In Love and War

Okay, CCS doesn't belong to me or the FFX ideas (I wish) so you can't sue me! LOL

By: Mistress Ness

Chapter 2: Saving a Life and the Stolen Kiss

The sun was bright, its bright rays shinning over the plains of Yue, making it look like sparkling snow. And High Summoner Sakura was not a happy camper. Her tied hands rested on her lap, holding her tongue even when she felt like screaming at her captor, Syaoran Li, the mercenary from Yuyan. The plains of Yue are widely known because the ground is made of never-melting snow, not even the hottest day could melt it. Sakura looked around the beautiful area and felt like crying again. This place has too many memories, she thought sadly. I remember when Dad brought me here and we stayed in the White Woods for a week.

Syaoran felt tired after riding all morning like a bat out of Hell, taking the High Summoner away from the woods and the search party from Clow. He stared down at Sakura, who was oddly quiet. About time she stopped her screaming, he thought in relief. For most of the ride, Sakura screamed at him with all her might, almost leaving him deaf. He slowed Hades down to a slow pace and spoke. "We're going to spend the day at the White Woods here since we're safe now."

Sakura bit her lip, feeling the strong hatred for the man rising in her. "Whatever." She replied. They arrived at the White Woods and camped near a lake in the middle of the woods. As Syaoran was unpacking things to eat, Sakura gazed at the lake. Crystal Lake, the lake glowed a gentle blue, a great, white tree stood in the middle of the lake. Sakura knelt down and scooped a bit of water. The water was so perfect, she could see her reflection. She drank the sweet water and almost smiled if it wasn't for Syaoran calling her. "Hey, are you hungry or not!?" he said.

"Yeah, yeah." Sakura said as she neared him. He handed her a small bowl and blew off the fire. Sakura looked at her bowl and saw veggies float in yellow soup. Sakura sniffed. "Hmm this smells good!" she sat down and began to eat her soup, it was good. She kept on staring at the lake, remembering the good times she spent with her father in that place. Syaoran noticed her staring at the lake, her face seemed almost........sad. Well duh, you just took her away from the place she's known for a long time, he thought. She took another sip of soup, holding the bowl with both of her tied hands and in a very lady-like way. Sakura felt eyes on her and looked up from the ground and their eyes met. Her eyes are so readable, Syaoran thought. Her deep green eyes regarded him with hatred, untamed anger with a hint of fear and distress. Then his gaze dropped to her lips, together in a firm line. Ever since he noticed the perfect texture of her ice-pink lips back in the woods near Clow's camp, he couldn't get them out of his mind. The whole ride he thought about Sakura's perfect little lips.

When his gaze shifted to her lips, Sakura fought the urge to blush. No one has ever stared at her with such a heated look. She turned away from his gaze and stared at the lake again, not wanting to meet his eyes.

"Shy aren't you?" he mocked.

Sakura felt the twinge of anger and looked at him, her eyes burning in green fire. "Shut up, mercenary! It's not my fault I was never in a boy's........!" she clamped her lips shut with a gasp, her trembling hands still holding the bowl. Syaoran smirked at her, knowing what she meant even when she didn't finish her sentence. "You were never in a man's company were you? That's why you act like a clueless child." he tried not to laugh. Sakura glared at him and snapped. "I wasn't allowed to be in the company of the opposite sex because the king didn't want distractions in my duty as High Summoner!"

Syaoran sneered. "Aw, the king was afraid daddy's little girl would get naughty thoughts like her father?" he gave a crude laugh. Sakura stared at the bowl he held, pinned it in her sight. Syaoran was about to laugh harder when his bowl exploded in his hands, nearly making him jump out of his skin. "What the!?" he cried as he examined the shards of the bowl. He then glowered at Sakura, who was smirking at him now. "Did I ruin your lunch, all-mighty-mercenary?" she feigned innocence. What an irritating girl!, he thought angrily. But she has a fiery spirit that is.............intriguing.

Sakura put her bowl down and stood up. "If you ever talk about my father again, I will make sure it'll not only be a bowl exploding in your face." she hissed at him in threat. She grabbed her cards and sat away from him, by the lake. Sakura sat on her feet, spreading the cards. "Let the chosen card come to me." she closed her eyes and stretched out her hand, palm open.

