More reviews! Yay! LOTS of questions. But first thankies to FreakyAgrl and
Meinien and I WILL update soon!...well outside of this .
Now for all your questions ^.^; Some of which READING will answer, but for the more pressing ones:
Tomoyo WILL be sketching AND writing about the wonderful Sakura, but after they get to a place where they can stop for more than only a night at a time. Or maybe she already is and just hasn't told me about it. Meh.
The Royal Family won't be attacked directly because the evil They don't really care about them. They want Sakura. And the Li family, but that comes later.
The evil will start showing up a little soon but won't make a grand entrance until awhile later, after they get to Li's home.
Everything else from there is telling ^.^
Disclaimer: I DO own CCS. Bought the manga fair and square (All twelve volumes). Anyway, CLAMP got the profit from it so just trace the buck back or something. Yadda yadda.
Chapter Six: Dangerous Stranger
A couple hours before night fall they saw the town in the distance. The group continued to walk, princess still unconscious in Li's capable arms, until it was with an hours walk and set up camp inside a forested area just off the road. Sakura finally woke when Li bent over to lay her on the bedding Tomoyo and Kaho had carefully prepared. Her eyes were hazy and she couldn't focus for a moment.
"Where are we?" she asked tiredly.
"We are about an hour from the village, princess. You've been asleep for quite a few hours."
"Oh, I'm sorry, Li! I didn't mean to be a burden to you, having to carry me like that." She looked on the verge of tears so Li quickly tried to stop them from pouring forth.
"If I had minded I would have let the stuffed animal carry you, or I wouldn't have mentioned doing it in the first place. But it's good that you've woken up now. Kaho says that the man of the hour will be here an hour or so after night fall. That gives you approximately an hour, maybe two, to wake up and get ready for meeting him."
Sakura nodded. "I think I'll start the soup I promised." She stood up shakily and began to search through the bags, drawing out a cooking pot, surprisingly light for its size, and a few ingredients to put in the soup. "Is there a creek nearby?"
Tomoyo shook her head. "We looked but there isn't any water at all nearby. It's a good thing we filled our water bags yesterday."
Sakura nodded then pulled out the Watery Card. Before anyone could stop her, lest she get even more worn through she had already filled the pot with what she thought was the needed amount and put the Card back away. Oblivious to everyone's incredulous stares at her actions she simply continued to work in a daze. However, when she began to pull out Firey, Li quickly stopped her and used an ofuda instead.
"You shouldn't tire yourself out so much, princess. Why don't you rest over there and regain some strength. I'll make sure nothing burns."
She nodded and smiled. "Thanks. I think I'll change too. This dress is quite dirty and, even if he is an enemy, I would like to present a good impression to our.guest." Stumbling slightly, the princess walked over to where her bag was lying and went to hide behind a few trees. After a moment Tomoyo followed her and Kaho and Li breathed a little easier knowing that she wasn't alone.
Li looked at Kaho, alone with her for the first time since they met. "Who exactly are we meeting?"
She sighed. "I know you do not trust me, Li, because it is almost impossible for someone such as you to trust someone such as me. But believe me when I say that I love Sakura. I dare anyone who knows her to not. The person who is coming is someone who actually already knows her, even if she does not know him. He will do her no harm. In fact, while I promised I would not introduce him until he himself was present, I know you will want to meet him as well. So please, for this one time, trust me."
He stared at her for a moment. "Why would I want to meet him so much?"
She smiled in her mysterious way and cocked her head to one side. "Let's just say that in a way you already know him, or at least a lot about him."
The woman was daft and that was all there was to it. He stirred the stew, soup, thing a bit as it began to bubble and waited patiently until Sakura showed herself again. It was almost twenty minutes of near silence until Tomoyo and Sakura reappeared. Li tried hard not to let his jaw drop as he looked at the princess, but it was difficult. She looked even more beautiful than usual, with a dress styled in the usual fashion, but this time with silk that matched the colour of her eyes almost completely. Tomoyo had embroidered small white and pink flowers, cherry blossoms onto the bodice and the various hems. For once her long hair was let down, brushed and placed over one shoulder. She was magnificent looking.
Tomoyo walked over to him and whispered softly into one ear. "You are drooling, Li."
He jerked back from her and turned his eyes, with great effort to the stew as Sakura walked over to him. She came to sit beside him and asked about the stew. He muttered some response or another and tried hard not to stare at her, even though she wouldn't really notice in her tired state.
Kaho and Tomoyo looked at each other and could barely suppress their laughter.
It was as the soup was just about finished that they could hear a rustle in the trees not far from them. Sakura stood up slowly and Li placed himself, protectively in front of her. Kaho walked to where the branches were moving and smiled at the new comer. He looked to be about the age of the three rather than Kaho. But most interestingly, both his eyes and his hair were a deep sapphire blue. He wore glasses, but looking past them you could see eyes that were kind but serious, old for their wearer. His smile was warm and the whole aura around him was mysterious but commanding.
