Sealed In Our Fate...

Chapter 9 - Across the Country
The traveling was actually quicker and easier than Sakura had imagined before. Being one of the honored chef in the group, Sakura had actually gained a special seat in one of the carriages, while other lower classed servants were forced to walk the whole entire way. There was practically nothing for Sakura to do inside the carriage, other than sitting around and occasionally looking out the window to see the spectacular scenario. China was far bigger than Sakura had expected, and breath-taking views of waterfalls and mountains were visible. Even through deep boredom, Sakura still found the amazing sight very entertaining, since she could just stare out the window the whole day if she wanted.

There were occasional stops for the ones who were walking to rest for a while and eat. That's when Sakura makes her famous lunches to serve the Empress and the Prince, and along with a large number other servants. Compliments for her came like a huge wave from the ocean. Her popularity among the other servants grew fairly rapidly. Even the Prince often gave her positive feedback on her excellent gourmet skills. And every time the Prince complimented her, she feels even happier than all the other compliments combined. But, how she wished the Prince could give her more attention, other than just the food she makes, and that day would be in her deepest dreams.

The trip was pacing exactly as scheduled, and fifteen days passed by in the blink of an eye. According to the navigator, they're only about a third of the way until they arrive to the western regions. The Empress is very excited and constantly hoping to arrive quicker, along with everyone else in the crew. Even the Prince seems excited, but deep inside, he wishes that he'll never arrive. No one seems to notice that the Prince is filled with depression, except for Sakura, who notices him almost always.

Lunch hour has hit again on the sixteenth day of traveling, and Sakura cooks up another excellent meal. She made an exceptionally large and sweetened plate of dim sum for the Prince, hoping that it would cheer him up a little bit and drag him out of his depressing mood. But when she was about to present the food to the Prince, he was nowhere to be found in the crowd. Sakura checked around the carriages, around the tables, over the crowd of elite peoples, and all over the place but the Prince just seemed to disappear. She wondered if the prince had wandered alone around the place, since it's the only possibility left. With nothing else to do, she decided to go back and wrap the food up until the prince come back.

She went back to her own carriage to find a handkerchief so she can wrap up the food for the Prince. As she swapped open the curtain which acted as a door to the carriage, she suddenly saw a figure sitting on the ground, his head resting on his arms and his face facing the other direction. According to his clothes, Sakura could immediately tell that he was Prince Syaoran. She was really shocked, but didn't seem to scream since he sounded like he's sleeping.

'What his Prince Syaoran doing here in my carriage?' Sakura wondered as she placed the plate of dim sum on the table and knelt beside him. His body is more curled up, and his breathing is soft and relaxing. His head turned slightly, now facing Sakura while still sound asleep. Sakura could feel her own face heating up as she stared longer at the prince's face, which was by far the most handsome face she had ever seen.

'Why does the prince always appears in the oddest places?' Sakura didn't really bother to answer that herself, but the question that keeps coming up in her head is whether if she should wake him up or not.

'He always appears unconscious in front of me. . .'

Sakura couldn't help herself from staring at his face. It was too beautiful and irresistible, and she simply can't just take her eyes away from him. But she knew very clear herself that there's no way she would have the courage to stare at the prince this way if he is awake.

Finally decided not to wake him, Sakura pulled out a small cloak out of her trunk of clothing, then swept it open and laid it overtop of the prince's body. Before she finished tucking him in, the prince suddenly grabbed Sakura with his strong hands, gripping her hands tighter than ever. Sakura lead out a shriek of surprise and shock.

"P-prince Syaoran. . ." Sakura stared at his awakened eyes, her hands still locked inside his.

"What are you doing?" The prince questioned, pointing at the cloak Sakura's holding with her other hand.

Sakura sheepishly replied, "You were sleeping, and I thought you might catch a cold this way so I. . ."

"What are you doing here then? Are you looking for me for something?" The prince snapped before letting Sakura finish.

"Well. . .I thought I could bring you some lunch. . ." Sakura answered, then changed her focus to the plate of dim sum beside them.

The prince's stomach suddenly growled loudly, but the prince stayed stubborn and answered, "I'm no hungry."

"But your highness, you must eat. . ."

"I said I'm not hungry!!" He hollered. His yell made Sakura's eyes teary, as she just looked away and started wrapping the food away quietly. Her expression somewhat made the prince feel a little guilty for yelling. "Well. . .how did you find me here?" He tried to lighten up the situation.

Sakura looked up, surprised that the prince suddenly changed his tone of voice. "This is the carriage that I'm assigned to. It's the one I've been on for the past fifteen days."

The prince gave her a puzzled look. "A servant like you gets a carriage all by yourself?" His remark caused Sakura to blush silently instead.

