Syaoron and Rena stood from their seats holding hands, and Rena ran from the room. Syaoron went after her, and the others left the throne room; Syaoran and Sakura headed for the lounge to rest in front of the fire alone and to calm down.

"Syaoran, don't leave me ok?" Sakura whispered. She was shaking and he realised that back in the throne room it had taken everything she had to keep herself together.

"I won't." he said softly, "I swear I'll always be here for you." He said.

She feared what could happen and how she could lose him. She could hardly bear the thought of it. She remembered Aryanna's comment about Syaoran's sister, Sora, and she felt saddened. "I'm sorry about what happened to your sister." She said quietly.

He hugged her tightly, and she kissed his cheek. "I'm sure everything will be alright." She said. She was trying to convince herself that it would be alright, as well as comfort her husband.

"Thank you Sakura." He smiled softly.

Rena stopped running when she was out of breath and turned to face Syaoron, who had just caught up. She had tears running down her face, and he walked up to wipe them away for her.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"I can't stand that woman-she's constantly destroying countless lives, and now she's taken a whole new interest in Sakura because she's pregnant!" she cried.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"Didn't you see the look on her face when she noticed Sakura was pregnant? She was thinking of some sort of plan, and I'm scared." Rena said.

"Sakura won't let anything happen to herself or her child. Come on, let's go lie down for a while." He said, kissing her.

"Ok…"

But Rena wasn't so sure-she knew what she had seen. The look on Aryanna's face when she had laid eyes on Sakura, and the look of strange new interest. What could it have possibly been about Sakura's child that she was so interested in?

Orders had been sent out to ready for war, and Syaoran had called on the aid of Sid. As Syaoran watched the messenger bird fly off with the letter from the top of the bird tower, he noticed Sakura behind him.

"I'm sorry it has to come to this." He said.

"I'm not angry," she said softly, "This might sound a little weird, but I'm a little relieved." She said.

"How so? I'm so frightened for my family I can hardly think." He said quietly.

"Because I'm one step closer to being truly free."

He turned to find her crying and pulled her into a gentle hug. "I promise to end this." He said.

"I know. But, you're not allowed to get yourself killed out there, understand?" she said softly.

"I know." He replied with a soft smile.

"Hey you two! Get your arses down here!" Rena shouted from the bottom of the tower.

Sakura rolled her eyes, "How I love my sister." She sighed.

He laughed and took her hand, "Come on, everyone's waiting." He said, and led her down the stairs.

Rena rolled her eyes, "Geez, I know we're at war and everything, but we can still have some fun." She complained.

"Yeah I know-calm down." Sakura laughed.

"No! Today we're another year older-you know, nineteen? We've survived another year sister-this is great news!" Rena said.

"Well aren't you being a little dramatic." Sakura muttered.

"Come on-have some fun!" Rena said.

"You realise your dress is falling down, right?" Sakura said dully as they walked.

Rena stopped and looked down, and Syaoran snorted. There wasn't anything wrong with her dress at all. "Hey-that wasn't very nice!"

"Sorry sweet sister, but you said to have some fun." Sakura winked.

"Darn…" Rena muttered.

"We'll meet you in the lounge!" Sakura called out as Rena stopped at the door.

"Ok!" She replied cheerfully.

Syaoran smiled, "How many times are you going to pick on her?"

Sakura giggled, "You do realise that it's just another part of who I am, right?"

"Of course I know." He said.

"Then you'll have to deal with it." Sakura laughed.

He groaned as she pulled him along to the bedroom, where Yuui was waiting impatiently. "Sorry to keep you." Sakura smiled.

"Whatever, get inside." He muttered. He seemed to be in a bit more of a foul mood ever since the meeting with Queen Aryanna and the declaration of war. Syaoran sat in silence as Yuui checked over Sakura; he was bothered by what Aryanna had said about Sora, but he was afraid of asking.

"What's on your mind?" Yuui finally asked.

"What?"

"You've got that look on your face where something is bothering you. So what is it?" He asked.

Syaoran sighed. "It's something Aryanna said about Sora, about her being pregnant." He said.

