AWW! Thank you for the reviews! I'm really excited and sad that this story is ending soon! I don't want it to! Hahaha

YingfaFx: Thanks :) Here's somewhat of a resolution ;D

obsessed: Thank you! That means sooo much :) Married life is no different haha been with my guy almost 7 years ;D It's just official now hahaha xD

yingfa07: yay! I'm a bit terrible at those ;D haha here's the next chapter :)

Enjoy! And let me know all about it :)

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Robin Hood

Chapter 11

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Syaoran's scream died behind Eriol's hand. He struggled against him, but Eriol wouldn't budge, holding his arm behind his back. His heart was beating so loudly he could almost hear it. His rage rang in his ears. He was going to kill them.

He fell to his knees, sliding out of Eriol's grasp. Syaoran brought his fist down upon the earth, feeling the bones vibrate within his skin on impact. He couldn't believe it. Just like that. If only he had been faster, he could have prevented her from leaving the camp and from ultimately being captured by her uncle.

He could only imagine what her uncle would do to her with the amount of treason stacked against her. Syaoran sat back on his heels, a thought dawning on him. As it stood now, he could execute her with no questions asked. It was apparent to everyone that she was against her uncle. The princess was their only hope and with her gone, the Phony King would reign supreme with little to no opposition, which was exactly what he wanted.

Syaoran stood quickly, nearly knocking out Eriol in the process, and began scaling the rocks back down into camp. He was moving so fast that it appeared as if he were touching only the tips of his toes to the ground. He slid to a halt at the base of the rocks, only to have Eriol barrel into him, knocking the both of them to the ground.

Syaoran seemed unfazed as he picked himself up from the ground and determinedly walked forward. Eriol stood, rubbing the back of his head, and fixed his glasses. Seeing Syaoran so far in front of him, he darted after him, yanking on the edge of his tunic to stop him. Syaoran spun around. The look on his face was murderous.

"Don't you dare do anything stupid, Syaoran," Eriol warned, gripping the shirt until his knuckles turned white.

"Define 'stupid'." Syaoran replied monotonously.

"You want to go after Sakura, I know, but-"

"Damn it, Eriol!" he yelled, his anger spiking. "You know I'm going to! Do you realize what horrors she's going to go through in that dungeon? They're going to kill her!" Syaoran yanked his tunic from Eriol's grasp, storming away from him. Eriol jogged to keep up with him.

"I know, Syaoran! I know! But if you go after her now, you're signing your death sentence as well. You won't escape with her alive." Eriol told him fearfully, standing in front of him.

When Syaoran sidestepped him, Eriol punched him square in the face. He fell to the ground, holding his cheek in shock. "Listen to me, damnit! If you go now, not only do you jeopardize everything we've worked so hard for, but you will be killing the princess and yourself in the process. Do you understand that? You shouldn't act so recklessly!"

Syaoran let his arm drop. He hung his head low, his unruly bangs covering his face. It was quiet for a moment before Syaoran slowly looked up to his friend. Eriol helped him stand.

"I know you're right Eriol," His hand was clenched so tightly; he could feel his hand threatening to seize up. "But every second we wait, Sakura's that much closer to dying. She can't die, Eriol, not when I can stop it."

"I know something you could try,"

A small voice sounded in the quiet. Eriol and Syaoran spun and slowly took in Tomoyo's blood stained dress and apron. Her normally clear, pale face was dirty and nearly unrecognizable. She had her hair pulled into a large bun on the top of her head, several strands sticking out in many places.

Eriol immediately dropped Syaoran's hand and rushed her, enveloping her in a half hug, cradling her shoulders. She looked exhausted and ragged. He was surprised she was still moving.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

She giggled, but it sounded hollow, and her smile was small. "I'm fine. This is not my blood," she reassured him. "Thank you for worrying about me, Eriol." Eriol's face flushed and he tried to hide it from the onlookers. No luck, though, as hoots came through the small crowd that had gathered in curiosity.

Tomoyo pushed off of him daintily and looked Syaoran in the eye.

"I believe the King is still alive. If you find him, you can save Sakura."

She was serious. Syaoran's body filled with dread. The King had been missing for years, a decade. It was a pipe dream to think he was still alive.

"He is, Syaoran. I know it! He's in the northern kingdom. More than likely he's being held against his will, but if you free him, he can return and save all of us."

"The northerners aren't known for being nice," Eriol said slowly. "We're a bunch of farmers and self-taught knights. There's no way we can rescue him. We'd be walking into the wolves' den."

Syaoran walked up to the both of them. "At this point it's our only hope." He paused, his brown eyes set with finality and determination.

