AN: Whew *wipes brow* This was a difficult chapter to write!
Dear readers, I am so sorry that it has taken a long time to finish chapter 9 and I know you have anticipated this one for a while.
I first was taken aback by a bad review and let me take the time to respond to the anonymous review:
I'm not sure what you wanted out of that review, it confused me. It could mean many things, that you don't like the story, or that you think the story is moving too slow. You could also mean that you really don't understand the point of the story. It's not a great thing to say since the answer is the same for all authors on fanfiction. We write for our own personal pleasure, if other people happen to enjoy the story that the author weaves, then great. I write because fanfiction is an avenue for me to express my wild and interesting fantasies that swirl around in my head. I could simply just write and not disclose my ideas to the world but I think it's nice that others enjoy my story as much as I enjoy solving the puzzle of writing them. A story is like a sandwich, I have only just laid down the bread, the foundations of the story.
The second thing that held me back from completing the chapter was a road block, and I did not know what was causing it aside from the fact that I want to build the SxS relationship perfectly. I finally figured it out and I had to go back and make an update to chapter 8 so that Hiroshi does not die immediately. You'll understand why I made this change when you read the chapter. I also have been super busy too, let me tell you, applying to jobs for eight hours a day is exhausting and the last thing I want to do at the end of a day is to look at a computer screen.
Disclaimer: Can't believe I forgot these! I do not own CCS and I do not own the idea of weaving which goes to the Isavaltian Series by Sarah Zettel. And thanks to oOoYuukioOo for some ideas, no I'm not taking them right out of your story but it has given me some ideas (This is an advance; you might see what I mean later).
0o0o0
Chapter 9: Realizations
0o0
"Why Nozomi?" the queen had asked her. That's all she said in regards to Nozomi's sudden lack of responsibilities. A simple question, that's all it was. The queen asked so sincerely that Nozomi almost forgot her resolve. She stood there waiting for the queen to dismiss her. The queen waited for an answer. A stalemate. Nozomi knew she couldn't tell, and the queen wanted an answer. Eventually the queen dismissed Nozomi and told her that she had to go to the Priests. This seemed redundant.
If the Queen meant to punish Nozomi, sending her to the priests was the wrong thing to do. Nozomi was not religious, and therefore felt no religious guilt upon her 'trespasses' toward the Goddess. Everyone here was so religious, it was ridiculous. That's how Nozomi saw it. Everyone went to daily prayers, thanked the Goddess for her blessed bounty at meals and when good things happened. Everyone sent out silent prayers at random points in the day for wellbeing and good fortune. If you did anything that seemed to go against the Goddess, well that was considered Blasphemy. Nozomi had been a constant target for this term ever since she arrived in Silaway.
Nozomi was born to a well respected merchant father and a daughter of a philosopher. Nozomi had had two other siblings who had died early on. They probably picked something up when their family traveled, as they did a lot of it. Together the entire family never really stayed in one town or city for very long. Everything that they saw and did, Nozomi learned of with her own eyes, ears, nose, and tastes. Nozomi learned about the world in a very different way than others. She learned about how others interacted, everything from low forms of society to high. Of everything she had learned, and there was much, the greatest philosophy is that the beauty and value lay in the eyes of the beholder. It was for this reason, why she couldn't tell the queen her secret.
Nozomi arrived at the temple doors. At one time she dreaded having a lecture by the priests, but not today. Today she felt more annoyed than anything but at the same time the idea of the temple comforted her.
"Ah Nozomi . . ." said one of the Priests as he tottered up to her, once she had entered. He was one of the more robust priests, too content with his situation in life. "You have been absent from prayers for a couple days now." He smiled smugly as he continued, "hmm, that sounds like a good afternoon of lectures, don't you think?" He gestured for her to follow before she could respond.
"I don't mean to be rude but—"
"Now, now, we will begin with the passage of responsibility," he said as they came up to the alter where the other priests were making their own prayers. A couple of the other priests looked over at her with slight disdain, though some looked sad.
"Excuse me—"
"While we understand you have yearnings and feelings of your own that entrust you to act out—"
"I said Excuse Me!" she said catching his attention, he looked thoroughly annoyed. The other priests who did not like Nozomi looked on with anger, while the sad ones sighed, as if to say 'here we go again.'