Yuui sighed heavily. "To tell the truth, it was the second time she had fallen pregnant. We lost our first before the twelve week mark, before we could announce it. When she died, it was right around the time when we were about to tell you and the others." Yuui explained quietly, saddened by the memory.

"Why didn't you ever tell us of the miscarriage?" Syaoran asked.

"Sora didn't want to drag you through the dirt with her. You were fifteen at the time, and had just lost your parents the year before, so she thought it best to keep it quiet." Yuui said.

"I'm sorry about your loss…" Sakura said quietly.

"I don't think she had any regrets in her last moments. You know, she made the worst pun before she died. I almost can't believe it, but it's just like her to do something like that." Yuui smiled.

Syaoran laughed, "You're right; Sora always was one to joke around in the most serious of times. I never realised exactly how much I missed her; I wonder what she would say if she were here…" he said.

Sakura smiled sadly. She had met Sora once when she was younger at a ball, and from what she had experienced she was a lovely person. She was a strong leader, protective of her country and her family. There was no doubt in Sakura's mind that she didn't go down without a vicious fight.

"When I heard that Sakura might be pregnant, I don't know, I guess I felt…excited for you." The doctor admitted.

Syaoran and Sakura smiled, "Thank you," Syaoran said.

Yuui sighed, "You should get to the lounge. Happy birthday you two." He said, and then left the room.

Sakura rubbed her stomach and smiled. "Well, everything's fine for now." She said.

"That's good." He smiled back.

She fell silent for a moment, and her smile fell. "Syaoran…how old were you when your sister died?" she asked quietly.

Syaoran sighed and looked up at the roof, "I think I was sixteen." He answered quietly.

"I'm sorry…"

He walked over to her and kissed her softly as he sat beside her. "Come on, the others are waiting." He said. She nodded and they stood, heading for the lounge where the others were waiting for them.

A couple of hours had passed, and Syaoron had disappeared from the noisy group in the lounge to the royal gardens; he sat in front of his sisters' grave, lost in his memories of the day that she was taken from the world.

"Hey."

He looked over his shoulder to see Syaoran standing behind him and he sighed. "It's been five years." He said. "I never realised how fast time could go by."

"It does feel that way, doesn't it?" Syaoran murmured.

"I hate our birthday. It just brings back every memory I'd rather forget." Syaoron muttered.

"I know, but you can still make new memories with your friends and family. Rena's worried about you; she's wondering where you are." Syaoran replied.

"I know, but it doesn't make it any easier. What do you think Sora would do if she were here?" he asked his brother.

"Sora probably wouldn't have hesitated to kill her right then and there in the throne room." Syaoran replied. "What brought you out here, anyway? You haven't been here since her funeral."

"To be honest I don't know. Maybe it's because of what that bitch said the other day-about Sora being pregnant."

"I see…" Syaoran murmured.

"How's Sakura coping with all of this? Yuui saw her this morning, right?"

"Sakura's doing surprisingly well considering that when she first came to us she was a broken heap. I didn't expect her to scream at Aryanna either; I think she's healed more than any of us realise." Syaoran replied.

"Well, that's a relief then." Syaoron said as he stood. "I suppose I should get back to Rena; I don't want her to worry too much."

"I'll see you up there then. I think I might stay for a little bit." Syaoran said. His brother nodded and headed back to the castle, while he stayed. "Sora…what would you do if you were in my position?" he wondered aloud, looking up at the darkening sky.

Rena lay in bed later that night with Syaoron, who had propped himself up on his elbows so he could see her face better. He smoothed some hair back from her sweaty skin and she closed her eyes against his touch. Her pulse was still racing from their moments earlier, her body weak from pleasure. "How are you feeling?" he asked softly.

"Amazing…" she smiled.

He chuckled, "You know that's not what I meant."

She smiled cheekily, "I know." She said, and kissed him.

"Playing the seductress now, are we?" He smiled as she reached between them and cupped his length.

