Princess of Thieves

Chapter Twenty One :: History

"The Kingdom of Loire was a small country, once reigning by itself, once so small that the people of Loire only cared about their own people. One hundred years ago, a man came to conquer Loire to take the land and to unite it with all of Greenland Island. He became the ruler after five years of slaughtering the people that fought to protect their land. King Shinto was the first of the Kinomoto line that began ruling Loire and making it a prospering country. The kingdom soon picked up, people began living there after decades until finally the fifth generation of Kinomoto's made it a Kingdom to be watchful of the entire island. Loire became the capital of Greenland Isle, fighting off invaders, keeping their own, and reigning prosperous.

"Thirty some years ago, Loire met its match and because they didn't want to repeat history with blood baths, they united with the Kingdom of Avalon. The alliance with Avalon strengthened Loire, making it one of the best ties history had ever seen. After Nadeshiko died twenty years past, King Fujitaka was devastated and almost let Loire fall to the hands of the Copper Island, the neighboring kingdom that will not fold to Avalon and their many alliances. King Xiao Lang the second, the current King of Avalon, didn't want Loire to fall and proposed a new proposition to help strengthen the two Kingdoms. King Xiao Lang had recently then conquered the two countries; Crescent and Galore. As a gift to the new ruler, Galore agreed to unite Loire to them as well, so that Avalon had much more strength. King Luther of Galore allowed his sister to marry King Fujitaka is acceptance of their devotion and reign of remaining its own country.

"Though, the kingdom of Crescent became what it is known now, Crescent City, Galore wanted its own reign in fear Avalon would be conquered one day. No one understood for a long time but now, it has come to unfold. King Luther had a plan all this time, allowing his sister to marry the weakened King Fujitaka who still held heart for his late wife, Queen Nadeshiko, and wanted to try his hand to conquering it. Though it is only a rumor, King Luther is a trusted ally to King Xiao Lang, and has not made such moves to do so. The fall of Loire eight years ago happened by another, one that hasn't made his face known –until now."

Sakura leaned against the stone balcony of her brother's fief. Night had long but fallen on them enveloping the hidden castle in darkness. The clouds above them parted ways to reveal stars clustered together, yet the moon remained hidden behind the thick clouds. The chill of the night threatened rain, but she knew better. Getting used to the Kingdom of Avalon she found that rain didn't come so easily, not like the island she came to love so much growing up. Hearing her brothers tale about how Loire came to be and how the different kingdoms came to be united, made her far more confused then when she learned that Loire was destroyed because someone else was trying their hand at creating a new Kingdom. Hugging the blanket wrapped around her shoulders, she let the tears fall from her eyes. It was only a game to the men that ruled the kingdoms, a game they played over and over again for power. It was maddening, yet no one knew anything different. Human nature was simply to conquer or be conquered and no one, not even the weakest person wanted the later. Queen Nadeshiko had died and in her place, the sly Kingdom of Galore had put a pawn for a game in her kingdom. No one knew then and no one really knew now. Naoko knew far more then she realized and in turn gave her story of how her once betrothed husband, Lucas, wanted to become King. It was all rumors though, nothing more.

Touya's story continued in Sakura's mind, bringing more tears to fall freely. "After the fall the Loire, I managed to get away. Sir Yukito of Loire had diverted the enemy as much as he could, allowing me to go into the woods. At first I had tried to follow the men that had taken my sister but I was weakened, bleeding from old and new wounds and lost consciousness. Someone had found me like that and I awoke in a cave behind the falls, north of Loire. I had no idea who had saved me, but when I awoke I was alone and bandaged. Finally managing to leave the cave when my strength returned enough so I could walk, I bound my way to the harbor city. I'd almost forgotten my promise to meet Sakura in Avalon and almost died trying to cross the sea if it weren't for the help of Koji. The rogue had heard my story out and helped me leave Greenland Island and allowed me to spread word that my sister was somewhere. I had no idea what would become of Sakura, nor knew how we were going to be united again. Your trail had fallen cold and I had no way of following after your captures.

