MT: Holy Guacamole! I can't believe it's been so long since I updated! Normally it wouldn't take me so long to update, but see, I've just moved to a new school, a boarding school, and so I'm living in the dorms and I don't have access to a computer with the internet until I go home, which isn't too often, so please don't kill me! I beg of you! This chapter has been finished for a while, but I just haven't had the chance to update yet!
Syaoran: Yeah right, you were home for Thanksgiving, MT. So don't go pretending like you've never had a chance cause I know for a fact that you have.
MT: And I know for a fact that I have control of this fic which means I can do whatever I want to you...maybe I should make your mom do something absolutely unforgivable to Sakura...take her away, maybe? No...not harsh enough... Maybe I'll have her execute Sakura...now THAT'S an idea...heehee...
Syaoran: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! You can't! I'll die! NO!!!!!!!!!
MT: Well, then be more respectful to me.
Syaoran: I'm sooooo sorry! MT you are the best writer ever! And you always let me be with Sakura! Thank you so much! I don't know what I'd do if I wasn't allowed to be with her!
Sakura: You really mean that? Really truly?
Syaoran: OMG! I didn't know you were there!
Sakura: So, it was a lie? How could you do this to me?!?!? I HATE YOU!
*Sakura runs off*
*Syaoran stretches out his arm desperately*
Syaoran: No! Wait Sakura! Please! I love you! I love you with all my heart and soul!
*Sakura stops running and turns around*
Sakura: You really mean that? You really love me?\
*Syaoran blushes*
Syaoran: H-hai...
*Sakura smiles up at Syaoran*
Sakura: I love you, too...
Syaoran: H-honto?
Sakura: Honto ne, Syao-chan
MT (narrating): Syaoran then looks up and rushes to Sakura's side, and pulls her towards him, looking at her with only love in her eyes. Slowly he lowers his head to hers. Sakura lifts her face to meet him in the middle. They engage in a passionate kiss...
*MT snaps out of narrator mode*
MT: Itai! Who just hit me in the head?
*Big booming voice is heard*
Unknown: I did!
MT: And who are you?
Unknown: I am your best friend and your worst nightma..mare! Hillary! Don't do that! Bwa ha ha! S-Stop! I-It's not F...ha...Funny! Anymore! Plea...ha...ease!
MT: HILLARY **** *****! (I use her full name a lot, but you can't know it! She's my sister after all! Even though I don't respect a lot of other things about her, I respect her right to privacy!) Have you been doing evil things to chibi-chan again? (chibi-chan is another name for my mini counterpart that I will use occasionally instead of saying chibi Tate, kay?)
Hillary: N-No...
Chapter Seven: By Order of the Queen...
Sakura smiled, looking up at her love's face. 'He's always so gentle with me. He always cares for me. Even after the whole fight with my mother, he's still my rock and my foundation.' She stroked his face gently, running her fingers along the contours of his face. When her fingers reached his lips, she quickly replaced them with hers, giving him a gentle kiss. She closed her eyes and tightened her grip around his waist. When she moved away, it was only to look into his beautiful dark eyes. "Syaoran..." whispered Sakura, a look of wistful longing on her beautiful face.
"Hush, darling, it's alright. I love you, and a promise when all this is over we will spend a long time away from everyone else. I promise. However, that cannot be now. Now you must wake up. It is nearly the time for Meilin's visit, is it not? So you must be awake for her." In response, Sakura hugged him tightly, never wanting to let go. She knew, however, that she had to.
"Kero...What are...doing?...I would have thought...worried...about your mistress! I...look at her she's..."
Syaoran smiled. "See? She's already there...and she's obviously worried. So go ahead...wake up...my love..."
~***~In the streets of the Capitol~***~
"Xiao Lang! My love..." Sakura struggled with the guards with renewed energy. "Syaoran! Please! Answer me! Talk to me!" A guard behind Sakura raised his baton, preparing to strike the girl when he was stopped by a shout.
"Stop! Stop, I say! You shall not harm her! On pain of death you shall not harm her!" Syaoran had dismounted, and was striding towards the pair of guards, having finally snapped out of his reverie. He thought it impossible that Sakura, his love, could be here of all places, yet she had said that this was her home, so he supposed it could have been predicted. Nevertheless, he had not expected her to show. He had not even expected to be returning to the city. This was an unexpected chain of events.
