I'm back everyone. Wow, almost a month since an update. Sorry about that. I had so much to do and I needed to fix this story up. I did some major editing on this from the original version of this I had. The beginning is pretty much the same, but the newly released ones are really different from the original verson. and don't worry. for being so patient, i'm giving you a longer chapter! enjoy.

lady maia and VcChick thank you for staying with my story. I hope the two of you continue to review and thank you to others that took the time to read this story.

and lady maia: please take notice of their interactions, it's not a moonlight walk or watching the sunset, but remember, prince and servants are hardly allowed to talk and yet they have already touched during a situation in which according to the rules, another servant would help, not the prince and already starting to get intrgued by the other. Remember the momentary flash of Sakura in Syaoran's mind? and don'te worry, they're slowly getting closer.

PART 4

Xiao Ying took a deep breath. For once it seem like she couldn't come up with a routine, like she did every routine already. Xiao Ying discussed some ideas with Meilin and Tomoyo, but they just said everything's good, so it wasn't much help. She snuck out She needed some time and peace. Once she was beyond palace walls, she quietly walked around the outside of the castle. She looked up at the clouds and her old life flooded back to her. She could remember the dreadful day that her life changed so drastically.

(flashback)

The clinging sound of metal vibrated everywhere. Small fires crackled here and there. Bunches of men, women, and children where running for their lives. A young girl no more than 10 ran and ran for here life.

"Help me! Mother! Father! Touya!" the young girl yelled out trying desperately to escape the people that were chasing her.

The young girl felt a strong arm grab her and pull her off to the side narrowing escaping whatever weapon it was that was thrown in her direction The darkness that was around them prevented the people there from seeing anything clearly. All they could see were outlines and silhouettes of the things around them. The young girl looked to see who it was that had saved her and was relieved to make out the face of her brother.

"Get them! We must NOT left the children escape!" the seemingly leader of the group yelled.

The group charged at the two young children. The young brother fought off the o0ncoming soldiers with all his might. A sword from one of the soldiers came barreling down towards the young man fighting for his life and to protect his sister's. The young girl with no hesitation grabbed a sword from a fallen soldier and intercepted the sword coming for her brother and stabbed the soldier. Of course fighting isn't much help since more and more soldiers were coming. The young brother grabbed his sister's hand and they fled. The journey was not easy. Avoiding the soldiers and enemies was dangerous and the journey was long. No one knew how long it was before the two siblings reached the Li Kingdom.

(end of flashback)

Xiao Ying shook her head. Why was she thinking about it? Her brother let it go. She slowly walked forward. She walked down a quiet path with some flowers and plants along the side. The sound of water rushing down into the steam below greeted her. Sparkling water rushed down into the stream flowing away in the most carelessness of manners. On the other side was the forest. The forest that stretched miles that signaled the border of the Li territory. Xiao Ying walked to the huge cherry blossom tree there and sat below it. The petals blew gently in the wind and landed on the ground softly. Others swirled around her. It really made her look like an absolute goddess. Xiao Ying took a deep breath, letting the late summer air calm her. Autumn is starting to come. Footsteps came down the path she had just come out of. She gasped as she saw who it is. She immediately did her polite gesture.

"Prince Syaoran." greeted Xiao Ying in her polite gesture.

"Yes, aren't you suppose to be in the castle." asked Syaoran.

"Yes, I will return right away." said Xiao Ying

Xiao Ying started to head towards the path, but was interrupted by the prince.

"It's quite alright. I can't handle it either." said Syaoran facing the waterfall.

Xiao Ying turned around to see the prince looking at the majestic waterfall back facing her.

"I'm sorry." Xiao Ying apologized.

"No big deal, sometimes you just can't stand it." said Syaoran still facing the waterfall.

"Yeah" Xiao Ying agreed.

Xiao Ying sat down under the trees again. She looked up at the sky, the clouds rolling by carelessly. She still had no idea what she would do for the festival and is was only two weeks away. The prince's voice broke her thoughts.

