~*~Silence Of the Heart ~*~

Chapter Six:

Syaoran was up early the next morning. He has been up not too long ago, still feeling refreshed after his long morning ride. When he returned, he found Eriol waiting for him as usual. He could tell from the consist glares that Eriol has been giving him ever since they entered the Nihon clan's base camp, he was pissed off. After residing here for over a few weeks now, he too has the urge to leave, not because he was in a hurry to return home but because he couldn't stand staying in one place too long.

He had left his country three years ago, no longer able to stand his mother and his clan's methods of forcing him to accept the position of emperor. Everybody in his clan knew that Syaoran is their only ray of hope into restoring order between the fifty clans but most of them knew that he won't accept the task. They even tried to tie Syaoran down by getting him married to one of the daughters in their clan, forcing him to stay until the emperor made a full recovery. Syaoran knew better than this and knew that this wasn't going to stop their efforts unless he leaves this land for good. So when it was time for him to leave, he just left without hesitation but not before his friend Eriol tried to stop him.

"I won't stay here any longer, if you try to stop me I will have to..."

"I know but reconsider, if you leave you are banished from our clan and your family."

Without saying another word, he left, just like that. Empress Yelan officially announced his banishment the very next day, knowing that throughout the land Syaoran wouldn't be welcome to any establishment nor given him any line of work and if found be incarcerated. Even though this would normally bring fear to men but to him it was like his mother was giving her blessing. No doubt he dealt with his shares of hardship and pain but the truth was he enjoy his freedom. He enjoyed roaming around the land, killing his own meat, fighting without any restraint, seeing the world for what it is, brutal and only the strong survive and getting what you want without receiving handouts.

However, Syaoran knew that this wouldn't last long since Eriol have come to "fetch" him and return him to China. The emperor has worsened while he was gone and wouldn't be long before his siblings will try to take the emperor's place. Even though it was he himself who made the choice but still he knew that things will get worse once he arrived home. He had just one errand to do before he can leave. The only thing that is stopping him from enjoying his last moment of peace was Eriol.

"How long do you think this task will take, your mother is waiting for her only son to return?"

"Stop nagging." Syaoran snapped. "I told you as soon as I finish this last task and collect the rest of my payment, we can go. It is the least you can do for me for finally agreeing to come back. I thought you were capable of gratitude."

Eriol didn't say anything since he couldn't afford to have Syaoran provoke and changing his mind. Empress Yelan was already doing her best to end any schemes that meant her early death but he and the rest of the secret police couldn't infiltrate them all. So it was important to follow Syaoran's demands till further notices. He kept that in mind as they left the tent they were occupying during their stay and heading towards the base of the general leader.

Before the two oversea men could depart to china, Syaoran first needed to meet with the leader of the Nihon clan's army Tenji Chang about the fee he still owed for tracking down and wiping out the entire Jarret army. Apparently, they were corrupted by the previous leader of Jarret and had ordered his men to gather up the strongest soldiers to form the strongest troops and have them infiltrate Nihon. Once there, he will have the Nihon's clan grand council assassinate before going after their leader. Once Nihon was under Jarret's control, troops would be sent all over the neighborhood countries that fell under Nihon's jurisdiction like Clow, Jade, Oto, and Tomoeda and claim it for their lord. When Nihon heard about this, they decided to investigate it further.

General Tenji was the leader of the Nihon country's army who have tracked Syaoran down during his travel through Japan. Rumors have spread saying that Syaoran Li is the type of warrior who isn't only the strongest and powerful man in China but a well-skilled warrior to get the job done. No matter how difficult or dirty it might be, he will do it for the right price. At first, Syaoran refused the offer but when he heard who else was working for the old general, he changed his mind.

They finally made it to the huge tent as Syaoran entered inside first. Suddenly he spotted a tall, messy chestnut hair man who was sitting down by the general's long table staring back at him. A familiar presence flew around between them as the stranger meet him eye to eye.

"Welcome back, I see you made it back in one piece."

Eriol who had followed after Syaoran stared widely at the young man but Syaoran's facial expression remained unchanged.

"Shao Zen, leader of the Zen clan is working for Nihon?" Eriol asked surprisingly

Syaoran nodded. "Apparently, Zen has some kind of connection toward general Chang and decided to come out from China to help out."

"Probably it's something to do with succeeding the throne," Eriol muttered quietly.

"No doubt that's his motive," Syaoran muttered bitterly.

"I have already suspected you had left the area but consider the urgent situation here, you can't leave until General Tenji returns back from his business in Jade." He stares back to Eriol for a second. "You must be going back to the Imperial palace since Eriol is here. The empress must have released you from your banishment, how nice of her but then again I'm sure she must have her reason."