"I won't let her die."

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The pain was so intense, Sakura woke up screaming.

There was something in her mouth muffling her screams, but it was so dark, she couldn't see. She thrashed and struggled, but whatever was holding her arms and legs held true. Her bad arm lifted up, the pain intensifying. She sucked in her breath and tried to not focus on the pain, but dread filled every nerve of her body. Her extremities tingled.

Then it happened. Her arm pushed up against the socket and made a sickening pop. Sakura felt the explosion of pain, but only for a second as her body gave into the darkness once more.

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Sakura felt something cool upon her cheek. Her head swam for a moment, but as she lay still, breathing slowly, the headache calmed and she was able to slowly open her eyes.

Everything was blurry, but in the waning light, she could make out many figures sitting around her.

"Ooooh, she's so pretty, Mister Clow Reed," a girl said.

A cold hand touched her face and Sakura reached her hand up and tenderly placed it upon the hand. It was a tiny, bony hand, and very, very cold. A tear escaped her eye, landing on her fingers. The small hand pulled from her grasp and wiped at her eye. It only made her cry more. The death, the bodies, and the child. Everything was flooding her thoughts.

"Clow! Clow! She's crying!" a boy said worriedly. Sakura let out a cry of anguish, furiously rubbing at her eyes with her hand.

The hand left her cheek, and there was some scuffling.

"The princess has seen many things that most should not see. The best thing we can do is comfort her in her time of need."

"I'll go see if there's any bread left," another boy said monotonously.

"I'll see if anyone can spare a blanket," the girl said, scurrying off.

There was more shuffling and Sakura felt the warmth of the children around her. Her sobs had refused to die down; every time she closed her eyes, the small boy's happy smile and bright eyes flooded her brain.

"Kero, don't hurt her arm. It's healing," the man Clow Reed, warned.

"Yue, help me," Kero said, taking the other boy's hand.

Kero bent over at the waist, giving Sakura's midsection a big hug. Sakura could tell the other boy was hesitant as she felt him lay beside her in the crook of her good arm. The boy laid his head on her chest, his hair tickling her chin. Sakura let her arm fall around the boy and squeezed him tight.

"Don't worry princess, I'll protect you from the person who made you cry," the silver-haired boy mumbled into her chest. Kero popped up from her stomach and smacked his chest.

"I'm going to protect you, too! I'll hurt that bad man so bad."

Sakura couldn't help but laugh. She wiped at her eyes, and while the tears didn't subside, there weren't any fresh ones. She tried to sit up. Clow Reed leaned forward and helped her. The two other children returned.

"Oh good Ruby, you found a blanket. Wonderful. We must go say thank you to whoever was so gracious to lend their blanket to the princess," Clow told the little girl. Her red eyes brightened and she smiled, nodding.

The last child came to Sakura and handed her the dirty, rock-hard chuck of bread.

"Thank you, young man." Sakura told him, smiling.

"Very good, Spinel. Thank you." Ruby and Spinel sat beside Clow Reed, staring intently at Sakura.

Yue and Kero scooted closer to Sakura as a cold breeze blew through the airy stone room. It was at that point that Sakura really took a good look around at her surroundings. Save for the small slats in the walls, the room was completely enclosed in stone. On the other end of the long room there stood a heavy, wooden door with no handle. Many people lined the edge of the room with shackles chaining them to the wall or to the ground. Sakura recognized many people, her heart constricting.

"Why are there so many of the townspeople here in the prison?" Sakura asked Clow in a small voice.

He sighed. "After the tournament, the King needed money for repairs and payment for the soldiers. He taxed them until they couldn't pay any more."

"But, you're a church official. How did you manage to get in here?" Sakura asked him.

He chuckled sheepishly.

"I was housing the children illegally. They caught me giving them food in their cubby hole. That damn, evil sheriff he hired from a couple towns over," Clow ended under his breath. "The man literally thinks he owns everything. In fact-"

There was a loud booming noise from the direction of door. Sakura jumped; her eyes wide with fear.

"Princess, please lay back down. Feign sleep!"

Clow forced her back down upon the stone and Sakura complied, closing her eyes. She didn't have time to ask questions as the heavy door swung open, slamming up against the stone wall. Sakura couldn't help but shudder in the darkness behind her eyelids. There were heavy footfalls that reverberated in the room, coming to a halt at her side. Sakura sensed the person kneel down, leather and chain groaning at the movement. The person brushed her hair off her forehead.

"And how is she today, friar?" the person asked brutishly.

"As good as she could be, considering she's healing in a dungeon," Clow said under his breath.

"What was that?" the person snapped.

