A/N:So sorry I took so long! Techinal difficulties with this file!! Anyway, I can't indent in paragraphs for some strange reason.

So, here it is!


Once Upon A December

Chapter 3: Separated

"Sar-ah Dai-do-ji," Sarah smiled. She liked this new signature better than the others. The first letter of her name was written big; the rest of her name written over top. She used the same format for her new last name as well.

"Is an a-nnoy-ing ki-d," Syaoran added, smirking at her from his sport across from her. They were currently in a room in the palace, waiting for Eriol to return with the groceries. "So, whatcha doing? You've been scribbling away for the past 20 minutes."

Sarah glared. "Making up a signature for your information."

Syaoran arched an eyebrow. "To sign what paper?"

"My passport!," Sarah retorted.

"Who says we didn't already forge your signature?"

"Who made you in charge of signing my name for me anyway?"

"Who says your even going to need to sign your name?"

"DOES IT MATTER WHO?," Eriol, who had just appeared, shouted out. Only three days until the train left.

Syaoran grunted. Sarah glared.

Eriol returned back to his normal cherry self. Ah, he had a plan Tomoyo would be proud of. "So, I was thinking Syaoran, I need you to teach Sarah how to dance the waltz tonight..."

Syaoran and Sarah both became red faced.

"WHAT??," rang the voices out in unison.


"Uh, no, put your hands like this—no, like this," Syaoran's voice commanded as he repositioned her right hand in his with his free one. "Alright, good, now, relax your shoulders. Yes, just like that! This is good so far. Now you place your left arm on my shoulder. No—too high. Too low. Too forward. A little to far back. Now you've got it too close to my neck—there you go! Perfect!"

Sarah giggled. "There's so many things you have to know when dancing! How will I ever know how to place my hand right?"

Syaoran's eyes softened. "You...you get used to it, I guess."

"Have you danced with many girls, Syaoran?"

Syaoran's eyes widened in shock of such an innocent question. "I, uh, I guess, well, I mean, enough. Enough to know how to do it properly and, uh, and yeah."

Sarah nodded. "I'm not a good dancer."

Syaoran felt a smile creep up. "You haven't even tried yet, so how do you know?"

Sarah shrugged. "I'm awfully clumsy."

"Sometimes clumsiness is often just an excuse not to try and be better."

Sarah looked into his eyes. "You know, for a pain in the ass, you're not bad."

Syaoran chuckled. "Come on. Back to the lesson. Now, you always let your partner lead, alright? Oh, now cheer up! Makes it easier on the woman! So, the steps are as follows. Count it out like I do. One two three, one two three..."
Eriol smiled to himself as he closed the door to the grand ball room ever so quietly. They made quite a pair, those two. Even though they'd rather die than admit it—both being so blessed with an arrogant personality. Yes, even young Sarah was as stubborn as Syaoran under all that youngness she portrayed.

Yes, it was a pity that the one girl that Syaoran ever felt affection to was going to be a Grand Duchess.

Eriol frowned. Sarah was the first girl—besides Meiling—that Syaoran ever cared for. Even if Meiling was only his cousin. But Sarah...when did he start feeling this? Was it love at first sight? Oh, how Tomoyo would love to hear this story! If only she were here.

If only she were here.

Eriol inhaled a sharp breath. Tomoyo...
"You've got it, Sarah! You're a natural!," Syaoran cried out. After stepping on his feet for the past twenty minutes, she had finally got it. And, once it clicked for her, she was so light on her feet he thought she was floating on air.

Sarah threw her head back and laughed. "I did it! Oh, your right! This is easy! I feel just like a princess dancing like this!"

Syaoran nodded. "You are one, Sarah. And," he spun her around in a circle and caught her in his arms, "you dance better than any I've ever seen." He slowly brought her back up cursing himself feeling so different around her, now.

Sarah smiled. "I had a wonderful teacher. Where did you learn to dance like that?"

Syaoran shrugged letting go of Sarah. "Here and there. Guess I just picked it up." He turned around and began his way from the middle of the ball room floor to the door that led into a smaller room.

"Wait—Syaoran! Did I say...something wrong?"

