Chap. 3: "A Stubborn Woman"

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Author's note: Hey sorry for taking so long to update but I haven't had time. With the hurricane and everything my school is going crazy with work. I want to thank everyone who reviewed, I'm so glad to have all those reviews. I will have time to write more because I've stopped working for a while.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter. *

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Sakura slowly regained consciousness; the soft movements of someone attacked senses as her nostrils filled with the sweet smell of food. She tried to move but groaned feeling pain shoot across her entire left side. Instead of moving she opened her eyes squinting from the brightness. When they finally focused she noticed that she was in the cave wrapped in something soft and warm.

"It's about time that you come about" a voice spoke from close by. Sakura looked around to see HIM and groaned. "You don't have to sound soo thrilled," he mocked bending down next to her.

"Didn't I tell you to leave?" Sakura spoke hoarsely. "Or were you waiting for me to come about so you could turn me in?"

"First of all I don't listen to anyone and I don't want to turn you in," Syaoran answered looking at her. Sakura's eyes focused on the cup he held in his hands. "Here this will make you feel better so we can be on our way," he added giving her a cup of tea then helped her to sit up.

"What do you mean 'our' way?" Sakura asked glaring at him as she sipped the sweet tasting liquid that warmed her entire body.

"You can't travel by our self until your healed properly but we can't stay here because they'll find us. And your in no shaped to fight after being poisoned" Syaoran stated getting up.

"Why are you helping me when I'm going after your fiancée's father next or should I say wife?" Sakura asked raising her brow at him. Men never seemed to make any sense to her; in her eyes they always did things that made them appear lower than wild beast.

"She's not my fiancée much less wife," Syaoran answered, Sakura shrugged not caring what she was to him. "Now since as you asked me all those questions can I ask you one?"

"Fair enough" Sakura shrugged not taking her eyes off him as he moved with meticulousness. From the look in his amber eyes, the firmness of his voice and the way he fought he was someone you didn't want as an enemy.

"Who taught you to fight?"

"A wise woman did and you?"

"Many, can you show me some of your moves when you're better?" Syaoran asked facing her, he almost felt like laughing when he saw the astound look on her face. He was sure she hadn't been expecting that out of him.

"Ahh sure I guess, your one weird character" Sakura smiled at him. Watching him strap something to her horse then started to put the fire out she frowned a little. "Are 'We' going somewhere?" she added eyeing him.

"We' have to leave here it's getting too dangerous" Syaoran answered his back turned to her.

"We're taking one horse?" Sakura asked trying to get up ignoring the throbbing pain in her side.

"Yes it's faster, we have to catch up my mother and men. It'll be faster we only have two days to catch them up"

"I don't want you helping me" Sakura stated taking small steps towards him. She felt weak, tired and the pain in her side wasn't helping but she would not show him. "Plus my sister is on her way here and she doesn't like men so I suggest you leave"

"Sister?" Syaoran echoed looking at her, great there was more like her.

"Actually sisters, now I suggest that you leave before she gets here she isn't far away. And the others aren't far either"

"I see but don't you have one more man to kill?"

"I don't need your help finding him" he sensed that she was growing weary of his question but that didn't make him want to stop asking them in the least bit. The only sound around them other than the soft dripping of water that echoed in the distance was their arguing voices.

"I have no doubt that you can find him but you're weak, tired and the pain you're feeling should make you an easy catch" Syaoran retorted making Sakura's mouth hung open. 'How the hell did he know that' she thought glaring at him. He merely smirked in return before she could make a matching remark he added.

"I've already packed your stuff well what you have anyways. You're the first woman I know who doesn't have a trunk or dozens of stuff but I guess in your line of work you can't travel heavy" Syaoran got on the horse and turned it around towards her. When she didn't move he raised a brow over his cold amber eye. Sakura sighed and walked up on a rock so she could easily get on sitting sidesaddle in front on him. He spoke with so much authority and confidence that she didn't have any choice but to comply, after all he was giving her a free ride to the governor. It was night so they would have a good chance to get ahead without being followed at least until dawn. "What did you do?" he asked when she whistled looking at the sky.

