Chapter 15 – So Many Surprises.

10 months later

Time passes with the beginning and end of a day. As it blazes across the sky and disappears into the horizon another grain of sand has passed through the vial. Seasons come and go, flowers bloom and die and life is created and born. Thus is the cycle of life.

But memories linger.

Shadows haunt where none want them. Past occurrences replay and never truly disappear. Memories whisper on the wind like words spoken into a lover's ear in the silence of night.

The laughter of a destined queen has long since disappeared from the beautiful decorated halls of Berth Seren Banon. The bells do not ring joyfully as the new crowned queen and her husband escape to their carriage after the lengthy ceremony. No petals fall from graceful hands as they are driven away.

For one young man, all that is remembered so clearly is fading into a dream. Darkness follows him around like a comforting friend. It shrouds him, aids him when memories become too painful, wraps itself around him and tells him to forget…. To move on.

His pain and grief are too strong to bear. He slinks away into the darkness and misery of his soul and distances himself from all those around him. He draws away into the depths of darkness that is his only solace and forgets to live.

Though he walks like a shadow in the valley of death he is watched by two guardians who cannot keep their worry and pain from their eyes. Their help was rejected and refused and both could not help the hurt that they felt at the burn of such a refusal. So they collaborated their resources and agreed that he needed to be freed from the spell that was haunting him and taken away to a place that could help him revive.

Help him heal.

Upon revelation of this plan, the raven haired beauty burst into tears and ran into the dark hair mans arms. She buried her head against his strong chest and wept. It was later when the two of them were along that he gave her the ring. It sparkled in the moonlight of a dedicated promise and there in a rose garden he confessed his love and his intention to take her as his wife.

And so it passed that the two dark haired guardians took the Hunter away and with them gone, the three kingdoms – Kinomoto, Berth Seren Banon and Rhawn Rhain fell into depression and despair waiting for any news of their brightest star - Sakura.

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It had taken much time for Li to re-settle into what was once his home. Almost immediately the Elders of his clan had put him into training telling him that it would help ease his sorrows, but Li knew that they didn't care - they never cared, for to show emotion, was to be weak. So Li forgot all emotion, forgot who he once had been, forgot the honey-brown angel that he had called his and had broken his heart and became cold, emotionless and arrogant and forgot what it was to be human.

Meilin watched this transformation in her cousin and dreaded what he had become. She knew that it had been a mistake to bring him back to their old home, but it was either that or lose Li forever. There were days when she hated Sakura for what she had done to him, to all of them, but then there were days when she just couldn't understand why.

But little did she know that the answers that she sought, would come soon enough and turn everything upside down and force Meilin to go against everything she had been taught and for the first time, keep something so valuable from her family. . . especially Li.

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Meilin was in the garden when the messenger arrived. He bowed to her formally which made her frown in confusion. Why was she being treated like a princess by this messenger? The guy held out a thick letter to her.

" Mistress Meilin Rae? " he asked.

" Yes. " Meilin replied.

The messenger nodded in respect. " I have a very important letter for you from - " he stopped and looked around as if he had been warned to do so.

" From? " Meilin prompted.

The messenger stepped closer to her and she forced herself not to be startled when he started to whisper to her. " This letter is to be given in great importance. What this letter contains is to be shown to no other is that clear milady? " he asked. Meilin nodded.

" The lady that gave this to me warned me that I wasn't to give this to you unless you promised to show no other and either hide it where no wind, rain or being could reach it, or burn it when you have finished reading it. Is that understood? "

Meilin snatched the letter impatiently out of his hands. " Ok, ok I get the idea. No one but me shall see it or even catch a glimpse of it. You may go. "

The man nodded and was gone before she could say a word.

Meilin stared down at the letter. It bore no seal, so who could it be and why stress that it be kept secret? Meilin shrugged and stood where she was as she opened it and started to read. Her heart froze when she read the first few lines in the perfect handwriting.

Dear Meilin,

I pray this letter will find you all well. I realize how long it has been since we last saw each other and I know that you, Madison, Eriol and Li . . especially Li, will be wondering why it was that I married Kisho Masaki on such short notice and why I bothered to marry him at all.

My heart goes out to all of you, for I know that I have let all of you down, but I hope that if you continue to read this, you may come to understand why I did what I chose to willing. But firstly let me tell you that I am happy with Kisho. He has never once raised his voice me and has treated me with nothing but respect and honor. He cares for me Meilin and he is warm and kind and gentle and I am content with him.

