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

Author's note(s): Today the third chapter of Partners went up. I finally figured out how to use italics, but when I do it, it adds so many unwanted spaces I've decided just to leave it the same way I've got it. Sorry!

Hawaiikel- Welcome! I'm glad I have a new reviewer, especially one who asks questions. Let's see. . . as far as the whole bumping into Syaoran thing, in the beginning, Sekai thinks the more Sakura sees Syaoran, the more she will hate him, until finally she does not want to be around anyone anymore. It starts backfiring and he has to change his tactics. But that's why he had her bump into him in the first place. (I know, lol, it's like I know my characters really well or something. . . ^-^;) As for the cousin thing, bleh, I don't know why I said they were cousins. I guess at the time I was thinking about whether I should use Meiling and just got confused. Thanks for pointing it out.

Oh yea, checked out your profile. You read Tamora Pierce? I should start reading some of those fanfics. It's been a while since I read the last part of Protector of the Small, but I'm just waiting to see if she makes a new series.

Summer Lover- YaY! You're back. ^_^ And full of ideas, I see.

Jbg-Hope it eventually let you in. I hate it when the site does things like that.

Azi- (I saw the Partners one, lol) Where are you going for vacation? Yes, it does seem like you're the only one. ^_^ But I like the story, so it doesn't matter.

Every other wonderful reviewer- I gather everyone hates Sekai? You kno, I kinda like the little guy. ^_^

****

They set out before the sky had colored, heading for the forest. Three melancholy figures were draped across three very strong horses. All six hearts drooped cautiously low; three mourning the loss of a loved one, three the loss of their beloved hay.

Aditi surveyed the scene, watching the humans struggle in their thoughts. She could hear the men's hopeless thoughts, and she sighed slowly.

'The cherry blossom is important indeed.'

She watched as they stared forward in their sleepless stupor. She had been watching them through their short night. None had received any sleep.

She smiled slightly as she remembered the king's conversation with his advisor the night before.

'"I must go, Hideaki," spoke the young king.

"Where, your highness? And in the middle of your own ball?!" he spoke incredulously.

I laughed lightly here. Thankfully the advisor had heard none of it.

"I must find Sakura," said the little wolf. His amber pools looked
searchingly into the older advisor's. I was proud as I watched the
advisor's eyes soften slowly.

"I will cover for you, my king." He bowed humbly.

The little wolf moved forward and gently patted him on the back,
smiling enough to break his jaw.'

She sighed happily.

'Young love is a powerful thing.'

Noise beneath her brought her from her memories. She looked down quickly, in time to see the king pulling his sword from its sheath. The rabbit and peach blossom copied his movements, hopping from the horses' backs and rushing forward.

Aditi flew down, scanning the forest for the threat. She soon found it. A lone man was fleeing quickly through the forest. She saw a group of men chasing after him. If he continued in his current path, he would run headfirst into the king and his company.

Her eyes took in the disarray of his clothes. They were a mess, dirtied with streaks of mud tinted in spots with blood. Underneath the dirtiness, she recognized a stableboy's tunic. Probing his thoughts, she smiled when she realized who it was.

'This will make for an interesting twist.'

She moved herself closer to the king, whispering in his ear. "The first to come should be welcomed. You will need him. The second group you must kill."

She spoke shortly, smiling as she saw the king flinch at finding her so close. She laughed warmly and moved backwards, searching for a spot to watch.

****

Yukito heard the voice too. He sent a curious look to where the spirit was not resting. He could make out a place where the air was shimmering from the warmth. The spirit spoke not a word. He shrugged and turned to Touya and the king.

The two were caught up in a heated debate.

"We should do what she says, Kinomoto," said the king tiredly.

"Why should we trust her? She may be a spirit, but so was that stupid Sekai. And do I have to remind you why we don't trust HIM anymore?" he answered hotly.

"No, Kinomoto. You don't," spoke the king. Before he could continue, Yukito broke in.

