Chapter 2: Trip

"Not exactly, Sakura," Fujitaka gently corrected her, "China is a socialist republic. There is a party-elected president, but no Emperor."

"Umm..." Sakura looked a little reluctant to contradict her father, "That's not really true... It's just that that is the story the emperor wants the people to know." Her father was a professor of history. Even though his specialty was Egyptology, he still had a good grasp of the rest of the world, or at least what was recorded of it.

"Sakura, Hu Jintao is the president of China. There hasn't been an emperor for almost one hundred years since Emperor Puyi abdicated in ninteen twelve."

"Hu Jintao is just a puppet. The real ruler of China is Emperor Yuan, second heir of the Yin Dynasty..." Sakura explained apologetically. She had learned the truth about China's politics from Li Yelan during the time that Syaoran spent in a coma. There was a delicate balance of power that she had to be aware of if she was to help him lead the Li clan. She had learned many secrets from Yelan and the Elders, many of which wereknown only to the most influential people in China.

"Sakura..." Fujitaka was now getting quite worried. He knew of the many human rights abuses and the lack of free speech that the Chinese people endured. If she said such things to the wrong ears in China, there was a good chance that she would disappear.

"It is the truth." Sakura said. "I met the emperor once, briefly, and I learned the true history from the Li's. Many people died to keep this secret until their control was total. Now only cities controlled by the Li clan have any freedom at all." Well, met was a bit of an exaggeration. She had seen him when he was meeting with Yelan. She had interrupted the meeding to tell Yelan that Syaoran had been abducted by a water witch. It was only later that she had learned the identities of the people who had been meeting.

"You shouldn't say things like that. If it's true, and the wrong people hear you, Sakura, you could get into serious trouble."

"It's true. You've only heard the party propaganda. It's really just the words of the emperor rewritten by political speech writer to sound as if it is in the people's best interest. It's a form of control to keep the people docile."

Yukito, paying no heed to the continueing of the discussion, began eating without Sakura and Fujitaka.

"Dad, do you know why photos of Tiananmen Square banned?" Sakura asked, and without pausing to give him a chance to answer, she said, "It wasn't because a peaceful protest was broken up by soldiers. Why send tanks against students? It's because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. The emperor was moving through the square and the protesters got in the way so they were killed. That wasn't the first or last time that people have been killed to keep the existence of the emperor a secret. Not even the Americans and their conspiracy theorists can see it, even though it is as plain as day if you read the history." She was talking fast with rapid shallow breaths. Her frustration over the events of the past few days were beginning to seep to the suface.

"What about you? Sakura, these ideas are dangerous in a country like China. I don't wan't you to get hurt." Fujitaka said calmly, but with an uncharacteristic frown on his face.

"Not ideas, history. It's a history the Li clan knows well since they are so close to it. They are one of the few groups who are able to escape the Emperor's control. Their... influence is so vast that the Emperor does not dare to make a move against them."

"Someone must have been playing some sort of trick on you. How could something so significant be kept so secret, yet have the Li's know it so intimately?" Fujitaka rubbed his brow. What she was saying was plausible, but he couldn't think of Sakura, his happy, energetic, daughter being involved in a plot like that, even if she on; knew of it from an outsider's perspective.

"Dad... I am to be Li Sakura. Do you have any idea how much is expected of me, the least of which is knowing the true nature of China's politics. Being a part of such a large and powerful family is hard enough if you are on the fringes of their family, but I am marrying into the main bloodline to the heir of the clan. I can't afford not to know the truth." Sakura slumped tierdly into her chair with a sigh.

"Maybe I made a mistake... I shouldn't have gotten you involved with them. I just wanted you to be happy."

"I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have gone off on you like that. Things have been a little stressful lately, but it's too late for second thoughts. I would marry Syaoran now, no matter what anyone says." Sakura replied, smiling weakly at her father, "Now, the Emperor sent you a sealed letter. That means that it has been written in 'the Emperor's own hand.' So, let's see what he has to say." She had been hungry only a few minutes before, but now her appitie had vanished, so she pushed her plate over to Yukito who had already finished his on breakfast.

