Disclaimer: I do NOT own anything of Wolf's Rain or Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles, and as you know Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles is a multi-crossover of all of CLAMP's works, I do NOT own those either.

Author's Notes: hey everyone! I AM BACK! Sorry it's been so long, had to focus on classes, and then there were the holidays, and then classes again, blah blah blah. Anyway, to makeup for it I am doing a two chapter update. YAY! Hopefully this will make up for the long time I have been MIA. Hope you guys enjoy!

Chapter Ten: The Country of Jade

"Are you cold princess?"

Toboe once again thanked Sakura for her extreme good fortune as he directed his horse through the snowy woods with the others who had their own horses.

"No, I'm okay" said Sakura.

They were on their way to a town they happened to hear about from a fellow at a bar in the town they had left. It was not the town that was their destination per say but the legends that came from it. The man had spoken a story to the residents as they drank and ate their fill, speaking tales of a golden haired princess and a magical feather. It was a chance they were not willing to pass up. Sakura had been drawn into a game of gamblers and won hands down, buying them the money they needed for the clothes they currently wore and the horses they rode on.

"Are we even sure this guy's story was true, I mean he said it was a long time ago" said Kurogane.

"From his description of this magical feather there is little doubt. Don't forget the things we have seen Sakura's feathers do" said Fai.

'And it couldn't hurt' thought Toboe.

"We're here" said Sakura, who was riding with Syaoran.

They stopped their horses and looked at the town before them, Toboe's eyes lingering to the sign that read the town's name.

Spirit.

He instantly felt uneasy. It was quiet, to quiet.

"Somethings wrong."

The others tensed at his words and wordlessly they all agreed to go in cautious and alert. Fai and Kurogane led the way, with Syaoran and Sakura behind them and Toboe picking up the rear.

"It's scary" mumbled Mokona from his hiding place in Toboe's clothing.

Toboe had to agree, he could see people looking out at them but they were doing well to stay hidden. He smelled the taint of fear in the air and the thick fog was not helping to lift the tense atmosphere.

"I'd say we aren't very welcome here" said Fai.

"What was your first clue" said Kurogane as he observed a child looking out at them from a window before their parent yanked them away, shutting the window with a snap.

"All we need is someone to tell us where the castle is" said Syaoran.

"They are scared of something, I doubt our stay here will be easy. We should make our way through and leave. Now." Said Toboe as he felt his fur go on edge.

"We can't do that Toboe" said Syaoran.

"I agree with the mutt, no good comes of people who are too afraid of their own shadow" said Kurogane."

Toboe ignored the 'mutt' jab.

His ears twitched as he growled lowly, "heads up."

Instantly there was a stampede of men surrounding them, holding guns at them.

"What's going on?" asked Sakura.

One man stepped forward, "Who are you, what are you doing here!?"

"We…uh…we're simple travelers I assure you. Traveling around from town to town collecting legends and fables" said Syaoran.

"What?" asked the man.

Catching on Toboe smiled, "Yes, we're writing a book."

"A book? You? You're just a kid."

"Ah, no," said Syaoran and motioned to Fai, "He is."

Fai, quick as ever, grinned happily, "Yes, I am the writer. The young girl here is my little sister, the two boys are my assistants and the strapping big lug is just tagging along."

Toboe cursed when Kurogane was about to open his big fat mouth only to blink in confusion when the man bit down a scream and seemed to be in some pain. Blinking the wolf wondered what was wrong before noticing the absence of Mokona in his clothing.

'How in the world did he get over there without anyone seeing him?'

The leader of the men was about to speak when a voice cried out, catching everyone's attention.

"Stop this right now! How could you possibly condone such behavior as to point guns at a group of travelers?!"

A man rushed over and stood in front of their group facing the group of village men.

"Such disrespect and rudeness, and towards children!"

This made a few jump, seeming to notice as last that three of the individuals they were being hostile towards were indeed young.

"But, doctor-"

"No! Lower your weapons! All of you!"

The men all looked uneasy at such an order but lowered them nonetheless.

The doctor sighed before turning to Toboe and the others with a smile.

