Chapter 3: Rest

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Li? Li Syaoran? Somehow that sounds familiar…
But how could I have ever known him when he lives all the way out here?

"Oh, so Li-kun. Hello. Well I'm Daidouji Tomoyo and this is Princess Sakura Kinomoto of the Kinomoto kingdom."

He nodded slightly.

That's good, it's the right person.

Silence.

"Li-kun?"

"Yeah?"

"Can I ask you a few questions?"

"Your choice. Doesn't mean I'm going to answer them."

Tomoyo decided this was his way of indicating her to go ahead and ask.

"Why are you helping us? Aren't you curious what a princess is doing out here, dressed like this, getting chased by guards? Where is your family? Why are you accompanying us?"

Sakura bit back a laugh, though she was equally curious and had been wondering the same questions. Tomoyo sure was in a hurry. She didn't even give him time to answer.

"None of your business. No. None of your business. Because I am and will be until you find the cure and end all this."

Sakura's eyes widened.

"Wait. What?"

"You know about the cure?"

"I know your destination is Tirale. I know you're going there to find the well-known sorcerer who supposedly has the cure. I know you're the princess and there are going to be guards after you. I know your names, I know I have to help you and that's about it."

Kero suddenly flew out from Tomoyo's pocket and in front of Li's face, a jabbing a yellow paw at him.

"Who is this and why does he know so much?!" The little creature inquired rudely.

Li stared back at him, expressionless. In a bored voice, he asked,

"What's that?"

Sakura sweatdropped.

"That's Kero."

"You named a moving plush toy Kero?"

A vein popped in Kero head and steam rushed out of his ears. Almost literally

"You did NOT just say plush toy."

"A moving and talking plush toy."

"I AM CEREBERUS, GUARDIAN OF THE SUN AND COMPANION OF THE CARD MISTRESS!"

This time, it was Li's turn to look surprised.

"You?! You're the legendary Cereberus, Guardian of the Sun? A plush teddy?"

Kero was now fuming, baring his teeth. He raised a little paw angrily.

"That's it! You little brat! Today is going to be your-"

Before he could finish he was swatted to the ground by Li carelessly, who then walked off muttering,

"Stupid plush toy…"

"Li-kun! That wasn't very nice." Sakura called out to him.

Kero peeled himself off the ground and shook a fisted paw angrily at the back view of Li.

"That's right! Get back here brat! Oi!"

The peasant ignored him, still walking at the same pace.

Sakura and Tomoyo rushed to catch up, pulling a shouting Kero behind them.

He's so mysterious…and I still don't know why he's randomly helping us. He knows almost everything, and he's determined to come with us. It seems like we've gained a companion. And it would be nice to have a guy with us, he could help us in many aspects. But what if Kero was right? What if he……no. I don't think so. I think he just has a bad temper, but is actually a nice person. But then why is he suddenly helping us? If we hadn't met him in the forests, would he have done this? Is he just feeling sorry for us?

Sakura wanted to ask so much, but she had already seen the response Tomoyo had gotten. She decided against testing Li's temper is she persisted. Soon, her mind was too tired to even wonder and the questions left her mind.

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By the time they reached Green Meadows, Sakura had slowly gotten to accept the fact that they would have a new companion, though there would be some getting used to, she was glad to make a new friend. That is, if Li wanted to be friends.

He probably just feels sorry for us, but isn't showing it. He doesn't seem to be talkative or like to share his emotions.

"We're going in there. I know the shopkeeper; I can buy some supplies from him. He has a few small rooms where you can rest temporarily, before we set off again." Li pointed to an inn opposite them. It was isolated from the busy streets they hadn't yet reached, just at the edge of the forest and Green Meadow village.

At this point, Sakura was almost on the verge of collapsing. So she almost screamed with joy at hearing the news that she was about to get a bed to rest in, if it wasn't for the fact that she was too tired and thirsty to speak.

