A/N: The 4th chapter! One more to go! I'll put that one up tomorrow…okay? Well, anyhow, I hope you enjoy this loooooong chapter. I can't write a sequel until after the trip. That is, if you want one… If you do, you're going to have to give me two weeks. *cough* Enough of my babbling! Read the story!
Strangers
Chapter 4
Sakura gasped. "General!?"
"Yes, princess. It is I." The general snarled. "I knew you were with this man and I'll see to it that he doesn't get away with this any longer." The general turned around to the two guards. "Seize him."
They nodded and ran over to Syaoran, tying both of his arms behind his back.
"Syaoran, no!" Sakura cried shedding more tears.
"It's okay, Princess. I'll be fine." He stated although he wasn't sure he could believe himself.
"Enough of this. Princess Sakura, you're coming with me." He grabbed the girl's hand and dragged her away from her love. "Guards, take him back to the palace. Hand him over to the king and queen. They'll take it from there to give him a proper punishment." He cackled.
Sakura shook her head. No, please, no. She pleaded in her thoughts.
Syaoran glanced up at the general. "What do you mean 'proper punishment'?"
"The punishment they give to any boy who tries to harm their sweet little princess." He ruffled the girl's hair.
"He didn't do anything of the sort!" She stood up for him.
"You have no proof." The general growled.
"I do so! I have my word!" She growled back.
"Who do you think they're going to believe, me or you?"
Her eyes narrowed. "You wouldn't dare."
"Oh, I would." His laugh felt like it boiled through her skin. "Guards, take him away!"
"No!" Sakura struggled. Her eyes filled with tears as she watched the palace guards take the young man away. The general gave another cackle and started on his journey with the princess back to the palace.
"Let me go!" The young girl twisted and turned trying to free from his painful grip.
"Shut up." The general slapped her across the face. She screamed and brought her hand over her cheek in pain.
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The king and queen sat waiting for the return of their daughter. The young man was standing with the guards. Not a word was spoken, and not a word would be spoken until the general arrived with the princess.
Suddenly the palace doors were shoved open and a bulky old man stood holding a beautiful young woman by the hand.
The queen sighed with relief. "Sakura! Thank goodness you're all right!"
Sakura faked a small smile. "I'm fine."
"Now that everyone is here, I would like to hear what happened." The king rubbed his chin with his index finger and thumb.
"I will go first." The general took a step forward.
The king nodded. "Go on, General."
"My king and queen, if I may, I'd like to say that that young man we arrested can be rightfully accused of treason." The general gave a small smirk.
"That's not true!" The girl protested.
"Sakura, darling, you must be quiet. The general is trying to explain." The queen scolded her daughter.
"Please, Mother! They're all lies!"
"Sakura? Am I going to have to dismiss you to your room?" The queen threatened, a hand on her hip.
The general cleared his throat. "As I was about to say before I was so rudely interrupted," He gave a cold glare in the princess's direction. She returned it angrily. "This young man should be charged with treason."
"Treason? Why is that?" The king asked with growing curiosity.
"Why, my king, he improperly placed his hands on your daughter, and, worst of all, he caused her physical harm." The general stated, quickly glancing in Syaoran's direction to see the cold glare he was being given. His grin widened.
"He put his hands on and hurt my baby?" The queen looked at the young man in disgust.
The general took the girl in his arms and brought her towards the king and queen. He turned her head to the side to show the two the purple handprint across her cheek. "See what he did to her?" The queen and king gasped.
"He did not!" The girl turned to the general. "You did that, you…you bastard!" The princess was outraged. Never before had she seen so many lies.
"Sakura, you're dismissed." The queen pointed up the stairs towards her room.
"No, but…"
"Go! Now!"
Sakura quickly ran up the stairs. Halfway up she burst in sobs, but continued to run.
"So, your highnesses, what is your judgement?"
"Hearing the general's account of everything, we feel it is right to charge Syaoran Li with treason. Penalty: death."
^^^^^^
The words continued to ring out in his head. Penalty: death. Death. Death.
Death.
His stomach churned. Being in a tiny cell didn't help it much. He couldn't stomach the thought of death. But that's all there was to it.
He was going to die tomorrow at dawn.
^^^^^^
Sakura sobbed softly into her pillow as her maid and friend tried to cheer her up.
"Sakura, I…maybe something will happen. Maybe he won't be killed. Maybe your parents will change their minds." Mayla said trying to calm her.
"My parents are rocks." The princess growled coughed.
"Um…okay. Well, they…uh…really are…good people?" Mayla stuttered.
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do? What am I going to…I've got to go see him." She jumped out of bed.
Mayla tried to stop her. "Princess, wait, you can't! You know you not allowed in the dungeon! Please, stop!"
"Mayla, I have to do this. Besides, if something happens, I'll…deal with it. Okay?" Sakura put a hand on Mayla's shoulder as a reassurance.