He seemed so familiar to Sakura that she pushed past Li, who objected, to welcome him. "I was often told that people who come from the far west are some times born with blue hair and am pleased to know I wasn't lied to." She smiled at the stranger and looked to Kaho. "Would you please introduce us?"
"Certainly. Sakura this is Eriol Hiiragizawa, the person I have been telling you about. Eriol, this is Sakura Kinomoto."
She curtsied and held out her hand. He took it, but instead of bowing over it, like most of the courtiers, he kissed it lightly, looking deep into her eyes.
"It is a pleasure to meet you at last, princess."
She blushed and said, breathlessly, "The pleasure is mine, I assure you. Why don't you join us for dinner? We are having soup and it is done now."
"I believe I will," he answered, following her to where they had laid out cloth to sit on around the fire.
More than one pair of eyes saw how closely and intently Eriol watched the princess. Everyone noticed the vague look of adoration in his eyes and while Kaho and Tomoyo exchanged worried looks, Li glowered. However no one spoke until the princess, in an action far below her station in life, served them all dinner with a smile. She watched with anxious eyes as everyone took their first bite.
"It tastes wonderful, Sakura," Tomoyo grinned.
Everyone else nodded, too intent on eating the best meal they had had in a few days, excepting Eriol. Sakura sighed in relief and began to eat herself. When everyone and finished Tomoyo collected the bowls and then everyone turned to look at Eriol.
"Oh, I'm sorry I've been impolite," he spoke mildly, "I didn't get proper introductions to everyone. I'm sure that the two of you heard, but none the less, I'm Eriol Hiragizawa and I come from the west."
"I'm Li Xiao Lang and this is Lady Tomoyo Daidouji," Li said curtly.
"This is the Duchess of Park? Then the stories are true; you are indeed as beautiful as people say."
Tomoyo smiled serenely in pleasure while here eyes danced in amusement. "I'm sure, Mr. Hiiragizawa, that you know far more about all of us than we know of you. Why don't you elaborate on what you came here to discuss?"
"Indeed I shall. But first I need to ask something to the princess." He turned his eyes on her curious. "When you came to me you had eyes of recognition, why?'
She frowned a little thinking. "I feel like we've met before." Her brow furrowed in thought before she shrugged and smiled. "I'm just being silly. I can't remember meeting you before, and you are definitely someone I would recognize any time later."
He nodded. "Then I will explain myself. A few years ago I met Kaho on one of my journeys. She came to know me and eventually explained that she was looking for the answer to a question, the question about what would happen to Sakura. She explained the feelings that she had and I thought it best that I tell her what I knew. You see despite what your family believes, Li Xiao Lang, there was another written source about the Clow Cards. It was left to the paternal side of his family, who came from the far west, where they more or less disregarded it, since none of them were blessed with the Power.
"When I began to research different forms of using the Power, I came upon this book. It was fascinating to learn of this Power and I sought to find where these Cards were. However on that journey to find them I met Kaho and she explained to me what she knew. When I told her of the Cards, her eyes flashed with knowledge and she knew that was what you must find. She told me to stop searching for them and I helped explain to her what they were. We have been corresponding since then and when she told me that she had a feeling she would meet you soon she told me of it. I said I wished to meet you and, well here I am." He smiled at everyone.
"Hoee. What an amazing story. But you are a great sourcerer too aren't you, Eriol?"
He nodded.
"That is amazing. You know so much and can do a lot, I can tell, but you are so young." She sighed a little in self disappointment. "I could never do so much."
"No, I imagine you could do a great deal more, Sakura."
Li watched them carefully and his glare turned into a scowl and the scowl turned into a grimace. He jerked physically when this intruder called the princess Sakura so casually. What right did he have? He was about to get up and leave but Tomoyo put a hand on his arm and shook her head slightly. The look in her eyes was almost a worried one, though not for him, for her precious Sakura. So he nodded and resigned himself to stay there. When he looked back at Eriol, though, he found the deep blue eyes looking at him with well concealed amusement. He glared back.
"So, now that you've met the princess, what are you going to do?"
"I understand that you are traveling eastward and thought that I could accompany you since I am heading that way. If you would allow it."
Li began to refuse but was superceded when Sakura answered with a glowing, "Of course, I'd love you to come with us and tell us all about what you know and where you've been."
"It'd be a pleasure. Now, I'm going to return to the village and pack up my belongings there. I'll meet you in the town square tomorrow." He bowed and took the time to kiss Tomoyo and Sakura's hands before walking away with Kaho following behind him.
When they were back on the road and far out of hearing range Kaho looked at him. "You lied to them. Why?"
His eyes grew calculating and he smiled a bit mischievously. "It is best that they not know who I am yet, Kaho."
"She may hate you for it in the end, you know. I can tell that you already like her much more than you did, so what will you do when she turns from you in disgust?"
