Waltz of the Katana

Chapter 3: Protecting

By AutumnIllusion

DISCLAIMER: I don't own CCS and blah blah, CLAMP does, blan blah, I can't heeeaar you… ::not facing the fact that Syaoran isn't hers::

This…is…getting…boring… Sakura's adventurous nature started to kick by mid afternoon of the third day journeying.  The whole trip she had just stayed enclosed within her private compartment, except at night when they took a stop.  She sighed and put her chin in her hand casually.  Being a princess wasn't too much fun when they were a princess in a box.  Resorting to her last sort of entertainment, she started conversation with Kero, who was currently munching on a pastry with as much concentration as possible.  "Hey Kero, do you have any more pastries in the bag?"

Kero was still focusing on finishing the pastry quickly.  "Mhhmnfgrifht…" he mumbled.  Maybe he was trying to eat it in some kind of record or something.  When he did finish, he shrugged.  "Uh…" looking into a small box that had been filled with treats Tomoyo had made for Sakura, Kero sweatdropped.  "Not exactly," he said under his breath.

"Kero!" Sakura whined, looking down at the empty box.  "No fair!  What did you eat them all just in two days?!" she paused, then added, "Wait, don't even tell me," rolling her eyes.  She pouted, but let Kero off.  "Just share next time…"

"Yeah, yeah, I will…try at least," Kero thoughtfully agreed.  He rose from the floor and flew around the compartment a few times.

"Whatcha doing?"

"Exercising of course, gotta stay fit after eating," a blur of yellow circled faster.

Sakura smirked.  "Olay then," she shifted, trying to find a more comfortable sitting position.  Stinkin dress, hard to not get wrinkled, Sakura bit her lip, finally finding a comfortable position.  She was laying on her side, curled up.  "Maybe I'll just take a nap," she muttered.  She started puffing up a cushion…then felt her box come to a stop.

"Excuse me?" a hollow two knocks were called from the door of the compartment.  Unfortunatley it echoed on Sakura's head, that had been leaning on that side.  She struggled into a more formal sitting position.  "Oh, uh, ye-yes?" she straightened her hair and opened the window to her compartment and looked out.  "Tomoyo, Chiharu!"

The two friends waved to Sakura.  Their clothes looked kind of dirty, from sleeping on the ground and working on the journey all day.  Sakura on the other hand was wearing her clean fancy dress, and actually had a chest of other outfits in the back somewhere.  Tomoyo held up a cloth wrapped package.  "Here, some food," she offered.

Sakura drooled at it, and immediately accepted it.  "Thank you sooo much!" she looked around.  By now it was evening, and the sky was tainted pinkish red.  It looked like the whole camp had halted, probably to rest the night.  Around her people were unloading their packs off horses, cooking dinner, and sharpening tools and weapons.

"Princess!" Yukito joined the group of friends.  In his arms he held a handful of scrolls, shuffling half mindedly through them.  He smiled calmly, letting the words 'princess' soak in to both himself and Sakura.

Sakura beamed, ready to get out.  "Hello Yukito!" she struggled to open the door, it wouldn't budge.  Finally it flew open after a few hard pushes and a kick.  "Hehehe…" she hopped out of her 'box' and accidentally splashing her slippers with dirt.  Errr…very princess-like, Sakura sweatdropped with a glance at the pink slippers spotted lightly.  "I'll just use the Clow cards to clean it.  Bubble should do the trick," retrieving her bag, Sakura rummaged through it.  She pulled out her Clow book.

"Wait." A scroll stood in front of Sakura's eyes, distracting her.  "Don't use the Clow out in the open." Yukito warned and lowered his scroll back to his armful.  He used his fingers to push his thin rimmed glasses back into place and smiled faintly.  "It's not something Princess Mineko would be able to do," he hinted.

That's right, Sakura nodded and slipped the book into her bag again.  "Hai," How could I be so careless?  If someone was watching us, the cover would have been completely blown!  I need to be more careful… With a salute, she added, "I'll be the best princess I can be.  That's me, Princess Mineko!" she grinned.  "Ahahaha…"

"That's good to know," Yukito started leading the group along to the center of the campsite.  "We're setting up your tent," he gestured to a very spacious tent being hauled together by a few students.  The tents were small, and shared by multiple people.  "And Kari will be staying in your tent as well." Yukito leaned in to Sakura, whispering to her.  He used Mineko's camouflage name they had made to refer to her.  "If you need anything, give me a call, I'll be working by my tent." Yukito departed with a bow.  The whole aura around him was just as magical as Sakura, and he politely dismissed himself, leaving Sakura amazed.

