Fanfiction written by Mae Vargas; (Most) Characters don't belong to me.

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The Iris & the Cherry Blossom
Chapter Four

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Touya got up to a knocking on the door. He slowly got out of the small bed and put on a shirt. Walking to the door, he opened it to find a silver-haired boy, around his age, wearing glasses, staring back at him with a smile.

"Good morning," he spoke. "I'm Yue's younger brother, Yukito. He sent me here to look after you."

Touya groaned. He was totally capable of taking care of himself. Hadn't he told Yue that the day he left? Touya looked at Yukito again. He looked clumsy and weak. But he definitely saw the resemblance to Yue.

He sighed and opened the door wider. "Come in,"

Yukito walked it with much comfort, seeing as how it was in fact his brother's room. He started his routine by opening the fridge and taking out a few ingredients. Touya sat back down on the bed.

"I work all around the castle," Yukito said, breaking the silence. "I help the cooks usually. I'm an awesome cook. I can do many household things, I help with repairs around the castle. I also help the Prince with his swordsmanship. I may not look the part, but I am an excellent swordsman. My brother pretty much raised me, since we lost our parents in the last war. So everything I know, I learned from him. Except I'm not much of an introvert as he is."

"I can see that," Touya said quietly. "You talk a lot."

"That I do," Yukito said, looking back at Touya with a smile on his face. "We're going to be good friends, I can feel it."

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A week had passed by since Haruka left. Meiling and Emmalyn seemed to be getting along fine without their classmate. No one seemed to miss her. Well, except for Sakura.

She hadn't talked much since that day. Sakura kept to herself, either reading in the library or wandering out to the garden. Sometimes she'd peruse the portraits along the castle walls, most of the time ending up lost in some foreign hallway. But she'd always manage to find her way back.

Without Tomoyo to keep her company, and Haruka to keep her company at the dinner table, she really didn't have anyone else. Kaya was always busy planning out how she'd get with the Prince.

Castle life was lonely. Not even the servants could talk. They were always up and about, dusting things, doing laundry, and scared that if the head master found out about them being idle, they'd be punished.

Sakura made her way down an unfamiliar hall. She headed west, directly opposite of the eastern parts of the castle, where most of the banquets took place, and where most of the rooms were. She wasn't sure exactly what she'd find here, but it wasn't the southern part of the castle. Sakura made sure she never visited the southern part, for the Queen would definitely become furious.

She passed a couple portraits, people she didn't recognize. They were probably the Queen's family, for their name plates indicated Li, the prestigious Royal Family name. She then came to a large pair of doors. Curiously, Sakura opened one of them, with much effort, and gazed inside the room.

Books. It was probably a private library. Intrigued, Sakura walked in and started looking at the bookshelves. She loved to read. Her mother had always read her stories before she slept.

Her eyes came to a stop at a familiar binding, and she slowly took it out. "The Collections of Clow.." she read and she handled the front cover with care.

"You know of the Clow?"

A deep voice startled her as she turned around to find the source of the voice. There he was, Prince Syaoran, in a black long sleeve, long maroon slacks, and his brown hair as messy as ever. He didn't look much like a Prince in his attire, but his attractiveness was there.

"I, uh, yeah," she stuttered. "I love this book." She blushed a bit, after all, she was caught off guard and in a room she didn't think she was allowed in.

Syaoran put out his hand and Sakura shyly gave him the book. He flipped the pages until he found one particular story. "This story is my favorite."

He handed it back to her, with the book open. She took it. "The Sleeping Princess." Sakura couldn't help but let out a laugh. "Isn't that the story where the prince and the princess fall in love, but she tragically dies, and he ends up never loving anyone ever again?"

Syaoran nodded, a little embarrassed. He watched as Sakura flipped through the book, looking for a particular story. "Have you read this one? The Silver Soldier. It's the one where a soldier kills the Queen's lover, because he himself is in love with the Queen."

Syaoran nodded with a smile. "Yeah I remember that one, although I do believe there was more to the story than that.."

"Oh my gosh! This one is my favorite!" She handed the book to Syaoran excitedly. "Tell me you read this one!"

He glanced at the title. "The Iris and the Cherry Blossom.. no I don't think I read this one."

Sakura gasped. "You haven't read that yet? Okay I won't spoil it for you, but you must read it! It's one of Clow's best, I think." Sakura giggled. She didn't realize it, but she was having fun, at least more fun than she's had all week.

This didn't go unnoticed to Syaoran either. It was her smile that got him. And then her laugh, it seemed so bitter-sweetly familiar. Then somewhere, somehow, his heart sank. How was it that this emerald-eyed girl laughed and smiled like his precious Ayame? Why were they so damn alike?

