Hey guys I hope you like the story so far. I loved all of your reviews let me know if you have any other ideas and ill see of I can fit them in with the whole plot.
Disclaimer: I do not own any CCS or Tsubasa characters. All rights go to CLAMP. Nor do I own any of the songs all rights go to owner.
Chapter 7
Syaoran woke up with a smile upon his face. To say he had a wonderful night last night would have been an understatement. He dreamt of Sakura and marrying her. He dreamt they had a little girl. She had Emerald eyes like Sakura's and Dark chocolate brown hair to her waist. They were the perfect family image and he wished for nothing more than that dream to come true. As he lay there in his bed he brushed his hand through his hair as he thought about Sakura. After thinking deeply about her for 5 minutes he came to a conclusion about how he felt about her. He loved her. The dream was just a catalyst that helped speed up his decision. He thought about what his life was like before Sakura. He felt cold, empty and unloving but now he felt ecstatic, loving and full of life. It was like her light had touched his heart. A special light that she only could withhold, it was far greater than any magic anyone could possess. He got out of bed and put on his training clothes and left for the training grounds in the garden.
Once he reached the Garden he found Yin and the Bird Sakura resting under a cherry blossom tree. He smiled at them both and began his training. Once he was finished he went back inside the palace and showered before going down to breakfast. Everyone was seated and this time the men from the previous night were also at the table. They had been specially invited to stay at the palace for Eriol and Tomoyo's wedding Anniversary.
"Good Morning Syaoran" said the Eriol.
"Morning" he replied.
"Did you sleep okay" asked Tomoyo
"As a matter of fact I did. It was the best nights sleep I've ever had" smiled Syaoran
"Oh really?" asked Tomoyo with a mischievous grin. "This wouldn't have anything to do with Sakura now would it?"
Sakura (the bird) looked straight at Syaoran who (on the inside was about to burst) kept his face from blushing all possible shades of red. She laughed to herself inside and thanked the gods that they didn't know she was in the room too, or else she would've been interrogated. Eriol smiled at Tomoyo and kissed her lovingly on the lips. They pulled away and the amethyst and sapphire eyes locked as they showed passion, love and faith to one another. It was moments like that, that Sakura wanted to have between her and the one she loved. She was goddess of innocence and purity but would that get in the way of her finding love? How would she be able to give her love in return to her true love and what if she wanted to start a family? That would be taking away her innocence but not necessarily for the wrong reasons. (A/N: Who knows, we'll just have to wait and see ;)) As those thoughts rushed through her mind she began thinking of Syaoran and how he kissed her the night before. She had never felt so warm and protected in his hold; His gentle Amber eyes shining at her emerald ones. Everything about him drew her closer to him and this secret she had to keep was killing her for she couldn't touch him, kiss him nor speak to him for that matter. She knew she had to tell him and she would tell him tonight no matter what the consequences.
* * *
After what seemed a long day Sakura flew to her favourite tree in the palace gardens. It was the cherry blossom tree that Syaoran trains under, where they had their first kiss and where she naturally flocked to. It felt comforting to be there to her. Almost as if the tree was magical some how but she couldn't put her finger on it. As soon as she landed on the branch she began to transform. She jumped down from the tree and waited for Syaoran. He always knew she would be here, probably because her aura is automatically released whenever she transforms into her normal self. Sure enough half a minute later she could make out his figure heading for the tree. As soon as she could make out his face clearly she smiled her most radiant smile that stunned Syaoran. He ran the rest of the way to her and lifted her up in the air whilst twirling her around. She laughed like a queen and kept her gaze with his intense amber eyes. He lowered her until their lips met in a gentle but longing kiss. It had only been a day and it felt painful to them both that they were separated for that long. They broke the kiss and smiled at each other.
"I missed you Syaoran" said Sakura. She couldn't believe the effect he had on her. She was a goddess for heavens sake and he made her feel like loves slave. She would do just about anything for him and that's when it hit her, like one of Aphrodite's spells; she was unconditionally in love with him. Her heart froze in her chest. She had to fight herself mentally to give her heart a 'jump-start' and keep beating or else she'd have died on the spot (although it's not possible as she's a goddess).
"I missed you more Sakura" replied Syaoran.
"Ahahaha I don't think so because if you did then that you means that you couldn't possible miss me anymore" she chuckled. Syaoran mocked hurt.
"So does that mean you wouldn't miss me if I left you now" Sakura mock pouted. Syaoran just looked at her then planted a passionate kiss on her lips.
"Does that answer your question?"
"Only half of it" she replied with a pout. Syaoran interlaced his fingers with hers and began walking back towards the palace.
"we should start getting ready for the ball" suggested Syaoran.
