Author's Note: This took me a long time. I apologize. I had a serious case of writer's block with this story. But it's here now and it's a bit shorter than the previous chapter, but I think it's an exciting one, so enjoy. The next chapter will be longer and it will be, hopefully, more exciting. And I will be back to fix my mistakes because I'm sure I missed a few. Until next time. . .

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

Part 2: A Stolen Heart

Sakura sat in her room. She looked at her reflection in the mirror. The girl who stared back at her was trying to be something that she was not. She was dressing in beautiful clothing and jewelry, but it was all a joke. So far Sakura had spent two days in the castle and had yet to see the Queen. Prince Syaoran had hardly showed his face since her first day and Lady Tomoyo appeared to her daily, but she had spent most of her time nursing the Queen. Sakura sighed as she stood and walked to the window. She peered out. She had longed to roam the streets of her village again. She suddenly felt homesick as she thought about it. She missed her friends and her father and the villagers. They were her family and she felt far, far away from them all.

A soft knock pulled her away from the window. Lady Tomoyo stood behind the door with a sweet smile on her face. "I apologize," she said. "For leaving you alone for so long."

Sakura smiled. "Oh, no," she replied. "I understand that you have things to do. I can wait. Really."

"You're so gracious," Lady Tomoyo commented.

Sakura blushed. "Thank you." She was never good at receiving compliments.

"Lady Tomoyo?" Andrea asked.

Tomoyo turned. "Yes?"

"Prince Syaoran seeks your assistance."

"Does he?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Lady Tomoyo turned to Sakura and smiled. "He can never do things on his own," she replied.

Sakura smiled. At least he seeks help when he knows he needs it, Sakura thought. But she didn't know how wrong she was.

"Ah, Tomoyo," came the Prince's voice. He stepped into view and Sakura's heart raced. She didn't understand this sudden infatuation she had with the Prince, but what she did know was that she needed to break away from that infatuation. No good would come from it. "I need your help. You see. Prince Touya of the South and his great wizard Yukito Tsukishiro are on their way here. Mother wishes to see the Prince and Queen Nadeshiko is sending Yukito along with medicine for my mother, which had been created by that sorcerer she claims is good."

"Darco?" Tomoyo replied.

Syaoran nodded. "Anyway, I want to announce to the people, but how-"

"Just come out and tell them," Lady Tomoyo suggested. "You don't need a great speech for that."

"Prince Touya and Yukito Tsukishiro?" Sakura asked. She hadn't realized she had said it aloud until she heard the Prince answer her question.

"Yes," he replied. He paused. "Have you heard of them?"

She nodded. "Th-the people have heard many, uh, stories of the Prince and his family. And they admire him and the wizard."

Prince Touya was a person that everyone knew of. It had been an insult to anyone who knew him if there was one such person who did not know of his name. Not only was he a great prince, but he was a great warrior as well. He went off into battle to lead his men into victory and every time he'd leave for a battle, he'd come back victorious. People feared him on the battle front, but respected him on the throne. He was to become king when his father had disappeared, but he would not replace him, saying that his father would one day return to rule over his people in the south. He also had a temper, which everyone knew of. His mother, Queen Nadeshiko, was also very well known. She was a wonderful and beautiful ruler who everyone loved and respected just as they did Touya. Yukito Tsukishiro was yet another well respected person. His magic was known world wide and he was a renowned wizard. His powers were immense and there were few who knew more than he.

"Is that so?" Prince Syaoran asked.

Sakura nodded. She felt everyone's eyes on her and she blushed. She looked down at her hands. They were folded in her lap. The dress she wore was long. The fabric was soft to the touch and it's rose-red color made her appear as a rose. A delicate, beautiful rose and this the Prince took into account as he looked upon her. Her cheeks filled with a pinkish hue. Lady Tomoyo eyed them both and a smile formed on her face.

"Why don't you take Sakura with you. She can help you announce to the people of our new guests," she suggested. "This way the people actually see her and know we've done nothing to harm her. People are worried about her. A messenger of ours claims that the villagers have begun to talk. They believe we have enslaved Sakura instead of honoring her as our guest."

Sakura looked up. She was ready to protest, but the Prince spoke before she could.

"We don't want anyone to think that," he said.

"Wonderful," Lady Tomoyo replied. "I will send a messenger to gather the people. Why don't you show Sakura around the castle. She hasn't seen much of it. I would, but the Queen always requests me to read to her at this hour."

