Authors Notes: Thank you lots to heheangel kisses, HanaTenshiHimeko, anime_girl01 and TheMysticWarrior for reviewing. It's appreciated very much.

TheMysticWarrior- Nyah, yeah my grammar sucks. *sweatdrops* I should get an editor, but the trouble is finding one. Anyway hope this chapter is all right.

Disclaimer: I do not own Cardcaptor Sakura. It is owned by the wonderful ladies of CLAMP.

Chapter 2: Dresses and soldiers

The auburn haired girl walked nervously down the street wearing a long flowing cape which hid her features. Although it was unlikely that anyone would recognise her she still could not take the chance of being caught. Night faded into day and Sakura found her self grateful for this considering it would be awfully suspicious if someone were to spot her wandering around during the middle of the night. Although the sun had only just risen a short while ago, there was a large number of people awake and outside all ready. Most were preparing to for work or getting ready to open their shops and stalls.

Taking a deep breath she stopped and asked an old man for directions for the nearest exit out of the city. Startled at first by her hooded appearance as if he were about to be robbed, he soon calmed down after hearing her angelic voice. Thankfully it turned out that one of the exits was not to far from where she was at that moment. But just as she was ready to leave something caught her eyes. In the direction the old man was going there were lots of shop, stalls and other various things. Softly she bit her lip. She loved going to the market but she really should be leaving as quickly as possible. Of course not surprisingly, the urge to look about took over her and she followed in the same direction as the old man had gone. It had been along while since she had last been here and if this was going to be her last time then… Oh a quick look around won't hurt.

As she walked about her mood soon lightened realising that there was now no one staring at or whispering about her. Best of all no one was bowing to her. She always felt slightly embarrassed when people did that. From now on she was just like any other person. "This is great!" she cried to herself, finding it difficult to hide the overwhelming she felt.

As the morning wore on she started to become hungry. "I have some food in my backpack but…" Suddenly she was struck by a great idea.

"More please!" she cried happily at the top of her voice waving her hand in the air. One of the waitress's serving her looked like he was about to have a heart attack and everyone else in the restaurant turned around to see was all the commotion was about. "Ah… sumimasen…" she stuttered in embarrassment.  "So much for keeping a low profile." She thought to herself. Then again no one would expect a princess to act in such a manner so she would probably be okay.  She was supposedly sitting in the restaurant that made the best pies in the entire country. She had always wanted to come here and try one but her mother never allowed it saying that what the cooks prepared in the palace was far superior. Sakura felt that it was nice to prove her wrong for once.

"Here you go." said a woman as she placed another blueberry pie she had ordered down in front of her.

"Arigatou!"

The woman smiled at her. "I knew our restaurant had a good reputation but I've never met anyone as excited as you are about our food."

Sakura went slightly red. Maybe she was being a bit over enthusiastic but she couldn't help it, finally she was free and could do whatever she wanted now. It all felt too good to be true.

"Next ones on the house." said the woman.

"Oh no, I could let you do that!" Sakura cried instantly.

The woman laughed. "I couldn't live with myself if I charged a cute thing like you for something she seems to love so much."

Blushing, she thanked her. If her brother had been here he would have called her a monster for eating so much but that woman had just said she was cute. "Onii-chan is such a meanie sometimes."

After she stuffed herself with as much as she could, she left to explore more. This place really was wonderful and she slowly she started to feel sad that she had to leave it so soon. 

Suddenly she felt something thud into her leg almost causing her to topple over. Looking down she saw that it was only a ball. "Hoe?" She bent down and picked it up.

"Gomen nasai!" cried a voice. Looking around she spotted a little girl running towards her. "Sorry the ball is mines. I really didn't mean to hit you!" apologised the little girl bowing. Oh well at least she wasn't bowing for the same reason as everyone before.

Sakura pulled her hood down again and smiled. "Don't worry about it." She replied kindly as she handed the little girl her ball back.

 The girl smiled back. "Arigatou!" With that she ran away. "Bai-bai Oneesan!" she cried waving.

Sakura couldn't help but squeal a little. "Kawaii."

"Mitsu!" Sakura looked up to see a little boy running over to the girl. "I told you not to wander off alone!" the boy said crossly.

"Gomen Onii-chan."

He sighed and took her hand. "Mother and I were worried about you."

"I'm okay."

