Caught in a curse
Chapter 1
Author : butterfly-grey
I don't know from where the names of the rest of Li's family came from
so I decided to make my own. If anyone could show me proof of where
the names of the Li sisters and mother came from I'd like to see it.
Thanks for the help!
*Chapter 1*
Delicious wafts of freshly baked apple pie caught the attention of
8 year old Sakura. She lifted her head and sniffed the air forgetting
about the task at hand for the moment. She had been sweeping the yard as
told by her aunt. As she had done so many times before, she dropped
her broom and ran towards the direction from where the smell came.
She stood on her toes and gripped the window sill to get a better view of
the pie.
But all she saw was a face with a mass of creases smiling down at her.
"Sakura, come in dear. I've got a piece of the pie cut out for you."
Sakura giggled and jumped up and down, "Love you, Aunt May."
Then she twisted the doorknob clumsily and ran towards the table
where a piece of hot apple pie await her. Aunt May handed her a
fork and she started to dig into the pie. It was hot and so she
blew the piece before pushing it into her mouth.
"Aren't you eating, Aunt May?" Sakura asked in between chewing.
She shook her head, once again smiling at the little girl who
had brought light to her life. "No, I'll eat later."
"Can I save some for Syaoran-kun?" she asked pertly.
May's eyes widened at the mention of the name. "Syaoran? Xiao Lang?
You know..Li Xiao Lang?"
Sakura bobbed her head up and down, "Uh huh, we're friends now. I
call him Syaoran. We always meet by the river. He's nice," she answered.
May's body shook, "No, Sakura. You must not play with him. Do you
hear me?" she said grimly to her.
"Why? Is he a naughty boy? But he isn't I like him," Sakura
protested. She wanted to play with Syaoran again, he made her
feel very happy like her heart was so exhilarated that it would
burst.
May carried Sakura into her arms and held her tightly against
her chest. So much was at stake here, she wouldn't let the little
girl be in harm's way. She had to think of a way to explain it to
Sakura without more questions cropping out from the girl.
"You like him so you wouldn't want him to get in trouble do
you, Sakura?" she asked Sakura patiently, looking at the moss green
eyes intently.
Sakura pouted her lips and then shook her head sideways slowly,
"No. But why would he get into trouble?"
The child was precocious but she had encouraged it. Normally,
people would not like their child to become too talkative but May
felt that children should always be allowed to speak their mind.
"Because his mommy wouldn't like it," May answered truthfully.
"Please Sakura, if you play with him again we'll have to go away.
His mommy owns this land and if you make her angry we will be told
to go away."
Sakura's moss green eyes glittered with unshed tears. "I can't. I
need him," she told May in a small voice.
"Oh, love," that was all May could say.
* * *
"What do you think? Is there a way?" someone asked worriedly.
The gypsy sitting across her frowned and fingered his rings.
A habit when she was deep in thought or nervous. "No, there is no
way to break the curse," a deep voice said finally.
Light streamed into the wagon and it's rays touched the
woman's face. She was a handsome woman clearly of chinese lineage.
Her iron-gray hair was tightly tied into a bun behind her head and
her amber eyes were cloudy. "Surely you can do something," she said
suggestively as she nudged the pouch filled with gold coins.
The gypsy, an old man grunted at her, "I have said there is no
way, a dying gypsy's curse is the most powerful curse of all. Life
itself paying the price, Lady Li I suggest you marry them."
Her face twisted into a mask of fury, "Not while I still
breath this air I won't. She's nothing, a bastard daughter of a
worthless gypsy. No noble lineage, how can she marry my son? He
will be leader one day of one of the most powerful clan. I will
find a way," she said furiously.
The gypsy's eyes begin to darken, "You insult me, my lady. You
forget that a gypsy sits before you."
She bowed her head, "Forgive me."
He nodded graciously, "If you separate them, not only she
will feel the pain but your son also. There are side effects which
might be disasterous."
"That's a risk I'm willing to take,' she said flatly.
* * *
Sakura watched him from behind a tree. Her heart told her
to go to him but Aunt May's words kept ringing in her head and
she had never disobey Aunt May. He was sitting by the bank of the
river, apparently deep in thought. His nut-brown hair turning
molten brown-gold in the sun. Then he turned and caught her eye.
She jumped and quickly hid behind the tree.
"Sakura-chan, what are you doing?" he asked her. He got up and
started to walk towards her.
