Chapter 6
"There must be a way," Syaoran mumbled. "We can't be stuck here. There has to be a way."
"Well, maybe you could-" Hidochi began, then stopped.
Syaoran turned his fierce gaze upon her. "What?"
"Nothing," Hidochi said nervously, looking as if she wished she had remained silent. "I said nothing."
Syaoran's eyes narrowed. "You started to say something. What was it?"
"Nothing. I-"
"WHAT WAS IT?!"
"I- It's too dangerous, it's foolish really-"
"Well, if you don't tell me, my only option will be for me to take this girl and follow the path, using only my sword to protect me."
Hidochi's eyes widened. "You can't! You'll die!"
"Then tell me the alternative," Syaoran hissed through his teeth.
Hidochi sighed, defeated. "There is... a boat. Traveling on the water is the only way the traders made it through. But it's still very dangerous, and you'll be paddling upstream, and-"
"How do we get this boat?" Syaoran demanded.
"Only the lord has a boat-"
"The lord?"
Hidochi sighed again. "Tamiya is too small to be a kingdom, but it is large enough to be a manor. Mr. Kensuke treats us well, gives us nice homes, but only in exchange for the best of work. I am his seamstress-"
"Get to the point," Syaoran snapped.
Hidochi looked a bit taken aback at Syaoran's rudeness. "He gives nothing freely."
"So what would we have to do to get this boat?"
"You must work for it, of course. You must have a skill that is useful to him and use it well, and then, after a time, perhaps you could use his boat."
"How long?"
"I don't know-"
"Guess," Syaoran growled.
"Months, maybe years..."
Syaoran slammed his fist violently on the table, causing Sakura to jump and all the dishes to rattle. He then leaned back in his chair with an exasperated sigh. "I don't want to be stuck here that long. I'm no slave- "
Sakura felt sudden anger rising in her. She struggled to hold it back- until a though crossed her mind. They were far from home, far from any punishment Syaoran could give. He had no power here. He could do nothing to stop her if she chose to speak freely. She allowed her frustration to break the surface.
"Have you no patience?" she snapped. "This is our only option. And it wouldn't hurt you any to work for once in your life instead of having women and children do all your work for you." She glared at him in disgust, feeling a strange sensation of power. "Perhaps for once you can know how it feels. And perhaps you could learn some manners as well. You've returned Hidochi's kindness with nothing but rudeness. You should be ashamed of yourself."
Breathing hard, shaking, heart pounding, Sakura fell into silence, unable to believe what she had just done. Judging by the looks of shock upon Hidochi's and especially Syaoran's faces, they could not believe it either. Syaoran opened his mouth as if to speak and then closed it again.
After what seemed to Sakura like an eternity, Hidochi managed to break through the almost tangible tension. She tentatively suggested, "Perhaps you would like to meet Mr. Kensuke."
Syaoran nodded. "Yes. Take us to him."
Hidochi stood up and cleared the table quickly, then walked out the door, Sakura and Syaoran following. Sakura stole a glance at Syaoran as they walked down the dusty road with small houses scattered along either side. He was staring at the ground in front of his feet, his expression unreadable. He did not seem angry, as Sakura had expected after her outburst. She wondered about his thoughts.
After about twenty minutes of walking in silence, Hidochi stopped. Sakura looked up to see a castle, much smaller than Syaoran's, but very beautiful. The cut of the stone, the trees and bushes all around, created about the place an almost magical atmosphere that Sakura could not explain.
"I'm sorry," Hidochi said, "but I must leave you now. I have work to do." She smiled. "Feel free to come back if you need anything."
Syaoran nodded, and Hidochi left.
For several minutes neither Sakura nor Syaoran moved. Sakura waited uneasily for Syaoran to make a move toward the castle's vast entrance. She heard him sigh, then finally take a step forward, then another, walking along a narrow dirt path toward the castle door.