"And I'll prepare for dinner, sire," Andrea replied. She walked off and in only a matter of seconds, Sakura was with the Prince. He showed her around that castle. It had more rooms that Sakura could every dream of and they weren't small rooms. All of them were big. Prince Syaoran had even showed her Lady Tomoyo's work place. The place where she sat down to make dresses. There were so many types of fabric and tools that Sakura had never seen. Everything was so overwhelming and even the conversations she held with the Prince were surprisingly intimate. She couldn't believe this was the place she wanted to leave. She felt guilty all of a sudden. She no longer felt homesick. Something about the castle and being with the Prince made everything seem so. . .right.

"Is anything wrong?" he asked as they made their way to the castle's lobby.

She shook her head, suddenly realizing that Prince Syaoran was at her side. A soft flutter in her stomach made her blush. Her heart began to pound in her chest and she grew nervous.

"You're shaking," he said as he stopped to take her hands in his. He placed a hand on her forehead and Sakura could feel the heat on her cheeks spread all over her face. "And you're warm." There was concern and worry in his eyes. "I don't think you're alright."

"Oh, no," she said. "I'm great. Let's just go to the balcony and announce Prince Touya's and Yukito's arrival."

He nodded a bit hesitantly, but led her to the balcony.

In moments the crowd below them roared with joy and cheer as they saw their prince. Sakura soon joined him.

"My good people," he began, "We will be having two honorable guests in a short while. Prince Touya and his faithful wizard, Yukito Tsukishiro." There were more cheers from below. "They are arriving with medicine from the Queen Nadeshiko." There was a burst of cheer. Syaoran smiled as he held up his hand. They quieted down to hear him. "The journey from the South to the North is a long one, though, and they will not be here right away, but they will be soon enough."

"We should await their arrival patiently and welcome them with open arms when they arrive," Sakura added. The prince turned to her. A look of shock and surprise on his face, but he allowed her to continue. The people seemed to enjoy listening to her and he couldn't blame them. He smiled with pride. "But we also have to keep our distance with Prince Touya. We've all heard great stories of his bravery and strength, but also of his temper." The people agreed. "We must be careful around him, but treat him with respect when he arrives."

"We will inform when we receive anymore information," Prince Syaoran replied. The people cheered once more before Syaoran stepped inside.

"Take care," Sakura said as she waved before she went inside after the Prince. She suddenly felt foolish, but it had felt so natural, being up there, speaking to them as everyone below her listened. She had always felt comfortable around large crowds and yet she had never actually put herself in front of hundreds of people like she had just done, but the feeling was wonderful. She just hoped that the Prince wasn't too upset with her. She turned only to see his smiling face.

"You did a great job!" he exclaimed. "You're a born leader."

Sakura smiled as she blushed. Lady Tomoyo soon joined them. "The Queen wishes to see you, Sakura."

Sakura looked at Tomoyo. Her face expressed everything, Me? Tomoyo let out a soft laugh as she nodded. Sakura looked at Prince Syaoran. He smiled with a nod. Sakura walked to Tomoyo and allowed herself to be led to the Queen's quarters. Syaoran followed close behind. This was exciting! She'd be meeting the Queen for the first time.

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

The Queen sat up in her bed. Her head hurt a bit, but she tried to shack it away. She placed a hand to her head. This was not how she wanted her guest to see her, but there was no other way. Tomoyo had insisted on her staying in bed. She would not allow her to get up.

When the door knob began to turn, she sat up straight and prepared herself. Tomoyo stepped forward. She bowed gracefully as she stepped aside to reveal. . .

The Queen gasped. Her skin turned completely pale as she looked at the face of her gust. It has to be a ghost, she thought. She can't be. . .she's dead!

"Queen Yelan?" Madison asked.

"Mother?" her son called as he stepped inside.

Her breath caught as she looked at Sakura. "But you're dead!" she shouted.

Could this girl really be the Princess of the South, the one who had disappeared along with the King? Could she be Princess Sakura? The daughter of the great late King Fujitaka and current Queen Nadeshiko? Why hadn't she known of this before. If she was losing her vision, then it was true, the disease she had was more life threatening than she had anticipated. Usually, she'd know right away who a person was. It was almost as if she sensed their energy and could just tell who they were. And now that she thought about it, a sensation ran through her and there it was. A glow around the girl, a power within her that she was harboring. A great power that would do the world a great deal of help when her time came. And just as suddenly as the vision had come, it went and the world went with it.

