Ah so many reviews! I hope you guys are enjoying the story so far, so without further ado...

Chapter VIII: An Enigmatic Dream and Leaving

Syaoran shook his head, clearing his thoughts. It was just a plain white tunic, well, currently crimson-stained due to his injury. Supplies were low, and the original color could be restored. Lives, however, could not and time was of the essence. Making his decision, he bent down and started to unbutton farther down Kinimoto's front.

Pausing, he stared at the fluttering eyes and shallow breathing. "No," he thought suddenly. He had made a promise to Kinimoto, and he wasn't going to break it. He quickly buttoned up the ones that were opened.

Noticing a snatch of white cloth under the dusty shirt, he took his belt knife and quickly cut off the sleeve, which was soaked in blood. He stood by watching helplessly as the doctors swabbed the wound with herbs and poultices…

Sakura blinked her eyes…once…twice… Where on earth was she? She had remembered that her arm was on fire, and now she was standing in a walkway that was covered wall to wall with flowers. Inhaling deeply she breathed in their sweet scent. Slowly she let her muscles un-tense and her mind drift. It had been a long time since she could relax without fear of an enemy attack.

Glancing around she saw a stone walkway which led through an opening through the flowers. She took was step forward to follow it, when she was suddenly aware of what she was wearing: a low cut, forest green dress made of the finest silk. Staring at her feet, she noticed that they too matched her dress and were also made of the same material. Across each delicate toe, and adorning her bodice was a gold emblem of a dragon in flight. Confused, she had thought that only wealthy individuals of high standing could wear a dragon crest.

She set off down the path, and soon was greeted with more flowers: peonies, roses, even a cherry tree in one end of the garden. "Whoever owns this land really enjoys flowers," she thought amusingly. Her eyes soon came across a stately red pavilion in the middle of the pathway.

Laughter, drifted by the wind, met Sakura's ears, and she smiled hearing the voices of several girls. As she got closer she observed four girls in their twenties, and a dignified older woman drinking tea. She stopped a short distance from the entrance and bowed lowly before them.

"I am sorry for interrupting your tea," Sakura explained, "but I think I'm lost." Looking up, she was met with silence and was about to turn around when cries burst out of the girls' mouths.

"So cute!"

"Oh look at her tiny feet!"

"Adorable!"

"She is so beautiful!"

Bewildered, Sakura was led into the pavilion and given a cup of tea by a servant. Taking a sip, she gasped in wonder. It seemed to be a very expensive blend of jasmine tea. In fact, everything from the girls' dresses to the tea set was richly adorned. Fearing her awkwardness with such fine things was blatant Sakura blushed fiercely. This was met with further gushing from the girls.

A regal hand quickly bid the girls to calm down, and Sakura's ears met with a smooth, quiet voice. "Who are you, my child?"

Closing her eyes, she remembered a distant memory. It had been so long since she had been called that, especially from a woman. The last one that did was her mother, many years ago. She looked up from her daydream and met the eyes of the distinguished woman.

"My name is Sakura," she replied. "Thank you for your hospitality. This is a lovely garden." The woman smiled at her and thanked her, saying that her son was the one who personally planted most of the flowers.

Sakura thought for a moment. The woman had vivid amber eyes, just like…

"Are you Li Syaoran's mother?" she asked in amazement.

"Yes. I am Li Yelan, and these are his four sisters." She motioned to the four giggling girls.

Sakura laughed and murmured, "Now I know how Li feels like."

With an arched eyebrow, Yelan glanced over at the mysterious girl. "You know my son?" she asked.

It was not often that a mysterious girl appeared out of nowhere to have tea with them. It was even rarer that she knew her son. Syaoran, despite his good personality and handsome looks shunned the attention of many of the women whom he met with. He declared them insipid and money-hungry, only desiring power over all. Yelan sighed quietly. He wanted love overall in a marriage, but with the year drawing to a close, he must make a decision soon. She turned her attention back to the silent girl.

"Yes," Sakura replied wistfully, waiting until Li's mother emerged from her thoughts. She understood how difficult it was trying to raise children, especially by themself. She knew that her father had done his best with her and Touya.

Glancing out toward the peonies she added dreamily, "He is the bravest and most courageous warrior I have ever seen. He brings great honor to your name." Yelan shared a quick glance with her daughters. How did she know him enough to speak so well of him?

The group spent a few minutes chatting, mostly about humorous stories about Syaoran's youth. Sakura was enjoying herself greatly when she suddenly sat up with a jerk. She stood up, and bowed apologetically, "I'm sorry, but I feel like I have to go now. Thank you again." She made her way down the path and waved back to the girls, who were enthusiastically waving at her from the pavilion. Yelan observed the girl with great curiosity as she disappeared from the line of vision...

Yelan sat up in bed with a start. Bewildered she saw that it was still dark outside. Furiously rubbing her eyes, she tried to sort out the baffling dream she had. Who was this girl who spoke so fondly of her son? Lighting a candle, she walked out into the hallway to fetch a glass of water, when she was met with four auburn haired girls who were also awake.

