Hey there! Here is finally chapter 10. It took me quite a long time to continue writing it because of certain circumstances that cannot be avoided.

Meinien, Pink Hana, Ponchita, kitai-chan, aylentari and Sakura2649: Thanks so much for the reviews that you submitted. I appreciate it very much. It's such an honor that I was able to read your reviews. Actually, I wanted to finish this sooner but like I said, there were some circumstances that I cannot avoid. It's hard to write and I know you can relate. But thanks to you, I have the courage to continue the story. I hope you like this chapter as well. If there are some typographical, grammatical or other errors, I'm sorry. I actually don't have the luxury of time. I have other responsibilities as well. Please forgive me. Thanks again.

Chapter 10 Seeds of the Tree of Destiny

"He was Toshiro Rionagi." Eriol replied.

"Toshiro Rionagi…the Toshiro Rionagi?"

"Yes Your Highness."

"You weren't kidding when you said she descends from one of the greatest prophets."

"There is just one thing I don't understand...how come she was taught not the real story of the gems but the one that was used to cover up the truth." Eriol said.

"Then it is up to you to show it to her. The reason doesn't matter that much but she must know what you had just told us." Rei said.

"Yes Your Highness. I will show her everything once she wakes up." Eriol said.

Meanwhile in another place called Tira, a different scene was happening.

Tira, a once peaceful land was a land of despair.

It became so when the Mulian army appeared.

Their land had suffered the most from the army.

It became a very dark place where no sunlight could penetrate.

It seemed as if the clouds that covered their land were stationary.

There were a lot of tall, unusual structures and buildings that were constructed.

All the people of the land became slaves.

Selected men and a very few women were chosen and turned into merciless soldiers.

All the others became slaves.

They were very thin.

Their bodies were badly bruised and their faces bore the mask of fear.

Soldiers were everywhere.

It was really a vicious place.

Screams of fear from the slaves and those prisoners that were caught by the army echoed throughout the city.

When there were no more strong men and women among the original people there, the army started to kidnap young boys from villages and cities around the world.

The boys were then put into severe training.

Through the training, they learn to throw away their hearts and after they became ruthless, merciless and heartless Mulian warriors.

They would torture slaves to urge them to work.

When one slave fails, all of them got beaten up.

Slaves were the ones who did the dirtiest of jobs.

They were severely punished when they made the slightest mistake or if the soldier or soldiers just wanted to practice their wrath.

They were only food once a day or if they were lucky that their masters had left over, that was the only time they could eat.

They were strictly given only eight hours a rest a day.

It was a capital crime for them to exceed more than eight hours.

Their punishment would be that they were not given food that day or for a week.

Anyone who would give them food would also suffer the same fate only it was doubled.

If it happened again, the soldiers would make sure that they would never wake up again.

Even pregnant women were required to work around the kitchen.

There were no excuses.

So when the women would give birth, the infant would only be the second or third priority of the mother because she had to work in the kitchen or around the house or else both the mother and the baby would suffer greatly.

Sometimes, the women would choose to have an abortion to spare their child from the cruel life they had and because they barely had the time to take care of it.

There were also instances that the mother would die from giving birth because of her weak body and it won't be long before the child would also die because no one would dare to take care of it.

If they did, their masters will come and then double her work since she had proved by taking in the child that she still had some spare time to take care of the baby.

If it were a man, he will have to bare triple the load and had to feed the child from his plate.

They hated their lives.

But they could only wish that one day it would all end.

If they even thought of rebelling, they would be killed even if the Mulian army had no proof of rebellion.

At the center it all, Captain Moi Hirasu was just getting the report about his subordinates' encounter with Sakura.

"What! When did this happen?" Hirasu asked.

"T...two...days…ago...captain." The soldier reported.

"And you only reported this today? She's a girl for crying our loud! A mere girl beat you! You'll need to get back into intensive training again soldier. Guards! Take him away! Tell the trainers to double their ruthlessness." Hirasu ordered.

"Yes Sir!" The guards chorused as they lead the soldier back to intensive training.

