The Masked Knight
Disclaimer: Most of the main characters all belong to Clamp, and the detailed ideas too. The storyline however belong to this drama that I've been watching Prince of Lan Ling.
(A/N: I decided to upload the 2nd chapter fast because I know it's hard to get into a story with little feel of the character and the storyline. Well hope you'll like it! Please REVIEW!)
Fun Fact: If you are wondering why Syaoran's stallion name is Snowbeard. It is because Snowbeard was born during a big snowstorm, and his face was covered in snow like having a Santa Claus beard.
Chapter Two: Come and Gone
Sakura and Syaoran walked into a misty forest surrounded by heavy fog. Syaoran followed Sakura not knowing where they were heading. Sakura on the other hand knew exactly where to go. Soon enough they arrived at a gate wrapped by thick vines around the two gate pillars. The place looked ominous seeing the two statues beside the gate looked like they are protecting the village from demons.
"Before we enter," Sakura stopped, "I have to remind you that the villagers don't like outsiders. So we kind of have to sneak in as quietly as possible." Syaoran nodded following Sakura's instructions. He thought to himself about this isolated village from the outside world, it is impossible for any outsider to find their way into the village.
Sakura walked around outside of the gate picking up flowers as Syaoran stood by Snowbeared and Missy and waited. Sakura thought of a brilliant idea by wrapping Missy with flowers as a distraction for the villagers. Missy ran around the village with flowers wrapped around her. Surely enough, it got everyone's attention when a strange bright and colourful bouquet moved around the village.
While villagers went to see what made the bouquet move, Sakura signaled Syaoran to quickly get his stallion into her yard. Sakura giggled to herself quietly from behind and quickly followed Syaoran back to her house.
"Over here," Sakura loudly whispered showing Syaoran to the stable in her yard.
"Thank you very much for doing this," Syaoran smiled at her while petting his stallion.
"You are welcome. Stay here, I'll go inside to get some medicine for you. Not to be rude or anything, but you can't stay here," Sakura looked around to see if her Granny was near by.
Sakura walked quiet across the yard towards the house looking for any signs of her grandmother. Syaoran chuckled to himself at the sight thinking about what a strange day he had.
"Sakura?" Granny walked right in front of her caught her completely off guard.
Sakura froze and quickly looked back at Syaoran. He was standing there watching them not making any sound.
"Where have you been?" Granny asked rhetorically.
"I was chasing after Missy all over the village," Sakura quickly said.
"I'm sure Missy's friend is very hungry. Why don't you go to Ben's place and bring back some hay," Granny put on a pokerface.
"GRANNY! I'm sorry Granny. Snowbeard is badly wounded. I can't just leave him to die! You always taught me help the people in need. Please don't make them leave!" Sakura kneeled and grabbed her granny's hand.
"Have you forgotten why we went into hiding in the first place? You continue to disobey me. Do you know how dangerous it is to expose our identity?" Granny raised her voice at Sakura.
"I'm really sorry about the intrusion. I will leave right away. I am truly sorry for all the trouble I caused," Syaoran walked up beside Granny and apologized. Sakura grabbed his hands and whispered, "Wait, don't go!"
"Granny please, I almost drowned today when I fell into the hot spring. He saved me and waited until I gained my consciousness. He saved my life," Sakura begged her grandmother.
"Fine... he can stay for one night. My kindness can only extend far when the safety of our people is at stake," Granny walked away ignoring Syaoran's presence. Syaoran felt uneasiness asking him about the existing liability that these people have to hide from the rest of the world.
"Thanks so much. May I ask of your name?" Syaoran asked after Granny disappeared into the house.
"My name is Sakura," she smiled cheerfully at him.
"Nice to meet you, Sakura. My name is Syaoran."
Syaoran and Sakura waited in the yard as Granny came back out with a box of acupuncture needle. Granny indicated where to place the needles on Snowbeard's body. Sakura did the manual work of inserting the needles.
Sakura then went inside the house to grab some medicines for Syaoran that will help in recovery. Granny walked towards the horse and put her hands on its head. Syaoran watched and noticed the way Granny petted his horse, it was as though she could sense something beyond what she couldn't see with her eyes.
