Daphne: "Final chapter! Just read it, for heavens sake, and tell me what
you think!"
~*~*~*~
Forced to Love by: Daphne Li Chapter 16.
Everyone in the room looked up nervously at the staircase leading into the room, watching for Prince Tarren and his family with mixed feelings. Some were outraged that he dared to come to the ball, after all his father had done to them. Others hoped that this would be the start to a wonderful peace treaty; and still others were quite neutral over the whole affair, waiting to see what would happen.
Chiharu, Rika, Naoko, and their husbands moved closer to King Fujitaka's throne so they could greet Sakura when she came down. They could now see the staircase plainly, and the people coming down it. Chiharu and the others stifled a gasp.
Down the stairs came a very handsome young man with black hair and sea-blue eyes. Next to him walked a breathtakingly lovely young woman with red-brown hair and ice-blue eyes. The woman's lips were her most prominent feature, though. They were bright, blood red, and it was all too obvious that she wasn't wearing any lip rouge. It was the spectacle in front of the couple, though, that drew the most attention.
Two little boys, ages three and two, were carefully walking down the stairs, each holding the hand of a two year old little girl. The two year olds had identical red-brown hair and sea-blue eyes. The three year old, however, had black hair and ice-blue eyes. They walked cautiously down the stairs, unmindful of the adoring looks they were getting from the onlookers. When the family finally reached the ground floor, the young man, who was obviously Prince Tarren, walked up to Fujitaka and shook his hand, a cheerful smile coming to his lips and his eyes sparkling with kindness.
"King Fujitaka! You have no idea what a pleasure it is to meet you. Sakura has told us so much about you." Tarren said, his wife smiling prettily at the king, and completely winning him over. The king smiled back and returned the greeting, his eyes roving over their children. They looked back at him, curious, and then the little girl burst into smiles.
"I wike him, daddy. He pretty." She said, making the silent room erupt in laughter. Her brothers smiled uncertainly, but they too shook the king's hand, shyly. Then, the announcers voice spoke up again.
"Announcing Prince Eriol and Princess Tomoyo." He called. Now, everyone in the room was staring up eagerly, trying to be the first to catch sight of Sakura's beautiful, single cousin.or they *thought* she was single! Meiling gave a gasp of shock and nearly fell off her seat when she saw what was coming down the staircase. There came the lovely Tomoyo, looking just the same, except for the fact that she was leaning on the arm of a very handsome-looking Prince Hiiragizawa Eriol, talking to him softly. On the other arm, Eriol carried a tiny little girl, only about a year old, with midnight-blue hair and amethyst eyes. At Tomoyo's side, walked a small boy of about four. He had raven-violet hair and wise dark blue eyes.
"What on earth? Tomoyo got married?!" Chiharu gasped, looking over at Sonomi, who was beaming at her daughter. The little boy, who had been cautiously eyeing the guests, caught sight of Sonomi and his face lit up. He kept eye contact with the queen the rest of the way down, and when Eriol and Tomoyo approached the platform to greet Fujitaka, he hastened to her side, taking her hand and gazing up at her with a smile. The little girl looked at Fujitaka and her face lit up. His appearance pleased the young lady.
"Why.Tomoyo darling, what a surprise! We had no idea!" Fujitaka recovered, smiling at her. She grinned.
"We never had the chance to tell you. Randor came too soon, and we had to keep it a secret for even longer." She explained. He nodded and looked at the little boy, who looked at him back, a small twinkle in his eyes.
"He takes after his father." Fujitaka commented, smiling at Eriol, who beamed.
"Tell me.how are Sakura and her husband?" Fujitaka watched as Tomoyo's face turned neutral.
"They will be coming down soon. They did not wish to be announced." Was all she said, turning her attention back to her son. She missed the worried and upset looks that flashed on the guests faces. Low murmuring started up from the lords, ladies, barons, and baronesses below, and Meiling was quietly talking to Touya, in a worried voice. Chiharu and her group looked at each other helplessly.
Suddenly, there was a faint swish of silken material, and a tiny, sweet little voice from up above. There came a soft giggle and a low chuckle, as if someone was telling a joke. Everyone looked up in anxiety and nervousness, wondering what sight would meet their yes.It was definitely not what they expected at all! Gasps and soft, illegible murmurs ran through the room and Fujitaka stood up, his face deathly pale, and grasped onto the back of his throne for support. Sonomi gasped as did Yelan, and Meiling and Touya could only look on in wonder.
