Authors Notes: Gomen for taking so long to update. Baka me. Arigato to SaKuRaStArS, heheangel kisses, Lotus and Rosie for reviewing last chapter.

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

Chapter 5: The Kindness of a stranger

Slowly Sakura opened her eyes. For some reason she felt extremely dizzy and somewhat weak as if she had being running so much that she had ended up collapsing, nonetheless she still managed to pull herself up. But before she could even get a glimpse of her surroundings she heard a loud squeal that could only belong to one person.

"Sakura-chan, you're awake!" The ivory haired girl quickly scurried over and then sighed in relief. "I was worried, I thought that you might have ended up sleeping for another three days just like last time."

"How long have I been out for?" asked Sakura embarrassed.

"About five hours I think." replied Tomoyo.

Looking up at the sky she realised that it was night time all ready. Tomoyo had made a small fire so that had been where the light was been coming from.

"I'm sorry for being so much of a nuisance." said Sakura, feeling guilty once again.

As expected Tomoyo shook her head and smiled. "You're no trouble at all. Besides if it had not been for you who knows what those horrible men would have done to us." Suddenly her voice became higher. "The way you used your magic, it was absolutely amazing! It was even better than how I imagined it. I have never seen anything so possibly wonderful before!"

Sakura blinked. "My magic?" She gazed down at her hand, the fires bright glow reflecting off it. After a few moments of potent concentration all the memories of the experience came rushing back to her all at once. She had been absolutely furious when she saw what that man was doing to Tomoyo. It was like as if she had just exploded and then all those men were tossed backwards. A green beam like light had shot out of her hand and some kind of shield had protected her, preventing those men from getting close to her. Sakura found that she was now staring intensely at her hand. It didn't look any different but… It was only now that Sakura realised how frightened the situation made her feel. She had been so enraged while it had happened that there hadn't really been enough time for her to feel scared.

"I managed to write down every detail of what happened down in my notebook!" cried Tomoyo waving the notepad about excitedly.

"Wha-what do you mean?" asked Sakura confused. Tomoyo happily handed her the book and quickly she skimmed through parts of it.

And thus the beautiful young princess using her astounding magical abilities vanquished the evil forces that threatened her and her friend. After a vigorous battle she delicately laid herself on the ground allowing time for her to recover from such a pain-striking battle.

"Ho-Hoe?"

"That man was right you really are just like a witch!"

"What do you mean?!" asked Sakura in shock. "Witches are horrible people and very ugly! Not to mention they do awful things!"

"Oh not all witches are like that. Actually some are the exact opposite of what you just described. In one of the books I read as s child, there was a young girl about our age who was learning to become a witch and she was really nice character. The reason that she wanted to become a witch was so she could learn magic to help people." claimed Tomoyo.

"Really?"

Tomoyo nodded. "In fact you remind me of the girl in the book a lot. Although seeing you display your powers was a lot better than what I read in the book!"

Sakura gave a small smile. "I guess it was pretty amazing."

"Hai!"

I guess Misumara-san was right; I really do need magic for this journey. Those men weren't even the people who are after us. I'll definitely have to thank her again. Well, that is if I ever see her again.

"Sakura-chan are you feeling any better now? I'm sorry I got so excited about your magic that I forgot to ask."

"I'm still feeling a bit tired and fuzzy but I should be all right."

Tomoyo smiled. "I'm glad. Well since it's night all ready, shall we get some rest and go to sleep?"

Sakura nodded in agreement. She had just woken up but what she said was true, she was still tired.

Both girls scrimmaged through their backpacks for the blankets Misumara-san had provided them. They weren't particularly soft or warm but they would do.

As she started to lay out her blanket, Sakura gazed curiously at the stars. "This is my first time sleeping outside." she stated not taking her eyes off them.

"When Mother took me with her to other towns and villages to see if she could sell any of her dresses we used to sleep outside. During the summer when it was warm outside we decided not to waste our money on paying to stay the nights in Inns. I didn't mind though. I loved being outside, I would always gaze upwards at the stars until I eventually fell asleep." replied Tomoyo, smiling softly at the thought of the memory.

