Disclaimer: Card Captor Sakura isn't mine.

Previously in Worth Fighting For:

Nakuru put a finger to her lips and walked towards the window. She swung the window open and soon, a figure swung in into the room.

"Yamazaki!" Sakura yelped.

Yamazaki bowed to her and smiled. "I'm glad to see you alive and safe." Then, he turned to Nakuru. "What are you doing here?"

"How did you get up here?" Nakuru gave the guard a look over and smiled when she saw the spiked shoes he was wearing.

"Syaoran," Sakura stepped forward to the guard. "He was shot with an arrow. The guards are taking him to the prison. And I haven't heard of anything from them. You have to find him."

"I know," Yamazaki said. "Don't worry. The prince and everyone else is safe now. They have rejoined with the Crown Prince and Queen Fuu Tie. The king and the soldiers are frantic to look for them."

"He's safe?"

"Yes," Yamazaki nodded. He smiled when she exhaled a long breath. "He wishes to come here and look for you himself, but he had to see the Crown Prince for an urgent matter. They will arrive at this palace in a few hours. It's almost over now. Everything will be alright, Princess."


Worth Fighting For
Chapter 54: Welcome Home


Fuu Tie stopped at the door when she saw the physician was tending the wound on Syaoran's shoulder. She nodded to the physician as he headed out with his bags and stepped in into the room. She sat down on an empty chair across Syaoran and peeked at his fresh bandaged shoulder.

"The physician said I will be alright," Syaoran spoke.

Fuu Tie met his gaze and frowned. "You were lucky that the female physician did what she can do to treat you in that prison. I heard that you lost quite a lot of blood. You could die." She shook her head. "I couldn't imagine what will happen if you lost your life in there."

Syaoran smiled. "You're worried about me."

"Of course," her frown deepened. "We all are. I couldn't understand what you were thinking when you decided to go to Mikage."

Syaoran heaved a sigh. He turned around to fetch his clothes and grimaced in pain as he slid it on.

Fuu Tie approached to her brother with a sigh. She helped him to put on his cloth and shook her head as her eyes met the bandage on his shoulder. "I know you could have dodged from the arrow. I've seen you done that before. You were trained for it. There could be five archers aiming their bow and arrow to you and you could have still dodged from that." Fuu Tie sat down when she was done and met Syaoran's gaze. "And after hearing the stories from the princess's guard, I believe that you could have done that in your situation. So, why on earth were you struck by that arrow?"

"I could avoid them," Syaoran said quietly. "But if I did that, the arrow would have struck the princess instead."

Fuu Tie was dumbfounded. "Syaoran!" she gasped. A part of her was mad of his stupid move, and another part of her was amazed that he put his life on the line for the princess.

"I know the arrow would hit me on my shoulder, and not anywhere fatal," Syaoran said quietly. "I just didn't expect the wound to be too deep and that I would lose a lot of blood. But, I'm alright," Syaoran tried to convince his sister. "I will be alright."

"You're an idiot, you know that," Fuu Tie chided. She crossed her arms over her chest and sighed when Syaoran smiled. "Now I really am concerned about you. Do you think she'll be happy if she knew what you're doing for her?"

Syaoran forced a smile. He imagined that Sakura would be furious if she knew. "She won't," Syaoran turned to his sister and frowned. "And no one will tell her about this."

"The princess must mean a lot to you for you to do something as dangerous as this." Her frown slowly disappeared when she saw the small smile on his lips. "I see." In that moment, Fuu Tie could tell why her brother decided to endanger his safety to help the princess. "You really do like this girl. Should I be happy or worried?"

Syaoran frowned at her question. He knew what his sister was trying to say. "She's a nice person."

Fuu Tie heaved another sigh. Eriol had said the same thing. But she wasn't sure if she could trust them. Eriol might twist his words to get his way. And Syaoran might be saying that because he's in love. "Are you sure she's not taking advantage of you?"