Zen gave a small smirk which caused Syaoran to growl as the two of them gave each other a menacing stare. Eriol sighed deeply as he watched the two of them battling each other out. Ever since Shao Zen failed to become the legitimate heir of the Chinese empire, Syaoran and Shao Zen were always battling each other whether it was on the battlefield, studies, skill or strength.

Zen wasn't like his other half-sibling, in fact, he was given the same privileges and rights as Syaoran. Nobody knew why out of the emperor's many children, he was the one who was given this sacred rights that even the royal council don't normally allow but here he was, enjoying the privilege of roaming around like he hasn't had a care in the world.

Before things could get out of control, the tent's entrance flew opened and the middle-aged General Chang arrived and both Syaoran and Zen stopped fighting and placed themselves into their seats.

"Pardon for my lateness, I trust that things ran smoothly while I was gone." He said as he walked over and took his seat.

"Of course, everything ran smoothly than expected. There isn't nothing I can't handle." Zen said cocky, knowing this statement was irritating his brother.

Zen was stationed in Nihon for two years ever since news arrived in the imperial palace that their allies' army was lacking leadership while the general was away with his best men to Jade. The emperor knew that if Nihon country was to falls into ruins, their trade of metal, silk, paper and tools were gone too. So he asked one of the fifty clans to volunteer one of their representatives to go to Japan. Most of them refused since they never been outside of China before and were too afraid of catching any disease that is originated in Japan and didn't want to adapt to its natural environment. Zen knew that General Chang had worked for the emperor's army not too long ago and was strongly in good term with his father. So without any objection, he went toward Nihon, knowing that his half-brother Syaoran will be around the area since he was banished the year before and will most likely be interested in what he is up to.

"Were you able to complete the task I asked you to do?"

Syaoran nodded. "I took down Jarret's leader and brought back what you requested."

Without haste, Syaoran took off the package that he was carrying on his back and laid it down before the general and unwrap it. Eriol was the only person out of the rest of the party who was stunned when he saw a sword shimmered with gold and red, dragons spiral around the hilt and the blade coated with dried up blood.

The General couldn't help but grin. "Excellent for retrieving the Jarret clan's sword. With this, Jarret can be reestablished and this time, we will select the right person for the job as lord, someone who won't try to take over Nihon. I can finally send word that the leader of the Japanese army has been avenged among other things." General Chang spoke while looking at Zen's direction, Syaoran notices it but brushed it off when the general made eye contact his way. "Here is the rest of the payment as promised," he said as he slid the five pounds bag of gold coins over to Syaoran.

Syaoran checked his gold, making sure it was the real deal. There was an incident when one of his clients have paid in jewels, only to turn out to be fake when he pawned it. Of course, he chased his client down and collected his payment, much more then it was originality worth since the client was more than "willing" to part with. But still, he couldn't help but be suspicious about Zen's appearance in Nihon and the way general Chang have shown interest in Zen.

When he first heard about Zen's whereabouts, he suspected that Zen will be General Chang's second of command until his return. No doubt that was true when he arrived at Nihon a year ago to receive instructions and got it from Zen never the less. Worst off all, he sends him off with soldiers who lacked any fighting experience, not to mention never even been on a battlefield. So it took longer than expected to complete his mission with him training his men on basic combat and led them to Jarret's downfall. What more does the old general want than Nihon's victory over it enemy?

Despite wanting to stay and figure out Zen's plan, he knew that he could no longer stay and will have to head back at the palace before anything else happens. "Now that is clear, my servant and I will take leave," Syaoran said as he stood up from his seat and left but not before he shook the general's hand respectfully and looked down at Zen with a disdainful look in his eyes.


In a fortnight, Yumi Asumya managed Tomoeda properly as the lady of the manor, overseeing the running of Tomoeda's farm land, collecting property taxes from the villagers and purchasing items to refurbished Kinomoto Manor. Yumi knew that if she was to live a lavish lifestyle once more, she needed to make sure that Tomoeda was running smoothly enough to allow her to stay in power. Having Fujitaka and Touya out of the way is the first part of the plan completed but now what was left was Sakura. Ever since Fujitaka was announced dead, she has been keeping her hold on Sakura more than ever. She kept her busy with household chores, assuming it will make her weary and pessimistic but she was tougher than expected.

However, ever since the announcement Sakura's morale started to diminish a bit, which pleased her. Even her spies have reported that Sakura would sneak out at every night to the cemetery to pay respect to her parents and brother while crying unstop till either Kaho or Tomoyo would convince her to return to bed. Yumi knew too well that Sakura hated her and have wanted Yukito to be in charge of the household. However, she needed her to get marry to a man of her choosing. Yumi will have to find someone who will marry Sakura and will agree to her plans. Yumi knew that whoever she choose for Sakura's fiancé would have to come from a prestigious background, have to be young and handsome and will want to govern Tomoeda but will not want to resign over. With her influences, Yumi had obtained a long list of possible candidates that had asked for Sakura's hand over the years. There was no doubt that she will be able to find someone in here, she had plenty of time.

