Breakfast was strange. Syaoran sat across from his father who was quite calm as he ate, ignoring Kei's hateful glare completely. Instead he was more focused on the maids who had taken up the role of carrying out their meals in place of the servant girls, while there were willing others in the kitchen who had taken up cooking their meals. Syaoran didn't know who had arranged this and he knew it definitely wasn't Kei. He doubted Sakura had the time and he certainly hadn't done it. That only left his father...

Syaoran wondered just what his father had been up to in the time they'd been separated, the time he'd mourned his death. He assumed that his father had been busy with the affairs of the Night World for whatever reason, and that thought only irritated him more.

Sakura entered the hall and walked past-she was wearing a rather low-backed dress in the palest shade of blue with a dragon scale pattern covering it, and the scales looked so real it was petrifying yet beautiful. He stared at her, unable to take his eyes off her.

Syaoron was quick to notice. It had been evident since the first time he'd seen the two that they seemed infatuated with each other, which made him worry for the pair. He knew how destructive jealousy could be and Kei was not a kind man. He looked over at Syaoran and then at Kei; Kei was fuming, but Syaoran just seemed to be ignoring him. He shrugged it off and continued eating.

Syaoran headed back to the common room on his own after breakfast, but when he got there, he went to turn the brass door knob only to find it was covered in a slippery substance-probably soap or something similar-and he couldn't turn it. Pissed off by another one of Eriol's pranks, he decided to go somewhere else even though he didn't have much choice in the matter.

He found himself wandering towards the gardens and didn't pay much attention to what was in front of him-he was too focused on what was around him instead, and bumped into someone. They gave a small shriek and he caught her just before she fell-Sakura stared up at him with surprised eyes and for a moment he stared back. There was an awkward silence and he quickly released her, apologising.

"Sorry-I wasn't looking where I was going."

"No, it's fine..." she murmured.

They stood in silence for a moment until Sakura smiled.

"So, why aren't you in your common room? Isn't that where you were going?"

"Eriol put soap on the door knob so I couldn't get in." He muttered.

For the first time he saw a real laugh escape her lips. "Oh, I see." She laughed.

"You find that amusing?" he asked.

"I'm sorry," she giggled.

He sighed. He guessed he didn't mind-she was smiling after all.

They began walking together and Syaoran noticed that Sakura was alone. "Where's Akiho? She's usually with you, isn't she?" he asked.

"I told her I'd like to be alone for a while." Sakura answered.

"Oh..."

"Why don't we go to the garden? It's nicer there." Sakura then suggested.

Syaoran realised she was talking about the small hidden garden she had shown him a couple of weeks back and quickly agreed.

As they sat in the shade, he noticed that Sakura's dragon scale halter neck dress had a bit of a shimmer to it along the bottom edge. He hadn't noticed it in the dining room-perhaps it was the lighting-but even in the shade the sun still seemed to bring out the effects of the beautiful dress.

"Are you interested in the material of my dress?" she asked.

"Sorry." He looked away awkwardly and began picking daisies, making a daisy chain.

She smiled, "It's got platinum in the thread to give the shimmer." She said softly.

"Expensive dress..." Syaoran muttered.

Sakura giggled a little. "Yes, I suppose it may have been. I wouldn't know, though."

He looked at her with a stunned expression. "How could you not know?" he asked incredulously.

"It was a gift from my mother." She said softly, a sad look entering her eyes.

"Oh, I see." Syaoran murmured. "That makes sense."

Sakura then smiled, "Well, you must be glad that your father is back, are you not?"

Syaoran rolled his eyes. "Honestly I don't know. I'm so confused-if he needed to go away for a while, he could have just told me some other lie-not faked his death. I'd have much preferred something else..." He muttered.

"He did get shot though." Sakura said.

Syaoran stared at her.

"He mentioned it last night-they missed his heart and it punctured his lung instead. I can't imagine what the pain must have been like-or is still like. Getting injured by one of those hunters' weapons is no easy challenge; it's a deadly and serious battle." Sakura explained to him. Syaoran looked away.

"But...I'm sure he had his reasons for staying away from you. He might not tell you now, but I'm sure later it will all make sense." Sakura smiled comfortingly.

Syaoran felt himself smile back. Perhaps she was right-maybe all it would take would be some time after all.

