Misty Dreams

Card Captor Sakura

Chapter Eight

*starjade*

A Foe

Sakura went down the corridor, carefully. She was dressed in one of those plain, cotton dresses that they had given her and in her hands was the rest of her sewing. She had to finish the third shirt by the end of the week. She made this goal for herself and she was determined to finish it.
Yet all her starwort supplies were running out. She needed more...and she had to find out where to get it.

The maid had informed her that all the ladies of the castle sew and weaved in the same room and she was requested to come as well. She could already hear the ladies giggling and whispering to each other and she winced at the thought of the entrance she was going to make.

Oh well. Here goes nothing.

She stepped into the room, and was instantly greeted with the gasps that she was expecting. She still wasn't used to the whispering words, the disgusted eyes on her, the way they looked her over, messy auburn hair, smudged cheeks, plain thin gown, and bare feet. Their eyes lingered on her hands, swollen and puffy, purple and bruised.

She kept her eyes down and walked quickly to an empty spot near the window. Everyone near her got up and moved away, whispering words like, " Witch," or " Dirty Kinomoto."

She opened up her last stalk of starwort and began to spin it, turning it into thread as she stared out the window. Was there any starwort in the Li Lands?? She'd have to ask somebody. Syaoran sure as hell wouldn't let her out of the castle so he would never answer her questions.

" Hello."

The voice shocked her and she jumped. Looking at the direction of the voice, she smiled. It was an older girl, with dark hair and amethyst eyes. She was smiling at her kindly, oblivious to the glares and shocked glances of all the other ladies in the house.

Sakura gave her a gentle wave and the girl settled across from her. She was only a year or so older than her and already her stomach was plump with a baby. She was pregnant. The girl picked up her sewing and Sakura gasped at the beauty of it. She was sewing little dragonflies in a baby's shirt, sown with such love.

The girl grinned at her and said, " My name is Tomoyo. I heard yours was Keili, right?"
Sakura nodded and then pointed at Tomoyo's stomach and then at the shirt. Tomoyo giggled. " Yes, I'm making this for my baby. I think you've already met my husband. Hiirigizawa, Eriol. He travelled with you, right?"

Sakura nodded, smiling. Eriol was a good husband for Tomoyo and Tomoyo was clearly in love with him. Tomoyo chatted with her the whole time, talking about a range of things, what they did in the castle, what sort of nasty, narrow minded ladies there were and other , kindly but brainwashed ladies there were.

She told her that even though it seemed like the whole castle was against her, not everyone was. Sakura asked about the queen and Tomoyo looked uncomfortable.

" Her husband died a long time ago, but the wound is still fresh. Syaoran got over it but he hated Kinomotos too. Until he saw a little beggar boy, stowed away on a ship get hanged. The beggar boy had traveled here with cargo from Kinomoto lands and everyone was so angry at the fact that a Kinomoto had landed here that they hanged him only two days later."

Sakura gasped and Tomoyo nodded sadly. " It was mostly their pride that hurt. A Kinomoto had crept past their defences, and it was a little boy, at that! What would happen if more experienced men had been able to creep past our defences?"

Sakura nodded but something was still confusing her. She started to motion about siblings, Syaoran's siblings, or more specifically, Syaoran's cousins. Tomoyo saddened.

" Your talking about Meiling aren't you?" Tomoyo asked. " That was a sad story. Meiling and Syaoran had been arranged to marry after Syaoran refused so many potential wives. Yet both of them had platonic feelings for each other, never more than was necessary. It was always Meiling's little sister that had feelings for Syaoran. Meiling, she wanted to be in the army. Fight Kinomotos. Be in the war."

Sakura nodded, understanding. Tomoyo continued, " But girls weren't allowed. So she pretended to be a boy, got into the army and was never seen again. Syaoran has been out looking for her...I don't know how many times. People think that the Kinomoto's killed her. The hatred for Kinomotos have grown so much..." Tomoyo looked at her worriedly. " Tell me, if anything happens to you, come straight to me or Syaoran. Okay?"

That was exactly what Syaoran had said. Why were they so scared that something would happen to her?? But Sakura knew. She knew that the minute she stepped on enemy lands, people would go to great lengths to show her that she was not welcome.

Tomoyo looked around herself as the lunch bell rang. " Come on, let's go to lunch. You know why everyone gathers to sew here? It's a common ritual when a wedding is about to happen."

Sakura's eyebrows furrowed and she shrugged hers shoulders. Whose wedding?

Tomoyo smiled. " Why, Prince Syaoran and Princess Rita. Rita is Meiling's younger sister. They got arranged after Meiling disappeared. A future King needs a wife."

***********

Sakura went outside in her garden, breathing the fresh air gratefully. It was night time and the night felt different in Li lands. It wasn't silent. You could still see the stars, twinkling like fireflies on the night sky, but there were so many lights on in the Li Kingdom, so many voices and laughter and movement that it destroyed the serenity of the night.

