Welcome to my new story, Unwilling. So, in this story, Sakura and Tomoyo are sisters. Just needed to clarify that.
It was a fine, sunny morning as Sakura lay asleep in the shade beneath the large willow tree in the garden of her family's home, which was brimming with beautiful flowers and greenery of all kinds. The gentle breeze brushed against her pale skin and through her hair, and she woke to the approaching footsteps of her sister.
"Sakura, are you awake?" she asked softly.
"Mm." Sakura mumbled her reply, her eyes still shut against the glare of the sun through the leaves.
"Mother wishes to speak with us concerning some important matters."
Sakura sighed and opened her eyes to sit up. She saw her beautiful raven colour haired sister standing with a gentle smile, her amethyst coloured eyes radiating warmth and kindness.
"How long have I been asleep, Tomoyo?" Sakura asked softly.
"Perhaps about an hour?" her sister suggested.
Tomoyo was beautiful, with her long wavy hair braided over her shoulder. She wore a pale purple gown with white lace along the low neckline which showed her cleavage of her large bust and clung to her sinuous curves before gracefully falling to the ground at her wide hips.
On the other hand, Sakura had her short, pale caramel hair pulled back with a silver flower clip with only a few strands to surround her gentle oval shaped face, and her large doe-like eyes a gentle emerald green colour. Her lips were soft and pink, and her skin pale. She wore an emerald coloured dress with black lace, similar in design to Tomoyo's.
She stood, "Let's not keep her waiting. I don't feel like being yelled at again." Sakura sighed.
Tomoyo giggled for a moment, "Yet somehow you manage to get yelled at anyway." She teased.
"Hush, sister." Sakura said as she nudged Tomoyo with her elbow. "I don't recall ever doing anything out of line."
"That depends on your definition of 'out of line'." Tomoyo smiled.
Sakura smiled also and they giggled together at their little joke.
Unlike her sister, Sakura hated having the social expectations of a woman forced upon her. Of course she had grown up and was skilled at sewing and embroidery, along with various other arts that she had been taught from a young age, though her cooking wasn't terribly great. In secret, she had taught herself how to paint, as painting was not something appropriate a lady such as herself should be doing. But she found comfort in it, and that was enough for her. Tomoyo, however, didn't mind the social expectations. She drank her tea and found enjoyment in her embroidery and tapestries.
They turned down the hall to the lounge where their mother was waiting, dressed elegantly in a crème coloured dress with a floral pattern and lace. She had tea waiting for them and smiled upon seeing the two girls.
Their mother was a beautiful woman, with long wavy hair and deep emerald green eyes. Her face was kind, though she could be strict at times, and she loved her daughters more than anything else in the world.
"Please, have a seat girls." She smiled.
Sakura and Tomoyo sat on the plush couch across from their mother, and Tomoyo picked up the cup in front of her. Sakura did the same, and seeing the expression on her mother's face she placed the cup back down.
"Is something the matter, Sakura?" her mother asked with a smile.
After a brief moment of silence, Sakura brought her cup to her mouth. "No, everything is fine." She replied.
She knew that her mother was holding back on something, and she wondered what it was. She knew that they weren't in a good financial position, and while she did worry about it she knew that they would be ok…hopefully.
"So what did you wish to speak with us about, mother?" Tomoyo asked politely with her usual smile.
"Actually, it's in regards to marriage." Their mother replied.
Sakura felt herself freeze and she could hardly breathe. Marriage? No way. She didn't think she could take it.
"As we aren't in a very good financial situation, I have arranged for you two to be married to two wealthy men. I believe that they will treat you right, and that this will better your future." Their mother continued seriously.
Sakura still couldn't find her voice, but Tomoyo smiled. "As long as he's nice, then I don't mind at all." She said.
Sakura said nothing and fisted her hand in her soft satin skirt. "No…" she whispered. "I can't do this…"
Tomoyo looked to her sister after placing her cup back in its saucer and placed her hand over hers. "Don't worry, I'm sure they'll be lovely." She said in her sweet voice.
