Wish Upon A Star

shika hiiragizawa

Summary:
In a world where mistakes are not allowed, two orphan girls struggle to be free and happy, but The Mistress does not allow them. Suddenly, two men comes to save them. Will they find their happiness or be back at The Mistress's evil clutches? ExT, SxS

--

"To...mo...yo..."

Louis panted as he staggered to the fax machine. As he walked, he struggled to breath. One hand clutched his chest, which was bleeding profusely, and another grasped the sofa for support. He looked at the lifeless form of his wife, and tears sprung from his eyes. He wanted to go to her side and die with her, but he had to something. He had to alert his daughter, since he couldn't protect her.

I am such a useless father, he thought hopelessly.

He kicked aside all the clutter that stood in his way and lowered himself to a chair beside the machine, panting heavily. This was his only hope to save his daughter.

"Please God, save my daughter..."

With all the strength he could muster, he typed on a message on the fax machine. As he finished, his last breath left his lungs.

Chapter III: Escape

"Here." said Amy handed them two tickets. "These are tickets to the city. Wait at the station and you'll find my mother. She'll help you find that address and give you a place to hide."

Tomoyo accepted the tickets gratefully, then hugged Amy. "Thank you so much... You don't know how much this means to us."

"I think I know," said Amy as she grinned. "You two have been longing for this freedom all these years."

"Oh, Amy!" Sakura flung her arms around her as tears spilled from her emerald eyes. "You are the friendliest thing living on earth!"

"You have to go now," said Amy. "Be careful, OK?"

"We will." Sakura broke from her hug and wiped her eyes. "Thank you so much."

"Are you sure you don't want to see the other visitor?"

"No," said Tomoyo. "I know he's better than that creep, Derrick, but... I don't want to get married yet."

--

It was already dark when the three of them crept to the back of the manor carefully. Sakura and Tomoyo each bought a brown rucksack with them.

The place was deserted. A large wall covered in vines stood in front of them. Amy told them to hold on to the vines carefully, then hid herself behind a tree.

Tomoyo and Sakura looked at each other and took a huge breath as they held on to one of the vines.

"One... Two--"

"Well, hello there, ladies."

Tomoyo froze as she heard the voice. It was the cold drawl she hated so much.

"Derrick?" Sakura called out. She quickly let go of the vines as he neared them.

"You're not planning to escape, are you?" he asked. His lips were curled into a sickly smile.

"It's none of your business." said Tomoyo through gritted teeth. It was hard to keep her cool with that maniac ruining her life.

Derrick's lip curled. "I was under the impression that I was supposed to get married to you, so I think it is my business."

He smirked at them. It made Tomoyo want to tear his maniacal face to pieces. This guy was getting to her nerves!

"I was under the impression we are not yet married, so it is none of your business." Tomoyo retorted. She folded her arms angrily.

"But you did promise that tonight is the night, right Tomoyo?" He advanced towards her, his belly bouncing as he moved.

"I did not promise anything!" Tomoyo argued. "Get away from me!"

"No can do."

Derrick's face was inches from hers. Tomoyo could already smell his putrid breath. But before he could go any nearer, he fell to the ground. Tomoyo's breath caught in her chest as she noticed a boy with blue hair and azure eyes. His fist was raised.

"You are Tomoyo, aren't you?" he asked.

Tomoyo stared blankly at him, then finally came to her senses."Who-- are you?"

Before the man could answer, Syaoran came, swearing loudly as a mosquito bit him.

"Have you found them yet, Eriol?"

--

"Amy, your plan is good," said Syaoran after Sakura had explained what happened. They were seated on the grass, planning quietly about what to do. "But we need greater protection from them, especially since someone is after Tomoyo."

Tomoyo looked at Syaoran, her eyes questioning.

"Eriol is my friend," said Syaoran. "And yes, he is the opponent that The Mistress was talking about."

Tomoyo turned to look at Eriol, who was prodding Derrick with a stick.

"He's out cold!" said Eriol as he peered at Derrick's lifeless form.

"You hit him too hard, pal." said Syaoran. "Come here. We need to talk."

"OK." Eriol put the stick down quietly, and seated himself beside Syaoran. Sakura looked at him, as if waiting for him to do something.

"Oh. Right. I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Eriol Hiiragizawa." he held out his hand, and Sakura shook it.

"I'm Sakura Kinomoto." said Sakura.

"I'm... Tomoyo."

"So she is?" said Eriol to Syaoran, who nodded. Eriol smiled.

"Wait, shouldn't The Mistress be calling us now since you came?" asked Tomoyo.

Eriol shook his head, smiling. "Good question. You are the only ones who know that I am here."

"How did you get in?" Amy asked. She knew the whole house by heart, and was shocked by the fact that he got in unnoticed, knowing that the house was fully protected.

"I have my ways."

"Back to the plan, where are we going then?" Sakura asked.

Syaoran turned to her, his expression serious. "You are going to my house."