"She has no reason to do that. She doesn't see me as a prince of Li Dynasty until recently." Syaoran stayed mum for a while. Then, he started to tell his sister what he had been doing in Clow, how he got to know Sakura and everything up till the moment when he was shot by that arrow. He lowered his gaze when he finished, but he knew that Fuu Tie was smiling from ear to ear.

"You're braver than I thought," Fuu Tie commented. "You're also an idiot."

Syaoran stood abruptly from his seat and asked, "When are we going to Mikage's palace?"

Fuu Tie's laughed. She knew that her brother was trying to avoid this conversation. "As soon as all the preparations are ready," Fuu Tie answered. She was going to let have his way and have fun teasing him later. "We think that it isn't wise to do something without a proper planning, especially when you're not in a familiar terrain."

Syaoran closed his eyes. Preparations are important. But, they can't stay put and do nothing. The princess's life might be in danger. The king might do something to the princess before they could rescue her. He wouldn't know what to do if something bad happened to her.

"Relax," a masculine voice said. Both Syaoran and his sister turned around. Eriol stood at the door with a smile on his face. A small bird rested on his shoulder. "I'm sure the princess is safe."

Syaoran greeted the Crown Prince with a bow. "Thank you for your help. But, I didn't think you would visit Fuu Tie and ask for her help."

"I was on my way back to Li when I heard about Mikage's plan," Eriol said. His smile widened. "I sent Nakuru to investigate the Crown Prince and found out a few things," he shrugged. "I supposed that visiting Fuu Tie for a backup plan wouldn't be so bad."

"My father wouldn't be happy to hear you meddling in," Fuu Tie said. "You know how he is."

"I will find a way to sway the king," Eriol chuckled. "You know I'm good at this." He turned to Syaoran and spoke again. "I received words from Nakuru," Eriol nodded to the small bird on his shoulder. "The princess is safe. Nakuru and Yamazaki are both on her side. According to Nakuru, the King has released Princess Sakura from his custody, and now Mikage is treating them as a special guest."

Syaoran sighed in relief at the news.

"We will depart to Mikage's palace in an hour," Eriol said. He looked at Syaoran and raised a brow. "Are you well enough to go with us?"

"I am."

"You don't have to go," Fuu Tie said. "You've lost quite a lot of blood and I don't think you're well enough to travel again. Don't worry. Eriol and I will help the princess to escape from the palace."

"I'm going," Syaoran smiled to his sister. "Don't worry about me. I promise that I won't be a burden."

"That's not what I meant," Fuu Tie said with a sigh.

"Let him come along," Eriol said. "It will be interesting to see the King's reaction once he learned about Syaoran's identity. He shot a prince of Li Dynasty. We could use this situation to our advantage."

xxx

The King of Mikage jolted in his seat when the door swung open. His Prime Minister and the Captain Guard walked in slowly. The king suppressed his desire to bark at them. He clenched his hand to his seat when his two subjects bowed to him. "Speak," he said impatiently.

"Your Majesty," the Prime Minister bowed again. "The representatives from Li Dynasty have arrived in our palace. Crown Prince Eriol is here along with Queen Fuu Tie of Suiho."

The King closed his eyes briefly. It appeared that the female guard wasn't lying when she told him that the two royalties are visiting Mikage's Palace.

"The other officials are entertaining them," the Prime Minister continued. "But they are requesting to see Clow's princess. What should we do? Should we send the princess to the hall?"

King Shogo raised a hand. "The representatives. How many are they?"

"Not more than twenty," the Prime Minister answered.

The King heaved in relief knowing that they didn't bring along their massive army.

"But, Your Majesty," The Guard Captain spoke. "There are almost a thousand of their soldiers camping in the outskirt. And a few hundred are heading to Clow. "

"What about Crown Prince Kei? Have you send the message for him to retreat?"

"The messengers are now headed towards Clow to send the message to the Crown Prince," the Guard Captain answered. "We hope that they will reach Clow's palace before dawn."

