Authors Notes: Thank you to saKuRaStArS, Tigerdrake and heheangel kisses. Nyah, gomen about the spelling/grammar mistakes last chapter. *Is such a baka * _;;

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

Chapter 3: Shocking discoveries  

Slowly the young girl opened her eyes, feeling herself return to consciousness. A small glowing light shone in her left eye, she winced and closed them again. Without having a chance to look about she knew that this was not her room, she could sense it somehow. She knew she should open her eyes again and take a look at her surroundings but the pain that swelled in her head made her rethink. What had happened? Where in the world was she? Why did her head hurt so much? Where was her family? Damn, all these questions were hurting her even more. Deciding that it would hurt either way she slowly opened her eyes. It took a minute or so for her vision to un-blur and she was greeted by a dreary wooden ceiling.

She moaned slightly as she gradually managed to push herself up. Before she even had a chance to look around she heard a loud cry.

"Sa-Sakura-chan! You're finally awake!"

Sakura-chan? Only Yukito called her that. Suddenly a raven haired girl came running towards her.

"I'm so happy that you are all right!" Without warning the girl threw her arms around her.

"Ho-Hoe?" She stared at the girl in confusion.

"I-I was so worried. I thought that you might never wake up." stated the girl with relief as she wiped a tear from her eye.

"How-how long have I been asleep?" Sakura asked curiously.

"Almost five days now. A man found you lying on the ground unconscious and was going to take you to a nurse who resided nearby. Luckily I ran into him whilst looking for you, and he told me he was going to drop you off as he and his wife left town. He was going to travel by cart so I begged him to take us with him. He disagreed at first claiming that you needed medical attention, but I pleaded with him and he finally agreed. I thought that given the circumstances it was best to get as far away from Kinomoto as possible."

"But why would I want to leave Kinomoto? And why was I unconscious?" She thought for a couple of moments until suddenly the memory hit her. She winced slightly and grabbed on to her head, the rushing return of the memories causing her intense pain.

"Sakura-chan, are you all right?!" cried Tomoyo.

"I remember now. I-I ran away from home and I met you at that dress shop. You were nice to me and we were talking, but then I looked outside and the streets were filled with soldiers. I left and started to run home to warn my family but I felt something hit me and all of a sudden everything faded."

Tomoyo nodded slowly.

"But-but where are we now?"

"To be honest, Sakura-chan, I'm not all that sure. I know that we are a little far from Kinomoto now. The man dropped us of at this Inn about three days ago and gave me money to pay for us to spend the night."

"I am sorry for being such a nuisance." replied Sakura apologetically.

 Tomoyo shook her head and gave a small smile. "Don't worry about it. I'm just glad you are awake and that you are not hurt too badly."

"Arigatou, Tomoyo-chan."

"The woman who owns the Inn has been more helpful than I. When you first came to the Inn you had a large cut on your leg. She was able to treat it before the infection spread too much and also bandaged it up for you."

Sakura pulled down the bed cover slightly, revealing her bandaged left leg. Unfortunately now that she knew it was there, it began to sting a bit.

"Misumara-san had been up to check on you a number of times and kindly allowed us to say here for free because of your condition."

Sakura smiled. "That's wonderful! I will have to thank her for her kindness next time she comes in."

"I'm sure she will be very happy that you are awake now."

"Hey you must be starving!" cried Tomoyo quickly standing up. "I'll go down stairs and order something to eat, okay?"

Just as she was about to leave Sakura suddenly stopped her. "Tomoyo-chan, wait!"

The blue eyed girl stopped and turned around. "Hai?"

"Tomoyo-chan, what-what happened to Kinomoto? It-it's all right isn't it?"

The joyous look on face instantly faded. "Sakura-chan…"

"Nobody got hurt or killed did they? I mean my family are fine, aren't they?"

Tomoyo walked back toward the bed and knelt down. "I-I didn't want to tell you just now. I mean you have only just woken up and-and…" She stopped, looking like she were about to burst into tears at any moment.