Syaoran watched in interest as he felt Sakura's power increase. A card flew up to her open hand and she opened her eyes. Wide eyed, Sakura was seeing the Hope card on her hand. She touched the winged heart and closed her eyes to hear the message. Love will take wings and fly as it approaches the dark valley of death.

Love? Dark valley of death? What does it mean?, Sakura wondered as she kept on staring at the Hope. "Hey." Syaoran's call startled her, making her drop her card in the process. "Why do you care so much about those cards?" he asked in obvious boredom. Sakura narrowed her eyes at him. "These were my mother's tarot cards; she was a fortune-teller, the most powerful seer in all Clow." she said with fierce pride. And now that I remember, her favorite card was the Hope, she stared at the winged heart card.

"And can you tell the future from the cards as well?" he scoffed. Sakura smirked and crawled over to him. "You bet I can." she smiled. "Show me." Syaoran challenged. Sakura took his gloved hand and opened her card book. Sakura closed her eyes once again and Syaoran felt her power increasing again as well. He saw her angelic face glow in a pure light and wouldn't stop staring at her beauty. Her lips moved in a soft-spoken phrase. "Let the chosen card come to me."

Syaoran looked down and saw a card slipping out of the book and flying up to her hand. Sakura slowly opened her eyes and stared at the chosen card. A soft gasp escaped her lips. "What?" Syaoran asked. Sakura couldn't believe her eyes. The Hope card rested on her palm. How come he got the Hope too!?, she touched the card for the message.

Love will take wings and fly as it approaches to its greatest challenge.

"Which card is it?" Syaoran asked, feeling very impatient.

Sakura snapped out of her reverie and shook her head. "Nothing, it just said you will live a long life." she lied as she put the Hope card back in the book.

"Tell me, woman!" he demanded. Sakura stared at him with icy eyes. "I am a woman but I have a name! You will not demand to me, I'm not your servant!" she snapped.

Syaoran just kept on staring at Sakura's angry face. Her eyes were narrowed at him, her delicate features bold and direct. No one has ever worn such an expression towards him and he found it interesting at how this girl from Clow can glare at him like that as if she doesn't fear him.

Sakura noticed his deep stare and softened a bit. Why's he staring at me like that?, she stared back, his mysterious eyes bore into her, seeing her soul. She panicked and looked away. "Just to let you know, I'm not afraid of you, mercenary." she said softly as she stood back up and walked away to sit again by the lake.

Syaoran said nothing, shock was easily readable on his face.

I'm not afraid of you...........

................the woods near Clow's camp...............

Tomoyo stared into the distance, holding Sakura's book tight in her grasp. "Still got that book, Tomoyo?" Meiling asked from behind her. Tomoyo looked back at her and smiled. "Yeah. I'm keeping it with me until we find Sakura and then I'll give it to her myself."

"I'm sure Sakura's okay. She's too valuable for the mercenary to hurt her." said Meiling with a grin of hope.

"Meiling! Tomoyo!" a guard called out to them.

Tomoyo looked at the man and asked. "What is it, Yukito?"

Yukito pointed back to the path he came from and said, "I found a cave and has signs of someone recently being there."

Tomoyo got on her beige horse and Meiling got on her black horse. "Show us!" Meiling ordered.

When they arrived at the small cave, Tomoyo looked down and saw snow at her feet. "Shiva fought here." she said. Meiling looked at her with wide eyes. "What? How do you know, Tomoyo?" she asked. Tomoyo kneeled down and picked up a little bit of the snow. "Shiva's snow takes 2 full days to melt away and I feel a stronger wave of magic; not as strong as recently used magic, but stronger than the wave I felt when we entered the woods."

Meiling looked around and also felt the wave of energy. "You're right. Magic was used here. Tomoyo examined the snow and stood back up. "They must've left here yesterday so they're a day ahead of us." she brushed the snow off her hands. "Which means the mercenary knows we're looking for Sakura." Meiling concluded.

"Yes, she might've heard us but so did he." Tomoyo nodded. Yukito neared them. "So what do we do now, Meiling?" he asked.