Although he sounded angry, Sakura noticed he looked more relieved than anything else. "That's good. Now let's go home before Mother becomes even more worried."

"Hai."

Sakura felt a pang of sadness as she watched the little girl walk away with her elder brother. "Onii-chan…" Quickly he shook her head. She couldn't be thinking about her family just now. If she did she feared that she would change her mind in leaving and if she did that she knew she would live to regret it. A few moments later she walked away. For now she had to forget such things.

In an attempt to get her mind off of it she noticed a small shop near by. Walking over to it she could make out rather interesting and unusual clothes through the window. "Is this a costume shop?" Curiosity getting the better of her she decided to go inside and have a look about.

 A small bell rang as she entered and from what she could see no one else seemed to be inside. For such a small shop it had a lot of things in. After having a short loom about she came to the conclusion that it wasn't a costume shop at all but a dress store, only it had some rather peculiar designs. "Sugoi!" she cried as one of the dresses caught her eye. "I've never seen a dress like this before." It was green and cream with rather unusual patterns on and some bells hanging from the bottom of it. "I wonder who designs them."

"That would be me." Sakura jumped and turned around.

A girl stood there smiling. "Sorry I didn't mean to scare you."

Sakura scratched the back of her head. "Tha-That's all right. Uh, I'm sorry for snooping about."

The girl shook her head. "No by all means please look about as much as you would like."

"Thanks." replied Sakura with a small smile. The girl smiled back. Sakura couldn't help but notice how pretty she looked. She had long dark hair, pale skin and dazzling blue eyes. The girl's pale skin actually reminded her of Yukito-san.

"These dresses are really amazing. I've never seen anything like them before and-" Suddenly she stopped. Maybe these kinds of dresses weren't unusual at all. Maybe she had just been stuck in the palace so long that they were now considered beautiful and normal. Slowly she began to panic.

"Yes that is what most people say when they come into my shop."

Sakura let out a sigh of relief. Okay, then she wasn't the only one who thought they looked strange. "I usually take it as a compliment. It shows that my designs are different and unique which is what I am looking for."

"They definitely are different." replied Sakura still staring around in awe.

"Would like to try this on?" asked the girl.

"Uh-" But before she could even answer she was being pushed into the changing room. "Here let me help you take off your cloak." Deciding that there was no escaping Sakura took her hood down, but the moment she did so the girl instantly stopped fussing over her looking as if she had just a ghost.

Sakura stood in confusion.

"You-you're-"

"Hoe?"

"SAKURA-HIME!!!"

Sakura hit the floor instantly. "Nani?! How-how did you figure out who I am so easily?!" she exclaimed in dismay.

"This is absolutely wonderful!" cried the girl. "I've wanted to meet you for so long now! I've been a fan of yours since I was eight!"

"Fa-fan?"

"I've always dreamed of the day I would finally be able to meet you. I just knew it would happen some day!"

Sakura found herself uncomfortable and awkwardly embarrassed.  Many people had been excited about meeting her, but none like this girl! "You-you can calm down." She stuttered. "I mean it's not like I'm a famous idol or anything."

"Oh but you're my special idol! And to think that you actually liked one of my designs!" she cried, stars in her eyes. "This truly is the best day of my entire life!"

Sakura sweatdropped.

"Here you go." said the girl placing a plate of biscuits on the table.

"A-arigatou."  After all the confusion before Sakura finally discovered that the girl's name was Tomoyo.

"It's such an honour to have you here, Sakura-hime."

"Oh you don't need to call me that. Sakura is fine."

"But shouldn't I show some respect to the Kingdom's princess?"

"You really don't have to. Beside I'm no longer a princess anyway."

"Excuse me?"

"Oh nothing!" she replied quickly forgetting herself.

"All right then if you do not wish me to address you as princess then I shall not continue to do so, Sakura." She smiled. It was nice to here her name with out some stupid honorific attached.

"Oishi!" She exclaimed as she took a bite of one of the biscuits.

The silver hair girl smiled. "I'm glad you like them. Please help yourself to as many as you would like."

"Really? Thanks!" she cried before shoving another one in her mouth. Just as she was about to take another one she stopped.

"Is something wrong?"

"I just realised it must be weird for you seeing a princess acting this way." Sakura replied in embarrassment.

"What do you mean?" Tomoyo asked in confusion.

