Stolen Moments

Witch-Mistress-Animaru

A/N: This chapter is the perfect example of a spur-of-the-moment change in plot. You'll find out later why. This changes everything I guess. Since when did things go my way? Even GP's last chapter was not planned — Eli Hakura wasn't supposed to kill anyone, darn it!

Thanks for the reviewer who gave me the idea of a very dramatic and avenging plot you'll witness here. I subjected it to my own style, though. But in essence, it's the same.

6: Taking Chances

Or

(To Learn the Truth Just to Forget About It)

Sakura headed straight to the woods, not even glancing back at the horrors surrounding her. She was praying to the heavens to help her brother. They had to survive. They will do this together. He must be kept safe.

The pendant dangling from her neck was burning. And she was now certain that it was not a mere imagination of hers — the pendant was glowing with an inner flame.

What she did not understand was why. It was her father's parting gift to her, a gift she could not have refused. It was given to her in the middle of the war.

Did it contain some strange magic? Of course, she knew that blue-blooded people could use magic and other special abilities. But she hardly categorized as that, being a bastard prince's daughter.

Perhaps it did run on her blood, but…

She froze on her tracks when she heard voices several meters in front of her. Panicking, she clutched the pendant away from her skin to keep it from scorching her while her other hand held on to their worldly belongings as if it were her lifeline as she stepped back. She just managed to clamber up the top of a tree which had a branch low enough for her to reach when several men walked to right where she was moments ago.

She recognized them to be the same men who attacked Clow. They were laughing, chortling, and celebrating their victory over another kingdom.

Wasn't Clow enough, damn your blackened hearts? She felt her anger boil within her. She hardly noticed a certain orange, flying creature approach her. (A/N: Guess who? -Grins-)

She was about to swing down the tree thoughtlessly and challenge those hoodlums when she felt something tug at her blouse.

Surprised, she turned, almost losing her balance. She nearly screamed when she saw a flying, moving orange creature with a round head and the ears of a koala. It had tiny little wings that made Sakura wonder how it could fly.

Luckily, she was able to hold out her gasp of surprise until the rebels left the forest. The creature shook its head on her warningly, as if telling her not to make any sound to attract them.

As if I didn't know as much…

"W-what are you?" She whispered at it, afraid that the rebels might hear and get back to where she was.

The creature released its grip of her blouse and flew up to face her.

"My name is Keroberos."

"H-hello, Keroberos," she stuttered, eyeing it warily. "I asked what you are."

"Oh, yes. I — I was created by Clow-sama." Keroberos eyed her with as much curiosity as she.

"Clow-sama? You know my uncle?"

"Yes, yes of course, Sakura-hime." Keroberos said matter-of-factly. "Do you think he'll depart this world without extending his protection on you?"

"I…he did not really know we existed…"

"He always knew. Clow-sama always knew everything. Even Kenshin Ayuhara's feeble attempt to take the kingdom away from him."

"Then…then why did he allow it?"

"Because…oh, well. You'll find out in your own good time. But Clow-sama had his reasons to sacrifice the kingdom and himself."

"Why? What's so great to be worth all that?"

"Someday you will understand. You see, I don't understand it much myself. All I know was that Clow-sama did it in consideration of a greater power, a greater destiny — I said too much, sorry." He added as he saw the incredulous look on Sakura's face.

"But I…don't understand this at all. If you come from Clow, what are you doing here?"

"I've been sent here. Or rather, you called me."

"What? I did not even know you existed. How could I have called you?"

"It's that pendant!" Keroberos said impatiently, shaking his head. "Clow spent all of his powers to create me and Yue, so that we can protect you and your brother. We are connected to you through that pendant, one of his remaining legacies."

"My brother? He is safe, then?" Sakura's eyes shone in relief.

"Yes, of course. Yue went there before I found you. He's all right, you need not worry."

"But you said something about this pendant…Does it mean I have magic, as well?"

"Yes! You and your brother are the descendants of a great magical power, and that is Clow Kingdom's legacy." Keroberos sat on one of the twigs while she sat down the branch as well. This was going to be a long discussion.

Keroberos went on to explain why they were created. He explained that the pendant was the key to a great magical power that waits to be unleashed. It was what Kenshin Ayuhara was after, it seemed.

"And what is this 'great magical power'?" She pressed on, amazed.

"It's a set of special cards, you see. It's called the Clow Cards. They were created on the last few years of Clow-sama's life."

"And I inherited it?"

"No — the cards were made especially for you. Clow-sama had you in his mind, with your brother, while he made each card."

Sakura sat there gaping openmouthed as she took in this news. Then excitement enveloped her.

"But…if the cards are so great, and they are my possession and under my command, then we could use them to defeat the rebels!"

"Not quite. You see…when Clow-sama died, the seal on them broke. They scattered all over the different kingdoms. I can't say for certain that they will be yours…"

"What do you mean?" Sakura demanded, her eyes bright with unshed tears. She wanted to do something, damn it. Anything.

"Though they were meant for you from the beginning, they will not obey you unless you subdue them, conquer them."

