Skywatchers

Chapter 3: The flowers new love

As Syaoran walked down the dark empty hall to Master Tatsuki. Syaoran looked at the wood and black paper sliding door and stopped at it. Syaoran knocked and waited for an answer. "Come in." Tatsuki said firmly. Syaoran opened the sliding door and bowed. "I have a note for you Master." Syaoran said nervous setting the parchment on Tatsuki's desk. It was quiet as Tatsuki began opening the parchment, Syaoran felt like running out the room or picking up the vase that was on the table and smashing it over his head.

"WHAT!" Tatsuki stood up and took Syaoran arm squeezing hard. Syaoran was being rushed down the hall and up the stairs to the main hall where Tomoyo and Sakura were at the time with the King, painting.

"King Kinomoto, what is the meaning of this madness?" Tatsuki shouted letting go of Syaoran's arm that left a red mark. "What are you talking about, Tatsuki?" Said King Kinomoto. Sakura looked to Syaoran who was bowing with his eyes to the marble floor.

"Princess Sakura, has re-signed this piece of shit as her personal servant." Tatsuki said thrusting the parchment to his King. King Kinomoto quickly read what Sakura had written and then looked to her. "Is this what you wish?" Princess Sakura Father said to her kindly. Sakura stood from her stool and walked to her Father. "Yes, Father. I want him as my personal servant. Please except this Father." Sakura said. "If you wish it." The King said smiling to his daughter.

Master Tatsuki went red in the face. "Very well." He simply said and stormed out the room. Syaoran bowed and left.

"Remember, Prince Shi and Lakiko well being here soon, so please behave until then." King Kinomoto said walking away. Tomoyo waited for her uncle to leave the room completely then turned to Sakura. "What is this about?" Tomoyo whispered harshly. "Nothing, I want him around me." Sakura said. Tomoyo just smiled. "Look who has fallen in love now." She said with a grin.

Sakura blushed and looked over to Tomoyo. "He is so kind, but he is so enraged." Sakura said mixing the white and black together and softly brushing it on canvas. "Sakura, I have a confession to make," Tomoyo said softly. Sakura stopped painting and looked to Tomoyo, she was always listing to Tomoyo, she loved hearing what she had to say.

"What is it?" Sakura asked. Tomoyo smiled and paused a little. "I have given my first kiss to the one named Eriol." Tomoyo said. Sakura gasped. "Oh Tomoyo, what are you thinking?" Sakura asked happy and yet confused. "I know what I am thinking and feeling, I love Eriol. He is so kind to me he make me feel safe just like when I'm around my family." Tomoyo said smiling.

"Does he love you in return?" Sakura asked.

Tomoyo smiled a little and nodded. "I am glad for you." Sakura said brightly then began thinking of Syaoran. "Do you have growing feelings for Syaoran?" Tomoyo asked putting small strips of green on an apple she was painting. "I think." Sakura said changing her brush. Tomoyo just smiled and went on painting.

The next day was colder then ever winter was now starting to bloom and Eriol love for Tomoyo grew and his hatred for Tatsuki grew a well. Syaoran was enraged as well, Tatsuki found out that he was reading books and took them and burned then. Syaoran and Eriol rage was equal, it was nothing like it. Eriol and Syaoran were cleaning the Princess chamber, Tomoyo and Sakura were invited a day out with Prince Shi and Lakiko. "I can't take this anymore, Eriol." Syaoran said throwing Sakura pillow on the clean floor. "I want to be free, all those lovely book." Syaoran said sadly dismissing the feeling to rip the pillow in half. Eriol picked up the clean sheet that was on the dresser and began putting them on Sakura's bed.

"Soon when it snows, then we can ran away." Eriol stated. "Why when it snows?" Syaoran asked putting the down cover on the bed before the bed spread. "If they try to track up us, during heavy snow they well never see are tracks or us, just wait brother." Eriol said. Syaoran nodded and set the pillows at the head of Sakura's bed. Syaoran and Eriol walked down the hall hearing laughing from the Princess's. Eriol looked seeing Tomoyo smiling. Eriol looked away and both Syaoran and Eriol went back to the basement. It was empty. Eriol and Syaoran hadn't much to do so they talked.

"So your heart is stolen by Princess Sakura?" Eriol said after Syaoran told him everything had happened between them. "Yes, but I have a feeling that she does the same but I cannot think for her." Syaoran said looking at his hands. Eriol was changing his bandages. His wounds were healed he only wore the bandages because the cold made them sting.