"What about the missing prince?" the King asked the Captain Guard. "Have you found him?"

The Captain Guard bowed, lower. "I apologize."

The King grabbed the heavy royal seal on his desk. It took him every inch of patience to restrain himself from throwing the seal towards his Captain Guard. If only the royal seal wasn't made of precious jade.

"Your Majesty," the old minister spoke. "Are we going to war with Li Dynasty? We can't win against them and their alliance."

"Do you think I wasn't aware of that!?" King Shogo spoke angrily. "But the princess refused to make a new negotiate with us until she sees the prince. If the Li Dynasty found the prince first, there's no way that we can negotiate ourselves out of this." He took a deep breath. "I have no idea what they will demand from us." The King stared at the empty hall with a deep frown on his face.

"What do you suggest we do now?" The Prime Minister asked.

He turned to his Captain Guard. "Continue your search for the prince." Then, he waved a hand to the Prime Minister. "Send the princess to the representative."

xxx

The missing prince hid among Suiho's guards. He was lucky that none of the ministers were able to recognize him. None of them were present during their attempt to break in into the palace to find the King. He stayed close to his sister as he watched servants come in and out of the hall. The King had brought them a lot of food and presented them with the best entertainment. But none of them caught his attention. His main concern was to see Sakura alive and safe before him.

Syaoran glanced towards Eriol and then to Fuu Tie. Their attention was with one of the ministers. They were discussing something that he wasn't interested to know. The ministers seemed a little bit drunk but tried their best to stay sober. Slowly, he headed towards the door. He could no longer wait. He was worried that the King might try something and harm the princess.

"She will be here soon."

Syaoran turned slowly to face Eriol. He was not aware that his cousin had crept behind him. He glimpsed towards his sister and saw her giving him a knowing smile. He knew that his attempt to escape the room without them noticing had failed.

"You're worried about the princess," Eriol said.

"I am," Syaoran admitted.

Eriol patted his cousin on his shoulder and recoiled when Syaoran grimaced from pain. He gave him an apologetic smile. "The King wouldn't dare to do something rash, not unless if he wanted to brew trouble. I'm sure he didn't let us see the princess yet to buy some time." He held Syaoran by his arm. "Sit with us. If the princess didn't show herself by the time the ministers passed out, I'll go with you to look for her. We'll turn this palace upside down."

Syaoran heaved a sigh and succumbed. He sat next to Eriol and tried to consume some foods on the table. A part of him wished that the minister would pass out sooner.

The door swung open again and a servant went in. He whispered something to the guard at the door and immediately, the guard announced that the princess and her entourage have arrived.

Syaoran stood up from his seat. Nakuru and Yamazaki were the first to enter the room. He felt the room went silent when Sakura finally entered the room. She looked well and clean. He could guess that the King had treated her well enough when he found out that Li Dynasty was coming to help. Slowly, he let out the breath he was holding. A small smile formed on his lips, knowing that she was safe. Her gaze met his, and all the sudden, he felt his face burning.

He didn't realize what had happened, but slowly, Mikage's ministers and officials began to leave the room in hesitation. Syaoran turned to Eriol and watched him nodded. The Crown Prince must have said something to them to make them leave. Syaoran walked towards Sakura and felt his heart lightened up. "Are you alright?" he asked after a brief silence between them.

Sakura nodded. Her gaze fell on his shoulder. The last time she had seen him; he had an arrow on his shoulder and blood poured out. "And you?"

Syaoran nodded. "Physician Kaho treated me while we were imprisoned. She brought a few medicines with her. Are you sure you're alright? They didn't do anything to harm you?"

"No," Sakura shook her head. "I'm alright. And the others?"

"They're alright." Syaoran pointed towards the two guards standing not far away from them. Mori and Shinjiro. They both were wearing the same uniform as him, disguising themselves as Suiho's army. When Sakura turned, the two guards bowed. "The others are safe. They are waiting for you at the camp."

