurse. With her leg, she couldn't do much. It didn't feel right to do nothing as the two elderly couple were doing their best trying to tend to patients. She still couldn't move around that much with her injuries still not fully healed. But then two handsome young men entered. The remaining patient and his companion got up and bowed. They motioned them to get back to their business.

Sakura, with the use of a crutch, was just re-entering the receiving room as she tried to close the door behind her, carrying charts from the last patient. Yukito went over to help her out. Sakura was quite surprised when she looked up and saw him smile down at her. She quickly bowed and greeted him. She thanked him and smiled back. Sakura then saw Shaoran. She too bowed and greeted him. She introduced herself to the two men. She didn't exactly know how to act or say next but she found herself saying, "Your Majesty, General Tsukishiro, do you mind waiting? Dr. Li Fei Xi is just finishing up with his patient. But Dr. Li Pei Pei is finished. Would you-" The last patient of Pei Pei had left.

"No. It's alright. Let this gentleman in now." Yukito said.

Sakura nodded as she got the patient's chart and motioned him inside before following herself.

Shaoran and Yukito exchanged looks. They had definitely not expected that. They knew that the elderly couple had adopted a young girl but they never expected her to yield such beauty and gentleness. Even her injuries could not hide her innate glow. Shaoran remembered Fei Xi telling him that she lived out her name. Now he knew that he was right. Both men did not exchange words but somehow they both saw in each other that they were indeed taken aback. Somehow they felt that they had to re-think of what they were planning. It felt a little foolish now that they had seen her personally but still, they didn't want to take any chances.

After informing Pei Pei of Shaoran and Yukito, Sakura gathered the last patient's chart before leaving the room. Pei Pei followed her and greeted the two men outside.

"Ah, Xiao Lang, Yukito, welcome." Pei Pei said as she entered the receiving room.

Both men stood and greeted her. Pei Pei then motioned Sakura to approach. "I would like you two to meet Sakura." She said. Sakura gave a small bow, sporting a blushing face. "I'm sure you know who these are. Don't worry. They may look tough but they aren't going to do anything." Pei Pei said. Sakura smiled to gave a nod a little shyly.

"Now, Sakura why don't you accompany these two to the living room? We will join you when we've finished here." Pei Pei addressed Sakura. She knew that Sakura was still a little shy towards those two but she thought it was better that she get acquainted with them.

Sakura smiled and answered, "Yes Ma'am. I'll files these later too Ma'am." Pei Pei smiled and nodded. She then went back to tend to her waiting patient.

Sakura started to gather the charts on the table but Yukito said, "Please let me." Sakura looked at him quite surprised.

"It's ok, Sir. I can handle it." Yukito smiled but still gathered the file.

"It's better for Yukito to handle it, Sakura. We don't want anything to happen to you, do we?" Shaoran suddenly said. This made Sakura blush a little but finally gave a nod.

The three then made their way to the living room. Sakura got the files from Yukito and placed them on the table nearby. She thanked him.

"Would you like some tea? I can go and make some." Sakura offered, trying to break the tension she was feeling at the moment. She never expected that she'd find herself in the company of two important people of the kingdom.

Yukito smiled and said, "Tea would be great. But are you sure that wouldn't be so much trouble?" Sakura smiled in return. She started to make her way towards the kitchen a few feet from the table. "No. It's no trouble at all." She answered.

Sakura placed the kettle at the stove and gathered the teapot, cups and tea bags at the counter. She also got teaspoons and the sugar. She fixed them in a tray.

"So, Sakura, 'jii-san told me that they found you by the river. How are you feeling now?" Shaoran decided to ask.

Sakura was a little taken aback from the question. But then she answered, "I'm fine, Your Majesty. Thank you for asking. I'm very lucky that Oba-san and Ojii-san took me in and cared for me. I can't help but feel how lucky I am to be saved by people like them. I honestly do not know what I can possible do to repay them for everything. I would be dead now if it weren't for them."

"I hope you don't mind me asking, Sakura. But what happened? How did you end up by the river?" Yukito asked. Both of them saw the sudden drop in Sakura's expression. Though she still forced herself to smile.

"I…it was the only way…to freedom…I never expected to be saved or rescued…to be honest, I was more inclined to death. But I suppose God has other plans for me." She answered.

Yukito and Shaoran's eyes met. There didn't seem to be anything wrong with her story, only it seemed that there was a lot of pain within her. They could somehow understand that. That was a common thing after all across the kingdom as people were suffering for a lot of reasons that it seemed that death was more appealing than life itself.

"I'm sorry." Yukito then said. He saw that Sakura tried to cheer up.

She smiled and said that it was ok. "This war has brought people a lot of misery." Shaoran commented.

"Yes. It has. Perhaps, I hope you don't mind me saying but…I think that it has given you both much more suffering than I could ever imagine." Sakura replied as she heard the whistle of the kettle. The water was already hot enough for tea.

"Why do you say that?" Shaoran asked, quite intrigued.

Sakura smiled at him warmly and replied as she poured the water onto the teapot, "His Majesty is the leader of this land and the head of the army. And General Tsukishiro also takes part in military affairs. I do not know much on how you work but I do know that you both take part in the battlefield." Her face registered much sorrow before finally saying, "You both have seen first hand what this war has brought to the people. People killing people…I can see that you both have been hurt."

"How can you tell that we have been hurt?" Yukito questioned.

Sakura took a deep, tired exasperated breath. She brought the utensils for tea one by one, afraid to break anything. "I used to help my Godfather and his colleagues give medical assistance to people. He taught me all about herbal medicines, treating people. He used to say that I should learn how to assess the people and know what injuries or sickness they may have just by seeing them walk, stuff like that. That's what my brother and I did and lived up to until we were separated from Godfather and my brother was killed." Sakura explained. She seemed to be on the verge of tears but was fighting it off really hard.

Both men were silent, neither knowing what to say. All doubts they had about her seemed to have disappeared. They felt the weight of her words. They could sense her sorrow. It was all real. There was no denying that. Shaoran finally understood why Fei Xi and Pei Pei seemed to trust her. Keroberos, the couple's yellow cat, snuggled at Sakura's feet, seemingly trying to make her feel better. Yukito and Shaoran took note of it. That cat would never snug at anyone it did not trust.

Sakura shook her head and forced herself to give a big smile. "What am I saying? I believe these are not the things that should be talked about over tea." Sakura said as she got the teapot and filled the two men's cups with tea. She then asked Shaoran how many teaspoons of sugar he wished in his tea.

Shaoran took the container from her and said, "It's ok. I'll do it. Thank you."

"It's understandable, you know." Yukito said. Sakura turned to him, a little confused. Yukito noted her reaction and smiled. He then added, "It's understandable to feel the grief of losing your family. How long ago did it happen?"

"Three days before the river…"

"That recent huh? No wonder." Shaoran commented.

"Don't worry, Sakura. That's why we are here. We are working to bring justice to people like your brother." Yukito said with a smile. This made Sakura smile. She was quite surprised that they were really kind people.

Fei Xi and Pei Pei then joined the group in the living room. Sakura attempted to get up from where she was seated but Pei Pei placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Don't get up, my dear. I will get the cups and let's all just have a wonderful talk, shall we?" She said.

(to be continued…)

Hehe. Yeah! I've finished this chapter. I don't know if it seemed a little dragging, but hehe once this fiction is finished and you guys have read it all, you'll understand everything. Please, please review. Thanks.

Michiko