Disclaimer: I do not own Cardcaptor Sakura or Cardcaptors (USA) as they are owned and copyright to Clamp.
Chapter 20: Day One – Challenge One
A soft groan slipped past Sakura's lips as she realized how late it was. The memory of Darien's comment kept replaying Cleary in her mind, as she struggled to sleep. She didn't want to admit it, but she was honestly worried about the possible outcome of future events to come. She didn't have a clue as to where she stood and how serious the situation was. Sakura knew quite well that the Li's family heir was Li, Syaoran, and that they would be extra picky on who would become his bride; the future mistress of the Li family for years to come. She knew that only the best of the best were candidates in the first place and felt she was just given a free pass into something she knew nothing about. Was she ready for all fights, heartaches, and struggles to come to obtain such position.
Unlike in Tomoyo's case; Eriol didn't have nearly as many candidates for Tomoyo to overcome and Tomoyo was used to the wealthy lifestyle thanks to her mother. Eriol candidates were going to be judge more in the areas of personality, judgments, and overall intellect. Sakura would face those obstacles as well of physical from what Syaoran's youngest sister had told her. Sakura didn't have the slightest doubt that Tomoyo would be amongst the finalist. Then there was Darien, and Sakura wasn't completely sure how far he would go to have either her as his bride. Just the thought that he might abuse his powers to prove she was the worst candidate for Li was giving her a sickening feeling. He might even try another stunt like he did in school.
By the time morning had arrived Sakura had only got roughly three hours of rest and could already feel her body trembling with anticipation of the day's events that awaited her. Tomoyo arouse from her normal peaceful slumber only to take in a disturbing and heart aching scene of Sakura current state. Sakura still in her night gown; leaning against the window of their room. The left side of her forehead and upper body was pressed against the window; her normal sparkling glossy eyes were almost dull and drained as the set their gaze on something in the distant. Her arms were wrapped around herself in what looked to be an effort of comfort, while her right hand clung tightly to the chest area of her gown. Her hair appeared messier than normally in the mornings, and her face appeared pale instead of its normal tan glow. Most of all, the soft grey bags under her eyes that threaten to darken had most defiantly caught her attention at Sakura's overall state.
A sudden gasp from behind Sakura, had caught her once dazed mind to the attention of where the gasp had come from. She whirled around only to be engulfed by Tomoyo's warm embrace. Sakura tried to swallow some of her saliva in order to moisten her dry throat to give a proper morning greeting, but was stopped when the girl embracing her tightened her hold. Instead, Sakura chose to stay still; afraid to upset the girl more if she spoke with a rather dry and tired voice. It didn't take much more before Tomoyo voiced her concerns.
"Why….why didn't you wake me Sakura-chan…especially when you are troubled?" Tomoyo's voice was soft and sincere, and still no response was given. Still, it did not deter her from continuing what was needed to be said to her friend. "Sakura, you do not look well in the slightest…. Please tell me…what is troubling you so? And don't not tell me that it's nothing!" There was a pause as Sakura remained silent and Tomoyo took it as a sign to continue to speak. "I feel my happiest Sakura when you are happy…and to wake up seeing you distressed as you are, and I did nothing to help you….Sakura, please just tell me what it wrong." It wasn't a question, but a plead.
Sakura could only bit her bottom lip out of guilt as she sought out the response to give in return. She hadn't meant to upset Tomoyo, but she should have known was just like Tomoyo, to discover the truth without batting an eye lash. Sighing, Sakura tried to gently shift her position within her friend's arms; Tomoyo always did have a good grip, it must be from holding that camera all the time, Sakura mused to herself.
Tomoyo arms fell from around Sakura's form, drawing Sakura's attention once more to the present reality. Giving a reassuring smile to Tomoyo, she was then pulled across the luxury room. Sweat dropping at the sudden change from gentle Tomoyo to a plotting and aggressive Tomoyo. Tomoyo pulled her victim to a halt in front of the closet door, while taking the action to fling the doors open. This of course startled Sakura who was still under the influence of a lack of good sleep. Ignoring the obvious panicked teenage girl beside her, Tomoyo went to search through the items that hung before her.
"Um Tomoyo-chan, what are you looking for" Sakura questioned nervously as her friend continued her search through the closet like a mad woman. Giving a frustrated sigh Tomoyo turned to Sakura with a dramatic sad pose at the news she was about to deliver.
"It's tragic! None of these outfits provided will do! There simply not kawaii enough for my precious Sakura." Sakura sweat dropped even more at the thought of anyone trying to talk to Tomoyo about fashion restrictions in this place.
