Chapter three

Syaoran opened his eyes. "Syaoran," someone said. Syaoran gasped, and sat bolt upright. He turned around. Standing against the wall was his father. "Now that you are awake, I need to test my orders," his father said.

The man walked over to Syaoran an pushed him down into the bed. "Close your eyes," His father whispered. Syaoran flt his eyelids tire, and felt them closing against his will. He felt his father wave his hand over his forehead. A felt himself digging one of his nails into his skin, and felt blood trickle down his arm. He whimpered.

"Open your eyes," his father ordered. Syaoran's eyes snapped open, and he gasped. He turned his head and looked at his arm. Crimson blood trickled down his skin, and it also dripped on the sheets of his bed.

"Clean your arm, and then go to sleep. I will not let you be awake for the half moon," Syaoran's father said. Syaoran looked down. The half moon, and the full moon, was a very special day for half of the world.

Half of him belonged to that world, while the other half of him belonged to this one. The half moon was a time to restore your power, yet the full moon was where everyone's power was at it's full and there was a celebration. Only the ones of the moon knew about it though.

Syaoran picked up the bowl and towel, wet the towel and dabbed it on his arm. He ran the towel up his arm, and gasped in pain as it reached his hand. His hand was cut and bleeding, he skin looking as though it had been ripped it apart.

Syaoran grasped his hand, cradled it, and collapsed to the floor. He held his hand, and let out a few sobs. "Mother-san, does this mean that... soon, I will be his completely?" Syaoran asked an invisible person. He looked at the roof with his amber tear filled eyes.

Syaoran opened his eyes. He lifted his arm to block out the sunlight that blinded his eyes. His eyes widened as he saw that his hand was bandaged. He sat up, and unwrapped the bandage. His hand was clean, but it was a dark black and looked like it would crumple into ash.

Syaoran Re-wrapped the bandage, put his hands by his side, and pushed himself up. He stood, and then walked over to the window. He put his hand up to the cold glass, and let the warm sun soak into his skin.

He turned his head to a painting. The lady in the frame smiled at him. She had chocolate brown hair, and amber eyes. "Good morning, Mother-san" Syaoran said. This was the first time in a while that he had described the morning as good. Yet, for some reason, he felt energetic and healthy, as if he had been in the moonlight for a long time.

Syaoran turned to the window again. He then spun around when a knock came at the door. Syaoran gasped, and walked over to the door. He turned the brass handle, and pulled open the door.

Standing there was a guard and his father. The guard was holding a letter. "For you, Syaoran-sama," the guard said. He handed Syaoran the letter, and Syaoran gently took the letter. He walked back into his bedroom.

Syaoran sat down on his bed, and with trembling hands, opened the envelope. Out of the envelope fell a piece of paper that landed on his lap. He picked it up and began to read it. It said:

Dear Prince Syaoran Li,

You have been invited to the festival of the full moon. We know that it might be a little difficult for you to attend, but it would please us if you would. We hope that you will join us for this wonderful celebration.

Syaoran stared wide-eyed at the piece of paper. Well, what are you going to do?" A voice asked. Syaoran looked up. His father was standing in front of the door, his arms crossed. "Father-sama!" Syaoran exclaimed.

"I think that you should go," his father said. Syaoran smiled and then laughed. "Father-sama, very funny. You would never let me out of here! I would gain power!" Syaoran exclaimed.

"I want you to go. I need something, and I will only get it if you go to that festival. Actually, I will let you out for seven days. Send that time wisely," Syaoran's father said. Syaoran knew that his father wasn't joking. He could feel it.

"Syaoran, I will give you this order. You will be gone for seven days. When you come back, you will have to go to the river," Syaoran's father said. Syaoran looked into his father's eyes, and slowly lost consciousness.

Syaoran took his white robe out of the closet. He slipped it over his clothes, and sat down on the chair beside his desk. The sunset was beautiful, sending flecks of colour across the sky. Syaoran sighed. Maybe, Sakura would be there.

When it was dark. Syaoran went down the winding steps that went down from the hall at his room. He walked out the castle door, and when he was out of the castle gates, he sucked in the fresh air. Syaoran smiled.

He ran, ran until he reached a clearing by a very large lake. Cherry blossom trees were all around him, and the stars reflected in the crystal clear water.

