Daphne: "Hi! I just keep getting ideas for stories and I have to write them
down! Anyway, I hope that you will enjoy this latest one.
Kero: *Pout* "I don't."
Daphne: "Why?"
Kero: "Because Sakura marries the Chinese gaki! I always hate stories that end like that!"
Daphne: "Would you rather she marry Yukito? Or maybe Eriol? Or…"
Kero: Begins to look sick "NO! She can marry the Ga…I mean, Syaoran! Hurry! Start the story before you change your mind!"
Daphne: "Now that you mention it…Eriol is kind of handsome…"
Kero: "NOOOO! Hurry start the story!"
Daphne: *Giggle* "Kero, you know that I am just doing it to torture you! Anyway, I hope that you enjoy this chapter and that you R+R. Please R+R!"
~*~*~*~
Forced to Love
by: Daphne Li
Chapter 1.
*Aradin, Japan*
The Princess of Aradin bit her lip to keep from smiling, and watched with satisfaction as yet another of her suitors stomped away, the seat of his pants missing. The Princess's waist-length auburn hair blew gracefully about her face, and her emerald-colored eyes were filled with laughter. Suddenly, a strangely decorated lion appeared beside her.
"Here is another trophy for you, Sakura. I hope that you are happy." It commented, spitting out the piece of the suitor's missing pants. This was Sakura's guardian, Cerberus, also known as 'Kero'.
"I am, Kero, and I am sorry that you had to do that." Sakura whispered, tears entering her eyes. Kero looked at her sympathetically.
"Hey, it's all right. It is not your fault that all these suitors are trying to marry you. And besides, that King Pertor had no right to try to kiss you!" At these words, the tears spilled over.
"Oh Kero! I'm so scared! Why do all these men want me? I am only eighteen, and father is already trying to marry me off to one of them, and I can't, Kero! I just can't!" Sakura sobbed. Kero quickly changed back into his tiny borrowed form and flew into her arms, comforting her as best as he could.
"Princess Sakura?" Came the voice of a servant. "You are wanted in the Throne-room." The servant bowed and then left.
"Oh no! Father is going to be so angry!" Sakura whimpered, starting towards the Palace. Kero gave a sigh, and then flew up to Sakura's room to wait for her.
~*~*~*~
"…don't care! I don't like it one bit!" Sakura's older brother, Prince Touya was saying as Sakura entered the room.
"You don't like what?" She asked, making her brother jump and then turn to her with a guilty grimace, but her father merely smiled. Now Sakura knew that something was wrong. Her father *never* smiled when he found out that she had chased away another suitor.
"Father…"She faltered.
"Sakura darling! I have some wonderful news! As of this morning, you are betrothed to the Prince of Hong Kong!" King Fujitaka announced.
"HOE?!?!?!" Sakura shrieked, horror entering her delicate face. Touya looked at his sister sympathetically, but he didn't dare say anything.
"You see, the Queen of Hong Kong was having the same problem with her son, so we decided to sign a treaty and betroth you to each-other! I must say…" But his words were cut off by Prince Touya's loud shout. Touya watched as the horrified Princess sank to the floor in a faint.
"OH! That went well!" Touya commented sarcastically, as a horde of servants flocked over to the fallen girl.
~*~*~*~
*Hong Kong, China*
"Good Riddance!" Prince Syaoran mumbled, turning his back on the retreating Princess Masha.
"You know, Syaoran, that is…what?…the sixth Princess that you have scared away this month!?" His cousin, Prince Eriol asked, coming up behind Syaoran.
"The seventh." Syaoran corrected.
"You really should give them a chance!" Eriol exclaimed.
"They are all the same, Eriol. They simper, they smirk, they flirt, just so I will look at them. Disgusting creatures!" Syaoran hissed, stalking back inside the Palace.
"Yelan is not going to be happy. So…what tactics did you use this time? Green hair dye, bad-smelling perfume?"
"She fell in a mud puddle." Syaoran answered.
"A mud puddle?"
"A freshly made mud puddle, complete with flies and worms. It just happened to be in the middle of the path we were walking on." Syaoran said matter-a- factually. Eriol burst out laughing.
"I suppose that it just *happened* to be there, just like the green hair dye that *happened* to be in Princess Tranaselle's shampoo bottle." Eriol chuckled.
"It wasn't *in* her shampoo bottle, it was in a bottle *like* it. And who said it was me who put it there?" Syaoran asked. Eriol couldn't hold back another crow of laughter.
