Destiny

Chapter 15

By Sakura aka Michelle

July 10, 2011

"Prepare a horse for me. I am going after them," Syaoran had demanded with a serious tone, his expression hard as he looked at Yoshiyuki intently as if challenging him to deny his request. "Where's the stable?"

Yukito had whirled back from tending to Touya and started to protest against Syaoran's decision. "The roads are slippery and unsafe in this weather for horse riding. What if you were to injure yourself? Look at the rain! You can hardly see what is in front of you! How would you be able to find her?"

"I would agree with Physician Tsukishiro," Yoshiyuki replied with a calm face. "It is useless to risk additional injuries at such times. The weather is unsuitable for any forms of travelling; you may just lose yourself in the Kinomoto land trying to find the lady."

Everyone was shocked when Syaoran grabbed the front of Yoshiyuki's uniform and shoved him hard against the wall with a resounding bang. "If you were in my position, what would you do?" the younger man hissed. "What would you do then? Tell me!"

Yoshiyuki sighed and shrugged out of Syaoran's vice-like grasp. "I got your point," he then sighed again and turned to look at Yukito. "There is no helping it then. If Prince Kinomoto would permit it, you shall have our horses at your service."

"Well?" Syaoran asked Touya. If one did not fully understand the whole situation, he would have thought that Syaoran's tone was rude to the prince of the kingdom. They would have demanded that those who offended the Royalty to be put to jail.

"Well what?" Touya asked and started to sit up, grimacing when a burst of pain shot up from his open wound, earning him an earful of admonishment and then set about placating Yukito, almost begging him to spare him his ears from the usually long tirade. "Bring her back for me, for us and for everyone. We need her to end everything before it is too late."

Syaoran nodded and left the room. Takahashi caught the look his prince was giving him and understood his silent command. He nodded and left to follow Syaoran for he was more familiar with the Kinomoto land than the prince Li.

"I wish him success," Yukito said with a smile as he turned to the windows and watched the village that was just beyond the castle. He then stood to attention when there was a soft knock on the door and two figures stepped into the room.

While there was an uproar in the Kinomoto castle, it was a complete silence in the dark forest and it certainly unnerved Sakura who had just came round. She shivered slightly in the chilling wind and wrapped her arms around herself to retain her body heat.

She was really surprised that she survived the fall from the high ledge, not that she remembered anything during and after the fall but she was definitely sure she would be killed. They had definitely injured Touya and she was pretty sure they would get her no matter what. Where was the guy who fell down together with me? Sakura thought with a sudden dread. Is he around the area, waiting for the perfect moment to strike? She turned to look at her surrounding suspiciously. Nobody was in the area with her right now and she was slightly relieved and puzzled. Why did he push me down and then left me here alone and unharmed?

Her right ankle throbbed, which brought to her attention that her bruised ankle was slightly swollen and sensitive to touch. Deciding that remaining at the same location that whoever has left her was suicidal and would not do her any good, she pushed herself up on her good leg and limped away, trying to find her way to Kinomoto castle. It was a difficult task in the darkness of the night; she had no idea where she was heading, not to mention that she could barely see what was ten feet in front of her.

Hoof beats sounded in the distance, ringing alarm bells in Sakura's mind. She realized that she was standing on the footpath that led to somewhere she had no idea of and that she had to get away from the path or she would be seen by whoever was coming her way. She limped to the cluster of trees just by the footpath and leaned against the strong bark, peering to the side to take a glimpse of the rider.

Two familiar figures on horseback galloped past her and she gasped in recognition. "Syaoran!" Sakura shouted and hurried out of her concealed location but her voice was drowned out by the loud hoof beats of the horses and they were gone from her sight almost instantly. "Syaoran…" Sakura called out again weakly and tears of frustration welled up in Sakura's eyes. She almost stomped her foot indignantly. Running after them be a foolish idea given that her ankle was not in a good condition and she would probably ended up being a permanent cripple if she did that.

Sakura turned to look at the direction where Syaoran came from. They must have come from the castle and if they came from this direction… I will be able to reach Kinomoto castle! Sakura complimented herself for having come up with the connection but her smile died down when she looked down at her ankle and knew that she could only limp her way to the castle and god knew how far away that was.

"Very far," Sakura guessed aloud and then proceeded to limp towards her destination, not wanting to waste anymore precious time; her kingdom needed her and her family needed her. She took one painful step and collapse from the excruciating pain that shot up from her abused ankle and let out a loud gasp of pain. Dear god! Please give me strength to continue!

A nearby bush shuffled and Sakura froze instantly, fearing for the worst. Her eyes were wide when she scanned the dark area to her left. The sounds were getting louder and a shadow emerged.

Sakura screamed.

"She should be around this area," Takahashi announced and pulled his horse to a stop as he watched Syaoran performed the same action with such grace befitting of a prince. He mentally salute Syaoran in awe and felt himself wishing that he was a prince so that he could have many of his followers gazing up at him with awe like he did to Syaoran.

"Sakura!" Syaoran suddenly shouted and pushed his horse into a slow canter, straining his ears for the slightest noise. "Answer me Sakura!"

