Disclaimer: CCS is not mine no matter how much I dream of it lol

Sorry for a late update, after I re-read the first battle scene some things just struck me as inconsistent. I mean everything happened without any explanation whatsoever so I decided to rewrite it. Again.

Anyway the other reason this chap took longer to finish is due to my laptop dying on me T_T

Enjoy reading!

Chapter 64:

Prelude to a Finale

It was well pass the time the party ended at the Daidouji Castle.

While some pretended not to think about the upcoming battle, the tension was easily read among the soldiers' faces.

The soldiers were told that all higher ranking officials on each side would have a last meeting regarding the battle plan, first thing in the morning. After their meeting, each low rank personnel would be called on a meeting with their superiors to relay any changes on the plan.

There's also a rumor of ally that would assist them from above.

No one actually understood what that meant. It might be an expression the Daidouji priests said to express their faith that the forces from above will guide them to victory. Or it would simply mean an army from both Daidouji and Souma Colonies would come down to Earth to join the battle.

It was impossible of course, since the Daidouji Colony was more of a get-away place for the Daidouji Nobles than a military fortress. Also the Souma Colony was a normal colony where the only military facility was the factory King Iain built to produce some of his works and the only ones employed there were the ones with brains. None of which trained for battle.

While the soldiers mentally prepared themselves for tomorrow, two ladies were on their way to confront the least threatening king among the rulers of the Three Great Nations; King Iain.

"Meiling-san, are you sure it's wise to talk to him?"

Meiling stopped and turned to look at Naoko.

Both were on their way to Iain's room. The two decided to seek him after Meiling left Mizuki to rest and then she found Naoko outside the room looking really worried.

It dawned on Meiling that with Naoko's memories restored, it was natural she'd be worried about Mizuki. Aside from the so-called Princess of Lottuse, Mizuki was one of the connections Naoko had about her past.

Mizuki's importance to Meiling might be different to Naoko but both of them see her as someone close to a big sister. With that in thought, Meiling felt compelled to tell Naoko what she understood from the situation.

"Both of us understand what Mizuki-senpai experienced. It had something to do with the Souma siblings."

Meiling turned her back at Naoko and resumed her walk. "Anyway, since Mizuki-senpai refuse to talk, it can't be help that we'll never know about it until it happen but…." She paused momentarily, "What I do get is that annoying king also saw something and he's with King Iain when it happened."

"Kaho-chan's prediction never fails, but from what I heard, Touya-ou is different."

"Yeah, they say he can change what he saw."

Naoko understood that if they wanted to know something they should ask the people involved but something wasn't quite right.

"But Meiling-san, do you really think Touya-ou told Iain-ou about what he saw? I mean from your explanation, he refused to talk as well."

Meiling stopped short.

Naoko also stopped on her tracks and watched Meiling.

Silence ensued along the long corridor.

Slowly, a depressing atmosphere befell Meiling as she fell on her knees.

Naoko was surprised and sweat dropped when she heard Meiling speaking in Chinese language. Somehow Naoko understood she was scolding herself for overlooking such an obvious fact.

"M-Meiling-san?"

"Aahh! Mou!" Meiling sprang to her feet and doubled the pace as she continued walking toward Iain's room.

"W-Wait Meiling—!"

"It doesn't matter if he doesn't know! If we find out what happened in the meeting then we'll definitely get a clue… probably."

Naoko hurried her steps to catch up to her and said, "Then won't it be easier to ask Wei-san instead? He's also missing at the party when the others left so he's definitely present in the meet—Meiling-san!"

Meiling had stopped once again and fell on her knees. The depressing atmosphere was back around her as she spoke in Chinese language and scolded herself once again.

"Why?" Meiling started as she slowly turned her head to look at Naoko.

Naoko sweat dropped at the dark look Meiling was giving her.

"Why do you keep on spouting some sense?" Meiling berated.

More sweat dropped.

Silence….

A door suddenly opened and a voice spoke that broke the silence. "Hmm? Aren't you the one always with the King of Li?"

The two ladies looked up and almost shrieked after seeing Iain looking at them.