"I never thought acupuncture could also be used on horses," Syaoran observed Snowbeard.
"Sometimes, what you see may not be what is important. This stallion follows the same fate as you. He lost his mother at such a young age, alone, and lost. In order to prove himself, he followed you to the battlefield, but you have to ask yourself, is it really worth carrying the scars?" Granny asked.
"All I ever wanted was for this war to end, and that was the only reason why I joined the military in the first place," Syaoran stroke the back of his stallion. Sakura walked to the door and watched them from aside.
"You have an extraordinary ability to be able to sense someone's past. I have no doubt that you can also see the future. With all due respect why not help putting an end to this war?" Syaoran watched as Granny went to pack away her acupuncture kit.
"I want no part of the outside world. We want nothing but peace and harmony. Please be advised that should you leave nothing behind, and carry nothing with you. Once you leave, you are never to come back," Granny turned towards Syaoran, "Please leave by tomorrow morning."
"Granny, I finished packing all the medicine," Sakura walked towards Syaoran and handed him a bag of medicines. Granny walked back into the house without saying another word knowing Syaoran and Sakura silently waited.
Sakura bent down to unwrap the ribbon from Snowbeard. She stared at her stained ribbon with a pause before rewrapping the wound with a new cloth.
"Is everything okay?" Syaoran bent down noticing the ribbon in her hand.
"Yeah, everything is fine. Are you hungry? Let's go eat," Sakura quickly put on a fake smile. It was not the ribbon she worried about. Only a day to go until the ceremony begins. She just wished that someone would accept her ribbon.
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Sakura entered her workhouse with a food platter in her hands. Syaoran followed behind and looked around the house to find a place to put his sword and mask. Syaoran spotted the medicine counter nearest to the door.
"Want to meet my friends?" Sakura placed the food platter on the table and went to reach for the blue bowl. She put her hands on the straw lid looking at Syaoran. Syaoran put down his belongings and happily walked over to Sakura. Sakura lifted the lid and gave Syaoran a mini heart attack.
"This is Bugga and this is Boo," Sakura introduced the frogs in the big blue bowl.
"Bugga? Boo? Bugga-Boo." Syaoran chuckled looking at Sakura and around the workhouse, "This house is very unique."
The workhouse looked more like an experiment lab rather than place room that a girl lived in. There were tiny vial bottles, clay beakers, small pots, wooden scrolls, and medicine books.
"Is it?" Sakura looked around.
"No mirror, nor a closet full of clothes, hair accessories. Instead it's more like a black smith shop."
"I never really have friends, so I keep myself occupy by experimenting with medicine or making new inventions. You know, keep it simple. Eat, Syaoran. I must go do something quick, please don't tell my granny," Sakura hurried off quietly.
Sakura grabbed a bucket and a washboard and went out to the small pond in the backyard. She dipped her ribbon in the water and tried to wash out the bloodstain.
Nellie and Bloom were playing near by when they spotted Sakura. Then they walked up to Sakura looking for some entertainment.
"Oh-my-gosh, is that the ribbon you are bringing for the ceremony tomorrow?" Nellie dramatically yelled out loud.
"Wow Sakura, the ceremony is once in a life time to find true happiness. You are bringing that dirty, old rag? What guy in the right mind would want that?" Bloom laughed out loud.
Syaoran followed the voices and when he looked out the window saw the two girls laughing and taunting at Sakura.
"As if being ugly is not enough. Now she is trying to get a handsome guy's attention by burning down the entire village," Nellie crossed her arms.
"It's called Raging Star. It's something that no one has ever seen before," Sakura argued back.
"Remember when I was sixteen? Sakura made me this weird moving chair after I broke my ankle? Thanks to her, I almost broke my arm," Bloom continued while Sakura mocked her voice in her head.
"It's called a wheel chair. That was to make your life easier to get from one place to another. It took me days to make that for you," Sakura grabbed her ribbon and walked away.
"We may not understand, but can you say your grandmother is clueless too?" Bloom yelled. Sakura stood and angrily turned around.
