Disclaimer: Card Captor Sakura belongs to Clamp.
This chapter has been modified as of March 2008. Enjoy!
Summary: SS. Syaoran was engaged to a princess who he met only once but greatly disliked. After the second meeting, feelings changed. He fell in love completely oblivious to that fact that it was not the real princess but a commoner named Sakura. RR!
From Heaven to Hell – Chapter 1
"Sakura?" a girl called out.
She knocked on the decrepit door and waited, but no audible movement was made inside the room; she frowned. With a haste push the wooden barrier was moved out of her away. There was a bed in front of her, and when the moving lump on the mattress moved, causing a soft creaking noise, she smiled. "Sakura-chan," she said again as she sat down at the edge of the bed. The blob of auburn hair she spoke to snuggled deeper under the covers. A moment of silence passed before the face emerged.
As recalcitrant as her sleepy eyes may have been, Sakura willed them to open anyway. "Good morning," she said with a smile. It soon disappeared, however, when she noted the silence in the house. She sat up and asked, "Where is everyone?"
"They've left already," her cousin and best friend, Tomoyo Daidouji, said gently and helped the wobbly Sakura to stand up. "We'd better get going if we don't want to miss anything."
"Okay, just a minute," Sakura nodded and went to change. She sat down in front of the mirror next to her bed and picked up her brush. I need to look good, she thought, sighing. It was just another Sunday morning – a very quiet Sunday morning.
Growing up in a big family wasn't hard, but not having your real parents to be there for you was something Sakura had to face for the past thirteen years. Though she never met her father, she heard many things about him from her brother, Touya – great things, in fact. Their mother died from a disease and it was then that Sonomi, their aunt, adopted them. Sakura did not mind living with others for the most part, and since her new family was related to her, there wasn't much to complain about. Besides, Sakura was never the one to whine. Sonomi took care of her as if she was her own daughter; despite the lack of money, she still did all she could to raise her and her brother, along with her own kids, up properly.
Now at the age of 18, Sakura could legally work. Everyday, she would go with Tomoyo and help Sonomi with their small yet steady business at the market. That day, however, the market had shut down, the roads had been cleared, and all the folks readied themselves to welcome the beloved princess, who was touring the kingdom. Their town was the last stop of the tour before she headed back to the castle. Royalty seldom stop by the serene village and it was a huge deal.
"I'm ready!" Sakura said and ran down the steps. The two of them went out to find the roads deserted and decided that everyone was waiting at the gates.
"Come on, let's go," Tomoyo urged. Grabbing Sakura by the hand, she pulled her excitedly towards the crowd of people they soon spotted bundled around the entrance to their village.
"Are we late?" Sakura asked as they squeezed their way through the cheering people and made it to the front.
The stately carriage was there; beside it, Princess Aishi was addressing the people. Everyone's heart was at his or her throat as the princess opened her mouth and began to speak. Sakura tapped an old man near her on the shoulder and asked for an update. Apparently, Her Highness wanted to take someone with her back to the castle. That fortunate soul would get the chance to witness her beauty. Rumor has it that no one from outside the castle has ever seen her whole face before. Princess Aishi was the maiden with a comely hat, whose brim cast a shadow that covered her eyes, sitting upon her head; she was recognized as the most mysterious princess in history. Even the guards that protect her didn't know what she looked like. Bored old housewives with nothing else better to do with their lives would often gossip about her. At the market, Sakura would hear impossible things regarding the princess's looks as villagers talked while picking out their tomatoes and broccoli.
At times Sakura and Tomoyo would draw their versions of Princess Aishi's face for fun. They would then show it to Tomoyo's little cousins and ask them to vote whose drawing was better. Tomoyo would jokingly make Aishi really ugly while Sakura would always make her beautiful; Tomoyo's argument was that no matter how pretty the princess was, she would be no match for her "adorable Sakura-chan." To overthrow Sakura's belief that all princesses were gorgeous, Tomoyo had made it her goal to get a chance and see Aishi. Once Tomoyo planned an evil scheme to throw a candle onto the hat and set it on fire, but Sakura popped her balloon of hope by pointing out the fact that the fire might burn all of the princess's hair.
"Oh I'm so nervous!" Tomoyo whispered and tightened her grip on Sakura's hand which she had grabbed the moment she saw the princess.
"Don't worry," Sakura mumbled.
"Yeah, but what if I get picked?" she asked.
"That's what you wanted, right?"
"I know but… what if – what if…?"
"If that happens, it'll be fine! It'll be an amazing experience. "
"No, it's not that… it's just… okay, what if she is cute and prettier than you, Sakura-chan?" Tomoyo looked at her "earnestly."
