The Guiding Star

Sentenced to Die: Chapter Five

By: Sakura

“Li Xiao Lang will die tonight.”

Hiding a smile of satisfaction, Shui Ken repeated the words of his Minister with false concern, “Die? But why?” Shui Ken’s Chief Minister raised an eyebrow.

“Anyone who attempts to kill a son of our former Emperor must be punished severely,” he said, “even if he is a Prince himself.” Shui Ken continued his act of fake pity, but beneath his saddened exterior, he was thoroughly enjoying the moment.

“He’s only a child,” he said softly, “not really sure of what he was doing. Does he have to be punished this way?”

“May I remind you, Prince Li, that someone at sixteen years of age is no longer a child,” answered his Chief Minister. “Nonetheless, he tried to kill you. According to law, his actions must be justified. I’m sorry this means your brother will die, but there’s no other way.”

“Fine, if that’s how it is…so be it,” replied Shui Ken, sighing resignedly. He waved his Chief Minister away and sat with his head resting on the back of both hands at his desk. When the latter left the room, Shui Ken’s face broke into a smile. His act of sympathy had completely fooled his Minister. “This is it for you, Xiao Lang,” he murmured to himself. “You won’t be able to escape death this time.”

~*~*~*~*~*~

Wing Kuen rested back comfortably against one pile of hay, the rest spread to cover the ground of his prison. He had complete faith in Xiao Lang; he would be able to complete any mission the Li Elders gave him. But that Japanese girl…Kinomoto Sakura… Wing Kuen had failed to mention to his brother that he had met this Sakura just after he had talked to the Li Elders.

~*Flashback*~

“Why, Xiao Lang?” wondered Sakura to herself as she sat by the waterfall in the gardens. “Why did you risk your life for me? Why didn’t you just leave, like you said you would?” Her hand tightened her grip on her handkerchief. “And now you’re sitting in prison…all because of me…”

“Why so sad, Princess?”

Sakura looked up at the sound of the voice and her eyes widened, her face suddenly paling. The person chuckled. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” commented the figure.

“Xiao Lang?” said Sakura in a half-whisper. But the moment she said his name, she knew this wasn’t Xiao Lang. “Who are you?” she asked. The man she had mistaken to be Xiao Lang sat down beside her.

“My name’s Li Wing Kuen,” he told her, “twelfth son of the former Emperor.” Sakura studied him as he spoke. He was definitely not Xiao Lang; she could see that now. Although at first glance she thought he was. Wing Kuen had long brown hair, braided and resting on his shoulder and while Xiao Lang had warm amber eyes, his brother had maroonish ones that twinkled with laughter. “So you’re the girl Xiao Lang defended?” continued Wing Kuen. Sakura didn’t reply, not wanting to be reminded of that. She avoided his gaze and, standing up instead, began to walk away. But before she could go far, a hand grasped her wrist, stopping her in her tracks. Wing Kuen turned her around and still kept his hand around her wrist.

“I’d have to say that was very disrespectful,” he told her seriously, “especially to a Prince. Perhaps I ought to report you to Li Shui Ken, seeing how you are one of his concubines.” Seeing the horror-stricken expression that suddenly appeared on Sakura’s face, Wing Kuen stifled a chuckle. “I was just kidding,” he said with a smile. Relief washed over Sakura but her expression was soon replaced with confusion. Jokes were unfamiliar to this Japanese Princess and joking about a matter like that was rather odd.

“I didn’t mean to frighten you,” said Wing Kuen apologetically, releasing her hand, “I only wanted to meet you. You see, I was just curious about who could make Xiao Lang put his life on the line like that. He does not usually act so impulsively.”

“I’m so sorry,” responded Sakura softly. “I never expected him to do such a thing. It’s all my fault he’s in prison and-” Wing Kuen placed a finger against her lips, gesturing her to stop talking.

“Don’t blame yourself,” said Wing Kuen gently. “Besides, Xiao Lang always has a way of getting himself out of these situations. And when he can’t,” added Wing Kuen with a wink, “I can always bail him out.” Sakura smiled at him.

“Thank you,” she said, still speaking softly. Wing Kuen stood speechless for a moment, awed by her sweet, gentle expression, her innocent beauty. He was beginning to understand why Xiao Lang felt so drawn to protect her.

Regaining his powers of speech, Wing Kuen said, “you want to leave here, right?” Sakura nodded. “Then I’ll help you.” A look of hope flitted onto Sakura’s face briefly but suddenly a guarded expression appeared.

“Do you really mean it?” she asked. Wing Kuen nodded.