Sakura sighed in relief. Finally, her prince had come to the rescue.
Syaoran came storming through the crowd of people that were, in one way or another, a part of his procession. Finally, he reached the two guards holding Sakura. He grasped both by the collar and threw them in opposite directions. Smiling, something which shocked all the observers, he dusted off his hands and knelt beside Sakura. 'She's so beautiful,' he thought, a wistful look upon his face. Her dress had been torn in the struggle, and her now tangled hair was hiding her face from the crowd and him. Though he wished he could simply look at her all day, he knew that she should get up quickly and hide her aura to avoid an unnecessary confrontation. Syaoran reached our tenderly with one hand and whispered in her ear, "Conceal your aura, quickly, my love," as he gently brushed her hair away from her face.
This gentle action startled Sakura. Her head jerked up, only to be met by Syaoran's powerful gaze. Amber bore into emerald and their gazes remained locked as time between them froze. Finally, Sakura brought her soft hand to Syaoran's face with a smile. "I missed you, my love."
Syaoran returned the gesture and smiled, saying, "I missed you even more, my princess."
Sakura giggled. She knew Syaoran had a soft side, but she would never have expected him to display it so openly in the crowded square surrounded by his subjects, all of whom were watching the scene intently. Sakura had never felt so happy. She had finally been reunited with her love. Wrapping her arms around his neck ever so gently, her eyes wandered over her fiancée's face, waiting for a sign that her actions were permitted. Syaoran's slight nod was the only approval she needed, and she immediately entwined her hands in his hair, and, capturing his lips with her own, gave him a deep, lingering kiss, filled with all her passion, longing, and love for him.
Syaoran, despite the fact that he had been expecting it, was shocked by the intensity of her kiss. Gradually, though, he relaxed into the kiss, allowing Sakura to lead. His hands grasped her long, luxurious hair tightly. He moaned in pleasure as Sakura lightly ran her tongue over his lips, asking permission to further deepen the kiss. Syaoran eagerly parted his lips, unable to contain his excitement and his passion.
The crowd would be incredibly shocked, Sakura knew, that their crown prince was kissing her, someone who appeared at all angles to be a commoner, but she didn't care. All she cared about was that finally, after so many years apart, Syaoran was actually holding her in the physical sense, and not simply through their connected dreams. Sakura's hands roamed freely across Syaoran's upper body – across his back and well-muscled arms to his chest. Though barely able to restrain herself, Sakura managed to keep her hands away from the bottom of his beautifully embroidered tunic.
Finally, from lack of air, the two lovers parted, only to gaze into each other's eyes. Sakura sighed blissfully and leaned her head against Syaoran's warm chest. "You are absolutely amazing my love," she whispered so softly that even Syaoran could barely hear. "I've missed you more than you can possibly imagine." She sat up and gazed into his eyes...his beautiful eyes...eyes that portrayed so much love...love that she knew was for her, and her alone. When he opened his mouth to speak, Sakura simply put her finger to his lips and shook her head, indicating that he should wait until she had finished. "You know, it's funny. I should have known you were in town, I should have sensed it, but I had no idea until the old man at the warehouse told me. Once I knew, however, I raced here immediately, without even a second thought, because I couldn't stand another moment without you, knowing you were so near. I ran as fast as I could..."
When Syaoran put the slightest pressure on her arms, she allowed herself to relax back into his strong arms once more. "And now," she continued beneath her breath, "I swear, I pledge, I vow, I promise...never to leave your side again, if you will only promise me the same thing." She knew she needn't ask, but she felt compelled to nonetheless.
Syaoran understood her need for confirmation. He himself needed it as well, though it was unnecessary; they were soul mates. So he replied, "Of course, Sakura-chan. Of course. You know I will always be there for you. Always. From now until the end of time."
Syaoran smiled again, and all Sakura could see in his eyes was pure and untainted love and devotion, directed solely at her. Sakura tried to smile at Syaoran – she tried to let him know that she felt exactly the same way – but she was unsuccessful. Instead of the reassuring smile she wanted, she burst into uncontrollable tears.
Syaoran knew she need the emotional release, so he simply turned her around and wrapped his arms around her petite frame as if he were holding a baby. Rocking her back and forth, he whispered sweet nothings soothingly into her ear, all the while just letting her cry and letting her know he was there for her.