"Did you have a dream about a girl too?" One of the girls asked. Nodding dumbly, Yelan and her daughters did not sleep a wink for the rest of the night.

Sakura awoke with a gasp, and tried to find her surroundings. It was dark, and as her eyes adjusted to it, she saw that she was in her and Syaoran's tent. She had forgotten that her things were still there, due to the surprise battle. She tried to sit up, but was met with a sharp, jabbing pain down her left arm. Looking around, she saw Li propped up against the tent wall dead asleep.

He had been keeping watch over her ever since he brought her in, and had finally overcome in exhaustion. He had refused to leave her side, except for the few minutes it took for the doctors to forcibly remove him to tend to his own bruised head. Many of the wounded soldiers observed his unwavering commitment to his friend, and dared not tease him for it. War and death were known to be the catalysts for such close friendships.

All of the soldiers and even men of ranking had grown to admire the ill Commander. Despite his secretive way of acting and strange personality quirks, he had a heart of gold. Kinimoto would offer a cup of warm tea or a blanket for those on the last night watch, the one just before the sun rose, and even spent time talking to the soldiers about their families or problems. He'd give water to the wounded and even comforted the dying.

Now fortune had turned her wheel, and the soldiers feared that he was the one that was now dying, and all sent a silent prayer to the Gods begging them to spare his life. Luckily the doctors were skilled, the poultices had not lost their potency, and Kinimoto had not given up the will to live. He pulled through the night, and all cheered when he woke up the next morning.

Sakura glanced over at her bandaged arm. She was still wearing the shirt which she had battled in. Closing her eyes she thanked Li silently for keeping his promise. She had feared what would have happened if they had discovered her true identity. She tried sitting up again, when she felt strong arms gently push her back down.

"What are you doing?" Li asked her sternly. "You were seriously poisoned and you've been asleep for about half a day now." Staring at him, she could only blink owlishly at him, still in shock she could sleep for that long.

Li's eyes flicked over to her wound, seeing that it was still bandaged firmly.

He paused and murmured softly, "You know that was an idiotic move you pulled out there."

Sakura lowered her eyes in embarrassment, remembering the battle. It was true. She could have been killed by the rebel leader because of her reckless anger.

"I couldn't help it," she whispered in response. "I thought...I thought something had happened to you."

She left the notion that she thought that he had died hanging in the air. It was unspoken, and to even speak of it unsettled her.

Suddenly her face made contact with a warm chest. Li had reached over, and very carefully pulled her gently towards him in a hug. Closing her eyes against his warmth, she burrowed her face into him, listening to his steadily beating heart. This sudden, affectionate move silenced the two of them, and they remained in this position for a long moment.

Finally pulling away, Li cleared his throat and poured her some herbal medicine the doctors had given to flush out the poisons, and forced her to drink every last bitter drop of it. She made a face and stuck her tongue out at him. He stuck out his tongue too and laughing took the empty cup and reported the patient's condition to the doctor. Their brief loving moment was broken, and most likely in Sakura's opinion, never to happen again.

A month passed in recuperation, the rest of the rebels were rounded up, and their leaders were taken into custody. The company was dismissed in a formal ceremony, complete with medals of honor for her and Syaoran's valor in battle. In a whirlwind of activity, Sakura soon found herself back on the crossroads outside her hometown alongside with Syaoran and, of course, Kero.

Lightly she descended from Kero's back. She had gotten the full movement of her left arm back and was glad that she was not handicapped by the sword wound. This was the moment she had been dreading: saying goodbye to Syaoran. She had taken to calling him by his first name in her head, but truthfully knew that they would never have this kind of closeness outside of battle.

She saw Syaoran shake her hand in a strong warrior's handshake.

He whispered, "I'll miss you."

She stared into his eyes, lost, drowning in his amber pools, and trying to discern what the strange emotion that was reflected in them was. Time seemed to freeze and surreally she saw him lean forward, ever so slowly, and brush a light kiss against her lips. Before she could even respond to him, Syaoran pulled away from her, leapt on his horse and was gone, leaving behind only a cloud of dust.

Sakura turned back and was about to mount Kero when she let out a sob. Sinking to the ground, she pressed her fingertips to where Syaoran's lips had touched hers, and cried. Kero could only nuzzle her shoulder with affection for his kind master.

Tumultuous thoughts raced through her mind. What was that? Why had he done such a thing? Did he know she was a woman? Did she let something slip in all the time that she was around him? Could he…could he have some feeling for her too?

After she had regained her composure she returned home. She was met with great happiness from her father, and her brother greeted her lovingly as soon as he was sent for from Yukito's house.

Feigning being tired from her long journey, Sakura went up to her room, changed into a light dress, which felt like a foreign object after wearing trousers for so long, and slept. She refused to even think about Syaoran but found that her dreams were full of him.

Another chapter done, two more to go.

Please Review,
Grignard