"I said that she's doing much better. The princess should wake soon," Clow reassured him.

It took every ounce of Sakura's will not to move.

"You said the same thing to me days ago. I'm growing impatient."

"You can't rush healing the body, sir. She will wake up when she's healed," Clow told him, smiling.

In an instant, the person left her side, and there was an altercation. Sakura tried hard not to move, but as the sounds of punches being thrown, sobbing from the children and the woes of the others escalated, Sakura couldn't take it anymore. She shot up, fluidly moving to standing. She dove in front of Clow, protecting him from the next punch. It hit her solidly in the back and for a moment the wind was taken from her body. She fell upon Clow, grunting as she forced breaths through her body.

"So it seems she's awake now, friar," he said smugly.

He grabbed Sakura's arm and pulled her off Clow. She fell unceremoniously onto her back below him and struggled to breathe.

"I'm so sorry dear princess. It's been some time since I hit a woman."

He knelt down next to her heaving chest. He pulled his glove off his hand and stroked her face with his clammy finger. Sakura turned away out of his grasp. Angry at the defiant look on her face, he backhanded her. He stood, and Sakura let the angry tears flow from her eyes. With Clow's help, she was able to pick herself up off the ground and stand.

"Do you take pride in that, sir?" Sakura called into the tense air. Almost to the door, the man spun around, face red.

"Excuse me?" he asked through gritted teeth.

"Are you feeble minded or something? I said; do you take pride in hitting a defenseless woman?" she screamed. The man advanced on her in long strides. "You say you're a man, but a man who can hurt a woman or child, defenseless or not, is no man! He's a coward," Sakura taunted, fire in her emerald eyes. Clow stood feet from her, smiling. He shielded the children behind his robes.

The sheriff barreled into her, knocking her completely off her feet, grabbing the back of her head tightly. He shoved her into the wall, dazing her. Stars danced in her vision. The sheriff spun her around, backhanding her, and causing her to drop to the floor. Sakura struggled to her knees, coughing. The sheriff kicked her square in her stomach. She dropped to the floor, curling into the fetal position.

"You stupid broad. Did you seriously think your words had any meaning?!" he yelled into her face. "If you weren't the princess, you'd be dead right now." He stood to leave.

"Is that why, you feel the need to harm a defenseless woman? Because my words hurt you?" She called back.

The sheriff turned, bending over. He grabbed her hand and pulled her cleanly off the ground until her feet dangled. Sakura struggled, but his grip was too strong. She let herself hang. She continued to stare at him with her rebellious look.

"Who's the real coward?"

He slapped her hard across the face and forced her up against the wall. Her dress was thin and gave little protection against his advances. Sakura tried to push him off, but the large man was too heavy. He grabbed at the bodice of her gown and ripped through the seams and lace. Sakura screamed out trying to cover herself, but to no avail. The man cupped her breast, one leg separating her own, and leaned into her. She struggled madly.

"The only reason you aren't dead is because your uncle sees some use in you. He's agreed to let me marry you and become king under the one condition that he becomes my adviser." He squeezed his fingers, eliciting a strangled cry from Sakura's throat.

"I've agreed," he said sinisterly. "Once we are married, I will teach you to be the obedient bitch you are supposed to be!" He slapped her across the face and released her. Sakura fell to the ground, sobbing, grabbing at the front of her dress.

Syaoran's face drifted to the forefront of her mind, which only made her cry more.

"Syaoran, please hurry and save me..." She fell to the ground and passed out.

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It had been nearly a week since the incident in the jail. As a consequence, food was scarce, if given at all. The bread that was spared from the previous week, although dirty and chewed on, lasted them a couple days. Clow Reed helped mend Sakura's dress, using a tattered blanket and the remains of her dress to fashion a wearable bodice.

Sakura's arm was healing better than expected despite the harsh treatment she had been given. She helped tend to her people; administering aid where possible and helping the older folk eat and move around. There was one man trying to keep the livelihood among the people by telling outrageous lies and stories. While everyone knew they were fake, the people and children laughed, which is what mattered. She finally knew his name. Takashi. He was Chiharu's husband, the man her uncle so spitefully threw into the dungeons, leaving his fair wife to fend on her own.

The door shook as another knock rattled it at the hinges. The door swung open, narrowly missing an old man that was sitting there. In walked the sheriff and several attendants. Sakura stood defiantly, a fire in her eyes. The kids crowded behind her, growling. Clow was on her side to help protect her if things suddenly went awry.

"Morning, princess," the man said snarkily. He rested his arm on his sword.

"And to what do we owe this honor?" Sakura asked him sarcastically.

