Introductions: Chapter Two
By: Sakura
"Kinomoto Sakura…"
Xiao Lang lay in bed, his hands behind his head, unable to sleep. He just kept repeating the name over and over in his head. He couldn't forget her; the light in her emerald green eyes, her smooth satiny brown hair, the soft wistful smile…The girl had poured her heart out to him earlier, though not in much detail, and she told him about the deaths of her friends and family, possibly consumed by fire. She almost wished she had been with them at that time.
When Xiao Lang was about to ask her where this happened, they both heard voices - guards! It had to be. The two broke their embrace and Xiao Lang turned to leave.
Starting to leave, Xiao Lang felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around and faced Sakura again. Her eyes were downcast as she spoke.
"Will I ever see you again?" she asked him softly, unsure herself, why she was asking such a bold question, especially to a man, of all people.
"I'll seek you out soon," he promised her. For the first time in months, a smile broke through Sakura's clouded expression and the tears were wiped from her eyes. Her smile, the sweet enchanting smile, was captivating him. Xiao Lang proceeded to surprise her - and himself - by drawing Sakura close to him and gently placed a kiss on her cheek.
As the voices grew louder, Xiao Lang knew he had no choice but to go and swiftly scaled the wall, standing atop them. He thought all the while, thinking of how beautiful this girl was, her demure smile, her naïveté…he wanted to stay with her, to protect her. Yet, a nagging thought came to his mind, the security at the palace had gone downhill, being much worse than in bygone times. Maybe he was more experienced and could keep from getting caught; though it seemed foolish to have to sneak around one's home. Sakura hadn't moved an inch since Xiao Lang kissed her, except to place her hand over her cheek, the exact spot he had kissed her. She suddenly flushed a rosy pink blush.
When the guards finally found Sakura, they were half-expecting her to resist; they were surprised when she followed them back willingly. As Sakura was walking away, she turned slightly, a movement that went unnoticed by either guard and took a sidelong glance at the wall Xiao Lang had stood upon. He had already disappeared.
Xiao Lang turned over to his side and propped his head up with one hand. "I never told her my name…" he said aloud, after a moment.
"Master Li?"
Grumbling as he woke, Xiao Lang sat up and stretched. It had taken him a while to get to sleep. He still couldn't erase her from his mind. Opening his eyelids, he saw his advisor before him. "What is it?" he mumbled sleepily.
Jin Chi bowed respectfully to his Master. "I'm sorry for waking you, Master Li," he said, "but Prince Li wishes to speak with you."
Though there were many Li's with the title of Prince, himself included, Xiao Lang had a feeling he knew who it was. Jin Chi had left his room by then, laying out his daily clothes for him. The elder man had chosen simple white clothing, as a remembrance to the former Emperor, since after all, a person wore white when someone had passed on. It symbolized death for them. Slipping into them quickly and not bothering about his hair, which never stayed in place anyway, he walked out of his room and into the entrance hall, somewhat like a parlour. Shui Ken sat on the chair, drinking his tea, apparently displeased about being forced to wait. Xiao Lang stood by the doorway, unable to move, completely stunned by Shui Ken's clothes. His brother wore a brilliant robe, dark yellow in material, set with jewels and sparkling beads. Xiao Lang was quick to anger.
"Our father just passed away," he cried, storming into the room, "and you can't even dress as though you cared for him?" He stopped in front of him, seething, while Shui Ken just looked at him calmly and returned to his tea. "I know you don't care," he continued, "you've never liked him, but couldn't you at least pretend to? For the sake of your mother; even just to save face if you want!" Xiao Lang was obviously angry for he shared a deep bond with his father, even if he was the fifteenth son.
Shui Ken raised an eyebrow, still watching his brother calmly. "You really need to calm down, brother," he said, "after all, I don't think father would want us to be mourning for him. It's just a great waste of time." Xiao Lang clenched his fist and was ready to punch his older brother, only…if only he were the elder of the two.
"What do you want?" he asked, knowing he was speaking rudely. He didn't care; Shui Ken didn't even know how to respect their father, the former Emperor. He didn't deserve any politeness.
Placing the tiny cup down on the table, Shui Ken stood up. "There's no one else around," he said, referring to the fact that most of the other brothers were either asleep or helping prepare for the memorial service, "and I just needed to show off a beautiful treasure that came in for me yesterday." He flashed a smile and walked out of Xiao Lang's home. "Come on," he said, making his way outside. Xiao Lang was having a hard time controlling his fist; it was shaking so hard because…He scowled darkly. Some people cannot be reasoned with. He unclenched his fists and followed his brother outside.