"Coming to Avalon, I ran into more rogues, all allies of Koji and they helped me change my identity and get back into the grace of King Xiao Lang as a knight. The years that passed were long and I had finally become the ruler of Crescent City, an easy and large title in case you finally did come to Avalon. I never saw Lucas, and had hoped our cousin would find you when King Xiao Lang sent his troops overseas. Prince Cree of the Copper Islands had fallen prey to the destruction of Loire. They had taken over the island as freely as if they were led there. Careful spying has told me they hadn't yet truly claimed the fallen kingdom, merely taken the island like it was part of their own. I never once heard word of you Sakura, not even Koji could find you but his men in turn had said you were safe and lived. That was enough for me to pursue what had happened to our home, but I couldn't find out anymore then this; Lucas of Galore deliberately had Prince Cree and his men to destroy Loire to get rid of the kingdom so in years to come Galore can take what would belong to them by marriage. Queen Talia is his aunt, which means by law he should be able to take over Loire, destroyed as it is or not. Why hasn't he yet, is beyond me?"

It made sense, Touya's story. She didn't know the history of her Stepmother but she did know she became queen because the King of Avalon wanted the countries to be united as one. It was only natural to want that kind of unity. Queen Talia had loved her father though, even though they had no children, she still loved the man Sakura called 'father.' Staring up at the dark sky Sakura wondered what would have come to pass if Loire hadn't of been destroyed. If her birthday hadn't have been interrupted and she became older, became the fiancé of the mysterious suitor her father always talked about. Now she would never know, now she was the Queen of the warriors that rebelled against Loire, against Avalon, against any man that tried to take away their land. She was princess of the rogues that entrusted her with their lives. The rogues, they had helped her brother and for that she was grateful. Thinking about it, everything made sense now that the truth had come out. Why the old witch Lady Abigail knew so much about her, why the rogues accepted her so easily, and why Lucas of Galore knew her. She didn't know him because she hadn't learned the history, she wasn't able to because they had taken away her life before she came of age. Just two more years after her eleventh birthday and she would have been given lessons. Loire's history and the history of her family would have been completed.

A chill ran up her arm and she gasped, shivering painfully. It really was colder in the desert, far colder then the nights she spent in caves behind waterfalls. She wouldn't be surprised if it snowed, it was so cold. The tears that stained her face made her skin frozen. With the blanket grasped around her fingers, she wiped them, wanting the chilly feeling to go away. Going inside and laying by the fire would be the best choice but she wasn't ready to go inside yet. They were inside and right now, she didn't want to face them –not yet. Touya's story had made her numb to the core but she listened to it all before she left them in the library. His blindness kept him from knowing she left but she was sure someone told him. No one had followed and no one had come to seek her out. The time that passed had dragged on to the point that she hadn't realized night fell around her. Arms snug against her body; she let out a tired sigh. A cloud of her hot breath could be seen in front of her face, revealing the cold night air. Just as she finally made up her mind to return inside, a warm body shocked her into remaining still. Head going up, she stared up at the King of rogues. Koji wore a large cloak that covered her as he wrapped his body around her, instantly taking the chill from her arms. More tears fell from her eyes then and she leaned against his strong chest, letting it all out once again. He showed no pity towards her, but she knew deep down he was as sympathetic about her past as she was about herself.

"It happened three years ago, the attempts to end my life. I never noticed but my search to get word out to Greenland Isle and to find out the truth behind it all had been discovered. The first attack was sudden, and Crescent city was on full alert after that. King Xiao Lang thought it to be the Copper Island trying their hand at attacking from within so he sent more knights here. My rule as the Lord of Crescent city was being threatened by someone else though; someone that knew me as Touya and not Tory. As similar as the names are, only few knew the difference. The second attack came within Crescent City and the ones we call 'the desert wolves' attacked. A man we captured told us they'd been paid off by someone wearing the colors of Galore. I didn't want to alarm King Xiao Lang so I took it into my own hands. Nakuru helped me find out, just why the attacks were happening. Her ties to the rogues brought Koji back to us and in turn he found out what was going on.