"I'm not sure how either. . ." Sakura said, while she finished wrapping the food in a small handkerchief. Suddenly, another audible growl from the prince's stomach was heard. The prince grew embarrassed, but still insisted that he wasn't hungry.

"I'm going now." The prince said, then headed towards the doorway.

"Wait!" Sakura called. "Please, take the dim sum with you. It doesn't matter if don't eat it, but please take it so you have something to nibble on when you feel hungry again." Sakura bowed her head down low while holding the bag of dim sum in front of her.

The prince looked back at her and the bag of dim sum. "God, you don't understand do you?" He blurted out and headed towards the door again. But, Sakura didn't move an inch as she continued bowing. The prince stood for a few moments looking back, then grabbed the bag without saying anything and left. Sakura looked up again and found the prince had disappeared, along with her bag of dim sum. A smile appeared on Sakura face, and she knew the prince would enjoy the lunch.

~*~

On one typical traveling day, where the sun is positioned directly above their heads and emitting blinding heat waves, the group continues to walk through the empty landscape. Step by step they walk, the day seemed to drag on forever, especially when Sakura feels like she's being trapped inside a sauna room when she's really just sitting in her carraige, trying to think of a way to cool herself down. Along with everyone else in the group, they all desperately want to stop before they all get a heat stroke.

Sakura glanced out of the window, and saw everyone else who is walking outside sweating rapidly and walking faintly ahead. She noticed that the ones walking are just low classed servants, probably where Sakura might have ended up if the Empress and the Prince didn't recognize her so quickly. One of the servants stared back at Sakura, and that look on her face is saying how much she envies Sakura's position right now, relaxing inside a carriage all day and shaded from the demon heat. Guilt rushed through Sakura's heart when she noticed the girl is still staring back at her. There was no way Sakura could invite her inside the carriage, since it would be against the rules and it might even throw herself out of her current state. Sakura swung the curtains that cancelled the light from entering the carriage, leaving herself in a nicely shaded area, where she won't be able to see the people from outside.

Moments later, one of the navigators announced to everyone that they are about to enter a small town ahead, and that would be their stop for the night. They have been spending the nights at the wilderness for many, many days, and now finally, everyone gets to have a nice sleep at a bed instead of sleeping inside carriages, and even on the ground for some servants.

By the time they reached the town, the sun had already been hidden halfway behind the mountains. The horizons were the most beautiful Sakura had ever seen since she had been working in China. She could still remember the days back in Japan where she can watch the sunset every night behind her backyard by the small pond. It was the happiest old days that she had longed for now to go back to.

The town was still filled with many people wandering around the market. There are tons of stands out in the market, selling almost anything one can think of. But there was no way this town can beat the town Sakura grew up in, the way it was so busy every day and so full of energy. This town was rather quieter, but still held a very peaceful atmosphere around that Sakura could feel and sense at the same time.

It didn't take long for the group to find the nearest Inn that provides a full course meal and also enough rooms for everyone, including the servants to spend the night. Finally, Sakura got off her carriage for a chance for her legs to stretch out. For a moment, she thought she couldn't feel her legs operating, but after a few stretches, it was right back to normal. The Empress and the Prince had already settled inside their rooms, while the other servants slowly divided themselves up and started approaching to their shared rooms too. When Sakura entered the Inn, she found herself sharing a room with one of the other low classed servants. Sakura quickly gathered her luggage, then approached upstairs to find her room as well.

Her room was easy to find, and as soon as she found it, she immediately opened it. Not knowing that her roommate was already inside, Sakura immediately apologized. "I'm very sorry for bulging in so suddenly! My name is Sakura, and we will be roommates for tonight! I hope we can get along well together!" After Sakura gave her usual introductory speech, the girl inside was still lying on her bed, her face faced the other direction.

"Hi. . ." The girl said, and that was it.

Sakura walked inside the room and carried her luggage to her side of the room. "So," Sakura tried to start a conversation with her, "what is your name?"

The girl finally turned around. Sakura was shocked when she saw the girl's face. "My name. . .is not important. . ."

It was the same girl this morning that stared back at Sakura when she was in the carriage while the girl was walking outside in the sun.

"Oh. . ." Sakura was about to silence herself while the guilt ran through her body again. But she didn't allow herself to be silent, and instead, she tried to lighten up the mood. "Everyone has a name, and everyone is equally important! That's what my mother always told me. So please tell me your name and let me be your friend!" Sakura gave her a heart-warming smile.

The girl felt surprised how nice Sakura was. "Hua Zhi. . . .it's a name that my mistress gave me. I have no idea what my real name is." The girl broke the eye contact, and started at the ground.

Sakura felt her heart aching. 'She's so young like me, but her fate is far worse than mine.' "Oh. . .it's a very beautiful name." The conversation seemed to go nowhere, and now it's just starting to silence themselves.

