In the Shadow of Tomorrow

by The Hand of Destiny

Tension is high among the emperor, shogunate, and the Mahotsukai, a group of rebel magicians. Syaoran, a ruthless assassin known to the public as Kami Kira, is tasked with eliminating the magicians. But when he falls for Sakura, a kind woman concealing her magical abilities, their love forces them to face choices that could reshape the empire or shatter their relationship forever.

4. Name

San

Name

Disclaimer: I don't own CCS characters;

just the plot of this story.

Sakura quietly removed her geta at the entrance to one of the estate's living areas, the soft thud of the wooden soles against the tatami floor barely audible. Her eyes flickered to her dearest friend, Daidouji Tomoyo, who sat at a low wooden table nearby. The afternoon light poured through the shoji screens, casting intricate patterns of shadows and light across Tomoyo's delicate features and the dark cascade of her long hair.

Tomoyo's fingers moved with practiced grace, guiding a needle through a piece of cloth, her movements fluid and precise. The delicate crane taking shape beneath her touch seemed almost to come alive with every stitch, its wings unfolding in the gentle stillness of the room.

Sakura's shadow stretching across the tatami mats, drew Tomoyo's gaze upward.

"Sakura-chan!" she exclaimed, her voice carrying a subtle undertone of something deeper, something that might have been longing, perhaps even sadness.

Sakura pouted at having been caught before she was ready to announce herself. Nevertheless, she hurried over to Tomoyo, pulling her into a tight embrace. It was a gesture of comfort, a reminder that some things - some people - never changed. Tomoyo returned the hug, her arms wrapping around Sakura with the same tenderness she had shown since they were children. For a moment, Sakura allowed herself to be enveloped in that warmth, feeling her worries ease.

"It has been too long," Tomoyo murmured, pulling back slightly to study Sakura's face. "Why did you not send word you were coming?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern. "I would have prepared something special for you to eat."

Sakura smiled.

"Otou-san did send word, but not to you. I wanted to surprise you," she said. "Besides, you don't always have to treat me like a royal guest. I'm just your cousin, after all."

Tomoyo folded the cloth in her hands, her movements deliberate yet delicate.

"You are the most important guest I will ever have in my home," she replied, her voice laden with meaning as she held Sakura's gaze. "And I miss you..."

Since Tomoyo's marriage, the distance between them had only grown. The customs that bound her to her new home - her duties as wife to a prominent samurai household - kept her tethered there, often unable to leave. Their once frequent visits had dwindled to cherished, infrequent moments like this one, especially since Sakura had to walk a fair distance to visit her, not to mention be escorted by one of the men in her family when they had the time.

"How have you been?" Tomoyo asked gently.

Sakura hesitated, her eyes drifting to the floor momentarily, before meeting Tomoyo's steady gaze. She knew she could never lie to her cousin, but even as the words formed in her mouth, she knew they were not quite true.

"I'm... alright," she murmured. "Have you heard about Matsumoto-san?"

Tomoyo's expression turned to one of sorrow.

"Yes," she said, clasping her hands in her lap. "I sent some things to Maki-san. I wanted to go in person, but Ishikawa-sama thought it unnecessary, since I am not family..."

"I see," Sakura said, her tone understanding. "But your gesture was kind. I know Maki-san would have appreciated it. Chiharu-chan, Naoko-chan and Yamazaki-kun... we all visited her, so she was not alone."

Tomoyo sighed.

"It is right to show up for friends when they need it the most," she said. "There is nothing that can truly compensate for the loss of her husband however, especially when she is expecting a child."

Sakura nodded.

"There are rumours... that he really was involved with the Mahotsukai," she said. "I didn't believe it at first. But it seems to be true."

"The Mahotsukai..." Tomoyo murmured, her voice laced with concern. "If it is true, then Maki-san's grief may be even more complicated than we assume."

"Yes," said Sakura, sadly. "Kami Kira was not wrong after all. In the eyes of many, he was justified in his actions against Matsumoto-san. But... even if Matsumoto-san posed a real threat, he was no magician. Was it really necessary to take his life? Why couldn't he be imprisoned instead? Because of all that has happened, Maki-san is returning to her parents' home."

When Tomoyo spoke, her tone was measured.

"Ishikawa-sama said that when the Mahotsukai took such a dangerous path - denying the Emperor, claiming divine status - he had no choice but to create a force capable of eradicating such a threat to his rule. I think Kami Kira and the Tenno no migete are simply carrying out orders. For them, that means eliminating both magicians and anyone allied with them, regardless of whether they wield magic themselves."

Sakura's gaze fell to her hands.

