Inscribed in the Blade Chapter 36: The Verdict, a card captor sakura fanfic

Disclaimer: Card Captor Sakura is strictly property of Clamp.

I'm sorry for missing last week's update, but I thank you all for being patient.

Well, here it is, the school year has officially started… so really, it's a very good thing that I'm almost done! I hope you've all been looking forward to this chapter… because I think we have only one more left – plus an epilogue, if I feel up to it.

Enjoy!

Inscribed in the Blade

Chapter Thirty Six

There was a stir as slowly the previously motionless figure lying on the futon began to move. Collectively, everyone present breathed a huge sigh of relief and some men quietly excused themselves from the room to inform the others of the development.

Sakura grasped the frighteningly white and thin hand in her own. Emerald eyes waited patiently until finally a pair of exhausted, blue-gray pupils tiredly met her own. Her eyes watered slightly. "Yukito-san," she whispered, horrified that he looked so deathly pale yet so, so, so relieved he was finally conscious. Her grip tightened slightly. "Yukito-san, how are you feeling?"

The hand squeezed weakly back. "Please do not worry about me, Sakura-chan," he answered slowly and with effort. "You know that I would never leave you behind like that." His expression became a bit more solemn. "Even though I could not move, I have been listening to your conversations. Thank you for visiting me every day. More importantly though, you need to be strong today. I'm sorry that I couldn't be there with you."

Sakura stiffened slightly. As if she could forget what morning it was. Still, now wasn't the time to cause her injured friend any concern. "You do not need to worry about me either, Yukito-san. I will be fine. Just concentrate on getting well… please." The wet droplets threatened to spill over onto her cheeks – there was just so much going on, Yukito-san was finally awake… and then there was her trial - but Sakura held them resolutely in. Her makeup, her war paint, was already in place, and any tears would ruin its majestic effect immediately. Where she was going next, she couldn't afford to be anything less than perfect.

"Yukito-san," a deep voice said from next to her. "It is good that you are finally able to open your eyes. You must be tired though. Should I send for some water?"

Blue-gray pupils glanced gratefully up at the male standing next to her. "Arigatou, Syaoran-kun. That sounds very nice at the moment."

The small cup of clear liquid was next to him in less than a minute, and a small team of doctors began ushering the visitors out the door.

"Come," Syaoran said finally, turning to Sakura and offering her his hand. Her forced smile was much more of a grimace as she stood and followed him reluctantly away from Yukito-san's bedside. She hesitated by the door.

"Yukito-san?" she asked softly.

"Yes, Sakura-chan?" he murmured from behind the bustling people caring for him.

Sakura wasn't sure what to say. "I will come to see you later, okay?"

"Perhaps I will come see you later," he joked with praiseworthy energy. He knew her well.

"Okay," she said before leaving.

Amber eyes took in her nervous countenance. "Perhaps I shouldn't have let you see him after all. You're too jumpy."

"No," she said, shaking her head. Her hand found its way into his firm, reassuring grip and she let out a long sigh. "I'm so relieved that he's… that he's just alive. But, Syaoran… did you see how thin he was?"

"He lost quite a lot of blood, but the doctors here at the Academy are among the best. If they've deemed he will recover, then he will, and likely rather quickly. You have nothing to worry about. Even Mizushita's family…"

Mizushita was the name of the boy who had withstood four brutal slashes of Gaoran's blade, and had given his life trying to protect her. Sakura's head bowed slightly with the weight of the memory and guilt. "They forgave me… but I still… that boy died for me, Syaoran! He died defending me! How--" she struggled for the words to describe the desperation rising in her chest. "I don't… I wish-"

"Nothing is going to change the fact that he is gone, Sakura," he told her gently. "But Mizushita did not die for you to be tried for treason. Keep your head level. You have something very important hanging in the balance this morning."

Sakura glanced up at him nervously. "I thought you said you wouldn't let them do anything to me?"

Syaoran leaned down and pressed a warm kiss to her temple, his hands playing with the shortened strands of her hair. "I won't. I promise. By the way, I rather like this haircut of yours. You look very different – but nice. I do miss getting to run my hands through its length though."

The sudden change in subject made Sakura laugh a little, and a bit of the tension in her shoulders disappeared. "You… are horrible. How could you tease me about my boyish haircut right now?"