Hua Zhi was wearing very common clothing, and she didn't seem to have much luggage. Sakura would hate to know how her mistress is by the looks of her, and Sakura also hate to believe that such servants like her exist in the palace. Sakura could never understand the world of pain, since she is going through such luck in the palace.

Both girls didn't say much to each other, and Hua Zhi turned around and said, "Good night, Sakura."

Sakura felt that she was extremely sad and depressed, and Sakura just couldn't stand that mood around her. Sakura found a few sweet buns left in a wrapped handkerchief, then decided to give it to Hua Zhi instead. She laid the handkerchief beside Hua Zhi's pillow, then whispered, "It's from a piece of my heart, and I hope you'll accept it." Sakura knew that she's still awake, but Hua Zhi didn't answer. Sakura didn't want to stay in the room, because it would just make her feel guiltier, so she decided to head out for a short walk around the town. When Sakura left, Hua Zhi turned around and stared at the handkerchief. It was the first time anyone had given her a gift. Crying from gratitude, Hua Zhi whispered "Thank you!" to Sakura, and she knows that Sakura must've heard her.

~*~

The town was really quiet once the sky darkens. Sakura liked it quiet while she walked around. She could see candle-lit houses around the town, giving a warm and cozy atmosphere that Sakura could feel even when she's outside. There are still some people wandering around the town, but other than that, everyone else had returned back to their cottages and houses.

The more Sakura walked, the more she wished that this town was in Japan, and how she hoped she could just take this road straight home to where her mother, father, and brother was. Sakura held their memories dear inside her heart, and tonight she once again wishes to be by their side. It was like yesterday when Sakura came home from the market selling flowers, and her mother welcomes her back with a plate full of onigiri. Her father would come out of the kitchen, as usual, and give Sakura a gentle kiss on the forehead while Touya would appear behind her and tousle her hair like a big brother would do to a little kid. Sakura would smile every time she receives this welcome from her family, and all her stress would vanish before her when she's with them. The pain in her heart is now continuously wishing to be the way it was before.

Suddenly, when Sakura snapped out of her dream, she noticed that she had wandered too far away from the Inn. Now, she have completely no idea where it is, plus now the town had darkened a whole lot more than before, making it even harder to find the way back. Sakura tried to stay as calm as possible, now slowly she retraced her steps and hopefully it would lead back to where the Inn was.

While Sakura is walking, she had a very unpleasant feeling that someone was following her. No, she can sense more than one person following her. Sakura's heart started to beat very quickly with fear, and her footsteps picked up the pace. By now, she was certain that a group of people is following her, since their footsteps are also audible. Sakura started running with her eyes closed, and do nothing to look back. But, unfortunately, Sakura wasn't fast enough to out run them. Suddenly, a strong arm grabbed Sakura's shoulders, squeezing it so hard that Sakura shrieked out loud and was forced to stop. Sakura collapsed onto the ground, and when she opened her eyes, she found herself surrounded by a group of about six big built and muscular men.

"My my. . .look what I've found guys?" A bearded man commented while he stepped in front of Sakura.

"Looks like a lost little kitten!" A skinnier guy replied, his eyes looking at Sakura very deeply.

Another few guys entered the scene. "Wow! Looks like you've caught a very sweet looking babe tonight!"

"Mind if you share her with us?"

"Yea, don't be so greedy! Give us a piece of her too!"

Sakura could feel the rush of fear running up her body. Her legs are trembling like crazy, and her face broke into sweat. "Wh-what do you guys want?"

A younger man laughed hysterically then answered, "Whoa, are you kidding me? You know what we want!" He winked at Sakura, and started touching her cheeks. "My, you have very smooth skin!"

Sakura slapped his hands away. "Don't touch me!!"

The same guy continued laughing. "OOH! This babe got some attitude! I bet I'll have to great fun with her!" All the rest of the guys laughed along with him.

Sakura didn't know what she was doing, but she got up onto her legs and started running away towards the opposite direction. But she failed miserably in running away, since a muscular man caught her arms right away before Sakura could run her third step.

"Trying to run away, are ya?" The muscular man asked, the pulled Sakura back so hard that Sakura thought her hand could be twisted by now. Tears started falling down Sakura's eyes as she felt more hopeless than ever.

The muscular man swept Sakura off the ground with one of his hands while his other hand supported Sakura's back. "Now, let me carry this jewel away to our place!" The man said, then started walking. The rest of his group started cheering as they walked away.

Sakura struggled and tried to free herself from the muscular man's arms. "Let go of me!!! STOP IT!! PLEASE!! LET GO!!" The guys didn't seem to listen as they continued laughing, while some started touching Sakura.

Hopeless. . .Trapped. . .Doomed. . .

"Please. . . let me go. . ." Sakura cried very hard, as all her energy was lost from all that screaming.

'Prince Syaoran. . . . help me. . . . .rescue me. . . . . please. . . . .'



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