Forgive me, for I know not any other words in which to give you this news but it perhaps will be easier to understand if I go back to the beginning where it all began. Do you remember when we first arrived back at the Kinomoto kingdom and that night we had huge celebration, to congratulate us on coming back with the treasure and for the new formed alliance with Vala and the Mar? It was on that night that Li told me that he loved me and I fainted from the shock. I was told that Madison helped Li take me to my room. After Madison left and I awoke, Li and I talked and what we shared is the most important memories of my life -

[Meilin's eyes widened]

The reason I write this to you, is because I fear that the truth needs to be revealed. I have not been completely honest with any of you other than my husband and he respects my decision to reveal this secret to you.

Meilin I have always considered you my friend and somewhat a sister to me as is Madison. When we returned to my kingdom, it was a few weeks later that I realized I with child. I don't have any doubt as to whom it belonged to and I state this firmly without fault or lie, that the child is indeed Li's. I knew at once that I had to marry, for I did not wish for such a precious gift to be born a bastard without claim to my legacy - my throne. I still to this day do not how it came to be, but Kisho came to me and before I knew it, he had offered me the greatest gifts of all - safety, security and secrecy. Kisho swore that he would help me raise my child and claim it as his, so that one day my child could claim the throne.

I know that Li could never marry me, and I did not wish to burden him with such a decision. I knew even then that he would become something great and I did not wish to ruin any chances nor opportunities that he may have. I also knew that you would be taking him back to his home and I knew that this was somehow important. I did not want to ruin his future.

Please forgive me Meilin for the deception but can you truly understand my position?

But there is another important matter that I wish to discuss. It with great pride that I tell you, that on July 15th I gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Two days later he was crowned Crown Prince Syaoran Kinomoto as Kisho and I only married in name only, he let me keep my name and changed his instead for my sake and Syaoran's.

He is Li's likeness in everyway, strong and a fighter as well and he isn't even a few weeks old yet! He already has a few wisps of honey-brown hair and amber eyes and much to my amusement, he has already mastered the famous Li Showron death glare when he doesn't get anything the way he wants.

Kisho and I are preparing to return when Syaoran is a little older and stronger to handle the journey. I confess that I am hesitant in returning. Tori is going to be a little harder to deal with, but Madison, I am sure, is going to know almost at once that Syaoran is Li's. You cannot mistake the resemblance, but he does have a likeness to Kisho I have noted. Is Kisho Masaki of any relative of yours or connected with your family? Kisho knows nothing of his family ties for he says that he never bothered with them, but it does intrigue me greatly.

I must go now for little Syaoran is letting me know that he is hungry. I often wonder what kind of a prince he will be when he is older. But for now I am content to know that he is safe and well and I pray that you will not be angry with me Meilin for all that has transpired. And it is with a desperate plea that I beg you not to mention this to anyone! Burn this letter or hide it away safe where no eyes can find it.

With all my love, as well as Syaoran's and Kisho's.

Sakura Kinomoto x x x

Meilin dropped to the seat behind her in total eyes widened. Sakura's baby was Li's heir!

" Oh my god! " Meilin groaned as she buried her head in her hands. " How can I keep something as huge as this a secret? "

Meilin sat in thought ignorant of the time passing. Before she knew it, it was dark and they were lighting the outside lanterns. She stood up and stashed the letter deep in her bodice of her dress and walked inside. She snuck into her room and went over to her desk. She knelt down and opened the draw and felt for the faintest of faint grooves and pressed it and opened the secret compartment. Since she had been given the desk, she had found no need to use it, but what she now possessed was cause enough to hide away where no one knew. She closed the draw and went down to dinner.

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Yelan Li watched Meilin as she sat down at the table and knew that something was bothering her niece. Li sat at the head of the table and watched as everyone sat down, with a scowl on his face - his common trait of late. Throughout dinner Meilin played with her food, her mind elsewhere in Berth Seren Banon trying to picture the baby.

" Meilin whatever is the matter? " Yelan asked suddenly.

Meilin jumped and banged her knees on the table making everyone look at her. Meilin gulped when she noticed that Li was staring at her. His eyes were narrowed and she knew that he was assessing her and she looked away.

