Two Destinies In One
Written by: cherry-hime
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Disclaimer: I do not own Cardcaptor Sakura in any which way, it is strictly copyright (c) CLAMP and Kodansha. The book, 'The Seer and The Sword' is (c) Victoria Langley. On the other hand, this fanfic DOES belong to me and forever will. So no thieving!
Summary: The Princess Kinomoto Sakura lives a charmed life in the kingdom of Kinomoto. Then, her father, King Fujitaka seizes the peaceful land of the Li kingdom and it's legendary sword. On his return, he offers her two priceless gifts, a mysterious book and the defeated king's son, Li Syaoran, as a slave.
Author's Note: This is an idea I had for a while now, after I read the book, 'The Seer and The Sword'. It is based on the book, 'A Seer and the Sword' by Victoria Langley. Please read and review! Domo arigatou if you do! ^-^ Many of the characters MAY be out of character, but don't worry, it'll still be the same lovable Kinomoto Sakura and Li Syaoran you know. ^- ^
= means thoughts
"" means speech
[] means inserted AN's
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CHAPTER ONE --- I Set Him Free
In the castle of Kinomoto, Queen Nadeshiko sat at her weaving loom, humming a song and picking out the many different colors out for her newest cloth. Beside her, her daughter Sakura stitched at her embroidery.
Long, slender fingers pulled the needle back and forth, forming the pattern of a cherry blossom: the sign of the house of Kinomoto. Feilei, the queen's close servant, spun wool, her wheel humming.
Sakura stuck the needle crosswise in her spool and flexed her hands. "Enough sewing, Mamma! Let me go outside and ride for a while."
Queen Nadeshiko smiled patiently. "The sun has already set. You just rode this morning." Sakura grumbled softly, "But the boys are still outside." "And you are not a boy." Nadeshiko said.
"The boys have the chance to watch for King Fujitaka! Even Touya's out watching for him! He's my father too, I should be the first to be able to see him!" A few of Sakura's honey-auburn curls came loose of their tight braids.
Nadeshiko turned to look at her daughter, without saying anything; she turned back to her loom. King Fujitaka was a good man; he just liked to test his strength against the other kingdoms. Once again, he was going to extend his land.
Now the King was at the Li kingdom, a kingdom of peace, with a rich heritage of art and culture. The Li kingdom, whose citizens had enjoyed centuries of harmony and peace. Nadeshiko wondered wistfully, what it would be like to live in such a land. It was said their magic sword could stand against any foe. If that were so, what awaited King Fujitaka?
Hope and fear struggled within her. She had seen the Li kingdom herself, when she was young. Such harmony and peace was not meant to be destroyed. She did not want it's ancient beauty and magic destroyed by war. But that is what Fujitaka brought to that land.
"Your father will be away a little longer, my sweet. Why don't you work on your writing for a while?" the queen finally told her restless daughter.
"I still want to ride out!"
Nadeshiko shook her head. Many had told her that a more unruly spirit than Sakura's could not be found, even in the wild forests of Kinomoto.
A small commotion at the door to the hall drew Sakura's gaze. Her eyes, a bright, emerald green, lit with surprise as her friend Yamasaki rushed in, his face flushed.
"Sakura!" his boyish voice rang out, "We saw the king riding back, beyond the first ridge!"
A guard came though the door, grabbing Yamasaki by the arm. "That will be enough!" With Yamasaki wriggling in his grasp, the guard turned to Nadeshiko. "Sorry, milady, for this intrusion, if this boy can be believed, your husband will be here by sunset."
The young princess ran to the door, racing against Yamasaki as her long honey-auburn curls streamed behind her. She jumped onto her horse, nudging Blossom, her house into gallop. She saw several dark figures in the north, and urged her horse to go faster.
*****
His amber colored stallion charged ahead of his men. In one large arm her swept up that princess of her horse. Sakura hugged her father, "I missed you."
The king smiled down at the girl, with his older son standing beside him. "How is my princess? And my son, my, haven't you grown. Out here, near the dark, all by your self, Sakura? Did you run away again?"
Sakura smiled sleepily, "I wanted to see you." "And so here I am." "Did you win the war?" Sakura asked, falling into a light slumber. King Fujitaka snorted. "Would I be here if I did not?"