"You know better than I that she is unable to hate. It is what makes her such a beautiful person, her pure heart."
She sighed. "I know. I need to get back before Li thinks I'm plotting against you."
He smiled again, "Yes, the boy is very protective of her isn't he? It will be amusing to watch." He turned to make his way down the road.
"Oh, wait. What will Suppi and Nakuru be doing while you are on this journey?"
"The same as they are doing now. I sent them a while back to spy for me. Good night, Kaho."
"Good night, Eriol," she sighed as she watched his figure disappear down the road. If there was a bit of wistfulness in her eyes it was well concealed and it disappeared quickly. When she returned, the princess was already asleep and Tomoyo was curled up beside her. Li however was sitting beside the campfire, glaring at her when she returned.
"Well, just think Li, tomorrow you will be well rid of me."
"With someone I trust even less to replace you, I'm sure I can recover the loss." He turned his eyes away from her and she understood that the conversation was over. Quietly she went to her own bedding and was soon asleep.
Li continued to gaze into the fire, assessing his own bizarre feelings and wondering to himself if he really wanted to know what his heart was trying to tell him. So instead he turned his thoughts over to this intruder who the princess had accepted so readily, but who put the extremely wise and observant Tomoyo at disease. There was something about him that begged watching but he knew that the boy wouldn't let it be seen until he wished to. That fact made Li worry even more. Whoever Hiragizawa was, he was Powerful and probably beyond Li's level to defend against. And that scared Li as nothing else had before, the idea of not being able to protect Sakura.
? ? ?
"I'm going to miss you so much, Kaho! Promise me that when this is all over you will come to the palace again. I know Touya would love to see you."
"I promise I will, Sakura. But you have to promise me that since I won't be with you you'll keep up your unwavering optimism."
Sakura smiled and nodded. They were standing on the other end of the village. They had spent a few hours refilling rations and buying warmer bedding for the colder weather. Eriol had met up with them and took his turn to wish Kaho a good bye.
"I promise I'll look after her for you Kaho. But you take care of yourself as well."
She smiled and nodded. "I need to be going now. I'm sure I'll see you around soon enough, Sakura." For the first time since he'd laid eyes on her, Li watched as she bowed low in front of the princess of the kingdom and rose silently to leave.
They turned to leave themselves and walked on quietly for a few minutes before Li turned to the princess. "Why did she bow like that? I got the impression that you were on quite casual terms."
Sakura nodded. "We are and I wish that she would stop bowing like that actually. However, ever since we first met she would bow whenever we parted. Eventually she'd only do it whenever we parted for long terms, when I left to tour the kingdom or when she left that last time. I asked her once why she did it and she gave me an interesting answer."
By this time both Eriol and Tomoyo were listening to the princess. Sakura didn't notice but looked down at her hands as if suddenly sad. Li looked at her curiously for a moment and was about to ask her what the matter was when she began speaking again.
"Kaho explained that while we were friends, in Kaho's mind, I was still her princess and the one who leads. And if ever something were to happen on one of our travels she wished to show that she still was loyal to me and respected me as a subject might." She frowned and her eyes seemed to be seeing something far away. "She's never bowed so low before."
Tomoyo reached out to put a hand on her friend's shoulder. "Smile, Sakura."
More than that the princess laughed, "Don't worry about me, Tomoyo. The day I get lost in the doldrums is the day the world ends!"
Tomoyo laughed but when the princess looked away, she furrowed her brow. The action didn't go unnoticed however and she was a little startled when Eriol spoke to her.
"You notice much, don't you, your grace." He looked at her with knowing eyes.
"Only as much as you do, Mr. Hiiragizawa," she replied softly. "And please, call me Tomoyo. I very rarely go by my title or its affectations."
He nodded. "I will if you call me Eriol."
She nodded then walked forward to match steps with Sakura who was talking to a rambunctious Kero.
Li suddenly found himself keeping step with the very man he trusted least. Yet, he preferred walking beside him that him walking with Sakura so he bore with it. His gaze slid to the sourcerer and was surprised to find that the man was looking back at him.
"You do not trust me, Li, do you?" he asked with a quiet knowing voice.
"No."
"Have I given you any reason not to trust me?"
"Many. Even more you haven't given me any reason to trust you."
Eriol nodded, smiling slightly. "Perhaps that will change. In the mean while, I think I will have a discussion with the princess."
"Hiiragizawa, I'll only warn you once. If you hurt her in anyway, or even so much as look like you are going to, you won't live to regret it."
Eriol understood the change in the cliché and nodded before quickening his pace to speak with the princess and duchess. However, if he was the least bit worried over the threat he took very seriously, he didn't show it and that bothered Li even more.
? ? ?
"Now, princess, I understand you are adjusting well to the Cards, if you are a bit sleepy. Is there anyway I could help you with that?"
