Dsclaimer: I do not own Cardcaptors Sakura, but this fanfic yes.
It's been a while since my last update for my other fanfic on Gundam Seed, but I'm sorry, I ran out of idea. It won't happen with this one because I'm always done. BUT, there's still a problem: I wrote it in a notebook and I hate writting it back on internet. Still, I'll do my best, there's only one week left until I'm done with university (a week filled with 5 exams might I add and people might ignore it, but psychology requires a lot of your memory which is non existant in my case, but anyway.)
So, on with my story!
P.S. I'm French Canadian, so there might be some errors. Don't hate me for that, please. Hope you'll enjoy!
The way to be free
Chapter one: How to be a lady
Ever since I was able to talk and walk, I was taught to behave like a lady with the manners of a great geisha for I was the daughter of Fujitaka Kinomoto, nobles of the eastern Honshu in Japan. I learned to sing, dance, write and read, I was taught about politics, history, geography, mathematics and mandarin. But most of all, I learned to swordfight and to do martial arts. Most people would think I would have been prepared for anything, but future can always surprise men... or women.
«Sakura.»
«...»
«Sakura.»
This voice was the one of an angel, that was certain.
«Sakura, wake up sweet heart. It's your birthday after all.»
Oh, so it was my mother after all, well she always had an angelic voice.
I stirred and tossed a bit before finally opening my eyes. My mother was smiling at me, gracefully as always. I, on the other hand must have been a mess.
«Happy 18th birthday, Sakura!» wished me my mother as she hugged me. Rather strongly.
«Mother, don't be so excited, she might believe she's not a kaiju,» bragged my dear older brother. He was inherit the Kinomoto name and its fortune, but I didn't mind at all even if I was fated to be promised to a noble son. I loved my brother too much to be angry or to envy him (even if sometimes he was beyond annoying) for having a choice. Atleast, I knew my parents wouldn't let me marry the wrong man. My brother wouldn't anyway. He could be really picky which was fine with me.
Touya, my brother, already had a wife named Kaho and they were living with us, so when my father would give away his lands, Touya would know everything about them and how to maintain control on everything. Father was sort of the mayor and the judge of this part of Japan. Touya was only 23 years old, so he wasn't ready yet to fallow Father's footsteps.
In fact, I hoped my brother would never have to fallow Father's path because he had gone to war and, as a reward for accomplishing heroic tasks, was given those lands. I wasn't even born, Toya was though. Father came back with his knees' weakness that never really went away. He still was in a rather good shape for a 58 years old man. Speaking of the devil; where was he? He had always been there for my birthday.
«Mother, where's Father?»
»In the courtyard. Waiting for you. Now dress up and go,» hurried my mother.
When I was finally done and in the courtyard, I was speechless for what I saw was the greatest gift I could receive. My father was holding a beautiful and strong black stallion.
«This is for my brilliant daughter,» beamed my father.
Instead of staying there, saying nothing for at this moment I had forget how to speak, I ran to my father and hugged him as strong as I could.
«Well, atleast you'll remember your family when you'll be married,» he proudly announced.
«Have...Have you find anyone yet? It is still really soon.» I was desperately trying to buy me some more time...free time.
«Well...an old friend of my soldier time contacted me about his son. Nothing is settle yet, but he seems like a great kid. Your sons would be healthy and you would be under an honourable roof.»
And he was desperately and passionately trying to capture my curiosity because he really wanted me to be happy.
«Well you shall be the judge of that, Father.» This was said without any sarcasm and with all due respect. Still, I would have liked to be the real judge.
«But for now, I'm off to see Tomoyo, if you don't mind.»
«I don't. Go.»
