Chapter Twenty-Six

Disclaimer: I don't own CCS.

He who treads softly goes far.

~ Chinese Proverb

Eriol had been watching the fight between Syaoran and Enlai from some distance away. The headstrong man, for all the talk he could give had not yet recognized that blood was running down his arm like a stream. The warriors' blows came fast and strong and their blades rang out clearly into the night, striking sharply into Eriol's ears.

He could see Enlai falling to his knees now. The Guandao wielder knew that his time was up, and he did not fight it. As Syaoran plunged his jian into the man's heart, Eriol recalled the memory of a young imperial prince who he had seen take satisfaction in the death and fear he generated. Now, that prince was a man and that wicked nature inside him had resurfaced; this time, with no Huangdi to temper him.

As the man Harmless came and collected Enlai, Eriol studied the golden Moon Bell clutched tightly in his hand. If Syaoran got it, he would stand a fair chance of defeating Lu Sheng. In fact, he could reclaim the throne by the following day. If he did not get it, he might be killed but then the vision Eriol had of China crumbling in a great cataclysm around him would not come true.

Syaoran glanced over his shoulder as though he knew someone was watching. A fire burned in his eyes, a cold sharp flame brewing quietly but with the intensity of a tsunami rumbling towards the shore.

Eriol stowed away the Moon Bell, grabbed his horse's reigns and led it towards Syaoran and the small group of people surrounding him. When they caught sight of him, Renshu spoke.

"Always have to wait until the last possible moment, don't you Eriol?"

"You see it as such," answered Eriol. "I call it having impeccable timing."

"Funny. I call it being a useless fool."

Syaoran stepped forward, halting whatever retort Eriol had come up with.

"Did you retrieve the Moon Bell?"

There was a tense silence as the two men stared at each other. Eriol disapproved of Syaoran having used the power of darkness and Syaoran knew it and Eriol knew that he knew it.

"I did."

Syaoran turned to Yue.

"I will lead the siege on the palace tomorrow. We will crush all who stand in our way. I will face Lu Sheng and I will send him to meet the father he loved so dearly."

"You allowed him to use that magic," said Eriol, when Syaoran had walked off, followed by his brothers. "Do you know what you have done?"

Yue flicked his head back proudly.

"I was not here when he did. I am not his superior in any case. I cannot tell him what to do."

"You're supposed to protect him. Even from himself."

"He is in control."

"For the time being."

Yue stared down at Eriol, obviously unimpressed with his words.

"What would you have done?"

"Have his concubine persuade him in a different direction."

"You would use her like that?"

"She is a great asset. And first and foremost, our duty is to China. You-"

"Huangdi is China."

The tension between the two was smouldering. There was a movement to their right, and they turned to find Nakuru and Touya. She was hugging one of his arms and translating their conversation in hushed whispers to him.

"It is not what you think," said Eriol in Japanese, though to be honest, he had no idea what Touya was thinking. The man's face seldom revealed more than he intended to.

"Imperial conflicts are no concern of mine," said Touya. "Sakura's safety is. Keep her out of your schemes."

"I do not intend to endanger her in any way," said Eriol sincerely. "I am fond of her. I merely meant that she has an influence over Huangdi and the only other person who could have boasted of that was the late Huangdi."

Touya showed no sign of empathy.

"As I said before. Keep her from your schemes."

He sent a biting glare at Yue before stalking off with Nakuru. Yue gazed after the man, a strange expression on his face. It could have been embarrassment, it could have been remorse, but it could have been something else entirely. Eriol had too much to do however, to ponder Yue's uncharacteristic behaviour.

Sakura flew up from the cot when the entrance to the tent burst open. There was a flurry of activity as Syaoran and his brothers walked in. Syaoran sat on a stool just as Hing-sensei dashed into the tent, his doctor's bag in hand. He set it down beside Syaoran and riffled through its content. Two servants entered with a bucket of water and some towels.

Hing-sensei cut Syaoran's sleeve to reveal a bright scarlet cut.

"You're hurt!" exclaimed Sakura and she made to go to Syaoran but when he looked at her, she paused.

Miko had said, when they were coming over the seas from Japan, that 'A single stare freezes you in fear and the silence which follows him is enough to make your bones shake'. Sakura was definitely experiencing the bones shaking part. He was not the same man that had left the tent earlier.

