A/N: Hey my awesome rockstars! I bet you weren't expecting to hear from me so soon, but after an unexpectedly good Valentines night, a day off and my creative juices flowing I had this chapter done and I couldn't wait to share it! someone asked how long the fic will be and Im guessing to have more 5-6 more chapters. I Do want to write an epilogue and maybe a little something-something afterwards. Anyways! Love you guys and thank you so much for your amazing and awesome reviews! Till next time :3
~R&R~
~DarkAngel~
-Sakura's POV-
The Li Clan elders.
I couldn't help but stand a little straighter at the sight of them. They all had an air of authority and respect that demanded your attention. Their long grey hair was tied back in a ponytail similar to Syaoran's and they all wore a pendant with the Yin-Yang symbol. 7 Identical robes glided towards us and everyone's eyes followed their movements before they came to a stop right in front of us.
"Elders of the Li Clan, always a pleasure." Yelan bowed in respect, her voice resonating throughout the room.
We all followed in suit and bowed, I could feel Syaoran's muscles tense a little under his jacket.
"Xiao-lang, Eriol, it's seems you've returned home." The Elder in the middle spoke out. He had clear grey eyes and I immediately knew he was related to Fang.
"It's good to be home Elder Chu." Syaoran responded in a strong yet calm voice.
"And who might these ladies be?" The Elder to his right spoke, his chocolate eyes scrutinizing.
"Elder Tao, this is my girlfriend Sakura Kinomoto." Syaoran introduced and I bowed respectfully.
"And this is my girlfriend Tomoyo Daidoji." Eriol introduced her as well and she bowed.
"Ah yes, the one who made that scandal a couple months ago, right?" An Elder with ruby eyes asked smugly pointing at me.
"Elder Chong, she didn't make a scandal, someone else was trying to sabotage and harm us." Syaoran explained, his voice strained trying to contain his anger, subconsciously holding me a little tighter.
"How convenient, no? A scandal breaks out about the two of you, she ends up living with you, becoming your assistant and eventually capturing your heart. Wouldn't you say that's a little too coincidental?" He narrowed his eyes accusingly at me and I felt Syaoran tense up, ready to burst.
"With all due respect Elder Chong, I'm not the type of woman to chase after someone just because of their money or their looks. Xiao-lang and I have been attending school together since he first transferred to Tomoeda, if I was really after his money and prestige I think I would have acted a lot sooner.
"Also, Xiao-lang is someone very dear to me, even if he were to lose it all today I would stay by his side no matter what. I know my words may not be sufficient to convince you of it but I can assure you Xiao-lang is my most important person and I would go through great lengths for him. Yelan graciously took me into their home due to some circumstances, but I can assure you I always make sure to pay it back by working as Xiao-lang's assistant." I spoke in a calm voice.
"I can attest to that, since living with us Sakura only takes half of what her check should be. She insisted that she couldn't live at our home for free." Yelan interrupted.
"I apologize if I am being rude, however Xiao-lang is someone irreplaceable for me and I'd hate for anyone to get the wrong idea of my feelings for him." I finished and blushed as Syaoran kissed my hair.
"Well Sakura, it seems you have a very strong character and a lot of courage to be able to stand up for yourself in that manner." Elder Chu smiled. "That being said, I think I can speak for the council when I say we approve of your relationship with Xiao-lang and will not force the engagement with the Duchess."
"What about us?" Eriol asked.
"Well, to be frank we already approved of since we first found out about her. She has proved to be an excellent young heiress throughout time, very well spoken, intelligent, beautiful, well mannered, these were things that came to surface when we looked into her background. She's been in the spotlight since young so it was easier to find out about her." Elder Tao spoke calmly.
"Quite frankly we were actually thinking of having you be engaged to her anyways, but Ms. Sonomi Daidouji is a tough nut to crack and refused for her daughter to have an arranged marriage." Elder Chu chuckled.
"That sounds like my mother." Tomoyo giggled and I could practically see the happiness shining in her eyes.
"We were merely putting you to the test." Elder Chong smirked.
"Which by the way, you ladies passed all 3 of them." An Elder with kind light brown eyes stepped up.
"What do you mean 3, Elder Ko?" Meiling asked.
"Syaoran and Eriol may think we didn't know, but we knew that bringing the girls here wasn't merely just for fun. They wanted to show us how the girls could strive under the pressure of 1. The press, 2. The ladies of the clan and 3. Us, the elders." Elder Ko counted off and I looked up at Syaoran in surprise who looked guilty and gave me an apologetic smile.