"Do you think they are all bad?" she asked with uncertainty. "In the beginning, the Mahotsukai seemed benevolent. They spoke of helping people, of sharing knowledge. But then their propaganda shifted... it became arrogant, and domineering. And yet, the Tenno no migete... they don't see it that way. They view all magicians as enemies, even those who mean no harm. Because of this... there is so much suffering and hatred."

"I am very sorry, Sakura-chan," said Tomoyo. "I can only imagine how you must feel. The line between good and evil isn't always clear but the Tenno no migete have drawn a definite one."

Sakura smiled wearily.

"You know, I wanted to be useful to everyone in Tomoeda." She glanced around the room, lowering her voice as if the walls might have ears. "I wanted to help with the crops during droughts, hold back the storms, make the trees bloom and bear. I wanted to bring hope in hard times."

"You have a big heart, Sakura-chan," Tomoyo said. "And maybe someday, you will be able to do all those things. But for now... helping someone - whether it is bringing them a warm meal, offering a kind word, or simply visiting a friend - matters more than you realize. The world does not need grand gestures to be changed. Sometimes, it just needs the smallest light in the darkness. It is not about the size of the act, but the intention behind it."

Sakura felt tears in her eyes because of the sincerity of Tomoyo's words.

"I think... I needed to hear that."

"With everything happening, are you being careful?" Tomoyo asked, with concern.

"I am," Sakura replied. "Otou-san has asked me not to use ... you know - not even a little." She paused, glancing around the room, as if to ensure her words remained between them. "He said it should be a matter of life and death. My life or death. No one else's."

"That was indeed a wise decision," Tomoyo agreed. "In times like these, even using your gifts with good intentions could bring great peril. Not just for you, but for everyone around you." A small, bittersweet smile tugged at her lips. "You're stronger than you realize for honouring your father's wishes despite having a burning desire to help others."

As if sensing the heaviness in the air, Tomoyo broke it with a question that brought a touch of lightness to the conversation.

"And what of darling Kero-chan?" she asked with a glint in her eyes, trying to lift her cousin's spirits.

Sakura could not help but chuckle at the mention of Kero-chan, the troublesome and loyal creature who had been her constant companion since she was just a child. With a playful smile, she reached into the folds of her kimono and retrieved a small, wooden figure of a bear, painted in bright yellow.

"I finally had to make him sleep," she admitted with a grin. "He kept eating all the food when we weren't home, and he was sneaking into other people's kitchens. Otou-san was so upset he almost raised his voice. What if someone saw him? Or worse, captured him? What if they traced him back to us? To me?"

Tomoyo stifled a giggle as she gently took the small wooden figure into the palm of her hands.

"Kero-chan would never betray you," she said with confidence, her smile reassuring. "His loyalty to you is unwavering, even if his appetite is not."

"I don't know," said Sakura, mischievously. "I think he'd trade me for a juicy piece of pork."

Tomoyo burst into laughter.

"Ohohoho, let's hope we never find out," she said, still laughing. "Can he hear us right now?"

"No," Sakura replied with a wink. "It's a deep sleep. He promised he wouldn't feel hungry while he's resting."

"Ah, I see," said Tomoyo, handing Kero-chan back to Sakura. "It's for the best."

As Sakura tucked the small wooden figure of Kero-chan back into the folds of her kimono, she glanced over at the delicate fabric her cousin had been working on. The cloth had caught her eye earlier, but it was only now that she found herself curious enough to ask about it.

"What were you sewing?" she asked.

"Something for you," Tomoyo replied, shyly.

Sakura's eyes lit up with excitement.

"For the wedding?" she asked.

"Of course," Tomoyo said. "I must ensure you are properly attired. I will show you when it is finished."

Sakura nodded, knowing from experience that begging to see Tomoyo's unfinished work was futile. Tomoyo's attention to detail, her need for perfection, would never allow for any premature glimpses.

Suddenly, the scent of freshly brewed tea and lavender filled the air. A servant entered with a tray of tea, setting it on the table between them. The steam rose in soft wisps, mingling with the delicate fragrance of the tea leaves, filling the room with a calm, soothing aura.

Tomoyo poured the tea for Sakura with practiced ease. Sakura then returned the action with equal care.

"How do you feel about it all?" Tomoyo asked. "We used to talk at length about my wedding plans, but now it is as though I have abandoned you, now that it is your turn."

Sakura sighed, her lips twitching into a faint smile, but it did not quite reach her eyes. She took a slow sip of tea before answering.

"Otou-san arranged for Takeda-sama and me to meet and we have. Takeda-sama is decent, and his family is well-respected," Sakura began, her tone thoughtful. "I can see us getting along. We share some similar interests, like gardening. I think he is satisfied with me... and he has a pleasant face. Otou-san said he is a good doctor as well. He's twenty-four, so not terribly old..." Sakura's eyes widened, and she gasped. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to-"

Tomoyo smiled gently, shaking her head - a dismissive gesture.