"Have you ever felt caged? Like you can never be yourself?" asked the prince not specifically asking anyone.

Xiao Ying was startled by this question. Memories of her old life came flooding back to her. That's when it dawned on her. She's living a fake life now. Eventually, she and her brother would be found and there then there's going to be another battle and more fighting.

"I know exactly what you mean." said Xiao Ying staring at the sky.

Syaoran turned to face her.

"Really?" asked Syaoran.

"Yeah, being royalty, you can't be who you really are. You need to have certain poise and all that." replied Xiao Ying looking at Syaoran.

"Yeah. And there's always the duty of marrying and all that. A lot of people want to be royalty. They think that they have servants and all that is the life. But when you're royalty you never have the freedom of being yourself or expressing yourself." said Syaoran.

"That's just the way the world works." said Xiao Ying.

Syaoran stared at Xiao Ying now. He couldn't peel his eyes off her. Her emerald eyes are so captivating and sparkled with understanding. Her hair sparkled in the sun. She looks so beautiful and delicate, like the gentlest touch would break her. He didn't know why, but he felt that she understood the frustration he's going through. She's so kind and understanding. He saw it in her eyes. The kindness, the understanding. He just had this urge to hold her and talk about all that was going on. She was holding her gaze at the ground being cautious about their interactions because of their ranks in society. Syaoran looked away at the ground feeling silly. He hardly knew anything about her, and here he was talking to her like he knew her forever. Yet he knew that she understood everything he said.

"I don't even know why I'm talking to you like this." said Syaoran staring at the ground.

"Don't worry about it. I'm a servant. My job is to provide you with the things you need. If you need someone to talk to, I am to provide that." said Xiao Ying smiling.

Syaoran looks over at the waterfall again. If only his troubles could wash away like the water flowing down the steam. For a while, the two looked at the stream wishing their troubles would wash away, but that's never going to happen. Xiao Ying stood up.

"Prince Syaoran, I better take my leave. I have duties back at the palace." said Xiao Ying.

"I suppose you should go then." said Syaoran.

Xiao Ying looked at the prince as he gave his response. When he said it, it was in a normal tone like "Sure, you can go", but it sounded a bit different, like there was another emotion behind it.

'Why does it sound different? He almost sounds disappointed, but he couldn't be. And even if he is, he's a prince and I'm a servant. It's forbidden and impossible. And besides, a prince would never like a servant. Why would a prince like a servant with so many princesses around? And those princesses will definitely be more then willing to give themselves to him.' Xiao Ying thought.

Xiao Ying did her polite gesture before working back down the path back to the castle. The prince turned around to stare at the waterfall again.

'Ok, why do I suddenly feel all alone? She was just a servant. There are a million of those.' thought Syaoran.

'Yeah, a servant's that's really beautiful. Did you see those eyes?' the thought nagged at Syaoran.

'Where did that come form?' thought Syaoran.

Syaoran shook his head. What was he thinking anyways? He headed back to the castle.

Two days later, Xiao Ying closed her room door behind her and sat at her table to pour herself a cup of warm tea. She looked around after she drank it. Something seemed different about her room, but she couldn't place it.

'Maybe it's just me. Mother, father.' she thought.

She missed them so much. She couldn't help but unzip the zipper of her bedding pad that was really her mattress and reach for her jade. Her eyes grew wide. She couldn't find it. She looked at the mattress wrap and blanket cover bag. That was what seemed different. They were changed, but she had just changed them a week ago, why were they changed again? When were they changed? If someone found her jade, they would know her identity, especially Terada. She took deep breaths trying to calm herself down. She ran into the laundry room.

"Naoko!" Xiao Ying called to her friend that she saw in the back and ran up to her.

"Xiao Ying? What's wrong?" Naoko asked.

"What happened to my bed spreads?" Xiao Ying asked worriedly.

"We finished those. Check the laundry deck." said Naoko.