"He's so cool…" Sakura grinned.  Like a big brother… "Darn, how come I ended up with Toya as my brother instead?!" she pouted with a small tint of humor.  She yawned widely, stretching her arms up to the sky.  "Ughh…I'm so worn out.  I didn't even do anything but stay inside all day!"

The three walked over into Sakura's tent once it was pitched, blocking out the busy mobile community going on around them.  Chiharu was first to open the package of food they were going to share.  She unwrapped the thin cloth around it and selected a pair of wooden chopsticks from her sack.  "Today wasn't so bad," Chiharu commented thoughtfully.  She paused and munched on a piece of vegetable.  When swallowed, a dreamy smile crept up. "—"

"What?" Tomoyo intersected, shaking her head.  She untied her hairband from around her forehead that had been keeping her wavy hair out of her face.  "It was so hot!  All day from sunrise to sunset.  Walking half way, horse riding the other half, working our butts off!" she dropped onto her back.  "I need some sleep…how could you think it was fun?"

Chiharu still held that dreamy half grin.  "Well…" she shrugged.  "It was pretty fun,"

Sakura raised her eyebrow.  "I know just as well as Tomoyo that you would usually be dead tired after non-stop journeying." She flattened the skirt of her dress casually, practicing her princess act.  "What's up with that?"

"Ah-hah!" Tomoyo raised her hand, pointing her finger in exclamation.  She rolled over onto her stomach and grinned innocently.  "I bet it's because you were working with Takashi Yamazaki all day."

Now it was Chiharu's turn to go down.  "Ieeeee…" she blushed.  "I wouldn't like someone so foolish as him," she tried to persuade her friends unsuccessfully.  "He's always joking around so much!  It gets on my nerves," she protested.

Sakura clapped, "Yay, I knew it!  It's so obvious you two are a match!  He needs you to look out for him, or else the liar monster will get him!  For all the lies he's told!"

Chiharu sweatdropped.  "Ahh, don't tell me he tricked you too…" she held her hands up with a shrug.  "He's so…" she trailed off.  "Sakura, there is no liar monster."

Sakura gaped, not very princess-like anymore.  At least no one was checking anyway.  "Hoee?  Really?  Ahh, I'm so gullible," she observed pitifully.  "Opps…"

"And dense too!" Tomoyo chanted in.  She watched her friend sweatdrop at the other observation, wishing she had something to catch this moment on.  Too bad there wasn't something she could record Sakura on, like…coughvideocameracough.

Sakura's POV

"Sakura."

"Sakura." A voice called to me again.  I rolled over to my side.  "Mhh…"

"Sakura." It came again.  "Sakura…!  Wake up Sakura!"

I was being tapped rather hard on my shoulder now, and now someone was shaking me.  "Whaa…" I mumbled and pushed myself into a sitting position.  For night it seemed particularly louder I had remembered.

"We're under attack," the voice told me.  I strained my eyes, adjusting to the dim lighting.  I squinted until I saw Princess Mineko in front of me, eye wide.

"Wait…what?" I rubbed my eyes again to see if I was really awake.  "We're under…attack?"

"Yes, look outside yourself," Mineko waved a hand outside the tent flap.

I leaned forward cautiously and poked my head out.  Sure enough, a small battle had started around the central area of the campsite.  It wasn't major damage, just a small battle going on, and it looked like they were trying to search the inventory compartments.

I quickly grabbed Mineko's arm and pulled her back onto her stomach on the far corner of the tent.  I pushed her so she rolled into the edge, where no one could see her.  I swiped the large blanket I had slept on, and threw it over both of us as a shadow passed by holding a sword like shape.  Mineko was fully covered, while my eyes looked out to watch as the figure walked by slowly.  In the stillness of the tent I thought I felt her shiver.  We were behind the sacks from our belongings, and I leaned lower to the ground.  He was slowing to a stop, looking around.  I needed to get my Clow book.  Or my katana.  But my katana was across the tent.  The Clow book…if I went through my bag to get it, the figure might notice me…

And then he turned.  He rose his sword.