"Telling her that I'll be with the next governor, so she won't have trouble finding me" Sakura answered smiling. *

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Syaoran looked down at the woman that was fast asleep on his chest and wondered how on earth she was such a killer. In fact if he hadn't seen her kill with his own eyes he wouldn't believe it at all. She looked so incredibly innocent 'I guess that's why she got to them so fast' he thought wrapping his cape around her as protection from the chilly morning air. He didn't know what was getting into him why he felt like he needed to protect her even though it was obvious that she didn't need his help. He tensed a little when he felt her arm tighten around him feeling her warm body press against his. *

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* Sakura smiled feeling him stiffen when she hug him, he was something; so much different from the men she had met. And this was a new experience for her she'd never been this close to a man before. And he didn't smell like all the other men she had met, he smelt like spices and sandalwood a contrast to her cherry blossom. She stiffened when the sound of horses came towards them, many horses 'oh god they had found them. "Relax" Syaoran ordered in a crisp voice when he felt her hold tighten on him. 'Great let them be stupid' he prayed when they stopped in front of him.

"Hey have you seen a suspicious woman and man around here? The woman is wounded and would be walking funny. By the way who are you?" the man asked in a not so nice voice eyeing Syaoran closely.

"No I haven't seen anyone," Syaoran answered evenly. "Are they dangerous? Should I be on guard?"

"Yes they are very dangerous. Who is that?" the guard asked looking at Sakura's small feet.

"Oh she? She's my new wife" Syaoran answered smacking Sakura on the thigh. "We just got married, she's sleeping all worn out from last night," he added smugly, he wasn't lying she was tired. "She's a feisty one, got lots of spirit," the man laugh hearing what he said.

"Well I hope ya'll have a good time and be careful the woman is said to be very beautiful and can bewitch men so keep ya guard up" the man warned smiling at Syaoran who nodded before riding off behind them.

"Got lots of spirit? Couldn't you come up with something else?" came Sakura's soft voice from under his cloak.

"I spoke what came to mind, your lucky they didn't want to see your face. If they did they would surely know it was you" Syaoran stated making the horse go faster.

"Why is that?"

"Because they would see that your beautiful and your emerald eyes are very rare around these parts," he answered matter-of-factly.

"Aren't you afraid that I might bewitch you too?" Sakura asked running her fingers over his finely chiseled chest making a tremor run down his spine.

" Not at all, I'm not like other man as you might know already," Syaoran answered catching her hand in a firm grip moving it from his chest.

"All men are the same" Sakura spat distastefully pulling her hand from his grip.

"I don't know what they did to you but that has nothing to do with me," Syaoran stated tightly. *

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* The captures *

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* "Surround the house she's inside there, men go inside and smoke her out" a man yelled angrily on his horse, he moved back when a man came flying out the window. "Now move in" he yelled looking a man who nodded when the figure came into view.

"This one is called Tilda" a man said smiling "She's the third oldest after Nades who has been captured with her only two men survived. I think we'll need more men for Nades' her babies and the other sister" he said when Tilda fell through the window from being hit by a poison dart.

"We only have three men left, tell them we need forty men for the next capture" he ordered stiffly looking at Tilda "A beauty but deadly all the same" he whispered looking at her face before they gagged her so she couldn't contact the others. *

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* Yelen.later in the day. *

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* They were at least a day and a half ahead of Syaoran and Sakura. She was for the first time getting worried about her son and was thoroughly tempted to leave that whining little spoiled brat behind. "Have any of the men seen him?" Yelen asked Takashi.

"Nothing we do know that the governor is dead though. And they are after two assassins a male and a female. If she is alive then she'll be here with Syaoran ahead or behind her no doubt. I don't know if I'll be able to fight her off if Syaoran had trouble"

"We'll do the best we can I know my son is alive he's too stubborn to be killed by a mere girl. Lets keep this to our selves" she added looking at the carriage that contained Mei Lin and her father. Takashi nodded in understanding smiling at his best friends mother.

"I know what you mean *

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Elsewhere. *

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* "Sir two has been captured, Nades's two and Joe are being hunted down. What should we do?" the man asked bowing.

"Tell the men that the first group should move out, and make sure you get Joe and the children" Rakanis ordered.

"Yes they will move out by mid day" the spoke bowing before he left.