Syaoran stopped in his tracks, still facing away from her. "No, I'm just...feeling...weird. Just need some air, that's all."

Sarah bowed her head as she watched Syaoran exit the room. Why did she feel disappointed that her lesson was over so soon?
"Syaoran, is her lesson over already?," Eriol called to Syaoran who sat on the windowsill of a big bay open window that was missing the glass. It was his favorite spot because the length on the ledge was long enough to stretch out his leg and still have the bottom of his foot grounded against the side of the frame.

Syaoran tured his gaze towards the sunset in the distance. "Yeah..."

Eriol came a bit closer interested by his reaction. "Syaoran?"

Syaoran sighed. "She's a real natural, Eriol. She holds herself beautifully as if she's dancing on air. I've never met a girl like that before..."

Eriol smirked. Good thing Syaoran wasn't looking. "You say it as if it's a bad thing."

Syaoran looked down. "Of course it's not a bad thing..."

"But it's not a good thing."

Syaoran looked straight before turning his head towards Eriol. "It only took twenty minutes for her to catch on. I feel so dizzy, like it was my first time dancing instead of hers." He lowered his gaze shook his head and smiled to himself. He refocused on the other side of the windowsill ahead of him. "And she was so sure she couldn't do it..."

Eriol's eyes widened. He didn't think it was possible, but...

...Syaoran was beginning to fall in love with someone. But, out of every girl, why Sarah?
"Gooooood Morning!," called Sarah as she stepped into a old servants room which served as a kitchen for the trio.

"Morning," called Eriol who pulled out a apple, can of juice and a bagel for her to eat.

Syaoran who was reading a paper Eriol bought, looked up too. "Morning."

Sarah sat down at the square table that seated four—one to each side. Eriol was across from her and Syaoran was to her left. "Are you still feeling dizzy Syaoran?"

Syaoran felt his face go red as he lifted the newspaper up higher. "N-no, I'm, uh, fine now."

Eriol smiled at Syaoran, pretending he didn't notice anything. "So, since we only have two days left before we head off, we need to find Sarah a new temporary attire—we'll do most of our shopping in Paris. Shopping is always better there! Besides, the faster you get used to walking around ladylike in a proper fitting dress, the better! Now, I think you'll look good in some light blues, pinks,whites; we'll need some light greens to match your eyes..."

Sakrua smiled nervously while Syaoran who simply arched an eyebrow as Eriol began ticking off everything they'd need.

"Syaoran, where shall we take Sarah shopping?," Eriol inquired. He had a gut feeling he knew just what Syaoran was going to do.
"Syaoran! NOOO! Do you know how expensive this store is?!," Sarah said when she saw the boutique he had brought them too. "Who do you think is going to pay for this?!"

Syaoran shrugged. "I have a savings account in the bank I took money from—here," he passed her some money, "go buy yourself a few things." He saw her mouth drop as she counted the money. His face twisted into an amused smile. "You can pay me back when you have all of Russia's wealth at your fingertips."

Eriol gave Sarah a little push into the store, handing her a list of everything she needed to buy. "Have funnnn! Don't forget—greens, pinks, blues—but only shades that work with your skin, and greens that match your eyes!"Sarah nodded before making her way into the store, bumping into many of the police officers in the streets.

Eriol turned towards Syaoran. "How much did you give her?"

Syaoran shrugged. "Enough..."

"Syaoran..."

"Three hundred."

"SYAORAN!" He thought he'd give her a hundred and take her to this boutique. Not three hundred.

Syaoran gave Eriol a funny look as he pulled his brown jacket tighter to his body. "What?"

"That was all you had in savings..."

Syaoran shrugged. "I have other accounts. From our business."

"You're too nice, Syaoran."

Syaoran shrugged. "She has to look the part. It'll be worth it when we get the cash prize. Solve all problems for good."

Eriol softened his gaze. "You're sure that's the only reason you did this? Give her three hundred to spend?"

Syaoran stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Well, that is why we're going to all this trouble to transform her."

