Note: I'm not working for CLAMP. Please don't sue me. Um, this is my first time writing a fan fiction so please don't expect a lot from my work. It's not much but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless.

Chapter 1 The Meeting of Fate

A girl came running through the forest. The moon was high and the wind was cold. When she looked back, she saw the fire that consumed her village, her home, her friends and her family. She was bleeding. Blood ran down her wound. She had lost a lot of blood and exhaustion came crawling up her body. Pain was not seen in her eyes or her face. Her emerald eyes showed fear and despair that pierced her heart like the arrows of fire that robbed her of everything.

She stopped and panted, letting the tears fall from her eyes. She was then startled when she heard the sound of horses and armors approaching her fast. She froze for a moment but then she felt this power that urged her to move…to get out of there fast.

After a few moments, she could feel her body slow down. Her spirit was fading as she failed to realize that a thick mist was engulfing her.

'I must continue...I must keep my promise.' she thought.

She collapsed and lost consciousness. The soldiers that were following her came to a quick halt.

"Where is she?" One of them said.

"She's probably dead, having lost a lot of blood." Another replied with an evil grin.

"But what if she's not?" Another said as he tried to see through the mist to locate her.

"I doubt it. Besides, if that arrow of yours didn't finish her, I'm sure the savage beasts out there will devour her until there's no longer a trace left." The first soldier said as he laughed mischievously.

They decided to stop looking for her and go back to the burning village before returning to Okasha and report to their captain.

Meanwhile, the girl lay in the soft ground unconscious. Tears had drenched her face as she continued to lose blood. Her right hand was grasping the pendant of her necklace. The mist had slowly lifted, revealing the injured girl.

A young man, who was then passing by, saw the girl and quickly got off from his horse. He then kneeled beside the girl and saw her near fatal wound. He then gathered the fallen girl into his arms and mounted his horse.

As they galloped through the forest, the young man glanced down at the young woman in his arms. His deep brown eyes watched the girl intently as his mind wondered who she was and what had happened to her.

"Mother, she's wounded and has lost a lot of blood. Her aura is weak." The young man said as he and the beautiful stranger in his arms entered the house.

"Who is she, Shaoran?" His mother, Yelan, asked.

"I don't know, mother. I'm going to bring her to my room. Please wake up May Yu quickly because I don't think she'll be able to hold on that much." Shaoran said as he made his way to his room. Shaoran laid the girl in his bed and changed his bloody shirt. He then went outside as his mother and sister tended the girl.

An hour passed before the young man's door was opened. May Yu and Yelan walked outside, careful not to wake the girl. There was relief written in the women's faces.

"Where did you find her?" Came his mother's voice.

"In the woods near the lake. She was already unconscious when I found her. She didn't moan or wake up when I carried her." Shaoran replied.

"The one night you decided to go out for a ride to think, you ended up saving a stranger." May Yu commented as her younger brother stared at her.

"You do know that it's good that you found her when you did because if you didn't, she could be dead by now." She added.

"May Yu, Shaoran, we have a long day tomorrow. We should all be going to bed." Their mother said.

As May Yu headed to her room, Shaoran sat in the sofa and fluffed a pillow.

May Yu then said, "Shaoran, what are you doing?"

"Trying to get so sleep, what else." He replied quite annoyed.

"Then why don't you go to your room and do that?" Returned his sister.

"Gee I don't know maybe because there's a girl in my bed." He replied in a sarcastic way.

"Precisely! You know what she has been through. You should stay there and watch over her." May Yu said as she practically ordered Shaoran to enter his room.

Shaoran was about to quarrel back but their mother interceded, "She's right, Shaoran. You should rest in your bedroom and at the same time watch over the girl."

Shaoran and May Yu were both surprised with what their mother had said. Shaoran stared at their mother, hoping to find as sign that she was only joking.

Yelan knew her son was looking for an answer so she calmly said as she laid her hand on his shoulder, "Xiao Lang, it seems someone is after her. She wouldn't have reached that state if she weren't. Who better to look after her than you? Go now. Go to bed. At least you can comfort her if she wakes up."