On my way, I passed in front of my brother's bestfriend's shop. A flower and jewellery business. Seeing me passing by, Yukito exited his shop to offer me a cherry blossom for it was my favourite flower since ''cherry blossom'' meant ''Sakura'' in japanese. I once had a crush on Yukito, but he had no ''name''. He did receive all the knowledge my brother received because his business was prosperous and he had money, but in our era, money was not enough. The name and power were important and Yukito wasn't a noble. He knew his place too. He always was a great friend for me, but never tried for more. So he had married a delicate young woman. She sure was lucky. Yukito was caring, calm, smart. She couldn't have asked for more.
Leaving Yukito, I finally reached my bestfriend's house. She was just coming back from her honeymoon with her new husband Eriol Hiiragizawa. She was now Tomoyo Hiiragizama. What a name! Atleast, I could call them ''Tomoyo-chan'' and ''Eriol-san''.
Then, it strucked me. Was I the only one here who was not married? Would I be the only one to wed for honor? Because Tomoyo was lucky enough to fall in love with a noble and to be loved by him. Yukito had no restriction, he could choose any lady except higher one. And my brother was almost free. He chose convenience and honor, but his wife was so nice and sweet that love for her struck him like an arrow. And even though if the beginning wasn't romantic at all, the end was satisfying. But it wasn't what I wanted either.
I wished for freedom. I wished to marry for love like Tomoyo and Yukito. Love should come first, not wedding and children. Our world was turned upside down, but still, you had to fallow the crowd or the balance would be off.
«Sakura-chan, called Tomoyo? Are you here to see me to daydream?»
Oups. I must have lost myself in thoughts. «I'm sorry. Of course I'm here to see you. So how was your honeymoon?»
«Perfect as always when it comes to Eriol. He was great and sweet. I couldn't possibly wish for better. Plus I'm lucky enough to have one!»
True. Honeymoon isn't common in Japan, even for the fortunate and noble class.
«What about you, Sakura? Found someone yet? Oh! Did you study the medicine book I lend you?»
«Hum, no, no one in particular in my life and yes, I studied the book... Well my father did talk to me about a friend's son if you want to know everything, but that's all. He commented my attempt to study medicine as a great gift to my family too» I laughed.
Tomoyo and I were learning a little bit of the art of healing thanks to Eriol. He was a doctor and a good one too. Plus, he was coming from a great family so he was the jackpot for any father-in-law. Well, Tomoyo's father died a few years ago, but anyway.
«A new might-be? You should travel Sakura. This way, you'd be able to meet and chose them to please both you and your father.»
« Now is not a good time. War is at our door. I can wait and survive to a few years being alone.»
« For once, you might be right. Say, Sakura, would you help me? I'd like to prepare some medicinal herbs to ease Eriol's job.»
Of course I was going to help her. She did not need to ask. Plus, it was a good way to remind me everything I had learned so far. Doing so, she told me about her honeymoon and tried to sell me her idea of me being her model for fancy kimonos she'd like to create. After a few hours, we were done and I proposed to go back to my home. This way, she would be able to see my father and mother. They had told me how eager they were about seeing how she was doing.
Once at home, I was the one who would be checked. My father was in the courtyard and as soon as his eyes set on me, he started smiling like a mad man and presented me to an old FRIEND and his SON. Well, they certainly were in haste.
Putting aside the difference of age, the father and son looked quite alike: squared shoulders, strong and rough hands, proud look in their eyes and long hair tied in a low ponytail; black for the youngest and grey for the oldest. I must say, he (the son) was an interesting sight with his almost black eyes, but something was off. I just couldn't figure out what.
«Masato-san, let me introduce my daughter Sakura. Sakura, Masato-san and his son Makoto.» My father was almost singing those lines to me as he was approaching us with his friends.
«Pleased to meet you Masato-san, Makoto-san. Let me introduce you my beloved friend Tomoyo Hiirigizawa (here, said it, hope I didn't destroy the name).»
«Makoto-san, Sakura, why don't you go have a look to our gardens while Masato-san and I discuss about the old time. Tomoyo-san, my wife would love to see you.» Father was really something when it came to matchmaking.
