hello again all! here's chapter 1, a lot of foundation laying, but I hope y'all still enjoy!

I do not own Cardcaptor Sakura.

thanks to all who've already favorited and followed, I'm so grateful! please let me know your thoughts!


"Tomoyo-chan," A small voice began, eyes wide looking into a floor to ceiling mirror, "You've truly outdone yourself, this gown is one fit for a queen!" Sakura's face broke into a full smile gripping her best friends talented hands.

"Do you have something to tell me? I knew when that Duke Hiiragizawa came to visit I saw some pink on those cheeks! Do I have a wedding to attend?" Sakura's eyes gained a caring yet mischievous glint. And while that aforementioned pink tint reappeared on Lady Tomoyo's ivory cheeks, she adamantly shook her head with a laugh.

Gently taking her hands away from her cousin's, Tomoyo moved to behind Sakura and smoothed out her creation. A lovely piece of forest green with golden embroidered details, the Lady Dadouji smiled to herself at her handiwork and the beautiful form it graced.

"None of that Sakura! You know I will not consider a gentleman until your wedding is through! I have to get all the details right!" There was determination in her midnight eyes that Sakura, if it was anyone else, would not dare contradict. But, this was her cousin and her best friend.

"Ah Tomoyo-chan!" Sakura let out a small laugh. "You know how I feel about you waiting for me! Who knows if I'll ever find the one! I just want to see you happy, and I must say," she lowered her voice now as she stepped down from the fitting stool,

"You were rather happy with Sir Eriol…" The Kinomoto princess wiggled her eyebrows to emphasize her jest, only to be met with a playful shout of "Sakura!" and fit of giggles from both of the noble ladies.

The cheerful moment was interrupted by a cleared throat in the doorway, where a page boy politely bowed to the two women before him. With their attention drawn, the boy raised his head to announce "Sir Tsukishiro Yukito", careful not to make eye contact with the two beautiful women in front of him in fear he'd turn redder than his sash.

A tall, lean, bespectacled man of 26 with silver hair entered the room, thanking the young boy who announced his presence. He smiled at the two familiar ladies, and remarked jokingly,

"I never understand why they must do that, a simple knock should suffice I say…"

To this Sakura ran and wrapped her arms around the taller man's waistline, her head falling well beneath his chin "Yukito-san! You're back!" She yelped in happy surprise, while her cousin yelped behind her out of fear for the newly-made gown.

"Ay, Sakura-chan, little one! How've you been?"

Their relationship, although now of an older brother and younger sister, was not always so straightforward. Within Yukito rests the Moon-Guardian Yue, and before our young Princess become the card mistress of the now Sakura Cards, she mistook her attraction to Yukito/Yue's aura as love. She, at the time, was certain of her affections. Believing that they were true, that there was no man alive as kind and handsome as he. But, around the age of 13 when she became the card mistress, it all became clear, although at first hard to understand. Yukito was another Touya to her, and her crush a manifestation of her unlearnt magic.

Even still, many thought Yukito insane for not accepting the princess's affections. The most sought after bride in all of Clow, denied by the king's advisor. But, as said, there are many types of relationships, and he knew this was not one of romantic love.

Not to be disregarded though was the position he was in now, with Sakura Kinomoto's small but firm arms wrapped around his midsection, a pose many desired to be in, and could also be read the wrong way quite easily. Breaking apart and walking with Sakura to the series of couches in the dressing room, Yukito also greeted Tomoyo, who offered him some tea.

"Ah yes, some tea would be lovely thank you! Any biscuits? I have so much to tell you of my journey through-" Suddenly as he was about to take a seat and tell his tale, Yukito's brow furrowed.

"Sakura, I believe Yue would like to have council with you." With concern in her bright emerald eyes Sakura nodded and with a glow of silver light, in his place was Yue. Even taller, with white hair nearly reaching his ankles and angels wings, had Tomoyo been just any noble she surely would've fainted at the sight of such a creature.

"Yue-san, what troubles you?" Sakura asked with genuine worry, her guardian seemed tense.

"Princess, there is dark magic coming. It's tempting to hide itself but I can still sense it… it's targeting the trees…" Yue closed his eyes as he worked to discover the mysterious energy's source.

The Kinomoto Kingdom, in the land of Clow, was dead center. Halfway between the eternally cold mountain covered north and the warm South along the shore's edge. It was temperate, never quite reaching the extremes, but instead the land was subject to seasons.

The kingdom was known for its trees, existing as part of the forest it resides. The trees held magic. They protected the kingdom, and in turn the kingdom protected their cherished home. It was more than folklore that a resident of the Kinomoto kingdom will never get lost no matter how dense the woods, because the honest truth was that the trees would guide them, providing food and refuge as needed.