Sakura smiled but shook her head. "No, Eriol, I'm fine. If I have any problems with them I'm sure I could ask Kero or Li who are experts enough in themselves. But I was curious about a few things. I know that people who have the Power can sense others who have it, but since I'm all so new to this I don't know how. In fact there are many things I don't know that I would like to. Could you teach me some?"
"With pleasure, Sakura," he replied smiling. He paused and tilted his head to one side as if trying to figure out where to start. "Now, you know how when you are standing with your back to someone, sometimes you can sense that someone is there before you even hear or see them?"
She nodded.
"Now, in a way what you are doing is sensing their aura. A person's aura is how you can tell if they are possessed by the Power."
"But I thought everyone had an aura?" she asked curiously.
"Everyone does, but when someone is possessed by the Power their aura is much stronger, so strong that sometimes people who don't have magic can sense it."
"How?"
"Well, it is sensed unconsciously. However, people who have the Power often have people react to them in some strong way or another. Sometimes people will generally like them or sometimes they will generally be afraid of them. It depends on the personality of the person with magic. Also the more Power, the more magic, the more people like them."
Sakura nodded. "But how do you tell someone's aura?"
"I think you can do this walking, you are an exceptional girl after all." He smiled as Sakura blushed in delight at his compliment. "Now, I'll make sure you don't trip or walk into anything, so I need you to close your eyes and relax."
She obediently closed her eyes and tried to relax her sore muscles.
"Now, concentrate on you and nothing else. Try to block out the outside world and everything else in it. Only let yourself feel you."
The young girl thought this was a bit odd but tried to concentrate solely on herself. It was hard at first but eventually she drew completely into herself until she felt she could see her soul.
"Open your eyes and look at your hands," Eriol whispered softly, so not to startle her.
Almost trancelike, she opened her eyes and looked at her hands. She squealed in surprise as she noticed that she was now surrounded by a soft pink glowing light.
"That is your aura. Try to get a good feel of what it feels like. Do you have it in mind?"
She nodded, unable to take her eyes from her hands. It was too amazing to look at.
"Close your eyes again, but this time concentrate on what is outside of you. Remember what your aura felt like and try to find similar things around you."
Closing her eyes again she surprised herself by quickly being able to get in the same zone she had been earlier. With a speed that she didn't realize was truly amazing, she felt different auras around her. To one side she felt what seemed to be a blinding light. She couldn't explain how but it felt blue. She was going to have to ask how you felt colours but concentrated instead on the different things she felt. To her other side she felt a dim purple light and by the light she felt a golden light that was almost as bright as the blue but not quite. Then behind her was a green light that was as bright as the blue. This green light was different though, it felt warm and it was calling to her. She almost let herself drift towards it but was shaken when she heard Eriol speak.
"Do you feel them?" he asked quietly.
"Mmhmm," she whispered. She opened her eyes and could still see remnants of what she had felt around Eriol and Tomoyo who were looking at her curiously. "Eriol, how come I can feel colour? How is that possible?"
"Ah, that is a mystery. However, the colour that you feel is a reflection of who the person is. People say that some colours belong with others and that some colours are more Powerful. Personally I'd like to think that it is just a reflection of our selves." He shrugged. "Do you have anything else you want to know?"
"Yes, but not right now. Instead why don't you tell me more about yourself, Eriol?" She smiled at him with such purity that it startled Eriol.
"Of course, what do you want to know?"
Tomoyo slowed her step, not really caring to be part of the conversation. When she was even with Li she glanced over at him. He didn't seem to notice her but was staring intently at the two sourcerers as they talked. Tomoyo glanced to Sakura as her soft and entrancing laugh echoed back to the two of them.
"You are afraid he will hurt her aren't you, Li?"
He nodded without speaking.
"I don't think he will hurt her, directly at least," Tomoyo said, trying to assure him. "He looks at her very kindly, as if she is precious to him."
"But you still don't trust him do you Tomoyo?"
She shook her head. "No, not really. There is something about him that seems sneaky. I think he is lying about something, though what I couldn't say."
Li nodded. "I think so too."
For a moment Tomoyo watched the two walking a bit before them, then glanced again at Li who hadn't taken his eyes from the two for an instant. "You are constantly watching her, Li. If you aren't careful, you will reveal yourself to everyone."
He turned to look at her, blushing furiously. "It's not what you think. I'm her body guard. I'm supposed to watch over her."
She laughed evilly. "I'm sure that is what it is, Li. I'm sure."
He glared at her but after that kept his eyes on his feet and tried his hardest not to look at the princess.
(A/N: And that's all I have written so far! Please don't throw things at me. I promise I'll have more up in a day or few. Specially once my friend starts reading and yells at me to write more ^.^; Anyway, for the time being, ja!)
(Oh wait. Before someone asks me, AGES! Yay! Anyway, Sakura, Tomoyo, Rika and Naoko are 17, Li is 18, Eriol is 19, Touya and Yukito are24, Kaho is 22. Yep, Kaho isn't a pedophile anymore, yay!)