"Are you okay?" Sakura said, suddenly interrupting his thoughts.

"Uh, yeah I'm fine."

A few seconds of silence passed. Sakura suddenly furrowed her eyebrows. She first broke the silence. "Why did you ask Haruka to leave?" she said bluntly. "You don't seem like that much of a bad person, but it's been bothering me ever since she left. I've had no one to talk to, and it's been pretty lonely without her.." She looked up to see his face, only to find that he was looking distantly out the window. "I know you don't have to tell me, but it'd be really nice to know, and I don't want to believe you're such a bad guy after all that I've seen of you."

With this he turned to face her. He felt a bit of anger rise from the pit of his stomach. "You think I'm a bad guy?" The girl in front of him nodded quietly, but he could see the conviction in her eyes. She wanted answers. Then again, so did he. And because he was the prince, he'd get them. "How am I a bad guy? I've never once offended you in any way–"

"Excuse me," Sakura retorted. "You tried to touch me in the garden! How is that not offensive?" She flailed her arms in disbelief.

"I did no such thing," he emphasized with an accusing finger, pointing straight at the emerald-eyed girl. He tried to think back on that night she was talking about. What were they doing? They were in the garden, yes. Was it the first time he saw her up close? Then, his temper rose even more when he realized, "You hit me that night!"

"Only because you tried to touch me first!"

"Only because you looked like Aya–" he paused. Tears started to fall from her eyes. Sakura hated heated arguments. She was a bit too emotional, and whenever no one believed she was telling the truth, she'd start to cry. Sakura tried to hold them back.

He immediately regretted his outburst and unknowingly reached forward to wipe her tears away.

But for some reason, Sakura did not retaliate, nor did she step back. It was something in the Prince's eyes; sadness, loneliness, guilt. Why he would show any signs of those things, Sakura did not know. He had everything. How could he possibly know these feelings?

Syaoran retracted his arm. He apologized. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you that night... it's just..." He started into her eyes once again, somehow captivated. She was crying yet she seemed so strong. How did this girl sway him so easily? She was so alike, yet so different from his precious Ayame.

"Just what?" Sakura managed to speak, although raspy. Neither of them moved.

"It's just... you look a lot like–"

"Prince Syaoran! Are you in here?" A voice came from the hallway as the door to Prince Syaoran's private library opened up. A pair of ruby red eyes peeked into the room as Sakura and Syaoran took a step back from each other. They hadn't realized they were standing so close.

"Oh," Meiling said from the door. "Am I, um, interrupting?"

Sakura, seeming to recover first, shook her head. "No, no," she giggled nervously. "I was just about to leave. Ha ha.." Sakura turned to face Syaoran and gave a small smile. "Read that story, okay?" she reminded him before she walked out of them room, nodding to Meiling.

When she was finally out of ear shot, Meiling moved closer, all the while staring at Syaoran, who hadn't moved. "What was that about?"

Syaoran furrowed his eyebrows. Meiling did all she could to stop herself from hugging her cousin. He looked so mysterious basking in the now setting sun shining through the window. It's rays made the room seem a shade of red; the dust was visible as it floated through the air. He stood there, the man who stole her heart, like a stone, a beautifully carved statue. Even without his royal garments on, he had the air of respect. With one look, make her fall to her knees. That was how strong her love for Syaoran was.

"It was nothing." He replied, his voice barely a whisper.

But Meiling knew better. She had grown up with the man in front of her. He knew how he acted. And as he turned to walk out the door, she saw it. It was in his amber eyes, those eyes which she wished all her life would look at her the same way she looked at him. It was in his eyes that she saw a shine, a glint of hope, a light making its way through his darkness. She hadn't seen that color of amber for a while, not since Ayame was alive.

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Where is he?

Kaya wandered through the halls of the castle, looking for her Prince. She looked in every room she could open, every nook, ever cranny. Where the hell is he? She had waited too long to talk to him, mainly because she couldn't find him. Another reason was Yuka.

Every time they saw each other, be it at the table, down the halls, anywhere, somehow they'd begin a spat. And every time, Kaya ended up winning. What was with that annoying girl? Does she enjoy pissing me off?

They were friends, once upon a time. It was back in their hometown. Their families were neighbours. But she remembered how they grew up, and Kaya was always left behind. Yuka had everything; a bigger house, a nicer garden, more servants, better clothes. She would often come over bringing some new trinket her father, a merchant, had discovered overseas. Yuka would never know, but Kaya had always been a bit jealous. That was until they entered school.

