Hey, there! It's me again! Gomen for the late update. A lot of things came up and it was kinda unavoidable.

Anyway, thanks so much for the reviews.

Kan-chan I appreciate your review very much. Thanks for reading my story and for your time.

Sionna Avril Lexine Saga I know that Li's given name translation was wrong. I purposely did that because in the next few chapters, they will realize that not all the things that Sakura's mother wrote are true. It's because they control their destiny. They will realize that prophesies are not always accurate and fate has it's own course. (I know it's a big give- away but don't worry, I kept some details out). Anyway, thanks for the review and thanks for reading my story. I really appreciate the time you gave.

Sakura2469 hey there sis! No, I don't hate Sakura. Don't worry I really like her character because she's really kind and sweet and in the next chapter.well, you'll find out. I never thought that writing this could be so challenging but with your help, I'm doing fine. Thanks for the review.

Well, I think you are quite tired of me explaining some unimportant things so here's chapter 5.

Chapter 5 Seiki

The next day when Sakura woke up, she looked up at him and said, "Thank you for holding me last night when I was shaking. Could you help me change the bandages?"

He smiled at her and got some bandages to replace the ones they placed last night.

Kero also helped by passing some antiseptic and bandages.

After a few moments, they were finished.

"You're not walking today, Sakura." Shaoran said as he kept the other bandages and antiseptic.

"I figured you'd say that. But I'm afraid to fall off the horse. I can't actually hold the reins properly with this in my arm."

"I know that. That's why I'm going to be riding the horse too." He replied as he sat next to her.

She looked at him and asked, "You really promised my brother that you'd take care of me?"

He looked straight into her eyes and said, "It is the least I could do for all the things he'd taught me. Even if we never really gotten along that good, I still admired him for his courage and devotion and for teaching me."

"You already saved my life a couple of times already. I really owe you my life now." She commented as she stared back at the fire and lowered her head.

He just lifted it with a finger and turned her head to face him.

He then said, "A promise is a promise. It is my duty to protect you and I would die trying."

Sakura was moved by his words. She never did expect him to speak such words. But then she reminded herself that he was a knight and it was part of their code of ethics.

She just smiled at him.

He then stood and put the fire out and got the stuff ready. He then turned to Sakura.

"You are still weak. I'll just carry you then. You shouldn't push yourself too hard for a while." He said as he swept her from the ground and mounted the horse.

"I'm not that weak, you know. I could walk over to the horse so that you won't be burdened that much." She said.

"I'm not taking any chances, Sakura. The Emperor will have my head if anything more will happen to you. As you know, you are the only one so far who has escaped the Mulian army alive so you are very vital in this war's success aside from the fact that you are one of the chosen ones." Shaoran said as he placed Sakura on top of his horse.

As Shaoran got up the horse, Kero flew by them. He flew over the horse's head as they started to make their way through the forest.

Kero them felt a hand pull on his tail, only to find out that Shaoran was pulling him back to Sakura's bag.

"Hey, Gaki! What's the big idea!" He yelled at Shaoran.

Shaoran didn't answer him.

Sakura up at Shaoran and said, "You could have at least be gentle to him. He's not just a stuffed animal you know. He's the guardian of the book."

Shaoran looked down at her and replied, "I know that. I just don't like a 'stuffed animal' swarming around in front especially in this place. You just don't know who's lurking around."

"But you could have been more gentle." Sakura insisted.

"Yeah, Gaki!" Kero shouted from the bag.

Shaoran then straight ahead and didn't say another word.

'Sometimes, I just can't believe how stoic he can be and sometimes he can be so gentle and caring. He may be a knight but I still don't quite get his character.' Sakura thought.

She just couldn't understand but she decided that it was who Shaoran really is and never thought about it again. But with all the thinking, she wasn't aware of how weak she really was. She hadn't even realized that she was passing out again.

Shaoran noticed this so he leaned her head on his chest.

Sakura feebly looked up with confusion.

He looked down at her and knew she wanted an answer so he said, "Just lean against me and let your body recover. Don't worry, I won't throw you of the horse or let you fall. Just worry about recovering from your close encounter last night."

Sakura let a small smile escape her lips before she closed her eyes. Before long, with the silence present around them and with Shaoran's steady heartbeat, sleep had finally swept Sakura away.

