The Legend of the Ancient Future

Ratings: PG-13

Genre: Romance/Fantasy

Author: DaNcInGFiRe

Chapter Three

The Pact

            The Prince rode hard for well over an hour, but the forest had become so dense that he was forced to slow his steed down to a walking pace. Sakura wasn't too fond of horses and had found the ride a rather harrowing experience. Still, she was calm now, as she sat in silence, resting her head against her escort's back.

            Her rest was interrupted as the horse came to an abrupt standstill. Sakura opened her eyes and withdrew her arms from around the Prince. They had reached a stream, which was a welcome sight indeed for it had been a long time between drinks. The Prince threw a leg over the horse and slid off, turning to help Sakura.

She could feel herself blushing; she'd never received this kind of treatment back home. Most of the guys Sakura had hung out with were her brother's friends who'd never wasted any airs and graves on her. If they had, she probably would have found it patronising and decked them.

            'I believe we have reached a safe distance,' he assured her, leading his horse to the stream.

            When the Prince crouched down to take a drink, splashing his face and neck, Sakura took off her cumbersome backpack and followed suit. The water relieved her aching cheek. Over the past few hours it had constantly reminded her of how cocky she'd been, and how stupid-turning her back on an opponent during a fight. The slice Eriol had made on her neck stung like a paper cut, and became even more irritated when she washed it. Sakura then let her hair loose and brushed out the knots, before tossing the brush back in her pack.

            Only then did she notice that the Prince had taken a seat and was watching her with some amusement.

            'You are so extraordinary,' Syaoran said. 'By what name are you called?'

            'Sakura Kinomoto,' she answered feeling slightly embarrassed. 'Sakura, to my friends.'

            'And where are you from?'

            This was a tricky question and she didn't want to pause too long to consider it, in case he thought she was concocting a lie.

            'My home is far away, in a country known as Japan.'

            The Prince seemed perplexed by her answer. 'Then how can it be that I, who consider myself to be fairly well learned, have no knowledge of this place? And how be it that you can speak my language if you are not from these parts?'

            'Ah well, my country will not be discovered for another few years. As for speaking your tongue, my father teaches Chinese history and language. He was born in China himself. Chinese is like a second language to me.'

            The Prince was taken aback a moment. 'You are from the future?'

            'Indeed,' Sakura looked him straight in the eye hoping he wouldn't think her mad.

            'What year do you claim to be from?' Syaoran asked. 'The truth now,' he added firmly.

            'I was born in the year nineteen eighty,' she began. 'Yesterday, for me, was the year two thousand and four.'

            The Prince rose in fury, his eyes wide with disbelief.

            It was only now that Sakura realised how tall he was. He stood at a little over six foot and towered over her. This was unusual for one of his race in this period in history, as most of the Chinese were more akin to her height, as Eriol was.

            Sakura held out her hand to calm him. 'I think I can prove it, if you will just hear me out.'

           Syaoran was beginning to think his men were right about this girl; he didn't believe one word of her tale. Still, he was interested to see how far she'd go before he got the truth out of her. S he took a seat and beckoned to Sakura to go ahead with her defence.

            She smiled meekly and dived into her bag. Thank you Mum, for giving me an instamatic. Sakura brought out the camera for his inspection, and the Prince reached for it.

            'Careful,' Sakura said, and he quickly withdrew his hands. This made her smile. 'It be harmless, I promise. You must be careful not to drop it, as it be very fragile,' Sakura offered it to him again.

            Syaoran looked over the camera, not game to touch it. 'What does this do?'

            'Just watch.' Sakura waked a few paces away and squatted down, looking at the Prince through the lens. 'This be a camera, it takes pictures.'

            'It draws?'

            'Sort of.' Sakura glanced around to get a light reading. She didn't wasn't to used the flash unless she had to, as no doubt it would startle him. 'It will be ready in just one moment.'

            The Prince smiled, delighted at the though. Just as Sakura too the picture, however, he realised how preposterous it sounded and his stern expression returned.

            'The smile looked better,' Sakura informed him as the camera ejected the photograph. She gave it a couple of gentle blows then held it under her jacket to develop.

            'Shan't be long, it has to sit in the dark for a moment.'

            The very dubious Prince sat waiting with his arms folded. As she pulled the photo out to view, Sakura broke into a huge smile. My father would kill for this.

            'May I see?' Syaoran's curiosity got the better of him.

            'Only, if you promise that I can keep it.'

            A gentle smile graced his lips as he viewed the picture. 'Be this how I appear to you must think me barbaric, like the Melikons.'

