The Hidden Princess- Warrant

Chapter 2

By: Cherrysakuragirl

E-mail: Cherrysakuragirl@hotmail.com

Once again (ugh!!!!!!!)…

************************************************************************

Disclaimer: Cardcaptor Sakura, its characters, its story, and its entire entity does not, and never will, belong to me. L This fanfic is the sole work of an ardent fan and not part of the original plot. By writing this, I am in no way stealing Cardcaptor Sakura nor any possessions or characteristics that one would attribute with it. Meaning: Don't Sue Me!!! You won't get anything valuable!

************************************************************************

So, did you guys like chapter 1? Well, I hope that you enjoy chapter 2! Please review afterwards!

In case you guys don't remember what ages they are:

Sakura,Syaoran,Meilin-seven

Touya- fourteen

CCS & co are still really young right now, but they'll get older later!! I promise!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

With that final threat, Li Leran left the library, slamming the door behind them, and clicking a latch, which sounded suspiciously like a lock.

Sakura, looking deploringly at Kero-chan, asked nervously, "Kero? What should we do now??? We're locked in!" Glancing guiltily at the floor, she added," Plus, I can't take this book, when all of the Kingdom could be in danger without it! In addition, Syaoran is-is-is… a prince! I never knew! I mean he is super rich and his house is really big…but really! A prince! Syaoran will be so disappointed when he's not the clow master! He won't be able to protect the Kingdom! It's all my fault!" Sakura looked dejectedly at Kero," and now, we're-we're in trouble."

Kero shook his head," No Sakura, you don't understand. Even if Syaoran had the book, he would never be able to harness its power, never be able to be clow master, because the card says 'Sakura'. See?" explained Kero kindly, holding up one of the Sakura cards. "The cards chose you to be their master, not Syaoran (whoever that brat is, making Sakura feel bad!). It's you who must save the kingdom."

Feeling better, she hugged Kero-chan. "Oh Kero-chan, you're so nice, making me feel better. You're my best friend!"

Kero, feeling happy again, asked hopefully," So do you think I could have some… pudding?"

Sakura nodded sincerely," You can have 10 puddings! But first we have to get out of here!"

"Oh, that's easy Sakura, just use one of the cards." Leafing through the cards again, Sakura asked," But exactly how do you release the power of the cards?" Realizing that they were still tiny and that the bookshelf was monstrous, added," And how do we get big again?"

"Well, to get back to normal size, just touch the Little card again." Touching the card tentatively, she began sprouting, shooting up towards the sky. Jumping onto the floor to avoid being crushed by the bookshelf, she grabbed Kero. "That's fun Kero-chan!"

Kero nodded wisely," I know! Hehehe. Anyway, to unleash the power of the card, use the staff and stab the card. Don't forget to say its respective name and release." Sakura, confused asked," But how come I never did that to the Little card ( I just touched it) and we turned little?"

"That's because some cards are special," replied Kero-chan. "Oh Kero, you're so smart!" exclaimed Sakura. (Kero nodded with great sagacity) Looking at the card deck, Sakura decided," Could I use the Erase card to erase the door?" Stepping towards the door, Sakura shouted," Erase card, release! Erase that door!" As the staff fell on the card, a white mist emanated from it, and…canceled the door! "Wow!"

"Shhhhh!," hissed Kero," that lady or someone else could be out there still. Don't forget to replace the door." Creeping out of the room, Sakura turned around and said, (quietly ^.^)," Erase card, undo your mischief." Again, a mist flew from the card, this time returning the door.

"Ummm, Kero-chan? I'm not really sure where the room I was staying at-

"Sakura, is that you!" demanded a snotty voice. Meilin, wearing a traditional Chinese dress, with her hair tied in an elegant bun, looked down her nose at Sakura, who was just wearing a nightgown. "Why are you roaming MY hallways? Don't you know it's not proper for a guest? Or have you no manners? And can't you get dressed? It's over twelve o' clock." Not waiting for an answer, Meilin continued her rant," I thought I heard you talking to yourself. Is it that you have no real friends, so you have imaginary ones? Hmph."

Sakura, determined to act nice and calm as she always did, replied cheerily," Actually, I was looking for you! When I woke up, I didn't see anyone, and I was looking for a change of clothes."