Kero couldn't help being stuffed inside Sakura's bag so he flew over to the horse's head.

"Hey, you stuffed animal. Why did you leave her bag?" Shaoran whispered.

"Gaki, do you have any-"

But before Kero could finish what he was saying, Shaoran seized his mouth and said, "Shh! Quiet. You should let you master rest. You know what she'd been through last night."

He then let him go.

Kero looked at Sakura intently.

"Ok, Gaki-I mean Shaoran. I know we got off on the wrong foot. I'll call it a truce on her behalf."

Shaoran looked at him suspiciously and said, "Fine. But I'm not doing this for you but for her."

"Yeah. She'll need the both of us now that she's going to start using the Clow cards."

"Her grandfather had started her magical training but he died before she could complete it. She knows how to control magic without the cards but she still can't control it properly. Even tough she knows a lot, she' still quite naïve. She's very innocent and inexperienced."

"I've noticed that too. But there is something bothering her and she's not telling us."

"I know. She does not plan to tell us anything about it. She has her reasons and we must respect that."

"But-"

"No buts."

"Very well." Kero replied in defeat.

Then there was silence from the both of them.

Only the soothing sounds of the forest could be heard and the wildness of the river in the distance.

An hour or so passed. It was nearly noon and they hadn't stopped for a break.

Sakura finally opened her eyes.

"So you're finally awake." Shaoran said, not looking down at her.

"Hey, Sakura-chan, how do you feel?" Kero said as he settled on her lap.

"I'm fine." She replied.

"That's good. Once you have fully recovered, you'll have to start mastering how to use the Clow cards." Kero said.

"Great." Sakura replied.

They were approaching a river and when they got to the river's edge, Shaoran dismounted from the horse and helped Sakura dismount as well.

"Take this time to rest a little and probably you could start training."

Sakura smiled at him. She then sat on a rock and enjoyed the view.

The water was really clear. It was shallow and rocky near the riverbanks and quite deep at the middle.

Sakura could see that there was a waterfall in a distance. There was also a cliff near them.

She couldn't help but smile in amazement. She snapped back into reality when Shaoran handed her a canteen and an apple.

"Here. You'll need the energy you could get." He said.

"Thanks."

After a while of silence, Sakura asked, "Shaoran?"

He looked at her.

"Um, if you were given a choice, would you choose to be one of the chosen ones and why?"

He turned away from her and answered, "Yes, I would choose to be one of the chosen ones because I want justice to be served for my father. And when I became a knight and learned more about the Mulian army, the more determined I became to use my gifts and do everything I could to destroy that army."

"I suppose you really do hate that army and your determination to crush them is mixed with vengeance."

"Don't tell me you're not."

"I admit. I also want justice for my family and my village but what really drives me to push through this is that I'm tired. I'm tired of living in fear and seeing people suffering."

"Yeah well…we've been silent long enough and it's time to show them that we won't stand this hardship any more." Shaoran said.

He then stood.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to look for some berries. It seems that your guardian had a great appetite and our food supply won't keep up if this continues."

"Hey, Ga-Shaoran! You're not bad mouthing me are you?" Kero asked as he flew to join them.

"Don't worry. I won't even think of it." Shaoran replied, trying his hardest to keep away from the temptation to insult him.

Sakura was surprised with how they were interacting. She was kinda wondering what the reason for the sudden change and why they exerted so much effort not to knock each other's head off.

"Um, did something happen between the two of you while I was out?" She finally asked them.

They both looked at her, neither one answered.

"Guys? Is there something wrong?"

Shaoran just closed his eyes and said, "See you two later. Stay out of trouble. I won't be long."

He then left the two of them.

Sakura then turned to Kero and said, "Kero, is there something you want to tell me?"

"Nothing, Sakura-chan. So, shall we start with your training?"

"Yeah…ready as I'll ever be." Sakura said as she stood.

"Now, Sakura, take the key out." Kero instructed.

"Do you mean this pendant?"

Kero just nodded.

Sakura took it out.

Kero recited the lines to open the key and told her to repeat it.

So she took a deep breath and said, "Key, show me the power. Key, I'm the girl who's going to fulfill the prophecy. My name is Sakura. Give me the power!"

