Author's Note: I know that this is rather boring…but it's only the beginning! Please keep reading! I also want to THANK everyone who reviewed! THANK YOU for the encouragement!
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Chapter 3: Tomoeda Orphanage
Previous…
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"No." Hideki simply answered.
"What!" Syaoran yelled.
"Hideki! Quite it. Of course you can decide Syaoran. You can leave if you don't want to come with us. But I really hope that you will." Sakura looked pleadingly at him.
"I-"
"Oh, Syaoran! Quite making it so hard and just say that you'll come. I know that you want to. You've always complained about how boring living in an orphanage is. Now's your chance to do something." Tomoyo said, looking exasperated.
"Fine. I'll come."
"Man! That was such a waste of time! We could have been sleeping by now!" Kinako said. She got up and laid on the cushion next to the fireplace. "Ahhh…now that's better!"
"Kinako! Get back here!" Kanako said.
"It's ok. She can stay there." Sakura smiled at Kinako. She wish she could lie back and forget all her worries, but she couldn't. 'Where is Touya and the others? Are they alright? Do they have a nice warm fire by their side or are they still trying to escape the enemies? Oh, Touya! Where are you? Please be safe!'
"Sakura? Are you alright?" A worried voice brought her snapped her out of her thoughts.
"Oh! Sorry to worry you Tomoyo. I'm fine. I was just thinking." She gave Tomoyo a smile.
"Shall we start, Princess Sakura?" Dashikimi said.
"What! Princess! Sakura!" Tomoyo and Syaoran said at the same time.
"Umm…hi?" Sakura said.
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"Princess Sakura, a suggestion."
"Go ahead, Dashikimi."
"Thank you, Princess. Should you not give a more appropriate introduction or welcome?"
At this, Sakura turned and looked at Dashikimi with a frown. "What kind? Can I not just say 'Hi'?"
"Well, yes, but these are common people."
At this, Tomoyo got angry. "Just because we are common people, does not mean that we cannot take in this information." She turned to Sakura and made an awkward bow, "Princess Sakura, it is my honor to meet you."
"Oh, no! Tomoyo! You're my friend! Don't bow to me, please!" Sakura said. "See? This is part of the reason I did not want them to know. I want them to treat me as an equal. Not as a higher power." Sakura turned back to Tomoyo. "Oh, Tomoyo! Please, treat me as you treat Syaoran. As an equal. Are we not friends, anymore?"
Tomoyo looked up, shocked. "Of course we are! How could we not be a friend of your's?"
"Is a friend not an equal? Is a friend not someone who stands by their side and tell them the truth. Tell them what they believe in and what they think is true? Please, I do not want another nonentity who will agree to everything I say and have no considered opinions."
"Sakura, I-I…of course. A friend you will have, I promise." Tomoyo said.
Sakura smiled. "Thank you." She said quietly.
Tomoyo burst out laughing. "I'm sorry. Please forgive me. Sakura-chan, you make lovely speeches, did you know that? It was very good, but once I thought about it for a while, it made me want to laugh. You don't have to makesuch elaboratespeeches you know. Well, not to friends."
"Uh-I-uh…" Sakura thought awhile, "You know, it does sound funny. Making a speech to friends to make them consider something."
"So, now that we're friends what should we do now? Syaoran, any suggestions?"
Syaoran had kept quiet throughout the whole trial. looking at Tomoyo, he said, "Tomoyo, are you really going to consider being a friend of a princess? Especially Sakura?"
"Syaoran what are you saying. I've already considered it. And so have you. We're friends, right?"
"No, Tomoyo. You don't understand what they're asking. They-"
"No Syaoran! You don't understand. All Sakura wants is a friend. How could you not-"
"Tomoyo! Listen to me. Those people who attacked the orphanage were after Sakura. They want her dead. By agreeing to be a friend of Sakura, then your agreeing to your death."
"Syaoran, how could you say such a thing? If I have to agree to death to become a friend of Sakura-chan's, then so be it. I will agree to death." Tomoyo whispered. "Syaoran, what say you?"
"I'm not agreeing to death, Tomoyo. And I'm not going to allow you either."
"Ha! You are too late. I've already agreed. I want to be Sakura's friend. I think I'm old enough to make my own decisions, Syaoran."
"Tomoyo-"
"Tomoyo! Syaoran is right. You should listen to him." Sakura looked away, tears filling her eyes. "If you are agreeing to be a friend of mine, then you are agreeing to death. I do not want to risk you life. And I do not want you to lose Syaoran. He is a very loyal friend. I do not want to come between your friendship." Sakura turned to Syaoran, "Syaoran, I'm glad that I met you. And Tomoyo, thank you. Your loyalty and agreement to become my friend, even if it meant death, will always be something I cherish and treasure all my life. In no one, can I ever fine that kind of loyalty again."
