Disclaimer: The characters of this story belong to CLAMP. I have no money, so please don't bother suing!

Thanks to everyone reviewing to me! They mean a lot… and I need all the encouragement I can get so I don't fall back into my bad habit of leaving stories unfinished…

As the "first day at school" is finally over, I hope you're all eager to see what happens next. Ready? Drum roll please…. Dum dum dum dum!!!!! The SECOND day of school! Yayyyy!!! Haha. Just kidding.

Have fun reading!

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Inscribed In The Blade

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Chapter Seven

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Syaoran was finding it impossible to sleep that night. The soft whimpers coming from his new housemate's room were indeed quiet, but with his own room just down the hall and his hearing sensitive to even the smallest noises, he had difficulty drifting off.

Or so he told himself. Syaoran stubbornly refused to accept any other reason for his agitation, and blatantly ignored the fact that the real reason he was incapable of rest was because his mind was still racing at an incredible speed. No matter how much he told himself this new bit of information was not something worth losing sleep over, the rest of him seemed to disagree. Syaoran remained, regrettably, wide-awake.

After several long minutes of contemplation, he finally gave up, got up out of his futon and walked silently over to Kino Kura's room. Without making a sound, Syaoran slowly slid the door to the new student's room open a few inches and stared at the dark, sleeping figure lying on the floor.

His eyebrows knitted together as he frowned deeply. How could it be that this person, so much more talented than most of the boys in the Academy, was just a girl? He had watched this "Kino Kura" closely the entire day, and Syaoran had thought that he… she had shown some decent promise. When it came time for ranking, this skinny female would surely be promoted directly to the second rank.

At first Syaoran had been interested, almost eager that a new boy with such ability had entered the Academy, yet what was he supposed to think now? The young Li heir scowled. Even at that very moment he knew that the new student had to be turned in, and usually Syaoran would not have hesitated in doing so. This lying woman had no right to flout the laws and standards upholding the Academy.

And yet… though the boy… girl had made mistakes during the day, to learn the dragon form with in an hour and to actually hold her own against him on horseback, not to mention the way she held her sword…

"Who are you?" Syaoran muttered darkly, still glaring angrily at the sleeping girl. Women had no business meddling in the affairs of men, and more importantly, their incompetence was unsuited for the battlefield. What was a Duke's daughter doing so far away from home in a military academy? Curiosity alone kept her identity a secret, and even his interest was fast waning at the pitiable sniffling coming from the sleeping female.

Syaoran had already doubted several times that day, wondering if he had simply imagined a pair of breasts on that skinny body when he had accidentally walked in on his… her… bath. However, second-guessing himself was not part of Syaoran's nature and he knew he had seen it perfectly clearly, even through the heavy curls of steam.

A mere slip of a girl, yet with more talent than many of the others combined… what other secrets was she hiding? Syaoran wanted to know. She had actually been holding back during their kenjutsu fight earlier. Why would anyone, let alone she, hold back against him?

Syaoran's eyes narrowed as another small groan came from the sleeping figure. For the moment, he would observe. In any case, it was inevitable that she would be found out very soon.

Frustrated, Syaoran shut the door a bit more loudly than he ought to have, but he guessed that Kino was in too deep a sleep to even notice. All he had to do was turn her in or leave her alone. This person, no matter how much ability she had, was just a girl and just another person. He had more important things to be concentrating on.

Convinced, Syaoran walked back down the hall towards his room. This person was just someone sharing the same dojo as him. She was neither his friend nor his responsibility. There was no reason for him to waste any more thought on her.

He returned to his futon quietly, and blew the candle in his lamp out, prepared to enjoy the sleep, which had eluded him for hours before.

"Kino Kura," he muttered under his breath. "Kura… Kura… probably a Sakura, then." Syaoran stopped abruptly, cursing as he realized that his train of thought had once again returned to the sleeping girl's side.

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The rest of the week progressed much more quickly than Sakura thought it would have. She excelled in the classes she had assumed she would do well in, and she did badly in the classes she had always disliked. Sakura was even becoming accustomed to the constant aching and exhaustion.

The biggest surprise was, perhaps, the fact that their archery lessons was taught by the only female teacher in the entire school, Mizuki Kaho-sensei. She was a young woman still in her twenties, but her aim was better than even Syaoran's. Sakura had thought that Mizuki-sensei was very much like Yukito-san, and had liked her on sight.