"W-what?"

"I'm sorry I was not able to guard them properly, but they truly wanted this freedom. I was too weak to get hold of them. I'm not yet strong enough to take on my true form…"

"What about Yue?"

"He…he does not know about being Yue at all. As it is in my situation…Yue cannot assume his true form."

"But we can find them, can't we? Then we can defeat Kenshin Ayuhara!"

"Yes, you can find them. As for defeating the rebel nomads…you still need to master your powers. Consider this your test, Sakura-hime, before you can claim full ownership of your birthright and legacy as Clow-sama's last descendant.

"I…I see…How about my brother?"

"The throne awaits him. He needs enough power to protect Clow, and nothing else."

"But…"

"You must understand that you now take separate paths. He has a kingdom waiting for his return, while it is your duty to take every card back and master them."

"But…but…"

"Don't worry. I will be with you, just as Yue's other person will guide your brother."

"I — I wasn't prepared for this…Oniichan…"

"You both have your duties, Sakura-hime. Until that time you complete the task, you cannot return to Clow."

Sakura's tears streamed down at the enormity of her responsibility and the thought of parting ways with her brother. They always did everything together. But now…but now…

"Hush, Sakura-hime. It will not do good to weep. Li Kingdom is at the verge of ruin. We must leave at once."

"O-okay…how shall I call you, Keroberos?"

"Kero-chan will do fine, Sakura-hime."

"Very well, Kero-chan…Then please drop the –hime. I never lived like a princess…" She could not help the bitterness of her voice.

"Clow-sama has his reasons for that, as well. He could have taken you in but refused to do so in good faith, Sakura-hi…Sakura."

"I…I see…" Sakura dropped down from the tree. "But before anything, I would like to ensure my brother's safety. Let's go to the main lands, Kero-chan."

"But Sakura…you must not be seen by the rebels or all else will be in vain."

"I'll be very, very careful, Kero-chan…please…"

"Oh, all right, but we must hurry. Most of the cards are lost in Daidouji Kingdom…" the name hardly registered in Sakura's mind as she spied the area and started to run back to the chaos she just left.

The ceremony was halfway through when the rebels' battle cry rang all over the kingdom. The church being within royal grounds, the people who have come to watch the glorious fulfillment of the prophecy about two kingdoms did not hear it at once. While the battle raged on the peasant lands and villages, the high priest droned on and on with his incantations and 'blessings.' His eyes were closed in concentration as he conjured a powerful spell to serve as the final blessing from the heavens.

At that exact moment, Kenshin Ayuhara's rebels have subdued the rest of the land, pillaging what they could and destroying what they deem destroyable.

Kenshin Ayuhara was in a bad mood. Not only did he not find the Kinomoto siblings, but the people were less submissive than he expected. There were more deaths than he deemed acceptable.

So he approached the borders of the royal land with blood thirst in mind.

If the siblings were not in the peasant lands, then it must be that the Li Kingdom is protecting them.

He entered the lands with his katana gleaming with bloodstains. He pushed the wooden doors of the temple with his other hand.

Syaoran's gaze flew to the doors as sunlight streamed in.

There was a man standing in front, his grey eyes bloodshot and swollen. His robes were slightly torn and bloodstained. His red-brown hair was longer than usual, wet with sweat and plastered on his shining face. He was holding a bloodied katana in one hand.

He could have been handsome and attractive if not for the madness that showed in his features and the cruel glint of his mouth. The scar on his cheek, a straight line that marred his features even more to hint more than just cruelty, but savagery, caused Syaoran's skin to crawl.

This was a man capable of everything ugly and dark.

And he realized just who he was before he approached them with mighty speed and attack.

Kenshin Ayuhara. Head of the rebels who threatened his kingdom. The man who was behind his father's death years ago.

Before he could express his outrage, Kenshin Ayuhara was already in front of him. Tomoyo-hime was looking terrified before Eriol pulled her away from them. Everyone shrinked back, ran out, except for him and Meilin.

"Damn it, Meilin, go away!"

"This is my kingdom as well, Xiao Lang! You can't stop me in trying to protect it as well!"

"Follow him, princess," Kenshin Ayuhara drawled out in a venomous voice. "I'd hate to have you killed…here."

Meilin's eyes grew wide in fright at this direct order and she clambered away.

"We have a score to settle, Ayuhara," he spat out, trying to ignore the squirming of his stomach as he thought of his father's death.

Blood everywhere. The metallic tang of blood, almost like copper, hung in the air. His father's lifeless body lying in the pool of blood before him…he saw everything, felt it, all but tasted it. Beneath his swollen eyelids, the tears fell forever…

"Indeed we have. May I ask where the siblings are?"

Syaoran was thrown off-course. Kenshin's sword nearly shaved him on the side. Had he stayed a second longer, he would be bleeding by now.

"What siblings?"

"Don't play innocent with me, Li-sama," he uttered the reference to Syaoran's title with venom and dark hatred, his eyes looking madder than ever.

"I am not! Who are you talking about?" He drew out his own katana, crossing swords with him for a while before he answered.