"Oh, Sakura." Tomoyo whispered to herself.
"Syaoran, please stay for the night. The rooms have already been paid for. Please stay until both you and Tomoyo is rested and recovered." Standing up from where she was sitting, Sakura said, "Kinako, Kanako, Dashikimi, Hideki, Ogata, lets go."
"Sakura-chan, wait-" Tomoyo began.
"Princess, forgive me for speaking so bluntly, but I don't think that we should let these two go. They know your true identity and what's worse, they could lead the enemy to us. I don't trust them. We should keep an eye on them. Or-"
"Don't! Don't even say it. I know what you were about to suggest. I won't let you do that. Just let them go." Sakura said coldly.
"Princess, forgive me, but I agree with Ogata. He's right." Hideki said.
"Ogata. Hideki. I trust these two. I trust them with my life. They won't give us away."
"But Princess-"
"Ogata, you saw for yourself that they would even agree to death just to become my friends."
"No. Not the boy."
"Well, I trust them both. If you won't let them go voluntarily. Then I will command you." Sakura raised her head.
"But-" Before Ogata could finish, Sakura gave him a hard stare, changing his mind, "Yes, Princess."
"Sakura could be really stubborn sometimes, can't she?" Kinako whispered to Kanako, making Kanako nod in turn.
"Tomoyo, Syaoran, good-bye. I hope that we will meet again some day, but in different circumstances." Sakura said with a nod of her head in the direction of Tomoyo and Syaoran.
As Sakura walked toward the door, Tomoyo ran in front and blocked the exit. As Tomoyo spread out her arms to prevent Sakura from leaving, she said, "Sakura-chan, don't go."
"Tomoyo, please let me through."
"No. If I truly am not to come with you freely as a friend, then take me as a prisoner." Tomoyo said with determination in her voice.
This cause a look of horror to show on Syaoran's face. "Tomoyo! What are you doing!"
Tomoyo ignored Syaoran's burst and looked at Sakura. "Sakura-chan was right. She might never find someone as loyal as me. That's why I have to go with her. To stay her most loyalist companion."
"But-"
"Syaoran, I never said that you have to come with me. Stay if you want, but I'm going with them."
"Tomoyo!" Syaoran looked dismayed. "Fine! If-if your going, then I'm coming along, too. I promised to protect you, remember?"
"Oh, Syaoran! That was just a silly promise you made to that-WAIT! Did I just hear you say that you were gonna go along! You'll really come!" Tomoyo smiled. "Why am I asking this? Of course you're coming! All I had to do was be a little stubborn and then you give in. Ha-ha…predictable Syaoran. Well, who cares? Syaoran's coming and I get to go!"
"Uh-I-NO!"
"You've already said that you're coming. You can't take it back." Tomoyo turned to Sakura and said excitedly, "Sakura, it's settled! We're coming with you. If Syaoran decides to change his mind, then I give you permission to take him as your prisoner and tie him up."
This cause Sakura to laugh.
"Hey!-"
"Oh, Syaoran! Be quiet will you? I'm trying to hold a conversation with the Princess."
Hideki smirked, walking toward Syaoran. "What is she, your keeper?" he asked lightheartedly.
"Wha! NO!"
Tomoyo turned to Hideki, smiling and said jokingly, "Of course I am! Who else might I be?"
This caused a couple of laughter.
"Hey, I-"
"Ok, ok, enough fighting and teasing for one night. We've all wasted enough energy for today. We need rest and a good night's sleep to regain our strengths. Also, we need to make an early start tomorrow morning. Now lets all get to bed." Dashikimi said sternly.
"Yes, Mother!" Everyone chided in unison and broke into fits of laughter.
(Dream)
"Sakura, wake-up. Sakura, my dearest, wake-up."
Sakura, still asleep, mumbled, "Leave me alone, Touya. I'm tired."
"Sakura, wake-up. Wake-up my angel."
"Wake-up my cherry blossom."
"Uh…huh?" Sakura said, rubbing the dust that had collected itself on her lashes off. "Mother? Father? But I don't wanna wake-up. I wanna sleep some more."
"Sakura, wake-up. You must. Sakura, you must if you want to save Touya." The voice said sternly.