There came the young Princess Sakura, as lovely and innocent-looking as ever, on the arm of her handsome husband. But this wasn't the shocking part. Not only was Li Syaoran smiling affectionately at his wife, but in his left arm lay a tiny bundle of green blankets! And walking close to Sakura, with hands clinging to the skirt of her dress, was a tiny, living replica of Sakura! She had shoulder length auburn hair, and bright, innocent emerald colored eyes. She was no older than two, and was quite a lovely picture of innocence and happiness. As they neared the bottom, the little girl broke away from her parents and rushed over to where the young Hiiragizawa prince stood. She ran behind Tryon and hid, causing him to put a protective arm around her. Sakura let out a bell-like laugh, and hastened to hug her father.
"Surprise, Father! Are you glad to see us?" She asked, half shyly, her lashes down-drooped onto her cheeks. Fujitaka simply hugged her again and then smiled.
"My Sakura! How much I have missed you.but I.we thought that you.your husband." He couldn't say a coherent sentence, because of his shock. Syaoran chuckled.
"We wanted you to be surprised.very surprised. Everyone was in on it." He announced, motioning to Tomoyo, Eriol, Tarren, and Alongue. The king still gripped the back of his chair for support, and simply stared, as did everyone else. Sakura was happy! And Syaoran.had changed from being a cold young man, into a loving husband and father! How could this be? Sensing that something was not right, Ying-fa stepped hesitantly out from behind Tryon and looked up at her parents.
"Dey' surpwised? Dey wike?" She asked, looking anxiously up at her grandfather. He looked down at her with wide eyes, and then regained his composure.
"Yes, we were very surprised. And I believe that we will like it. Now tell me, who you are!" The king bent down in a very un-kingly way, so he could look at her better. She stuck a finger in her mouth and smiled at him shyly, not saying anything. He gently picked her up, and she hugged him, her emerald eyes lighting up. Everyone in the ballroom watched this display in silence, to stunned to say a thing.
"Father, I would like you to met our daughter, Ying-fa." Syaoran said, slipping into the 'father' thing naturally. Fujitaka looked at him in shock, but smiled as he heard the name. Yelan stepped forward, tears in her eyes.
"'Cherry Blossom' in Chinese." She whispered. Sakura smiled at her and hugged her.
"Has my son been good to you?" Yelan whispered. Sakura pulled back and looked at her with joyous eyes.
"Oh yes! All to good. I love him so." She whispered, making Yelan smile happily and then go over to hug her son. That was when her attention was drawn to the little bundle he was carrying. With a shriek, she pulled away, looking at Sakura in shock.
"Mother, this is our son, Xiao-Chang." Syaoran said softly. Everyone's attention was riveted on the baby, as Syaoran gently pulled back the blanket to reveal his adorable little face.
"Why.why he can't be any older than three weeks old! Sakura, what on earth are you doing standing up?! You must be exhausted! Syaoran my son, how could you?!" Yelan gasped, glaring accusingly at her son. Sakura giggled.
"Oh, don't you worry about me. I was up and about the day after he was born. I used the Sakura cards, you see, and they helped." She announced, taking her son from Syaoran and placing him in Yelan's arms. Chang's eyes opened, and he looked at this new person, his big amber eyes searching. He then moved on to the people on the platform, who were stilled into motionless as the baby's eyes darted over them. His gaze turned to the crowed, and centered on Chiharu, Rika, Naoko, and their husbands. Then he looked over at his mother and yawned. Sakura giggled softly and took her son again. He snuggled into her arms and closed his eyes, never making a single sound.
"He.is like you, Syaoran. Too much like you." Yelan whispered. Syaoran nodded sharply, but said nothing. It was then that Sakura noticed her brother for the first time.
"Touya! Meiling! It is so good to see you! How are you?" Sakura asked eagerly, making Touya laugh.
"Same old Sakura.except, the kaijuu is all gone from her, now." Touya commented, carefully hugging his sister.
"Oh, Sakura! We have missed you so much!" Meiling said, as she finished hugging Syaoran and the others, and moved on to Sakura. Sakura laughed and hugged her back.