"Thanks." Xiao Ying called back as she ran out.

She ran to the laundry deck where the clothes were placed to dry when they were done. There was nothing there when she got there. She looked around in horror. Even the poles were taken down. This means that they were doing the last batch of laundry right now and they were going to close the laundry room for the night. They would put up the poles in the room and hang the last batch up in there and the laundry that was out here was taken down. Those that were dry would be returned to the owner, and those still wet would be hung up with the last batch of laundry. She looked on the ground and along the walls scared that someone might have found it. She searched that ground of the laundry deck everywhere, but couldn't find it. Xiao Ying got more worried. She followed the path of the laundry deck and arrived at the back door where she saw the prince.

"Prince Syaoran" she greeted in her polite gesture.

"What are you doing back here?" the prince asked concerned at the worry Xiao Ying was showing.

"I was just looking for something." She answered.

"Do you need help? It sounds really important" Syaoran said.

"No need. Just a little trinket." Xiao Ying assured.

"Alright" Syaoran said slowly not really convinced.

That's when a messenger came up and informed the prince the queen wants to see him. He looked at Xiao Ying again concerned before leaving. Xiao Ying searched the entire path again and the laundry deck, but no luck. She went back to her quarters seriously worried. If Terada gets a hold of that jade, she's in huge trouble. She searched her room hoping that it had just slipped out and was in there, but no luck. A knock came on the door and Chiharu came in. She gasped at Xiao Ying searching frantically.

"Xiao Ying? What's going on?" she asked.

"I lost my…trinket that my parents gave me." Xiao Ying answered.

"A trinket? Is it a jade of some sort?" Chiharu asked.

"You saw it?" Xiao Ying asked frantic.

"Calm down. I accidentally got tea all over your sheets so I took them to get washed. I found the jade in the padding, but I don't know why you would put it there." Chiharu explained as she took the jade out of her pocket and hand it back to her.

"Did you show it to anyone?" Xiao Ying asked a bit relieved that she got it back.

"No. I totally forgot about it." Chiharu said.

"Thank You Chiharu." Xiao Ying said.

""Hmm, it looks a bit familiar, have I seen it somewhere before?" said Chiharu.

Xiao Ying's face immediately froze.

"Of course not, it's just something that my parents gave me. Why would you have seen this before?" Xiao Ying said trying to cover up.

Chiharu shrugged before saying, "Yeah, you're right." and left apologizing once for causing the mishap. Good thing no one saw the jade. She bumped into the prince again later and he of course asked her what she was so worried about earlier that day. Neither she nor him knew why they started to be more concerned with each other's issues. They just dismissed it as a regular concern, but is it or is this turning into something more? Both hoped that it was regular concern. If this turned into anything more, they would both be in huge trouble and Xiao Ying would no doubt be beheaded. Their current interactions are already starting to get unacceptable for a prince and a servant girl.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

(at King Terada's castle)

"Why does she look familiar? It's like I saw her before, but where and when?" thought Terada.

Princes Rika is confused seeing this. Why does her father seem so troubled?

"Father?" Rika called her father.

"Yes?" asked Terada snapping out of his thoughts.

"You seem troubled." said Rika.

"I'm fine. Queen Yelan and I were thinking of letting you and Prince Syaoran get to know each other more. What do you think?" said Terada.

"That's fine with me." answered Rika.

Just then, a messenger came in and bowed to the king.

"Yes?" asked Terada.

"The Li Kingdom has invited your majesty to their festival." The messenger said.

"Very well. Reply that we would be honored to attend." said Terada.

"Yes, your majesty." said the messenger.

With another bow, the messenger left to deliver the message.

"Who is she? Why is it like I have seen her before? Maybe I can figure out who she is at the festival." thought Terada.

