Love Through a Fan
Chapter 4: Getting What You Want
By, Rosekeet
A/N: N/A
Disclaimer: Cardcaptor Sakura and all related characters and trademarks are owned by CLAMP.
Dedicated to: My lava lamp
Rated PG for sensuality

--Syaoran's POV--
For the past 3 days there had been two things on my mind. The abolition movement and Miss Kinomoto. To the disgrace of my southern heritage I am an abolitionist. Slavery is just flat out wrong. My family owns slaves but I try to do as much of my own work as possible. Now, abolition is probably a more urgent cause than Miss Kinomoto, but hey! Abolition won't happen overnight. (Miss Kinomoto won't either but, it could happen a heck of a lot sooner). It was a lovely day. I was driving through town in the wagon. I had been to pick up some lumber. Mother (who was still extremely peeved about the party) had told me to send one of the slaves, but I decided to go myself.
("You'll disgrace the family, Syaoran! You can't do slave work!") But I just ignored her. I'm very good at that. Then, there on the street I saw 3 figures walking. One was a slave girl carrying boxes. The other had creamy skin and long shiny black hair, carrying a few bags. And the other one was the person who had occupied much of my thoughts for the past 72 hours.

--Sakura's POV--
I was complaining to Tomoyo-chan about the dinner at Hie's I was supposed to attend this evening. Father had sent me to buy a new dress. I had done nothing of the sort. I was just going to tell him one couldn't be made in time. Then I'd wear my plainest dress with the highest neckline. And I'd be as boring as possible. Hopefully that would stop him breathing down my neck. But father was so set on my having a relationship with him! Father would be so very disappointed if he knew who I HAD been thinking about. Mr. Li was occupying every corner of my thoughts. I feel asleep thinking of him and woke up thinking of him. And thought of him in between. And I had only seen him once!
"Hello!" Said a voice I had been longing to here.
"Oh, good day Mr. Li!" I said politely turning, hoping I didn't looking too happy.
"Mr. Li." Tomoyo said nodding her head. Magi bobbed a curtsey, looking excited.
"I hope I find you well, Miss Kinomoto and you Miss..."
"Dijodoshi."
"Miss Dijodoshi. I'm sorry. I'm not good with names."
"Quite all right."
"And you...?" He said looking at Magi, who looked startled. She was unused to being noticed by anybody but me and the other slaves.
"Magi." She said shyly, keeping her eyes down.
"Magi." Mr. Li said smiling. "You ladies look quite weighed down with your shopping. Might I give you a lift home, if that is where you are headed?" My mind reeled. Tomoyo would be dropped off first. To be seen in a wagon alone with a man! It could mean social disaster. But, I was feeling daring... And father was away until evening...
"That would be wonderful." I said. He smiled broadly and hopped of the wagon to put the boxes in the back. Tomoyo looked very surprised at me but didn't question. He took my hand to help me in and Tomoyo must have seen my blush because she started smirking like crazy. I ignored her. We made polite small talk as we drove to Tomoyo's home. He helped her unload her packages and she thanked him. It was odd... A wealthy man like him, out with out a slave... curious...
"I've thought about you a lot since my party." Mr. Li said his cheeks looking a bit pink. Hmm... He must have been warm in his jacket.
"And I you." I said going crimson.

--Syaoran's POV--
Dang, she looks good when she blushes! Well, at least we're going some where.
"Did you have a good time shopping?" I queried, changing the subject as I sensed discomfort on both sides.
"All right." She said carefully. "What were you doing, might I inquire?"
"Yes. I was getting some lumber so we can repair the barn." I said. She looked at me curiously. I could read on her face that she was wondering why I didn't send a slave to do it. A shame she's not an abolitionist. But I suppose I can't blame her. It's the way she was raised. I pulled up to the Nadeshiko Plantation and helped her and Magi down. The slave girl looked very uncomfortable. I don't understand what makes people think that black girls don't need help down from wagons and white ones do. I handed them the packages.
"Have a pleasant day, Miss Kinomoto." I said.
"You too Mr. Li." She said with a smile that made the world seem brighter. I drove off in a slight daze.
She got you Syaoran.
She's got you real bad.

--Sakura's POV--
I watched the retreating form of Mr. Li's back. Why did Hie have to be the one after me and not him? I don't care what Tomoyo or any of the other girls said. Mr. Li was much better than Hie. I was more determined than ever to do whatever it took to get Hie to not like me, no, HATE me.
"Mr. Li sure is nice." Magi said slyly carrying the packages up to my room.
"Yes..." I said dreamily.
"You like, him, doncha, miss?"
"Magi! I'm going to Hie's tonight, remember?"
"O course. But, I can see you like that wonerful Mr. Li a lot more than that stuffy Hie."
"Since when do you think Hie is "stuffy"?" I queried peering at her intently. "You just like Mr. Li cos he's nice to you!"
"Isn't that a good enough reason, Miss?" Magi asked.
"I suppose so."
"Now, we gotta make you look all plain like so's Mr. Hie don't wancha anymore." I grinned.
"Now we're talking."

***

I say with much pride that I was a perfect disgrace at Hie's. I wore my plainest dress, an old green one that I've had for years, and Magi powdered me extensively so I looked rather pale. She also made sure to tie my corset very loosely so I looked much less thin than I normally did. I was boring, didn't talk much, and made sure to put my elbows on the table. I was very happy when I got home but father gave me quite a lecture.
"Sakura, William Hie is a nice, well off man. He's excellent material for a husband!"
"Well, I think he's stuffy and snobbish." I countered.
"He'd be able to support you well and he likes you!"
"Well, I don't like him and how come I don't get a say in my future?"
"Because I know best!" I huffed off into my room. I fumed on my bed. Magi was missing. Visiting Hans, no doubt. Why did HIE have to like me? Me and Mr. Li understood one another. Then I got an idea. I would right him a letter and send Magi to deliver it! Why do men always have to make the first move anyway? It wouldn't be a love letter, of course, but just something to loosen him up. The Li's were just as respectable and well off (if not more so) as the Hie's. Father would approve of Syaoran, wouldn't he? But I really didn't care whether he did or not. I sat down at my desk and pulled out a piece of stationary. If you want something you have to get it yourself!

Fan Language #4

Fan Movement: Rest fan on left cheek Meaning: No

Fan Movement: Twirl fan in right hand
Meaning: I love another

Fan Movement: Draw fan across forehead
Meaning: You have changed