"Because green happens to be your favorite color!" He laughed.
"Master Syaoran? You are wanted in the Throne room." Said Syaoran's butler, Wei. Eriol grinned evilly.
"You're in trouble!" He taunted. Syaoran clenched his teeth.
"And you will be as flat as a pancake if you do that again!" He threatened. Eriol didn't flinch.
"*Tsk, tsk, Syaoran!" Eriol teased, and then became serious.
"Don't worry! what is the worst that could happen?" Eriol asked.
'I hate it when he says that, because something bad always happens!' Syaoran thought, as they walked into the Throne-room.
Queen Yelan watched as her chestnut-haired son, and her blue-black haired nephew walked toward her. She had a smile on her lips, and this made Syaoran nervous. The queen NEVER smiled when Syaoran scared off another prospective bride.
"Syaoran, I have good news! You will never have to worry about scaring away another Princess!" Yelan announced. Syaoran felt a pang of relief, but her next words made him feel sick.
"Instead, you are now officially betrothed to the Japanese Princess of Aradin, and you will be married in two weeks! Is this not wonderful?" Yelan cried. Syaoran immediately stiffened and disgust overtook him.
"Kawaii!"
"I want to meet her!"
"This is wonderful!"
"This will be perfect for our little brother!" Came the voices of Syaoran's older sisters, Fanren, Fuutie, Feimei, and Siefa. Syaoran sent them a deathly glare, and then stomped out of the room, leaving everyone speechless.
Yes, he knew about the Royal family of Aradin. His cousin, Meiling, had married Prince Touya of Aradin a few months before, but Syaoran had kept away from the festivities, and didn't get a chance to meet the princess. As if he'd want to! He had heard about her in Meiling's letters, though. Surprisingly enough, Meiling never mentioned the Princess's name in her letters. Instead, she referred to the girl as "sister" or "sister-in-law"; However, this wasn't all he had heard about Prince Touya's sister. It was said that she lived a very sheltered and protected live, compliments of her over-protective older brother, and that she pushed away every suitor that came to see her. These suitors that went to woo the princess always came back forlorn and silent, as if they wanted to keep their memory of her to themselves.
Syaoran sighed and walked out to his personal garden. This was the one place in the whole Kingdom that he could just get away and gather his thoughts. As soon as he reached the garden, though, he threw up his hands and sunk onto a stone bench.
"Just when I thought that things couldn't get any worse!" He groaned, rolling his eyes and shaking his head in defeat. His mother always found ways to get him into things and making sure that there was no way out.
~*~*~*~
*Aradin, Japan*
"Why me?" Sakura wailed helplessly. One of her best friends and cousin, Princess Tomoyo, looked up at her and smiled.
"You brought this on yourself, you know." She reminded Sakura, going back to hemming the girl's wedding dress. Sakura was wearing it, so Tomoyo could make the adjustments that it needed.
"But I don't love him! I can't marry anyone that I don't love! I promised mother!" Sakura cried, tears filling her eyes. Tomoyo got up and hugged Sakura.
"Don't worry! Everything will be fine, won't it Meiling?" Tomoyo asked. Sakura's sister-in-law Princess Meiling, who had just walked into the room, winced.
"…I suppose so…" She faltered, as Tomoyo shot her a glare. Sakura's eyes widened in fear.
"Is…is he really that bad, Meiling?" Sakura whimpered.
"Don't worry. He really is quite, er…nice once you get to know him." Meiling answered. This didn't make Sakura feel any better.
"What…what is he like?" She asked. Meiling smiled tenderly.
"Well, he has chestnut colored hair, and amber colored eyes, and he is quite tall. He never smiles, though." She said. Then she got an evil glint in her eye.
"And Tomoyo! Prince Eriol would be perfect for you!" Meiling laughed. Tomoyo frowned and blushed a bit.
"And who is this Prince?" She asked.
"He is my cousin. He had black-blue hair and icy-blue eyes, and he is very kind. He is also the reincarnated form of Clow Reed." Meiling said. By the time she was done with the description, Sakura had forgotten about her dilemma, and her eyes were sparkling.
"Oh, Tomoyo! He sounds perfect for you! I do hope that you will be able to meet him!" Sakura gushed. Tomoyo blushed even more.
