Hello everyone! So this is the first chapter of a new verse, vigilante!Tomoyo. I was worried initially on whether having Tomoyo be some masked vigilante was going to be extremely OOC for her, but then I thought, sure, Tomoyo has always been kind of delicate, but she's also been sort of mysterious right? So yea, this happened. Let me know what you think!

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071. Aim

In the distant land of Tomoeda, lived a young lady with hair as black as the night, and skin as fair as the winter snow. Her name was Tomoyo and she had lived in the King's castle ever since the death of her mother when she was a mere child. The Princess Sakura was her dear cousin and her uncle, the King, had been very gracious to provide Tomoyo with a home and a family. Lady Tomoyo spent her days keeping her cousin company in Princess lessons, sewing and singing and her reputation as a beautiful, cultured maiden spread far and wide. But as things always seem to be, there was more to Tomoyo than met the eye. Much, much more.

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Tomoyo slid in through the window and landed deftly on her knee, "I'm back Sakura." She whispered as she removed her bow from around her body.

Her cousin rose gracefully from the bed, "Finally Tomoyo, I was beginning to get worried!" She helped Tomoyo change out of her black breeches and green tunic and into a more appropriate dress. "Father came in to check on you an hour ago but I just hid under the covers and coughed as violently as I could. I think he's going to send in the doctor tomorrow."

Tomoyo giggled, "Thanks Sakura."

"Anything exciting happened today?" Sakura asked as she pulled some wayward leaves and twigs from Tomoyo's hair.

"Well, as you know, that awful Lady Valda was visiting today..." Tomoyo trailed off.

Sakura nodded sagely, "And she does have lots of baubles."

Tomoyo smiled, "Yes, she has lots. And to my knowledge, all purchased with ill gotten gains."

Sakura giggled, "I trust you remedied that situation?"

"You bet I did." Tomoyo laughed, "I think the townsfolk would appreciate them a lot more than she would."

Sakura patted her cousin lightly on her hand, "Sounds like fun, I should hurry back to the party soon. Father would wonder why I'm taking so long in the library."

Tomoyo chuckled and waved as her cousin silently tip toed from her room and made a mad dash to the ballroom.

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The next morning, after Tomoyo ensured her uncle that she had recovered from her sudden sickness, and settled down to breakfast at the dining hall, they were interrupted by an apologetic guard.

"Your Majesty, I apologise for intruding on breakfast, but Lady Valda is outside and she seeks an audience."

Tomoyo and Sakura exchanged surreptitious looks over their napkins.

"Now?" King Fujitaka sighed.

All present in the dining hall winced when a particularly high pitch shriek sounded from outside the doors.

"I suppose we might as well get it over with." King Fujitaka said, resigned as he waved for the guard to let her in while sending Sakura and Tomoyo pained looks.

Lady Valda entered the dining room, sobbing into her handkerchief, her lady in waiting, right behind her. "Your Majesty, I apologise for the intrusion."

For once, King Fujitaka was alarmed at the tears running down Lady Valda's face, "That's alright. What brings you to the castle so early? And in tears?"

At the King's kind words, Lady Valda dissolved into another bout of sobbing, "I...was...robbed!"

Tomoyo bit down on her toast and chewed, eyeing the scene in front of her.

"Oh?" Sakura voiced, "and what have you lost Lady Valda?"

Lady Valda turned to face Sakura, "All my jewellery Princess! It was horrible!"

"Was anyone hurt?" the King questioned.

"No, no one was hurt. The dreadful thief came in when we were out at the party last night." Lady Valda replied, reaching behind to her lady in waiting, who offered her another handkerchief.

"I see," King Fujitaka sighed, "that's a relief."

"A relief?" Lady Valda's shrieked, "The thief stole my diamonds! It's that dreadful Hood character, he left an arrow!"

"Ah, Hood." King Fujitaka shook his head, "Alright Lady Valda, I will see what I can do to retrieve your valuables. Please leave us now."