"Speak of the devil!"

"He appeared!"

Meiling and Naoko exclaimed in unison. They actually arrived in front of Iain's room.

Iain sweat dropped. He decided not to give deeper meaning on Meiling's statement about the devil and turned his attention at the other lady behind her.

He remembered she was a relative of Mizuki and was on vacation.

"I don't believe we really have met but…," he started.

Naoko immediately curtsied and greeted him, "Your majesty. My name is Naoko Yanagisawa and currently I am here on vacation with—," she stopped suddenly as an idea came upon her.

The truth she might sound presumptuous to suddenly ask Iain's assistance especially since he was also not informed about her real identity like the others. Only the ones who were present at the Shrine when the spell was broken knew about her. So for now, she had to do something about that. Hopefully, Iain wouldn't be offended.

Both Iain and Meiling were confused when Naoko stopped midway in her sentence. They watched as she stood straight and looked at Iain straight in the eye.

Meiling noticed Naoko's aura somehow changed.

"My apologies Iain-ou, please forget what I just said. I do not wish to hide my identity to anyone anymore."

Meiling gasped realizing what she intend to do, "O-Oi!"

"I am Naoko Yanagisawa, though my kingdom was burned down years ago, I am still and will remain Princess of the Ynah Kingdom."

Iain's eyes grew wide in surprise. "P-Princess of the…."

Naoko nodded. "Tomoyo-hime kindly offer to protect me from possible harm due to my identity by hiding the truth but I refuse to hide now."

It took only a few seconds for Iain to recompose himself. Instead of being offended for hiding such secret to him, he was rather amused. He looked at Naoko in earnest and asked, "And by revealing yourself before me means you have something that you'd like to share or… ask correct?"

"Yes, your majesty."

Meiling frowned and looked at Naoko in further confusion. Seeing the determination in her eyes though stopped Meiling from saying anything.

"I will hear them," Iain said. "But be warned, it doesn't mean I will comply."

Naoko smiled, "I understand but I do know this is something you'll find of great interest."

"Very well. Come inside and we shall discuss it."

"Thank you."

Inside his bedchamber, Syaoran had been pacing back and forth.

He just had a talk with Takka about the number of capable users for battle and how they should distribute the circle. Takka also told him to focus on resting and leave the circle's distribution to him and Fujitaka.

But Syaoran was nowhere near in having that rest. He wasn't worrying about the users and the circle now that Takka assured him to leave it to them. What he was thinking about was the conversation he had with Sakura.

He already made up his mind. But there were still factors that bothered him.

'Kusso,' he swore as he stopped and finally sat at the foot of his bed. He turned his head and looked at the table in front of the couch and stared at his orb and he sacred sword.

He remembered the words encrypted on the blade and his expression became serious.

"'He who wields thy Sacred Sword of the King shall be granted power, and within this, He must at all cost, preserve the balance. The Law of the Yin Yang…' huh?"he muttered under his breath and closed his eyes.

Taking a deep breath, Syaoran lie back on his bed before opening his eyes to stare at the ceiling of the four-posters bed.

'How am I supposed to preserve the balance if even I feel uncertain?' he wondered thinking about everything he knew about Eriol so far.

Up to this moment, Syaoran wanted to hate Eriol for destroying the Li Kingdom. Well it wasn't that he had a change of heart after hearing that Eriol saved Tomoyo's life. It was more of confusion about Eriol's motive for revenge.

When Eriol told Syaoran about his past, Syaoran expected that it was his motive in destroying everything. Now that Syaoran thought of it, Eriol never really stated that.

It was all Syaoran's own assumption.

Still, his decision wouldn't change. Once he faces Eriol, Syaoran would definitely have his revenge.

Then he remembered Sakura's words before they left the library. She was so oblivious about his plans that she smiled at him… warmly.

Syaoran shook the image of Sakura's smile out his mind, 'Kusso!'

He closed his eyes and tightly clenched his fists.

An image of Sakura's pained expression crossed his mind and he gritted his teeth.

'If she knew what I intend to do, she'll really have that expression,' he thought. He didn't want that but what else was he supposed to do?

He opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling once again.

"What would you do if you're in my position, father?" he muttered under his breath.

On the other hand, Takka and Fujitaka made a round check to finalize all the users participating in battle.

From what Syaoran told Takka, there would be 47 users including the ones from Li Colony. Hopefully there would be changes after he and Fujitaka were done with their round.

When Fujitaka left Takka to deal with talking to the users to determine the color of circle they could use, he was surprised to find Iain waiting inside his study room.

Fujitaka was even more surprised when Iain showed interest in the circle.

It didn't take long for Iain to obtain a circle for him to study. Iain thought he'd have trouble asking Fujitaka to borrow a circle since he didn't want to explain why he wanted to study it.

To Iain's relief, Fujitaka just handed him one and smiled telling him to study it to his heart's content.

Iain thanked him and left immediately for he didn't have much time before the Li Army from the colony would start their journey down to Earth.

It was already dark outside when Chiharu heard the Lottuse soldiers leaving the premises.

She was in her room, lying on her bed refusing to go out.

Hoping to drown the dreadful noise she could hear, Chiharu buried her head with her pillow and tried her best to ignore everything else.

The noise only reminded her that she didn't have the time she wanted to find and stop the war.

A knock came from the door. Though Chiharu refused her attendants earlier when they told her that dinner was ready, the person behind the door was different.

She jolted upward and looked at the door knowing from the sound of the knock that it was Yamazaki.

"Yamazaki-kun—?"

"Chiharu-chan," Yamazaki's voice sounded muffled behind the closed door.

Chiharu hastily got up and went to the door. Before she could open it Yamazaki spoke again.

"Don't open them."

Chiharu stopped, "Eh?"

"I..."

With slow silent movements, Chiharu closed the gap between her and the closed door. She didn't grab the knob though. She just stared at the door only guessing what Yamazaki might look behind it.

"Yamaza—," she stopped midway hearing Yamazaki taking a rather deep troubled breath.

"I don't want you to look at me right now."

Chiharu lowered her gaze. "What's with that? Baka."

There was a silence at the other end before Yamazaki said, "Why didn't you come to dinner?"

"I'm not hungry."

"Are you feeling unwell?"

Hearing the concerned tone in Yamazaki's voice, Chiharu bit her lip. She didn't mean to worry him. Not now that he was about to go to the frontlines.

"No. I just didn't want to have dinner with Eriol-kun around right now," she lied.

"He already left before dinner."

"Is that so?"

Silence.

Chiharu frowned. Something was wrong. She was sure of it.

At first, she thought Yamazaki's comment about not wanting her to look at him was just one of his lame lies. He probably thought that she didn't want to see anyone right now and he made it easy for her by just saying it was him that didn't want to be looked at.

"Are you here to say goodbye?" Chiharu asked hesitantly. She couldn't bear Yamazaki's silence.

"The way you said that somehow gave me goose bumps Chiharu-chan."

Chiharu laughed, "It's your fault for being abnormally quiet."

It was her intentions to make him laugh but the laughter she expected didn't come.

"Yamazaki-kun?"

"Gomen nasai."

'Eh?'

"I… I just wanted to ask you something before I leave."

Chiharu's heart beat furiously. Could it be that the reason behind Yamazaki's abnormality was because he was planning on proposing to her?

"What is it?"

"Before that, promise me that you have to give me a straight answer."

Calming her furious heart, Chiharu put on a brave front and replied, "Mou, if you're just finding an excuse not to ask then why bother—."

"Promise me."

Chiharu was taken aback from Yamazaki's assertiveness.

There was a moment's pause before Yamazaki added, "Please."

Taking a deep breath, Chiharu finally answered, "Fine."

"You wish to put an end to this war, right?"

Chiharu almost fell. That wasn't the proposal she was hoping for. "What's with you suddenly asking me that—."

"You promised."

Chiharu frowned at the door.

Sweat drop appeared on the door.

"Yes. I don't want to spout idealistic thing like wishing to stop war before it could even start so at the very least… I want to put an end to it in a way that no one had to suffer great loss."