Not too soon that she thought of this, Kasumi burst in from the door, panting heavily with a paper in her hand.

"Mistress, I have news from Nihon. It seems that the general has returned and heard Lord Fujitaka's death and wants to inform you that the situation between Nihon and Jarret is finally over. He also orders an audience with lady Sakura. He wants her in Nihon to discuss the late lord's inheritance. Ever since the fall of Jarret, news of thieves roaming around the area has increased and are plundering everything and everyone. Because of that, a representative will be here to escort you two there no later than two days."

Yumi sank down on her couch, she ordered her spy to bring Sakura. Kasumi left Yumi's chamber, leaving Yumi furious.

Yumi had only been at Kinomoto Manor for two years now. When she heard news about her cousin Nadeshiko's death, she was pleased that her great grandfather's inheritance will finally go to her since only women from their family can gain access to it. The last time she saw Nadeshiko was when she visited their great grandfather at Nihon when he fell ill. At this time, she only has her son Touya who was only seven years old. Nadeshiko had always been a fragile woman, who would get sick easily and will be bedridden half the time. So it was impossible for her to have any more children especially since she had complications during her pregnancy with Touya. Even the doctors had said that she shouldn't be able to have any more children but unexpectedly Sakura came along.

At first, Yumi didn't know that Sakura even existed until Nadeshiko's death. Her plans were to marry Fujitaka and have Touya enrolled in Nihon army with the help of her godfather who at the time was the general. Her godfather was to offer Touya a higher position in the Nihon to throw off suspicious since Touya was known as a skillful man. He had certain skills to managing her godfather's soldiers and winning many battles for Nihon country will be child's play. With Touya gone, it will be easy to manage the Manor as she pleased while Fujitaka would be too busy with the Japanese army and Tomoeda to interfere.

Nonetheless, Fujitaka and Touya weren't able to leave Tomoeda since Sakura was still too young and had suffered greatly from her mother's passing to be left alone. So the idea was off and Sakura's father and brother stayed in Tomoeda and Touya was sent to work for the Japanese army. Shortly after this Yumi's godfather, who was her only source of income and the only one who loved her was killed during their raids from the enemy camp.

After his death, Yumi was left to work paying off the Nihon soldiers and taking care of the army till a replacement general was assigned. For a year Yumi worked there, anticipating the day that she can finally return to her luxury lifestyle. However, her plan didn't go so well since, by the time she was done with her business in Nihon, she was out of money and had nowhere else to go and have since already was driven out by everybody who knew her.

So Yumi had to think another way to get by. While she was still engrossed of the idea of getting back into the lap of luxury, it came to her. Before she left, she heard that the Japanese army was planning to set off to Jade to aid in their fight against Jarret. With this in mind, she can use this chance to go to Tomoeda and offer Fujitaka her services in the Kinomoto Manor and look after Sakura. So she went off to Tomoeda, knowing that she will have everything she wants in the palm of her hands but now because of this message, everything is ruined.

Yumi knew that Chang would put someone in charge of the Japanese army and knew Sakura would be sent there to discuss her late father's testament. Even if she followed Fujitaka last statement, Yumi knew she wouldn't benefit from it and Sakura will throw her out once she is married. So the only thing left to do is to persuade the girl that it was father's requests to follow Yumi's orders and at the same time manipulate General Chang.

As she was thinking of this, her spy entered the room, dragging Sakura inside. The way Sakura looked, her simple dress caked with mud and dirt, her hair in a messy bun, her forehead dripped with sweat have told her that she was at the barn again feeding the animals and harvesting and loading crops that were to be stock into the storehouse. "Mistress, I brought lady Sakura just like you requested."

"That will be all for now, you may leave." Said Yumi as she dismissed Kasumi while looking at Sakura with a discontent look on her face. "Please tell me why I was told that you went off to visit your father and brother's grave again instead of doing your chores. It has been a month already and you still can't bring yourself to move on with your life. They were killed off by the enemy soldiers and should be an honor for what they did for this country instead of making this about you."

"Let me grieve! It is all I have left."

"You can't keep this up forever. It is not going to change things and you will have to accept the fact that they are not around anymore. It is okay for you to still think about them and honor their memory in your heart but you have to face reality and listen to what I have to say. Nihon's general Tenji Chang wants us to go to his base to speak with you about your father's memento."

Sakura's eyes widen knowing that her father has not forgotten about her, gave her a little hope. "What memento?"

"I have no idea but it's important that we go to Nihon as soon as possible. You owe it to your father to go and do as he wishes."

Sakura really didn't want to agree with Yumi but knew that she was right. This was her chance to get answers of why her father wanted Yumi to be her guardian instead of Yukito, and perhaps find out what is going on.