"I'm not going to sit through another 6 hour session again, how many times do I have to tell you? I am not religious, trying to preach to me is useless," she said crossing her arms over her chest while holding the Tales of Grandin close to her. The priest not only looked affronted and annoyed but he too was getting angry with her callousness.
"We cannot allow you to disrespect our Goddess!"
"What am I disrespecting?" she said finally frustrated with his and their attitudes. This was not the first time she had had to sit through hours and hours of lectures. None of which made much sense, and it only got her in even more trouble, Michiko especially would only consider all the hours gone as a disregard even though some of them had been at the temple. That woman was more strict than the queen if that were possible!
"You have told me once and again, that I am disrespecting by not praying . . . I have read and reread your holy book and have found no indication that I have to pray in order to receive a blessing. I have been told that I have to make an offering, when it clearly states that to do so is not required though it is praised upon . . . Furthermore, I have also been told to do this or that within the religion when in the end it says that the Goddess is respectful to those of other denominations and beliefs. To try and force me to believe in your ways, is that not blasphemous?" Nozomi was fuming as she stared at the shocked priest. There was a definite silence in the room that seemed almost unending.
"Now, I'd like to take the opportunity to ask you questions," she said, their silence was her queue to continue. Thinking of the Tales of Grandin Nozomi launched into her next spiel "I'd like to know how you explain these murals?" she said gesturing at all the carvings on the walls and various paintings, "You've said for ages that they represent the Goddess, but at the same time I know that they do not. I have studied them, and I have my own thoughts and conclusions, but to say so would launch a political and religious battle I have no intention of getting into. I would also like to know how you explain the enchantments of the Palace. Every time someone asks, you say nothing." There was silence; "Well?" again none of them had an answer. Nozomi turned on her heal without being dismissed and left the temple and the helpless priests.
Nozomi headed to her favorite spot in the Palace, a place where she could be left alone for hours. Nozomi wanted to sort out her feelings before she faced Michiko. Eventually Nozomi found a stone bench to sit on. Then she began laughing. What has come over me? She couldn't stop laughing. How come I goaded on the priests like that? And to think of Priest Rodel's face! Nozomi laughed till she could barely breathe and when she settled down a joyous twinkle was left in her eyes and a sweet smile upon her face.
Nozomi's hand strayed to the book on the bench beside her. She focused her attention on it. Of all the books she had ever read, there had been none so compelling. Naoko had said she would find it interesting, but who would have thought that Nozomi would go so far as to protect it? As though there was more to it than just a tale of Gods and Goddesses that didn't exist. Or did they?
Nozomi sat up straighter, her eyes still on the book. Is that why? Because I believe in it? But that can't be! Nozomi denied the truth that had settled in her heart. She couldn't believe in a book so thoroughly, it was silly to believe that. Then why do I protect it so?
0o0
Syaoran
0o0
Magic Travel was probably the weirdest feeling Syaoran had ever felt. While feeling the solid saddle of his horse beneath him, he felt buoyant. Almost as if you were floating. The feeling was so fleeting since it lasted only seconds. The surroundings of what Syaoran assumed to be Silaway settled before him, he felt immediately disoriented. They had landed somewhere in a city when only moments before they had been immersed in the country side. The streets of the city were crowded with people, many startled by the groups' arrival.
Syaoran's attention was drawn back to Hiroshi as he fell from his horse. Syaoran jumped from his own to go to him. Syaoran tried to staunch the bleeding with his hands. He was vaguely aware of others around him. For Syaoran everything disappeared, it was just him trying to save the life of the man who had saved him.
"M-My Lord," whispered Hiroshi his breathing becoming shallow as his life drained from his face becoming paler by the second.
"It'll be alright!" said Syaoran trying to keep the pressure on the wound. The arrow was imbedded deep. In the pit of his stomach, Syaoran knew that there was no way they could save Hiroshi. Panic was settling in and Syaoran was at a loss of what to do. He barely noticed a healer opposite him trying to use his powers to save Hiroshi.