There was no real door, only an entrance, little more than a rectangular hole in the stone, but with an elaborate statue of an angel on either side, and beautiful red draperies with golden trim framing the doorway.
They entered into a massive room. Sakura realized that the entire downstairs consisted of this room. There was an ornate spiral staircase in each corner, leading to whatever rooms lay above. The room was decorated with fine shining suits of armor along the walls and many beautiful tapestries of all colors and sizes. There were many long, wooden tables filling most of the room. Then Sakura noticed a door to the left. It must lead to the kitchen. This, then, was the dining room. Also a meeting room, most likely.
To the right, a bright, cheery fire warmed the room. And straight ahead was a throne, simple yet elegant in its design. Sitting on the throne was a man that Sakura knew must be Mr. Kensuke.
She was surprised at his youth. He could not have been more than a few years older than Sakura, who was seventeen. And he was very good-looking, with somewhat short brown hair, bright blue eyes, tan skin, and a muscular frame. He smiled when he saw Sakura and Syaoran walking hesitantly into the room. "Hello! Welcome! Come in! What is it that you need?"
Syaoran looked uncertain, but Sakura, having been a servant her whole life, knew exactly what to do. She walked up and knelt before his throne. Syaoran awkwardly followed suit.
"Kind sir," Sakura said softly, looking at the floor, "we have heard that you own a boat. We have come to request use of it. We will be willing to work for you in exchange for its use."
"Indeed," Mr. Kensuke said with interest. "Please, stand."
Sakura and Syaoran stood. Sakura felt awkward, noticing Mr. Kensuke's eyes on her, sizing her up. "Do you have any... special skills? Anything unique that could be useful to me?"
"I have had much experience with cooking, cleaning, and other such things," Sakura said.
"I see," Mr. Kensuke replied thoughtfully. "You, then, young lady, can be my personal servant."
Sakura did not like the way the man was looking at her. His eyes wandered all over her body. She was thankful that the dress was loose and did not show off her figure.
"And me?" Syaoran said suddenly, impatiently.
Mr. Kensuke, to Sakura's relief, tore his eyes reluctantly from her body. "Do you have any special skills that I can use?"
"I have been through intensive physical training," Syaoran replied.
"I see," Mr. Kensuke replied, thinking. "Ah. I have the perfect job for you, then. We have an early harvest. I could certainly use your help." Syaoran nodded.
"Well then." Mr. Kensuke folded his hands. "I am curious why it is that you want to use my boat."
Sakura glanced at Syaoran, who nodded slightly. "We've heard that the river is the only way to get out of town," he said.
"I see. So you are trying to pass through." Syaoran nodded.
Mr. Kensuke laughed. "It's your neck. But if you really want the boat, you have to earn it."
Syaoran narrowed his eyes. "How long will that take?"
"Until I decide that it's enough," he said airily, his eyes wandering back to Sakura. "I might enjoy your stay here."
That night, Sakura lay in her new bed, staring at the ceiling. It was not nearly as comfortable as Hidochi's house, but it was very nice compared to her old bed back in Kija. She heard Syaoran's soft breathing and was relieved once again that Mr. Kensuke had allowed her to stay with Syaoran instead of with him. She had claimed to be his sister and did not want to be far from him, when in reality she was afraid of being left alone with the man.
Sakura rolled onto her side to look at Syaoran. She smiled. His face was so calm and sweet in his sleep, all traces of his usual scowl gone. Sakura wondered what Syaoran would be like if he would open up to her. She rolled onto her back again and closed her eyes, wondering, imagining what her new life would bring.
Author's Notes: Wow, I finally got this chapter out. Sorry it took so long... I'm getting bad about how often I update. Sorry guys. Anyway, I hope you like this chapter. Tell me what you think! Review! Give me your thoughts, ideas, whatever. And feel free to e-mail me. Your guys' e-mails generally guilt me into writing faster. So yeah. Hope you're enjoying my fic! Ja ne!