It was quiet for a moment between them. Syaoran suddenly got up and walked to the door. "Where are you going?" Eriol asked. "I shall return." Syaoran said opening the door. "Shall I come with you?" Eriol asked hoping Syaoran wasn't going to do something foolish. "No." Syaoran said leaving out of Eriol sight and shutting the door.

Syaoran walked down the hall passing other servant and then little girl that he helped a while back. She just nodded and smiled. Syaoran went to the roof and went to where the key was hidden. Sakura was looking to the Lake that was slowly freezing. Sakura turned and looked at Syaoran. Syaoran bowed trying to keep his place. Sakura walked over to him holding the key he wanted. "Are you coming for this?" Sakura asked. Syaoran just nodded. "Tomoyo told me about this key." Sakura said placing it in front of Syaoran.

"This is not my place, Princess." Syaoran said firmly. Sakura turned and walked back over to the ledge of the roof top looking onward to the lark. Syaoran took the key and turned around leaving. "Wait." Said Sakura turning to Syaoran as a cold breeze softly blow past them.

Syaoran stopped with his back still turned. "Stay with me, please." Sakura said. Syaoran heart beat at the sound of Sakura voice. Syaoran just sat down with his back still turned. Sakura's hands were now cold of the weather. "Why is it that you wish for me to stay?" Syaoran asked as he looked at the rusty copper key in his hand. "I just want you around me for a while." Sakura answered looking to the gray sky.

Sakura looked over to Syaoran was quiet looking up at the sky as well. Sakura walked over to him and touched his back. Syaoran turned his head to Sakura and looked at her for a moment and fully turned to her. "Your hands are like Ice." Syaoran said taking them and rubbing them with his warm hands. Sakura looked down at Syaoran hands and smiled softly. Sakura's hands slowly warmed from Syaoran.

"Princess-I mean Sakura, why do you not like your life? seeing you now and your eyes are in pain as if something were wrong." Syaoran said at the moment just holding her hands. "My Father said I am to marry Prince Shi in at least five years. He is nice to me but only in a friendly way not a romantic way, I am in pain at heart because I am to Marry someone out of there royal power instead of there love." Sakura said sadly.

Syaoran didn't say anything he just rubbed Sakura's hand softly. "Also I am sorry about you books." Sakura suddenly said. "Thank you." Syaoran whispered. Syaoran and Sakura looked at each other for a moment as they inched closer together. Syaoran stopped mid way feeling Sakura's sweet breath touch his lips.

"What is the matter?" Sakura whispered. "Does this mean we are in love like Princess Tomoyo and Eriol?" Syaoran asked. Sakura smiled and kissed Syaoran anyway. Syaoran responded and kissed her back softly breaking away.

"Yes," Sakura whispered. Syaoran this time kissed her loving the sweet feel and taste of her lips upon his, it was the sweetest emotion and feeling he could ever imagine.

Eriol was still in the basement quietly thinking of the taste of Freedom and the wide road ahead. Eriol had been having dreams of running the a field of trees with Syaoran and a pet wolf Syaoran always dreams of having since reading a book of wolf's and native American's relationship with them. Just the two of them, Brothers forever! Syaoran had came back holding the rusty key that was to the horse stalls.

"What took you so long?" Eriol said annoyed. Syaoran gave the key to Eriol and lied down on his back beside him "Nothing." Syaoran lied instantly. Eriol smirked knowing Syaoran was terrible at lying to him, even if he was the better liar but didn't want to say much in person presence. "Fine." Eriol knew that Syaoran was with Sakura but didn't want to bother. He was very glad of this, just at the thought at least.

"What are you thinking about?" Syaoran asked looking over to Eriol who closed his as Syaoran asked the question. "Freedom." He replied simply with a passion. Syaoran smiled a little. "I can wait." Syaoran whispered. Eriol began getting a strange vide. Eriol had a gift for knowing when something is wrong or more like when death is near. Eriol sat up and stood looking to the door. "Something is wrong." Eriol said running to the basement door with Syaoran following not to far behind.

Eriol and Syaoran had raced to the Main hall hearing crying and pleading sounds of a woman. "Master Tatsuki please, I beg you! She is only a child." The Mother of the girl Syaoran helped a few nights ago begged.