'This is bad. That girl! If I ever get my hands on her...I better tell the general. He will definitely be displeased that the girl not only escaped the Mulian army's clutches but also got the Dragon gem.' Hirasu thought.

He then made his way to the general's quarters.

Once there, he knocked.

Soon, the guards stationed inside opened the big, double doors of the room.

Hirasu slowly made his way to the General's desk.

He found General Takiyama looking outside the window that bore the view of the entire city.

"This better be important, Hirasu. You know how much it displeases me when I'm disturbed during meditating." Takiyama said.

"Sorry General but this is very important." Hirasu replied.

"Then out with it Hirasu!" Takiyama replied impatiently.

"Sir, few of our men had had an encounter with the girl whom survived the massacre a month ago." Hirasu started to report.

"Ah yes. The girl whom you have failed to kill TWICE! Well, out with it." Takiyama said.

"Yes sir. Well, um, sir, she…had beaten the soldiers and...got the Dragon gem we had just acquired." Hirasu said.

"What! Hirasu you had failed me again! I'm sure it is now with that boy emperor of theirs." Takiyama answered.

"It sure looks like it sir. That is why we were planning to attack them to get the gem and the girl. Hopefully, we will get their emperor too...but it needs your approval General." Hirasu said.

"Yes. You have my approval but attack the village nearest the city to flush the knights of the first order out and then attack the city. Kill anyone who stands in your way. Finish what you have started and bring the girl to me. I will deal with her personally." Takiyama ordered.

"Yes sir!" Hirasu said and left.

It had been two days since Sakura, Shaoran and Seiki arrived at Omida.

Sakura was still asleep in bed, trying to regain her stamina and recover from her wounds.

It was already past eight in the morning and finally, Sakura was regaining her consciousness.

Tomoyo, Naoko and Rika were all in the room talking when Tomoyo noticed that Sakura was coming about.

She sat next to her bed.

Soon, Sakura had opened her eyes.

It took a while before her vision focused.

She didn't recognize the room she was in so she sat up.

Suddenly, a gentle hand had held her shoulder.

Sakura turned to see whom it was and saw it was Tomoyo.

Tomoyo smiled at her and said, "Easy Sakura. You just regained your consciousness."

Sakura smiled and replied, "Tomoyo-chan, how long was I out?"

"One day since you woke up the other night." Tomoyo replied.

"So, how are you feeling?" Naoko asked as she and Rika joined Tomoyo by Sakura's side.

"Naoko-chan! Rika-chan! How are you two? It's been a long time since we last saw each other." Sakura said.

Her smile broadened.

She was so happy to see all of them again.

"We are fine. We were all so worried about you especially the guys." Rika said.

"Guys?" Sakura asked blankly.

"You know, my cousin, Rei, Eriol Hiirigizawa, Yukito Tsukihiro and Li Shaoran." Naoko replied.

"Oh. Did anything happen when I was out?" Sakura asked as she got out of bed.

"No. But you really shouldn't force yourself. You'll end up hurting yourself more than you are now." Tomoyo said.

"I'm fine Tomoyo. Don't worry." Sakura replied sweetly, reassuring her best friend.

"Great! Then why don't you get dressed and we'll show you to the garden so that you'll have some fresh air." Rika suggested.

"That's a great idea!" Naoko commented.

"Ok. I'll be just a minute. I'll just wash and change." Sakura said excitedly.

"I'm not so sure." Tomoyo said.

"Oh Tomoyo. I'll be all right. I'm sure the fresh air will do me good." Sakura assured her.

"Huh! I suppose. Then hurry up. The garden is so fresh you can even smell it in the air." Tomoyo replied.

Sakura just smiled and went to the bathroom to wash up and change.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

Tomoyo opened it and let the person in.

They were surprised to find out that it was Shaoran.

"Good morning. Tsukihiro sent me to check up on her. So, how's Sakura?" He said.

"She's alright now. She's in the bathroom, changing. We're planning to take her to the garden." Tomoyo replied.

