Author's note Hi everyone! Here's the next chapter. Before that here's a summary of what has happened till the previous chapter.

Summary The capital of the Kinomoto Kingdom is destroyed…young princess Sakura Kinomoto embarks on a journey to find the magical Valley of the Butterflies in the Li kingdom in order to save her family who were cursed by an evil witch. But the journey isn't easy being cursed herself, to be a nightingale by day and a human by night. Sakura has recently discovered that her parents and her brothers were cursed to become flowers in the mystic valley. And she's finally found one of the flowers…only three flowers more.

And a huge thanks to all my reviewers for your encouraging reviews! It really kept me going. I hope you like this chapter.

Chapter 7

Sakura sang to herself as she flew across the busy streets of the village. Syaoran had gone on a horse ride with his master and Sakura hadn't been very fond of his short temper and that cold beady stare he kept giving her, so she had decided to go on short walk rather flight herself. He was obviously the best sword master in the country which is obviously why he trained the prince. (A/N: That's enough about his master; he's not an important character. That's why I didn't even give him a name! .!)

"Hey look everyone, a nightingale," a shrill voice ran and Sakura saw a young boy of about 10 years old pointing at her. At his announcement all of his friends turned and stared at her. Sakura didn't like the way they looked at her, they seemed like the kids who threw stones at small animals, which is exactly what they did.

"Attack!" yelled the first boy and at once all his friends started catapulting her with sticks stones and everything they got their hands on.

Sakura squealed in pain and tried her best to shake them off, but all the kids chased her all the way to the palace yelling and throwing stones. Sakura managed to shake them off as she entered the palace garden but her wing was badly injured, she whimpered in pain and hopped all the way to Syaoran's room.

She had no strength to fly to her cage so she fell down on the carpet her blood making tiny spots on the carpet. To make things worse the maid entered to clean his room and was enraged to see her,

"Stupid bird! You've stained the carpet! Do you have any idea how much work it is to take of that stain?" she screamed and roughly grabbed Sakura who whimpered again.

"What's going on over here?" came a familiar voice from the doorway making Sakura's heart leap.

There on the doorway stood Syaoran as majestic as ever with beads of sweat running down the side of his face and frown etched on his features. Both Sakura and the maid looked at him, Sakura blushing and the maid stuttering,

"N-nothing your majesty. I-I was just going to clean your room," she dropped Sakura on the floor of her cage and shot off before Syaoran could react. He ran to the cage and examined his poor pet.

"You're hurt! What happened to you?" Sakura groaned softly in pain. He gently lifted her from the cage and took her in his warm hands.

He washed her wound and then tied his handkerchief firmly around it. "There that should take care of it," he laid her on the bed and said,

"You take some rest, I'll get you some lunch when I've finished mine," Sakura only heard half of what he said for she was half asleep cuddled in his warm blanket.

Sakura didn't know how long she slept, but when she woke up a bowl of fruits was placed on the table. She smiled to herself and helped herself to some grapes and then drank some water. She looked out of the window and saw the sun sinking slowly in the west when a sudden thought struck her.

It's almost sunset, which means that I'll transform soon! No way! I have to get out! But my wings are so stiff…

With a lot of trouble she flew out of the prince's room, but just as she was crossing the palace wall the sun sank completely behind the horizon causing her to transform in to a girl.

"Ouch!" she landed on the palace wall and looked down, No, how do I get down from here?

"Hey, you! What are you doing up there?" Sakura looked down and saw one of the palace guards looking at her.

"Uh—well my bird flew over this way. I came to get here," she replied thinking of the first excuse in her head. She quickly removed Syaoran's handkerchief which was tied around her arm and stuffed it in his pocket.

"Don't lie! You just came to steal didn't you?" he shouted and before Sakura could protest she was yanked from the wall and dragged into the palace.

"Lord Kenji, we've found a suspicious person," said the guard, who was holding her and he pushed her forcefully.

Sakura stared at the general of the Li kingdom angrily, "I didn't do anything! You have no right to accuse me!"

"Listen girl, we know what we're doing. You're just a peasant! How dare you talk back to us!"

Tears stung Sakura's eyes. But he was right; she was no longer the princess of the Kinomoto Kingdom. To them she was nothing but a peasant. The guards dragged her towards the court and threw her in front of the king. She fell on her knees on the floor, lightly scraping her knees.

Lord Kenji bowed to the king and said in a pompous tone, "Your majesty we've found the thief who's been lurking around the village recently,"

"But I am not!" Sakura protested.

"Silence!" the general ordered. He turned to the king and said, "With your permission, your Highness I'd like to interrogate with the criminal,"

The king nodded.

"Empty your pockets," he commanded. Sakura hesitated, "Now!" he growled. Sakura quickly pulled out the contents of her pockets. A diary, a white carnation, an expensive looking hair ornament that Syaoran had bought for her in the fair (A/N; I know I haven't mentioned it before but just assume he did,) and his handkerchief.

The commander picked up the diary and flipped through it's pages. "An empty diary…hmm… I wonder why you want this. Maybe I should just throw it away," he said menacingly.

