Disclaimer: I don't own CCS. Never did, never will. So don't sue, 'kay?

The Meaning of Love
By AnimeAngel

The sound of horses and people talking was what she heard. But she blocked all those out. She could only hear and remember that conversation that changed her life.


"You wished to see me father?" Sakura asked. Her father was sitting on the throne and her mother and brother were next to him.

"Sakura," Emperor Fujitaka said. "As you know, I have been negotiating with the Emperor of China."

Sakura nodded. "Yes father, I know."

"The Emperor of China wishes...for you to marry his son Xiaolang, future emperor of China," Fujitaka said.

Sakura gasped. "Father, surely you said no!" she exclaimed.

Fujitaka shook his head. "I said yes," he said, "For it might be a key to linking our countries. If you marry Xiaolang, our countries would be in a way, uniting."

"F-Father!" Sakura felt her heart sinking and spirits falling.

"Sakura," her mother, Empress Nadeshiko said gently. "You are the youngest child and our only daughter. We love you dearly...but as you know, your brother Touya is heir to the throne. He will become Emperor. You would've had to marry anyway. Besides, Xiaolang is a kind gentleman and he will treat you good."

"B-But..."

"Sakura," Fujitaka said firmly. "The decision has been made. You are going to China tomorrow to meet their royal family."


At that moment, Sakura's bright smile faded and she felt her heart breaking.

"Sakura-hime, we have arrived."

Sakura looked around her. The Forbidden City, she thought. "It's beautiful," she said, looking around. But I do not wish to live here, she thought.

Am I ready? Sakura sighed. "As I'll never be." She was then escorted into where the room where the Emperor, Empress, and Prince were waiting. She looked down as she felt the eyes of the royal family stare at her, looking her over. She felt uncomfortable and nervous.

"So...this is the princess of Japan?" went the cold voice of Xiaolang. "She's not that impressive."

Sakura felt her cheeks redden. If it had been any other person, she would have yelled at them or had them removed. But this was no ordinary person; it was the Prince of China.

"Xiaolang, ta shi hen mei," Empress Yelan said. "Ta jiang zhou yi ge hao de hou." (Xiaolang, she is very pretty. She will make a good empress."

Xiaolang rolled his eyes. "Whatever mother," he said. "Princess Sakura," he said. "Welcome to China."

"Xiaolang," the Emperor said. "Why don't you and the princess get acquainted?" Xiaolang scoffed but walked over to the nervous princess. "Come with me then." He walked outside to the garden, Sakura following him. When they reached a fountain, Syaoran turned around and faced her. "What's so special about this one?" he said. "You may be a princess, but that's nothing imperssive if you don't look the part."

"..." Sakura couldn't help but glare at her so-called husband-to-be. She was shocked that someone could be so cold. "Umm...China is beautiful. The palace is magnificent," Sakura said.

"...Don't make yourself too comfortable." Sakura stared at him. Then, she couldn't help but retort, "I didn't want to come here anyway, so I won't!"

Xiaolang smirked. "You're so polite, are you princess?" he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Sakura glared. "You shouldn't talk yourself," she snapped. "You're so cold and cruel!"

Xiaolang smirked and then started heading inside. Then he said, "I'd rather be cold than to be a pathetic fool in love."

----------

"Hmph!" Sakura paced around in the grand room that was now her bed chamber. "That prince! He sure doesn't act like one! He is so impolite!"

"Princess, he really isn't that bad," one of the servants, Tomoyo, said. She had been assigned to be Sakura's personal servant and to attend to her needs. She was a cheerful young girl who had been born in Japan. The 2 became friends after just meeting.

"Really Tomoyo?" Sakura asked. "If he is truly kind inside but is trying to hide that for some reason, he is a very good preformer!" she said sarcastically.

"Princess, do give him a chance," Tomoyo said. "The prince is just lonely and needs a friend. The only friend he has ever actually had was his cousin, Meiling. But she is arrogant and watches over her cousin like a hawk. You shall meet her tonight, at the dinner."

"Lovely," Sakura said. "Who else shall I meet?"

"You shall me the prince's sisters as well; Princesses Futtie, Shiefa, Fanren, and Feimei."

"What are they like?" Sakura asked. "Are they kind and sweet, or like Xiaolang?"

"Please Sakura-hime," Tomoyo said, "Do not think bad of the prince yet. Give him some time."

Sakura frowned but sighed. "All right, I don't have much of a choice anyway. I highly doubt that father will be pleased if I went back home against his orders."

"Anyway, we'd better get you ready for the dinner," Tomoyo said. "You have to make a good impression." She grinned. "I have the perfect outfit for you to wear!" She went to her room, which was connected to Sakura's. Several moments later, she returned with a beautiful light pink dress with little cherry blossoms on it. "When I heard about you and learned I was to attend to you, I made this dress. Do you like it?" she asked, hopeful.

Sakura gasped. "It's lovely!" she exclaimed. "Tomoyo-san, you have a gift indeed!"

Tomoyo grinned. "Call me Tomoyo-chan," she said. "If you wish," she added hastily. Sakura smiled.

"Arigato Tomoyo-chan! I will put this on right away."

----------

"Humph! I cannot believe that aunt and uncle arranged for you to marry the Japanese princess! I was supposed to be your finacée if no one else was! This is so unfair!" Meiling exclaimed. "Why'd they pick her anyway? I would be keeping the blood in the family."