"There must be a way," Syaoran mumbled. "We can't be stuck here. There has to be a way."
"Well, maybe you could-" Hidochi began, then stopped.
Syaoran turned his fierce gaze upon her. "What?"
"Nothing," Hidochi said nervously, looking as if she wished she had remained silent. "I said nothing."
Syaoran's eyes narrowed. "You started to say something. What was it?"
"Nothing. I-"
"WHAT WAS IT?!"
"I- It's too dangerous, it's foolish really-"
"Well, if you don't tell me, my only option will be for me to take this girl and follow the path, using only my sword to protect me."
Hidochi's eyes widened. "You can't! You'll die!"
"Then tell me the alternative," Syaoran hissed through his teeth.
Hidochi sighed, defeated. "There is... a boat. Traveling on the water is the only way the traders made it through. But it's still very dangerous, and you'll be paddling upstream, and-"
"How do we get this boat?" Syaoran demanded.
"Only the lord has a boat-"
"The lord?"
Hidochi sighed again. "Tamiya is too small to be a kingdom, but it is large enough to be a manor. Mr. Kensuke treats us well, gives us nice homes, but only in exchange for the best of work. I am his seamstress-"
"Get to the point," Syaoran snapped.
Hidochi looked a bit taken aback at Syaoran's rudeness. "He gives nothing freely."
"So what would we have to do to get this boat?"
"You must work for it, of course. You must have a skill that is useful to him and use it well, and then, after a time, perhaps you could use his boat."
"How long?"
"I don't know-"
"Guess," Syaoran growled.
"Months, maybe years..."
Syaoran slammed his fist violently on the table, causing Sakura to jump and all the dishes to rattle. He then leaned back in his chair with an exasperated sigh. "I don't want to be stuck here that long. I'm no slave- "
Sakura felt sudden anger rising in her. She struggled to hold it back- until a though crossed her mind. They were far from home, far from any punishment Syaoran could give. He had no power here. He could do nothing to stop her if she chose to speak freely. She allowed her frustration to break the surface.
"Have you no patience?" she snapped. "This is our only option. And it wouldn't hurt you any to work for once in your life instead of having women and children do all your work for you." She glared at him in disgust, feeling a strange sensation of power. "Perhaps for once you can know how it feels. And perhaps you could learn some manners as well. You've returned Hidochi's kindness with nothing but rudeness. You should be ashamed of yourself."
Breathing hard, shaking, heart pounding, Sakura fell into silence, unable to believe what she had just done. Judging by the looks of shock upon Hidochi's and especially Syaoran's faces, they could not believe it either. Syaoran opened his mouth as if to speak and then closed it again.
After what seemed to Sakura like an eternity, Hidochi managed to break through the almost tangible tension. She tentatively suggested, "Perhaps you would like to meet Mr. Kensuke."
Syaoran nodded. "Yes. Take us to him."
Hidochi stood up and cleared the table quickly, then walked out the door, Sakura and Syaoran following. Sakura stole a glance at Syaoran as they walked down the dusty road with small houses scattered along either side. He was staring at the ground in front of his feet, his expression unreadable. He did not seem angry, as Sakura had expected after her outburst. She wondered about his thoughts.
After about twenty minutes of walking in silence, Hidochi stopped. Sakura looked up to see a castle, much smaller than Syaoran's, but very beautiful. The cut of the stone, the trees and bushes all around, created about the place an almost magical atmosphere that Sakura could not explain.
"I'm sorry," Hidochi said, "but I must leave you now. I have work to do." She smiled. "Feel free to come back if you need anything."
Syaoran nodded, and Hidochi left.
For several minutes neither Sakura nor Syaoran moved. Sakura waited uneasily for Syaoran to make a move toward the castle's vast entrance. She heard him sigh, then finally take a step forward, then another, walking along a narrow dirt path toward the castle door.