To hear that the forest was in danger was to Sakura hearing her family was under attack.

"Whoever is doing this is clever, I can't link it to anyone. But I've got a read on what they're doing to the trees, it seems to be a plague of sorts…" Reaching this conclusion with frustration Yue opened his eyes, Sakura gave him a firm nod, calling upon her star staff.

"Tomoyo, please let Kero know about the situation, he should be in the kitchen, apparently chef is making tiramisu…" Sakura said with a laugh, they could all smile at the Sun Guardians antics, despite the situation at hand.

"Of course, but I'm going to need you to first change out of that gown…" Tomoyo started with a smile, and Sakura flushed, realizing she was about to go off in her best friend's beautiful creation. "Ah! I'm so sorry Tomoyo!" The Princess quickly changed out of the new and into her old, no doubt using the Dash to move faster than Tomoyo could blink.

"Yue, I'm going to the Northern Tower to get a better look over the forest, you should rest. Yukito has had a long journey and I know that has also taken its toll on you." Before he could protest Sakura had again called upon Dash, making her way quickly to the highest point in the castle. She inhaled sharply at the sight that awaited her.

Below were her kingdom's beloved protectors, stretching out for miles, covered in a shroud of darkness. The shroud did not even so much as reflect the setting sun above it; simply absorbing all light and life around.

Sakura was quick to work. Only a year prior, when the Princess was seventeen, the kingdom befell an awful plague that weakened its residents in the cold of winter. Their cure came from Sakura, who after trying her best to restore patients one by one using her knowledge of healing magics and exhausting herself thoroughly, realized she had a card that could save not only the few she could physically reach, but all. The Erase, a card that had previously scared Sakura with its potential for destruction, erased the sickness.

The Princess figured that this plague, although of magic and effecting her trees not her people directly, could similarly be eradicated. She called upon the aforementioned card, holding her star staff high above her head. A powerful wave of silver magic left the tower, fanning out in a ring from its source. Looking up, Sakura was smiling though panting, excited to see her leafy friends once again shining with life. But her smile was quickly replaced by a look of confusion.

The shroud, although revealing a slight reverberation, remained.

"Impossible…" Sakura let out in a whisper. In the next moment, her Sun guardian appeared hovering next to the tower, in his true lion-esque form, not his day to day plushie one.

"Did it just…" The beast started, its voice low and reverberating. "It resisted the Erase…but how?"

Just then Sakura called upon Fly and joined her guardian in the open air, a pair of feathery white wings sprouted from her back. As if people needed another reason to call Kinomoto Sakura an angel.

Facing her guardian, she scrunched her brow in a look of hopefulness. "What about the Light? I know it's a plague but I'm not sure I've ever seen such pure darkness, perhaps it could…?"

"It's worth a shot." Keroberos said with a determined growl.

"Then… Light, please shine through this darkness and bring us back our trees!" Sakura called out, her staff meeting the pink Sakura card. The magic flew out in all directions pure and white, but just as before, the shroud wiggled, and set back into place.

The Light flew back to her mistress, a small woman wearing nothing but the purest form of white in robes, disturbed only by a black half-moon on her forehead. Her sister the Dark sported the exact inversion.

"I'm sorry mistress. This is a magic we have never seen." The Light told, hovering in front of Sakura and her Sun Guardian.

"It is no fault of your own, Light, please don't apologize! Thank you for your hard work. You too, Erase." Sakura said with a supportive smile as Light returned to her card form while smiling apologetically.

Kero turned to Sakura, "Sakura-chan, I think we're going to need to find some outside help."

At the long table of the counsel room, a meeting was being held. All of the most trusted royal advisors, Generals, healers, what have you, were present. At the head was King Fujitaka, a now aging man with several gray hairs revealing themselves in his auburn locks beneath the crown, yet still youthful with his childish and kind eyes. To his right was his son, Prince Touya. Young, handsome, and above all, strong. Also present to the king's left was Yukito, head advisor.

Frantic chatter was being tossed back and forth on the topic of the enchanted forest being plagued. Finally, after a minute or so, Prince Touya stood, and pounded one resonating fist against the red cherry table. Its echo seemed to take the voices of all it passed.

"Silence." He said, his tone unreadable.

"Thank you, Prince Touya." Fujitaka started with a smile reaching his bespectacled eyes.

"As most of you are well aware, made apparent by our fervent conversation, a plague of no normal origin has befallen our home." The King continued.

"I am sure, with-"

The tall double doors were flung open, revealing a running and highly apologetic Princess.