"Maybe…" She smiled as he took her hands and held them both in his. He kissed her powerfully and cupped her breast with his hand, massaging it and squeezing gently. She moaned and arched her back, spreading her legs to give him access to her core. He easily slid into her, receiving a moan of pure bliss from her. He tantalised and teased her, knew every button to push to pleasure her. She cried out as her muscles seized, clamping down around him and bringing him over the edge. A bead of sweat rolled down his temple and he pulled out of her, laying down beside her and pulling her into his arms.

"I don't want to have to leave you." He said, placing his hand against her cheek.

"Who said you were leaving me?" She asked.

"Rena, it's a war. All of the men are going to be fighting-including me." He said.

"What? You think I'm going to sit back with the rest of the women and children and be frightened? No!" She cried.

"Rena, you can't fight in the war; you must be kept safe." He said.

"Don't go forcing gender roles onto me-this is my fight too; that bitch has screwed me over long enough. I want to fight." Rena said fiercely.

He sighed, "Have you ever killed someone before?"

"I'm not like my sister, who's a healer. I'm more suited to fighting." She said.

"Don't dodge my question." He said.

She fell silent and he stroked her cheek. "It's in a woman's nature to care for others. It's why you give life to children. It's not in a woman's nature to kill anyone." He said.

"And it is for men?" she asked quietly.

"Sweet pea…" he whispered, a tear crawling down his cheek.

"I don't think I could bear it if you didn't come back home alive. I need to know that I'm doing everything I can to keep my family from harm." She whispered, a gentle smile wavering on her lips.

He sighed and rested his forehead against hers, "How can I say no to that?" he said. "I'll speak with my brother about it."

She kissed him softly, "Thank you." She said, and then she closed her eyes and fell asleep beside him.

The council members argued and fought over Rena fighting in the war; many said it was absurd for a woman to fight, while others argued that her magic could be of use. Syaoran, his brother and Yuui all sat in silence, stunned at how such a topic could bring about such destruction. Fai had been sent as a messenger to go and speak with Sid in case the letter didn't make it to his hands, and Kurogane didn't seem to care much about the topic.

Finally, fed up with the shouting and arguing, Syaoran slammed his hand down on the table. "Shut up, all of you!" he shouted. Everyone fell silent and took their seats once again. "Thank you." He said calmly.

"Now, in regards to Princess Rena fighting in the war; Syaoron, are you sure about this?" Syaoran turned to his brother who smiled sadly.

"I've already argued with Rena over this, so if I wasn't sure then I wouldn't have brought it up. Who am I to dictate her role?" he said.

"But your grace, Princess Rena is a young lady; she's not built for battle." Anne spoke.

"My brother is right; who are we to dictate her role simply because she's a woman? Sora would have torn you down without hesitation Anne, and she was excellent with both sword and magic. Would she have hesitated to defend her country?" Syaoran pointed out sharply.

"Her highness Queen Sora was a full grown and matured woman; Princess Rena is still a child." She argued.

"Princess Rena is nineteen. If she is still a child, then what does that make my wife?" Syaoran snapped angrily. Anne fell silent. "I will not stop her from fighting in this war, but let her know of all of the risks involved." Syaoran told his brother.

"Thank you."

"You're all dismissed." Syaoran ordered, and everyone slowly moved and disappeared out of the council chambers. Syaoran walked with his brother, heading towards the lounge where the girls were waiting, and sighed. "Sakura's going to murder me when she finds out I'm allowing her sister to fight." He said.

"Perhaps." His brother shrugged. "I guess you're about to find out."

They entered the lounge where Sakura was sitting on the couch looking a little stressed and Rena looked tired.

"Sakura-"

"It's ok, Rena told me what she wanted to do." Sakura stopped her husband from speaking, "What was the final decision?"

Syaoran sighed, "I'll allow her to fight on the condition she knows what she's getting herself into." He said.

"Then that's good enough for me." She whispered, and then stood to walk with Syaoran so that his brother could speak with Rena.

As they walked holding hands, Syaoran looked to Sakura to see how angry she was. She didn't look angry, but rather calm instead. "Sakura, aren't you angry?" He asked.