            'Not at all,' Sakura smiled. 'I assure you, I do not look my best either.' The Prince laughed and Sakura felt the air of mistrust begin to lift.

            'What else do you have in there? Show me more.'

            Sakura assembled her saxophone, an alto, and played a short, sultry piece that met with great approval from the Prince. Syaoran loved the music of his court bards, and he found this high-pitched horn every bit as beautiful as the harp or pan flute.

            Then, while Sakura set up her CD walkman and speakers, Syaoran picked up one of the discs. He moved it to and fro, catching beams of sunlight which reflected a rainbow around the forest.

            'Amazing, what does it do?'

            'It plays music too.' Sakura explained simply. 'Here.' She gestured to the disc in his hand

            Upon seeing the Prince's selection, a heavy metal album, she said, 'I don't think you are quite ready for this just yet.' She flicked through her collection. 'I believe this may be more to your taste.'

            A soft piano piece began to fill the air, and the Prince stood astounded. 'By the Goddess! I have never heard the like.'

            'It be a piano,' Sakura whispered, not wanting to break the mood she'd created.

            The Prince closed his eyes and took a deep breath. 'It be the most beautiful music I have ever heard.'

            The way he said this made Sakura feel that this brief moment of pleasure was well needed. He wandered slowly around the small clearing, lost for a time in another world.

            Could he possibly have something to do with my interest in the period of history? What if I never make it home? Will I again be born in the twentieth century to aimlessly search for information on the Chinese history, without a clue as to why?

            Suddenly the Prince appeared disturbed, so Sakura switched off the music. Now only the sounds of the forest could be heard. Syaoran had drawn his sword and was watching the forest with caution. Sakura remained low, even though she'd heard no sound out of the ordinary.

            All was still a moment, and then the two bowmen emerged from the cover of the trees. There was little Syaoran could do, his sword against two bows.

            The pair yelled instruction in a different language and at a glance Sakura guessed them to be outlaws. They were very fair haired and more primitive in appearance than any of the Chinese she'd encountered thus far. These men were tall, but not as heavy set as Syaoran's men.

            The Prince dropped his sword as the bowmen ventured into the clearing. They circled him, gloating over their prize; they could see that he was a rich man. One stood back to cover their captive, while the more adventurous of the two approached Syaoran to relieve him of his riches.

            Sakura took this as her cue and stood, letting loose a whistle to draw their attention.

            It would seem the pair had been so focused on the Prince that they hadn't spotted Sakura. The knave closest to the Prince was delighted at the discovery and stepped towards her.

            Syaoran had to smile at the two unsuspecting thieves. Sakura noticed this and winked to assure him she had a plan.

            The knave dropped his bow to take her in hand. He eyed her over, expressing his pleasure to his accomplice who sniggered in response.

            Syaoran took a step forward but the bowman interrupted any thoughts he may have had for her rescue.

            As the man pulled Sakura close to him, she could barely breathe for the stench of his body. I'll die of suffocation. He grasped her back with both hands and ground her against his groin; his legs were spread wide apart, as he was much taller that she.

            'Perfect!' she whispered to her assailant and, gathering all the power she could muster, promptly kneed him in the groin. When the man keeled over she belted his face with her knee so hard she broke his nose.

            This distraction was all Syaoran needed, and he reclaimed his sword to run the outlaw through. He turned to find the other knave out to settle the core with Sakura. The Prince approached from behind and severed the man's head with one clean stroke of his blade.

           Sakura freaked as se watched the head roll across the ground; the man's body lay twitching where it fell. 'ARE YOU CRAZY?!' she yelled, hysterical. 'I could have knocked him out or something, you did not have to kill him.' She began to tremble from the shock and her stomach turned at the sight of so much blood.

            Syaoran didn't understand this at all. 'But he would have killed you.'

            She was going to be sick. 'I can take care of myself. What be wrong with you people?' she darted off into the bushes, leaving the Prince rather bemused.

