Disclaimer: Card Captor Sakura does not belong to me. The day they do, my professors would stop giving me assignments and tests, Johnny Depp would step in front of my door and profess his undying love for me and a flying purple monkey will zoom around the city.

It's a bit late but its here. Sorry about that.

Syaoran had introduced Cain as his lieutenant and Sakura had immediately liked the man. He seems easy going and had a gentle smile but when they had gathered to discuss the situation, his attitude abruptly changed. He was all business and relayed all the information clearly. The reasons for which Syaoran had chosen Cain to be his liutenant couldn't be more clear.

"We still have one thousand chivalry and two thousand footmen on the way. We have scouts reporting three thousand strong Fire armies marching to Corinth." Cain reported.

Syaoran lifted his eyebrow. The Dark country was the neighboring country of Ice and Fire on either side. Corinth is the city located near the border of the Dark country.

"Under your instruction the city has been evacuated and so does the three next cities. The fields were burnt and the wells were poisoned." Cain reported firmly.

"Poisoned?" The surprise in Sakura's voice was evident.

"A rotting cow should do it." Eriol informed a bit gleefully. "The mercenary Sean hires were of the Noman tribe. They value their horses more than their wives. They wouldn't even consider killing their horses for food."

Eriol had introduced himself as Syaoran's cousin and apparently he was the army strategist.

"Because he was unusually cunning." Syaoran had whispered. "His ideas had landed us in all sorts of trouble when we were kids. The fields were burnt so that their harvest can't be used for food supply for the enemies. They would have nothing to eat and when they arrived at Heron, they would be weakened and hungry enough to eat their shoes."

"How does he know all this?" Sakura whispered to Syaoran in awe.

Syaoran fought the urge to shiver. "Through experience and lots and lots of experiments."

Sakura listened attentively. Hungry for all the information. Syaoran had urged her to go to bed. Technically, she didn't need to be here but she refused. Knowing even if she did go to bed, she wouldn't be able to sleep despite her exhaustion. At least by listening, she could be learning. Be useful for the next meetings.

The meeting was over three hours later. Syaoran smiled when he met Sakura's eyes. She was bright-eyed and returned his smile almost shyly. She blinked and he could see her eyes starting to water. Syaoran chuckled and quickly excuse himself and his wife, all but sweeping her out of the tent and into the relatively dark outside.

Sakura was grateful that her unspoken plea was answered. She had wanted to yawn so badly for the last hour and now that she was hidden from everyone, well, except Syaoran, she did. She was first and foremost the Ice princess. She knew they won't mind against any 'unprincess-like' behavior from her, this is a camp after all. Many worst things had happened than a yawning princess but to her, at least, it was a matter of principle. She gave her body a full stretch, raising herself on her tip toes as she did so. She sighed as she felt her muscles loosened. That was good.

Syaoran leaned against a tree in the darkness, only a few feet from Sakura. The only source of light is from the tents, making the tents illuminate like fireflies. But step just a bit further away, there was only darkness. Syaoran took cover in the comforting element. He watched as her lithe body stretched and the way she squeezed her eyes shut when she succumb to a huge yawn was damn adorable. He liked that she was comfortable around him. He liked that she trust him to a side of her no one gets to see. Mine.

Sakura smiled softly when her muscles didn't ache as much as before. She rolled her shoulders. It was dark, the moon was covered by the clouds but she could see the stars. She turned towards Syaoran and began to walk towards him, joining him wordlessly.

Syaoran's breath catch when her head turned and she began to walk towards him. She stood companiably next to him and he frowned.

"You can see me?"

"I could feel you." Sakura corrected absently. She realized her poor choice of word belatedly and blushed. "I mean I can sense you."

How could she not. His presence had always demanded her attention and every time she turned to face him, she could see, sense, felt his gaze on her. Like a protective flaming barrier, warm, untamable but would never in any way harm her. She was so painfully aware of him it made her feel like a Syaoran-radar.

Syaoran smirked and pulled her farther from camp, deeper into the night. Sakura frowned but she followed nonetheless.

