Disclaimer: Card Captor Sakura isn't mine.
Previously in Worth Fighting For:
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 back," Touya smiled, "Sakura."
Worth Fighting For
Chapter 55: Goodbyes
King Touya stared at his sister for a long time. It feels like it has been forever since the last time they have sat together in the same room, just the two of them. He missed his sister while he was away from the palace. He would pray every day that his sister would be safe. He would pray that he could keep his promise to her and return back to the palace. He knew that it was wrong for him to leave her in the palace without much explanation. He made her ascended the throne as her substitute even though she had no experience or knowledge to lead the country.
But while he was away, he heard a few things about his sister. How she refused to lead Clow as the minister's puppet. She was brave to protect Clow and kind to her people. It made him proud to know that she is his sister. It made him wanted to do better for her and Clow.
"Are you alright?"
Sakura smiled at her brother and nodded to assure him.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes," she nodded again. "You have been asking me the same question again and again."
The King let out a long sigh. "I was worried to death when I heard the news that you're heading to Mikage. It feels unbelievable to see you here with me."
Sakura frowned at his words. "Imagine how I felt when I heard you went missing and what you have been doing without telling me. I almost give up on Clow the day Yusuke came to me with your crest in his hand."
"If it wasn't for the Li's help, you could have died," Touya pointed out.
"I don't want to surrender to Mikage," Sakura spoke. "I know the risk when I decided to go to Mikage. Syaoran knew that too. It was what I can do to save you and Clow."
"You should have left with that Li Prince."
"I can't leave you to die in Mikage's hand. They would kill you since they have already conquered over Clow," Sakura answered. "I can't let that happen. I won't lose you again. You're my brother. My family."
Touya saw the way his sister clenched her hand into a fist. Looking at her face, he knew that there would be no point in trying to argue on how dangerous her move was. But right now, what's important is that she's safe. Touya took a deep breath. It seems like Sakura has grown more stubborn. He wondered if it has anything to do with that Li Prince.
The two siblings looked up when the door swung open and Yukito walked in with a tray of drinks. Two maidservants trailed after him. The Advisor glanced at them and gave The King and inquiring gaze. He wondered what was happening in the room. Yukito poured the hot tea quietly and handed the tray to the maidservant. He raised a hand, and soon, the two maidservants bowed and left the room.
"Your Majesty," Yukito bowed. He pulled out a scroll from his cloth and handed it to the king. "This is the report on Clow after Mikage's invasion. I received the report that Clow soldiers are helping the villagers to return back to the town. But, hundreds of them are losing their home after Mikage soldiers damaged them during the invasion."
Touya read the report written on the scroll and frowned. "Have our army to provide temporary quarters for the villagers. Their houses and villages need to be built as soon as possible." He took out his brush and jotted down something on the paper. "Take out our grains from our stock and make sure that no one is hungry." Touya took his royal seal and stamped on the paper. He scrolled the paper and handed it to his advisor.
Yukito bowed as he received the scroll. "The ministers have agreed to donate some of their possessions to help the villagers. Some of them agreed to donate their wealth to help the villagers."
Touya looked up at him. "Who are them?"
"Minister Abe and Ueda to name a few," Yukito said. "They are your deceased uncle supporters, Your Majesty."
Touya chuckled at the names. He could guess what the ministers were trying to do. They wanted his forgiveness. But what they were doing was treason. They have supported Minister Jinnosuke and aided Mikage into Clow. It would be hard to forgive them for their crimes.
"What are you going to do to them?"
Touya closed his eyes briefly. The punishment for treason is none other than death. But now is not the time to punish the ministers. "What's important now is that to restore Clow as the way it should be." He said. "I will discuss the punishment with the ministers later on."
"I understand," Yukito answered. He took another bow and retreated towards the exit.
"That reminds me..." Touya turned to his sister when the door shut. "I have talked to a few ministers who thought that you have done a great job as my substitute. Clow isn't very stable at the moment. We've lost some people and ministers from this war. It will take us sometimes to rebuild Clow and I cannot do this alone. I'm going to need your help." He smiled when she looked at him in surprise. "I know that you have no power over the government, but I would like you to help me in with restoring Clow. At least until everything is stable. What do you say?" He leaned forward when she didn't answer. "Will you help me?"
xxx
Fuu Tie smiled when she saw her brother stood quietly near the port. He was looking at the sea, and judging from his expression, she could tell that he had a lot on his mind. Fuu Tie tapped Syaoran lightly on his shoulder and raised a brow. "What is it?"
Syaoran shook his head. "Nothing."
"You're worried about the princess?" Fuu Tie tried to guess. "She returned safely to the palace. I heard the people of Clow welcomed her back as a hero."