Suddenly Hiroshi's strong grip on Syaoran's arm brought his attention to the dying man's face. Hiroshi looked into Syaoran's eyes to see that he had his attention before he spoke in a harsh whisper being the only way he could speak. "N-No matter w-what . . . do n-not waver . . . in your d-decision . . . " Hiroshi's breathing came quicker as he struggled to find the breath to say, "W-We all . . . m-make dec-decisions as we must . . . never . . . forget your . . . y-your resolve . . . "
"Hiroshi?" Syaoran felt the man's grip loosen, his hand falling away as Hiroshi's eyes closed. "Hiroshi!"
"Syaoran . . ." came Feimei's faint voice as from across an abyss. Syaoran barely felt her hand trying to shake his shoulder. He was vaguely aware of Keran trying to lead them away from the scene. All Syaoran could think about was the man that had sacrificed his life in saving Syaoran's own, for whatever it was worth.
o0o Flashback o0o
"Why again are you following me around? It's not as if I can't protect myself," said Syaoran folding his arms across his chest.
"We have no doubts about your combat skills. However we were instructed by Lady Meiling to be your body guards," said Hiroshi matter-of-factly. "Besides you are the future King of Silaway. We cannot exactly leave you to yourself, not when you are in a country different from the one you will be living in. It is the rules and regulations of Silaway. You came under that jurisdiction with the fulfillment of the treaty."
"Lord Syaoran, don't let Hiroshi's cold manner get to you," said Keran cutting across Hiroshi, "We are your body guards that much is true, but we are also your new confidants."
"We will stand by you as instructed," continued Keran, "it is a duty that we were born to do. In Silaway we are the persons who know the deepest secrets of our monarchs and we take those secrets to our graves. That is what it means to be your confidant. We protect you, your secrets, and we are your shoulder to turn to should you have need of guidance. I understand if this is a new concept to you. Kigasti does not have such positions in life as we do, do they?"
"No, we don't," said Syaoran. It was very true that Kigasti did not have 'gentlemen-in-waiting' or confidants in which you could trust with your life. It had always been servants who attended you, who could sell their rulers secrets to others to raise their status in life. Advisors, who you are supposed to trust, are always scrabbling for an edge to also raise their own status. It was a viscous cycle.
Thinking of Keran's and Hiroshi's offer of friendship, it occurred to Syaoran that he had never really had a friend close enough to consider a confidant or for that matter someone to call a friend. Someone who would stand by you no matter what the consequences were. It was a lot to expect of someone, it was a lot of responsibility to Syaoran, and most of all, it seemed too good to be true.
Keran dismissed himself from the room, leaving Syaoran and Hiroshi.
"You will find Silaway a very different home to the one you are leaving behind," said Hiroshi suddenly after a silent pause.
"How so?"
"It seems to me that you feel restricted here," said Hiroshi looking into Syaoran's challenging stare, "Silaway is freer in a sense. You will find that people are not so closed about their feelings that men and women interact simultaneously without the fear of breaking some cardinal rule, as it is here. I have noticed that your sisters obey their husbands despite their obvious discomfort. Women do not speak out against a decision they do not like."
Hiroshi sighed, "Yes this land is very different from home. Servants and workers are viewed almost one in the same, the only difference being the quality of cloths. Secrets hold no value except to the person for which they are about. The King is kind and respectful to those that work for him and the Princess is adored by her people. Our Queen is wise and together with the king they make a powerful couple. There are many other things you will find different. I think it best for you to observe on your own and make your own decisions based on that."
Syaoran thought on his words then asked of Hiroshi, "What would lead you to choose this path in life?" Syaoran remembered Meiling once saying that many people in Silaway choose their livelihood rather than being told due financial or social restrictions.
"What decisions would lead anyone to choose to live as they do?" asked Hiroshi, causing Syaoran to feel somewhat affronted, not that his own question hadn't deserved such an answer.
"I am sorry, I did not mean to pry," said Syaoran. In Silaway, of course, everyone's secrets were their own, just because you were of a higher standing does not mean you had a right to know.
"I'll give you advice that I once received," said Hiroshi after a pause, "We all make decisions in life that lead us to a conclusion. They lead us down paths that we trod some with heavy hearts, others with a lighter spirit. In the end once you make a decision, the only option is to follow through. If you second guess yourself you will assuredly fail. No matter what, do not waver in your decision. We all make decisions as we must, but never forget your resolve."