"Ridiculous! I will have nothing to do with him! Now, stand still Sakura! I want to fix this hem!" Tomoyo exclaimed, kneeling down again and starting to pin up the hem. Meiling smiled and quickly stepped out of the room. Outside, Touya was waiting for her.
"How is she taking it?" Touya asked, putting his arm around Meiling's waist.
"As well as can be expected…Oh Touya! Your father can't do this! Not to her! Sakura is too innocent! And Syaoran…well, you know about him." Meiling moaned, burying her head in her husband's shoulder. Touya ran his hand through her wavy, waist-length hair, and then rubbed her back comfortingly.
"I know darling, but there is no changing his mind. Trust me, I've tried!" Touya chuckled darkly. "Besides, Sakura is strong; and if I ever hear of him hurting her, I will personally tear him limb-from-limb!" Touya growled. Meiling grinned.
"That is my cousin that you are talking about, Mr. Do-you-really-want-to- sleep-on-the-couch-tonight?!" Meiling threatened, teasingly. Touya sent her a mock-horrified look.
"NO! Not that! Or do you really want to sleep in that big, cold bed all alone?" He asked, faking a hurt look. Meiling grinned and shrugged.
"Sounds good to me!" She said. Touya looked up in shock, and then growled dangerously. Meiling's eyes widened as he came closer, a hungry light in his eyes. Then he made his hands into claws and swooped down on her.
"Prince Touya? You are wanted down in the Throne-room." Called a passing servant. Touya's hands dropped and her gave an exasperated sigh.
"We will finish this later." Touya growled, and then left his wife. Meiling watched him leave, and then went to the chambers she shared with her husband.
"And she will be waiting!" Came a voice from the shadows, close to where Touya and Meiling had just stood. Tomoyo stepped out of the shadows, her shoulders heaving with silent laughter. Sakura appeared beside her, but all she could do was grin.
~*~*~*~
"Tomoyo, am I silly?" Sakura asked. The two girls were in Sakura's room, later that night, and they were laying side-by-side on Sakura's bed. (a/n: This is a straight fic! No yucky stuff! They are just friends and Tomoyo is spending the night in Sakura's room one last time before Sakura is married. I repeat! This is a straight fic!)
"Why do you ask that?" Tomoyo asked, looking at her friend. Sakura shrugged.
"Touya said that I was too silly to get married. He said that I was clueless…and you know something? I am! I have no idea what I am supposed to do!" Sakura whispered. Tomoyo smiled.
"You are *not* silly, and your reaction is completely natural! Trust me, I asked my mother. No woman really knows exactly what to do when they are married. They just think they do!" Tomoyo answered. Sakura still looked uncertain.
"Yes…but she didn't have to marry a mean and horrible Prince, either. Just the thought of him scares me, Tomoyo, and I don't even know his name!" Sakura whimpered, trying hard not to cry. Tomoyo sighed. It hurt to see Sakura in so much pain and suffering.
"Have you ever wondered if maybe, just maybe, he is feeling the same way about you?"
"What?! Well…no…but with all that I have heard about him…" Sakura began.
"How do you know that it is true?"
"Meiling has practically told me! She just won't say it out loud!" Sakura said, burying her head in her pillow.
"Sakura, it is obvious that he doesn't want this any more that you do…so try to be sympathetic. I am sure that he will do his best." Tomoyo said, crossing her fingers and hoping what she was saying was true. Sakura's face immediately brightened.
"You're right, Tomoyo! I have been extremely selfish. I will try to understand…" Sakura's voice trailed off, and Tomoyo realized that she was asleep.
"Goodnight, Sakura." She whispered.
~*~*~*~
*About the same time…*
"Touya! You had better get used to sleeping on the couch!" Meiling cried, stalking into their bed-chamber. Touya turned around in surprise.
"Why? What on earth have I done?" He asked innocently. Meiling's eyes flashed at him.
"Sakura was starting to get used to the idea of marrying my cousin, and you just had to open your big mouth and make her nervous again!" Meiling hissed, her face just inches from his.
"That's funny. You have never complained about my big mouth before…" Touya commented huskily, raising an eyebrow, and making Meiling's cheeks heat up.
"Well I am now! The poor thing is frightened enough without your help. Touya! Syaoran has never smiled at anyone! Well, hardly anyone. But I really think that Sakura will be good for him. He needs her kind of influence over his life. Maybe then he will soften up a little." Meiling said. Touya's eyes sparkled.
"I have no arguments there." He answered. She sighed and sat down.