"Here's your breakfast, Princess," said Tomoyo as she walked into the room, placing a tray down with a bowl of congee and a pot and cup for tea. Sakura nodded absently as she combed her hair. Then someone took the comb out of her hand. Sakura turned around and looked at Tomoyo, who smiled at her. "Please sit down," she said, indicating to the chair before the table. Sakura obeyed and sat down and Tomoyo began to brush her long brown hair. "Prince Shui Ken is coming and I must help you dress up for when he arrives," she told her Mistress as she worked. "I heard he's bringing along a guest with him as well." Sakura stiffened when she heard the name "Shui Ken". She abruptly stopped Tomoyo from brushing and stood up, walking to the window and pushing it open.
"There's no need," she said, "because I refuse to see him." She stood by the window, looking at the bright blue sky. Birds fluttered by and Sakura wished she was a bird; free to go fly wherever she wanted. Tomoyo clasped her hands together, horror-stricken.
"But, Princess," she protested. "We mustn't disobey orders, especially not those from a Prince."
Sakura was silent for a moment. "I don't care," she said, after the pause. Suddenly, Tomoyo was at her feet, bowing to her. Sakura watched the other girl, surprise etched on her face. Tomoyo looked up at her pleadingly.
"Princess," she said, "I don't want to force you into doing something you don't want to, but please understand. If I don't get you prepared, I'd either go to jail or be put to death. You would be punished as well. I don't want anything to happen to you." And as suddenly as she had gone down, the handmaiden was sitting up again, her hands clasped, stars in her eyes. "But I would love to get a chance to help prepare you. It'd be so much fun if someone was able to wear the robes I created." Sakura chuckled at the handmaiden's free-nature.
"All right," replied Sakura. Tomoyo clapped her hands excitedly and Sakura sat back down again. As soon as Tomoyo was finished, Sakura had taken on a whole new look. In fact, she couldn't even recognize herself when she saw herself in the looking glass. Her long brown hair had been put up; a headdress, with a blooming pink flower in the center, sat atop her head while her hair was pulled back and braided. It was then held up with little butterfly-like clips. At the back of the headdress was a white flower-like ornament that pinned the rest of her hair in place.
Even Sakura's clothing had changed. She now wore a simple long pink skirt that was pleated on both sides, which flowed down so far that it was brushing the ground; even with her high shoes on. Overlapping this was the top, stopping past a few inches past her waistline. It was made of the same pink material and shade but the cuffs were decorated with beads and jewels on a deep rose coloured border. The high collar had clasp-like buttons as did the rest of her shirt, trailing down to her lower back. Tomoyo stepped back after she fitted the last button and sighed. "It looks beautiful," she said. Sakura felt rather embarrassed for she felt like someone was going to put her on a pedestal as an ornament of some sort. "What do you think?"
"It's lovely," answered Sakura honestly, "but…must the colours be so elaborate? After all, my family and friends died recently and this is so…"
"I know, Princess," sighed Tomoyo. "But those were the orders. I'm really sorry," she added, "about your family." Sakura looked up at her and smiled sadly.
"Thank you," she said. Tomoyo was about to add something else when they heard someone proclaim the arrival of Li Shui Ken and Li Xiao Lang. Tomoyo hastily went downstairs while Sakura smiled inwardly, thinking about her new friend. Yesterday, she had been to tired and heartbroken to size up her new handmaiden. But now she saw that Tomoyo had a gentle nature and always seemed to be anxious to please. She followed her handmaiden down a few seconds later. Tomoyo was already on the ground bowing as Shui Ken entered the room, giving the usual "ten thousand years/immortality" chant. Sakura had been taught moments before that she needed to bow her head slightly when the Prince arrived. She hated doing it, though.
"Greetings, Prince Li," she said coldly, unable to keep disdain out of her tone. She despised him and she never tried to hide it. Shui Ken smirked slightly. He didn't care if she hated him. All that mattered was now she would be his.
"Xiao Lang," he said, turning to his brother, "I'd like you to meet my new concubine, straight out of Japan." Sakura bowed slightly to him as well, still being respectful.
"Japan?" thought Xiao Lang with alarm. "That's the country he…" He turned back to listening to his brother speak.
"…name's Kinomoto Sakura." He began listening attentively. That name! When he studied the girl before him, Xiao Lang could clearly see the emerald green eyes from the night before. It was her! She was to be his brother's…? He tried driving the thought out of his mind. To see her sweet, pure innocence…destroyed by his brother. He couldn't let that happen.