"It is quite all right, Sakura-chan. My husband was thirty when we married, and he is aging well. I am not offended. Everyone wishes for a young husband, for the promise of many years together and common interests as you say. There is no shame in that."

Sakura nodded, her gaze turning towards the shoji screens.

"I'm nervous," she admitted. "I'm excited... but more than anything, I'm nervous. How has it been for you...?"

The question lingered in the air, and for a moment, there was a slight tension in Sakura's words, as if she feared overstepping, intruding into a part of Tomoyo's life that had remained largely untouched by her own inquisitiveness. Tomoyo had been married for two years now, and Sakura could sense how much had changed for her cousin since that time. They had spoken little of Tomoyo's life since her marriage - at least, not in the same way they had once shared everything. Sakura was not sure if Tomoyo would want to share now.

"It has not been without its challenges," Tomoyo said thoughtfully, her voice gentle but carrying a depth of experience. "Marriage, like anything else in life, is a balance between personal desires and family responsibilities. It is not easy, but it is part of the journey. We all have our roles to play, and sometimes they are not the ones we particularly enjoy but that does not make them any less important."

Sakura listened, her heart sinking a little. She could sense the burden in Tomoyo's words, the layers of compromise that formed the foundation of her cousin's life. It seemed the realities of marriage were far more complicated than the idyllic image she had once held because of her parents' love for each other, which she knew, was rare.

"I may be nervous, Tomoyo-chan," Sakura said, her voice low but determined. "But I do look forward to becoming a wife. I want to take care of my home. I want to learn everything I can about being the kind of wife who can make her husband happy, who can support him so he can be the best doctor possible. But…" She paused, biting her lip, as though what she was about to say might crack something inside her. "I'm sad to be leaving home."

"I understand," Tomoyo said, her voice calm but full of compassion. "Leaving home is never easy, especially when you have spent your whole life there, with the people you love. It is a loss that does not fade quickly, no matter how much you might want to embrace this new journey."

"I want to be ready," Sakura admitted. "But it feels like there's so much I'm still unsure about. Despite the lessons of my mother, I feel unprepared. There may be many things I don't know, and I worry that I won't be good enough."

"You will be a wonderful wife, Sakura-chan. No one expects perfection. What matters is your heart, your willingness to learn, and your desire to give your best. That's all anyone can ask for. And marriage is not always as simple as tending to the household or pleasing your husband. It is about learning to live with someone who may not truly understand you at first, who may not see you the way you see yourself. It is a process of discovering each other, learning to communicate in ways you never had to before. And sometimes, it takes patience - lots of it."

Sakura frowned, her heart aching at the thought.

"But doesn't it get better over time?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

"Yes, it does get better," Tomoyo said. "I can say that I like my husband now and I care about him. But there will be times when you feel isolated. There will be times when you wish someone could just understand you, when patience will be your only ally. And you will have to sacrifice - not just in your actions, but in how you think. You will need to put your husband's needs above your own, even when it is hard, even when it does not feel fair."

Sakura sat in silence, the weight of Tomoyo's words settling deep inside her. She had never considered the nuances of sacrifice in marriage - of giving up a part of herself, of learning to be content in a life not of her own making.

"Do you ever wish things were different?" Sakura asked.

"I will not say it has all been difficult," Tomoyo answered. "But yes, there are periods when I wish I had more freedom. More say in things. Ishikawa-san is older, and sometimes he does not understand my perspective. But at least Takeda-sama is only twenty-four - it is easier to relate to him."

Sakura was quiet, taking in her cousin's words. The thought of marriage seemed less like a celebration and more like a cage.

"Marriage is my duty. Yet sometimes I wonder if that's all it will ever be."

Tomoyo's gaze softened.

"You are allowed to wonder. Okaa-san told me that love is not necessary to be happy. Happiness can come from within, from finding peace in the life you build, in the small joys and connections you nurture along the way."

"I don't know what I'll do when the time comes, Tomoyo-chan," Sakura said after a little silence. "But I promise - I will not disappoint my family. I'll figure it out."

"I know you will," she said, her voice gentle but filled with unshakable confidence. "Okaa-san is just thankful that Kinomoto-sensei is allowing you to marry before you "become a leftover woman.""

Sakura wrinkled her nose in playful protest. It was a joke but one that held more truth than humour in the rigid social expectations of their time. At least she was nineteen - if she remained unmarried at twenty, she knew she would be regarded with a subtle but unmistakable sense of pity by others, as if time were slipping away from her - a woman whose prospects had waned.

Tomoyo reached across the table and placed a hand on Sakura's shoulder.

"Remember, Sakura-chan," Tomoyo said. "You do not have to do everything alone. You can always lean on me."