"Oh, I'm sure you know about my previous successes, Li-sama," Ayuhara muttered, jumping back in time to avoid his well-placed attack. "So I'm sure you have heard of Clow Kingdom's downfall."

"Clow!" Syaoran was incredulous. So incredulous that Kenshin Ayuhara's sword cut neatly at his arm. Blood gushed out from it, the pain momentarily dizzying him. "The fabled kingdom beside Daidouji!"

"Of course. I don't settle for anything below mythical lands, Li Syaoran." Syaoran felt pleasure at wounding the rebel's side.

"What has Clow got to do with this?"

"Not exactly everything, but almost everything! The prophecy…and of course, as the descendants of Clow sought refuge here, it's one of the reasons, yes."

"What? The heirs of the throne of Clow are here?"

"So you don't know?" Kenshin Ayuhara's sword flew from his hand at that point. He backed away, looking suddenly scared as he fell to the ground. "Damn…they slipped away from me again…"

"What you should worry about now is your own life."

"They have to be here! You must know them! Sakura and Touya Kinomoto…"

Syaoran froze. Where did he hear that name again? It sounded familiar and yet not…

Then he remembered. Tomoyo babbled about them all week long. They are the outlanders she stayed with before he came to fetch her.

So…

A certain memory of green eyes flaring at him flashed in his mind. But the moment he hesitated, Kenshin took his chance. He had felt around for his sword and swung it full-force at Syaoran's head. Only then did he note that he was holding the sharp end of the sword, thus wounding his hand. The blunt end of the katana hit Syaoran's head, less fatal than the tip of it but enough to render him unconscious.

Limping away, Kenshin took off with a muttered curse.

He had to find them. Time was running out.

Touya was nowhere to be found. Sakura knew it was useless to stay and risk being seen by the rebels.

She was about to turn back when she saw a familiar figure emerge from the borders of the royal lands and peasant lands.

She felt fear grip her as she hid from Kenshin Ayuhara's view. He was bloodied, all right, but the damned bastard was still alive. And that made all the difference in everything.

I'm going to get stronger and destroy you, Kenshin Ayuhara, just as completely as you destroyed my home and this kingdom.

She stilled her breath, holding Keroberos in her hands as she listened and waited.

"It's done, everyone. Li Kingdom is ours for the taking." Cheers and catcalls from the rebels welcomed the news. Sakura felt like she might faint.

That's it? They had subdued…everyone?

"We just have to threaten the rest of the royalty. But the crown prince is done for." Kenshin Ayuhara laughed mirthlessly. "As for the siblings…search the nearby kingdoms. They can't have gone far enough. You know they are essential in my plans."

The rebels agreed while Sakura's mind was reeling from what she had heard.

The prince…the prince…he can't be dead!

"Sakura, we have to move!" Keroberos whispered frantically as he tried to pull her to the royal lands. She just followed dumbly, not hearing him.

"My God!" Kero said as he saw the state of the prince who lay on the floor, unmoving. "What sort of monster is that man?"

Sakura gazed at Syaoran's battered body and her heart melted. She shook her head and turned to Kero.

"Let's take him with us, Kero, please…he won't last long if he's left here alone…"

"Won't his family search for him?"

"Ayuhara might try and finish him off while he's threatening the rest of the royal family!"

"I…I believe you are right. Let's go, before he returns."

"But where will we go, Kero-chan?" Sakura cradled Syaoran's head, feeling for a pulse. "Hurry, while he's still breathing…I don't know how much damage is done, but we need to keep him safe…"

"I know of a hidden cave near the woods."

"How do we get back there?"

"Good point."

"In here, Sakura!" Sakura turned to see her brother standing a few feet away from them. A silver-haired, bespectacled man was with him. It must be Yue. Or Yue's other side, as Kero said.

"Oniichan!" She exclaimed, standing up. "Help me carry the prince, oniichan!"

"He's not our problem anymore, Sakura!"

"He…" Sakura clutched her pendant. "I don't know. I just feel…no, I think everything's connected. We need to help him, oniichan!" She insisted, a bit helplessly.

"Oh, all right." Touya hurried forward and took Syaoran. He lifted the prince and started to go down what seemed to be a hidden passage.

"Follow your brother, Sakura-hime," the bespectacled man said. "I am Yukito, a servant at the palace at Clow. The passage will lead you out of this Kingdom. The rebels don't recognize me, so I'm safe. You must go." He turned to Kero, who she was clutching with both hands. "What is that?"

"N-nothing, Yukito-san. I owe everything to you."

"No, hime. I owe everything to Clow, and therefore, to you. Don't worry, I'll go back to serve you both."

"T-thank you. Domo arigatou gozaimashita."

"Nandewanai, Sakura-hime. Now go!"

Sakura descended on the cold marble steps, hoping to God that they might survive the terrible ordeal unscathed.

TBC

A/N: The Clow cards are not priority in this story. There might be scenes here and there that would tell how Sakura catches them all, but it's just secondary. That's all; see you in the next chapter.