"Granny is the descendent of Clow Reed, keeper of the Clow cards. She'd rather keep the Clow Book in a dusty old box than to teach you how to use that kind of magic. You are such a disappointment to her. Obviously, her judgment deemed you unworthy for the cards," Bloom's words were like a sucker punch in Sakura's face.
Syaoran mumbled to himself listening in onto their conversation,"Clow Reed… Clow Cards…? The myths are in fact true? The Reed bloodline still exists?"
"You better keep your mouth shut," Sakura yelled back, "From what can I see, your future isn't looking so bright." Sakura ran back into the house with her ribbon. Bloom and Nellie yelled more unpleasant things at Sakura for dooming their future. Where in fact they are scared that it might come true.
Syaoran walked away from the window as Sakura stormed through the doors. Syaoran was standing there looking at her as she looked back at him. There was a brief silent pause of awkwardness. Sakura took a small breath deciding to walk towards Syaoran.
"Syaoran, did you finish your lunch?" Sakura asked. Syaoran shook his head. Sakura walked up to him avoiding eye contact.
Syaoran quickly said, "let's eat together." Sakura looked up at him and nodded.
Sakura placed her wet ribbon on a hanger while Syaoran poured a bowl of congee in each of their bowls. Sakura sat down across from Syaoran and smelled the nice aroma forgetting the drama she had earlier.
"Just out of my curiosity. Someone like you must get quite a lot of admirers. Are you married?" Sakura picked up some vegetables with her chopsticks.
"I am no where near ready for marriage. But, a lot of admirers, yes" Syaoran took a full sip from his lukewarm congee.
"So what is it like getting all the attention?" Sakura was more curious than ever. It surprises her how an attractive man like him is still one man standing. She was almost certain that he was taken.
"A pain in the butt," Syaoran briefly described in a few words.
Sakura laughed almost choking on her congee, "What kind of girl are you looking for as your potential suitor?"
"Why so interested in my love life all of a sudden?" Syaoran smiled looking at Sakura.
"Well… my proposal ceremony is tomorrow…" Sakura shyly mentioned.
"Sakura, you and I, it's not going to happen," Syaoran said bluntly.
"Of course. I know that. It's just... Sorry for bringing that up," She was not surprised that he rejected her, but it still felt like a ton of bricks hit her in the gut.
"What I meant to say was. After I return to Mikaysium, we won't be able to meet again. It just isn't meant to be."
"You are from Mikaysium?" Sakura gasped.
"Yes. Why?"
"My grandmother mentioned that there is a warrior prince entitled Prince of Northern Star. Prince Li Xiao Lang, he is the only royal member who put his life at risk for the sake of his people," Sakura finished off the rest of her congee.
Syaoran chewed on his vegetables knowing that he couldn't reveal his true identity to her, and the only thing he could do was to nod and agree.
A whole day passed as Sakura worked on her ribbon thinking to herself that even if no one accepts it at least she put an effort to make it close to perfect. Deep down, she still wishes at least one person; just one will accept her ribbon. It was enough for her. A part of her was saying, no, this isn't who she is. She always believed that life was too short to waste it away to start a family. She hasn't seen the outside world to explore different places and try different food.
She looked over at Syaoran who was reading her medicine books. She wanted to go with Syaoran, explore the world. She thought to herself… if only… if only he would accept her.
That same night after Syaoran bandaged Snowbeard wound again following the treatment instruction from the book he read earlier. He decided to take matters into his own hand. He entered the workhouse and grabbed her ribbon on the table. He made a minor adjustment making sure that her ribbon will be most unique in the ceremony.
Next morning, Sakura dressed into her white and yellow ceremonial dress. When she grabbed her ribbon, she noticed there was an additional piece attached. She had to see Syaoran one last time before he leaves the village forever.
"Good morning," Sakura greeted outside of Syaoran's room.
"Morning Sakura," Syaoran just finished making the bed.
"Did you do this?" Sakura held up her ribbon.
(A/N: If you are curious what it was. Basically it's a long colourful string bracelet wrapped around the end of the ribbon).
"Do you like it?" Syaoran reached for his bag.
