Thanks SO much for all your reviews! Keep em comin!

Love of War
Chapter Eighteen: The Note

Sakura sighed, her emerald eyes gazing brightly around her. She and Syaoran were taking a walk in the garden, surrounded by beautiful flowers and sakura trees.

"It's so beautiful here." She smiled.

Syaoran nodded, his arm wrapped around her waist, enjoying how well she fit against him. "You like it here?"

Sakura nodded. "I do. But I do miss home, I guess."

It had been two days since they'd arrived in China and ever since then Sakura and Tomoyo hadn't gotten any time alone with their lovers, mostly because Syaoran's sisters were hunting them down, but also because they had spent a lot of time together, talking about the war and what was to be done.

Syaoran hadn't been able to spend time with Sakura up until then. His mother hadn't left him alone since the news of his soon-to-be marriage. Yelan had warned him many times to keep Sakura safe, for if she was taken…he probably wouldn't see her again.

But now he was able to spend time with her. He had a few hours until they returned to Japan to find Sakura's brother, Touya and her guardians. With them they would probably find Meilin, Doremi and their leader.

"Are you worried?" Sakura asked, noticing how Syaoran had fallen silent.

Syaoran shook his head. It was a lie.

He was worried, not about the war, but about Sakura. Someone wanted her powers, wanted her dead. He had to protect her. But what if he couldn't? What would he do without her?

He smiled and kissed the top of her head lightly. "Well, maybe a little."

Sakura smiled. "Don't worry Syaoran. I'm sure that we can get Meilin back to our side and defeat the enemy, no problem."

"That's not what I was worrying about." Syaoran admitted.

"Oh?" Sakura asked. "What then?"

Syaoran sighed and let go of her waist, gripping her hands tightly in his. "Listen, Sakura…I've been thinking, and…well…there's someone out there who wants you dead and-"

"Syaoran." Sakura sighed, cutting him off. "You don't have to worry about that, I can take care of myself."

"That's not it." Syaoran said, stopping and looking her in the eye. "I thought a lot about it, and I've made a decision. You are to stay here and I will retrieve your brother and guardians."

Sakura stared at him, shocked. "W-What? Syaoran, I'm not staying here while you go and-"

"It's decided." Syaoran said firmly. "You will stay here under close watch until I get back. Someone wants you dead Sakura, and I couldn't stand it if you died!"

Sakura glared at him, her hands squeezing his. "I'm not staying here like some weak child, Syaoran! I'm coming with you to find them! And in case you've forgotten, I'm not the only one someone wants dead! Doremi would like nothing better than to-"

"I can handle Doremi, Sakura." Syaoran said, his gaze serious.

Sakura shook her head. "I don't care. I'm coming and that's that!"

"I don't want you to get hurt!"

"And what if you're hurt?" Sakura cried. "It'll be my fault because I won't be there to heal you! Syaoran I'm coming."

Syaoran shook his head. "No."

" You know that if you leave me here," Sakura said, her eyes angry. "I'll follow you. You can't stop me! Syaoran I can fly, remember?"

"Sakura please-"

"I won't stay here while you go off and fight!" Sakura snapped.

Suddenly they heard footsteps rushing across the path towards them, and then Eriol was there, his breath ragged, leaning on his knees, a letter in his hand. "Sa…kura?"

Syaoran and Sakura turned to him, Sakura's hand on the boy's shoulder. "What is it Eriol? What's wrong?"

"A…letter." Eriol said, catching his breath. "Came for you…from Japan."

Sakura gasped and snatched the letter from Eriol, ripping it open.

Syaoran read it over her shoulder, but was unable to, for it was all in Japanese and he only knew how to speak it.

Sakura gasped and was about to sink to her knees, Syaoran caught her.

"What is it?" Syaoran asked urgently. "What does it say?"

"I'm coming with you Syaoran…" Sakura said faintly. "I have to."

"What? What does it say?" Eriol asked, his breath back.

"It says," Sakura said softly. "I have your brother and guardians. Unless you want their blood to stain the earth, come find me. I will be waiting."

She had lied though, that wasn't the whole letter.

The letter read;

Come to Japan, little cherry blossom. I have your brother and guardians. If you refuse my request, their blood will stain the earth eternally and then I will come for you, and like your brother, Syaoran will die. Come and find me, Sakura. I will be waiting with your death.

She had to go back, to save her brother and guardians.

"I'm coming with you Syaoran." Sakura said again. "I have to now. I have no choice, and neither do you."

