Summary: Syaoran, a deadly assassin, and Sakura, a princess. Even when she marries a shogun to protect the imperial family, they cannot suppress their love and lust for each other, becoming tangled in the dangerous web of adultery, betrayals, and deaths...

Author's Note: Life is gay. Period. (sigh) So I immerse myself into writing…

Music: Brown Eyed Soul – Nothing Better, Park Hyo Shin – I Love You, Nakashima Mika – Ichiban Kirei na Watashi wo, Karina – Slow Motion


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+ Thousand Year Love Story +

千年戀物語

Chapter 4Am I in Your Future?

Sakura found herself captivated by the man before her.

Never had she felt this way before; she felt chills down her spine as his eyes refused to look away from her own. It was as if those cold, sharp eyes were penetrating into her mind. Although she felt uncomfortable, she couldn't help but continue to stare back. He was a beautiful man; despite the frail image that his long, silver hair and pale complexion gave, he had undeniable charisma and confidence. He held no trace of emotion. No one would be able to meet his eyes without understanding that this man was one to be feared and respected.

Sakura waited, expecting for Yue to come and formally greet her. However, Yue suddenly broke eye contact before curtly turning away and walking towards the main gates. She blinked in surprise, watching his retreating back. She felt her knees weaken as she realized that his eyes were not on her anymore, as if she was released from his magical hold. However, she stood her ground, slightly pouting; she wanted to talk to the shogun, but he showed no desire of doing so. The princess's pride was hurt, and she had half a mind to chase after Yue and demand him to at least show her more politeness.

Sakura was turned around, biting her lips and continuing onwards. However, one of her maids gently motioned for her to look back. When she did so, she couldn't help but cover her mouth in surprise.

Yue was holding a vase filled with cherry blossoms; the vase had such an intricate and detailed painting of the flowers that it was difficult to distinguish it from the true flowers. It was a true work of art. The cherry blossom trees behind him seemed colorless compared to it now. Sakura's eyes were fixated on him once more. Yue handed the beautiful vase to a servant, who delivered it in front of Sakura.

Sakura gazed at Yue, who still held no emotions on his facial features.

"Do you know what the hana kotoba (language of flowers) of Sakura is, princess?" Yue asked in a surprisingly gentle voice. Sakura was taken aback, both by his beautiful voice and the sound of her name, cherry blossom, from his lips. Although she knew the answer, for some reason, she could not remember them at the moment.

"Purity, unsurpassable beauty, and," he paused, ""I smile to you."" With that, Yue gave a small smile to Sakura; it was a mere lift of the corner of his lips, but it was enough to illuminate his features even further.

Sakura's face immediately flushed a deep shade of red, and she was unable to take her eyes off of him. She was able to muster enough sense to reply, "Th-thank you. It's beautiful." Even she could not tell if she was referring to the vase or his smile.

"Yue-dono!" Eriol appeared from the library, "There you are! I have some things to discuss with you. Do you mind walking with me?"

Yue broke his gaze with Sakura before turning to Eriol. "Not at all," he replied. With a last look at Sakura, he bowed curtly and began to walk.

As soon as the two men were out of sight, the maids around Sakura began to chatter excitedly. "Hime-sama! Yue-sama is as beautiful and charismatic as they say!" one giggled, "Shall we bring these flowers to your chambers?" Sakura blushed slightly, looking at the splendid work of art and nodding.

"Please put it where it will receive the most sunlight," she said, clearing her throat and resuming her walk. The maids giggled even more as they obeyed.

Surely this event would be the talk of the entire palace for days to come. However, nobody had noticed Syaoran, who had been watching the whole time with a torn look. The pain turned to rage and the rage to hatred, and trying his best to suppress his deathly expression, he turned away from the retreating figure of his princess. He glared at Yue, who was entering one of the buildings with Eriol, clenching his fists and formulating countless dark thoughts. However, in the end, with a short growl, he turned away from the scene and walked away, alone and bitter.

He could not do anything about the princess's captivated expressions that were still haunting his mind.

Syaoran did not like to get drunk.