"She is a royal," Xiaolang said. Meiling raised her eybrow.

"You're defending her?"

Xiaolang glared and looked away. "Of course not, I'm not defending her. I'm just defending mother and father's choice. If they chose her, I have no other option."

"Well, I'll see whether this princess is worthy enough to marry you!" Meiling declared.

"Here's your chance. She's entering right now." Xiaolang replied. Meiling turned around and saw Sakura entering, wearing the lovely gown. She frowned as she examined Sakura briefly.

"This is the bride-to-be of Xiaolang? Hah!" Meiling said in a loud voice. "She is too skinny and her posture is bad!"

Sakura flushed and then whispered to Tomoyo, "Who is that?"

"That's Meiling, the prince's cousin," Tomoyo explained.

Well, I can see the resemblance, Sakura thought, watching Meiling scowl as people came up to her and welcomed her to the country.

As the Emperor and Empress were entering, Meiling accidentally said outloud, "The Princess Sakura is the ugliest girl I've ever seen! She doesn't deserve Xiaolang!" Then, she clamped her hand over her mouth. "Oops."

Sakura's eyes filled with tears. What have I ever done to her!? she thought angrily. Nothing! I didn't choose to be in this situation! It was arranged for me too!

"Meiling!" Empress Yelan exclaimed but as she did, Sakura said, "I'm sorry," and left the room leaving many confused eyes.

"Xiaolang, go after her. She is your future empress," Yelan said, after noticing the scowl her son gave. "Go now!"

"Yes mother," Xiaolang said reluctantly and he followed.

----------

Sakura ran and ran as fast as she could. She didn't look back, she just kept running. She didn't know where she was going to end up.

Finally, she stopped, panting heavily. The tears were streaming down her cheeks and she was shaking as the wind blew gently against her.

"Why me?" she whispered. Then, she noticed her surroundings.

"Where am I?" she was in some circular area, the wall around her made of stone.

"This is what I feel like," she said. "An injured bird trapped within these stone walls and too weak to leave."

"But an injured bird does eventually heal. What do you plan to do then?" Sakura turned around and glared. "Xiaolang."

Xiaolang smirked. "Running out like that...you call yourself a princess?"

She glared. "I didn't choose to be in this position!" she spat. "I would rather...die than become your empress."

He chuckled slightly. "So hot-tempered...part of your charm, huh?" He started to walk back but then paused for a moment. "By the way, you're in Tiantan, Temple of Heaven. If you were wondering. But I'm sure since you seem to be so smart, you figured that out already." Then, he left.

Sakura glared at the retreating figure and then her attention switched to the wall. "I've heard of this wall," she said. "This wall...is this not Echo Wall?" She walked over to the wall and examined it. "Indeed, it is. Good thing I paid attention to my studies. Of course, I never knew I'd be engaged to such a...horrible man! And to think, he's a prince! Who does he think isn't acting like royalty?" She leaned against the wall and despite her dress getting dirty, slid to the floor.

"I shall never like this," Sakura said. "Never at all. I wish...I could return to my life in China." She sighed. "Why does Xiaolang hate me so!?" she shouted. "Why!? At least I'm willing to become friends or something! What a baka! I hate him!" Then, she gasped slightly and slowly shook her head. "No...if I hate him like how he feels to me, then I shall not be any better than he. I will try to be kind," she said. "I must be. I represent my country and its royal family. I must not let my pride be destroyed and my heart shattered into pieces by a cruel, cold prince!"

While she was lost in her own pain and confusion, she forgot all about Echo Wall. For it was calle that for a reason. The wall was special; if one was to talk on one said, people on the other side would hear them, their voice echoing. And on the other side of the wall was a certain prince of China. Or rather, shocked prince of China.

He was standing still as he listened to the young woman cry. He didn't understand why but he felt shame for bringing upon such misery on a girl...in just one day! Perhaps, he said, I was too cruel to her. But it's Father and Mother's fault! They shouldn't have arranged this marriage. Otherwise, the princess could be happy in her own country! But he knew that he would one day have to marry, and if he could not find anyone he would have to marry his cousin Meiling.

Meiling watches over me too much, he thought. Though she can be kind...sometimes, her pride and stubborness as sometimes too much to bear. I don't think I can stand marrying her...but there is not one girl in this land or anywhere that I love. Can they not undestand that love is for weaklings!? If I am to be a strong and powerful emperor, why must I need love!?

But then again, he didn't. He could always just get a wife to produce heirs. But he thought that idea was worse than falling in love, to use women just for that purpose. "Do I want love?" he wondered. "Is that why I feel so incomplete inside!?" He violently shook his head. "Never! I've probably been listening to Meiling's foolishness about love too much. I shall be better tomorrow." He then stormed away, already lost in trying to find himself, many hidden emotions suddenly being questioned after he met the Japanese princess.

Sakura blinked as she crept out after Xioalang left. Xiaolang...is there hope for you yet? Can even you...fall in love? A determined look slowly formed on her face. Xiaolang...I want to learn more about you, if I am to become your wife. And I will try my hardest to somewhat fit in...I don't want to go back home in disgrace. At least, I should try...

~End Chapter 1~

AnimeAngel: Ugh, I don't like how this turned out. I had this whole story idea when I was in China but that was a while ago, and the idea's fading. GRR! This didn't turn out as good as I planned! Ah well, I want to get the chapter up anyway before it kills me. -_-;; Well, don't forget to R & R and enjoy!