Through the whole ordeal, he ignored the murmurs and gasps of the crowd around them and concentrated solely on Sakura, as if they were completely alone.
When Sakura finally stopped crying, she looked up gratefully at Syaoran, her smile brightening the sun, until she noticed the crowd around them staring. Disconcerted, she stood up quietly, bringing Syaoran with her. Sakura unconsciously wrapped Syaoran's arms around her, trembling and shivering, her eyes tightly shut.
Syaoran noticed this and, looking around, he realized the cause of her discomfort. Thousands of his subjects were gathered around them, and all eyes were on them – especially on Sakura. All were curious as to who this young green-eyed beauty could be. Leaning down so his lips tickled her ear, he whispered, "Don't worry, Sakura. Let me deal with it, alright?"
Probably without even noticing or thinking about it, Sakura nodded, keeping her eyes shut. Gripping Syaoran's strong arms more tightly around her, she nestled closer into the crook of his arms. "Don't leave me," she whispered under her breath. "Please."
"I never plan to," he replied, looking up at the crowd, only to see his chief advisor and steward heading their way with a mixed look of confusion and anger on his face. Syaoran simply tightened his grip on the petrified Sakura and gave the advisor his infamous death glare that, if looks could kill, would have killed him within seconds.
Finally the chief advisor arrived in front of the pair, his brow shining with sweat and panting. Looking up at the prince with his hands over his stout stomach, he finally caught his breath enough to speak. When he did speak, however, it was obvious that he was more than a little upset. "What...is the meaning...of this...your highness?!" said the little man angrily, still breathing quite heavily.
"What is the meaning of what, Rafael?" asked Syaoran a little too innocently, keeping constant eye contact with his steward.
Rafael, obviously unnerved by the innocence and denseness of the prince's tone, tried to maintain a cool and professional composure, but didn't altogether succeed. "Well, of this little...affair, you may say. I mean, the crown prince cannot dally with commoners, especially when he is soon to be wed!"
Syaoran kept his cool, reminding himself to rid the palace of this man's stupidity once their confrontation was over. "I guess then, Rafael, that it is a good thing I'm not 'dallying,' as you say, with any commoners."
By now Sakura was feeling much more relaxed, so much so that she raised her head to look Syaoran's steward straight in the eye.
Sakura's commanding gaze and Syaoran's confusing statement further disturbed the advisor; however, he managed to reply to the prince. "Is this...lady...not a commoner, my lord? She certainly looks and dresses like one," he said disdainfully.
"I should think you would be more respectful towards your future queen, Rafael," said Syaoran, a note of disappointment easily identifiable in his voice.
It took Rafael a moment to process the new information. When it had finally sunk in, the steward was furious. "What?! Are you mad?! She cannot be your future wife...she's a commoner! Besides you are to be married to one of the Kinomoto princesses! I will not allow..." He was cut off by Syaoran's next statement.
"I am glad that I will not disappoint you by marrying outside the Kinomoto family. Nor will I marry a commoner. For this is no mere commoner you see before you. This lady is the princess Kinomoto Sakura...and my fiancée." Syaoran finished his statement proudly, allowing Sakura to step out of his arms. Before releasing her, however, he whispered, "On my command, reveal your aura, alright?" Reassured by Sakura almost imperceptible nod, he stepped back, allowing Sakura to stand alone. Turning his attention back to Rafael, he continued, "She will be accompanying us to the castle and to the Kinomoto Kingdom from there. She is to be treated as you treat my sisters, my mother, and myself, but they, especially my mother, are not to know who she is. Is that understood?"
Rafael, not knowing what else to do, nodded; by doing so, he formally accepted the prince's request. Opening his mouth, he tried to speak, but produced only a small squeak. He couldn't believe that after so many years the princess Sakura had simply appeared. Finally, Rafael managed to squeak out, "How can we know for sure? And how did you find her? If she even is the princess!"
Syaoran simply smiled. Nodding at Sakura, he said, "Rafael, you can sense auras, correct? Especially if they are powerful?"
"W-well, yes, sir, I can. Especially strong auras."
"Then, tell me to my face that you don't believe this is the princess Sakura. In fact, I have an even better idea. Swear that you don't believe this is the princess Sakura."
Rafael smirked. "I, Rafael, chief advisor to the prince Li Syaoran, do not believe that this lady is…" Rafael gasped.