Meilin glared at her; without a word she walked into another room. Standing out in the hallway, Sakura wondered if she was coming back. Returning, Meilin thrust a pile of clothes at her. "Here."

"Um Meilin, now that I'm healed, could I go home?" Meilin, deciding this was the best thing Sakura had said since she had known her, agreed. "Sure, let me tell-

"L-Lady Meilin! The Queen Li Leran is holding a meeting for all those inside the kingdom. She has an important public announcement to make, and she is requesting that everyone be there," proclaimed a messenger. Meilin nodded," Yes of course."

Meilin, turning to Sakura, asked, " Your family is part of this kingdom, *ne? "Well, then why don't we go to the meeting, and then you can go home with your family?" Sakura nodded.

* * * * * * *

Sakura, wearing her newly changed-into clothes, tucked the clow book in the small bag, which thankfully came with the outfit. Sakura wore black slacks, topped off with a cute, pink colored Chinese smock. In addition, she had tied her hair up with a bright, green ribbon, which helped accentuate her sparkling emerald eyes. She had a feeling that the meeting would concern the missing book. "Kero-chan, how can I hide you? You won't fit in the bag!" Kero, looking unperturbed, answered," Well, why don't you just carry me around?" " Because it isn't normal to carry a flying stuffed lion-bear around!" retorted Sakura.

Meilin, hearing two voices arguing, burst in the room. Seeing no one but Sakura, Meilin gave her a weird look. "Who's that?" she pointed to Kero-chan. Not receiving an answer, she sighed impatiently and added, " Well, we should go now," thinking Sakura was up to a trick. Following Meilin, Sakura let go of a big breath of relief.

In reaching the great hall, Sakura saw a plethora of people, yet she didn't see her father or her brother. The hall was full of cacophony, and from afar it could ostensibly be seen as a loud swarm of bees. "Listen Sakura!" Meilin screamed, to be heard over the commotion of the hall," I have to go sit over there with the royal family," she indicated chairs on the stage," Find your family and sit with them."

"B-b-ut Meilin, what if I don't-''

But Melin had vanished in the crowd. Sakura sighed. I guess I should look for father and Touya. But it was impossible; no matter which way she turned, she saw the same thing over and over again, the ubiquitous mass of people. Finding a place in the front, she sat down.

"Attention everyone, the Queen is ready to make her announcement." In that instant, everyone was silent. It had turned from a hall full of incongruent noise to a hall as peaceful as a trickling waterfall, all in a mere matter of seconds. Sakura was awed; to have that much power…

"Greetings my kingdom. My announcement is this morning, a certain book, known as the Clow book, was stolen from my library. This significant book is indispensable to the protection of our kingdom, and I'm apprehensive that without it, we will not sleep safely in our beds. So join my crusade to ensure the security of this kingdom by alerting me, and bringing the person whom has taken this book. This person will then be sent immediately, without a trial, to the dungeon where he or she will rest for all time. In the wrong hands, this book could cause havoc amongst not only our kingdom, but those around us as well. However, the reward, will not be given unless the book is returned in full condition. I am extremely sorrowed that I must go to this extent to retrieve this, but without it, out very kingdom could collapse. Thank you for your time, and may peace be with us all." The Queen, with a grave air, exited through the side.

Syaoran, glancing around the room to notice his people's response, noticed that one particular girl sitting in the front row turned a deathly pale after mother made her statement. Staring intently at her, he thought she looked familiar. Could she be the girl that he rescued? Shaking his head to deny it; he didn't see how Sakura would be mixed up in all of this.

"Thank you, Queen Leran Li. We thank you all for your presence here today, and-"

"Ahhhhhhhhhhh!" screamed a voice from outside. Through the doorway, a slight, twitchy lady burst through. "There's a monster outside! It's a giant bear!" Collapsing on the floor from shock, she said no more. Syaoran, sitting near the exit, inched towards the door. Meilin, not finding Syaoran, screamed, "Wait for me!" and followed him.