Sakura smiled for her father's victory. They rode slowly, her horse trotting near them. The king asked Sakura about Nadeshiko, and Sakura said that she was well. Beaming, the king leaned into his saddlebag.
"This is for you, all the way from the Li kingdom. Hold out your hands." Sakura obediently held out her hands, palms up. He placed a small book into her hand, sealed with a golden clasp. An image of a great lion-like creature and a sun was on the front.
Flipping it to its back, she found an angel-like figure, and a moon. "What is it? It's beautiful. Can I open it?" Sakura said eagerly, as her father laughed.
"I don't know. How strange. I found it on the table, and thought that you liked collecting books, but then I found I couldn't open it." The king shrugged. Sakura smiled softly, lying against her father.
Hooves pounded towards them from the direction of the castle. The same guard who interrupted Yamasaki galloped up. "My lord, I'm sorry, about the princess. She escaped again."
The king roared in laughter, a cheery sound. "Just like me when I was young. Looking up at Touya, who was waiting patiently all this time, he smiled, "So, my son, how have you been? Not teasing your sister again, I hope."
Touya snickered, "Sakura saw ghosts again in her bedroom. I think she's mentally ill, father." King Fujitaka mocked a frown at his son, the heir to the throne. "Now Touya, don't go teasing your sister again."
Sakura glared at her brother, poking him in the ribs as the rode by him. "Ow! You little---" Sakura smiled happily as they rode back to the castle. Then a man rode up to them, his dark eyes flashing.
His name was Marozaki, the king's right hand man. Sakura wasn't sure if she liked this man. He helped his king, sure---but there was something about his creepy smile she didn't trust. She didn't realize how right she was.
*****
Sakura skipped to her grandmother, the old queen's room. The old queen, Hanyina, was smiling as her favorite grandchild came into the room. Sakura always lit up the room with her cheery smile.
"Grandmother! Guess what, look at this!" Sakura smiled brightly at her grandmother as she held up the book her father had given her yesterday. Hanyina's smile broke off, staring at the book. There was something strange about this book.
"Very nice---child. Why don't we practice your song again?" Sakura nodded, smiling, and placed the book carefully on a table, then joined her grandmother in singing.
We will never walk together,
Over the fields of earth,
Never hear the bird, in the morning,
Oh, I have lived with you,
And loved you,
And now you are gone away.
Gone where I cannot follow
Until I have finished all
My days.
Sakura's childish, sweet tones ended the song as her grandmother smiled up at the girl's damp green eyes. Sakura looked at her grandmother. "Why is this song so sad? Can't we sing something happier?"
Her grandmother did not answer. Staring into the vast horizon, her grandmother sighed, weary.
"Something is coming. I can feel it in my old bones. Something bad--- concerning you. Especially you."
*****
King Fujitaka leaned against the stone wall of the courtyard. As he looked out over the road where all travel from the plains must pass. The army was returning, and the king stood in silent review of his troops.
There would be a great victory. The Li kingdom, the invincible, they had conquered. The magical ancient Sword taken from them. Yes, they would celebrate. At last, the rear contingent came into view. Marozaki came into view, grim faced and dusty.
Fujitaka gripped Marozaki's hand, "All accounted for?" Marozaki nodded.
"Well done, Commander. Go refresh yourself. I know how well you deserve it." The dark eyes flashed again as he nodded.
The king stopped. Sakura stood a few feet away, dressed in a soft green dress. How long had she been there? He remembered he had not seen his daughter since she rode to meet him on the plains.
He extended his arm to her. Her small fingers clasped around his hand. Where was the eager child who had leaped into his arms the day before? Her small hand grasped the small red book he had given to her.
She held it out. "This came from the Li kingdom?" He nodded.
"Why did you get it for me?" He looked surprised.
"Because you love to read." Sakura shook his head.
"I cannot open it. I think it is locked, it must be some sort of diary."
She handed the book over to the king. He tugging at the clasp, then finally taking out his sword and trying to cut off the clasp. Nothing worked. "I don't know. It looked interesting. It can be a keepsake, a reminder of the Li kingdom." He suggested.
Then the King Fujitaka remembered something. "I brought you another present as well, Sakura." He said grimly. "Marozaki! Fetch the boy."