There was no real door, only an entrance, little more than a rectangular hole in the stone, but with an elaborate statue of an angel on either side, and beautiful red draperies with golden trim framing the doorway.
They entered into a massive room. Sakura realized that the entire downstairs consisted of this room. There was an ornate spiral staircase in each corner, leading to whatever rooms lay above. The room was decorated with fine shining suits of armor along the walls and many beautiful tapestries of all colors and sizes. There were many long, wooden tables filling most of the room. Then Sakura noticed a door to the left. It must lead to the kitchen. This, then, was the dining room. Also a meeting room, most likely.
To the right, a bright, cheery fire warmed the room. And straight ahead was a throne, simple yet elegant in its design. Sitting on the throne was a man that Sakura knew must be Mr. Kensuke.
She was surprised at his youth. He could not have been more than a few years older than Sakura, who was seventeen. And he was very good-looking, with somewhat short brown hair, bright blue eyes, tan skin, and a muscular frame. He smiled when he saw Sakura and Syaoran walking hesitantly into the room. "Hello! Welcome! Come in! What is it that you need?"
Syaoran looked uncertain, but Sakura, having been a servant her whole life, knew exactly what to do. She walked up and knelt before his throne. Syaoran awkwardly followed suit.
"Kind sir," Sakura said softly, looking at the floor, "we have heard that you own a boat. We have come to request use of it. We will be willing to work for you in exchange for its use."
"Indeed," Mr. Kensuke said with interest. "Please, stand."
Sakura and Syaoran stood. Sakura felt awkward, noticing Mr. Kensuke's eyes on her, sizing her up. "Do you have any... special skills? Anything unique that could be useful to me?"
"I have had much experience with cooking, cleaning, and other such things," Sakura said.
"I see," Mr. Kensuke replied thoughtfully. "You, then, young lady, can be my personal servant."
Sakura did not like the way the man was looking at her. His eyes wandered all over her body. She was thankful that the dress was loose and did not show off her figure.
"And me?" Syaoran said suddenly, impatiently.
Mr. Kensuke, to Sakura's relief, tore his eyes reluctantly from her body. "Do you have any special skills that I can use?"
"I have been through intensive physical training," Syaoran replied.
"I see," Mr. Kensuke replied, thinking. "Ah. I have the perfect job for you, then. We have an early harvest. I could certainly use your help." Syaoran nodded.
"Well then." Mr. Kensuke folded his hands. "I am curious why it is that you want to use my boat."
Sakura glanced at Syaoran, who nodded slightly. "We've heard that the river is the only way to get out of town," he said.
"I see. So you are trying to pass through." Syaoran nodded.
Mr. Kensuke laughed. "It's your neck. But if you really want the boat, you have to earn it."
Syaoran narrowed his eyes. "How long will that take?"
"Until I decide that it's enough," he said airily, his eyes wandering back to Sakura. "I might enjoy your stay here."
That night, Sakura lay in her new bed, staring at the ceiling. It was not nearly as comfortable as Hidochi's house, but it was very nice compared to her old bed back in Kija. She heard Syaoran's soft breathing and was relieved once again that Mr. Kensuke had allowed her to stay with Syaoran instead of with him. She had claimed to be his sister and did not want to be far from him, when in reality she was afraid of being left alone with the man.
Sakura rolled onto her side to look at Syaoran. She smiled. His face was so calm and sweet in his sleep, all traces of his usual scowl gone. Sakura wondered what Syaoran would be like if he would open up to her. She rolled onto her back again and closed her eyes, wondering, imagining what her new life would bring.
Author's Notes: Wow, I finally got this chapter out. Sorry it took so long... I'm getting bad about how often I update. Sorry guys. Anyway, I hope you like this chapter. Tell me what you think! Review! Give me your thoughts, ideas, whatever. And feel free to e-mail me. Your guys' e-mails generally guilt me into writing faster. So yeah. Hope you're enjoying my fic! Ja ne!