Authors: without further adieu here is chapter 2...and guys leave a comment about how you feel so far. Okay enough being said, thanks for reading.

Chapter-2

Clow reed looked out of his window his azure eyes focused on a girl. She had a fabulous expression on her face, a look of pure determination. Clow Reed smiled to himself, she was so different from what I thought she would be but somehow exactly you expected her to be...strange...she has more of Sonomi's vibe. The same spirit...but she is like you too, Nadeshiko.

"Father..." Clow looked at his son who walked into the study with a letter. Clow's with his magical abilities had anticipated this reply already, so Eriol merely raised an eyebrow and pocketed the letter. "It seems like the Daidoujis' have finally decided to reply" his son joined him at the window as he also curiously watched the yard below.

"A favourable reply I presume" he said. "You would know already" Eriol said not taking his eyes off from the window. "I know you are not watching your sister" his father said, Eriol looked up wearily. "Nothing I can hide from you" he said. Clow smiled, "Tomoyo Daidouji plays a role in all of our future" he said. "It is expected from the future king to find a suitable wife" Eriol muttered. "You chose her out of all the other" Clow said. "Only because Sakura is fond of her...I always thought she was nice girl. And she is from a magically family. A natural choice" Eriol said. "I will tell you something about this world Eriol..." Clow gazed away from his son to his daughter. "Everything happens for a reason...and your engagement with Princess Tomoyo is not a mere coincidence" he said. Eriol locked gazes with his father. "You are a strange man" he said. "And you're an even stranger son" he said chucking.

Down in the yard, Sakura battled hard with her opponent. "Yamazaki...is that all you've got?" Sakura yelled. The man merely shrugged, "Just going easy on you princess" he said grinning. Sakura yelled at her childhood friend "LIAR!" and she charged. Yamazaki fought to keep up with her lethal speed. It had been almost a week since he joined the ranks of the new recruits and she was almost in the high ranks.

Their trainer Terada had told her to improve her speed...that was her strength. And she soon found that most boys weren't that fast, since she was so light weighted and slim she could easily land a few hard hits.

"Yamazaki...Syaoran switch" Terada boomed. Sakura straightened herself... most of the boys...there weren't many girls only two others and they weren't that fast but Syaoran was both fast and strong. He was top rank. Sakura flinched when Syaoran winked at her. Over the few weeks Syaoran had...you could say taken an interest in Sakura. Most guys were even scared to fight her, mostly because she would whoop their ass...but because she was the princess. This guy though...he made sakura his personal target, he also said sakura was easily the prettiest.

Sakura did feel a little flattered when he said that...but she deep inside that wasn't true. The cutest girl was Rika Sasaki, her father was a knight who had died in service when she was just a newborn. All the men in the camp hardly even believed Sakura was the princess...she hardly even behaved like a girl. She had overheard them saying that; hard not to when they aren't very secretive about it. But sakura was happy...she was getting close to her dream.

But Syaoran was not the obstacle she had expected to be on that path. He had a negative air about him that she simply did not trust and also...he openly stared at her. Like his eyes were piercing through her...

"Begin" Syaoran was aiming for her legs as always but Sakura jumped and pulled herself in a defensive pose. She learnt it was impossible to fight him straight on. The best strategy would be to wear him out and then go for the attack.

Syaoran saw through her plans. "Oh Sakura...Sakura. Nice try but not gonna work if you can't defend properly" Sakura held back a cry of pain when Syaoran hit her on her shin. "You aren't strong enough to defend my attacks" Syaoran said. Sakura growled in frustration. Syaoran had started to confuse her with his movements. He came from all directions.

All of a sudden Syaoran was behind her with his wooden sword across her neck. "and...now you're dead " he whispered in her ear. She shivered as his lips touched her neck. "W-what are you-" Sakura blushed and forced herself away and turned to glare at him. But Sakura felt her breath hitch as she saw his eyes turn dark amber.

"Kime-sama...I suggest you practice with Chiharu" Terada said. Nobody had noticed what had happened between them. Sakura silently thanked god as she hurriedly walked away from Syaoran. Syaoran was smiling wistfully, well well well... Miss Sakura, I didn't expect that...you smell like cherry blossoms, how ironic.

Sakura could still feel the feel of his lips...she should be mortified or disgusted but...she wasn't. She was angry but she didn't fee repulsed by his actions. Her eyes stole a glance at him again, he was battling Yamazaki now.