*****
The commander quickly returned. Before him walked the former prince of the Li kingdom. Messy, tousled, chocolate-brown hair, his face, under dirt and dust were still. Calm, gold-flecked amber eyes stared at the ground. His elegant clothing was ruined, his hands bound.
Marozaki thrust the young prisoner forward. The boy stumbled and fell onto the ground. Sakura sprang to help him, as her caring nature towards all people. Fujitaka saw the boy's eyes flicker wide for an instant as the king's daughter pulled him to his feet.
"Who is he?" Sakura asked. "The son of a king." "Why are his hands tied behind his back?" Sakura questioned, staring into those endless amber eyes. "He is a prisoner. The son of a king no more. I brought him here for you, Sakura. He will make a find slave." It doesn't matter Sakura doesn't like slaves, and didn't have any, he thought. This one is different.
Sakura looked at the boy, at his messy brown hair and fiery amber eyes.
"If he is my slave, does this make him my own?
"All your own."
"I can do whatever I want with him?" Sakura answered, staring into her father's eyes.
The king nodded.
The princess shivered. "What is your name, son of a king?" she asked him.
"Li Syaoran." The boy's manner, still that of a prince, contrasted oddly with his dusty rags and bruises. "Marozaki," Sakura said. "Princess?" the commander looked up at the princess.
"Cut his ropes, please."
The commander looked to his king, who nodded. A blade was drawn. Marozaki cut the robes carelessly, purposely drawing blood. Syaoran rubbed his wrists as Sakura stepped closer to him, her emerald eyes dimming.
"My father fought your father." She said softly. Syaoran looked at the ground, his eyes still burning with anger at the king. "Syaoran," she whispered, "I never had a slave."
Lifting her chin, she stared defiantly at her father. "And I never will," she continued. "Papa, you gave him to me. I set him free."
To be continued . . .
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Did you like? ^-^ I hope so! Please read and review, tell me if I should continue. Many, many, adventures will follow, and please no flaming. The song actually came from the book. So, again, please review, and domo arigatou if you do. Hey, I rhymed! =- cherry-hime
Written by: cherry-hime
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Disclaimer: I do not own Cardcaptor Sakura in any which way, it is strictly copyright (c) CLAMP and Kodansha. The book, 'The Seer and The Sword' is (c) Victoria Langley. On the other hand, this fanfic DOES belong to me and forever will. So no thieving!
Summary: The Princess Kinomoto Sakura lives a charmed life in the kingdom of Kinomoto. Then, her father, King Fujitaka seizes the peaceful land of the Li kingdom and it's legendary sword. On his return, he offers her two priceless gifts, a mysterious book and the defeated king's son, Li Syaoran, as a slave.
Author's Note: This is an idea I had for a while now, after I read the book, 'The Seer and The Sword'. It is based on the book, 'A Seer and the Sword' by Victoria Langley. Please read and review! Domo arigatou if you do! ^-^ Many of the characters MAY be out of character, but don't worry, it'll still be the same lovable Kinomoto Sakura and Li Syaoran you know. ^- ^
= means thoughts
"" means speech
[] means inserted AN's
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
CHAPTER ONE --- I Set Him Free
In the castle of Kinomoto, Queen Nadeshiko sat at her weaving loom, humming a song and picking out the many different colors out for her newest cloth. Beside her, her daughter Sakura stitched at her embroidery.
Long, slender fingers pulled the needle back and forth, forming the pattern of a cherry blossom: the sign of the house of Kinomoto. Feilei, the queen's close servant, spun wool, her wheel humming.
Sakura stuck the needle crosswise in her spool and flexed her hands. "Enough sewing, Mamma! Let me go outside and ride for a while."
Queen Nadeshiko smiled patiently. "The sun has already set. You just rode this morning." Sakura grumbled softly, "But the boys are still outside." "And you are not a boy." Nadeshiko said.
"The boys have the chance to watch for King Fujitaka! Even Touya's out watching for him! He's my father too, I should be the first to be able to see him!" A few of Sakura's honey-auburn curls came loose of their tight braids.
Nadeshiko turned to look at her daughter, without saying anything; she turned back to her loom. King Fujitaka was a good man; he just liked to test his strength against the other kingdoms. Once again, he was going to extend his land.
