Disclaimer: I do not own Card Captor Sakura.
--
The Groom
Chapter One
The Wedding
--
It was a bright day of the early spring but under the sky of Tomoeda, it seemed like the entire town was just too busy to enjoy it. In fact, today was Kinomoto Sakura's wedding. The whole town was hectic due to the event. After all, Sakura was Tomoeda's: Pink Pearl. She was named so for the reason that whenever there was trouble on her path, she always seemed to fix it.
None knew how but she was known to bring good fortune to whoever she crossed. Sakura was truly precious to the people of Tomoeda, thus the nickname "Pink Pearl".
Where the wedding was to take place, people were randomly running around carrying chairs or flowers. The whole town had pitched in the make the wedding perfect to the very last detail.
----
In a near quarter, the groom was getting ready. He stood in front of the large mirror staring at his own reflection: brown hair neatly combed back and amber eyes wide open.
He wasn't a day older than eighteen but had the solemn stare of a very old man.
Standing there, he suddenly reached out for the nearest object for support, cold sweat dripped from his forehead.
'Come on Syaoran… Grab a hold of yourself…' he thought gritting his teeth.
Upon hearing the door open, he fought to regain his composure.
"What is it you want Hiragizawa?" he grumbled without even turning to face his guest.
"Maa maa Syaoran-kun, such a cold welcome from such a cold groom. Is it not your wedding? Where is the warm tenderness that brought you to this place? You should brighten up or one might be fooled into believing that you are most displeased with your bride." Eriol said grinning.
"Shut up." Spit Syaoran.
There was a moment of silence.
"…Are you alright?" Eriol finally added.
"Yes."
"Don't lie to me. You of all people should know better." said Eriol.
"Eriol, I'm fine." Syaoran retorted, finally turning around to stare at Eriol in the eyes.
Eriol stared back, narrowing his eyes ever so slightly before smiling of his usual smile and exiting the room. When the door shut closed, Syaoran bit his bottom lip and turned to face the mirror once more. He took a deep breath and stood straight, most determined. He was going to do this.
----
In another room, the bride was also getting ready.
"Sakuraaaa-cchhhan! You look so beautiful!"
"Hhaaaiiiiii! Kaawwaaaiiiii yooooooo!"
"Little brother is so lucky to have such a beautiful bride!"
"Or is it Sakura who's lucky to be such a beautiful bride?" squealed the Li sisters.
Sakura giggled blushing. She could never quite get used to the Li sister's hyperactive behaviour.
"Hohohohohohohoooo! I can't wait to capture my beloved Sakura in my lovely creation!" squealed Tomoyo behind her camcorder.
"Hai Tomoyo-chan! You did a great job on the wedding dress!" said Xiefa
"I just wanted Sakura to look beautiful… It is Sakura-chan's wedding so everything has to be perfect." Tomoyo said smiling and lowering her camera to get a clear view of her beloved Sakura.
"Arigatou Tomoyo-chan! I have everything I ever wanted! Today is the happiest day of my life!" Sakura said looking at her best friend and smiling.
"KKKYYYAAHHHHHHH! Kawwwaiiiiiiiiii!" shrieked the Li sisters.
Just about then, the door opened to reveal Meiling looking ravishing in another one of Tomoyo's creations. She was in fact the bride's maid since Tomoyo was too busy filming the entire event.
"Sa-Ku-Raaa! Hurry! They're all waiting you know!" cried Meiling.
"HOOOEEEEEEE!" shouted Sakura before the whole room burst in contagious laughter.
----
Syaoran was standing on the altar looking as elegant as ever in his black tuxedo when the organ began playing a sweet melody. It was time. He looked around him. In the front row of the church his composed mother and hyperactive sisters sat. On the bench next to them were Fujitaka, Touya and Yukito. Yukito was holding a barely noticeable plush animal wearing a tie: Kero. Right next to him stood Eriol, his best man.
The big wooden doors opened to reveal the most beautiful bride Tomoeda had ever seen. She emanated from the entrance and lit the room with a wave of awe.
Sakura started making her way towards the altar to the rhythm of the melody. Her long white gown trailing slowly behind her, face veiled and a bouquet of white roses in her hands, she marched.
Syaoran felt his heart rate accelerate.
Behind her veil, Sakura took a glance at the audience. Her father was smiling at her; Kero had tears in his eyes, she giggled.
His breath was shorter, his vision was blurring.
Her whole family and friends were here for her wedding. Aunt Sonomi, Tomoyo, Rika, Chiharu, Yamazaki even Naoko but most of all, she was getting married to the man of her dreams.
He was suffocating, being engulfed in yet another panic attack.
All eyes were on Sakura as she walked. She was truly beautiful. Only when Sakura reached the altar did they notice that the groom had passed out.
All let out a cry of surprise as the bride quickly dropped to the groom's laying figure.
"Syaoran-chan! Syaoran-chan!" shouted Sakura shaking him.