"You've never looked like a boy, not even when you were trying to act like one in the Academy," Syaoran grunted. Sakura glared up at him, knowing that he was still making fun of her. "Plus, no one could mistake you for a male today in that getup."

Sakura blanched. "Yes, well, I wasn't the one who decided what ceremonial robes ought to look like. It's not my fault if you don't like them."

"You look beautiful and dignified," said Syaoran. "But you are what makes the clothes stunning. Don't slouch just because it's heavy, Sakura."

"I'm not even in front of all the nobles yet!" she protested, her face flaming at his sudden compliments. "I can slouch if I want to!"

He snorted.

When they reached the inner chamber of the building her trial would be taking place in, Sakura took a deep breath as Syaoran gave her hand one more squeeze and went into the room before her. Instantly, a couple maids rushed over to her and helped straighten out her extravagant clothing and touched up her face paint. Yelan-sama had probably arranged this last-minute freshen-up session for her. Sakura felt a stiffness paralyze her body, limbs, lungs, and all, and she didn't even remember to thank the attendants once they were finished.

Sakura shifted slightly as she stared at her reflection in the mirror they were holding up in front of her. It was as close to perfect as she was going to get, and for the first time, the young girl was truly glad to be wearing such formal attire. She was going to need to give the best impression possible. She didn't want to lose this.

There was a slight stirring among the many seated nobles in the room as the only daughter of the high-ranking Kinomoto family stepped gracefully into the room. On impulse, everyone rose to their feet in respectful greeting. That afternoon, she was the very picture of blue-blooded aristocracy, with her face painted beautifully and her lovely, colorful juni-hitoe flowing in vibrant layers around her. Even her hair, which was startlingly short, cropped to just above her shoulder, looked elegant when adorned with the many silver and jeweled hairpieces befitting a female of her rank.

Syaoran eyed his fiancée with growing pride. They had been very busy that week, renewing their engagement, this time as Li Syaoran and Kinomoto Sakura, making the arrangements for the many trials that would have to be held, and even extending a branch of peace to the South. Many people were nervous and unsure of what was going to happen. The tension had been so thick that Sakura had felt stifled.

There was no tension in this room, however, save for perhaps her own anxiety and the anxiousness of her friends. The nobles in the room looked mostly curious. She walked in, unescorted, and strode smoothly to the center of the room before flourishing a pretty bow. "Good evening, honored nobles of the court," she stated respectfully.

An elderly man at the front of the room waved his hand, and everyone but Sakura sat down once again.

"Kinomoto Sakura," he began, and Sakura gave a little nod. "You have been called here today on the charges of impersonating a male and entering the Elite Northern Military Academy. Are you aware of this?"

"Y-Yes." Sakura forced herself to remain composed. Rank and poise were her best weapons here. Emerald eyes rose to meet the judge's gaze in a level stare, but inside her knees were shaking. "I do not deny what you are accusing me of," she said clearly. Immediately, there were shocked whispers and small noises of disapproval, but the small female pressed on. "However, I do demand to know why I have been brought to court for it. I have committed no crime."

The judge's eyes flared. "Am I to understand that you were not aware that enrolling into the Northern Academy under false pretenses is a crime deserving of high punishment?"

Sakura felt her throat go dry with nervousness, but she kept her face expressionless. It was becoming easier to do so – constant contact with Syaoran was beginning to rub off on her. "No," she continued crisply. "But you have left out the significant factors, which demanded that my actions be carried through."

"Your reasons and excuses are of no consequence," the elderly male crackled irritably. He turned to the nobles sitting around him as witnesses. "That you have committed this crime is enough. As you have already given your confession, Kinomoto Sakura, we need hear no more."

Need hear no more? It was over? Sakura's heart plummeted. She'd messed up.

He continued, ignoring her silent agony down below. "As judge of this court, I-"

"As a noble lady of Japan and as the fiancée of the heir to the Li Clan, I believe that Kinomoto Sakura-sama has a right to speak," Yelan interrupted coldly. "Surely you are not denying her birthright, Seijirou-sama."

There was a startled silence. The man in question immediately turned purple. "Yelan-sama. Surely you do not suggest-"

"I was not aware that Kinomoto Sakura-sama was the fiancée of Li Syaoran," a large noble seated behind Sakura said. At his words, the muttering began once again.