She covered her face with a hankerchief, tying it across her face
like a robber. "Gomen, you got the wrong person."
Syaoran laughed, "Sakura-chan, are you playing a game?"
"Iie, iie. You got the wrong person, bye," she said hastily and
picked up her basket. She turn on her heels to leave when he caught
her hand.
"Why are you running, Sakura-chan?" he asked her. Then with one
tug kerchief fluttered to the ground.
Sakura wouldn't face him, she looked down. He tickled her chin
and she giggled looking up at him.
"I can't play with you anymore, Syaoran-kun. Aunt May says
I can't," she said softly.
He look bewildered ,"Why not? We would never do anything dangerous."
Sakura keep silent. "I'm going home now Syaoran-kun. Sayonara."
"No, you can't. I won't let you,' he said stubbornly.
They stared at each other, momentarily lost and a sweet resonance
of a bell kept ringing in their ears.
"Sakura-chan!" a loud voice pierced through their world.
Sakura took her hand away from Syaoran's grip. "Aunt May," she
return the call and took off. Syaoran watched her leave with something
dark glittering in his eyes.
May had seen them together, so caught up with each other that they
look almost perfect together. A picture of the two standing by the river
was something coming out of a canvas, a canvas which depicted of young
love. She shook her head to clear her thoughts and called Sakura.
"Why did you go to meet him?" she asked Sakura in an exasperated
voice.
"I..I needed to say goodbye," Sakura answered.
"As long as there's not a next time," May said warningly.
* * *
The Li Clan was feared by all other clans as well as the people. Even the
royals were wary of them and sometimes afraid that the Li Clan would take over
their reign. That was something the Clan was not interested in, their prime
motive was sorcery not politics. But Of course, the royals don't know about
that and the Clan happily kept them in that state. Fear was a powerful incentive
against many things.
There were about 100 family members living together in the large castle
in the middle of Lothstone. It was more of a fotress than a castle and a
protective shield was placed over it. The head of the Li clan was a wise
man by the name of Li Yang. The Clan always stick together and respect
was a virtue cultivated in all of the young since they were born and there
were no such thing as disobeying their leader.
"Well, cook certainly outdid herself today. The food is delicious!" Xiao Lin
exclaimed.
"Pig," muttered Mei Ling under her breath.
"If you've got something to say I suggest you say it outloud!" Lin turn
to her and said angrily.
Mei Ling merely tossed her head and continued drinking from her
cup. Xiao Lin glared at her and bit off a large piece of her chicken.
"I will not have quarrels at my table," Li Yang said in a dangerous
voice.
The two bowed their head and kept their peace throught the meal.
"Ai, where is that Xiao Lang-"
A hand banged onto the table, "That boy is always disappearing off
somewhere," Yang growled.
"Yes, that is quite strange. I wonder where he disappears off to," his
wife said thoughtfully.
Xiao Lin and Xiao Yue, her two elder daughters giggled as if they knew
something she didn't. She raised an eyebrow at the two of them, "Well?"
"Little brother has a little lover," Xiao Lin, the eldest said with glee.
Then they both fell into fits of laughter again.
Yang stared at them and then back to his wife, "Ye Lan!" he said
thunderously.
"I'm as shocked as you are, Yang. Who is this lover, Xiao Lin?"
"Oh, she's that little girl that lives in the mountains. We don't know
her but they're very close," Xiao Lin answered and exchanged glances with
Yue.
Ye Lan turn white, "The girl who lives in the mountains," she pronounced
each word slowly. She slumped against the chair and stared out at space.
"Ye Lan, is that-"
She nodded shortly, "It's her. Tian (God) how did it happened?"
"What's wrong mother?" Xiao Yue asked concernedly. She had never seen
her mother this pale before.
"No, nothing. I have to go-" she didn't finish her sentence and
quickly left the dining hall. Yang stood up and followed her.
"It has happened, Yang. What do we do?" she asked her husband
when he entered the small chamber of herbery.
"Separate them, send her far away or send him for his training," he
answered.
"Yes, that is what we will do. I have a spell, a spell for erasing
memories. It can't break the bond between them but it will make Xiao Lang
forget her."
"They're just children, my love. They're too young to understand. Surely
the memory charm isn't necessary," he tried to calm her.
"You weren't there when she cursed them. I have went to almost every
powerful wizard, gypsy alive to see whether they could break the curse.