The little girl's face was soaked with tears that seem forever flowing. Tatsuki threw the girl on the ground and kicked her in her stomach without mercy of compassion to her age, size, and appearance.

The little girl's cries were now painful to Syaoran and Eriol to hear, it wasn't right. Tatsuki took out his favorite whip that he used on Eriol for pleasure, It was a thick heavy leather with tiny spikes that scratched the skin leaving terrible scars behind along with pain. Eriol ran over to the little girl as fast as he could and was struck by the whip instead of the girl.

"Bastard!" Tatsuki yelled. "What has she done wrong?" Syaoran said running over to Eriol who back was bleeding a little since his previous wounds hadn't fully healed. "That is none of you business, You rat. Stand down!" He bellowed.

Syaoran stood firmly since it wasn't against the law to look at the King right hand man. "No." Syaoran replied walking over to Eriol who stood holding the child in his arms. "What!" Tatsuki said as his face turned red with anger.

"What is all this madness." King Kinomoto said storming in the room. Syaoran and Eriol bowed as well as the little girl mother who was crying softly. "My Lord that brat stole a black jade stone from you throne room while you were off to breakfast." Tatsuki said trying to stay calm in the kings presence.

"My lord, she is of a child she know no better." Syaoran said behind Tatsuki. "What is her punishment?" The king asked rubbing his temple. "One-hundred and ten strikes." Tatsuki said with proudness in his voice making Eriol sick at the sound.

Eriol suddenly felt the girl stop shaking and her body grow heavy in his arms. "Oh Father, you came back with the light, as you promised." The little girl said happily. The girl's Mother looked over to Eriol was fell to his knee completely. The little girl's breathing stopped a well as her heart. The Mother began crying hard now wailing and grieving.

Syaoran looked over at Eriol who was shaking a little. Eriol sighed heavily. "Take her away." The king said sadly to the assistant that were behind him. They bowed and took the body that was in front of Eriol. "You there," The king said to Syaoran. "Help them." He ordered. Syaoran stood and bowed running leaving Eriol to himself.

"Well, that to bad." Tatsuki with a small laugh. The Mother was taken away by Syaoran who shut the door and walked slowly down to the hospital wing holding the fainted Mother. Eriol was shaking with rage at what Tatsuki had done to that young soul.

Eriol stood and turned to Tatsuki who was grinning. Tomoyo and Prince Lakiko had came in seeing Eriol running to Tatsuki. "Ahhhh!" Eriol took the whip and wrapped it around Tatsuki's neck and began pulling, grunting for more strength. Tatsuki eyes were turning red and his face purple. "I command you to stop!" The King bellowed. Eriol ignored the order and pulled harder. "Eriol, No!" Tomoyo shouted. Prince Lakiko took action and ran toward Eriol and Tatsuki.

"I am coming after you, soon." Eriol whispered in Tatsuki ear making his fear rise. Prince Lakiko knocked Eriol in the head hard with his sword handle. Tomoyo ran over to Eriol was who on the floor and Tatsuki gasped for oxygen.

"That...Dog!" He choked out. Tomoyo fell to her knees and looked to Eriol. "I didn't mean to strike his that hard." Prince Lakiko said concerned. "It's all right." Tomoyo said simply looking to Eriol. "You there, Take him to the hospital wing." Prince Lakiko shouted to a servant that was walking by.

The servant bowed not looking at any of the royal and carried Eriol away. Tomoyo was holding back some tears that began to cloud her vision. Tomoyo stood and sighed sadly. Prince Lakiko walked to her and took her hand. "All shall be well." He whispered to her and then kissed her hand.

That next day winter had finally arrived. The fireplaces were lit more often to keep the cold taking over the palace. Syaoran was worried of Eriol. He had heard of his attempt at killing Tatsuki and being sent to the hospital wing once more. It had been seventeen hours since he last talk to him.

Syaoran didn't wish to bother Eriol. Death was a terrible thing for Eriol, He had experienced the pain but never had someone die in his arms that way.

Tomoyo that afternoon came to the hospital wing. It was quiet that cold winter day. Everyone was cleaning and make the fires bigger to warm the palace, the floor were clean along with food being made and preserved for the winter, it was quiet busy. Tomoyo slowly opened the sliding door to where Eriol was he was looking out the window to the people that were working and playing getting everything that needed for the Winter's first official day.

"Eriol?" Tomoyo said softly.