Sakura sighed. It wasn't like she had any choice in the matter anyway. "Well, it's for the family, so fine."
Her mother smiled sadly, "I do apologise, but you've been of age for a while." She said. "The two of you will be meeting them within the next two days, and from there the wedding will be within the next week."
Sakura felt like curling up into a ball and crying. It was the worst possible thing to happen. She felt sick at the thought of having to bare a stranger's child when she didn't even love him. "May I leave?" she asked quietly.
"Of course." Her mother replied, and she stood and left the room.
Tomoyo smiled at her mother, "She'll come around, I'm sure."
"I hope so, sweetie. I know how she is, but this is for the best." The woman sighed sadly.
…
Over the next two days, Sakura and Tomoyo were fitted for elegant dresses. It was tiring, and as she sat down in the lounge where her mother had called for her and Tomoyo once again, she cracked her neck.
"Sakura!" Her mother snapped.
"What? My neck was stiff." She replied.
Her mother shook her head and Sakura leant back in her seat. Tomoyo sat quite happily as she drank her tea, used to her sister's 'unusual' behaviour.
"The two men who you are intended to are coming to meet you in an hour. Please get ready." She said.
Sakura choked on her tea. "What!?" she cried.
Her mother gave her a sharp glare and she sighed. There was definitely no getting out of it now, and she was frightened of what her life would be like.
"Fine." She mumbled.
"Let's go," Tomoyo smiled, and headed out of the lounge room with Sakura to her bedroom.
Sakura's dress was an elegant emerald green gown with a low neckline which showed the tops of her pale shoulders and breasts. It was fitted to her hips and fell to the floor to show off her curves, and the edges of the sleeves and the neckline were embellished with elegant black lace. Around her neck was a choker made of black obsidian stone and beads, and centred in the middle were large emeralds. Her hair had been pulled back and pinned up with a matching clip.
"Come on, I'm going to pull the corset a little tighter!" Tomoyo smiled.
"Why? It's tight enough." Sakura complained as Tomoyo pulled it tighter.
"So he can see more of your perfect figure!" she said cheerfully.
"What?!" Sakura cried, mortified.
"All done!" Tomoyo smiled, and then laced up the back of Sakura's green dress.
She turned to see her sister dressed in an elegant sapphire blue gown that showed off her bust and hips, decorated with embroidery and embellished with intricate black lace. Her hair was up in a bun surrounded by many braids and curls, with sterling silver jewellery around her neck and in her ears.
"Are you ready to meet them?" Tomoyo asked Sakura.
"I don't want to go." Sakura sighed.
She really hated the thought of being married off. In fact she despised it. She didn't understand why everyone saw women as being so inferior to men-they were just as capable of working and leading as men were.
"Come on, let's head back to the lounge. We mustn't keep our visitors waiting." Tomoyo smiled.
…
Syaoran walked with one of the maids down the hall, feeling bored as he walked. He wasn't thrilled at the thought of marriage, but it was necessary since he needed a son to inherit his family name. He was tired of the maids back at his own residence that tried to seduce him for his money. He didn't like the reasoning behind the marriage, either-it was also for money. He hoped that at least the woman he was to marry was pretty.
He looked up as a familiar dark-haired male turned the corner and he raised his brow. "Eriol, I didn't know you were here also."
The man also looked surprised. "Yes, my parents arranged for me to meet with one of their daughters." He replied, referring to the family whose home they were currently in.
"I see." Syaoran answered.
"You don't seem too pleased." Eriol noted.
"I can't say I really am, but we'll see what happens."
The man named Eriol laughed. He was tall and thin, but graceful. His skin was pale and his eyes a stunning sapphire blue colour, while he wore black dress pants with a white shirt and blue tie beneath his tailcoat. Sitting on his nose were a pair of glasses.
