Come Away With Me

By: Sweet Dreams

In a world where women virtually have no rights, Sakura meets a carefree stranger that helps her find her true voice. B/c of her fear of men she pushes him away. Unknown to her, he holds the key to her past and the power to save her soul.

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Prologue

Early 1800's

~*~

It was well passed midnight. All families and servants were asleep and the house was unusually quiet. Unable to sleep due to a fever, little Sakura Thomas emerged from her bed. She was the soul air to one of the most prestigious families in London.

She was thirsty. The beautiful brunette child carefully made her way down the cold marble staircase holding the hem of her heavy white night gown. Quietly she walked past the main hall. Pushing the kitchen door open she inched into the empty cold kitchen.

Sakura got into her tiptoes to reach a glass cup. Pulling it toward her chest she made her way to the kettle of water near the fireplace.

Suddenly she heard the kitchen door close behind her. Scared she turned around, dropping the glass cup. She jumped away as the glass shattered near her feet.

"Who's there" she managed to whisper. She was terrified as she frantically looked around in the darkness.

Her eyes relaxed as a ten-year-old boy stepped out of the darkness towards her.

"Oh it's just you Syaoran. You scared me." Sakura forced a quick smile before turning to the mess on the brick floor.

She didn't know much about Syaoran except that her mother found him when he was five years old wondering the streets skinny as a stick. His family was poor and when they both died, he had nowhere to go. Unable to live with herself unless Mrs. Thomas helped the child. She took him into her home. He has been a servant for her family ever since.

He was a quiet one. And being quiet greatly contrasted with Sakura's curious nature. He fascinated her. She wanted to learn everything about him… to understand why he seemed so angry. At first she tried to befriend him but after years of no progress she lessened her efforts… just a little.

But they just seemed to grow on each other. She was his friend and he was her protector.

"I'm sorry…Miss. Thomas." Syaoran said quietly as he lowered his head. He watched as her beautiful smile appeared in her face as she walked toward the closet and fetched a broom.

"Let me get that Miss." Syaoran said as he moved to her side and took the broom from her hand. Sakura smiled. He was soft spoken but a gentleman none the less.

Before Mrs. Thomas died three years ago Syaoran made a promise to watch over Sakura for her. He loved her like his own mother. It was the least he could do. He has come to care a great deal for Sakura although he never showed it.

He began sweeping at the glass that covered the floor. "You should be in bed Miss. You are still sick."

Sakura sat down into a nearby chair as she watched him work. "I could sleep. My head hurts too much. I just wanted something to drink..."

"Tomoyo filled a pitcher of water next to your bed this morning Miss." Syaoran said, his voice monotone.

Sakura fingered her dress. "I accidentally spilled it… It was heavy."

Syaoran didn't answer as he scooped up the glass and dropped it into the garbage. Sakura watched as he put the broom away and poured her a glass of water.

"Here you go Miss." Syaoran said as he handed her the glass.

Sakura took it from his hands slowly; she was still a bit dizzy.

"Come on Miss. Thomas. I will walk you up to your room."

Sakura looked up gratefully and whispered, "Thank you…"

~*~

Syaoran helped Sakura into her plush bed and pulled up the covers to her shoulders. Moving towards to the spilled pitcher, he noticed a flicking orange and yellow light from outside her window.

He moved towards the window. His eyes widened at the sight.

"Syaoran…what is it? Do you hear that?" Sakura asked as she heard muffled voices coming from outside.

A loud thump was heard downstairs as they turned their heads toward the door.

Syaoran quickly turned to Sakura. " Stay here!" She heard him shout for the first time. And it scared the hell out of her. He quickly ran out her bedroom door. Something was terribly wrong.

Syaoran stopped at the balcony and watched the front door fly open. "Invaders!" he shouted at the top of his lungs as a desperate attempt to wake everyone. Almost instantaneously, people scrambled out of their rooms in their nightclothes.

Mr. Thomas's first reaction as he ran out of his room was to shout orders. "Get the rifles! Protect the women and children! Oh the children! Where's Sakura?!"

"Papa!!!!" six year old Sakura screamed as she watched crudely dressed men armed with rifles and torches invade her country home.