"Thank you." He said.

She still smiled.

"Would you mind if I asked a question?" Syaoran asked her.

"Sure, go ahead." She smiled at him beautifully, and for a moment he forgot what to ask. He shook his head and found his words, "Your shoulder seemed rather injured the other week-are you alright...?" he asked.

Sakura's smile fell a little. "So, you saw what Kei did to my shoulder, then."

"I'm sorry, I never intended to see what happened..." He apologised immediately, but she wasn't angry.

"Kei was always stupid about where he approached me and how he went about it. His anger is vicious and uncontrolled." She whispered. "To be honest, that wasn't the first time he had broken a shoulder or something else of mine in one of his fits of rage."

Syaoran listened as she sadly recalled when Kei had stomped on her foot, breaking every bone in her toes and foot one night just because she had smiled kindly at a possible suitor. Her hip was shattered and caused her to stop walking for days while it was still healing. There were more stories, but not quite as brutal, however that didn't change the fact that it was so wrong.

"Sakura..." Syaoran asked, his voice trembling with anger. "Why do you put up with his abuse?"

Sakura hugged her knees. "He wasn't always like this." She whispered. "We grew up together."

"I hate to tell you this, but people change. And he's not changing for the better, especially if he's abusing you." Syaoran said firmly.

A few tears crept from Sakura's eyes, but she wiped them away as if to strengthen her resolve.

"I know. I decided a long time ago that he could no longer be of any significance to me." Sakura whispered.

"But...deep down you still care." Syaoran said.

"Of course, I do! We grew up together...he was like a brother to me... Feelings like that don't just disappear." She whispered, crying her heart out to him.

Syaoran wasn't sure what to do. He'd never had to comfort a crying girl before, so he wasn't sure what to say or do. Hesitantly, He reached out his hand and placed it gently over hers, trying to tell her everything would be ok.

"I don't understand Syaoran," she whispered, "I absolutely hate him but at the same time I don't..."

He didn't blame her for her mixed emotions-with what Kei was doing to her it was no wonder. He gave her an awkward but gentle hug, where she wouldn't let go for several minutes so he stayed in the embrace. The material beneath his fingers, strangely enough, did feel like scales.

Their embrace lasted a lot longer than intended and Syaoran wondered if she was even paying attention. "Sakura..."

As he looked down at Sakura who was holding onto him, he noticed that she had fallen asleep. He sighed and decided against waking her, and instead he lay down in the soft grass and daisies with her still attached to him.

…

When Sakura woke she could smell daisies and Syaoran's strong scent beneath her. Confused, she looked around and remembered they were in the hidden garden, and she had accidentally fallen asleep in their embrace earlier. She felt so embarrassed she didn't know what to say to him. Though, he didn't seem terribly fazed by it...

As she shifted to move, she felt something on her head. She lifted her hand to feel something flowery there, and then pulled it off to have a look. In her hands was a crown of woven daisies and pieces of grass and some lavender which was just in arms reach of Syaoran. She smiled.

"Have a nice sleep?" Syaoran asked.

She looked up to see him weaving more daisies and moved to sit up without showing much embarrassment.

"Sorry," she apologised.

He sat back up and sighed. "So... suppose we should head back? I mean, the sun's nearly set."

Sakura nearly panicked. "What did you just say?!"

"I'm not joking." He told her. "You sleep like a rock-toss a lot too..."

"Don't mention a word of this to anyone!" she hissed.

He looked surprised for a moment. "Ok, fine."

She placed the crown neatly in the corner on some blue flowers where it stood out, and then she stood and walked out. Syaoran followed her as she stormed back through the garden, though he couldn't figure out why she was so upset.

Sakura on the other hand was just too embarrassed to talk to him and was relieved when they headed their separate ways. As she entered her common room both a frantic looking Akiho and Eriol looked up-Eriol's expression relaxed upon seeing Sakura, but Akiho's was still distressed.

"My Lady-where have you been!? We thought you lost-disappeared somewhere-good heavens I'm so relieved!" she cried as she flittered around Sakura to check her for injury.

"I'm quite alright. I'm so sorry for worrying you; I was out in the gardens and lost track of time." Sakura answered gently.