She sat down in the weed choked garden, enjoying the feel of the grass against her skin, the air whipping through her hair. She had forgotten the deep solitude of the Kinomoto castle. With a pang, she remembered her father, stuck alone and dying with that nasty Oribia.
Suddenly a movement beside her startled her out of her thoughts. She turned and gasped. It was Syaoran. He was lying on a bench a few feet away from her, staring at the sky as well. A knife lay at his hands and in the other one was a staff.

He was guarding her room.

Sakura got up, anger filling her. Syaoran noticed her quickly and got up, as she stomped over to him.

Why you here, she motioned angrily. I protect myself.

Syaoran coughed. " Look, Keili, I'm sorry, you don't know what kind of danger your in right now-"

Then why bring me here? She motioned, already knowing the answer.

Syaoran turned away from her and ran a hand through his hair. " You're my only connection to Meiling. Okay? I didn't tell Mother that you knew and I won't tell her. I won't tell anyone. All I need for you is to tell me where she is and then I'll let you go."

Sakura bristled. I'm not prisoner.

Syaoran blinked at her and said solemnly, " Of course you're not."

Sakura sighed. It was no point in talking to him. Besides, there were more dangers out there than there was in the Li Kingdoms. At least she had the protection of Syaoran. She wondered why he protected her. She knew that no one would kill her. Syaoran was the prince and she was his guest. Why did he care how they tormented her?

Maybe it was because of her mother.

Her mother had done something to Syaoran that night. Made him become some sort of guardian for her while she completed her task. When it was over, poof, he'd go back to what he was before. A prince of the Li Kingdom.

Syaoran looked over at her carefully. " Could you just..."

Sakura glanced at him and he said, " Couldn't you at least...tell me whether....whether or not Meiling is still alive? Do you know if she's still alive?"

Sakura felt her heart go out to him and she shook her head slowly. He let out his breath.

" Do you know where she is right now?"

Again, she shook her head sadly.

" You've met her, haven't you?"

Sakura halted, but nodded slowly.

Syaoran held his head in his hands. " I just don't know what to do.."

It was these tiny displays of emotion that gave her glimpses to his inner personality. He was always so strong, knowing and fearless. The Li Kingdom looked like it would never break under his control. Yet such little glimpses...little things...

Slowly she walked over to him, and was about to touch him, but could not go that extra step. He was a Li, after all. The enemy.

The enemy.

She sat beside him, making sure there was space between them and clenched her hands in her lap. Syaoran let out his breath in a huge whoosh and then got up.

" Go inside now and sleep." His cold, demanding voice was back. " You have to meet my Uncle tomorrow."

Uncle? Sakura shrugged her shoulders, questioningly. Why?

" Because," Syaoran said shortly and walked off, but she knew he wouldn't leave. He thought she was a weak little flimsy thing that couldn't protect herself. Why was he always ordering her around all the time? She could walk off right now and never come back!!
Once she found out where that starwort was, she'd go after it by herself. With or without his protection.

********

" Duke Jel Tyran has arrived!"

The flurry of movements awoke Sakura the next morning. Since her room was so close to the servants quarters, she could hear the banging of pots, the fear and worry, the dreaded anticipation.

Who was this Jel Tyran and why were they all so...scared of him?

Remembering Syaoran's words, she made the connection. Jel Tyran Li must be his Uncle. The one she had to meet. A bad feeling settled in her stomach, but she ignored it. Instead of going to breakfast and having to meet Syaoran, she stayed in her room and worked on her shirts.

There was a knock at the door and Syaoran walked in. Sakura glared at him, but he just waved and said hurriedly, " Get a nice gown on and get to the front quickly. My uncle has arrived and he...he wants to meet you."

A flash in his eyes, worry it might've been, or anger, she didn't know, but she knew she had to do what he said. She washed herself up and pulled her hair back, dressing in a plain gown quickly. She hurried outside and on the floor was a pair of soft, leather shoes. She grimaced, but knew she couldn't go walking barefoot all the time. She slipped the shoes on and tied them up. Even though she'd rather be barefooted, she guessed this all powerful uncle really judged by appearances.

By the time she got to the main hall, a big crowd had gathered. They surrounded a small table where the queen was introducing everyone to a tall, muscular man. He was old, but still quite handsome. Dark hair and blood red eyes, a smirk on his face, he stood out from all the others.

Syaoran stood beside them, stiffly dressed in a red coat and white pants. His eyes were cold and glassy and the duke seemed to be smirking at him. The girl she had met yesterday had found her elbow and was holding her carefully.

" Don't try to get noticed," Tomoyo hissed. " He's looking out for you especially."

Sakura looked at her questioningly and Tomoyo sighed and answered, " Because...your the Kinomoto. He's the leader of the whole army of Li lands. He hates Kinomotos."

Sakura gulped, now knowing why she feared this man. But it was hard trying to blend in. Everyone was dark haired and her auburn hair stood out. Even that wasn't as strange as her eyes. No one in the Li Kingdom had green eyes. It was rare in the Kinomoto Kingdom as well.