0o0
Meiling
0o0
Meiling slumped into one of the sofas within a suite of a premium Inn in the suburban district of Silaway's capital, S'Heal. The day itself had been overwhelming to say the least. First that unbelievable chase, then the mess created by them appearing in the busy street.
Meiling sighed with repressed emotions as she remembered Syaoran struggling to save Hiroshi or the healer who was passing by and offered to help. Neither were successful not that the first could have done much. Hiroshi's body was being taken care of by soldiers who had been posted to watch over the traffic and instead had to step in and keep onlookers away. They had offered to escort the group to an Inn and to send others to escort Meiling and her party to the castle, once she had told them of their destination. The guards had said that they would personally take care of Hiroshi's body and see that it was given a hero's burial, such as the creed of all soldiers of Silaway.
Meiling considered the situation as it now stood. When the healer was unable to do anything for Hiroshi he then preceded to look after Tyson and Feimei. He said that he could not do anything for the magic caster since rest was probably all that he would require. The healer tended to Feimei's wound, it was now more or less healed but the healer suspected that was not the reason that she had fainted. Meiling was inclined to believe him.
Meiling hoped that Tyson would wake soon. She wanted to know why they were so far from the palace. Something must have happened, and whatever it was threw them off by some distance. They were still in the capital city of S'Heal but a ways from the palace. Just thinking of the distance they would have to travel during the peak of the commerce season, made Meiling's head throb. Even with an escort, the distance was still daunting.
Keran cleared his throat to announce his presence as he took the sofa opposite of Meiling, he looked as exhausted as she felt.
"How are they?" she asked looking up at him.
"Tyson is resting; I don't expect him to wake up anytime soon. Lord Syaoran on the other hand, is a different story. How is Lady Feimei?" he asked skimming over Syaoran. Meiling caught on to his tone of voice and it worried her.
"She is also resting; I believe the day's events have been tiring. What was that about Syaoran?" Keran was hesitant, causing Meiling to jump up and head into the room shared by the men. Keran tried to stop her but she didn't listen.
She found Syaoran sitting on the floor against the wall his head in his arms. He had cleaned himself up since his hair was wet.
"Syaoran," she said as she came up beside him. He barely acknowledged her presence. Meiling reached out and shook his shoulder to get his attention and he looked up at her.
"He's gone," he whispered, "They all are . . ."
"Syaoran, his death is not your fault. The—"
" . . . can still here the screaming, so much—" Syaoran continued as if he hadn't heard her.
SNAP
Syaoran's daze was broken by the hard slap he had received on his cheek. He looked up at Meiling, startled. Her deep ruby eyes flashed at him in her anger.
"We are in a war Syaoran. Wake up. What you witnessed will happen again, most likely getting worse."
"What are you saying?" he asked.
"Others will die to protect you and others will die to save others. It's the cycle of life. People die and that's a fact, move on."
Syaoran blinked as though he thought he heard wrong. With anger building in his chest he responded, "You're acting as though Hiroshi's death means nothing! As if the deaths of your guards mean nothing!"
"His and their deaths show you that more will die unless you resolve the situation. As the future King of Silaway, you have to face these issues instead of brooding over them!"
"Meiling—!" She turned around in that instant leaving the room and slamming the door behind her. Keran was watching her and she gave him a challenging look.
"He's never seen war before or for that matter someone dying, Meiling. Don't you think that was a bit harsh?"
"No. Not really. He needs to get over it. Silaway needs a strong leader, not a sappy one."
"Sometimes an affectionate King and Queen are better than the strict and powerful."
"Are you challenging my decision?" she asked coolly her eyes flashing as her anger reared up again.
"Hardly My Lady . . . I just say these things because I do not believe that you believe in what you said."
"And which part of what I said do you not believe?" she asked in challenge.
"Well most of it, especially the part where Hiroshi's death and those of your guards mean nothing," he said calmly studying her reaction.
"And what makes you think that?" she asked, though she already knew the answer.
"You are practically quivering with your own fears and tribulations, not from your anger," he replied calmly.
Meiling turned on her heal heading across the room to the room housing Feimei. Before entering and closing the door Keran heard her say, "And I cannot seem to stop."