"Guys! Why didn't you tell me?" Meiling pouted at Eriol and Syaoran.
"You would have told the girls Mei." Eriol explained. "They couldn't know they were being tested."
"And, they were nervous enough as it was, we didn't want to make it worse. Plus, we needed it to be genuine and we knew they'd be ok." Syaoran snaked his arm around my waist once more.
"Well done girls." Yelan smiled. "A toast! To the blooming relationships of the Xiao-lang and Eriol."
Glasses of champagne were passed around and we clinked our glasses in cheer.
"Enough talk now, let's enjoy this party!" Elder Chu cried out and everyone clapped and cheered.
I hugged Syaoran as tightly as I could and he picked me up and spun me around.
"You have no idea what this means." He whispered into my ear.
"Congratulations Sakura!" The Li sister's came around and congratulated us as well as the Li cousins and Yelan, you'd think we were getting engaged by how they were acting. Tomoyo and I hugged in relief that we could finally be with our loved ones without a worry and Meiling joined a little after crying about how much she loved us like her sisters.
"Will it be like this for me too?" Ryu asked a little while after. The Li sisters had gone off with their boyfriends, and the Li cousins had left to find their dates which left Tomoyo, Eriol, Ryu, Mei, Syaoran and I standing by one of the windows chatting.
"No, as long as Syaoran and I accept you as well as our cousins there should be no issue in the future." Eriol smiled.
"Oh Thank the Gods!" Ryu cried dramatically. "I don't know how you girls did it but I can't even begin to imagine."
"Hey!" Meiling pouted.
"Don't get me wrong Mei-chan, I'd go through hell and back for you but the Elders scare me." He laughed awkwardly.
"Only our very own Sakura-chan would stand up to them." Tomoyo giggled and I blushed.
"That's my girl." Syaoran smirked and kissed my cheek.
"Sakura! Tomoyo! Come there's someone you must meet!" An elderly woman I knew as Tata came by our group. "Gentlemen I will be borrowing these ladies, Meiling you come as well, your auntie Chi wants to say Hi, and just like that we were dragged away.
-Syaoran's POV-
I watched at Sakura walked away with my great auntie and I couldn't help but smile at the sight.
"Man, they're really something." I commented to Eriol who nodded.
"And to think it's been such a short time." Eriol shook his head.
" I know? It's crazy really, but if things keep going the way they have so far, in 3 years I see myself getting down in one knee for that one." I smirked and watched across the floor as Sakura chatted with my great aunties.
"My man Xiao! Your girl has spunk." Fang appeared out of nowhere.
"She really does though, I never thought I'd see the day where someone stood up to Elder Chong." Duyi laughed.
"Like don't get me wrong, he's our Head Elder but he can be a little bit of an A-hole every now and then." Niu joked.
"That's my girl." I smirked.
"Man, you're totally smitten Xiao! Never thought I'd see the day, especially after your whole "Bad Boy" business and seducing days." Bai joked making the cousins laugh.
"Don't burn him too bad guys." Eriol came to my defense but he was smiling as well.
"Oh you're not too far behind Eri! We've heard you and Tomoyo have actually been dating since before Xiaolang and Sakura so you're not too far behind." Tao jabbed and now it was my turn to laugh.
"Not so fun now, Eriol?" I teased and he glared at me.
We chatted for a while more before the band began to play the first waltz of the night and everyone began to pair up.
Eriol, Ryu and I immediately made our way to find the girls.
"Excuse me Auntie, I'll be borrowing her for a little bit." I smiled and snaked my arm around her waist, steering her into the middle of the dance floor.
"Oh, young love." I hear one of them say before they all giggled.
I glanced to the side as Eriol and Ryu pulled Tomoyo and Meiling into the dance floor as well. I placed a hand on the small of her back as she rested a hand on my shoulder and I began to lead her into a slow waltz.
"Hi." I whispered as I looked into her eyes.
"Hey." She whispered back with a smile.
"So are you one of those chicks that like to play hard to get because they think they are better than everyone?" I smirked quoting our first encounter.
"Why would you think that? Because I'm not swooned away by the popular Syaoran Li?" She retorted, a smirk playing on her lips.
"So she speaks." I chuckled softly and pulled her a little closer. "And makes tough bad boys smile."
"As long as that smile is reserved for me I don't mind." She smiled and I twirled her around making her laugh. I could listen to her laugh for days end.