Syaoran glanced down when Hing-sensei sent a needle through his flesh. Sakura grimaced as though she herself had been pierced.

"Should the generals be woken?" Lei asked him.

"No," answered Syaoran, and his voice was a marriage of fire and ice. "They know what has to be done. Any alterations to our formations I will deliver in the morning."

"What if we have provoked Lu into an early attack?"

"He won't attack. He is patient and strategic."

Touya and Nakuru came into the tent and the men continued to talk as if they had not noticed them. Yet, Sakura observed Syaoran's gaze follow the two until they reached her. Touya knelt at her side.

"What's going on?" she asked him. "What are you doing here?"

"Your emperor killed one of Lu Sheng's men."

Sakura hazarded a furtive glance at Syaoran.

"Which one?"

"Tall man. Big mouth. Enlai I think his name was."

"Enlai?!"

Her eyes widened in astonishment and her hand flew to her chest. Syaoran sat up straighter. Why did his attention feel so menacing?

"You can't stay with him tonight," said Touya. "I won't allow it. According to the Chief Magician, something has come undone inside him and I'm not leaving you here to find out what."

"I don't want to go," said Sakura. "I want to stay here."

Touya no doubt thought she was mad. He must have been thinking, does she not see the emptiness in the emperor, feel the darkness that surrounded him? Sakura did; but she had to believe that it was a fleeting occurrence because Syaoran just a while ago had tears flowing down his cheeks and he was as human as she had ever seen him.

"Sakura," he said firmly. "It is only for one night. I will see to it that he does not leave without you like last time."

A sharp cry pierced the air. All eyes snapped to Sakura, and hers went to the baby at her side, snugly wrapped in his blankets. She picked him up and cradled him in her arms, murmuring soothing words, but his tiny body continued to belt out cry after cry with ever increasing intensity.

Sakura's shoulders tensed. She looked up to find Syaoran stitched up, leaning forward, observing her.

"So that's your boy you've been hiding," remarked Renshu.

The child's cries escalated, and a thick vein pumped near Syaoran's temple. He had not spoken to Sakura since he had returned but now he asked, "Why is he crying?"

Her shoulders stiffened and she found she could not meet his gaze.

"He's hungry."

"Feed him."

Sakura was torn. She could not be expected to do that in front of all the men there? Syaoran stood and Sakura was reminded of an angry dog raising to its feet, lips pulled back tight in a snarl.

"Do as I say."

"Surely, you don't want your concubine to expose herself to these men, Huangdi?"

"Hiiragizawa-san!" exclaimed Sakura.

The sudden appearance of the bespectacled man relieved her. Eriol had that aura of the wise grandfather who would make sure everything was well with the household.

"Can you not appreciate her predicament?" continued Eriol, as he smiled warmly at Sakura.

Syaoran opened his mouth to speak but stopped. It was apparent he was mulling Eriol's words over in his head. In the end, he said, "Everyone out."

He turned to Touya when the man did not move.

"You too."

Touya gripped Sakura by the arm and dragged her up.

"Sakura's coming with me."

"No. She is not."

"He won't hurt us," she told her brother.

Syaoran raised his head proudly, daring Touya to contest him one more time. Sakura was not sure about Touya's skills, but she knew Syaoran was a ruthless swordsman.

"Onii-chan. Please," she begged.

Touya's hand fell away from her.

"Scream loud if you must," he said, looking Syaoran dead in the eyes before he turned on his heels, Nakuru not far behind him. Eriol gave her a reassuring nod and he too exited.

While Sakura fed their son, Syaoran removed his soiled clothes and finished the job the servants had started on his arm. He cleared the blood from his skin with the wet towel and Sakura realised then, that most of it was not his. He was drenched in Enlai and that understanding turned her stomach.

Syaoran was meticulous as he ministered to himself. All garments removed, he stood nude. His long muscles flexed as he twisted and turned getting every dirty spot he could find. He looked over his shoulder at her for a moment and went back to what he was doing.

"You said nothing happened between you and Lu Sheng."

Sakura squinted, momentarily perplexed. His back was still turned so she could not see his face to know if she should be worried or not.

"Hai," she said.

"Enlai, before I killed him, said differently."

Sakura made a face as her son clamped down a bit too hard on her tender flesh.

"What did he say?"

Syaoran ignored the question and asked another two of his own, "What did you not tell me about you and Lu Sheng? Did he touch you?"