None! There was no way they say," she cried out.
He pressed her hard against his chest. "All right my love, perhaps I
have underestimated the power of the curse. Very well, we shall send the girl
away."
* * *
She felt as if her heart was about to break. She stood at the edge of the
cliff where the jagged rocks and rolling waves waited for her below. The wind
caressed her lightly, teasingly tugging her auburn-gold hair and ruffling her
simple cotton clothes. When the waves rolled and crashed at the bottom, she could
feel the slight sprinkle of sea water, tasting the salty water at times.
Someone ran up to her from behind, "Sakura, it's time to leave."
Sakura Kinamoto, a girl who have no knowledge of her own heritage closed
her eyes for a while and turn to face her friend. Daidouji Tomoyo, no one could
ever take one look of her and forget her sweet face. Tomoyo was the rich daughter
of a noble. Even her every bearing showed wealth, her raven locks were
thick and long growing past her shoulders and her expressive violet eyes were soft and
understanding.
"Of course Tomoyo. Aunt May, may you rest in peace," Sakura said
chokily. She was all alone except for Tomoyo. She had been stabbed
twice, one when they had to leave Lothstone and second when her aunt died.
Tomoyo nodded, "Sakura-chan."
Sakura took Tomoyo's hand and together they walked away from the cliff
towards the carriage which will take them to their new home.
* * *
"Tomoyo, this place we're going to. Tell me about it," Sakura pleaded
with her friend.
Tomoyo smiled, "Well, it's got lots of people. Eriol-san was really
sweet enough to get us a place to stay there. You'll love it there, the
people there can do magic."
"Eriol-san just wanted you to be near him and I feel like I'm in the
way. I know that you were supposed to marry him on the day-" Sakura broke
off her voice filled with sorrow.
Tomoyo gripped her hand tightly and reassuringly. "Eriol will wait for
me. What's another few more weeks?"
"He's a good man. Don't let him fly out of your grasp," Sakura said
with a small smile.
Tomoyo grinned widely, "Never!"
The carriage rolled by a huge expanse of great oaken trees. Sakura inhaled
deeply and an overwhelming feeling of serenity settled over her. The air itself
was magic, a sweet tranquil magic. Somehow this place, the smell of it, how
familiar it looked. She had been here before. It can't be and she never thought
of asking Tomoyo of the name of the place they were going. She had calmly
left things in Tomoyo's hands.
"Tomoyo, what is this place called?" Sakura asked. Her eyes darting around.
"Why, Lothstone Sakura. Do you know it?"
"I can't be here Tomoyo, turn back. I'd go anywhere except for this
place. PLEASE!" Sakura said frantically.
Tomoyo was simply afraid with the way Sakura was behaving, she was shaking
like a leaf. Something frightened her. "Sakura, what's wrong? We're so close to
the Li Mansion," she reasoned with her.
At the mention of the name Li, Sakura's eyes widened and the face of a
young boy with nut-brown hair and piercing amber-eyes came to her mind.
And then she remembered pain, excruciating pain caused by a lady.
"I-" Sakura trailed off, she didn't know how to explain it to Tomoyo.
And she couldn't ruin Tomoyo's chance of getting married, she knew that if
she insisted then Tomoyo would go with her and..
she would miss the chance to get married again. No, she couldn't do this to
her best friend.
"No, it's just jitters. I- Tomoyo can I ask you of a favour? Is there
an inn nearby where I can stay instead? I need to be alone," Sakura gave an
excuse quickly.
"I'm sure they're all very nice, Eriol's so loyal to them. Surely-"
"Please, Tomoyo. I need time, I'm not just ready to meet people.
We won't be far apart," she explained to Tomoyo.
Tomoyo bit her lip, she didn't quite like the idea of leaving Sakura
all alone. "All right, but you've got to be extra careful. Lock the doors
and don't let anyone in until I come back. I shouldn't be long, I just need
to meet Eriol and then we can stay together-"
"You don't need to accompany me Tomoyo-chan. You go stay with Eriol.
I'll be perfectly fine here. You can come see me tomorrow,' Sakura interrupted
her.
"But-"
Sakura held up a hand, "No, no more buts from you Tomoyo," she said
determinedly.
Tomoyo let out an exasperated sigh, her shoulders droop in defeat. "Fine,
we'll go to the inn now."
