Two chapters in one day you lucky people! Review!

Love of War
Chapter Twelve: Burning

Sakura sat at the edge of the small clearing, staring blankly at the remaining flames from the village. There were no survivors, the bandits had all fled, leaving none of the original residence alive. Syaoran had ordered the village burned, for what was the use of it still being there? It was half burned already.

But tears still slid down Sakura's cheeks as she watched the remaining parts of the village slowly burn to the ground.

"Sakura?" Kero said softly from her side. He'd been sitting with her for hours, just being there, not speaking a word, in his small form.

The Li clan were all in the trees, the camp was set up and a few of the men had already retired to bed, but most had stayed up to plan the rest of the trip and eat and drink. So it was just Sakura and Kero, sitting by the edge of the woods.

"Huh?" Sakura said.

"Don't worry about the villagers." Kero said, flying gently onto her shoulder. "You tried your best."

"I know…" Sakura sighed, hugging her knees to her chest and setting her chin on them. "I still feel bad though."

"That's bound to happen." Kero said. "But you've just got to move on. If anything, it's better that the villagers are gone, the bandits can't hurt them anymore."

Sakura smiled weakly. "Thanks Kero, but your not helping."

Kero shrugged, "You can't blame me for trying."

Sakura laughed weakly. "Yeah."

Kero stood on her shoulder for a second, fiddling with his little paws.

Sakura sensed his nervousness and asked, "What's wrong?"

"I have…I have to leave Sakura." Kero said quietly.

Sakura shot upright, almost knocking the little guardian off her shoulder. "What?"

"Yeah," Kero said, sounding embarrassed. "I had a dream last night, Yue was in it. It wasn't really a dream, more like…a message."

"What did he say?"

"That I had to come and find him and Touya, they were having trouble finding help and they needed me." Kero said. "I'm sorry Sakura."

Sakura shook her head, a small smile creeping on her lips. "It's all right Kero. You don't have to worry about me being here. I feel…safe here. We shouldn't get to the coast for a couple more days, and besides, I seem to be great at holding the clan up."

Kero grinned. "That's my girl. I promise we'll be back to help you once you get to the coast. We'll be waiting."

Sakura nodded, "Do you have to leave now?"

Kero sighed. "Yes. Before the kid sees me."

Sakura smiled and kissed him lightly on the head. "Good luck, and be careful. Tell Touya and Yue the same okay?"

Kero nodded and flew off her shoulder, shouting over his shoulder as he flew higher into the night sky. "Be careful Sakura."

"I will…" She whispered, watching as he disappeared into the darkness.

From behind her, Sakura could hear the laughter from the group of people who were holding her captive.

But was she really a prisoner? The first night she'd been tied up, but since then…she wasn't sure anymore.

When Conan had threatened the Li clan, she'd gotten defensive. Sakura could leave anytime she wanted, she knew that all too well.

So why didn't she?

"Because I don't want to leave him…" Sakura whispered under her breath. She was in love with Syaoran, and she didn't want to leave…not ever.

"Sakura?" A voice said from behind her.

Sakura turned, startled. "Oh, Eriol, what are you doing here?"

Eriol smiled and took a seat beside her, glancing at the burning village in front of them. "I should be asking you the same thing."

Sakura felt her cheeks heat up. "I was just sitting here."

"Where did Kero go?" Eriol asked.

"He had to go and find my brother." Sakura sighed. "And Yue."

Eriol nodded. "You know Sakura, they don't have to plan a big attack."

Sakura looked up at him, confused. "What do you mean? Why not?"

Eriol smirked, "I know what Touya was planning. And, to tell you the truth, we wont take you to China."

"W-What?" Sakura stuttered. "Why not? I thought you had orders."

He shook his head, "Nah. We don't feel like following them anymore. If you and Tomoyo do come to China, it will be to live with us."

Sakura felt her heart race. "What does that mean?"

Eriol laughed, "Look Sakura, we've gotten used to you, we all have. If you went to China as our captors, Tomoyo would be sold as a slave, and you..."

"Would be killed." Sakura finished for him. "I know. But…how will you guys escape your families? They'll be angry."

Eriol nodded, his eyes reflecting the light from the fires. "Yeah, they will be. But really, who can stop us right? I mean, you girls don't have to come with us if you don't want to."

Sakura smiled and leaned against the trunk of a tree. "I wouldn't mind."

Eriol shot her a smirk.

She felt her cheeks flare. "I-uh…I mean-"

"Don't worry about it Sakura." Eriol smirked. "I won't tell anyone. Except for Tomoyo, but I assume she already knows."

"She does." Sakura said, embarrassed. "Does…Syaoran?"

Eriol shook his head. "No way. He's my best friend, but God, he can be dense sometimes."

Sakura laughed, the only real laugh she'd had in a while. "Thanks."

Eriol got to his feet, the familiar sound of Tomoyo's voice ringing through the trees, calling his name. "No problem. Well I've got to go, you should come into camp, you never know who might be lurking around, it would be better if you stayed close."

Sakura nodded and turned back to the burning village. "I will soon."

Eriol nodded and turned into the forest, walking towards the sound of his lover's voice.

Sakura smiled, so they were safe from the Li clan in China…for now. But what about Doremi and his comrades? How many in his group were there? There was only fifty men in Syaoran's group, hardly a small army. There was no way they could fight Doremi's group if there were more then fifty.

Sakura sat and watched the fires from the village slowly die down, the glow slowly making it was into just a glimmer. Then, when there was nothing left but smoldering wood, she stood and walked towards the camp.

