Amber Eyes

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Disclaimer: I own nothing except for the plot!

Authoress Ramble: Second chapter! Syaoran finally comes into play. The seed of a developing romance is planted in his chapter (IÕm so poetic, haha). ^.^ I do hope you enjoy this!

Note: If the Òs,Õs and ,s are not quotes and commas, go to View ------ Character Set in Internet Explorer and change it to Western (Mac)! Or change the character set some other way to fix it, itÕs possible!

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Sakura screamed as the blade was brought above ToyaÕs bowed, silent head, his eyes closed calmly and tears fresh on his pale cheeks. Sakura turned to stare at the Wolf who had come to their door, hoping to catch his eyes, to catch his attention so that she might beg for his mercy. He never even looked in her direction, his eyes cold and the features of his face emotionless.

Suddenly, he brought the blade down. Sakura shut her eyes tightly as she screamed, trying not to hear her brotherÕs final cry of pain, the sound of the blade being wiped across and being slid back into its place, and the silence that followed afterward. Her whole body shook with her sobs, her hands trembling as her mind went into shock, tears pouring down her face, sliding down her neck. Her sweet little brother had just been murdered.

A moment later, the Wolf holding her down jerked her up, saying something to her in Lian that she obviously couldnÕt understand. Still sobbing, she stood and just barely allowed herself to be dragged out of the kitchen, her eyes still clenched shut.

Once she was outside of the kitchen, feeling sunshine on her face, she opened her eyes a little, looking around her. Three Wolves were walking alongside her, if you could say that, dirty and tattered from their long hike through the mountains to their tiny, peaceful village, Himemi. She searched their faces for remorse, for any hint of sadness, but found none. Still sobbing, she struggled, trying to run from them, but the Wolf holding her right arm tightly would allow no such thing. She was struggling with the Wolf holding her, trying to pull herself away, when she noticed that they were taking her somewhere. Why hadnÕt they killed her?

She never had time to answer that question. The Wolf was dragging her with him as they walked through her familyÕs garden to the gate, now broken; she assumed that the Wolves had forced it open in order to get inside. Walking toward it, the Wolves trampled her familyÕs so carefully tended flowers, smashing the delicate tulips and daffodils easily, not bothering to take the stone path. It was in noticing this that Sakura saw it.

Among trampled flowers lay her father, his face in the dirt, his body lying in a puddle of fresh blood. Sakura screamed and lunged toward him, trying to force herself out of the WolfÕs grasp so that she might help him. He held her back easily.

The ruby-eyed Wolf who had murdered her little brother saw this and turned toward her. ÒWhy bother?,Ó he said coldly, his accent disgusting her, ÒHe dead now.Ó

He turned away again, and a fresh wave of sobs overtook Sakura, her heart severing with each new step she was forced to take, being dragged from her home by these murderous, cold-hearted Wolves. She cried, her tears endless, as they passed the broken gate and walked toward the center of the village.

Her father and brother were dead, murdered in cold blood. She was alone in the world now, at the mercy of heartless men who would probably soon kill her as well. ÔLet them,Õ she thought as she sobbed, her mind shutting down, ÔLet them kill me. Just make it end ...Õ

Finally, the Wolf who had been dragging her stopped. Sakura heard the cries and screams of others, and she looked up. She was in the center of her village. Sakura gasped in horror. Several of the homes had been lit on fire, their roofs burning brightly. Outside of homes lay still bodies covered in blood, the bodies of men as well as children that Sakura recognized as her familyÕs friends, her little brotherÕs playmates. Everything lay either still or burning except for a group in the center of town. Ten or fifteen, perhaps as many as twenty Wolves were in the center of town waiting for the three Wolves that had attacked SakuraÕs family to return. The Wolves seemed to have formed a circle around a group of people, mostly women and young women, a few young girls. Sakura recognized many of them as members of her village. ÔWhat are going to do to us?,Õ thought Sakura in panic, ÔWhy take women prisoner? They canÕt be ... theyÕre not going to ... oh, my Lady, please help us ...Õ

A Wolf from the group walked up to the ruby-eyed Wolf that had killed SakuraÕs little brother. They began to converse in Lian, and then the ruby-eyed Wolf gestured to Sakura.

ÒShe pretty, ehh?,Ó he said in Kaeran, perhaps so that Sakura might understand. He stared directly at her. ÒAt least thirty, forty piece silver for her, me think.Ó

Sakura gasped. They were going to sell her? What kind of person would purchase a young woman?

The Wolf from the group smirked and replied in Lian, then began to speak to the Wolf that was holding SakuraÕs arm. A moment later, Sakura was dragged forward and shoved toward the group of women. She looked at them, crying; surely all of them had also lost someone they loved, their families. She was about to speak to a woman on her right who was also crying when a Wolf began to speak loudly, demanding their attention.

ÒEhh! Ehh!!Ó, he barked, waiting until everyone was looking at him before going on. ÒWe go back Li kingdom, you come with. You come, no trouble. You run, we find you, we kill you. No run unless you want die. Come!Ó. He gave them all a cold stare. He then began to walk toward the Forest.