Keeping her eyes to the floor, she winced as she heard the duke say, " Well, where is this Kinomoto wench I've heard so much about?"

The Queen stiffened. " You want to see her?"

The duke smiled. " Why, yes! This is the most interesting thing I have seen in a long time. Where is she?"

The Queen looked around and suddenly, Sakura felt herself being pushed out into the centre of the crowd. She felt all the eyes on her and she flinched, wondering if she was the most stupid person on earth. Here she was, a Kinomoto princess, wanted in her own lands and was now in the enemy's castle, being introduced to the Duke.

Her brothers would be ashamed of her.

Wincing as the Duke's eyes fell on her, she watched as his eyes widened slightly. She wrung her hands as she felt his eyes peruse her head to feet. A smirk played around on his lips as he murmured, " Well, well, well. I never knew that your one night stands stay so long, my boy! Kinomoto filth too!"

He rose an eyebrow to Syaoran, whose hands were clenched in tight fists, but it seemed as no one noticed except for the Duke and Sakura. Two blotches of colour appeared on her cheeks at the Duke's words, but knew she would be in grave danger if she even tried to protest against this powerful man.

" Fraternising with the enemy, are you, boy?" He sneered, glancing over at Syaoran with a knowing smile. " But I don't blame you. You are a handsome young bachelor and you need some sort of entertainment!! And what entertainment it is..."

Sakura's cheeks burned and the Queen said coldly, " The girl understands everything you say."

The man's eyebrows shot up into his hairline. " Can she? Then why won't she speak?"

The Queen coughed subtly. " She's got some sort of...disease. She can't speak."

The Duke laughed. "Why, we've got a diseased but educated Kinomoto in our hands! And all this time I thought she was a farmer's daughter and the only mate for miles were sheep and goats. Why, isn't it an age old suspicion that the Kinomotos have a bit of sheep genes in their blood. Run away at the first sense of danger, that's how it is."

The Duke got up and walked over to Sakura. Her body tensed as once again he looked her over, this time walking around her, looking at her from all angles. She felt dirty and it was like he was peeling away her clothes with his eyes.

" Dirty, but she is a little...interesting under there," He murmured. The blood red eyes seemed to feed on her fear and he seemed to have been born with that smirk on his face. " Quite a beauty for a Kinomoto, this one. She could be a spy, you know, working for the King. She understands us and yet doesn't speak a word. How convenient."

The Queen cut in, " Duke Jel Tyran, we have a few other people we'd like you to meet-"

The Duke held up a hand, his gaze fastened on Sakura's. " A pretty girl. I suspect they put you in the servants quarters, did they? Make a little use out of your scrawny body. Unless my boy is making a bit more...pleasurable use out of your body. Do you not know of Syaoran's night time activities? Your not the only filthy girl in his bed."

Sakura shuddered and the Queen tried to cut in again, but the Duke kept on talking. " I fought long and hard against your kind. You have spilled the blood of our people on your lands. Killing and killing...that's all your dim witted brains can handle."

Anger flooded her body, but it was replaced by fear as he raised a hand and placed it on her forehead. She flinched at his touch and wished she was anywhere but here. Her blood ran cold as he ran the finger along her face. " Your are a pretty girl...pretty eyes...I guess you would be rather a different change from Li girls...I can see why Xiao Lang here chose you as the new play toy..."

His hand ran across her lips and down her neck and down her collarbone to the rise of her chest. He breath caught in fear and before she knew it, a hand had grabbed the Duke's in a steel cold grip.

" Stop it, Duke," Syaoran bit out, his eyes blazing, his teeth clenched. " You've got what you wanted. She's my guest and she will be treated with respect."

The Duke laughed, his eyes shining with triumph. " Alright, alright, Prince Xiao Lang. I see how it is." He walked back to his chair and the Queen was stiff with anger and shame. Shame at having the only heir to the Li Kingdom interacting with a Kinomoto.

Sakura was shaking hard and her mind burned with anger and fear at the words he had said. Why did he do that? What was he trying to prove??

Trembling, she looked up at Syaoran as he led her back through the crowd. He didn't meet her eyes as she put her into the hands of Tomoyo. He turned away from them and said icily, " Take care of her." Before disappearing back into the crowed.

Sakura could hardly think. All she remembered was the Duke's words, those dirty words, stripping her dignity, and that finger trailing down her face. Tearing away from Tomoyo, she ran to her room and raced to the water basin and washed her face rigorously.

Things were going to get nasty.

.a/n: HI!! Wats up?? I still think this fic might be a bit confusing, mostly cause its more descriptive than the other ones I have and more AU than the other ones as well. Well, Tomoyo was introduced and a new guy, Jel Tyran. Tell me what ya think, aight? I LUB ALL THE REVIEWS, but i need more!

See ya latez,

*starjade*