"I will be emperor by the end of the month tops," he whispered smiling evilly. *

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* Nightfall. *

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* Syaoran and Sakura slowly rode into the small town they came upon no doubt his mother and men had already past through. He rode around looking for an inn finally coming upon one he brought the horse to the stables helping Sakura down. After much arguing she finally agreed to allow him carry her in because of her side, using his cloak to cover her face. The place was swarming with men looking for Sakura most of whom wanted the bounty on her head. When they entered the inn it was swarming with bounty hunters they had no choice but to get a room there after all who would be as stupid as to get a room in an inn filled with people who wanted them dead.

" I don't know if I should trust you when you bring me to an inn filled with men who want to kill me" Sakura stated sitting on the bed.

"They won't think that you will be staying here right under their nose" Syaoran retorted coolly looking out the window. "What happened to your sister?"

"I don't know she should have been here already. I sent her and my sisters a message but they haven't answered. I don't know what is wrong" Sakura answered softly looking down. Syaoran looked at her and wondered what she was feeling maybe it was a good thing she hadn't caught up yet.

"We'll leave early in the morning so we can catch up my mother" he said looking at her.

"Yes master is there anything else you want to dictate to me?" Sakura asked sarcastically glaring at him.

"Yes don't leave this room I'll be right back" Syaoran spoke taking her offer. He smirked seeing her jaw tighten and the look of hatred in her emerald poles, telling him not to under estimates her in any foolish way.

"The last thing I need is a man telling me what to do" Sakura hissed getting up when there was a knock on the door. Syaoran opened it letting in two men with hot water for the bath. Sakura looked away but not before one of the men saw her eyes, after doing what they needed to do they left.

"I'm not telling you what to do, I'll leave you so you can bathe" Syaoran stated walking through the door that made a small click when it locked. Sakura looked at the door before stripping down her clothes. She looked at the wound on her side from the spike the hit her wincing in pain when her fingers made contact with it. Her body was slowly fighting the poison and with the mixture the Syaoran made she would be as good as new in two days flat. She was starting to worry about Nades and Tomoyo they had never been apart this long. She didn't like how she couldn't get in contact with them. She sang softly out the window telling her where she was before she got in the tub. *

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* "Are you sure it was her?" a man asked in the dark looking at the two figures who nodded 'yes'

"I'm sure me saw her eyes. Dey green I tell ya," he answered smiling his yellow teeth shining in all its glory.

"Good get your weapons we'll bring her head back to the general and get the reward. Are you sure the man with her stepped out?"

"Yeah he went down the hall no doubt to give her privacy"

"The better, I heard she was wounded so it should be easy enough no woman is a good fighter" he spoke walking off with the two following with a bag and their swords handy. *

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* Sakura wrapped herself in a long white cloth when there was sound at the door. 'Why is the idiot standing at the door' she thought going towards the bed to get dressed. Suddenly the door was broken down and four men walked in holding their swords ready to attack.

"Well hello to you too didn't your mothers ever teach you to knock?" Sakura asked sitting on the bed, crossing her legs as her hand moved towards the sword behind her.

"My mama was a whore just like you are" the guy answered. "Get her," he ordered his men who moved cautiously towards her.

"Afraid of a little old me" Sakura mocked smiling sweetly at them.

"No."

"You ought to be" she growled pulling the sword out making the two men closest to her charge. The other didn't even see what happened all he saw was when they fell to the ground. They looked at her sword that was like a fire burning brightly missing when the fire in the fireplace jumped excitedly.

"Next" Sakura spoke moving towards when a sharp pain cut her side 'I guess I shouldn't have moved that fast' she thought holding her side. The man gulped and ran out of the room and down the stairs yelling that assassin was upstairs. The entire building shook as men raced up the stairs to get the catch. "Oh great" she whispered going towards the window but not before grabbing her pants and shirt. *

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Syaoran walked up the street towards the inn no doubt she was finished with her bath already. He didn't know what he was doing. Here he was protecting a woman that was a man killer and a hell of a good one at that but he-he felt like she needed him but he knew not how. He was knocked out thought when the sound of glass breaking was heard, from the INN. He broke into running halting when he saw the inn in gulfed in flames and man surrounding something laughing hysterically.