"Before I came here, Syaoran was practically my only friend. He really is sweet once you get to know him…but it takes him a while to soften up. For him to soften up to me took…two years. But with Sakura's sweetness, and over-all innocence, I wouldn't be surprised if his acceptance of her only took half the time. Besides, he may be able to help Sakura with the 'Sakura Cards'." Meiling said. Touya nodded, and she stood back up, a mean glint in her eyes.
"But this still means that you will be spending the night on the couch!" She crowed. His face fell, and then got the same look as he had worn earlier that day.
"No servants to help you now!" He chuckled darkly and then swooped her up into his arms, and threw her on the bed. She gave a mock-fearful shriek, but it was cut off by him pressing his lips to hers. Her body tensed but then she relaxed as he slid his arms around her waist. He then kissed a trail down her neck, to her shoulder, and back again, meeting her lips in one heart-stopping kiss. Finally, he pulled back and smiled sadly.
"I am ready to go to the couch now." He said obediently, moving to get off the bed. But before his feet could touch the floor, she grabbed his shirt and pulled him back.
"You aren't going anywhere, mister!" She breathed, and then kissed him again, hard. Touya gave a satisfied sigh and then returned the kiss.
~*~*~*~
*Hong Kong, China*
"Ugh! Finally!" Syaoran moaned, falling backwards onto his bed.
"You seem relieved." Eriol teased, sitting on the bed beside him.
"I thought that I would never get away from my sisters and mother. 'Oh, Syaoran! This is so wonderful!', 'Syaoran! She will be so good for you!', 'I can't wait to meet her!', 'Kawaii!!', 'Syaoran, this is for the best!'." Syaoran repeated, making his voice high and squeaky for the first four, and then low and rich for the last comment. Eriol laughed.
"You sounded exactly like them!" He chuckled. Syaoran made a disgusted face.
"I probably sound like my future wife, too. 'Darling, kiss me!', 'Dearest, let's go take a walk!', 'Syaoran…blah, blah, blah!'" Syaoran hissed, as Eriol rolled around on the bed, laughing hysterically.
"She…doesn't seem…quite so…flirtatious, according to…Meiling's letters…" Eriol commented, his words punctuated with laughter. Syaoran glared at him.
"If she is anything like that, I am going to jump over the first cliff I come to!" He threatened. Eriol only laughed harder. Suddenly, Syaoran got an evil gleam in his eyes.
"Oh, Eriol. In the last letter Meiling wrote me, she mentioned a young woman by the name of Princess Tomoyo. Apparently, this girl is a good friend of Meiling's and the Princess. Meiling even described her to me. She has waist-length black hair, and purply-blue eyes. She is supposed to be a knock-out. Meiling said something about introducing her to you…" Syaoran said, one of his small, rare smiles coming into view. Eriol blushed.
"I want nothing to do with her!" Eriol said proudly, getting off the bed and stomping out of the room. Syaoran sighed contentedly, and crossed his arms underneath his head.
'I wonder what my fiancée is like…NO! Don't think about her! She is just like every other Princess in the world! Floaty and flirty and absolutely revolting!' At this thought, Syaoran rolled over and gave a depressed sigh. From this day forward, his life was going to be vary interesting, to say the least. He wondered how many times a day he would have to hide from his wife…
"Oh, and Syaoran? I got a letter from Meiling today. She finally revealed the Princess's name!" Eriol said, sticking his head back into the room. Syaoran sighed in disgust, but he was curious, none-the-less.
"What is it?" He finally asked, giving into temptation. Eriol grinned slyly at him.
"Her name is…Sakura!" Eriol crowed, hurrying out of the room again. At hearing the name, Syaoran's heart gave a strange thump, and sped up a bit.
'Sakura. What a lovely name.' He thought, not even stopping himself this time. Perhaps he would give this Princess Sakura a try…maybe.
~*~*~*~
*In a faraway place…*
A man sat in the shadows of a big room, his would-be handsome face twisted with fury. He was looking in a bowl of water on his lap. The water's surface was calm, and in it was the image of Sakura and Tomoyo sleeping peacefully on Sakura's bed. Sakura's lips wore a small smile, and her hand was clasped in Tomoyo's. The man's face became even more ferocious.
"So…they think that they can outsmart me by marrying her off! The FOOLS!! Sakura is MINE! She always has been and she always will be! They shall soon know that!" With these words, the bowl disappeared, and the man dissolved into the air.