"Touya, Aditi is the motherly spirit. She's in charge of all the spirits. She keeps the balance between the spirits and the humans. Sekai has clearly broken this balance, and that's why she seems to be helping us. She wants the balance restored, and in order to do so, it appears we must deal with these people. We have to trust her."

He could feel the spirit's warm smile.

'Finally a human with some sense,' came the warm thought in his head.

He shook it off, hating the feeling of someone else in his head. A warm laugh rang through, and words broke the calm surface.

"He is coming. Make your choice quickly."

****

Yema's breaths were coming irregularly. Lungs pounding, legs hurting, he broke through the heavy thicket and found himself in a pretty clearing. His eyes darted around, searching for a place to hide from the four men following him. He cursed, remembering the warmth Tomoyo had radiated. He couldn't help but smile as he thought of the way Tomoyo looked when she was asleep. The smile slowly dropped.

'I wish I had never left her. If I was still beside her, Lamar's guards would not be chasing me.'

His thoughts were angry now.

'Lord Lamar was the one forcing himself upon Tomoyo. He was in the wrong and yet I am the one who is being hunted.'

His rage burned, threatening to overpower him. He calmed it carefully, just in time to hear the footsteps pounding behind him. Throwing curses behind him, he took off running again.

His eyes picked up on light just ahead of him.

'There must be a break in the forest.'

His eyes were so hopefully set on the light he missed the large log blocking his path. He fell. Closing his eyes, he gave in.

'They will find me. They will kill me.'

He heard footsteps and winced. He waited, not bothering to move.

'Do it now.'

He felt a hand roughly grab him and force him backwards.

"Damnit, open your eyes man," came the rough voice.

Curiously, he looked up and into dark black eyes. This man was not one of Lamar's guards. He stared openly. After a moment, the man pushed him away, walking forward.

"We saved an idiot," he spoke aloud.

Yema noticed two other figures, hidden in the dark. They were carrying swords. He watched as the first man picked up his sword from the ground. Bandits, he guessed. He stepped forward, rubbing his neck carefully.

"I'm not an idiot. But there are men coming. Guards. They will kill bandits."

The three shared a look before one let out a short chuckle. He stepped from the shadows, revealing light hair and regal eyes.

"We are not bandits, but they may kill us unless you tell us how many there are."

"Four," he answered quickly.

Four figures ran into their vision right at that moment. They were breathing heavily.

"Where did he go?" yelled the nearest, gasping for breath.

Yema backed up, trying to hide in the shadows. His eyes caught movement as one of the men stepped into the light. He cursed.

"And you thought I was an idiot?" he murmered lightly. A slightly chuckle came from the light haired man.

"We're all idiots here," he answered kindly.

Yema gasped as he saw who had stepped into the light. His amber hair could not be mistaken. Yema stepped into the light, bowing low.

"Your highness?"

The four figures finally saw the group. Their eyes instantly caught the escaped man and they raced over, swords unsheathed. The other two men stepped from the shadows, unsheathing their swords in turn. Indecision flickered in the four sets of eyes, but still they ran forward until the two groups clashed.

****

Aditi watched as the two groups finally found each other. She closed her eyes, listening to the sounds of the small battle. She heard the shrill sound of metal hitting metal, the mumbled footfalls as the men tried to hold their balance, the sound of men taking their last breaths. She felt the heat their bodies gave off and sighed as a few were forever cooled. Her gift to them was gone.

The metal sounds stopped and she heard the heavy breathing of the men. Without opening her eyes, she knew her group had won. Their warmth was strong. She smiled.

****

'Sakura felt herself falling. She grasped for something to hold onto, but found nothing. Just when it seemed too late, a hand lurched out to pull her back to the top. She looked up and found herself staring into deep chocolate eyes.

"I'll always protect you."

Then she heard harsh laughter in her ears. She let go of the hand to cover her ears and felt herself falling again. The eyes turned sad.'

She lurched upwards quickly.

'That dream. I've had it before.' [Chapter Three. It seemed pointless at the time, but you need to know it now]

She heard short laughter behind her. "Bad dream, my little cherry blossom?"

