Forgotten Cherry Blossom

Chapter 5: Scars

Sakura winced when her cuts touched the warm water. The herbal water soaked through to her bones and soon she was relaxed. She jumped when she heard a knock on the door.

"It's Tomoyo."

"Come in."

Tomoyo entered the bathroom followed by a girl with black hair and red earth colour eyes. "I hope you don't mind, I brought Meiling along. She's Syaoran's cousin and a very good friend."

"It's fine. How are you?"

Meiling smiled at her. "Better than you, I'm sure. Come on, let's get those tangles out of your h…" She froze when she saw Sakura's back. "What happened to your back?" A huge scar crossed her entire back. The white skin prominent on her peach colour skin. "I'm sorry, that's so rude."

"It's okay. It happened when I was captured, nothing big."

Tomoyo poured scented oils over her head and started to lather her hair. "You always act like these things are nothing. I heard when that sword cut your back. Now your perfect skin is ruined." Tears began to fill her eyes. "Your beautiful skin is ruined."

"Oh Tomoyo. It's not that bad. I can cover it. Besides, it was my risk to take."

Meiling knelt next to Tomoyo to help comb out all the tangles. "What happened?"

"We were attacked. They already breached the castle, actually they only aimed for the castle. There was no one left and I hid Tomoyo so they wouldn't kill her."

"And this stupid kid got herself mutilated because of me. She made me promise to stay safe."

"And you did. I would have gone to fight, whether you wanted me to or not. Besides it only hurt for a couple of months."

"A couple of months!!! It's suppose to hurt for a couple of weeks."

"It kind of got infected."

"It what?" Both girls exclaimed. Horrified they looked at Sakura.

"You're unbelievable." Meiling gapped at her. "You go through hell and you make as if it's nothing." She shrugged in response. "Um, Sakura how do you feel about short hair? I don't think we're going to get this mess out."

Tomoyo and Meiling proudly beamed at their handy work. "It's such a shame you are still full of cuts an bruises, I would have loved to show of your lovely figure."

"Sakura you look wonderful!"

"I don't know about wonderful, but at least I'm clean and my hair is short again."

"Again? You mean you had short hair before?"

"Yes, almost her entire life. It had to be kept short, other wise it turns into that mess we had to fix." Tomoyo frowned at the picture. "Those clothes are to big at some places, I will have to make you some new ones."

"No, Tomoyo, no."

"Why? You promised I could give you a make over."

"I know what clothes you are going to put me into! Tight and revealing!"

"Ah Sakura, she does it with me to. But only when there is a banquet, so you're save until then. Besides you look really cute in those silky shirts and pants, and blue is definitely your colour."

"Come on, it's time for dinner."

Eriol took Tomoyo's hand while he admired Sakura. "Ladies, I must compliment you both on a job well done."

Feeling a little uncomfortable Sakura played with her arm's sling. "Yeah well, Tomoyo can make anyone look good."

"So cute!!!" Sakura jumped when four voices exploded around her. Four women circled her and started to admire her from every angle.

"You look so cute with short hair!"

"Cute!"

"Look she's blushing!"

"That's so cute!" All of them exclaimed at once.

Syaoran watched them from a distance. She really did look cute with her short hair and there seemed to be more life in her skin and eyes. She looked wonderful to him, if only she wasn't so bruised up he would have said perfect.

"Perfect wife for Xiao-lang."

"Will you cut that out?" A deep voice broke through all the 'cute' exclamations. "Give the girl space to breathe."

"Xiao-lang, you're so mean."

"Ah jeez, don't start with that please." All four women looked with big eyes at their brother. "I'm sorry okay!" He looked around to find a distraction. "Look, Meiling has a new dress on."

Meiling was suddenly surrounded by them. "Li! I'm going to get you for this!"

"Come on cousin, you owe me remember?" Meiling grumbled at him.

"Calm every one, please. Shall we start dinner?" Yelan motioned to the table. Sakura took a seat between Tomoyo and Syaoran. In the centre of the table there was a huge silver bowl which held a lovely stew. Sakura took in the aroma, Tomoyo giggled at her.