0o0
Feimei
0o0
Feimei woke in the very early hours. She had not slept well. The events of the previous day had constantly been playing in her head. The death, the panic, and fear she had felt would not leave her. After struggling to fall asleep she sat up in her bed and took in her surroundings. She was in a room when she last remembered being in a forest. The furnishings were plush and in rich vibrant colors. There were some Muriel's on the walls depicting something Feimei assumed dealt with the Mother of All Natures. It was too dark to make much out, and Feimei figured there would be time later to observe. Feimei left the comfort of the covers and went to the window sill, noticing that Meiling still slept.
The street outside was lit with torches along the winding road. The place in which they were staying was taller than other buildings and they were high enough that Feimei could see outlines against the horizon. In the distance to the left and right she noticed large masses stretching horizontal to her position. It took Feimei a moment to realize that they were walls. Even from this distance she could discern that. They must be huge! She thought. The question gnawed at her, and she hoped Meiling would be able to answer.
While observing the city, Feimei realized that Silaway was nothing like Kigasti. Feimei suddenly felt home sick and she slouched against the wall beside the open window. Tears prickled at her eyes as she cried silently into her hands. She eventually slid down the wall into a sitting position. It was hard to believe that she would never see her sisters again or their children. She would never see her friends that she once held dear.
And of course she would never see her suitor Ky again. Though everyone disproved of him, she fell in love with his sweet nature and kind heart. He wasn't a noble but he wasn't a pauper either. He taught her many things that she would never have otherwise gotten to learn such as fishing. It seemed mundane but it was funny and exciting. The only thing Feimei lamented was that they only saw each other during the summer months when the family stayed in the town of Namisha which was on the edge of a great lake with waterfalls and mountains to climb all around the valley. When her step-father found out about her relationship with Ky, he had forbidden her form ever seeing him again. It was her mother however that had convinced her step-father to allow it. The stipulation being that Feimei had to agree to court nobles as her step-father decreed. Fortunately for Feimei, he did not pick a suitable suitor before her mother died or even before the treaty was fulfilled. Saying bye to Ky had been harder than she had ever imagined. She had almost not gone through with it. Feimei cried harder when the weight of this loss finally set in.
When Feimei had cried her fill she made a vow to herself. She would do everything in her power to make the best of the life she now could chart without being told what to do. Meiling had said that she had this right. Feimei dried her eyes and stood up heading back to bed. There was a lot she did not know about Silaway but she looked forward to learning more about it. She also hoped that there would be many more chances to find happiness.
0o0
Syaoran
0o0
When Syaoran woke that morning, dawn had not yet risen. He lay there unmoving looking at the ceiling without interest, his mind elsewhere. With sleep there was oblivion, with wake there was awareness. Syaoran could not deny the loss of his comrade, his friend. Syaoran hadn't really had a friend before. Sure there were the kids that his mother gathered from the other nobles and families that lived within close proximity to the castle. They played together but they knew no matter how much they spent time together, on either side of the social barrier, that they really couldn't trust each other. Everything was a lie. But it was easy in that fake world. A False reality, as Syaoran was quickly learning. In that world other countries issues seemed so far away. That they didn't matter to them and they could forget about the troubles they saw behind the fake masks everyone wore. Life wasn't so simple anymore.
Syaoran sighed letting his mind twirl in his thoughts. Eventually they lingered on the slap he had received from Meiling and the argument they had had. It was mostly one sided as she had just yelled at him. The meaning of her words was lost on him. He couldn't understand what she wanted from him.
How could she seem so callous? People had died, was he to just forget about that? It didn't seem right. Syaoran wasn't sure if he even understood the principle of it. People had died and more were to follow if the war became larger. That was the theory anyway. How exactly was he going to stop a war he didn't even know was happening? A war he hadn't even known about till he had learned of it with his own eyes.
There had been wars in the past amongst the different countries. The people in those eras had probably been in Syaoran's shoes at some point in their lives. They had been dealing with the fear and sense of loss as they wept over those that had died pointlessly. The overwhelming feeling of the pressure of his duties on his shoulders made him feel somewhat helpless.
Syaoran's thoughts drifted again, this time back to the question of how to stop the war from even occurring. It ate at him bit by bit. Syaoran knew that he no longer understood the situation as he had once thought he did. No he certainly hadn't known what was going on in Silaway or even his home country Kigasti. The pain of the betrayal was enough to turn Syaoran's stomach. Men from Kigasti and Brostone had fired on them. Why hadn't his step-father said anything? Sure the relationship they had wasn't exactly the greatest, but he didn't think that it would come to that. He must have known that when the Silawanian's left that Feimei and I would be with them. Deep down Syaoran doubted his own conclusion.