She didn't make it there however, for a hand suddenly came out of nowhere and pulled her behind a large tree, covering her mouth so she couldn't scream.

Sakura struggled, trying to get free from the strong grip that held her captive. She kicked at the person, elbowed, anything she could do…

…until she head the person laugh.

She rolled her eyes and stopped struggling, turning herself around so she was looking up at Syaoran.

"What is your problem?" Sakura glowered. "I could have hurt you!"

He smirked. "Oh really, how?"

"You know how." Sakura snapped, her good mood gone.

Syaoran shook his head sadly. "I'm sorry Sakura, could you ever forgive me?"

Sakura scowled. "Try to use less sarcasm next time okay? That was just cheesy."

He smirked and leaned forward. "I love cheesy."

Sakura rolled her eyes and turned, walking away from him.

"Hey!" Syaoran called after her. "Where are you going?"

"To the camp." Sakura said over her shoulder. "To get away from you."

"Awe come on Sakura." Syaoran said, following after her. "I was just joking! I'm sorry if I scared you."

Sakura smirked, continuing to walk away from the camp, he wasn't paying attention to where they were going. She'd get him back.

Syaoran followed after Sakura, her small frame was getting further and further from him in the darkened forest. She wasn't going to the camp, but he didn't feel like telling her that, he'd rather see what she had in mind.

Suddenly, Sakura was no where to be found. He couldn't even hear her footsteps anymore.

"Sakura?" Syaoran called out, turning in circles for the Card Mistress. "Sakura where are you? Sakura?"

He spun round and round, searching in any place he could think of for the pretty girl. She was nowhere to be found.

Suddenly, Syaoran sensed something coming from behind him. He jumped quickly out of the way, but was still hit by a cool blast of wind…and carried off the ground.

"What the fuck?" Syaoran gasped, trying to drop from the powerful winds. "What's happening?"

From below him, Syaoran heard someone giggle.

"Sakura!" Syaoran shouted. "Get me down from here!"

He saw her appear underneath him, her staff in her hands, and a card in her hand. "Awe, is poor Syaoran scared?" Sakura giggled, teasing.

He glared at her. "Get me down."

Sakura laughed. "Are you afraid of heights?"

Syaoran shook his head. "No. But you should be afraid of me, getting down from here."

The girl laughed, tossing her long auburn hair to the side. "Me? Afraid of you?"

Syaoran smirked. "I'm warning you."

Sakura folded her arms across her chest, a defiant look on her face.

"Fine," Syaoran shrugged, "You asked for it."

He pulled a small pendant from his pocket; a sword, no bigger than his index finger.

"Oh, I'm so scared." Sakura said sarcastically. "You can do better Syaoran."

Syaoran smirked down at her, "You have no idea what your getting yourself into."

He then lifted the small pendant and covered it with his hand, when he moved his hands to the side, the pendant was no longer small, but a large, sharp sword.

Sakura gasped, staring in awe at the beautiful sword Syaoran was holding. "How did you do that?"

Syaoran smirked. "You're not the only one with powers."

Then he lifted a small piece of paper in front of him. "Force, know my plight! Release the light! Wind!" He thrust the flat of his sword into the paper as he threw it into the air.

Suddenly a burst of wind came out of nowhere and swept itself around the wind tunnel that was holding Syaoran into the air. He fell slowly, gently, to the ground and landed in front of Sakura.

He watched her stare at him, her eyes wide and amazed. "You…you…why didn't you tell me?"

Syaoran flinched at her sudden outburst. "What? What do you mean?"

"Why didn't you tell me you had powers?" She grinned.

He shrugged. "I barely ever use them, it was just now that I thought to."

Sakura laughed, "Don't you see? Your powers could really help you in battle!"

"I wasn't raised to use my powers." Syaoran said. "My mother doesn't even know about them."

Sakura gaped at him. "But…you could still use all of your training, your powers could make you faster, stronger, anything!"

Syaoran shrugged. "Whatever. Now…I said you had no idea what you were getting yourself into."

Sakura's eyes went wide with mock shock as she turned and ran.

Syaoran laughed and ran after her, their footsteps beating against the ground like drums.

Sakura was getting too far ahead of him, again, but this time Syaoran wouldn't let her get away. He could hear her laughter ringing off the trees, and see her dashing in between the leaves.

He caught up to her in no time, reaching out and grabbing her arm, spinning her around and pulling her against him.

"Got you." He smiled.

Sakura smirked and wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her lips against his.

Syaoran wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her body as close to him as possible. He could feel the heat vibrating off her body, tangling with his.

Bravely, Syaoran slid his tongue across her bottom lip. Sakura was a little apprehensive at first, but she accepted his kiss and let him explore her mouth.

She tasted good, much better than he'd ever imagined. She'd never kissed him like this before, what had caused her to change her mind?

Syaoran pushed Sakura against the nearest tree, sliding his hand up the sides of her hips, sending shivers down her spine. He loved the way she felt, the way she fit so well in his arms, so close to him.

"Sakura." He breathed, breaking the kiss. He leaned his forehead against her, they were both breathing heavily. "I want you-"

He was going to say "I want you to be with me." but he didn't get the chance, for something caught the corner of his eye.

Okay! I hope you liked it! (How's that for Syaoran/Sakura goodness? More on that later, but no, I DO NOT write lemons! So it will be no more than making out! Well, I lead UP to lemons, but don't write them