Disclaimer: I DON'T own Cardcaptor Sakura! So don't sue me!!!!

Main Characters:

Aris: The witch of the castle who works directly for the queen (Sonomi)

Artemis: The twin brother of Aris, he is the healer of the castle.

Tomoyo: The princess

Sakura: The princess's best friend and second-cousin.

Eriol: The mage of the castle. He does readings of the future and is good friends with almost everyone in the castle.

Akira: The prince of a neighbouring country (Drejimn)

Syaoran: Akira's personal servant

Okie those are the characters for now!

Web of Fate

Chapter Three

Here she was yet again, running down the same old stone pathway for the third time today. Once more, the princess was waiting for her, with her 'surprise'.

"Sakura!"

Tomoyo beamed as she eyed Sakura from head to toe, closely examining the dress for any flaws. Sakura looked beautiful, but then again, she always did. Tomoyo felt a small surge of triumph, the dress matched Sakura's complexion perfectly, and it fit her just right. She smiled and gracefully stepped towards Sakura, "Come," Tomoyo smiled, taking her by the hand.

Sakura followed the princess obediently, walking along. It was certainly a beautiful day; the sun was shining brightly in its clear blue sky. There wasn't even a cloud in sight!

When they reached the familiar grassy hill, Sakura couldn't help but smile. A wooden board had been placed beside the repaired stone steps.

"The cement still needs to dry," Tomoyo explained lightly, "so, we'll use this board instead!"

"But isn't it just as dangerous?" Sakura asked.

Tomoyo laughed, "Perhaps, but it's only temporary," she pointed to a young servant waiting beside the board, "and he will help you down, just in case."

The servant bowed deeply, acknowledging their presence, "Majesty." He took the princess's hand and led her down onto the even grounds. Seconds later, he reappeared and held his arm out to Sakura.

"Milady."

Sakura nodded her thanks, letting go of the servant's hand at the bottom of the hill. Tomoyo patiently waited for her as she came into a walking pace along side of the princess.

Sakura giggled, the boy was very cute! When she looked back, the servant had already disappeared, probably helping another noble down the board. "That servant, he is very sweet and very well mannered." she stated.

Tomoyo grinned backed and nodded, "I agree, only 10 years old and already so well behaved. His mother is one of the personal servers to the queen, my mother." She smiled, "I found him standing around the kitchen this morning. He needed something to do."

They walked a little further until the grass finally stopped, meeting with a paved ground to replace it. Tomoyo pointed excitedly, "Over there Sakura, there is your surprise!"

A wide rectangular arena lay in the middle of the stone grounds. Many symbols and special designs were painted on it. They were probably letters of an old and ancient text, as Sakura couldn't make out their unfamiliar designs. A large white circle sat in-between the numerous markings.

Two men stood on opposite ends of the arena.

"Is there going to be a duel?" Sakura asked, tilting her head to the side. "Is this my surprise?" This type of 'surprise' hadn't even crossed her mind.

"Hai." Tomoyo replied, "I thought you should meet someone."

Someone? Who was this someone Tomoyo spoke of?

The princess pointed to a man with midnight blue hair and a pair of eyeglasses, "That is Eriol Hiiragizawa, I believe you've met him before."

Sakura smiled and waved at him, "Yes, I remember. He's one of the mages of the castle."

Eriol's eyes flashed with contentment, "Good afternoon ladies!"

Tomoyo smiled and waved. Then she nodded respectfully to the other man.

"That is Akira Suzuhara." Tomoyo said, "He is the someone I wanted you to meet! Sakura, meet the prince of one of our neighboring countries, Drejimn."

Sakura looked at the stranger curiously; the prince had the blackest hair she'd ever seen, it was even darker then the shades of night. His eyes shone mischievously as their light blue hues gave a perfect contrast to his shadowy exterior.

"Suzuhara-ouji and his family have come to sign peace treaties with our kingdom."