"Uh well princesses are usually so well behaved and have lots of manners but I'm sitting her stuffing my face. Sorry."

Tomoyo rapidly shook her head. "Not at all! If anything seeing you enjoying my biscuits so much makes you even cuter! You're even more adorable up close."

Sakura blushed and mumbled thank you. "Um so who makes the clothes you design?"

"Oh, I make them myself."

"Yourself?! You mean all those clothes down there, you made them?!"

Tomoyo shook her head. "No not all of them. A lot were made and designed by my mother also. She opened this shop when I was very young."

"Ah, so this is your mother's shop then. Is she here too?"

"No my mother is not here I'm afraid. Sadly she passed away a few years a go."

Sakura's eyes widened with panic. "I-I'm really sorry! I didn't mean-"

"Please don't feel bad about it, there's no way you could have possibly known. Besides I have learned to accept it now."

"Does-does your father live here then?"

"My father has also passed away but I was very young so I can't particularly remember that much about him."

"You mean you like here all by yourself then?" asked Sakura in shock. 

Tomoyo nodded.

"But-but don't you get lonely?"

"I suppose I do at times but I know that both my mother and father are watching over me so I don't feel as sad." She replied with a smile.

Sakura stared in both shock and awe now. This girl lived alone without her parents yet she was still able to smile so wonderfully. Tomoyo doesn't feel alone even when she doesn't have her family here with her. I have my family and I always feel alone.

"Is something wrong, Sakura?" Tomoyo asked in concern.

"I-I ran away because I was lonely…" she stated sadly. "I no longer wanted to be a princess so I ran away. I know I will miss my family. Especially Oniichan and Yukito, but-but I can't take it any longer. I hate being a princess. I hate that everyone thinks that it's great when it really isn't. But most of all I hate the loneliness and isolation. So in the end I did the only think I could do, runaway. They will be worried about me and have probably started searching but…" Slowly tears started to run down her cheeks. "I don't want to return. I don't want to feel alone anymore."

Tomoyo gazed at her sadly. "Sakura…"

"I guess I must pretty pathetic right now." said Sakura wiping the tears away from her eyes. "So much for princesses being wonderful and special… You must be disappointed finding out that your idol is nothing more than a spoiled little brat."

"You must not say such a thing!" cried Tomoyo raising her voice slightly.

Sakura looked up in confusion. "When I look at you at you I don't see the slightest hint of what you just said being true. I've watched you come into since I was young and you always wore such a lovely smile and you still have that smile to this day. It's impossible for someone with such a smile to be selfish. Besides I have not been let down at all, in fact you're more wonderful than I could have possibly imagined."

"Tomoyo…" With more tears welling up within her eyes she wrapped her arms around Tomoyo and hugged her. "Arigatou!"

The other girl blushed slightly and smiled. "I am glad I could help."

"Sorry if I'm being a bother."

"Not at all."

Sakura pulled away and sighed. "I don't know what I should do."

"I understand how you must feel but is running away really the right thing to do? I'm sure your family would be extremely worried about you and would be sad if they were never to see you again. Would you not miss them also?" Tomyo asked softly.

"Hai… I-I would. I would miss them, but…"

"But if you were to return you would be sad?"

She nodded. "I wish I could stay, that way we could keep each other company and-"

"Here?"

"Yeah. I uh mean- Ah sorry what am I saying? I mean we hardly know each other and-and-"

"I would really like it if you could stay here too." replied Tomoyo quietly. "But in the end you will probably have to return, won't you?"

"I don't want to return but you're right, running away isn't the answer. In the end, I'll have to return…"

"You could come visit. I mean if you wanted to that is."

"Really?! I-I mean I would like that… Ne, Tomoyo, let's be good friends."

Tomoyo nodded and smiled joyously. "Hai. I would like that a lot." Suddenly she broke into a scream completely shocking Sakura.

"What's wrong?!"

"Sakura-chan!"

"Hoe?"

"Since we are going to be good friends I must call you Sakura-chan! It just radiates with cuteness!" she exclaimed.

Sakura sweatdropped. "Ano…"

"Promise me that you will try on some of my dresses! They would look so wonderful on you I'm sure!"

"Ha-Hai…"

"I must get to work on some new designs as soon and possible. I have an idea that I'm sure would-" Suddenly she stopped.

"Um, what's wrong now?" asked the auburn haired girl.

"I-I thought I heard something."