-Tomoyo's POV-
I watched with a small smile as Syaoran twirled Sakura around and she laughed. The relationship between those two wasn't a regular one, their bond went beyond normal in the short amount of time they had been together.
"I'm so happy they're together." I whispered at Eriol who regarded me with kind eyes and a small smile.
"Indeed their connection is awe worthy but then again so is ours." He whispered and I blushed.
"I love you Eriol." I smiled.
"I love you too Tomoyo, and I just wanted to thank you."
"Thank me? For what?" I asked confused.
"Let's go somewhere else, I have to tell you something." He smiled and we glided to the edge of the dance floor before we stopped dancing and made our way out to the balcony.
We stepped out and I immediately welcomed the fresh breeze of the night.
"Tomoyo, I wanted to thank you for everything. You didn't have to put up with any of this and yet you did. I know you figured out you were being tested, I can tell." He smiled and I choked out a laugh of disbelief, nothing seemed to get past him.
"You caught me, I knew from the beginning what you and Syaoran were up to." I admitted looking guilty.
"It's ok, I'm not upset but I still want to thank you for putting up with it, it means a lot to me Tomoyo." He smiled before he pulling me in for a kiss. My whole body felt as if it was going to melt and I snaked my arms around his neck to steady myself. What started out as something sweet and tender led into something hungrier and wild. We pulled back to breathe before he pulled something out of his coat pocket.
"Merry Christmas my love." He smiled gentle and gave me a velvet box. I opened it and gasped at the beauty inside. A thin silver silver chain with a heart-shaped sapphire and a smaller heart shaped amethyst waited inside and a matching ring.
"Oh Eriol, they're beautiful." I gasped, tears threatening to spill.
"You must know something though." He said taking the ring. "This isn't an ordinary ring, it's a promise ring, and with it I promise to one day replace it with the real deal."
"Oh Eriol!" I cried And hugged him tightly.
"Don't cry love." He smiled once we pulled apart and wiped my tears with the back of his hand.
"I'm sorry, I'm just really happy." I giggled and he slid the ring onto the ring finger on my left hand.
"I'll take the necklace and keep it in my pocket until tonight, I wanted to give you the ring more than anything." He chuckled and I have him back the velvet box.
"Oh Eriol about your Christmas present, It's going to have to wait until later tonight." I smiled shyly but I couldn't help but feel the small blush that crept up on my cheeks.
"Are you ok sweetie?" He asked tilting my chin up.
"Yes, it's just...ummm…. for Christmas….. I wanted…ummm…. us to...ummm...spendthenighttogether." I rushed the last part and covered my face quickly.
"What?" Eriol asked in a tone of astonishment. I peeked from in between my fingers and saw his eyes wide in surprise.
"Y-y-you don't h-h-ave to, i-i-if you don't w-w-want to." I stammered quickly and turned around embarrassed.
"Of course I want to my love, I just wanted you to be sure of doing something so special with me." He hugged me from behind and kissed my hair, making me relax into his arms.
"I couldn't think of a more special Christmas present and I don't see myself with anyone else anymore. When I think of my future all I see is you, when I think of my prince charming all I see is you too." I confessed softly and he hugged me tighter.
"I'm honored you think of me that way because I as well see myself with only Tomoyo in the future. I love you and only you and I wouldn't want anyone else to be by my side." He whispered into my ear and whipped me around before kissing me gently.
"I love you." I murmured between our kisses.
"And I love you." He murmured back.
We stayed that way for a while before we decided to go back inside. I smiled as I watched Syaoran and Sakura waltz around the dance floor, both of them lost in their own world before Eriol pulled my hand, lead me to dance floor and we lost in ours as well.
-Sakura's POV-
I felt like a princess in a fairy tale, handsome prince and beautiful ball included. Syaoran and I laughed and talked as we glided on the dance floor. He was twirling me, dipping me and at one point picked me up by the waist and spun me around. I saw Eriol and Tomoyo rejoin the dance floor and by the look of Tomoyo's face I could tell she was elated by whatever it was that they had been talking about.
The music drifted to a slow, until it faded out completely. We stood in the middle of the floor and clapped along with the guests. We walked away towards the edge of the dance floor along with everyone else and made our way to the Windows once more.
"That was so much fun! I felt like a princess." I beamed up at Syaoran who chuckled.
"I'm glad my cherry blossom, you ARE a princess though." He gave one of his rare full smiles and my insides melted.
