Chapter3ArrivalInChina A/N: Hey minna! Back here with my third chapter! Some reviews, but nowhere near as many as my other fics! Oh well. Thank you to all of you who took the time to send me a review. So, finally, a long awaited chapter has finally came out! A few people complained that I ended that chapter too soon, but I normally stop after about three pages of typing, and anyways, I felt that was a good enough spot to stop. Sorry if that seriously bugged anyone. Well, without further delay, may I introduce, *drum roll* the third chapter of the Crystal of Destiny! I reread the chapters I wrote, and discovered they were kind of rushed and a little confusing in some parts... Sorry about that! This chapter will be better though, I promise!

Disclaimer: I never have and never will own CCS. Although I have considered it (I wish), there is nothing I can do. It belongs to the four ladies of CLAMP, and possibly the dubbers like Kodansha or some other company. Well, I have my wishes (owning it would be nice), but unfortunately some things are out of our grasp... Like... Well, never mind... I procrastinate too much, just like right now! So, may the third chapter begin!

A/N: You guys are really going to kill me for interrupting the chapter like this, but gomen! Its just this chapter might be a little confusing, and I just want to make sure that it is clear that everything in " " is someone speaking, and everything in ' ' is someone's thoughts. Just making sure that was clear (hai, I know its a little late) because I won't always be saying it.

Chapter 3: Arrival in China

A/N: This fic takes place in the Middle Ages (you know, the medieval era). Sakura and Syaoran haven't met, and all the cards
have been changed to Sakura Cards. All of the original cast are 18 years old. Other pieces of information are in the story, you'll
find out when you read!

Syaoran smiled at Sakura, and she smiled back. He then picked her up carefully and brought her out of the secret room, both beginning to blush at the thought of how close they were to one another.
"Ummm," said Syaoran desperately, trying to break the silence that had fallen as he carefully lay her back onto the bed she was on earlier and sat down on the chair nearby.
"Well," said Sakura, breaking it herself, "since it seems I will be travelling with you for a while, mind telling me where we're going? And who are the elders you're talking about, anyways, along with your mission?" she questioned curiously, then added hastily, "That is, if you don't mind telling me."
"Okay..." replied Syaoran thoughtfully, "I can tell you this much: we're going to China. The elders are the leaders of the powerful Li Clan, and my mission was assigned by them. All I was told was to bring the Clow Mistress to them, that being you, judging by your aura."
Sakura gasped, "The Li Clan? But that's the ruling clan of China! The ones that declared war on Japan! We're going there?" she looked slightly horrified of the thought.
The young warrior desperately fought an internal battle, fighting the urge that suddenly overtook him making him want to go sit beside the young princess and hug her, telling her it would be okay, comforting her softly. He quickly shook his head hard to clear his thoughts.
"Is something wrong?" she questioned, seeing him turn scarlet as he shook his head back and forth.
Her thoughts of fear left her and worry was etched across her face. Taking a slender hand, she placed it against his forehead, making him blush even redder if possible.
She quickly withdrew her hand saying, "I'm sorry, did I do something?"
He desperately shook his head even harder. "Daijobou, I'm okay..."
A look of relief washed over her face and she smiled kindly, making him melt. But yet, just as clue less as ever, she returned her hand to is forehead as he once more turned a redness that would rival a tomato.
"Your forehead's really hot. Are you sure you're okay?"
"No! I'm fine, really!" he was glad that she seemed clue less, for he was afraid of being found out.
Very quickly, he found himself liking her more and more, 'til he was sure he would burst with all the emotions he was currently feeling. He rapidly changed the subject.
"I don't know why they declared war on Japan, but I'm pretty sure that it will be resolved quickly. I don't know why the elders are requesting your presence, but it would be very insulting if you didn't attend. Not that you have a choice," he said, eyeing her wounds from the previous night, "Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you."
Silently he cursed himself. 'Why did I just say that? Why am I feeling like this? Is it possible that I have feelings for her? No... I can't! I'm supposed to be the future leader of the Li Clan, strong and emotionless. Then why do I feel like this?'
"Thank you," Sakura murmured, dropping her gaze from the warrior's eyes as she blushed profusely.
"Sakura?" said Syaoran suddenly, making her eyes snap up as they were locked in each other's gaze.
"Hai?" she replied, unsure of herself.
"Well, umm... I..."
"Yes?"
He clenched his fist as he searched for the words. He didn't want to break the news to her that she had to leave her home country so soon.
Taking a deep breath, he spoke up. "We will have to leave soon. A horse drawn carriage will be arriving in a while, so you should get ready."
"Seeing as you brought me here without any of my clothes or other personal items, and judging by the probable security at the palace, I have nothing to pack up and no way of getting it." she stated coolly.
"Oh, right." Syaoran muttered stupidly.
"But," said Sakura, cheering up considerably, "that means I can go shopping!"
Syaoran sweat dropped and changed the subject once more, hoping to avoid that horror as much as possible.
"Okay. I'm going to pack a few things, but I think its time to change your bandages," he replied, eyeing once more the area where her wounds were on her stomach and her left arm.
"Alright," she replied meekly.
Syaoran stood up from his chair and went to a small table in the corner of the room. On it were some strips of cloth and a little bottle of medicine for her wounds. Picking those items up, he walked back over to the bed where she lay and put the stuff down. Obediently, Sakura changed her position so he could access her wounds with more ease. Starting with her shoulder, he carefully unwrapped the original bandage. Sakura blushed a little as his hand accidentally brushed against her arm. Gently, Syaoran began to apply a clear medicine to the deep cut on her arm. She winced as it stung a little, but that didn't stop her from noticing all the care he was using as he put it on her wound, nor his deep concentration. After he had finished with her arm, he took a clean bandaged and tightly wrapped it back up, making sure it didn't cut off her circulation, but covered the whole wound. Next, he followed the same steps for the gash on her stomach, and soon Sakura had been rebandaged and was feeling better.
"If you want," Syaoran began, "I can do a simple spell on your wounds to make them heal faster."
"Okay, sure," she replied, smiling happily, "domo arigato gozaimasu!"
Muttering a small incantation, he sent some of his energy into her cuts, making them close up a bit more.
"You should feel better in a few days," he said, voice wavering a bit.
'He used a lot of his energy in that spell!' thought Sakura.
"Thank you for taking care of me, Syaoran, but you're looking a little sick!" she said in concern.
"I'm fine, just get some rest, Sakura. I'll call you when the carriage arrives."
"Hai." she said while nodding as he left the room.
'Thank you, for everything, Syaoran.'