Sakura ignored his words, looking around. She was in some sort of cave. She was lying atop a raised rock platform covered in soft straw. In front of her was the mouth of the cave. Old tree branches and aging leaves were piled in front, showing it had not been opened for a long time. Straining her eyes, she tried to find the back of the cave, but she could distinguish none. She heard the sound of a small stream.

Her mind carefully went over the latest events. She remembered falling. Her thoughts fluttered back to the dream. It had felt the same.

'But no one caught me.'

He heard her thought.

"That's right, my little cherry blossom. No one caught you. They don't care about you. In fact, right now the king is busy at his ball. He's not thinking about you at all."

Sakura pushed his words away tiredly. "You are lying, Sekai."

Wind flung itself hurriedly into the cave. It flowed joyfully throughout the cavern, laughing and dancing around Sakura's scared form before finally rushing back to the mouth of the cave. It stirred the leaves wildly before gaining total control.

Sakura watched as the leaves began to mold themselves into a human-like form. First the feet, then the legs, next the body, and it continued upwards. It was male.

She flattened her body against the wall, fear taking over her form. Laughter came from the leaf-man and she watched in horror as it stepped awkwardly forward.

He made his way slowly to her, each step becoming more fluent, more lifelike. Sakura screamed and he laughed louder.

"My little cherry blossom, is this human enough for you?"

Sakura choked, not knowing what to say. The tears were streaming down her face. The hand reached forward and carefully brushed them aside. It leaned closer to her. She could smell the rotting leaves as its face got closer to her own.

"I am the only one worthy of your attentions, just as you are the only human worthy of mine."

He bent closer, his lips nearly brushing hers now.

Angry fear took over her body. Quickly, she pushed her hand into his chest. Five leaves cracked and crumbled, falling to the ground. She watched helplessly as he called another five to replace them. A scowl fell upon his lips and angry laughter filled the cave.

"You are still in love with the little wolf, are you?"

The laughter intensified at her silence.

"You are foolish, my little cherry blossom. Have I not told you? He has forgotten you. He is dancing with another woman right now. In mere moments, they will head to the same balcony he had you on," he said.

Tears began to stream down her face as he continued. "And he will kiss her."

She turned herself to face him. "Stop lying." She spoke quietly, her voice cracking slightly.

"Why? Because it reminds you too much of him?" he taunted. Sakura's anger began to build.

He smirked, backing up even farther from her. "I am not lying to you, however. I will show you if you wish."

She looked up, finding he had no eyes. Grimacing, she turned away. He frowned, conjuring up two familiar chocolate eyes. Placing his hand firmly under her chin, he pulled it up so she would be forced to look.

A sob escaped her lips as she saw the eyes. He smiled and waved a hand. An image hovered in the air. Sakura forced her gaze from the fake eyes to the image. The tears slowed. Her eyes narrowed as she recognized the beloved form dancing with another lady.

Waving her hand angrily, she forced the image away, turning her back to the spirit.

"You made that up," she spoke finally, still quiet from the crying.

His voice was soothing. "I cannot make things like that up."

She turned, laughter burning in her already bright eyes. "You can be a leaf- man but you can't conjure up fake images?"

He growled and turned away from her. She watched him, amused to finally have angered him. She wiped the last remnants of her tears from her face. She was surprised when he whirled around quickly.

"What do you want from me, my little cherry blossom? I have given you everything. I am protecting you. And yet you still won't let me in."

Sakura frowned unhappily. "I want Syaoran."

"Why?" he growled. "He is just a man. He will hurt you. He has boundaries that I do not have. He will age and die. I will not."

She turned away from him, whispering her answer. "I love him."

Though barely audible, it was loud enough for the spirit.

****

Author's Note 2: Well. I was trying to end this on another cliffhanger, but I just couldn't do it. I hope you enjoyed it. I like this chapter.

Just remembered! I already edited this one. I think. LoL, oh well. Yay! My story is (for the most part) grammatically correct.

-does a happy dance-