This was going to be the end.  But I would do it protecting the Princess, just as I was told to do.  I leaned over her, still low, and got ready for the blow.

But instead of slicing down into us, the sword cut through the side, stabbing lightly into the front on the tent.  More of a signal to scare anyone who could have been hiding rather that to kill them.  It was just for intimidation.  The figure passed finally, and a minute later I crawled off of my protective barrier to Princess Mineko.

Sakura

It was a signal from Yukito.  Since both of us were magic related, he could do this.

Yes? I responded.

Are you and the Princess okay?

Yeah, I guess.  What now?

I'll take care of her from here.  Wait by your tent and I'll come in a minute

O-okay

Whatever you go though, don't use your magic or sword

I paused and frowned.  Wait…but I need to fight.  We're being attacked though

Only in the situations where you're directly involved, or the princess is.  Stay out of the battle

But- I was cut off from my conversation, and couldn't feel Yukito's presence anymore.  He was okay.  Probably just didn't want to waste more time explaining to me whatever questions I had.

I sighed and explained to Mineko that Yukito was coming.  She merely nodded in understanding.  Her face looked pretty pale, surprised and scared.  I would have been too, but I knew I had a duty.  After a few minutes of silence in the tent as we listened to the sounds of fighting going on around us, Yukito came.  Behind him was Toya, obviously been in battle earlier on.  Drops of blood stained his shirt, and his hair was ruffled.  Yukito gestured the two of us out, so out both of us scrambled.  I made sure to tuck my Clow book in my arms, and with the other my katana.  We scampered after Yukito who led us, him first, Mineko second, me third, and Toya protecting the end.  We stopped behind a pile of supplies, and Yukito warned me again.  "Do not fight though," he placed his hands on my shoulders firmly.  "Don't get involved.  It's best for both the real princess and pretend to just stay out until needed."

I sighed but nodded.  While Yukito talked with Mineko, I turned and watched the fight from afar.  I didn't ache to kill, just to protect.  How was Tomoyo and Chiharu?

As if answering my question, I caught sight of them.  Tomoyo was fighting with her sword, but she looked a little tired.  She fell over something, falling onto a half destroyed tent.  She struggled to get up while fighting off someone.

I need to help her…

But Chiharu already did.  She blocked a blow headed for Tomoyo by controlling Tomoyo's hand to raise her sword, then helped Tomoyo us.  Chiharu had no weapon, and eagerly picked up a frying pan.  (don't ask if they had frying pans…they're just good --;;)  The two teamed together on the person, and Chiharu finally knocked him out with a hit to the stomach from the frying pan's handle.  (go her! )

At least they were okay…

But I think our forces were starting to get tired.  I just had this sense…

But then I saw some more people I didn't realize were there before…had they?  They weren't dressed in black like our attackers, or dressed in our commonware.  They wore a rich red, lined in white.  I definitely hadn't seen them at first.  At least they seemed to be helping us.  With their sudden appearance, we were beating the black clad attackers.  They were starting to flee, and soon the only ones of them left were the dead.

"Ah, Ruby Moon!" Yukito called and stepped ahead of me to approach one of the red and white.  He stopped in front of a beautiful young looking woman, who looked about Toya and Yukito's age.  "Hello," he nodded to the boy that stood by the woman's side.  He had midnight blue eyes and matching hair.  He must have been around my age.  His eyes half entranced me, half creeped me out.  The seemed to glitter from behind his thin rimmed glasses.

"Hey Yukito!  Long time no see!" the girl excitedly waved to Yukito.  Then she tilted to her side and waved at Toya.  "Hey Toyaaa!" in to which Toya blinked back at blankly.

The woman had long brownish hair, with a little section on both sides tied into a small buns.  Her red and white uniform was more detailed than the others, with a black butterfly printed on the front.  She slipped her long black gloves off her hands and stepped to meet Yukito.  "About time we met up with your force.  We need to get on schedule."

Toya reluctantly joined Yukito and the woman.  "Hello Ruby Moon," he cautiously greeted.

