Author's note; Sorry for the delay! I was really busy this week. Here's the next chapter by the way….And a big thanks to all those who reviewed!

Chapter 4

"Well you see…" began Syaoran, "I don't know much about the mystic valley, but I'll tell you all what I know,"

Sakura nodded eagerly.

"You see most of our country is surrounded by forests and mountains. At the north eastern side people believed that there was a special place called mystical valley of butterflies, there were lot of legends and myths based on the mystic valley but none of them were proved as no one has seen this mysterious place. People used to tell a lot of tales about the valley. But the most common tale that was told had something to do with the Kinomoto kingdom; I don't know much about it. After many attempts the people finally accepted that it was only a myth, even though one of my ancestors have gone there or so he claims" Syaoran shrugged.

"The Kinomoto kingdom?" Sakura asked shocked.

"Yes. I'm not sure of the reason. It is believed that a witch cursed them to become flowers in the mystic valley of butterflies,"

"O-okay," said Sakura sounding puzzled, "This is weird, why flowers? And if it is the mystic valley of butterflies shouldn't they have been cursed to be butterflies?" she wondered out loud.

Syaoran laughed making Sakura look at him, "What's so funny?" she demanded pouting.

"Boy, you have no clue do you? Even most of the villagers here know a little bit about mystic valley. But then again you're from the Kinomoto kingdom, you wouldn't know much,"

Sakura stopped pouting and stated, "You haven't answered my question,"

"You look really cute when you were pouting," Syaoran said without thinking causing both of them to blush immediately. There was an awkward silence the Syaoran cleared his throat loudly and said, "The mystic valley of butterflies isn't called so because of the butterflies. It's because of all the flowers there. It is believed that the mystic valley houses every flower there is in the world."

"That's cool," Sakura exclaimed, "But why name it the mystic valley of butterflies? That's like naming your gold fish blackie," she said reasonably.

Syaoran laughed at her silly comment, "Don't ask me I didn't name it."

"But no one has been there before then how do you know all this?"

"I told you one of my ancestors claimed that he has seen it, didn't I? He wrote a book about it. Why don't you come here tomorrow morning? And I'll give it to you, if you're interested that is."

"Sure" Sakura said happily then stopped, "Wait I can't come tomorrow morning," she suddenly said.

"Why not?" he asked puzzled. Sakura stared at his perplexed amber pools, her thoughts racing. 'What do I tell him? I can't come tomorrow morning I'll be a nightingale'

"Come to think of it, I haven't seen you around in the daytime…"

"Uh…uh well I came here on a mission." she said lamely, "its family stuff. That's what I do in the day. I have to complete this special mission and make my family proud," she said. But in her mind was 'Great idea girl, I'll bet he doesn't believe a word you said. Can't you think of a better excuse!'

"That's brave of you," he said simply, "Is it got anything to do with mystic valley?"

"No, no, I was just interested to know about the mystic valley. I've always been fascinated about magical places," she said shaking her head vigorously while her mind jumped with joy.

He believed you! He believed you!

"Well I'll be seeing you tomorrow night then?" he said getting up to leave.

Sakura stood up looking at the ground, "I'm sorry," she blurted, "but that's all I can tell you Your Majesty,"

"Don't worry," he said gently. "You can tell me anything you want, when you're ready," She stared at him, her emerald eyes full of gratitude, "Thank you, thank you so much Your Majesty," she said turning around and running away.

'What did he mean? Did he see through me?' Sakura thought with tears in her eyes, 'He's so kind to me, yet I lied to him. I feel like I betrayed his trust. I'm so sorry Syaoran!' Sakura was now crying. She flung herself on the sand in her cave and cried herself to sleep.

