Summery: Sakura becomes a slave for Prince Syaoran in exchange for Touya's life when he is captured by the Clow Kingdom. She becomes a toy for the Prince and must do his every bidding. Did that include falling in love?
Author's Note: I re-edited this story (which I had written years ago it seems - more like a year ago actually) and made a few changes. I switched out the Japanese words. Here's the first chapter! Enjoy!
A Slave of Love
Chapter 1:
Six imposingly dressed members of the Guilds walked into the dinner of the royal family, disturbing the euphoria. Another figure followed in their wake, dressed in more humble garments.
A tall man with a slim build stood up from the table that was lavishly adorned with food. He was handsome despite the grays in his hair and elegantly dressed in white silk trimmed with gold. The crown he usually wore was gone, but a slight impression of where it rested circled his forehead, leaving its mark of status. Glancing at the intruders, he quickly assessed their posture. In a quiet tone, he asked, "Tell me, what is the meaning of this?" Though his voice was soft, it held an authoritative note that none could miss. It commanded attention and obedience.
Taking short quick bows each, the six Guild members apologized for the intrusion. One of the older members stepped forward and gave another formal bow. Straightening, he said humbly, "Your Grace, urgent news from this Runner has arrived. The message he brings...I believe you should hear from him yourself." He indicated the rougher looking man behind them.
The man turned out to be a Runner, well-trained warriors chosen for their speed to carry messages. He was clothed in high ranking uniform. A gold signal star with a black strip on his upper arm band indicated he was one of the highest ranking Runners in the kingdom. A rank used only to carry the utmost important news.
"Your Majesties, please forgive my intrusion!" he said in a hoarse voice, after performing a stiff bow.
"Go on." The king nodded.
The Runner saluted and took a deep breath. "Sources established in the Clow Kingdom have alerted General Kanesaka stationed at the border north of the Kan Mountains that His Royal Highness, Prince Kinomoto-no-miya-Touya has been captured. He is currently being held prisoner. The Kingdom of Clow has presented the ransom price."
A servant dressed in all silver appeared by the Runner's side and bowed. The Runner handed over the silk scroll to the man. The scroll was quickly brought to the hands of the King. On the scroll, the royal seal of the Li Kingdom was engraved on the back. It depicted a dashing wolf in front of an eight-point star.
Pulling the string that held the scroll closed, the king rolled it open and read the contents. He betrayed no emotion as his eyes scanned through the message.
A veteran general sharing the royal family's meal slammed his fist on the table impatiently, shaking the porcelain dinnerware. "How can those damn Plums take our Prince captive?!" he asked loudly, anger lacing his every word.
"Tabito-san, calm down." The King commanded. His visage and posture expressed tranquility, but those who knew him well saw underneath the mask to the emotions he kept hidden. "How did this happen?"
"The Clow Kingdom captured His Highness, Kinomoto-no-miya-Touya, for trespassing onto their land during a reconnaissance mission, Your Majesty," the Runner answered.
Another guest at the dinner table cursed softly. "He was ordered to stay inside the main base in fear of something like this! What was he doing on a recon?" he fumed quietly.
"I do not know, General Aguri." The runner replied, shaking his head.
"And what of the other generals and commanding officers?" The King asked after a short moment of silence.
"The generals and commanding officers stationed in the north have been alerted of this news," the Runner replied. "They have already dealt with the Ya' Chana Clan and the Iylan' Elin Clan that have been causing problems and will arrive soon."
The King nodded after receiving the news. "Thank you." Seeing the exhaustion lined on the man's face, the king knew the runner had gotten little sleep. "Please rest and recover your strength. Zetai, take the Runner to a room."
With that, a servant quickly appeared and silently led the Runner away. The six guild leaders stood attention to wait for the King's next words.
"Konoe, Matsuo, Sasaki, Shiga, Uchida, Yamanouchi," the King caught each of the guild leaders' eyes and nodded to them. "Please go to the Gold Council Room. I will hold a meeting there." He turned to a man clothed in silver with a white sash, declaring him as one of the King's personal servants. "Eiji, please inform the advisers to come, as well as the generals whom will be arriving shortly."
The man nodded and quickly slipped through a hidden passage, disappearing from sight within a blink of the eye.
"Aguri. Tabito. Let us make haste."
As the men who were called stood up with their King, Eiji reappeared by his side. Giving a slight bow, he nodded to the King. "The advisers have been informed. The council room is ready to receive." Eiji gave another bow and disappeared.