"Silence," the judge rasped. "Yelan-sama, if you would please address Mirozuki-sama's statement."

"Kinomoto Sakura is engaged to my son, Li Syaoran, the heir to the Li Clan," Yelan stated lucidly. "There is no mistake, Mirozuki-sama."

"Oho!" someone sitting next to Mirozuki exclaimed. "The Li family certainly has been rather scandalous lately, hasn't it? Two of its main family members are being held under charges of treason and highest war crimes, and now we find that its future clan head's fiancée makes sport of dressing up as a boy and playing around with them." The tall noble leaned forward and leered down at Sakura. "Tell me, Sakura-sama, how many of those boys have you played with already?"

The various reactions of the people in the court erupted almost all at once. Sakura flushed a shocked red, and some of the nobles there chuckled mockingly. Others, however, had risen to their feet in indignation and Syaoran was the loudest of them all.

"You go too far, Sato-sama," he hissed coldly, eyes flashing dangerously. "You forget too quickly that the ones who brought those former main family members of mine to justice was the Li Clan. I, myself, cut them off from our main household line, and I, myself, participated in their capture. If it were not for our dedication to justice, it is likely that the North would still be participating in meaningless battles. Your loyalties are a bit more questionable, I must say. But for now I shall not delve deeper into the forty fighting men of yours who all disappeared suddenly when the war began and then reappeared just as suddenly after my honored mother began her attack on all nobles supporting Gaoran and Dairan. How dare you speak to my fiancée in such a disrespectful tone?"

"That is enough, Li Syaoran-sama," Yamazaki's father said pacifyingly. "For now let us ignore Sato-sama's obvious lack of manners and decorum, and return to the matter at hand. I believe we were about to hear Kinomoto-sama explain her reasons for coming to the North."

"And disgracing our Elite Academy," someone snorted.

Sakura swallowed her apprehension and glanced over at Syaoran, who gave her an encouraging nod. Drawing a deep breath, she once again addressed the court. "As you are now aware, my late honored father and mother were assassinated nearly a year ago. I myself witnessed Gaoran murdering them, and I myself barely escaped with my own life. I came here to track him down and to demand that he answer for his crimes. During my investigation, I found out about his participation in orchestrating the war between the North and the South, and from then on I participated actively in ending the fighting. I did not hesitate to do all that I could, even if it required that I, as you said, illegally joined the Academy in order to do so."

"Kinomoto Sakura's presence in our Academy has been known since the very beginning, and she has been instrumental in the capture of the perpetrators of this war. It was she, along with my son, Syaoran, who defeated Gaoran, as am I sure you all know," Yelan declared loudly.

"This is indeed surprisingly," Andou's father mused loudly. "Who would have thought this gentle lady was capable of so much? Yamazaki-sama, you still remember that Kino Kura who took first place in the very first event of the competitions? Goodness, Kinomoto-sama, you are unmatched on horseback. Amusingly enough, I believe you're rather a credit to this Academy, aren't you? The finest female student it's ever had the honor of enrolling."

"Andou-sama!" someone protested loudly. "She is a woman!"

"A woman who gracefully defeated so many of our sons during the competitions," a large lady chortled heartily from the corner. "I heard from Yamato-sama that she was the first student in nearly two decades to be automatically raised to second rank after her entrance to the Academy. Very well done, Kinomoto-sama – very well done indeed."

Sakura flushed and bowed her head slightly.

"We did not come here to discuss how impressive Kinomoto Sakura was during her pretense in the Academy. We are here to discuss the fact that she was indeed in the Academy, disguised as a male," the judge interrupted irritably. "Since we've all heard from her own lips that the accusations presented are true, then I believe we ought to move onto what proper punishment she should receive."

Her stomach did that uncomfortable somersault thing again.

"Yes," Yelan said, approvingly. "I propose that…" She turned to look down upon Sakura. "Kinomoto Sakura, for your cooperation in the capture of Li Gaoran and Dairan, even to the point of willingly entering into the intense and difficult training at the Academy, and for your assistance to many Northern noble families, I propose that we immediately present you with a badge of honor as a symbol of the gratitude of all the Northern people."