"One will think you never had good food."

"Yeah, well not in a long time though. All they served was dry bread and icky stewy stuff. It's really good to see some proper food again. What? Why is every one so quite?"

"Sakura dear, you speak of your imprisonment like a walk to the park." Yelan looked worried at her.

"It wasn't exactly pleasant, but nothing to make a fuss about." She smiled at them. I won't tell them the truth, they'll never let it go then. All I want to do is forget. "Are we going to stare at the food or eat it?"

"Sakura, always thinking of your stomach." Tomoyo sighed and handed her a full plate. "Well enjoy your meal everyone."

"Enjoy the meal!" Everyone chanted together.

 After the meal they gathered in the private entertainment room. Tomoyo opened a closet and took out a long object wrapped in cloth. "Sakura, I believe this was left behind when you saved me." She handed it to Sakura. Confused she unwrapped the cloth to reveal a silver blade with cherry blossoms carved on it. She took the golden handle in her hand. The green emerald in it winked at her.

"You saved my sword."

"Yes, I tried to get all the blood off it, but there is some that won't come off. I think it might be some of the men you…"

Sakura looked at the blade and a faint smile crossed her face. "No, it's mine." Her fingers traced the engravings where the blood refused to leave. "Toya knows a spell to get it out. They are still alive, aren't they?"

"Yes, I sent a message to them as soon as you arrived. Unfortunately they won't be able to come for two moons." Yelan looked disappointed at her.

Sakura smiled at her. "Naturally, the winter is about to start and for the first two moons the king and his heir, my brother, are required to be present at all times. It's believed a bad omen if they are not. Load of nonsense if you ask me, but the people seem to like and appreciate it." Her eyes softened. "And when it's really cold, they build a dance floor of ice and every where there will be statues made of ice by the people. Mr Cody was the best, he always won the price. He made one in honour of our family once. With papa, Toya, mama and me…" She smiled suddenly. "Anyway, I'll ask papa to invite you next time. It's something to experience."

"I make your dress!"

Sakura laughed. "Yes Tomoyo, you'll make my dress. Like you did every year since we were ten. I think you'll even bully me into allowing you to make my wedding dress for me."

"Darn right! Who else can bring out your beauty like I can? Who else can make you a dress to show of your lovely body? No one except me! Now the question is: who is going to make my wedding dress?!"

"Your wedding dress?" Sakura looked confused at her friend while the others laughed.

"Oh Sakura, I didn't tell you yet!!! Eriol and I are going to be married."

"It took him long enough." Eriol glared at her. "When is the date?"

"The next full moon."

"I have an idea for your dress, but I won't be able to make it. I can only draw it." She motioned to her broken arm. "And you'd have to give me a dress where this isn't so prominent. And remember, no open backs."

Eriol laughed at her. "Why? I'm sure the men would love to see an exposed back."

"Eriol you idiot." Meiling slapped his head. "She has a huge scar on her back. Oh, umm… I'm sorry Sakura, I shouldn't have said that."

"You have a scar on your back?" Yelan looked shocked at this relevation.

"She got it when she saved me." Tomoyo looked so guilty. "Her perfect skin is ruined because of me."

"And the world is going to stop spinning because of that. It's really not that bad Tomoyo, it only means I can't wear clothes with my back open."

"Go back, how did you get a scar on your back? Only cowards attack from the back." Syaoran held back his tone of disgust, but it still showed a little.

"King Gau and I were engaged in battle. I over powered him. He said something I didn't understand and before I knew what happened he sliced me across my back with my own sword." She sighed. "Look it really isn't…"

"And then he let it get infected!" Meiling was boiling with anger. "The swine attacked her with her own sword and refused her medical attention!"

"What?" All eyes where on Sakura. She only shrugged.

"That is the most outrageous thing…" Meiling started walking up and down the room while she uttered some words a princess shouldn't. Sakura saw the gap and edged for the door and left while every one was still awe struck at Meiling's language.

AN: Scars… o.O O.o I have a couple, but who doesn't? Yes it's true, the author of this story is not "well" at times. ^-^