Sakura, looking questioning at Kero-chan, asked," Should I go help?" Not answering her own question, she ran towards the door. Turning the handle and finding that it was locked, looked despairingly at Kero. "I'm sorry young lady, but no one leaves until they are searched for the book. Plus, there is great danger outside," came the voice of a palace guard. So, Sakura nervously thought, I guess they're not taking any chances. "Kero-chan, what should I do! They're going to search me! Then they'll find the book," hissed Sakura. Kero-chan shrugged.

"Hoe! You're a big help Kero-chan!" Glancing around the room, she remembered the door that had Meilin exited by, which had been unlocked. Looking at her position near the stage compared to the door, she realized it wasn't that far. "I need a distraction…" she muttered to herself. Suddenly, she had a brilliant idea (although Kero-chan might think less of it ^.^) Grabbing Kero by the tail, she threw him at someone, whispering," Sing a song and dance Kero-chan! It's your chance at stardom!" Giggling, she watched while people stared wonderingly at the amusing dance of a stuffed animal (who was wearing a large scowl). Ducking behind the crowd, she made it towards the door. Backing against the wall, she escaped, for what she thought was an unseen departure, except for the suspicious eyes of Li Leran.

Outside, she saw a massive, towering…bear? It was an enormous collection of fur, height, and fury, and it was fully on the rampage. Around the bear, she saw Meilin throwing precise kicks, yet none of them even grazed the bear's coat. Syaoran was chanting Chinese chants, and fire was igniting from his sword. It was a powerful stream, yet it was fruitless against the bear; it only resulted in briefly burning the bear's coat, which the bear quickly put out. At any other moment, this scene would have been an absurd surprise and extremely ridiculous, yet she herself had the power of the Sakura cards and was friends with a talking and flying stuffed animal.

"Meilin!," she heard Syaoran yell," go! I can take care of this bear by myself." "No you can't," responded Meilin. Syaoran, although he didn't want to admit it, knew Meilin was somewhat right; he had never faced an enemy before that was undamaged by his attacks. He needed some help. Sakura saw that too.

"Syaoran, Meilin!" Sakura called," Come over here." Hearing Sakura's voice, both Meilin and Syaoran gasped; how did she get here? "Listen Sakura and Meilin," demanded Syaoran seriously, as he and Meilin sprinted to Sakura," you guys don't have certain err… powers that would make you an asset to this fight. So, please leave before you get hurt," he said impassively. Sakura stared at him; this wasn't the Syaoran that she knew, he was so… cool and uncaring.

"Excuse me Prince," Sakura said indignantly," but how do you know that Meilin and I, especially me since you barely know me, don't have powers. I mean Meilin can fight; I just saw her!. She's not completely helpless. Neither am I." Syaoran stared icily at her and said," As Prince and as future king, I command you to stay out of my way." Turning, he returned to the fight." Meilin remarked snidely," He sure can be supercilious at times; thinking so arrogantly that he can beat that thing by himself." "Shouldn't we try to help?" asked Sakura. Meilin stared, surprised at Sakura's nerve. "You do realize that we are fighting against a million foot bear, and adverse to Syaoran's will?" Sakura nodded, dashing out to help Syaoran. Meilin, looking awestruck, thought I guess I underestimated her.

Syaoran, seeing Sakura next to him, shouted," I thought I told you to stay behind!" Sakura, not paying any attention to him, thought What are the weaknesses of large bears? Leafing through her cards, she thought Firey, Windy, Power,Loop; maybe firey and windy? Holding out her staff, Sakura shouted," Syaoran! Let's use fire, on the count of three! One, two, three! Fire Card, release!" Syaoran, looking very suspicious and curious at Sakura, released his power. Streams of fire shot out from Syaoran's sword, and a beautiful fire child flew from Sakura's wand. Together, they both severely burned the bear. Staring determinedly, Sakura concentrated her energy on the card, fueling firey's power. Come on firey she thought. Then, after she thought the bear was weakening, she called back the card; Syaoran, following her lead, did the same.

"Now the wind! One, two, three. Wind card, release!" demanded Sakura. Again, their respective powers mingled, restraining the bear. Yet Syaoran saw that the bear, who was recovering from the fire attack, would soon be strong again. "Sakura, we can't keep doing this," he asserted," This attack-restrain tactic can only last us so long; we'll run out of energy."