This caused Sakura to wake-up a little. "Huh? But Touya is with Ashiko and the others. They'll protect him. And he isn't in danger, or so I don't think so."
"Sakura, Touya is in danger. You must help him. You must wake."
Sakura started to nod back to sleep. "Then I'll save him after I get some more sleep." She spoke drowsily.
"Sakura, you must wake-up. There isn't much time. The enemy is close by. Too close, I'm afraid. Sakura, you must wake. I am sorry, but you must. There is nothing else that we can do except warn you of this danger."
"Danger? What danger? Am I in danger?"
"You will be if you do not move quickly."
"I'm in danger? B-but, that can't be. W-who's af-afte-r us? We l-lost the en-ene-m-my at the orph-ah-anage, did-didn't we?" Sakura stammered, still a little drowsy.
"I'm afraid no. The enemy is here, now. You must leave before they discover that you are staying here."
This made Sakura come awake. "What? They're here?"
"Yes. You must leave before, quickly." The image of Nadeshiko and Fujitaka started to fade. "Good-bye my dear sweet Sakura. Always remember that we love you."
"But-" Now seeing them for the first time, Sakura didn't want to lose the image of her parents. "No! Please don't leave me!"
"Sakura, we will always be here with you. Not in body, but in soul. Don't ever forget that. We will never abandon you and Touya, ever." Fujitaka said sternly. His features softened and he said, "Sakura, never forget who you are. Never forget how important you are. Never forget." His voice had every bit of love and respect he had for his youngest child and only daughter.
"Good-bye my cherry blossom." Nadeshiko smiled warmly. "We will always be here when you are in need of help."
They faded into the penetrating darkness, taking with them the light glow they illuminated.
Sakura nodded as she watched the darkness take over their shapes. "Good-bye, mother, father. This warmth you left behind will always be with me." She whispered into the black emptiness.
(End of Dream)
Sakura woke with a start. Her heart pounding and warm. She couldn't remember the dream she had just had, but she knew it was something important. She knew she must try to remember, but try as she might, she could not remember a single detail. 'What was that dream? I know that it had something to do with me and Touya, but what? What was it?' Sakura walked over to the window, opening to get in some fresh air.
"Ahhh…now this is better. It's not as stuffy as before." Sakura breathed in the cool night air, crisp and smelling of fresh rain. "Did it rain?" Sakura looked down at the street, but before she could examine the wet stone streets, Sakura heard a racket from the below her window. Looking down at the customers, Sakura gasped. The dream came rushing back. "The dream was a warning!" Sakura whispered to herself. She looked again at the men who wore the same colored armor as the ones from the orphanage.
Looking about frantically, Sakura knew that she had to wake the others and get out of the inn as fast as possible. Sakura quickly shut the window and crept to her bedroom door. Silently, she opened it with practiced ease and stepped into the hall. Treading as softly as she could manage, Sakura went to the door across. Feeling the cold metal knob of the door, Sakura twisted the door open and crept in. Closing the door, Sakura walked calmly to the lump on the bed closest to her, but stopped when she felt cold silver metal slide across her neck.
"Name." Kanako ordered icily.
"Kanako! It's me, Sakura." Sakura squeaked, frightened from the knife around her neck.
"Princess! I'm sorry! If I knew it was you I wou-"
"Shhh! Kanakp, Kinako, they're here! The enemy found us. We have to go." Breathless, Sakura paused. "I saw them from my window. They were right below. I think they had us followed."
"That can't be. No one followed us." Kinako said.
Kanako looked thoughtful for a moment, considering what they should do. Looking up she said, "Are you sure? You might have been wrong. Did you double check the stops and traps? I think that we have stayed long enough. Kinako, go wake the others. I'm going to check this out. Princess Sakura, please, wait right here until everyone is aroused and ready to leave. If I'm not back by then, leave without me." She started to turn, but Sakura was worried about what she had said and grabbed onto her arm.
"Wait, Kanako. Let's just leave together. I don't want to lose any more of you. Please." Sakura said desperately, trying to hold the group she had together.
Kanako looked at her warmly, thinking, 'Sakura, my sweet Princess, may you always live freely without fear and hurt.' "Sakura, I must do this to ensure that you and the others get out safely."
"But-I'm ordering you to come with me. Don't go downstairs."
"Sakura-"
Tip-toeing out the door, Sakura said, "Kanako, will you just give it a rest? Now let's wake the others and get ready to go."
Kinako smirked looking at her sister. "She can be commanding and stubborn when she needs to be."
Kanako sighed. "Nothing to be done about it. Come on, let's go."