"Tomoyo-chan, it's alright, I think the clothes given to us to wear are just fine." As to emphasize her explanation; Sakura reaches out pulling on the nearest outfit that hung in the closet. Quickly regretting her words, as she held up a deep blood red, silk kimono with black laced flower patterned along the lower section of the kimono. Sakura tried her best to look enthused about her 'lucky' pick, but was failing horribly. "Why this one looks absolutely pretty, don't you agree Tomoyo," Sakura's only response was deadpan looks of the girl before her. "And I bet it would look just fi-"
"It would look dreadful on your body type Sakura and you know it! That's something I would expect an older woman looking for attention to would wear!" an annoyed Tomoyo voiced while snatching the offending material from Sakura's lose grip. "Blood red Sakura? Really? This isn't something you would wear around in the darkest of nights in hopes of no one noticing your tragic fashion appearance. You wouldn't even wear this in public. Yet alone to the special events intended. It's ugly!" Releasing the once held kimono onto the floor without a care, Tomoyo swiftly and gracefully strolled over to her purse sitting on the stand beside her bed. Quickly shifting through the purse, she spot the desired item and quickly flips her wrist backward while keeping a firm grip onto the object.
Sakura owlishly watched as Tomoyo moved across to room to retrieve the now identified object; a cell phone. Tomoyo not skipping the slightest beat, pressed the desired numbers and awaited frustrated. At the sound of someone picking up, Tomoyo's once annoyed demeanor quickly swifts to one of a pleased demeanor. "Ohayo Okaasan….yes Sakura and I both are doing fine and we are enjoying ourselves….yes Okaasan, I did receive your text message….I know Mother, he had no right to question your authority on the matter…but Okaasan I was needing…Yes, yes, I am videotaping our stay in Hong Kong as much as possible….but Okaasan" and the conversation continued. Sakura strained to hear the conversation between the two as she could make out some of what Daidouji-san whose voice was above normal as she could be heard at times through the phone.
Sakura smiled fondly at the thought of Tomoyo's interaction with her mother. The thought of her own mother flooded her mind and sad smiled creped over her lips. As if something called Tomoyo to bring her attention to Sakura, a glow and expression of recognition at the purpose of the call clicked back into her mind. "Okaasan, that is nice and all, but I am in need of emergency favor." The woman one the other end of the phone became quiet to Sakura's ears for the moment. "They don't have anything kawaii or gorgeous enough for Sakura-chan to wear for the events and days to come. I need a massive wardrobe sent here in a snap. Oh, and I'll be needing a few myself as well."
Sakura panicked slightly when she heard a rather high pitch squeal from Daidojj-san on the other end of the phone line at the mention of Sakura's name. Several more high pitched sounds came from over the phone, before a few minutes later Tomoyo said her thanks and goodbye.
Tomoyo feeling proud of her little call quickly turns to Sakura and grabs her hand into her own before speaking, "You are going to be just gorgeous for our entire stay here. Syaoran is going to be love struck when he sees you looking as gorgeous as I am about to make you look. Okaasan is even sending over a few of her staff to help out. Isn't that great news Sakura?"
Sakura could only give a vigorous nod in response, as her mind focused on the death grip currently placed upon her now numb hands due to Tomoyo's 'friendly' grip. Tomoyo gave a closed eyes smile before finally releasing her grip on Sakura's hands before heading towards the bathroom to take her morning shower. Sakura released a sigh while bringing her right hand to be placed over her heart as it tried to pace itself once more from all of the excitement it had built up from this morning's events. She could only image how the rest of the day would be if the morning was so crazy already.
Test one; Breakfast with the Li family
Three hours later, and Sakura found herself amazed as she glanced around the extremely large dining room that her and the other women had been sent to. The room was the size of a ballroom, with deep dark red and golden brown coloring almost every item in the room. A long glass table neatly decorated had been placed in the center of the room. Beautiful crafted chandlers lit the windowless room. Distracted by the finely decorated room, Tomoyo gently pulled Sakura along as she followed the girls to be placed at the table.
By now Sakura was no longer distracted, but nervous as she waiting at her seat of the table for the Li Family to enter. Tomoyo would reach over to give Sakura a comforting hand to help calm her down. As much as she appreciated the gestures, they weren't helping her nerves one bit. Along with having to wait for the Li family, the room had become quite tense and girls all around the room sized up their competition. Sakura could only give a nervous smile when her eyes locked path with another girl. The girl staring back at her held a loathing look towards Sakura. Sakura couldn't help but give a nervous laugh as the girl's eyes across from her continued to stare intensely on her. Sakura was saved from the intense stare down when Wei calmly cleared his throat to bring everyone's' attention to him.
"I present the Li Family advisor, Hiragizawa Eriol," as Wei finished announcing the first arrival, all the girls around the table stood up from their seats and stood waiting. Eriol walked into the room dressed down in dark blue traditional formal wear, and wearing his usually mysterious smile. Each girl began to bow as he walked pasted them to take his seat at the end of the table.
"Presenting the Li Family Fourth in line Prince, Li Darien." Walking in with a charming smile as he passed the bowing heads.
"Presenting the Li Family Princess; Li Fuutie, Li Fanren, Li Shiefa and Li Feimei." The two younger sisters walked the same path that Eriol and Darien had to take their seats at the head of far end of the table. Fuutie and Fanren walked a short distant to take their seats at the sides head of the table opposite to Eriol's and Darien's seat.
