*Jurei-chan: Konnyanya minna! Wai! I decided to start on this ficcy because the idea has been on my mind for a LONG LONG time! Also, here to co-author it is Jerry-kun! (Some of you might recognize him from reviews we have given to your ficcies) My utterly kawaii Taiwanese tomodachi has agreed to help me out on this one! Wai!

*Jerry-kun: ~blushes slightly~ well…um

*Jurei-chan: ~chuckles~ aww! Well, anyway, the story idea is (and yes, I'm including the full summary here because the space that FF.Net gives you is UTTERLY RIDICULOUS!) a CCS version of Mulan! Wai! And with Syaoran being from China and all, what other movie could be as appropriate? Also, Mulan is my MOST FAVOURITE DISNEY MOVIE EVER! (Hai, I'm still bitter towards Disney for not giving Osamu Tetsuka credit for "The Lion King") and at least in Mulan they had good music, characters, voice actors, and didn't try and pass off the story idea as their own! Mou! (hehe, DEFINITELY AU! As you can probably guess, AU fics are my favourite!)

*Jerry-kun: I'm here to help J-chan with all the technical stuff, like the disclaimer and whatnot. So here goes. Hehe, Jurei-chan doesn't own Cardcaptor Sakura, Mulan, or anything else used in this fic (like song lyrics, etc) Instead, the owners are CLAMP, Kodansha, and Disney (or whoever else we're forgetting to credit!)

*Jurei-chan: Arigato Jerry-kun! Now, after those very depressing statements, I'm going to go practise my anime skills so that I too one day can become rich and famous, like CLAMP! (yeah, sure!) More like me going to talk to my other Otaku friends about Heero, Syaoran, Inu Yasha, Kazan, Yusuke, Hiei, and Karuma from Yu Yu Hakusho, and all my other favourite chara!

*Jerry-kun: ~sweatdrop~ mou, aren't I enough? And, after all, they're ANIME CHARA! You're never going to be able to find look-alikes in the real world!

*Jurei-chan: ~sigh~ As always, you're right. But who says a girl can't dream, ne? ~stares at full size picture of Syaoran with starry eyes~

*Jerry-kun: ~bigger sweatdrop~……okay…..let's just get on with the fic, ne?

And the title is…(well, we couldn't very well call it "Mulan" ne? So we needed another name)

Foreign Destiny

Inspired by Disney's "Mulan" (*Jurei-chan: INSPIRED! It WILL NOT be exactly the same!)

A Cardcaptor Sakura Fanfiction by Jurei-chan

Part #1 of 12

Unwanted News and The Beginnings of a War

********

Darkness covers the Great Wall of China as a solitary bird wings above the gigantic stone structure. All along the length of it, watchtowers stand in darkness and silence. The soldiers patrolling atop the wall guard with a sense of uneasiness that no amount of quiet can appease. It's dark and still…too still.

A Chinese soldier walks past the fifteenth tower, eyes searching the darkness around. Above, the hawk wheeling overhead dives suddenly, knocking his helmet off too the ground. Retrieving the segment of metal equipment, the soldier looks up to see the hawk soar up to the top of the tower, gripping a flag in its talons. He has barely moments to stand puzzledly before a whizzing sound is heared and an uncountable number of grappling hooks fly upwards, gripping onto the edge of the wall.

Uttering a cry of surprise, the soldier runs along the stone pathway, avoiding the grappling hooks and men, which are beginning to swarm over the edge. An entire army of invaders are now coming over the wall, their fur-clad bodies cluttering his vision in every direction. Finally reaching the ladder leading to the top of the watchtower, he barely manages to scramble up before the wooden construction is hacked to pieces by enemy weapons.

The soldier seizes a torch from the selection which lays in wait and prepares to light the signal fire, when the same hawk lets out a screech as high-pitched as the cry of a demon and flies high above the Chinese man. Mere moments after this, a gigantic dark figure vaults over the edge, landing on soundless feet. The soldier stares in horror as the man removes his fur hood to reveal a barbaric face with tangles black hair and yellow eyes, which mimic that of the hawk's perfectly.

Wasting no more time, the soldier throws the torch onto the waiting timbers, which light up almost immediately. Along the distance of the wall, similar fires can be seen lighting up in response to the signal.