For the first time in a while, the apprehension that had been knotting her stomach loosened slightly. There was something comforting about hearing Tomoyo speak confidently - so sure that Sakura could weather whatever came her way.

"I know," Sakura murmured, her voice tinged with gratitude. "Thank you, Tomoyo-chan. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Tomoyo squeezed her shoulder and smiled. Then she asked as an afterthought, "How are things at Akatsuki Inn?"

Sakura's face brightened at the mention of her job.

"It's great! Naoko-chan's always trying new recipes, Chiharu-chan's in charge of the servers, and Yamazaki-kun's helping Miharu-san with the management side. He's become quite good at it!"

Tomoyo raised an eyebrow with a playful smile.

"And Miharu-san? Still exasperated by your lively conversations during work?"

Sakura let out a small laugh, looking a little sheepish.

"Yes! He's still not used to my talking while I work. I think it's starting to get on his nerves sometimes, because he says so outright now."

Tomoyo's smile widened, and Sakura chuckled.

"I just can't help it! Everyone at the inn is so interesting."

"I can imagine," Tomoyo agreed with a light laugh. "But knowing you, Sakura-chan, you will always find a way to bring joy to those around you. Even if it is a little… noisy at times."

Sakura grinned, but then her expression shifted slightly.

"Oh... there's one person who's always overly quiet - well, not really quiet, but... mysterious," she said. "There's this swordsman who comes to the inn sometimes. He's... always alone, and he never says much, but there's this strange air about him, like he's got a secret."

"A samurai?"

"He must be, but how can that be? He's Chinese."

"Does he wear a haori jacket?"

"Yes."

"Was there a samurai crest?"

Sakura thought for a moment, trying to recall the details.

"It wasn't as elaborate as a samurai's, but… yes, there was something. I don't quite recall." She flushed. "I wasn't paying attention to his clothes."

Tomoyo's eyebrows raised slightly, and she chuckled, the faintest trace of interest flickering in her eyes.

"That sounds like quite the character."

"Yes!" Sakura nodded eagerly, her eyes lighting up with a mix of excitement and a hint of admiration. "And he's... very good-looking. The other girls say so, anyways."

Tomoyo leaned in just a touch. Her eyes narrowed playfully, her voice taking on a more teasing edge.

"Only the other girls?"

Sakura's face flushed lightly, the hint of a smile tugging at her lips.

"Well, I suppose I think so too," she admitted, her tone bashful. "But I haven't really... thought about it much. It's just that he's always aloof, like there's something deeper about him. You know? It's hard to explain."

"Of course," Tomoyo said. "It is always the ones who seem the most distant that pull us in."

Sakura's mind raced as she thought about how often she had found herself thinking about him - his quiet demeanour, his unreadable expressions; it was as if every glance or word from him hinted at something more.

Tomoyo's gaze became serious, and she met Sakura's eyes with a level of sincerity that only someone who cared deeply would have.

"Sakura-chan," she said, her tone gentle but firm. "I understand that you are curious about him, and I can see how his aloofness might be intriguing. But you must remember something." She paused, ensuring Sakura was listening. "This swordsman... he may seem like a mystery, but he's not the one you are meant to focus on. It is easy to let curiosity grow into something more, especially when you do not know the full story. You need to be careful. Do not let that attraction pull you in too deeply."

Sakura felt a slight pang in her chest at her cousin's words, a mixture of guilt and hesitation. She was not sure if she had been thinking too much about the swordsman or if it was something deeper, but Tomoyo's advice was more practical than she wanted to admit.

"I... I know," Sakura murmured, the weight of her cousin's words settling heavily on her. "It's just... if I could... I think I'd like to know him better. I don't want to forget my duty, but sometimes... I wish I had a choice."

"Women don't get choices," said Tomoyo. "We simply make the best of what we are given."

It was a truth as certain as the rising of the sun.

"At least Kinomoto-sensei is trying to make you comfortable with Takeda-sensei. He is not forcing you into this blindly. He has given you time, and he is trying to ease you into the idea of this marriage, is he not?"

"Yes, he's trying. I know he cares about how I feel."

"Many are not so fortunate. At least, in your case, you are not being completely swept along. You still have space to breathe." Tomoyo let her words sink in before adding, "Your father may not be able to rewrite the rules of the world, but he is doing his best to make sure you do not feel trapped."

"I guess I should focus on that," said Sakura. "On how much he wants me to be at ease."

Just then, the soft patter of feet interrupted them. Tomoyo's son, barely two years old, ambled into the room, his small hands reaching toward his mother.

"Oh, there you are, Taro-kun," Tomoyo said with a soft smile, scooping her son into her arms. "Did you want to say hello to Sakura-chan?"

Sakura grinned.