Syaoran wore similar clothing, with a green tie and a simple black coat to keep him warm. The maid opened the door to the lounge and held it open for them, and they entered. Sitting inside at the end of the coffee table was an older woman whom Syaoran assumed to be the mother, and sitting on the couch were two girls; both were rather pretty, though he didn't mind the girl with the green eyes.
"Please, take a seat." The woman smiled kindly.
Both Syaoran and Eriol did, and she introduced her two daughters.
"Please meet my daughters; this is Tomoyo," she said, gesturing to Tomoyo who was sitting opposite Eriol, "And this is Sakura."
"It's a pleasure to meet you." Eriol greeted with a smile.
Tomoyo smiled back with one of her usual smiles, however Sakura's face stayed expressionless. "The pleasure is all ours," Tomoyo replied.
Their mother smiled, "Girls, allow me to introduce you. This young gentleman is Eriol, and this young gentleman is Syaoran." She introduced the two to the girls.
Sakura looked up briefly and eyed the two of them; they couldn't have been much older-maybe one or two years perhaps? She hoped not too many years. She was only twenty. She looked at Syaoran, noticing his dark chocolate coloured hair and amber coloured eyes. He was muscular but not bulky, and she couldn't deny that he was attractive.
"Good afternoon," Syaoran greeted, and bowed his head as so many of the higher class were taught in their etiquette.
Sakura looked away and didn't say a word, her expression appearing conflicted with emotions. Syaoran wondered why she didn't speak and why she looked so uncomfortable and could have sworn he saw a tear roll down her cheek.
Does she not wish to be married? He wondered.
He looked to Eriol who had a straight face and he knew that something strange was going on in his head. They had known each other for years and were close friends, so he knew his strange cues and how his friend acted.
Eriol leant towards him, "Dibs on the raven-haired one." He said so that neither of the girls could hear.
"Whatever." Syaoran muttered. He was interested in Sakura anyway-the way she acted appeared that she didn't want to get married, and he was curious. However, she was also very attractive.
"Have you chosen your intended?" their mother asked with a kind smile.
Sakura went rigid at her mother's words, and she could feel the one named Syaoran looking at her with curiosity.
Stop staring. She thought to herself bitterly.
"Lady Tomoyo, if I may?" Eriol smiled. Tomoyo smiled back kindly, and he kissed the tips of her fingers.
It appeared that Eriol had chosen Tomoyo as his intended, which left Sakura to Syaoran. He did the same and as Sakura looked over at her mother she noticed that she was just brimming with happiness.
She hated it, hated how her mother was so pleased with how things were going. She feared her upcoming life. She'd be chained down to the house under the command of a man, and she didn't like the idea of losing her freedom.
The two men stood, and so did the girls and their mother. "Thank you for coming today; please look after my daughters."
They nodded, and Sakura watched as a maid led them from the room and out of the house. Their mother sat back down as did Tomoyo and Sakura, and she poured them both some tea.
"During the week you will be having afternoon tea with your intended to get to know them a little more. Your belongings will slowly be moved to your new residences over the course of the week."
Sakura stood and walked out of the room, slamming the door shut behind her. She couldn't stand it anymore.
…
For a full day Sakura sat in her room and watched as her things were slowly packed into boxes. She hugged her knees to her chest as she sat on her bed, refusing to leave. Her mother hadn't come to see her and she didn't really want to see her anyway, knowing it would be useless to talk to her. There was a knock at her door and she ignored it.
Her door opened and Tomoyo walked in, "Sakura, are you alright?" she asked.
"What do you think? My life is completely over now." She mumbled.
Tomoyo came to sit beside her and smiled. "Don't think like that. You never know-he could be really nice."
"No-you don't understand. I don't want to be chained down by a male for the rest of my life-it's not fair…I want to be free to do what I want." Sakura whispered.