They stepped over the door frame and into the old inn. Sakura studied her surroundings. The paint was peeling off the door frame, and the name plate was hanging on one side, but strangely enough, it gave her a comforting feel.

Li chatted to the shopkeeper, his face still showing no emotion, though his eyes were twinkling. The shopkeeper talked back, laughing heartily every so often. They seemed to know each other quite well, and the shopkeeper seemed accustomed to Li's lack of expressions. The shopkeeper, who Sakura learned was called George, reached under the counter and retrieved two metal keys tied together roughly with string. Li threw one of the keys to Sakura. "We're in room…" She turned the key in her palm.

"…six." She told Tomoyo.

"It's at the far end of the inn!" George told them.

Sakura nodded briefly and hurried to their room. She swung open the door and smiled happily. The room was small but cozy. It was nothing like Sakura's own bedroom back at the palace, but it was decent enough. There were two simple beds against the walls opposite Sakura, both with clean, crisp white sheets and puffy pillows. A wooden table with chairs were placed on a faded carpet in the middle of the room and a wooden desk was on the side, a half melted candle on it, ready to be used at night. A patterned, blue vase with wilting flowers on the table and the flapping turquoise curtains were the only decorative aspects of the room.

Sakura sighed with relief and ran over to one of the beds, followed by Tomoyo, who tossed their supplies bag carelessly on the desk. Both girls collapsed onto the beds and were asleep before they could pull the covers over themselves, utterly exhausted.

(Back at the counter)

"So, Li. It's the first time I've seen ye with people, not the mention girls. What you up to?" George smiled at him, crinkles forming at the corner of his eyes. He stopped when he noticed Li's expression suddenly turn serious.

"George, I need you to swear I never came today with them, if anyone, especially the guards roaming around, ask."

"Whoa wait, guards? Sure I can promise ye. But can you explain what's happening. You've now got guards after ye?"

"She's the one I've been waiting for."

That seemed to make a lot of sense to George.

"Aah, I see. The one with the eyes like fresh grass is it? Princess aye?

"Not so loud George!"

"Sorry, sorry. Not much people come to this old inn anyway. But I'm glad, Li. And I wish you luck."

"I'll need it."

A small boy walked up to George and handed him a huge brown bag.

George slid it across the counter to Li, who in return, gave him a small bag brimming with coins.

"Here all the things you asked for Li."

"Thanks." Li grabbed the bag and the remaining key off the counter and walked towards the rooms.

George stared after him, a slow, sad smile creeping across his lips.

"That boy, face blank as always." He murmured wistfully. "Just like his father."

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Li opened the door cautiously, the creaking hinges didn't disturb the two occupants sleeping peacefully on the beds.

He placed the bag on the table and sat on one of the dusty chairs. Resting his chin on his hand he stared at Sakura's sleeping form. Noticing a yellow furry ball curled up next to her, his face scrunched up in annoyance.

"Stupid stuffed toy…" he muttered under his breath.

Sakura murmured something in her sleep and rolled over, now facing Li. He froze, thinking he had awoken her, before he noticed the even rising and falling of her chest and her slow, constantbreathing.

She sure didn't look like a princess at her state. Her tangled auburn hair tied in a messy ponytail, with a simple black blouse, light grey pants and leather boots much like the ones he was wearing. Tomoyo was pretty much wearing the same thing, except with a tunic and thin belt instead of a shirt.

Dressed like that, you certainly wouldn't recognise her as the princess…unless she opened her eyes. Such peculiar colour that only people in the Kinomoto kingdom have…

He studied her face. Her nicely shaped eyebrows, her long lashes, defined nose, rosy cheeks, slightly parted lips…

Li mentally slapped himself for staring. He turned the other way and decided to get some rest. Soon, he too fell asleep, with his head propped up on his hands, in the table.

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Sakura woke up to a delicious aroma wafting into her nose. She immediately sat up in bed, sniffing the air, her stomach grumbling in protest.