"Um," Sakura sighed. Not this again! She thought. Tomoyo giggled and turned her attention back to the center of the crowd.
"Would everyone quiet down, please," one of the guards in the front shouted with his brittle voice. A gust of silence whooshed through the crowd and all the eyes, twinkling like ripples that glistened under the sunlight, were fixed on him. "Good. Now, the princess has made her choice and the one who has been blessed with this glorious opportunity will be…"
"Tomoyo-chan?" Sakura whispered and patted her dear cousin when she saw her bite her bottom lip. For a moment the crowd held its breath; behind them, in a corner of a street, a chicken set its wrath free upon a miserable little cricket – it gulped, and so did the people.
"…it will be you!" the guard's voice crescendoed. At the same time the volume of his voice reached its apex, the guard used his finger and pointed into the crowd. It was a quick jab, and all the attention immediately flew to the chosen one: Sakura.
"Me?" she exclaimed, her jaw hanging slightly. Tomoyo squealed with happiness.
"Yes, you," the guard said with sarcasm, mocking her surprised tone.
The princess waved her hand at him, telling him to stop the rudeness; he complied. Jumping down in a swift and light motion, he started in Sakura's direction. Gasps and whispers broke out in the crowd again as she was lead slowly by the guard towards the carriage. The fact that the princess had chosen a girl to meet her boiled the people's curiosity. This will be remembered by everyone! Tomoyo thought and beamed, her eyes never leaving Sakura.
Stay calm, Sakura. Augh, I just know I'll trip and fall, thought Sakura, as she got closer and closer to the carriage. The princess had already gone in after a cursory good-bye to the villagers.Oh what am I thinking?! Okay…I think I can, I think I can, I think I can…. Sakura took a deep breath and looked back. Tomoyo gave her a double thumbs-up and she couldn't help but smile. I will do this.
"You will be allowed to return whenever you wish. Now," the guard said – she was quite amazed at how big that guy was, "please go in."
"Y-yes, sir…" Sakura murmured anxiously and tumbled in. She winced. Why, feet?
She sat down right across from the princess, who was studying her with her finger tapping her chin. It was proper to assume that the princess was interested. Sakura's heart was in her mouth like a candy so sour that she wanted to spit out but couldn't and the word "relax" was almost erased from her dictionary. Sakura tilted her head the left and attempted to act as normal as she could as she was trying to see the princess's eyes. Then, all of a sudden, she felt as if a ghost had pierced through her body. Princess Aishi held her head up slightly higher and allowed the sun light to glaze the rest of her face. The shocking emerald green met Sakura's own; annoying goose bumps sprang up as shivers ran down her body from head to toe. It went by too fast. Sakura was too mesmerized by the sight of her eyes that she never got to look at Aishi's face as a whole. When she snapped out of her phase Aishi had turned her face towards the window and began waving at the people.
Cheers followed the carriage as it finished up the tour around the town – cheers for both Sakura and the princess. "Your town is very beautiful," Aishi said softly, still looking out at the window. Indeed, it was an amazing sight. They were now crossing the dandelion field on the hill. The brilliant and vivid yellow stung Sakura's eyes and she closed her eyes; the image of thousands of little fluffs flying in the air when the wind blows by in the autumn painted itself in her mind.
"I-it is, yeah," she gulped and looked up. She is a little too calm, she cried out desperately inside and smiled weakly as the princess turned to face her once more.
"There is no need to feel afraid," she whispered.
"Oh, no, of course not!" Sakura nodded like mad. That's what you think.
"We will arrive at the castle shortly," Aishi began. "I hope you will enjoy your time stay. I really do."
The reassuring tone in her voice bothered Sakura. Sakura sat up a bit straighter. To her, it would be easier to communicate if she made eye contact. "Princess," she said and Aishi nodded as a sign for her to proceed. "Is there something wrong?"
There was an inkling of surprise in her following expression but it quickly went away. She straightened her dress and said, "Before I reveal anything, tell me your name."
"It's Sakura, Your Highness," replied Sakura. "Kinomoto Sakura."
"Kinomoto…" whispered the princess. She seemed to be in deep thought. Reveal? Sakura questioned. Something is definitely up.
"Sakura, I need your help," Aishi continued. "But we have to wait until we've reached the castle."
She turned her face a bit to the left to look out the window, and the sunlight was reflected in her eyes. There was still some shadow preventing Sakura from seeing the whole face, but the similarity between the princess's eyes and her eyes haunted her. Sakura shook her head and decided to gaze out the other window; she gasped. She quickly moved to the other end of the seat and poked her head out. The castle loomed ahead.