During her first conversation with the young swords instructor, Sakura had only time to quickly explain her situation and the reason she was there before scrambling off to join the others. Upon their second, more private chat, Yukito had, as she expected, insisted that she return home immediately.

"I'm very sorry about Fujitaka-sama and Nadeshiko-sama, but this is far too dangerous for you!" he had said, and it was then that his words made Sakura sink down in relief. "And Touya would kill me if he knew I allowed you to stay here. I'm sending you home as soon as I can make excuses to Yelan-sama."

Sakura had openly stared, her bottom lip trembling. "Is… is Onii-chan alive?" she had whispered. "He's okay? You know where he is?"

"Sakura-chan…" Yukito stared at her, wide-eyed. "What do you mean? Of course Touya is alive. He's currently investigating something very… very critical for the South, and I've been stationed here to keep an eye over the Northern Academy. He should return within a few months time. Mizuki Kaho is another cohort of ours, whom I introduced upon your brother's departure to take over as the archery master."

The conversation had continued, and once Sakura had been reassured several times that her brother was, indeed, safe, she regained her momentum and promptly refused at point blank to leave the Academy. If Touya was too busy keeping the country out of war, then it was up to her to avenge their parents' deaths.

In the end she had half-won over, half-forced Yukito into skeptical agreement. He still wasn't happy about it, but Sakura knew that he would never give her away if she refused to go home. It was that kind, understanding aspect of her brother's childhood friend, and her former childhood crush, that she adored so much.

Sakura fiddled with the feathers on her arrow as she set it to the bow, aimed, and let it fly. But she wondered why Yukito had advised her to not reveal her identity to Mizuki-sensei. If she was, as he said, a comrade, why should Sakura not look to her for help as well?

He had mentioned something about how Mizuki's loyalties which, though technically with the South, remained rather obscure. Apparently she'd been brought to the Academy for him to keep an eye on her, but Sakura found it impossible to not trust the beautiful archery instructor. She was just so… so… so much like Yukito!

Sakura blushed happily as Mizuki-sensei praised her perfect aim before continuing over to the other students. She had always excelled at archery at home since Yukito had helped her perfect her technique as a child.

And, she thought happily as she continued to practice, she was allowed to blush around Mizuki-sensei as much as she liked. It was weird for her to seem too attached to Yukito, but many of the other guys were head-over-heels in love with her as well, and so Sakura was free to admire the archery instructor as much as she wanted.

"Oi! Kino!" the boy named Andou called over to her. "Yue-sensei is looking for you! You'd better head over to his chambers right now."

"Thanks," she called back before pulling her bow onto her shoulder. Her heart skipped a beat as she wondered what she could have done to warrant Yue's summon to his office. She'd been at the school for roughly a week, and it hadn't taken long for her to realize that Yue was not only a teacher not to be trifled with, but also extremely important. He was the head instructor at the school, his position lower than only Yelan-sama's.

Nervously, Sakura waited as the maid brought her to Yue's office. "Kino-sama is here to see you," the servant woman bowed to her before kneeling and sliding the shoji door open.

"Come in, Kino," Yue's deep, commanding voice said, and Sakura obeyed.

"Yue-sensei," she said, bowing low.

"Do you know why I have called you here, Kino?" he said, his silver eyes not even glancing at her as he read a stack of papers in front of him.

Sakura stared at him, puzzled. Had she done something wrong? "No sir," she responded.

"Very well. Has anyone explained to you the purpose of ranking in our Academy?" he asked, setting his papers down and walking over to her.

So that's what this was about. Sakura felt her nerves loosen. "Yes sir. Eriol-kun… Hiiragizawa-kun explained it to me." With many inputs from the other boys, she added mentally.

"Good," he said nodding. "Then you must know that most boys begin with a white-band as their first ranking."

Sakura nodded respectfully. The truth was, she was rather excited to get her first white band. Her seat would probably not change during classes, but at least she would finally officially become one of their number. Not having anything on her wrist made her feel like a probationer, and being a probationer when she was already hiding her identity made her uneasy.

"Then," Yue continued. "You ought to be very grateful to all your instructors. You have been assigned the second rank, red band."

For a minute she stared at him, stupefied. Even though Syaoran had said during her first lunch at the Academy that she would not begin as a white band, she had been sure he hadn't been serious… or rather had meant that she deserved no ranking whatsoever.

"B-But," Sakura stuttered. "I'm not that good in math and I've never once beat Syaoran in a spar or in anything."