The first thing she saw was the two glistening, steamy bowls of stew on the table, calling out to her, or rather, her stomach. She hopped off the bed and seated herself at the table, and noticed for the first time after waking up, that Li was staring at her. Sakura noticed he seemed uncomfortable. Like he was trying to…suppress a laugh. The thought immediately left her mind as Li looked away and set down two glasses of water, reminding Sakura how parched her throat was. Sakura took a glass and gulped down the water, the cool liquid running down her throat, quenching her thirst.

"Lamb and potato stew. And some freshly baked bread. I got it from George." Li informed. Sakura nodded, digging into the stew. She chewed the stew thoughtfully, savouring the texture the creamy potato and the juicy meat. It tasted better than it smelt, and being the first thing she had eaten in a day, it seemed to be even more delicious than the glorious food she had had at her palace.

And I was afraid I wouldn't be used to the food out here.

She laughed at herself.

"Something smells nice…" Tomoyo mumbled groggily.

Sakura giggled.

"Come Tomoyo. Have some…" She paused. "Dinner?" She peeked out the window. It seemed to be sunrise, or sunset.

"What time is it Li?"

"You guessed right. It's an early dinner."

Tomoyo joined them at the table, eyes still half closed.

"Eat up. We need to get moving soon."Li instructed.

"It's really good Tomoyo."

Tomoyo spooned a little into her mouth. He eyes immediately shot open.

"It's really really good!"

Sakura laughed as Tomoyo began hungrily devouring the stew.

She saw Li sitting there, just looking at them, nothing in front of him.

"Li-kun, aren't you eating?"

"Already ate with George." His reply was short and direct as usual.

"Oh."

"Medication has been put on your ankle, it's a special concoction, your ankle will heal very quickly."

Sakura blinked at the white bandage neatly wrapped around her ankle, now not as red and swollen as before.

"Did you…"

"George has a wife."

"Oh."

"…"

"…"

Suddenly an angry voice erupted behind them.

"HEY!! WHY DIDN'T YOU WAKE ME UP AND TELL ME THERE WAS FOOD!?!"

"Kero, shut up and eat."

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The sun had almost set fully, now only barely peaking over the horizon, releasing a few last golden rays of light. They had thanked George and left the inn a while ago. They walked long a winding path, getting closer to the busier parts of Green Meadows. Sakura now refreshed and contented, was back to her usual bubbly self. She walked ahead, only limping slightly, humming a tune to herself. Tomoyo, as observant as always, noticed the addition of the brown bag Li was carrying.

"What's that Li-kun?"

"Supplies bag I bought from George. That reminds me. Here." He retrieved two small, delicate daggers from the bag. He handed one to each of them.

"Wow it's so cute."

Tomoyo giggled at Sakura's reaction.

"Don't underestimate the size of them. They're sharp. For self defence."

"Thanks Li-kun."

A little girl suddenly approached Sakura. Streaks of dirt covered her face and her clothes were worn. She tugged on Sakura sleeve, looking up at her with pleading eyes.

"Miss could you please buy some flowers. I need some money to support my brothers and sisters. Please help me."

Sakura's eyes softened. She knelt down and looked at the little girl, a comforting smile on her face.

"Of course. Where are your flowers?" The little girl thanked her repeatedly and pulled Sakura on her sleeve, leading her toward an alleyway.

"Sakura wait!" Tomoyo ran after her friend.

Li frowned.

Don't they normally carry a basket holding the flowers when they sell them? Why is she taking her away…

He followed after the girls, who were busily chatting to the little girl. Noticing movement, his eyes darted over to the corner they were about to turn. Something was sticking out, not concealed properly. Something sharp that reflected the last shining rays of the sun. Something that could kill Sakura as soon as she turned the corner. Something that very much represented…

"Watch out!" He cried, as the knife flew towards Sakura.

She blinked and looked up, seeing the sharp weapon heading her way. She let out a piercing scream.

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Sorry I haven't updated in ages. Got to go sleep now though. Please review! SO I can wake up tomorrow morning and read all your awesome reviews!!!

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