Several mouths dropped, but Andou's father seemed to find this both hilarious and pleasing. "I second that proposal!" he boomed cheerfully. "What do you think, Yamazaki-sama?"

The man's grin bore a startling resemblance to his son's. The head of the Yamazaki Clan smirked broadly and nodded. "I agree wholeheartedly with Yelan-sama."

The judge looked as if someone had just slapped him. "W-What do you mean to-"

"I think we ought to give her more than simply one badge of honor… the North really ought to do something more splendid in gratitude for all of her efforts. For such a beautiful and gentle lady to be put through so many hardships… look at her poor hair," a female voice cooed.

"The actions themselves were shameful, unbefitting of a lady of a rank," an elderly noble said from the side, shaking his head.

"What a sacrifice to make!"

"But still…"

"Kinomoto Sakura is guilty of a heavy crime!" Sakura's evaluator exclaimed, slamming his fist onto the wooden podium in front of him.

Syaoran's eyes narrowed. "She is also guilty of saving the North from making a terrible mistake, and her 'crime', as you so stubbornly put it, was made in order to cooperate with the North's plans. Are you intending to punish her for helping us in our time of need?"

"That is not…" Seijirou protested, the frustration clear on his face.

"I believe that we have heard all we need to hear from Sakura-sama now," Yelan said kindly down to her from the raised seating. "Why don't we allow her to go and rest? These have been very trying days for her, as I am sure you are all aware."

"Yes, I don't suppose there is any reason for her to be here during our deliberation," Seijirou agreed slowly, his eyes assessing Sakura calculatingly. Perhaps he felt that, without her presence in the room, the other nobles would be less merciful. "Kinomoto Sakura, you may take your leave."

Sakura bowed politely before exiting the room as gracefully as she could manage. Once outside though, she gasped in several breaths of much-needed fresh air. With a sigh, she sagged to the ground slightly, but did not quite reach the floor before she was hoisted up on either side by two pairs of strong arms.

Emerald eyes looked up, surprised.

"Andou! Yamazaki!" she exclaimed, startled. She looked around at the group of males surrounding her. "Everyone! What are you doing here?"

Kikumaru laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head. "Well, the truth is we had wanted to come wish you good luck before the trial started, but um…"

"But this idiot here decided to botch things up by accidentally running into a teacher along the way-" Andou growled, reaching over and hitting Kikumaru over the head with a heavy fist.

"Which is why we were all late," Kudou finished, grinning.

Sakura blinked. "You are all skipping class? How…"

"Well a good three-fourths of them are at the trial anyways… and you remember that stand-in sensei who came in last November?" Yamazaki answered, grinning.

The auburn-haired female groaned. "You torture stand-in instructors so badly…"

"Well, all we did was ditch the lesson today, so they got off lucky. If Kikumaru hadn't accidentally run into Yue-sensei on the way… we were dragged back to class, but escaped quickly. Not that it matters anymore – how was it?" Andou asked anxiously. "What's the decision?"

She shook her head. "I was told to leave during their deliberation." When she saw the looks on their faces though, Sakura forced a laugh. "Don't worry guys," she said, smiling brightly at them. "Yelan-sama and Syaoran were defending me… and many of the other nobles didn't seem too stern, so I think it will be okay."

"It's just like you to try and comfort us when you're probably the most worried of all," Andou grunted, taking her by the shoulders and steering her out of the hallway.

"Eh? Where are we going?" Sakura asked. "Hey wait! Don't walk so fast! This stupid outfit is really hard to walk in!" To be honest, she simply felt too exhausted for this at the moment, though she truly was happy that they had come to support her.

They laughed. "Kino... Sakura, I mean," Kikumaru quipped cheerfully. "We have a bit of a surprise for you. Yelan-sama said to have this ready for you by tomorrow, but we had it finished early. We figured you'd need the extra pick-me-up."

She looked over at him curiously. "What is it?"

"Surprise!" They yelled as soon as they had led her outside.

Sakura's cheeks reddened with delight as she sprang forward with surprising agility and threw her arms around her best friend. "Tomoyo-chan!' she squealed. "Oh my goodness! Why are you here? This is the best surprise ever!"