"Evidently, Lord Syaoran has apparently wandered off somewhere too. Have you seen him?" Eriol asked with a knowing smile.

Sakura smiled, "I'm sure he's quite fine." She said and headed up to her chambers to avoid any more questions.

Akiho looked at Eriol, "Do you think she's avoiding something?" she asked suspiciously.

"Perhaps they were making out." He shrugged casually.

Akiho was horrified at such a prospect. "How could you even suggest such a thing!? Lady Sakura would never...!"

"Hey, it was just a joke. I doubt Syaoran would either." Eriol laughed.

Akiho sighed. "Well, I better go pick up these hearts. These stupid Furies can't seem to feed themselves..."

"I'll stay here, then." Eriol replied.

Knowing that Sakura was safe, Akiho headed out and down to the main streets to pick up the strange supply of animal hearts that the strange beasts ate and headed to the stables carrying buckets full of their buy.

Inside the stables taking up one stall each were the large monstrous black horses, drool dripping from their fang-like teeth. Akiho casually walked in to find Yuna standing in the stables and started chucking the hearts at them-they caught the organ with their sharp bloody teeth and chewed it loudly; some tore theirs to shreds; others banged it against the wood before eating it.

"Syaoran hasn't been here yet." Yuna said.

"I wonder what his reaction will be when he sees them." Akiho replied. "Was he okay?"

"He's not hurt, if that's what you mean. Tomoyo and Lord Syaoron are with him right now, I believe." Yuna answered.

"What do you think about the prophecy?" he then asked.

Akiho looked surprised for a moment. "I'm not sure. Lady Sakura has been giving me mixed signals lately... but she seems to really care for Lord Syaoran."

"She's been through a lot. Hopefully Syaoran will be able to help her heal."

Akiho nodded agreement. After all, Sakura was finally starting to smile again.

Syaoran found he was finally able to enter his common room without any hindrance when he got back. Inside and waiting was his father looking very concerned and Tomoyo panicking.

"Where in the world could he possibly go!?" Tomoyo asked.

"Me?" Syaoran asked as he walked in.

"Where have you been?" his father asked.

"Gardens. Sort of...lost track of time." Syaoran shrugged as he walked over to the table to make himself a cup of tea.

He got a sceptical stare from his father, but neither he or Tomoyo said anything. They were relieved to know he was fine. Tomoyo busied herself with other tasks, knowing he was safe, and allowed for the two to talk.

"You two were alone together?" his father prompted.

"What?"

"You and Lady Sakura."

"So, what?"

"So, you were?" his father raised a brow.

"We didn't do anything." Syaoran snapped.

"What a darn shame." He sighed.

Syaoran stared at his father with confusion, "You-you want us to do something?"

"oh, that's completely between you and Sakura if anything were to happen." He shrugged.

Syaoran sighed. Whatever.

"We were quite worried though. Poor Tomoyo looked as though she'd die from a heart attack."

Syaoran frowned, "Well maybe people shouldn't be sticking things on the doorknob so I can't get inside." He muttered.

His father laughed. "So that's what happened."

"I'm pretty sure it was Eriol. Otherwise it's someone else." Syaoran replied with a shrug. "Why were you so worried, anyway?"

The question earned a frown from his father. "I know you're sharper than you've been letting on recently. You've always been observant of everything around you."

Syaoran stayed silent.

"You're living in an unfamiliar territory, in a castle where the leader wants you dead. Of course, I was-am-worried."

"Well you weren't worried when you "died" and left me alone."

"I was always keeping an eye on you." Syaoron snapped. "Do you really think I'd leave you to fend for yourself without some sort of protection?"

When Syaoran didn't answer, he sighed softly. "I'll tell you why I left when the time is right. But right now, you need to focus on keeping yourself safe."

Syaoran heard the door click shut seconds later, letting him know his father was no longer in the room.

…

Between doing nothing and trying not to pick fights with Kei, about a week passed. Sakura spent if not all her time but most of it with Syaoran and on occasion, were joined by his father. When Syaoran woke one morning, he walked down the staircase only to find a stern look on Yuna's face and Tomoyo looked more uncomfortable than usual.

"What is it?" Syaoran asked.

"There's a meeting." Yuna answered. "You're to be there."