"But what else can we do?" inquired Sakura. She was dangerously tired; this was the first time she had called a card two times in a row, one right after the other. She was afraid that she would collapse, leaving Syaoran and Meilin to face the monster alone. If only there was a way that I can permanently imprison the bear…she thought. Maybe… like the power in my cards are captured… Then, she had an idea. Calling upon the last strands of her power, she yelled," Bear! I, Sakura, Card Mistress, Command you to a new form, Sakura Card!" Sticking her staff in front of her, she watched in awe as a card began to take shape on her staff, gathering magical strands from the bear, who was transfiguring into a card. As the transformation was complete, Sakura collapsed, her hair spilling out around her as she descended. Syaoran caught her swiftly before she reached the ground. Taking the card from her grasp to examine it, he thought that the card looked vaguely familiar.

"Meilin, do you remember where this card is from?'' asked Syaoran. He knew that they had learned it in school before, but he had forgotten about it, something that he normally didn't do. Meilin running over to Syaoran, shook her head when she saw the card. Suddenly, Syaoran's picture-perfect memory recuperated, and on closer inspection he comprehended that the card looked like it was… from the Clow book. Syaoran's amber eyes, that were carefully taught not to reveal any emotions, reflected the shock that he was feeling. But that would mean that she stole it! Looking at the peacefully sleeping girl, he didn't think that she was capable of it.

Although he didn't want to ruin her life, (and he didn't think that the book was in the wrong hands) he had an obligation to the kingdom, something he had to fulfill. And he couldn't believe that Sakura would betray her kingdom. I think that she owes me an explanation. Shaking Sakura rudely, he demanded," Wake up." "Syaoran!" Meilin protested," she's sleeping!"

Sakura, waking groggily, said," What?"

Syaoran, who by now had some control over his emotions, demanded cooly, holding up the card, " Care to explain this?"

Sakura clutched her bag, which held the Clow book concealed within. "Wh-what do you mean Prince?" she stuttered nervously, sweatdropping. Taking her bag, she tried to hide it subtly behind her back. She failed miserably on both accounts. Syaoran's sharp eyes detected her clumsy movement and he grabbed the bag. So, he thought after opening the bag, my anger was justified after all. Taking the book, he displayed it to her and Meilin.

"What is that book called, Meilin," asked Syaoran steely. Meilin, confused over Syaoran's paroxysm, looked at the book and exclaimed," That's the Clow book Syaoran! That's the book that Li Leran desperately wants, the book that was stolen today. Don't tell me she," Meilin jabbed her finger at Sakura, " had it." Syaoran nodded. Meilin was positively livid now," You see Syaoran? I told you she was nothing but a brat, stealing an important Li possession. She's probably a criminal!"

"Meilin, Syaoran," Sakura appeased," You don't understand. I didn't steal it because I wanted to… it called me to it. I promise that I would never do such a thing of my own free will. You have to believe me! As I was in the library, I heard the Queen talk of terrible danger approaching us, so we must work together to end it. So please don't tell anyone!" begged Sakura.

"Meilin," Syaoran continued conversationally," do you happen to remember the punishment for the person who was found to obtain the book?"

"Yes," answered Meilin cautiously," eternal imprisonment in the dungeon." Syaoran nodded. "So Sakura, unless you come up with some tangible proof of your fabricated tale, then I will be suggesting to my mother that you spend some permanent time in jail."

"B-B-ut how can I have proof?" protested Sakura,"isn't my word enough?'' Sakura, hurt by the manner in which he was treating her and nervous about the threat that loomed over her like a black cloud, fought to stay calm and resist the tears. How can I prove it to him? Then, she remembered Kero-chan. I'll show him Kero-chan, the guardian of the seal, and he'll have to believe me!

Looking around for Kero, she yelled hopefully, " Kero-chan, where are you?" Zooming around the corner, Kero appeared. "Hello Sakura-chan!" exclaimed Kero, ignoring Meilin and Syaoran," You should have seen me. Everyone loved me! I did an awesome dance and everyone was clapping! At least they were until the queen told her guards to seize me. I really don't like that queen; she wouldn't know good talent if it hit her square in the face!"

"Hehe," laughed Sakura nervously, sweatdropping.