"Sakura." Came a hesitant voice. Sakura looked down to see her other three friends smiling up at her. With a cry, Sakura moved to hug them, being careful not to smash her baby, who was now sound asleep again. When Tarren, Alongue, Sakura, Tomoyo, Eriol, and Syaoran finally escaped the flurry of activity, hugs, dancing, and talking, they hurried up to their rooms, and put the children to sleep; although, all but Tryon were already fast asleep in their parent's arms. Then the couples retired to their rooms for a good night's rest.
"So.did you enjoy shocking your father to nearly a heart attack?" Syaoran asked teasingly, as they were getting ready for bed. Sakura giggled.
"It was so funny to see their faces! They were so sure that I was in a miserable marriage, but the truth is.I have loved almost every minute of it." She whispered, coming up behind him and twining her arms around his waist. He relaxed into her arms and she rested her head on his shoulder.
"Syaoran, do you think that we could stay here, for a few years. Not that I don't want to go back to *our* home, but father has begged me to stay for a while, and I don't think that I have the heart to say no."
"Then, my lovely Ying-fa, there is only one thing to do. We will stay for as long as he likes. I need to make it up to him for taking his daughter away for four years without a word." Syaoran answered, loosening her grip on his waist and turning around to face her, letting her arms fall back onto his waist. She smiled up at him and the with a more mischievous smile, she used all her strength to push him backwards onto the bed. He let out a yell, and grabbed her wrist, taking her down with him.
"You'll have to do better than that to get the best of me, my Sakura!" He chuckled, reaching down and tickling her mercilessly. She gave a shriek and wriggled in his arms, trying to get free. He was now on top of her, instead of vice-versa.
"You are going to pay for this, Syaoran!" She hissed, trying to turn the tables on him. A seductive smirk appeared on his lips and he chuckled darkly.
"You have that right!" He whispered. Her eyes widened as he leaned down and placed a kiss on her lips. When he finally pulled back, his face was loving and serious.
"What is it?" She asked gently, stroking his cheek, her threats forgotten.
"Have you ever thought, that this is not how we planned our lives to be, but how it is so much better this way?" He asked. Sakura smiled.
"I had not planned on marrying at all, but it happened. I am just glad that I was too distraught to remember that I had the option of running away! If I had, I may have never had all of this. Your love, my family, my home, my security in the fact that Randor is gone. I might even be married to Randor!" Sakura shuddered disgustedly at the thought. Syaoran smiled.
"We did not plan any of this, but with some help of really good friends, and each other, it ended up better than any of us could have imagined!" He commented, kissing her cheek. She nodded.
"This is our life." She whispered.
"A life of 'forced to love', and then learning that it was not that at all, but we loved by the will of our own hearts." He murmured back, his eyes boring into hers. She reached up and kissed him sweetly, and then pulled back, so she could look into his eyes.
"I love you, my Xiao-Lang." She whispered, the Chinese name sounding sweet and reverent on her lips.
"I love you too, my Ying-fa." He answered back, pulling her into another loving kiss.
~*~*~*~
A/N:
Daphne: "Done. This part of the story, anyway. But what about the sequel? Well, I will give you some hints. It is mostly based around Syaoran and Sakura's son, Xiao-Chang. He takes after his father in every way.even more so. When he is forced to go on a quest with his older 'cousin', Haley, he begins to realize that the world is not everything he thought it was. His quest is to find the master of the mystical Czarina Cards, and to help them on their journey capturing that set of cards. Little does he know just how much this one journey with the master of the cards will change the rest of his life. Who is the master and how do they change his life? Read to find out! Here is a preview of the first chapter of 'The Alluring Anthea', the sequel to this story:
'The Alluring Anthea
.Still the young man in the ring seemed unaware of all this. He was focused on finishing a dizzying string of spins and thrusts. Soon, though, a loud gong rang out and the young man stopped, not even breathing hard. He sheathed his sword and then turned cold amber eyes toward the couple at the edge of the ring. He slowly walked toward them, his amber eyes staring as though her could see through them. This, however, did not make them uncomfortable. That was just the way that Li Xiao-Chang was.'
SO.WHAT WAS CHANG DOING, AND WHO WAS THAT COUPLE THAT WAS WATCHING HIM? READ 'THE ALLURING ANTHEA' TO FIND OUT!!!!