Fujitaka was concerned for his daughter. He had known that the Li's were rich and influential, but he had not had any idea of the shady dealings that went on behind closed doors. He didn't want anything to happen to his little girl, but he recognized that it was already too late to change his mind about the marriage contract. Sakura and Syaoran were the only ones who could end the relationship now. This realization really impressed on him how much Sakura had changed since she had left. While still essentially the Sakura her knew, she was much more aggressive and opinionated. He missed the little girl who relied on him to look after her. Since there was nothing he could do about the matter, he did the only thing he could.

Fujitaka opened the box, carefully undoing the latch that was hidden among the carvings. Tilting the top back, he revealed a long roll of rice paper sealed with wax that was imprinted with the same pattern that had been carved into the box.

The inside of the box was covered in red velvet that cushioned the fragile white roll that lay inside. He delicately lifted the paper and broke the seal. The paper that had seemed so thin and fragile was much tougher than it appeared. Fujitaka unrolled the tightly wound scroll to reveal an elegantly formed and perfectly uniform brush script.

"To the renowned Professor of Archaeology, Kinomoto Fujitaka," Fujitaka read, "I, the Emperor, offer you my personal invitation to partake in an historical opportunity. You are asked to come to China where you will work with a team of graduate students from around the world, including one of your choosing, for research on the treasures of the Forbidden City.

"Within the walls of the Forbidden City, you will explore the architecture, histories, and artifacts which you will catalogue. The results of this expedition will be used in a new museum of Chinese Imperial history that is being built in Hong Kong. Both the museum and the expedition will be funded by the Li Corporation of China which has graciously agreed to cover the expenses and provide lodgings and transportation.

"I am aware that your usual area of study is Egyptology, and that you are well regarded in that field, however, your participation in this expidition is absolutely essential to the success of this expidition for reasons that must be explained in person. Your presence has been demanded by the Li Corporation. I look forward to meeting you and welcoming you into my home.

"The Imperial Emperor of China." Fujitaka finished. No name was given to go along with the title of Emporer.

As Fujitaka finished reading the letter, a piece of paper fell out of the final roll.

"That's great!" Sakura was ecstatic at the news and all thoughts of the argument in which she had engaged with her father vanished. If her father was going to Hong Kong, she would certainly be going as well. That meant that she would not have to go without either her father or her fiancé this year.

"This letter seems to have come at an opportune time, but are you going to accept this request? It seems rather vague." Yukito said with a hint of concern in his voice.

"You are going to accept, aren't you?" Sakura begged hopefully.

"Of course," Fujitaka replied, "This is a great opportunity." He wanted to go not only for the archaeological expedition, but also for the chance to get to know the Li's better. He also couldn't bear to see his daughter disappointed when she seemed so eager to go. "You wanted to get Syaoran a present, didn't you?"

"Yes, dad. It's his birthday, but I still don't know what to get for him."

"I think I may have an idea about that," Fujitaka said as he handed Sakura the piece of paper that had fallen out of the letter.

"Private terminal four at Tokyo airport. Ten o'clock on the twelfth for four people."

"The plane leaves tomorrow morning."

"Yes!" Sakura exclaimed happily as she rushed towards her room to begin packing.

"You stayed at the Li residence. What was your impression of them?" Fujitaka asked Yukito.

"I don't know. They weren't very open. I couldn't even guess what goes on in the compound. Sakura likes them, though. I trust her judgment."

Sakura hurried to get her bags packed. She could not decide what to bring. She had an entire wardrobe of clothes back at the Li compound, so she didn't need to pack those. She still had old school uniforms in the closet, but little that she would actually wear.

It didn't take her long to ralize that everything she needed was at Syaoran's home. This meant that the only things she needed to bring were the things that she kept with her for sentimental reasons. However, she was finding that even those were mostly related to Syaoran now.

She packed the Clow book of course. She always carried the cards themselves and an emergency supply of ofudas with her in a pouch that strapped to her leg. Tomoyo had made it for her before Laishi had died.

There were a few photographs that she wanted to bring. Some were of her mother. One was especially dear to her. It was a family portrait from before Nadeshiko had died. Some were of Touya, including one where he had played a princess in a school play. Sakura kept that one just to taunt him. He had not proven to be a very good actor at all. Many more were of the past year with Syaoran.