Sakura smiled in relief knowing that her subjects are safe. But slowly, her smile faded and she dropped her gaze again to his shoulder. "I'm sorry. You wouldn't get hurt if it wasn't for me and my plan. I didn't think through."

"It wasn't your fault," Syaoran said. He brushed his finger against her cheek to make her look at him again. He was worried that she might cry and blame herself for his injury. "I know the risk when I offered to help you sneak into this palace."

"I'm glad you're alright," Sakura said with a frown. She couldn't help but feel responsible for what happened to him. Her lack of experiences drove her to make this rash plan and it almost cost Syaoran's life.

"Stop worrying too much about me. I'll be alright," he said. If only his sister and Eriol were not watching them, he would boldly hold her and convince her that he's alright. "Come on," he hesitated. "We don't have much time. King Shogo will soon be here to see us. But first, you have more important things to do. We all have been waiting for you." Syaoran turned around and placed a hand on her back to lead Sakura towards both Eriol and his sister.

Sakura bowed to them both and smiled. "Thank you for your help," she said to Eriol. "I couldn't imagine what will happen to me if you didn't come to your aid, Crown Prince Eriol."

"I heard what had happened to Clow from my men. And Syaoran had told me what you're planning to do in Mikage," Eriol tilted his head up. "I must say that I'm surprised that you would be brave enough to plan something like this."

"It was all I can do to save Clow and myself," Sakura smiled bitterly. "But it didn't go as well as I hope for."

"Your plan could work, Princess," Eriol said. "But perhaps the battleground was not to your advantage."

She turned with restlessness when she sensed that someone had been staring at her for quite sometimes. Her gaze met up with the brown haired lady. She could see a lot of resemblance between her and Syaoran.

"Princess Sakura," Eriol said. "Meet, Queen Fuu Tie of Suiho."

The princess bowed to greet her. "It was a pleasure to meet—" She lost her words when Fuu Tie suddenly pulled her into a tight hug.

"I'm glad that I have finally met you." She spoke quietly against her ear. She had her doubt about the princess when she heard what Syaoran had done for her. But she decided that she liked the princess the moment she laid her eyes on her. "Syaoran had told me about how you stepped up as your brother's substitute. And now, you're doing the best you can do to save your country. You have been through a lot." Fuu Tie gave patted softly on her back. "And you're doing great."

"Thank you," Sakura burrowed her face in Fuu Tie's hair. She knew that she had just met Fuu Tie, but Fuu Tie's words and presence made her feel at ease.

Fuu Tie pulled away and smiled again. "We will do everything we can to help you." She glanced towards Eriol and nodded. "Come," she pulled the princess's hand towards the table. "Sit with me."

"I didn't know that the treaty would come through so quickly," Sakura said to Eriol.

"It hasn't," Eriol admitted. "But I can't sit around and wait until the Emperor approves the treaty when I heard about Mikage's attack on Clow. It would be too late to do anything if Clow falls in Mikage's hand." He frowned when Fuu Tie kicked him softly at his feet.

Sakura's eyes widened with surprise. She turned to Syaoran and saw him smiled. She understood immediately that part of the Crown Prince's reason to help Clow was to ensure the Prince's safety. She realized she owes a lot to Syaoran and the Li's for continuously lending their hand to help her.

"Thank you. I know that I have been stubborn to receive other's help. I thought that I can resolve everything on my own," she chuckled softly. "I thought that I need to resolve everything by myself to prove that I am capable of leading Clow. But to receive help was not a bad thing," She paused to look at Syaoran and smiled. Then, she shifted her gaze to Eriol and Fuu Tie. "Which is why, I'm asking for your help to save Clow," she stood up and lowered her head into a bow. "Please."

Eriol asked her to raise her head. "You trust us?" he asked when she looked up.

"Yes," Sakura said, confidently. "I trust Syaoran with my life. So, I will trust you."