A woman seated to the right of the King placed her hands on top of his. Standing up, her head reached his shoulders. Her long, bountiful hair fell past her waist in soft curling tendrils. The gown she wore was the same color as her enchanting green eyes. In a soft, gentle voice, she said, "Shall I have dinner brought into the council room?"
"No, we-"
"There is no need to starve you and your men just for a meeting. Though it concerns the life of my dear brother, he would not have you be less than full strength when proposing a rescue plan. Thinking rationally will be better acquired with a full stomach, than an empty one." A strong, composed voice spoke up, cutting off the King.
The voice that spoke up belonged to a young girl. She stood up from where she was sitting, her posture perfect. She had the same beautiful and captivating eyes as her mother and the same lithe, slender build. Though she had gained most of her mother's traits, her small delicate nose and auburn hair was definitely her father's. "Father," the emerald-eyed beauty called, using informal speech to initiate intimacy.
"Though it is unbecoming to interrupt a King," The queen commented, slyly scolding her daughter. "I agree with our daughter, Fujitaka. You are our King, representing this kingdom. We cannot have a King who cannot even stand to command his own forces. Others will think us weak."
Fujitaka sighed. "Though I may be King, I am always defeated by my wife and daughter."
The others hid smiles as their King cleared his throat. The mother and daughter tag-team had always been a formidable force. They used rational thinking, clever word twists, sly insult and criticism. Yet they were always straight-forward and affront, not afraid to say what they think.
Shaking his head, the King said, "Yes, I believe you are right. Please send the food to the council room. My men and I will dine there." He looked over to his daughter. "I am truly sorry my dear Sakura. It seems we will have to dine together another day and celebrate your accomplishments later."
The young girl nodded. "I will wait for that day, Papa, and it will be even better with the entire family gathered." The smile she graced them with captured the audience's hearts.
The King smiled in return and turned to his wife. "Nadeshiko," he addressed her, giving her a brief kiss, then he led his men out through the intricately carved doors of the royals' private dining room.
The council room was encased with large, glass windows on three sides. With the windows opened, a cool breeze blew wonderfully through the light-filled room. A polished platform made with beautiful oak stood in the middle of the room. Four cushioned chairs sat facing the platform a few feet away. Four big crescent-shaped tables were arranged in an outer and inner circle around the platform. Long, thick gold and yellow curtains hung from the ceiling and pooled elegantly on the white-washed floors. It proved a magnificent view that also contributed to its name.
Men and women filled the seats of the outer and inner circles. The room was quiet, save for a few whispers here and there and the sounds of wooden chairs scraping the stone floor.
Servants quietly bustled around them, handing out plates filled with stuffed venison, caramel meats, soups, fresh baked bread, steamed rice, and many other delicious edibles. Once they were done, they disappeared from view and only appeared to refill empty plates and cups.
Fujitaka, dressed in black and gold livery reserved for public meetings and councils, sat in one of the four chairs in the middle. When all was served and comfortable, he cleared his throat and addressed his council. "You have all heard the news of the capture." Fujitaka looked over his group of trusted councilors and sighed. "I would have sent out the troops to attack the Li Kingdom upon hearing the news, but I believe that if I did not consult all of you, that rash choice would cost our kingdom."
In a loud boastful voice, a man in dark green robes said, "Your Highness, any one of us might make a rash decision if our brains were not using rational thoughts. A good plan should be formed and executed with precision for minimal costs. Simply sending out troops will not be enough to get the prince back and-"
Fujitaka raised an eyebrow at the man. "-If you are so eager to speak, Kido Hosyu, then what do you suggest we do? What is this good plan you are talking about?"
A blush sprinkled itself across Hosyu's face as he began to stutter out his words. "A-ah, Your Ma-Majesty, I-I don't have one."
The King shook his head. "Anyone?"
A man near the front cleared his throat.
"Yes, General Kanesaka?"
The General stood and dipped his head. "I am interested in the ransom price stated in the letter the Clow Kingdom sent. Did they ask or require of us anything that is reasonable?"
Murmurs went up at the suggestion of the ransom price.
"The Kingdom of Clow did indeed send a ransom price, but it is unreasonable. Otherwise, I would have had it done. If it was simply gold, I would have quickly sent it." the King shared.
"And what was its written content?"
The King took out the note and read aloud its words. "We, the Kingdom of Clow, has, within our safeguard, Kinomoto-no-miya-Touya, heir apparent and first prince of the lands of Tomeoda. Notification of exchange shall be delivered shortly. Farther negotiations will take place after we have received the requested ransom."
Silence followed the words as everyone awaited anxiously to hear the ransom.
"Give us your most precious possession, your daughter. Only she will be traded for your son's life."