As the smell of early morning coal fires began to filter in through the open window, Syaoran left the safty of his bed and walked over to the window to look out at the city. He barely saw the scenery as images passed through his head of the events from the previous day. Syaoran was left trembling from their memories.
Syaoran tried to think of other things but his mind settled on Meiling's words again. She wanted him to move on, to accept the deaths of those that had died as a cycle of life. Syaoran didn't think that he could forget them. No he certainly could not. The biggest question of all nagged at him, if he couldn't get the images out of his head, how was he to move on?
0o0o0
By dawn Tyson still had not recovered. Meiling decided the best option was to hire a coach, it would be slow going but it would be that verses not moving from the Inn till Tyson had fully recovered. Meiling felt a slight sense of urgency as the coach came around at the front of the Inn. They called on the assistance of bell boys to transport Tyson into the carriage and the escort guards arranged the extra horses at the back of the carriage. Keran took a seat up by the carriage's driver while Feimei, Syaoran, and Meiling filed inside.
Meiling and Feimei were once again in the dresses, colors of green and blue respectively. Syaoran was in similar garb as yesterday except colored in hues of grey with gold and silver embroidery. After a night's refreshing rest everyone looked better if not slightly pale from their travels.
The day passed as much as any other long and boring day can be within a carriage. They stopped briefly to eat lunch and then continued on. Tyson woke late in the afternoon, but he still appeared drained. He did not say much, ate a bite to eat before passing out again. Meiling began to really wonder what went wrong. It was impossible to know at the moment in any case.
On the second day they passed through the 3rd wall of the City of S'Heal. They passed through the customs there and were allowed to continue on their way. Throughout the journey Syaoran had remained silent. No one looked as if they were willing to talk anyways. Syaoran's curiosity finally took the better of him however. However Feimei beat him to the punch.
"This city is amazing, Meiling," she said, as they passed by an administration building of sorts. "I just can't get over how intricate all the buildings are!" The city itself was built of sandy and pinkish stone, carved in intricate designs from the steps to the pillars to the roofs. Every building that was not a residency had pictorials above the entrance that represented something about the business within instead of a sign. The people were dressed in the simple designs of Silaway and in many bright and beautiful colors. The dresses among many of the commoners usually had sleeves and fell to the knees rather than the ankles. Likewise many designs among the men were looser shirts with ropes tying around the waist and their trousers where loose too, but tied at the ankles so that they didn't drag. Some commoners whore tunics over their shirt and trousers.
"If you like this place, you will love the palace," said Meiling with a distant look as she observed the outside through the window pane of the carriage. They were passing into a forested like area. While the city housed many people, there was enough room within each wall to house farmlands and wildernesses of sorts.
"Is that so?" Feimei asked intrigued. Meiling didn't say more till Syaoran prompted her.
"So how big is this city?"
"It would take one nearly a month or more to walk on foot from end to end," she said glancing in her cousin's direction before looking back out into the street. "There are five walls. The outer wall is taller than the rest. But each is as fortified as the last. Between the fifth and forth walls are the farm lands, between the forth and third walls are housing areas. Between the third and second walls are more housing as well as administrative buildings. There are also more farmlands on the west and south sides. Then there is the area between the second and first walls. That area houses the richer and the universities. Finally beyond the first wall is the palace itself as well as more housing, farmland and more administrative buildings. Of course all over the place are parks, inns, markets and restaurants and bars. There are museums and shops of all sorts. Everything you can imagine a city to hold to remain self sustaining, S'Heal is the place for that."
"Oh!" cried Feimei her eyes gleaming with excitement, "Do you think there will ever be a time for exploration?"
"There is that possibility," said Meiling sighing, her mind elsewhere.
"Meiling, you say there are five walls?"
"Yes . . . What about them?" she asked her attention back on her cousins.
"How well fortified are they?"
"So much so that they have never been breached," Meiling answered simply. Syaoran watched as again his cousin became distracted by her own thoughts. Syaoran had other questions to ask her about S'Heal but he figured that later was soon enough, he had enough of his own thoughts to keep him busy.