"Not… really."

He turned around and Sakura looked away from his bare skin, blushing.

"What does that mean?"

Quietly she admitted, "We slept on the same bed, but nothing happened! And he... he made me bathe him. But I was covered the entire time! He didn't touch me like you're thinking I swear. He was not cruel at all."

There was no response from Syaoran. When she dared to look up, he had a hanfu tied loosely around his body.

"Are you done?" he asked, gesturing to their son.

"Yes. I think so," she said looking at the drowsy boy.

Syaoran called a maidservant and directed her to bring Nakuru to them. When she showed up, Syaoran told Sakura to give the child to her.

"Why?" she asked.

"I don't want to hear any more wailing," was his reply and she did as she was told.

He settled beside her on the cot. Just as Sakura was becoming comfortable with the silence between them, he asked, "Did his men touch you?"

"No."

"Enlai's death upset you. Why?"

Sakura shivered.

"I think I was surprised that you had just killed someone. Someone I was familiar with."

Syaoran gripped her chin and brought her face close to his in one movement. He stared into her with those golden eyes of his. Sakura held her breath as he judged her honesty. Then his lips crashed down on hers. His arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her into his lap. Her hand brushed against his arousal and her eyes widened. She planted her hands on his chest and pushed hard.

It was her body that launched backwards, and she might have laughed at that if it had happened under different circumstances.

"No. It's too soon," she said. "I can't."

Syaoran held the tie at her waist.

"You will."

She slapped his hand in panic.

"It'll hurt!" she tried to explain. She was not sure how she would look to him now. She was not sure how she would feel to him too. "We shouldn't yet."

Syaoran's body dropped on top of hers, pinning her to the cot.

"This is what I want," he told her. "You can oblige. Or I can turn you around and take."

Sakura reddened. Was she really hearing this? Did Syaoran mean to force her? He slid her hanfu up her legs and his heated gaze followed its trail. He slipped out the sleeves of his own hanfu and pushed Sakura's knees apart. She winced and the anticipation of unimaginable pain roused an anger deep within her.

Who was Syaoran, to change temperature so suddenly; to be kind and understanding one moment, and terrible and impatient the next? She was not selfish like him. She was rejecting him because her body still hurt from having his child. She was rejecting because she knew it was different and she was not sure just how much so.

"I said no!"

Her hands slammed into his chest and she sat up. For an instant, Sakura thought she had secured a very unpleasant night for herself, when to her amazement, Syaoran sat back on his heels. His face had hardened with suppressed fury, but he did not make a move towards her.

After what seemed like hours, Syaoran asked, "Why do you deny me?"

"I told you," said Sakura, breathing normally now he had finally spoken. "I'm still sore. And I'm tired."

"I want you."

"I know... but…"

He folded his arms like a stubborn child.

"I will use a servant."

That was a blade in Sakura's heart and from the expression Syaoran wore, he knew it. She made no reply and he rose to his feet, pulling his hanfu over his chest. His footsteps were thundering as he walked away from her. At the tent entrance he made a sharp turn and stomped back to her.

Sakura thought, now his rage would be felt.

"I will lay her next to you and I will use her."

Sakura's head sank in between her shoulders. She could not give him what he wanted. She had to listen to her body. If he calmed down, he would see her logic – he might have understood. If this had happened months ago, she was sure he would try to. When he left the tent, she dropped her face into her hands. She was Syaoran's concubine. She did not have an exclusive right to him though he had such a right to her. It was to be expected that he slept with other women. Having his child did not change that. She lay on her side and waited for him to return, repeating facts of life to herself.

About half an hour later, he slid under the heavy covers with her.

"I know you're awake," Syaoran said, as a matter of fact.

Sakura, who had her back to him, opened her eyes.

"You didn't have to tell me what you were going to do."

"I wanted to hurt you."

He settled himself against her and Sakura jumped when she felt his arm encircle her frame and secure her against his chest. Syaoran pressed his nose to her hair and drew a deep breath. One of his legs slipped over her calves and he breathed out, preparing himself to sleep.

She felt his hardness against her rise of her butt. She turned around and he made an annoyed sound deep in his throat.

"You know you have to stay still when I sleep."

Sakura was not listening to him. Instead, her nose was inhaling his scent. He smelled like himself. There was no sweat, no musk, no one else on him. A smile passed over her face and she lifted her head and saw that he was staring back at her through half-opened eyes. His fingers strummed her spine idly before, reaching up and stroking his cheek. He puffed out.