"Hello, little one! How are you today?"

The child giggled, his little hands grasping at her sleeves. Sakura carefully took him into her arms, cradling him in her lap. His small body nestled against her, and her heart swelled with affection.

"He is growing up so quickly," Tomoyo remarked, watching them with a mixture of joy and wistfulness.

"He's so precious. You've made such a beautiful family, Tomoyo-chan."

Tomoyo's gaze filled with love as she looked at her son in Sakura's arms.

"Thank you, Sakura-chan."

Sakura held the child for a while, feeling a sense of peace settle over her. The worries about the future seemed to fade, if only temporarily.

"I look forward to having children of my own someday," she said. "I want to experience everything - the joy, challenges, everything. It must be such a special kind of love."

"When the time is right, you will have all that you desire," said Tomoyo.

Sakura looked down at the child in her arms again.

"I want to be a good mother. I want to give my children the same love you give your own. The same love Okaa-san gave to me."

Tomoyo held a hand over her chest.

"And you will, I have no doubt. You have such a kind heart, Sakura-chan. It will guide you, just as it always has."

Sakura nodded, feeling the strength of her friend beside her, the warmth of the child in her arms, and the unspoken bond that tied them all together. The future, uncertain as it was, no longer felt quite as heavy just then.

---

Syaoran had never planned on returning to Akatsuki Inn. He certainly had not intended on confronting the unfamiliar feelings churning inside himself. But a week after his last visit, he crossed its threshold once more, his feet carrying him through the doors as if they had a mind of their own. It was not a clear purpose that led him back, but a quiet pull - an unsettling confusion that had lodged itself in his mind, drawing him back to a place he kept swearing he could leave behind.

Inside, his gaze immediately found her. There, across the room, the soft sway of short auburn hair. His pulse quickened, the sight of her awakening something within him that he had yet to name.

He sat at his preferred table and another server girl approached him. She stood with a polite but practiced smile.

"May I take your order?" she asked, her tone friendly, but something in her cautious stance suggested she recognized the tension in his posture.

Syaoran's lips parted but then he froze, suddenly experiencing an unusual bout of indecision.

"Kinomoto," he said finally, the name leaving his mouth almost reluctantly, as if he were forcing himself to speak it.

The server blinked, taken aback by his request as much as he was. But then she nodded, her expression shifting to one of subtle curiosity.

"Alright," she said, before quickly turning and hurrying down the stairs.

A moment later, Sakura was walking toward him, a tray in her hand. It was as though the room itself parted for her, her elegant steps commanding the space more than the chatter and bustle around her. When their eyes met however, he noticed the glimmer of uncertainty in hers.

"Hoe-eee," she said, beneath her breath. It was an odd but endearing sound he had often heard her make - a little quirk. She bowed respectfully and looked into his eyes. "You asked for me?"

Syaoran nodded, but the motion felt stiff, his throat tight as though his words had lodged there. How easily she did it - made him feel like the center of her world with her consuming gaze. It irked him, the way she could make him feel important while she was already promised to someone else. He wanted to be angry, to resent her for it, but all that surfaced was a longing for something that had never been his to begin with.

"I want sake," he said, his voice rougher than he intended, blunt in its simplicity; the words a shield against something far more complicated.

Sakura blinked, her brow furrowing.

"You didn't have to ask for me," she said, her voice touched with humility and a note of surprise. "Anyone could have taken your order. We all know it by now."

Syaoran did not respond. He did not know how to. All that was clear, was that he deeply desired to see her that afternoon, even if he had not admitted it to himself until now. Sakura shifted, her fingers adjusting the tray in her hands, but she did not walk away. Her gaze lingered on him.

"You know," she began, the words coming slowly. "I've taken your order a few times now, but I just realized…"

Syaoran stared at her, an unspoken invitation for her to continue. She looked down at her feet briefly, as if considering how to phrase it, and then adjusted her tray once more.

"I don't actually know your name," she said, her words coming out with a light, embarrassed laugh. "I don't think I ever caught it."

My name?

He had never thought about it - had never believed it mattered in the grand scheme of their fleeting interactions. Yet, suddenly, it seemed impossibly important. She had never asked. He had never volunteered it. It felt… awkward. A small, invisible wall between them.

Syaoran's mind raced, his heartbeat thudding loudly in his ears. She did not need to know his name, he told himself. And yet, as the time stretched on, he realized that he did not mind at all if she did. Still, the silence dragged on, thick and heavy, as though the world itself was holding its breath.

"Li Syaoran," he said at last, but guardedly, almost as if he half-expected the words to summon some kind of calamity.

The sound of his own name felt strange on his tongue. But now it was out there, hanging between them, and he could not help but wonder what it would mean to her.

Sakura's eyes widened just a fraction.