"Then will you have faith in me in granting your wish?"

That question was unexpected. More importantly, Chiharu didn't expect Yamazaki to ask more questions.

"Yamazaki—."

"Please answer Chiharu-chan."

Chiharu suddenly felt uneasy. Somehow, it seemed to her that Yamazaki was asking her permission before doing something very… dangerous.

"Chiharu-chan?"

Taking a shaky breath, Chiharu placed a hand on the door as if imagining it was Yamazaki she was touching.

She didn't want to answer him. The uneasiness she felt was preventing her at the same time, she didn't want to discard Yamazaki's determination to grant her wish.

"I have faith in you Yamazaki-kun," Chiharu finally answered after a long pause.

"Then—."

"But don't do anything stupid."

Yamazaki's silence just confirmed Chiharu's suspicion. She was unsure of his plans but it was something dangerously… stupid for him to fall silent.

"I don't… think it is stupid to do something if it will result in having your wish granted."

Relieved that a door was separating her and Yamazaki, Chiharu's face reddened. The confidence in his voice from what he said overwhelmed her in many ways.

"I will grant your wish Chiharu-chan. And once I do, please accept it as my advance wedding present for you."

"Eh?" Chiharu's heart skipped a beat. If possible, her face had turned redder.

Although she anticipated a proposal, the way Yamazaki delivered it actually stunned her. He really had his way in taking her breath away.

While Chiharu was still searching for a word to say, Yamazaki's retreating footsteps sounded from the other side of the door.

Impulsively, she reached for the knob and started to turn it. Then she stopped remembering his earlier words.

"I don't want you to look at me right now."

Letting go of the knob, Chiharu leaned her head on the door.

"Takashi-kun… ki o tsukete ne."

She heard the footsteps stopped momentarily before starting again.

Chiharu closed her eyes and smiled.

At that same moment in Daidouji, morning dew had covered the Daidouji Castle grounds.

It was early in the morning and the grounds were buzzing with servants and soldiers alike in preparation for the army's departure.

Inside the meeting hall of the castle, the Daidouji Officials were seated along the long table. The Souma Officials, who were waiting at their country's border, and the Li High Council, who were on their way to enter Earth, were shown side by side on the big screen on the wall at the left end of the table.

Iain, Syaoran and Touya were seated on the other side of the table opposite the big screen. The three of them took turns in explaining the changes regarding their battle plan.

Keroberos, Mizuki, Takka and Yukito were also present. It took a moment for the truth about Keroberos and Mizuki to sink in to all officials.

In any case, it was noticeable how relieved the officials were when they were told the good news about the Li Council's assistance.

Now it really seemed that the Three Great Nations were reborn.

Mizuki also told them about Naoko.

Syaoran was surprised but Mizuki assured him it was also Naoko's decision to stop hiding.

Somehow, it didn't bode well to Syaoran. He felt something would happen from Naoko's decision and he had a suspicion on what that something would be. His suspicion made him unsettled.

Iain also made an announcement.

He told them that he was able to borrow one of the circles from Fujitaka last night.

Iain borrowed the circle with the intention of trying to understand its composition and try to recreate it through technology but instead found something more interesting.

Iain told them individuals who had no spiritual powers could also make use of the circle. Of course, they needed to insert the circle in something similar to a catalyst to make it work. He explained that if a person or thing had that catalyst attached to it/her/him, it would serve as link to make use of the circle's energy without needing any spiritual training.

As expected of the genius king, Iain told them he already gave the blueprint he model for the catalyst and currently it's being manufactured back in his country. He also stated that by the time the Li Fleet would rendezvous at the spot before entering Earth, a Souma Courier would be there to hand the manufactured catalyst.

Syaoran and Touya couldn't help but sweat drop. Trust Iain to accomplish something unfeasible in such short notice as long as it concerned technology.

Iain also explained that if a person without spiritual powers use the circle infused catalyst, the part where that person wore the catalyst would get a power boost.

Keroberos smirked and commented that if that was the case then even weapons could make use of it.