"Father I'm very sorry to interrupt in such a manner, please excuse me," She curtsied, "But there is something I must talk to you about,"

A short, balding man towards the end of the table made a motion to negate the interruption brought about by the Princess as he stood up, but before he could even let a word out, she continued.

"About the forest and the magic harming it. It is no ordinary spell." The noblemen's jaw simply remained open, thoroughly cut off, his finger still mid-air. Those around him giggled at the sight, the nobleman dejectedly sitting down. He knew his place, after all Sakura was not only known for her strength in beauty, but that she was also the kingdom's strongest magic-wielder.

"Do go on, my daughter. Have you already faced this issue on your own?" Fujitaka asked not the room of twenty or so noblemen in front of him, but his youngest directly.

Sakura nodded. "Well, not on my own, of course Kero-chan was there." She began, so as the relieve some of her father's concern. "But this is no ordinary magic causing this plague. I'm afraid…" And she was, truly in that moment to reveal, that in this situation the Princess was not strong enough.

"I'm afraid my magic is not enough to dismiss it." She finished. Several of the nobles in the room let out audible gasps.

"But, if Princess Sakura's magic is not enough to rid this horrid spell…" One General began.

"We're going to need outside help." Touya finished, to the shock of many. Their Prince was not one to ever seek help from beyond their own Kingdom limits. But if they truly knew him, they would know he would do anything to protect the kingdom, to protect his sister, even throwing his pride to the sideline.

"I see..." The King put a thinking hand to his mouth.

"I suppose we ought to seek out the Li Kingdom's aid."

If there were ever a kingdom to rule all of Clow, it would be the Li Kingdom. Located in the South with a well-protected bay on the coast, they were a prime location for not only trading and fishing; but with their constant warmth, farming as well.

The Li clan was powerful, across the board. They were wealthy, their armed forces strong, and the clan itself was overflowing with magic. Queen Li Yelan reigned in her husband's steed after his untimely death 13 years ago. The Queen's four daughters, Feimei, Shiefa, Fuutie, and Fanren Li, all married elsewhere in the land of Clow. In the castle of the clan remained Queen Yelan, her niece Li Meilin who acted as her lady in waiting, and her son; Prince Li Syaoran. At 20 years old, the Prince was a more than suitable heir to the throne.

He was a brave warrior, talented in the field of battle and relentless with his training. He possessed magic, and was able to wield it using his sword and ofudas. He was intelligent, be it matters of the kingdom's economy, its military, what have you, he had answers. To top it all off, he was roguishly handsome, and knew it too.

Few, though, knew the Prince. Rumors spread of the handsome Li with a heart of ice. How he was brash with all who approached him, made little time for anyone, let alone noblewomen. If you were to ask him about his search for a potential Queen, if he didn't outright ignore you (therefore you are Li Yelan) he would scoff and tell you he didn't have time for trivial girls who cared only for their curls.

This is the family Sakura was prepping to meet. It was long battle with her brother of how it would be quicker for her to go alone, that if she went with guards it would take a little over a week on horseback versus a day of her flying. Finally, she won, partially. Yue and Kero would join her, also being able to fly. She could hardly argue, because she was sure her guardians would have insisted on joining regardless.

Tomoyo was not well with her other half leaving the following morning.

"Tomoyo-chan, it won't be for more than a day or so I'm sure! You won't even notice I'm gone!" Sakura pleaded as Tomoyo packed her a fifth gown.

Lady Daidouji was putting on the theatrics, talking of how lost she'll be without her muse, eyes watering. Before the girl with long night-sky hair could pack another dress, Sakura wrapped her cousin in a warm hug.

"I'll be back before you know it Tomoyo, I'll miss you very much. I'm sure the people of the Li Kingdom will be floored by your designs." Sakura said breaking the hug but keeping her hands firmly on Tomoyo's shoulders.

"No, Sakura, they'll be floored by you." With one last hug. And another several between Sakura and her brother plus father, Sakura waved goodbye from the Southern Tower, Kero and Yue in their true forms on either side.

"Everything will definitely be alright." Sakura said to her loved ones, a phrase she used quite often.

With that, she called upon the Fly and set off to the South, very glad she used the Tiny on the luggage her cousin had packed.

As she predicted, Sakura and her guardians landed at the edge of the Li Kingdom's capital a little after Dusk began. Yue transformed into Yukito, and Kero transformed into his tiny yellow bear, hiding in Sakura's leather belt-bag where she also kept the Sakura cards. They began walking down the main road to the castle gate's. Sakura couldn't help but be impressed.

