Amber Eyes

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Disclaimer: I own nothing except for the plot!

Authoress Ramble: Almost eighty reviews! ^_^ As always, IÕm so happy! Thank you for all of your support! Also, please bear with me in the next couple of chapters. TheyÕre very plot-filled. =3

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Syaoran and Sakura walked hand-in-hand back to the Wolf camp, smiling gently to themselves. The moon bathed the couple in its light, and the Forest itself seemed to be at peace.

SakuraÕs smile deepened, her heart full and warm. Everything seemed to be looking up. She and the other people were being set free. Syaoran was, despite being a Prince of the Li kingdom, still the kindhearted boy she had grown to love, and they had finally kissed that night.

ÔAnd not just once,Õ she thought with a deepening blush. While being held in SyaoranÕs arms, she had felt a sense of peace wash over her. He and Meiling were working to bring this peace to everyone, and, Sakura thought with sudden hope, she was sure that they would succeed in their mission.

However, she also knew that the War was still not over, and that while her hopes, naive and innocent though they may be, should never be given up, she could not be blind to reality. The fight ahead of them was dangerous and difficult.

Sakura frowned upon this thought, squeezing SyaoranÕs hand as though to reassure herself. She knew that if they all had faith, they would make it through the War somehow; they would all find peace.

Feeling SakuraÕs hold on his hand suddenly tighten and release, Syaoran looked over at her in concern. A moment later, she caught his eye and smiled at him. He smiled in return, taking in the look of her beautiful, smiling face, her soft red hair and bright green eyes. The colour of the cloak he had given her matched them perfectly, complimented their depth and beauty. He had brought the cloak with him when he had ran through the Forest searching for Sakura, and when he had realized while holding her in his arms that she was once again shivering, he had wrapped it around her trembling body. She now wore it gratefully. SyaoranÕs smile deepened, both for Sakura to see and for himself to use to acknowledge to himself the joy his heart felt.

He had found an angel among his enemies.

The two lovers entered the Wolf camp all too soon, dropping their hands to their respective sides immediately upon seeing Meiling, sitting sleepily in front of the fire upon a roughly cut log. When she heard Syaoran and Sakura push through the trees and bushes immediately in front of the clearing noisily, she had looked up. She frowned when she saw Sakura.

ÒMeiling,Ó Syaoran began, walking toward her. Sakura followed him shyly.

ÒHm?,Ó Meiling said, appearing to be something close to bored. ÒI take it everythingÕs all right now, then?Ó

Sakura blushed. Was she speaking of her?

ÒEverything is fine,Ó Syaoran said. MeilingÕs eyes widened slightly in surprise; rarely did she hear such tenderness in his voice. ÒI have a request to make of you.Ó

ÒYes?,Ó Meiling inquired. SyaoranÕs face slipped back into seriousness.

ÒGather my men in the area over there,Ó he said firmly, gesturing to a large grassy area without any trees, ÒI must speak to them. ItÕs near morning, they ought to be getting up soon anyway.Ó

ÒOf course,Ó Meiling responded with a slight tinge of resentment in her voice. Sakura saw this and frowned; she was not pleased with Syaoran.

ÒSakura and I will go the cave,Ó Syaoran continued. ÒPlease have the men assemble over there as quickly as possible.Ó

Meiling responded with a sharp nod. Syaoran turned to Sakura.

ÒLetÕs go,Ó he said, with a barely noticeable smile, ÒIÕve been waiting to do this for a long time.Ó

Sakura smiled back at him. Finally, everyone in the group of prisoners, her people, would be freed.

The pair walked up the steep mountainside to the cave, once again holding hands, though now for more practical purposes; Syaoran helped to pull her up and across the steep slope. They finally reached the cave as dawn was breaking, drowning them in warm splashes of orange, pink and gold.

Sakura smiled to herself. This was the first time she was with Syaoran in the sunlight.

Stepping forward into the mouth of the cave, SakuraÕs warm smile deepened into a loving, almost motherly one. She looked upon her people with tenderness, mothers resting their weary bodies on a hard, cold stone floor within the shadows, their children dirty and always in fear. In a few minutes, all of it would end for them.