Shaoran just nodded.

"Ok. Then I'll be reporting it to Tsukihiro. Excuse me." He said as he left the room.

Tomoyo then went to the other room and got the dress she had made for Sakura.

She had been meaning to give it to her for months.

She was so happy that she would finally see Sakura wear it.

She came back holding the dress in her arms.

She knocked at the bathroom door and gave Sakura the dress.

After a while, Sakura emerged wearing the dress.

"It's beautiful Tomoyo. Did you make it?" Sakura said.

Tomoyo smiled and replied, "Yes. I can see it look good in you."

Naoko and Rika nodded in agreement.

"You're really skilled Tomoyo-chan." Rika commented.

Tomoyo blushed a little.

"It's very lovely. I'm honored to be wearing it." Sakura said.

It was indeed a very lovely dress but very simple.

It was a white, sleeveless, silk dress.

The straps were thin.

It may be called spaghetti strapped.

It was slightly above her knees.

Tomoyo had painstakingly sewn a lovely pattern in white thread.

"I have other dresses for you. I've been busy making them. I meant to give them for your birthday next year but I think you should have them now. Besides I can always make some more." Tomoyo said.

"You don't have to Tomoyo. This is enough as it is. I'm really grateful." Sakura replied.

"Don't worry about it." Tomoyo said.

"Now, why don't we head over to the garden? I'm sure everyone's wondering about how you are doing." Naoko said.

"No not everyone…someone." Rika teased.

"Oh yeah. I'm sure he's very anxious to see how you are doing." Naoko teased.

Sakura blushed a little.

"Come on guys. Stop teasing her. We know how much she likes Yukito- san but if we bring her out there all red like this, the guys might blame us for bring her out there in her condition." Tomoyo said.

"Tomoyo." Sakura said, blushing even more.

"Well, unless something happened that changed Sakura-chan. She might have gotten over the childhood crush and fell in love with someone else. So don't be silly Tomoyo-chan. There's always that possibility because I don't think Sakura would react that much." Rika teased more.

"Oh yeah. Remember that certain someone who came by to check up on her. Sure all of the guys here are worried about her but with his nature, it certainly is something curious." Naoko added.

"Oh yeah. Li Shaoran came by to check up on you a while ago. We were all surprised because he usually doesn't do that especially with Meiling." Tomoyo replied.

"Who's Meiling?" Sakura asked.

They were already nearing the garden.

"Meiling is Li's cousin. She's also his fiancée." Tomoyo explained.

"I didn't know he had a fiancée." Sakura said.

"Well, the promise was made when they were…I'm not sure...5 or 6. I asked Li's sister if he really wanted to marry Meiling because he was usually cold towards her." Tomoyo said.

"What did she say?" Rika asked.

"She told me that the promise would only be broken when Li found his true love." Tomoyo answered.

"Oh. How did she know?" Naoko asked.

"She heard it. She was outside the door when it was made." Tomoyo replied.

"She never told him that she knows because you know how Li is. That is why it's a little suspicious that he's not so cold towards Sakura. He's actually nice. I mean, he carried her when we found out that she was bleeding." Tomoyo said.

Sakura tried not to blush.

"Think nothing of it you guys. He's been taking care of me ever since he found me after it happened. He promised me that and also Yukito-san and Onii-chan." Sakura replied.

"That would explain it...I think." Naoko replied.

"What are you talking about Naoko-chan? It doesn't explain it. It sure looks like a lot of things happened during their journey that neither are telling anyone. So, Sakura-chan, do you mind telling us what happened?" Rika said.

Sakura just forced a smile.

She was lost for words.

She didn't know whether she should tell them all the details of their trip including some slightly intimate ones.

She was saved when she caught view of the garden.

She was mesmerized by the splendor of what she saw.

They then entered the garden.

Sakura was truly amazed at how beautiful it was.

They then showed her around.

Sakura felt as if she had forgotten all her problems and also what she had been asked a while before.

The beauty reminded her of her grandmother and mother's garden back at home.