"Li…" she repeated, savouring the name as though it were something precious. Then she gave a smile that seemed just for him. "Nice to finally know."

Syaoran's gaze flicked away from her face, a strange flutter in his belly. He swallowed, pushing the feeling down.

"Mm," was all he could manage, his focus shifting to the floor as he tried to hide her troubling effect on him.

"I'll get your sake now, Li-san," she said as she turned to leave; but then, she glanced back at him. "You always eat alone," she said. "Why is that?"

"I like to be in my own thoughts," he replied.

She grimaced, facing him once more.

"Then I'm always bothering you," she said, her voice carrying a touch of remorse.

Syaoran immediately shook his head, not wanting to make her feel unwelcome.

"You're no bother," he reassured her, his tone softer, more tender than he had intended.

At that, Sakura's expression changed into something warmer. Her eyes seemed to twinkle with that gentle curiosity he had come to recognize.

"That's a relief," she said. Then she took a step closer, her gaze ruminative. "Do you often find yourself lost in thought? Is it something that helps you, or... do you just not like being around people?"

Syaoran blinked, a little surprised by the directness of her question, but found himself drawn in by her genuine interest. He glanced away, trying to find the right words.

"It's not that I don't like being around people," he began, at length. "It's more that... sometimes, the noise of everyone else is too great. I have a lot on my mind as it is. And when I'm around others, it's harder to sort through what's in my head."

Sakura nodded, as though she understood.

"I know the feeling," she said. "Sometimes, I just want things to be still... But then I remember how nice it can be to share a meal with someone. To have someone to talk to."

A faint heat crept into Syaoran's cheeks.

"And do you talk to others often?" he asked, like he did not spend copious amounts of time watching her do just that.

"Not as much as I'd like," she admitted with a soft laugh. "But... I do enjoy getting to know people better. Especially those who seem like they don't have much to say." She looked at him with a certain charm. "They usually have the best stories."

Syaoran felt the heat in his cheeks grow hotter.

"I-I- I'm not sure I'm that interesting," he replied, quickly.

Had he just stuttered? Sakura did not seem to notice. She leaned forward, her expression sincere.

"I think everyone has something interesting about them. You just have to listen."

"I suppose you're right," he murmured, almost to himself.

She seemed pleased that he agreed with her because she stood up a little straighter and nodded.

"You know," she said. "Sometimes I think people keep their distance because they're hiding pieces of themselves... maybe because they're afraid others won't understand or accept it."

Syaoran tilted his head, intrigued by the direction of her words.

"Do you think I'm hiding something?"

The question escaped before he could stop it, and he winced inwardly, unsure if he truly wanted the answer.

"Not necessarily," she said, choosing her words with care. "But I think we all pick and choose what we share. It's... natural, I suppose. People keep things to themselves, even without realizing it sometimes. It's funny, isn't it? How much can be hidden just by keeping quiet."

Syaoran considered her words. He had spent most of his life behind a wall of silence, a mask of composure, never letting anyone too close. Yet, right then, her presence made the idea of revealing a part of himself less... daunting.

"What about you?" he asked, the question slipping out before he had a chance to think too much about it. "Do you ever hide things?"

"Well..." she said. "I don't always show how I feel, even when I should. Sometimes, I hide behind a smile when I'm unsure. It's easier that way. I don't want to worry anyone, especially the people I care about."

Syaoran was caught off guard by her vulnerability - it reached him more than he could anticipate.

"I'm tough," he said, his voice unusually compassionate. "Worry me if you need to."

Sakura's lips curved into a small, tentative smile.

"Thank you, Li-san..." she said, timidly.

She bowed before turning to head down the staircase. Syaoran watched her go, but his mind remained fixed on their conversation. The way she had exposed her feelings, the way she had spoken with such honesty... he had not been prepared for it. He was not used to this kind of exchange... It was disconcerting... and yet, strangely comforting.

She returned with the sake shortly after, setting the cup down on the table with a soft clink.

Li-san.

His name had passed her lips so easily, so naturally, and for reasons he could not understand, it had been different coming from her. It felt like something had shifted, like a small bridge had been built between them, even though it was not supposed to exist at all.

He tried to shake the thoughts away, tried to tell himself that this feeling, whatever it could be called, was nothing more than a passing interference. That he could dismiss it if he tried harder. But as the time stretched on, and as he sat there brooding, the truth remained inescapable: something had changed. Something he did not know how to undo.

He stood abruptly, dropped a few coins on the table and made his way to the door. He could not sit there any longer. He could not stay and try to make sense of the thoughts crowding his mind.