Syaoran stood confidently at her side in a stance that revealed his upbringing as a Prince. ÒWake up!,Ó he barked, ÒEveryone! Wake up!Ó

The group began to stir and awaken.

ÒNo need to be so demanding,Ó Sakura said to Syaoran gently. He frowned.

ÒI have to wake them up,Ó he explained, dumbfounded. ÒYou canÕt wake up a crowd of people by whispering.Ó

Sakura smiled, amused, and nodded. At this affirmation, Syaoran continued.

ÒWake up, everyone!,Ó he shouted into the cave, ÒEveryone, wake up . . . please!Ó

Sakura laughed quietly at this.

The people continued to stir, muttering amongst themselves as they awoke. They immediately turned toward their commander in fear, giving Sakura, the meek girl by his side, strange looks.

When everyone appeared to have awakened, Syaoran spoke again.

ÒNow stand,Ó he said firmly, ÒWe have an announcement to make.Ó

Sakura smiled; this would be a truly joyous moment. She waited contentedly in anticipation, watching Syaoran and waiting for him to continue. He looked as though he was about to for a moment, but he then paused and turned his eyes to Sakura.

She blushed, embarrassed. When Syaoran had seen her enthusiasm, the excitement and happiness for her people and friends in her eyes, his heart had softened.

ÒWould you like to do the honours?,Ó he asked gently. Sakura smiled at him, and nodded quickly.

She turned toward the group. All eyes were on her and Syaoran; she bit her bottom lip nervously.

ÒEveryone,Ó she said loudly, and yet still warmly, ÒYou have just been set free.Ó

At once everyone began to speak to their neighbor, the group erupting into a chorus of cheerful talk accompanied by jovial, surprised smiles. Sunlight began to pour in through the mouth of the cave, light filling it. The group chattered with joy.

Sakura was as joyous as they were, smiling at this happy scene. She was truly glad for them.

Syaoran turned to her and smiled. He was glad that he could make her smile, make her happy, even if it was indirectly. He then began to speak again.

ÒAttention, everyone,Ó he began loudly. The groupÕs chatter ceased and they all turned to Syaoran, suddenly afraid again. ÒYou will leave immediately by going back the way we came, without delay. Please follow us.Ó

The group waited, excited, though still afraid of Syaoran.

ÒAlso,Ó he added with a warm, barely noticeable smile, ÒWe wish you luck.Ó

With a final glance at his elated angel, Syaoran turned and began to walk out of the cave, leading Sakura by talking her hand in his. They led the group down the mountainside and back to the beginning- or the end, rather- of their previous path through the Forest.

ÒI apologize for this,Ó Syaoran said to the group in front of the path, giving them final instructions. ÒMy father is in no way a kind ruler, and to do this is to go against him. IÕm pleased to say, however, that I know longer care.

ÒGo this way, back down this path. Return to your homes and families,Ó he continued. With a final slight smile, Syaoran spoke.

ÒGoodbye,Ó he said. At this, everyone turned and began to walk quickly back down the path ahead of them, a crude, makeshift path through the Forest. They walked quickly out of fear that Syaoran, still a cruel Wolf to them, would change his conniving mind.

Sakura waved to their backs; a few small, naive children waved back to her. She smiled.

ÒThat was truly wonderful,Ó she said softly, turning to Syaoran with a smile. ÒIÕm so glad that . . . Ó

The warmth and tenderness in her voice was impossible to miss. Syaoran smiled back at her.

ÒIÕm glad as well,Ó Syaoran replied, interrupting her. At this, SakuraÕs smile deepened.

He was as happy as she was, nearly, deep inside. ÒI have been wanting to set them free for a long time now.Ó

ÒEven before you met me?,Ó Sakura asked softly. Syaoran turned to her, and did not say anything for a moment.

ÒYes,Ó he said finally. Sakura smiled, and comfortable silence fell between them.

ÒWe should go back now,Ó Syaoran said, breaking the silence. ÒMeiling has probably assembled the men by now. I need to talk with them about what is it happening.Ó

ÒOf course,Ó Sakura said. Syaoran nodded, his face wearing its familiar mask of seriousness and coldness once again. The mask of a Prince, born and raised.