"Oh yeah I almost forgot" began Sakura "I must find Tomoyo. She said she had the perfect dress for me to wear"
"well then there must be a lot of perfect dresses for you because there hasn't been one that you've worn where I've thought you looked anything less than perfect" commented Syaoran
"Well it is in my nature to be perfect or more" Oh god! She was just about to let her secret slip.
No no no no no! Bad Sakura. Not yet. Not here she mentally screamed to herself.
"And why would you be anything less than perfect?" Syaoran shot back "and by god you most definitely are more. To say you were anything less would be an understatement. Oh I cant wait until the you meet the guys they are anxious to meet you" he exclaimed
"Oh really? Have you been talking about me already Syaoran?" an evil glint appeared in Sakura's eyes. She loved it when he got uncomfortable under her questions.
Before Syaoran had time to reply Tomoyo emerged from the palace and grabbed Sakura by the wrist.
"Come on Sakura I have to get you ready. The ball is in an hour!" she exclaimed
"I'll see you in there" Sakura cried back to Syaoran as she was dragged on her heels.
"I'm counting the moments!" he cried back to her.
* * *
"So you know what the plan is? We will kidnap Sakura towards the end of the ball and you will replace her." Said Hera in a tone almost similar to a general talking to his army before a mighty battle.
"Yes oh mighty one" bowed Yelo who still looked like Sakura.
"Good" replied Hera "Come on we mustn't be late"
* * *
Sakura emerged from the bathroom of Tomoyo's chambers. There was truly no other word that could describe how she looked in her ballroom dress. Beautiful, Breath-taking, goddess; were all minor statements of what she looked like. She had her honey coloured hair down and her emerald eyes shining like the glaciers of the north pole. Her dress on the other hand was breath taking. One of Tomoyo's rarest and most divine creations. It was a white ball gown. It was shaped in a 'V-necked' shape and the fabric overlaid at the front (like how a night gown does).
(A/N: Look this dress is too amazing to describe so click the link and you'll see an image of vivien leigh wearing the white dress starring in the film 'That Hamilton lady' review this bloody chapter as its my favourite so far!!!! ./2311/2044394503_)
The moonlight hit Sakura and she began to glow. This really radiated the white of her dress beautifully. Even the maids that were standing in the room 'awed' as she stood there.
"Sakura…." Cried Tomoyo and this time she literally was crying. Sakura didn't see what all the fuss was about until she turned to look in the grand mirror. She had to admit. She looked regal and the dress was beautiful.
"Now if Syaorans jaw doesn't hit the floor then the world will go crazy and stop spinning" chuckled Tomoyo.
"You think so?" asked Sakura.
"I know so…………… Sakura do you love Syaoran?" inquired Tomoyo. She already knew the answer. She was a great judge of character and knew instantly that Sakura was a genuine honest person. Sakura stood staring at herself in the mirror before replying
"With all my heart"
Tomoyo just smiled at her. She didn't know what else to say as only Syaoran could meet her the rest of the way and that was entirely upon him to do so.
"Come on! Syaorans waiting and judging by his face earlier I can guarantee that if he is left longer than an hour from you then he will burst" laughed Tomoyo.
"Tomoyo I just want to say thanks for everything you have done for me" said Sakura in quite a serious tone.
"Your welcome. Anything for a friend as loving and truthful as you" smiled Tomoyo. She looked beautiful herself. Her dark hair was tied up in a neat bun that was quite big. She had a lilac dress on; slim at the top then poofed out from the waist. There were tiny diamonds sewn into the netting on the top layers so every time she moved the light caught the diamonds and reflected. Quickly both women headed for the ballroom doors. As they got nearer the Li sisters were waiting for their announcement. They were all dressed in similar dresses except they all wore different colours. Fanran wore blue, Yeoh wore green, Liyan wore Pink and Fenmei wore Yellow.
"Awww Sakura you look like a goddess" began Liyan.
"If I didn't know that this was Eriol and Tomoyo's wedding anniversary ball I would say it was yours" laughed Fanran sweetly.
"Thankyou girls" blushed Sakura.
As they heard their names be introduced the doors to the hallway were opened and the four Li sisters started walking down the stairway in the ballroom.
* * *
Syaoran was down in the ballroom early after being announced formally in front of the ball. Yin the wolf was also with him this time, all clean and groomed up for the special occasion. He met up with his friends at the refreshment table near the dance floor.
"Ryou!" called Syaoran.
"Ah here is. Just the guy we've been looking for" said Xin. Syaoran was surprised at his sudden introduction. Usually he never cares where Syaoran is, why all of a sudden now? He could clearly see that Xin was slowly getting drunk.
"Syaoran!" exclaimed Takashi, Ryou, Kurogane, Fay, Touya and Yukito in unison. They all looked smart in their black tuxedos. As usual Xin's was a bit scruffy and ruffled at the collar bone of his shirt and blazer.
"So where is she?" asked Yukito
"Who?" replied Syaoran generally confused to the question at hand.
