Chapter One: The Steps to Take

He sighed as he reached to take a sip from his water bag. The air had dried out much more quickly than he originally supposed it would. According to the people in the last town, there should be another village somewhere nearby. A smirk appeared over his sullen features briefly before falling away once more as amber eyes surveyed the horizon. These small little hamlet towns seemed like nothing in comparison to the city he was from. But then so few people could claim to be from a city like he was. There were so few left in the world.

The Power had seen to that. Securing his water bag to his horse once more, he nudged her forward as his thoughts settled once more unto his task.

The Power.

It had been when his grandmother was still a girl that the Power had broken free of its restraints once more. The aimless force fluttered around the world in a seemingly random pattern, destroying much in its path. Anyone who had survived the onslaught of the Power could only say that it was overwhelming. No one could recall it attacking in any sentient manner. Only that, like a sudden storm, it would seize upon civilization and wreak havoc until little remained of what had stood before.

The most frustrating part was that no one was quite certain just HOW the power acted. Some recalled visions of fire, others of ice. Some said it was like strong winds, others spoke of disturbing calm. It was as if there were a hundred forces at work at once. The Power, whatever it was, did not seem to act in any one way, baffling those who would contain it.

And those people were his people.

The Li clan, descendants of the magician who had long ago contained the Power at the loss of his own life, were strong in the magic of the land. Many people feared them for their powers, afraid that their source was that which they feared most. It had stopped being worth while to explain to people that they got their power from the earth itself, that magic had been in the world outside of the Power for as long as this destructive force had been. People were foolish. In their fear they began to treat those with magic with disdain and frequently violence. Most people knew to leave his family alone, afraid of what they might do in their vast numbers, but that didn't mean they were so kind to others.

The Li family had offered shelter to those who were persecuted for their own magics, only to be turned down. Few were willing to admit that they had magic in them for fear of being caught and tortured long before they could reach the sanctuary of the Li strong holds. They locked their magic behind shuttered eyes, and those who loved them hid them away behind tall walls and strong lies.

The boy atop his horse sighed once more as he glanced at the suns over head. The larger one, Sol, was sinking towards the plains while the smaller one, Jitsu, trailed slowly behind, casting the world into a purple hue as the red tint of sunset of Sol mixed with the blue daylight of Jitsu. He needed to hurry. While perfectly capable of defending himself against any sort of wild animal, he would need to set up a magic barrier if he wanted to get some sleep on the plains. And using magic would not be in his best interest.

He wished that he had had the forethought to stay behind in the forest he had stopped to have dinner in. Tree magic filled the air and it would make it hard for anyone to discern his magic in that atmosphere. But he had wanted to be on his way and foolishly persisted in his trek. Once more he reigned in his horse and pulled out a telescope to scour the horizon in the direction the villagers had told him to go.

He couldn't help but sigh in relief has he caught sight of small buildings in the distance. Even if he hurried he wouldn't arrive until well after night fall but it would still be enough to have a roof over his head, or at the very least some protective guards against the beasts which preferred to hunt at night. He carefully replaced his telescope and nudged his mare into movement once more. Something had told him to keep going earlier that day. He hoped that his decision would prove to be a good one.

There was giggling. Under some circumstances, the childish sounds of mirth and mischief would not be at all misplaced, but they were here. Leading his horse through probably the only forest left on the plains, he made sure to stay especially on guard. Night had fallen some time ago and he could hear the creatures moving around in the darkened branches that hid all too much. He could hear movement everywhere and found himself tensing up all the more when it seemed like a sudden silence fell on the trees just before him.

So with all the pent up energy and rushing adrenaline, the last thing in the world he expected to hear was a giggle. A girl's giggle none the less. Sighing, he nudged his horse to quicken her pace. If there was a little girl nearby, chances are he was only a few minutes from the small village he had been aiming for the past few hours. As he grew closer to the rustling, he could make out two distinct voices. Not only one girl, but two, and the second seemed distinctly older. Something about this calmed him. He really was too tired to fend of a small foolish child from wandering beasts because her keepers couldn't think for themselves.

He hesitated for a moment at the trees that breached the space between him and the two girls. He didn't want to frighten them, which coming out of the woods so unexpectedly would most likely do, but he also knew he would need to approach them if he wanted to get into the village as quickly as possible. He furrowed his brow, trying to make a decision when the child's voice startled him.

"Look, look, Tomoyo! There's a man on a horse!"