Shaoran knew his mother was serious so he headed to his room and opened the door, careful to not wake the girl. He failed to see the triumphant grin her sister had.

"Mother, may I ask why did you...?" Yelan said.

"My child, I'm sure you also felt her aura. It's full of love and wisdom but at the same time it is also full of pain and despair. Xiao Lang is as strong as I but there is something about to begin. The world has been waiting for this and it is only he who could show us the way."

"What do you mean, mother?"

"Don't worry, Ming Yao. We shall soon see."

'What's happening to me? Where am I?' The girl though as she felt herself being in a place between life and death.

"Sakura..." She heard someone say.

"W…who's...there?" She spoke.

"Where are you? Why is it so dark? Am I dead?"

"No, my dear child. You must wake up now, Sakura. The world is waiting for you." The voice was comforting that it let Sakura's fear deteriorate.

"Grandfather? Is that you?"

"Time will tell, young one. I will be with you...to guide and comfort you." The voice then faded.

Shaoran entered the room, not knowing what to do. He leaned against the door, listening, hoping that at any moment he would hear a knock from his mother signaling that she was only kidding but he knew it would never happen. The knock may never come, not until the next morning that is.

He walked over to the bed and glimpsed the sleeping girl. Was it an impulse or curiosity that drove him to walk over to her, he didn't know.

He took a deep breath and whispered, "Who are you? What mystery do you hold?"

Just then, out of the corner of his eye he saw her holding something tightly. He gently opened her hand to see what it was. He saw that it was a bird-like pendant. He wondered what it could be as he stared at the girl's face.

As he stared, he wondered why he felt this enchantment while staring at her. He shook his head and told himself that he was being silly.

He then closed her palm again and pulled the covers over the girl. He felt his face become warm as he did this gesture.

He then got a blanket and an extra pillow from his closet, closed the lamp and lay on the floor.

Shaoran woke up as the first rays of light entered his room. He hadn't slept that well because every now and then he would wake up and glance up at the girl. He then got up and fixed his blanket and pillow and was about to go outside when the door opened.

May Yu and Yelan entered, bringing fresh bandages for the girl.

Yelan questioned her son, "Did she wake up during the night?"

He just shook his head.

Just then they heard May Yu say that the girl was waking up.

They quickly joined May Yu by the bed and saw that the girl was indeed waking up.

Sakura slowly opened her eyes and was temporarily blinded as the light touched her eyes. When her vision cleared, she realized that she was in a room. She then heard someone ask if she was all right. She turned to face who she was and saw three people staring at her. She politely smiled at them.

May Yu then said, "It is good that you have already come around. Are you alright?"

Sakura just nodded.

"Don't worry you are safe now. Little brother found you in the forest."

Sakura then found her voice and said, "Thank you. I am very grateful for your kindness but you shouldn't have saved me. Some soldiers are after me. If they find out you saved me, they might come after you, kill all of you and burn you village just like what they did to mine." Tears started to flow down her face as she turned away quite ashamed to show them her face.

May Yu couldn't help but feel sympathy for the girl so she sat beside her and said, "I'm sorry. But you should rest assured that you are safe here."

Shaoran walked back near the door and leaned against the wall. He knew what kind of soldiers the girl was talking about. He could feel anger run through his veins as he found out that they had harmed yet another village. He closed his eyes and vowed that he will crush that malevolent army once and for all.

When he opened his eyes, he saw his mother looking at him and then looking back at the girl, who was already sitting up.

"My dear, do you want to talk about it to at least lessen the hurt you are currently feeling?" Yelan asked as the girl nodded.

"My name is Li Yelan and this is my daughter, May Yu, and my son, Shaoran."

"My name is Kinomoto Sakura."

'Kinomoto? Where have I heard that name before?' Shaoran thought.

"Sakura-chan, do you mind telling us what had happened to you?" May Yu asked.