"Papa! What's going on?" she cried as she jumped into her father's arms.

"We're under attack honey! We need to get you out of here!" frantically looking around his eyes settled on Syaoran.

"Syaoran! Get Sakura out of here. You know the stables well boy. Get her far away from here!" Mr. Thomas shouted to him as he put Sakura on her feet.

Syaoran nodded. "Come on Sakura!" he coaxed as he grabbed her arm. Fire was blazing in the house as the intruders began moved upstairs.

Sakura shook her head. "No papa! I want to stay with you."

"I have to stay and protect the house. Sakura please go! I love you honey!" she heard her father whisper reassuringly as he gave her a quick kiss in the forehead.

"I love you papa!" Sakura shouted as Syaoran pulled her away.

"Come on Sakura. We have to go!" They turned to run. Syaoran gave one last look over his shoulder. He saw Mr. Thomas mouth "Take care of my baby…" before he was struck on the head with the end of a rifle.

His body fell limp to the floor.

~*~

Once they got safely back into Sakura's bedroom, Syaoran locked the door. Women and men alike could be heard screaming in agony.

"I have to go back for my dad." Sakura said as she made her way towards the locked door.

"No Sakura. He's going to be fine." He said as he grabbed her. She struggled a little but started to cry. "He'll be all right. We have to get you out of there…"

"Miss. Thomas!" Startled the two turned to the small voice that popped out of the secret wall. It was Tomoyo. "Come on, a carriage is waiting for you outside. We have to hurry!"

Just then loud voiced were heard from the other side of the door. "I think the little Thomas girl is in her! Come on help me knock the bloody door down!"

Sakura looked to Syaoran frantically. She was terrified and it broke his heart. Syaoran pulled her towards the open passage door. "Go! I'll delay them!"

Sakura's eyes widened. "Come with me!"

"I'll be all right! Just go! I'll catch up!" Sakura looked doubtful but gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "I'll be waiting for you…come back to me…"

Syaoran's eyes softened. "I will…I promise. Now go!" he pushed the two inside and started closing the door.

Tomoyo stuck her head out one last time. "Be careful Syaoran. Goodbye…"

Syaoran nodded and shut the passage door. At that moment the bedroom door broke open. Two brutes charged in.

Syaoran held his breath as they started toward him. "Where's the Thomas girl, boy?"

Syaoran glared and shoved at them as they tried to grab him. "Far away from here! You'll never find her!" That angered the men and with a single blow of the rifle, knocked Syaoran unconscious.

~*~

Fifteen years later…

~*~

"One ticket to America." Syaoran said as he handed the man thirty dollars. The man looked at Syaoran in admiration. Dressed in an expensive suit it was obvious that Syaoran had a lot of money.

"Have a safe trip." the man said as she handed Syaoran the ticket. Syaoran nodded as he picked up his suitcase and headed towards the ship.

He has grown into a fine young man. He was very handsome with chiseled features. It was his messy chestnut hair and chocolate brown eyes that made women swoon.

At the age of twenty-five, Syaoran had made quite a name for himself in London. He has worked so hard to become what he is now…a prestigious doctor. That and the money he inherited for the Thomas family he was rich beyond his wildest dreams. He has been called a genius because of all his success at such a young age. Luck was what most people called it.

But it was neither. He has driven himself to become a better man for her. His has worked so hard to be good enough for her…

After waking up after the siege at the Thomas country home he was dazed and confused. He couldn't remember a damn thing. It took him days to remember what had happened to him. But it took years to find out what had happened to the famous Sakura Thomas. Was she all right? He refused to believe that she was dead. She seemed to disappear without a trace.

Fortunately, with a lot of strenuous work and money, he finally found her. Sakura was captured and sold to a wealthy man in the Americas. He had his name and address and now he was on his way to find her.

Syaoran had two promises to fulfill. One was to return to his mistress. Two is to take care of her. He has worked and saved enough money to buy her the life that she deserves… a life hopefully with him by her side.

Fin

That's it for the prologue. Tell me what you think. Should I continue? Please review. Flames are always welcome.