Now for all your questions ^.^; Some of which READING will answer, but for the more pressing ones:
Tomoyo WILL be sketching AND writing about the wonderful Sakura, but after they get to a place where they can stop for more than only a night at a time. Or maybe she already is and just hasn't told me about it. Meh.
The Royal Family won't be attacked directly because the evil They don't really care about them. They want Sakura. And the Li family, but that comes later.
The evil will start showing up a little soon but won't make a grand entrance until awhile later, after they get to Li's home.
Everything else from there is telling ^.^
Disclaimer: I DO own CCS. Bought the manga fair and square (All twelve volumes). Anyway, CLAMP got the profit from it so just trace the buck back or something. Yadda yadda.
Chapter Six: Dangerous Stranger
A couple hours before night fall they saw the town in the distance. The group continued to walk, princess still unconscious in Li's capable arms, until it was with an hours walk and set up camp inside a forested area just off the road. Sakura finally woke when Li bent over to lay her on the bedding Tomoyo and Kaho had carefully prepared. Her eyes were hazy and she couldn't focus for a moment.
"Where are we?" she asked tiredly.
"We are about an hour from the village, princess. You've been asleep for quite a few hours."
"Oh, I'm sorry, Li! I didn't mean to be a burden to you, having to carry me like that." She looked on the verge of tears so Li quickly tried to stop them from pouring forth.
"If I had minded I would have let the stuffed animal carry you, or I wouldn't have mentioned doing it in the first place. But it's good that you've woken up now. Kaho says that the man of the hour will be here an hour or so after night fall. That gives you approximately an hour, maybe two, to wake up and get ready for meeting him."
Sakura nodded. "I think I'll start the soup I promised." She stood up shakily and began to search through the bags, drawing out a cooking pot, surprisingly light for its size, and a few ingredients to put in the soup. "Is there a creek nearby?"
Tomoyo shook her head. "We looked but there isn't any water at all nearby. It's a good thing we filled our water bags yesterday."
Sakura nodded then pulled out the Watery Card. Before anyone could stop her, lest she get even more worn through she had already filled the pot with what she thought was the needed amount and put the Card back away. Oblivious to everyone's incredulous stares at her actions she simply continued to work in a daze. However, when she began to pull out Firey, Li quickly stopped her and used an ofuda instead.
"You shouldn't tire yourself out so much, princess. Why don't you rest over there and regain some strength. I'll make sure nothing burns."
She nodded and smiled. "Thanks. I think I'll change too. This dress is quite dirty and, even if he is an enemy, I would like to present a good impression to our.guest." Stumbling slightly, the princess walked over to where her bag was lying and went to hide behind a few trees. After a moment Tomoyo followed her and Kaho and Li breathed a little easier knowing that she wasn't alone.
Li looked at Kaho, alone with her for the first time since they met. "Who exactly are we meeting?"
She sighed. "I know you do not trust me, Li, because it is almost impossible for someone such as you to trust someone such as me. But believe me when I say that I love Sakura. I dare anyone who knows her to not. The person who is coming is someone who actually already knows her, even if she does not know him. He will do her no harm. In fact, while I promised I would not introduce him until he himself was present, I know you will want to meet him as well. So please, for this one time, trust me."
He stared at her for a moment. "Why would I want to meet him so much?"
She smiled in her mysterious way and cocked her head to one side. "Let's just say that in a way you already know him, or at least a lot about him."
The woman was daft and that was all there was to it. He stirred the stew, soup, thing a bit as it began to bubble and waited patiently until Sakura showed herself again. It was almost twenty minutes of near silence until Tomoyo and Sakura reappeared. Li tried hard not to let his jaw drop as he looked at the princess, but it was difficult. She looked even more beautiful than usual, with a dress styled in the usual fashion, but this time with silk that matched the colour of her eyes almost completely. Tomoyo had embroidered small white and pink flowers, cherry blossoms onto the bodice and the various hems. For once her long hair was let down, brushed and placed over one shoulder. She was magnificent looking.
Tomoyo walked over to him and whispered softly into one ear. "You are drooling, Li."
He jerked back from her and turned his eyes, with great effort to the stew as Sakura walked over to him. She came to sit beside him and asked about the stew. He muttered some response or another and tried hard not to stare at her, even though she wouldn't really notice in her tired state.
Kaho and Tomoyo looked at each other and could barely suppress their laughter.
It was as the soup was just about finished that they could hear a rustle in the trees not far from them. Sakura stood up slowly and Li placed himself, protectively in front of her. Kaho walked to where the branches were moving and smiled at the new comer. He looked to be about the age of the three rather than Kaho. But most interestingly, both his eyes and his hair were a deep sapphire blue. He wore glasses, but looking past them you could see eyes that were kind but serious, old for their wearer. His smile was warm and the whole aura around him was mysterious but commanding.