Syaoran was very confused. "A meeting about what?" he asked. Tomoyo shifted uncomfortably.

"About the hunters and traitors. I'm afraid I don't know all of the details." His guard answered.

"Should I be worried...?" Syaoran questioned nervously. He didn't like the sound of where this was going.

"Stay on your guard. Unfortunately, we are not allowed in unless invited, though I doubt Kei will try anything with your father there."

Syaoran was starting to feel uncomfortable. So, they were confidential meetings and Kei could possibly start something-that wasn't a good sign.

"Breakfast is about to be served-we should hurry down." Tomoyo said quickly.

He nodded and they headed towards the dining hall, where Syaoran took his usual seat.

Things only felt worse at breakfast. Kei had a confident, disgusting sneer on his face that only made him dread what this meeting was about. Sakura looked a little worried too, even dressed in her beautiful peacock blue dress that drifted into a marvellous sea of greens towards the bottom.

As soon as Syaoron entered the dining hall however, Kei's face immediately became placid. Syaoran was a little confused but didn't think much of it, and concentrated on eating despite what little appetite he had.

Upon leaving the hall, Syaoran felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see his father behind him.

"Are you about to go to the meeting?" he asked.

Syaoran nodded grimly.

"What are you worried about?" his father asked him.

"Everyone seems to be worried that something's going to happen to me at this meeting." Syaoran confessed.

"If Kei tries anything-to you or Lady Sakura-he knows what I'll do."

Syaoran then watched as his father walked away, heading down the corridor on his own. Syaoran sighed. Even so-what if someone did get hurt?

"Is something the matter, Syaoran?" Sakura asked.

He looked over. "Oh-no, not really." He lied.

She looked at him with a painful smile, "Is it the meeting...?" she asked.

He sighed in defeat. "Yeah."

"Did you want to go together? I have to be there as well." She offered.

"Alright." He replied.

As they walked, Sakura seemed unusually troubled by something. Syaoran was about to ask what was wrong, but found themselves at the door of the room they were holding the meeting in.

Sakura entered before him, and as he walked inside, he found a very large, round wooden table surrounded by chairs; Kei sat in the largest and most elaborate looking chair, while everyone else sat on the more simple chairs. Sakura, not wishing to sit next to Kei, sat next to Syaoran instead. He felt a little more comfortable with her next to him, but Kei looked so angry he could break the table with just a small touch. Syaoron shot Kei a warning glance, and for a moment, his anger disappeared.

To Syaoran's surprise, Eriol was sitting in at the meeting as well. There were a few others that he didn't recognise. Once they were all seated, Kei stood.

"As you all know, we have been in conflict with the hunters and traitors for quite some time now." He began. "For a while, they have been lying low. But now they are closing in."

"What makes you say that?" Syaoron questioned.

"I've just recently found out that they've taken hold of another city." Kei replied. "But this one is strange. They've held onto it for longer than usual."

"Why would they do that? They completely annihilated a small village in one night." Sakura laughed bitterly.

"I don't know, but I can assure you it's true." Kei returned.

Sakura's eyes narrowed.

"And what do you suggest we do about it, Kei?" Syaoron asked. "It could be a trap set to lure us out."

"I say we take the hunters by surprise." He replied.

"You want to take such a huge risk barging in like that?" Syaoron frowned, "There is a high risk to this plan. We can't afford to lose any of our numbers."

Syaoran noticed Kei's face going redder and redder with rage. "I know the risks. But I am in charge-"

"The blue bloods are in charge, not you specifically." Syaoron replied coldly.

Everyone looked back and forth between the two as the room grew colder, the air between them icy.

"This is the plan. I will not change it." Kei hissed.

Syaoron narrowed his eyes. "So, I assume this requires travelling, then? Just where is this city, exactly?" he questioned.

"It's in Roma."

"That is quite a travel..." Someone else murmured.

"How many hunters are in this city in Roma?" he continued to question Kei as he turned a fountain pen in his fingers.

"Roughly three hundred." Kei answered.

"And you want to run head on into danger!? No!" Sakura cried.

"Listen, Sakura; we'll be keeping another one of our cities safe. With the hunters gone-"

"Kei, you aren't thinking about the women and children that could be killed in the crossfire!"

"This is war! Sometimes there has to be sacrifices." He said harshly.