* * *
Li Xiao Lang, the young master and heir to the Li Clan was in
a dilemma as he had lost his nephew, Xiao Lin's son. One minute they
were both watching a cock fight one minute later he had lost him.
He went around, looking for the small little boy. Damn and it
was getting dark.
Sakura held the little boy's hand and led him through the crowd.
What irresponsible parent would abandon their son. The day was getting
dark and the people of the village were returning to their own homes.
The little boy was sucking his thumb and threw small glances at her.
"What's your name, little one?" she asked him, kneeling down
in front of him.
He continued to suck his thumb, "What's your name, missy?" he
asked instead.
"Sa- Ying Fa. My name is Ying Fa. It's your turn now," she told
him sweetly.
"Fang Yi Long."
"Well, do you remember the last place you got separated from your family."
He nodded and pointed towards where the cock fight had once been.
"Then we shall wait there," she said.
They waited for a while before a deep masculine voice called, "Yi
Long!"
"Uncle!" Yi long shouted happily as he dropped her hand hastily and
ran towards the tall lithe body of the man. The man picked him up and
swung him onto his broad shoulders.
"You shouldn't let the little one wander around by himself. He
could get hurt," Sakura told him stonily.
The darkness of the area shrouded his face so she couldn't get a
good look at him. But she could feel he was displeased about something.
"It was my fault I will be more careful next time. Thank you..miss..er.."
"It's Ying Fa, uncle. Don't you think she's pretty?" Yi Long said
with the enthutiasm of a young child.
"It might help if I could see through this blasted darkness. We'll
leave now or your mother will have my neck," he said with a tinge of
impatience in his voice.
"Well, sayonara then," she said and merely walked away. Something
about the man made her uncomfortable.
"Wait, I'd like you to come over to the mansion on the hill. I'd
like to be able to thank you properly," he said.
Hill, mansion? Sounds like the Li mansion, Sakura thought. "Iie,
there's no need. Really, I'd better go it's getting too dark," she said
hastily and left right away.
He watched her with narrowed eyes. She was not from around her judging
from her accent and use of words. There was an aura around her that
didn't make sense to him, he'd seen it before or at least he thought he
has seen it before. But where?
* * *
Chapter 1
Author : butterfly-grey
I don't know from where the names of the rest of Li's family came from
so I decided to make my own. If anyone could show me proof of where
the names of the Li sisters and mother came from I'd like to see it.
Thanks for the help!
*Chapter 1*
Delicious wafts of freshly baked apple pie caught the attention of
8 year old Sakura. She lifted her head and sniffed the air forgetting
about the task at hand for the moment. She had been sweeping the yard as
told by her aunt. As she had done so many times before, she dropped
her broom and ran towards the direction from where the smell came.
She stood on her toes and gripped the window sill to get a better view of
the pie.
But all she saw was a face with a mass of creases smiling down at her.
"Sakura, come in dear. I've got a piece of the pie cut out for you."
Sakura giggled and jumped up and down, "Love you, Aunt May."
Then she twisted the doorknob clumsily and ran towards the table
where a piece of hot apple pie await her. Aunt May handed her a
fork and she started to dig into the pie. It was hot and so she
blew the piece before pushing it into her mouth.
"Aren't you eating, Aunt May?" Sakura asked in between chewing.
She shook her head, once again smiling at the little girl who
had brought light to her life. "No, I'll eat later."
"Can I save some for Syaoran-kun?" she asked pertly.
May's eyes widened at the mention of the name. "Syaoran? Xiao Lang?
You know..Li Xiao Lang?"
Sakura bobbed her head up and down, "Uh huh, we're friends now. I
call him Syaoran. We always meet by the river. He's nice," she answered.
May's body shook, "No, Sakura. You must not play with him. Do you
hear me?" she said grimly to her.
"Why? Is he a naughty boy? But he isn't I like him," Sakura
protested. She wanted to play with Syaoran again, he made her
feel very happy like her heart was so exhilarated that it would
burst.
May carried Sakura into her arms and held her tightly against
her chest. So much was at stake here, she wouldn't let the little
girl be in harm's way. She had to think of a way to explain it to
Sakura without more questions cropping out from the girl.
"You like him so you wouldn't want him to get in trouble do
you, Sakura?" she asked Sakura patiently, looking at the moss green
eyes intently.