(Outside in the horse stables)
"Ok. We need to get Sakura out of here safely and out of the village without causing any suspicions. Hideki, Kinako, go and check on the horses. Make sure that we have all our supplies ready." Hideki and Kinako nodded their confirmation and left.
Sakura watched them go. Then turning to Ogata, she asked, "Supplies? When did we get supplies?"
"Princess, we-" butOgata was cut off by sounds of swords clashing together.
"The enemy is here!" Someone yelled.
"Shit! We have to get out of here, now!"
Kinako came rushing back with four horses trailing behind. "Hideki! We manage to get the horsed tethered, but-"
"But what?"
"There were only four left. Hideki said that he will try to find another, but the Ashiya soldiers came and took him. I don't know where. They said that he looked suspicious."
"Damn! Take the children and Princess Sakura and go. I'll go and get Hideki."
Nodding Kinako walked over to Tomoyo and lifted her onto the horse.
"Princess, your riding with me." With that Kanako lifted Sakura onto the horse. Seated and secured, Sakura felt Kanako climb on behind her. Sakura looked around and saw that Tomoyo was riding in front with Kinako and Syaoran with Dashikimi.
"Kanako, you know where the check point is. Go there and watch over the Princess. If we don't come, do not come back for us. This goes for all of you, especially you, Princess."
Everyone looked at him. Sakura couldn't help but feel that this would be the last time she saw him.
"Ogata, please be careful."
With a nod, Ogata replied, "Yes, my lady. Travel fair." With that, he slapped the rear of the horse and the horse lurched forward into a fast beating gallop. Sakura looked back and saw that the others followed.
The trees and hills flew by, making the world seem almost a blur. Kanako set the horse on a fast past onto the next town. It was far, but worth the horses energy, for once there, they would all be getting new, fresh mounts that were fast andcould only be breed in that part of town.
The memory of Sakura's first time there, with her father, buying a mount for herself flashed into her memory. She couldn't help but smile at the joy of getting her first horse, but she never collected the mount. Her memory flashed back into territory she never wanted to go back to. That night. The night she had lost everything. Sakura shook her head and decided to think about how she could collect her already paid horse without revealing herself to the owner. 'I have to get my horse. He belongs to me. I'm going to get him no matter the cost.' Sakura thought. But then another thought came into her head. 'Oh, no! What if the owner sold him to someone else? Oh, please! Wait for me.'
"Princess, we're almost there. If you are tired, please, rest easily on me. I assure you that I will try to be as comfortable as I can be." Kanako smiled, a glint of humor in her eyes.
Sakura yawned, not knowing she was as tired as she was. Thinking back, she hadn't had much sleep at all.
Sakura looked up at Kanako and decided to take her offer. "Please wake me when we get there. I have something important I would really like to do." With that, Sakura drifted off into a dreamless slumber.
The smooth rhythm of the horse stopped, jerking Sakura awake.
"Oh! Your up. I was just about to wake you, Princess. Welcome to Fuii." (fuh-ee-ee)
Sakura looked around, stifling a yawn. "How long have we been here?"
"We just arrived. We'll be staying here. Living here, actually. Our plans are the same as before, Princess." Kanako said in a low, quiet voice, making it audible for her ears only. "Kinako and the others know already."
Sakura nodded. She remembered the plan. She and Touya were to pretend to be of the lower class people and live in an orphanage, but not just any orphanage, a rich one with education. They were to get an education from the orphanage as well as from Dashikimi and other connections they had, learning everything they needed to know about ruling. Until they are old enough, their kingdom will be ruled by her cousin, waiting for their return.
Sakura let out a sigh. 'If only Touya were here, it wouldn't be as bad as it sounds.' Sakura then remembered Tomoyo and Syaoran. Smiling to herself, she thought, 'No. I forgot. I have them.'
The creaking of metal gates opening brought Sakura back, out of her thoughts. She looked up at the new orphanage she would be living in most of her entire life. The orphanage was not as beautiful as the other one, but it had it's own beauty. It was old and worn, having many years of use, but the paint was freshly coated on and was of a creamy white. The door was made of soft red wood, glowing with a new shine. The cobble stone road that led to the entrance had a few cracks here and there, but wasn't too badly damages and almost looked new. It seems that the place had just been redone, though it kept its old glow.
'Well, at least it looks welcoming and humble.' Sakura thought. She longed to talk to Tomoyo, wishing she could share what she was feeling and wanting to be assured that everything was going to be alright, but she knew that it wouldn't unless she used some effort to make it that way.