Iain's knowing smile was all it took to confirm Keroberos' comment.

While the meeting was in progress, inside Fujitaka's study room, he and Sakura reviewed the information regarding the conditions of all magic users on their side.

Takka told Fujitaka he actually managed to enlist an addition of six people before he retired last night.

Now they have 53 users.

Sakura reviewed all the names of the users on the list Takka handed them. She was amazed that he was able to determine even their aura's color just by questioning them.

'With this, it will be easier to distribute the circle,' Sakura thought as she flipped through the list's pages.

She understood it wasn't that hard for a veteran like Takka to determine an individual's aura just by understanding them but that didn't stop her to be impressed.

As Sakura was pondering how Takka and Syaoran seemed alike in the 'amazing' category, a name—make that—names caught her eye at the bottom of the page she was looking and did a double take.

"W-Wha—!"

Upon hearing Sakura, Fujitaka lowered the list he was reading and looked at her from his desk. "Doushita no?"

Sakura blinked countless times and tried to read the names on her list once again.

The names didn't change.

She rested the list on her lap and rubbed her eyes with both her hands and looked at the list one more time.

Still no change.

"O-Otosan," she stammered and slowly turned her head to look at Fujitaka. "I think I'm seeing things here."

Seeing the distress on his daughter's face, Fujitaka stood up and frowned in concern.

"Are you okay? I know a lot happened since last night and you're probably still tired, do you want to rest for a couple of hours before we depart?"

Sakura shook her head fervently, "I'm okay don't worry. But otosan!" she stood up and hurried toward his side.

With shaking hands, Sakura showed him her list and pointed at the names that made her sweat.

"I'm supposed to be looking at the names of all our magic users' right? B-But… this names…."

Fujitaka looked at the spot where she was pointing.

For a moment, he just stared at the list. When he realized what made her so worked up, he smiled and calmly looked at her.

It didn't take long for Fujitaka to realize that Iain was probably the reason behind this development. No wonder the young king took interest in studying the circle last night.

"Are you worried?" he tenderly asked Sakura.

"Yes! They're not magic users' otosan. How can Takka-sensei possibly enlist them! I mean I can understand Naoko-chan but… Meiling-chan and Ihleen-nee-sama as well? They can't… they can't fight!"

Fujitaka studied Sakura for a moment before he stood up and led her to sit with him on the couch. He took the list from her hands and placed it on the table and gently took her hands.

He debated to himself whether to tell her what he thought caused them to enlist and Takka accepting it.

"Sakura-san," he started.

The look of apprehension in Sakura when she looked at him made Fujitaka decide against telling her his thoughts and instead focus on calming her.

"I believe that Takka included them with a reason. And though it isn't wrong to worry about them you have to keep in mind that it's their effort, their feelings that prompted their decision to fight. If you won't let them then even though it isn't your intentions, it is the same as mocking their efforts."

Sakura lowered her gaze. She understood what her father meant. But she still couldn't accept it.

Aside the fact that their names were enlisted under the ones who would make use of the circle, it would be dangerous for them to actually fight their enemy's magic users without any powers of their own.

In Naoko's case Sakura knew she could use her ability to fight but the side effects of it was too troubling.

Sakura would never allow them to fight and get hurt.

Fujitaka gently squeezed Sakura's hands.

"Sakura-san," he tried again.

Slowly, Sakura lifted her head to look at her father.

The warm smile that greeted her somehow calmed her.

It's amazing how a simple smile could affect anyone.

"Otosan… atashi…."

"Hai, I understand perfectly well the feeling of wanting to protect everyone. But it's not only you who feels that way, Sakura-san. Everyone feels the same and that is the very reason why they wanted to be of help."

"But they don't have any training with magic… more importantly they don't have spiritual powers."

"Trust them and Takka's decision in enlisting them."

"But…." Sakura wanted to argue but couldn't come up with any other reason apart from what she already said.

"If you're that concern about them, instead of unintentionally crushing their effort by stopping them, how about try respecting their decision? Become their support in the things they set out to do and trust them."

Sakura let her father's words sink in to her.