“I do,” he answered, “and I always keep my promises. Go back home and wait. You’ll be leaving tonight…with Li Xiao Lang.” Sakura didn’t reply right away. Instead, she looked up into his eyes and studied them, searching to see if he was telling the truth. Finally, Sakura nodded again.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

~*End Flashback*~

“I did sense a small, almost insignificant, amount of power from this girl, Xiao Lang,” murmured Wing Kuen to himself, “now that I think about it. If she does possess the star pendant, she must have an inkling of power…power still undiscovered, hidden deep within her.” The echo of footsteps from the hallway broke through his thoughts and Wing Kuen sat silently, eyes fixed on the ground. Two burly guards appeared at the doorway and unlocked it, one carrying two pairs of chains.

“Prince Li Xiao Lang?”

“Yes?”

“Come with us.” Wing Kuen yielded to their request by standing up, not lifting his eyes once. One guard stood by the doorway while the other came forward with the chains, snapping one pair shut around his ankles and - after pulling his arms behind him - the other pair clamped on his wrists. Wing Kuen immediately realized what this meant. Xiao Lang had been sentenced to death.

“I don’t regret my actions one bit, brother,” thought Wing Kuen as he was led away from the prisons. “Remember to take care of that Cherry Blossom. There’s just something about her…”

~*~*~*~*~*~

Back in his room, Xiao Lang took off the green robes and his hat, catching his brother’s clipped hair before it fell to the ground. He stared at it wordlessly for a moment before snapping back to reality. Finding a little bag, he carefully placed it in. “Thank you, Wing Kuen,” he said softly as he slipped into a different set of robes, “for giving me this second chance. I won’t let you down. I’ll complete my mission for the Elders and then I’ll get you out of that prison.” Looking around his room, he couldn’t find the bags he had packed earlier. What happened to them?

“Master Li?”

Xiao Lang whirled around with surprise. How did anyone know he was here? He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw his advisor, Jin Chi, then tensed up again and placed a guarded mask on his face. “What is it?” he asked. He wondered if Jin Chi knew he was supposed to be in prison.

“I finished packing your belongings,” his advisor told him, “and you are ready to leave anytime.” Xiao Lang’s guard dropped.

“Wu Jin Chi…you…you know?” Jin Chi nodded.

“You must hurry,” said the elderly man, ushering the Prince out of his room, “before they learn the man in prison is not Li Xiao Lang.” Jin Chi paused for a moment and smiled gently at his Prince. “I am always ready to serve you, Master Li, and in any way,” he said. Xiao Lang stopped as well and returned the smile.

“Thank you…my friend,” he said.

~*~*~*~*~*~

“Li Xiao Lang, step forward.”

Xiao Lang obeyed and approached the table, dragging his heavy chains as he walked. Xiao Lang was considered exceeding fortunate for, rather than going through bouts of agonizing torture, his death would be simple: drinking poison. It would not be as fast as getting beheaded, but Shui Ken didn’t want him to die too painlessly. Xiao Lang was forced onto his knees before the Chief Minister and the Chief Guard. Prince Shui Ken stood beside them as well. One of the guards took the poison, contained in a small teacup, and walked over to Xiao Lang while the second guard forced his head back and his mouth open.

Shui Ken watched the scene, nearly revelling in it, amusement carefully hidden from everyone else but still showing plainly in the expression of his eyes. This was it…this was the end for the wretched fifteenth son of the former Emperor. This thorn on his side will finally be removed…permanently. But something didn’t feel quite right. For one thing, why didn’t Xiao Lang struggle, even a little bit? He was never so accepting to fate before, why would he start now? And another thing: why were his eyes shut tight?

“Hold on a minute,” said Shui Ken. The guards halted and looked at him with surprise. They backed away when Shui Ken walked to Xiao Lang and stood before him. “Take off the chains around his wrists,” he commanded. The guards stared wordlessly at him, not believing what he was saying. But after receiving his icy-glare, they quickly did as they were told. The chains dropped with a heavy clang to the ground. Shui Ken took the poison from the guard and thrust it in Xiao Lang’s hands. “Drink it,” he said.

Xiao Lang nodded. As he brought the cup to his lips, Shui Ken stopped him again. “Why are your eyes closed, Xiao Lang? Maybe you’re just afraid to face death in the face,” he said tauntingly. Xiao Lang’s eyelids flickered open only for a second and closed immediately.

“I fear no one,” he answered. Shui Ken gasped the moment his eyelids flickered up. Then Xiao Lang smiled crookedly at Shui Ken. “And I’ll never fear you, brother.” Pointed emphasis had been placed on his very last word. He quickly put the poison-filled cup to his lips and drank up all the liquid. Xiao Lang gritted his teeth and clutched his chest as a burning pain ripped through his chest, tearing him apart internally. Finally, he slumped over, unmoving. Shui Ken stared at the still figure below him for several moments before turning away. He silently faced the Chief Minster and Guard.