Sakura took a deep breath and said, "I lived with my family in the village of Naikuru. My grandfather was the priest there. I was inside reading a book my grandfather wanted me to read. I was with my mother and grandmother. We then heard screams of panic outside. We dropped everything and ran outside to see what was wrong. When we got to the garden, I felt this fear towards the frightening silence. There was impulse inside of me to look at the pond. When I did, I was horrified."

Tears started to fall down her eyes again.

"...I saw…my father. He was dead. My mother then heard a moan. We looked for its source and discovered that it was from my brother. He was barely alive. He whispered things to mom and he was gone. My mother and grandmother couldn't shed tears as they looked at me. I didn't understand why but then my mother handed me a letter and instructed me not to open it until I was far from there. We started to smell smoke as we realized that everything around us was starting to be engulfed into flames. I was frozen with terror so my mother had to pull my hand as we ran to the courtyard. We saw grandfather on his knees, holding his staff. I ran to him. He looked up at me quite relieved, horrified and panicked. He handed me this pendant and said that my destiny has unfolded. Without saying anything else, he then used the last of his power to teleport me out of the village. I pleaded that he shouldn't do that but he took me no heed. Those soldiers must have seen the light that my grandfather was desperately trying to hide. They started to come. They slew both my mother and grandmother. The next thing I knew, I was outside the village. I saw my life burning before me. But then I heard horses and soldiers. I knew they were looking for me but I was frozen where I was standing. I then felt something enter my flesh. I saw that it was an arrow. I took it out and saw blood flowing down my arm. I started to run. I didn't feel the physical pain because I felt that I was already dead. I didn't know where I was going. I ran...determined to keep my promise. That is all I could remember."

Yelan then sat beside her and hugged the shaking girl. "My dear child. How horrible were the things you experienced. I don't know what words to say to help comfort you."

Sakura then broke away and composed herself. She smiled at the woman and replied, "It's alright, Li-san. The tears I've shed are for every word that I didn't speak, every action I didn't do and the promise left undone. I am happy for them because they are now in a better place, a place where they can be happy for all eternity and they will no longer suffer. I don't think they would want me crying like this."

Yelan smiled at the courage and strength shown by Sakura. She replied, "They would be proud of you, Sakura. Now, can you get up?"

Sakura tried to move. She was able to stand.

Yelan motioned the three teenagers to follow her outside to have some breakfast.

Yelan went outside, followed by May Yu.

Shaoran stood there and waited for Sakura. When she passed him, that was when he followed, closing the door behind them. But before Shaoran could fully close the door, just out of the corner of his eye, he saw Sakura falling. He caught her just when she was about to hit the floor.

"Are you alright?" He quickly asked, holding Sakura gently and helped her up.

"Y…yeah…I'm…fine. I just felt dizzy that's all. I'm sorry if I'm causing you some trouble." Sakura replied as she tried to regain her footing.

"Are you sure?" Shaoran asked, not letting her go.

Sakura smiled at him and nodded. Shaoran started into her emerald eyes, uncertain of what he should do.

That long awkward moment made Sakura a little uneasy. It was the first time that someone started into her eyes that long. His amber eyes seemed lost within her emerald eyes.

"Um, Li? Is there something you want to know?" Sakura finally said.

Shaoran closed his eyes and said, "I'm sorry. You don't have to push yourself you know. You don't have to pretend to feel alright if you are really feeling dizzy." He then looked at her again.

Sakura smiled and said, "I know I don't have to but like I said, I'm fine. I just felt dizzy a while ago but it's gone now."

That night…

Sakura and Shaoran were in his room, trying to get some rest after a long, tiring day. It was silent and it seemed that time wasn't passing.

Sakura decided to break the silence. She said, "Li?"

Shaoran looked up at her and said, "Call me Shaoran."

She smiled and said, "Ok, Shaoran. May I ask you a question?"

"Sure. What is it?"

"Have you always wanted to be a knight?"

Shaoran was taken a back because no one told her that he was a knight. He then asked back, "How did you know I'm knight?"

Sakura smiled at him and replied, "My father and my brother were once knights. With your manners and gestures, it's hard not to know."