Now the King was at the Li kingdom, a kingdom of peace, with a rich heritage of art and culture. The Li kingdom, whose citizens had enjoyed centuries of harmony and peace. Nadeshiko wondered wistfully, what it would be like to live in such a land. It was said their magic sword could stand against any foe. If that were so, what awaited King Fujitaka?
Hope and fear struggled within her. She had seen the Li kingdom herself, when she was young. Such harmony and peace was not meant to be destroyed. She did not want it's ancient beauty and magic destroyed by war. But that is what Fujitaka brought to that land.
"Your father will be away a little longer, my sweet. Why don't you work on your writing for a while?" the queen finally told her restless daughter.
"I still want to ride out!"
Nadeshiko shook her head. Many had told her that a more unruly spirit than Sakura's could not be found, even in the wild forests of Kinomoto.
A small commotion at the door to the hall drew Sakura's gaze. Her eyes, a bright, emerald green, lit with surprise as her friend Yamasaki rushed in, his face flushed.
"Sakura!" his boyish voice rang out, "We saw the king riding back, beyond the first ridge!"
A guard came though the door, grabbing Yamasaki by the arm. "That will be enough!" With Yamasaki wriggling in his grasp, the guard turned to Nadeshiko. "Sorry, milady, for this intrusion, if this boy can be believed, your husband will be here by sunset."
The young princess ran to the door, racing against Yamasaki as her long honey-auburn curls streamed behind her. She jumped onto her horse, nudging Blossom, her house into gallop. She saw several dark figures in the north, and urged her horse to go faster.
*****
His amber colored stallion charged ahead of his men. In one large arm her swept up that princess of her horse. Sakura hugged her father, "I missed you."
The king smiled down at the girl, with his older son standing beside him. "How is my princess? And my son, my, haven't you grown. Out here, near the dark, all by your self, Sakura? Did you run away again?"
Sakura smiled sleepily, "I wanted to see you." "And so here I am." "Did you win the war?" Sakura asked, falling into a light slumber. King Fujitaka snorted. "Would I be here if I did not?"
Sakura smiled for her father's victory. They rode slowly, her horse trotting near them. The king asked Sakura about Nadeshiko, and Sakura said that she was well. Beaming, the king leaned into his saddlebag.
"This is for you, all the way from the Li kingdom. Hold out your hands." Sakura obediently held out her hands, palms up. He placed a small book into her hand, sealed with a golden clasp. An image of a great lion-like creature and a sun was on the front.
Flipping it to its back, she found an angel-like figure, and a moon. "What is it? It's beautiful. Can I open it?" Sakura said eagerly, as her father laughed.
"I don't know. How strange. I found it on the table, and thought that you liked collecting books, but then I found I couldn't open it." The king shrugged. Sakura smiled softly, lying against her father.
Hooves pounded towards them from the direction of the castle. The same guard who interrupted Yamasaki galloped up. "My lord, I'm sorry, about the princess. She escaped again."
The king roared in laughter, a cheery sound. "Just like me when I was young. Looking up at Touya, who was waiting patiently all this time, he smiled, "So, my son, how have you been? Not teasing your sister again, I hope."
Touya snickered, "Sakura saw ghosts again in her bedroom. I think she's mentally ill, father." King Fujitaka mocked a frown at his son, the heir to the throne. "Now Touya, don't go teasing your sister again."
Sakura glared at her brother, poking him in the ribs as the rode by him. "Ow! You little---" Sakura smiled happily as they rode back to the castle. Then a man rode up to them, his dark eyes flashing.
His name was Marozaki, the king's right hand man. Sakura wasn't sure if she liked this man. He helped his king, sure---but there was something about his creepy smile she didn't trust. She didn't realize how right she was.
*****
Sakura skipped to her grandmother, the old queen's room. The old queen, Hanyina, was smiling as her favorite grandchild came into the room. Sakura always lit up the room with her cheery smile.
"Grandmother! Guess what, look at this!" Sakura smiled brightly at her grandmother as she held up the book her father had given her yesterday. Hanyina's smile broke off, staring at the book. There was something strange about this book.
