It was early morning when they woke; it would have been about six in the morning. Sakura gathered her things together quickly in her room while Syaoran was getting dressed. He'd gathered his own things together the night before so that he could take his time in the morning. Sakura hadn't gotten dressed yet; nothing really appealed to her.
There was a knock at the door followed by Tomoyo's voice. "Sakura; I have a couple of things for you-may I come in?" She asked. Sakura looked over at Syaoran who was pulling on his black cloak. "You can come in." Sakura called out, standing up. Tomoyo opened the door and found Sakura moving her bags into a corner. The princess looked up and noticed Tomoyo holding her sword, and a white garment. "How are you feeling this morning, Sakura?" Tomoyo asked sweetly. "Not too bad…a little tired, but I suppose that's to be expected-it is early after all. I'm sure I'll feel the morning symptoms in a few hours." Sakura replied. "When you do, make sure to let Chii know. I came up here to give you your sword; and a little parting gift." The raven haired elf smiled. Sakura walked over to Tomoyo and took her sword, placing it with her things. She then turned back to her and found her holding out the white garment that she had noticed earlier. "What's this?" Sakura asked. "I told you I would make you a dress, and so I did. Actually, I got slightly carried away and made two." Tomoyo laughed. "Thank you." Sakura smiled, taking the dress from Tomoyo; the fabric was soft like silk and had three layers to the skirt as the fabric was very light. It was a halter neck, the soft cording around the neck silver. The neckline was of a sweet heart shape, with silver vine embroidering. Beneath the bust was a silver cording just like that around the neck that created an empire line that could be tied up. "What's the other dress?" Sakura asked curiously. "I placed it in your bag last night-it's a surprise." Tomoyo winked. "I look forward to seeing it." Sakura smiled cheerfully. "Get dressed-breakfast will be ready soon-bring your bags down; Shinji will attach them to your saddles." Tomoyo told the couple as she left the room, shutting the door behind her.
Sakura dressed herself and turned to Syaoran. "Well, how do I look?" she asked, cheeks flushed red. Syaoran looked up and smiled. "You look beautiful." He said, walking over to her holding something silver in his hand. "What is that you're holding?" Sakura asked curiously. "Something I made for you." He said, coming to stand behind her. She felt him slide something around her neck and she looked up at him. "When did you have the time to make me something?" She asked. "Spare time." He shrugged. "You and your crafty skills…" Sakura muttered, walking over to the mirror to have a look at what he had made her.
It was a silver rose that hung neatly from a silver chain that had been made to look like a rose vine with intricate detail. Something that had so much detail would have taken quite a while to make. "It's beautiful…" she smiled, turning around and hugging him. "I'm glad you like it." Syaoran kissed her on the forehead. She pulled on her black velvet cloak and they headed downstairs for breakfast where the others were waiting for them.
After eating breakfast they headed down to the stables, a five minute walk from the house. As soon as Shinji opened the doors, Sakura immediately headed over towards a pure white horse with mystical azure eyes. She murmured something in elvish to the beautiful white horse as she pet her fur. "Hey there Amalthea, I'm back." She smiled. "She's missed you." Shinji said, watching as Sakura tended to her horse. Sakura looked over at Syaoran, "Syaoran, come here." She said with a smile. Looking up, Syaoran walked over and stood by Sakura's side; he had to admit that Amalthea was the most beautiful horse he had ever seen. "She's certainly beautiful." He said. "Hold out your hand." Sakura instructed. With a hint of reluctance, he did as she said. Amalthea observed Syaoran for a moment, and then nudged her nose against his hand demanding his attention. "Well that's a sure sign she likes you-she doesn't usually warm up to people that quickly, but I figured that with you it would be different." Sakura smiled. "How so?" Syaoran asked curiously. "You have this gentle air about you…" Sakura replied softly. "Well I must say, if there is one horse I'll ride, it would definitely have to be Amalthea." Syaoran smiled as he petted the horse's nose. "What's wrong with other horses?" Fai and Chii asked simultaneously. "Dangerous at both ends and crafty in the middle; I don't want anything with a mind of its own bobbing about between my legs." He muttered. Everyone except for Syaoran burst out laughing. "I'll take it you're riding with me then. What about you two?" Sakura aimed her question at Chii and Fai who were still laughing. "I'll ride with Fai; it will be easier that way." Chii said as she clutched at her stomach whilst giggling.
Shinji walked over with a chestnut coloured horse, "This is Balthasar; he's pretty well behaved, so you shouldn't have much trouble with him." Shinji smiled as he handed over the reins. "Thanks, we really appreciate this. If there is ever anything I can do for you, let me know." Sakura said as she mounted the saddle on Amalthea's back. Syaoran sat behind her. "Take care of yourselves." Tomoyo smiled. "We will." Syaoran replied. "Alastor will have a fun race with the horses, won't ya boy?" Shinji grinned as he rubbed between the wolf's ears. "Well, he isn't an ordinary wolf." Sakura laughed.
"Sakura." Kurogane called for the princess's attention. She turned her head to look at him. "Good luck-don't get yourself killed." He said. "Thank you." She smiled. Sakura looked over at Chii and Fai, and they were ready to go. They had finished their goodbyes, and she had made a promise to herself that she would return. "Quasi ventus, curres-ire!*" Sakura spoke her tongue fluently and Amalthea received her words, taking off out into the morning sun. Fai and Chii followed after her on Balthasar and Alastor keeping pace with them. "Take care you five!" Tomoyo called out after them with a big smile of her face. "Don't eat too many sweets!" Shinji shouted at Sakura, who pretended not to hear. Tomoyo sighed, "She better not get herself killed…" she said as she watched the two horses disappear over the hill.
*Run like the wind, take your course-go
That's that chapter. Hope you enjoyed it! And there's Syaoran's dislike for horses :P
I'm going to be starting the sequel to Sweet Sacrifice soon, just so you know, but I won't be updating any of it until I finish these stories! ARGH. Yeah, I can't get any of the plot out of my darn head. Ugh.
Look forward to it! Review?