ÒLetÕs go,Ó he said. Together, they returned to the clearing where Meiling was assembling all of the Lian soldiers.

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ÒYou await your Prince,Ó Meiling barked in Lian at the sleepy soldiers, ÒStand alert and ready!Ó

The soldiers did so clumsily, and she sighed in frustration. Where was Syaoran? She knew he and his Kaeran peasant girl had gone to the cave to release the prisoners, but should it really be taking this long?

She frowned to herself. She was taking out her frustrations on the soldiers, and she knew it. She knew that she was jealous and thus hostile. Seeing Syaoran and that girl holding hands had been the last straw for her, because it had confirmed reality.

Meiling sighed. Still, she loved Syaoran, and it was her duty as his fiancŽ, though they would never marry, and as his friend to comfort him and to support him. If that meant to give him hope, she gave him hope; if it meant to be realistic, she told him what he had to know bluntly. And if that meant to cry alone and to spend her idle time sulking, thinking about her love for him, to mentally scream and tear apart her aching heart every time she saw the new pair of lovers together, so be it, so help her the gods. She would be a good friend and a good lover, even if she was an unrequited one, if it killed her.

Meiling sighed again, mournfully, as she saw Syaoran and Sakura walking toward her. She put on a false smile. She would be happy for him, always. If that girl could made him happy and she could not, then so be it. Anything for SyaoranÕs happiness; any sacrifice was worth it. Any and every false smile.

Perhaps she would find someone of her very own someday, someone as true and noble as he was.

ÒSyaoran,Ó she called out when the pair was near, ÒThey are ready.Ó

He nodded, parting from Sakura to go and talk with the group of Lian soldiers. He climbed onto and stood on top of a large, jutting boulder to do so. Sakura stood off to the side with Meiling unsurely. Every once in awhile the ruby-eyed, sable-haired girl would glance at her out of the corner of her eye. Sakura returned her looks nervously, with a shy, faltering smile.

ÒMen,Ó Syaoran began strongly, ÒI have set the prisoners free.Ó

At this, the Lian soldiers gasped and began to talk angrily amongst themselves, outraged. Syaoran growled to himself in frustration.

ÒQuiet!,Ó he barked. ÒA Kaeran princess has been captured by our men. I, for one, am sick of this damned, pointless War, and I will it to end. For this reason myself and Lady Meiling have decided to go on a mission to rescue her. Understand this: she is our last hope for peace.Ó Syaoran paused here.

ÒWe must go now to rescue her if we ever hope for this war to end.Ó

The Lian soldiers began to talk amongst themselves again, digesting and discussing this.

ÒIf you are with me,Ó continued Syaoran, ÒThen stay, and follow myself and Meiling on our quest. If you are not, then leave now.Ó

Many of the Lian soldiers, clearly angry, left immediately. Sakura watched them go with wide eyes. Meiling saw this and turned to her with a knowing smile.

ÒSome of the soldiers are loyal to Syaoran,Ó she explained, ÒAnd some to his father, would never go so low as to sink to the level of a weak Kaeran and beg for peace.Ó

Sakura appeared offended at this, and Meiling raised an eyebrow curiously.

ÒI apologize; I meant no offense,Ó she said.

ÒItÕs alright,Ó said Sakura with a nervous smile. Meiling nodded and continued.

ÒThis situation is unique to this group of soldiers. Syaoran and I are lucky; most Lian soldiers are loyal to the king no matter what. WeÕre lucky because we need a group of soldiers to help us to fight and to win against . . . well . . . our own men, so that we can rescue the Kaeran Princess, Tomoyo. These men wonÕt simply turn her over to us; theyÕll see us as traitors if we ask for such a thing, to have the Princess of Kaera so that we can go against the kingÕs wishes and pursue peace. Many of them would sooner die than go against him.