The two girls remained silent for a moment. "I hear it too!" cried Sakura. Quickly they got up and ran to the window after realising that the noise was coming from outside.

"Na-nani?!" Hundreds of men in strange foreign robes were marching through the streets pushing past anyone who was standing in their way.

"Sa-Sakura-chan, what is happening?"

In all truth she had no idea what was going on either. "I-I-" Slowly she noticed the swords attached to the men's sides. "They-they're soldiers!"

"And they aren't from Kinomoto?" said Tomoyo all ready knowing the answer. "Those robes, I've never seen them before. Do they belong to one of Kinomoto's allies?"

The auburn hair girl shook her head, overcome with panic. "No, none of the countries I have visited have had such ropes, and if one of the allies were to come into Kinomoto they would have most certainly announced before coming. My father and Mother never mentioned it, and if they had been coming today Oniichan would have said something last night at dinner."

"Could it be that they are enemies?"

"Enemies? No it couldn't possibly be! Kinomoto is a friendly and welcoming kingdom that does not get involved in conflict. They would have no reason to want to fight us."

"Sakura-chan, they are heading to the palace." Tomoyo pointed out as she started to become scared.

"No it couldn't… We couldn't be under attack. Could we?" Clenching her fists together she got up. "I have to leave. I must get back to the palace and warn my family!"

"But it could be dangerous!"

"I know. I just have to get there before they do."

"But you couldn't possibly make it in time, and if the soldiers started to surround the palace there would be no way for you to get in!"

""I have to try!" she cried before running out.

"Sakura-chan!"

Mother… Father…Yukito-san… Oniichan… Don't worry, I'm coming…

*********************************************

"To-ya, the castle is completely surrounded!" yelled Yukito frantically as he stuck his head out of the window.

"Chikushou! The guards won't be able to hold them off for much longer!" growled Touya.

"To-Toya? Who are those soldiers? Why-why are they attacking Kinomoto? What reason do they have for attacking? Kinomoto is a friendly peace-loving country; it would never want to go to war with anyone!"

"Unfortunately they don't seem to feel the same way. We haven't done anything that could possibly want to make the Li kingdom to attack us! Bastards…"

Yukito stared in confusion. "The Li kingdom?"

"Yeah, it's a large country that's quite far from here. Kinomoto and Li haven't exchanged words in years."

"If that is so then why are they doing this?"

"I don't know but to sum up their country quickly, it is the exact opposite of Kinomoto."

"You mean they don't need a reason?" the silver haired boy asked in shock.

Touya nodded.

"I-I don't understand this… They-they appeared so suddenly. Why didn't anyone warn your parents of this?"

"They would have killed anyone before they got the chance…"

"Sa-Sakura-chan! She's still out there!"

"Damnit, all the guards and soldiers have been summoned back to defend the palace." The prince stared regrettably at the necklace he held in his hand. "Idiot, running off at a time like this… Then again, maybe she's safer out there…."

"Ouji-sama! Ouji-sama!" yelled one the guards bolting into the room. "The palace! They-they've entered the palace!"

All the colour drained from Yukito's face. "Al-already?!"

"Ouji-sama you must leave the palace before they-"

"No."

"What? But sir-"

"I must stay here and defend the castle."

"No he's right To-ya! You must get to safety before it's too late!" cried Yukito fearing for the safety of his best friend.

It...It has begun… Could it be that this was destined to happen? I think…I think I understand now…

Touya quickly grabbed his best friend's hand and started to run. "Hurry we must go!"

**********************************************************

Sakura ran down the streets as fast as she possibly could. She had to get back home no matter what. Mentally she cursed herself for leaving, asking herself why she had left in the first place. Why the hell did they have to come at a time like this? Why did they have to come at all? It was likely that they where all ready at the palace by now, but still Sakura had an overwhelming urge to reach there. She couldn't stand the thought of her family getting hurt. Her family had protected her all here life and now she wanted to protect them, even if there was not much she could do. She just wanted to be with them.

Suddenly she felt a heavy blow from the back of her head, and before she even had the chance to comprehend what had happen everything slowly went black…

Authors Notes: I hope that was all right. Lol, hope I didn't make Tomoyo seem too annoying, I just love the way she gets so excited over Sakura in the series.

Any feedback or advice on how I could improve would be greatly appreciated. Arigatou for reading! ^_^