---

Several evenings later, Syaoran found himself outside Akatsuki Inn yet again. The soft hum of conversation, the clink of plates, and the warmth of the inn's interior beckoned, but he could not bring himself to enter. He had been standing in the shadow of another building for quite some time, watching customers trickle in and out, their laughter and chatter barely reaching him from the distance.

Miharu Chiharu and Yamazaki Takashi - her husband from what Syaoran had observed - came out front, Sakura and another server Yanagisawa Naoko following them. They walked together, laughing and teasing each other in a way that spoke of years of shared familiarity. The way Chiharu ruffled Takashi's hair and gave him a playful slap on the back of the head was a gesture that struck Syaoran as… odd. He could not imagine letting a woman treat him like that. But to them, it seemed natural, and Sakura did not appear uncomfortable. She just smiled, her laughter a little hesitant as she watched her friends' antics.

Syaoran shifted, keeping his distance, but his eyes never left her. Something pulled at him - an almost uncontrollable urge to step forward, to close the distance between them - but he remained hidden, watching her from afar.

Chiharu eventually returned inside the inn, and the group continued down the path. Syaoran followed at a careful distance, ensuring he would not be noticed. Takashi and Sakura exchanged goodbyes with Naoko who went off with a group of girls, then made their way farther down the road. Takashi parted ways with Sakura near a craftsman's shop, offering a few final words of kindness before turning back toward the inn.

"Be safe," he called as he waved, heading off.

Syaoran lingered for a while longer, his gaze locked on Sakura, as though something unseen tied him to her. Then, with a deep breath, he reluctantly turned to leave. But as he began to move away, something shifted in the air behind her. His grip on his wakizashi tightened as a tall man stepped forward.

"Kaiju!" he said, his voice ringing out through the night, making a few passers-by look round. "Do you know how long I've been waiting for you?"

Syaoran tensed at the reprimand.

"Hoe-eee! There were many customers at Akatsuki Inn today!" explained Sakura.

The man reached out and ruffled her hair - a gesture that made Syaoran clench his teeth. Was this her fiancé?

"Any idiots?" he asked, his tone serious.

Sakura's answer came easily, but Syaoran noticed something in her expression - a brief delay before she spoke.

"No. Everyone was nice."

Syaoran could see the lie. It was a small one, but it was a lie, nonetheless. He exhaled, slowly releasing his grip on his sword. She did not want trouble; did not want this man - her man - to cause a disturbance at the restaurant. Though judging from the patrons' dishonourable behaviour at times… a disturbance might be exactly what was needed.

He decided to leave. He was wasting time watching this woman. But then, just as he was about to slip away, he overheard the man's words.

"No one troubled you? I guess you're not as pretty as Otou-san says."

Syaoran froze. The notion of her being discussed in such a manner, as if she were a commodity to be evaluated or judged, unsettled him more than it should have.

Her response was an annoyed retort.

"You're such a mean person, onii-chan! How could you say that?"

Brother?

His body relaxed in an instant as everything fell into place. It was her brother. That was it. Her brother, speaking in a familiar, teasing way, as siblings often did.

"It's not my fault Otou-san prefers my hair short," Sakura was saying.

"You think it's just the short hair?" said her brother provokingly. "At least that's practical. What about this kimono of yours. Since Daidouji-san moved away, you look like you've been through a hundred rice paddies."

She sighed dramatically.

"You always have something to say about my clothes. Not everyone has to look like they just walked out of a tailor's shop. Not everyone has a big job like you."

"Maybe not, but you could at least try to look a little less... rural," he teased.

"You're impossible, onii-chan!" she said, folding her arms, though the affection in her voice could not be missed.

Suddenly, her brother looked into the distance with a piercing gaze and Syaoran slunk further back into the shadows. The man's expression was full of concern, as though he sensed he was being watched.

"What's wrong?" asked Sakura.

Her brother's gaze swept across the dim streets.

"Nothing. Let's hurry home."

Syaoran followed them at a fair distance, his footsteps silent on the dark dirt road that led to a small neighbourhood. Every few paces, Touya's head would swivel, as if testing the air, sensing something - or someone - out of place. The man had good instincts, thought Syaoran. Better than many samurai. But Sakura's brother would never see him. Not when Syaoran moved with the fluidity of a predator, his steps light and barely perceptible, each calculated to avoid the slightest disturbance. Not when the darkness itself seemed to fold around him, granting him the perfect camouflage.

When they finally made it home, Syaoran made his way to a nearby tree. He climbed up its rough trunk, his body instinctively seeking higher ground. Within moments, he was hidden among the branches, and perched high above the world, his eyes surveying the houses below. The Kinomoto household in particular was a modest one-story wooden structure, unremarkable in its simplicity. There was no extravagance, no opulence - just quiet dignity.