"Hey!," growled Syaoran, " that's my mother."

"Yea! And what's it to you, Chinese brat," insulted Kero-chan

"Don't call Syaoran a brat, you flying stuffed animal. He's a wonderful prince, you know, and he can have you thrown in the dungeon!" scoffed Meilin.

"Yea?! Well I'm Kero, the guardian beast of the seal, which is 50 times better than being a stupid prince. And you're a brat too!" Kero-chan declared, pointing a stubby finger at Meilin.

"Hoe…" sweatdropped Sakura. "So, do you guys see that I wasn't lying? Kero-chan is the guardian of the clow book and its cards."

"All right," Syaoran relented," But I don't see how a tiny stuffed animal can guard the powerful cards. Ceroberus was supposed to be a legendary powerful being!"

"Kero-chan said that he could transform to Cereberus, and that he is really powerful in that form," answered Sakura, prideful. Syaoran, looking very skeptical, beckoned him," So, are you going to transform?"

"Well...uh…you see I can only transform to my powerful form after my master Sakura uses the fire and the earth card. You see, I derive my power from those cards and my master, so my master has to be strong enough to use those cards," Kero haltingly explained, twindling his thumbs.

"Haha!" mocked Meilin," I just knew it! You're the worst guardian ever! You can't transform!"

"Oh shut up little girl," ridiculed Kero-chan.

"Kero, please be quiet!" yelled Sakura. "But-but." Sakura gave Kero a look. Kero was silent (but only for a moment) then he went on to talk about ice cream.

"So Prince Syaoran, Meilin?" begged Sakura, "You won't tell anyone that I have the Clow?" They both nodded; although Meilin didn't want to admit it, it looked like Sakura was the well deserved master of the cards, being able to control them. She even got on well with Kero, the guardian of the cards. Yet, a part of her thought Syaoran would be better suited to the task.

"But, you know, I was supposed to be the card master," added Syoaran loftily," I mean my mother was prepared to give the book to me. So, you better do a good job," threatened Syaoran.

Kero, looking at Syaoran, scoffed," As if you could do better, brat. And Sakura was destined for the Clow, not you."

Meilin protested, her face red from anger," Syaoran was destined for the Clow, but Sakura stole it before he could get it! And Syaoran's not a brat, you-

Sakura sighed; she didn't want to get sucked into an argument once again," So Kero, since you seem to spend a lot of time with the Prince and Meilin, would you like to live with them?"

Kero-chan turned instantly and flew to Sakura,"Oh no Sakura-chan!" he begged," You're my master, I wanna stay with you, not that brat!" "Well," Sakura said," I'm going to look for my family." Grabbing her cards and the Clow book, she opened the door to the auditorium. Finding that people were slowly filtering out, and that her family was no where to be seen, she shut the door and leaned exhaustedly against it. Looking at Kero-chan, she declared," Well, I guess we should start home."

"Wait Sakura. We'll come with you. Come on Syaoran," said Meilin grudgingly.

As the company departed for Sakura's house, Sakura, trying to make conversation, asked," So, Prince Syaoran, tell me about your family."

Syaoran, looking surprised that she would care, replied," I live with my mother and my four older sisters." (Sakura murmurred,'' Wow! Four sisters.") Syaoran continued, "My father…passed away when I was only a few years old. As you may know, I'm the heir to throne." Yet, he didn't sound happy about it; more of self-assured and confident, like it was a job.

Sakura looked at him understandingly," Oh, I'm sorry to hear about your father. I know how you feel."

Syaoran, surprised at the fury that suddenly overtook him, faced Sakura and yelled," No, you don't know what I'm going through. You're only saying that patronizingly, like I'm a little boy to be comforted during a thunderstorm. You've never had the feeling when a loved one dies, the helplessness that you feel, not being able to do anything. And I didn't even get a chance to know my father that well."

Sakura felt like she'd been slapped. Her face blazing from the fury, she screamed angrily," How dare you speak such a false, malicious thing! How do you know about my life, you're a complete stranger. The truth is my own mother died when I was only a child. You can't say that I've never experienced the anguish, the eternal emotion of sorrow, knowing that she'll never come back, because I have, more than you. You didn't even know your father, and I knew my mother. You didn't even have the chance to miss his presence!"