As he wanted, Makoto and I headed towards the gardens while Tomoyo entered my quite big house throwing me a look of compassion.
We walked in silence for a few minutes, but it seems he couldn't support the silence.
«Your friend seems nice.»
I know she does, but that wasn't the best way to start a relationship that might lead to matrimony: talking about an other woman.
«She is. We've been friends since forever. I missed her a lot since she was on her honeymoon a few days ago.» Let's see how he'd react to that.
«Oh. A lucky husband.» He bit. He preferred Tomoyo. I was not jealous. To be jealous, I would have to feel threatened by her and to be unsure of myself. But I knew what I had, I knew that I didn't and I was perfectly fine with it.
Anyway, it was back to silence, so it was my turn to do something.
«How do you like the garden? My mother likes so much the little bridge. The music of the flowing water below soothes her and she often sings and paints there.»
«It is peaceful, I guess, but I'm not much of an artist.» That, I could have guessed on my own.
«What do you fancy then?»
«Sword fighting.» And??? Nothing else!! Ah, well...
«I learned this art. Martial arts too. Are you practicing for the coming war?»
«You are a woman. You can not be as good as a man. It was a waste of time and money, don't you think? Men are there to protect women. And which war are you talking about?» The worst thing since he had open his mouth to say those statements was that he really believed in them. And «which war»? Was he that uninterested in Japan's affairs?
China was trying to invade Japan. It was still not an open war, but it was there, lurking in the dark. How could he not have heard of such crucial news?
«What do you mean «which was»? China has been longing for our lands.»
«Oh. That. Yes, I guess so then. But you shouldn't worry about it. Men are there for that.»
«What are women there for then?» My patience was slowly disappearing.
«To please their husband and to take care to the kids, of course.» This way of thinking was well established since the dawn of the world, but come on! An opened mind would be appreciate here!
«If those tasks were the only one women would have taken care of since the very beginning of this universe, the world as we know it would be in a much worse shape than it already is.» That wasn't me. It was my brother. Touya was heading towards us from under the bridge, his favourite hiding place. He didn't looked pleased by the lack of respect Makoto was showing.
«This is a point of view. You are?» Well, atleast at this moment, he showed an emotion: he was tensed.
«Sakura's older brother. I guess you are here to ask for her hand. A lot came, but none ever left with my sister. They were all lacking something.» I couldn't figure out where this was leading to.
«What was it?»
My brother paused. Not because he was thinking, but because he was such a show-off.
«A sense of reality. Think about it. You come here because you think you're worthy of my sister, but you seems to state that she's merely good for reproduction practice (me: gross!) and you look at her as if she's the one who's not valuable enough. But if you were wise you would have gone into a search of your cow elsewhere because that's what you need if I refer to your expectations. So, who's unworthy now? And deceivingly unqualified?» My brother should have written books. He could hypnotize anyone with his speech.
Plus, it worked. My «charming prince» left us to fetch his father, and certainly left the next moment. Toya and I fallowed slowly, both with a smile on our face.
«Thanks Touya.» I was so grateful I didn't have to spend life with such a macho.
«Don't mention it squirt.» I could let this one pass.
When we met with our father, our visitors were already gone. He was waiting with two paper rolls in his hands. He looked destroyed. My brother noticed too.
«It's not that bad, father.»
«I know.» His voice was a void of life.
«Then what is it?» I felt uneasy. Something was wrong and it was a big deal.
«I wouldn't want you to marry you someone who might die in a few weeks. Waiting is the best decision. You can not live as a widow, you're far too beautiful and I wish you far better than mourning.»
I felt like if all blood had left my veins sucked up by a vampire who had left me empty. I knew what my father was going to tell us, but I didn't want it to be true.
«Father, what is it? What are those paper rolls?»
«Toya, you and I are called to duty. It is a great honour, so be proud my son.»
«Yes...»