The man growled, but instead of reacting, he simply snapped his fingers. Three girls, who refused to look Sakura in the eye, carried a large grey, silver, and pink dress.

"Mornings are not your strong suit, Sakura-"

"Don't call me that." she interrupted tersely.

"I have taken the honor of choosing your wedding dress."

Sakura stepped back, uncertain. "I'm not marrying you."

The sheriff continued. "You'll need to try this dress on so we can alter it to your figure," he said looking up and down her attire. "You'll also need a bath it seems. We can't have you smelling like an ass on your wedding day, now can we? That would be so unbecoming for royalty."

The girls came forward with the dress. The sheriff snapped his fingers and the maids rushed out and soldiers filled their places.

Kero growled from behind Sakura and she used her hand to shush him. "I don't know if I made myself clear, sheriff-"

"Keisatsu."

"Sheriff. I'm not marrying you." Keisatsu growled, advancing a step closer. "Tell my uncle I'd rather die than marry you!" Sakura screamed, huffing.

"Is that so?"

"I would rather die," Sakura told him darkly, her face clouding in darkness.

In a split second, Keisatsu struck his sword forward, narrowly missing Sakura's stomach. There was a grunt and a splash of warm liquid soaked the back of Sakura's dress. She turned slowly as Keisatsu pulled the sword from the boy's neck. Spinel fell to the ground. Sakura dove to catch him. He looked up into her eyes and struggled to breathe. Sakura pushed her fingers on his neck, trying to cover the hole, but it was no use. She pulled him tight to her chest, cradling his face with her hand. The boy smiled.

"Bye...Mom...my..." The boy went limp in her eyes and Sakura cried out, tightly cradling his body. She brushed the boy's dark hair from his face and closed his dull eyes, placing a soft kiss on his temple.

"I'm so sorry. I will protect your family with all that I have." Sakura told him brokenly.

Clow took the child from her arms and laid him peacefully upon the cold stone. He looked asleep, which only pained Sakura more. She stood, spinning so quickly that the slap she delivered to the sheriff sent pains shooting up her arm.

"He was a damn child, you murderer! How could you?!" Sakura screamed; her breathing was labored. Unshed tears lined her eyes. She pounded her small fists upon his chest.

Keisatsu's hand shot out and snagged her chin in a tight grip, forcing her to look at him. There was an evil, malicious look in his eyes, and for once Sakura truly felt scared for her well-being. Keisatsu leaned forward and licked the salty trail of tears left on her cheek.

"I think your tears are most wonderful," he said sadistically. He threw her to the floor. She stared back to him and her eyes widened. Sword drawn, he advanced on Clow and the children. Clow stood protectively in front of them. Keisatsu easily forced Clow out of the way with his weapon, barely snagging the man on the stomach. The next blow struck true. Keisatsu struck so forcefully, the blade caught Ruby through the stomach and buried the sword until the hilt.

Sakura screamed. She stood and rushed over to them. Keisatsu pulled the sword out and turned it on Sakura as Ruby fell to her knees, then to the floor. Clow rushed to her side, but the girl was gone.

"What's your choice, Sakura?" Keisatsu asked her. When she didn't answer, he turned his sword on the other children. Sakura ran to him, pleading, tears cascading down her cheeks.

"Please..." she begged, "no more..." She fell to her knees sobbing. She hugged herself. "Please, I'll do anything. Just stop killing them..." she said brokenly.

Keisatsu gripped her chin and forced her to look at him. He placed a chaste kiss upon her chapped lips.

"See? I knew you'd see it my way."

In an instant, the sheriff was gone, the door slamming shut behind him.

It took all her strength to move over to Ruby's lifeless body. Taking her from Clow, she apologized over and over to her brother, whom she just promised that she'd protect them. She hugged Ruby tightly. Clow took Ruby and laid her next to her brother, Spinel, saying a silent prayer for them.

"They are in better hands now," he said to no one in particular.

Sakura pulled the shaken Kero and Yue to her chest and squeezed them. They were visibly shaken and frightened. Sakura pulled them close, cradling the young boys until they were able to fall asleep. She fell asleep to Syaoran's smiling face. Even though he wasn't there with her, it was his smile and determination that helped her endure her imprisonment.

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Syaoran, Eriol, Ryuu, and Mamoru rode hard against the cold rain. Their heavy breaths formed warm clouds in front of them. They were wet and cold, but their riding didn't falter. The stone fortress of the northern kingdom stood tall and imposing in front of them, but they were determined.

They had to get their King back.

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Oh yeah! It's gonna get cRaZy the next couple chapters :) stay tuned! Let me know what you think :)