~*~*~*~
Kero: *Pout* "I don't."
Daphne: "Why?"
Kero: "Because Sakura marries the Chinese gaki! I always hate stories that end like that!"
Daphne: "Would you rather she marry Yukito? Or maybe Eriol? Or…"
Kero: Begins to look sick "NO! She can marry the Ga…I mean, Syaoran! Hurry! Start the story before you change your mind!"
Daphne: "Now that you mention it…Eriol is kind of handsome…"
Kero: "NOOOO! Hurry start the story!"
Daphne: *Giggle* "Kero, you know that I am just doing it to torture you! Anyway, I hope that you enjoy this chapter and that you R+R. Please R+R!"
~*~*~*~
Forced to Love
by: Daphne Li
Chapter 1.
*Aradin, Japan*
The Princess of Aradin bit her lip to keep from smiling, and watched with satisfaction as yet another of her suitors stomped away, the seat of his pants missing. The Princess's waist-length auburn hair blew gracefully about her face, and her emerald-colored eyes were filled with laughter. Suddenly, a strangely decorated lion appeared beside her.
"Here is another trophy for you, Sakura. I hope that you are happy." It commented, spitting out the piece of the suitor's missing pants. This was Sakura's guardian, Cerberus, also known as 'Kero'.
"I am, Kero, and I am sorry that you had to do that." Sakura whispered, tears entering her eyes. Kero looked at her sympathetically.
"Hey, it's all right. It is not your fault that all these suitors are trying to marry you. And besides, that King Pertor had no right to try to kiss you!" At these words, the tears spilled over.
"Oh Kero! I'm so scared! Why do all these men want me? I am only eighteen, and father is already trying to marry me off to one of them, and I can't, Kero! I just can't!" Sakura sobbed. Kero quickly changed back into his tiny borrowed form and flew into her arms, comforting her as best as he could.
"Princess Sakura?" Came the voice of a servant. "You are wanted in the Throne-room." The servant bowed and then left.
"Oh no! Father is going to be so angry!" Sakura whimpered, starting towards the Palace. Kero gave a sigh, and then flew up to Sakura's room to wait for her.
~*~*~*~
"…don't care! I don't like it one bit!" Sakura's older brother, Prince Touya was saying as Sakura entered the room.
"You don't like what?" She asked, making her brother jump and then turn to her with a guilty grimace, but her father merely smiled. Now Sakura knew that something was wrong. Her father *never* smiled when he found out that she had chased away another suitor.
"Father…"She faltered.
"Sakura darling! I have some wonderful news! As of this morning, you are betrothed to the Prince of Hong Kong!" King Fujitaka announced.
"HOE?!?!?!" Sakura shrieked, horror entering her delicate face. Touya looked at his sister sympathetically, but he didn't dare say anything.
"You see, the Queen of Hong Kong was having the same problem with her son, so we decided to sign a treaty and betroth you to each-other! I must say…" But his words were cut off by Prince Touya's loud shout. Touya watched as the horrified Princess sank to the floor in a faint.
"OH! That went well!" Touya commented sarcastically, as a horde of servants flocked over to the fallen girl.
~*~*~*~
*Hong Kong, China*
"Good Riddance!" Prince Syaoran mumbled, turning his back on the retreating Princess Masha.
"You know, Syaoran, that is…what?…the sixth Princess that you have scared away this month!?" His cousin, Prince Eriol asked, coming up behind Syaoran.
"The seventh." Syaoran corrected.
"You really should give them a chance!" Eriol exclaimed.
"They are all the same, Eriol. They simper, they smirk, they flirt, just so I will look at them. Disgusting creatures!" Syaoran hissed, stalking back inside the Palace.
"Yelan is not going to be happy. So…what tactics did you use this time? Green hair dye, bad-smelling perfume?"
"She fell in a mud puddle." Syaoran answered.
"A mud puddle?"
"A freshly made mud puddle, complete with flies and worms. It just happened to be in the middle of the path we were walking on." Syaoran said matter-a- factually. Eriol burst out laughing.
"I suppose that it just *happened* to be there, just like the green hair dye that *happened* to be in Princess Tranaselle's shampoo bottle." Eriol chuckled.
"It wasn't *in* her shampoo bottle, it was in a bottle *like* it. And who said it was me who put it there?" Syaoran asked. Eriol couldn't hold back another crow of laughter.