He seemed so familiar to Sakura that she pushed past Li, who objected, to welcome him. "I was often told that people who come from the far west are some times born with blue hair and am pleased to know I wasn't lied to." She smiled at the stranger and looked to Kaho. "Would you please introduce us?"
"Certainly. Sakura this is Eriol Hiiragizawa, the person I have been telling you about. Eriol, this is Sakura Kinomoto."
She curtsied and held out her hand. He took it, but instead of bowing over it, like most of the courtiers, he kissed it lightly, looking deep into her eyes.
"It is a pleasure to meet you at last, princess."
She blushed and said, breathlessly, "The pleasure is mine, I assure you. Why don't you join us for dinner? We are having soup and it is done now."
"I believe I will," he answered, following her to where they had laid out cloth to sit on around the fire.
More than one pair of eyes saw how closely and intently Eriol watched the princess. Everyone noticed the vague look of adoration in his eyes and while Kaho and Tomoyo exchanged worried looks, Li glowered. However no one spoke until the princess, in an action far below her station in life, served them all dinner with a smile. She watched with anxious eyes as everyone took their first bite.
"It tastes wonderful, Sakura," Tomoyo grinned.
Everyone else nodded, too intent on eating the best meal they had had in a few days, excepting Eriol. Sakura sighed in relief and began to eat herself. When everyone and finished Tomoyo collected the bowls and then everyone turned to look at Eriol.
"Oh, I'm sorry I've been impolite," he spoke mildly, "I didn't get proper introductions to everyone. I'm sure that the two of you heard, but none the less, I'm Eriol Hiragizawa and I come from the west."
"I'm Li Xiao Lang and this is Lady Tomoyo Daidouji," Li said curtly.
"This is the Duchess of Park? Then the stories are true; you are indeed as beautiful as people say."
Tomoyo smiled serenely in pleasure while here eyes danced in amusement. "I'm sure, Mr. Hiiragizawa, that you know far more about all of us than we know of you. Why don't you elaborate on what you came here to discuss?"
"Indeed I shall. But first I need to ask something to the princess." He turned his eyes on her curious. "When you came to me you had eyes of recognition, why?'
She frowned a little thinking. "I feel like we've met before." Her brow furrowed in thought before she shrugged and smiled. "I'm just being silly. I can't remember meeting you before, and you are definitely someone I would recognize any time later."
He nodded. "Then I will explain myself. A few years ago I met Kaho on one of my journeys. She came to know me and eventually explained that she was looking for the answer to a question, the question about what would happen to Sakura. She explained the feelings that she had and I thought it best that I tell her what I knew. You see despite what your family believes, Li Xiao Lang, there was another written source about the Clow Cards. It was left to the paternal side of his family, who came from the far west, where they more or less disregarded it, since none of them were blessed with the Power.
"When I began to research different forms of using the Power, I came upon this book. It was fascinating to learn of this Power and I sought to find where these Cards were. However on that journey to find them I met Kaho and she explained to me what she knew. When I told her of the Cards, her eyes flashed with knowledge and she knew that was what you must find. She told me to stop searching for them and I helped explain to her what they were. We have been corresponding since then and when she told me that she had a feeling she would meet you soon she told me of it. I said I wished to meet you and, well here I am." He smiled at everyone.
"Hoee. What an amazing story. But you are a great sourcerer too aren't you, Eriol?"
He nodded.
"That is amazing. You know so much and can do a lot, I can tell, but you are so young." She sighed a little in self disappointment. "I could never do so much."
"No, I imagine you could do a great deal more, Sakura."
Li watched them carefully and his glare turned into a scowl and the scowl turned into a grimace. He jerked physically when this intruder called the princess Sakura so casually. What right did he have? He was about to get up and leave but Tomoyo put a hand on his arm and shook her head slightly. The look in her eyes was almost a worried one, though not for him, for her precious Sakura. So he nodded and resigned himself to stay there. When he looked back at Eriol, though, he found the deep blue eyes looking at him with well concealed amusement. He glared back.
"So, now that you've met the princess, what are you going to do?"
"I understand that you are traveling eastward and thought that I could accompany you since I am heading that way. If you would allow it."
Li began to refuse but was superceded when Sakura answered with a glowing, "Of course, I'd love you to come with us and tell us all about what you know and where you've been."
"It'd be a pleasure. Now, I'm going to return to the village and pack up my belongings there. I'll meet you in the town square tomorrow." He bowed and took the time to kiss Tomoyo and Sakura's hands before walking away with Kaho following behind him.
When they were back on the road and far out of hearing range Kaho looked at him. "You lied to them. Why?"
His eyes grew calculating and he smiled a bit mischievously. "It is best that they not know who I am yet, Kaho."
"She may hate you for it in the end, you know. I can tell that you already like her much more than you did, so what will you do when she turns from you in disgust?"