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

Syaoran paced about in the hallway. The best medicine man had been called upon to nurse his mother. He awaited impatiently. What had happened? She looked as if she had seen a ghost, he thought. But you're dead! She had shouted. What was that about? He looked over at Sakura. She was sobbing. Tomoyo was consoling her. Tomoyo looked at him and he looked away. He had reacted in a similar fashion when she announced her name. Something was chillingly familiar about her, but he couldn't place his finger on it. It was almost as if she was coming back from the dead, but he had never met her before. How was such a thing even possible?

The door opened and the medicine man stepped out. "She has slipped back into consciousness. But-" Syaoran dashed for the door, but the medicine man pulled him back. He bowed to show his apologies and continued, "But. . .she is asleep. You should allow her her rest and come back to see her later. It would be best."

Syaoran nodded with an angry sigh. "Please, show him out," Syaoran ordered.

"Yes, sire," the Bronze Knight said with a short bow. The small medicine man followed the tall knight.

It was silent for awhile. But Sakura soon broke the silence. "Please, forgive me, your highness," she pleaded as she dropped to her knees before him. Her tear stained face looked guilty and fearful. "I don't know what happened, but I apologize."

Syaoran knelt down. He lifted her chin with his fingers. "Please, stand," he said. He stood and waited for her to do the same. She looked up at him. Her eyes full of confusion. He extended his hand. She was hesitant, but took it. He helped her up. "It's not your fault. You had nothing to do with it."

"But I-"

Syaoran shook his head. "Tomoyo, please take Sakura to her room."

"Yes, sir," she said.

"Just rest, Sakura," he said. "It's not your fault. I will see you again tomorrow morning."

Tomoyo took her in her arms and led her away. Sakura was reluctant, but she went, thankfully. Syaoran sighed as he turned. He looked at his mother's door. And slowly turned the knob. He peeked inside. She was resting. "What happened to you?" he asked as he watched her. He stood in her doorway for a short while until he left to the thrown.

He looked about. This would all be his if his mother left. He looked at his father's crown. It sat on his throne, untouched and glimmering in the sun's light. He wished his father was with him for guidance. He needed it. He sat down in his mother's throne. He smoothed his hands on the soft fabric and looked over at his side at his father's throne. He then leaned forward, placing his face in his hands as he sobbed.

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

Tomoyo sat with the queen the following day. She had been worried since yesterday. She wanted to ask what had happened. She seemed frightened with Sakura's presence and she wanted to understand why. Tomoyo too had felt something when she heard Sakura announce her name, but she hadn't been frightened as the queen had been and it scared her a bit. Maybe it was because the queen felt Sakura was familiar in a way as if they had met before. Even her name was familiar. Sakura, she thought. The name of the princess who disappeared. She stopped. Was that why the queen had become so frightful?

"Just ask me, Tomoyo," The queen said.

Tomoyo looked up.

"You want to understand what happened? Am I right?"

Tomoyo nodded. Yes, she wanted to know. Syaoran did as well. Everyone did.

"I think Sakura is a stolen heart." The queen's voice was so serious that Tomoyo could not dismiss it. A stolen heart? She asked herself.

A stolen heart was a person who was had disappeared and believed to be dead, but no one actually knew what had happened to them. No one had ever seen such a person, anyway. Not many people who disappeared came back. Sakura, though, could not possibly be one. And yet, it would explain why she felt so familiar. Maybe she had once known Sakura. But from where? Unless, she thought. She gasped as she looked at the queen.

"You think she's the late Princess Sakura of the South, don't you?" Tomoyo questioned.

Queen Yelan nodded.

"She can't be," Tomoyo argued. "Her and her father disappeared years ago. Neither one of tem were ever found!"

"It is a possibility, Tomoyo," she said. "You have to take it into consideration."

"I don't think you should mention it to Syaoran," she said. "He wouldn't believe it and he'd be angered by the thought."

"I won't mention it until I think it's appropriate."

Tomoyo said nothing.

"But do keep an eye on her. Protect her. She's here for a reason and we must protect her. No one else my find out about this."

Tomoyo nodded. She wasn't sure if she believed Sakura was the princess, but she would do as the queen instructed. What other choice did she have?