With one last sob, Lady Valda dropped a curtsey and left the hall in a swish of skirts.

With another sigh, King Fujitaka regarded the two girls at the table, "So what do you think girls?"

"About what Father?" Sakura questioned innocently.

"About the vigilante Hood. From what I gather of him, he hasn't caused harm to any of the nobles he's robbed and I heard he distributes his loot to the poor. I find that I am most unwilling to persecute him." King Fujitaka replied, rubbing his temples.

"Oh Father, this Hood sounds like a just and upright fellow, he only steals from the dodgy nobles. I know you've been trying to find some evidence of corruption and such among them without having any luck." Sakura soothed as she took her father's hand.

"I know, I know." King Fujitaka nodded, "But you know I've been having trouble with the nobles lately. So many of them have been visited by Hood, they keep insisting for me to do something about it."

"Don't worry about it Father, besides, nobody has seen Hood, it would not be easy to catch him." Sakura said, "Let's just forget about it and have breakfast in peace shall we?"

King Fujitaka smiled at his daughter, "Very well. It will do no good to worry about it now."

Tomoyo remained silent.

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"Hey Tomoyo, isn't Lord Albert throwing a party at his estate today?" Sakura asked, lounging on Tomoyo's daybed.

"Yes, I believe he is." Tomoyo nodded in affirmation.

"And he invited you too." Sakura noted, holding the invitation card up.

"Yes, although I'm quite sure he wouldn't expect me to turn up." Tomoyo said as she took out her bow from under her bed.

Sakura chuckled, "Hasn't he already asked for your hand thrice already? You would think he'd get the hint."

Tomoyo shuddered, "Such a dreadful character, that Lord Albert! He's vile and corrupt and the ringleader of all the wayward nobles. I will never ever marry someone like him."

Sakura nodded and frowning, started tracing patterns on the bed, "He's been gaining power in court lately, I'm a little worried. I know Father is, but without any evidence of his crimes, we can't do anything."

"I'm worried as well Sakura, but don't worry. I'll do something about it." Tomoyo replied as she pulled her dress off.

Sakura sat up on the bed, still frowning, "Tomoyo, security is going to be tight at Lord Albert's estate, you're going to have trouble."

Tomoyo grinned as she pulled on her breeches, "I'm not going to be stealing from his estate Sakura."

"I'm not sure I want to know." Sakura smiled as she helped retrieve Tomoyo's arrows from behind her bookcase, "Just make sure to come home on time just in case Father decides to pop by after his meeting with the council."

"I'll do my best." Tomoyo replied, and with a little wave, she disappeared out her window.

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The party at Lord Albert's estate was in full swing as almost all the nobles Lord Albert had judged to be important enough were in attendance. Networking was important, his father had taught him that. He was going to need the support of the other noblemen if he wanted his plan to succeed. He knew he had most of their loyalty except for a few pesky, annoyingly noble noblemen. They would be the first to go when he succeeded.

Lost in his thoughts, he was caught off guard when he heard the sound of an arrow whizzing by his ear. Immediately, his guards had their swords drawn and the ballroom became silent when the rest of the party attendees realised what had happened.

Turning around, Lord Albert's eyes widened as he took in the sight of an arrow impaled in the pillar behind him, just a hair's breadth away from his head. Attached to the arrow was a note which read, Greetings Lord Albert. This is a friendly warning from the people of Tomoeda. Your corrupt practices and treacherous ways will be borne no further. Your plans to overthrow the King will not succeed. We will make sure of it. Hood.

Ripping the paper off the arrow, Lord Albert turned to face his chief of guards, "Explain this."

The chief quickly bowed, "We have surrounded the perimeter of the estate my Lord, judging from the angle of the arrow, it could only have come through that window," he gestured to the huge, open window at the opposite end of the ballroom, "but that will mean that the shooter had fired that arrow from the forest behind the estate, which is at least 500 yards away."

"500 yards?" Lord Albert smiled, "That's perfect."