"What are you talking about? There is no such thing," the older voice responded.

"There is! There is! Come out, sir, come out!"

What better invitation than this? he sighed mentally before nudging his mare into the small clearing where the girls were sitting. He pulled up short though when he laid eyes on them. Instead of a young girl and perhaps someone a few sun cycles older than himself, he found two girls approximately his own age. His shock was thankfully covered by the half shriek made by the dark-haired girl as she whirled around to face him.

"See, Tomoyo, I told you!" the lighter-haired girl giggled.

"I can see that Sakura," the other girl, Tomoyo, gasped before taking her hand away from her chest where it had instinctively jumped to calm her racing heart moments before. "Now please be quiet while I talk to the nice man."

He watched the interchange most curiously. The girl called Sakura could be no more than a sun cycle younger than himself, yet everything from the tone of her voice to the way she rocked on her heels bespoke of a child no more than eight. Tearing his eyes away from her, he looked at the other girl she had called Tomoyo. Immediately he saw that she had missed nothing of his curiosity. Nor, he could tell from the glint in her amazingly purple eyes, did she miss much of anything. He looked at her for a moment before dismounting and bowing to the two girls.

"I am sorry for startling you, but I have been traveling all day and was hoping to ask for your help to your village. I understand it is not far from here." It was prettily said, just as his mother had trained him for years. 'Diplomacy is the smart mans weapon.'

"No apology is needed, sir. We would be happy to show you the way to our home. It is only a few minutes away from here. I'm sure you could have found it by yourself, but it is better this way." The dark-haired girl smiled. "Our night guards are a bit zealous and might not have seen friend from foe."

He stared at her. "How can you say that you can? For all you know, I might be a vicious murderer."

She shrugged. "Sakura trusts you. That is all you need to gain my trust."

He blinked and glanced back to the other girl who was staring at his mare as if she wanted to rush up and pet her. She seemed totally unconcerned with the man standing not so far away from her nor did she seem to care that he was a complete stranger as she smiled giddily at the animal.

"I…see. Then may I ask that we go soon? I have been traveling all day and am in rather need of a good rest."

"Of course, follow me," she smiled before calling to her friend. "Come on, Sakura. It's time to go."

The other girl grinned and turned to skip before her friend through the night woods as if the world were nothing but a vast playground for her to trample through. He followed closely behind them, watching as they talked quietly about nonsense things, typical conversation for an adult and child. There was something more to this than what he could tell on the surface but he wasn't certain if it had anything to do with him or his mission.

As promised, their journey only lasted a few minutes before he could make out torches between tree branches. It wasn't long after that when the girls drew up and made sure to wave distinctly at a man sitting in a sturdy guard box some twenty feet above their heads. The man, who was approximately his own age, nodded at the two girls before focusing in on himself.

"Who have you brought with you?" he called down.

"A friend," came the response.

"What friend could you have well past dusk in the middle of the forest?"

"Someone Sakura trusts!"

The man looked down at him with some consideration again before shrugging. "Go find Touya. He's been worried."

She nodded before looking back at him as if to make sure he understood that he was to follow before following the girl skipping ahead of them. He kept a small distance between them as he glanced around his surroundings. The term village was hardly done justice by the small hamlet. He doubted that more than forty families lived there, if that. Still, it was what he had come to expect since starting his journey. The Power left few to band together. Only a few minutes had passed before they drew up before the largest building. They were not given a chance to mount the stairs up to the entrance before the door was thrown open and a tall man was silhouetted in the door frame.

"Sakura! I told you not to run off again!" the man admonished as he came forward a few steps, allowing the light from the path to strike against him and allow his face to come into proper view. "You better be glad Tomoyo found you so quickly. Can you not imagine what could happen to you alone in the woods at night?"

He growled the words out harshly and looked as if to continue before sighing the familiar sigh of someone who knows that their words are being lost on the listener. He turned to the other girl and smiled wearily. "Thank you for finding her, Tomoyo. Again."

She smiled back at him serenely. "No need to thank me. You know it is my pleasure."

He nodded as his eyes slithered over to the stranger with the two girls. "Who is this?"

"We made a friend, brother! He has a beautiful mare! Can I pet it?"

The man blinked rapidly at his sister before shaking his head. "You have no sense, Sakura." He took a few steps forward until he was at the head of the stairs. "What is your name stranger?"