" Nothing aunt. I just don't feel too well. "

" You are extremely pale. Perhaps we should send for the doctor? "

" No! I'm alright. " Meilin said hurriedly. " My mind is just off with the fairies. "

Li half stood and glared at her. " Then get your mind back here where it matters and out of the clouds. Dreaming away will not achieve anything. " he said coldly.

Meilin had become use to this type of behavior but tonight she was not going to put up with it. She had had too many shocks that had taking all of her tolerance. She stood up and threw her napkin on the table and glared daggers at him.

" You know Xiao Lang I am really regretting the day I ever asked you to come back here because you have become nothing but a vicious monster! And I only have myself to blame for what you have become. I use to look up to you, try to be like you but now I despise you and I curse you! We should have left you to your folly back all those months ago, because either way you are dead to me! "

Yelan and the others gasped and Li glared at her. Then Meilin walked away from the table and came to stand next to Li and spoke in another language that she knew her family didn't know, but Li did.

[How would you feel to know that you related to royalty?] she asked softly her ruby eyes flashing with angered fire. She watched Li's eyes churn internally with confusion and puzzlement, but still he hid his expression.

[What are you talking about?!] he bit out savagely.

Meilin stared at him as if she were in a trance and Yelan and the others present wondered what in the world they were saying. Meilin weighed the pros and cons of what she wanted to throw in his face and realized with shame that Sakura had given her a powerful, but deadly, weapon. Everyone watched as she seemed to come back to her senses and with that she walked off leaving a very confused Li and family behind.

Meilin stormed down the dark hallways of the Li clan estate with her hands tightly clenched.

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I pray this letter finds you well. I must admit that you're news left me speechless and I cannot for the life of me express how I feel for I do not know.

Congratulations on the birth of your baby boy, I am glad that he is strong and shares in the family traits. I do not know if your husband is related to us, but I shall try to find out. It will give me something to do. I do not write much in detail for I have a feeling this letter will be intercepted.

I bless your little son with all my heart and I know he will do you proud. I wish you the best happiness and I hope we will meet again. I pray your heart will soar with happiness once more. I say this with a sister's advice, do not hope for what was once in the past for it no longer exists. I hope you understand what I say for I cannot elaborate. He has become corrupt by our family and I see now that it is all my fault.

Please move on . . . Meilin Rae x x x

Meilin dusted the letter with sand and folded the letter and sealed it with her seal. She picked up her candle and walked down to the sending room in the darkness. She crept into the room unaware that she was being watched and placed the letter amongst the others that were to be sent off in the morning.

When the door was closed and Meilin well on her way back to her room, a dark figure heated his knife in the flame of his candle and gently lifted the seal without damaging it and opened Meilin's letter. He read it and knew not of anything that Meilin had written. Who had given birth to a son? Gently as can be, he re-sealed it and placed the letter back down for sending. He had hoped it would explain Meilin's strange remark at dinner, but he was left more confused than ever.

He crept out of the room and headed back to his, where he knew that he wouldn't get much sleep. . . .

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Five Years Later --- The Gang are all 23 years old. Syaoran is 5 years old.

Its five years later and Sakura, Kisho, her family, Madison and Eriol are getting ready to celebrate Syaoran's up-coming fifth birthday. Madison and Eriol are expecting their 2nd child. They had a boy who is four and is called Tristan.

Li on the other hand is preparing his betrothal ceremony to a girl called Leiko. He had refused to marry, but his mother and the elders had hounded him until he had reluctantly agreed to be betrothed to the girl. Leiko is a bitch and there is no other way to put it. She is conniving and wraps everyone around her fingers. The only one to hate her and loathe her is Meilin because she can see the cow that she really is.

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Vala stood in her room and looked out to the sea in the distance and the beach. The breeze wove in and out of her hair and she closed her eyes listening to its message. Vala's eyes flew open when she listened to the message of death and destruction. She looked around wildly and then fled to her looking pool and starred down into it's depths as she watched the man who would bring the end of all 3 kingdoms. She breathed deeply and closed her eyes, before starring down into the pool.

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Berth Seren Banon

5 year old Syaoran was in the study with his mother practicing his sword techniques against his Uncle Tori when the crystal image appeared. Syaoran whipped around and held the crystal figure at sword point as Vala's image fully appeared and she opened her eyes. Tori rested his hand on his nephew's shoulder easing him, when Sakura looked up and came to stand before Vala.

Sakura looks a lot like Natasha at the age of 23. Her hair is down and shines like the sun and when she walks, it flows out behind her like a fairy. Her emerald eyes shine brightly, but now they held concern as she looked at the Mar Queen in front of her.