"Because green happens to be your favorite color!" He laughed.
"Master Syaoran? You are wanted in the Throne room." Said Syaoran's butler, Wei. Eriol grinned evilly.
"You're in trouble!" He taunted. Syaoran clenched his teeth.
"And you will be as flat as a pancake if you do that again!" He threatened. Eriol didn't flinch.
"*Tsk, tsk, Syaoran!" Eriol teased, and then became serious.
"Don't worry! what is the worst that could happen?" Eriol asked.
'I hate it when he says that, because something bad always happens!' Syaoran thought, as they walked into the Throne-room.
Queen Yelan watched as her chestnut-haired son, and her blue-black haired nephew walked toward her. She had a smile on her lips, and this made Syaoran nervous. The queen NEVER smiled when Syaoran scared off another prospective bride.
"Syaoran, I have good news! You will never have to worry about scaring away another Princess!" Yelan announced. Syaoran felt a pang of relief, but her next words made him feel sick.
"Instead, you are now officially betrothed to the Japanese Princess of Aradin, and you will be married in two weeks! Is this not wonderful?" Yelan cried. Syaoran immediately stiffened and disgust overtook him.
"Kawaii!"
"I want to meet her!"
"This is wonderful!"
"This will be perfect for our little brother!" Came the voices of Syaoran's older sisters, Fanren, Fuutie, Feimei, and Siefa. Syaoran sent them a deathly glare, and then stomped out of the room, leaving everyone speechless.
Yes, he knew about the Royal family of Aradin. His cousin, Meiling, had married Prince Touya of Aradin a few months before, but Syaoran had kept away from the festivities, and didn't get a chance to meet the princess. As if he'd want to! He had heard about her in Meiling's letters, though. Surprisingly enough, Meiling never mentioned the Princess's name in her letters. Instead, she referred to the girl as "sister" or "sister-in-law"; However, this wasn't all he had heard about Prince Touya's sister. It was said that she lived a very sheltered and protected live, compliments of her over-protective older brother, and that she pushed away every suitor that came to see her. These suitors that went to woo the princess always came back forlorn and silent, as if they wanted to keep their memory of her to themselves.
Syaoran sighed and walked out to his personal garden. This was the one place in the whole Kingdom that he could just get away and gather his thoughts. As soon as he reached the garden, though, he threw up his hands and sunk onto a stone bench.
"Just when I thought that things couldn't get any worse!" He groaned, rolling his eyes and shaking his head in defeat. His mother always found ways to get him into things and making sure that there was no way out.
~*~*~*~
*Aradin, Japan*
"Why me?" Sakura wailed helplessly. One of her best friends and cousin, Princess Tomoyo, looked up at her and smiled.
"You brought this on yourself, you know." She reminded Sakura, going back to hemming the girl's wedding dress. Sakura was wearing it, so Tomoyo could make the adjustments that it needed.
"But I don't love him! I can't marry anyone that I don't love! I promised mother!" Sakura cried, tears filling her eyes. Tomoyo got up and hugged Sakura.
"Don't worry! Everything will be fine, won't it Meiling?" Tomoyo asked. Sakura's sister-in-law Princess Meiling, who had just walked into the room, winced.
"…I suppose so…" She faltered, as Tomoyo shot her a glare. Sakura's eyes widened in fear.
"Is…is he really that bad, Meiling?" Sakura whimpered.
"Don't worry. He really is quite, er…nice once you get to know him." Meiling answered. This didn't make Sakura feel any better.
"What…what is he like?" She asked. Meiling smiled tenderly.
"Well, he has chestnut colored hair, and amber colored eyes, and he is quite tall. He never smiles, though." She said. Then she got an evil glint in her eye.
"And Tomoyo! Prince Eriol would be perfect for you!" Meiling laughed. Tomoyo frowned and blushed a bit.
"And who is this Prince?" She asked.
"He is my cousin. He had black-blue hair and icy-blue eyes, and he is very kind. He is also the reincarnated form of Clow Reed." Meiling said. By the time she was done with the description, Sakura had forgotten about her dilemma, and her eyes were sparkling.
"Oh, Tomoyo! He sounds perfect for you! I do hope that you will be able to meet him!" Sakura gushed. Tomoyo blushed even more.
"Ridiculous! I will have nothing to do with him! Now, stand still Sakura! I want to fix this hem!" Tomoyo exclaimed, kneeling down again and starting to pin up the hem. Meiling smiled and quickly stepped out of the room. Outside, Touya was waiting for her.
