Chapter-1

17 yrs later...

It was day break at last. Sakura could barely sleep a wink the previous night. She had tossed and tumbled and turned...she could barely contain her happiness. No it was not her birthday...that wasn't until almost a month. The daylight was now lighting the misty mountain and dewy leaves. Sakura wore a black vest and a loose, boy trunks. She caught a glance of herself in the polished mirror in front of her. Bright green eyes lose straight brown hair that barely met her shoulder. She ordered her maids every time to cut it off as soon as they grew. She looked determinately at herself.

"Today is the day...you will fight Kaho Mizuki leader of the Militant Moon Force. Give everything you've got...you have to win. To make your dream come true" she held the star key pendent on her neck. "Please...lend me strength" she said. It was an awfully childish thing for a 16 yr to rely on a pendent for luck but Clow san often said if you believe something has power...it will and she believed him...even though she knew that he was not her father...he was the only father figure she had and she trusted him the most.

She opened her doors and rushed out through the hallways. She ran head first into someone immediately. They both staggered but didn't fall. Sakura let out a small groan.

"Can't you look- oh your majesty" she immediately fell to her knees on seeing the 19 yr old boy whom everyone loved and respected- Eriol Hiragizawa Reed, the only son to Clow Reed. "Sakura-chan there is no need for such formalities among us. We are both children to Clow" he said lending her a hand. She blushed at the contact, "We are not blood relatives" she murmured. "But you are my sister just the same" Sakura looked at the floor. She wished for him to see her as a woman and not as a sister. It was wrong of her to desire so but Eriol was so sweet, kind, reliable and mysterious...she blushed again looking at him.

"Regardless when I join the Militant Forces...I should accustom myself to these formalities. I am just training" she smiled her innocent smile as Eriol frowned. "You're a princess Sakura...you can't be a warrior. You should really quit these childish banters. You give father such a hard time" he said. Sakura felt guilty, but she was resolved

"Eriol sama...Otto- san (father) will understand my childish banters I am sure... he understands me. I was never born to be a princess...when I pick up a sword I feel so alive and...and I shouldn't waste your majesty's time like this. Excuse me your grace" she turned to leave but she heard what he said next. "I just worry about you Sakura...I care about you" he said. Her heart warmed and she turned and gave a dazzling smile. "I know Eriol-kun" she said and ran with her usual enthusiasm towards the yard. Eriol smiled looking at his adopted sister. Her life...is going to be very difficult. But she will triumph...because she is Sakura...Sakura Kinomoto. The descendent of Nadeshiko...

"You're late kime-sama" Sakura stood before a woman in a bright red kimono. Her long dark red hair tied in a high pony. She bowed gracefully. Sakura's breath hitched with jealousy...she was so beautiful. She was the woman every man was in love with. She was strong, intelligent and beautiful and most importantly so...feminine. Unlike sakura who was born a tomboy. She was the woman Eriol loved...sakura shook that thought away.

"I am so sorry Mizuki-san" she bowed her head low. "Oh dear I was merely jesting. You are actually early" she said with a beautiful smile. "Oh...um...then" sakura blushed. "Let's start" she said drawing a wooden sword. Kaho did the same.

The fight lasted for 5 minutes before sakura was almost on her knees. "Forfeit Kime-sama" Kaho said. Sakura couldn't say anything since she was fighting for her breath. So she shook her head. Kaho delivered a heavy blow on her shoulder; Sakura cried out in pain and fell on to the ground. "Give up Sakura" Kaho said exasperatedly, she was so worried about Sakura now that she forgot her courtesies. Sakura smiled a weak smile...she knew Kaho couldn't end the fight unless she forfeited. Those were the rules. "Never" Sakura breathed. Kaho closed her eyes. "I am sorry Sakura" Sakura felt a heavy blow on her head and she was going to pass out. No sakura thought my dream...I can't loose. I will fight. Come on!Not now...

...

Sakura felt a surge of power through her body. She stood up. Her body was bruised and blue but she felt no pain. Her body felt weightless as she dashed and slung her sword furiously at Kaho. The first time it caught her by surprise but second time Kaho blocked it. Kaho could not believe her eyes...what was happening. She was fighting back with an equal strength. Suddenly sakura felt pain again. She staggered. Kaho hit her hard and fast in her abdomen region. She stumbled and rolled on the ground. This time sakura knew...she was defeated. Her eyes filled with tears...but I had to win...now I can't join the Moon Force. I have live like a princess for the rest of life as some man's property...

She felt herself being hoisted and made to sit on a barrel. Her tearful eyes met the brownish red ones of Kaho. She smiled. "You have improved vastly... I think you can join us now" Sakura looked at her in surprise. "But I didn't defeat you" Sakura said. "Of course you didn't. If I was defeated so easily by a 16 yr old untrained girl...what use would I be as a captain" Kaho said. Sakura smiled "You're right"

"So I passed the test?" she asked. "Yes" Kaho replied smiling. Sakura squealed and tried to jump but her whole body protested and she yowled in pain. "I will summon your maids" Kaho said laughing a little as she walked away. Sakura touched the star key and muttered, "Thank you"

"You sure put on a good show" Sakura looked up to where the sound came from. A tall boy with green cloak wound around him said. He had messy brown hair and the most amazing amber eyes. Sakura was taken aback by how handsome he looked. He was leaning against the weapon storage building.

"You are good...I like your spirit" he said. Sakura still didn't know what to say. He walked closer...suddenly Sakura could only see how cold and uninviting his eyes were. Sakura didn't trust this man.

"My name is Syaoran...a new recruit. Just like you" he said. Sakura suppressed a shiver, he felt dangerous. She absentmindedly touched the pendent and suddenly she felt a reassuring feeling gush through her.

"I am Sakura" she said. "Sakura...no last name?" he asked curiously. "No... I am an orphan. My parents died a long time ago...I was adopted" she said. At her words she saw his eyes soften.

"Kime-sama, are you alright" her attendants rushed to her side. "Take me to my room" she muttered, her whole body ached. The maids hoisted her on their shoulders. "Will you be okay on the stairs?" one of the maids asked. "Um..." honestly she didn't feel like moving at all...Kaho had almost carried her here but now she had to walk...and climb stairs.

"Of course" she replied cheerfully as she tried her best to ignore the pain. Syaoran watched the girl amused...she is very different from what I expected. Hmmm... This ought to be fun, he thought as he watched her. Suddenly the girl turned to look at him, he was surprised. But she looked away quickly and continued towards the castle.

Author's note: So how was that? Leave your thoughts and suggestions as reviews. Always open to criticism...is my grammar okay? Well... I hope you guys respond quick. I will upload ASAP. Okeee?

Oh and a special mention of my first reviewer Jedi Lord –Author.*grins. Like minds think alike my friend. Thank you for your reviews.

Sayonara