So hey guys : D

This is my uhh.. Second chapter. I had a tough time deciding what's what. And uh probably the whole content. So this is more of somewhat detailed. Explain about Sakura's family as well as Tomoyo's.

I'd like to thank you for the people who read this fanfic. And for those who reviewed! LOTSOFHEARTSHERE. : D Thank you so very much.

I do not own the CCS. (:

I hope you enjoy this chapter, minna!

Chapter 2- Invitations

Dear Kinomoto Sakura,

We hereby announce in this letter that you, are chosen to be one of three following girls that will be competing for the Princess's throne. The kingdom has been searching all throughout the country for a suitable girl to be marrying our dearest prince, Xiao Lang. The three of you shall be tested and analysed. You all will be completing the tasks given in order for us to identify your abilities.

As the addition to your informations, the three of you young girls are the final batch of Tomoeda residence. We've been searching high and low and all the chosen girls of the age 16 and above has been going through what you're about to face. You will be staying at the palace for the entire summer break and go through each stages of the tasks. The three of you shall meet in the palace.

This is a personal request from us. We do hope you give us your best cooperations. We prepared a ride to pick you up by your house, on the very first day of Summer vacation. Bring along your daily needs, though everything will be prepared for you in the palace. Your family will be informed personally by the King's messenger.

Further details will be explained once you arrive.

Sincerely,

King and Queen of Japan.

"Well, Sakura. You have to go. It's a request from the King and Queen. Plus, everyone else entered it before you" Tomoyo beamed out. Her voice trying their best to bring ease to Sakura's worries. Doesn't seem to help much though, Sakura's face has never been paler.

"Not all of the girls in the world did, Tomoyo. Only the chosen. But then how come you didn't get the letter, Tom-.." Barely able to finish her sentence, her eyes caught sight of the similar white printed sheet in Tomoyo's graceful grip. Sakura lifted her left eye brow, eyeing her bestfriend.

"You did?" Comes the question with obvious, unhidden answers. Sakura felt her heart leaped up, her lips forming a perfect 'o' shaped.

"Mhmm.." Tomoyo hummed out. Her lips plastered with a smile while her head tilted slightly to the side. Sakura sighed out in realief, atleast now she's got a friend, no scratch that; her BESTfriend together for the 'the-search-for-prince's-perfect-wife' thing.

"Oh Tomoyo yokatta da ne!" That auburn-haired girl beamed in excitement. In seconds, her hands found Tomoyo's as they clasped them tightly. Sakura was so happy that she's got company. But she was still uneasy thinking about everything stated in the letter, their future lies based on THAT? How can they get married at such a YOUNG age? They're 16 for crying out loud. A small sigh escaped Sakura's lips, protesting her thoughts.

"Daijoubu yo, Sakura.. We'll be fine" Sakura smiled. Sometimes she can't help but to wonder if Tomoyo had powers to read her mind. Tomoyo never failed to make her feel better, no matter how tough the situation may be. Sakura prayed at that moment. She prayed that neither of them would be chosen. That way they wouldn't have to be separated. It's selfish, Sakura knows.

Though she knows one thing for sure, she will be at her best self during the time in the palace. Sakura was grown that way and she's not planning on bringing shame to her family's name. Like it or not, she has to put up with it. Atleast she'd be entering the palace, her dreams ever since she was small. That's another good thing, right?

Later that evening, Sakura went back home. She had rushed over to Tomoyo's after making that panic call. It was a good thing to come over. I feel so much better. Sakura thought. That's the truth though. She did feel a lot better after talking to Tomoyo. Well, she doesn't have any reason not to. What else could be better? Tomoyo will be entering the same events, go through the same tasks with her. And the best thing of all, Tomoyo will be there along her side. Sakura's not alone.

Sakura had never learned how to be separated from her cousin slash bestfriend. They've been together since babies! Tomoyo's mother, Daidouji Sonomi is Kinomoto Nadeshiko's sister, Sakura's own mother. Sonomi had always been fond of Sakura. Sonomi once told Sakura that she looks a lot like her mother. Everytime Sakura came over to their house, Sonomi would try her best to sneak out from work and visit them. The three of them; Sakura, Tomoyo and Tomoyo's mother always have tea together and chat about how the days went.

Sakura loved Sonomi's presence. Spending time with the Daidouji family is so calming. Sakura spent half of her life with them in it. Though at times Sakura can't help to wonder why, the reason Tomoyo's mother doesn't really like her father; Kinomoto Fujitaka. Sakura's father is the most gentle person she'd known. Ironic, ofcourse he is. Fujitaka is a great cook and that talent seems to flow inside both Touya and Sakura.

Their cozy house is never dusty. Fujitaka works as a lecturer in the Tomoeda University. His students fancies him, most of them made Fujitaka as their inspiration. Sakura's family always had their schedule. Cleaning duty, breakfast duty and dinner duty. They take turns on the house chores. They also have a white board, to write their daily activities on. Touya oftened have part time jobs, ofcourse. The board keeps the family updated on each other's doings.

