As promised, the next chapter. The story is 100% complete. All I have to do is upload. Hope everyone's having a good day.


Chapter II - Finding His Smile

"Sakura, the King never said anything about you cooking the meal personally. I'm sure the general's daughter and the duchess already have the kitchen staff hopping with their orders," the seamstress cajoled, hoping to gain an insight into how this tiny foundling could compete with the elder Yoshi and the younger Shinji's wives.

"Tomoyo, Sakura's only looking for her parents, and she's not competing as my wife. I've decided to withdraw from the contest."

The seamstress gave the prince a searching gaze from his perplexing statement, "She's not going to be your wife?"

Sakura shook her head, collaborating Syaoran's story. "I didn't even know he was the Prince until just now."

"Oh!" Tomoyo exclaimed in surprise. "But you get along so well."

"Maybe it's because we're tired and hungry. If you could get the maid to give us a meal, I'm sure tomorrow will shine a new light on things," Syaoran brusquely interrupted.

"Syaoran!" Sakura rebuked his rudeness before she remembered he was still a member of royalty.

The other woman brushed it off and did his bidding, but not before a parting remark, "I like her, Syaoran, she's not afraid of you. It took me a year before I could build up the courage to critique him."

The door closed swiftly, leaving the pair alone.

The young man rounded on her, livid at her sudden timid personality, "Just because you found out I have a title attached to my name does not mean I'm different from the person who hit you with a watermelon peel."

Sakura blinked confoundedly. It was true. He was still the same no matter who he was, and wasn't Syaoran lamenting previously about the women who fawned over him for his wealth and status? Who was she to treat him any differently because of a relation to the throne?

She smiled in atonement, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that, Syaoran, and this is the only time I'm going to say this, but you're right. You're still you, no matter what your position is."

Syaoran bent forward, leaning until his face was literally at her level. "Want to bet this is the only time I'm right?"

Sakura blushed as his features loomed so prominently over her. His lashes fluttered over high cheekbones, and his mouth, when not frowning, was surprisingly appealing.

The young man too could discern more of her physical qualities now that he was closer. She was slim with toned arms and legs, no doubt helping her family with what physical labor she could perform. The girl had also been bestowed with a small, pert nose, and a pretty smile. One she freely gave to him before she knew who he was, much to his astonishment. The few women who didn't know of his status had been quickly rebuffed by his scowling demeanor.

A soft knock on the door announcing their meal interrupted their quiet musings.

The maid entered depositing a fine assortment of food for them to partake of. Tomoyo must have informed their chef of her predicament, because Sakura had a morsel of roasted beef, powdered rice, and tiny vegetables shavings served in a walnut shell. There was even a thimbleful of wine for her. It was heaven after subsisting on watermelons and roots for several days.

Syaoran had the same, and accompanying both their meals was an assorted fruit plate to cleanse their palate.

"We never have beef at home. It's typically fish or chicken with our meals."

"It's because you live along the riverbank. There's not enough room for large livestock to graze. The central regions have enough pasture space for them to feed so it's more common down here."

Sakura looked upon him in amazement. "You're very knowledgeable about the country's agriculture."

He bashfully rubbed the back of his head. "Well, the farmers come to address their concerns about the fields, and it helps to know in times of hardship if we can feed the people or not. It is a poor ruler that doesn't ensure his land can support itself."

"Oh! I didn't know."

She asked the young prince a few more questions, and he gladly informed her of all that he knew. It was not often that he found an attentive female listener. Oftentimes the young woman's eyes would start to glaze over before long. Sakura had never left the confines of her own village, and was eager to learn all that she could.

"What..." the emerald-eyed girl made to ask another question, but yawned before she could complete her query.

Syaoran was disappointed that the night was growing so late, he had been so engrossed with his audience, but gallantly he made her bed out of an empty box and his softest silk cravat. He placed it on his bedside table. He could have requested her to be housed in a guest room, but the thought of the tiny girl all alone in an enormous room, unnerved him, and he desired her to be close by.

"This bed is the best I've even had!" The enthusiastic girl crouched to take a flying leap, but missed, tripped, and still landed with a bounce upon the folds. Syaoran couldn't help but grin at her antics, and she gasped.

"You can smile! I thought you were a sour old man trapped in a young person's body."

He scoffed, "Just because I don't smile and laugh for any stupid reason, doesn't mean I cannot. I just haven't found any reason to do so."