To her utmost surprise, Yue… the Yue smiled at her. "If you had defeated Li Syaoran even once you would be deserving of a black band. Your rank has been earned, Kino. As for your math lessons… and weaponry classes, I will arrange for supplementary classes on Saturday after your chores. Otherwise, you have performed satisfactorily. Tsukishiro-sensei, Mizuki-sensei, and Terada-sensei were extremely adamant about your being made a second rank." The tall instructor, and (as Sakura had heard) ex-general of the North hesitated a moment before saying, "And your progress in my own class has been remarkable. I would have never thought it possible for a student other than Li and Hiiragizawa to learn the dragon form in one day."

He handed her the red necklace. "You may go now," Yue concluded, motioning carelessly towards the door. "The servant need not see you out, you can find your own way."

She could more than find her own way. Sakura nearly ran out of Yue's rooms with glee as she clutched the proof that she was officially a student at the Academy to her chest. As soon as she was outside, she wrapped it delicately around her wrist and raised it up to the sun to let the charm catch the light.

A second rank… and Yue had actually complimented her! Sakura hadn't been there for long, but she knew well enough that a compliment from the usually stony instructor was definitely something not easily procured. Sakura had an extra skip to her step as she returned to catch up with the others as they headed over to their next class.

At lunch, the guys all pounced on her, Eriol congratulating her happily while Andou and Kikumaru took turns prodding at her and ruffling her hair. "Ah, we always knew you had it in you," Yamazaki laughed loudly. "I mean, even Syaoran said that you definitely wouldn't start as a white band. You're the third guy our year to skip white band the first ranking around, and the other two were Li and Eriol, who both jumped straight to black."

"Yeah, that's right. You're in your own category you little twerp," Andou yelled cheerfully, while proceeding to turn Sakura's formerly well-combed hair into a messy ball of tangles. Sakura was too relieved to even bother stop him. After her initial happiness, Sakura had begun to worry whether the others would think badly of her for being "special", but they all seemed to be taking it rather well.

"Well I don't see why, if Kino got to second rank immediately, I shouldn't have been an automatic second rank too," Kudou sulked in the corner, and Sakura laughed nervously. She had let go fo her apprehension too soon.

"Ah, just because you're a military genius and great with books doesn't mean the teachers will favor you, Kudou. I mean, Yamato-sensei is practically in love with you, and being on equal standing in that class with Li definitely helps, but it's impossible for you to be an automatic second with your sword skills. I mean, even Sadoharu is better than you!" Kikumaru snorted.

"Well Sadoharu is huge," Kudou mumbled under his breath, but when he saw Sakura staring at him, he waved her off absentmindedly. "I'm not mad at you Kino, but I just figured that since this is a military Academy, tactics should count a bit more than swordplay."

"Brains and brawns are equally important as a general," Eriol laughed before taking a long sip of green tea. "But sorry Kudou, today isn't going to be military tactics, it's gentleman's class."

"What?" they all asked, staring at him. Sakura managed to speak first after their initial shock. "How do you know, Eriol?"

"He knows because I told him," Syaoran spoke suddenly, and everyone but Eriol and Sakura jumped as a reflex. They weren't used to Syaoran speaking often, though he was catching them off guard and gracing them with short, terse comments a bit more than usual as of late. "Yamato-sensei is sick today, and that man jumped at the chance to announce his 'surprise' to us a day early."

Sakura groaned out loud and her slumped her shoulders. The other boys look at her in surprise. "Don't you like Li-sensei's class, Kino?" Andou asked curiously.

"It's not that I don't like his classes," she defended, instantly wary of her own, strange reaction. "It's just that I really like Yamato-sensei's class is all. Military tactics is really interesting since I've never learned anything about that subject before." She couldn't explain to the rest of them, who all seemed to rather enjoy Syaoran's older brother's presence, that she felt uneasy whenever she was by him. But military tactics was an interesting class. Usually they all stood around a spread map of Japan, and Yamato-sensei explained why they dispatched certain troops where, and the North's theories about what the South was doing.

It was very insightful information… Sakura felt her liveliness cool a little at the thought. It would certainly be beneficial to her people if she managed to bring such information back to the South after taking care of the scar-faced man, and yet she felt oddly disquieted at the notion.