"Please, allow me to apologize on their behalf, I welcome you to Spirit."

After their little welcoming party ended the group was led to the Doctor's home.

"I do hope they did not frighten you too much" said the doctor as he walked into the sitting room with a tray of hot tea, "I assure you they mean no harm, they are just on edge."

He set the tray down on a table before facing them.

"Allow me to introduce myself, I am the town doctor, Doctor Kyle Rondart. To make up for such a rude welcoming I'd like to offer you lodgings here in my house, if that is alright?"

"Thank you so much for your help. If it is not rude, may I ask why everyone was so on edge? They seemed really scared of something."

"Ah, yes…well, this town is facing quite a predicament, a tragedy really."

This made the group frown, Sakura looked on in worry.

"A tragedy, had there been an accident?" asked Syaoran.

"Ah…no…um…well…."

Suddenly they all heard the front door open and turned to see a well-dressed man stampede in, followed by a frazzled elderly man.

"Please, Sir, you must calm down!"

"Doctor! What is the meaning or your actions in taking in strangers!? Have you lost all sense!?"

Kyle frowned, "Mr. Grosum, do you always make it a habit of charging into a person's home unannounced, and in front of my guests. I do not condone such rudeness."

"Doctor you will explain yourself, and watch your cheeky mouth when talking to me!"

"I assure you this is not cheek, I am simply disciplining an uneducated man on etiquette."

Grosum snarled, "You are overstepping your place, Doctor!" he growled.

"I will ask you to leave. These people have no business in the affairs of our town. They are simply traveling through, researching legends and fables. Furthermore, you have no right to tell me who I can and cannot offer my home to."

The two men faced off before Grosum turning to the group, "I do not ask this of you but demand it. Under no circumstances are you to leave these walls after sun down. If you do so, you will be dealt with."

With that the man turned and left as quickly as he came, the other man following him, closing the door behind them.

Kyle sighed before turning to the group, "Once again I must apologize."

"No, no, it's not your fault" assured Fai.

"May I ask who that was?" asked Toboe.

"That was the Mayor, Mr. Grosum. As you could see he is not…the easiest person to deal with."

"You seemed to stand your ground against him" said Kurogane.

Kyle chuckled, "Well, seeing as I am the only town doctor he cannot do much against me."

"May I ask what it is that had him on edge? We seem to have come along at a bad time" said Fai.

Kyle looked hesitant, "Well…have you heard of the legend of the Golden haired princess?"

"Yes, we've heard of it' said Syaoran.

"And did you believe it?"

"Well…" trailed Fai with a chuckle.

Kyle grinned, "I thought it was a fairytale as well…but now…I am not so sure."

"What do you mean?" asked Syaoran.

"Well, recently, children have been vanishing from their homes at night, with no explanation. Even when their families lock the doors and windows, even locking their children in their rooms, they manage to get out. Twenty children have been lost already."

"Twenty…? So many" said Sakura sadly.

"Well that explains a lot" said Kurogane.

"Yes, many are worried and scarred, many strangers have already been chased out because of the townsfolk's fear. You are the first strangers who have happened upon Spirit in a while. I imagine people have been turning travelers from our roads."

"When we inquired about your town there were a few who tried to scare us from coming here" said Toboe.

Kyle grinned, "I can imagine. I would not be surprised if you left now."

The doctor led them upstairs to their rooms soon after. Toboe looked out the window at the town as they all stood in the hall. This town was indeed hollow and dead. If he had not seen those men earlier we could say the town was deserted.

"Well, at least we found a place to stay. That was quick thinking Syaoran, saying we were working on a book" said Fai.

"I guess I learned it while traveling with my father. Sometimes you just have to say what others want to hear."

"I can't imagine that we will be staying here for long though" said Toboe as he turned to them, "Sooner or later something if going to happen and this town will be ready to lynch us without a second thought."

"Would they really do something like that?" asked Sakura.

"Wouldn't put it passed them" said Kurogane as he held a giggling Mokona by his ears.

"I can't say for sure, but I have been around similar people. People who are scared are not always the safest people to be around. And I am a bit more on edge around the Doctor."