"Li Syaoran," he answered promptly. As he expected, a certain light gleamed in the older man's eyes before they clouded over once more with distrust.

"What business does a Li have in our town in the middle of the night?"

"I merely seek shelter," Li replied, biting back the urge to glare furiously at the man.

He stared at him for a moment before nodding. "You can stay with Tomoyo and her mother if they permit it. They are the closest thing to a boarding house we have for the likes of you."

Li frowned bitterly as the man took a few steps forward and grabbed the hand of his sister, dragging her through the door and making as if to close it behind them. Before it closed, he turned to glare at him once more. "And stay away from my sister while you are here if you wish to remain alive."

When the door slammed shut, Li allowed himself to glare at the weathered wood. He was not used to being treated so badly, especially by someone he had never before met. Most people knew better.

"Don't mind, Touya," a serene voice broke into his thoughts. "He is very protective of his sister."

Li turned towards the girl with a sigh. "I can see that."

She smiled at him knowingly. "Why don't you follow me? I'll see that you get into a nice bed before too long. You look like you desperately need it."

He frowned, angry at himself for giving away a weakness so readily but nodded to her before following behind her closely.

"My name is Tomoyo Daidouji, by the way. I'm sure you already knew that but it is always best to introduce yourself proper. My mother's name is Sonomi but you won't be meeting her until morning. She keeps early hours since she runs the village shop."

He nodded again, even though he knew she couldn't see him from her angle. He was fairly sure she saw it anyway. "Who was that man?" he asked shortly.

"That was Touya Kinomoto. He is more or less the leader of our town since his father passed away a few years back. I must apologize for his rudeness once more. He is my cousin and I feel it is my place to explain his behavior. But perhaps you can already understand the stress of being in charge of a group of people as sad as we?" she asked, turning to smile at him.

Something in her smile told him that she, too, knew who he was. Exactly who he was in fact, something which made him feel distinctly uncomfortable. Not many knew who he was in relation to his family, only that his name meant bad luck for anyone who crossed him.

Desperate to get that smile from her lips he asked quickly, "And what about the sister?"

A frown settled over her features as she turned to face forward again. She didn't answer for a long minute, gesturing silently for him to tie up his horse beside one of the larger houses. When he was finished, she turned to him with a sad smile. "Sakura worries all of us, but Touya most of all. I can only hope you can imagine what it must be like to have your sister be eternally the child."

He frowned at her. There was definitely something more to this. He had seen 'simple' people before but something struck him as different. She watched him for a moment before giving him a smile and turning to lead him into the house. It was a simple affair with one large room making up the center of the house and three bedrooms sprouting off to the sides.

"You may sleep here tonight. Tomorrow, we'll talk more and mother and I will try to answer any questions you may have. I don't know how much help we simple people can be, but at the very least we can perhaps point you in the right direction."

She smiled at him one last time before leaving the small bedroom and closing the door behind her. Li stared at the door for a moment before taking to the task of preparing for bed. She had stressed the word simple. They were simple people. His ever present frown deepening, Li blew out the candle and lay back on the comfortable bed. He had a feeling that these people were anything but simple.

There was a story to be told here and his instincts were screaming that he find out what it was. But he would leave that for the next day. His thoughts wrapped around him, sending him into a much needed sleep. The last image that fluttered through his mind was a pair of childlike jade eyes.

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Light crept in through the window and hit the tired Li's eyelids. Perhaps it was the entrapping dream that had dulled his senses and made him miss the presence in the room until he was awoken by the light. Still, before his eyes were even open, he sensed someone was staring at him. Slowly, he peeked a look under his eyelids only to have them flash open. He bolted upright against the wooden headboard breathing heavily in shock as he stared into the green child-like eyes of the Kinomoto girl.

"He's awake, he's awake!" she giggled, falling back on her heels from where she had been crouched over him moments before. "Tomoyo, he's awake!"

The door opened, drawing Li's eyes to it. He watched Daidouji poke her head in, a look of confusion on her face before she spotted the honey haired girl. Her eyes widened and she rushed into the room.

"Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't realize she was even in the house! She has a way of coming and going unnoticed." The dark-haired girl drew the child-like girl off the bed with an admonishing look. "I should have expected it though, since she has taken a liking to you."

He nodded, unable to tear his eyes off of the Kinomoto girl. "I understand. I have younger cousins."

"I suspected as much," she smiled knowingly. "Why don't you get dressed and come out to breakfast. It's almost finished."