The rest of their journey was quiet, barely speaking a word except at meal times, and even then there wasn't much to say.
0o0
Syaoran
0o0
Kigasti and Silaway were as different as salt and pepper, black and white. However you wanted to phrase it, they were so opposite of each other, that Syaoran was becoming extremely frustrated. No matter what he did, he could choose to do something. He had free reign over his life for the first time and he didn't know what to do with his spare time. Being told over and over again that he could make his own decisions made him feel lost and angry. For the first time he didn't know what to do.
Fed up with Yamazaki's obnoxious stories, Syaoran fled the room. He wandered around the castle not really paying attention to where he was going. His thoughts drifted in a swirl of emotion and Syaoran took in his surroundings to think about something else other than the lack of traditions compared to Kigasti. He was walking down brightly lit corridors, with paintings and murals of scenes from history long ago past. Some depicted battles; others depicted various brightly colored people in odd outfits. Syaoran really didn't think much of them. They were well done and looked as if they had survived the years of decay. The artists must have been very good at their work.
Syaoran turned a corner and another. No matter how many times he turned right or left, it was another corridor with archways leading to other corridors or rooms. Syaoran realized that this place was like a maze! Panicking, Syaoran walked faster trying to figure his way out. Right, Left, Left, Right, first door on the right . . . He only ended up making his mind more confused. Why was this castle built so difficult? His anger rose higher and higher the more lost he became.
OOF
Syaoran was in such a rush that he didn't realize he'd run into someone. Before he could stop himself he snapped at the person.
"Why is this place so confusing? And watch where you're going!" Syaoran stood up and began brushing the dust of his cloths when a very pretty feminine voice answered him.
"You were the one who ran into me!" she said. "If you can't figure it out then why are you traveling by yourself, we have Key Keepers for a reason." Syaoran focused on the woman and was suddenly surprised. Before him was a fuming female with long auburn hair that was braided in tiny braids from the shoulder down. She wore a deep pink dress that was similar to Meilings but she wore a light sheer pink robe overtop, bordered in gold. She wore minimal jewelry but it was her eyes that arrested his attention. A deep emerald green. By reflex Syaoran reached out a hand to help her up but she slapped his hand away and stood up herself.
"Hey I was trying to be nice," he said anger rising again.
"Well maybe you shouldn't just snap at people as soon as you meet them!"
"Fine, but that doesn't give you the right to slap my hand like that."
"I can do whatever I please, who do you think you are?" she said her own anger rising. Normally she was good tempered, but something about this guy really irked her.
"I could ask the same thing!" What is with this girl, she's acting like she's a royal or something.
"Honestly, you're so crude. I don't have time to deal with you, I'm late for a meeting," she said her face reflecting her anger if it wasn't already. This guy is acting like he owns the place, what kind of noble is he? She turned on her heal to leave when he caught her arm, "Hey let me go!"
"Look I don't know my way around here, I need your help to get back," he said releasing her arm once he had her attention.
"Fine!" she said, almost yelling. She really didn't have a choice since no one else was around. She beckoned for him to follow her.
Syaoran huffed after her, fuming from her attitude. Both of them soon realized that the tense atmosphere was stifling. Syaoran decided to say something since she was obviously stubborn, just as stubborn as he was. He felt compelled to talk to her since she was rather pretty. She had a cute face that was accented by her eyes and the picture was complete with her naturally pouting lips and small nose.
"So how big is this maze?"
"Excuse me?" she asked a little perturbed. It was not your everyday question.
"How big is it? How far does it go though the castle?" he said refusing to meet her penetrating gaze.
"I uh . . . Don't really know . . ." she said. She really didn't know. She had never really thought about it, she just knew where to go and where things were. The rest didn't matter.
"Hmmf," said Syaoran distractedly, "So how come you know where to go?"
"I . . . hmmm, I guess because I was born here and have lived my entire life in the castle. I also learned from the Key Keepers," she responded thoughtfully, her anger beginning to dissipate.
"What are 'Key Keepers'?"
"They are the people who know everything about the Palace and can find their way around by just knowing the route. They are the people who often guide around foreigners or nobles from other cities." She looked over at him, but he refused to meet her gaze. "So what is your story?"
"Excuse me?"