"Like is an understatement. Thank you for doing this!" Sakura smiled brightly, a simple string completely made her day. She didn't even care if no one accepts it because the ribbon itself was a treasure.
"It's me who should be thanking you. This is the least I can do after all the troubles I've caused," Syaoran said humbly.
"I was glad to help," Sakura smiled back at him.
"You look very pretty for your big day. I hope you all the best finding a suitor."
"Thank you! My granny has lifted the fog; you should have no problem finding your way back. But...there is something that I've been meaning to ask you. You are working side by side with the Prince of Northern Star, Li Xiao Lang, right?"
Syaoran heart skipped a beat when the question crossed his ear, "Where did this come from?"
"My granny told me up to this day, only two powerful kingdoms still stand. Mikaysium and Valkyrie. One of the two princes, King of Moon Gates or Prince of Northern Star is able to end this battle, and bring peace to both kingdoms."
Syaoran opened his eyes wide as he felt his heart racing like an anxious bunny. It wasn't something that he expected to know this point of the war. But it was something that brought more confidence in him that he made a right decision to help end this tragic war to bring peace. Now he knew that the crowned king of Valkyrie, King of Moon Gates, Eriol Hiiragizawa could also end this war. He never met Eriol before, but from what he heard, Eriol lived under the control of his royal advisor all his life. Eriol was a crowned king without power.
"Syaoran, please inform the Prince of Northern Star that he must not become fixated on the battle. He can easily to lose his rational self under high stress. He lives on the edge of life and death everyday. While being selfless for others is important, he must also put his own safety first. Only because his people need him to lead them into a new era of peace and greatness."
"I will for sure pass on this message to him. I can promise you this," Syaoran smiled and nodded.
The bells began ringing indicating the start of the proposal ceremony.
"The ceremony is starting! I'm going to be late! YIKES! It was nice meeting you," Sakura quick ran leaving Syaoran behind.
Sakura ran into the ceremony in such a rush just as her granny finished changing the ribbon attached to Bloom's hair. Then Granny put a unique hairpin into Bloom's hair, Sakura came in. Sakura sat on the cushion as she fixed her hair and her clothes quickly to look presentable.
Granny walked behind Sakura and slowly untied her yellow ribbon. A new yellow maple leaf looking hairpin was then placed on her hair.
Syaoran and Snowbeard walked to the ceremony and watched from a meter away.
"From this day forward. You are no longer a girl, but a woman with new responsibilities. You are now committed to a family and a husband. You must assume your motherly role as you move on into your adulthood. Now let the suitors come on to the stage accepting the ribbon as a token of proposal."
Nellie and Bloom's suitors both came on stage as they wrapped the ribbon around their suitors' waist. Sakura waited as no one came to accept her ribbon. Sakura put on a fake smile and looked around slowly trying to avoid as much eye contact with the audience.
Syaoran stood in the same place and watched that no one walked to Sakura.
"It's no surprise to anyone that you don't have a suitor. Looks like your ribbon is going to the waste. Why don't we just rip it up to avoid any embarrassment," Nellie grabbed Sakura's ribbon from her hand.
"What? You can't do this Nellie!" Sakura pulled back her ribbon. Syaoran clenched his fists feeling his blood boiling at the sight.
"I couldn't care less if there isn't any suitor. Don't destroy my hard work!" Sakura was about to burst into tears. Suddenly a rock hit Nellie's hand.
"Who said Sakura doesn't have a suitor?" Syaoran walked up onto the stage. Sakura turned and watched Syaoran with her puffy red eyes.
The villagers began to talk amongst themselves seeing as he was clearly an outsider. Granny's eyes widen even though she couldn't see what just occurred in front of her eyes. The tiny chattering hinted disapproval of Syaoran and Sakura.
Syaoran picked up Sakura's ribbon from the ground, "May I accept this ribbon?"
"I thought you left already," Sakura looked up at him. She couldn't help herself but to smile. For the first time in a long while, she was smiling from the inside.
"Who are you?" Nellie rubbed her hand, "You injured my hand."
"If you pick on Sakura one more time. You will go home with a broken hand," Syaoran sent a cold glare at Nellie causing her to flinch.
