DISCLAIMER: Until my fortune cookie pays up, I am not the owner of CCS.

Author's note(s): I always start working on Partners and end up working on Falling Blossom. Guess I'm just too caught up with this one. I'm sorry to say it shouldn't be terribly much longer before this story comes to an end. But don't worry. I'll always have a story going if you're avid S+S fans, lol.

****

The king's eyes had been so glued to his cherry blossom he hadn't taken in the current state of her room. He noticed the crumpled bed sheet securely holding a few of her belongings. He caught sight of the parchment she had been writing on. He read the first line-

'I must go, Tomoyo. I'm so sorry to desert you my friend, but this may be the only chance I have to leave. You must come to visi-- '

She hadn't finished the last word, a sign of his entrance. He looked up, catching her panicked look. She looked at the door worriedly.

'God, she's even beautiful when she's worried. There cannot be an expression that has graced a human's lips that does not look beautiful on her.'

He put his arm around her waist, drawing her closer to him. "Were you expecting someone, Sakura?"

The words were hardly out of his mouth when the door was thrown open roughly. A yell broke the radiating happiness between the two.

"Gaki! Get off my sister!"

Two figures found their way into Syaoran's line of vision. The first he noticed was the source of the insult. With jet-black hair and powerful dark eyes, he was slightly taller than the king. His jawline was very pronounced and set firmly. The dark orbs were flashing with anger.

The second figure was standing back a bit, carefully not angering the first. His hair somehow managed to flash between both a normal brownish color and a lighter silver color. The man's eyes flashed back and forth between the king and Sakura.

Syaoran was still studying the second figure when a glimpse of metal caused him to switch back to the first. Reluctantly, he released Sakura and drew his own sword.

His eyes widened as Sakura rushed forward, placing her body between the king and the others. She frowned at the yeller.

"Onii-chan, stop it."

Hearing Sakura finally drove home what had been said.

'Her brother?'

He racked his brain, imagining himself those bright afternoons, stuck indoors studying the dusty volumes of families. He ran his finger down the Kinomoto relatives, and finally drew a name from his memory.

"Touya?"

The first figure, now identified as Touya, glanced over at the king, setting his glare. Ignoring the glare, he looked at the other.

"Who are you then?" he questioned.

The second figure stepped forward and bowed elegantly. "Yukito Tsukishiro, your highness."

Touya glared at Yukito.

"Do not be so formal, Yukito. He deserves none of your manners."

The king heard Sakura's gasp.

"Onii-chan! Those words are treasonous! Watch your manners! He is the king!"

Touya snorted, grabbing Sakura's arm and pulling her to him. Syaoran started forward quickly, but was halted by his icy words.

"He is nothing more than a womanizer, and you, Sakura, are foolish enough to fall into his trap."

His anger was awakened. Summoning his worst glare, he focused it on the intruder. He held his hand out to Sakura. From the corner of his eye, he caught her look of surprise. The surprise faded quickly and a sweet smile replaced it. Placing her hand carefully atop his own, he pulled her to him.

Touya stepped forward angrily. Syaoran moved Sakura's body behind him. He couldn't hold back his smile as he felt her draw herself against him.

'It's like that awful night. Only this time nothing will go wrong.'

He brandished his sword painstakingly close to Touya.

"Step back, Kinomoto, and I may forgive," he said, his tone taking a warning tone.

His opponent's eyes flashed once again, challenging the king.

"First you steal my sister's body in the middle of the night, and now her heart in broad daylight? I am the one who should be forgiving you."

Touya stepped forward, swinging his sword forward at the king. With a graceful change, the king went from his resting position to a block. From there he quickly went in for the attack.

****

Touya begrudgingly admitted the king had some skill, but caused those thoughts to stop abruptly. He blocked the king's attack quickly, stepping backwards for more room. He blocked the next few strikes gracefully, building up his timing for his next attack.

Shifting his weight among his feet, he dove forward, bringing his blade down flawlessly.

He briefly acknowledged a smirk on the king's face before it was over. He watched helplessly as a sword went flying across the room.

Looking down, he gasped. His hand was grasping air.

****

Two sets of eyes were calculating the short match carefully. Neither was surprised. They both knew in the beginning who would be victorious. One of the pairs stepped forward to retrieve the fallen sword while the other started cursing.

Pausing in his curses, he focused his eyes on the object of his close attention for many days. The only human worthy of his attentions. He noticed how separate she was from the rest of the group. Letting out a short laugh, he dove for her.

****

Her eyes were focused carefully on her brother, interested to see his reaction to his loss. Wind suddenly pushed her backwards, and she was falling. Falling. Falling. She couldn't stop falling. There was no floor to greet her as everything went black. She was alone.

Until she heard a familiar whisper. "I will protect you."

****

Syaoran screamed. Lunging towards his beautiful love, he almost caught her. Off by a second, he landed with a hard thud. He heard footsteps as the two men raced over.

Touya collapsed on the ground where his sister had been only moments before. Cursing, he brought his recovered sword down roughly, scarring the wood. The quieter one, Yukito, showed little reaction, but his eyes gave him away. They were burning fiercely.

Touya turned quickly, grabbing Syaoran's shirt and yanking him closer.

"What have you done with my sister?"

Syaoran pushed Touya off.

"It's not what I have done, Kinomoto."

Yukito broke his silence. "It was Sekai."

Syaoran's eyes grew wide and the curses broke from his lips. "I knew he wanted Sakura for something, but I didn't think he would kidnap her."

Touya looked up. "What's the matter, gaki? Afraid her love for kidnappers will extend to the spirit?"

Syaoran glared at him. "I am still your king, Touya. Watch your step."

Touya scowled. "You kidnapped my sister. You are no longer my king."

Yukito broke in before Syaoran could speak.

"You two can fight more later. First we should find Sakura."

Syaoran and Touya grudgingly broke their glaring off, both nodding in agreement.

"Do you have any idea how we might do that?" asked the light-haired man.

Syaoran sat down, going through his resources one by one. He placed his head in his hands dejectedly, running his fingers through his hair. "No, the only way to find a spirit is to ask another spirit."

The room slowly got warmer. "I might be able to help you there, humans."

****

Author's note2: See? Finally you see why Aditi was introduced, lol. ^_^ Hope you enjoyed this twist. It's not THAT bad of a cliffhanger. I'll write soon! Tomorrow is my last day! ^_^ Yay!

-hums- Done with this one too.