" Vala? " Sakura asked unsure.

Vala smiled at her and then looked down at the little being in front of her and she smiled brightly as Syaoran intrigued her greatly. (Remember they never see male children). Syaoran stepped back unsure as Vala knelt down in front of him and gently touched his face in wonder.

" Greetings little prince. " she said, her voice more musical than usual.

Sakura smiled at her and Syaoran. " It's ok Syaoran. This is Vala the queen of the Mar people. You remember the stories I use to tell you don't you? " Syaoran nodded at his mother and then looked back at Vala and lowered his sword and then bowed in respect to Vala's delight.

" Welcome Elf queen. " Syaoran said looking up and Sakura's breath caught as it often did when Syaoran would, as he did now, capture that certain look Li always had, confident and full of pride. Sakura smiled and nodded her head when Syaoran looked at her wanting to know if he had done it right.

Vala remembered why she was there and her smile faded. She turned around to face Sakura and Sakura knew at once something was wrong. Sakura summoned her maid and told her to take Syaoran who protested greatly.

" Vala what's wrong? I haven't seen you in years and yet here you are and I fear you do not bring good news. " Vala's intense light blue eyes looked at Tori and then at Sakura. Vala looked at the door in which Syaoran and the maid had gone as if expecting something. Sakura looked at Vala and then shot a darting look at the door getting shivers up her back. They heard someone running down the corridor and Vala's sad eyes met Sakura's.

" It is time. "

The door flew open and one of her servants looked flushed and out of breath from running. " You highness. " he breathed. " It's milord. "

Sakura went cold and looked at Vala who was watching her steadily. " Please your highness, he begs for you. " Sakura ran around the table and bolted out the door after her servant. As they left Vala turned to find Tori watching her intently.

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Sakura flew through Kisho's door a mass of skirts as they were laying him down into his bed. Sakura's hand flew to her mouth when she noticed the blood trickling out the corner of his mouth as he coughed. Her emerald eyes flew open as she starred at him.

" Sa . . kura . . "

Sakura's heart broke. " I'm here Kisho. " she said and she knelt down beside the bed and took his hand. Sakura looked at the servants and ordered them to get a doctor. They fled at the tone in her voice. " How did this happen? " she asked.

Kisho tried to talk, but she shushed him when it was too distressing on him. Sakura looked up and saw Syaoran standing uncertain in the shadows.

" Get out Syaoran! " Sakura yelled making him jump. This was something she didn't want him to see.

" Syo . . ran. " Kisho beckoned with a hand.

" Kisho. " Sakura choked. " Don't do this. "

Syaoran came to stand beside Sakura. " Do you know what's going on? " Kisho asked in a husky whisper.

Syaoran nodded, masking his expression. " You're dying. "

Sakura choked on a sob and buried her head in the sheets of the bed crying.

Kisho nodded. " I always knew you were wiser that what anyone gave you credit for my son. I have never gone against anything my lovely wife has said, but I'm going to defy her this one time by letting you stay to see a dying man. "

Sakura looked up horrified, tears sliding down her smooth cheeks. Kisho raised a shaky hand and held her face lovingly.

" You'll be stronger for it Syaoran. To be hidden away from the world you'll never learn anything. You already have the fighter spirit within you and it burns brightly. Fighters live so close to death, that it is second nature to them. "

" Kisho stop please. " Sakura begged. " You're tired and weak, you don't know what you're saying. "

Kisho's eyes burned fire at her in the candle light. " I know what I'm saying Sakura. You've seen the fighter's spirit in him and you can't deny it. He will have to be for one day claim the throne whether it be yours or his own. In this time and age we don't truly ever get anything that we want unless we fight for it. "

" Kisho you're setting a bad example. " Sakura said firmly.

Kisho smirked and he looked a lot younger as he called Syaoran over. " Syaoran, you can take what people say to you one way or the other. It is up to you to determine whether it be good or bad. You must find the meanings spoken behind the words. A true fighter - " Kisho went into a coughing fit and Syaoran's eyes widened when he saw the blood coming out his step father's mouth.

" A fighter must believe in his own knowledge and abilities and his skills. Never be afraid to except someone's help or take someone's advice because my boy you will only be wiser and stronger for it. But stand firm when you know you are right and the others are wrong. Never be doubtful always have faith and know that no matter what happens, there will always be a way. "

Syaoran nodded.