Over the following days, though Syaoran's mission to hunt Mahotsukai remained an ever-present priority, he found himself inexplicably drawn back to the Kinomoto's house, watching as their lives unfolded before him. One evening, when time allowed, he reclined along a tree branch, his gaze trained on the simple, unassuming home. There, he stringed together the fragments of information he had gathered.

Sakura, he knew now, lived with her father, Fujitaka, a scholar who taught the children of local samurai families. Her older brother, Touya, a few years her senior, was a steady presence, managing administrative duties for a samurai estate. He was responsible and competent, but distant from those outside his immediate circle. Then there was Tsukishiro Yukito, a man with no blood relation to the Kinomoto family, yet who held a position of trust within it. He was often the last to enter the house at night, and he was always greeted with warmth by Fujitaka - almost as though he were his own son. Yukito worked as a messenger for another local samurai house. Sakura seemed particularly fond of him, and Syaoran could not deny the flash of annoyance that arose within him at the thought. Sakura herself, tended to a garden early in the morning, growing vegetables, herbs and flowers. He especially liked watching her talk to and gently admonish the plants when they were not bearing well.

Despite her father's scholarly position and her brother's responsibilities, there was one mystery to Sakura's own role in the family. She worked at the inn, a detail that puzzled him. They were not impoverished - far from it with three working men. The question lingered, yet he had no immediate answers.

Still, in his estimation, Sakura's life seemed normal - almost painfully so. Her family lived in harmony with each other and their neighbors, a rare and precious thing in a world that often seemed consumed by conflict. They were comfortable, untouched by the turbulence that had shaped his own existence. This place was a sanctuary, a haven where the laws of his world - the harsh, unyielding ones he had come to accept - did not apply. This community seemed for the most part, unsullied by the dark sorcery of the Mahotsukai.

Sakura stepped outside and threw scraps of food to a dog that often wandered near their house. Its thin, scruffy form darted forward to devour the offering. Syaoran's eyes followed the way she bent down to watch the animal eat. There was something soothing in the simplicity of the act. For the first time in years, he allowed himself to smile - a faint, almost imperceptible tug at his lips. He recognized something there, something he had long since lost. Something that seemed far out of reach for him, something he had recently told Noritaka would never come without purging the magicians from this world.

Peace.

The word itself felt foreign, like a dream he could not fully recall.

Sakura had something precious. Her family, though fractured by the obvious loss of her mother, was still whole in its own way. Her days were filled with laughter, even in the smallest, most ordinary moments. There was no looming threat, no danger hanging over her. Only warmth, love, and safety. She was free to live, to grow, to be happy without the weight of past sins bearing down on her. And Syaoran, despite himself, allowed himself a rare glimpse of contentment for her, as if her happiness had somehow touched some place deep inside him that he had long closed off.

But the realization came with its own sting.

She has a full life.

A life that was completely different from his own. A good life - something the darkness of the world had long since stripped from him. There was no place for him in a life that could be lived so innocently. He would not know what to do with it.

And so, as he gazed down at the house she was walking back into, a decision solidified. Hers was a life that deserved to be preserved, no matter the cost. He would watch over her. Her world, for all its goodness, was still fragile, and there were threats out there that would harm it, whether she saw them or not. He could not imagine leaving her to face them alone. Not now.

His resolve hardened as he turned his thoughts to Takeda Hito. What kind of man was Sakura promised to? He could not allow any unknowns to remain, not when it came to her. Not when it came to his newfound duty to ensure her safety, even from the most unlikely of threats. His eyes narrowed into a thoughtful glare.

In the days ahead, he would have a look at this "fiancé."

---

A/N

Hey Tomodachi!

Thank you for the reviews. Next chapter is already roughly written. You all will note I changed Syaoran's primary weapon to a wakizashi because as I get a sense of his character, I realize he would want to move inconspicuously and not appear too threatening, so the smaller sword will be ideal. The katana will be for missions or serious battle.

patmacy 27: I think it will be some time before Syaoran finds out about Sakura. I think he's already too infatuated to notice much right now even if she were using magic.

xtna ag: Thanks for the advice. The chapter with the fiancé will indeed be soon.

raz3r: Yea a lot of people don't visit anymore sadly, but maybe they will return if more people continue to write fanfics. I think everyone is showing up as themselves in this story but I'm not sure if the Cards will make an appearance. However, their magic is in Sakura. No you didn't miss the origin of magic. Also the Tenno no migete operate on pure human abilities.

Hopee sg: You're not too off about Syaoran's possible next steps regarding the doctor but as we saw, he has some principles.

messier031: Thank you for your review. Hopefully you keep on liking the story lol.

Flor de cerezoNFTLC: I would not have thought to do an androgynous character so I will rise to this challenge. Thank you for your review! Next chapter is literally called "Her Fiancé."

Until Next Time,

Ja ne! ^_^