Turning her back on him, she said nothing more. However, against her will, tears leaked down her face, her sniffing promulgating that she was crying. Her face, once red from anger, was replaced with a chalky countenance; she had never been insulted like that before. The bottomless well from which she had derived the power to fuel her hysterics had disappeared, to be substituted for a feeling of sadness.

"Sakura," began Syaoran haltingly," Are you crying?"

Sakura, who finally whirled around to face him, said, "So, what do you care? All that you care about is yourself. You think that you're the only person in the world to have lost someone. Well, you're wrong, Prince Syaoran. I have too, and many other people in this world."

"Here," Syaoran said kindly, procuring a handkerchief for Sakura, watching as she refused it," I don't like to see my friends cry. And I do regard you as a friend." He looked at her seriously. "As for my mistaken assumption, I'm truly sorry and I hope that you will forgive me. Whenever I think of my father, I just have this great bottomless hole, replete with anger."

Meilin nodded her agreement," Yup. Syaoran is usually very sweet, yet there are times when his temper flares up. It's one of the unfortunate attributes that he inherited from his ancestors. But how can you hate him for that? He's so cute!" Meilin grabbed his cheeks, squeezing them and stretching them, until Syaoran exclaimed, "Hey?! What are you doing to me!" Facing Sakura again, he saw that her eyes were puffy, and she was violently wiping the tears from her face, as if trying to hide her weakness. "Sakura, are you still mad at me?" he asked hesitantly, expecting another outburst.

Sakura, looking in his warm, trusting amber eyes, felt that he was being sincere. And she just couldn't stay mad at him; his eyes were so kind. She shook her head," No I'm not mad anymore," she relented," but I promise that if you ever accuse me of not having feelings or if you utter a single word about how I have the Clow I will never, ever forgive you. Do you promise?" Syaoran gladly nodded. "And stop looking at me like that. I can't stay mad at you!"

The rest of the trip composed peacefully of Kero-chan, Syaoran, and Meilin arguing about various topics, ranging from whether the kingdom was in the wrong hands(brought on by Kero-chan), useless stuffed animals, and whether Syaoran was a brat.

When they reached Sakura's house, it was the later part of the afternoon. Since there was enough sun to see by, Meilin and Syaoran saw that the cottage that Sakura lived in was very small. Syaoran, who had been there previously, was surprised that he had not noticed before. The house may have been pretty once, yet it was old and dilapidated, and only remnants of the house's beauty was left. Ostensibly, it was dull and devoid of color, pale; a worn man awaiting death.

Sakura knocked on the door, hoping with all her heart that either onii-chan or otou-san was home. "Anyone home?" she called. As the door opened, there stood Touya. When he saw Sakura, he wore a mixture of relief and worry on his face. " Onii-chan!" squealed Sakura," I've missed you! You're feeling better, right?!"

Touya laughed," Yes, kaijou, I feel fine. How are you? I heard that you fell off a high cliff." Sakura pouted," Don't call me a monster! Someday I'm going to be really tall so that I can crush you! Hahaha! Then you won't call me a monster" Sakura laughed evily. "And I feel fine. Prince Syaoran and Meilin took care of me." She indicated the people who were behind her. Kero-chan was sitting, motionless, on her shoulder.

Touya turned to look behind Sakura. Instead of finding two adults like he expected, he saw two young children. He glared at a particular boy; did Sakura say that he was the prince? There was something about him that he didn't like; was it the self-satisfied air that seemed to permeate him? Just because he was a prince didn't mean he had to be nice. "Did you harm Sakura?" asked Touya coldly.

Syaoran stared equally as hard at Touya. So this is the Sakura's brother, the one that I brought the herbs to. "What do you take me for," Syaoran answered, returning the glare. A glaring contest quickly ensued between the two adversaries. Elbowing her onii-chan, Sakura whispered about etiquette and manners, and how it wasn't polite to glare at the prince. "Well, thank you for taking care of Sakura. Good night." he said reluctantly, addressing Meilin and ignoring the brat. "Good bye Syaoran, Meilin!" called Sakura as the door shut.