Some of the Wolves behind them shoved people in the back forward, and everyone, still crying and in shock, followed the Wolf who was leading. Sakura bent her head, surrendering as tears slid down her face. Was she truly going to be sold? Certainly anyone who would buy a person as though they were an animal would be cruel to her. Her entire family was dead and gone from her, and she was alone in the world. Her heart felt empty and numb, broken. What did she have to live for anymore?

The Wolves marched the group until nightfall, when they finally reached what seemed to be a very small makeshift Wolf camp. Ten or twelve Wolves were already there, waiting around a fire. Behind them lay a deep cave, a natural part of the mountainside. The Wolves led them to it, driving them inside. Several Wolves stood outside the cave, guarding it while the Wolves that had destroyed their home village ate and drank around the fire. The group of prisoners received nothing, not even water.

Sakura curled against the wall of the cave, bringing her knees to her face and wrapping her arms around her legs. She cried for a long time, sobbing into her thighs to muffle her cries. She cried for her young brother, for her father, for everyone in her village who had died and for those here who had lost everything, and lastly, she cried for herself and prayed for her death. Why not her? She would have gladly died to save her brother or father, in a heartbeat. Why was she not given a choice? Why did things have to end up this way? How could any human being be so cruel and heartless?

Sakura sobbed, losing hope. She had once believed in Fate, that everything happened for a reason, but what purpose could the death of her innocent brother and father have? She cried for several hours until her eyes slid closed, her aching body pleading her for sleep.
Sakura was awakened by the sound whimpering, of cries being held back. She opened her eyes slowly, looking around her. Everyone seemed to be asleep in the cave, less the guards outside. Sakura thought for sure at first that the muffled cries were from one of the grieving women, but she soon realized that the noises were too deep to be feminine. She turned toward the source of the sounds.

Moonlight poured into the mouth of the cave, outlining the silhouette of a young man, a boy about her age, eighteen. He was sitting near a pile of Wolf armor and was peeling a bloody makeshift bandage off of his hand painfully, whimpering as he did so but obviously struggling not to make noise. He looked to be in a great deal of pain, and SakuraÕs broken heart softened for him. She gathered herself up quietly and slowly made her way over to him. He didnÕt notice her until she was very close to him.

ÒHello,Ó she said softly, kneeling next to him. His head jerked up and turned toward her, and he stared at her in surprise. Sakura held her breath for a moment. He had messy hair the colour of melted chocolate, and his deep eyes were pools of liquid amber. ÔHeÕs beautiful,Õ Sakura thought.

The boy said nothing.

ÒWhat happened?,Ó asked Sakura, gesturing to the gash on his left hand. It was a deep cut that ran from the top of the palm of his hand to below his wrist, and was one that had obviously bled for a long time. The wound was now caked with dirt and dried blood, and would, Sakura, worried, become inflected very soon.

The boy said nothing for a moment, then spoke. ÒI held off a sword with my bare hand,Ó he said slowly, looking at the gash and not her. ÒBetter my hand than my neck.Ó

Sakura was a little shocked. ÒYouÕre very brave,Ó she said suddenly. The boy looked at her briefly, but said nothing.

Sakura frowned. ÒIf I had water, I would clean that for you,Ó she said, gesturing again to the boyÕs hand. ÒIt will be inflected soon if the dirt isnÕt cleansed from it.Ó

ÒThank you for the thought,Ó said the boy coldly. Sakura stared at him worriedly. He reminded her of Toya; the war had broken something inside of him.

Perhaps for this reason, Sakura reached down to her belt, having remembered the herbs that were still tied there. ÒI have some curagi,Ó she said to him, taking out the bag.

ÒYou have what?,Ó said the boy. Sakura glanced at him, surprised. She had thought that all Kaerans used curagi when they were injured; it was very strong and thus very useful, and was therefore very well-known.

ÒItÕs a herb that helps to heal,Ó Sakura explained, opening the bag. ÒDonÕt they grow curagi in your village?Ó, she asked.

ÒNo,Ó the boy said coldly. Sakura looked at him in surprise once again.

ÒWhere are you from?,Ó she asked. The boy looked trapped for a second before his face fell back into its constant emotionlessness.

ÒNiikan,Ó he growled. Sakura blinked. She had never heard of that village before.

ÒNiikan?Ó, she questioned, ÒIÕm not sure where that is. IÕve never heard of it before.Ó

ÒItÕs to the north,Ó the boy snapped. Sakura was annoyed for a second; why would anyone be so touchy about where they lived? Then she mentally gasped, realizing that he was a prisoner too; perhaps his home had also been destroyed, his family killed. She felt guilty that she had pried.

ÒIÕm sorry,Ó said Sakura softly. ÒAnd I understand,Ó she added.

The boy merely glared at her.

ÒGive me your hand,Ó said Sakura, several slices of curagi in her own. The boy hesitanted for a moment, then finally gave Sakura his hand, which she took tenderly into her own. She then carefully lay slices of curagi onto the cut, and when she had finished, pressed her free hand on top of his, pressing the slices of curagi into the wound.