"The last attack blinded me. I hadn't been careful during the fight to protect the desert land and someone got me with a poisonous swipe. Though I was saved, my eyesight was not. King Xiao Lang pointed a new Lord in turn to keep me safe and so I retired as the Lord of Crescent City but the attacks continued. One year ago, maybe less than, the King wanted men to find out why his alliance with Loire had suddenly disappeared and they could not get word to King Fujitaka. I hadn't told him the death that fell upon Loire in fear he might find out who I was, silly notion, but the moment troops were sent overseas, the attack came and I was poisoned once again. This time from within the walls of my own fief, only this poison wasn't the same as the one that blinded me. the doctor that found out I'd been eating the poison didn't know what kind of poison this was and so the search undergo great lengths until I knew…I knew what kind of poison it was. Faking my death saved me from ingesting more of this kind of poison and stopped the attacks. Sakura, someone that knows much about the poisons found in the Greenland Isles knew the son of Fujitaka was alive still."

"You faked my brother's death," Sakura whispered, her body finding a new comfort against the man behind her. His chest rose then fell as he sighed, head nodding.

"I faked my lord's death, hoping we could flush out who had been poisoning him." Sakura felt his chin rest against the crown of her head, his sigh heavy. "Lady Sakura, we know only that Galore is behind most of it, but not the truth. Ye say Lucas told you Touya was dead but he too thought ye were dead before." The tears that fell soaked up the blankets hem and she shifted her hands to keep from touching the wetness. "When ye walked out, that man, Nartake…he gave us more knowledge of the poison ye brother has been taking but it's too late to save him."

"I know,"

"Then why haven't ye come back inside?" she could only shake her head, not quite sure herself. Turning, she moved out of his embrace and gave him a pitiful look. Puffy eyed, she sniffed as her old nose took in the change of temperature instantly.

"You keep saying someone is out there to harm me, but not who. I get that galore is behind most of this whole damn shit, but my brothers dead to them, and I'm just a princess that has no home. Doesn't that make me noble less, doesn't that mean there plan could finally fall into place. Why are they trying to harm me if everything they wanted has already happened! Loire is gone, my brother is dying…what now!?" the blanket fell from her hands as she sobbed, fingers covering her face as she let it out.

"That's just mans way, princess. Get rid of their enemy and conquer all, ye are still alive, ye have the blood of the King in Loire and ye can easily topple them because ye are here and not in the ground like they'd thought. Whatever happened to ye, happened for a reason. Never forget that," Koji took her heads, her fingers like ice to his warm gloved ones. Covering them in one large hand, he lifted her chin so he could see her, see the tears that continued to fall. Her body shook with the cold and with her emotions. Short strands of her hair stuck to her cheek and he moved to push it away, tucking it behind her easily. "Princess ye are here to change all this bullshit. 'Scuse my language in front of a lady but it's true. The bullshit that happened was because someone was sloppy and didn't know what they be doing but ye can change all that. My lord believes ye can fix Loire once again."

"I don't understand."

"Listen to my lord; he wants to talk to ye when day comes. In the mean time, relax and get some rest." She shook her head, turning her gaze away from his. Koji brought her back, fingers gripping her chin lightly. "We've all been waiting for ye, Princess Sakura of many places. I may know more about ye then Touya but I know ye will change history and become the best for this land and the land we lost." Cupping her cheek, Koji surprised her, shocking her to stay frozen as his lips met hers. Her body, so cold before, warmed little by little by his touch. Mind cloudy she responded like any female would when someone kissed them, her hands seeking out his face as she deepened it out of instinct. The feeling of butterflies made her stomach give her a second heartbeat, her true heart beating madly against her chest. The moment that passed was enough to unclear her mind as Koji deepened his strike first. As tongues were met, as hands sought out the touch of skin, Sakura's mind became less and less cloudy.