~*~*~*~
~*~*~*~
Forced to Love by: Daphne Li Chapter 16.
Everyone in the room looked up nervously at the staircase leading into the room, watching for Prince Tarren and his family with mixed feelings. Some were outraged that he dared to come to the ball, after all his father had done to them. Others hoped that this would be the start to a wonderful peace treaty; and still others were quite neutral over the whole affair, waiting to see what would happen.
Chiharu, Rika, Naoko, and their husbands moved closer to King Fujitaka's throne so they could greet Sakura when she came down. They could now see the staircase plainly, and the people coming down it. Chiharu and the others stifled a gasp.
Down the stairs came a very handsome young man with black hair and sea-blue eyes. Next to him walked a breathtakingly lovely young woman with red-brown hair and ice-blue eyes. The woman's lips were her most prominent feature, though. They were bright, blood red, and it was all too obvious that she wasn't wearing any lip rouge. It was the spectacle in front of the couple, though, that drew the most attention.
Two little boys, ages three and two, were carefully walking down the stairs, each holding the hand of a two year old little girl. The two year olds had identical red-brown hair and sea-blue eyes. The three year old, however, had black hair and ice-blue eyes. They walked cautiously down the stairs, unmindful of the adoring looks they were getting from the onlookers. When the family finally reached the ground floor, the young man, who was obviously Prince Tarren, walked up to Fujitaka and shook his hand, a cheerful smile coming to his lips and his eyes sparkling with kindness.
"King Fujitaka! You have no idea what a pleasure it is to meet you. Sakura has told us so much about you." Tarren said, his wife smiling prettily at the king, and completely winning him over. The king smiled back and returned the greeting, his eyes roving over their children. They looked back at him, curious, and then the little girl burst into smiles.
"I wike him, daddy. He pretty." She said, making the silent room erupt in laughter. Her brothers smiled uncertainly, but they too shook the king's hand, shyly. Then, the announcers voice spoke up again.
"Announcing Prince Eriol and Princess Tomoyo." He called. Now, everyone in the room was staring up eagerly, trying to be the first to catch sight of Sakura's beautiful, single cousin.or they *thought* she was single! Meiling gave a gasp of shock and nearly fell off her seat when she saw what was coming down the staircase. There came the lovely Tomoyo, looking just the same, except for the fact that she was leaning on the arm of a very handsome-looking Prince Hiiragizawa Eriol, talking to him softly. On the other arm, Eriol carried a tiny little girl, only about a year old, with midnight-blue hair and amethyst eyes. At Tomoyo's side, walked a small boy of about four. He had raven-violet hair and wise dark blue eyes.
"What on earth? Tomoyo got married?!" Chiharu gasped, looking over at Sonomi, who was beaming at her daughter. The little boy, who had been cautiously eyeing the guests, caught sight of Sonomi and his face lit up. He kept eye contact with the queen the rest of the way down, and when Eriol and Tomoyo approached the platform to greet Fujitaka, he hastened to her side, taking her hand and gazing up at her with a smile. The little girl looked at Fujitaka and her face lit up. His appearance pleased the young lady.
"Why.Tomoyo darling, what a surprise! We had no idea!" Fujitaka recovered, smiling at her. She grinned.
"We never had the chance to tell you. Randor came too soon, and we had to keep it a secret for even longer." She explained. He nodded and looked at the little boy, who looked at him back, a small twinkle in his eyes.
"He takes after his father." Fujitaka commented, smiling at Eriol, who beamed.
"Tell me.how are Sakura and her husband?" Fujitaka watched as Tomoyo's face turned neutral.
"They will be coming down soon. They did not wish to be announced." Was all she said, turning her attention back to her son. She missed the worried and upset looks that flashed on the guests faces. Low murmuring started up from the lords, ladies, barons, and baronesses below, and Meiling was quietly talking to Touya, in a worried voice. Chiharu and her group looked at each other helplessly.
Suddenly, there was a faint swish of silken material, and a tiny, sweet little voice from up above. There came a soft giggle and a low chuckle, as if someone was telling a joke. Everyone looked up in anxiety and nervousness, wondering what sight would meet their yes.It was definitely not what they expected at all! Gasps and soft, illegible murmurs ran through the room and Fujitaka stood up, his face deathly pale, and grasped onto the back of his throne for support. Sonomi gasped as did Yelan, and Meiling and Touya could only look on in wonder.