"Why won't you stand up for yourself?" Syaoran turned to Sakura with his warm gaze.
"I don't want to get into an unnecessary argument. It's a good thing you came."
"Sakura, how dare you bringing an outsider into our village?" Nellie raised her voice causing a mild uproar among the villagers.
"I'm not an outsider. I was engaged to Sakura through special arrangement. No one said you could not be engaged to someone outside the village right?" Syaoran asked loudly ending all minor discussions.
Syaoran looked into Sakura's big emerald green eyes, "Help me put the ribbon on?"
He smiled warmly holding her ribbon. Sakura slowly took the ribbon from his hands and giggled. She never thought Syaoran would be here when she needed someone the most.
Sakura blushed hard as she shyly wrapped the ribbon around Syaoran's waist. Suddenly, Granny took the ribbon aggressively from Sakura's hands and tossed it on the ground.
"You promised that you'd leave. We agreed. You are not to leave anything behind, or take anything with you from this place. Instead you interfered with our sacred ceremony, not mention causing a huge scene," Granny said angrily turning towards Sakura.
Syaoran moved in front of Sakura, "I am deeply sorry for my participation. I couldn't stand on the side while Sakura being humiliated in front of everyone."
"Step aside," Granny commanded, "I said STEP-ASIDE."
"Please forgive Sakura. This was my idea. I did this to return the favour for saving my Snowbeard."
"Sakura, did you hear that? He had no intension of accepting your ribbon. He was only doing you a small favour as payment," Granny said.
"Granny, I know that he doesn't have any feelings for me. He did this so that I still have what is left of my dignity and self-esteem. Why do you always have to make me feel terrible about myself?" Sakura burst into tears as quickly ran away.
"All I wanted was for Sakura to confidently finish this ceremony carrying a smile on her face. She needs to know that she is not an embarrassment to her respected grandmother," Syaoran said sincerely.
"This is not a place for you to speak. No matter. That person will never be you! Do you understand me? Stay away from Sakura. Please escort him out of the village!" Granny sent her last command before leaving the ceremony. Syaoran looked down at the ribbon on the ground that was left behind.
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Sakura cried in her bed as Granny slowly walked into her bedroom. Granny put her staff on the side and sat beside Sakura.
"Sakura, I had to keep Syaoran away from you. I know you have developed special feelings for him," Granny put her hands on Sakura's shoulder.
"I tapped into his future. He is a General from Mikaysium. His life is constantly hanging at the edge of life and death. Death is everyone's ending, but his may be sooner than most. He is fated for only one wife in this lifetime, and her last name is Reed, not Avalon. It's not you, Sakura Avalon, do you understand?"
"I can't just sit here when I know that his life might end soon. I want to help him. Why can't you just be proud of who I truly am?" Sakura got up sitting beside her grandmother.
Granny the handed Sakura a wooden box, "I've always been proud of you."
Sakura took the box into her hands as she slowly opened it. Inside was the Clow Book with an interesting looking key on top of the book.
"We are the descendent of Clow Reed. The Clow Book was passed down to me, and now to you. You have always been my special little girl. But the outside world is full of danger; people can easy take advantage of you and your magic. You can do almost anything as long as you this. But, I don't want that for you, all I wanted for you to be an ordinary girl living an ordinary life. Too much attention will shorten your life as well."
"I know Granny. I know," Sakura wiped her tears.
(A/N: Wow that was long. So I'm just going to end it here.)
Syaoran and Snowbeard slowly walked out of the village gate with Sakura's ribbon in his hand. He couldn't help but reminisce the two peaceful days he had in the village, where he let go of fear, pain, and stress. He couldn't help but remembering his childhood, where he lived in a small village just like this. How he ever wished that he would be able to have this kind of lifestyle again, and not worry about politics and wars.
Next time on The Mask Knight:
Syaoran returned to base with his mask left behind in the village. Sakura made a decision that will forever change her life. Syaoran found out that his Lieutenant left the base against his command, and landed in the enemy's hands. Now it's up to Syaoran to find a way to sneak into the enemy's land to rescue his friend.