He smiled. "I know. I heard."
Fuu Tie chuckled. It's interesting to see him smiling gently at the mere thought of the princess.
"You're heading back?"
Fuu Tie nodded. "As soon as the general thinks we're ready to depart."
"Have a safe trip."
"Thank you." Fuu Tie pulled her brother into a hug and laughed when he made an attempt to escape. "Are you planning to return to Li anytime soon?" she asked as she released him from her embrace.
Syaoran turned to look at the sea. "I'm not sure. Soon. Maybe."
Fuu Tie took a deep breath and smiled. At least he didn't answer her with no. Perhaps his heart has softened up a bit. She didn't blame him for wanting to leave Li Dynasty after what happened between him and the ministers.
"Mother and father would be happy to see you," Fuu Tie said. She let out a long breath when he didn't answer. "It has been years since you left Li Dynasty. I know that you're probably still angry with them. But don't you think it's time for you to forgive them?"
"I was never angry towards them."
"Then, why did you leave?"
"Eriol wouldn't be able to ascend as the Crown Prince peacefully with me around the palace," he pointed out.
Fuu Tie doesn't believe for a moment that that was the reason why he left. "Mother would be worried sick once news that you almost got yourself killed reached her ears. You could at least return to assure her that everything is alright."
"I know."
"Perhaps, you should invite the princess to come along with you," Fuu Tie suggested. "As a delegate to Li Dynasty, or," she shrugged and smiled a bit, "whatever you think." Her smile widened when Syaoran stared at her with his eyes wide. "I'm sure mother would love to meet her."
"I—I'll think about it."
Fuu Tie nodded and headed towards the port where Eriol was waiting for her.
"Are you sure you won't be able to stay longer at least until the meeting with the King?" Crown Prince Eriol asked.
Fuu Tie smiled. "I'd love to stay longer, but I'm afraid my husband and my children are going to miss me. It has been a while since I have been apart from them."
"I understand."
"Besides, I know that you can handle everything well." Fuu Tie glanced towards her brother who stood not far away from them and turned to Eriol. "You need to convince him to return to Li. Our parents missed him. I'm sure he missed them the same."
Eriol nodded in agreement. "The Empress talked about him all the time."
"If only he wasn't too stubborn."
"He takes after the Emperor," Eriol pointed out.
Fuu Tie pulled a face in distaste. "A trait he shouldn't inherit."
"The decision to return to Li would be Syaoran's. I can try to convince him, but I won't force him to return."
"Try harder. News of his involvement with Clow will reach Li soon. Our mother will worry about him when he doesn't return with you. You know what will happen next. Out mother will make your life a living hell." Fuu Tie clapped Eriol on his shoulder and headed towards the port where her brother was waiting for her.
Eriol let out a low groan and made Fuu Tie laughed. Soon, one of her generals announced that it was time to depart. He watched Fuu Tie get on the ship and they departed from the port. He turned around and found that Syaoran was waiting for him.
"My sister thinks it would be the best if I return to Li," Syaoran said.
"And what do you think?" he asked when Syaoran didn't continue. He wanted to know what Syaoran thinks about the suggestion before he tried to convince him to return.
"It has been two years since I left Li."
"Almost three years since you abdicated your position to me," Eriol pointed out.
Syaoran frowned at the Crown Prince's words. He hadn't realized that it has been that long since the last time he saw his parents. "When do you plan to return to Li?"
"As soon as I talked to the King," Eriol said. "There are a few things I need to discuss with him."
Syaoran paused on his track and turned to Eriol. "That soon?"
Eriol nodded. "I've been away for too long. The Emperor is probably having a hard time dealing with the ministers after they heard what we have done here. I should return soon and calm the Emperor's rage."
Syaoran heaved a sigh. He knew this very well. The Crown Prince used his identity to stop the war between Clow and Mikage. That reason was enough to make the ministers on the edge. If Eriol didn't return and control the situation soon, who knows what the ministers are going to appeal from the Emperor.
xxx
Prince Syaoran had been into the assembly hall for countless of times, but this is the first time that he was entering as the Li's Prince. It felt strange to see the King sitting in the office instead of the Princess.
Syaoran trailed after Eriol towards the center and bowed his head. "Your Majesty," they said in unison.
Touya stood up from his seat. He looked at Eriol and frowned to Syaoran. He gestured towards the empty seat in front of him and watched the two sat down. "I can't thank you enough for your help to save Clow." He bowed for a few seconds, lifted up his head and sat down. "My sister had brief me what happened in Mikage. Tell me if there's anything I can do to repay your kindness."