But instead of making it her sad, it made her so happy.

They didn't notice that two knights had joined them.

"Excuse me ladies." Yukito said.

They turned to him.

Sakura smiled.

"Yukito-san." She said.

"Sakura, how are you feeling?" Yukito asked.

Sakura just smiled and said she was all right.

"Hi Shaoran. Thanks for trusting me." She said.

"Sure. But next time be careful." Shaoran answered.

Sakura smiled and nodded.

"So where are Seiki and Kero?" She asked.

"Kero's with Seiki. They're with Hiirigizawa I think." Shaoran answered.

"No. I'm afraid they are not." Someone then said.

They turned and saw that it was Eriol and Rei.

They hadn't noticed their arrival too.

Sakura smiled and bowed slightly to both of them.

"Rei-san, Eriol-san, would you excuse us? Rika, Naoko and I have something to attend to." Tomoyo said.

Rei smiled and nodded.

They ladies then left them.

"May I call you Sakura?" Rei asked.

"Yes Your Majesty." Sakura replied and smiled.

"Please…call me Rei." He replied.

Sakura just smiled.

"This is Eriol Hiirigizawa." He then introduced.

Sakura turned to him and smiled.

She then said, "Nice to meet you, sir."

"You may call me Eriol, Sakura." He said.

He then smiled at her.

"How are you feeling?" Rei asked.

"I'm fine. Thanks for asking Rei-san." Sakura answered.

"Well, that's good. Sakura, you told me two nights ago that you haven't completed your training." Eriol said.

"Yes. That's true." She answered.

"Sakura, what makes you think you haven't learned all the things that you must learn?" Eriol asked.

Sakura fell silent.

She then said, "I just feel it I guess. Everything just happened so fast…my grandfather was so strong as a guardian should be but I haven't even mastered what he had taught me."

Eriol smiled and assured her, "He had taught you well Sakura. You are skilled more than you give yourself credit for. I'm sure we will be able to help you if you need any."

Sakura smiled.

"Anyway, since you are the Card Mistress, I'm sure the Mulian army will be after you." Eriol answered.

"I think they are after me even if I wasn't the Card Mistress. I had hurt their pride more than once." Sakura answered.

"You are safe here. You don't have to worry." Rei said.

"I know. I hope you guys are not upset with Shaoran. It was my choice and I forced him to leave me. It wasn't his fault. So please...I really hope you're not upset with him. He did his best. I can assure you." Sakura said as she turned to Shaoran.

"Don't worry Sakura. We're not upset with Li especially me." Yukito assured her.

Sakura just smiled.

"We also know that he had done his best. He always does." Rei said.

"Don't worry about me Sakura. You know I'll be fine. Just do your best as the Card Mistress." Shaoran said.

He then excused himself.

Sakura thought that it was odd.

It didn't seem like it was Shaoran who had answered her.

He seemed different since the last time they talked.

'What up with him?' Sakura thought.

After a moment, she excused herself for a while.

She then followed Shaoran.

"Shaoran." She said.

He stopped walking but he didn't turn to face her.

"We need to talk." She added.

"What about? Anyway, you better go back. I'm sure they want to talk to you further." Shaoran answered.

"Yukito-san, Rei-san and Eriol-san are talking with each other right now. Please, we need to talk." She said.

Shaoran still hasn't turned to face her.

"Shaoran, what's wrong? Why do you seem a little distant?" Sakura asked.

Shaoran didn't answer.

"Do you blame yourself for what has happened to me?" Sakura said.

Still he would not answer.

"I already told you before. It's not your fault. Whatever happened to me was never your fault so please don't feel that way. I know I always end up in trouble but I'm sure that will all change. I just need to get things straightened out." Sakura explained.

"I know. But I should have been there. I'm sorry I broke my promise." Shaoran answered.

Sakura smiled.

"Shaoran, look at me." She said.

Shaoran would not turn.

She then approached him and laid a hand on his shoulder.

"Look at me Shaoran." She said again.

Shaoran finally gave in.