Sakura grimaced with distaste. His concubine? Where did he get that idea? Shui Ken finished introducing his brother to her, someone by the name of Xiao Lang. "He's probably as despicable as his brother," she thought to herself. As she lifted her head, her eyes caught sight of warm amber ones staring back at her intently. Her eyes widened and she took a step backward, tripping on her shoes. Xiao Lang leapt forward in an instant and caught her arm; his back turned to his brother. Without Shui Ken seeing, Xiao Lang put a finger to his lips, gesturing for her to keep silent, which Sakura understood, giving him a subtle nod.
"How clumsy of me," she said, murmuring to herself. "Thank you." Xiao Lang nodded curtly before turning to his cousin.
"So why did you want to bring me here?" he asked. "Merely to brag you have a new concubine?" Shui Ken nodded, smirking.
"That was the idea, little brother," he said, still smiling. "Even only nineteen-years-old, this will be my sixth and you don't even have one." Xiao Lang scowled in Shui Ken's direction and pretended to walk out, as if offended by his brother's words. In actuality, he didn't know how long he could keep his emotions in check and wanted to be out of there before his brother made him want to do some serious damage. Shui Ken looked over at Sakura, walked to her and taking her hand in his, kissed it gently. "I'll be back later, my cherry blossom," he told her. To Sakura's instant relief, Shui Ken followed his brother outside and she released the breath she was holding.
"I don't believe it," she thought, her mind racing. "He was actually Shui Ken's brother. But they're so different…Xiao Lang was kind and gentle to me last night…or was that just a cover? Could he really be just like Shui Ken? I sincerely hope not…" She closed her eyes. "But why do I care?" She opened her eyelids again, confused. "Is it because I've never met anyone like him before?"
"So that's the reason you invaded Japan?" exclaimed Xiao Lang. "To get a girl?"
Shui Ken was back to his tea while Xiao Lang was pacing angrily around the room back in his home. "That's the general idea," he answered.
"It doesn't answer why you burned the city to the ground!" continued Xiao Lang.
"It's quite simple, really," replied Shui Ken, as if explaining to a mere child. "With the city gone, the girl has nowhere else to go and she has no choice but to stay here." He sipped his tea for a minute. "With me," he added, putting his cup down.
"Don't you even care for the fact that she obviously despises you?" asked Xiao Lang, trying one more time.
"It doesn't bother me at all," countered Shui Ken. "She's too beautiful to pass up; besides, I like someone with a little spirit. Too much isn't good, and none at all is boring, but she's got some and it makes things more interesting. Do you understand that at least?"
Xiao Lang had no answer to that. Shui Ken's actions were wrong, completely wrong. And the fact that he cared so little about their father's death was far worse. Shui Ken watched Xiao Lang, studying him carefully. Shui Ken wasn't stupid - on the contrary, actually - and it wasn't a secret that there was no love lost between them. They never liked each other to begin with and Shui Ken never missed a chance to show off something to Xiao Lang. But something was different this time…He just couldn't put his finger on what it was exactly.
Shui Ken, wanting time to think about the change in his brother and the important matters at hand, excused himself and left the room. Xiao Lang sat down and held his head in one hand. "How am I going to save Sakura from my brother?" he wondered.
Author's Note: Omigosh! I can't believe how many people have reviewed the first chapter! ^_^ I hope you like the second chapter as much as you did the first! You, the reviewers…you've inspired me to write more!! Keep reviewing if you like this! And thanks to all the people that have already reviewed! The adventure has barely just begun. These first few chapters are merely a prelude to the real story…
I am not trying to make China out to be a bad country or anything! It's just a few particular people from China that aren't exactly what you would call angels, that's all! I would never try to give China a bad name! Ever!
About the clothing in the beginning…well, I don't really know, but I had learned from a few people (family, if you will) that when someone died you wore white and I also remembered that in a lot of television shows, the Emperor almost always dressed in fancy yellow (gold) robes. Please correct me if I'm wrong on this.
I thought I had mentioned Sakura's age in the last chapter, but…*shrugs* Sakura is now sixteen years old; as is Xiao Lang and Tomoyo. Shui Ken is nineteen, which I know I mentioned in this chapter. ^_^
Author's Note to Kloud: Sakura with magic? W-e-ll, remember, this is a prelude. I don't really want to give any hints. =) Maybe I'll supply a couple occasionally, but not any to completely give away the storyline or the ideas I have planned…
That necklace Fujitaka gave Sakura…visualize Sakura's star key, minus the wings. Okay! No more hints!
I've barely started this fic and the "Author's Notes" are already really long! o_O
*Sakura
~The Animé Archives Team