"When I was little I always wanted to see what it felt like to sleep outside but my Mother would never let me. It annoyed me but thankfully I found that I had a great view of the stars from my bed room window so I could gaze at them as long as I wanted to. Still, I'm glad that I get to watch them this way."

"You know I read in a lot of books that if you wish upon the brightest star in the sky, your wish will come true."

Sakura's face instantly lit up. "Huh? Really?!"

"Hai. I wished every night on the brightest star that I would one day be able to meet you. And eventually I did!" Sakura sweatdropped. "I was so happy when my wish came true!"

She blushed slightly. The way Tomoyo talked about her made her out to be someone really special. Sakura didn't think herself special at all, well at least until a few days ago. Unfortunately though she was special in way she wished she wasn't.

A short time later Tomoyo fell asleep and although Sakura was the most tired of the pair, she found that she had too many things on her mind to sleep.

I...I wonder if your wish really can come true. Tomoyo-chan's did, but my wish isn't at all simple. But still maybe I should…

Slowly Sakura placed her hand over her heart and gazing at the brightest star in the sky she made her wish. But as soon as she did she couldn't help but feel silly. This frustrated her. If your wish really did come true from wishing on some star then everyone would have had their wishes granted. The whole idea was completely foolish. Sure Tomoyo had had her wish granted but that was all just a coincidence.

Sighing inwardly she rolled over no longer wanting to waste her time on the stars. I don't think there is any star powerful enough to change my fate…

A few days had now passed since the incident and thankfully they had been able to avoid anymore trouble. Tomoyo had suggested that it was best to stay away from any towns in case they accidentally ran into some soldiers. Still even if they did, Sakura had her magic. The only problem was that she wasn't exactly one hundred on how to use it properly. The Inn keeper had said that over time her magical abilities would increase and become stronger but did that mean she needed to practice? Then again she had no idea how to practice either. The only time she had felt her magic strongly was when that gang of bandits had attacked her and Tomoyo, but afterwards she had felt exhausted. Would that happened ever time she used her powers?

When Misumara-san had transferred some of her powers to her she too had seemed tired afterwards. If that was the case then perhaps it wasn't the best idea to use magic unless they were in trouble, after all she wouldn't be able to ward of attackers if she was collapsed on the ground exhausted. She groaned slightly, cursing herself for not asking the Inn keeper more about it.

"Oh my." said Tomoyo looking slightly worried.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't seem to have any more food left in my backpack. We must have finished it all last night we ate and not realised it."

"Wait and I'll check mines." replied Sakura as she stopped and opened her back to search through it. "Eh?! I haven't got anything left either!"

"Oh my."

She whimpered slightly. This had actually been the first time she had wanted to eat anything since this whole ordeal had started. Her mind had been plagued with all that had happened that eating didn't seem at all important. Tomoyo however had made sure that she still ate.

"What will we do now?"

"It seems that we have no other option but to go into the next town we come across and stock up on food. I'm pretty sure that the next village isn't too far from here." replied the other girl pointing at her map.

"Hai! Let's go then!"

"Ano… Tomoyo-chan, that map doesn't by chance mention any good places to eat, does it?" asked Sakura, holding her stomach as if dying from hunger.

"I don't think we-"

Suddenly Sakura stopped as a wonderful smell filled her nostrils. Quickly looking about herself she spotted a small restaurant. "Ah yatta!" she cried as she started to run towards it. "Tomoyo-chan, let's eat in here!"

Tomoyo frowned slightly. "I think it is best if we just buy our food from the bakers. We don't have a lot of money and if we're lucky the bread will be cheap."

Sakura turned away from the window in disappointment. "All right then."

"Exuse me? Did you just say you were unable to afford to buy a meal from here?" came a voice.

Sakura quickly turned around to see a rather handsome man standing there gently smiling. He had light blonde hair and aqua eyes. "A-Anou…"

"Please come in." said the man extending his arm outwards.