* * * * * * * *

"Good Morning Sakura-chan!" exclaimed a yellow stuffed animal.

"Ahhhhh," stretched Sakura, raising her arms above her head, " Why'd you have to wake me up?" As she saw a certain face, which had the semblance of a monster, she shrieked, "AHHHHHHH!"

"Sakura-chan, it's just me," consoled Kero-chan. "Oh." said Sakura with relief.

"Did my beauty terrify you Sakura?" asked Kero helpfully. "Hoe…" responded Sakura, suddenly overcome with a severe case of the notorious sweatdrops.

Glancing around her compact room, she grabbed Kero-chan and began catapulting him around the room, deaf to Kero's complaints. Through the wall, she could hear her father calling her for breakfast.

"Coming!" she called back. "Don't worry Kero-chan," Sakura said when she saw

Kero protest at being left alone," I'll bring you something back! Maybe pudding!"

"Hello Otou-san!," yelled Sakura when she reached the kitchen and was swept into a hug," I've missed you so much!"

"I've missed you too Sakura," replied Fujitaka, his eyes merry as he stood in his cooking apron. "Did Prince Syaoran care for you?" As he saw Sakura nod affirmatively, he asked," And did you graciously thank him?" "Yup!'' answered Sakura.

"Kaijou, did that brat do anything mean to you?" accused Touya, bestowing Sakura with the usual brotherly glare.

"No, he didn't, and don't call me a monster!" objected Sakura.

"Touya…" warned Fujitaka pleasantly. "Sorry," muttered Touya.

" Sakura," said Fujitaka," I know that you just returned from a trying ordeal, but I have an announcement to make. How do you like your school so far?"

"Onii-chan, I love it!" answered Sakura. Last year, Sakura attended kindergarten at the local village school. Her classmates were very friendly, and although the classes were boring (she often fell asleep ^.^) she had a lot of fun (her favorite class was naptime).

Touya and Fujitaka exchanged a glance. "Well, we're moving. I have a new job near the Daidouji palace as a university teacher. You and Touya will be attending a different school," Fujitaka explained.

"Congratulations on your job onii-chan!" squealed Sakura. Her onii-chan was very intelligent, yet he never received any recognition for his talents. He had applied for a teaching position several times, but his applications had been denied. Currently, he worked arduously as a farmer, but his efforts only resulted in scarcely enough for his family to live on; barely enough food and money for clothes. His family was only allowed the bare necessities; in several occasions, there weren't enough supplies to live on and money to pay taxes, and sometimes Fujitaka was afraid that they would lose the house. Fujitaka knew that they couldn't last much longer in such conditions; the farmland was poor, and the crops that he was able to squeeze out of the barren land barely sustained his family. The competition to sell crops was fierce, and it was seldom that he actually sold the crops he grew, since other farmers seemed able to make bigger and more scrumptious fruits and vegetables, thus taking away his customers. Touya knew about his family's precarious situation, yet Fujitaka hid the fact from Sakura because he didn't want her to worry. That was why he was so thrilled when the offer to teach at the university came up. Hopefully there would be better times for his family.

"So when are we moving?" asked Sakura. Although she was happy for her onii-chan, she didn't want to attend a different school.

"Later today," replied Fujitaka," I'm sorry I told you so late, but you were sick earlier and I didn't want to worry you." This statement was only half true; in addition, Fujitaka didn't have enough money to pay for next month's mortgage.

Sakura put away the remnants of her breakfast and nodded. She wanted to make sure that she didn't forget anything. Once in her room, she collapsed on her bed. "Oh Kero-chan," she mused dejectedly," We have to move in a few days. But I've lived here my whole life, and there are so many memories, things that I will miss."

"I'm sorry Sakura-chan," comforted Kero, flying around her head," Did you bring me any food?"

"Sorry Kero-chan. I hope you don't have to eat, because I didn't see a lot of things in the refrigerator. Onii-chan needs to go shopping." said Sakura. "Oh." Kero said, "I understand." But he looked really sad. Sakura patted Kero-chan on the head.