A salty breeze could be smelled by what Sakura could only assume was the ocean. She got a small first glimpse while flying, and if she hadn't been leagues above in the air, would've been floored. People seemed content, bustling at the end of the day. Vendors were pushing last minute sales for produce, lanterns were being lit to compensate for the increasing lack of natural light. It was truly lovely; until Sakura heard a screech.

A young girl of no more than 12 years came running from a pub to her left and fell to the ground. Following was a man with a sword, clearly belligerent, and at so early an hour. He shouted, "That wench refused m'beer! Git out muh way, Imma slit'er pretty throat!"

The man started charging at the girl, who in the middle of the road couldn't even get her arms up to make an effort to block the impending attack she was in such a state of fear.

Without hesitation Sakura called upon the Sword and what would be her star staff was replaced with a sword as light as a feather. She stepped in front of the drunk attacker and blocked his downward strike with her sword horizontally; the villagers around her gasped.

"Hey lady! What're ya doin'? I'm gonna kill that lil'-" He cut himself off.

"Ay you're a beauty aren't ya? Whatcha say to findin' another pub an-" This time it was Sakura who interrupted. Expertly sliding her blade with help from her card, she knocked her opponent back against the pub's front, and sent his sword flying into the ground with a firm thud.

"Forgive me, but I'm not quite sure that would work out." Sakura stated simply. Taking the man's own sword from the dirt it was lodged in, she journeyed over to her opponent. Using chains from the door that were most likely used to lock the establishment up when the night was through, she thoroughly wrapped the man's wrists, and trapped his arms above his head using his own sword against the pub he so clearly adored.

The man, who all the while had been mumbling groans about his head, asked, still muddled, "Lady, who ARE ya?"

"Princess Kinomoto Sakura of the Kinomoto Kingdom, delighted." She said with a small curtsy. It was in this moment that Sakura realized the crowd she had drew, including what she assumed to be a royal patrol. She turned, her Sword card disappearing in a series of red sparks, and deeply bowed, her face flushed.

"Sorry for any ruckus I may have made," Her gaze found the young girl she had initially hoped to protect, "Are you alright, miss?" The girl could only nod, her eyes still wide with shock, admiration, and gratitude.

"Ay, I'm glad. I hope you don't have to deal with any more blokes like him." Sakura told the server girl with a warm smile, kneeling on her level. The Princess then brought her attention to the royal patrol that bore the Li crest.

"Perhaps you all could help me, I'm here to see her grace Queen Li Yelan."

It wasn't long until Sakura found herself at doors of the Li throne room, brushing off any dirt from her gown and attempting to smooth it out before she saw the Queen she had heard so much about. Tomoyo would surely have her head if she knew Sakura was seeing one of the most powerful women of their era in a less than pristine dress, but these were her travel garments.

She turned to Yukito, who kept a few paces behind her right shoulder. He gave her a reassuring nod, signaling that although he would not be physically joining her, he was with her. This only caused the Princess to realize she must look as nervous as she feels. Taking a deep breath, Sakura made her way to the huge mahogany double doors. Two servants on either side of the Princess opened them, and before she knew it, her name was being announced.

"Princess Kinomoto Sakura of the Kinomoto Kingdom, daughter to King Kinomoto Fujitaka and the late Queen Kinomoto Nadeshiko."

Hearing her mother's name, felt her heart swell; entering along the lengthy forest green carpet with a newfound confidence, still keeping her head down. The Princess felt thoroughly out of place in the Li's lavish throne room.

Once she reached the appropriate distance from the thrones at the front of the chamber, Sakura entered into a deep curtsy, "It is an honor and a pleasure to finally meet you, your grace."

"Please, Princess, rise." Queen Yelan instructed with a voice that Sakura was sure could command even the strongest of men.

Doing as she was told, Sakura raised herself and finally her head to meet the Queen's gaze. If any were looking closely enough, they would notice both of the royals discreetly swallowing. Both taken aback by the other. Sakura was enraptured, the Queen was surely the pinnacle of grace before her very eyes.

While the Queen took in the emerald eyes before her, she started, "The feeling is mutual, my dear." The faintest of smiles decorated her red painted lips.

"Now, what brings you to the Li Kingdom, Princess Sakura?" Yelan inquired.

Sakura didn't even miss a beat at the Queen calling her by her first name so quickly; it seemed right. Instead Sakura was so thoroughly captivated at what she sure was the textbook definition of a Queen, she faltered briefly before starting.

"A-Ah yes, you see, your grace, there is a dark magic atta-" Sakura's mouth clamped shut with a meek yelp as the throne room's side doors were thrown open with a force that the Princess was certain wasn't human.