Syaoran stared as she ran away. 'Was she crying? I hope I didn't say the wrong thing. It's obvious she's hiding something. But she can tell me when she wants to…' Syaoran sighed and went to his room. He quickly changed and fell asleep quickly not noticing the empty bird cage…

Next day

In the library

Syaoran was scanning the huge library in search of the book he'd promised Sakura. He'd already spent three hours in the library, his search was futile so far, but he refused to give up. Sakura, who was on his shoulder as usual, (for he wouldn't go anywhere without his precious pet) wished he would take some rest. She felt really happy that he cared for her so much, but at the same time felt guilty for making him waste his time and energy for her.

"Are you looking for something, Your Highness?" said the librarian who had just entered the library himself.

"Yes, it's the book about the mystic valley,"

"Oh, I know where that is." He replied leading Syaoran into a dusty shelf near the window. He picked out an old, thin, nameless book with yellowed pages that resembled her mother's diary.

Sakura's heart pounded with excitement as she saw Syaoran flip through the pages. Unfortunately he turned the pages quickly, his eyes scanning through to check if he had the right one and Sakura couldn't read a word. She hoped it would be useful because her mother's diary hadn't been useful at all. In fact there were no words written in it at all. Sakura knew that it was a magic diary and according to what her mother had said words would appear only when it was needed. So she supposed that her mother had expected her to find the mystic valley on her own.

"I'll borrow this for a while," Syaoran told the librarian.

"Of course, you may Your Majesty. This library belongs to you, after all," he beamed at the prince.

Syaoran smirked and as he left the library he called cheekily over his shoulder,

"You're late by half an hour today Mr. Kazuki. I trust you won't repeat it again tomorrow because you're job is at stake."

The librarian gulped, "V—very well, Your Highness,"

Syaoran flopped on his bed and sighed, "Well I got the book she wanted. I wish I knew why she's always so sad…" he muttered. Sakura squeaked on hearing his words 'Did he really say that?' He reached over to her suddenly and stroked the feathers on her head, "Would you like to go out for a little while?" Sakura nodded lightly feeling sure that he could see her blush.

She quickly flew out of the window, stumbling as she did because for a strange reason, she felt dizzy and her heart was beating twice its normal rate.

She flew out into the town which was full of the usual hustle and bustle, people busy with work and children playing in the garden. 'This seems like a peaceful place' Sakura thought 'unlike all the rumors I heard' she thought about how the people at home used to say horrid things about the Li kingdom. But everyone seemed friendly and happy here. Sakura perched herself on top of a wire and saw two women chatting as they washed the clothes.

"Have you heard the latest news?" one of the asked

"No, why is something wrong?" replied the other.

"It seems that the capital of the Kinomoto Kingdom was destroyed,"

Sakura felt her heart pang as she heard that.

"Really?"

"Yes it doesn't seem like the work of an enemy. According to the rumors it was destroyed by a powerful curse it something."

"What happened to the royal family?"

"Many bodies were found but it seems no one knows what had happened it in the castle. The mysterious part is that the bodies of the royal family were never found."

Sakura never knew what the other woman replied because she flew away from there, her eyes brimming with tears at the thought of her family and home. She flew back to the palace and just as she entered Syaoran's room he spotted her and asked, "Back so soon?" he asked her placing her on his shoulder as he headed for lunch. Unfortunately for Sakura, even at the dining table the Li family discussed about the disaster in the Kinomoto Kingdom.

"That's sad," Feimei commented once she'd heard the tragedy that Fuutie had narrated. She'd apparently heard about it from the maid, "I hope that everyone is alright,"

"Anyway I heard that the Kinomoto princess is really cute," Fanran said.

"Yeah and very gentle too, maybe you could bring her as our sister-in-law, little bro…" Sheifa added with a giggle.

Syaoran flushed a bright red and stuttered, "Wha…?"

Little did they know that a certain nightingale on his shoulder was blushing too.

Syaoran was about to say something, but subsided as his father glared at him,

"That will never happen," he said a little curtly.

"Now, don't get so worked up dear," said his wife soothingly.

"Why do you always act so weird every time the Kinomoto kingdom is mentioned?" Syaoran asked his father angrily. "That feud happened ages ago and you still bear a grudge against them?"