Eriol glanced at Syaoran and wondered what had happened to them after he left Clow to Suiho. He could sense there was something, and he decided to get his answer from him later. "Then... I will do anything I can within my power."

Fuu Tie nodded. "Clow may not be a part of Li Dynasty yet. But Suiho will do everything we can to help you."

"I may not have anything to give you in return," Sakura spoke slowly.

Fuu Tie turned to her brother and then back to the princess. "That's alright. My little brother trusts you. So I will too."

"Now," Eriol leaned forward. "How do you think you want to deal with Mikage?"

"What I want is nothing more than Mikage to leave Clow's soil," Sakura said.

Eriol waited for the princess to continue. But when she didn't, he nodded. "I understand."

xxx

Sakura hopped down from the horse with Mori's help as they reached to Clow's borders. Hundreds of Clow's army was waiting for her along with a few more of Suiho's army. Sakura exchanged her greeting with Minister Akira and a few other generals.

"I'm glad you're safe, Your Highness" Minister Akira said. He had been praying for the safety of the princess in her journey to Mikage.

"How's the situation back in the city?" Sakura asked. "And what about my brother?"

"The King's safe," Minister Akira reported. "Crown Prince Kei had left the city with his army a few days ago. The people who retreated to the safe camp have returned. We lost a few lives since Mikage's takeover and the king is doing everything he can to restore everything in place." He smiled. "He turned the court upside down. The ministers and officials were surprised to know that the King is still alive. He's waiting for your return in the palace." Akira looked around, and back to the princess. "What about the Li's representative? I thought they are coming with you?"

"They have other things that need to settle. But they are heading to Clow shortly," Sakura said. "Will you stay here and escort them to the palace for me, Minister Akira? They have helped me to resolve the situation with Mikage. I want them to receive the best hospitality during their stay here. And please provide the best hospitality to Suiho's army."

Minister Akira nodded. "Certainly, Your Highness." He and the others stepped aside and soon, Sakura came eye to eye with Tomoyo. She watched Tomoyo bowed and seconds later she found herself in Tomoyo's embrace.

"You're alright," Tomoyo broke into a sob. "I know I should trust your judgment when you decided to go to Mikage. But I worry that something bad might happen to you." Tomoyo pulled away and gave the princess a look over. "They didn't do anything to harm you, did they?"

"I'm alright," Sakura answered. She will find time to tell Tomoyo what had happened to her in Mikage soon.

"I brought you some clothes," Tomoyo said, cheerily. "You will need to change and look your best. The people have been waiting for you ever since Mikage vacated the palace. They have heard stories how you bravely pay a visit to the king and demanded them to leave."

Sakura smiled at this. She wondered how the people will act if they heard that she almost lost Clow for her decision. She received help from Li and Suiho. And if it wasn't for Syaoran, there's no way she would be able to set Clow free from Mikage. She followed Tomoyo and changed into a new outfit. A new carriage was waiting for her to escort her back to the palace.

The people were lined up at the side road as Sakura and her entourage reached to the city. They bowed their head to the ground as the princess's wagon and the others passed by. The city was lively with the sounds of people cheering at the sight of her carriage. They thanked her for what she did to save Clow. And she returned their gesture with a wave and a smile.

The carriage stopped at the palace. A few maidservants opened the door and helped the princess out. Sakura looked around her surroundings. She took a deep breath. It was good to be back in the palace. The ministers and officials lined up to greet her. A few of her maidservants stood beside her carriage. She smiled when she saw Chiharu and Naoko among the maidservants. She was glad that two of her trusted maidservants had survived. Her gaze paused when she saw a figure not far away from her. Her shoulder felt light at the sight of her brother.

"Welcome home," Touya smiled, "Sakura."


End of Chapter 54: Welcome Home


I feel bad for not updating. I got caught with new work and projects. After a while, I sort of forgot how to write. What is English? lol, I'm sorry. I might not be able to update the next one as quickly as I hope for. But, I will do my best. Meanwhile, please tell me what you think of this chapter.

13 June 2017