" And one more thing. " Kisho said and looked at Sakura still crying beside him." Take care of your mother no matter the cost for you'll find no brighter soul in this world that shines as brightly as your mother's. "

Syaoran nodded.

" Please Kisho save your strength. " Sakura begged.

" I'm dying me love. I might as well say what I've been wanting to say while I can. "

Sakura's hands flew to her mouth and her eyes went wide as she stared at him.

" Syaoran there's one more thing I want to tell you and I want you to understand and I want you to except it and be a man when I tell you. " Kisho said softly and buckled over in pain, Sakura flying to his side helping him up.

Kisho took Sakura's hands in his and starred up at her and Sakura knew before he opened his mouth. " Syaoran I'm not your true father. I married your mother after you were well on the way of coming into this world. "

Syaoran's gaze flew to his mother who stared at Kisho horrified.

" Kisho no. " Sakura sobbed.

" Now listen to me Syaoran. " Kisho demanded firmly making Syaoran look at him.

" I will not hear of you blaming you mother for keeping this from you, and I'll not have you show one speck of disrespect against her do you hear me? "

Syaoran nodded.

" I'll be watching you my boy and God help you if you do. She had a good reason to do what she did and one day when you're old enough to understand I'm sure she'll tell you, won't you my dear? " Sakura sniffed and nodded her eyes red from her tears.

Kisho looked at Sakura and Syaoran stepped back to give them their last few moments together.

" My dear. " Kisho said smiling. " Why do you cry? It's not all that bad? "

Sakura hugged him and burst out into new tears. " I don't want to lose you. "

Kisho pushed her away and looked at her with all the love he could find. " What did I tell you all those years ago? " he asked softly.

" I don't remember. " Sakura sniffed.

Kisho smiled. " All I wanted from you was respect, kindness and care and I little place in your heart to ease my remaining years. And not only have you done those things, you've given me contentment, joy and a happiness that I never thought that would ever feel again. Your smile was bright enough to light my soul and brighten my day. No cloud could penetrate my day when you were around my dear. "

Sakura sobbed again and squeezed his hand tightly.

" And not to mention you gave me the honor of helping you to raise a son that even though wasn't mine, I felt as if he was and still is. I could never have imagined that my life would end like this . . is such peace and tranquility. "

" But don't you see? " Sakura sobbed. " You've done the same for me. You opened your heart and gave me all the things that I didn't think I could ever have. I cannot thank you enough my love for saving me and taking me in when I was the way I was. I will never be able to repay you. "

" But you have Sakura. " Kisho replied cringing in pain.

Sakura could see that she was losing him and she had one more thing to say. She leant over and kissed him on his forehead. " You just didn't have a place in my heart Kisho. Your kindness and love won it over, I love you. " she whispered.

Kisho looked at her startled and reached up to touch her face but his hand never made it.

Sakura's grief stricken wail went through the entire castle. . . .

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Hours later

Syaoran watched sadly as his mother continued to cry heartbrokenly. Kisho's body had been taken away to be prepared for burial. The entire castle was in mourning as well as the surrounding villages. Sakura looked up and saw her son watching her. She raised her arm tiredly and he crawled over to her and she cuddled him to her on her bed four poster bed. She planted a kiss on top of his head and tried to stifled her sobs.

" I love you Syaoran. You know that don't you? " she asked softly.

Amber eyes stared up at her. " I know mother. I love you to, but why did you lie? "

Sakura pulled back startled. " Who is my real father? " Syaoran asked.

Sakura closed her eyes and rested her forehead against his. " You're father was a man to be truly be proud of Syaoran. He at first was cruel, cold and unemotional. He hid everything he was feeling behind a mask, much like I've noticed you doing of late. " Sakura said rubbing noses with him making him laugh.

" No but after I got to know him, he changed. He became kind and caring and very protective of me. He made me laugh and cry at times, but I loved him from the moment I saw him. What's become of him I do not know."

" How did you met him? " Syaoran said.

Sakura leaned back and looked at him and brushed his messy bangs from his face. " Let us mourn for your step father Syaoran. There will be many days when we can sit and I can tell you of all the strife I used to get into. Ok? "

Syaoran looked down sadly. " Yes mother. "

Sakura smiled. " I really do need you to get your hair cut. Look at this! " she messed up is hair playfully. " Dreadful messy locks! I swear I don't now what to do with you. " she chided.