Tomoyo got back on her horse and said. "Let's keep going! They might be at the White Woods since it's not very far from here!"

"Right-o!" Meiling grinned as she hoped onto her horse. "Follow the leaders!" she laughed and took off after Tomoyo. Yukito got on his horse and yelled at the other soldiers. "You heard them! Move out!"

................back at the White Woods..................

Syaoran was taking a nap when he woke up with a start. He gasped as he thought of that dream he just had. He saw two women and 4 men riding in their horses towards them.........

"Shit! Clow's search party!" he cursed. He saw Sakura sleeping by Hades, her staff and her pouch lying next to her. He quickly started to gather his gear and packing up everything. We can't rest in an open are like this one! Looks like I gotta take her to Trabia so then I can get a chance to lose them!, he thought as he packed the food and some water in his pouch for the trip. After he finished saddling Hades, he looked down at Sakura. She was curled up into a ball, her face angelic and innocent in her sleep. He kneeled down and kept on staring at her sleeping form. Her frame was small but she was fully built and he wondered how well could she fit in his arms. He caught himself there. Wait, what the hell am I thinking!? I gotta wake her up!, he thought as his hands lightly grabbed her shoulders.

"Hey, wake up."

Sakura felt someone shaking her, disturbing her sleep. She groaned softly as she tried to ignore it. "Ten more minutes, Dad." she said in a soft voice. But, then she started to remember. Her father didn't speak to her with such a cold tone and her father was dead..........

She opened her eyes only to see Syaoran kneeling next to her, shaking her awake. "What do you want!?" she frowned at him. Syaoran had no time for another fight with the wildcat. He easily picked up in one fluid move and set her on his horse. Sakura squeaked in surprise, wide awake now. "I thought you said we were going to be here all day!" she pointed out.

"Well I changed my mind." Syaoran retorted as he got on Hades. Sakura almost jumped at feeling his body press against hers from behind again. "Stay still, we're leaving now!" Syaoran said impatiently as he made Hades break into full gallop. "Where're we going?" Sakura asked, feeling a hint of suspicion in his sudden decision to leave. "Trabia." Syaoran replied. "If we go fast, we can make it by nighttime."

Isn't that where Meiling came from? The Kingdom of Trabia?, Sakura thought as she felt depression take over her senses again. Sakura looked down at her hands and sighed. Another step closer to her death.............

..............Kingdom of Trabia...............

Sakura stared in awe around the busy streets of the Trabia Kingdom. "Wow, so many people!" she said in delight, forgetting for one second the situation she was in. "We're not in some pleasure cruise!" Syaoran snapped at her. Sakura then remembered the reality and frowned. "I wish you were dead already." she glared back at him. Syaoran answered her look with a deadlier glare. "Look, if you won't shut your mouth, by God I'm gonna........"

"Syaoran?"

Syaoran stopped and looked behind him, Sakura did too. She saw a tall, young man with dark blue eyes in round glasses and neat dark blue hair. He looks the same age as Syaoran, Sakura thought as she kept on gazing at him. He smiled gently at both of them and then looked at Syaoran. "You look "

Syaoran rolled his eyes at him. "What are you doing here, Eriol?" he demanded. Sakura gawked back and forth between Syaoran and the sapphire-eyed boy. "Y-You're cousins!?" she cried in shock. But that boy looks so much nicer than Syaoran!

"Duh." Syaoran said, making her feel like a fool. "Ah, what a lovely lady you got there, Syaoran!" Eriol smiled at Sakura. Sakura gave him a pleading look. "He kidnapped me, help m........!" Syaoran cut her off by placing his hand over her mouth.

Eriol raised an eyebrow at his cousin. "What kind of job you got yourself into this time, Syaoran?" he asked. Syaoran sighed tiredly, still holding his hand over Sakura's mouth. "I'm tired and I want to go to an inn so I can get my peace and quiet!" he growled. Eriol chuckled and pointed to an inn nearby. "Look, there's a place! Let's go get rooms! I'm a little tired as well and we got some catching up to do." he gave Syaoran a wide grin. Sakura finally had it and bit his hand. "OW!" Syaoran yowled and drew his hand back. "Dammit, why did you bite me!?" he barked. "Because I couldn't breathe since your hand was also covering my nose, you fool!" she snarled back. Too weary to argue anymore, he followed Eriol to the inn.