"Duh!!! This girl you've been dieing for us to meet" said Kurogane sternly.
"Well I am glad the lady wasn't here to hear you say it like that, she probably would be offended and run off" chuckled Fay
"WHAT ARE YOU MY MOTHER?!" yelled Kurogane, now annoyed by Fays comment.
"Now, now Kurgs, we don't want to frighten the lady when she arrives do we?" taunted Fay. Kurogane was about to smack Fay over the head until he dodged it and Touya jumped in holding Kurogane back.
"Must...you…fight…all the time!" exclaimed Touya whilst struggling to keep Kurogane away from Fay.
The rest of the group just sweat dropped.
"So when will we see her" asked Ryou.
"You'll know as soon as she walks in" stated Syaoran.
Just then the announcement of the four Li sisters began and they all led out in single file from oldest to youngest down the stairway. They stood before the king and queen in a line and bowed to them before turning around facing the guests and bowing to them. The entire room apart from Syaoran bowed to the sisters. By now there was near enough 300 people in the room and more guests were still arriving. Syaoran was screaming inside for when Sakura would be ready. He missed her entirely. He needed to hold her and be with her; to smell her sweet scent of cherry blossom and to lose himself in her sparkling emerald eyes. She meant everything to him and if anyone tried to hurt her by the gods he would not take his revenge lightly. He would hunt them down from the ends of the earth, whether they be friend or foe, mortal or immortal; he would make them suffer. The announcer suddenly snapped Syaoran out of his daydream.
"Announcing, The gentle and divine Lady Sakura" By now every head in the room had turned towards the double doors at the top of the stairway. Some turned their heads out of curiosity wondering who this new name they had never come across before was. Others looked because they knew who she was or had vaguely heard of her hence Syaoran and the others. Syaoran felt like he had been hit full force by Aphrodite's wrath when Sakura walked through the door. She stood at the top of the stairway and graciously searched the crowd for the one pair of eyes she truly wanted to meet. As soon as she saw Syaorans she smiled at him and began to glow… again! The entire room was in awe as she graciously walked down the staircase and bowed to the king and queen. Yelan smiled at Sakura for she knew that she was the girl for Syaoran. Sakura turned around and then faced the audience In front of her and bowed again. As she rose up she could see Syaoran making his way towards her through the crowd before anyone else could. She made her way down the little staircase in front of her and grabbed Syaorans offering hand. She smiled at him as he squeezed her hand reassuringly with a cocky smile on his face. What was he up to now?
As she was dragged through the crowd by Syaoran, Sakura met the evil and cold glazes of some of the girls in the room. Pure Jealousy was spread across their faces as the beautiful white Bird was being shown off by the prince, metaphorically speaking. Sakura tried to brush off the glances she was receiving. Syaoran soon stopped at the refreshment table where the guys were standing. They all stood dumbfounded (except for Ryou) as she approached them.
"Guys this is the girl I've been telling you about" began Syaoran to the group of young men before him.
"Sakura this is Takashi, Ryou, Fay, Kurogane, Yukito, Touya and Xin" She went along the line greeting every one of them with a small curtsey, a hello and a smile spread on her lips. Yin barked at her and Sakura bent down to give him a scratch behind the ear. The guys smiled at her.
"Miss Sakura may I say you are the cutest thing I have ever seen" said Fay politely. Sakura smiled back at him and thanked him for his kindness. All the guys except Xin complimented her in their own way. She never blushed until Syaoran complimented her. He lowered himself before whispering in her ear
"Words cannot describe how you look through my eyes"
Sakura couldn't control her emotions as the blush crept up her face. Syaoran noticed this and kissed her gently on the lips smirking at her.
"What are you smirking at?" she retorted with a smile across her face.
"Nothing" replied Syaoran. His smile grew wider and the announcer suddenly announced the arrival of Tomoyo and Eriol.
"Announcing Sir Eriol and his radiant wife Tomoyo celebrating their one year anniversary" said the announcer. The whole room burst into applause as they walked down the staircase and as Sakura and the Li sisters did, bowed to the king and queen and the audience. Eriol and Tomoyo both made their way over to Syaoran, Sakura and they guys.
"wow I'm glad that's over" said Eriol
"Me too but we still have the speech to do as well" sighed Tomoyo. Sakura felt guilty that she had no gift for the couple and had only thanked Tomoyo in a small way. Just then she had an idea.
"Erm Tomoyo, Eriol I actually have a gift for you. As a way of thanking you for your kindness and as a present for your wedding anniversary I have a song for you" smiled Sakura. Tomoyo squealed with delight. She adored Sakura's voice and could think of nothing better than her singing a song for a wedding present.