The Chinese soldier looks at the giant man opposing him with defiant eyes. The hawk lands on the invader's shoulder, it's yellow orbs burning into that of the soldier. Despite this, the man makes no move to try and kill the warrior.

"Now all of China knows you are here," says the soldier, his stance that of challenge.

The barbaric fighter's mouth twists into a cruel and sardonic grin. In response, he only says one thing.

"Perfect."

********

The head general of the Chinese army walks into the Emperor's throne room, unannounced. There's no time for formalities. Bowing quickly to the monarch, he wastes to time with small words. "Your majesty," he says, head bowed, "there has been a breach at our northern borders. The invaders are on the move."

The scribe sitting next the Emperor stands up. "Impossible!" he states, "No one can pass the Great Wall!"

The general's head raises, looking the emperor directly in the eyes. "Xian Yu (yes, I changes the spelling, k?) is leading them."

The Emperor nods slowly, thinking the information over.

The general stands up. "I will have my forces surround the palace immediately-"

"No." the Emperor cuts in firmly, "I will not barricade myself in my palace while my people die. Go. Have a message sent to every village. We need to start gathering a larger force in order to deter the Huns."

The general nods. The Emperor then turns to the scribe. "Chi Fu," he says, motioning with his hand. The scribe approaches anxiously, yet with slight anticipation.

"Yes, your majesty?" he asks.

"See to it that the message is written and delivered to the villages. And I mean every village in China, understand? A single grain of rice can tip the scale. One man can make all the difference between victory and defeat." he says, his voice surprisingly calm and serene.

Chi Fu bows, his face filled with pride. This is definitely an important task.

The general then leaves the room, followed by the scribe. The Emperor then walks slowly towards a window, looking out on the garden and the full moon outside. "Such a peaceful night," he says quietly, "It is almost impossible to believe that a night such as this is the beginning of a war."

********

A girl with long auburn hair and bright green eyes walked slowly through the garden and finally sat next to the water. She stared at her reflection with tearful eyes. Why did she always have to ruin things for her family?

Kinomoto Sakura's family had moved to China when she was very young. They had originally come from Japan, but had been allowed to stay in China as a reward for her father's bravery in a past war. Their home was built in the traditional Chinese style, except for the one thing that Sakura's mother had brought with her from her native Japan; a Sakura tree. Cherry blossoms were here favourite flower, so she carefully planted the tree in their garden. It was Sakura's favourite flower too; she liked to think that she had been named after such a pretty blossom.

A while later, another figure came and sat beside her. The dispirited girl looked up to meet the kind gaze of her father, Kinomoto Fujitaka. She quickly looked away, shamefaced. After what had happened at the matchmaker's that morning, she didn't think she could really face him.

~*Flashback*~

Sakura stood infront of the matchmaker's hut along with several other girls. A couple were her good friends. She reached up to touch her cherryblossom comb her father had given her earlier anxiously. She didn't have a very good feeling about this.

"Well, today's the day!" whispered Tomoyo nervously. Sakura nodded.

"You don't have as much to be nervous about as me," she said, "You're one of the prettiest people I know. Any guy would love to marry you. I'll be lucky if anyone even considers me."

Tomoyo Daidouji was also from Japan. She had been Sakura's best friend for as long as they could remember. Her father had served in the army along with Sakura's father, but had died later from a serious injury. Tomoyo and her mother, Sonomi, now lived with Sakura's family. Sonomi and Nadeshiko were best friends since their childhood, just like their daughters.

"That's not true!" Tomoyo said fiercely, "Sakura-chan, you're very pretty! And Kawaii! Don't think so badly of yourself!"

"Tomoyo-chan's right!" came another voice. A pretty girl with long black hair stepped forward and put a reassuring hand on Sakura's shoulder. Her name was Li Meiling. She was one of Sakura's few Chinese friends, because most Chinese looked down on Japanese people. She was such good friends with Tomoyo, Sakura, Chiharu, Rika, and Naoko that she had even adopted the habit of adding "chan" to the ends of their names, like the rest of them did.

Chiharu, Rika, and Naoko smiled in agreement. They were all waiting for the matchmaker too, but weren't there to have their marriages arranged. Chiharu already had a boyfriend who she loved dearly, as did Rika. Naoko didn't plan on getting married, and her family was one of the few in China who didn't mind either way.

Sakura smiled. "Arigato minna-san," she said, "I wish you good luck!"