Sakura thought he would have plenty of reasons to be happy, but even though he was royalty, his life had been full of trials, what with the loss of his father and the pressures of the Kingdom. The grass was never greener on the other side.

"Tomorrow I'll issue the inquiry among the villages, and your parents will be here in no time."

"What about the contest?"

He gave her a searching glance from where he was, nestled beneath his own covers. "I already said that I was opting out, but you can try if you want to." Syaoran shrugged, unsure at what the petite girl could do. Most likely she would fall into the soup pot, the accident-prone girl, but he wouldn't do anything to hinder her.

"Thank you, Syaoran for helping me."

"You're welcome Sakura, good night."

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"Sakura."

The young woman fluttered her eyes in the bright moonlight. Sitting upright, she took into account her surroundings. She wasn't at home and definitely not in the watermelon patch anymore. Turning her head, she noticed the young man slumbering beside her. A slight crease upon his forehead marred his smooth skin. Even in sleep his worries haunted him.

"Sakura."

There it was again, the voice that had awoken her. Why was it so familiar?

She slid out of her makeshift bed, slowly padding her way across the expansive bedside table. A half moon from the uncovered window lit her way, and astonishingly the voice was coming from that direction.

A blinding light encompassed her, but she could utter no sound. Burning heat, the power of a star, seemed to explode starting at her chest and expanding to the tips of her fingers and toes. Images, memories flashed through her mind.

"You know who you are."

"Yes," she whispered once she was released from her ordeal. She fingered the glowing pendant that now rested around her neck, the source of her initial discomfort. "What do I do now? Can I go back?"

"No."

She quailed at that edict, but knew they were the consequences of her own actions. "I understand."

"Have hope, child."

Sakura glanced over to where Syaoran still slept fitfully. Perhaps there was some left.

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Syaoran jerked awake with a start.

"Another nightmare," he grumbled. It had been so long since he slept serenely. The man rubbed a world weary hand over his eyes, running them up through his tousled hair. His eyes drifted over to his companion, still sleeping in her makeshift bed. She dozed, curled tightly in a ball, with her hands clasped to her chest.

Such an amusing mystery, this unordinary girl. Imagine seeing from her point of view. How she managed to exist in a formidable world even though she was the size of his little finger. What her parents might have endured in raising her?

He sighed. Now was not the time for wayward thoughts. He had to get on with his morning ablutions to face the long and eventful day.

An hour later Sakura stirred. She fumbled around her neck checking if her pendant was there. How could she have forgotten? Last night was not a dream, but her life so far had been. The revelation changed everything about her existence, but she could still do something with her life. Her handsome rescuer drifted through her mind. Her face burned merely thinking of the quiet Prince.

A knock sounded on the door, and Tomoyo poked her dark head through.

"Oh good, you're already awake."

She made her presence known with her usual flair, and presented her charge with the fruits of her labor.

"Tomoyo! These are beautiful, and you've made them so quickly."

"It wasn't difficult. There's not much material to work with, and I had to use the tiniest stitches but I'm quite proud of it. Try it on."

Sakura gazed in wonderment upon the finery. Her own mother had made due with the coarse cloths at her leisure, but the royal palace had silks and finer material aplenty, and with a Master Seamstress such as Tomoyo, what was before her was a work of art.

She slipped the dress on behind her wooded bed, pulling the stays tightly. The auburn haired girl couldn't believe there was even embroidery at the hem of her dress.

"Tomoyo! It fits, and it looks so wonderful! How can I ever thank you?" She twirled prettily, and clasped her hand together in joy and gratitude.

"Keep talking and listening to our young Prince, and that will be thanks enough."

The dainty girl flushed with color to her cheeks. "Wh-What do you mean?"

"Syaoran has always had to play the part of royalty, and he feels very isolated especially with his duties. My husband and I do our best to draw him out, but he still places a wall between us and his true feelings. He seems to be quite interested in you, Sakura."

"Only as a novelty," Sakura protested. "Once he finds my family, he won't think of me ever again."

'I doubt that," Tomoyo muttered sotto voce. In a louder tone, she gaily commented, "You must be starving, let's get you something to eat, and then I'm to take you on a tour."

"But what of your work for the day?"

"Don't worry," she dismissed Sakura's concerns with an elegant hand. "They're covered, plus Syaoran practically ordered me to."

Sakura laughed knowing how Tomoyo would never tolerate if Syaoran had ordered her to do anything. This was out of the kindness of their hearts, and she was glad of it.