"I was able to help because The Princess had signed an alliance with Li Dynasty," Eriol said. "I hope the agreement I made with Princess Sakura is still valid even after you have ascended the throne, Your Majesty."
"Of course," Touya nodded. "Every decision my sister has made during her time as a Regent Queen is still valid even after I have returned. I trust her judgment."
Eriol smiled. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Touya waved a hand when a maidservant approached them with a tray of drinks and snacks. He waited for the maidservant to serve his guests and left the room. He gestured towards the drinks and continued. "My sister told me what happened in Mikage, but I have yet heard of what kind of deal you made with them."
Eriol took a sip from the fragrant tea and smiled. "The Princess wanted nothing but for Mikage to leave Clow's land and Mikage agreed that they are not to step in into Clow's land."
"They agreed?"
"They have no choice but to obey. After Princess Sakura signed the alliance, Clow is now under the protection of Li Dynasty and its alliance," Eriol said. "Can I make a suggestion, Your Majesty?" He watched the King nodded and took it as his cue to continue. "I'm suggesting for an official trade ban on any commercial activity with Mikage."
"An embargo?" Touya frowned when the Crown Prince replied him with a nod. "Clow can no longer import rice from Mikage and export goods to them. But the commercial activities between Clow and Mikage have been going on for years."
"I know," Eriol said. "I can assure you that Clow will not lose anything from this embargo. I have talked with the Princess on turning Clow as a trade center. As you know, a large number of ships would use Clow's waterway to reach their destination. The merchant would choose to stop by Clow or Mikage. I'm suggesting the embargo on Mikage to be imposed between Mikage and the alliance. This way, the alliance will have no choice but to conduct their business in Clow. And those who wanted to conduct any business transaction with the alliance will have no choice but to visit Clow."
xxx
Syaoran watched as Eriol exited the King's office. They had a lengthy discussion on the future of Clow. After some convincing from the Crown Prince, the King had agreed to impose a trade ban with Mikage for two years.
"I can see why you have that cocky personality of yours," Touya spoke when the door closed. "You're a Li prince. Why did you hide your identity? No." He held up a hand before Syaoran could answer. He already knew why he hid his identity. "Why were you trying to get close to my sister?"
Syaoran touched both his knees. Suddenly, his palms were sweating. He had the feeling that he might lose his life if his answer didn't satisfy the King. "It wasn't my plan to get close to your sister," he admitted.
Touya narrowed his eyes. "You applied as her guard and stayed by her side. What's your reason?"
Syaoran took a deep breath and decided to answer truthfully the way he had answered to Sakura. "I came to Clow after learning from my sister that you created a new martial art."
"Your sister?"
"Crown Princess Feimei of Tsu," Syaoran said.
Touya nodded. He remembered the Crown Princess. She had visited Clow with her husband just a few months before he disappeared. She saw him practicing while taking a stroll around the palace and he had explained to her what it was. "And? What do you wish to know about the martial art?" he asked.
"I have studied martial arts for years. I wanted to study various kinds of martial arts when I leave Li Dynasty. What I want is to study what kind of martial art it is," Syaoran said. "My sister mentioned that it's different and special."
"Did you find out anything about the martial art?"
Syaoran nodded. "You taught the martial art to your sister and disguised it as something like a dance."
Touya chuckled at his answer. He has heard that his sister performed a dance during the banquet. He wasn't surprised to know that the Li's Prince recognized the dance as a martial art move.
"But you didn't tell her that it was a martial art."
"Sakura wouldn't want to learn the move once she learned that it was a martial art," Touya said. "I wanted to teach her a few moves, but she didn't like it. Concealing the movement to a dance is much easier."
"What do you call this art?"
Touya stared at Syaoran for a while before he decided to answer. "Nadeshiko. Named after our mother." He took a sip from his tea, "You've seen the martial art and learn a few things about it. What are you planning to do now? I don't suppose you're going to stay here in Clow?"
"No. I'm going back to Li," Syaoran answered. "I should help the Crown Prince to explain to the Emperor and his ministers what we've done here."
Touya nodded slowly. He was relieved to hear that the Li Prince will be returning to his country soon. "When do you leave?"
"I'm leaving with Crown Prince Eriol," Syaoran said. "We'll leave as soon as he's ready."
xxx
Eriol paused when he saw Kaho from a distance. He watched her bowed to him and moved towards her.
"Kaho," he nodded. Eriol gave her a look over and met her gaze. He quickly noticed that she was not wearing the hairpin that he passed through Lady Tomoyo. He knew that the Daidouji has been busy after the incident with Mikage.
"I received your gift from Lady Tomoyo," she said. "It's beautiful. Thank you."