"And sacrificing the women and children to achieve your goal makes everything right?" Syaoran hissed.

Kei narrowed his eyes at him. "No one asked you."

"I believe I have a right to speak at this meeting."

Knowing he was right, Kei stayed silent.

"Kei, think about this..." Sakura begged.

"I have, and I believe it's the best way to help them." He replied calmly.

"It's also the best way to lose followers." Syaoron muttered under his breath.

"We will begin travel next week. Dismissed." Kei dismissed the meeting, and everyone stood.

Sakura looked very downcast as she left, not speaking to anyone. From her reaction, Syaoran assumed that she was extremely unhappy with the decision though he didn't entirely understand the whole reason why. He left before Kei could say or do anything to him and headed back to the common room to tell the other two about what happened.

Both Tomoyo and Yuna were waiting for him when he got back. He explained to them about the meeting and what had happened, and in particular Sakura's distress.

"Poor girl..." Tomoyo murmured.

"You don't need to worry about that. Worry about what's coming." Yuna advised.

"You mean Roma?" Syaoran said.

"If Kei stays true to his word, he'll likely throw you out onto the battlefield too." Yuna murmured.

"What?"

"Be warned."

Syaoran sighed heavily. He didn't like where this was going at all.

…

Akiho was outraged when Sakura told her what had happened at the meeting.

"Why is he so stupid! Honestly-he just can't help himself, can he?" Akiho growled as she combed through Sakura's hair.

"It can't be helped." Sakura said lowly. "What's done is done."

"But surely he knows our numbers are already low? Why would he risk such a thing?" Akiho asked.

Sakura sighed. She wished she knew herself. "I don't know, Akiho."

Akiho bit her lip and her face fell. She didn't like when Sakura looked so down-it made the room around her feel cold-but she had noticed that lately Sakura had been smiling a lot more. She wondered if it was due to Syaoran, but shoved the thought away, and returned to combing her hair.

A soft knock at the door broke the silence. "Come in," Sakura called out.

Eriol stepped inside and bowed. "Lord Syaoron is here to see you, my lady."

Sakura stood, "Thank you, I'll be right down."

Eriol nodded and left as Sakura turned to Akiho. She smiled, "Try not to worry. All we can do now is put our faith in our people."

Then, she turned and headed out of her room and down the stairs.

Syaoron smiled kindly upon seeing Sakura enter the room. "How are you feeling?" he asked.

She smiled grimly. "You can tell, can't you?"

"Often it is better if you can talk to someone about it." He answered.

Sakura sighed heavily. "Well... It's what Kei has in store for us."

Syaoron nodded knowingly. "He certainly doesn't have our best interests at heart."

"Kei is obsessed with power. I can't help but think it's my fault after what happened back then..."

"You are not to blame for Kei's destructive actions, Sakura. Only he is to blame." Syaoron spoke gently.

Sakura smiled a little, "Thank you, my lord, but..."

"You seem troubled by something more. Is it because of your decision to bring him to this world?" Syaoron asked.

Sakura found she couldn't meet his eyes. "I'm sorry. I know this isn't what you or your wife wanted for him..."

Syaoron shook his head. "It was only a matter of time. I guess we were naive in thinking we could avoid it. It will be my fault if he dies-I haven't prepared him for this life."

"But it's because of the actions you and your wife took that Syaoran is still alive today."

He smiled grimly. "Thank you, but you don't need to give me reassurance."

Sakura smiled. "I'm sure Syaoran doesn't really blame you."

"I wouldn't blame him even if he did." Syaoron murmured, "Do you regret bringing my son here?"

Sakura shook her head. "I don't. I know that Kei despises him, and there are some issues, but I don't regret my decision."

"Good. I'm not sure how I'd feel if you were spending your time with him out of guilt." Syaoron said with a smile.

Sakura smiled, "He's fun to be around."

"Leave my sons safety to me. But I won't stop you if you wish to help." He added.

She nodded and he headed towards the door, leaving her alone with Akiho.

Hello everyone! Sorry this chapter is a day late. I had a really awful weekend, but i'm doing better now. Not great, but better. Thank you all for your kind support! I'm really happy to be sharing this story with you. Let me know what you thought of this chapter!

See you next Monday!