------------------------

Sakura sighed in frustration as she came out of the shower and reached for a towel. "That fool! Who does he think he is!?" she mumbled angrily to herself as she dried herself off. "And he thinks he's got it bad!" she slid into a robe and went out the bathroom door, drying her long hair. Syaoran sat on the huge bed, waiting for Eriol. Syaoran didn't want to take any chances of Sakura escaping if they had separate rooms, he made her share his room, much to her embarrassment. She had a big fit about it but then unwillingly agreed. Eriol rented a room next to theirs and was coming in soon to talk to Syaoran. He heard the bathroom door open and saw a gorgeous angel walking out. She was in a simple, white robe that showed a good bit of cleavage and showed off her beautiful curves. She was drying her hair with a white towel when she caught him staring at her.

Sakura felt naked at noticing his scorching gaze upon her. He was once again without his shirt and blushed, her eyes locked on his perfect body. It was Syaoran's turn to notice her gaze.

"What!?" they both snapped at the same time. They stopped and looked away from each other. "Just to let you know, I'm not going to share a bed with you!" Sakura said, still not looking at him, as she put her clothes in a neat pile near her staff and her pouch. Syaoran smirked at her obvious shyness hidden behind her anger. "What's the matter? You're afraid I might deflower you?" he gave a cold laugh. Sakura flushed again and turned to face him. "O-Of course not! I just don't want to share a bed with a man until I'm married!" she glared at him. "Then why are you blushing?" Syaoran arched his eyebrow at her as he slowly stood up and began to walk towards her. Sakura 'eeped' and retorted, "I'm not blushing!"

Sakura wanted to run away now from the temptation of his body but her feet grew roots. Syaoran stood in front of her, their faces mere inches away from each other. "Oh aren't you now?" he said softly and for once, not cold. Sakura gulped and tried to ease her trembling body. "I-I'm not." She didn't sound so convincing, even to herself. They both gazed into each other's eyes, both in a trance. Without knowing what he was doing, Syaoran brought a hand up to caress her honey-colored tresses. He slowly traced the curl of her short hair in front of her ear to her cheek, to finally rest on her lips. Sakura felt dazed, like inside a fog, numb from reality. She should be turning away but for some reason, she liked the touch of his fingertips on her lips, craved for his lips more than his fingers.

Unconsciously, she brought up her own hand to her lips, staring at his mouth. Syaoran felt like he slipped into a dream, all rational thoughts fled as he gazed at Sakura. Her fingers rested lightly on her lips, next to his, tracing their outline and over his fingers in an unconscious gesture both innocent and deeply sensual. The way she stared at his mouth, he knew she was thinking of kissing him.

His blood ran hot.

Her gaze rose to meet his again, her emerald eyes full of innocent longing. He leaned down, his lips a second away from touching hers.........

"Syaoran, it's me!" loud knocking snapped them both out their daze. Sakura gasped and brushed past him to the bed, her hand over her mouth. What in the world was I doing!?, she screamed in her head. She sat on the bed, watching Syaoran go to the door and open it to find Eriol in the doorway. Why did I lose control like that and why does my body feel.........warmer than usual?

Syaoran wanted to hit himself at his mistake. She's my captive and I'm not supposed to mess with her! God, what was I thinking for crying out loud!?, he let Eriol inside. Eriol pulled up two chairs from the wall and sat down. "So, how's life, Syaoran?" he asked. Syaoran sat on the other chair and sighed. "Good I guess."

Eriol looked at Sakura and smiled at her. "What's your name?"

Sakura gave a small smile and introduced herself. "I'm High Summoner Sakura from the Kingdom of Clow."

Eriol's eyes nearly popped out of his sockets from the shock. "You're High Summoner Sakura of Clow!? You're the most powerful High Summoner in the world!" Eriol cried. Syaoran looked at her from the corner of his eye. She's that powerful?, he wondered. He cleared his throat and asked. "Anyways, why are you here in Trabia, Eriol?"

Eriol looked back at him, his expression suddenly serious. "I..........I came to look for Meiling." He said.