"Kick her good" one yelled laughing as the others cheered. "She's a witch her sword burnt him"

"Sakura." Syaoran whispered running towards the stable for their horse and his sword. He cursed under his breath for leaving her alone. *

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* Sakura coughed up blood as she was kicked yet again in the stomach; maybe Syaoran was right after all she was in no shape to fight. She groaned as she got on her feet holding her sword forward with death in her eyes, her finger feeling for the small opening in the handle.

"You are all cowards. The only way you can beat me is by ganging up. Why don't one of you fight me like a real man" she growled holding numerous needles in her hand. "Don't tell me you're afraid of a-WOMAN" she sneered smiling at them. Everyone one jumped when a horse came flying through knocking men down to the ground. A sword sliced through others making a path. Sakura took the chance to send the needles flying.

"Come on" Syaoran yelled pulling her unto the horse in front of him, the horse galloped off when Syaoran slapped him. They didn't bother to even look back at the pile of dead man they could care less.

"Took you long enough" Sakura spat cringing in pain. Now she had more cuts and bruises to add to the collection. Leaving the flames and dying men in the distance, she was glad to be rid of the place.

"Sorry" Syaoran spoke leading the horse towards a river taking small glances at Sakura's black and blue arms. She never expected him to apologize and was thoroughly surprised by it; he didn't say anything else for the remainder of the ride until they stopped.

"What are you doing?" Sakura asked when they slowed to a stop. Syaoran slid off then offered to help her down but she slid off her self, which wasn't the brightest idea.

"You don't have to be soo stubborn we have to get you cleaned up before we head out" Syaoran answered looking at her walked painfully over to the river.

"I have to get cleaned up I don't need your help" Sakura snapped stepping in the water. She started to take off her clothes but stopped half you through. He saw her try to bend but stopped and then tried again and stopped. His shoulders shook with laughter looking at her struggle she had soo much pride.

"Do you need some help?" Syaoran asked in an amused voice.

"No" Sakura yelled back clenching her fists.

"Are you sure?" he persisted sitting on a large rock. She did answer him but continued to try unsuccessfully finally she turned around with a hard face. Sakura looked in his amber eyes seeing mockery and amusement as he intently watched her with a smirk on his amazingly handsome face. "Is there something wrong?" he asked when she didn't say anything. "Do you need help?" he asked pleased, no matter how much she needed help she would never say so she only nodded 'yes'. "That wasn't so hard now was it" Syaoran spoke getting off the rock to help her.

"I was taught never to trust men," Sakura whispered when he helped her out of her shirt then pants. Trying to ignore the sensation she received from his light touches, she spoke. "They were said to be evil and have no respect for woman," she added as he washed the blood off her back. Sakura drew her knees up to her chest feeling awkward Nades would never approve of this.

"And what do you think?" Syaoran asked moving her hair off her back, Sakura thought about her it before answering.

"I believe them, its all true men think nothing of woman but your different" Syaoran nodded having trouble keeping his dragon sense down but it was pleased that it was finally able to touch her now after all the time it had been waiting (SO Soft) it whispered in pleasure. "Where did you get your sword from?"

"Family. It was handed down from ruler to ruler, how about you? I've heard of it but never saw it until now" Syaoran answered handing Sakura a cloth to dry off turning then turned his back to give her privacy.

"It found me it's a very long story that I don't want to tell you" Sakura answered standing up. "I must go my own way to find Nades and Tomoyo. Something is wrong they haven't answered my calls actually none of my sisters have answered my calls"

"No just stay with me until we get to my mother and then I'll accompany you until you find them" Syaoran objected stubbornly. "Your in no shape to travel alone besides don't you want my governor?"

"Fine.I'll go with you" Sakura sighed praying that Nades would meet her there. *

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Elsewhere. *

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* "And what of the girl?" he asked looking at the empty bed; the doctor shrugged looking at the blue haired man.

"I'm fine so I can be on my way," a voice said from behind them. They turned around and stepped back looking at the sword pointed at them.

"We will not harm you, why would be nurse you back to life to hurt you?" the man asked smiling at her.

"I don't know but if you try someone will be sorry, men are ruthless" the woman spat not letting down her guard. A woman walked into the room and gasped letting the bowl fall to the ground shattering into a million pieces.

"Sonya are you okay?" the man asked looking at the terrified woman who could only nod in answer. He turned back to the woman pointing a sword at him, "Listen."

