Syaoran grinned as his father's guards failed to see him hiding inside the tree next to his balcony.

Excellent. Now he could just pull his hood on and enjoy the day in the disguise only village people knew about. In your face blue guards!

* * *

Smirking widely from ear to ear, Syaoran made his way towards the blacksmith, in his mid twenties, who was currently holding a metal hoof in one hand, and talking to his youngest daughter. When he caught sight of Syaoran, the blacksmith grinned and waved him over. Running eagerly towards him, Syaoran's smirk widened, if it was possible, and he picked up the giggling little girl and ruffled her hair.

"Uncle Syaoran!" she exclaimed, hugging him tightly around the neck.

"Hey there!" Syaoran laughed, hugging the little six year old back.

The blacksmith grinned, "Long time no see kiddo. How was the ball last night."

"Aw, shutup, you're just like Eriol," Syaoran whined, "Did you have to kill my good mood? Honestly what the hell have I ever done to you guys? I am the crown prince remember? Some respect would be nice."

"Of course I had to kill your good mood. That's how my good mood soars high into the sky!" he winked at the disgruntled teenager, "Did you find anyone that reached to your standard, huh Syaoran? What about that pretty emerald eyed maiden they were talking about? Heard she's got an over protective brother though, so I'd look out if I were you when I woo her."

Syaoran blushed deeply, making the blacksmith roar with laughter. The little girl giggled and ran towards the lady who had just walked in the shop.

"Mommy!" she squealed.

The lady laughed and picked up her daughter, walking up towards her husband. "Are you teasing the poor oy again?"

"Who, me?" the blacksmith asked innocently, "Would I ever do that?"

"Yes," everybody, including his daughter, answered him, causing him to mock a hurt expression.

"I'm going to get some milk," his wife said. She kissed her daughter and Syaoran on the forehead, and pecked her husband briefly on the lips and drew back. But it was obvious he wasn't going to have that, because instead of letting her go, he drew her into a hug and covered her mouth with his own, not too aggressively, but not very softly either. The lady yelped, but all too willingly wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Ew," Their daughter and Syaoran said at the same time, pulling a face.

They pulled back and laughed.

Syaoran shook his head when the blacksmith's wife and daughter walked out of the shop, the former flushed, but beaming happily. "Aren't you a little old to be doing these things?"

"Old?" the blacksmith cried, "I wouldn't call 25 old exactly!"

"Right," Syaoran ginned.

The blacksmith looked as though he was going to give his future ruler a piece of hi mind when a female scream made them turn their heads towards the open door.

They both turned pale when they saw who it was, and ran outside.

A guard had seized the blacksmith's beautiful wife, and now pressed her against himself, making her wriggle but to no avail. The blacksmith glared, a dark expression Syaoran had never, ever seen on his face. Walking forward angrily, he shouted but another guard hit him across te head with a broad stick, causing him to lose consciousness.

The guards laughed, but stopped when a low, clear voice rang out.

"Let her go you two lowly scumbags."

They turned in surprise to see a hooded figure, skinny and lean looking, but tall. Though not enough. He was obviously a teenager.

"And why would we want to listen to you boy?!" one of the guards sneered.

The boy snarled, "because soon you will be losing your pathetic positions, and cleaning the horse dungs instead."

Obviously not grasping the meaning, the two guards just laughed, "and who might you be?"

The boy pulled back his hood, revealing a chocolate mess of a hair, and sharp amber eyes, set nicely in a handsome face. The villagers gasped. They had known who the person was, and knew that the reason why the prince wore that hood was not because of fashion advice, but because of the fact it was the only time of freedom he got to have. This only pulled him higher in their good books, liking the young boy further than they ever thought they could manage.

"Let her go," Syaoran repeated, oblivious to the awed stares he was receiving.

The guard that was holding the lady immediately let her go, pushing her roughly away, and straight into the prince, as he and his comrade ran for their lives.

"Cowards," Syaoran muttered as he carefully and gently pulled the woman -who was only six yeas older than him- to her feet. She hugged him tightly in thanks and ran to her husband who was starting to wake up.

The prince watched the couple's reunion, not aware how softly people looked at him.

"That was very brave of you your highness."

Swirling around, Syaoran's eyes widened as he saw the petite figure standing before him, smiling gently at him.

"You know, behind that cold exterior of yours, you're actually the most caring person I have ever met."

"i take that as a compliment?" Syaoran said, smirking at the girl before him, "So what are you doing here Sakura?"

Sakura shrugged, her smile never leaving her face, "I was walking around when I heard the scream."

That caused the prince to frown, "You shouldn't have come. You could have gotten hurt. What would you have done if the matter was worst than this and you were alone?" Ever since last night's ball, Syaoran had grown a protective aura around this girl.

Sakura's wide green eyes softened as she looked at his concerned amber eyes, which had dropped its cold touch when he was in the village. She had noticed that only in the palace, and royal blooded, or high classed people he acted this way, but around others, he was just a carefree teenager, kind and selfless. Sakura knew that was his true side.

"You're just a big softie aren't you?" she asked and giggled when his cheeks closer to him, and watiching his beautiful golden amber eyes, she smiled once more. This time, she gave him her sweetest, most nicest smile she could manage. "But that's what makes you have a beautiful soul your highness."

Standing on her toes, she kissed him briefly on the cheek, then quickly bid her goodbyes, trying ti hide her blood red blush.

Little did Sakura know, that Syaoran Li, the future king of the Li kingdom, one of the best and fastest sword and martial art fighters, was standing rooted on the spot, his mouth ajar but smiling softly, and two deep rosy coloured blushes on his cheeks.

The villagers who had witnessed the little scene grinned widely and wished the best for their beloved young prince.

* * *

"SYAORANNNNNN!!!!" Eriol shouted when he caught sight of his oh-so beloved cousin riding his horse absent minded towards the stables.

The young prince didn't even glance at his cousin, and stared off dreamily into space, only one thought in his mind. A pair of vivid green eyes.

Eriol made an irritated sound and walked towards Syaoran. Then his nose detected a delicious smell, and he found a basket filled with all kinds of delicious foods in it. Looking curiously at his cousin, Eriol asked, "Where did you get these from. And prey tell, why do you have a box of jewellery in your hand?"

"None of your business," Was he curt reply.

But in truth, the blacksmith and his wife had been so grateful, that the latter had made a basket filled with sweets and bakery, while the former had given Syaoran the most beautiful piece of jewellery known in the kingdom. Even though Syaoran had refused it, saying that it was his job to save his friends, the couple were stubborn, and had made him take all of it back to the palace.

"How was your day?" Eriol asked.

No answer.

"What did you do?"

No answer.

"Did you get anything?"

No answer.

"How much did you miss me?"

Syaoran snorted and looked over at his cousin skeptically.

Well, thats it for now, please let me know what you think.

Thankyou so much for all those gorgeous, lovely and kind reviewers.

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