            By the time she'd returned the bodies had been dragged into the undergrowth. Syaoran stood with the reins in his hand, ready to leave. Sakura approached him, ashamed of her behaviour. 'I want to apologise, I did not mean…'

            Syaoran waved her to silence, tossing her and apple. 'If you have recovered, we should make haste to reach the others by nightfall.' He mounted his horse and smiled. 'Or Eriol shall have the men believing you has turned me to stone.'

~~~~~~********~~~~~~~~

After clearing the forest, the terrain was more obliging and they travelled at a steady pace for the rest of the day.

            The Prince slowed his horse to a stop on the crest of a hill. He spotted smoke from a camp fire and smiled, pleased that dinner would e well under way. 'Are you hungry?' he asked Sakura, who was dozing against his back.

            She groaned in pleasure at the thought of food. 'I could eat a horse. No offence.' She patted the animal without moving her exhausted body.

            'Well hopefully that shan't be necessary,' the Prince answered as they galloped down the hill.

            The camp site was a hive of activity. A wild pig, slain by the warriors, was roasting over the fire. The Prince's tent has been raised, and torches were lit around the encampment to discourage thieves. Most of the men have now settled by the fire, telling stories of their battles this day over much mead.

            As the Prince rode into the camp, his men rushed to meet him. All except Eriol who seemed rather perturbed.

            Kai, the eldest among them, was the first to reach the Prince. 'Majesty, I shall never leave your side again. I have been out of my mind with worry. What would I have told the King?'

            Syaoran dismounted in good cheer, the smell of pork filling his nostrils. He slapped his old companion on the back, assuring him. 'There was no need to worry Kai, I had Sakura here to aid me.' Syaoran turned to help her down and no sooner had her feet hit the ground than Eriol was in her face.

'You do not belong here.'

            Sakura took a step back, holding her hand to her head. 'So the Melikons failed to catch you, what a shame.'

            Syaoran intervened before the situation got out of hand. 'Eriol, I swear this very day, I would have been murdered by thieves if not for the services of this gracious lady.' As Eriol was about to protest, the Prince added staunchly, 'And I will not hear another word against her.'

            Eriol glared at Sakura for a moment, before withdrawing to the fire.

            'So you have seen a bit of action, sir?' a knight, roughly Syaoran's age, inquired.

            Sakura noticed the man's steely auburn eyes fixed on her. He was only of average build, but seemed rather menacing character nevertheless.

            The Prince took Sakura by the arm and led her towards his tent. 'Paling, I have seen things this day I never before imagined.'

            'Do tell, Majesty.' Paling smiled with open envy as he watched Sakura disappear into the tent.

            'Later,' the Prince said, closing the tent flab behind him.

            Sakura off-loaded her bags and Syaoran motioned her to a large fur on the ground.

            'Rest, you are safe here. I shall wake you presently with food and drink.'

            'Sounds marvellous,' Sakura replied, crawling onto the thick rug.

            Syaoran freed himself from the confines of his armour, watching Sakura while she rested. The candle beside her cast a light across the mark of the Dragon on her forehead and he studied it a moment. The Prince believed the story of Sakura's origins, or at least he believed that she believed it. But if she was telling the truth, who had brought her back to this time and branded her with his mark? Was it sorcery or coincidence that she appeared so much like the late Queen of the Li Kingdom? There was only one man Syaoran knew who had the knowledge and skill to carry out such a feat, but he had not seen the old wizard for over a decade.

            Nevertheless, she was beautiful, the Prince concluded, when she was not conduction herself like a man. He made a mental note to inquire about her methods of fighting as he left to join his men outside.

~~~~****~~~~

Syaoran gave Sakura a nudge and she woke with a fright. 'Easy,' he said. 'Here, drink.' The Prince held out a bag full of liquid.

            'I'm still here,' Sakura grumbled as she sat up, rubbing her bruised cheek. 'No offence, I was just hoping it was a bad dream.' She sighed and accepted his offer with thanks.

            'I understand,' Syaoran sympathised, while watching her gulp down the mead.

            She began to splutter and cough. 'Good grief!' she held her chest, trying to catch her breath. What is it…95per cent proof?

            'Mead,' he said grinning, knowing to well that it had quite a kick.

            She stared at the warm brew and on the second taste she decided it was rather pleasant. The Prince handed her a large chunk of bread, crammed full of pork which Sakura accepted as if it was a jewel. 'Syaoran, you are truly a legend, thanks-' She clasped her hand over her mouth realising she addressed the Prince by his first name.

            The Prince broke into laughter. 'You are most welcome.'

            My, we are in good spirits, Sakura observed. Syaoran sat smiling, watching her eat. Sakura found this rather putting; it was as if he had something to say but couldn't come out with it. After a few minutes, she couldn't stand it any longer, 'Have you spoken of me?'

            'Yes.' He sounded perplexed. 'I told my men all I know and saw.'

            'So?' Sakura asked. 'What have you decided?'

            'Well.' The Prince sat up straight. 'I would like to show my knights what you have shown me, so they may decide for themselves.'

            Sakura considered this for a moment, and then gave him a thumbs-up.

            Syaoran presumed this meant yes and mimicked the gesture as he got to his feet. 'I will let them know, they will be most pleased.'