Tomoyo sighed, "I'm sure you'll be ok, Sakura…"
"Aren't you bothered by this?" she asked her sister.
Tomoyo smiled, "Not really. As long as he's kind, then that's fine."
Sakura didn't understand how her sister could be so casual about it. Sometimes it irritated her, but her sister's casual attitude was what usually kept her at ease so often. She rarely cared about anything, and that was why Sakura knew she could tell her anything that was on her mind. Her sister accepted her for who she was without any conditions, and she was so grateful for that.
…
Sakura sat out in the gardens at the table with Syaoran, as she had forced herself out of her room for the day. She had stayed quiet for a long time, just staring at the cup in front of her. Syaoran wasn't sure what to say and felt a little awkward with her. She was dressed in green again, but her hair was down.
"May I ask what sort of things you enjoy?" he asked her politely.
She looked up slowly and made eye contact with him, but she didn't say anything. She didn't know what to say.
"Won't you tell me?"
"I don't mind embroidery…" she replied quietly. She couldn't tell him anything else. Anything else she liked wasn't particularly seen as normal, and she was a little frightened of what he would do to her if he found out.
"I see." He murmured. "Is that all?"
She looked away, her cheeks a little red with embarrassment. "Yes…"
He felt confused for a moment-it seemed like she was holding back or hiding something from him. It was obvious to him that she was lying, and it irritated him.
Why won't she tell the truth? We're going to get married anyway. He thought to himself, still confused.
He wondered if he saw a hint of sadness on her face but dismissed it as she looked back into her cup and then back to him.
"What about you?" she asked with a small smile. She felt awkward, and if she could she'd already be back up in her room and buried under her bed covers. She could already feel her hands shaking, and she hoped he wouldn't notice.
"There isn't really much I like doing but spending time with a couple of friends can be nice sometimes." He replied.
Something caught her interest in his tone of voice-he almost sounded a little bored-and she looked at him. He looked back at her, making eye contact, and after a moment of an awkward silence she looked back into her teacup and cleared her throat.
"What's on your mind? You appear uncomfortable." He said.
Crap, he noticed. She thought unhappily to herself. She tried to smile convincingly, "I'm just a little nervous about the wedding." Well, it wasn't entirely untrue. She was very nervous.
"I understand." He said.
Do you? She thought bitterly to herself. You hardly know me.
She's obviously nervous. But most girls don't get so nervous their hands shake while holding their teacup. He thought as he watched her shaking hands.
He decided that instead of her being nervous, she was most likely scared-was she afraid of the pain if it was to be her first time? He didn't know.
"Um…what do you…require of me?" she asked quietly.
"Well, you would take over cooking and other duties around the house, I assume." He said.
Over my dead body. She thought to herself angrily.
"And when the time comes, I'll need a son." He watched as her knuckles went white at the word 'son'.
No, she's frightened of married life. He realised. He was sure that she would relax after a while. It wasn't an urgent matter.
"Forgive me for asking, but may I ask your age?" he asked with a polite smile.
"I'm twenty," she replied. "My birthday is the first of April." She was relieved at the change of topic, and he smiled.
Shy, she looked down. "Um…"
As if reading her mind, he spoke up. "I'm twenty-two." He replied.
She nodded. He pulled out his pocket watch and opened it to check the time. "Thank you for your time, my lady, but I'm afraid I must go. Please have a pleasant evening." He said as he stood.
"Thank you for your time." She smiled, standing also.
He pressed his lips to her hand and smiled, "I'll see you again tomorrow." He said, and then left her.
It continued like that for the rest of the week, and soon came the day of the wedding. Sakura hugged her sister goodbye for the last time before she stepped into the carriage to be taken away from the place she grew up for the final time. She would never see it again, and the place she was going to was to be the place she called home for the rest of her life. She watched as her old home disappeared in the distance, along with the town she knew and loved, until she arrived outside the new mansion-her new home.
I hope you all liked the first chapter. Let me know what you thought :)