Seeing the thoughtful look on his daughter's face, Fujitaka smiled knowing that Sakura would be okay once done reflecting her own thoughts.

After a moment's pause, Sakura finally nodded her head and said, "I understand."

She looked at Fujitaka and smiled, "I will support and do anything in my power to watch their back."

Fujitaka smiled back and nodded, "That's right."

Sakura's smile sobered up and she added, "Just like how you've always done for us."

'Eh?' Fujitaka was taken off guard from that last comment.

He stared at her lost for words and slowly his eyes started to tear up.

Instead of letting the tears fall, Fujitaka suppressed a smile and replied, "And I will continue to do so for I believe you all will be fine."

"Arigato, otosan." Sakura held back her own tears and affectionately hugged him in which he returned.

Once the meeting had adjourned, Mizuki, Keroberos, Yukito, and Takka had gone ahead to Fujitaka's study room thinking that they might need help in distributing the circles.

Syaoran and Touya also started making their way out the room to make a last minute preparation but Iain stopped them.

"Please wait."

Both Syaoran and Touya stopped on their tracks and turned back to look at him.

The soldiers standing guard outside the room closed the door.

"I just want to have a word with you two," Iain started looking from Touya then to Syaoran.

Touya fought the frown creeping on his face. The graveness in Iain's expression actually made him all queasy inside. Like a feeling that bodes trouble.

Syaoran on the other hand just looked at him impassively. It wasn't because he was uninterested; mostly it was to mask all the thoughts running through his mind at that moment.

"About what?" it took a lot from Touya to ask. His intuition when it came to Iain's determined look was never wrong.

The only times Touya saw Iain this determined was if it concerned his sister.

Yes, it was a very ill foreboding scenario indeed.

Iain looked straight at Touya and answered in complete confidence, "King Touya, I am intent on proposing to Princess Sakura before going to battle."

As expected, both men jolted from Iain's declaration.

"O-Omae!" Touya started.

Syaoran didn't utter a word but he gave Iain a very hard look.

A smile crept at the sides of Iain's lips as he closed his eyes.

"Well that's what I really intent on doing but," he opened his eyes and seriously looked at them. "I decided to do so after we win this war."

Iain focused his attention on Syaoran and looked at him meaningfully.

It didn't need a genius to understand that Iain's objective wasn't to ask Touya for permission when he declared his intention on proposing to Sakura, rather he was indirectly challenging Syaoran.

Touya looked from Iain to Syaoran. Though he wasn't keen about Iain's declaration, the vision Touya had last night nagged him.

'Is this connected to what I saw?' Touya wondered. 'Will his determination to propose after the battle trigger that scenario?'

He gritted his teeth at the thought. He made sure he didn't leave any holes in his plan to counter his vision but for the first time, he had that distinct feeling he had to do something more.

It was all because he wasn't the only one who foresaw a tragedy.

"With that in mind, I have no intention of losing this war." Iain told them.

"We have the same intentions then. Let's win this war," was all Syaoran said before turning his back at them.

Iain suppressed a smile as he watched Syaoran's retreating back.

"Trust him to indirectly retaliate through words," he commented clearly amused.

Touya turned his attention at Iain, "You did that on purpose."

With a sigh, Iain started walking toward the door. "I just want to make sure he has set his priorities."

"And did you find anything from his answer?" Touya couldn't help but ask, though he already knew the answer.

Iain smiled and turned to look at Touya, "Of course. He did say we have the same intentions, King Touya."

One of Touya's brows twitched. He fought his best not to start war right there and just watched Iain out the door.

'Damn it. Both of them are so dead after this war,' he thought defiantly.

(A/N lol I personally like the last part of this chap

Anyway next chap the battle will really—and I mean for real— really start

I rewrote this whole chap so the battle scene was removed. It will be included on the next chap.

Translations:

Ki o tsukete ne – be careful (usually used among close or relatively close people)

Doushita no – what's wrong

Atashi – feminine form of 'I'

Omae – you

BTW I only did a quick check on this chap so I apologize for any wrong spellings or grammar.

I will recheck it when I have time so please bear with me.)