Sakura followed the princess's instructions and put on a silk scarf before stepping out of the carriage. It was an odd request, but you never know what being locked in a big cage like the castle for a long time will make you do. People dressed in uniforms greeted them; some castle maids were throwing confetti. Any random person who passes them bowed. Wow, this is awkwardly nice, Sakura thought, blushing at the attention and respect she got for walking with the princess. She felt like a trophy being passed around. Too bad they can't see me smile, she slouched a little and pouted behind the scarf. How long do I have to keep this thing on?
They walked into the grand hall and she looked up. The celling was a painting of the heaven with angels and a beautiful crystal chandelier hung in the middle. I wonder how they clean it. . .they can't possibly keep it so clean without washing it or something. . .ugh, why am I thinking about these stupid things? Sakura punched her head lightly; a passing butler-looking person raised his eyebrows. She looked around and saw that everything had a lion symbol on it. Noticing that she was falling behind, she jogged a bit to catch up with the princess.
They climbed the black marble stairs and went up to the third floor of the Western Steeple. Dimly lit by sophisticated lanterns, the hallway they walked down was decorated by numerous paintings. After passing several rooms, a couple of servants, and many vases, they stopped in front of an impressive maple wood door.
"This is my room," Aishi explained, stopping and turning around. "We will have tea and then I will have something to discuss with you. Please come in."
"Yes, your highness."
Two maids stood on either side of the door after it was open. Sakura was apprehensive about entering, and when she did, she was awed. It was as big as Sakura's house. "Wow," she whispered.
"Do you like it?" Aishi asked.
"Yeah, I-I don't think I've ever seen a room so gigantic before!" Sakura said with fascination as she walked around, carving everything she saw into her soul. "Tomoyo was right. It is worth it."
Princess Aishi stopped in her tracks as she was making her way to the balcony on the right side of the room. There was another one on the other end, but it was more of a miniature garden. "Tomoyo? Was she the girl you were with – the one with the purple hair?" she asked.
Sakura walked up to her and nodded happily. "Yes, she is!" she replied as they both made their way outside and sat down at the tea table. "She is my best friend and cousin."
Aishi was intrigued for some odd reason. She snapped her fingers and one of the maids from earlier appeared. She had curly red hair and a dimple on her cheek when she smiled. Sakura waved at the maid; she decided that it was safe to take off the scarf and started removing it. The maid gasped when she saw her face. Sakura looked at her with confusion and Princess Aishi cleared her throat.
"Bloss, get our tea ready," the princess ordered. The maid named Bloss nodded very slowly and left. Sakura turned to Aishi with a bewildered expression. Bloss soon returned with a teapot. When she poured the tea for Sakura, her hand was trembling and she had a hard time not focusing her eyes on Sakura.
"Um, good tea," Sakura laughed softly as she took a sip, trying to get a conversation started.\
"Yes," acknowledged Aishi. "As I was saying, I need you to help me."
Sakura began crumpling the cookie she held in the hand. She knew that something big was about to happen. Aishi smiled mysteriously and lifted both hands up; they were aimed for her hat. She sighed and took it off, and golden-brown hair fell down onto her shoulders. For a second Sakura thought that a mirror was placed in front of her; she was looking at an exact copy of herself. Sakura gaped at Aishi. She wanted to scream and let the shock go loose, but she couldn't. It was stuck inside her, riding each and every red blood cell as the blood was pumped throughout the body; she felt like she was going to explode.
"Amazing isn't it?" Aishi smiled warily. "It was quite a shock for me at first too, but I need your help more than anything right now."
"What? But how?" Sakura asked, still trying to convince herself that it was impossible and that she must glasses when she got back to the village.
"I want to leave the castle and I need you to replace me for a while. I will be you, and you will be me."
Sakura nodded. "Sounds simple – excuse me? What!" She yelped, jumping up from the chair with such force that the chair fell backwards. The little tweety sitting on the side chirped and flew away in a flesh. The gardener down at one of the flower patches looked up in alarm. Aishi got up and pulled Sakura back into the room.
"Shh. . ." she said. Sakura was troubled by the sight of "herself" frowning. Hoe, so that's how I look like. Maybe I should do that less often.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness," Sakura apologized, breathing very heavily.
"Sakura, did you know that I love hunting?" the princess asked with a poignant expression. Sakura shook her head. Aishi sighed and sat down on her bed; she patted it as a sign for Sakura to sit down, and Sakura obeyed.
"One time I was hunting in the woods right behind your village," continued Aishi. "And then I met him – this wonderful man from your village."
She looked at Sakura for some hint of approval, hoping that Sakura would understand how she felt, but she was disappointed.