Eriol was silent and didn't turn his head to Tomoyo who walked closer to him. Eriol mind was filling with questions of death that would never be answer just yet. Eriol felt so empty and the thirst for freedom grew rapidly with each sight of the people, it was almost as if he could run now, but not without Syaoran he told himself continuously.

"Are you feeling all right?" Tomoyo asked softly. Eriol finally turned to Tomoyo. "That girl died in my arms, how do you think I am feeling?" Eriol said coldly not showing any kind of compassion to his lover. Eriol walked away from the window and sat on his mat. Tomoyo sat down with him. "I am sorry, Tatsuki is being punished for disobeying." Tomoyo said. "Punishing him won't bring back that little girl!" Eriol hissed. Tomoyo touched Eriol fist and looked to him.

"And killing Tatsuki won't bring her back either." Tomoyo stated. "He is better dead then alive." Eriol said coldly to Tomoyo wincing at her touch, moving his hand. "Eriol," Tomoyo said sadly looking into his dark midnight eyes that made her heart flutter.

"I will kill him, he is too evil a man to stay on this here Earth." Eriol said with anger in his voice still growing. Tomoyo suddenly hugged Eriol with tears running down her cheek. "Please, Eriol. Stay with me." Tomoyo cried softly in his chest. Eriol touched Tomoyo silky raven black hair softly and lifted her to his face.

"This is not my place, but I promise I well return." Eriol said softly whipping the flowing tears on Tomoyo's cheeks. Tomoyo slowly leaned toward Eriol and kissed him passionately as if it was the last kiss she would give him. Eriol kissed Tomoyo back caressing her face softly deepening the kiss, feeling the pain and anger fading from his heart leaving nothing but love for Tomoyo.

Syaoran and Sakura were in the Bathroom talking. It was foggy and hot from the water. Sakura was wearing a short kimono soaking her feet in the hot water. Syaoran was just sitting looking toward his love.

"Have you heard from Eriol?" Sakura asked swaying her feet up and down in the water. "No." Syaoran answered. "I want to see him but he needs time to himself." Syaoran said sadly. "Are you afraid that you might offend him?" Sakura asked taking Syaoran hand. "No, It's just he know when death is around and the little girl still didn't to see the world, experience love, or freedom, that is my he was sad. She was never free." Syaoran exclaimed. Syaoran walked a little closer to Sakura still with his hand intertwined with his.

"I hope it will be okay." Sakura said with a smile hopeful smile. Syaoran looked into Sakura's eyes and smiled. "He is strong, he shall be fine." Syaoran said softly. Sakura quickly kissed Syaoran and leaned her head on his shoulders.

"When will you leave me?" Sakura asked sadly. Syaoran looked down at the water and held Sakura hand tightly. "Soon, It is all up to Eriol when he is ready." Syaoran said. Sakura lifted her head and looked to Syaoran. Her amber hair fell over to her shoulders. Syaoran looked to her sadly. "Will you come back for me? Tomoyo had been thinking about this as well." Sakura whispered to Syaoran softly. Syaoran sighed and looked into Sakura eyes. "I cannot promise you but I will try to come back for you." Syaoran said knowing that a promise would be to much of a burden.

"That is not good enough." Sakura said. "I cannot promise you, Sakura." Syaoran stated. Sakura heart became heavy with the thought of not ever seeing him.

"Why not?" Sakura asked. "Do you think me a burden?"

"No, it's just a promise is a burden." He answered. Sadly Sakura looked down at the water and his reached into her hidden pocket in her kimono. "Take this," Sakura said handing Syaoran her and Tomoyo praying beads. "Mother and My aunt made these, when you are near send them back to me." Sakura said. Syaoran looked to Sakura almost surprised. "I cannot take this, Your Mother and Aunt made this." Syaoran said.

"No, please. Just think of it as a message to me and Tomoyo that you and Eriol have returned and you are near." Sakura said then kissed Syaoran. Syaoran kissed Sakura back then broke apart from there short kiss. "All right, I will." Syaoran said holding the beads. Sakura smiled and kissed Syaoran again. Syaoran hoped that when he left his path would lead him back to her.

Night had fallen quickly. Eriol was asleep but his nightmare was making his toss in turn uncomfortably.