"Well? I mean you are not a Silawanian, or else you would know this stuff. Besides you look different, your hair color and eyes are from the Eastern region of the continent. I assume you are here on official business?"
"Well not exactly. It's true I'm not originally from Silaway, but I'm not here on official business, this is my new home now." Syaoran reluctantly returned her gaze, just looking at her softened gaze made him slightly unnerved. His anger began to dial down as they continued to walk down one corridor after another.
"Did your family relocate, or are you marrying into a new family?"
"What is it to you?" he asked his anger rising again, What is with all these personal questions?
"What, I can't ask a simple question?" she asked angry again, "You are so short tempered!"
"Well—"
"Here we are," she said cutting him off none-too-subtly. They had arrived at a well traveled corridor that had many open windows featuring the city beyond and the royal gardens on the lower level below them.
"My lady!" cried a voice. Syaoran turned his head to see another pretty woman hurrying towards them. She had peculiar Amethyst eyes and black hair that shined deep purple. "We were worried when we couldn't find you!"
"Calm yourself Tomoyo," she said, "I'm fine, I was just helping out this helpless noble." Syaoran could have sworn he saw her smirk when she said it.
"Princess, your father has been looking for you, you must hurry!"
"I will come when I can," she said calmly.
"P-Princess?" Syaoran was looking at her with a renewed perspective. It couldn't be! This whole time I was talking to the Princess?
"Oh my I forgot to introduce myself," she said with a slight blush, and then she smirked as she turned to him, "My name is Sakura Kinomoto, Princess of Silaway." For a moment Syaoran was speechless. Then hesitantly he introduced himself.
"M-my name is Syaoran Li, Prince of Silaway, former Prince of Kigasti," he said bowing but not before catching her stunned face. Now that was absolutely priceless!
The lady Tomoyo was watching the whole exchange in extreme interest.
0o0
The Next Day
0o0
It was official. Syaoran had a new fiancé. Together they were standing beside each other behind Sakura's parents as they received the praises and complements from the nobles, ambassadors, and the like. Sakura was wearing a similar garb today as she had been yesterday, except she wore hues of gold and yellow. Syaoran wore similar colors with a robe overtop the revealing shirt that he still wasn't used to and loose trousers. Today Syaoran had been presented with a golden crown of sorts that looked like intertwining ivy. Sakura wore a similar one over her hair that was now pulled back in a bun with strands hanging loose in tight curls.
Neither had said anything to each other since they had agreed in the formal ceremony to become engaged. Syaoran's hard years of training kept him from yawning at the slow atmosphere. Out of the corner of his eye he watched as Sakura talked conversationally with her maidens. Syaoran hadn't been introduced to any of them quite yet, except for Tomoyo who seemed excited for some reason. She didn't show it outwardly but there was a strange gleam in her eyes.
"Well, I look forward to the future," he said suddenly breaking the tension between him and Sakura. She looked over at him startled.
"Odd choice of words, but yes, the future holds many surprises I imagine," she said somewhat roughly. Syaoran was going to respond, though he wasn't quite sure with what, when she spoke up again, "Respect."
"Wh— Respect? What do you mean?" he asked he looked at her as if trying to discern her meaning from her facial expression. She turned to him meeting his gaze.
"Respect is all we need between the two of us. If we can respect one another, and learn to trust each other, then it is deemed a decent union." Syaoran was left without any words but he vaguely wondered what she meant by a decent union?
Neither of the two caught the glances from the Queen as she silently listened to the conversation. Her husband asked her why the secret smile; he had not heard the conversation between his daughter and their soon-to-be son-in-law. "Oh nothing, really, just that I think things will be alright." But of course Queen Nadeshiko knew full well that things would get worse before they got better.
0o0
Nirvana
0o0
Eriol looked down at the mirror. Today many gods and goddesses were watching the events unfolding before them. Many had become interested once he had told them that their true powers might return that he might have found a way. They all knew that the land had been decaying for some time, and in order to correct it their true powers had to be released. There was only one way to do that. All the pieces were in place, the next step was watch. In order for those ancient powers to be awakened, the players involved would have to show their talents and their hearts.
"Prince Eriol!" Eriol's attention was drawn back to the pool before him.
"So it begins."
0o0o0
To Be Continued . . .