"You know better than I that she is unable to hate. It is what makes her such a beautiful person, her pure heart."
She sighed. "I know. I need to get back before Li thinks I'm plotting against you."
He smiled again, "Yes, the boy is very protective of her isn't he? It will be amusing to watch." He turned to make his way down the road.
"Oh, wait. What will Suppi and Nakuru be doing while you are on this journey?"
"The same as they are doing now. I sent them a while back to spy for me. Good night, Kaho."
"Good night, Eriol," she sighed as she watched his figure disappear down the road. If there was a bit of wistfulness in her eyes it was well concealed and it disappeared quickly. When she returned, the princess was already asleep and Tomoyo was curled up beside her. Li however was sitting beside the campfire, glaring at her when she returned.
"Well, just think Li, tomorrow you will be well rid of me."
"With someone I trust even less to replace you, I'm sure I can recover the loss." He turned his eyes away from her and she understood that the conversation was over. Quietly she went to her own bedding and was soon asleep.
Li continued to gaze into the fire, assessing his own bizarre feelings and wondering to himself if he really wanted to know what his heart was trying to tell him. So instead he turned his thoughts over to this intruder who the princess had accepted so readily, but who put the extremely wise and observant Tomoyo at disease. There was something about him that begged watching but he knew that the boy wouldn't let it be seen until he wished to. That fact made Li worry even more. Whoever Hiragizawa was, he was Powerful and probably beyond Li's level to defend against. And that scared Li as nothing else had before, the idea of not being able to protect Sakura.
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"I'm going to miss you so much, Kaho! Promise me that when this is all over you will come to the palace again. I know Touya would love to see you."
"I promise I will, Sakura. But you have to promise me that since I won't be with you you'll keep up your unwavering optimism."
Sakura smiled and nodded. They were standing on the other end of the village. They had spent a few hours refilling rations and buying warmer bedding for the colder weather. Eriol had met up with them and took his turn to wish Kaho a good bye.
"I promise I'll look after her for you Kaho. But you take care of yourself as well."
She smiled and nodded. "I need to be going now. I'm sure I'll see you around soon enough, Sakura." For the first time since he'd laid eyes on her, Li watched as she bowed low in front of the princess of the kingdom and rose silently to leave.
They turned to leave themselves and walked on quietly for a few minutes before Li turned to the princess. "Why did she bow like that? I got the impression that you were on quite casual terms."
Sakura nodded. "We are and I wish that she would stop bowing like that actually. However, ever since we first met she would bow whenever we parted. Eventually she'd only do it whenever we parted for long terms, when I left to tour the kingdom or when she left that last time. I asked her once why she did it and she gave me an interesting answer."
By this time both Eriol and Tomoyo were listening to the princess. Sakura didn't notice but looked down at her hands as if suddenly sad. Li looked at her curiously for a moment and was about to ask her what the matter was when she began speaking again.
"Kaho explained that while we were friends, in Kaho's mind, I was still her princess and the one who leads. And if ever something were to happen on one of our travels she wished to show that she still was loyal to me and respected me as a subject might." She frowned and her eyes seemed to be seeing something far away. "She's never bowed so low before."
Tomoyo reached out to put a hand on her friend's shoulder. "Smile, Sakura."
More than that the princess laughed, "Don't worry about me, Tomoyo. The day I get lost in the doldrums is the day the world ends!"
Tomoyo laughed but when the princess looked away, she furrowed her brow. The action didn't go unnoticed however and she was a little startled when Eriol spoke to her.
"You notice much, don't you, your grace." He looked at her with knowing eyes.
"Only as much as you do, Mr. Hiiragizawa," she replied softly. "And please, call me Tomoyo. I very rarely go by my title or its affectations."
He nodded. "I will if you call me Eriol."
She nodded then walked forward to match steps with Sakura who was talking to a rambunctious Kero.
Li suddenly found himself keeping step with the very man he trusted least. Yet, he preferred walking beside him that him walking with Sakura so he bore with it. His gaze slid to the sourcerer and was surprised to find that the man was looking back at him.
"You do not trust me, Li, do you?" he asked with a quiet knowing voice.
"No."
"Have I given you any reason not to trust me?"
"Many. Even more you haven't given me any reason to trust you."
Eriol nodded, smiling slightly. "Perhaps that will change. In the mean while, I think I will have a discussion with the princess."
"Hiiragizawa, I'll only warn you once. If you hurt her in anyway, or even so much as look like you are going to, you won't live to regret it."
Eriol understood the change in the cliché and nodded before quickening his pace to speak with the princess and duchess. However, if he was the least bit worried over the threat he took very seriously, he didn't show it and that bothered Li even more.
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"Now, princess, I understand you are adjusting well to the Cards, if you are a bit sleepy. Is there anyway I could help you with that?"