“Xiao Lang isn’t dead,” he said, eyes focused on the ground, speaking in a calm tone, yet filled with deadly rage.

“What do you mean, Prince Li?” asked the Chief Guard. “You just saw him-”

Shui Ken suddenly looked up, eyes flashing angrily. “That’s not Li Xiao Lang!”

~*~*~*~*~*~

“Prince Li Xiao Lang…is dead…?” Sakura asked shakily. The messenger nodded. Before the messenger could say another word, she turned and fled up the stairs to her room. She leaned against the wall but then slid down into a curled-up position. Horror was plain to be seen in her emerald eyes, horror mixed with grief. Tears flooded them, threatening to break through. She was too stunned to even move anymore.

“You promised me, Wing Kuen,” she whispered, her voice still shaky. “How can I leave now? You lied to me…why do I keep trusting people?” But before her tears could fall for Xiao Lang, Tomoyo suddenly burst into the room, a masked and dark-clothed figure behind her.

“Mistress!” she cried. “You must leave right away! Before they realize what’s happened!” Sakura stared at her with confusion, the tears still threatening to fall. “Mistress!” cried Tomoyo again, this time more urgently. Sakura refused to budge. The masked figure gently pushed Tomoyo aside and took off his mask, revealing Prince Xiao Lang. That’s when the floodgates broke. Xiao Lang held Sakura in his arms as she cried on his shoulder. He wasn’t quite sure why she was crying, though. Sakura, on the other hand, barely getting over her shock, was relieved and happy Xiao Lang was okay…that he wasn’t dead…But did that mean…

“Sakura?” called Xiao Lang softly as he pulled away a bit just to look into her tear-streaked face. “Do you want to leave here? With me?” Sakura could only stare numbly at Xiao Lang for a few moments, letting his words sink in. He wanted to take her away from there…away from the place she had been forced to call home for the last few weeks. She threw her arms around Xiao Lang in a hug.

“Yes,” she whispered into his ear, “yes, I’ll go with you.” Xiao Lang hugged her back tightly and they would have stayed locked in their embrace forever if Tomoyo hadn’t been urging them to leave.

“I’ve managed to have all of your belongings shipped out of the palace,” said Tomoyo quickly. “All you need to do is leave. I believe Prince Li has that taken care of.” Xiao Lang nodded.

“Tomoyo, what about you?” asked Sakura. “Aren’t you coming with us?” Tomoyo shook her head sadly.

“I’m sorry, Mistress,” she said quietly, “but I can’t. If I went, it would only cause more problems for you and Prince Li. I want you two to escape safely.” Sakura reached out and hugged her handmaiden.

“I’ll miss you a lot, Tomoyo,” she said, a few tears escaping again. “We’ll find a way to get you out of here, too, I promise.” Tomoyo put on a brave smile for her friends and, after slipping on a light black robe to cover Sakura’s clothes, mouthed the word “go”. Xiao Lang nodded to her, showing his gratitude. Pushing open a window, he slipped out, his arm encircled around Sakura’s waist, holding her close to him. Sakura clung to him tightly as he jumped down two stories to the ground.

Tomoyo watched from the window, praying they would be okay. Xiao Lang pressed himself against the wall of the building when he saw the guards on duty. He would not be able to get over the walls without attracting attention. Realizing their dilemma, Tomoyo struck upon an idea. She pushed the center table flying to the ground, the teapot and cups shattering in a giant crash. Then she moved to the bedside, throwing the blankets about and took hold of the bed curtain. Exerting all her strength, she ripped them from the ceiling, and tangled herself up in the mess.

The guards heard the commotion and ran in to see the problem. They found the handmaiden lying in a tangled heap with the bed curtain, trying to pull free. One of the guards kindly helped her out of the mess of fabric and she thanked them wholeheartedly, apologizing for her clumsiness and that they could go back to their posts while she cleaned up. The guards left and stationed themselves in their former positions; but the fifteenth son of the former Emperor, Xiao Lang, and the Japanese Princess, Sakura, were long gone.

Author’s Note: …what have I done…? *weeps* Why Li Wing Kuen? Why?! *sniffs* It was hard to kill off an original character…I don’t really want to do that again…I’m sorry…(Pc Gurl will probably get mad at me now…) *cheers up a little bit* But it doesn’t mean he’ll be completely gone forever, right? *half-smiles* I could never do that to him…I sort of liked him; even if he did appear for only one and a half chapters. And at least his death wasn’t gruesome. What do you think (about Wing Kuen)?

By the way, it’s three-thirty am. I may not have been thinking straight when I wrote this chapter. Well, tell me what you thought of this chapter and others.

*Sakura
~The Animé Archives Team