She also packed the books that Yelan and the elders had sent with her to furthur her clan training.

"Bring pudding," Kero demanded, "If I am going to be stuck in that bag all day tomorrow, there better at least be something good to eat."

Fujitaka's day was much more difficult and than Sakura's. First he had to visit the university. While there, he both informed them of his intention of taking the year off and asked for a list of students who had signed up for his course early so that he could inform them about the change and hopefully find one that would appreciate the opportunity to come with him. This process was made all the more difficult by the number of staff that was away for the summer break. He still hadn't even gotten around to considering packing.

"Amaaka Toryu... No," he muttered as he began to read the list of names. It wasn't because Amaaka was a bad student that Fujitaka crossed him off the list, but because Archaeology was only his minor. Amaaka was actually studying geology.

"Ari Tsunata... No..." Fujitaka said after pausing to consider the girl.

The process continued until he reached, "Furiya Kokoru. Perfect." The young man had not missed a single one of Fujitaka's lectures. He had seen the boy at every one of his public presentations, and even some of his private ones. He always paid attention, took notes, and asked intelligent questions. He was perfect for the task; after all, he was not only interested in archaeology, but was also a straight-A student, at least when it came to Fujitaka's class. He carefully went through the rest of of the list, to make sure he had not excluded anyone who would be better suited. However, by the end, he had found few that he would consider inviting, and none as promising as Furiya.

Furiya Kokoru only lived a few blocks from the university so Fujitaka decided to walk. He lived in an apartment in a rather rundown high rise building. Fujitaka walked up the stairs to the seventh floor. The building did not have an elevator. He knocked on the door of the apartment and soon the door was opened by a short woman. Her face was lined with worry and her long black hair was going grey. She was looking at Fujitaka skeptically.

"Who are you?" the woman asked rudely. Fujitaka had not had the time to call ahead. Considering the timeframe, it was better to just show up uninvited.

"Good afternoon, I am Kinomoto Fujitaka. I'm a professor at Tomoeda University. I would like to speak with Furiya Kokoru please." Fujitaka introduced himself politely.

"There's a guy here for you!" the woman yelled over her shoulder.

"Y-yes, Mother! I'll be r-right there," Kokoru stuttered. Furiya's mother sighed and returned to whatever task she had been doing, leaving Fujitaka standing by the half open door. An unseen chair scraped across the floor and a moment later Kokoru appeared.

"Furiya-kun." Fujitaka greeted his student respectfully.

"Professor Kinomoto!" the young man exclaimed excitedly, "What are you doing here?" He pushed back his greasy black hair from his face revealing a pair of spectacles that he pushed up the bridge of his nose.

"I noticed that you signed up for my class once again. I am glad you are continuing your studies."

"Of course. I would never miss your class," he replied confidently.

"I'm sorry," Fujitaka said apologetically, "I wanted to tell you that I will not be teaching a class this year." His lips twitched as he restrained himself from allowing his smile to become a smirk.

"Has something happened?" He asked. He looked utterly horrified at the prospect of a year without his favorite professor's class. "Is there something I can do?" his fingers were tapping nervously against his leg.

"Yes. Something happened." Fujitaka confirmed. "I received a letter today."

"What happened?" Furiya's eyes widened as he anticipated terrible news.

"It is not a question of what has happened, but what will happen," Fujitaka said seriously, "This year I will be applying some of the principles that I have taught and I would be honored if you would join me."

"P-professor?" Furiya asked, "What do you mean?" He was certain that he must have misunderstood.

"If you are ready to step out of the classroom and into the field, there is a plane leaving for China tomorrow. Will you join me to explore the Forbidden City in Beijing?"

"Of course!" He agreed eemphatically. He pushed his glasses up his nose once again. In the same movement, he plucked a pencil from behind his ear that had been hidden by a veil of hair and he began twirling it subconsciously through his fingers.

"Thank you." Furiya bowed, "I will not disappoint you."

"Then we shall pick you up tomorrow morning."

When the car pulled up to Kokoru's building, he was already waiting for them with a single suitcase in his hand.

"Good morning, Professor Kinomoto."