Neither knew which one moved first, but she felt the cold wall against her back as they changed positions. His kindness pushing through as it reminded her that this man helped her find the one she sought, this man knew the truth behind it all, and this rogue didn't care who she was. Discarding the large cloak, Koji held her body close to his own, teeth nipping at her exposed flesh trailing down her chest. With a single movement, she was up higher on the wall, legs wrapped around his torso as he warmed her fingers inside his tunic. Feeling the strap of a weapon, she undid the belt and let it fall to the floor, following closely the cloth that kept him covered. Bare chest, she could make out the scars of his life, could trace the indents of some of them with a fingernail that sent his body convulsing. Tears long forgotten, she sought out his mouth, feeling his fingers find their way up her skirts and around her thighs. As tongues met once again, she felt the change in her heart as it beat with his own. Though hers, held one more beat that told her something was wrong. Sakura's conscious beat at her mind as it became less cloudy with the history of her past, as it woke her up. As the King of rogues explored more of her flesh, sending ripples of passion coursing through her, she knew this wasn't right. Here was a man she could trust, be with, but it wasn't the one she wanted to be with her at that moment.

"I can't," she mumbled, pushing away. Though her body was hot for a man's touch, she felt the wrongness in the way he kissed her. Heated, he stared right through her, seeking something in the shadows covering her face. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

Clearing his throat, he let that grin appear on his face knowingly. "Ye got someone on ye mind."

"That I do," she fixed her gown, fixed the way her breasts were in the breast band before giving Koji a look that said she truly was sorry. Her heart slowly-slowing down as she took in his expression, "If it weren't for him, I'd like you, Koji; King of the rogues. You are someone I can trust, but he is someone that has stolen my heart way before I knew what love could be."

"Then he is a lucky lad, where ever he may be."

"Yes," she stared up, the clouds dispersing more and more to reveal the stars she loved. Gripping her chest as it ached for him, she let one more tear fall down her cheeks. Syaoran…

…

…

…

That night Sakura dreamed as her body thrashed underneath her blanket, taking in the horrors of her nightmare. The trees were all dyed in red and black, the strange substance crawling up from the roots and leaving the leaves a strange blood. It was so pungent that she couldn't tell what kind of red it was, it was just red. Of all the shades in the world, it blended all too well with black. Her body was frozen in place as she stood there, transfixed on the colors. The trees could do nothing in turn either, so it wasn't a waste that she couldn't move. Even as she waited she knew she should move knew she shouldn't just stand there. A noise too small could be heard from the side of her, signaling the moment to move. Her body was in a sprint before her mind could comprehend what just happened, moving at a run through the changing trees dissolving into the colors of red and black. The red so strange she knew what it was even before her steps splashed in a puddle of it. Red was the color of blood. The question was whose blood had it been that was spilled to change the color of trees.

Nartake knew something was wrong the moment he decided to take a stroll through the halls of the hidden castle. He felt it when the air got cold and knew deep within something had ensued. It was only a matter of time before he understood what truly was passing. Sakura was screaming through the stone walls, only a fool wouldn't be able to hear it. It was a scream of death, a cry of anguish. Nartake used his strength to break down her door which had been locked and stood frozen in shock at the sight before him. Even in the dark of the room, he could make out her thrashing form in the large bed. Alone she cried, alone she moved from edge to edge like someone was chocking her but he couldn't make out anyone else in the room. He could sense something was wrong, but for her to have a nightmare as bad as she was, he didn't believe it. Footsteps could be heard behind him, running in the direction of her room as well. Ignoring the help, he went to her side immediately and held her shoulders down before she caused harm to herself. The moment his bare hands touched her shoulder, he felt the sweat of her anguish. Trying to wake her was a failure and with all the medical knowledge that he knew, waking one from such a nightmare was near impossible; she needed to wake up on her own.