Sakura pouted her lips and then shook her head sideways slowly,
"No. But why would he get into trouble?"
The child was precocious but she had encouraged it. Normally,
people would not like their child to become too talkative but May
felt that children should always be allowed to speak their mind.
"Because his mommy wouldn't like it," May answered truthfully.
"Please Sakura, if you play with him again we'll have to go away.
His mommy owns this land and if you make her angry we will be told
to go away."
Sakura's moss green eyes glittered with unshed tears. "I can't. I
need him," she told May in a small voice.
"Oh, love," that was all May could say.
* * *
"What do you think? Is there a way?" someone asked worriedly.
The gypsy sitting across her frowned and fingered his rings.
A habit when she was deep in thought or nervous. "No, there is no
way to break the curse," a deep voice said finally.
Light streamed into the wagon and it's rays touched the
woman's face. She was a handsome woman clearly of chinese lineage.
Her iron-gray hair was tightly tied into a bun behind her head and
her amber eyes were cloudy. "Surely you can do something," she said
suggestively as she nudged the pouch filled with gold coins.
The gypsy, an old man grunted at her, "I have said there is no
way, a dying gypsy's curse is the most powerful curse of all. Life
itself paying the price, Lady Li I suggest you marry them."
Her face twisted into a mask of fury, "Not while I still
breath this air I won't. She's nothing, a bastard daughter of a
worthless gypsy. No noble lineage, how can she marry my son? He
will be leader one day of one of the most powerful clan. I will
find a way," she said furiously.
The gypsy's eyes begin to darken, "You insult me, my lady. You
forget that a gypsy sits before you."
She bowed her head, "Forgive me."
He nodded graciously, "If you separate them, not only she
will feel the pain but your son also. There are side effects which
might be disasterous."
"That's a risk I'm willing to take,' she said flatly.
* * *
Sakura watched him from behind a tree. Her heart told her
to go to him but Aunt May's words kept ringing in her head and
she had never disobey Aunt May. He was sitting by the bank of the
river, apparently deep in thought. His nut-brown hair turning
molten brown-gold in the sun. Then he turned and caught her eye.
She jumped and quickly hid behind the tree.
"Sakura-chan, what are you doing?" he asked her. He got up and
started to walk towards her.
She covered her face with a hankerchief, tying it across her face
like a robber. "Gomen, you got the wrong person."
Syaoran laughed, "Sakura-chan, are you playing a game?"
"Iie, iie. You got the wrong person, bye," she said hastily and
picked up her basket. She turn on her heels to leave when he caught
her hand.
"Why are you running, Sakura-chan?" he asked her. Then with one
tug kerchief fluttered to the ground.
Sakura wouldn't face him, she looked down. He tickled her chin
and she giggled looking up at him.
"I can't play with you anymore, Syaoran-kun. Aunt May says
I can't," she said softly.
He look bewildered ,"Why not? We would never do anything dangerous."
Sakura keep silent. "I'm going home now Syaoran-kun. Sayonara."
"No, you can't. I won't let you,' he said stubbornly.
They stared at each other, momentarily lost and a sweet resonance
of a bell kept ringing in their ears.
"Sakura-chan!" a loud voice pierced through their world.
Sakura took her hand away from Syaoran's grip. "Aunt May," she
return the call and took off. Syaoran watched her leave with something
dark glittering in his eyes.
May had seen them together, so caught up with each other that they
look almost perfect together. A picture of the two standing by the river
was something coming out of a canvas, a canvas which depicted of young
love. She shook her head to clear her thoughts and called Sakura.
"Why did you go to meet him?" she asked Sakura in an exasperated
voice.
"I..I needed to say goodbye," Sakura answered.
"As long as there's not a next time," May said warningly.
* * *
The Li Clan was feared by all other clans as well as the people. Even the
royals were wary of them and sometimes afraid that the Li Clan would take over
their reign. That was something the Clan was not interested in, their prime
motive was sorcery not politics. But Of course, the royals don't know about
that and the Clan happily kept them in that state. Fear was a powerful incentive
against many things.
There were about 100 family members living together in the large castle
in the middle of Lothstone. It was more of a fotress than a castle and a
protective shield was placed over it. The head of the Li clan was a wise
man by the name of Li Yang. The Clan always stick together and respect
was a virtue cultivated in all of the young since they were born and there
were no such thing as disobeying their leader.