The boy winced, jerking.

ÒItÕll burn for a minute,Ó said Sakura, continuing to firmly press down the curagi, ÒBut soon, it will feel like ice, and it will help your wound to heal faster, and to avoid infection.Ó

The boy continued to wince a few seconds longer until he relaxed, breathing out. ÒIt does feel like ice,Ó the boy said quietly.

Sakura smiled despite herself. ÒWhat is your name?,Ó she asked. She removed her palm from his, picking up and discarding the used, limp curagi slices onto the stone floor of the cave.

The boy said nothing for a moment, then answered. ÒSyaoran,Ó he said.

ÒItÕs nice to meet you, Syaoran,Ó Sakura said gently. ÒI hope that your hand heals quickly.Ó

Syaoran looked at her for a moment, appearing stunned. ÒAnd what is your name?,Ó he asked finally.

Sakura smiled slightly, glad he had asked. Her heart was still grieving every moment, but somehow, this boy eased the pain just a little.

ÒSakura,Ó she answered. Syaoran continued to look at her. Silence echoed between them.

ÒWell,Ó he said finally, ÒYou should try to get some sleep, Sakura. WeÕll probably be walking a lot tomorrow as well.Ó

Sakura nodded, for he was right. ÒYes, youÕre probably right. Good night, then,Ó she said. She smiled at him, though it was a sad smile. She hoped that she would be able to speak to him again soon.

Sakura stood up, turning away from him.

ÒWait,Ó said Syaoran suddenly. Sakura turned around, looking at him curiously. ÒYes?Ó, she questioned.

ÒThank you, for your kindness,Ó he said. He did not smile at her, but somehow his voice seemed just a little bit warmer. Sakura smiled again, nodding.

ÒOf course,Ó Sakura said tenderly, ÒGood night, Syaoran. I hope we see each other again soon. I donÕt want to be alone in this ...Ó

Syaoran stared at her, saying nothing for a moment. ÒGood night,Ó he said finally, without emotion. Sakura nodded again. She turned back and began to walk back toward her place in the cave. She leaned against the wall to brace herself and whimpered when she put all of her weight onto her feet. Syaoran looked at her, alarmed.

ÒWhatÕs wrong?,Ó he asked seriously, looking her up and down. Sakura blushed a little.

ÒItÕs just my feet,Ó she said softly, gesturing downward to her feet. They were bleeding, dirty and scratched badly with several deep, fresh cuts in them. ÒNo shoes,Ó she said quietly.

Syaoran stared at her for a moment. ÒSit back down,Ó he commanded. Sakura, surprised, did so. Her eyes widened as she watched him rip one of his sleeves apart and into strips, which he placed near her. Sakura blinked, confused.

ÒUse them to wrap up your feet,Ó Syaoran said. Sakura smiled, taking the strips and beginning to wrap them around her feet, bandaging her wounds.

ÒThat should stop the bleeding, and keep the cuts cleaner,Ó Syaoran mumbled. Sakura smiled at him gratefully.

ÒYouÕre very kind,Ó she said. Syaoran looked at her, his eyes widening in shock.

ÒThank you very much,Ó Sakura continued.

Syaoran nodded and said nothing. When Sakura had finished wrapping her feet, she stood again. She smiled down at the mysterious boy.

ÒTake care of your wound,Ó she instructed. He nodded shortly, staring at the gash on his left hand.

ÒWell, goodnight,Ó said Sakura, turning back toward her place in the cave. When she had turned her back, Syaoran watched her go.

ÒGood night,Ó he said quietly.

Sakura reached her place, sitting down and leaning back against the cold, hard stone wall. She wrapped her arms around her legs and laid her head down on top of her thighs, sighing and closing her eyes. Her heart grieved for her father and brother, and her mind repeatedly recalled the image of Syaoran, the mysterious boy with deep amber eyes. She prayed that she would see him again, because, she feared, she needed someone to help her get through this, some kind of comfort and companionship. She needed a friend to stay with her. He could, she mused, be like curagi for her heart; he could help it to feel faster.

ÔHeÕs a prisoner of the Wolves, too,Õ thought Sakura, ÔAnd by the way he acts, IÕm sure that heÕs lost everything as well. No one was here with him; heÕs alone. His family is either dead or lost, either way, gone to him. He must understand what it feels like ...Õ

She felt her mind ease into sleep, her body glowing limp. Her hand brushed against the cloth wrapped around her feet, and she smiled, silently thanking the boy with amber eyes for his kindness.
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To be continued in the next chapter. I have to say that this chapter was a bit more fun to write- romance! ItÕs addictive.

I hope youÕre still enjoying my little dark/AU/fantasy/angst/romantic ficcie! ^^

If you liked it, or better yet, have ideas, then please leave a review! I love reviews! Reviews = writer faster! Hehe. I love everyone who reviews.

In the next chapter: Sakura gets to better know Syaoran, and begins to fall for him ... but what happens when she finds out that he isnÕt who she thought he was ... ?