They made their way to the entrance and were greeted by stable hands and maids. Letting the horse be taken away and fed, Sakura and the others were brought inside and were seated. The maid who brought them in went to the opposite side of the room and knocked on the wooden door.
"Yuishido-sama, your guesses have arrived."
The door opened and a woman with silver-gray hair and blue eyes walked in. She had on a an intricate gown, not suitable for a hostess of an orphanage, but it made her seem to glow with love and affection. She wore no jewelry expect for a small diamond ring on her left marriage finger. She smiled at them, showing shiny white teeth. Her hair was pulled back into a tight, neat bun.
"Hello. I thought that you would never get here. Kanako, what took you so long?" the woman asked politely.
This surprised Sakura, for she thought that they would be secretly hiding without anyone knowing their true identity.
"Kalani. As you can see, Kinako and I are perfectly fine. I see that you are well." Kanako said with a nod.
She smiled once more. Looking at Kinako, she said squealed happily, "I waited forever, thinking that something went wrong! I was scared half to death when no one showed up three days ago."
"Sorry, Kalani. We had problems. And as you can see, we had extra baggage." Kinako winked at Tomoyo. Tomoyo smiled at the joke.
"And who might these be?" Kalani (Yuishido) asked curiously, peering from one to the other.
"They are new friends of Sakura. We couldn't leave them behind."
"Ahh, I see. Well, the more the merrier!" Kalani stood up from where she sat and walked around to Sakura. Going down on one knee and bowing her head, she said, "Princess Sakura-dono. Princess Kinomoto Sakura of Tai Nhuh Lye, welcome to Tomoeda orphanage. I sincerely hope that you will enjoy your stay here."
"Oh, please Yuishido-san! You've no need to bow to me, I'm-"
Kalani looked up into Sakura's eyes and smiled. "Princess, you are of royalty and must get used to the bowing of your people."
Sakura blushed. She knew she should be used to the bowing, but it seemed wrong somehow. Her people should be her equal, not her servants. She wanted unity, not slavery.
Sakura bowed her head to hide the embarrassment. "I know, but-but it just seems wrong." Sakura looked up and was startled to see that Yuishido-san was staring at her. "Yu-Yuishido-san?"
"Why! What beautiful eyes you have, my dear!" Kalani exclaimed.
"E-Excuse me?" Sakura stammered, too startled.
"Your eyes are gorgeous! Kanako, Kinako, why did you not inform me of how beautiful the Princess was? And her eyes, my! I don't think you're going to find another pair like these!" Kalani said excitedly. "I can make beautiful clothing to bring out your eyes and your beautiful locks of hair!"
"Kalani! Please!" Kanako said. "Kalani, we need to get back to why we came here."
Kalani stopped and looked at Kanako. Her joyous face turned serious and she calmly walked back to her chair. Clearing her throat, she said, "Right. Please forgive me, Princess. I tend to get carried away." She smoothed some of her hair, which had come loose, back into place. "Now then, where were we? Ahh, yes. Princess, children. I suspect that Kanako and the others have told you the reason of your coming here, no? Well, then, you are here to stay and get an education. Not only that, but to learn how to defend oneself.All of you will need tointeract with the others, so you don't look suspicious. This orphanage will provide you anything you will need. Please, ask me if there is anything." She looked at everyone and cleared her throat once again. "Uh-humph. I see that you all are in need of rest. Asuna will take you to your rooms."
The maid called Asuna walked in and showed everyone to their rooms. Finally, she stopped at Sakura's room telling Sakura that her room had been prepared and that a bath had been prepared also.
"Thank you."
"Of course, milady. If there is nothing else you need, then I will see to your meal when you are finished with your bath."
"That would be lovely! Thank you, again." Sakura smiled.
"Of course, milady. Yuishido also told me to inform you to meet her at breakfast tomorrow to set up your schedule and to you set up with your new rooms."
"Oh. Alright. Thank you."
"Good day, madam."
Sakura took a long bath, making up for the days which she had missed. After getting on her sleeping gown, a knock at the door told Sakura that her dinner had been served. Quickly, she went down with the maid and greeted everyone.
Walking back to her room with a full stomach, Sakura smiled, thinking that she wouldn't trade this day for any. Opening the door to her room, the bed welcomed her with soft feathered blankets and a warm welcoming fire. Sakura drifted off into a deep sleep, forgetting all her worries with the rising of the moon.
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Author's Note: I hope this doesn't bore anyone…my first fanfic…so please keep up the reading! Don't hate me. Just kidding, but please review! Criticize my writing or story if you want. It'll help!