Eriol's nightmare

Eriol was fighting these men that were attaching him. Each time Eriol moved his sword the head and body part of the men dropped with the blood drenching Eriol's sword and face. Eriol turned seeing Tomoyo who was holding Sakura crying. Eriol looked at his hands and then to the sword the was suddenly in Sakura heart. The ground opened up and He saw his parents being beheaded. Eriol body was pined to a wood board with arrow in him.

End

Eriol sat up from the mat and was sweating. Eriol stood up and felt his chest. He looked out the window seeing the snow that was falling heavily. Something cried inside of his mind telling him that it was time. Eriol ran out the hospital wing and to the Basement unnoticed.

Syaoran was fast asleep dreaming of food, he hadn't eaten that night as a punishment for not obeying Tatsuki's order. Eriol stepped lightly over the sleeping servant and walked to the very back of the basement. Eriol crawled over to Syaoran and shock his gently. "Eriol?" Syaoran moaned in a whisper looking to him.

"Yes, come, we are leaving." Eriol said firmly. Syaoran sat up and looked to Eriol. "Why now? It is so late." Syaoran protested. Eriol slapped Syaoran. "What was that for?" Syaoran whispered harshly touching his stinging face. "So you can wake, if we leave now all the guards will be off guard and we can escape quickly. We might have be a half a day ahead of them if they come looking for us." Eriol said. Syaoran nodded agreeing with Eriol statement and began gathering there things.

"What about food?" Syaoran asked as the opened the basement door slowly. "We needn't worry about that, the forest well have whatever is left of food." Eriol said.

Syaoran and Eriol went to the main hall and then went to the kitchen, they took some bread and fruit and left to the garden and climbed the wall with there personal things on there back. Eriol hands became numb but he ignored the numbing and climbed. "Give me you hand." Syaoran said. Syaoran was already on the roof. Eriol extended his hand and Syaoran hoisted him up.

Eriol and Syaoran were over Tomoyo and Sakura chambers. The cold bit to there bone make them wrap with there blankets. Syaoran took out the praying bead and wrapped it around his wrist. "Who are those?" Eriol said looking to the beads.

"Sakura gave them to me, and I am to give them to here when we return." Syaoran said to Eriol. Eriol just nodded and both Syaoran and Eriol ran down the roof to the other side of the castle. Syaoran pointed to the horse stables. All the horses were inside because of the snow. Eriol took the key out of his pocket and unlocked the door and then walked in slowly. It was warm and smelly with a sour smell of hay and everything else that was horse related.

A horse brushed Syaoran gently. Syaoran looked to the horse and walked into the stable seeing Eriol getting on a black horse. Syaoran rubbed the horses nose and got on his back. Eriol pushed the horse to walk out the stable as well as Syaoran. "We must hurray." Eriol said kicking open the door so that the horse could go through. Eriol stopped the horse and put his blanket over him. Syaoran walked out the stable with the snow fitting his face.

"Ya!" Eriol yelled making the horse speed off. Syaoran sighed and hit the horse following after Eriol who was racing. Eriol was laughing wickedly feeling the chain around his neck disappear as well as Syaoran. "I'll Race you!" Syaoran called neck and neck with Eriol on the horse. Eriol grinned and pushed the horse harder running past the frozen lake.

The morning came and Sakura and Tomoyo were eating breakfast in the dining room. "Are you feeling okay, Tomoyo?" Sakura asked Tomoyo. Tomoyo smiled and nodded. "I was reading a really sad book, I finished it." Tomoyo said truthfully. Sakura smiled and took a bit on her sliced apple.

"MY LORD!" Tatsuki said running in the dining room making Tomoyo chock a little on her water. "My Lord-" He panted. "What is it, Tatsuki?" King Kinomoto said dully hoping for a peaceful breakfast at least. "We have runaways." Tatsuki panted trying to catch his breath from running. "What?"

Sakura and Tomoyo looked to each other and then to Tatsuki. "Who is it?" Sakura asked. "Those to trouble makers, Syaoran and Eriol I believe there names are, they took two of are best horses." He added. Sakura and Tomoyo looked down at there food sadly. "Send a search-party now, we must let them leave the boarder!" King Kinomoto said standing up. Touya looked to Tomoyo and Sakura sensing something from them. 'I wonder.' He thought eating an orange slice.

Author note:

How about that, I know it was kinda a rush but I promise I'll do better. Hope you enjoyed this as much as I did. Just wait and see what happens next. . . . .

Thanks for all the good reviews, I really wasn't expecting a good message for this story but thank U all. :)

I'll update as fast as I can

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