"We'd be delighted" said Tomoyo and Eriol in unison. Sakura smiled and walked over to the orchestra playing. She asked if they could finish their song soon. The conductor smiled knowing exactly what she was going to do and stopped the orchestra immediately. Syaoran stood at the front of the audience.
"Ladies and gentlemen, It gives me great pleasure to share my company with you this evening whilst celebrating the anniversary for my good friend and cousin Eriol and his beloved wife Tomoyo". Announced Syaoran. The room burst into applause.
"And now as a gift to the couple my close personal friend Lady Sakura will now perform a song in honour of their one year anniversary" the room burst into applause again as they turned to face Sakura.
With over 600 eyes watching her, Sakura felt an uneasy feeling in her stomach. She brushed it off as she knew she was doing this for Tomoyo. She looked at Syaoran who gave her a reassuring smile. That was all she needed to give her the confidence boost to do this perfectly. The music started playing and she began to sing.
Kiss me sweet
I'm sleeping in silence
All alone in ice and snow
In my dream I'm calling your name
You are my love
As her confidence began to rise Sakura looked at Eriol and Tomoyo standing together hand in hand smiling up at her.
In your eyes I search for my memory
Lost in vain so far in the scenery
Hold me tight and swear again and again
well never be apart
As Sakura began to sing the next verse of the song she looked at Syaoran. It was almost as if she was trying to tell him her secret, about her being a bird and a goddess and how she really wanted to just run away with him.
If you could touch my feathers softly
Ill give you my love
We set sail in the darkness
Of the night out to the sea
To find me there
To find you there
Love me now if you dare
Kiss me sweet
I'm sleeping sorrow
All alone to see you tomorrow
In my dream I'm calling your name
You are my love
My love….
Queen Yelan never grew tired of listening to Sakura's voice. Her eyes were brimmed with tears that were ready to fall and even the Li sisters looked sad. Eriol was comforting Tomoyo as she couldn't fight back the tears erupting from her eyes as well as most of the women in the room. The guys just stood there baffled and with their mouths to the floor. They could see Sakura was extraordinary beyond belief but that performance just put the cherry on top of it all. Yin ran up to her ready to be her body guard as people began swarming up to her and complimenting her on her miraculous singing voice. Sakura stood there baffled not used to all the attention and as if on cue Syaoran comes and rescues her from the crowd. Eriol leads Tomoyo onto the dance floor for the first dance. As they begin their gracious ballroom dance many other partners start to join them. Syaoran stretches out his hand and asks Sakura to dance. They have no problem with sticking to the timing of the song. As Syaoran twirls her around gracefully, his mother and father were watching quite intently.
"Look at the way she moves with him, it's almost like they are one. They look truly happy together" began the king
"Yes she is like a bird. She takes to the sky easily and no matter what situation she is put in, she always comes out on top" stated Yelan and she chuckled slightly at the irony of what she just said for she knew exactly what Sakura was.
Syaoran was lifting Sakura like she was a feather. As her emotions escalated so did her glowing. She began beaming brightly as she gazed into Syaorans eyes as they danced. Syaoran stopped suddenly. He needed to tell Sakura now. He took both of her hands in his and looked deep into her eyes making her feel like a real woman.
"Sakura I have to tell you something" he began shockingly his voice was quite calm and steady
"Y-yes" squeaked Sakura unsure of what to say
"I… I lo-" but he was cut off as the lights switched off and the room was completely dark. Before either knew what happened the lights were back on. Syaoran looked in front of him. Sakura was still standing there.
"That was weird" said Sakura looking around the room. Syaoran just nodded as he looked over to wear his mother and father were seated. They were talking with Wei their butler. He brushed off their looks of confusion. Maybe it was a power cut or surge or something he told himself. He turned to face Sakura again. He looked into her eyes. He began his confession again.
"Sakura I have to tell you something that has been bothering me for a while now. I think since the first time I met you I had been crazy about you from the start but I just didn't realise it. Sakura I-" but this time this prince stopped his own sentence. Something felt wrong about Sakura. He could tell it wasn't her, he could feel it. He looked closer into her eyes and there was no light there like Sakura's. Behind the emerald eyes were Yelo's brown hazy ones. He could see them clearly.
"You!" he yelled backing away from her.
"Syaoran?" asked Yelo. She was still in Sakura's bodily form.
"Stay away from me you witch! What have you done with Sakura?!" he exclaimed again. This time Queen Yelan rose from her seat. The entire room bowed to her.
"What is the matter Syaoran?" asked the queen
"Mother this is not Sakura, my heart knows its not Sakura. Her eyes aren't the same. Behind them I see Yelo's brown hazy eyes, not Sakura's shining emerald ones. This is not the Sakura I love"
As soon as those words were spoken a bolt of lighting struck the ground in the middle of the room. A blinding white light appeared and faded slowly as the figure of a woman dressed in a white Greek toga stood in place drawing in all the light emitted. It was Athena.