"Well, cook certainly outdid herself today. The food is delicious!" Xiao Lin
exclaimed.
"Pig," muttered Mei Ling under her breath.
"If you've got something to say I suggest you say it outloud!" Lin turn
to her and said angrily.
Mei Ling merely tossed her head and continued drinking from her
cup. Xiao Lin glared at her and bit off a large piece of her chicken.
"I will not have quarrels at my table," Li Yang said in a dangerous
voice.
The two bowed their head and kept their peace throught the meal.
"Ai, where is that Xiao Lang-"
A hand banged onto the table, "That boy is always disappearing off
somewhere," Yang growled.
"Yes, that is quite strange. I wonder where he disappears off to," his
wife said thoughtfully.
Xiao Lin and Xiao Yue, her two elder daughters giggled as if they knew
something she didn't. She raised an eyebrow at the two of them, "Well?"
"Little brother has a little lover," Xiao Lin, the eldest said with glee.
Then they both fell into fits of laughter again.
Yang stared at them and then back to his wife, "Ye Lan!" he said
thunderously.
"I'm as shocked as you are, Yang. Who is this lover, Xiao Lin?"
"Oh, she's that little girl that lives in the mountains. We don't know
her but they're very close," Xiao Lin answered and exchanged glances with
Yue.
Ye Lan turn white, "The girl who lives in the mountains," she pronounced
each word slowly. She slumped against the chair and stared out at space.
"Ye Lan, is that-"
She nodded shortly, "It's her. Tian (God) how did it happened?"
"What's wrong mother?" Xiao Yue asked concernedly. She had never seen
her mother this pale before.
"No, nothing. I have to go-" she didn't finish her sentence and
quickly left the dining hall. Yang stood up and followed her.
"It has happened, Yang. What do we do?" she asked her husband
when he entered the small chamber of herbery.
"Separate them, send her far away or send him for his training," he
answered.
"Yes, that is what we will do. I have a spell, a spell for erasing
memories. It can't break the bond between them but it will make Xiao Lang
forget her."
"They're just children, my love. They're too young to understand. Surely
the memory charm isn't necessary," he tried to calm her.
"You weren't there when she cursed them. I have went to almost every
powerful wizard, gypsy alive to see whether they could break the curse.
None! There was no way they say," she cried out.
He pressed her hard against his chest. "All right my love, perhaps I
have underestimated the power of the curse. Very well, we shall send the girl
away."
* * *
She felt as if her heart was about to break. She stood at the edge of the
cliff where the jagged rocks and rolling waves waited for her below. The wind
caressed her lightly, teasingly tugging her auburn-gold hair and ruffling her
simple cotton clothes. When the waves rolled and crashed at the bottom, she could
feel the slight sprinkle of sea water, tasting the salty water at times.
Someone ran up to her from behind, "Sakura, it's time to leave."
Sakura Kinamoto, a girl who have no knowledge of her own heritage closed
her eyes for a while and turn to face her friend. Daidouji Tomoyo, no one could
ever take one look of her and forget her sweet face. Tomoyo was the rich daughter
of a noble. Even her every bearing showed wealth, her raven locks were
thick and long growing past her shoulders and her expressive violet eyes were soft and
understanding.
"Of course Tomoyo. Aunt May, may you rest in peace," Sakura said
chokily. She was all alone except for Tomoyo. She had been stabbed
twice, one when they had to leave Lothstone and second when her aunt died.
Tomoyo nodded, "Sakura-chan."
Sakura took Tomoyo's hand and together they walked away from the cliff
towards the carriage which will take them to their new home.
* * *
"Tomoyo, this place we're going to. Tell me about it," Sakura pleaded
with her friend.
Tomoyo smiled, "Well, it's got lots of people. Eriol-san was really
sweet enough to get us a place to stay there. You'll love it there, the
people there can do magic."
"Eriol-san just wanted you to be near him and I feel like I'm in the
way. I know that you were supposed to marry him on the day-" Sakura broke
off her voice filled with sorrow.
Tomoyo gripped her hand tightly and reassuringly. "Eriol will wait for
me. What's another few more weeks?"
"He's a good man. Don't let him fly out of your grasp," Sakura said
with a small smile.
Tomoyo grinned widely, "Never!"