Syaoran's eyes shot up. He quickly rose from laying to sitting position. Perhaps too quickly because he felt his head spin immediately after. He held his head with one hand and supported himself with the other groaning at the inconvenient.
"Syaoran-koi… Daijoubu ka?" asked the bride.
Everyone stared at the strange scene unsure of what to do. Eriol was eyeing this with an odd look in his eyes.
Syaoran's eyes snapped up to stare at Sakura's. Her huge emerald eyes stared back, full of worry. He rapidly got on his feet surprising Sakura.
"I'm… I'm sorry Sakura but I can't do this." He said softly. Sakura got up, confused she said: "What..? Can't do what? I don't get it. Syaoran-chan…Are you ok? Do you want to lie down?"
"I can't do this… I'm sorry!" Syaoran said before running down the aisle towards the wooden doors and thus escaping his fate. As Syaoran exited the church, the spectators stood and gasped at his retreating back in shock.
"SYAORAN!" shouted Sakura as she reached out for him dropping the roses. Alas he was already far. The bride collapsed on the altar, shaking with sobs. Everyone else seemed just too shocked to move.
Suddenly, a person from the audience rose and slowly strolled after the groom…
----
When Syaoran stopped running, he was already at the penguin park. He sat on a swing and tried to catch his breath. Somehow, he just couldn't ignore the immense feeling of relief that filled him. He lowered his gaze to the ground and smiled. For the first time in ages, he felt fr—
"Xiao Lang."
Startled, Syaoran spun around to meet with his mother's stern stare. Despite all the distance she had covered, her kimono was still neat, her hair combed and her breath steady. Needless to say, she looked more frightening than ever.
"Mother..." said Syaoran rising from the swing.
"Why? Why foolish child did you run away leaving your pride behind and shaming us so? Have I not taught you better?" Yelan asked dryly.
"I did the right thing." Syaoran replied before receiving a blow to the cheek so strong that it made his head turn sideways.
"What you did was outrageous and unjustified!" Yelan cried.
"…"
She took a deep silent breath.
"Tell me my son, what scared you so much that your breath could no longer reach your lungs?" she asked
"…"
"Xiao Lang…" said Yelan on a tone of warning. Syaoran shuddered at the sound of her voice. He had never seen his mother so angry.
"I was… unhappy, mother." He said looking at his mother a sad glint in his eyes.
"Nonsense Xiao Lang. You love her." Replied Yelan frowning.
"No mother, you love her. So does everybody else. How could I break up with Sakura when everybody's constantly watching my every move, making sure I don't hurt her? I never loved her but… I knew you did… I knew you would be pleased with me if I was with her, if I made her my bride. After all, she's so sweet and lovable… And if I married her the Sakura cards would return to the Li clan wouldn't they? I thought… I could do it mother but I can't. I'm sorry but I can't sacrifice my own happiness for yours or anyone else's… I'm not like her. I'm nothing like Sakura." Syaoran finished lowering his gaze.
Yelan turned around,
"Will you be coming home?" Syaoran knew that she meant by that that he was no longer welcomed in Tomoeda but the thought of returning to Hong Kong displeased him.
"No… I have things to think about." He said softly.
"…I understand." And with that, she left. When Yelan no longer was in sight, a voice said:
"You stirred quite a commotion there Syaoran-kun."
"Yet is anyone out looking for me?" replied Syaoran with a hint of bitterness.
"Do I sense jealousy? They're too busy comforting the broken hearted bride. She really loved you, you know." The voice said though with absolutely no compassion whatsoever.
"Spare me the guilt trip Hiragizawa." Growled Syaoran.
Eriol laughed appearing from behind a nearby tree.
"You just might get your wish. In not long, you just might become Tomoeda's most wanted. Prepare yourself to get chased by a very angry mob. The Pink Pearl is inconsolable." Eriol said before laughing once more. His laughter was cut short by one of Syaoran's vicious glares.
Eriol smiled "I wonder what you are to do now." He said.
"…" Syaoran kept silent, he really had no idea.
"Come with me to England." Eriol replied simply.
Syaoran huffed "Why should I do that?" he asked glaring at Eriol.
"Do you have a choice? Hmmmm? What are your other options, tell me?" Eriol asked a grin spreading on his face like butter.
"You were eavesdropping on mother and I weren't you?" growled Syaoran getting very irritated with Eriol's mild behaviour.
"Very much so." replied Eriol with his trademark grin.
"And what makes you think that despite all that, I'd still rather go with you!" shouted an irritated Syaoran as he stood up.
Eriol's eyes narrowed and his grin widened. He walked towards Syaoran until he was close enough to touch him and raised a finger tracing his jaw to the tip of his chin making Syaoran quiver under his touch. Surprised, Syaoran blushed and took a large step back.
"Hah… I know." he replied before lowering his hand and walking away. Syaoran stared at the spot where Eriol stood… before following wherever he was going…