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"Eriol, I fear that there can be nothing good about this invitation from Lord Albert." Syaoran said as he followed his Lord towards the estate of Lord Albert.

"Oh Syaoran, could you stop worrying for a day? I'm sure Lord Albert just wants to have a chat." Eriol replied easily, urging his horse into a canter.

Syaoran rolled his eyes, "It is my job to worry about you since you obviously have no self-preservation instincts whatsoever. You had pissed him off royally when you declined his rather dodgy offer previously, don't you remember?"

"All water under the bridge now." Eriol said with a smile, waving his hand in a rather lazy fashion.

"For you maybe, but Lord Albert is a crafty fellow who bears grudges. When your father was alive, he was very influential at court. You could be rather influential at court if you cared a little more about politics. I wouldn't be surprised if Lord Albert sees you as a threat to be eliminated." Syaoran warned, keeping close to Eriol as his eyes darted around. They had entered Lord Albert's estate now and were directed to the main hall as they dismounted.

"Let's try to have more faith in humankind Syaoran." Eriol whispered as Syaoran fell back to walk behind him.

It was funny Eriol said that because just as he entered the main hall, Eriol and Syaoran found themselves surrounded by Lord Albert's guard, all with their swords drawn and pointed at them.

"I would say I told you so, but unfortunately, it isn't proper." Syaoran stated dryly.

Eriol raised an eyebrow as Lord Albert entered his line of sight. "And to what do I owe this rather pointy welcome Lord Albert?"

Lord Albert smirked, "I wonder Lord Eriol, if you are aware that I was the subject of an assassination attempt last night? By the infamous Hood?"

"No, I was not aware." Eriol replied, shaking his head.

"Well, I was. An arrow just barely missed my head. In the middle of my party." Lord Albert elaborated.

Eriol nodded, "I see. I am sorry to hear that."

"Pray, tell me Lord Eriol, where were you last night?" Lord Albert asked, drawing closer.

"At my estate." Eriol replied shortly, "Although I do not see how this pertains to the conversation."

"Ah," Lord Albert chuckled, albeit with little humour, "that is because, that arrow was shot from 500 yards away."

Eriol stayed silent.

"You, Lord Eriol, are the only person in our lands capable of such a shot." Lord Albert declared.

"I beg to differ, my knight Syaoran has been known to be just as good an archer as I am." Eriol said, smiling politely.

Syaoran turned to glare at Eriol. He was really not helping matters.

Lord Albert narrowed his eyes, "Are you saying that you sent your knight to do the deed?"

"Absolutely not." Eriol replied, a serene expression on his face, "I was merely pointing out that your facts are quite wrong."

"Nonetheless, I am afraid I will have to acquaint you with the prison facilities Lord Eriol, you'll understand I'm sure." Lord Albert said, a smile playing on the corners of his lips.

"It's difficult not to understand with a sword at my neck, I assure you." Eriol replied evenly, staring at Lord Albert, "You'll release my knight I presume? Surely only one of us can be responsible."

"Of course." Lord Albert nodded at the guards and they stepped away from Syaoran who stayed right where he was.

"I am not leaving without my Lord." Syaoran said, holding firm next to Eriol.

"Don't be foolish Syaoran, go home and find some way to prove my innocence, since Lord Albert here does not believe that I was at my estate at the time of his party." Eriol replied, fixing Syaoran with a glare.

Unable to disobey a direct order from his Lord, Syaoran bowed stiffly and turned, leaving the hall.

"Very loyal servant you got there Lord Eriol." Lord Albert said pleasantly from behind his guards.

"Syaoran is my friend first and foremost, and my knight, second of all. Never my servant." Eriol replied just as pleasantly. "Now would you care to take me to the dungeons?"

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No Tomoyo/Eriol interaction but I needed to set up the scene a bit first. And this is obviously just the first chapter of vigilante!Tomoyo and nobleman!Eriol, hope it got you intrigued. Keep an eye out for the follow ups!