«But Father! You have already served the Emperor. You can't fight once again! Your health! Think of mother!» Tears were pouring down my cheeks. I didn't want my brother to go either, but I had no arguments against it in his case. All I knew was that father had problems to walk so he would end up dead. It seemed like he didn't want to face it.
«That is enough Sakura! It is an honour to serve once again for the Emperor. I'm quite able to defend myself and my country!» Men and their pride!
«No your not! You can barely walk!» I know it wasn't a thing to say, but I couldn't support him dying because he was being stubborn.
«That's enough young lady. It's not your place to discuss what I can or cannot do.» My father was really angry for he had never talk to me about my «woman's place». Maybe it wasn't really madness. It looked more like if he knew I was right and he was afraid of it. That was why I could easily forgive him, but I was hurt: hurt that my father would say my place is not important enough to have a word in this.
Then, Touya placed a hand on my shoulder and directed me towards my room. Before leaving me, he softly pet my head. His way to comfort me I guess.
Soon, my mother entered my room, tears threatening to fall from her beautiful and flawless eyes. We both took each other in our names.
«They'll be back because your father has not accomplish everything he has to and your brother will be a father so he has no choice but to come back.» Her voice broke into a sob.
At this statement, a strong jolt crawled into my body. Touya was having a baby? Life was so unfair. My mother might not even be there for the birth of his first child. That was and would always be the worst torture a loving father could support.
«Will Kaho-san tell him about the baby?»
«She's telling him at this very moment. She didn't know if it was better not to tell him, but I told her to. Motivation to come back will be very welcome.» Once again, sadness took over my mother. I cried too, cuddled into her arms as if I was still a young girl.
At dinner, everyone was silent. Still, everything was too loud. And too heavy: I could barely eat. Kaho couldn't either I guessed from her bowl of rice untouched.
It seems my father couldn't bare the silence either, because he started babbling non-stop. Of nothing. When he realised it didn't help a bit, he decided to talk about what we wanted to forget.
«It seems Touya and I are not in the same base. Touya will be at Itoigawa while I'll be in Niigata. I talked to Eriol-san and he told me he would be the doctor of both camps. He'll be travelling between his assigned camps with Tomoyo-san since she can't let him go to wa... to those bases.» His voice was steady. He was hiding his emotions and was definitely trying to comfort us. Touya was holding Kaho's hand, but showed a stoic face.
They were all courageous. Even Tomoyo was going to help while I would stay here. Or not. I had time to think about it. I would not stay at home and do nothing. I knew what I should and would do. I would be reckless, but atleast, my father would be safe.
This night I didn't go to sleep. At all. I packed my necessary belongings and attached everything to my horse. He didn't got the time to get use to me, but he seemed docile enough. Then I went in my father's room and stole his summoning paper. This way, I could present myself as his youngest son who had taken his father's place because he couldn't go himself. Then, I went to an other room to take his armour. Touya had his own, but I didn't. It was a bit too big, but it was adjustable. Finally, I took my sword. It was specially made for me. Not too heavy, not too light. Not too girly too, not that it would survive to a close exam, but this shouldn't happen. I was ready. I had left a letter of my intentions on my bed. Once I would be gone, they would not be able to stop me because women were not allowed in the army as soldiers: it was immoral and shameful, but I had no choice and if I played my cards correctly, I might had a chance to get out of there in one piece; me and my family's pride.
Once on my horse, I kicked its sides and we were gone for what I hoped would not be any last big adventure.
So? Liked it? With only one chapter it might be difficult to judge, but still... Some people who like Walt Disney may see the influence of the story Mulan, but I promise it will not be a pale copy of the film. It will get more different in the next chapter. I just thought Sakura would be the kind of girl to do everything she can to protect her family. So, I think that's all. Except one thing: I SHOULD HAVE BE MORE PREPARED FOR MY EXAM!!! Well, that's it. Thanks for reading!
Good evening, Bonsoir and Guten Abend!
Viel Spass alles! (A lot of fun everone!)
Lune-diamant