Sakura's smile faded when she felt a weight bumping against her own. Her thoughts flown to who knows where. She stumbled a few steps back before she felt herself wanting to meet the hard road. Sakura shut her emerald orbs shut, bracing for the flat fall but after a few seconds, Sakura hasn't been laying on the ground. When she peaked through her lids, she found a pair of deep brown gaze. When the top of her head felt warm and stingy Sakura let out a childish whine.

"Oniichaaaaan!" Touya's throaty laughter rang out in delight. It's always a good feeling to bully his little sister. Touya kept Sakura's petite form secured in his arms, his knuckles rubbing ontop of her head. Sakura's cries shot up an octave while herself struggling under Touya's grip, wanting so badly to break free. Her pleading tone made Touya broke into an evil grin, enjoying her torture.

"Say sorry, kaijuu" He spoke out. Sakura's eyes shot up in alarmed, one thing she had always hated is being called a monster and her brother would always rub it in her face.

"KAIJUU JA NAI!" She shrieked at her highest pitch, one foot stomped onto Touya's. That made him back away. Sakura felt herself being released from his arms, landing gently onto her feet. She watched with a satisfied smirk plastered onto her face as Touya skipped up and down while holding his so-gonna-be-swollen foot, his voice strainly muttered strings of curses. That really hurt.

"Kono gaki.. Oi!" His eyes trained helplessly at the running little girl. His ears took in her ringing laughter, showing just how much revenge on him made her happy. Touya sprinted forward to chase his little sister, both of them raced home in an endless electric glare in between them. Ofcourse Touya was the one who stumbled in through their door first with his giant, monster-like legs. Sakura can't help but to give another good stomp onto his foot before dashing her ways to her welcoming father, hiding herself behind him.

They spent a few good minutes more to be chasing and running after each other. Fujitaka had a tough time being in between that bickering. Touya's hands worked their hardest to grasp atleast a glimps of Sakura's. Their laughter warmed up the dining hall, illuminating such a cozy environment. Touya smiled, flakes of happiness tagged along as he finally gave up, reached over to pat gently onto Sakura's head and went ahead to assist their father. Sakura stuck out a teasing tongue over at Touya's way, followed by a bright smile of her own. Both of them then helped Fujitaka to set the table, one or two bickering occured once in a while. All in all, they sat together for the food Fujitaka had prepared for dinner.

"Itadakimasu!" They clasped their hands with the chopsticks in between.

As they ate in silence,

"I've heard from the King's messenger.." Fujitaka stated out calmly. Both Touya and Sakura turned their heads towards him. Sakura was the first to break away their gaze, her emerald eyes stared down to her lap. Touya stared understandingly onto Fujitaka, his head then bobbing into a silent nod. . This is it, the talk. Sakura gently tapped down her chopsticks, giving her lower lip several nips before digging into her pockets and sliding the folded paper along the surface of the table. Touya reached for it but their father got hold of the sheet first. The paper unfolded and Fujitaka's warm eyes scanned through each word, each line. That smile on his face never faded as he would then pass the letter over to Touya.

"I guess it is true.." Came out Touya's rough voice. He too, had been notified by one of the King's messengers. Sakura noticed the slight shake buried deep in his voice, restraining something almost like a growl. She couldn't bring herself to lift her head up and meet their eyes. It's heartbreaking to know that she wouldn't be able to be with them for the next three months. They were suppose to go visit Sakura's great grandfather, it's been so long. Now she'll be missing that trip. Sakura felt tears welled up in her eyes, a pair of strong arms engulf her in a warm hug. She didn't notice when but somehow her father had walked to her, taking her in his arms. Sakura's head was enclosed by a warm hand, Touya's.

She tried her best not to break it out but her insticts knew better and she broke into sobs, willing her tears to stream down her rosy cheeks and sipped through Fujitaka's shirt. Touya comfortingly pat onto her head, giving light strokes along those soft auburn locks while Fujitaka kept her safe in his securing hug, his head enclose down onto her shoulder. There's nothing else they could do. One of this family member is going away for a quite long time. What will they do without her cheerful self to always lighten up the house. Their precious cherry blossom won't be around for a good three whole months. Oh what ever could we do without you, Sakura.. Was what Fujitaka had voiced inside his mind.

What ever could we do without you, Gaki.. Touya silently called out, deep down inside his heart.

Yokatta da ne - That's great/ That's a relief.

Daijoubu yo - It's alright.

Oniichan - Big brother.

Kaijuu - Monster.

Kaijuu ja nai - I'm not a monster!

Kono gaki - This brat.

So there you have it. Chapter 2. I'm sorry for the grammatical mistakes, spelling errors and everything else. I did read through a couple of times but I might have missed out couple of things. And perhaps having Tomoyo invited that way kind of a bummer eh?

I don't think this chapter is quite long either D: I'm sorry, this is all I have for this chapter. I had a reviewer that ask whether this story consists of normal stuffs or the CCS way, magic.

I'm still uhh.. Considering that (: I'll leave that as a surprise~ Thank you for reading (: I really appriciate it.

Do leave me reviews if you have comments or ideas to spice things up, ne? Arigatou.

Overall I hope you guys enjoyed it. I'll do my best on the third chapter. YOSH! \(^0^)/