"You are seeing for your own eyes that I'm all right. Is that was bothering you? That you had broken a promise? That you had failed? Let me tell you something...you didn't break anything. A knight always keeps his word and certainly you did. It is I who had broken a promise. I promised you that I would be fine but I ended up in trouble." Sakura answered.

"Yeah. You sure did." Shaoran answered casually.

He then smiled at her.

Sakura just smiled.

She was glad that he was feeling better and that he was back to his old self.

"Listen, I have to go and check on some things. You better get back there before they wonder where you have gone." Shaoran said.

Sakura just nodded.

"See you later then. Bye." She said as she turned and left.

Shaoran just stood there for a while.

He had certainly felt better after they have talked.

But he just couldn't understand why.

'Why am I feeling this way?' He asked within himself.

Deep inside he knew the answer but he just wouldn't believe it at the moment.

There were just more important things then than what he was truly feeling.

He was one of the knights of the first order.

He couldn't allow himself to submit to such uncertain emotions because it might take him off guard when he was on the front.

He knew he couldn't afford to fail because a lot was at stake if he failed.

He couldn't let the Mulian army have an advantage over them.

Shaoran had headed to the knights' training room.

He had told Yamazaki to meet him there.

He opened the door and saw that there were only few knights training.

Most of them were new.

Shaoran's fellow knights of the first order were orienting them with how it was done in the real world and not from the views they were given when they were just squires.

He also saw knights from the second to the fifteenth orders.

Yamazaki then came in and called out to him.

"Li, over here!" Yamazaki said.

Yamazaki was out of breath.

Urgency was present in his face.

Shaoran approached him.

"So, what did you find out?" Shaoran said.

"Li, I got here as soon as I could. You better inform Tsukihiro and the Emperor. The Mulian army had just attacked one of the villages west of Omida. A large number of them are moving fast. We better start countering them or they will reach the city soon." Yamazaki said quickly.

Shaoran didn't betray any emotions.

He was serious as ever.

He then told Yamazaki, "Go to Tsukihiro. He's with the Emperor at the Royal Garden. Tell them everything."

Yamazaki then nodded and ran out of the room.

Shaoran then shouted to get all the attention of the knights.

"Listen up!"

All the knights stopped what they were doing and turned to him.

"The Mulian army had struck west of Omida. We have information that they had attacked with large arms and are moving in closer to the city. Call all the knights within the city's limits here now. We have little time to prepare!" Shaoran said.

As soon as he finished, some of the knights ran out the room to inform the others.

The others then formed into their specific ranks.

Shaoran then went out and headed to the garden also.

On the way there, Shaoran had met up with Chiharu.

"Li." Chiharu said.

Li stopped.

"Li, have you seen Yamazaki? When we reached the city he just ran. He forgot to bring this with him. Here. I think he was about to give this to you." Chiharu said as she handed him the letter, which bore the seal of the head of the thirteenth order of knights whom were assigned to the area to the west.

"You were with Yamazaki? What's this?" Shaoran replied.

"My ancestors are from the area to the west. I happen to visit at the wrong time. Anyway, that letter contains the details of the whereabouts of the soldiers from the Mulian army. The head knight sent spies and that was what they found." She answered.

Shaoran just nodded as he broke the seal and read the contents.

"They have more number than I thought. This will be useful. Thank you. Stay here at the palace. You'll be safer here. I suggest that you stay with your friends. Well, I better go." Shaoran said as he dashed of towards the garden.

(To be continued…)

Well, that was chapter 10. I'm sorry it took some time to write this chapter. It was really hard to balance my work. With school approaching, summer courses and other stories to write, it wasn't easy. I know that when the school year starts, it would take a lot longer to update the story. But I promise that I'll update as soon as I can. I hope you'll understand. And I also hope that you liked it. Please review. I'm desperate to know what you think of it. If there were mistakes in grammar and other things, I'm sorry. I'll try to avoid them next time. Lastly, I want to apologize for the late update. The DOS command of my computer was corrupted so I wasn't able to access my files.

Michiko