"To-Tomoyo-chan?"

"The Li kingdom has invaded Kinomoto. There objective was to kill the royal family and take over. They are still there but… I-I don't know what has happened to your family…. Sakura, I-I'm so sorry…"

Despite the words hitting her with an immense impact, it took her at least a few seconds to register what the other girl had just said.

"But… I… I… don't understand… This can't be possible. It just can't be. Who is the Li kingdom? For what purposeful reason would they want to attack us?! We-we haven't done anything wrong! Why-why use such a force to attack our Kingdom? It just can't be true! It just can't be! Mother… Father… Yukito… Oniichan… What-what if they are… What if they are…?"

"Sakura-chan…"

"Noooo!!!!!!!!" she screamed, clutching her head as intense pain surging shot through.

"Sakura-chan!"

No it couldn't be! Her family had to be all right! They just had to! How could something like this possibly happen?! It wasn't right! It didn't make any sense at all! These people had been with her since the day she was born, they had taken care of her. They couldn't be dead!

Finally as the pain became too much, her mind gave in forcing her unconscious again.

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"What do you mean you haven't found her?!" bawled the emperor of the Li kingdom. "Why didn't you kill her like the rest at the palace?!"

"My lord, forgive me for saying so, but we do not think she was present in the palace to begin with." replied a dark haired man nervously. "Our soldiers infiltrated the palace the moment they reached Kinomoto and split up and searched the whole area. She was no where to be found."

"Well she must be in the city! You're guarding every exit aren't you?! There's no way she could have escaped, anyone caught trying to escape was to be killed instantly!"

"I assure you, my lord, no area in the Kinomoto Kingdom has gone unchecked."

"So you let her escape then!?"

"No! We-we have-"

"Don't feed me your pathetic excuses! You let her escape!" Furiously he grabbed the man by his collar and threw him against the floor. "Your will find and kill her! With her still alive my plans will not be able to commence!"

"Actually if she dies your plans will not be able to take place at all." spoke another voice.

The Emperor turned around to see the Kingdom's most powerful sorcerer standing in the room. He glared angrily. "What are you talking about?"

"I did some research into the origin of the Clow chamber and according to Clow-sama's own words only those of the Kinomoto clan are able to open the portal." The navy haired man replied calmly.

"What the hell are you saying?! That only a Kinomoto-jin can control it?!"

Eriol shook his head. "Not necessarily. The blood from those of the Kinomoto clan active the seal, the chamber would open revealing the portal and he or she who were to open it would be in control of its power. However, if they were killed before the portal activates then the person nearest to them would therefore gain control of the power."

"So only a Kinomoto can activate the seal, eh? Oh, and I've just gone and killed most of them." He smiled. "No worries. We'll just capture the girl; make her bleed and the portal will open for us."

"Sadly, it is no that simple, my lord."

"What now!?"

"Do you recall Clow-sama's guardians?"
"Cereberus. Yue. Yes. But what do they have to do with the Clow chamber?"

"Everything I am afraid. It is only through their awakening that girl will be able to open the chamber. Only when she has both guardians by her side will the chamber open."

"Where are they now?"

"My research has yet to show. I do however have a slight feeling that the princess will find out soon enough."

"But how could anyone possibly know? Only the Li clan has access to such confidential information regarding Clow-sama!"

"Clow-sama indeed was a mysterious fellow." replied Eriol smiling faintly.

"He often travelled and as you know married someone not of Li blood. It wouldn't surprise me if information got passed on through to his wife's clan. They too were one of the major clans to deal with magical forces."

"That!-" suddenly he stopped and took a deep breath. "Like I said, there are no worries. I have the perfection solution to this little problem."

"And what would that be, my lord?"

"It's time for the little wolf to prove himself…"

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Six hours had pasted and Sakura was now awake again. She had finally stopped crying but didn't feel any better, in fact she only felt worse. Both girls sat in silence and Tomoyo glanced over at the princess numerous times feeling horrible that she was unable to do or say anything that would make Sakura feel any better. She felt so useless.