"Daidouji-san is… part of the surprise, I suppose," Andou said, chuckling. "But we couldn't exactly 'get her ready' within the week, could we?"

The amethyst eyed heiress laughed sweetly. "Take another look at the thing in my hands, Sakura-chan!"

Trial forgotten, Sakura released her female companion reluctantly and gazed down at the folded clothing she was carrying. "What is this?"

Tomoyo beamed at her. "See for yourself. I'm very happy to see you too."

Small hands picked up the soft, silky fabric and lifted it up so that she could see. Emerald eyes widened. "Wait," she murmured. "Isn't this…"

"That's right," Yamazaki said, grinning at her from the side. "Yelan-sama ordered us to have it specially made for you. It's the only female Academy uniform in the world. She said that you ought to have one, since you were a student, after all."

Sakura was embarrassed that she had to blink away tears. The tense knots of worry and frustration in her gut were uncoiling too quickly for her to handle the emotional upheaval. Her fingers clutched the soft cloth tightly and a genuine smile spread across her lips. Just thinking about her days as a student… she had been so happy then, running around with all the guys. Even though she'd been living a lie then… it had been such a happy lie. "Thank… you," she whispered.

"You are very welcome!" The group of males boomed loudly.

"I came here to support you during the trial too," Tomoyo added, giving her a small hug. "Don't worry, Sakura-chan. My mother and I stand by you no matter what. She's in there right now with the rest of the nobles."

Sakura hadn't noticed Daidouji Sonomi in the court earlier, but just knowing that there was one more person who was trying to defend her made her feel much better. There was a small, happy pause before Tomoyo gave out a loud shriek. "SAKURA-CHAN! Y-Y-Y-Your HAIR!!"

The boys sprang back, shocked and staring at Tomoyo as if a monster had just exploded out of her. Sakura was torn between the desire to flee and the desire to laugh at the expressions on their faces. Of course to them, such behavior from the beautiful and composed Daidouji heiress was shocking.

"Um… there's definitely a reason for this, Tomoyo-chan," she said nervously, backing away slowly, yet unable to mask the amusement on her face.

"Sakura," a deep voice called from behind. It was Syaoran. She turned and gazed back at him. He nodded. "It's time for the verdict. Come."

"Good luck, Sakura-chan!" Tomoyo whispered encouragingly, though there was a frown on her face. "We can talk about your hair later."

"Knock them dead Kino! – I mean Sakura!" Andou yelled.

"Thank you guys," she said in a soft voice before shuffling quickly over to where her fiancé was waiting. He took her hand and led her inside.

"Don't worry, Sakura," Syaoran told her gently. "No matter what, things will be okay."

She swallowed nervously. "How did the deliberation go?"

Syaoran frowned. "Don't worry too much about that. In the end, the one who gives the verdict is that old fart Seijirou, so there isn't much we can do about it. Still, should the result be unfavorable, there is still the appeal, which will come down to a vote by the full court."

Sakura trembled slightly. "I still cannot believe that I was called into a trial by the full Northern noble court," she whispered. "What if even the appeal doesn't go well?"

"Don't think too deeply into it. We still don't know that Seijirou-sama won't cave and treat you decently. Sakura," he said suddenly, stopping. Sakura stopped and looked up at him.

"Yes?"

He pulled her into a tight hug and her eyes shut as she hugged him back. "Do not be scared. I am here," he murmured before letting go and sliding the door open.

The court had seemingly been engaged in serious, noisy conversation, but at their entrance, everyone fell quickly silent. It was all Sakura could do not to turn around and run for her life. "I have brought Kinomoto Sakura-sama," Syaoran declared.

"Thank you, Li Syaoran-sama," the judge said imperiously from his raised seat. "You may take your seat. Kinomoto Sakura, please step into the center of the room."

Syaoran said no more to her as they parted ways, and Sakura walked as calmly as she could back to her previous spot. Time seemed to pass far too slowly. She wanted to get this over with… and yet at the same time, she didn't want to hear the verdict at all. Weighed down by all of her ceremonial clothing and accessories, Sakura bowed low before slowly moving into an upright position and addressing the group of aristocrats. "I, Kinomoto Sakura, am ready to hear the verdict."