Shaoran smiled back at her and answered, "I see. Well, I did want to be a knight like my father. He was my hero. He died when I was five because of that army. I had no choice but to become the leader of my family because I was the only male left. I'm the youngest among four. My two other sister are already married and live far from here."

"I'm sorry about your father. I'm sure he would be very proud of you. I know you are very intelligent and wise for your age."

"How can you say that?"

"Because I know how knights become knights. I don't exactly know your code of ethics but I do know that you start at the age of seven. You become a squire by the age of fourteen and you are officially a knight when you reach twenty-one. I know you are seventeen like me."

"Judging by your remarks, you are very observant and knowledgeable."

"Thank you." Sakura replied as she smiled at him again.

"So, how did you come to know so much about knights aside from the fact that you lived with two knights? Not many people who have family or friends as knights know such knowledge." Shaoran asked.

"I once asked my brother and he told me those significant ages and why they are significant. He and my father used to teach me some martial arts when they were at home or when they have nothing to do."

"How come? I mean, you're a lady and I know more or less that ladies aren't trained to become fighters."

"I asked my father to. He hesitated at first by the mere fact that I'm a girl but after some thought he agreed. He said it's good that I have the enthusiasm to learn because he used to say how dangerous this world had become and that it would come in handy some day."

"He's right you know. I thought that only our family trained our female family members. I guess I was wrong."

"Oh, so you mean May Yu and your mother knows some martial arts?"

"Only May Yu, our other sisters, Chunyan and Inna, and our cousin, Mei Lin. So, tell me about yourself."

"What else do you want to know?"

"Anything."

"Ok. Well, as you know my father and brother trained me physically. My mother trained me to develop my musical skills and other art skills. My grandmother taught me about nature, astronomy, mathematics, history and other things. And my grandfather trained me magically."

"You are well rounded. I'm impressed." Shaoran commented which made Sakura blush a little.

She smiled at him and so did he.

An hour or so after they had fallen asleep, a stranger opened the window and entered the room as silent as the night. But he wasn't just a stranger; he had powers as well as the two teenagers who lay there, sleeping. He had cast a spell over himself so that he wouldn't wake up the young warrior who was protecting his target. He knew Sakura wouldn't feel him coming when she's asleep because he was aware that she wasn't able to finish her training.

He gagged Sakura, causing her to wake up. She struggled to break free from him but she was still weak. The man was dragging her to the window. She knew she had to do something and fast. She got the magical key and opened the gate. She transformed her staff into a sword and was able to break free in the process. The man got his sword and was clashing it with Sakura's.

She wasn't able to hold back that much because she was weak and her opponent was so strong that it made her step backwards. She hadn't noticed that she was near Shaoran.

She took another step back and tripped over Shaoran.

Shaoran immediately woke up and saw Sakura's legs were over his lower body. Sakura started at him for a while and turned to the man who had swung his sword.

Shaoran immediately turned his globe key into a sword and stopped the man from hurting Sakura. He got up and was then fought the man.

Sakura knew that she had to help him so she transformed her sword back into her staff and started to chant a prayer. Clow's symbol started to appear under her. She cast a spell that teleported the man to a far of place and made him forget that he found her in that village and that the village will be safe from that man and his army forever.

Sakura used her remaining power for this, which cause her to start losing consciousness in the process. Shaoran noticed this so he held her hands and the staff to help her. She looked at him surprised as he returned her gaze. When the spell was complete, Sakura couldn't help but fall.

Shaoran caught her and brought her to the bed. Sakura wasn't able to speak and he knew that she wanted to thank him so he said, "You're welcome, Sakura. Like what my sister told you, you are safe here. It's my duty to protect the innocent remember? Rest now and tomorrow will be another day."

Sakura just smiled at him as she closed her eyes.

Three days went by and Sakura got her strength back.

Early that morning after breakfast, she had asked their permission to go to the temple and pray over her family. Yelan made Shaoran to go with her so that he could watch over her.

Shaoran followed her mother's request and brought Sakura to the village temple.

Sakura prayed for the eternal rest of the souls of her family and for the journey that she was about to embark upon.