"How is she taking it?" Touya asked, putting his arm around Meiling's waist.
"As well as can be expected…Oh Touya! Your father can't do this! Not to her! Sakura is too innocent! And Syaoran…well, you know about him." Meiling moaned, burying her head in her husband's shoulder. Touya ran his hand through her wavy, waist-length hair, and then rubbed her back comfortingly.
"I know darling, but there is no changing his mind. Trust me, I've tried!" Touya chuckled darkly. "Besides, Sakura is strong; and if I ever hear of him hurting her, I will personally tear him limb-from-limb!" Touya growled. Meiling grinned.
"That is my cousin that you are talking about, Mr. Do-you-really-want-to- sleep-on-the-couch-tonight?!" Meiling threatened, teasingly. Touya sent her a mock-horrified look.
"NO! Not that! Or do you really want to sleep in that big, cold bed all alone?" He asked, faking a hurt look. Meiling grinned and shrugged.
"Sounds good to me!" She said. Touya looked up in shock, and then growled dangerously. Meiling's eyes widened as he came closer, a hungry light in his eyes. Then he made his hands into claws and swooped down on her.
"Prince Touya? You are wanted down in the Throne-room." Called a passing servant. Touya's hands dropped and her gave an exasperated sigh.
"We will finish this later." Touya growled, and then left his wife. Meiling watched him leave, and then went to the chambers she shared with her husband.
"And she will be waiting!" Came a voice from the shadows, close to where Touya and Meiling had just stood. Tomoyo stepped out of the shadows, her shoulders heaving with silent laughter. Sakura appeared beside her, but all she could do was grin.
~*~*~*~
"Tomoyo, am I silly?" Sakura asked. The two girls were in Sakura's room, later that night, and they were laying side-by-side on Sakura's bed. (a/n: This is a straight fic! No yucky stuff! They are just friends and Tomoyo is spending the night in Sakura's room one last time before Sakura is married. I repeat! This is a straight fic!)
"Why do you ask that?" Tomoyo asked, looking at her friend. Sakura shrugged.
"Touya said that I was too silly to get married. He said that I was clueless…and you know something? I am! I have no idea what I am supposed to do!" Sakura whispered. Tomoyo smiled.
"You are *not* silly, and your reaction is completely natural! Trust me, I asked my mother. No woman really knows exactly what to do when they are married. They just think they do!" Tomoyo answered. Sakura still looked uncertain.
"Yes…but she didn't have to marry a mean and horrible Prince, either. Just the thought of him scares me, Tomoyo, and I don't even know his name!" Sakura whimpered, trying hard not to cry. Tomoyo sighed. It hurt to see Sakura in so much pain and suffering.
"Have you ever wondered if maybe, just maybe, he is feeling the same way about you?"
"What?! Well…no…but with all that I have heard about him…" Sakura began.
"How do you know that it is true?"
"Meiling has practically told me! She just won't say it out loud!" Sakura said, burying her head in her pillow.
"Sakura, it is obvious that he doesn't want this any more that you do…so try to be sympathetic. I am sure that he will do his best." Tomoyo said, crossing her fingers and hoping what she was saying was true. Sakura's face immediately brightened.
"You're right, Tomoyo! I have been extremely selfish. I will try to understand…" Sakura's voice trailed off, and Tomoyo realized that she was asleep.
"Goodnight, Sakura." She whispered.
~*~*~*~
*About the same time…*
"Touya! You had better get used to sleeping on the couch!" Meiling cried, stalking into their bed-chamber. Touya turned around in surprise.
"Why? What on earth have I done?" He asked innocently. Meiling's eyes flashed at him.
"Sakura was starting to get used to the idea of marrying my cousin, and you just had to open your big mouth and make her nervous again!" Meiling hissed, her face just inches from his.
"That's funny. You have never complained about my big mouth before…" Touya commented huskily, raising an eyebrow, and making Meiling's cheeks heat up.
"Well I am now! The poor thing is frightened enough without your help. Touya! Syaoran has never smiled at anyone! Well, hardly anyone. But I really think that Sakura will be good for him. He needs her kind of influence over his life. Maybe then he will soften up a little." Meiling said. Touya's eyes sparkled.
"I have no arguments there." He answered. She sighed and sat down.