Eriol nodded as Syaoran began to walk away and disappear with the crowd. "I think you have another reason, Syaoran."
Why can't this girl out of my mind? What' s wrong with me? She's an immature 17 year old who I can't stand. Alright—I can stand her. But, why did I give her three hundred? Maybe, it just...felt like the right thing to do. Anyway, after I get my half of the 50 million, I'll never have to worry about anything ever So, does it matter? I mean, she did need new clothes—but, when she's the Grand Duchess, will she even look at the clothes she bought today? Oh God. Why did just think that? Of course she won't like them—she'll have dresses with jewels sown on them. Oh hell, I'm losing it. Big time. I need to calm down. Why am I changing so much?!

And stupid Eriol's probably behind me smirking thinking of ways to use this confusion against me! That's it! Just confusion! After all, she will be my next ruler. I just feel confused treating her so ordinary wrong. That's why I gave her so much money.

Yes, I knew there was an explanation for all of this. I knew it! Now, just one thing's bothering me.

Sarah! Why are you still in my head?!


Sarah spun around for the store lady. "I think this is the one! Oh, I love it! I absolutely love it! It's charming, don't you think so Charlotte?"

Charlotte, the lady helping her nodded. "You look like a vision dear. The green details help accent your eyes. And those lovely pinks don't hurt you either! Shall I add it to a package with the blue and white dress, the white shoes, the necklace and the pantyhose?" Sarah indeed looked like a member of the Royal family. A pink dress hugged her body in all the right places as deeper shades of flowers were woven onto various parts. Little green accents were added in that matched her eyes beautifully.

"Yes. I'll change now, then send it over. How much would all of this come too?"

"About 250, Miss."

"Can I have a few more minutes? I need to find a few things for a couple friends..."
"Syaoran, I think you better have a look at this..." Eriol said, shoving a national newspaper from a day ago in front of his face from a stand they stopped by to pass time. Eriol lowered his voice to a whisper. "I think, maybe, we'd better leave for Paris tonight."

Syaoran read the article Eriol was referring too. "Damn, Eriol! Who would tell?" Syaoran put the paper back and pulled Eriol towards a back ally. "Alright, so they know someone in St. Petersburg has been making fake passports. We obviously can't board a train for Paris from here—security's gonna be real tight. We need to get to another city—any city, really. Somewhere small. Somewhere where we can board a train to get back on track so we don't lose time."

Eriol nodded. "We need to get out of this city now. If people give our names, we can't be here for them to point us out." He exhaled. "Let's head for, say, Vyborg. It's smaller, and if we take a local train, we can get there by tomorrow if we leave within, say—Eriol looked towards the local train station, a block away from the news stand, that only ran between the near by cities. A distant rumbling of a train could be heard.—now?"

"Shit...," Syaoran said as he broke out on an all out sprint. "I'll get Sarah—get supplies. Sounds like the local train will be here with in a few minutes. Go, go! NOW!"

Sarah walked out of the store with a bag full of purchases. Syaoran and Eriol would be so surprised at what she also picked up for them. She began down the road when she noticed Syaoran running towards her.

"Syao—," Syaoran gripped Sarah's arm, made a 180, a began running in the opposite direction pulling Sarah, who was trying her best to run also, with him. Stopping at the local train station, a small passenger train pulled up and began loading.

Syaoran turned around out of breath. "Go along. Explanation later." He pulled her towards the entry gate. "We really need to get on this train, sir. My wife's sister is having a child. Could you hold it for a minute while I quickly pay?"

The gate officer glared at Syaoran. "Be quick. I don't usually do this." The big man turned around. "Hold the train for a sec, John! Two more people coming on. You can go on ahead, Miss. Oh, and congratulations on becoming an Aunt." Sarah smiled and thanked the man, stepping onto the train, waiting at the entrance for Syaoran as he came in with the tickets. Syaoran showed the man the tickets and quickly entered where Sarah did.

Sarah opened her mouth to ask why the hell they were going on a train leading them the opposite way when another thought made it to her mouth first. "Syaoran, where's Eriol?"

The train began to move.

Syaoran's eyes grew wide. "Holy shit." He looked behind them as the attendant tried to pull him and Sarah into the train so they could close the door. Eriol was behind the closed gate, without luck trying to get though. Syaoran leaned out of the entrance, holding on to a bar for support.