The deep creases of Seijirou-sama's wrinkles twitched slightly as he watched her. "As judge of this court, I hereby sentence you to a heavy fine for breaking the laws of the North and entering into the military Academy under a false name."

There was some slightly grumbling from the audience, but he was not finished yet. "Furthermore," the judge said loudly. "I issue that you must leave the North immediately and not cross the boundary into the North ever again. Despite your transgressions, we cannot simply ignore your position as a Southerner, and in order to preserve the peace, we will guarantee your dignity and safety back to your homeland."

Sakura's mouth would have dropped open in shock, but her tongue seemed glued to the top of her mouth. She was being exiled from the North – not that she was from the North anyways, but she would never be able to return? Her head felt like it was spinning. It was several second before she'd realized the entire room had erupted into a frenzy of shouting.

"I object!" Yelan exclaimed furiously, rising from her seat.

"Silence! Silence!" The judge shouted, slamming his hand against his podium. "I demand silence!"

"With the end to this war," the Academy's headmistress said, a dangerous edge to her voice. "The divide between the North and South is expected to end."

The protests were immediate. "We have not even fully come to peace with the Sou—"

"And such actions would only encourage more discord. Furthermore, Kinomoto Sakura is not merely a Southerner, she is the wife-to-be of the future head of the Li Clan, which, if you insist upon differentiating, is a Northern family. How do you expect her to marry my son if you restrict her to the other side of Japan?"

"I am afraid, Yelan-sama, that no matter how much you attempt to defend this girl, she had still slighted the laws of the North-"

"What law has she broken, except that which is under my jurisdiction?" the Chinese female demanded angrily. "I am the sole head of the Academy, which is an entity that stands by itself. I was not aware that you had control over even my school, Seijirou-sama."

"This court has made its decision!" the judge retorted hotly. "I do not mean to belittle your influence, Yelan-sama, but—"

"No, you have made your decision," Yelan said dismissively. "Please be prepared to receive both the appeal and opposition of the Li Clan."

"Now, now. Let us not be so anxious, Yelan-sama," Eriol said chidingly from across the room. "There is no need to so swiftly make enemies. Let us give Seijirou-sama a few moments to think through his decision."

If nothing else good could be said for him, at the very least, Seijirou Houka was not a man easily swayed by fear. "I stand by what I said," he responded hotly. "It is my right to make this decision."

"Please do not be so apprehensive, Seijirou-sama," Eriol continued easily. "I only meant that you ought to take into account the fact that sentencing Sakura-sama to any sort of punishment would reflect very badly upon the North, especially since we begin formal peace negotiations with the South this evening, whether you approve of it or not. What more, you cannot deny that Sakura has assisted us in so many ways, despite the difficulties it forced her through. If you insist upon punishing her, then you must award some of her efforts, at least."

"Whether you want to crown her princess or throw her a party is no concern of mine. That is not the purpose of this court, Hiiragizawa-sama," the judge answered curtly. "Nor is it my concern if we begin negotiations tonight or in a decade. The purpose of this court is to determine whether Kinomoto Sakura is guilty, which she is, and then to hand out appropriate punishment. Given her difficult position, I have already lightened the sentence accordingly. Surely you can have no other objection?"

Daidouji Sonomi let out a great sigh from the back corner of the room. "I am sure you will be hearing from many noble families in the future, Seijirou-sama. I had not realized you were a judge so stubborn and foolish to give no thought to the position of both the accused as well as to the overall political situation of your nation."

At his words, the elderly male turned purple once again. Below them all, Sakura wondered what on earth had been the point of her leaving for the deliberation before if they were still arguing. What had they spent those twenty minutes doing anyways? It seemed strange. Before, she had nearly been dying of nervousness just waiting for the verdict, but now that it had been given, she felt quite detached. Perhaps it was because there was nothing she could do about it now? Well, she could hope it would get better of course, but there was little that she could do but watch on at the moment.

"If you still insist upon these… punishments," Syaoran spat out the last word as if it were a curse word. "Then as my honored mother said, you ought to prepare yourself, Seijirou-sama. My clan will not rest until my fiancée is once again by my side."

Sakura felt like an absolute idiot, but she could not help the small smile that spread across her lips at his comforting words. Inwardly, she wondered what would happen if it came down to a vote.