--

"Syaoran's not that mean." said Tomoyo minutes later when they were seated on the train. The two of them were covered in cloaks, their faces hidden in hoods. Syaoran had told them to wait at the next village for her cousin, whose name was Meiling. He described her as a teenager with a tall, thin frame, long black hair in pigtails and dark red eyes.

"You're right." agreed Sakura, as her expression softened. But Tomoyo didn't notice, since their faces were hidden in their hoods.

Tomoyo grinned. "What if you two end up together?"

Sakura was very grateful for the hood, since she was blushing.

"So, we're nearing Li's village, right?" said Sakura as she looked out the window, deliberately changing the subject. Outside the window was a dark meadow, only lit by the moon. Tomoyo also turned to look out the window, looking at the inky black sky, remembering what Sakura told her.

"Sakura, is someone really after me?" asked Tomoyo.

"I think so." Sakura replied.

Silence came between them, and the only sound was the chugging of the train and the whispers of the other people. Sakura sensed that Tomoyo was scared, and she felt scared too. She had no idea who was after her bestfriend, or why he was after her. All she knew what that she should protect her, because she was her only friend.

"Look, Tomoyo," whispered Sakura. She paused to reach out for her hand and she squeezed it tightly. "I'll be there no matter what. I promise."

"Thank you, Sakura." said Tomoyo weakly, as she squeezed Sakura's hand back.

--

When they arrived at the stop, they easily spotted Meiling. She was wearing a blue dress, and waving at them jovially.

"Is she Meiling?" asked Sakura.

"I think so." replied Tomoyo. "Let's ask her."

"Alright." said Sakura, and the two of them walked towards her.

"Are you Meiling?" Tomoyo asked. The girl smiled at them and nodded.

"Yes, I am. You're Sakura and Tomoyo, right? Syaoran said that you'd be wearing cloaks."

"Yep, we are." said Sakura.

"Well then, follow me." she waved her hand and led them outside the station. A clock on the village square was telling them that it was already 10 o'clock. The ground was made of stone, and there were small cottages everywhere. Meiling stopped in front of a carriage, which was run a tall man, and two white horses, whose skins shone in the moonlight. Meiling entered the carriage and beckoned the two to come inside.

It was a small place, but elegant. A lamp shone from the top of the carriage that lit the velvet cushions. The three sat downand made themselves comfortable. Meiling then opened the window and told the driver, whose name was Wei, to go to the castle.

"Sorry, I didn't introduce myself properly at the station." Meiling took out her hand, and the two shook it. "I'm Meiling, Syaoran's cousin."

"I'm Tomoyo." Tomoyo let her hood down and smiled at her. "Thank you very much for letting us stay in your home."

"It's no matter." said Meiling. "We're happy to help you."

"I'm Sakura." Sakura also took off her hood. Meiling smiled.

"So, you are her? The one my cousin's going to marry?"

"I--" she stuttered. Her face was turning pink. Tomoyo fought the urge to giggle as she saw her friend.

"Did he tell you that he's not going to marry you?" asked Meiling. Sakura nodded.

"Well, I think he's changed his mind... He wouldn't save you if he didn't care..." Meiling looked out the window. "Syaoran is a very nice person, once you get to know him."

The carriage stopped over a large palace. It was dark, so the two couldn't make out much of the place, but the two were already mystified the place. It was no house as Syaoran had said. It was a palace!

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" said Meiling. The two agreed.

Meiling grinned. "You better get you hoods on, 'coz we're going in."

--

"How do find Tomoyo?" Syaoran asked as the two headed towards the gate.

Eriol looked at him and smiled. "Well, how do you find Sakura?"

"Well..." he put his hands over his head and sighed. "I still don't wanna get married."

"Of course not." Eriol smirked victoriously. "I was merely asking how you found her to be."

"But we are getting married to those two!" Syaoran barked in frustration. "Of course that's how I'll answer!"

"I don't know, maybe not. You do know that they are free now?"

"Oh. Right."

"That means we are free too. You better get in before they get suspicious. See you later, Li."

--

"THEY'RE GONE?!" The Mistress shrieked. "Are you sure, Derrick?"

The four were seated in the living room, where a fire was crackling merrily. Derrick had just told The Mistress his story, and she was fuming with anger. She had fed and cared for those two, then they would just run away? On a very important day, for that matter. That can't be. That just cannot be.

"Yes," replied they boy, as he rubbed the back of his head, where he was hit. "When I woke up, they were gone."

"Didn't you see the one who punched you?" asked Kaji, whose brow was creased with worry. He was now having second thoughts of making Syaoran marry Sakura, since running away left a pretty bad impression on him.

"I didn't see him. He aimed for the back of my head, so I had no idea."

Enraged, The Mistress turned to one of her servants, who had just arrived.

"What are you doing there?! Alert everyone to search those two! They cannot get away from me!"

The servant bowed. "Yes, Mistress. But before that, I would like to inform you that Mr. Eriol Hiiragizawa is here."

--

shika: I am really sorry it took me so long to update... Being a graduating student is hard! Haha. I sincerely hope you like this one, although its not that sweet. More sweet moments are coming ... Sooon... :)

So please review minna-san! Godbless!