"But-"

"Don't worry." he replied softly, still smiling. Nervously she nodded and followed him. Tomoyo who had been watching quickly ran in after her. He directed them to a table and pulled out two sets. "Here you go."

"Um thank you."

"Now what would you two lovely young ladies like to eat?" They stared at each other in confusion.

"Um I'm afraid we're unable to spare the money we have to buy anything." stated Tomyo slightly wary of what was going on.

The man laughed. "Yes I know, and that is why I am kindly going to treat both of you to something to eat."

"You can't do that!" cried Sakura in protest. "It-it's really all right. We can just buy bread with the money we have."

"You could but I refuse to let you do that. You see, I cannot stand pretty young ladies like yourselves not getting what they want. And that disappointed look you had on your face when you discovered that you wouldn't be able to get that lovely meal you had desired, well that just killed me. So being the gracious man that I am, I decided to treat you two ladies to dinner."

"You're so kind!" Sakura piped happily.

"And you're so cute." said the man, flashing his smile causing Sakura to blush.

After deciding what they wanted, the man went up the counter to place their orders, and while Sakura sat with a smile on her face, Tomoyo on the other hand looked slightly uneasy.

"The man is so kind to buy us dinner, ne?" Suddenly she noticed the look on her friend's face. "Tomoyo-chan, what's wrong?"

"I… I have a bad feeling about this."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Misumara-san she said to be careful who we talked to and if we could, avoid as much contact with people as possible."

"But he seems really nice, and if he was really nasty and evil then he definitely wouldn't be buying us dinner."

Tomoyo gave a small nod. "I suppose…"

"There you are." said the man as returned and placed their meals in front of them.

"Is there any way we could repay you, I uh mean that doesn't involve giving you money?"

"Actually there is something you can do. Would you be so kind as to tell me the names of the pretty girls I have the honour of dining with?" he asked politely.

"Hai. This is Tomoyo and my name is Sa-"

"Tsuki!" yelled Tomoyo loudly causing both Sakura and the man to stare at her confusedly.

"Pardon?"

"Her-her name is Satsuki." she replied glancing nervously at Sakura.

Not sure what to do Sakura played along with it. "Ha-Hai. My name is Satsuki, that's my name."

"Tomoyo… Satsuki… Such pretty names…"

"Um, what is you're name?" Sakura asked curiously.

"Oh how rude of me. My name is Ryoji."

"That's a nice name."

"Why thank you, but not as nice as yours. Anyway, how are your meals?"

"It's delicious!" cried Sakura who if hadn't been taught proper table manners would have probably been shoving the food down her throat.

"I am glad." Suddenly he noticed that the other girl wasn't eating anything and seemed to be somewhere else. "Is something wrong? Do you not like it, miss?"

Waking from her thoughts Tomoyo quickly shook her head and replied in her usual kind voice that she was enjoying it very much.

As Ryoji queried to where they were from Tomoyo hastily told him that they were travellers before Sakura could open her mouth. If Sakura told him that they were from Kinomoto then that would definitely create suspicion and lead to more questions. It turn out that Ryoji too was a traveller wandering the lands with a group of friends. He explained that they where over in the near by Inn but he had came alone to get something to eat.

"They really do get on my nerves at times." he laughed. "So then what about you two, will you be staying at the Inn?"

"Um well we're trying to save up as much money as we can so we've decided just to sleep outside. Uh I means it's not like we're going to sleep in the dirt or anything, we-we uh have blankets!" replied Sakura quickly in embarrassment, unable to help but feeling like some sort of cheapskate.

"I heard that it's supposed to be quite cold tonight. And well being the generous gentleman that I am I cannot allow you two young women to sleep outside where you will be cold all night and even become sick. Therefore I am inclined to buy you a room where you may spend the night until you continue with your travels."

"What?! You can't do that!" yelled Sakura pushing herself away from the table. "You-you've all ready done so much all ready! You've bought us this wonderful meal, we couldn't possibly accept anymore from you, especially when we haven't done anything to repay you!"

The man laughed. "You can pay me back by accepting my offer."