"You didn't wear them," he pointed out.
"It seems like an expensive gift for someone like me to be wearing."
"You don't like it?"
"That's not what I meant."
The Crown Prince looked away from her. "I won't take it back if you're here to return the hairpin."
Kaho smiled. "I'm not planning to return the hairpin. I heard that you're returning to Li Dynasty soon. When do you depart?"
"In the morning," Eriol said. He turned to look at her. "Do you want to return with me? We can go back to the way we used to. I promise that I will do my best to protect you from the others."
"I can't."
Eriol sighed. It was a long shot, but he already knew what she was going to answer him. "What are you planning to do now? Are you going to stay here?" he glanced towards the King's palace and felt a stab of pain in his chest.
"No," Kaho answered. "I'm going to travel around and study more on medicine."
Eriol chuckled at her answer. "So, you're planning to become like Syaoran, huh?"
"I came to thank you and to say goodbye."
Eriol swallowed. For a while, he refused to look at her face.
"Eriol..."
He looked up and forced a smile. "I wish you good luck with your study." He took a few steps and paused again. "If you run into any difficulties, don't be a stranger and find me. I will always welcome you."
xxx
Syaoran took a deep breath and headed towards the princess's headquarters. He frowned when he saw Asami stood at the entrance and bowed when she saw him approaching.
"Your Highness."
"You don't need to be so formal."
"I heard that you're a prince from Li Dynasty. How can I not be so formal with you?" she looked at the cast around his arms. "Are you alright?"
"I'll be fine." He glanced around the quarters and noticed that the other guards weren't there. "Where are the others?" he asked.
"The king promoted them to be as part of his guard," Asami grimaced. "The princess gave her blessing and the boys have no objection. They got their chance to train under His Majesty and his guard, Kaname. I heard that he didn't like the idea of having male guards getting too close to the princess. He's going to hire female guards for the princess. Meanwhile, I'm in charge of Princess Sakura's security." She gave him a small smile. "You're here to see Princess Sakura?"
Syaoran answered her with a nod. "How is she?"
Asami glanced towards the Princess's palace. "She's alright. But she hasn't been sleeping well. Her maidservant, Chiharu said she's been having nightmares."
"Nightmares?"
Asami nodded. "The princess wants to keep this a secret. She didn't want the King to worry." She looked up to Syaoran and smiled. "I'll announce her that you're here to see her."
Syaoran stood outside the quarters and watched Asami entered the Princess's palace. A couple minutes later she came out with a frown. "What?"
Asami glanced around and leaned towards him. "The princess will meet you in her private garden," she spoke quietly. "She said you will know where she'll meet you."
Syaoran stared at Asami's face for a while and smiled when he figured it out. "Thank you." He turned around and made his way towards the Princess's garden. He slipped in stealthily into the garden and inspected the area. Once he was satisfied, he headed towards the huge cherry blossom tree. He had stood under the same tree with her for countless times as her warrior. He knew that the princess loved the spot and that she will be waiting for him there.
The prince paused when he saw Sakura stood under the tree. She was leaning on the trunk with her eyes closed. Her expression was serene. He decided to give her a moment and watch her from afar. But she opened her eyes and turned around to face him.
"I had a feeling like someone is watching me," she smiled shyly. "I knew it was you." Her smile disappeared when she saw his bandaged shoulder. "Are you alright? Does it still hurt?" She asked, with worry.
"I'm alright," he assured. "It didn't hurt so much now."
"Really?" she inched closer to him and touched his shoulder lightly.
Syaoran winced at the contact. "Yes." He lied. "And you? Are you alright?"
Sakura nodded slowly. "But, I haven't been able to sleep much."
"What did the physician say?"
"I didn't call them. I didn't want my brother to know and worry. He has a lot to worry about now," she admitted. "It's just nightmares." She shook her head as if to clear her thoughts on her dreams. "I keep having a dream where the king locked me up in the room."
His eyes darkened. "Did he do anything to you?"
"No." she forced a smile to assure him. Her smile disappeared quickly and Sakura took a deep breath. "Have you killed anyone before, Syaoran?"
He looked at her in surprise. "Why do you ask me this?"
"I," she hesitated. Sakura glanced to her hand and spoke again. "When the king forced me to sign an agreement to give Clow to him, I pulled out the dagger you gave me and pointed it to his neck." She swallowed. "I hated him. In that moment, I hated him so much. I—I thought things would be easier if I could use the dagger on him. If Nakuru didn't come to stop me and reasoned with me, I..." her voice quiver.