"Prove it." Syaoran whispered, his voice echoing in the darkness, making it hard to pinpoint its source. She was as good as blind in the inky night. Syaoran could move very quietly if he desired so relying on her sense of hearing is out of the question. Not that she can hear anything except the occasional crickets.

There. The hair on the back of her neck stood and she turned to her left. Wandering in the dark was not a good idea so she settled on pointing at his direction instead. She heard his disbelieving chuckle and then he wasn't there anymore.

"Again."

She agreed, unnervingly getting it all right, of course. Sakura stiffened slightly when her blood began to sing and her toes tingled from his nearness. She turned slowly, knowing he was only a foot behind her.

"I'm impressed" he smiled mischievously "and flattered."

Sakura blushed and managed a half hearted glare, uncaring whether he can see it or not. It's the thought that counts. Syaoran raised a hand to touch the slight blush covering her face but settled on cupping her cheeks instead.

"You are cold." He stated softly.

Sakura blinked bemusedly. "Yes. Now that you mention it." Sakura shivered involuntarily.

Syaoran tucked her at his side for warmth. Arm wrapped across her shoulders and guided her back to their tent where there was a roaring fire. The camp was quiet. It was late. Most of the soldiers had already fallen asleep from the exhaustion from training earlier on. Syaoran would of course join them tomorrow now that he's here. He was looking forward to it too. They would wait for the rest of the army to arrive before marching to the Heron fort in his kingdom. They would have to go through him first before they step foot on the Ice kingdom. They would defend from there. The battle would occur there.

Sakura sighed as she plopped on the bed to take off her boots, content by the warmth radiating from the fire. Two basin of water was placed on a small table and she immediately stood and walked towards them. Rich fur carpets the tent and Sakura couldn't help to wiggle her toes in them. She splashed her face and washed the back of her neck. The water felt cool and refreshing. Syaoran had also moved to do the same beside her.

He finished first and slipped under the covers. Sakura patted her face with the small cloth on the side of the basin, biting her lips uncertainly. Her eyes travelled to the bed, Syaoran had lain down at his side and he was waiting for her. She was suddenly feeling shy. It would be better if Syaoran just grabbed her and deposited her on the bed like the last time. Climbing into bed where he was, willingly. The thought alone managed to make her blush.

No need to be embarrassed Sakura, she berated herself, this is what wives do. Sakura quickly lifted the covers and slipped in before she changed her mind. She was not even blushing anymore. Syaoran watched her, amused at her behavior. She looked like her face had caught fire, eyes looking everywhere but at him. He lifted her, ignoring her squeak, to the other side of the bed, ensuring he was between Sakura and the opening of the tent.

Sakura blushed came back in full force when she realized his intent.

"You could just ask me to move, you know." She grumbled.

"Easier, faster, don't need to answer questions." Syaoran grinned and gently guide her body to his. He wrapped his arm around her, keeping her close to him.

Sakura followed, mainly because his warmth was addictive. She brushed her nose against the crook of his neck almost unconsciously. The fact that he smelled wonderful also helped. Syaoran stifled a groan when she nuzzled him.

"Sakura. I am only a man. I will not be held responsible for my actions if you keep doing that." Sakura could feel rather than heard him.

Sakura was mortified. "Yes. Of course. Sorry."

She adjusted herself so that she could study his face and swallowed inaudibly when she caught him staring at her. Their faces were inches away; she could feel his breath brushing her forehead. Her eyes flickered to his mouth and suddenly warm lips covered hers. Softly insistent and Sakura found herself melting against him.

Syaoran tightened his embrace, wanting her closer to him. He licked the line between her lips, begging for entrance and she instinctively parted her lips. She tried to pull away at the first touch of his tongue against hers but Syaoran's hand on her jaw kept her in place. Before long she was participating enthusiastically. Her hand clutched at his bicep, eyelashes fluttering against her cheek.

Sakura gasped for breath and Syaoran took the opportunity to flip her on her back. He covered her with his body, putting most of his weight on his elbows and continued to kiss her. Sakura whimpered from all the new sensations assaulting her senses. Syaoran tugged her bottom lip gently. Sakura buried her hands into his soft hair, clutching at them so she won't be swept away from the feelings welling up inside of her.