Sakura smiled but shook her head. "No, Eriol, I'm fine. If I have any problems with them I'm sure I could ask Kero or Li who are experts enough in themselves. But I was curious about a few things. I know that people who have the Power can sense others who have it, but since I'm all so new to this I don't know how. In fact there are many things I don't know that I would like to. Could you teach me some?"
"With pleasure, Sakura," he replied smiling. He paused and tilted his head to one side as if trying to figure out where to start. "Now, you know how when you are standing with your back to someone, sometimes you can sense that someone is there before you even hear or see them?"
She nodded.
"Now, in a way what you are doing is sensing their aura. A person's aura is how you can tell if they are possessed by the Power."
"But I thought everyone had an aura?" she asked curiously.
"Everyone does, but when someone is possessed by the Power their aura is much stronger, so strong that sometimes people who don't have magic can sense it."
"How?"
"Well, it is sensed unconsciously. However, people who have the Power often have people react to them in some strong way or another. Sometimes people will generally like them or sometimes they will generally be afraid of them. It depends on the personality of the person with magic. Also the more Power, the more magic, the more people like them."
Sakura nodded. "But how do you tell someone's aura?"
"I think you can do this walking, you are an exceptional girl after all." He smiled as Sakura blushed in delight at his compliment. "Now, I'll make sure you don't trip or walk into anything, so I need you to close your eyes and relax."
She obediently closed her eyes and tried to relax her sore muscles.
"Now, concentrate on you and nothing else. Try to block out the outside world and everything else in it. Only let yourself feel you."
The young girl thought this was a bit odd but tried to concentrate solely on herself. It was hard at first but eventually she drew completely into herself until she felt she could see her soul.
"Open your eyes and look at your hands," Eriol whispered softly, so not to startle her.
Almost trancelike, she opened her eyes and looked at her hands. She squealed in surprise as she noticed that she was now surrounded by a soft pink glowing light.
"That is your aura. Try to get a good feel of what it feels like. Do you have it in mind?"
She nodded, unable to take her eyes from her hands. It was too amazing to look at.
"Close your eyes again, but this time concentrate on what is outside of you. Remember what your aura felt like and try to find similar things around you."
Closing her eyes again she surprised herself by quickly being able to get in the same zone she had been earlier. With a speed that she didn't realize was truly amazing, she felt different auras around her. To one side she felt what seemed to be a blinding light. She couldn't explain how but it felt blue. She was going to have to ask how you felt colours but concentrated instead on the different things she felt. To her other side she felt a dim purple light and by the light she felt a golden light that was almost as bright as the blue but not quite. Then behind her was a green light that was as bright as the blue. This green light was different though, it felt warm and it was calling to her. She almost let herself drift towards it but was shaken when she heard Eriol speak.
"Do you feel them?" he asked quietly.
"Mmhmm," she whispered. She opened her eyes and could still see remnants of what she had felt around Eriol and Tomoyo who were looking at her curiously. "Eriol, how come I can feel colour? How is that possible?"
"Ah, that is a mystery. However, the colour that you feel is a reflection of who the person is. People say that some colours belong with others and that some colours are more Powerful. Personally I'd like to think that it is just a reflection of our selves." He shrugged. "Do you have anything else you want to know?"
"Yes, but not right now. Instead why don't you tell me more about yourself, Eriol?" She smiled at him with such purity that it startled Eriol.
"Of course, what do you want to know?"
Tomoyo slowed her step, not really caring to be part of the conversation. When she was even with Li she glanced over at him. He didn't seem to notice her but was staring intently at the two sourcerers as they talked. Tomoyo glanced to Sakura as her soft and entrancing laugh echoed back to the two of them.
"You are afraid he will hurt her aren't you, Li?"
He nodded without speaking.
"I don't think he will hurt her, directly at least," Tomoyo said, trying to assure him. "He looks at her very kindly, as if she is precious to him."
"But you still don't trust him do you Tomoyo?"
She shook her head. "No, not really. There is something about him that seems sneaky. I think he is lying about something, though what I couldn't say."
Li nodded. "I think so too."
For a moment Tomoyo watched the two walking a bit before them, then glanced again at Li who hadn't taken his eyes from the two for an instant. "You are constantly watching her, Li. If you aren't careful, you will reveal yourself to everyone."
He turned to look at her, blushing furiously. "It's not what you think. I'm her body guard. I'm supposed to watch over her."
She laughed evilly. "I'm sure that is what it is, Li. I'm sure."
He glared at her but after that kept his eyes on his feet and tried his hardest not to look at the princess.
(A/N: And that's all I have written so far! Please don't throw things at me. I promise I'll have more up in a day or few. Specially once my friend starts reading and yells at me to write more ^.^; Anyway, for the time being, ja!)
(Oh wait. Before someone asks me, AGES! Yay! Anyway, Sakura, Tomoyo, Rika and Naoko are 17, Li is 18, Eriol is 19, Touya and Yukito are24, Kaho is 22. Yep, Kaho isn't a pedophile anymore, yay!)