The Seamstress held out a pale hand, and Sakura took a step onto it, again gripping Tomoyo's thumb for support. The telltale signs of calluses from gripping a needle day after day illustrated her chosen profession.

The duo chatted gaily as they wandered the passageways. Tomoyo was always full of gossip, and her descriptions of the palace residents were hilariously enlightening.

"Really it's not much work being a seamstress, except whenever Shinji gets a notion that his clothes are out of date, and don't get me started when he wants the latest round of beautifying potions. It's not so taxing keeping Syaoran and Yoshi placated. Their tastes are much more simplistic. Sometimes Yoshi is too much so. Syaoran is just the right balance of the two."

"Does the populace not have a say in who gets to be king?" Sakura questioned, remembering the contest.

"It is King Daisuke's right to choose his heir. Whether the next ruler actually participates in court matters like the King used to do, or is merely a figurehead like he is now is up to whomever wins the contest. The council of Mandarins typically governs the kingdom anyway."

"Is that where Syaoran is?"

"Yes, ever since he was fostered here, he took a willing interest in the running of the Kingdom. It is a stressful experience though, and I don't think he ever learned to relax."

No wonder the young man was so bowed down with worries. A ruler should have a hand in running the kingdom, and his Syaoran's other cousins seemed to have no inclination of the sort. Sakura would have had the same weary look in her eyes if she was burdened with his heavy responsibilities.

Another reason to help him.

"Tomoyo, can we go into the kitchens?"

"Oh? Thinking of participating in the trial then?"

"Syaoran gave me permission, though he wasn't very enthusiastic about it."

The raven haired girl let out a merry laugh. "He probably thinks you'll get lost in the soup bowl, poor thing. Yes, Yamazaki our cook is an expert in the kitchen, but beware of his lies."

The cook, a serene, talkative man, could spout the most outlandish stories along with creating the most scrumptious meals. Sakura found herself believing every word, but a thump on the back of the head from his wife, Chiharu, the Head Maid, soon rectified his lies.

"Never believe a word that comes out of his mouth, except when it's about food," Chiharu glowered. Her expression bore daggers into his skull.

Sakura questioned him about the supplies. The Palace was always stocked full with provisions for every occasion.

"You never know when you're going to throw a banquet," Yamazaki commented. "Especially when our alien overlords come back to-"

"Yamazaki!"

"Yes dear."

The abashed cook turned back to Sakura. "You're welcomed to use ingredients for the King's challenge, but with your size I don't know how you're going to do it."

"Are the other girls cooking the meals themselves?"

"No, they've instructed us to prepare the dishes to their exact specifications, so don't be afraid to do the same."

"Thank you, Yamazaki, but I think I can manage on my own."

Giving her a strange look (and chalking it up to extraterrestrial activities), he bowed and left for his duties. Tomoyo gathered Sakura up in her grasp again, taking her throughout the splendors of the palace. They spent a pleasant luncheon together while Tomoyo told Sakura of her childhood.

She had found that the beautiful Seamstress had from birth an aptitude for sewing, and was instated as an apprentice to the Head Tailor at a young age. Tomoyo had worked her way through the ranks quickly, even without the aid of magic, and soon found herself taking over her mentor's position when he was fit to retire. The young woman had also found love with one of the Mandarins, Syaoran's best friend, Eriol Hiiragizawa.

"Although you would think that with the way they bicker, they were enemies rather than friends."

"Oh?"

Tomoyo rolled her eyes heavenward. She had most likely contemplated the pair of men many times beforehand. "Eriol intentionally teases Syaoran sometimes. Syaoran quips back in return, and oftentimes seems to be a step away from punching my husband."

Sakura crinkled her nose in confusion, "That doesn't sound very nice."

"Syaoran has threatened to banish Eriol from the kingdom once or twice, but he knows that Eriol gives wise advice, and all his teasing is to Syaoran's benefit. It relieves some of his tension."

Sakura nodded quietly. Tomoyo was like the sister the son of the Middle Prince never had, and Eriol, a teasing brother. It was wonderful that he surrounded himself with such good people, who cared about him in return.

Maybe she could be included as one of Syaoran's chosen few too. Who was she kidding? Syaoran would never consider her with that intimate regard. She shook her head of the errant thought, but was startled to see the man of her musings appearing before her.

"Sakura, Tomoyo."

The ebony-haired girl blinked in astonishment noticing Syaoran had atypically addressed the minuscule girl before her, but bowed respectfully after his greeting.