When she had finished her prayer, she sat beside Shaoran at the shrine's steps. Shaoran looked at her and asked, "Are you ok?"

Sakura looked at him quite surprised and answered, "Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Well, while you were praying I noticed that you were feeling like you wanted to cry but you chose not to. That's why I asked you if you were ok."

Sakura smiled at him and said, "Thank you for your concern but I'm fine as you can see. I suppose it's time to read the letter that my mom had given me."

She got the letter from her pocket and opened its seal.

It read.

To our dearest Sakura,

When you start to read this we are no longer with you. Do not despair our sweet angel for we will always be in your heart as you are in our hearts forever. Your destiny had already been foretold before you were born. When I was pregnant with you, I knew that you were the one that the world has been waiting for...my precious little angel. Without your knowledge, we had prepared you for this day ever since. From here, you will still continue to grow and mature. We had hidden away the Clow book and never told you about it. We believe that while there was still time, you should live a normal, innocent life far away from the burden you are about to find. We have hidden it so that it may never fall into the wrong hands. No one will be able to find and get it except you.

My dear cherry blossom; do not be afraid of what lies ahead because you will not be alone. You will meet a young hawk. Together you shall learn and reveal the mysteries that have been stored in the dark for a long time. You both are the light.

Be careful, Sakura. Remember the things that we've taught you and trust your heart. We will always be here to guide and protect you. We love you so much.

Love, Mother

When Sakura finished reading the letter, a few tears escaped her eyes. She was a little confused but she knew that it would pass because the answers were right in front of her.

Shaoran saw the tears so he handed her his handkerchief. Sakura was surprised and then smiled at him, taking the kerchief and wiped her eyes.

They headed back in silence.

Over lunch, Sakura told them what the letter contained and that she must now start the journey her mother had said. So after lunch, Yelan gave Sakura a bag filled with food, water and clothes. They then went outside to see her off.

"Thank you very much for your hospitality and for saving me. I will be forever grateful. I promise that I'll come and visit every once in a while." Sakura said as she bowed respectfully to them.

Yelan smiled and hugged Sakura. She then said, "Sakura, you are always welcome here. We should be the ones to thank you because it would be easier for Shaoran to protect this village because of your spell. Don't be a stranger and come back."

Sakura just smiled as May Yu hugged her as well.

"You take care of yourself, Sakura-chan. I know that this journey will be hard on you so don't push yourself too much, ok?" May Yu advised.

Sakura just nodded and smiled as the two ladies entered the house and left the two of them alone.

Sakura looked straight into Shaoraon's intense brown eyes and said, "Thank you so much, Shaoran. Without you, I could be dead right now. You are definitely an honorable knight. But Shaoran, I am also aware of the power that lies inside of you. You can do great things with it. I already know who the 'young hawk' my mother was talking about. If you look inside of your heart and find him, you'll know what to do. If you want to find me, just feel and you shall find." She then bowed slightly to him and smiled.

"What are you talking about, Sakura?" Shaoran asked.

"I don't have the answer, Shaoran. Like I said, look inside your heart. Feel and you shall find...I must go. With all your responsibilities, just don't forget to take care of yourself, ok? Please promise me that." Sakura replied.

Shaoran nodded as Sakura returned it with a smile before turning to leave.

Shaoran just watched her as she walked away.

'What did she mean? Why do I feel this way?' He thought.

He failed to see that Yelan and May Yu were watching them through the open house door. Yelan had a content smile as May Yu grinned.

(To be continued...)

Note from the author: Please send me reviews so that I'll know if I should continue the story or not. Please be gentle because it's my first time to write a fan fiction. I'll anticipate your reviews. Thank you for taking some time to read my work. I truly appreciate your time. If you see anything wrong please let me know. Thank you again!

Michiko

Thank you for your reviews. I didn't expect that I would receive any. I guess I had no confidence in my work but thanks to you, my readers, I do now. Sorry for the wrong grammar or spelling in my work. I'll try to avoid them this time. I hope you continue to enjoy my hard work and I promise that I'll keep you on the edge a little.