Never Melt

Chapter One: Doors to Keys

Disclaimer: I do not own Cardcaptor Sakura.

AN:

AU—Sakura is a princess and Syaoran is a prince. Kind of cliché, but I ran out of ideas… --" I'm not good at breaking things into paragraphs, so sorry in advance if this sucks.

Note: Sakura and Syaoran are ten years old.

--- : represents a scene break, or something like it. It also indicates a switch in P.O.V.

I hope you like it!

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Syaoran Li was not a bear. But he did look like one. And standing next to his towering temporary guardian, he was as small as a well-made plush doll.

He had messy brown hair that, at an angle, looked almost like fur, and his youth brought on an aura of cuteness that put him on the same level as any of teddies that Sakura had ever seen.

His threatening scowl diverted (or at least made an attempt to) others from thinking said thoughts. He did not appreciate it when people cooed at him or when they—the more unsuspecting ones—tried to pat his hair. He especially hated false smiles, whose owners treated him as a toddler.

Syaoran was no baby; he had already begun training in swordsmanship and martial arts. He was very good at mathematics—his tutors said so!—and he could always out-think the other kids. He had already--

"Prince Syaoran! Please pay attention," the old man to his right scolded. Then he apologized to the masters of the castle, who had kindly let them stay until the turmoil at home had passed. "I am sorry. He has been very distracted lately."

The king, prince, and princess of the land stood before them. The king spoke with an even gaze, while the prince's eyes slowly narrowed and the princess shuffled her feet. "The move has been hard for him, I should believe," the King said. "Touya, Sakura, go and say 'hi' to him."

For a moment, Syaoran wondered if this king's smile was as false as the rest. He frowned, frustrated, when he found nothing but gentleness. Perhaps this king really was… nice?

The other prince stepped forward. "Hi," he grunted, glared, and brusquely stepped back. Syaoran, as stiff as an icicle, nodded back. The king sighed.

Sakura, the princess, was a little friendlier. She smiled and introduced herself, all the while hanging onto a curious trinket. When the group prepared to leave the main hall, Sakura passed the object into his hands. "It is a present for you, from all of us. Yes, even Touya." She paused to glare at her brother's back. "Big Brother is very nice, but he becomes tense around strangers."

"Is he that awkward around everyone?"

"No, but he can seem that way. I hope that someday, he can find a wife. Then, he will be nicer to everyone."

"You think that will ever happen?" Syaoran asked snidely.

"Yes," Sakura said seriously, "anything is possible." Then realizing their companions had left, she took his hand and led him to a petite dining area.

Syaoran did not mind Sakura's informality. It was refreshing to be freed from constant regulations. Yet being raised into the boy he was, he could not entirely approve of it. When they were in view of the others, the maids, and extra sentries, he softly pulled his hand away.

Sakura did not seem to notice, or if she did, she did not care. She ran to the nearest rectangular table, earning another point of disapproval from Syaoran, and took a seat.

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Since there were only five of them, true dining etiquette was hardly required. The King and Touya let Sakura act the way she wanted, meaning, they accepted her cries of enthusiasm over food. They let her have as many seconds as she wanted. To them, watching her recount food disputes with the family pet Kero was actually pleasant. Her demeanor was so sweet, even Syaoran relented and mentally gave her a few points back.

"I was so mad at him! And then Kero waved the spoon around and accidentally hit the clock. I know he did not mean to, but… Kero should have been more careful!"

"Your dog eats with a spoon?" Syaoran wondered skeptically.

"No, he is not a dog! He is a Guardian Beast of the Clow," Sakura replied brashly.

"And what is that, exactly?"

"Well… it is true!"

Touya interrupted, "Sakura has an active imagination." He turned to her, "Do you not? ... Baby monster."

"I am not a monster!" Sakura grumbled, crossing her arms at the table. The simple motion was very unbecoming for a young lady. "I am not a baby, either! Touya…!" She glowered at them with all the ferocity of one willing to pull hair and throw sticks.

Touya smirked. "Whatever you say…" his voice hushed to a whisper, "…monster."

All Syaoran got out of that dinner was that Touya loved to poke fun at his sister. And that somewhere, there was a spoon-wielding dog running around.

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Later that evening, Syaoran took a good look at the trinket. It was a small, oddly-shaped key that was probably used for decoration. It was made of golden and silver metal that twisted in 'S's to feign the form of vines. Syaoran figured it was of no importance, so he tucked it away under his pillow.

He would not admit it, but he was nervous. The people here were new to him. The architecture looked different, the food tasted strange; everything had changed. Even the sky had been bluer back home. Yet a new adventure would make him stronger. He would have to become strong if he ever took the throne.

That fantastic day seemed very, very far away. After all, he was still young and had a lot left to experience. Not that he would ever admit it.

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AN: Any ideas or suggestions are appreciated! Please leave a review.

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