"What's wrong?" Nakuru seethed, entering the room with an unsheathed sword. In her other hand was a covered candle, too dimly lit to make out features but from the tone of her voice, he knew she was frightened. Nartake shook his head, not sure how to answer what couldn't already be seen. Dressed in nothing but her breast band and a cloth that wrapped around her middle, Nakuru realized too soon, answered her own question. "Can't you wake her?"

"If I could, this one would already be wake." Nartake calmly said, feeling Sakura's body bunch up under his hold. Whatever she was dreaming of, he could tell she was fighting it. Bringing the candle over, Nakuru sat in the space next to Nartake and gingerly touched the girl's forehead.

"I wonder what she's dreaming about?" a new voice spoke, entering the room silently. Nartake glanced darkly at the rogue as he entered. Koji's own look was shadowed, his expressions hidden beneath the stone emotions he felt at the moment.

"Cherry Blossom has not rested since her time in the country of Avalon. This one has many worries even now that her brother is not what he should be." Nartake spoke, making Nakuru arch a brow at the funny way of expressing such words. Koji was unfazed, keeping his distance by the bed post.

Sakura could hear voices echoing in her head as she ran. Her bare feet splashed against liquid that was no longer known. The dark substance smelled like water, but the feel of it between her toes and on her skin told her otherwise. She couldn't stop running though, something kept her forward, and she had a feeling if she tried to stop now she wouldn't be able to. Heart racing, she had the sudden urge to vomit from the run. The voices wouldn't stop, telling her something she couldn't understand. Of all the languages she spoke, this one was foreign to her. The thought didn't even bother her, which she couldn't understand what the voices said. Her own mind told her to keep running. By now her legs were becoming sore, the gross feeling of the liquid beneath her feet ignored. The scenery hadn't changed, the bizarre color of the trees never changing. It was almost like all the running she was doing was in place. All the trees were the same height, the same color, the same shape. Nothing was changing except for her body. She was becoming tired, sore, and scared. Why was she becoming scared? As if that notion brought about the change, something ahead began to become lighter. Breathing hard, Sakura stared, eyes sharp as she tried deciphering what was in front of her.

A scream escaped her throat, so loud it hurt even her own ears. Before her, against a stone wall covered in lanterns and unshielded candle sticks was Syaoran. Sticking out from his shoulders were blades foreign to anything she'd ever seen before. The serrated edges shaded the color of blood and dripping slowly down to the floor. Her answer before about whose blood it had been was easily answered now. Sakura was by his side in an instant, hands shaky as she tried pulling the blades out of his body. Nothing budged, nothing moved, and she instantly became frustrated. Tears cloudy her vision she let out another cry, this time of anguish deep within her throat. It hurt, the sound, but she ignored it as she lifted her body up. Body shaky from the run, she planted both feet on both side of Syaoran's body and yanked. The blood coated the stone walls, the floor, and the blade; making it that much harder to keep a hold on the object. Tears sliding down her face, she pulled, heaving out a cry at the same time she used all the strength she possessed. Slowly the blade began to budge and Syaoran let out his own cry in answer. Eyes wide she stopped, letting her body fall to the floor in a splash.

"It's no use," a voice told her, echoing off the walls. Still lying in the puddle of blood she stared up at the body that hid in the shadows. Squinting, her chest rising quickly as life came back into her lungs she leaped to her feet. "It's no use," the voice repeated.

"What have you done to Syaoran!?" she cried, fists balled at her side. The shadow remained hidden, moving every time she tried to see clearly.