At this precise moment, Sakura fully released her aura, overwhelming the already distraught steward. "Oh, I'm so sorry, sir," said Sakura mockingly. "I didn't mean to scare you so badly!" Sakura smiled up at Syaoran, waiting for his ever-important approval.
"Very good, Sakura," whispered Syaoran. "Very good."
By now, those members of the crowd that had magical abilities, even if they were very limited, had sensed Sakura's aura. They had also sensed that it was much stronger than that of their prince. All present, and even those who were not, were curious as to who the holder of this powerful magic could be.
Meanwhile, Rafael was on his knees in front of Sakura "Your highness, I'm so sorry! It's only that you didn't...it seemed impossible...I'm sorry!" Rafael bowed to Sakura, his forehead touching the floor.
Sakura smiled gently at the steward, and held out her soft hand to raise him to his feet,. Though this greatly shocked both Rafael and Syaoran, Sakura did not notice it. Instead she simply said, "You were not wrong in doubting who I was. You had no proof that is was so." After this, the advisor sighed in relief – for he felt he had been forgiven for his wrong doing – and Syaoran gaped at his fiancée, however, she still did not notice. "However," she continued pensively, "You had no proof that it wasn't so either…"
Now Syaoran's gentle smile returned,. Sakura was going to perform justice after all
"Therefore," she said with a not of triumph in her voice, "I sentence you, as the future Queen of this kingdom and as the Mistress of the Clow Cards which are now Sakura Cards..."
This statement received many gasps from the crowd. In part because she named herself the future queen of the kingdom, and also because the Clow Card Master or Mistress had to be very strong in order to capture and seal all the cards. That in part explained the strength of her aura, but also the fact that she had transformed the cards so they became her own was an even greater and more powerful feat.
Sakura cleared her throat, and the crowd became immediately silent. "I sentence you to ten years of the hardest labour my Syaoran..." Pausing briefly, she looked up at her fiancée for approval – which she received in the form of a slight nod and a look of amusement – before she continued, "that Prince Syaoran can find."
The steward was relieved that, though he wasn't completely getting off the hook, at least his punishment wasn't too severe.
"Also..." came a stern baritone voice from above the advisor.
The steward looked up in fear to see it was his employer and soon-to-be King speaking so sternly to him. He cowered in fear, full of tension, worried there would be more punishment laid on top of his already large punishment.
"...you will, once your ten years of labour are complete, be exiled from the kingdom, with only the clothes on your back, and a meagre amount of food. Nevermore shall you live among the rich and their finery. Nevermore shall you be a leader or boss or employer to anyone – young or old, strong or weak, male or female – for..." continued Syaoran, knowing that above all, Rafael loved ordering other around. He smirked at the pitiful, cowering man grovelling before him. "...for you will continue your pitiful existence in the lowest station life has to offer. Now, go and report to the foreman in charge of the boiler. Tell him to give you the hardest job he has, and to report to me before the day is out." Turning back to the crowd, Syaoran raised his voice so it would carry to all those present. "Ladies and gentlemen gathered here, I would like to introduce to you Princess Kinomoto Sakura, the son-to-be queen of our fair kingdom and...my love."
Hearing the prince's words, the crowd cheered. Never had they seen their corwn prince so gentle, caring, kind, and – most importantly – happy. His eyes shone with obvious love for the mysterious sorceress called Princess Kinomoto Sakura.
"Now, one more thing I must ask of you," the prince continued. "I will aks...nay, I will beg! of you..." Syaoran got down on his knees in front of the crowd, his hands clasped before him in a silent plea to the people. "Please! Please, do not tell anyone...anyone...of what you've seen and heard here today. If you do, I fear that one of Sakura's sisters will become your queen, and I assume – and I hope that I do assume rightly..." Syaoran was now so emotional that he could not form complete sentences, but his people understood the things of which he spoke. "...none of them...has magic...close to Sakura's strength...or mine, for that matter..." He chuckled nervously, trying to relieve some of the tension. "…if...I cannot...be...with her...if I cannot marry her...if I cannot see her beautiful, shining face beside me every morning when I awake..." Syaoran stopped, head bowed, and desperately tried to get – and keep – control of his emotions.
The crowd couldn't believe their ears; they couldn't believe that one young girl could have such an effect on their stone-hearted prince.