"Tomoyo" she spoke.

"Tomoyo, we mean you no harm we just want to know what happened to you. We'll give you horse and food when you want to leave"

"You'll do that?" Tomoyo asked cautiously eyeing them. "Since we arrived here you men have been tyrants"

"Put the sword down you can trust us I assure you" he added looking at the amethyst goddess before him, something in his voice told Tomoyo that she could trust him.

"What's your name" Tomoyo answered softly praying she wasn't wrong to trust this one.

"Eriol, this is doctor Chan and Sonya. Please take a seat" he spoke pulling out a chair for her. Tomoyo put the sword down and sat across from him. The chair he had pulled out for her he sat in and sighed.

"Are you a singer?" Chan asked smiling, Tomoyo nodded softly.

"I'm half Lirin"

"Aren't you far from home?" Eriol asked softly knowing that her kind live far across the land.

"I have no home except for my sisters, I was kidnapped and I'm sure they are looking for me. If I don't leave here when they come for me it won't be good for you men. I need my flute before I can contact them"

"I'll get it for you, I'll be right back but I don't think you should go anywhere its not safe" 'it won't be if Nades get a hold of you' she thought praying they weren't far away. *

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* Sakura sat on the rock wrapped in his cloak only wearing her under garments since as her other stuff wouldn't dry until dawn. The sun wouldn't rise for another couple of hours. Her body ached all over for the very first time. She watched him moved around packing up the bowls and stuff he used on her bruises. When he mounted the horse and moved towards her, she looked at him deep in thought. She got up standing on the rock so she could get on in front of him; he had given her a sedative making her drowsy as they rode off.

A smile touched her lips when she remembered how he carefully washed her body like she was some rare and precious jewel. And how she snapped at him but he kept his cool. 'Maybe he wasn't like other guys after all' she thought absently cuddling up to him for warmth. Syaoran wrapped his arm around her and the horse galloped off. If they rod non-stop they might be able to reach his mother and the others by nightfall. *

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The town. *

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"Your telling me that no one saw if they escaped or not" a man yelled turning form the stained blood on the street to the inn that was now ash. "I want them dead double the price on their heads" he ordered.

"Sir I saw them" a man spoke walking forward.

"You, tell me you imbecile"

"They were out here fighting then it went inside the inn, some men caught in on fire when they were inside. I ain't see no one come out" he spoke bowing.

"Good but I still want men looking for them, she is the best," the man stated folding his arms behind him as he looked the short man before who limped. "Go" he snapped the man nodded and walked away limping *

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* Yelen. *

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She was getting worried now, Syaoran still hadn't shown up and it was going on the third day. She never realized just how far they actually lived from that retched town but she was determined never again to make such a trip unless it was to the capitol.

"Don't worry they'll soon catch up, he knows the way we're taking my lady" Takashi assured he couldn't wait until they reached home; he thoroughly missed Sonya, his wife, and Son. "Did you know" he started to say but trailed off when Yelen gave him the 'look' he gulped and laughed nervously.

"How much longer is it?" Mei Lin asked poking her head through the window, her butt was getting numb and she wanted a bath, a nice warm bath.

"Let's stopped now it'll give Syaoran enough time to catch up plus we've been traveling all day" Takashi suggested smiling. Yelen nodded in approval as they came to a clearing 'those poor men' she thought looking at them put the sedan down. She didn't see why they couldn't ride horses they had four extras carrying things.

"My legs ached all over" Master Rae exclaimed stretching them as he walked about. No doubt if he was still home he would have been died already that thought made him gulp. He quickly moved towards the group for safety missing the look Yelen gave him as she sat on a blanket. She could tell that he was a coward, a weak bloodline. "How long before we reach your home?"

"About two days but we could reach in one if we all used horses" Takashi answered getting a look from Mei Lin and her father that clearly said why is the servant talking to them. He gave Yelen some tea and sat beside her.

"Like Tak. Said two days but one if we all used horses my son should catch up to us in no time. He'll decide what we do" Yelen stated taking a sip of the tea as the men cooked.

"I don't know how to ride a horse father and mother insisted that it was improper" Mei Lin spoke smiling.