With those words, her bird-like pendant turned into a magnificent staff.

"Cool! It sort of reminds me of my grandfather's staff."

"Yes but this is different...a lot different."

"Kero, how is this chant different from the ways my grandfather taught me? I mean, I used to transform this into a sword all the time."

"My previous master, Clow Reed, thought of that. Before he handed it and the book to the keepers, he had made sure that no one will be able to use them…only the chosen one will. He cast a spell that only you, the Card Mistress, open the lock. The keeper of the key, your ancestors were able to transform it into a sword as well as Shaoran and his ancestors but with his globe key. Your grandfather taught you the ways of the keeper so that you have something you could use to protect yourself until the time comes. The reason why the Clow book reached you family's hand and not remained in Li's family is because almost a century ago, the Lis were almost discovered by the Mulian army while they didn't suspect your family. So they gave the book to your family and kept it in that cave." Kero explained.

Sakura signed and said, "Well, I hope I am worthy to be called Card Mistress."

"Don't worry, Sakura-chan. You are more than you think. And I believe it's about time to let that hidden power come out." Kero said as he flew over to Sakura's shoulder.

Sakura just smiled at him.

"So, are you ready for your first card?" He asked.

"Yeah!"

In a nearby village…

"Seiki!" Called an old man.

Within a minute, a young boy came rushing into the old man's house.

"Yes, grandfather?" The boy answered as he kneeled beside his grandfather.

The old man straightened and bowed before the altar before turning to the boy.

"Seiki, I want you to take this and offer it at the temple up the hill. We had another good harvest and we must offer this to the gods to show our gratitude." The old man said.

Seiki took the box of food and also took some sticks of incense.

As the young boy stood and turned to leave, his older brothers came in.

"Ah, Seiki. Are you on your way to offer at the temple?" His oldest brother, Soshio, asked as he eyed the box and the incense Seiki was holding.

Seiki just nodded and his other brother spoke, " You're on you way to becoming a man. You'll be with us in the fields for the next harvest."

"I know. Now, I must go. Kira, come on. We're going to the temple!" Seiki said.

A cream colored dog came wagging its tail and followed Seiki.

When Seiki had already disappeared outside, Soshio asked their grandfather, "Ojii-san, are you sure Seiki is ready for this sort of responsibility?"

"Yes, Ojii-san. He' s just six years old."

"Ah, but I'm afraid this is his only chance left."

"What does that mean, Ojii-san?"

"I'm afraid that the Mulian army is finally coming for us. Tonomi already fell in their hands and they have already discovered what our village secret is. They injected him with a truth potion and it couldn't be helped that Tonomi revealed it. They had already killed him and are on their way here." Their grandfather explained.

Meanwhile…

Seiki made his way to the temple with his dog, Kira.

"Kira, I can't believe grandfather is letting me do this. I'm going to have to start acting like a man soon. Oh, Kira, I'm so excited. I wish Oka-san and Ottou-san were still with us to see this."

He jumped excitedly.

Then he stopped jumping and stood tall and asked, "Do I look like a man already?"

Kira barked in response.

"Come on, Kira. I'll race you to the temple." Seiki said as he placed the box securely in his bag with the incense.

He double-checked to make sure the food won't spill.

He started to run and the dog followed him.

Upon reaching the temple, Seiki stopped and left Kira outside.

He then offered the box and burned the incense.

After a while, he emerged outside and he and Kira started for home.

But when they reached the village, they were both fear stricken at what they saw.

Their homes and fields were completely destroyed.

"Kira, what do you think happened here?"

The dog whined.

Suddenly, Seiki felt a powerful hand cover his mouth and dragged him near the bushes.

His fear disappeared because the man who dragged him was his eldest brother, Soshio.

Kira followed them.

"Onii-chan, what happened here?" Seiki whispered.

"The Mulian army attacked the village. Ojii-san made me hide here and asked me to protect you. He was taken while all the others were killed and burned. Look, I'll explain later. We have to get out of here and give this to the Emperor. He will need to know and take our village's secret." Soshio whispered back as they started to make their way out of the village.

But they were stopped when a bloody sword came flying down and struck the ground before them.

Within seconds, they were surrounded by soldiers.