"I think this is the first time I've enjoyed myself so much at one of these functions." Eriol commented with Syaoran and Meiling nodded in agreement.
"Definitely one for the books." Meiling smiled. "Which reminds me, we need to take some pictures!"
We all took turns taking pictures with each other phones and I was glad to have so many memories of this night. We went over to Yelan and took pictures with her as well as with the Li sisters and the Li cousins. We were having so much fun taking pictures, making jokes and dancing, that before we knew it, it was almost midnight.
"It's almost Christmas guys!" Meiling smiled and Ryu pulled her close to kiss her temple.
"Now, for the Christmas Waltz!" Yelan announced and she stepped on the floor accompanied by Elder Fang. "We ask you that you please join on us on the dance floor for our traditional Christmas Waltz."
One by one couple started to fill the dance floor and I saw Syaoran extend his hand towards me.
"May I have this dance, my dear hime-sama?" He asked with a flourish.
"Absolutely, my handsome prince." I curtsied giggling before taking his hand and heading towards the dance floor. A soft melody filled the air and soon we were gliding along to the music.
"Sakura." Syaoran said my name in such a gentle tone I looked up immediately.
"Yes?" I asked curiously.
"There's something you should know." He said pulling me closer and whispering in my ear.
"What is it?" I whispered back.
"Sakura, ever since you came into my life, my life has been turned upside down and I don't care how corny that sounds. You've helped me stand up for myself and pull myself from the darkness I surrounded in. You're not only the most amazing girlfriend in the world, you are also my best friend and right hand, don't tell Eriol I said that though."
I giggled at his last comment.
"But seriously Sakura." We stopped swaying and stood still in the middle of the floor while couple went round and round around us.
"I love you." He whispered and my eyes widened at those three little words.
"Merry Christmas!" Everyone cheered two seconds after.
Then the lights went out.
Everything happened so fast, I didn't have a chance to breathe. As soon as the lights went out someone grabbed my waist and covered my mouth from behind, dragging me backwards with them. I tried to get a hold of Syaoran but my aggressor was dragging me in the direction of the balcony quickly.
"Sakura!" I heard Syaoran call my name.
I panicked and elbowed him, earning a grunt but he held onto me strongly. I struggled to call for help but my muffled cries were drowned by the panicked screams of the guests. I tried to headbutt my attacker but he seemed to have predicted it and dodged. We were at the balcony now and I struggled some more, making my hair pin fall but I didn't care at that point.
"Be a good girl now." A rough voice whispered into my ear and I felt my stomach churn with vile. He switched hands in a swift motion, covering my mouth and nose with a white damp cloth,and after two whiffs , I was spiraling into darkness.
-Syaoran's POV-
"I love you." I whispered and her eyes widened at those three little words.
"Merry Christmas!" Everyone cheered two seconds after.
Then the lights went out.
I reached out for Sakura but was met with empty air, and I panicked a little.
"Sakura!" I called out for her but with all the noise, it seemed to drown in the crowd.
I panicked and looked around in dark, trying to get my eyes to adjust to the darkness. I looked for anything and pushed my way around to see If I could spot anything.
Then just like that, the lights turned on once again.
I did a 360 spin in a controlled panic, my exterior hard and cold but my brain frantically looked for a glimpse of auburn hair or a pink dress.
"Syaoran! Syaoran! Are you ok?" Meiling asked frantically. Ryu, Tomoyo and Eriol in tow.
"Sakura." I barely whispered.
"What?" Eriol stepped up.
"Sakura… I can't find Sakura." I repeated, my voice louder yet also firmer.
"What do you mean?" Tomoyo asked going into a frantic state.
"I was with her when the lights went out but as soon as I went to grab her she was gone." My eyes still searching for her.
"She couldn't have gotten far! If anything she would have reached for you, she hates the darkness!" Tomoyo cried, almost in the verge of tears.
Tomoyo and Meiling kept talking hysterically when I spotted something gold shining on the balcony floor. My body went cold and I rushed towards it, the guys following close behind before I picked it up and held it in my hand.
"That's Sakura's hairpin." Tomoyo whispered before choking a sob.
"She's gone!" Meiling cried.
"No, someone took her, and I will make sure to get her back." I whispered darkly, holding the hairpin in my hand as if it was my lifeline.
A/N: There you go my lovelies! I hope you dont hate me too much for the little cliffhanger? But please dont forget to comment/review/ask questions. I really love all of them and I hope to be updating again soon. :3 Love you all :3