**********

Several hours later, Sakura and Syaoran were sitting in a private carriage with drapes across the area of the windows so no one would see and recognize Sakura during the moments that the carriage was visible. They had travelled a while and at an amazing speed, so quickly no one seemed to notice them. Then again, half the time they actually were invisible. Syaoran explained to her that it was necessary to reach China as quickly and as soon as possible, so they would be using clan magic to go much faster than normal and reach their destination in a day's time, instead of much more than that.
Sakura yawned with exhaustion. She hadn't done much for a large chunk of the day, but nevertheless she was feeling tired. Next to her, Syaoran stretched his arms and legs after just waking up. He looked around a bit before he recalled what was happening. He then took a look outside and glanced at the sun.
"Its almost midday. We'll be stopping soon, most likely in the upcoming village, to get something to eat."
"Okay," Sakura murmured in reply before sleep overtook her.
Unknowingly, she ended up leaning to the side and her head rested against Syaoran's shoulder. He blushed a little, then leaned back into the plush of the seats and fell asleep once more to regain more the energy he spent while healing Sakura.

**********

"Mmm, this is good!" said Sakura as she munched happily on the ramen Syaoran bought for her at the local village market.
"Good." he replied simply, as he quickly finished his own. "Sorry we can't stop for long, but we don't have much time to waste. The roads are more crowded than usual because the farmers' market has arrived to add to the usual bustle."
"That's fine," the card mistress stated simply.
"Fine. We'll be there before sundown."
The two teens then finished eating and remounted the carriage. A couple hours later, using clan magic, 'flew/floated' over the expanse of water that separated Japan from China to avoid the hassle and time consummation of going by ship, and after a while of travelling like that, had successfully reached the other side and had crossed the border into China. In a few more hours, they would have arrived at their destination.