Syaoran frowned, "What do you mean Toboe?"

"Yes, do you know something we don't?" asked Fai.

"Well…he…and don't think this weird, but he smelled off…really off."

"You goin' around sniffing people now mutt?"

"I am only saying that he is hiding something. I can't say for sure what it is but I know he is not as trustworthy as he puts on. When he spoke to the Mayor he seemed…to be amused."

"Amused? Are you sure?" asked Syaoran

Toboe nodded, "Like he was laughing at the man."

The group was quiet for a moment.

"If you say so Toboe, we will be cautious around him, but try not to be too reserved we don't want him suspicious of us if he is hiding something. But, for now our biggest concern is how we are going to get to the castle" said Syaoran.

"Right. The mayor's words were more of a promise then empty threat" said Fai.

Kurogane snorted, "You really think these losers pose a threat?"

"Maybe not to you Kuro-pi but we can't let our guard down."

"For now let's just wait and see before we make our move" said Syaoran.

They all nodded.

Sakura then yawned, "Oh my."

"Are you tired, Princess?"

"I just…I think s-"

Before she could finish Sakura was collapsing to her knees surprising them, more worrying Syaoran.

"Princess? Princess?" asked Syaoran as he knelt and caught her by her shoulders.

He panicked when she did not answer him but before calling out to her again he noticed he breathing deeply, smiling. He grinned.

"Seems she fell asleep again" said Fai with a gentle smile.

"I was wondering when she was going to nod off, she's been out of it for a while. Surprised she lasted for so long" said Kurogane.

"Let's get her to bed, we could all do for a rest anyway" said Toboe as he grinned down at Sakura.

Syaoran nodded before picking Sakura up bridle style and taking her to her room.

During the night, Toboe was awoken by the cawing of crows. Frowning he got out of bed and walked over to the window, gasping when he caught a sight of long golden hair before it vanished. Blinking in astonishment his frown deepened before his sight turned to the crows. Opening the window he looked around before eyeing one and called out to it. The crow paused before turning to him and flying over, landing on the window seal.

"What's this, you don't see a wolf every day, and not one on two feet."

Toboe backed away from the window blinking once, and before his eyes was a woman instead of a crow.

She was dressed in a beautiful black dress with a feather shawl wrapped around her shoulders. She grinned at him, licking he lips as her eyes lingered on him, making Toboe fidget.

"My, and a cute one at that."

"Just now, was that the Princess?"

"Hm? Oh, well yes and no."

Toboe frowned, "She was or she wasn't"

The woman grinned, "My name is Alcyone, what's yours cutie?"

"Toboe, now tell me."

"Toboe, such a fitting name. And if you must know, that girl you just saw was the spirit of the princess, it would be foolish to think she was still living now after hundreds of years."

"I see. And may I ask what she was doing? You are aware she is being blamed for the disappearance of the children, yes?"

"Indeed, foolish really, humans are so naïve."

"So, she isn't the cause?"

Alcione laughed, "Oh my dear wolf no. The Princess is the purest of souls. She'd never harm an insect."

"Then why was she here?"

The woman shrugged with a knowing grin.

Toboe huffed, "And you? What are you doing with her?"

"I am simply a familiar following the wishes of my late master."

"Late Master? Not the Princess I take it?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

Before Toboe could act there was a large gust of icy wind, he grunted as he covered his face. When it was over he looked up to see the woman gone, ice littering the room.

"An ice witch?" he asked himself as he sensed magic from it.

He jumped slightly when the door opened and turned to see Fai smiling at him.

"I sensed a bit of magic coming from in here. Are you okay?"

"Ah, yeah."

Fai looked at the ice coating parts of the room, "Well now, I take it you had an eventful encounter."

"You could say that," Toboe looked out the window at the dark and eerily quiet town, "I think things just got a bit more complicated."

Yay! Alcyone! She is one character that did not appear in Reservoir Chronicles, at least to my knowledge. And since this country has Princess Emeraude I decided to insert another Magic Knight Rayearth character. I know it was not long, reason for the two chapter update, but I hope you guys enjoyed. Thanks for reading and please review!