The name got Sakura's full attention. "Wait a second! Did you just say 'Meiling'!?" she cried. Eriol nodded. "Why you ask?"

"Because I know her!" her words got Eriol's full attention. Sakura looked down at her hands, which Syaoran let her have them untied as long as she was with him in the room. "She and I have been friends for some time. She came from Trabia a week after my father, the previous High Summoner, passed away." She informed him. "What is she to you, Eriol?" she asked him.

Eriol had a grin of a mile wide. "Meiling Li is my and Syaoran's cousin."

"What!?" Sakura cried in shock. Meiling's related to that mercenary!?

Eriol dropped his grin to a sadder smile. "I've been looking for her for a month now, ever since I found out her parents died. My parents once promised her parents that if anything happened to them, they would take care of Meiling. After hearing the tragic news, they sent me out to find her."

"Oh." Sakura nodded, understanding now. "Meiling said to me that she fled Trabia before Trabia's army enrolled her as a soldier against her will. One of Clow's soldiers found her in the woods, almost dead, and I ordered them to take her in. I nursed her back to health for 2 days then when she was healthy again, she became my friend."

Sakura suddenly yawned and crawled into the covers. "You sleep in the chair! There are some sheets by the bed!" she said to Syaoran and fell asleep.

Eriol chuckled while Syaoran frowned. "She seems like a nice girl, but what's the deal between you two?" Eriol asked him.

"The king of Yuyan paid me to kill her but I failed at that so I decided to bring her to the king of Yuyan. I never knew the High Summoner was a girl." Syaoran replied. Eriol now understood why the girl Sakura was so angry towards Syaoran. "And you can't kill a woman, because you swore that once." Eriol said.

"Exactly."

"But, it seems to me you two are getting.............closer to each other." Eriol smirked. Syaoran had a little blush on the cheeks. "No! Are you insane!?"

Eriol stood up and stretched. "Well, I'm going to sleep. I got a question for you, Syaoran."

"What?"

"Will you really be able to hand her over? Will you really be cold enough to let her be killed?" Eriol asked. Syaoran was taken back by the question. Eriol smiled at Syaoran's quietness and said. "Just think about it, cousin." He turned around and left the room and Syaoran to his thoughts.

He turned off the lights and saw the moonlight shinning through the windows onto Sakura's sleeping form. He neared the bed and grabbed the sheets. He looked at Sakura, her face flushed with sleep, the light of the moon enhancing her beauty.

Will you really be able to hand her over?

That moment when he felt warmth within himself at seeing her staring at his mouth and the thought of her wanting to kiss him was unknown to him. His blood usually ran cold, but being with her, that ice melted away. "What are you doing to me?" he asked softly, still looking at Sakura. What would happen if she completely melted the ice within him? Will he be able to give her to Yuyan, to death itself? This wasn't like him, he was usually cool and in control but when it came to the beautiful High Summoner of Clow, his thoughts raced in his mind.

He turned away from the exquisite, sleeping beauty and went to the chair. He covered himself with the sheets and closed his eyes, a last thought engraved in his mind before falling into a deep slumber.

Will you really be able to hand her over?

...........next day............

Sakura woke up to find Syaoran sleeping in the chair. She quietly got off the bed and tiptoed to the door. She looked at him one last time and nodded, completely sure he was asleep. She turned to the door and quietly turned the doorknob. Two arms grabbed her by the waist and yanked her away from the door. She gasped loudly but knew who it was. "Let me go at once!" she struggled in his grasp. Syaoran held the struggling girl tightly enough to notice her luscious, pale skin; greatly exposed by her white nightdress. He swept her off her feet, making Sakura cry out again. "Put me down!!" she almost yelled. "Be quiet, it's too early to be screaming." Syaoran said as he placed her on the bed. "Now." He crossed his arms on his chest. "Where were you going?" he asked.

"Away from you!" she growled.

Syaoran rolled his eyes and turned his back on her. "Fool." He chuckled. Sakura then saw an opening. "Damn you!" she pushed him hard, successfully knocking him off his feet. She sprinted out of bed and out the door. Syaoran quickly got up and snarled. "Dammit, she's gonna get it!" he took off after her.