She gazed at everyone silently from the corner of her eye. These boys – they were, most of them at least, honestly treating her as a friend and comrade. Sakura did not know much about Northerners, how and when they were supposed to turn from innocent youths to cold and greedy politicians who only wanted power, but the people around her were not evil yet. It would be no use to allow herself to become attached, and Sakura knew this. However, using what she had learned here against them seemed a bit too much like deception – though she was deceiving them, already. Betrayal – that is what it would be. As far as lying about her identity, Sakura was not a traitor since she was never one of them to begin with. Stealing military tactics from her friends and teachers would certainly be betrayal.

Of course, she should have, had prepared herself for this all along. Sakura was here for revenge, not to sow favors.

"I wonder if his surprise has anything to do with those noble-born girls staying with us," Andou remarked while chewing his food thoughtfully. "I sure hope it does."

That night when they all entered Dairan's classroom, they were surprised to see that nothing seemed to have changed. "I was thinking his surprise would be something a bit more… dramatic," Yamazaki mumbled disappointedly. "Li-sensei usually likes to do things in style."

"Style, as you so kindly put it, Yamazaki-kun," he suddenly appeared behind them and they all moved to the side in surprise to allow him passage while bowing. "Will come later on. We must begin from the basics, I want you all very well prepared for the upcoming event."

Dairan took his seat at the front and the rest of them quickly followed suit. As in other classes, the white bands had obligingly moved one seat over to allow Sakura a place at the end of the second rank group. His dark brown eyes, so similar to Syaoran's, took all of this in quietly, and he looked at her for a long moment, as if reassessing her.

"Congratulations on your promotion, Kino-kun," he said clearly. "But then, you truly are a remarkable sort of boy aren't you?"

Sakura found herself made extremely uncomfortable by his comment, which seemed absent of all warmth. She merely replied with a soft, " You do me too much honor, sensei."

He gave her one last, scrutinizing gaze before turning back to the rest of the group. "As you are all aware, within a couple months, young ladies from the Daidouji Institution for Noblewomen will be coming to stay in the Academy until spring. This visit is composed not only of casual meetings, but of course lavish parties and events."

When no one spoke her continued," You will all" – his eyes flickered over to Syaoran's immobile figure – "be expected to treat these young ladies in the most gentleman-like behavior possible. This includes not only the usual trifles of politeness, but also accompanying them to events. While it is only mandatory to have a partner during the last party, I myself will be mingling within the social circles and will grade each of you depending upon how well you engage the young ladies in conversation, etc. Any questions?"

A flurry of talking immediately ensued, but Sakura merely remained silent and fidgeted in her kneeling position. Escorting a partner to a party while playing the role of a male? This would prove a bit awkward, she was sure.

"Hey Li-sensei, are the girls from the Daidouji Institute good looking?" Andou asked, a cheeky grin on his face.

Sakura didn't hear the response, but a thought hit her and she brightened immediately. Daidouji… the Daidouji Institute? But that meant her cousin Tomoyo was there! If she partnered with Tomoyo-chan, they would have so much fun! Even though the Daidouji Institute was in the North, the Daidouji's were from the South and were strictly neutral to both sides. She hadn't seen Tomoyo-chan in years.

Cheerfully, Sakura looked around the room watching the reactions of others. Most of them looked excited, Eriol was smiling his mysterious smile as always, and Syaoran… why was he smirking at her with an amused expression on his face? She glared back at him and, making sure that the instructor wasn't looking, stuck her tongue out at him.

His expression immediately hardened and he simply glowered coldly back at her, but she shrugged and turned to listen to Li-sensei as he began speaking again. Four nights ago, Sakura had been stupid enough to actually take Eriol's advice and ask Syaoran for help with math. Before, he had given her his math book to work from after he finished, but he had never offered to help explain the problems. That would be the first and the last time she ever attempted something so futile again. The arrogant prick had actually had the nerve to slam the door in her face!

Sakura puffed her cheeks out angrily at the memory, as Dairan continued to explain what sorts of events would soon be taking place. Most of the time Syaoran simply left her alone, and she usually didn't go to seek his company since he was so off-putting. Eriol and the others told her that he must actually like her a lot to pay her any attention at all, but Sakura found the occasional comment on how poorly she was doing an unlikely sign of friendship.

True to his word, Syaoran had never allowed her to use the bath first, blatantly ignored her embarrassing attempts at conversation, and had even gone as far as to hint to Yukito that she might need to find a different partner.

Yukito had, of course, not taken the hint, but Sakura wasn't sure she was happy or unhappy about that fact. She would definitely beat Syaoran down one day… but having such a stoic and strong partner was not only depressing, but also resulted in several new, ugly bruises coloring her skin each day.