"Seiki, run!" Soshio said as they both fled to wherever their feet took them.

They were mere farmers. They didn't know any military skills or tactics. It was true that they knew how to defend themselves but going against the Mulian army with just the two of them was pure suicide. They couldn't afford to be both killed. The thing they carried and the knowledge they knew was very precious and vital to be eliminated. It needed to reach the Emperor.

So they ran and they ran.

But they didn't know that the Mulian army was just playing with them. It was very easy for them to strike them down but they took pleasure with the game cat and mouse.

They finally got tired and struck Soshio to the ground.

"Onii-chan!" Seiki said.

"No, Seiki. Keep running. I'm right behind you." Soshio said as he pushed Seiki to move on.

Reluctantly, Seiki started to run again, even faster.

But they found themselves trapped. They found themselves in a cliff.

But before the soldiers caught up with them, Soshio got a red gem and handed it to Seiki.

"Seiki, no matter what happens, don't let this fall into the wrong hands. It must reach the Emperor. It is all up to you now."

"I understand, Onii-chan."

Just then, the soldiers caught up with them.

Soshio shielded his brother.

"Oh! How sweet…big brother has come to protect his baby brother." A soldier said sarcastically.

"Don't worry, you two will still be together in the after life." Another said.

Slowly, the soldiers approached the brothers.

Seiki started to back up, forgetting they were in a cliff.

"Onii-chan!" Seiki shouted as he could feel himself falling into the river below.

"Seiki!"

But then, a fatal blow came and he died instantly.

"Aren't we going to make sure that boy is dead?" One soldier asked.

"We don't have to. If that fall didn't kill him, I'm sure the waterfalls will. He will be crushed by the rocks and his remains will be mutilated by the crocodiles." Another said.

"Huh? I can't believe just mastering how to use the watery could be so…draining." Sakura commented after training.

"It was expected. It's your first time to use them." Kero replied.

"Oh my God!" Sakura exclaimed as she saw a young boy fall from the cliff.

She could see the crest of the Mulian army on the armor of the soldiers.

"Kero, stay here and don't move. I've got to save that child." Sakura said as she dashed into the river.

"Sakura! You can't…you're weak!" Kero shouted.

But Sakura didn't listen to him.

She swam to aid the drowning boy.

Seiki was panicking.

When Sakura reached him, he started to pull her down with him.

"Hey! Don't panic! I'm here to help you." Sakura said but it was hard for Seiki to calm down.

She started to drag him in with her but she knew she was drowning too.

But she gave it her all, for her and the boy's safety.

When Shaoran got back, he was shocked to see what was happening.

He quickly got into the water and swam towards them.

Sakura told him, "Take the boy."

Without question, Shaoran got the boy and swam for shore.

As Sakura started to swim for shore too, she found herself drained and couldn't move another inch.

Then everything went black for her.

Back at shore…

Shaoran put the boy down.

The boy was slightly shivering.

"Boy, are you ok?"

He nodded and started to point to the river.

He then said, "I…I think your girl friend is drowning."

Shaoran quickly turned to Sakura and was horrified to see her face down on the water.

He left Seiki on shore and swam towards Sakura.

When he reached her, he found out she wasn't breathing.

Her body was lifeless.

He quickly swam for shore.

He laid her body gently.

He checked her pulse and was relieved that she still had a pulse. But her knew that he should act fast to bring her back to consciousness.

He quickly tilted her head and cleared her airway.

He started CPR.

After a few attempts, she still wasn't breathing.

He checked her vitals again and was getting desperate when he felt that her pulse was weakening.

'Don't die on me, Sakura Kinomoto.' Shaoran thought.

He started artificial respiration again.

Seiki, not knowing what to do, sat on a rock near them.

'Please, God. Don't let this girl die. She saved my life.' Seiki prayed.

(to be continued…)

Well, there's chapter 5. Um, since it's the fourth quarter, I won't be able to update frequently because I have to concentrate more on my studies. But don't worry, as soon as an idea comes into my head, I'll be writing it down. Give me at least a month to write the next chapter.

Anyway, thanks for reading it and please, please review it. If I get at least 5-10 reviews, I promise I'll update sooner. But I guess that's asking too much. So, anyway, thank again.

Michiko