"Mother, you called for me?" A low and unwavering voice echoed as a man with messy chocolate hair made quick and powerful strides to Queen Yelan's side.

If Sakura was entranced before by the Queen, she was in deep trouble now. The man she assumed to be Prince Li Syaoran, as much as her brain begged her not to admit it, was handsome. He was tall, clearly well trained and muscular, had a nose that seemed to come to a perfect point; she didn't blink as she tried to take him in. Even from her distance she could tell, but the way he was angled towards his mother, she couldn't quite see his eyes. Every inch of her being wished to see them.

Coming back to her wits, just before Syaoran climbed the three steps to the set of thrones, Sakura entered once again in a curtsy in the nick of time.

"Syaoran, please welcome our guest, Princess Kinomoto Sakura." Yelan gestured to the girl in front of her with a regal hand.

"A pleasure making your acquaintance, Prince Li…" Sakura said as she started to straighten, but she is quite sure if she had any other words to say, she would never be able to speak them.

The moment her green jewels met with molten amber she could not utter a word.

Little did she know it; the feeling was quite mutual.

Prince Syaoran felt his breath hitch. He had heard the rumors, but it was true they did not do justice to what he was sure was living art in front of his very eyes. He even forgot to bow in return, which his mother noticed with a smirk and quirked brow. Never for all his rumored coldness, did Li Syaoran ever forget simple courtesies.

Bringing her son back to the current realm, Queen Yelan cleared her throat.

"Princess Sakura, please, continue, you were saying what brought you here?"

Syaoran turned his head sharply, 'Did mother just call a non-Li by their first name? How…? Why…?'

Doing her best to ignore the Li Prince's strange behavior towards her, Sakura restarted her story.

"Hai, your highness. As you may know the Kinomoto Kingdom has a centuries old relationship with the trees that surround our lands." Sakura began, receiving a nod from Yelan alone, signaling the Queen knew and understood.

Syaoran knew of the trees as well, he had read much about the kingdom's enchanted forests. He simply was having a battle within in his own brain. A small part wished only to look and absorb the beauty standing before him, while every other fiber fought for him to regain his wits and remember how felt about noblewomen; especially princesses.

"Well, an unknown spell has been cast over our trees, it is a plague of darkness. It is sucking the very life out of our guardians…" Sakura's eyes began to fill, whether she knew it or not, at the thought of her longtime friends, the trees, suffering, and how her kingdom is to be effected.

"I… I tried to dispel it myself but… it is no ordinary conjuring. We know not who cast it either, they've thoroughly covered their tracks." Sakura, who had been quietly twiddling her thumbs with her hands clasped in front of her legs, stopped her movement and looked up at Queen Yelan.

"The Li Clan is renowned for its magical abilities; I've come to ask the favor of your aid in fighting this plague. Our kingdom relies on the forest for shelter and food, we are willing to pay any price to defeat this nameless menace." Sakura's emeralds were filled with determination and grief for her beloved people, she was an open book through her eyes.

After only a moment, Yelan started, to Syaoran's complete and utter surprise:

"We will help you."

Sakura's eyes widened, "Your grace! Thank you so much-! Oh! I mean" Sakura curtsied, unable to believe her outburst, "Thank you very much, your grace, your generosi-"

This time she was interrupted by Yelan.

"But, under one condition." The Li Queen stated, again the smallest smile gracing her face at both Sakura's rather adorable outburst and her plan forming in her head.

Sakura nodded, "Of course, Queen Li, anything."

"I will be sending you my son's sorcerer and advisor, Duke Hiiragizawa Eriol. If anyone in my kingdom can be of any aid to your people, it is him." At this, Syaoran turned his head, he was not asked of this.

"But, this will leave Syaoran without a sorcerer to spar and protect, or an advisor, I will need to fill his place. You are the holder of the Clow - excuse me – I suppose they are the Sakura Cards, am I correct?" The Queen asked.

Sakura was rather surprised at the Queen's knowledge, but nodded in response, "Yes, your grace."

Syaoran raised an eyebrow at this; this girl? The one in front of him, was the cardmistress of all powerful Clow Cards? And had claimed them in her name? Now that he took his eyes from her looks, he could see her aura, a soft pink, but very strong. He berated himself for missing such a powerful aura, what was wrong with him?

"And I know for certain all members of the Kinomoto royal family have extensive learning in all fields," This is was more of a statement than the previous question.

"In return for my aid, you, Princess Sakura, will stay here in the Li palace. You will advise my son as his sorceress and advisor." Yelan finished.


and so we are set up for the sakura and syaoran antics to ensue! here we go! again, hope you enjoyed! please let me know your thoughts!