The carriage rolled by a huge expanse of great oaken trees. Sakura inhaled
deeply and an overwhelming feeling of serenity settled over her. The air itself
was magic, a sweet tranquil magic. Somehow this place, the smell of it, how
familiar it looked. She had been here before. It can't be and she never thought
of asking Tomoyo of the name of the place they were going. She had calmly
left things in Tomoyo's hands.
"Tomoyo, what is this place called?" Sakura asked. Her eyes darting around.
"Why, Lothstone Sakura. Do you know it?"
"I can't be here Tomoyo, turn back. I'd go anywhere except for this
place. PLEASE!" Sakura said frantically.
Tomoyo was simply afraid with the way Sakura was behaving, she was shaking
like a leaf. Something frightened her. "Sakura, what's wrong? We're so close to
the Li Mansion," she reasoned with her.
At the mention of the name Li, Sakura's eyes widened and the face of a
young boy with nut-brown hair and piercing amber-eyes came to her mind.
And then she remembered pain, excruciating pain caused by a lady.
"I-" Sakura trailed off, she didn't know how to explain it to Tomoyo.
And she couldn't ruin Tomoyo's chance of getting married, she knew that if
she insisted then Tomoyo would go with her and..
she would miss the chance to get married again. No, she couldn't do this to
her best friend.
"No, it's just jitters. I- Tomoyo can I ask you of a favour? Is there
an inn nearby where I can stay instead? I need to be alone," Sakura gave an
excuse quickly.
"I'm sure they're all very nice, Eriol's so loyal to them. Surely-"
"Please, Tomoyo. I need time, I'm not just ready to meet people.
We won't be far apart," she explained to Tomoyo.
Tomoyo bit her lip, she didn't quite like the idea of leaving Sakura
all alone. "All right, but you've got to be extra careful. Lock the doors
and don't let anyone in until I come back. I shouldn't be long, I just need
to meet Eriol and then we can stay together-"
"You don't need to accompany me Tomoyo-chan. You go stay with Eriol.
I'll be perfectly fine here. You can come see me tomorrow,' Sakura interrupted
her.
"But-"
Sakura held up a hand, "No, no more buts from you Tomoyo," she said
determinedly.
Tomoyo let out an exasperated sigh, her shoulders droop in defeat. "Fine,
we'll go to the inn now."
* * *
Li Xiao Lang, the young master and heir to the Li Clan was in
a dilemma as he had lost his nephew, Xiao Lin's son. One minute they
were both watching a cock fight one minute later he had lost him.
He went around, looking for the small little boy. Damn and it
was getting dark.
Sakura held the little boy's hand and led him through the crowd.
What irresponsible parent would abandon their son. The day was getting
dark and the people of the village were returning to their own homes.
The little boy was sucking his thumb and threw small glances at her.
"What's your name, little one?" she asked him, kneeling down
in front of him.
He continued to suck his thumb, "What's your name, missy?" he
asked instead.
"Sa- Ying Fa. My name is Ying Fa. It's your turn now," she told
him sweetly.
"Fang Yi Long."
"Well, do you remember the last place you got separated from your family."
He nodded and pointed towards where the cock fight had once been.
"Then we shall wait there," she said.
They waited for a while before a deep masculine voice called, "Yi
Long!"
"Uncle!" Yi long shouted happily as he dropped her hand hastily and
ran towards the tall lithe body of the man. The man picked him up and
swung him onto his broad shoulders.
"You shouldn't let the little one wander around by himself. He
could get hurt," Sakura told him stonily.
The darkness of the area shrouded his face so she couldn't get a
good look at him. But she could feel he was displeased about something.
"It was my fault I will be more careful next time. Thank you..miss..er.."
"It's Ying Fa, uncle. Don't you think she's pretty?" Yi Long said
with the enthutiasm of a young child.
"It might help if I could see through this blasted darkness. We'll
leave now or your mother will have my neck," he said with a tinge of
impatience in his voice.
"Well, sayonara then," she said and merely walked away. Something
about the man made her uncomfortable.
"Wait, I'd like you to come over to the mansion on the hill. I'd
like to be able to thank you properly," he said.
Hill, mansion? Sounds like the Li mansion, Sakura thought. "Iie,
there's no need. Really, I'd better go it's getting too dark," she said
hastily and left right away.
He watched her with narrowed eyes. She was not from around her judging
from her accent and use of words. There was an aura around her that
didn't make sense to him, he'd seen it before or at least he thought he
has seen it before. But where?
* * *