I should have been there with them when it happened… I never even got the chance to say goodbye…

Frustration building up, Sakura struck the mattress with her fist. "Damnit! Why the hell did I even want to runaway in the first place?!"

Tomoyo bit her lip and timidly said, "May-maybe it was a good thing that you where not there with them. Although inside I am greatly mourning the lost of my kingdom's rulers, I am glad that you are still alive and that makes me extremely grateful. If you where at the palace at the time of the attack, I dare say you may have been killed. I'm sure your family are happy that you were not there with them so you wouldn't be put in danger."

The auburn haired girl nodded slightly, her eyes staring at the ground. Tomoyo-chan is probably right. But…

"I know this is a terrible time, but I really think that we should leave here as soon as possible. If the Li kingdom were after your family then they would probably be after you too."

"But I'm just a princess. I'm of no importance to the kingdom."

Tomoyo shook her head slightly. "Forgive me for saying so, but if you are the only one left of your family, then you are indeed very important. You are the only one left who can stand in the Li kingdom's way for the throne. If anything were too happened to your elder brother and if he had no children of his own, which he does not, then you would become the new ruler of Kinomoto."

Sakura's eyes widened. "Yes, that is how it works. But me the ruler of Kinomoto? I-I couldn't possibly… I don't know the first thing about ruling a kingdom. I wasn't really taught such things…" replied Sakura uneasily.

Again, how could this be happening?

"I think it is best if we get as far away from Kinomoto as possible." stated Tomoyo.

"But, what about the people of Kinomoto? What-what will happen to them? If the Li kingdom is there then I doubt they will let anyone leave. They-they're been held prisoner in their home! And if I am next in line for the throne then it is my duty to protect the people of Kinomoto. I just can't leave when they need me… Innocent people are being hurt… I-I have to help them somehow…"

"It is good to meet a princess that cares for the welfare of her country and people." spoke a voice. Both girls looked up to see and an old woman standing at the door. "I am glad to see that you are finally awake, princess."

Tomoyo gasped. "Misumara-san! But-but how did you know that Sakura-chan is a princess? I-I never mentioned-"

"And it's a good thing you didn't. I could easily have been a spy from the Li Kingdom. It definitely isn't a good idea to give out your true identity when hundreds of soldiers are after you. However, I could hear your little conversation from outside the door. Be more careful, anyone could have heard."

"We-we're sorry!" cried Sakura in apologetic tone. "I promise that we will be more careful in the future!"

"I should think so." replied the woman before placing a small tray of food she was holding on to the table. "Now then, how are you feeling?" she asked in a softer tone.

"I-I feel better thank you. Thank you for allowing us to stay here and for bandaging up my leg. I don't know how I can thank you for hospitality. You've been so kind."

"In that case, please eat something."

"Oh, umm… thanks but I really don't feel very hungry just now…"

"Nonsense, in your condition you need to eat something!" shouted the woman, shoving the plate in her face.

"A-Arigatou…"

"If you wish to save your kingdom then you will definitely need to be at full strength."

"Yes, but I don't even know how I can possibly help them." she replied dejectedly. "Onii-chan, what would you do?"

"I know a way you can stop them."

Her face lit up instantly. "Really?!"

"Please tell us, Misumara-san." pleaded Tomoyo.

"The best way to undo this mess is to open the Clow chamber."

Both girls blinked in confusion. "Clow chamber?"

"Yes. It is located under the Kinomoto royal palace."

"There is a chamber under the palace?"

"Yes. It has been for hundreds of years."

"But my Mother or Father, nor Onii-chan had ever mentioned anything about a secret chamber."

"Of course not, only few including myself know about it. If lots of people knew then everyone would be fighting to open it."

"I don't understand. How can a chamber possibly help us defeat an army? Even if we sneak through the chamber into the palace, we till wouldn't be able to stop the soldiers."

"You've got it all wrong, this chamber is special. It is guarded my magic, and once opened it will grant your hearts desire."