"Oh!" Suddenly Sakura remembered something very important that she had forgotten to do. She flushed, clearly embarrassed, and curtsied. She scowled at herself, how could she have forgotten her manners! Especially to a prince!

She looked nervously to the ground and stuttered, "P-pleased to meet you!"

The prince grinned, "And I, you." he looked her in the eyes, "What is your name may I ask?"

"K-kinomoto Sakura."

Akira nodded thoughtfully, "Cherry blossoms†a very beautiful name indeed."

Sakura heard a stifled laugh as Tomoyo nudged her in the shoulder.

She felt her cheeks burn.

Tomoyo sat down on a marble bench. She tugged on Sakura's hand and pulled her down beside her.

"You know," she leaned closer and whispered into Sakura's ear, "I think he fancies you!"

Sakura gapped and looked speechless at her best friend.

"I hear Suzuhara-san will be choosing a bride soon." Tomoyo said, enthusiastically clasping her hands together with excitement, "You two would make a perfect match!" By now, stars seemed to twinkle around her eyes.

Sakura almost fell off the bench; she couldn't believe what she was hearing! She playfully patted the princess on the back, "You've been listening to too many romance stories! Honestly, is that all you think about? My marriage?" then she sniffed dramatically, "Do you not want me around anymore?"

Tomoyo smiled, "No, I enjoy your company very much. It would be a shame if you had to go and live somewhere else. Besides, I love you too much to let you go."

Sakura was touched, she reached over and wrapped her arms around the princess and hugged her. "Thank you. It would be disappointing if you were not here with me either."

Eriol cleared his throat and looked at the two girls, "If you don't mind, your majesty, milady, we are ready to start."

Tomoyo laughed, "I forgot you two were there! My apologies."

Eriol grinned, "Apology accepted."

Akira simply nodded his head.

"Alright," the princess cheered, "Let the duel begin!"

Instantly the two men lunged at each other, blades gripped firmly in their hands. Akira was the first to strike, swiftly bringing his blade down. Their swords, met and the clang of metal rang throughout the gardens.

Sakura covered her ears, the sound sent goose bumps throughout her body. Even if this was a friendly match, the sound reminded her of war. It reminded her of desperate abandoned solders, who only knew to kill.

Eriol almost struggled with the weight of both swords upon one another, his arms almost trembling as he barely stood against their heavy mass. Akira smirked, he loved watching his challengers squirm. He pushed down harder, almost bringing Eriol to his knees.

The mage panted and grinned cockily, "Forgive me, majesty, for saying this, but your move was quite amateur for a prince such as yourself."

Akira sneered, pleasure and danger flashed through his eyes. Suddenly the prince kicked up his knee, making contact with his adversary's stomach.

"Amateur am I?"

Eriol stumbled backwards, "Lucky kick" he murmured, wiping the blood away from his mouth. He quickly composed himself and dove for the prince.

Akira stood in his place, looking very pert. Eriol scowled at him, he looked extremely amused. For a second, their swords locked and time seemed to stand still. The prince smiled from behind his blade. He roughly shoved Eriol back and the battle began once more.

Sakura blinked, they were moving so fast! Both of the contenders had various gashes along their robes. Her heart silently broke into two as she noticed the slight slash Eriol had on his cheek. He was like a father to her, and seeing him hurt upset her deeply.

The mage breathed heavily as he wiped the sweat off of his brow. The prince was proving to be quite a challenge.

"Enough of this," Akira shouted from the opposite end of the arena, "Let's end this quickly."

Eriol's eyes widened as Akira suddenly appeared behind him and harshly kicked his back, pushing him into the middle of the arena.

"You're too easy to be of any match anyway!" Akira laughed and ran towards his fallen opponent.

Eriol hastily got onto one knee and waited quietly for the prince. His mouth set on a grim line, he was starting to dislike the prince of Drejimn very, very much. Akira charged, holding his blade in one hand. He swung his weapon at Eriol's head, and gasped as the mage countered the attack. Eriol rapidly crouched to the ground, refusing to let the weight of Akira's sword bring him down. He swung his leg out and tripped the prince. Akira fell on his backside.