"You too!" answered Tomoyo, but went quiet as the matchmaker stepped out of the hut. She was a heavy woman with a scowl on her face and mid-length black hair. Taking out a scroll, she looked it over quickly before calling out a random name.

"Kinomoto, Sakura!"

"Present!" called Sakura, lifting her hand in the air.

The matchmaker scowled deeper and she scribbled something down on her list. "Speaking out of turn…"

"Oops," the Japanese girl smacked her forehead. It didn't look like things would turn out very well from the very beginning.

********

Tomoyo and Meiling watched the hut worriedly. Sakura had been in there an awfully long time. Too long, if they knew their friend well...

Suddenly, a loud screech could be heared, along with cries of "Gomen ne! Gomen ne!" then, a long stream of curses. The two looked at each other, expressions identical. It didn't sound good. The doors to the hut burst open without warning and Sakura scrambled out, followed by an angry looking woman who could barely be recognized as the matchmaker. Well, she did look pretty singed and wet. Her make-up was running, and her clothes and hair were a mess.

"You little Japanese wench!" she screamed at a cowering Sakura, "No man would ever want a clumsy, foolish girl like you! I tell you, you will never bring your family honour! Out of my sight!"

Sakura looked as if she was going to cry, but quickly made her way over to her horse and rode away as quickly as she could. Nadeshiko looked sad, but also like she could have killed the matchmaker then and there for saying those things about her daughter. Sonomi held her back and tried to calm her down, like Tomoyo was trying to do with Meiling.

"Calm down, Meiling-chan! I want to kill her too, but this isn't a good time!" she said desperately, trying to hold on to the enraged Chinese girl.

Meiling was just about to oblige when a girl who had been waiting with them smiled nastily. "Well, I guess it's good they got rid of the Japanese trash first," she said in a snobby voice. Another girl nodded in agreement.

Before Meiling could pounce on the girl, Tomoyo was already there. The girl looked utterly shocked, but then tried to defend herself from the ruthless clawing her face was receiving. As soon as her shock wore off as well, the Chinese girl dived in too. Soon, all the girls were engaged in the fray of twisting, clawing bodies.

~*End Flashback*~

Fujitaka set down his walking stick on the grass next to the stone bench on which he sat. His old war injury was always a bother, and the stick was his support. Looking down at his daughter with a kind expression, he smiled softly.

"Hmm…what beautiful cherry blossoms we have this year," he sighed casually, gesturing up at the tree.

He knew Sakura was feeling very bad about what had happened at the matchmakers, but he understood that it wasn't her fault. She was presently at that clumsy stage in her life, but he knew she would one day grow out of it. Like she would one day leave him and get married to someone she cared deeply about. It would turn out that way now, because a matchmaker was out.

Sakura looked down at her hands.

"But look," said Fujitaka, picking up his daughter's cherryblossom comb and tucking it gently into her hair, "one of them is late. And when it blooms, it will definitely be the most beautiful of all."

Sakura looked up, smiling at her father. He always did know how to make her feel better.

"Now, don't look so glum Sakura-san," he said, lifting her chin higher with his fingers, "maybe we should send a letter to your brother back in Japan. He must be getting worried about you. You wouldn't want to make him sad, ne?"

Sakura grimaced. "Touya? I think you must be mistaken, 'Tou-san. He couldn't care less about what happens to me."

Fujitaka shook his head, a small smile on his face. "You know- ahh! Tomoyo-san! Meiling-san! How nice to see you here!"

The two greeted him politely before bouncing over to Sakura. "Sakura-chan! Guess what!"

"Nan desu ka?" she asked. They looked very excited.

"We didn't get matches either! All the girls got sent home, because there was a fight!" said Meiling, hugging her friend with a huge grin, "I don't have to get stuck with some ugly jerk that I care nothing for!"

Sakura looked worried. "Why was there a fight?" she asked, "Did I cause it?"

"Eheh…um…iie, Sakura-chan. It had nothing to do with you!" answered Tomoyo, slightly nervous while crossing her fingers behind her back, "One of the other girls insulted Meiling, and then someone else. Before you knew it, there was mayhem." (*Jurei-chan: If you didn't already know, Tomoyo-chan's a pretty good liar, and Sakura is kinda dense)

The cherryblossom nodded slowly in understanding. Before anyone could say anything else, however, a loud drumbeat could be heard. It seemed to come from the street outside.