"Syaoran! GO! I'll meet up with you. Go on to..." Eriol's voice faded out before Syaoran could hear where to take Sarah.

"Excuse me, sir, you must come into to train while we're going this fast!," the brunette scolded.

Syaoran stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Yeah, yeah. Heard you the first time. C'mon Sarah," he nodded towards a vacant room where two benches lined each side.

Sarah, after her companion closed the sliding door, sat down on the bench beside Syaoran, putting her bags by her feet. "What's going—?"

Syaoran covered her mouth. "Not so loud," Syaoran's voice was hardly a whisper. "Me and Eriol were ratted out by someone. We need to take the local from Vyburg to where we would have gone straight from St. Petersburg. At least, that's where I think Eriol was trying to tell me. He knows we can't stay in any town around here. We need to make it out of the county, now. Maybe go up to Finland."

Sarah nodded as Syaoran uncovered her mouth. "Without Eriol?"

Syaoran shrugged. "Maybe..."

Sarah's hand made contact with Syaoran's cheek.

"He's been with you this whole time! And, your just going to leave him to be caught in St. Petersburg?! Shame on you! Eriol wouldn't leave you! He'd come back for you!"

Syaoran pressed his palm against his cheek to ease the pain as he watched the scenery go by. "We can't afford to go back. We can't get identified. This is the only way you'll ever going to be able to find out who your family is, Sarah. Do you want to screw that up?"

"Who's going to identify us?"

"Yamazacki, that's who."

"Yama-what-zi?"

Syaoran sighed turning to face her, his cheek bright red. "Yamazacki. The other partner me and Eriol had when we first got into this business. He left pretty early on, claiming we would never make it. That was, oh, say, eleven years ago? Maybe more. Anyway, he left for some other country to set up his own business. Didn't do very good. He's probably telling on us to get revenge or something. A big reward is it in for him—people like myself are priced very high if you can rightly point out a big time one. Last I heard, he was dating some Chiharu chick who was rich and stuff. Maybe he needs the money so he can ditch her?"

Sarah nodded. "Alright, so we go back, get Eriol, and get the hell to Paris."

Syaoran shook his head, still keeping his gaze straight. "We get the hell to Finland and somehow hope Eriol does the same. We wait 24 hours for him, if he doesn't show, we make out way to Paris somehow," Syaoran raised his hand and got Sarah's wrist inches away from his cheek. "I'll come back later if you want to take another try at the other one." Syaoran stood up and left to go smoke in the dinning car.

Sarah leaned back and soon quickly fell asleep watching the winter scenes pass her by.
Eriol ran through the streets trying to find a way to take shelter. Yamazacki would be on to him soon—Syaoran probably figured it out too that it was their old partner in crime who was after them for the money. He needed to find a way to get the hell out of St. Petersburg, and he need a way now. Police were already patrolling the main streets on the look out for anyone suspicious.

"You there! Sir!," Eriol stopped in his tracks.

"Yes, Officer?"

"Have you any idea where this Syaoran and this Eriol would be hiding out?"

Eriol lifted a finger to his chin. "No, I am awfully sorry. I don't think it's right to buy illegal passports. In fact, I haven't heard of those names in years. Maybe they're not in the business anymore?"

"Thank you for your time, Eriol."

"What...?," Eriol's eyes widened as the officer pulled off his hat. There stood Yamazacki smirking at him. "I FOUND ONE OF THEM!"

Eriol cursed as he took off in an all out sprint. He ran thought the allys as the police officers chased after him. Good thing they didn't know all the shortcuts like he did. Though a abandoned store, up the stairs, out the window across a wood plank, down the stairs, out the back door, down a old ally and into another old house. He closed the door and waited as the sounds of galloping horses faded into the distance.

He needed to do four things within the next hour in order to get out of Russia unnoticed. Change his appearance, buy a proper passport, get on a train to another country and call the Daidoji's from there.

And the clock was ticking.

He just hoped Syaoran would have the sense not to try and flee to the nearest country. Which one was it again? Oh, yes, the one just North of St Petersburg.

Finland.