" Mooommmm! " Syaoran complained and jumped off the bed and Sakura smiled, her tears drying. She was about to reach for him when a crystal figure appeared in her room and they both froze.

Vala stared at them and Sakura remembered what had just happened. Her happiness forgotten she asked her son to leave them and he did . . reluctantly.

" How did you know? " Sakura demanded quietly.

" I am of Elf kin Sakura. We are in tune with the elements. "

" So what, you got told by the wind express? " Sakura spat.

Vala's eyes clouded to a murky blue. " I came as fast as I could, but it was inevitable. "

Sakura looked away angrily.

" Sakura I cherish you as a sister and still do not fully understand the mortal ways, but I know that you are upset from what has happened and I am sorry. I truly am, but there is another reason I have come, one of much more importance. "

" What do I care? " Sakura asked looking at Vala. " My husband is dead. "

" You will care if you love your son. "

Sakura froze and looked at Vala. " What are you talking about? " Sakura asked frightened.

Vala came to stand in front of her. " A man is rising and his cause is that of the darkest evil I have ever known. He brings nothing but death and destruction in his wake and his intentions are to destroy the 3 kingdoms - Kinomoto, Rhawn Rhiain and . . Berth Seren Banon. "

Sakura eyes widened. " Who- who is he ?"

" I do not know of him but perhaps you do - they call him Rulf of - "

" No! It's not possible! " Sakura stated and went pale.

Vala grabbed her hands and stared into her eyes. " There isn't much time left. You must warn your father and Madison. You and Syaoran must flee far away from here. I would bring you back to the island, but it would only put you in the direct line of the attack. "

" How much time? "

" Not long. You must evacuate everyone by the end of the day if you want a chance. "

Sakura's eyes widened." That soon? "

" We mustn't waste time. I will help as much as I can. I will send as many of the Mar that I can spare to help you fight. "

Sakura nodded and then fled out of the room yelling for Tori and her maids and servants as the crystal figure disappeared.

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Sakura held the lantern high above her as she smothered Syaoran's hair with crushed charcoal to disguise his hair colour. Her hair was a dirty black colour and she had smudges on her face to make her look a peasant.

" Why are we doing this? " Syaoran demanded.

Sakura gripped his shoulders and starred down at him. " Rulf and his men will be looking for a honey-brown haired girl with emerald eyes. They won't expect to find a girl with dirty black hair and smudges on her face with a child. When your life is at risk Syaoran, you must do everything in your power to save yourself and the others around you, but as you may well already know, you can't save everyone. "

Syaoran pulled his brown cloak tighter around him and wiped his face putting smudges everywhere.

Sakura stood up from crouching position and held her lantern high. Everyone had left hours ago and she shivered at how cold and empty and ghost like her kingdom was at this hour of the night. Two horses were saddled and waiting for them beside them. Sakura looked down at her son and knelt down to look at him.

" I know this is a lot to deal with Syaoran, but you've been very brave and I couldn't be more prouder of you than I am at this moment. As soon as we mount our horses we must keep as quiet as possible. Do not speak and blend in with the night. If you wish to speak to me, tap me and then when I signal whisper softly understood? " Sakura asked.

Syaoran nodded.

" Good. Have you got the sword your uncle Tori gave you with you like I asked? "

" Hai. " Syaoran said.

Sakura tied her bow and arrows to her saddle. On her she carried the dagger that she had taken from Li years ago. It gleamed in the dull moonlight as she placed it down the front of her, hidden in her faded gown that made her look like a peasant.

" Now I want you to promise me something. If anything happens to me, I want you to keep going, don't look back do you hear me? Keep going and don't stop until you know that you are safe. If you can find someone that you know you can trust and stay there, hidden if may be and then try to find your Aunt Madison. She should be heading in the same direction as us towards Lycrae. "

Syaoran stared at her in shock. " Nothing is going to happen is it? "

Sakura stood up and starred out into the night. " In matters such as this, one can never be sure, but do you promise? "

" Hai. "

" Then let us be gone from here. "

They galloped to the top of the hill near the Seren Temple and Sakura turned back to look at her home smothered by darkness. No light shone from any window, nothing stirred in the night. It was as if a silence had descended from the night sky to cover her land. She closed her eyes tightly and pictured all her bright and happy memories of this place. She didn't know if she would ever make it back here alive, but she did know that this was only the beginning . . . the beginning of what she didn't know . . .

TBC

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