With a sigh, the king got up from the throne and went to his quarters leaving Rika very confused.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Xiao Ying thought she would never come up with a routine for the festival, but she suddenly got the perfect routine. She can already see herself doing the entire routine. These kinds of things happen. She could get inspiration so suddenly. Once she did the princesses' bath, she immediately started to practice. The routine was different from the others she had done. She used to use fans most of the time for dancing, sometimes ribbons. This time she wouldn't use those. In her quarters, Xiao Ying pulled out a green gown from her closet that she used in her performances. The material was smooth and the sun that shined on it cast the gown in a sparkling glow. The golden borders looked stunning. She wasn't a person to take things for granted and had only used this gown in the more important performances for more important guests, but this gown was perfect for her routine.

Over the next two weeks, other than the jade incident, Xiao Ying practiced her routine, Tomoyo practiced her song and the princes practiced their sword skills. Two weeks passed by just like that. Everyone was ready for the festival and competitions. That morning, carriages were all ready to take everyone in the castle to the city. People in different villages at the border of the kingdom traveled all the way to attend the festival. The people in the castle set out. In a couple of hours, they will arrive in the city.

When they arrived in the city, all the citizens are hustling and bustling. The huge stage in the center is the competitions stage. That's where all the competitions will take place. Of course, Queen Yelan would address the citizens first. Stalls are all over selling various merchandise whether it be food or other things. After a few minutes, a huge bang can be heard. It came from the huge gong on the stage. Of course almost everybody was already there. They knew it is time to start the competitions. The queen stood on stage smiling at her citizens.

"As everyone knows, today is the Kingdom Festival. This one day we celebrate life itself. Today I have a guest with me. Please welcome King Terada!" announced the queen.

At this everyone applaud. Xiao Ying stood there frozen. She had no idea that King Terada was coming. King Terada took the stage.

"Thank You Queen Yelan. I am honored to be a part of this festival. Without further ado…" Terada started.

King Terada picked up the stick with a spherical top on the table at the back of the stage. It was a huge version of a drumstick that people use to play drums and bang the gong.

"…I declare the beginning of the competitions!" he finished.

Everyone went shouting and squealing. The court announcer that played mc for the competitions took the stage and announced the art contest. Those that entered must create an original work of art, a masterpiece. A few more contests took place before the singing contest. Tomoyo went with the other contestants and waited for her turn. Pretty soon she was up. She stepped up to the stage and started singing. Her melody rang loud and clear, filled with emotion. Her voice captivated the hundreds of thousand of people that watched. The last note lingered in the air before it settled. The crowd was mesmerized at her voice. It was obvious she had won even if the results won't be spoken until all the competitions are done. Next was the dancing. Xiao Ying followed the other contestants and waited patiently for her turn. When her turn came she stepped on stage, her movement full of grace enhanced by the gown she wore. There was a scarf on her. The middle of the scarf was hidden behind her back, well the two ends were held in place around each of her arms. She stood at the center of the stage giving herself all the space she needed. She spun around spinning the scarf in the process and lowered herself into a different polite gesture where she was nearly all the way down and stayed there for a few seconds. The crowd gapped at her grace. It seemed so impossible. She spun around the other way and commenced the substance of her routine. She used the entire stage, something that the other competitors haven't done. She seemed to sparkle and her dancing seems to come to life. She moved with such style and grace that everyone stood still awestruck completely forgetting about moving like when Tomoyo sang. Xiao Ying was so into the routine she completely forgot about keeping her eyes shield. She landed in the same position as when she did the first move prior to the actual routine and opened her eyes making everyone even more awestruck if that was possible at her bright emerald green eyes. It was only then that she realized her mistake. She spotted King Terada in the crowd and the knowing look on his face told her he now knew who she is, but it was too late to repair the damage.

I hope you like this part everyone. hmm...Why did Sakura and Touya changed their names to Xiao Ying and Tori? What has Terada got to do with it? and what did Terada find out now?

review if you want the answers to these questions, because the secrets are revealed in the next chapter. oh yeah. feel free to make guesses and predictions, I'm actually hoping to get some. What do you think Sakura and Touya are hiding?