"Before I came here, Syaoran was practically my only friend. He really is sweet once you get to know him…but it takes him a while to soften up. For him to soften up to me took…two years. But with Sakura's sweetness, and over-all innocence, I wouldn't be surprised if his acceptance of her only took half the time. Besides, he may be able to help Sakura with the 'Sakura Cards'." Meiling said. Touya nodded, and she stood back up, a mean glint in her eyes.
"But this still means that you will be spending the night on the couch!" She crowed. His face fell, and then got the same look as he had worn earlier that day.
"No servants to help you now!" He chuckled darkly and then swooped her up into his arms, and threw her on the bed. She gave a mock-fearful shriek, but it was cut off by him pressing his lips to hers. Her body tensed but then she relaxed as he slid his arms around her waist. He then kissed a trail down her neck, to her shoulder, and back again, meeting her lips in one heart-stopping kiss. Finally, he pulled back and smiled sadly.
"I am ready to go to the couch now." He said obediently, moving to get off the bed. But before his feet could touch the floor, she grabbed his shirt and pulled him back.
"You aren't going anywhere, mister!" She breathed, and then kissed him again, hard. Touya gave a satisfied sigh and then returned the kiss.
~*~*~*~
*Hong Kong, China*
"Ugh! Finally!" Syaoran moaned, falling backwards onto his bed.
"You seem relieved." Eriol teased, sitting on the bed beside him.
"I thought that I would never get away from my sisters and mother. 'Oh, Syaoran! This is so wonderful!', 'Syaoran! She will be so good for you!', 'I can't wait to meet her!', 'Kawaii!!', 'Syaoran, this is for the best!'." Syaoran repeated, making his voice high and squeaky for the first four, and then low and rich for the last comment. Eriol laughed.
"You sounded exactly like them!" He chuckled. Syaoran made a disgusted face.
"I probably sound like my future wife, too. 'Darling, kiss me!', 'Dearest, let's go take a walk!', 'Syaoran…blah, blah, blah!'" Syaoran hissed, as Eriol rolled around on the bed, laughing hysterically.
"She…doesn't seem…quite so…flirtatious, according to…Meiling's letters…" Eriol commented, his words punctuated with laughter. Syaoran glared at him.
"If she is anything like that, I am going to jump over the first cliff I come to!" He threatened. Eriol only laughed harder. Suddenly, Syaoran got an evil gleam in his eyes.
"Oh, Eriol. In the last letter Meiling wrote me, she mentioned a young woman by the name of Princess Tomoyo. Apparently, this girl is a good friend of Meiling's and the Princess. Meiling even described her to me. She has waist-length black hair, and purply-blue eyes. She is supposed to be a knock-out. Meiling said something about introducing her to you…" Syaoran said, one of his small, rare smiles coming into view. Eriol blushed.
"I want nothing to do with her!" Eriol said proudly, getting off the bed and stomping out of the room. Syaoran sighed contentedly, and crossed his arms underneath his head.
'I wonder what my fiancée is like…NO! Don't think about her! She is just like every other Princess in the world! Floaty and flirty and absolutely revolting!' At this thought, Syaoran rolled over and gave a depressed sigh. From this day forward, his life was going to be vary interesting, to say the least. He wondered how many times a day he would have to hide from his wife…
"Oh, and Syaoran? I got a letter from Meiling today. She finally revealed the Princess's name!" Eriol said, sticking his head back into the room. Syaoran sighed in disgust, but he was curious, none-the-less.
"What is it?" He finally asked, giving into temptation. Eriol grinned slyly at him.
"Her name is…Sakura!" Eriol crowed, hurrying out of the room again. At hearing the name, Syaoran's heart gave a strange thump, and sped up a bit.
'Sakura. What a lovely name.' He thought, not even stopping himself this time. Perhaps he would give this Princess Sakura a try…maybe.
~*~*~*~
*In a faraway place…*
A man sat in the shadows of a big room, his would-be handsome face twisted with fury. He was looking in a bowl of water on his lap. The water's surface was calm, and in it was the image of Sakura and Tomoyo sleeping peacefully on Sakura's bed. Sakura's lips wore a small smile, and her hand was clasped in Tomoyo's. The man's face became even more ferocious.
"So…they think that they can outsmart me by marrying her off! The FOOLS!! Sakura is MINE! She always has been and she always will be! They shall soon know that!" With these words, the bowl disappeared, and the man dissolved into the air.
~*~*~*~