"I see, well all my daughters know how to ride a horse side saddled or the other way. I don't believe in being a useless female" Yelen clarified. "And my late husband thought the same" she trailed when she heard something coming their way. She nodded at the men who got prepared as the figure approached on the horse his features hidden by the shadows.

"Father" Mei Lin whispered moving closer to him with a scared look identical to his.

"Did you know that" Takashi started to say before taking a sip of his tea.

"I'm a distant relative of the wise Clow-san" the person finished making everyone except Mei Lin and her father relax.

"It's about time you got back" Takashi spoke putting his sword away.

"Is everything all right my son?" Yelen asked looking at the big lump in front of him. Mei Lin's face light up hearing it was Syaoran and she quickly fixed her hair and plastered a smile on her face. A man took hold of the horse leading him towards the fire all wondering what he had with him.

"Have you gained weight?" Takashi asked getting a slap from Yelen for his dumb question. Syaoran answered by moving the cloak revealing a sleeping Sakura.

"I think I gave her too much of the sleeping powder. She's been out all day" Syaoran spoke guiltily looking at the shocked expression on his mother's and everyone's face.

"A girl?" Mei Lin shrieked getting a 'shoo" form everyone.

"Help me get her down, mother can you give her some of your clothes we had to leaves hers since as it was wet. Takashi be careful she's badly bruised" Syaoran stated giving her to him as his mother nodded going to her bag. Her clothes would be long on the girl for she was shorter and thinner than Yelen, actually she looked like a child. Takashi nodded carefully taking Sakura in his arms; he had to admit that she was beautiful even with the red marks on her face.

"How much did you give her?" Takashi asked

"About half of what I had" Syaoran answered sheepishly making Takashi's mouth hang open as he scratched the back of his head.

"Takashi bring her here" came Yelen's voice as she spread out a thick blanket on the grass away from the man so she could attend to the girls cuts with privacy. "Xiao Lang who cleaned her cuts?"

"I did after a long argument," Syaoran answered sitting down missing the look his mother gave him. "I thought you would at least be closer than this," he added looking at Takashi as he ate.

"Well we could have been home if we didn't have that thing with us" Takashi answered looking at Mei Lin and her father.

"We need to get back quickly it's not safe, dump it we'll all take horses" Syaoran ordered, the men who had to carry it sighed in relief.

"But I don't know to ride a horse" Mei Lin objected looking at him.

"You'll learn or you'll just have to ride with your father or one of my men. If you don't then you can stay here for all I care" Syaoran spoke in a cold tone before he continued to eat.

"I will ride with you" Mei Lin spoke smiling.

"You can't ride with me, I have to carry Ying Fa" Syaoran objected looking at her.

"But she can ride with one of your men" Mei Lin snapped getting a hard look from Syaoran.

"Look girl. I don't tolerate woman telling me what to do. Didn't your father teach any god forsaken manners?" Syaoran asked in silky soft voice. "If you don't like it walk" he bit out. "Hide the thing in the bushes make sure no one sees it," he added in a calm voice to his men. "After you eat"

"What of the assassin?" Master Rae asked Takashi gulp.

"He'll come no doubt about that, I bet he's just taking his time. He was wounded in his last attempt probably resting recovering his strength" Syaoran answered matter-of-factly making his mother and Takashi look at him knowingly.

"By the way who is the girl-Ying Fa you called her?" he asked smiling. He got a glimpse of her and could see that she was beautiful.

"She's an acquaintance who will be coming with us," Syaoran answered giving him a warning look.

"Is that all she is?" Mei Lin inquired getting a death glare from him but he did not reply.

"I suggest that you hold your tongue, it seems that your father didn't indeed teach you any manners" Yelen spoke disapprovingly. Mei Lin hung her head in shame and not to see the look her father gave her. *

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"Nooooo." Sakura screamed waking up. "Nades, Tomoyo sisters" she whispered wiping her tears away. She looked around to see other people sleeping around, it was almost the crack of dawn, 'so we've arrived' she thought as she tried to get up but pain rushed through her body making her whimper.

The dream was still fresh on her mind; the fire, pain and bright light. She didn't understand it but it reminded her of her home. Trying to calm her self she remembered a woman's voice telling her to save them. She didn't not know who them was, or how to save them. She looked beside her to see a basin holding water and splashed some on her face looking down she saw that her chest was properly wrapped. "Pervert" she spat getting up, ignoring the throbbing pain.