He nodded and followed their figures with his intense eyes until the door closed behind them. As if suddenly awakened by the soft click of the latch, he blinked and shook his head. With a sigh, Li threw back the covers and quickly dressed himself, hiding various possessions in his clothes and only bothering to run his fingers through his unruly hair in a small attempt to calm the disorder. It was only a few moments before he himself left the small room.

The smells of breakfast that had been trickling into the small room suddenly flooded his nose. A wave of hunger washed over him and without a thought, he made his way to the sideboard. He was peering at the different foods when a tall lady with short red hair walked out of the backroom, which was presumably the kitchen. He blinked before turning and sketching a quick bow. She smiled politely and motioned him to sit down.

"Tomoyo told me we had a handsome guest staying with us. It's so nice to see that she wasn't wrong." She handed him a plate with a little bit of everything from the sideboard before joining him with a simple cup of tea. "Though, she didn't mention just who this handsome gentleman was. I'll have to scold her once she comes from her room," she intoned lightly glancing at one of the doors that lead from the room. Her eyes returned to him with an assessing look. "You look just like your father did."

Li choked on the toast he was swallowing and had to gulp at the juice she set before him. When he was able to breathe normally once more, his red, teary eyes latched onto the woman before him. "You knew my father?"

"Yes, I did. Quite well in fact. But we'll discuss that later tonight."

"I don't plan to stay another night, ma'am. I must hurry."

She nodded. "Yes, I imagined as much. But, you could come to no harm to get another night's comfortable rest. I would especially recommend it, knowing who you are and what journey you must be on."

He continued to stare at her in fascination until a clamor came from the bedroom the lady had glanced at a few minutes prior. A moment passed before the two girls exited the room smiling contentedly at each other. A split-second later, the Kinomoto girl caught sight of him and ran to him excitedly.

"Hello! Tomoyo gave me a pretty dress, do you like it?" She twirled, showing off the light sun dress.

He nodded, vaguely bewildered. "It's very nice." After he said this, Li realized it was true. Despite the childlike sense to her, she appeared very lovely and mature in her outfit. The look was at terrible odds with the innocent features and oh so young look in her eyes. Like a child dressing up in her mother's clothing.

"Yay! He likes it! I wonder if Touya will as well!"

"He usually does." Tomoyo's smile didn't quite reach her eyes as they shifted over to meet Li's. He could tell that she too saw as he saw. He could almost guarantee that Kinomoto could see it too.

"Sit down for breakfast girls! It's getting cold. You can chit chat when you are finished eating."

The three listened amiably to the child like chattering of the Kinomoto girl as they made their way through the well made breakfast. Li hadn't realized how much he had been longing for a real meal since he left and so was preoccupied with eating rather than keeping close mind to what the two girls were saying. And so, he was actually somewhat startled to look up and find the three ladies looking at him intently.

Blinking, he looked around at the expectant faces and blushed slightly. "I'm sorry, I wasn't minding the conversation. Please forgive me if I ask you to repeat what was just said?"

Sonomi laughed. "Like your father indeed. The girls just asked if you would like to accompany them to Sakura's house."

"I don't think her brother particularly likes me. It would probably be better if I didn't go," he declined peaceably before standing up and gathering the empty plates as good manners dictated a guest to do.

He was yet again startled when jade eyes popped up in his path.

"No, no. You must come with us! It is important it is! I promise! Please!"

Li stared at her beautiful features, infected with a look far too young for the face, and was about to turn her down when he glanced over at the other two ladies. The mother and daughter were staring at the two of them with what only could be described as consternation. Daidouji locked her beautiful amethyst eyes with him. The message in them was unmistakable.

"Um, it would be my pleasure, Sola Kinomoto."

"Yay! He's coming with us. He will come!" She twirled, her delicate skirts making a circle around her.

Li stared at her but a moment before continuing on to the sink to deposit the dishes. No, it would not be. Yet, while his back was turned, the Sonomi ladies smiled at each other.

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Walking through the village was an experience. Every eye in the village was on them, or most. Kinomoto was skipping through the streets and saying hello to all the villagers one by one in her childlike voice. Tomoyo, on the other hand, was walking sedately, keeping a close eye on her friend, and their companion. She was used to Sakura's antics, but still she felt odd under the pressure of all those eyes. She never had liked attention much.

