Wow...this is really short. I'll upload another chapter after this kk?

Both of them stopped placing stones and started moving them around. 'Come on Sai…you can win…' Sakura thought hopefully before they finished.

Chapter 10 ------

"Black 68, white 67," another person announced. Sai had lost.

Sai lowered his head to the other tutor. Sakura had tears welling up in her eyes as they started to flow out.

"Taking into account the dishonesty, I declare Fujiwara no Sai as the loser," the Emperor said. Many people cheered, but Sakura was in full tears by now.

(A/N: I'm crying as I'm typing this!)

"In addition to that, he shall be known as a cheater and is banished from the capitol," the Emperor said before he stood up.

Sai looked at the Emperor with disbelief; he had lost, was going to be known as a cheater, and was run out of the capitol.

Many of the observers left, all except for Sakura and Sai. "Sai…" she cried, "I'm sorry I couldn't help. I saw him cheat too…" she cried as she walked over to him. She sat down and hugged him, not knowing what else to do.

"Sakura…" he said as tears came to his eyes, "you don't have to go." "No," she clung tighter, "I'm leaving with you!" she cried.

Sakura couldn't control her tears as they came from her eyes; they were probably never going to stop.

They stood up and left the palace, taking their time.

On the way out, Lotus and Peach Blossom noticed the couple walking out of the main doors. "Sakura-chan! Fujiwara-sama!" they called as they ran over to the couple. "Sakura-chan what's wrong?" Lotus asked. "It's nothing, I have to be leaving now," she said in-between sobs. They looked at her with sadness and fear at the same time.

Sai and Sakura walked out of the gate, not looking back towards the memories they shared there. The town's people were looking in disbelief at Sai as well.

"Sai, where are we going?" Sakura asked as she held to his arm. "I'm not sure…I haven't lived out of a house my whole life," he said as they wandered off onto the dirt road the merchants.

They walked in silence most of the way. They had no idea where they were off to, but anywhere would do.

"Look, there's something up ahead," Sakura pointed, "maybe we can spend the night there." She suggested.

"I guess it's better than nothing," he agreed.

They went up to it and knocked on the door. Sai peered in; it looked like an empty barn. "It looks empty, we can stay the night here," Sai said as he went in. Sakura followed him cautiously into the barn.

"It's better than nothing," Sakura said as she lay on the hay with Sai. "Yes, for now," he said.

Sakura couldn't see it, but Sai was silently crying. He kissed her head, making her feel like everything was going to be better.

XxXxXx

The next day, they kept moving north to whatever was up there.

Neither had an idea of what lay ahead of them, let alone if things would get better.

"Sai, do you have any idea where we're going?" she asked as she moved the branches of trees out of her way.

"Nope!" he said as he walked through the leaves from the maple trees.

Sakura sighed, she wanted out of this forest soon, it felt like the bugs were eating her alive.

Well, hope you liked it. Sorry, but I follow the story...and you might not believe what I have in store for this fic...

--Sakura