"It's no use," was the reply. Swearing and crying, Sakura went back to Syaoran and tried it again. The voice continued to repeat the simple words, never changing. Syaoran's cry as the blade slid made her scream even louder. She had to pull it out; she couldn't just let him stay against the wall any longer. "You know how to fix it," the voice then spoke, just as she slipped in a haze of tears. Her body fell backwards but didn't land, continuing backwards in a phase of black and red and tears. "You know how to fix it, Sakura."

"SHUT UP!" her voice, so loud hurt her ears as she attacked. Hands numb, grasped onto her dagger hidden beneath her pillow and she tossed it, not seeing. In her field of vision was a darkness she thought was part of her dream. As the thrown blade embedded with a thump against a wall she froze. Slowly her vision cleared, puzzling together bodies familiar to her. "What…?"

"Sakura, are you alright?" her body stiffened at the voice, eyes forming Nartake and Nakuru easily. Hands and feet numb to the chill of the room, she looked around. Nakuru moved forward, hands drawn out in surrender. "Sweetie…" her tone of voice was uncertain, soft. Sakura turned her gaze to the shadow that moved to the left, seeing Koji yank out her tossed dagger; her only dagger.

"Tiyùe quleas bãktêl?" (What's wrong?) Nartake asked just as quietly. It took Sakura a moment to calm her nerves, letting her breathing become regular, heart beat slowing down considerably. The dream fresh in her mind spooked her though, and she didn't know how to explain to the three bodies in her room what just passed. She didn't know if she could explain to her own racing mind what had just passed. Seeing the concerned looks from each face, Sakura couldn't help but grip her chest then and cry. Body crumbling, she landed in a heap on the cold floor. Syaoran's bleeding and stuck corpse was fresh in her mind as she closed her eyes, letting whoever grip her around the shoulders in comfort. She could see everything so clear in her mind.

"I think we have chamomile tea." Nakuru said softly, feet soft as she left the room. Sakura opened her eyes to blink back the tears, head splitting from pain. Once again, Nartake asked her what was wrong, whispering in her ear that language of his people, a language that sounded like a flute to Sakura. When hands made to lift her off the floor she shook her head, wanting to remain still.

"Koji," she turned, searching the dimly lit room for the rogue. He stood against her bed post, fingers playing with the dagger amusedly. She had a feeling the dagger had been aimed at him. Squishing the thought, she sniffed snot back up her nose and eyed him warily. "What did you mean I would change history?"

"What shit, princess, if that's what ye dreamt of then…"

"Just answer the question." She snapped her voice cracking as she put authority into it.

"To put it bluntly, ye kingdom Loire had perished right under ye nose. No one has taken its unguarded land, except for Prince Cree but he and his people took Greenland Island. Being a descendant with blood of royalty, ye automatically get Loire. My lord is dying, he can not fight against the men that want Loire for their own but ye can." She made to say something but stopped, chest tight at the horror of her dream. She knew how to fix it, but Syaoran was in her dream, what did he have to do with anything? Koji continued, kneeling down so he was eye level with her. "Princess Sakura of Loire, thief princess of the Greenland Isles, and Queen of that eastern clan hidden in the dark forest; ye will change history." Dagger dangling from his fingers, Koji let the blade tough his exposed finger lightly before handing it back to her hilt first. "Get some rest, whoever that Syaoran lad ye screamed about wouldn't want to see ye like this."

Sakura's eyes grew at the mention of that, watching as Koji got to his feet and left the room. Nartake, still holding her around the shoulders, waited patiently before she got to her feet as well. Not only did she attack someone, thrown her dagger, but she also screamed out Syaoran's name? Accepting Nartake's help she got the kinks out of her knees, the chill of the night drafting up her body. Nakuru came in with a hot mug of tea, the steam clouding her face as she handed it gently to her. Thankful for the support and slightly embarrassed by the turn of events, she sat on the edge of the bed. "I'm sorry, did I…hurt anyone?" she asked the two that stood before her.

"Well the damn rogue thought he could wake you up." Nakuru said easily, a grin rising on her lips. "I'm assuming you do this a lot, the tea leaves are especially made for relieving stress. My father used to be an herbalist until he passed, so I have some knowledge about teas."