**********

Both passengers had fallen asleep and didn't feel the carriage they were riding in come to a sudden halt. Only when the door was opened did they finally stir.
"Where are we?" Sakura questioned with a moan, for she didn't enjoy being awoken.
Suddenly she felt Syaoran beside her bolt upright, body rigid. His glance turned to the now open door.
"Good morning," said a short and tubby man, "or should I say, good evening." he continued pompously.
Syaoran glared, and said quite coldly, "Oh, so its you that's come to greet our arrival, Tubman. I thought they were getting rid of you."
Tubman gave an unkind grin, "No. Wherever did you get that idea?"
"Oh, my mistake." then, stepping out of the carriage, he turned to Sakura and offered her his hand.
She took it and smiled, and stepped out carefully. Tubman snorted.
"Come on," said Syaoran, passing the man and pulling Sakura along gently by the hand.
Tubman glared at the two leaving figures and followed them into the palace like structure that they were walking towards. It was expansive and quite large, in a traditional Chinese style architecture. Many steps led past a long and fancy garden, which ascended to reveal large willow doors that reached up to the ceiling. It had many floors, each slightly smaller than the next. Two servants awaited at the door and silently pulled them open to let Sakura and Syaoran pass. Both of them couldn't help but notice how they closed the doors in front of Tubman's face.
'He must not be very well liked,' thought Sakura as she looked around to take in the sights.
They had entered into what seemed to be the main hallway, many sliding doors surrounded them. They took of their shoes and put on slippers as they walked a little further into the room. Another servant quickly entered the room, robes sweeping around him, as he bowed deeply in front of Syaoran.
"The elders will see you now, prince Syaoran." he said as he walked backwards, still bowing and opened one of the larger doors, giving them a signal to enter.
"Prince?" Sakura questioned while looking up at him curiously.
"Yeah." said Syaoran, blushing.
"How come you didn't tell me? And why would China's elders send their prince out to complete a mission?"
"Ahh, I didn't think it was really important for you to know my status, and anyways, it was one of the many tests that I will have in the future. If I wish to someday become the emperor of China, I have to pass their approval." he replied simply.
"And do you?" she prodded, putting her hand back in his after he had removed it subconsciously.
"Do I what?"
"Want to become the emperor of China."
"Well," he said, blushing slightly as he felt his hand in hers, and then forcing his mind to think, "I never really thought about it, actually!"
Suddenly, Sakura and Syaoran were interrupted by someone bursting through the door in front of them.
"Syaoran! You're back!" A lady in elegant and traditional chinese robes ran towards Syaoran and hugged him, then said, "Are you alright?"
"Mom, I'm fine!" he retorted.
She looked him over quickly, then turned to Sakura. "Ah, you must be the card mistress, right?"
"Hai!" said Sakura, bowing, "I'm Sakura Kinomoto."
She inspected her quickly, and said "I'm Li Yelan, queen of China, and by the look on your face, you're probably thinking that I don't act much like one."
"Umm, no! Not at all!" said Sakura sweat dropping.
"Well, that's okay. I just don't like sitting on a throne all day, so I walk around quite a bit!"
"And how about the king?" she asked timidly.
Yelan's smile wavered for a second, then she sighed. "He passed away many years ago. Syaoran barely knew him. Its hard running a country alone, but soon Syaoran will take over! I have total faith in him."
"That's great, ummm," said Sakura uncertainly.
"You can call me Yelan. I don't like all that formal stuff."
"Okay, Yelan."
"Alright then! Enough talk, the elders are waiting to see you. Come this way please! And by the way, welcome to China."

**********

A/N: That was my longest chapter, I think. It took me a while to write it because I was procrastinating so much. Sorry it took so long to post. I know, I know, I stopped just as soon as they were going to talk to the elders of the Li clan. Chapter was getting a little long for my standards, so I tried to find an okay spot to stop. I'm going to update some other stories first though before I post the next chapter of this one, since I got way more reviews for those. Anyways, hope you're satisfied with this for now! Ja ne!