"All right." Mayla agreed. She watched Sakura glide out to the hallway. The girl turned back to her maid and winked, her eyes still red and swollen. She then dashed away.
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Sakura glanced around the pitch-black hallway. There were only a few prisoners stationed here, but it was enough to make her nervous. She heard someone scream down the hall. She gulped.
"S-Syaoran?" She stopped. The long hallway remained silent. She started to tremble.
"Right here." A voice from down the hall called out to her. She quickly hurried towards it.
"Where are you?" She walked up to one of the cells. She tried to look inside. "Syaoran?" All of a sudden, a hand reached out and scratched at her face. She screamed and fell backwards. A snarl came from the cell.
"Sakura! Be careful! Some of these…people…aren't very nice nor very happy to be here." Syaoran explained.
"Yes, well, you can tell them that they're not the only ones." She stood up and dusted herself off. As her eyes adjusted to the lack of light, she walked to where she was sure Syaoran was.
He chuckled slightly. He reached up and touched her cheek. He stroked it gently with his thumb. She flinched uncomfortably.
"Is that where the general hit you?" Syaoran asked.
Sakura nodded solemnly. "Yes."
He growled. "That evil man. So cruel, and such a good liar. He didn't even flinch. How could they even think for a second that I would do such a horrific thing to you? I could never hurt an angel." He gently stroked her cheek. Sakura put her hand over his.
"So, what was the verdict?" Sakura prayed it wasn't treason. Please, not treason. Please, not treason. Please, God, not treason.
"Treason." Syaoran said, his head hanging low.
Sakura burst out into tears. "No…"
"I'm afraid so." Syaoran rested his head in his hands.
"But…why?" She asked through her tears.
"The general." Syaoran sighed.
Sakura shook her head. "How could he do this to you and I?"
Syaoran looked up. "Shh…We can find a way out of this." He took her hand in his. "Together."
Sakura flushed. "Okay."
"Now, first, you're going to tell me what that necklace around your neck is supposed to represent." Syaoran reached up to her neck and lifted it gently with his hand. It appeared to be a bird with wings sprouting out of its head. At least that's what it had always looked like to Sakura. Like some sort of key.
Sakura looked down at it. She put her hand over his and looked him in the eye. "I was given this when I was a small child."
"You don't know what it is?" He asked.
She shook her head. "No."
"Well, guess what?" Syaoran smiled.
"What?" Sakura asked, her eyes glinting with confusion.
"I do." His smile widened.
Sakura giggled. "You're cute when you smile."
A blush crept into his cheeks. "Yes, anyway…"
He went on to explain everything.
"That leads me down to one conclusion." He told her.
"Yes?"
He put his hand under her chin and tilted it up allowing her eyes to meet his.
"You, Princess, are the Card Mistress." He finished.
"Card Mistress? Clow Reed? Book of Clow? This is a lot to absorb." Sakura felt lost in his eyes.
"You don't have much time to absorb it." He dropped his hand. "You're going to need to act quickly."
Sakura nodded. "Right." She stood up from where she was sitting on the ground. "I won't let you down."
Syaoran nodded. "I know you won't."
"Oh, and by the way, how did you know all of this?" She asked him.
"My father has books of sorcery. I read them all. I'd like to practice magic myself one day. There. Go, now! Quickly!"
"I'm on it." Sakura smiled and winked at him. As she was about to start off again, Syaoran stopped her.
"Sakura, wait!" She turned around. He took in a deep breath. "Be careful…my love."
Sakura crimsoned a bright red. "Always."
^^^^^^^
Sakura raced through the hallway with a book in her arms. She quickly dashed into her room. She sat the book down on a table. She studied it for a few moments. She ran her fingers across the seal. It was…different looking. She went to open the book. As opened it, it began to spark and vibrate. She screamed and dropped it to the floor. A small yellow thing with wings emerged from the top.
"Who dares awaken me?!" The beast asked.
Sakura put a hand behind her neck and turned away, partially frightened, partially amazed. "Not me…"
The small yellow beast flew in front of the young woman's face. "A scrawny child?"
Sakura growled. "I am not a scrawny child!"
The beast raised an eyebrow. "Sure…and I'm not the Guardian Beast of the Seal."
"You're the Guardian Beast of the Seal!? A little rat!?" She giggled.
The little beast growled. "They call me Keroberos."
She stuck out a hand. "Nice to meet you, Kero."
"Keroberos." The creature put out a skeptical paw for her to shake.
"So, Kero, how does this thing work?" She eyed the book carefully.
"You're the sorceress. You should know." Kero raised an eyebrow.
Sakura lowered the book and sighed. "Kero, I need your help."
The little yellow monster rolled its eyes. "What kind of help?"
Sakura sighed and started to explain. Kero listen attentively. He could see Sakura's eyes start to fill with tears and he could understand the fear in her heart.
"And if I don't pull off our plan…he's going to be… " She shook her head and started to cry before she could finish her statement.
"I'll help you."
"What!? Really!? Oh, thank you so much!" Sakura picked up the small beast and hugged him.