Fujitaka's face lost its smile. "Stay here," he warned the girls before heading out to the gate. The three looked at each other before heading to the wall and climbing it to see the scene outside.

A party of five white horses rode up to stop directly infront of the house. Neighbours could be seen looking out of their gates too, all curious as well. One of the men pulled out a scroll and began to read in a loud voice so everyone could hear.

"BY ORDER OF THE EMPEROR, ALL FAMILIES MUST SEND ONE MAN INTO THE SERVICE OF THE CHINESE ARMY. IF ONE IS TOO OLD TO SERVE, ANOTHER MAN OF THE FAMILY MAY BE SENT IN THEIR PLACE!" announced the Herald.

All the people in the audience gasped in shock. This could only mean that China was at war once again. The royal scribe seated astride another horse had a pompous expression of importance on his thin, unattractive face as a list of family names was unrolled and called out, one by one.

"…the Chen family," called one of the messengers, and a young man stepped forward to accept the scroll of enrollment offered to him.

Things continued in this manner, with men of different ages answering the calls. Many families looked grief-stricken when a particularly young man would step forward. Finally, the horrible moment came.

"…the Yu family…the Tao family…the Kinomoto family…"

Sakura gasped. Fujitaka handed Nadeshiko his walking staff, striding forward slowly and with a slight limp. Even so, he still looked noble and courageous.

Just as the messenger was about to hand him the document, a figure ran infront of him. Sakura stood with her arms outstretched as if shielding her father. "Onegai, sir, my father has already served. Please-"

The scribe cut her off. "A decree is a decree!" he announced shrilly, looking down at the Japanese girl with contempt, "All must comply!" He then turned to Fujitaka. "You would do well to teach your daughter to hold her tongue."

Sakura looked at her father sadly as he turned his head away. "Sakura, you dishonour me…" he said quietly.

The messenger handed Fujitaka the scroll as Sakura stood nearby, stunned by her father's words. "Enrollment is in two days at the Tung Shao camp," he said, looking the older man directly in the eye. Fujitaka nodded in understanding.

The heralds and the scribe continued to call out family names as the Japanese man walked stoically back to the house, declining the walking stick offered back to him by his wife. Sakura walked slowly, head bowed. Not even the comforting hug from her friends helped to lighten her depressed mood.

********

Dinner that evening was unusually quiet. Everyone concentrated on their bowls of Ramen, not exchanging any words between each other. Sakura poured tea silently, still depressed by her father's words and the announcement that had started everything for her. As she glanced about the table, she noticed that everyone was purposely avoiding her eyes. Even Tomoyo and Meiling (who had stayed for dinner) looked down without saying anything.

Finally, she just couldn't take it anymore. She stood up suddenly, slamming her cup down on the table hard. "It isn't fair!" she said adamantly, looking directly at her father, "You shouldn't have to go! You've already served the Emperor!"

Fujitaka continued to eat calmly. "I am willing to serve my country and preserve my honour," he said, his voice deceptively calm.

"So you would die for honour?" asked Sakura, eyes blazing. She couldn't believe that her usually kind, caring father was being so unreasonable.

"I must defend my family. I know my place, now I think it was time you learned yours," he answered.

Sakura as if he had physically hit her. Everyone else watched in shock as, eyes tearing slightly, she turned around and ran out of the room.

Running as fast as she could, she passed the shrine built to honour their ancestors and didn't stop until she reached the statue of Yue, the most powerful of their family guardians. Collapsing at the base, she began to sob uncontrollably.

The night sky darkened as black clouds blocked out the moon and stars. Soon, it began to rain. The drops fell gently at first, then with more intensity as the small shower became a full-fledged storm. Sakura was completely soaked through in a few moments, but she didn't go back inside to seek shelter. Instead, she remained outside with her head buried in her arms.

Inside the house, the silhouettes of her mother and father could be seen by the light of a lantern. They seemed to talk for a while, before resolving in an argument. Finally, Nadeshiko could be seen to blow out the light and the house was in total darkness.