There had been that one time she'd missed dinner because of chores her first Saturday there, and a bowl of steamed rice had been waiting in her room. But Sakura wasn't even sure that had been him, and for all she knew, it could have been a thoughtful maid. When she'd asked Eriol about it the next day, he'd denied having any hand in it so…

Sakura sighed softly.

"What's wrong, Kura-san?" Eriol asked, startling her out of her reverie. To her surprise (and slight mortification), the rest of the class had already stood up to leave, and some of them were staring at her strangely.

"Ah, leave him alone Eriol," Andou joked. "His head's probably still revolving around that new red band of his." Sakura forced herself to laugh as she ran over to join the others.

Andou smacked Yamazaki for saying something ridiculous once again, and Sakura could not help but laugh along with them. The other boys, she thought as she watched everyone but Syaoran and herself walk over to the dorms, were friendly to her. She hated to admit it… she never should have done it… but she liked them. They had already become her friends, her companions. And after receiving this red band, she was officially one of them.

Perhaps this really wasn't a good idea, after all. Certainly, blending in was of the utmost importance, but if she really did manage to get emotions involved, the pain would just increase. The truth was, she was lying to them. Not only was she a girl masquerading as a boy, but she was their enemy – she was from the South. She listened in on their military battle plans every other night and had acquainted herself with some of the next leaders of the North's highest-ranking families.

All of a sudden, Sakura wondered what it would be like if these people around her never became the horrible people who wanted to fight against the South just to gain more wealth and territory. What if they remained exactly how they were, young and unassuming? The Northerners she had met so far seemed human enough, with the exception of her beloved sparring partner, who was in fact, superhuman. How had these people changed… or if it wasn't them, then who was responsible for pushing their nation to the brink of civil war?

They'd hate her, she realized with a sudden chill. If… when they found out about her identity, since it was inevitable that it would one day leak that the Duke Kino had no son, they would hate her and call her a traitor. It really served her right though. It probably wouldn't even matter to her as long as she got her revenge in the end, Sakura though darkly. There was a hate burning in her chest that she could but obey. There was no use pretending that she was the sweet girl she once was. Good people did not go around plotting the death of other people. She was not a good person.

When she finally reached the dojo, it was apparent that Syaoran had beaten her there, not that she expected him to wait and walk with her. Sakura could see the candlelight shining through the paper door of his room. One thing at least she would never be guilty of. The daughter of a well-respected Southern aristocratic family had run away three months before Sakura's parents had been assassinated to, supposedly, marry a man named Terada in the North. Sakura had been friends with Rika for a long time, but she'd never guessed such a sweet, soft-spoken girl was capable of such betrayal.

…not that she was one to talk. But at least she could spare her family the pain of having her fall in love with a Northern boy. She wouldn't be betraying her people at least.

"That's right, Sakura," she whispered to herself. "Remember. You're here for one thing and one thing only – to take revenge on the scar-faced man who killed your parents."

Yes. All this North-South political jumble was neither her priority nor her concern.

Feeling strangely refreshed and relieved, Sakura retrieved her katana from her room. Her mind was now clear and she was in the mood to practice some of her sword fighting.

To her surprise, when she went outside, it was raining. Cursing her bad luck, Sakura backtracked into the dojo. Normally she wouldn't mind practicing in the rain, but she couldn't afford to get sick and miss lessons at the Academy. Missing lessons would cause her to fall too far behind.

But then again, this was a dojo wasn't it? A reckless grin began to make its way onto her face. Could she make it to the center practice room without Syaoran noticing? It was already rather late, and he would probably be sleeping soon.

As quietly as she could, Sakura tiptoed down the hall and opened the double doors that would lead her to the main dojo room. She checked to see that the light from Syaoran's room had already gone out before closing the doors and lighting the lamps in the dojo with her own candle.

"Now…" she said quietly as she walked to the center of the room and drew her sword from its sheath. "The first step."

Unlike the succession of curved blows she used during Yukito's class, Sakura immediately began swinging her blade around in an intricate pattern. This was the start of her dance. Her katana moved around quicker and quicker until it was a beautiful silver blur in the air in front of her.

Sakura began moving slowly around the room as she rotated her arm around her body, occasionally bending her back and to allow her sword to cut the air on top of her and switching hands to complete the deadly circle. It provided her with almost flawless defense, and gave her a powerful offense as well.