Sakura nipped at his lip before soothing the small hurt using her tongue. She was learning at an alarmingly fast pace. Syaoran gently pried her hands off him and settled into their original positions before the situation gets out of control. He could almost feel Sakura's heart imitating his own as they tried to get their breath back and gathered their scattered thoughts. Syaoran was more affected than he cared to admit. From kissing nonetheless. He would examine that later.

For now, he would let his wife's warmth comfort him. They were both clearly exhausted from their journey and they needed the rest. He glanced discreetly at said wife, warm and soft in his arms and had to suppress a chuckle. She had already fallen asleep.

Training was exhilarating. She had always preferred the outdoors than being stuck for lessons in the castle. In the morning, she had joined Syaoran in his training. Sakura was quite capable with a sword but Syaoran had made it look like an art. The last time Syaoran had handled a sword in front of her, she was blinded by the night. But now there is no darkness to hide his movements and he was beautiful.

All sleek muscles and fluid movements that she knew could only be obtained by practice and experience. She was no match for him obviously so she decided to keep out of his way and occupy herself with her own method of training. She found a quiet spot not far from the camp, the familiar weight of her sword in her hand. Sakura's movements was slow at first, consistent, a warm up. Later, she was slashing through an imaginary opponent, careful to calculate her thrust and her defense. Her muscles hummed pleasantly when she sat on the cool grass after she was done. Sakura smiled as she drinks her water, he was near.

"Taking a break?"

"Yes." She offered her flask to Syaoran who took it and settled next to her. His tunic was damp from his earlier exertion. Sakura tore away her gaze when she realized that she was eyeing a trickle of sweat making its way down Syaoran's throat, fighting a blush she could feel appearing on her cheeks. Syaoran smirked knowingly, gulping the rest of the water down.

Sakura sighed. The man would make her into a mess if she allowed him to. Sakura concentrated and flicked her finger, sending sharp needle-like ice zooming in the air towards the target practice board that she had borrowed from the archers earlier on about twenty feet away. She frowned when her aim was slightly off and deftly adjusted her wrist. She sends another sharp ice and nodded in satisfaction when it hits the centre of the board.

Every armor has their weakness and she knew most of them. If she managed to hit the enemy at the exposed part of their neck and make her ice a bit larger, it would be as good as any arrow. She could only make about fifty of them, every magic had their limitations, so every shot counts. Syaoran watched silently and stood, asking her to wait for him. He returned with a human shaped board and wordlessly placed it beside the practice board and joining her again.

Sakura smiled gratefully and continued to improve her aim with Syaoran's careful guidance. Syaoran had to force Sakura to stop. Her magic supply done for the day but she picked up a bow and started aiming again. Syaoran had kept his mouth shut, much to Sakura's relief. Sakura drew a deep breath and held it before sending her arrow in the air. It found its target perfectly and Sakura let out the breath she was holding before pulling out another arrow.

Syaoran knew what was happening. Sakura was beginning to feel restless. It happens to best of soldiers. When the suspense of waiting became so overwhelming that they wished the war couldn't come soon enough. Some would get roaring drunk, some would let their temper loose and so on. Everyone had their own method to handle the pressure and apparently Sakura's method was to work herself into exhaustion.

As long as she stops when Syaoran asked, translated as ordered, her to Syaoran couldn't be more pleased. Her aim and control was getting better. Syaoran had noted that the ice that she had used earlier didn't have a trace of green in it. Nothing but relatively sharp, pure ice. Sakura had grinned smugly when he pointed it out and Syaoran had to resist from stealing a kiss from her soft lips.

It was late evening when she finally stopped. Sakura stumbled into their tent and collapsed into their bed. She already had dinner and her exhaustion was catching up fast. Sakura blinked absently when Syaoran pulled off her boots and encouraged her to sleep. She was out like a light once her head hit the pillow.

Syaoran joined her, gently brushing a lock of hair away from her face. He wanted nothing but her safety. The war couldn't start and end soon enough.

Reviews are appreciated.