"Syaoran!" his mother's voice rang out, "Apologize at once,"

Syaoran glared at his mother and mumbled, "I'm sorry father," and got up from the table, "Excuse me mother," he said and left before telling his father, "If you think about it father, you'll see I'm right," and he walked out the door.

Sakura wondered why Syaoran was so mad. She chirruped softly in his ear making him look at her.

"Sorry you shouldn't have seen that," he murmured apologetically. He sighed and sat down in the steps leading to the garden. 'Why did I yell at him like that? Of course I don't like the fact that he bears a grudge against the Kinomoto Kingdom, but still I've never flared up at him before…'

(Time gap)

At midnight

Syaoran quietly snuck out of the castle clutching the book in his hand. He soon reached the secret garden and found Sakura in the exact same spot they had met the previous night. She was standing under a cherry blossom tree drumming her fingers lightly against the tree while singing to herself

"Don't give up on your faith

Love comes to those who believe it

And…."

"And?" came a voice behind her.

"Your Majesty," she gasped turning around.

"And…what?" he asked again.

She gave him a puzzled look and then as though realizing what he said she sang the last line of the song she had been singing, "And that's the way it is,"

"Is that all?" he asked as she finished.

She nodded silently, "You have a beautiful voice, you should sing to me someday," he mumbled.

Sakura blushed, "Thank you, your majesty. But I'm not all that good,"

"Here's the book you asked for," he said suddenly remembering it.

Sakura took it with trembling hands and hugged it tightly, "Thanks again Your Majesty," (A/N; she sure is thanking him a lot isn't she, oh well…)

Syaoran raised one eyebrow and crossed his arms in front of his chest, "You're not welcome," he said hotly.

"Huh?" she looked at him surprised, "Why not?"

"Didn't I tell you to call me Syaoran?" he demanded.

"Uh…sorry. Ok then, thank you Syaoran," she said stressing on his name.

"That's better. This time you are welcome," Both of them stared at each other and then burst out laughing. Once the laughter had abated the two of them blushed and stared at the ground.

"Um…shall we sit down?" she asked almost timidly.

"Sure and we'd better keep our voices down. We don't want to wake the household now do we?" he said sitting on the grass.

"Sakura, you're from the Kinomoto kingdom right?"

"Um… yeah"

"So do you know what happened to the royal family?" he asked hesitantly.

Sakura froze, she knew that she shouldn't talk about it so she quickly racked her brain for a good excuse, "Well, I wasn't there when the disaster happened" she said finally.

"Where were you?"

"My brother and I had gone to the mountains for some…um… training" she lied, telling the first thing that came to her head.

"Oh" Syaoran looked up at the sky.

She had a feeling he knew that she was lying and she felt really bad, "I'm sorry" she said accidentally.

"Sorry for what?"

"For not being able to tell you anymore"

"It's okay. I'm the one who should say sorry"

"Why?"

"Because I shouldn't have brought up that topic, it must have been painful."

Sakura suddenly felt tears come to her eyes; she tried to blink them back before he saw but he noticed it at once.

"Don't cry," he said gently placing his hand on her shoulder.

Then she suddenly remembered that she had to find the mystic valley and she did not have much time before she transforms back to a bird. She jumped up abruptly and said,

"I really have to go, Syaoran. There's something I have to do."

"Ok. It's high time I went to bed anyway," he yawned "Remember Sakura, if there's something troubling you, you can always talk to me about it, ok? I'm all ears" With that he strode off back to the castle.

Sakura stared at up, lost for words. On a sudden impulse she called him; "Syaoran!" he turned around, "Thank you…so much" and she turned around and ran swiftly into the darkness of the forest.

Syaoran stared at her as she ran.

It was her…did I yell at my father because of her?

Once out of the castle Sakura decided to read the book. She opened it but clumsily dropped it down. It being an old book the cover tore of revealing a small piece of paper. Curiously she picked it up. It was a hastily scribbled map directing towards the north eastern forests.