"Have the council of Mandarins finished their meetings for the day?"

Syaoran ran a hand through his loose locks again. "Yes, they wanted to call it an early end since the future King will be chosen tomorrow."

Tomoyo snorted, in complete contrast to her delicate manners. "To think our reigning monarch will be selected based from a single dish."

The young man agreed, "So our king has decreed, so his will must be done, but it gives me the rest of my day without any meetings, so I intend to make the most of it."

The girls laughed. Syaoran was acting like an errant child let out on vacation from his studies. He held his outturned palm up, and Sakura traversed between the two distinct looking hands fluidly.

"Thank you, Tomoyo, for the tour!" Sakura called out before Syaoran walked away.

The seamstress waved a fond farewell to the retreating pair. It was strange. Syaoran normally spent his free time in solitude, yet with the afternoon's newfound freedom, he sought Sakura first and foremost.

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"Were there a great many problems to deal with today?"

They had retreated to the gardens after the young man had absconded with his precious charge. The King had installed several fruit trees and gardens, but the lavish patches of flowers were the Middle Prince's pride and joy. He had personally planted his favorite peonies, now rich and vibrantly blooming. Syaoran regretted he had so little time now to tend to them, but he took the opportunity to see the blossoms whenever he could.

"A dispute concerning a boundary line between two provinces, mostly. They used the river as the border, and whenever it floods or recedes, both of the mayors get miffed over what's theirs or not."

Sakura giggled picturing the two leaders justifying their qualms about a muddy patch of dirt. Syaoran had wisely ruled that the midpoint of the river's width on average would be permanently marked on parchment, and sealed in the hall's records, thus settling the quarrel.

Her green eyes drifted towards him. Syaoran certainly didn't look like a royal at the moment. He lay supine on the grass, with outstretched arms and legs, heedless of the stains on his clothes. The prince was unwinding, letting the warm sun bathe him with its yellow rays. She told him about her day, Yamazaki's fictional yarns and Chiharu's scolding. "They really love each other, don't they?"

"Yeah, them and Tomoyo and Eriol. It's even worse when they gang up on me."

"I'll protect you, Syaoran."

He smirked imagining a tiny Sakura versus the four of them. That she would willingly put herself in harms way to defend him touched his heart. He wished to do the same for her.

"I've sent the messengers around the towns along the riverbanks. The moment we hear from your family, I'll send them to you. It should only be a few days."

Sakura smiled, breathing a sigh of relief, and grateful that her parent's worried hearts would soon be soothed. It would still be enough time to see someone crowned king.

They spoke of some of the strangest arguments Syaoran had ever encountered at the palace ("A man who wished to sue his own donkey. By my own eyes, if I hadn't seen it, I wouldn't have believed"), and Sakura tried her hand at solving some of the problems he had seen. That of course had led to a spirited debate over the thought processes of men and women which continued on through a shared dinner and bedtime.

The two had changed into sleeping attire. Sakura was dumbfounded to discover that Tomoyo had even taken the opportunity to make bedclothes, in addition to a few more dresses.

"She enjoys what she does," Syaoran said. The young girl had to agree, marveling at the outfits, each lovelier than the last. Sakura was in such a good mood, she allowed the Prince to attempt to unravel any possible spells she could be under. No such luck came from his endeavors.

The young man gave a concerned pause as he watched Sakura later snuggle into her bed. "Did you- Did you have a good time today?"

There it was again. That bright flashing smile that was her answer made his stomach twist peculiarly. He'd have to speak to Yamazaki, and see what concoction the talkative man was putting into the meals. Sakura had mentioned she had Tomoyo take her to survey the kitchens. Would she attempt to cook a meal for his Grandfather? Would the tiny girl do it out of obligation or for him, or for some other reason? Shutting out the unsettling thoughts, he lay down, falling into a light discontented sleep.


Thank you EchizenRyoma, my first reviewer!

YoshitheBunny - I am Vietnamese too and I admit the stories don't make sense sometimes but that's why it's called a fairy tale. They're still enjoyable.

Cat Dawntreader – Look them up. The stories are interesting.

LunaxXmoongoddessXx – I'll update every week. I'm happy you like it.

Dayadmg – Thanks.

Airhead259 – Haha, I'm glad you liked my older works. I hoped I've improved.

504 – Don't worry. This story is 100% done. I hate it when stories are incomplete too.

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