"I have a battle today," he told her. "I'd like to get some rest before it. If the Imperial concubine has no objections."

Sakura shuddered. Had a new day begun already? Then she was regretful. Should she have given Syaoran what he wanted, regardless of what she had felt? He was going to fight Lu Sheng. Who knew what could happen to him? Suppose he was killed. Sakura squashed her eyes shut. No, she would not think like that.

Syaoran did not seem agitated by the thought of today. He seemed almost peaceful. His manhood however, still pulsed against her and without hesitation, Sakura pushed her hand between them and gripped him. Her hand moved up and down his length twice and his breath hitched. Sakura got a few more strokes in when his hand clamped down in warning around hers.

"Don't tease me."

"I'm not."

"Can I be inside you?"

Her hand slackened and Syaoran placed it around his side.

"I know what you mean to do," he said. "But it's unnecessary and it will only frustrate me further."

"But you need… something."

"Were Meilin or Hua-Ling here… I would go to them," he said, sounding remorseful that he did not have that option.

"Why not the servant?" asked Sakura, wanting to know why he had a change of heart.

"I prefer to only be with my wives. It is more… respectable." He groaned tiredly. "Go to sleep, Sakura. I'll live… I think."

He patted her back and he resumed his sleeping position. Sakura swore she heard him mutter, "Witch."

The sounds of thousands of men on the move woke Sakura. She barely had time to recognize the tiny bundle that was mini Syaoran next to her when someone said, "You made a beautiful child Sakura-san."

She bolted up.

"Chief Magician Hiiragizawa!" she gasped.

His smile was apologetic.

"I wanted to speak with you, but you looked so peaceful that waking you seemed quite cruel."

She nodded as she held a hand over her chest, her breaths flying in and out of her.

"A boy," Eriol said. "Huangdi would have been overjoyed even though you are a concubine." He winced. "That was very insensitive of me to say."

"It's fine," said Sakura. "You're right."

Eriol moved closer to her and smiled down at the child. Sakura remembered his own children and how long it had been since either of them had seen his eldest son Han. Right then, her heart broke for the magician whose collected and well-mannered ways made it difficult to remember that he hurt like everyone else.

"Do you want to hold him?"

"Very much. But Huangdi would not approve."

"But you've always done as you've pleased."

"So, it would appear."

"He's my son too and I would like you to hold him," Sakura insisted.

Eriol reached out and brushed the boy's hand with his finger. Then he pulled back and watched him, a nostalgic expression sweeping across his features. When he snapped back to the moment, he pinched the bridge of his nose. Sakura had never seen him look so exhausted before.

"What's wrong, Chief Magician?"

For the first time, he appeared as fragile as a porcelain doll.

"I have always been to able to see the future to some extent. But Huangdi does not believe in prophecies. Nevertheless, I experience them. I think today he would destroy the works of many generations and cast them into nothingness."

Sakura did not fully understand what was said but the seriousness in Eriol's tone worried her. But then suddenly, a grin made its way to his face and it was like the sun had risen on a winter's morning.

"I brought you something."

He handed Sakura a package wrapped in blue cloth. It was an ornate red and gold book. Someone had gone through a good deal of trouble to carve intricate markings onto it. There was a Sun, stars and a face of a beast that looked like Kero-chan when had grown into a beastlike form that one time in the imperial palace.

"What is it?"

"Open it," said Eriol.

Inside, Sakura found a deck of cards. They looked like her own but red.

"Magic Cards?" she asked, and she lightly ran her finger down the back of the top one.

"My father Clow used magic cards. That's where I got the idea for you. I do not use this magic, so I am giving them to you, to be their caretaker – their Mistress. When you use them, they will become yours."

"I can't- I - are you sure?"

This seemed like a family heirloom to Sakura. Surely, he should be saving it for his children.

"I'm sure. I know this is the right thing to do."

The faith he had in her was overwhelming and Sakura was proud that he thought her worthy.

"I'll take good care of them. I promise."

"Thank you, Sakura-san."

She reached into the book and gathered the Cards into her hand. One by one, she went through them. She paused.

"The Erase?" she whispered.

"It makes things disappear," he told her.

A dream long forgotten, rose in her mind and crashed in her heart. She had never told Eriol that she had a dream in which she raised her hands to Syaoran and made him vanish. Could he be making her dream a reality by giving her this Card?