"Morning," A tired-looking Fujitaka replied. He had stayed up half the night finishing the temporary arrangements for the house. He still had things that would have to be done, but he would have to complete them by phone.

"Let me introduce you," Fujitaka said, "Furiya-kun, this is my daughter Sakura."

"Nice to meet you!" She waved. She was smiling happily in anticipation of seeing Syaoran and couldn't contain her energetic attitude.

"It is g-good to meet you." His eyes quickly appraised her, an act that went unnoticed by Sakura and her father, but not by Yukito who broke the line of sight to introduce himself.

"I am Tsukishiro Yukito," He held out his hand stiffly.

"Hmm." Furiya sized him up. He was looking almost jealous that the other boy was accompanying them. He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. Then, he shook Yukito's hand with equal stiffness, giving him a dark look. "You're joining Professor Kinomoto as well?"

"I am associated with Sakura's brother. He is already in Hong Kong." Yukito broke the handshake. He didn't like the feelings he got from touching Furiya. It made him feel dirty and he found himself wiping the defiled hand on his pants.

"I thought that the Forbidden City is in Beijing." Furiya addressed Fujitaka, his mood instantly shifting towards devotion.

"It is," Fujitaka affirmed as he took Furiya's luggage and placed it in the trunk of the car, "but the Li's, who commissioned the survey, reside in Hong Kong, as does the museum that is being built based on our research. I apologize that I haven't told you all the details, but I do not know the logistics myself yet, nor who the other students who will be on the team will be."

"There is nothing to apologize for," Kokoru said as he got into the car, "Do you know what the Li's interest is in the Forbidden City?"

"I don't believe they have any real interest in it," Fujitaka said. "Their son is Sakura's fiancé. It is likely that he arranged this entire thing so that he could spend more time with her."

"I thought this was a serious expedition." Furiya scowled.

"It is. Even if the motives behind it are not archaeological, we will uncover the city's secrets, if only for the benefit of our own knowledge."Fujitaka said determindly. He too had felt misgivings about the nature of the expedition, but had resolved to work through any deception and do his job properly.

"Syaoran is very attached to Sakura. He goes to great lengths to make her happy." Yukito added. His voice was cheerful, but carried the hint of a threat.

"An expedition like this will cost millions. Can he commission it just to see a girl?" Furiya was not satiated with doing his job well. If there was no point in the expedition, he would never get any recognition.

"Of course not." Sakura assured him in her usual cheerful tone, "If I hadn't accepted his proposal, maybe he could have, but since they already have me, getting me there for another year is not that valuable to them. Syaoran must have found some means by which this will be profitable for them," As she thought about Syaoran, she glanced at her ring. The wolf had gone from being cloudy to being almost black. She rubbed the stone apprehensively. She had a bad feeling about what she would find when they arrived in Hong Kong.

Sakura had not called Syaoran to tell him that she was coming. She wanted it to be a surprise, though she doubted it would be. Whether due to his own effort to set this up, or his mother's magical foresight, she expected him to be waiting at the airport for her.

"Wei!" She ran over to greet the butler who had acted like a father to Syaoran and herself while she had been there. He was the favored servant employed by the Li's.

"Welcome back, Sakura-sama," Wei greeted. Sakura smiled and gave him a big hug.

"Watch out or the monster will crush you to death," Touya said. He was repaid with a crushing foot stomp from Sakura that made him yelp in pain.

"Sakura is not a monster," Sakura answered him angrily.

"Only a monster can crush things underfoot like that," Touya responded. He dodged Sakura's retaliation.

"Just admit that you missed her," Yukito said as he arrived carrying both his and Sakura's luggage. Touya scowled and looked away, letting Sakura win as she usually did when Yukito defended her. Yukito smiled. Touya wasn't one to show his affection in public, but little cues in his interaction with Sakura told Yukito that he missed them both.

"Who's that?" Touya asked suspiciously. His eyes narrowed at the unfamiliar person.

"Furiya Kokoru. He's one of your father's students. You won't like him." He whispered the last part in Touya's ear so that Furiya would not overhear.

"Wei, where's Syaoran?" Sakura asked nervously. She did not see him anywhere.

"He wasn't able to come. He has not been well since you left," Wei told her gravely, "His injury has been troubling him."