Now Sakura was completely perplexed. "You're saying that if I open the chamber it will grant me any wish?"

"Oh how wonderful!" cried the dark haired girl in excitement.

"That means I could wish for peace and for the Li soldiers to leave! Please tell me, where a bout's in the castle is the chamber?" pleaded Sakura.

The old woman sighed sadly. "Alas it is not that simple. Like I said the chamber is guarded by powerful magic of that of the sorcerer who created the chamber."

"Then how is it that I can open it?"

"Somewhere across the lands sleeps Clow Reed's two guardians, Cereberus and Yue. It is their job to protect the chamber's seal. To open the chamber you must find and awaken them. If they find you to be worthy, them they shall give you their blessing and accompany you back to Kinomoto where the chamber is."

"I'll do it!" shouted Sakura as she shot straight up. "I will awaken both Cereberus and Yue and save the kingdom from disaster!"

 "The journey will not be easy. No doubt you will face many dangers and hardships along the way. You will need incredible will power to face what lies before your path. Do you think yourself strong enough to take on such a quest?"

"I-I think so." The auburn hair girl replied apprehensively.

 "Where do the two guardians reside?" queried Tomoyo curiously.

"The location? Well um… actually to be honest I don't really know where they are." replied the woman scratching the back or her head in embarrassment.

Both girls sweat-dropped.

"Then how the hell does that help us if we have no idea where to look!?" demanded Sakura angrily.

"You will know." The woman said calmly.

"What do you mean?"

"Your magical abilities and senses will contact and reveal to you if you are close to the guardians. That is how you will know."

Sakura blinked. "Magical abilities? Um, I'm pretty sure I don't have any of those."

"What do you mean you don't have any magical powers?! Every person in the Kinomoto family has magical abilities of some sort!"

 "Really? Could my parents and Onii-chan really use magic? I never knew that. Are you sure?"

The old woman sighed. "The rumours are true. The Kinomoto kingdom really is out of it."

"Hoe?"

"Anyway, whether you know any spells or not, you still have magical abilities. I can sense them from you."

"Sugoi!" cried Tomoyo excitedly. "So you're saying that Sakura-chan has magical powers?!"

"Yes, although they aren't very strong. But nonetheless they are extremely strong for a person who claims to have never used magic in her life before. For this journey you will definitely need the aid of your powers, and the more you use your magic the more they will develop allowing your strength and ability to increase."

Sakura blushed slightly. "I always wondered what it would be like to be some sort of magician. But I don't know how to use this magic..."

"Don't worry about that." replied the woman placing her hand on Sakura's head.

"What are you-" But before she could get an answer, the Inn keeper started murmur strange words.

Suddenly Sakura felt a powerful light burning up from inside her. Her body, it was as if she were floating… Everything slowly fading away….

What… What's happening?

"I am feeding you some of my own magical power."

Feeding?

The women let go, stumbling a little, and Sakura instantly felt herself return. Quickly Tomoyo rushed to help Misumara-san regain her balance. "Daijoubu desu ka?!"

"Yes. I-I'm fine."

She turned to Sakura and worriedly asked, "Are you all right? What just happened?"

"There, you should at least be able to do a simple attacking and shielding spell." stated the women slightly out of breath from the magical transfer.

"You mean I am able to use magic now?"

"Yes, but now is not the time to show you how. Eat up, get some sleep, you must leave as soon as possible. Many soldiers will be hunting you and if you don't want to harassed by any of them, then you must leave at once."

Sakura slowly nodded.

"I am sorry but I must leave now. If I stray away from my duties for too long then it might raise suspicion especially among the locals. If bribed then they would probably tell the Li kingdom anything they wanted."

The old Inn keeper opened the door. "Goodnight then. I will see you in the morning." And with that she left, leaving both girls staring in awe.

"What… what just happened?"

Authors Notes: I hope that was all right, and again sorry for any spelling/grammar mistakes. *sweatdrops*

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