The forest that Syaoran was talking about. She thought excitedly. It didn't take her long to find the forests. Just outside the forest on the right side of the narrow path was a small cave and according to the map she was supposed to go through it to the mystic valley. Gulping down her fear Sakura took a lantern off a nearby post which she presumed was for travelers who traveled during the nights. She entered the cave, the lantern lighting the path ahead. She walked slowly but steadily, jumping every time a cricket chirped or an owl hooted. It was quite a long walk or so it seemed due to her slow pace. Many a times her fear took over her and she had wanted to run out and away from this creepy place. But she constantly reminded herself the reason of her quest, her family depends on her and she had to do everything possible to save them.

Finally after ten minutes of walking she reached a dead end. Sakura stared at the huge wall blocking her path. What now? She thought. She quickly scanned the piece of paper in the dim light of the lantern wondering if she'd made a mistake. But she couldn't find any. Just as she was about to give up, her sharp emerald eyes spied writing at the back of the paper. She quickly flipped it over holding the lantern close to the paper. Something had been written but it was so tiny that it was almost unreadable. With a little amount of strain she managed to decipher what was written.

"To open the gates of the mystical valley a small amount of magical powers are required," she read aloud her voice echoing through the eerie cave.

Sakura's thoughts ran back to what to her mother had said. A powerful emotion was needed to kindle her magical powers. What about love? It was a powerful emotion. So Sakura decided to think about the people she loved—her parents, her brothers….

She concentrated hard on her thoughts about her family. Finally she opened one eye to see if she had progressed, but unfortunately the stone wall hadn't moved an inch. She sighed but refused to give up. This was a new experience to her. She had never once given a thought about trying to use the magical powers she was supposed to have. She closed her eyes, holding her hands together in front of her chest, her head slightly bowed and concentrated hard.

But her thoughts went astray and her mind was filled with memories of the recent disorder in the family. How her home was destroyed…her family cursed and Syaoran…

His handsome face popped in her head for just a millisecond yet it caused her heart to beat rapidly her cheeks to burn. She thought about how he rescued her…how they met in the secret garden…and she felt something warm fill up her body…

Suddenly her thoughts were interrupted by a rumbling noise. She quickly opened her eyes only to find the huge stone wall was actually opening!

She stepped on the small stone path on the other side, her pace a little faster that it had been before. I wonder what made that wall open… She wondered (A/N just like her usual dense self in the anime .)

Presently she came across a huge iron gate with bars and a huge black rose engraved on each side of the gate. The door magically flew open as soon as she stepped in front of it. Sakura eagerly walked in and what she saw made her gasp loudly. The mystic valley was the most beautiful place she'd ever seen. The stone path continued a little further but was blocked by a huge cherry tree (which Sakura personally thought was stupid because why keep a path if it led to a dead end?) On either side was of the path was the largest and beautifulest flowers you'd ever dreamed of. The entire garden was bathed in the moonlight giving it a sort of haunting look but Sakura felt that it only enhanced the beauty of the garden. She walked a little further not taking her eyes of the pretty flowers even once, her heart jumping leaps and bounds in joy. She wanted to follow her heart and scream happily but instead only tears came out, happy tears of course for she was one step closer to saving her family.

She settled down at the bottom of the cherry tree and placing the lantern next to her and began reading the contents of the book that Syaoran had given her.

Author's note: That's the end of this chapter. Phew! My fingers are aching…That was seven pages long. Sorry if it was a bit boring. Looks like Sakura and Syaoran are just beginning to fall in love. I also added a few lines from 'That's the way it is" by Celine Deon…I was hearing to it so I decided to put it in as well. Anyway I'll try my best to make the next chapter a little bit more interesting. Before I leave here's a preview of the up coming chapter…

Next on From Sunrise to Sunset: The fair

"Where are we going?"

"To the fair in the next village"

"What!"

Signing off,

sakura doll!