Emerald eyes stole a quick glance around at the faces of the nobles seated above her. At the moment, all of them were scowling, but if she remembered correctly, some of them seemed to think favorably of her.

"We do not have the time for this," Yamazaki's father broke in suddenly. "Why not hold the appeal now? Tomorrow we hold the trial for Dairan, and the day after they trial for Gaoran. Tonight, we begin negotiations with the South. I say that we hold Kinomoto-sama's appeal now. Who would like to go first?"

"First?" someone echoed..

Andou's father laughed boomingly. "Well, in case the first appeal does not pass through, I'm sure there are many other noble families willing to appeal on behalf of Kinomoto-sama. The Andou family, for example, is one."

"Yes," Yelan-sama said, nodding. "I agree. This way is much better. I believe that my clan ought to be first then. Seijirou-sama?"

The old judge scowled. "Yes?"

"The Li Clan requests to make an appeal to the decision that was previously made in this court."

His expression grew tired and he sighed in a sort of defeated way before nodding. "Permission granted. Yelan-sama, you hold the floor."

The entire court, as well as Sakura, turned to the Academy's headmistress respectfully. The young female felt like a spectator in her own trial.

"As head of the Li Clan, I propose a complete reversal of the sentence given Kinomoto Sakura this day on the grounds that punishment for breaking Academy rules is determined by the Academy, as well as on the grounds that Sakura-sama acted in accordance with the North's requests. We ought to be expressing our eternal gratitude to her, not delivering punishments as if she were a criminal."

"A vote then," Seijirou said dryly. "All in favor of accepting Yelan-sama's proposition, please stand."

The results were immediate and obvious. Sakura did not even need to count to see that over a good three-fourths of the room was on its feet immediately.

The judge glowered down at her before sighing. "Members of the court, please be seated. Kinomoto Sakura-sama," he said to her, for the first time adding the suffix of respect to her name. "The full Northern court has moved to accept the appeal. I hereby reverse the formerly stated sentence, and grant you complete amnesty for your crimes. This court is adjourned." He stood to his feet and moved to exit the room.

Everyone else began shuffling after him, some of them throwing her dark looks, others grinning at her, and still others gazing over curiously. It meant little to Sakura – she was could stay! When Judge Seijirou reached the door and pulled it open, there was a loud crash as a group of students (who had obviously been listening in) all fell to the floor in surprise.

There was momentary silence before a furious Yue stalked directly over to glare down at them. "Andou, Yamazaki, Kikumaru, Kudou… all of you! How dare you listen at doors – and especially this door!" They were all on their feet instantly, bowing and apologizing and moving to the side so that the judge and the rest of the nobles could pass through.

Sakura had to hide a smile. After everyone but Syaoran, Eriol, their friends, Yue, and she had exited, Sakura ran swiftly to their side and looked sheepishly up at her former teacher. "Gomen nasai, Yue-sensei," she murmured. "They only came here to cheer me on."

The tall male sighed. "Yes, I realize that - Kinomoto," he said suddenly, causing her to jump

"Y-Yes!" she responded quickly.

"Would you like to observe their lessons today?" he asked, brushing past his students and heading towards the exit.

It took Sakura several second before she understood what he was saying. "Oh! Yes! I would!" she gasped, running to catch up with him, the others trailing behind them, chuckling.

That evening, she and Syaoran celebrated the conclusion of her trial with much sake under the stars. How they ended up in that particular position, Sakura didn't remember, but when morning came, Sakura found herself curled up comfortably against her fiancé's chest, a large blanket wrapped around the both of them to keep them warm. Her cheeks stung slightly with the cold of the late Spring air, but Sakura was contented to simply snuggle against Syaoran, who looked very peaceful and innocent in his sleep.

Tsuzuku…

I apologize one more time for being late, but this court scene was rather grueling to write. Long too. /

Thirty six down… and two more to go! Technically, the next chapter will be the "last" of the story, but for those who have read my stories before, you will know that I have a habit of writing one more "special" chapter as a sort of thank you to all of my readers. I'm not certain whether or not I will actually be posting one for this story, but if you tempt me with enough reviews, I'll seriously consider it. We're on the second to last chapter already! If you haven't reviewed yet, now would be the time to start!

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Gomen nasai – I'm sorry.