His gaze softened. He didn't expect to hear this from the Princess. Nakuru and Yamazaki hadn't said anything about it to him afterward. Syaoran shifted so that they were facing each other.
"Now," she closed her eyes. "I can't stop having dreams about it. And each time, I was brought back to the time when I pointed the dagger to him. Time would stop as if the dream was waiting for me to make a decision to kill him."
Syaoran put a hand on her shoulder. "It won't be easy to forget it," he said. "I may be a prince of Li, but I am also a soldier. Most of the times, I have to swing my blade and kill for my country. I," he bit his lips. "I was eleven the first time I have to kill someone."
The princess looked up, surprised. "What happened?"
"Someone broke into the palace to harm my father and I was taken as a hostage," Syaoran winced at the memory. "Back then, I have no choice but to kill to save my life. It wasn't easy after that. I had bad dreams like you. I thought it might drive me insane."
Sakura stared at him. He was so young when he has to decide to end someone's life. But unlike her, Syaoran had killed to save his life. Surely, it wouldn't be easy for him. She wondered how his childhood was as Li's Prince. "Does it ever go away? The bad dreams?"
"It will after a while," he said. "Sometimes, they come back. But I know you'll be alright." He smiled. He tucked her hair behind her hair and recoiled when he realized what he did. "Sorry."
Sakura nodded and looked away. "Syaoran," she spoke.
"Hmm?"
"Why did you leave Li Dynasty to travel?" she asked carefully. "I heard that from Nakuru that you hand over your position as a Crown Prince to Crown Prince Eriol."
Syaoran shifted his weight between his feet. "I was engaged to this girl once," he started. "She was a daughter of the prime minister and the Emperor thought that this would help to strengthen the royal power."
As a royalty, she understood political marriage well. "What is her name?"
Syaoran gazed into her eyes and looked at the ground. "Meiling."
"You said you were engaged to her," she spoke. "What happened?"
"Politics," he smiled bitterly. "In the end, a group of ministers used her to bring her father down. Meiling and her family were accused of treason. Abdicating the Crown Prince position is the only way I have to save her and her family. Leaving the country was the only way to ensure that Crown Prince Eriol's ascend with less complication."
Sakura bit her lips. She had a lot to say, to ask him. But right now, she couldn't seem to find the right words.
"I," Syaoran spoke after a long silence. "I've decided to return to Li Dynasty with Crown Prince Eriol and the others."
Her eyes widened. Sakura turned to him and wonder if she misheard what he said. "You're going back?" She watched him nodded and took a step back. "So soon?"
"I have left my country for years," Syaoran said. "My sister and Eriol think it would be best if I return after what I've done here. I will need to explain to the Emperor what I was doing here and getting involved in the war between Clow and Mikage."
"But," Sakura took another step back and now she leaned on the tree trunk. She understood his reason to leave so soon, but she was not ready for this. "But I don't want you to go."
Syaoran stared at her, long. "Why?"
"Why?" she repeated. "Because I like having you around," she said. She lowered her gaze to the ground and clenched her fist. Slowly, she peeked up to look at him. "Because I like you."
Syaoran took a deep breath and swallowed. But, it felt as if something got stuck in his throat. He felt his ears getting hot because he couldn't believe what he was hearing. Syaoran stepped closer to her. His gaze never left her.
"I've been thinking about what you've told me at the temple. I asked for sometimes until I've been able to figure out the answer. This is my answer. I like you," she said slowly. Sakura lifted a hand to her chest to feel it thumping loudly against her ribcage. "Thinking about you and having you by my side like this makes my heart wanting to bursts. And I—" she heaved in frustration because she couldn't really say what she wanted him to know. Her thoughts are all jumbled up. "Do you have to go?"
Syaoran smiled. He caught her hand and pulled her into a hug. "I promised you that I will take you traveling to other places when this is all over," he said to her. "Do you want to go with me? To Li Dynasty? We'll stop anywhere you like."
Her eyes widened at his invitation. "Yes! I'd love—" she stopped when something crossed her mind. She loosened her grip and shook her head. "But, I can't." she started to distance herself from him. "I promised my brother that I would help him to restore Clow. I can't leave now." She clenched on her dress. "When do you leave?"
"After sunset."
Sakura looked up to the sky. The sky is getting darker and she knew that she won't have much time with him. "Then, we have a few more hours. Will you stay with me until sunset?"
End of Chapter 55: Goodbyes
Thank you for waiting. It has been three months! I hope my readers are doing well. I thought I would be able to finish this chapter sooner, but I underestimate my life. I wasn't able to write. I'm sorry. But, I hope you'll enjoy this chapter. I promise I won't take too long for the next chapter. Thank you for reading!
18 September 2017