He was unable to control his emotions or logic, and often ended up slaying random civilians who got on his nerves. However, at the moment, he felt as though he would be even more dangerous sober than intoxicated; at least his swordsmanship and reflexes would slightly be hindered.

He wobbled onto the nearest wall and grabbed on, dizzy and highly intoxicated. He realized that he was on the borders of the red-light district and stupidly grinned in amusement. He was not one of those men who believed women and sake were the best ways to rid of sorrow, but today, he felt, was an exception.

As soon as he began to walk down the district, men and women were yelling at him to grab his attention. He scanned through the windows without much thought, until he met a pair of ruby eyes that almost entirely sobered him up.

It was Meilin Li, dressed in a black and red kimono that made her look like a porcelain doll. She widened her eyes before smirking in amusement. "Lost, little doggy?[1]"

Syaoran smirked back. "I don't think you're in much of a position to taunt me like that," he said, still slurring his words and slightly wobbly. He walked in and threw a bag of coins onto the counter. "I'll go with the strawberry-eyes[1]," he glanced at Meilin, who wordlessly stood up and led him into a room.

"So, what brings you here?" Meilin closed the doors behind her and stared at Syaoran.

"What are all other men here for?" Syaoran rolled his eyes, lying down and trying to ease his dizziness.

"You reek of sake," she smirked, "Were you dumped by that girl you were with last time?"

He ignored the bait. "What about you? I thought you were an assassin, not a prostitute."

"I was sold three years ago when my parents were killed," she said nonchalantly, "I'm a favorite here, so I'm allowed to go outside whenever I want or need to. My master can't free me from here yet, since all of the finances are being used on weapons and whatnot," she sighed dramatically.

"Who do you work for?" Syaoran turned to look at her, only to realize that she had stripped down to nothing.

Meilin giggled slightly before straddling and undressing him. "Did you get lonely after seeing the princess with her betrothed? They make a beautiful couple, don't they?"

Syaoran's expression hardened. "Shut your mouth."

Meilin caressed his face, bringing her lips to his with another giggle. "I was surprised that the little girl I saw you with was the princess herself. And the way you were looking at her…" she clicked her tongue, "It looked like you just wanted to eat her up and keep her for yourself. I wonder just how many times you touched yourself thinking about her?"

Syaoran snapped; he grabbed her by the hair and was about to throw her to the wall, when she suddenly took hold of his wrists and twisted him around so that they were back to their original position. Taken aback, Syaoran stared at her in surprise.

Meilin smirked. "So you like it rough, Xiao Lang?" She took him in her hands, and he cursed himself for being aroused. "You paid up a good amount, so I'll let you handle me however you want. You can even imagine that I'm her. We can talk later," she laughed.

With a scowl, Syaoran brought Meilin to the ground and towered over her. "You're going to wish you never said that," he smirked. He suddenly thrust his fingers inside of her, causing her to break her careless expression. "And I have no need of imagining you as the princess," he said as Meilin began to writhe under his touch, "Because I'd never handle her like this."

At this Meilin laughed. "Yeah? I'm sure you dream about fucking her like this all the time though."

Syaoran found himself at a loss for words, as it was true. So she was already able to deduce just how much of a twisted, sadistic bastard he was. He smirked, "You're pretty good, aren't you?"

"Oh please," she moaned, "It's written all over your face."

He wordlessly brought her to her knees and began taking her from behind, unwilling to meet those penetrating red eyes any longer. And he bitterly realized that this way, it was much easier to imagine that Meilin was Sakura, and that he was indeed a fucked up bastard. Even more so when he realized that he was growing more and more aroused, becoming lost in the passion of raw sex.

And it felt too good.

"It's a shame the princess won't get a taste of you," Meilin giggled, rolling around to face him, "You're a pretty damn fine lover."

Syaoran rolled his eyes. "You're shameless."

"Because you gave me such a good time, I'll give you a little prize," Meilin held his face with her hand, turning it towards her and kissing his lips.

Syaoran stayed still. "That's your prize?" he couldn't help but chuckle.

"No, I just wanted to do that," she smirked, "Your real prize is me telling you that there is a spy in the imperial palace who is feeding my master information."