Li, however, took it naturally. He didn't falter, used to the unwavering eyes staring at him wherever he went. He sighed and continued on, his eyes flitting from building to building. He took in the fear and determination laid with every brick and hammered in with every nail. It could come for them at any time, drawn to their life. They knew it, and so did he. Li clenched his hand into a fist.

He'd be damned if he didn't put a stop to this.

"What are YOU doing here?"

Li looked up into familiar angry eyes. "Your sister and Sola Daidouji asked me to accompany them," he replied with chilled politeness.

Kinomoto glared at the younger man for a moment before sighing, resigned. "Come, speak with me."

Amber eyes widened imperceptibly before nodding curtly.

"Yes, yes, you must come in. It is VERY important."

The widened eyes of Kinomoto did not go unnoticed by Li. There seemed to be something underneath the childish ramblings. Something very important. Kinomoto shook it off and frowned as he waved the three of them in. He did not spare a moment away from the horrible glare he directed at the chocolate haired boy. After they entered, he finally noticed the gathered crowd of people.

"Go back to your lives, you busybodies," he yelled before slamming the door behind him.

"You do not need to be so harsh, Touya," Tomoyo admonished softly.

The older boy blushed briefly. But it lasted only for a moment before he turned his hard glare at Li. The two locked eyes and glared at each other intently. They were so determined to show their disproval of the other, even Sakura felt the tremor in the atmosphere.

"TOUYA! Stop glaring at him!"

For a moment, she sounded her age, only for a split second as she stared at Li. The moment passed and she returned to the childlike presence. But the tense silence was broken and Kinomoto gestured for him to sit down.

"What is this about, Touya?" Daidouji asked as she sat next to Sakura.

"Sakura told me last night. She says it's time."

"Already? But, she went only last month!"

"I know, but if she says it's time, it's time."

Li was a bit lost but tried not to look it. "Excuse me, but what does this have to do with me?"

"Well, brat, perhaps if you could sit and listen I'll explain."

"As you will."

Touya stood up, nodded at Daidouji, and began to pace the room as she led her friend up to her room. He watched them leave then turned to Li once more. "As you can see, my sister is not exactly...normal."

"Yes, and?" Li asked somewhat bluntly. Pointing out a girl's faults was not something he believed in.

"Don't get up on a high horse. My sister is also...gifted. She has a way of knowing things. And from time to time she needs to go see a certain lady. The trip takes a long while, through dangerous roads. It is a hassle, to be honest. But, the last time I tried to stop her, she had a fit and nearly died."

"So, I ask again, what this has to do with me?"

"I can't go with her. Tomoyo has already agreed to go with her every time, but she is still just a girl. She isn't completely defenseless, but still, I imagine that you know what it is like on those roads."

"I do."

"Would you please go with her?"

Li smiled irritatingly. "Why should I?"

Kinomoto glared at him. "Because, I know what you are seeking. And if anybody could tell you where, it is this woman she is meeting...or perhaps Sakura herself."

Li stared at him, then sighed. "Fine. I will escort her. She is an innocent." He looked down and smiled at his hands, thinking of her shining eyes.

The older man audibly growled. "Don't you get any ideas about my sister. She is not even capable of romantic love so don't try it!"

Li stood up and smiled in the most irritating way he could muster. "I think she is capable of many things that you could never understand. as her brother. Now if you will excuse me. I should prepare for my trip tomorrow. With lady's accompanying me, I need to gather more things."

"Watch yourself brat."

"Yeah, yeah."

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"Tomoyo?"

"Yes, Sakura?"

"He is going to marry me."

"Really?" Tomoyo giggled. "Why do you say that, Sakura?"

"Because I see it," she smiled at her friend. "I saw him in my dreams before he ever came."

Tomoyo gasped slightly. What Sakura saw, came true. But how could anyone marry a child, but out of pity? Tomoyo prayed that it would be true, but could not hope for it. Instead she smiled at her friend. "I'll be your attendant."

Sakura shook her head. "No, you won't. You will be somewhere else then. But, I promise I'll hold another ceremony so you can be in it."

The amethyst eyes clouded over in fear. This wasn't a childish fantasy. Not a weird twisted viewing. If Tomoyo wasn't at Sakura's wedding, it was because she was dead, injured or kidnapped. She stared at her friend as she played with a childish glee, making voices for her dolls as they danced around the room.

Tomoyo had the worst feeling that nothing would ever be the same again.