            Left alone in her thoughts, Sakura's heart sank. She had never before felt homesick, as she was well used to being separated from her parents. She had always taken it for granted that she would see them again. But now, who could say?

~~~~~****~~~~~

When Sakura emerged from the tent with her bag of tricks, the Prince escorted her to the fire where the rest of the men had congregated.

            Paling came forward to help Sakura with her things. 'It would seem I have missed all the action this day,' he said, as he relived her of the weighty backpack and looked to Syaoran to be introduced.

            'Sakura, this is Sir Paling, my scout and messenger.'

            Paling took up her free hand. 'At your service.' He bowed forward to lightly kiss it.

            Sakura slid her hand away, wise to his type. 'Thanks, but no thanks,' she replied in the nicest possible way, reclaiming her backpack from him.

            This brought a round of drunken laughter from the men. 'She be on your game, Paling,' called the red headed knight with amusement.

            Syaoran was glad Sakura wasn't gullible as to fall for Paling's charms, and moved on with the rest of the introductions. 'This be Sir Kai, who takes care of my ledgers. He be an old, dear friend of my father, the King.'

            Kai stood and bowed to her.

            The Prince walked around the fire motioning to the men, who all nodded when introduced. 'Sir Yamazaki, Sir Rhys, Sir Chan, my watchmen.'

            'Never sleep,' Chan said, flashing a grin.

            'Sir Eriol, you have already met.'

            Eriol fixed Sakura with his usual glare, and she forced a sweet smile in return.

            The Prince thought it best to move on quickly, motioning to the next in line. 'This be Jeven, my cook in wartime.'

            Sakura stepped forward and shook his hand. 'I am very pleased to meet you, sir. Supper was delicious. I was absolutely famished,' she said to the young man who looked to be the youngest of the group. He was fair colouring and much smaller build than the other warriors.

            Jeven blushed slightly at the attention she paid him. 'I am glad it was to your liking, lady.'

            Finally, the Prince introduced the large red knight. Choi stood up, quite serious for a change, 'I wish to thank you for my Prince's safe return. I would have had my throat cut this day.'

            Sakura shook her head cutting him short. 'There be no need to apologise, sir. It was the least I could do after the Prince spared me from the Saxons.'

            He bowed, pleased that he'd said his piece. 'You are most gracious.'

            The men were engrossed for hours, truly amazed by the evidence of Sakura's claim that she had come from a different time zone. Syaoran smiled as he watched her joke and drink with his knights as if she were one of them. She was expected to answer a thousand questions at once, and both she and the men were becoming more talkative as the mead took hold.

            When the haunting tune from her CD faded, a quiet pause descended on the gathering. The Prince considered this an opportune time to bring up what had been on his mind most of the day. 'Sakura?'

            'Yes, sir.' She answered, still not sure how she should address him.

            'Tell me of the way you fight.'

            This question seemed to strike a nerve in Eriol, and his dark mood returned.

            Sakura tried not to notice and obliged the Prince with a full explanation. 'It is an old art of fighting known as Tae-kwon-do. The principle is that one's strength cannot be based on one's size. Each person has a great source of power within, which can be channelled through a perfect balance of mind, body and nature.' She places her hands on her solar plexus.

            'Ridiculous!' Eriol interjected.

            He was hushed to silence by the others, who were listening intently.

            'But how did you maim Eriol with one hand?' the Prince asked.

            'I wish I had seen this,' Paling mumbled, and was immediately reprimanded for interrupting.

            Sakura paused a moment to consider how she might best explain it. 'The brain sends messages around the body through a central nervous system, telling the body what you want it to do.' Sakura looked to the knights who stared at her blankly. Syaoran seemed to be following though, and nodded for her to continue.

            'Within this system there are certain pressure points that when blocked, prevent any communications between the body and the brain. Your opponent's limbs, therefore, tend to fail him, either temporarily or permanently, depending upon your intent.'

            'Amazing,' Syaoran concluded. 'Could I be taught this?'

            'No, Majesty, she lies.' Eriol took a stand. 'She be trying to trick her way into your favour. It be sorcery, I say.'

            Sakura rose to face the young knight. 'You art really starting to bug me! What do you want from me?' she threw her arms in the air. 'Do you want me to prove I could have killed you today? Alright, I will.' She stormed off.

            Eriol was stunned by her outburst. 'She be not normal.'

            'Indeed.' Syaoran laughed at this, shaking his head. 'What on earth!' He watched Sakura drag over a few large logs that had been cut for the fire, and beckoned Choi to help her.