Outside the inn, Sakura ran into the crowd. Even though it was still early morning, a lot of people were walking around already. She heard Syaoran's shouts behind her and panicked. She found an alleyway and took it. Syaoran looked around for the rebellious girl when a flash of white and auburn caught his eye. "There she is!" he took off for the alley.

Sakura shivered as she ran down the alley. She completely forgot her things, and she was running around barefoot. "Hey cutie." she stopped dead in her tracks. Three men neared her, their eyes full of lust. She trembled in fear as they walked towards her, was too scared to run. "What are you doing here all alone?" one of the men asked.

Sakura finally gathered her courage and snarled at them. "Leave me alone! Go away!"

Another man laughed. "She wants is, boys. Let's give it to her."

Before Sakura could react, the man grabbed her wrist and pushed her down. Sakura fell hard on her back on the cold street, she cried out. Two of the men grabbed each of her arms and pinned her down. "No!" she cried, struggling, but their grips were too strong. The third man smirked at her as he forced her legs apart and held her thighs so tight, Sakura cried out again.

"You know you want it." He whispered.

"Help me!" Sakura yelled.

Suddenly, someone grabbed the man from behind and pulled him off Sakura. She gasped, for once happy, at seeing the man who had pulled off the rapist. "Syaoran!" she smiled in relief. The other two let go of her arms and stood up. "Let's get him!" one said.

"Syaoran!" Sakura cried. Syaoran smirked at them and pulled out his sword, stopping them. Sakura eyed a steel pipe next to her. She grabbed it and snuck behind the two men. "Heads up!" she shouted. "Huh?" The men both turned around and got smashed by the pipe. The third man gasped in terror and fled.

Syaoran out away his sword and stared at Sakura. Sakura took in a shaky breath and collapsed to her knees. "Idiot! I told you not to run away from me!" Syaoran scolded her harshly as he kneeled next to her. Her eyes swam in tears and her body shook. Warmth ran in his blood again, just like last night as he gazed at her. Sakura's breath got caught in her throat at seeing how close they were again. Syaoran felt dazed again and only one thought was stuck in his head, the thought of her lips against his. He ran his hands down her arms to her hands, feeling the cold, soft skin. She was trembling beneath his touch. He took her hands and slowly raised them above her head, pinning them, but not roughly like he did in the woods when she first escaped.

She gasped softly, but didn't have it in her mind to move, she was trapped in his entrancing gaze again.

He leaned closer to her, their faces way close. If he wouldn't stop thinking about her lips, then maybe tasting them would get them out of his system. She's been kissed before, right? But he didn't think any further.

His lips lightly brushed against hers, the contact sparked a heated passion in them. He gently caressed her lips with his own, a gentle touch Sakura never thought it in him. He was always so rough and cold, but his lips were gentle and warm. Syaoran felt his control slipping and it was only kissing her. He pressed closer to her. Without any caring for consequences, she spread her legs and Syaoran pressed even closer to her, their bodies molded against each other's.

He let his tongue trace her lips as soft as a feather but it was so strong to her, that she gasped. Syaoran took his chance and slipped his tongue inside her warm mouth. He felt even warmer inside him as the kiss deepened. At first, she responded shyly, her tongue timidly touching his but then grew bold and twined her tongue with his own. Sakura felt lightheaded, she's never kissed a man before and felt very clumsy. This heated kiss was too much for her to handle, she could faint from it.............

The kiss was cut off as Sakura fainted in Syaoran's arms. Syaoran stared down at her in surprise but then actually smiled. Obviously, she's never been kissed, he picked her up piggy-back style, wrapping her arms around his neck, and walked back to then inn.

Will you really be able to hand her over? Eriol's words echoed in his mind. He looked back at Sakura, her lips were red and slightly swollen from his kiss but her expression was unreadable. He looked ahead, now he wasn't 100 percent sure as he once was of this mission and all because of a stolen kiss.

AN

YAY, DONE! I'm glad some ppl like it and reviewed it! And I have a deal: if Watashi no mi Sakura gets at the least 1000 reviews by the time I finish that story, I'll make a sequel! Keep it in mind and thanx to the reviewers!

Thanx!

Mistress Ness