Takahashi cleared his throat to gain Syaoran's attention. The latter swung back and stared at him with his piercing eyes. Takahashi felt himself gulping down on his words. "I was thinking," Takahashi said jerkingly, aware of the stare of the prince as he looked elsewhere. "The princess might be unconscious and may not be able to respond. She fell from great height after all. I mean… perhaps we should search on foot here? Chances of finding her on foot are much higher than galloping to nowhere on the horse and then risking the slim chance of finding her, especially in this darkness."

A moment of silence passed before Syaoran finally replied. "I guess you are right. It is difficult to find her on horseback. I will look about in this area. You go on further ahead and start from there."

Takahashi nodded in agreement and sped away, leaving a trail of dust behind. Syaoran slid down his horse and made his way into the cluster of trees by the roadside, combing his way through deeper into the forest.

Please be all right! Syaoran pleaded silently as his anxiousness grew with every minute and every step he took. Please let her be all right! I will treasure her and never ever let her leave myself again. Just let her be safe! Please!

A thin branch snapped and swung towards his face with lightning speed. Although he was caught off guard, he ignored the slight pain that resulted and continued on, searching aimlessly. He was about to go further in when he heard a scream.

Icy chills went down his spine almost immediately. Sakura!

He had not realized that he had actually shouted out her name repeatedly as he fought his way out of the forest, combating the incoming branches that blocked his way and hindering his progress to the love of his life. His heart of thumping loudly and all he could hear was the replaying of the screams he had heard earlier. Was she injured? Did the men catch her? Dear god! Please let her be there!

Syaoran burst out of the forest and onto the footpath, his eyes wild with anxiety and panic as he scanned the area and found a small lump of figure hunched down into a ball about twenty feet ahead of him with a small furry animal besides whoever it was.

"Sakura?" he called out softly, unsure if the ball of shaking figure was whom he was searching for. "Is that you? Sakura?"

The figure uncovered her ears from her hunched position and turned her head back to look at him with tearful eyes. Her eyes lit up upon seeing him and she got up in a second, ready to jump into him but she gasped and went down on her knees instead, her hands bracing herself and prevented her from crashing onto the ground.

Syaoran was with her in the next second, helping her up and gently dusting the dirt off her. Sakura gripped his forearm for balance and never in her life had she felt this comforted by his nearness. "Syaoran… I thought you had gone away. I called you… but you did not look back."

Sakura was suddenly pulled into Syaoran's embrace. Initially, she was surprised and was at a loss of what to do. However, it was very comforting to be held by him. She rested her cheek against Syaoran's broad shoulder and hugged him back.

"I am never going to let you out of my sight," Syaoran hissed out while stilling holding Sakura. "Don't you ever leave me again, Sakura! You will definitely shorten my lifespan by scaring the hell out of me!"

"But I wasn't trying to leave you," Sakura protested, her voice muffled by Syaoran's shirt. "I'm just trying to get home."

"Just looked at what has happened to you," Syaoran remarked as he pulled back to take a good look at Sakura. He gently brushed a lock of hair away from her forehead. "All disheveled and nursing a sore ankle." Syaoran could not help it any longer, he leaned in and pressed his lips against her forehead. "But nevertheless, still safe and sound. I am thankful for that."

Sakura turned a few shades of pink and was glad that the darkness of the night had shielded her face from Syaoran. Syaoran would definitely tease her endlessly and she would die from embarrassment if he could read her current expression.

Without warning, Syaoran swept her into his arms, earning him a small squeak from Sakura. He then retraced his steps back to his horse which he spotted had just trotted nearby. He helped Sakura onto his horse and then waited for her to settle comfortably in the saddle before swinging up behind her, reaching past Sakura for the reins.

Sakura remained silent throughout the journey back to the castle, leaning against Syaoran and savouring their nearness. While they were at the Li castle, they had to avoid being seen together for extensive period of time and hence their encounters were usually painfully brief. She had to make use of every opportunity to get close to Syaoran .

She was jerked to attention when they reached the castle's main gate and could not suppress the surge of a sudden panic attack that struck through her body. Syaoran felt Sakura's body tense up in front of him as they neared the entrance. A large group of people had already gathered by the dimly lit entrance even though it was already late at night. It was as if they had known that someone was coming. Sakura turned and tried to peek behind Syaoran and sure enough, more people were coming towards them, most of them were villages from the area which they had to pass by before nearing the castle grounds.

"What's wrong?" Syaoran leaned down towards her and whispered into her ears while eyeing the people who were staring curiously up at them.

Sakura shivered involuntarily as he spoke into her ears and resisted the strong urge to cover up her ears with her hands while fighting her blush. "Wh-Why are you bringing me to the main entrance?" Sakura stuttered. "Shouldn't I go in by the servants' entrance to avoid raising suspicions and being detected? This is suicidal!"

"Relax," Syaoran replied and gave her a reassuring squeeze as he glared at curious onlookers who had dared to come too close for comfort. The obediently retreated after giving them what seemed to be a slight bow. "Let them see us. You are the rightful princess and there is nothing for us to hide."

The horse trotted through the castle gates upon the watchful eyes of the guardsmen. Sakura lapsed into silence as she watched the surrounding areas lit up by burning torches.

"It's good to be back," Sakura murmured after a long pause.

To be continued...

*checks the last update for Desnity at FFnet*

Last update: Dec 26 2009?

Didn't realize that it was that long ago! Hope there are still people reading my work...

Do comments and I'll make the next update much much more faster! Try me!