"Uh…" Sakura said, scratching her head.
"I know it seems strange – maybe a bit too strange," Aishi corrected after seeing Sakura's that's-an-understatement face. "But you have to understand. There is no way that my father will let me be with him."
"And switching places with a girl, going to a place where you're not supposed to be will help that?" Sakura questioned. "I may have just got to know you, princess, but I don't think what you're planning on doing is right."
"Just for a little while, Sakura," Aishi begged. Her tear glands started their engines and were ready to release the tsunami anytime. "I left him hanging; he doesn't know who I really am, and I need to explain that to him."
"So you're just going to cut off the loose ends?" Sakura asked, sounding a bit shocked.
"That, and to get away from this for some time," said the princess, looking around. She sighed at the silent Sakura and grabbed her arm gently. "Please, I can tell you what I'm like, what my hobbies are, who is who and you can tell me about your family and your specialties…all that good stuff, and we'll be fine! We won't mess up anything if we know about each other's life."
"Hoe…b-but Your Highness, don't you think it's a little too risky?"
"I know, but it'll be worth it for both me and you"
"Okay then," Sakura answered quietly. It was a big sacrifice they were making and Sakura knew it. What if the plan failed? They'd both be in trouble. She looked at Aishi and saw that her eyes were filled with sincerity. But she couldn't help but wonder what would happen to her old life. The change might not last forever, but it was going to be there. She would miss Tomoyo's sweetness, Sonomi's kindness, and Touya's overprotective-ness. Everything that she's ever known would be stripped away from her.
"Thank you so much!" Aishi smiled gratefully and hugged her.
"You're welcome," Sakura said hesitantly. She broke apart from the hug and looked into her other self's eyes, equally green and shimmering. "So how are we supposed to do this? You have curls at the end of your hair but I don't."
"Oh, I can fix that. But first, we need to talk about our backgrounds and everything."
"Sure."
"Great, then let's begin shall we?"
Sakura nodded. Aishi started with telling her about the basics of living in a castle and how to respond to anyone who talked to her. She said that she was to only respond to Princess, Princess Aishi, Your Highness, or, as her father and other people in the royal family called her, 'Aishi.' Aishi told her about places in the palace and drew a map in case she forgot. Then, she used some sticks to curl the ends of Sakura's hair for the finishing touch. "You have to remember to do this everyday, though," Aishi warned her as she took out the sticks.
After that, Sakura helped Aishi straighten her hair, although it took a while. She then explained what life was like in the small town. However, it was really hard to memorize all the work she had to do, and all the regular costumers she would meet. Sakura told her to laugh off whatever Tomoyo would say about her being cuter than other people and to ignore Touya when he derided her.
"And, don't forget to tell a bedtime story to Molly," Sakura said and finished with a huge sigh. "Okay?"
"It is a lot of information, but I'll do my best," Aishi replied with a broad smile. Normal people would melt at the sweetness, but Sakura still found it awkward to look at herself doing things. "There's just one more thing. Did your cousin really say that you were cuter and prettier than me?"
Sakura laughed. "Oh, yeah. Can you imagine the look on her face if she were to see us together?"
"Alright, then," Aishi said clapped her hand together. "Let's change."
Their clothes were changed, their attitudes were adjusted, and the two of them walked towards each other and examined the final products for any obvious mistakes. The sun was ready to play hide-and-go-seek with that hemisphere of the world for the next twelve hours. It was time for Aishi to leave and their plan would soon officially start. With a final good-bye and wish of luck, Aishi rode off in the carriage and began her journey "home." Sakura sighed and fell onto the bed, wondering how she could get by.
This dress is so tight around the waist… or am I too fat? She thought and pinched her cheek to see if it was chubbier than it used to be. It must be that cookie I ate a while ago.
Suddenly someone knocked on the door and when she was about to get up and open it herself, she froze. Princesses do not open doors for others. It's usually the other way around, and that should've been common sense. "Come in," she called as carelessly as she could, just as Aishi had instructed her to do. The same maid who gave her tea stepped in. "Oh, hello."
Silence.
"Err, I mean, what is it?"
Great, nicely done, Sakura.
"Princess, Prince Li, your fiancé, is here for your second meeting. This time he will be staying for two months," she said. "Please go down to the dining hall for dinner with out honored guests from the Li Kingdom."
Fiancé? Oh, Princess Aishi! I know about your second cousin once removed and I don't know about your fiancé? I am doomed. Hoe…she thought and started pacing around the room. "Bloss!"
"Y-yes, Your Highness?" the maid replied
"Never mind," Sakura coughed and looked away. "I-I'll be right there."
"I will inform them, Princess."
Oh no.