Syaoran sighed and closed his eyes, shaking his head. "All…right. We leave in the morning."

XxXxX

"W-What?" Tomoyo shrieked. "Sakura you can't!"

"Shh!" Sakura hissed, cupping her hand over her friend's mouth. "You mustn't tell anyone! Especially Syaoran or Eriol!"

"But Sakura," Tomoyo hissed, tears filling her eyes. "He said 'I will be waiting with your death'! You can't just go! That's suicide!"

"I know!" Sakura growled. "But I can't not go! He said he'd kill Touya, Kero and Yue! And I don't want him to come for Syaoran either,"

"Sakura," Tomoyo cried. "Syaoran loves you! He'll hate it if you die! He'll have nothing to live for! You changed him Sakura, don't take that away!"

"Don't make me feel even worse!" Sakura snapped. "I know I know a thousand times I know! But I have no choice! I can handle myself."

"No! I won't let you go so you can just die!" Tomoyo cried, burying her face in Sakura's shoulder.

Sakura sighed and hugged her. "It'll be fine Tomoyo, I'll come back, I promise."

"What are you talking about?" Tomoyo growled. "I'm coming too."

Sakura groaned. "Not you too! No way! You must stay here, I can't risk your life either!"

"I'm risking it myself." Tomoyo said harshly. "If your going then so am I."

Sakura groaned, tossing her hands into the air and spinning around, stalking out of the room, leaving Tomoyo to sink into a chair and cry. "I won't loose you Sakura."

Sakura stomped away, her anger flaring.

Once she knew she was far enough away, she broke into tears.

Who was she kidding? If she did go, there was no way she'd come back alive. Kero and Yue had used up way too much of her magic powers and she was weakening ever hour. She had no chance if she fought…whoever it was who'd sent the letter.

She sank to the floor in her room, covering her face with her hands and crying. She hoped no one would hear her and investigate.

But someone did.

She'd been sitting for only a few minuets, crying, when she felt a gentle hand touch her cheek.

Sakura gasped and looked up, her eyes catching familiar chocolate ones.

"S-Syaoran?"

He wasn't smiling, he looked very serious. He was dressed differently; black pants, slightly baggy and a dark green muscle shirt, his sword at his hip and a dagger tied to his boot, his dark hair messed into his eyes.

"Sakura..."

Sakura closed her eyes and buried her face in his chest, bursting into tears once again.

"Shh, Sakura." Syaoran whispered, his arms wrapping around her gently, hugging her tightly to him. "It's going to be okay, you don't have to cry."

"I'm so worried." She cried. "What if they're already dead and it's all a trap? What if…what if I loose you?"

He smiled weakly and breathed in the scent of her hair, cherry blossoms. "Sakura, you won't loose me, I promise."

She looked up at him. "But…what if? I don't know what I'd do without you."

Syaoran cupped her face in his hands, brushing her tears away with his thumbs. "Sakura, you won't loose me." He said again. "That's a promise. I said I'd marry you, I will live to marry you."

He leaned forward and kissed her.

His lips were warm and comforting, causing Sakura to relax a little and kiss him back.

She felt safe with Syaoran, and always would. With him so close, no one could hurt her.

Syaoran gently lifted her off the ground and sat down on the bed with her in his lap, cradling her comfortingly.

Sakura sighed and wrapped her arms around his neck, resting her head against his chest. "I hate whoever is doing this…whoever has them. I want him dead Syaoran, I know that sounds terrible, but I want it."

Syaoran sighed tilted her chin so she was looking up at him. "I know Sakura, I don't think there's anyone who doesn't want him dead."

Sakura smiled and leaned forward, pressing her lips against his. "I don't want to loose you."

Syaoran smiled and kissed her back, wrapping his arms tightly around her, crushing her body against his.

"You won't loose me Sakura, I won't let you go."

Sakura closed her eyes, not allowing the tears to fall. I won't cry…I have to be strong. Strong for everyone…Strong for Syaoran.

The next thing Sakura knew she was lying down with Syaoran on top of her, kissing her passionately.

"I won't let you go Sakura." He breathed. "I love you"

Sakura smiled and let herself get caught up in the moment, in the desire. "I love you too."

Yeah…end of the chapter, you can guess what happened…anyhoo. Review!
I thought of the most amazing quote by Lacus from Gundam Seed while writing that: We call for peace, but with weapons in our hands.
Lacus has the most amazing quotes! Check my profile for her amazing speech!