Then the girl, apparently Ruby Moon sort of jumped onto Toya, into a glompy kind of hug.  Okaaayyy…I actually kind of pitied Toya at that moment, no matter how mean a brother he was.

Later: Sakura's POV

I found out later that the people who had helped us fight off the attackers were none other than from the Li Empire.  The woman was head of the army, Nakuru, also known as Ruby Moon.  The boy with the shining eyes was Eriol, second captain in command.  He seemed to get along with Nakuru like siblings.  So about the attack.  I figured it out after a minute, but anyway, it was from the people against the joining in Princess Mineko and Prince Li engagement.  So yeah…the whole night was very…tiring.  We managed to retrieve most of our belongings at least, and Ruby Moon's force had extra.  I got to talk with Tomoyo and Chiharu a little bit.

Flashback

I jogged over to meet Tomoyo and Chiharu, where they sat in the dirt stringing together their belongings.  "You guys okay?" I panted.

Tomoyo rubbed her forehead.  "In terms of hurting, it's more in here," she pointed to her forehead, "than anything physical.  We're fine."

Chiharu sighed, "Yeah, we are." She stretched the 'we'.

"Nani?" I waited for an explanation.

"Yamazaki played hero and protected Chiharu," Tomoyo giggled.  But then she stopped laughing, "But that cost him a bit of a cut on his arm.  He'll be fine though, just getting bandaged up right now." She explained and nodded over to a group of the injured as they were tended to.

"Oh…" I mumbled.  A wave of guilt washed over.  I really wished I had been able to help…

"Don't worry," Chiharu must have noticed my thoughts.  She smiled, "We know what happened with you.  Its fine, we did pretty good on our own.  You had duties to do too.  Missed you though," she assured me and stuck out her tongue at the last remark.

"Well…okay then," I dropped down and sat between my two friends.  "And that really is sooo sweet Chiharu!  Told you!"

"Shuddup," Chiharu punched both of us on the shoulder lightly.  We still saw a bit of pink on her cheeks though…

End flashback

So now I was back to riding in my 'box'.  Yes, I am a princess in a box.  How fun.  At least we should be arriving soon… I'm getting cramped up again in here.

Like always, Kero is asleep.  I guess his sugar high has worn out after yesterday's events.  That's kinda nice every once in a while.  As soon as we're safely at the Li Kingdom, then I'll be finished with this decoy business.  I hope anyway… It's getting a little weird.

Hello Sakura?

It was Yukito again.  At least that stopped the silence in my box. Yes?

I'd warn you that we'll be arriving at our destination in a few minutes,

I nodded.  Okay I paused and then added so will Mineko be taking over her role when we get there?

Well…

I waited hopefully for the words "Yes" to come.  Instead, I was consulting with the others and…

I blinked and waited.  Somehow I was a little scared to find out what. and?

we decided it's not safe yet for the princess to resume her position.

Oh, okay I responded simply.  But wait…did that mean… I'm still gonna be a princess!? I mentally screamed in anguish to Yukito, and it most likely sounded odd in the phrasing.  Some of it must have also come out aloud, since Kero jolted up from his sleep and in a panic asked, "Are we under attack again?!"

You're still in the position on Princess Mineko, future wife to Prince Li Syaoran, and he needs to believe so

So that was his name.  Li Syaoran.  I guess I would have to drop the formalities.  Boy would Tomoyo and Chiharu be surprised at this.  And Toya…greeeaaatt.  Just imagine something like what Kero's reaction was when I told him, extend it to unbelievable pestering and it totals to Toya.  Kero had spit out his food all over the wall of our 'box' ride in shock, then started rolling around like there was no tomorrow.  I would agree about the no tomorrow thing.

Normal POV

By mid-afternoon, the kingdom was in sight, and civilian houses were perched on each side of the streets.  They seemed to lean out as if to get a good view of the Princesses' arrival.  Maybe the look had something to do with the open windows filled with people who literally were leaning out to watch.

Sakura fumbled nervously in the dark of her compartment, windows closed.

Open the windows Yukito advised.

Obeying with no other idea of what she should do, the window opened.  More like it flew open.  Or even closer in accuracy, the window was slammed open.   Hopefully Sakura would release her tensions and the beads of sweat would deteriorate in the next three minutes, or else it might cause some sort of suspicion when she stood in front of the King.