There came the young Princess Sakura, as lovely and innocent-looking as ever, on the arm of her handsome husband. But this wasn't the shocking part. Not only was Li Syaoran smiling affectionately at his wife, but in his left arm lay a tiny bundle of green blankets! And walking close to Sakura, with hands clinging to the skirt of her dress, was a tiny, living replica of Sakura! She had shoulder length auburn hair, and bright, innocent emerald colored eyes. She was no older than two, and was quite a lovely picture of innocence and happiness. As they neared the bottom, the little girl broke away from her parents and rushed over to where the young Hiiragizawa prince stood. She ran behind Tryon and hid, causing him to put a protective arm around her. Sakura let out a bell-like laugh, and hastened to hug her father.
"Surprise, Father! Are you glad to see us?" She asked, half shyly, her lashes down-drooped onto her cheeks. Fujitaka simply hugged her again and then smiled.
"My Sakura! How much I have missed you.but I.we thought that you.your husband." He couldn't say a coherent sentence, because of his shock. Syaoran chuckled.
"We wanted you to be surprised.very surprised. Everyone was in on it." He announced, motioning to Tomoyo, Eriol, Tarren, and Alongue. The king still gripped the back of his chair for support, and simply stared, as did everyone else. Sakura was happy! And Syaoran.had changed from being a cold young man, into a loving husband and father! How could this be? Sensing that something was not right, Ying-fa stepped hesitantly out from behind Tryon and looked up at her parents.
"Dey' surpwised? Dey wike?" She asked, looking anxiously up at her grandfather. He looked down at her with wide eyes, and then regained his composure.
"Yes, we were very surprised. And I believe that we will like it. Now tell me, who you are!" The king bent down in a very un-kingly way, so he could look at her better. She stuck a finger in her mouth and smiled at him shyly, not saying anything. He gently picked her up, and she hugged him, her emerald eyes lighting up. Everyone in the ballroom watched this display in silence, to stunned to say a thing.
"Father, I would like you to met our daughter, Ying-fa." Syaoran said, slipping into the 'father' thing naturally. Fujitaka looked at him in shock, but smiled as he heard the name. Yelan stepped forward, tears in her eyes.
"'Cherry Blossom' in Chinese." She whispered. Sakura smiled at her and hugged her.
"Has my son been good to you?" Yelan whispered. Sakura pulled back and looked at her with joyous eyes.
"Oh yes! All to good. I love him so." She whispered, making Yelan smile happily and then go over to hug her son. That was when her attention was drawn to the little bundle he was carrying. With a shriek, she pulled away, looking at Sakura in shock.
"Mother, this is our son, Xiao-Chang." Syaoran said softly. Everyone's attention was riveted on the baby, as Syaoran gently pulled back the blanket to reveal his adorable little face.
"Why.why he can't be any older than three weeks old! Sakura, what on earth are you doing standing up?! You must be exhausted! Syaoran my son, how could you?!" Yelan gasped, glaring accusingly at her son. Sakura giggled.
"Oh, don't you worry about me. I was up and about the day after he was born. I used the Sakura cards, you see, and they helped." She announced, taking her son from Syaoran and placing him in Yelan's arms. Chang's eyes opened, and he looked at this new person, his big amber eyes searching. He then moved on to the people on the platform, who were stilled into motionless as the baby's eyes darted over them. His gaze turned to the crowed, and centered on Chiharu, Rika, Naoko, and their husbands. Then he looked over at his mother and yawned. Sakura giggled softly and took her son again. He snuggled into her arms and closed his eyes, never making a single sound.
"He.is like you, Syaoran. Too much like you." Yelan whispered. Syaoran nodded sharply, but said nothing. It was then that Sakura noticed her brother for the first time.
"Touya! Meiling! It is so good to see you! How are you?" Sakura asked eagerly, making Touya laugh.
"Same old Sakura.except, the kaijuu is all gone from her, now." Touya commented, carefully hugging his sister.
"Oh, Sakura! We have missed you so much!" Meiling said, as she finished hugging Syaoran and the others, and moved on to Sakura. Sakura laughed and hugged her back.