"Leaving?" a firm female voice asked from behind Sakura turned around coming face to face with a tall beautifully elegant lady. "I have some clothes for you to change into then come by the fire for some food. Don't try to leave I also taught my son how to fight. I might be a little rusty but in your shape I would a have a good chance" the way she spoke made Sakura believe every single word.

"Thank you for the clothes" Sakura whispered taking it.

"Wise choice, don't try to run off now and my name is Yelen, Ying Fa" Yelen stated walking away smiling inside. Sakura watched her walk away and sighed she didn't know what she'd gotten her self into. She quickly changed and walked back to the fire, pulling up the sleeves. *

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Syaoran looked up and smiled at Sakura, his mother's clothes were too long for her. She looked at him with a hard face as she sat down beside his mother, the others just walking up. The sun was barely over the mountains, morning dew fresh on the wind. It was clear that it was going to be another beautiful day.

"Thank you for the clothes" Sakura said softly smiling at Yelen who nodded handing Sakura a cup of tea 'she doesn't seem soo bad' she thought taking a sip.

"How are you feeling?" Yelen asked causally

"Better though my side still hurts" Sakura confessed seeing Syaoran's so called ex-fiancée and her target sit down in front of her.

"Well enough to travel?" Syaoran asked making sure the swords were out of Sakura's reach and there was nothing she could use to kill Master Rae. He was even thinking about not giving her eating utensils.

"Well enough to do what I must" Sakura answered only three people know the true meaning of her words.

"Where are you from, I have the strangest feeling I've seen you before" Mei Lin asked glaring at Sakura who smile in return.

"I'm from here and there my job doesn't allow me to settle. I plan to once I'm finished with my last task, which shouldn't be too long. I'm waiting for my sisters" Sakura replied looking around for anything useful.

"What kind of work do you do? Are you some kind of sales person?" master Rae asked making Takashi choke. He couldn't believe the stupidity of the man, he wondered how he couldn't smell death even though it was disguised as a beautiful young lady.

"I'm given task to complete in a short time," Sakura answered smiling everyone except Syaoran missed the glint in her emerald poles.

"I want everyone to hurry up we should get a move on as quickly as possible" Syaoran ordered standing up. The longer they stayed the sooner Rae would be dead and his mother and Takashi knew it too.

"But we've just gotten up" Mei Lin complained eating her food.

"The faster we leave the safer we are" Takashi said standing up.

"You should listen to them. It's not safe all the way out here with the devil of a man on the loose god knows how close he could be" Sakura spoke softly smiling at Master Rae.

"Your lucky you're riding with us then. It's not safe for females to be alone out here" master Rae stated winking at Sakura. "Dangers could be right under or nose"

"You have no idea," Takashi muttered shaking his head softly at the foolish man.

"He has no idea he's talking to death," Syaoran whispered to him keeping an eye on Sakura, Takashi chuckled lightly nodding in agreement. *

* "I can ride by my self" Sakura commented folding her arms, everyone was on a horse except for her.

"There isn't any other horse unless you want to talk" Syaoran snapped. "Why do we always have to argue?"

"You're the one who starts it" Sakura hissed everyone was looking at the couple argue in pure amusement except for two of course.

"Enough I have to keep an eye on you. Don't make me angry Sakura" Syaoran spoke tightly holding out his hand "Besides we'll have more fun when you're all better" he added meaning when they fight. He wasn't looking forward to that day but he needed her to get on the horse so they could move on. He hoped by the time she had recovered fully he would have already changed her mind.

"Argh.your impossible" Sakura yelled getting on as usual sidesaddle in front of him.

"I know" Syaoran whispered making the horse trot to catch up the others. "We'll be home by night fall the most," he added before they all rode off into the sun. She stiffened when she heard it making Syaoran stop. "What's the matter?"

"Its Joy she's coming but she says it's not safe and I should be on guard," Sakura whispered fearfully. *

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* Author's note: Hey. I hoped you enjoyed this chapter. I know that the sisters getting captured went a bit fast but that's how it's going to be. As we go along the evil characters will have bigger parts. And I'll even have some very powerful opponents for our heroes to battle. This story is just on its way. Remember to review. I'll be back.