Many were there already, eating and talking amongst themselves. Syaoran heard the crunching of leaves, and felt a gentle tap on his shoulder. He spun around. There, stood Sakura. Syaoran gasped. She was in a short white dress that had a golden belt, a white sash around her shoulders, and white ribbons were in her hair with a small, golden crown.

Sakura smiled. "I hoped that you would be able to come!" Sakura said. Syaoran looked at her, and then at the two men behind her. There was a man with dark hair, and crimson eyes. The man beside him was a little shorter than him, with blonde hair and Sparkling blue eyes. "This is my bodyguard, Kurogane," Sakura said pointing to the taller man, "And this... Is Fai-san. He is a very important man to some," Sakura said.

Then Syaoran recognised the smiling man. He dropped to his knee and bowed his head. "I'm sorry. I did not recognize you, " Syaoran said. Syaoran stood up as Fai shook his head. "You never change, do you Syaoran-kun?"

Syaoran slightly blushed. Sakura looked at the two. "W-w-wait, Fai-san! You know Syaoran-kun?!" Sakura asked. "Yes. How, I am not allowed to tell you," Fai replied. Fai grabbed Sakura. "And now, let's get something to eat and go under the Sakura right behind us!" Fai said. Sakura nodded.

"Why do I have to help carry the food?!" Kurogane asked. "Because, Kuropuu, we are looking after two very special people!" Fai replied. "I understand the princess, but what's so special about the kid?!" Kurogane asked. "Kuropuu, he is just as important as the princess. If not more," Fai said.

"Well, how does he know you?" Kurogane asked. "I said that I'm not allowed to say, didn't I?" Fai said. Fai and Kurogane sat down under the secluded tree where Syaoran and Sakura sat. "Well, let's eat!" Fai exclaimed.

"Well, Syaoran, what country do you live in? I've never seen you around," Sakura said. Syaoran looked at his feet. He hadn't eaten anything, and hadn't shown any sign of hunger. "I live a little way away, and I hardly ever leave the... My home," Syaoran said. He had nearly said 'castle'. If Sakura found out who he was, she would have him killed. At the least.

"Why can't you leave your home?" Sakura asked. "My father. He doesn't like me to go out. He's afraid that something might happen to me," Syaoran replied. "Oh," Sakura said, and she nodded. Sakura looked at him. He was hiding his sadness well. If only she could make it disappear completely.

When everyone had finished eating, Fai and Kurogane stood up to take back the plates. "We had better get these back," Fai said. "No, I'll help Kurogane get the plates," Sakura said, taking Fai's hand to help her up. "Princess, are you sure?" Fai asked. Sakura nodded.

When Sakura and Kurogane had gone, Fai bowed down in front of Syaoran. "It has been a long time, Syaoran-sama," Fai said. Syaoran looked at him, and signaled him to act normal. "Yes, it has," Syaoran replied.

"How has your father been treating you?" Fai asked. Syaoran looked down, and then clutched his bandaged hand. "I see. Am I allowed to have a look at your hand?" Fai asked. Syaoran nodded, and held out the wounded limb.

Fai slowly unwrapped the bandage, and looked sad when he saw how black it was. He made his own hand glow white, and then waved it over Syaoran's. He then held it. "I'm sorry, Syaoran-kun," Fai said, and he let go of Syaoran's hand.

Syaoran re-wrapped the hand, and put it down by his side. 'How long do you have, away from that place?" Fai asked. "Seven days," Syaoran replied. "Well, maybe I can ask Sakura-chan and Her majesty if you may stay in the castle," Fai said.

Syaoran looked at him. 'But..." Syaoran began. Fai put his hand up to stop him. "I won't tell her anything about your identity," Fai said. Syaoran said.

"Has it really been seven years?" Fai asked. Syaoran nodded. "She died, and you were banished for your power. They kept me, and I still don't know why. But ever since you left, it got worse and worse. Sometimes, I can't control it! And... at the river... it scares me so much!" Syaoran whispered.

Sakura walked through the tree branches. "Um, Sakura-chan, could Syaoran-kun stay with us in the castle?" Fai asked. "Why?" Sakura asked. "I am away from my home. I need a place to stay for a while," Syaoran said. "You may stay if it's alright with Mother-san," Sakura said. Syaoran smiled.

"Sakura, would you like to dance?" Syaoran asked, as some began to dance to a beautiful melody from others. "Sure!" Sakura replied, taking his hand once again.

I'm sorry if it's corny about Syaoran being away for seven days. I really am! This story will probably be finished soon, so keep reading and don't forget to review!!