"Sakura." Came a hesitant voice. Sakura looked down to see her other three friends smiling up at her. With a cry, Sakura moved to hug them, being careful not to smash her baby, who was now sound asleep again. When Tarren, Alongue, Sakura, Tomoyo, Eriol, and Syaoran finally escaped the flurry of activity, hugs, dancing, and talking, they hurried up to their rooms, and put the children to sleep; although, all but Tryon were already fast asleep in their parent's arms. Then the couples retired to their rooms for a good night's rest.
"So.did you enjoy shocking your father to nearly a heart attack?" Syaoran asked teasingly, as they were getting ready for bed. Sakura giggled.
"It was so funny to see their faces! They were so sure that I was in a miserable marriage, but the truth is.I have loved almost every minute of it." She whispered, coming up behind him and twining her arms around his waist. He relaxed into her arms and she rested her head on his shoulder.
"Syaoran, do you think that we could stay here, for a few years. Not that I don't want to go back to *our* home, but father has begged me to stay for a while, and I don't think that I have the heart to say no."
"Then, my lovely Ying-fa, there is only one thing to do. We will stay for as long as he likes. I need to make it up to him for taking his daughter away for four years without a word." Syaoran answered, loosening her grip on his waist and turning around to face her, letting her arms fall back onto his waist. She smiled up at him and the with a more mischievous smile, she used all her strength to push him backwards onto the bed. He let out a yell, and grabbed her wrist, taking her down with him.
"You'll have to do better than that to get the best of me, my Sakura!" He chuckled, reaching down and tickling her mercilessly. She gave a shriek and wriggled in his arms, trying to get free. He was now on top of her, instead of vice-versa.
"You are going to pay for this, Syaoran!" She hissed, trying to turn the tables on him. A seductive smirk appeared on his lips and he chuckled darkly.
"You have that right!" He whispered. Her eyes widened as he leaned down and placed a kiss on her lips. When he finally pulled back, his face was loving and serious.
"What is it?" She asked gently, stroking his cheek, her threats forgotten.
"Have you ever thought, that this is not how we planned our lives to be, but how it is so much better this way?" He asked. Sakura smiled.
"I had not planned on marrying at all, but it happened. I am just glad that I was too distraught to remember that I had the option of running away! If I had, I may have never had all of this. Your love, my family, my home, my security in the fact that Randor is gone. I might even be married to Randor!" Sakura shuddered disgustedly at the thought. Syaoran smiled.
"We did not plan any of this, but with some help of really good friends, and each other, it ended up better than any of us could have imagined!" He commented, kissing her cheek. She nodded.
"This is our life." She whispered.
"A life of 'forced to love', and then learning that it was not that at all, but we loved by the will of our own hearts." He murmured back, his eyes boring into hers. She reached up and kissed him sweetly, and then pulled back, so she could look into his eyes.
"I love you, my Xiao-Lang." She whispered, the Chinese name sounding sweet and reverent on her lips.
"I love you too, my Ying-fa." He answered back, pulling her into another loving kiss.
~*~*~*~
A/N:
Daphne: "Done. This part of the story, anyway. But what about the sequel? Well, I will give you some hints. It is mostly based around Syaoran and Sakura's son, Xiao-Chang. He takes after his father in every way.even more so. When he is forced to go on a quest with his older 'cousin', Haley, he begins to realize that the world is not everything he thought it was. His quest is to find the master of the mystical Czarina Cards, and to help them on their journey capturing that set of cards. Little does he know just how much this one journey with the master of the cards will change the rest of his life. Who is the master and how do they change his life? Read to find out! Here is a preview of the first chapter of 'The Alluring Anthea', the sequel to this story:
'The Alluring Anthea
.Still the young man in the ring seemed unaware of all this. He was focused on finishing a dizzying string of spins and thrusts. Soon, though, a loud gong rang out and the young man stopped, not even breathing hard. He sheathed his sword and then turned cold amber eyes toward the couple at the edge of the ring. He slowly walked toward them, his amber eyes staring as though her could see through them. This, however, did not make them uncomfortable. That was just the way that Li Xiao-Chang was.'
SO.WHAT WAS CHANG DOING, AND WHO WAS THAT COUPLE THAT WAS WATCHING HIM? READ 'THE ALLURING ANTHEA' TO FIND OUT!!!!
~*~*~*~