She asked Eriol where the things that disappeared went, and his answer was simple. "Away."

"Can I bring them back?"

"That is not the Card's purpose."

"But can I? Find some other way?"

"If you do, I will marvel at your skill."

Sakura placed the Erase at the bottom of the deck. She would never touch it again.

"Chief Magician, do prophecies always happen as you see them?"

"No. We are human and sometimes we do not see the real future. Sometimes our dreams, nightmares, and desires become intertwined with them. Other times what we see is only a possibility."

"Why do you ask? Do you think you've experienced a prophecy?"

"No," lied Sakura. "I was just wondering."

Drums sounded in the distance.

"The soldiers are about to march," Eriol explained. "I should join him."

A servant came in with the necessities for Sakura to wash up for the morning and Eriol departed. She rolled up her sleeves and headed for the basin of water to wash her face. As she cleaned her teeth, she felt disgusted with herself. Here she was pampered, her every need kept in the forefront of the servants' minds as men prepared to walk to their deaths. Even so she dutifully continued her routine until food was brought to her and it was the most surreal experience she had ever had.

"You haven't eaten," said Syaoran, surveying the untouched food when he came to see her. He was dressed in full dark armour except for his helmet.

"I have no appetite," she told him. "I'll eat later."

He did not insist, and she was relieved by that. A horn sounded, loud and long freezing Sakura in place.

"It's time," said Syaoran, more to himself than to her.

"You don't have to go," said Sakura, turning her eyes up to him. "You're the emperor. You don't have to fight."

He extended his hand to hers and she took it. Instinctively, she glanced back at their son sleeping on the cot.

"You should say goodbye," Sakura told Syaoran.

Syaoran squinted in confusion.

"He would not understand."

Whatever reason Sakura would have given were cut short by the sight of her brother. He was dressed in armour like the other soldiers.

"What are you doing?" she asked him when he was in earshot.

"I'm going to help."

"You? Help? Why?!"

"It's a matter of honour. The emperor came for you at the Forbidden City when he didn't have to. It cost him a great deal. Now you have made him my blood. Now, his enemies are my own. It is my duty to be another sword in his army."

"No. No! You're not fighting." She turned to glare at Syaoran. "You asked him to help you? How could you? This isn't even his war! You have thousands of men."

"Sakura!" Her head snapped to her brother who gave her a firm look. "He didn't have to ask. I told you it's a matter of honour."

He ruffled her hair.

"Don't worry kaiju."

"Yes, don't worry, Sakura-chan! I won't let anyone hurt my future husband."

Nakuru latched onto Touya's arm. She was not dressed in armour, but it was clear by her bright attitude that she was ready for battle.

"And where do you think you're going?" he asked Nakuru, an eyebrow raised.

She smiled wide and there was a crazy glint in her eyes. She held her fists out in front of her.

"To war! To shed blood! I am going to-"

"Stay here and protect Sakura."

Nakuru's face fell.

"Not that I don't adore you Sakura-chan but that's a poor use of my skills. I'm going with you Touya! Don't you think about stopping me because I can take you out in an instant, and don't you think I wo-"

Touya roughly hauled Nakuru off to have a 'talk' and she fought him all the way. Sakura made to go after them but Syaoran gripped her wrist.

"You can't change his mind. He's coming with me."

"I have to try! He's my only brother. I don't want him to die."

"When someone is going to battle, you don't say things like that. Not to them. It can have crippling effects."

Sakura calmed herself. Syaoran was right. She did not want her brother having such thoughts in his head and she could not deter him. He was too stubborn.

"Don't expect a goodbye, either," said Syaoran as his horse was led to him by a soldier.

He took its reigns.

"Just know that he'll be back."

Another soldier handed him an ornate helmet and he put it on his head. Sakura squinted as the sunlight reflected off it into her eyes.

"This will take a few hours," he told her, turning to look to the horizon. "Stay in your tent until I return. There will be soldiers here. You have nothing to be afraid of."

Somewhere a horn blew, loud and angry, signalling the troops to fall into their sections. Whoever was behind it seemed to have lungs as big as the ocean because the sound seemed to ring out forever. Then there were drums again, reverberating in her chest, making her knees weak. She did not want Syaoran to leave. She did not want anyone to leave but they all did anyway.