            Sakura had calmed down considerable and was courteous in her instruction to Choi to place two logs parallel to each other, a third crossing them both. With this accomplished she smile with satisfaction, and asked Eriol to approach. When he didn't, Sakura placed her hands on her hips and smugly said, 'Are you afraid?'

            'I do not fear the like of you,' Eriol replied as he stepped forward.

            Syaoran suppressed a smile as he awaited her next move with growing interest.

            'Question.' Sakura put it to Eriol. 'Could you split this piece of wood in two, using only your bare hand?'

            Eriol briefly examined the heavy log, seeing no purpose in the question. 'No, it would be impossible even for the strongest man.'

            'Is that so?' Sakura asked. 'Watch and learn.' She knelt on one knee before the logs.

            A hush came over the camp as Sakura closed her eyes, breathing deeply to concentrate and centre herself. She turned her hands in prayer position, then tested her aim, bringing the side of her hand to rest on the middle of the target. Focus, her mind instructed as she raised her hand. With her eyes fixed on her point of contact, Sakura let loose a mighty cry and brought her hand down towards the great hunk of timber. The inconceivable force behind the blow split the wood down the centre.

            The knights were aghast for a second before they broke into a round of applause.

            'Bravo,' cried Paling.

            'Most impressive,' agreed Chan.

            Sakura was oblivious to their adulation as she raised herself to face Eriol, pointing to the splintered wood. 'That could have been your skull.'

            Eriol approached Sakura, holding up her hand to inspect it. 'Not even a scratch,' he informed the others.

            At this moment, Sakura felt that he seemed to take a softer stance, appearing weary and confused. On this note, Sakura thought it best to leave, 'Gentlemen.' She nodded and turned to leave.

            'Sakura,' Syaoran called for her to wait for him. 'Where are you going?' he asked as he reached her.

            His gentle note made her realise she had no idea. 'To sleep I suppose. Where do you want me?'

            This question bought a shy smile from them both and Syaoran waved towards his tent.

            'Where are you going to sleep?' Sakura asked-their grins even broader.

            'In my tent,' he replied, walking off in that direction.

            'I see.' She considered sleeping outside with the rest of the drunken party but decided the odds for survival were far better inside. She turned to find Syaoran already waiting with the flap held open for her.

            Whistles sounded from around the fire as Sakura disappeared into the tent. Syaoran motioned for them to quieten down, but like any other young, single male, he enjoyed every minute of it.

            The Prince invited her to sit of the fur rug.

            Sakura was a little worried as this was obviously where he slept, but with a large degree of hesitancy she sat down.

            'You never answered my question.' Syaoran removed his cape, spreading it on the ground to sit upon. 'Could you teach me your way of battle?'

            'I doubt you would have the time or patience. It be more than the way of battle, it be a way of life, a state of mind.'

            'Please Sakura, I would like to try. I have a good need of you. If you have nowhere else to go, come back with us at my kingdom. You will be well taken care of.' He told her quite definitely, considering that perhaps he could have put it another way.

            'Are you offering me a job?' Sakura could hardly believe it, her first night in a different time zone and she already found employment.

            'Yes! That be it!' Syaoran was glad she'd found a way to describe exactly what he wanted from her. 'You could be my…' he clicked his fingers in search of a suitable title, '…adviser! You must know about a lot of things I do not.'

            'And personal trainer,' Sakura added, holding up a hand for a high-five.

            Syaoran looked puzzled but held up his hand in the same fashion.

            'Slap it,' she bade him and Syaoran obliged with good force. 'There you go.' Sakura punched his shoulder for assurance as she lay down. 'Good night.'

            Syaoran sat pondering on his state of affairs fairly drunk and stimulated by the day's events. The Dragon returns. The thought came to him from nowhere, accompanied by a certainty that he hadn't felt since he was fifteen and had reclaimed his father's kingdom from his treacherous uncle. Whatever had guided him through that dire time was with him now. He wondered why the King had summoned him home, and what so many Melikons were doing this far west? There was indeed something afoot, but what?

            Syaoran lay down on his side to look at Sakura, who was already asleep. 'I believe I was intended to meet you, also.'

a/n: PHEW!... that was so long. Well, I hope you enjoy this chapter. I'm really sorry if there were any mistakes or problems but I just couldn't be bothered rereading this chapter.

Please review, you could tell me anything you want- advice, criticisms, problems,….ANYTHING. JUST REVIEW!

Just to give you a hint- the next chapter is called AN ARRANGED MARRIAGE.

I'll leave you to it.

Luv

~DaNcInGFiRe