"No!" she screamed, "My mother gave it to me…it's precious," she said her voice shaking.

"And what's a peasant like you doing with something as expensive as this," he said picking up the hair ornament and thrusting it at her. Sakura simply glared at him.

"My mother gave that to me too,"

"And this…" he picked up Syaoran's handkerchief and opened it, revealing the royal insignia stitched on it.

Everyone in the court gasped. Sakura didn't know what to say. She stayed quiet. "I hope this is proof enough Your Highness. I knew that she…"

"I gave it to her," a sharp voice rang through the royal court. Every head in the court turned towards the source of the voice. Syaoran entered the court, his amber eyes cold and hard. He walked up to his father and repeated, "I gave it to her,"

"You did?" his father asked disbelievingly.

"Yes father I did. I found her lying injured when I was riding, so I bandaged her wound for her," he turned towards the general, "Well isn't that proof enough that she's innocent?" Sakura looked at him gratefully but he didn't meet her gaze.

Lord Kenji ignored the prince and turned towards King Ryu, "I am not convinced, your majesty. Since the court is almost over. I suggest we keep her in the dungeon tonight and report her to the court tomorrow morning." And before waiting for the king's approval he ordered his men to take her to the dungeons. Sakura stared at him in horror,

"No, no I didn't do anything! I really didn't! Please believe me!" she pleaded but her the guards paid no heed to her and dragged her down to the dungeons. Syaoran waited for his father to stop them but when he didn't, he exploded,

"What's wrong with you! I proved that she was innocent didn't I?" his voice echoed through the emptying room as the courtiers left. He glared daggers at his father who sighed, "You know what the general is like. Always thinks he's right. And we didn't give her death sentence, son. Don't worry; you can prove her innocence in the court again tomorrow," with that he left the room leaving Syaoran who was trembling with fury.

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Sakura sat huddled in the corner of the dark prison cell, wondering what would happen if they found out she was a bird. Then she'd never be able rescue her family again. The more she thought, the more she wanted to cry, but she didn't want the guards to think she was weak.

Time ticked by slowly and the only sounds she heard were footsteps of the guards against the cold hard stone floor of the corridors. After a long time she heard the sound of her door being opened. Probably they had come to give her food. She tensed up as the footsteps neared her but didn't dare to look up.

"Sakura," she heard a gentle voice calling her name and felt a hand touch her shoulder. The voice was so familiar. Syaoran…what was he doing here?

She let go of her knees that she had been clutching to her chest and straightened up a bit still not looking at him.

He slid a finger down her chin and lifted her bent head, forcing him to look at his amber orbs. She quickly averted her gaze because she didn't want him to see the tears forming in her emerald eyes. But he was quick to notice it.

"It's all right," he whispered. "It's better to cry and let out all your feelings sometimes,"

Sakura looked at his amber eyes, then after a minute's hesitation, she flung herself in his arms and broke down completely. She sobbed loudly in his chest, her fingers clinging on to the front of his shirt. The thoughts of her family and her home kept repeating in her head like a never ending nightmare….

Her tears soaked his dress but he didn't care, she suddenly felt his warm hands wrap around her pulling her in a tight embrace, making her feel warm and comforted. It felt right…just right…

"Its okay, it's fine…" he muttered soothingly under his breath. Her sobs echoed loudly in the corridors but he didn't try to stop her. She cried bitterly letting out her feelings that had been tied as knot in her throat, releasing all the suffering that she'd been through….

Finally her sobs quieted a bit and she mumbled softly, "S-sorry," without lifting her head from his chest.

He shook his head, "No I'm the one who should say sorry, for putting you through all this," She smiled softly turning her head to one side resting her cheek against him.

"Now, let's get out of this hell hole shall we?"

Sakura lifted her head and looked up at him, "But that would be breaking out, won't it?"

"Call it what you want, but we're getting out," He was about to stand but Sakura caught his arm,

"Syaoran, I can't come to the court tomorrow." Her voice faltered, "The mission, I told you about, well you see I have to go someplace tomorrow and if I don't go there by dawn, then I might not be able to see my family again," tears threatened to fall again, but she brushed them away. "I guess I'm crying too much"

He shook his head and grinned, "No and don't worry about tomorrow. I'll take care of it. Now let's hurry up and get going,"

She was about to protest again but he placed his finger on her lip silencing her,

"Shh…enough talk,"

She blushed and looked down at her feet and he gently lifted her in his arms, bridal style, making her blush more.

Syaoran glanced at the pretty girl lying half conscious in his arms and smiled to himself. He stepped out of the cold, dark cell and was about to leave, when

"Your Majesty," a guard said from behind him.

"What?"

The man looked at the half asleep girl in his arms and said, "I'm sorry, your highness, she's our prisoner; you can't take her out,"

"And I'd like to see you try and stop me," Syaoran said coldly. The guard said nothing and Syaoran went on,

"I'll talk to my father about this tomorrow," he said icily and stormed out.

When they reached the secret garden, he whispered, "Sakura, wake up," She opened her eyes and looked around, "Do you know where we are?" he asked her.