"Thank you," Sakura sighed, leaning her head against the post. Changing history, huh? Well Koji, I guess I have to if I want my homeland to return back to normal.

…

….

…

Sakura stared out the picture window, watching as the King of rogues and his thief companion left the gates of Touya's fief. The cloudless sky seemed to have parted ways for them, giving the two an escape to return to the city. Holding her stomach, she felt a strange sort of guilt feeling deep within, watching them leave. Koji hadn't said he was departing, hadn't spoken to her since the incident in her room. The sun had been out for awhile now and no matter how she felt she couldn't' bring her self either to apologize for attacking or thank him for bringing her to her brother. After dressing and ignoring even Nartake, she had finally found herself to visit Touya in the library. It had seemed it was her brother's favorite place to be because of all the windows and smell of musty leather bound books. Staring out the window, she pressed her hand to the glass, watching as the two rogues galloped quickly through the gates, easily disappearing behind the walls, no longer in sight. She wondered if it had been her that drove him to leave and easily felt all the more guilty. A soft knock sounded on the door and she turned, smiling kindly as the old man, she'd learned was the butler and caregiver for Touya, entered with a tray of drinks and food.

"Lady Ruby and Lady Naoko are in the dining room eating, they wanted to give you some time alone my lord." The old man spoke, placing the tray on a small round table before Touya. Giving one more glance at the window, Sakura walked to the empty chair by the hearth and sat.

"Thank you," Touya's voice was calm and warm, easing Sakura's doubts. He hadn't changed since she was little and for that she was grateful, even if his looks did. As the door shut with a pang behind the old man, Touya leaned forward with a familiar feel and snatched a bread roll. "Nakuru tells me you had a nightmare."

"Did she also tell you I attacked Koji for it?" her words were sharp as she took up the hot tea, letting her hands warm around the goblet. Touya laughed, nodding his head as he bit into his bread.

"Unfortunately, the King of rogues knows were to stick his nose where it doesn't belong. I'm sure his pride wasn't hurt that much, it being you attacking and not some other female." It was strange to see him smile, the haze of his blind eyes crinkling at the corners. Sakura looked away, letting her gaze find something to train on. "What was your nightmare about?" she said nothing, uncomfortable about remembering the blood and the trees. "You don't have to tell me, it just pains me to know you have such horrifying nightmares that bring you to attack in your sleep."

"I've gone through a lot, Touya." She said quietly, sipping the tea. The warm liquid hit her stomach with a soothing taste and she sighed in bliss. She was beginning to like Nakuru's many teas.

"Want to tell me about that?"

"Ha! No, I've lived through it once; I don't need to relive it again." She laughed lightly, snatching her own bread roll. "It wasn't as bad once I got away from those…monsters. The clan that saved me brought me up like I was there own."

"I'm told you have a tattoo of rank."

"You were told a lot, I'm assuming." She didn't once blink, surprised at where the conversation had turned. Though her words were soft, she didn't want to talk about what Touya hadn't been able to protect her from. Sensing it, she watched as her brother lost his amused grin, taking up his own tea with careful hands.

"Sakura, if I could I would have gone back to protect you. A young girl like yourself shouldn't be able to know the feeling of killing and blood shed." Stubbornly she turned away, not wanting to see the look of knowing written across his face. "If my memory doesn't precede me, don't give me that look. I know what I'm talking about." Sakura fumed, eyes narrowing as she gasped in horror. The sound only made him laugh, the sound soothing to the awkwardness.

"So how much did the king of rogues tell you, my dear brother?" she found herself asking, the moment of truth weighing on her as she sat back in the large leather chair. Touya seemed to have sensed something as he shifted positions, sipping his own warm liquid carefully.