Eriol frowned, was the prince trying to kill him? Why on earth would he swing at his head? His frown deepened as he remembered Akira's eyes. They had a look of massacre and slaughter in them.

Akira cursed as he felt cold metal touch his throat.

"Game over."

The prince narrowed his eyes, "Not quite." he hissed. He refused to lose to a mere castle mage.

He kicked Eriol's blade away, catching him off guard and rebounded back to his side of the dueling field.

"Say, why don't we use another type of weapon, just to make things more interesting." Akira tipped his head to the side in slight mockery.

Eriol nodded his head wearily. Sakura looked at him in amazement. Eriol was still willing to fight.

"Syaoran!" Akira shouted. "Come here!"

Sakura's head shot up as she saw a brown-haired servant walk towards the battle grounds. "It's him!" she whispered quietly. It was the first time she'd seen his face, but somehow, she knew that it was the servant she had bumped into previously.

Akira impatiently threw his sword towards the brown-haired servant. The sword flew through the air, its tip facing the servant. The weapon never looked so dangerous.

Sakura gasped, "He's going to kill him!"

Syaoran stepped slightly to the side, and with two fingers, hit the swords blade. The knife flipped and changed its direction to face its new victim - the earth. The servant grabbed the sword's hilt from midair, and silently slid it back into the sheath he was holding.

Sakura stared wide-eyed and almost trembled as she watched the servant. She almost thought that Akira was half crazy for throwing his sword away so recklessly. Relief flooded over her as the brown-haired servant of Drejimn caught the sword, and safely put it away. For some reason she found that she couldn't take her eyes off him. There was something about this servant that attracted her, his presence made her feel almost overwhelmingly safe and protected. She sensed an aura around him; its colour seemed cool and kind, almost like a dark shade of green.

Strange.

Servants usually don't possess any kind of magical auras at all.

Sakura was dimly aware of what was happening as suddenly a slight cry rang out, and Tomoyo quickly stood up from her seat. Sakura refocused her gaze on the arena. Eriol was somehow dangling in the air, waving his arms in surrender.

"Match." Tomoyo called out gravely. In reality, she had wanted Eriol to win, they were very good friends, and she knew he had enough skill and power to overcome his opponent. She walked quickly towards Eriol. With a wave of her hands, Eriol was released from his invisible clutches and settled back onto the ground with a smile.

"Thank you." He whispered.

Akira stood on the other side, a triumphant grin plastered on his face. He waltzed towards the princess and the mage, and held out his hand. "Good match." He grinned, and walked away, too proud for his own good-being.

The prince waved his hand, and immediately, his many servants followed him. Sakura watched in disgust. All of them looked like lost puppy dogs following their master; all of them- except one. The servant with the amber eyes. Unlike all of the rest, this servant held his head up high, and walked away with emotionless dignity.

Author's note: so, so?? Was it okay??? Hehe, please review!

Woo hoo, here comes the thanks yous!

TuffaChica – lol, yeah, I guess you could call it a voodoo doll! Hehe, there's a little bit of Syaoran in this chapter, I hope that will do!

Lilsaki – I'm glad you like my story! Please, keep reading!

Wolf Jade – yay! You didn't get confused!!! Me so happy

Midi Tenshi – XD Is a month fast enough for you? Hehe, didn't think so

Cherrieblossoms - Tomoyo sounded possessed to you? sigh

Sakura Li 2389 – Syaoran is coming soon! BUT, he does appear in this chapter!

Damson Rhee - lol, thank you!

ss-cherry blossom – To be honest, I use the thesaurus A LOT!!!! Hehe, also, one of my classmates likes to suggests words I can use for the story....... Muwhahaha, I'm such a fraud! (j/k j/k!) lol me a newbie toooo!!!!