"What's the point in being angry with you?" She laughed. "Rena's stubborn, and she's protective of everyone she loves. She's not the type to hide behind a wall and wait for it to pass. She'd rather fight it head on with everything she's got." Sakura explained softly.

"I see…" He murmured.

She smiled. "I don't plan on doing nothing either, you know." She said. He stopped, momentarily frightened by what she was about to say. "I can't fight, and I don't have it in me to kill, but I can heal and look after the injured and the children." She said softly.

He smiled with relief. "You scared me for a minute there." He laughed.

"Did I?" She giggled.

"Yeah, but it's ok." He said.

"If worse comes to worst, I'll be our last line of defence. I have faith in the strength of our men, and in you, but you never know what will happen." Sakura said softly.

Syaoran rested his head against hers and inhaled her sweet scent, "Thank you, my love."

Syaoron sat with Rena, having just spoken to her about the risks involved in the war, and that she was going to have to follow orders. "I understand the risks involved; I'm not a naïve child." She said.

"I know, but I have to make sure you know everything." He said softly.

She sighed, "I see. What will be happening with the women and children?" she asked.

"There's an evacuation order that's been sent out; everyone that can fight is to report to the castle, and the women and children will be moved to Forte Emerald. Of course, we'll be going too as the women and children need to be kept safe." He explained.

"Why are we moving?" She asked.

"Forte Emerald has stronger defences, and is much bigger. It's not as nice but it will do." He said.

"I see. When do we leave?" Rena asked.

"In a few days. You're going to need to pack some things in the next few days." He replied.

"I understand." She said. "How long does it take to get there?"

"About a month."

Rena sighed. That long? "That'll be fun…" she mumbled.

He stood, "I've got to go help the townsmen prepare. I suggest you start figuring out what you want to take." He said, and then left.

Rena looked out the window; it was raining heavily and thunder rolled through. It was going to be a long war…

Sakura was in the bedroom alone as she packed bags and sorted clothes; Syaoran was busy with the war council and helping the men ready their horses. They were to leave the next day for Forte Emerald on the long trip, and Sakura hoped nothing happened to them on the way. There was a knock at the door, followed by the voice of a maid. "Your grace, Lord Yuui is here to see you."

"Come in." Sakura called out.

The door opened and she winced as she sat down. "What's wrong?" Yuui asked as he noticed.

"Nothing, it's just my stomach." She replied. "What can I do for you?"

Yuui took a seat across from her, "I came to let you know that I'll be keeping a close eye on both you and Syaoran during this next month." He said.

She smiled. "Thank you, but it really isn't necessary."

He seemed confused. "Syaoran hasn't told you?"

"Told me what?" She asked.

"He's told me that symptoms are appearing again; he's not feeling too well." He answered.

Sakura looked to her knees. He had been a bit more moodier lately, and he'd been sleeping more. She stopped herself from crying and nodded. "Alright, I understand." She said. "I will talk to him later."

"I wanted to ask how you're coping with all of this." He said.

"To be honest, as soon as I started to recover, I knew that this would have to end in war." Sakura said softly. "I'm scared, and I've learnt that that's ok, but I don't understand Aryanna or her bloodlust." She whispered.

Yuui smiled a little, "I understand, your grace."

"Yuui, why do you choose to suffer on your own?" Sakura asked.

He looked at her, stunned.

"With everything I've been through, I never would have thought I'd be able to trust and open up to someone again. When Syaoran started taking care of me and helped me back onto my feet, I realised I didn't have to be alone anymore. I'll always love him for that." She said softly.

He sighed. He'd forgotten how much Sakura had changed in the last year. "Because I'm scared of losing the people I love." He replied quietly.

"There's no point in pushing them away; you just end up getting hurt more in the end." Sakura smiled softly.

He sighed, "I better go help Syaoran with the townsmen; if you need anything just call." He said.

"Thank you. Can you tell Syaoran I want to talk to him when he has some free time? And tell him I'm not angry." She asked.

"Great, now I'm a servant." He muttered.

She smiled and he rolled his eyes as he left. When he had left she returned to packing her garments with a new weight of guilt on her shoulders, but she did not cry.

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