Even if the beauty of her sword's dance did not mesmerize her opponent, it would not take long for him to come to respect the danger it posed to any adversary of hers. This was her technique. The kenjutsu style handed down to the females of her family, the Sakura Dance, was composed of a series of "steps", each deadlier and more mysterious than the next. Her father had always said that she was the perfect successor.

Because he was a male, her father, Fujitaka, had not been taught the Sakura Dance, but the ancient philosophy behind it had long ago been encased in a scroll to pass down to future generations, so for Sakura, this was self-taught, and her skill was still far from complete. It would probably take her a lifetime to master such a complicated technique.

Even her blade had been custom made for her, and was much lighter and more well balanced than most. In order to properly dance, the katana had to be lithe and as weightless as a feather, yet still strong. Sakura loved her sword as any samurai loved an extension of his soul. Although her sword was still perhaps a bit too heavy for the Sakura dance, Sakura was determined to make up for its shortcomings with her own hard work.

"The second step," she whispered, and immediately her movements began to pick up speed. Sakura, quite literally, began twirling across the floor with her sword never stopping its complicated pattern. The second step involved some jumps and flips as well as turns, and it was much faster and much more difficult than the first.

Sakura had begun to sweat as she concentrated. Somehow she felt the movements were supposed to flow much more smoothly from her body, but something still felt lacking. A few days before her mother had been killed, Sakura had shown Nadeshiko the scroll holding the secrets of the Sakura Dance.

Her mother had read the entire scroll without a single word for six hours straight before handing it back to Sakura with a smile. "There are some parts of it I do not understand," Nadeshiko had said kindly as she returned the scroll to her daughter. "But this dance is most certainly a pas de deux, it's truly a beautiful dance, Sakura. One day your duet shall be complete."

She had promised to tell Sakura what she meant a few days later, but before those "few days" were up, Nadeshiko, together with her husband, had been murdered.

Sakura's grip on her katana tightened and a few tears fell down her cheeks as she remembered her mother's warm smile. She missed them both so much… and "pas de deux" was most definitely a foreign word. Sakura knew that her mother had extensive knowledge of foreign cultures despite their nation's isolation, since her side of the family had kept European records safe even after the old emperor's attempt to purge them.

She might never know the meaning of "pas de deux", and what her mother had meant to tell her, but Sakura was sure that she would not have minded if Nadeshiko was still alive.

Sakura bit her lip before saying, "The third step!" After such swift, rapid movements, the dance seemed almost as if to stop, but in truth the third step was simply executed at a slower pace. It required far too much effort from her arms and legs for her to dash as quickly about the room as she had before.

Sakura struggled, and her muscles began to tighten as she deliberately reduced the speed of her sword and gave each stroke of the blade's pattern much more force and much more finesse. There was a power there now that had not been there before. If a beam of wood had stood in front of her, her katana would have cut its pattern straight through it. Then, with great effort, Sakura bent her left knee so that her thigh was almost parallel to the ground and lifted her right leg to step back behind her, before bending her right leg and lifting her left.

She moved in a circular design around the floor as she continued to rotate. Sakura was, with her feet, making the same patter her sword made in the air on the floor.

Sakura concentrated very hard, and her long eyelashes had to blink furiously several times to keep the sweat out of them, but within a few minutes time she dropped her sword and collapsed on the floor, covered in sweat.

Why was it so difficult? She'd spent hours and hours, day after day, trying to continue past the third step, yet she was still no closer to reaching the tenth and final step than she was over a year ago. Progress had been slow after the first step, and, as she lay there, exhausted, Sakura began to wonder if it was even feasible for her to ever master her ancestors' legacy.

Her mother had seemed to know something. If only she could turn back time and keep that scar-faced man from finishing off her parents… none of her present difficulties would be here right now. She could be at home, training and perfecting her technique, basking in the warm love of her precious parents.

Sakura forced herself into a sitting position, even though her legs remained tangled under her. She hung her head heavily, and her auburn tresses came undone and splayed out in front of her, over her head. Then, quite unwillingly, Sakura began to cry, never noticing the pair of dark brown eyes staring at her from the dojo's entranceway.

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Tsuzuku…

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Well, how was that? I know, another cliffhanger. Don't kill me! Just review so I'll update faster! XD

onii-chan – older brother

otou-san – father

okaa-san – mother

kenjutsu – sword fighting

mou – geez…