"Welcome Princess Mineko-sama!"

"We're honored!"

"We bless your marriage!"

wave to the people.  Make them like you

Sakura took a deep breath and did as Yukito had suggested again.  Crowds and warming up to people in general were no problems for Sakura.  But to fake being a princess on top of it…

"This is some sweets for you!" a woman trotted alongside the compartment, holding high a basket of warm goods.  "We're delighted to have you here!"

Sakura beamed and lightly accepted the basket.  "Oh, thank you very much," she lowered the basket back into her compartment, where Kero immediately drooled over it.  In a swift technique used so many times in training practice back at the academy, Sakura slapped her hand over Kero to make him behave, wishing he would listen for once.  "It's a pleasure to be here," she added to the woman.

So for a few more minutes Sakura graciously waved in the most dress-up like fashion she could remember impersonating as a child with Tomoyo and Chiharu.  "Good day," she calmly over exaggerated with her sweetest smile.  Although nervewrecking to pretend, she admitted it to be quite entertaining.  Watching the crowd on either sides of her practically bowing in awe of her.  The attention was a little fun…for now.  This would be the easy footpath before the rocky climb with no path anymore.

Then she suddenly found the compartment slow to a stop, and her smile dropped by just a millimeter.

We're here

She gulped and steadily held her smile, just faded a little.  A coachman opened the door, and leaned in a hand in a more professional way than Sakura could ever try to copy.  Going along with the act, she stepped out.  Fan out dress she started, take right hand with my left she guessed, now swivel to face door so she did legs closed together, land both feet safely on the ground she waited for the sense of gravity's pull to do their work a pull up and out she internally let out a breath, satisfied with the perfection of that task.

The next moment her eyes scanned around her everything her vision could possible see.  In a line before her, stood some well dressed figures.  They were robed in no doubt, handmade clothing from head to toe, and jeweled all over.  It even made Sakura's pride in her dress and presence in it weaken at the sight of something more.  Sakura was sure it had to be…

"Bow down to the Li Clan,"

Sakura didn't know who's voice that was for a second, and she wasted her time trying to figure it out.  In the rush, she didn't even pay need to the words spoken, and stood trying to think…maybe it was Ruby Moon? Then she noticed the collapse around her, everyone bowing down.  AAGH!!! She possibly turned the shade of red that Ruby Moon's troops wore, but luckily if she did, no one noticed.  Everyone except the Li Clan had their head down in a kneel, while her makeup hid her expression quite well.

Stay still, keep standing

Sakura had already started to switch herself into the same bow as everyone else had demonstrated, but hearig Yukito's commands she stood straighter.

And now the same voice that had called out before, now unmistakably Ruby Moon's, continued, "All stand now." There was a pause where ruffling of clothing was heard as people pushed themselves back into their standing position and turned their specific focus on Sakura.  "From the other side of Japan, we welcome Yamamoto Mineko,"   Sakura took this as her signal to step forward, so she did, and apparently she was correct…at least this time.  After some murmurs of approval, Ruby Moon started again.  "From the Royal Li Clan, Li Syaoran,"

Sakura waited.  Please don't let him be a slimeball, please don't let my 'fiancé' be really mean, please don't let him be a slimeba— her thoughts were interrupted by the best or worst that she could have hoped for.  A young man that had to be her age stepped up to meet her from within the line of Li's and she had to say, he was good looking.  What more could anyone want in their pretend husband?  But then again, this would definitely introduce way for some taunting from Toya and Kero about this…

Authoress Note: Nyaaah?  heh, this was a sorta link chappy in a way.  I didn't want the journey to take too long, cause that's not the focus and…yeah.  We need Syaoran to come in already!  Well, he got his own one sentence about him this chapter…ehehe.  Well about the battle scene…egh, sry if it sucked buttttt.  - I tried to make it good, but it might be kind of rushed sounding, but I didn't know how to work it out and…I tried =) ohohoho, cheese in this chapter?  Yup!  Drama?  Yep!  Heheh, hope it was fun though.  Just don't wanna turn it into a soap opera...=P But then the night I wrote the scene, I had a dream where my family got attacked by some fighty guy and they made me fight him with a sword and all and was really freaked out, almost got 'killed' in it…agh…O.o