Everyone liked Kaya better. She never tried to be arrogant, but she was a sight to look at. During their teenage years, Kaya suddenly experienced a burst of hormones, while Yuka remained flat and skinny. Boys fell on their knees for a chance to woo Kaya, and somehow, Yuka was left behind. Finally, Kaya had something she didn't. Popularity. This new-found skill of hers brought them even closer, for now they were even.

They were around the age of 14 when the Prince came to visit their town. His mother thought it wise to get to know the townspeople, thus she sent Syaoran around to the cities once a year. Kaya was outside her doorstep, crying. That day, Yuka and her had a fight, which left her in tears. A shadow suddenly hovered over her. She looked up to see a boy with unruly hair, clad in green and gold, hands behind his back, staring down at her.

He bent down, Kaya's violet eyes followed every move this handsome stranger made. He reached into his pocket and took out a a folded piece of cloth. He smiled. "I may not know why you're crying, but I've always thought smiles look better on girls." He handed the handkerchief to her. It was then that she smiled the biggest smile she could muster, despite the sadness she felt.

The stranger laughed. "See? You're very cute." He stood up again, leaving her alone to watch as he walked away. His entourage and carriage, following closely behind him, were marked with the symbol of royalty, green and gold dragons crossing each other, flying around a sword. It was then that she knew who he was. Prince Syaoran Li.

In a matter of seconds, he took her heart. How could he capture her so, with just two sentences? It was then that Kaya vowed never to truly smile for anyone except her Prince.

Something compelled Kaya to apologize that day. After Syaoran had spoken to her, she found the courage and humility to seek out Yuka and ask for forgiveness. But what she found was completely opposite.

The Royal Entourage was situated outside Yuka's mansion of a house when Kaya got there. Yuka's family were, after all, the richest in the town, so of course the Royals would visit. Although slightly envious, Kaya remained calm and reminded herself of why she was here. She ran up to the large double doors and spoke to one of the guards. Recognizing her, he let her in.

It didn't take too long for Kaya to find her friend. But to her disappointment, she was smiling. Even after their fight, Yuka wasn't sad like she was. Instead, she sat there laughing with a messy-haired boy who Kaya recognized to be the Prince. It seems they were playing with her pet pekinese dog, which she received a month ago, while their parents were conversing in another room.

Kaya couldn't contain the envy any longer. Without a word, she slipped out of the house and ran straight home. They stopped talking after that day. How could Yuka be so mean? Not once did she try to talk to her after their fight. Not once did Yuka come over and show her something new. And not once did she try to make amends. For the next two years, they hated each other. Their friendship was just a distant past, one Kaya looked upon as a joke.

And this was why they fought. Kaya would never forget the day her best friend left her behind.

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In her room, Akira sat in front of her mirror. Her curtains were drawn where only a few rays of sun made it's way through to the room. She never liked castle life, the life of laziness, as she put it. She hated being waited on. Which was why she dismissed her servants girls. There was nothing they did that she could not do better.

She wore a cute floral sleeveless summer dress, it's hem ending at her knees. It was the new style back where she came from. A little skin, it was perfect to keep one cool.

She looked at herself in the mirror again. She missed her long pink hair, but she had cut and dyed it before entering the castle. And now she looked as boring as ever. Even her new name seemed a bit dull. Akira?Really? Although it did sound kind of similar to her family name. She once again reminded herself of why she was here, instead of back at her estate with her all-knowing master.

She even starting missing him, despite his satire and pessimism.

Akira got up and peeked out her door. Silence. She slowly shut the door behind her as she made her way to the south hallways of the castle. There was a reason the Queen didn't want anyone to venture there, and Akira was sent to find out why, and what Yelan possibly had to hide.

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In a room where two women slept, one an old aging woman, the other hadn't even met her prime. Sounds of dripping from the medical bags hanging at their sides were the only ones that could be heard.

Until a soft raspy voice spoke. It came from the small frail girl, hidden by white curtains.

She whispered.

"Syaoran.."

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Author's Note

I hope this chapter explains a lot. It did for me, haha. Has anyone got the hint to who Akira really is?

I'm trying to update more frequently, as you can see. This is the fastest I've ever updated anything! (Pat of the back, good job.)

So it's been a week and I still haven't named my kittens. Good news, bad news. Bad news: turns out my mother is allergic to them, so we have to give them away. Good news: I don't have to name them. Not much off good news, eh? They're both girls by the way. I couldn't stand to have a boy pet. Girls are just so much better ;)

I guess I'll go now. Thanks for all the reads, reviews, subs, favs, etc. I know I'm going to finish this story, since I've already written out chapter summaries and such, and the high (for lack of better word) of receiving reads is very encouraging. Thank you!