"Actually, Koji was slight when it came to you but Nakuru noticed your personality and well, your bodyguard if that's what you would call Nartake." Placing the tea down, Touya crossed his arms, head moving slightly in search of her voice. "Sakura, I'm dying I know that and you have to come to terms about it. We all want Loire to be revived with the rightful ruler at its heart but I can not do that with this body so frail. In my search for you, Koji had reminded me that the goal of the matter is taking back Loire and knowing the people with which I can not do because father had passed on."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm told you became the Queen of the eastern clan, the tribes hidden within the forests of Greenland Island. From what I gathered with help, no one not even our father knew much about them. King Fujitaka had kept them at bay simply by making peace and not hunting in their territory. What of now? No one rules that land, I spoke with Nartake and his story of how much blood shed has passed between bandits, the clans, and the villagers has gradually risen since the fall of Loire." Sakura remained silent as he went into prince mode, a side of him she hadn't thought she'd see in a really long time; eight years to be exact. "You know so much of the land, far more then even our ancestors before us. Sakura you can change history if you fight and bring back Loire to its rightful reign."

"Change…why is everyone saying this!" Sakura exploded, getting to her feet in a clatter of knocking her foot on the table. The tea spilled, dripping off the edge as she fumed. "What if I don't want to change history, what if I just want to finally be here with you, Touya?"

"What would you do once I leave this world?" Touya asked, remaining calm.

"I don't know, but has anyone ever stopped to think what I wanted, just once? I went eight years living on my own, trying to find you and when I managed that one thing you and all want to take it away from me again!" moving away from the chair she stomped her way back to the window, agitated, before coming back in a flurry of skirts. "Just because I suddenly hold so many titles, doesn't mean I want to keep them."

"What titles are those?" Touya's calmness eered her and she had half a mind to scream her frustration but didn't, her heart racing as she boiled over. "As your brother, I'm asking you to think about the options for the future. As King by default to a country that no longer belongs to us, I'm asking you to return our ancestry back. Think about it Sakura, what would father have wanted for you?"

"Don't pull that card on me." she whispered eyes casted down as she listened to him. He was right in so many ways, it scared her. Koji's words scared her, even the words of her friends and Naoko's –everyone knew. "I'm only nineteen, how am I to restore such…god, how would I rule that kingdom by myself? Did they tell you all about me being Queen of the eastern clan, did he?" Sakura clenched her hands into fists, nails tight against her flesh. "I left them to rot; I left them without a care that tradition called for me to pick a new ruler. I couldn't be their queen and I sure as hell can't be the queen of Loire. I just can't do it, I'm sorry."

"Then don't," she stared at him, mouth opened.

"W-what…"

"Sakura, sit down." His words were sharp making her obey in a moment's hesitation. Soon as she was seated at the edge of the chair, he reached out for her hands hesitantly. His large ones overlapped her small ones with just one hand, the warm feeling of his body raising the hairs on her arm. "Look, I want you to think about this. It's a lot to take in and I'm sure it's giving you a headache; you never did take information to heart as a kid. For the sake of our name and for the sake of the people of the Greenland Isle, they need a ruler they can trust. Prince Cree has his own agenda and Galore has theirs; I'm sure King Xiao Lang will find out soon enough of Loire and what then? The people of the Greenland Isle need you, someone they already know so much about to help them."

"You want me to become queen," she said flatly making him chuckle.

"I've sent the King of Rogues to Avalon, it's a three days ride from here. He's going to find out what he can about galore and whether or not the King has made a verdict on our homeland." Releasing her hands, Touya sat back. "Think about it, please Sakura."

"Fine, I'll think about it but I'm not promising anything. I'm running out of those." Her sigh brought a smile to her lips, leaning back in the chair, legs outstretched before her. "God, you're still a pain in my ass big brother." They both laughed in unison, warming her heart a tad bit more as she let her thoughts linger on his proposition to become Queen.

To be continued…

Sweetness, so next Chapter is about Syaoran and his luck on trying to figure out the truth.