"He's really hot...isn't he?" Sakura was startled and saw Chiharu looking at the same pair. "Oh I wasn't looking at Yamazaki-kun" Sakura defended. "What? I was talking about Syaoran. Sure Yamazaki's my man but he ain't hot" Sakura sweat dropped...Chiharu-chan...What am I supposed to understand from this?

"Kime- sama there is a court gathering in a few hours. Best you prepare yourself" Sakura looked at the messenger and nodded. She took leave from her master and made her way towards her room.

She cleaned herself and put on a pink dress and her maids adorned her with jewels. "Princess you fight marvellously" her maid Misa said. "Hehe thanks Misa. See my muscels" she posed in a very unrefined manner. Misa laughed- "You still look like your petite self, princess" Sakura pouted a little, she thought she must have looked a little cooler at least- oh well.

The courtroom was filled with the 20 counsellors, her father and brother. Sakura took her place slightly bored at the talk of finance. After that they brought light to the recent happenings in the kingdom.

"Your Highness" the counsellor in white robe and silver hair addressed Eriol. "The villagers have been suffering from bandit attacks that seem to have increased. They seem to be evicting from their earlier territory. We captured a man whom we believe to be the leader of Zacnar bandits..."

Sakura eyes wandered from councellor Yukito to the man who was walking to the centre of the court. He was dirty and covered in blood that seemed to have dried up. Still...Sakura could see fear in his eyes.

"His name is Durandal..." Yukito informed. "After the sword I presume...speak Durandal...you seem to have fled from something as Yukito believed-"Eriol said. The terrified man shouted, "DEMONS! From the east, the Kinomoto kingdom is now home to them... they eat the living, bring life to the dead..." his eyes seem to lose focus as he shuddered.

"...But now they are even worse" he cried. "They have a cult or group...who control them beasts. Some of them are even humans, others are demons. But you must fear the half-demon..." his voice was croaky. "We never know they are human or not"

The court room grew 's eyes wandered from her fathers' to her brother who looked shell shocked. "...and this group...do you know them?" Eriol asked. "All the bandits know them. They were the strongest group of assassins alive. They were once good...like us Zancnar...we only rob to feed the poor and weak and only from rich villages. But 17 yrs ago after the Kinomoto kingdom fell they turned bad...Do you know of the Li clan?" he said.

The whole council fell apart hearing this. "The wolfs?" "Impossible" "But they are relatives to the Reed clan" "They would never kill anyone"

"Silence..." Eriol calm voice made them silent. Sakura wondered, weren't the wolf clan nice. They were descendants of Reed. Clow Reed was looking thoughtful...Hmm...the Li's , I didn't anticipate this... Was the future changing? Never meddle with the future Clow...Clow remembered his wife, Luna Reed's final words. You're right dear...

"The court will look into the matter. For now enhance the security around the kingdom and villages. Despite everything you say Durand...you have committed felony and hence cannot be exempted from your crimes" the guards took the man away.

"We have happy news too. Our kingdom will soon welcome the Daidoujis' and henceforth commence preparation for the wedding. General Mizuki-" Eriol eyes met with Kaho.

She fell on her knees. "Yes Milord". "I entrust the safety of the kingdom in your hands and also a welcoming tourney seems to be in order. I hope you will see to all the preparations" he said. "Y-Yes, of course Milord" her eyes were trained to the floor.

"Rise...the court is now dismissed. I need a group of 10 of our best spies to collect information...If indeed the Li clan has gone rogue...the entire kingdom might be in danger" Eriol voice grew ominous and Sakura suppressed a shiver. Why did she feel like something bad was going to happen? Her hand found her star key...whatever happens, lend me your strength.

A little far away...

It was twilight now. The sky painted in a beautiful red. A lone princess in her carriage sat. She was undeniably beautiful. Dark ebony hair, clear beautiful skin... she wore a head dress with bells and traditional Japanese clothing.

"Tomoyo-kime" her personal bodyguard Souma said. "Hai?" she said in her soft voice. "We will reach the kingdom by dawn" she said. "I would have preferred that we didn't travel by night" tomoyo replied. "Kime-sama..." Souma said. "There are dangerous being out there...please be careful Souma" said Tomoyo and she started to meditate in order to create a barrier. "Hai...Kime-sama"

TBC...