"De-demo!"

"Now then, since we have finished out meals shall we go then?"

Tomoyo glared at him slightly as he started to walk away. What did this man want with them? Why was he being so kind and generous when he didn't even know them? Her eyes fell on Sakura who was walking behind the man. She trusted him so easily, completely ignoring the possibility that this man wasn't all he seemed to be. Then again Tomoyo couldn't blame her. She was a princess after all and probably had other people do everything for her. Sakura-hime wasn't expected to judge people.

I guess I will have to do the judging for both of us. I won't allow Sakura-chan to get hurt. But for now I guess I have no choice but do like Sakura-chan and trust him…

After Ryoji had paid and seen the girls off to their room, he returned to his own room.

"Oi Ryoji! Where the hell have you been?!" yelled one of the men who he was sharing a room with.

"The captain's going ballistic, you know." said another.

He just smiled and then flopped himself down on one of the beds. "Sorry gentlemen, but duty calls."

"And just what the heck do you mean by that?"

"Don't tell me, another damsel in distress." An older man sighed, rolling his eyes.

He gave a small chuckle. "Something like that yes."

"And just what was the dire situation this time?"

"Oh nothing serious, just rescuing two beautiful young girls from starving and freezing outside tonight."

"What?! You're saying you bought them dinner and somewhere to sleep?!"

He nodded casually.

"The captain will kill you if he finds out you've been wasting our money like that!"

"Oh relax. We've got plenty of money to keep us going."

"Yeah, but not from the captain's perspective."

"So are you gonna pay those girls a visit tonight in their rooms?" snickered one of the men.

Ryoji pushed himself up and crossed his arms. "Why Ryosuke, I'm shocked that you'd even think I'd ever to such a thing. Unlike the rest of you sleaze balls, I have principles."

"Hey well if you're not gonna go then at least give me their room number so I can take advantage of the situation!"

Ryoji narrowed his eyes. "You know that if you ever tried something like that I would kick your ass."

"Oh all right, all right. After the captain I definitely know not to mess with you."

A few moments later the captain actually appeared. "Ryoji, where the hell have you been?" he demanded.

Instantly he leapt off the bed and straightened himself up. "I just went to get something to eat and have a quick wander around the premises, Sir."

"This isn't a damn sight seeing vacation, you're here on duty!"

He bowed in apology. "I'm sorry, Sir."

"Well it better not happened again!" Sighing he turned to the rest of the men. "Anyway we finally have a lead. I managed to require a photo of the rulers of Kinomoto." He said as he took and old crumpled paper out of his pocket. The men quickly gathered around.

"Oooh, that's the queen of Kinomoto?! She sure is a dish!"

"Sir, but aren't they all ready dead? What good will a picture do us? Aren't we supposed to be searching for the Princess?" Ryoji questioned in confusion.

"Because the girl we're after is no doubt gonna look like her parents. If we know a possibility of what she might look like then we have a better chance of finding her."

"God if she looks like her Mother then I don't know if I'll be able to kill her." said Ryosuke drooling over the picture.

"You'll do what the hell I tell you do!" yelled the Captain grabbing the photo from him. "Here, one of the Royal artists's made a painting of what she might look like." He said as he pulled out another picture.

After catching a glimpse of the painting, Ryoji who stood behind the other men pushed them aside and took hold of the picture. His eyes widened. Bright emerald eyes like the Queen, auburn hair like the King's...

"Remember this is only one possibility of what she might look like. Her name's Sakura so if you hear that name act immediately."

Ryoji took a step back suddenly.

"My name is Sa-"

"Tsuki"

"Ha-Hai. My name is Satsuki, that's my name."

"It-it can't be…"

Authors Notes: I hope this chapter was okay. And I know its taking long but Syaoran and Sakura will meet soon enough. ; As usual gomen for my crappy spelling/grammar. No matter how many times I look over a chapter using Microsoft word they still seem to lots.

Any feedback or advice on how I could improve would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading! I'll try to get chapters out quicker since I have more time seeing it's the summer.