"Okay, okay. Don't go and get all…lovey dovey on me." Kero pulled away.
Sakura giggled. "Sorry."
"So, what do I need to do?" Kero asked anxiously. It had been centuries since he had been outside of the book. A little adventure was always nice. He especially liked the ones where he got to be the hero and rescue a damsel in distress. Only, this time, he got to rescue a young man along with a young girl's heart.
"You need to teach me how to use these cards." Sakura picked one up and examined it.
Kero sighed. "Okay, Card Mistress. Let's get to it."
Sakura looked up. "Card Mistress?" She giggled. "That sort of has a ring to it.
Kero made a face. "Yeah, uh huh, sure…do you want to know how to use these or not?"
She brought the card to her chest. "Sorry."
"Okay, well…" And Keroberos, Guardian Beast of the Seal, went on to explain everything.
^^^^^^^
Mayla bowed before the queen. "Excuse me, your highness."
The queen motioned for her to stand up. "Yes, my dear?"
Mayla gulped. "I-I was just wondering, my queen…Are you sure you charged the right man with treason?"
"Are you questioning our judgement?" She raised an eyebrow.
Mayla gasped and bowed again. "Oh, no. Never. I was just thinking that maybe it would be a good idea to get the princess's side of the story? She was there too, correct? Just so you're sure you don't do anything you might regret?"
The queen sighed. "The girl did seem quite upset. Maybe I should talk to her." The queen motioned for Mayla to leave. "Go get her for me, child."
Mayla bowed. "Thank you, your majesty. I'll be right back." She quickly ran up the steps toward Sakura's room.
The queen sat at her throne. "I must say, the general's speech sounded a bit far-fetched. I wonder…"
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A knock came upon the princess's door. The princess gasped. She quickly opened a drawer and shoved Kero and the book inside.
"Come in." She picked up her brush and began to brush her hair.
"Princess, I just got done speaking to your mother. It seems she'd like to talk to you…maybe hear your side of the story?" Mayla smiled at her.
Sakura dropped the brush and jumped up. She hugged the young maid. "Mayla, you are the greatest!"
"Thank you, Princess. You must get ready!" Mayla ran to the closet and brought out a dress. "Put this on, quickly!"
Sakura smiled. She took the dress and fitted it over what she was already wearing. Mayla helped her button and pin it.
"You're ready. Hurry! Before she becomes impatient!" Mayla brought her to the door and opened it for her. "Good luck, Princess."
"Thank you so much, Mayla. I don't know how I'm ever going to repay you." Sakura hugged her again.
"You can repay me by convincing your mother to let Syaoran go…and to let him marry you." Mayla giggled.
Sakura blushed slightly at the thought. "Okay, here I go!"
Mayla watched as she flew down the hall and disappeared down the steps.
^^^^^^^
"Mother?" Sakura walked up to where the queen was sitting.
"I'm guessing your maid sent you down?" The queen asked.
"Yes." The princess gave a quick nod.
"She seemed very adamant that I should hear your side of the story." The queen stated.
"Yes, Mother." The princess took in a deep breath and sighed.
"Well, go on then." The queen sat back in her chair ready for a long story.
Sakura explained what had really happened. How he had rejected her because she was a princess. How, after that, he came searching for her and apologized. Then the general came along and took him away from her. How he had slapped her across the face and blamed it on her love. How he had lied before the king and queen.
"My goodness, I don't believe the general would ever do something like that." The queen shook her head. "Are you sure what you're saying is true, dear?"
Sakura nodded her head. She had left out some of it, like going to the dungeons to secretly meet her love, but everything she had said was true.
"I must say, I'll have to talk to the king about this, but…" The queen smiled. "You most likely have just saved that young man's neck. Literally."
The princess laughed and bowed. "Thank you so much, Mother." She ran back up the stairs and into her room.
"Mayla, oh Mayla, guess what? I did it! I actually did it!" She took hold of both of Mayla's hands and spun her around. When she finally stopped she continued laughing. "Mother still has to talk to father about it…but I'm sure everything will be okay! Father will most definitely believe me!"
Mayla smiled. "Congratulations. So, you two will be getting married?"
Sakura paused. "I'm…not sure. I don't know if they will agree."
"Of course they will! You just have to tell them that he is the one you love."
"Yes, of course." Sakura turned around, a sad look on her face. She sat down on her bed and turned her gaze to the floor. She took in a deep sigh. "I hope Syaoran feels the same way."
Mayla smiled and sat down beside her. "Of course he does. He told you."
A blush crept into the princess's cheeks. "You're right. That has to mean something!"
"It means that he loves you, Princess."
Sakura smiled and rested her head in her hands. "I need to tell him that I love him too."
^^^^^^^
Wow! Long chapter! Phew! Almost done! I really enjoyed writing this fic, and I hope you enjoyed reading it too. Please keep a lookout for the next chapter! Don't forget review, or email me at:
See ya!
~Chip