"Very nice---child. Why don't we practice your song again?" Sakura nodded, smiling, and placed the book carefully on a table, then joined her grandmother in singing.
We will never walk together,
Over the fields of earth,
Never hear the bird, in the morning,
Oh, I have lived with you,
And loved you,
And now you are gone away.
Gone where I cannot follow
Until I have finished all
My days.
Sakura's childish, sweet tones ended the song as her grandmother smiled up at the girl's damp green eyes. Sakura looked at her grandmother. "Why is this song so sad? Can't we sing something happier?"
Her grandmother did not answer. Staring into the vast horizon, her grandmother sighed, weary.
"Something is coming. I can feel it in my old bones. Something bad--- concerning you. Especially you."
*****
King Fujitaka leaned against the stone wall of the courtyard. As he looked out over the road where all travel from the plains must pass. The army was returning, and the king stood in silent review of his troops.
There would be a great victory. The Li kingdom, the invincible, they had conquered. The magical ancient Sword taken from them. Yes, they would celebrate. At last, the rear contingent came into view. Marozaki came into view, grim faced and dusty.
Fujitaka gripped Marozaki's hand, "All accounted for?" Marozaki nodded.
"Well done, Commander. Go refresh yourself. I know how well you deserve it." The dark eyes flashed again as he nodded.
The king stopped. Sakura stood a few feet away, dressed in a soft green dress. How long had she been there? He remembered he had not seen his daughter since she rode to meet him on the plains.
He extended his arm to her. Her small fingers clasped around his hand. Where was the eager child who had leaped into his arms the day before? Her small hand grasped the small red book he had given to her.
She held it out. "This came from the Li kingdom?" He nodded.
"Why did you get it for me?" He looked surprised.
"Because you love to read." Sakura shook his head.
"I cannot open it. I think it is locked, it must be some sort of diary."
She handed the book over to the king. He tugging at the clasp, then finally taking out his sword and trying to cut off the clasp. Nothing worked. "I don't know. It looked interesting. It can be a keepsake, a reminder of the Li kingdom." He suggested.
Then the King Fujitaka remembered something. "I brought you another present as well, Sakura." He said grimly. "Marozaki! Fetch the boy."
*****
The commander quickly returned. Before him walked the former prince of the Li kingdom. Messy, tousled, chocolate-brown hair, his face, under dirt and dust were still. Calm, gold-flecked amber eyes stared at the ground. His elegant clothing was ruined, his hands bound.
Marozaki thrust the young prisoner forward. The boy stumbled and fell onto the ground. Sakura sprang to help him, as her caring nature towards all people. Fujitaka saw the boy's eyes flicker wide for an instant as the king's daughter pulled him to his feet.
"Who is he?" Sakura asked. "The son of a king." "Why are his hands tied behind his back?" Sakura questioned, staring into those endless amber eyes. "He is a prisoner. The son of a king no more. I brought him here for you, Sakura. He will make a find slave." It doesn't matter Sakura doesn't like slaves, and didn't have any, he thought. This one is different.
Sakura looked at the boy, at his messy brown hair and fiery amber eyes.
"If he is my slave, does this make him my own?
"All your own."
"I can do whatever I want with him?" Sakura answered, staring into her father's eyes.
The king nodded.
The princess shivered. "What is your name, son of a king?" she asked him.
"Li Syaoran." The boy's manner, still that of a prince, contrasted oddly with his dusty rags and bruises. "Marozaki," Sakura said. "Princess?" the commander looked up at the princess.
"Cut his ropes, please."
The commander looked to his king, who nodded. A blade was drawn. Marozaki cut the robes carelessly, purposely drawing blood. Syaoran rubbed his wrists as Sakura stepped closer to him, her emerald eyes dimming.
"My father fought your father." She said softly. Syaoran looked at the ground, his eyes still burning with anger at the king. "Syaoran," she whispered, "I never had a slave."
Lifting her chin, she stared defiantly at her father. "And I never will," she continued. "Papa, you gave him to me. I set him free."
To be continued . . .
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Did you like? ^-^ I hope so! Please read and review, tell me if I should continue. Many, many, adventures will follow, and please no flaming. The song actually came from the book. So, again, please review, and domo arigatou if you do. Hey, I rhymed! =- cherry-hime