ÒWeÕre lucky that Syaoran has somehow managed to gain many of the soldiersÕ trust, and weÕre also lucky that many of them are as sick as we all are of this damned War. They want to return to their homes and families just as much as we all do.Ó

ÒYou want to go back to the Li kingdom?,Ó Sakura asked curiously. Images of a dark, forbidding kingdom of ice and blackness filled her mind, and she wondered why anyone would wish to live in such a place. Clearly, she had gotten the wrong impression of the infamous Li kingdom as a young girl.

ÒOf course,Ó Meiling said fondly, ÒItÕs my home. I didnÕt come here on a vacation, you know.Ó

Sakura tilted her head in curiosity. ÒWho is SyaoranÕs father?,Ó she inquired. ÒI donÕt know anything about him other than that heÕs the king of the Li kingdom and that heÕs cruel-hearted.Ó

ÒMy my, youÕre just full of questions, arenÕt you?,Ó Meiling said with a smirk. Sakura frowned, annoyed. Meiling laughed to herself before answering her question.

ÒThatÕs all you need to know about him,Ó Meiling replied. ÒHeÕs cruel and has limitless power in our kingdom, and power over here as well, through force and military presence.Ó

Sakura nodded patiently. Meiling thought for a moment to see if there was anything else she had forgotten to mention.

ÒSyaoran is his only son,Ó she added. ÒJust one. Four daughters, but only one son. Just Syaoran.Ó

Sakura nodded again, listening. Meiling continued, comfortable in her role as all-knowing educator. ÒI stress that because it angers the king. He wishes that he could have had more than one son, because then maybe heÕd have a better selection to choose from for the role of future king. You see,Ó Meiling said this next part with a twinkle of amusement in her ruby eyes, ÒEven though you sometimes wouldnÕt know it, Syaoran is very rebellious for a Prince of the Li kingdom.Ó

Syaoran was commanding his small army animatedly from his perch on the large boulder. Meiling laughed nervously.

ÒWell, now you would know it,Ó she said with a short laugh. ÒHeÕs disobedient, you see. Not a good son at all.Ó

ÒIÕm so glad,Ó Sakura said with a smile. Syaoran continued explaining their plan to the Lian soldiers who remained, those loyal to him.

ÒWe will follow Meiling, who will lead us to the area where she last saw the Kaeran Princess and her captors,Ó he explained to them, the look on his face grave.

ÒFrom there we will search for them. Upon finding them, you will fight, and Meiling and I will search for the Kaeran Princess among them. You will be given more instructions when the time comes.Ó Syaoran paused at this point, surveying the group.

ÒWe will move out shortly,Ó he ended. At this, all the soldiers, who had been standing at attention, bowed deeply to him. Sakura watched this in awe.

Syaoran climbed down from his perch on the jutting boulder and walked over to Meiling and Sakura, his eyes grave and serious.

ÒMeiling,Ó he began coldly. She nodded sharply with a quick smirk.

ÒI know where I last saw Tomoyo,Ó she said confidently, ÒIÕll lead us to the place, whenever youÕre ready.Ó

ÒThank you,Ó Syaoran said. He turned to Sakura, and his eyes softened.

ÒAre you ready for this, Sakura?,Ó he asked gently. Sakura nodded, firm in her resolve to help everyone in any way she could in their fight for peace.

ÒLetÕs go, then,Ó Syaoran said. He smiled at Sakura warmly, reassuring her. She smiled back nervously.

Meiling frowned at this. ÒYes,Ó she said slowly, ÒLetÕs go.Ó

Syaoran nodded, turning to her, as did Sakura. Her heart was beating fast; their journey was finally beginning.

ÒTo the East,Ó Meiling said simply, turning her gaze to the beautiful sunrise.

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To be continued in the next chapter. Well, this chapter was sort of a . . . I donÕt know what to call it ... plot-happy chapter. ^^ Nothing exciting really happened in this chapter because itÕs setting up for the excitement that will happen later!

If you liked it, or better yet, have ideas, then please leave a review! I love reviews! Reviews = writer faster! =^^= IÕll even thank you personally because I love reviews so much! Hehe.

Special thanks to Azi, who helped me with a new summary! =3

In the next chapter: The rescue of the Kaeran Princess . . .