He stared at her in shock. "Who is it?"

"I can't tell you that!" she giggled, "But I'll give you a hint: it's a very beautiful person."

Syaoran immediately thought of Yue. "Is that why he's after the princess?" he thought out loud, rage building inside him once more.

Meilin shrugged coyly. "I'm not going to give away anything than I already have. If my master finds out, I'll be punished severely, so don't act rashly!"

"Why are you even telling me all this?" he asked tiredly.

"I want you to join us," she said, putting on her robes, "There's no denying you're skilled with your sword and in bed, and quite frankly, it would be a waste for you to perish with the royal family." She got up and looked at him. "Face it. Your romance with the princess is something that's never going to happen, at least happily. With her marriage to that shogun, there is a possibility her life will be spared, but nothing can save the rest of her family. The people hate the Emperor, you know."

"What about you?" Syaoran stared at Meilin, whose eyes narrowed briefly at the question. However, she recovered instantly with a wide grin.

"Well, who knows?" she stretched her arms, "I'm just going to go with the flow. I want to survive this war." She took him by the hands and pulled him up, throwing his clothes at him. "Time's up, little wolf. I have an errand to run tonight," she winked.

Syaoran knew that under normal circumstances, he should have been taking Meilin back to the palace with him. If that wasn't possible, he should have slain her. But he found himself unwilling to do anything of the sorts at the moment. He was strangely comfortable with her. "What are you exactly after?"

"Freedom," she replied instantly, unsheathing Syaoran's sword and examining it. "That's what we all want in the end, isn't it?"

He had no answer to that. He wordlessly dressed and headed towards the door. "One last thing," he couldn't help but speak up, "Why aren't you bringing me to your master by force?"

Meilin smiled. It was an attractive one that surprised even Syaoran. "Well," she exhaled, "I could ask the same for you, Xiao Lang."

Again, he had no answer.

Syaoran chuckled to himself as he realized that he may have just made an unlikely friend in an enemy.

By the time Syaoran returned to the palace, it was morning. Everyone was bustling about, happily chattering and excitedly sharing news. Syaoran frowned, wondering what was going on. When he drew closer, he was able to overhear the conversations between Sakura's maids.

"Did you hear? His Majesty has set the wedding date for Sakura-hime!"

Syaoran clenched his fists.

"It's going to be very soon, isn't it? It's going to be magnificent! I can't wait for it!"

"The scene that Yue shogun provided yesterday was so romantic!"

Syaoran continued onwards, dark emotions ready to surface once more. He bit his lips and tried to keep them away, when he saw the princess before him.

Sakura met his eyes and smiled timidly. "Good morning, Syaoran," she greeted.

Syaoran found himself smiling the next moment. "Good morning, princess," he bowed. As Sakura continued on her way to breakfast, Syaoran found his heart clearing. With a sigh, he reached for the handkerchief that the princess had woven for him, tracing the patterns on it.

That's when he decided.

He had sworn that he would do anything to protect the princess.

Therefore, even if his suspicions of Yue being Meilin's master was true, if Sakura's survival would be guaranteed by his betrayal of the imperial family…

He would do it.

It killed him to know that Sakura was marrying such an unworthy man, but if he could save her by joining forces with Yue and Meilin, he would do it. After all, it was impossible for him to be with the princess, now more than ever. So even if it meant that she would hate him, he would protect her.

He would bring down the imperial family to save Sakura.

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Chapter 4君の描く未来に私はいるのかな?End –


Author's Note: [1] Little Doggy and Strawberry Eyes… Syaoran means "Little Wolf" in Chinese, and Meilin means "Strawberry Bell." They were both just teasing each other using their names.

Short Chapter? I thought it was pretty long when I was writing, but now I feel like it's pretty short... I was going to update Vampire Hunter first but I'm still on a writer's block for that story... while for this one, I just got a few more ideas for evil plot twists! Gah... school will be starting soon... Hopefully you guys like the direction of this story! I actually didn't plan on this kind of progression XD Now, I'm off to try and continue writing Vampire Hunter! (I've had 500 words for over a month now...)

Review please!