"Now…" she muttered to herself," I should start packing." Glancing around her room, for the first time she noticed that although she had lived there her entire life, her tiny room betrayed none of that. It was essentially quite empty; there was a blanket that acted as her bed, some stuffed animals, a few clothes, and a small, old, tattered nightstand. Sakura began to feel sad; I've lived here for so long, yet my room holds so few memories. I wonder why I don't have more possessions.

Opening her nightstand drawer, she took out Kero's temporary bed (a sardine box) and opened the drawer beneath that. She retrieved the Clow book, tracing the outline of the massive lion on the cover. She assumed that the lion was the powerful transformed being Ceroberus that Kero continuously bragged about. Gathering her sparse items, she packed them into a bag. Looking sadly at the oppressive, empty room, she turned her back on it forever, closing the door on her old life.

* * * * * *

"Sakura!" called Touya, "we're leaving in an hour." Touya watched as the lithe figure of Sakura ran off into the forest. How could she be so willing to enter that horrid forest, when it was the forest which caused her injuries and her frightening fall? I suppose she is bidding it farewell. Facing the small property that the Kinomoto's had owned for so long, Touya reflected back on his memories, of the happiness and the sorrow that he and his family had to go through. Out of all of them, Sakura was the only one that escaped poverty unscathed. Perhaps that was because he and his father had tried to shield her from it. Or perhaps it was her startling ability to retain only the goodness.

Deep in the forest, Sakura looked for her favorite pound, the one that always seemed so peaceful and would convey serenity. Although Sakura had only been to the forest a few times, she loved it because it always supported her and understood her. Whenever she felt confused or sad, she would go there. Sakura was sad about moving, and confused about the whole Clow business.

Suddenly, she heard the rustling of leaves and a heavy thud that came from walking in the forest. Looking nervously around her, she could see no one. Yet, the footsteps that were approaching her gave evidence to more than one person.

"Hello?" she called out hesitantly. She immediately regretted it. A group of ragtag men appeared in front of her, leering nastily at her. They looked half starved and crazed, yet she also sensed a faint evil force from them.

A man, who seemed to be the leader, stood out from the group. "Little girl," he cawed harshly," Have you come to play with me?"

Sakura screamed as loud as she could," Ahhhhhh! Help me!" Backing up from the man, she looked for a place to escape. The nearest was a tree about a hundred yards away. She didn't think that she could make it before one of the thugs reached her. Grabbing for her star key beneath her shirt, Sakura realized with a heavy heart that she had packed it away among her belongings.. "Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!" she screamed again, this time more desperately," Help me! Please!"

The man laughed. "There is no use my dear. There's no one here for miles." His loyal group of dregs laughed with him, as if their leader had just uttered a hilarious joke. Sakura backed up, her fingers feeling for a stick with which to fend off the jerks, while her eyes remained glued to the repulsive face of the leader. Fortunately, she found a stick. She never wanted to hurt anyone, but she had never done anything to hurt these men, and they were picking on her without a reason or a motive. As the group gathered in a circle around her, encompassing her so that she had nowhere to escape, she found the leader who had taunted her. As a last attempt not to go down without a fight, she tried to poke his eyes out. Yet, she only managed to severely scratch his eyes, which made him mad.

"Get her!" he screamed angrily. As the group descended down on her and her world turned black, she screamed with all the intensity that she could muster. "Help me!"

To be continued…

Author's note: Ohhhhh! Poor Sakura! Sorry about the cliffhanger, but I couldn't find another way to end it. I'm not trying to be evil. I know, the first part was kind of boring, but it was just semantics and other things that I had to get out of the way. This probably isn't going to be one of my good chapters, but oh well ^.^ Do you guys like my messed up titles? They don't make any sense, and they have nothing to do with the story, but I like it anyway!! I have no idea what 'warrant' has do with anything, but it's better than saying 'chapter 2'!! (ok, so maybe not much better ^-^) If you can figure out what the titles mean, then you're a rocket scientist! Anyways, I hope that you liked it. (heehee…the fic, and not the titles!) Please review! PLEASE?! If I get some reviews, I'll post/write the next chapter. I'll probably post the next chapter up anyway, with or without the reviews, but I would appreciate it A LOT if you guy would write reviews. Tell me if you like what I'm writing or offer constructive criticism. Thanks! If anyone is reading, I'd really like to know what you're thinking! More chapters coming up!