"Presenting the heir Prince of the Li Family, Li Syaoran." Sakura's eyes immediately averted to Syaoran's entering form. His body was clad it dark green traditional formal wear. His face held no emotion as he made his way to head of the table where his older sisters stood waiting. Sakura attention never strayed from Syaoran form, but he never once glanced in her direction.
"Now presenting the head of the Li Family; Lady Li Yelan." The moment Lady Yelan walked into the room, all heads were bowed the entire time as she made her way next to Syaoran. His head bowed and his mother gently kissed his forehead. Never once rising his head, he and the rest of the room waited for permission to raise their heads. Yelan looked over all the bow heads, her eyes stopping when auburn colored hair came into her line of vision. She could see Sakura form slightly sake, most likely due to nerves. Yelan smiled to herself, she had no doubt that Sakura would be her Daughter in law when this was all over. Although the elders had expressed their concerns about Sakura not being strong enough to handle the position of leading lady of this family, Yelan thought otherwise. Yelan took a seat before speaking, "you may all now sit." The result was rustling noises from some of the girls as they attempted to take their seats while keeping their beautiful clothes intact and unwrinkled.
Yelan could only sigh to herself at the girls antics, surely there must have been other girls move deserving at this chance than most of the girls before her. It mattered not though, as Syaoran's mother; see would see to it that her son only got the best he deserved; even if that meant that none of these young women here was worthy and all of them would be dismissed. The air around the table was intense. Girls all around the table shifted nervously under Lady Yelan's gaze. And so began day one and what a shaky first day this was going to be.
One important rule to remember is that no one eats before the head master, which would be Lady Yelan. One girl who had been extremely nervous the moment she had stepped into the room to begin with. Her nerves had reached it height with the dead silence that had fallen over the room as they waited for someone to make the next move. Without thinking she picked up her glass of water to take a gulp to hopefully clam her nerves. And what a mistake that was. The sound of her swallowing and placing the glass back onto the table was heard by all. Suddenly all attention was on her and she knew she had made a fatal mistake. One of the servants was beckoned towards one of the four elders. Leaning forward, the Elder whispered into the servant ears. Nothing could be heard by anyone else in the room. The girl nervously watched as the servant made his way to her and whispered into her ear.
"Lady of the Aramakifamily, you have broke one of the etiquettes rules and have disgraced yourself and your family name. Your eligibility in the run of becoming the new lady of the Li family ends now. Please remove yourself from the Li family presence and home, and make your way outside to your awaiting limo. Your belongings are already awaiting you as we speak."
The stunned girl burst out in tears as she swiftly pushed herself away from the table and ran out of the room. Syaoran sighed in relief at the thought of there being one less girl and it not being his Sakura. He quickly looked in Sakura direction only for her eyes to meet his.
Sakura had already been looking in Syaoran's direction after the scene. She was feeling a whole lot more nervous, and was looking towards Syaoran in hopes that he might look her way and give her a bit of confidence. She hadn't expected that he actually would. After a few quick second of staring into each other's eyes, Syaoran gave Sakura an assuring nod before putting back on his poker face before anyone would notice.
Lady Yelan had seen the exchange between the two but didn't give it anymore attention. The cook servants finally entered the dining room bring with them charts filled with different dishes. And after everyone had a dish in front of them, Lady Yelan took the first bite and finally signaling for breakfast began.
So far breakfast was silent. The silence was only making the girls more nervous. Without thinking, one girl spoke, addressing a question towards Syaoran about how his day was going. But another fatal mistake for the day. Everyone watched as the previous servant was once again beckoned towards one of the elders before making his way over to the girl who had dared to speak without being spoken to. Her reaction was more verbal as she tried to explain herself. She was cut short as the servant guided her unwilling body out of the room and home.
Sakura and Tomoyo looked at each other before quickly returning to eat quietly, so they wouldn't be mistaken as talking. Finally breakfast ended after a whole hour and twelve minutes. The girls were instructed to change into their mid morning wear and prepare for the lovely "elements" outside as it was a nice and warm day. Sakura and Tomoyo dressed accordingly after receiving a word of advice from one of the Li sisters.
The word of advice was as quoted, "dress to face any and all elements that come with being outside."
Author Ending Comments:
Hello readers. It has been almost four years since I have last updated this story. I genuinely thank each and every one of you who believed in me and waited for me to return, and I feel I owe you an explanation even though I am a private person. I have been battling with a chronic illness and other serious issues, and I still am. During the time I was away, I ended up getting a huge writer block and becoming more and more uninspired. I could have just thrown together so words and try and scrape together chapters for this fanfiction, but I felt I owed it to all my readers then and now that I give you all something worth reading. Still I felt I had failed all you who had so faithfully waited for as I turned to other interests in hopes to help me in my personal life. I don't know what I can or should say to you all; to express how sorry and thankful I am. I've finally been inspired to write again, and I have grown so much since last as a writer. I hope you will all bear with me through this as I try to get back onto my feet as a fanfiction writer.
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And thank you to all who favored this story and/or me as an author.