"Sure, the secret garden, why?" she asked puzzled.

"I have something to show you," he took her to a huge tree at one end of the garden and jumped onto one of its lowest branches still carrying her. He jumped onto the nearest branch and stood her beside him. She steadied herself by catching on the trunk. He pushed aside a curtain of leaves, revealing a wooden house.

She gasped loudly, "A tree house,"

He smiled and said, "I built it when I was young,"

The house was built on three branches. It wasn't very big, but two people could sit inside it quite comfortably. Syaoran led her in. There wasn't much furniture, just a nice mattress and blanket spread on the ground.

"It's cozy," she said.

"Glad you like it. From now on you can spend the night here, ok?"

"Can I really?" she squealed and hugged him. "Thanks Syaoran," He blushed as she withdrew. She lay down on the mattress and mumbled,

"It's soft,"

"Well goodbye Sakura. I'll see you tomorrow," He turned to leave but her hands reached out and caught his,

"Wait Syaoran," he noticed that her tone had changed. He felt her press her forehead on his back and she whispered,

"I know that I'm asking too much from you, but please can you stay with me tonight, just until I sleep,"

Then she quickly withdrew herself and said with a tiny laugh, "oh what am I saying…you're the prince. I can't ask you to stay in a place like this. Please forget that I even said that,"

He turned and looked at her and muttered, "I'll stay,"

"What?" she looked at him wondering if she'd heard right.

"I'll stay, till you sleep,"

She smiled at him happily and slid into bed, "Good night Syaoran,"

"Good night Sakura," he replied. She fell asleep very quickly. He smiled at her, his heart racing at the thoughts of the events that had happened that day.

I finally figured out my feelings. I'm in love with you Sakura…I really am…

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There was quite a pantomime in the court the next day. Lord Kenji stormed in dragging along with a poor villager.

"Your Majesty, this man here says that his wife's hair ornament was stolen and its description fits the one, the girl accused yesterday had," he announced.

He turned toward the guards, "Go get her now!" he ordered.

"But s-sir…" began one of them.

"Are you talking about this ornament?" interrupted a loud voice and following it came Syaoran, who surprisingly had an evil glint in his eye.

"Yes that's the one," exclaimed the general.

"where did you get it Syaoran?" his father asked curiously.

"I have my ways," he replied mysteriously and walked over to the villager and thrust it at him, "is this the one your wife lost?"

The man examined the jewel closely and shook his head, "No sir, this one has a pink stone in the middle, my wife's one had a blue stone,"

The Li general's face fell while Syaoran's smug smile widened. He looked at his father, "Well then I guess that's enough to prove that she's innocent. And as for the handkerchief, as I explained before I was the one who gave to her."

His father nodded and said, "Very well. Release the girl at once,"

"I've already taken care of that. Because I thought there was no reason to lock her up ion the first place," Syaoran replied and turned to Lord Kenji, "I hope next time, you'd be sure to check twice before you arrest someone."

And with that he strode majestically out of the room, his cape flowing behind, leaving the poor general frozen behind.

That evening Syaoran narrated everything to Sakura and also he couldn't help but brag a bit. "You should have seen the look on is face," he finished.

Sakura drank in every word in he said looking impressed, "Well Syaoran, you really are a life saver, I must say. Next time I'm in trouble, I can count on you to fish me out of it," she beamed at him and on a sudden impulse she leaned over and gave a tiny kiss on the cheek.

Then realizing what she did, she backed away, blushing. He was blushing too. They stared at the ground awkwardly before Syaoran decided to break the silence

"How did you know abut my pet by the way?" he asked remembering the note she had sent him.

"Oh that, I saw you with the bird once, you see. I felt a bit guilty about disappearing in the morning like that, that I sent a note through him. Friendly bird," she lied.

"How'd you get my handkerchief?" he asked curiously.

Sakura gulped, then she let out a nervous laugh, "I saw your pet struggling to fly with that heavy hanky on her wing so I removed it. Don't worry her wound is almost healed."

"Oh," he replied unable to think of anything else. Then he remembered that he had to tell her how he felt.

"Sakura I…uh…well I…" he stammered

"What's up?" she asked looking at him with her big, innocent emerald eyes.

"I…lo…I love the hair ornament you're wearing," he said in a rush.

"Yes," she agreed fingering it lightly, "It's pretty, thanks for getting it for me Syaoran," she smiled at him.

"I just remembered I have to be somewhere right now……so bye," he sped off.

"Bye Syaoran," Sakura called after him a little puzzled at his sudden departure.

Syaoran's heart was thumping. What's wrong? Why couldn't I tell her? I never thought confessing your feelings was this hard……maybe I rushed a bit…I think I should wait for a while and try to get to know her better before I tell her how I feel…

She really is a mystery…but that just makes her more interesting…

Author's note That's the end of chapter 7. I added this chapter mainly to focus SS relationship. Hope you liked it. Please don't forget to leave a review! I'll update the next chapter soon. I think I hear the phone ringing; my best friend must be calling. I'd better go! Bye!

Signing off,

sakura doll!