Sakura looked up at the sky with an exression of helplessness. She wanted to find a way of saving her father so badly, even if he didn't wish to be saved…

Suddenly, a new determination rushed through her. She knew what she had to do. It was risky, and the penalty was death if she was discovered…but she would be saving her father…

Not even feeling the rain, the young Japanese girl walked quickly to the ancestral shrine and lit a stick of incense. Bowing respectfully, she said a last goodbye and prayed for luck in her endeavor. Everything seemed to pass in a blur as she went to her father's bedroom and took the enrollment order from beside his pillow, leaving her cherry blossom comb in it's stead. Then she made her way without hesitation towards her father's practicing room. A few moments later, the cabinet that had held his armour and sword was empty and a fully dressed warrior stood before the doors.

As she walked to the stable in order to get her horse, she thought through her plan once again. Since she was so obviously feminine, she would have to wear her helmet at all times while around the men of the army, lest they discovered her identity. That would take some doing, but there was no way she would give up now. It was just impossible.

Obviously, Clow was more than slightly surprised when an unfamiliar youth came up to him and began to get the saddle and bridle from where it hung on the stable wall. Sakura managed to calm him before he made too much noise, however, and when he noticed that she was the one about to mount, he relaxed.

Moments later, a warrior mounted on a coal black horse burst through the gates of the Kinomoto home and galloped away into the rain and raging storm.

********

Tomoyo awoke with a start. Something had awakened her, and there was a terrible feeling in the pit of her stomach.

Getting up hurriedly, she passed by Meiling who was also awake and rubbing her eyes tiredly. "What is is, Tomoyo-chan?" she asked sleepily as the Japanese girl rushed out of the room and towards Sakura's sleeping chamber. Tomoyo's worst fears here confirmed when the bed was completely empty and unused.

"…Ohno…" she gasped in dismay as Meiling reached her, confusion etched on her features.

Fujitaka, Nadeshiko, and Sonomi were aroused by the frantic sound of the girls running by and to the outer garden. Sakura's father got up quickly, gripping his walking stick. He was about to follow the girls when he noticed that his enrollment scroll was gone…and a cherry blossom comb lay in it's place. The same comb he had given Sakura the day before…

He limped with the desperation of a drowning man to the garden. There, he found Tomoyo and Meiling standing in the rain, gazing helplessly at the sight of the main doors of the outer wall swinging back and forth in the rain. Fujitaka collapsed to the ground, his face showing great dispair. It was obvious what Sakura had done, and he also knew that there wasn't anything he could do about it, because he knew what would happen if he went after her…

"We must stop her!" cried Nadeshiko desperately, wrapping her arms around the form that was her husband, "She could be killed!"

"If we reveal her, she will be," he said in a strained voice.

Tomoyo and Meiling watched with great sadness. They knew what it meant for Sakura's family, and were tremendously worried about their friend. The Japanese girl embraced her Chinese friend, who was sobbing silently.

"Onegai, Kami-sama…Clow Reed-sama…watch over Sakura-chan for me…" she whispered silently.

********

^^*Jurei-chan: Well minna-san, that's all for this chapter! How was it for the beginning? ONEGAI ONEGAI, ONEGAI, ONEGAI REVIEW! It takes a few seconds, and it really makes my day! I like to know if anyone's even reading…

*Jerry-kun: Of course someone's reading, J-chan! It can't be all THAT bad…

*Jurei-chan: Well, I hope you all enjoyed it anyway. As you can probably tell, this will be an S+S!

J&J Notes

~ Clow Reed is an ancestor of the Li family, but is a well known and respected figure of magic by everyone. He is one of the favourites of the Kinomoto family to pray to.

~The Clow Cards will be a pretty big part of this (told you it was different than Mulan!) and Kero will come into the fic later on. Yue might too.

~We couldn't think of anything else to name Sakura's horse, so Clow was what we came up with (maybe cause the Kinomotos admire Clow Reed so much?) If anyone has a more fitting name, include it in your review! Wai!

~Chapters for this probably won't come out very fast, because Jurei-chan is also busy with "The Tournament" and Jerry-kun isn't always available.

Soundtrack of the chapter: (Songs we listened to)

~We Are One (Offspring) From "The Tournament" sound choice

~All I Want (Offspring)

~Too Much of Heaven (Eiffel 65)

~My Console (Eiffel 65)

~Halcyon+on+on (Orbital) from the Mortal Kombat I soundtrack and "The Tournament" sound choice

~Proximus (Mauro Picotto) From "The Tournament" sound choice

~Keep Hope Alive (Crystal Method) From "The Tournament" sound choice