Sakura, seeing Syaora's internal struggle, knelt beside him and, wrapping her arms around his waist, laid her head on his shoulder, trying just as desperately as he to help him regain face. "I love you, Syaoran," she whispered softly into his ear, "and no matter what, I will never leave you...never...never..."
Syaoran smiled, still keeping his head bowed, and stroked Sakura's soft auburn hair gently, allowing his fingers to comb through it, hoping to relax his distraught soulmate. Finally he looked up and began to speak once more. "If I lost this woman who sits here beside me...if I was forbidden to be with her...if I* was forced by my family to, instead of wedding her, marry one of her sisters...I would feel empty. I would be lost without her. She completes me in a way that no one else ever could. If I didn't have her, I would not be who I am today...and if I lose her, you will lose me as well, for I will die of sorrow."
By now, men and women both were weeping openly. They could not believe that their crown prince could be so passionate about anything. It was painstakingly obvious that he loved this emerald-eyed, golden-haired beauty with all his heart and soul and being.
Sakura turned around in her beloved's arms, and gently pur her hand on his travel weary face. "You know that I feel the same way, right?" She did her best to keep a straight face, but she wasn't exactly succeeding. She looked slightly worried – worried that he didn't understand the depth of her words; that the depth of her love for him was just as deep or deeper than his love for her – and amazed – amazed that someone so perfect...so wonderful!...could love her so much.
"I know," he replied, still instinctively stroking her silky auburn hair. "I know." He smiled to himself. "There was never any doubt." He stood up. "Well, I guess that, if we have the acceptance and silence of those around us, we should be heading to the castle to get cleaned up." Syaoran looked around expectantly.
"We won't let you down, Prince Li!" shouted one skinny man from the back of the crowd in a high tenor voice. "Yeah!" shouted another. "We'll be as silent as if the mistress over there had used the silent card on us!" shouted one rather strong witch from the front.
Sakura giggled at this. "So," she said, loudly and clearly, pulling herself up to stand royally beside Syaoran, "we can count on you to keep your mouths zipped?!?"
One little girl who had been standing near the front pulled away from her mother and ran towards the princess. "We all pinky swear, Misses Sakura!" She held out her small hand towards the princess, her pinky finger outstretched. When Sakura stretched out her hand, the little girl wrapped her pinky around Sakura's, and shook it as if shaking hands, before breaking into a little song. "Pinky, grab your deares' friend, now the promise circle never ends!" She giggled quite innocently, and released Sakura's pinky.
Sakura, also giggling, crouched down so she was eye to eye with the little girl. "What's your name, darling?" she asked, quite oblivious to the strange looks she was receiving for touching and talking to a commoner, especially a child.
The little girl giggled and leant closer to Sakura to whisper into her ear, "My name's Marisa, princess, and I think you're the beautifulest person I've ever seen in the whole wide world, even more pretty than me mummy..." Here she giggled again, before continuing, "...but don' tell her I said that..." She giggled one more time before wrapping her small arms around Sakura and giving her a strong hug – which Sakura eagerly returned – and running back to her mother.
Sakura straightened and smiled at her bewildered prince before turning and addressing the crowd. "Well, I guess that little Marisa spoke for you, ne?" she asked, cocking her head to one side as if in question.
"Hai, Mistress Sakura!" They replied in unison, with more giggles to be heard from Marisa amidst the shouts and cheers of the crowd.
Sakura giggled childishly. "Very well then, that's settled! Come, Syaoran, our carriage awaits!" She started walking towards Syaoran's horse, but stopped and turned around. Running back to where Syaoran stood, she stood on her tiptoes and whispered in his ear. Falling back onto her heels, she waited for Syaoran's response. When he nodded, she turned back to the crowd. "Marisa, darling," Sakura asked in a really sweet voice, "would you come here please? I have something to ask of you."
Marisa stepped forward gaily. Though she didn't like the Prince – his soldiers had killed her father after all – the young woman who stood beside him seemed very nice. She knew that the beautiful princess would never harm her or any member of her family. "Yes, Princess Fairy?" Marisa smiled innocently up the princess, her emotions a jumble of joy and excitement.
Sakura laughed hearing her. "Princess Fairy? What have I done to deserve that title?"
Marisa flushed, realizing that she had spoken the little pet name she had devised for the princess aloud. "Oh! Well, since you're s'pretty and y'can do magic and all that, I jus' thought..." Here Marisa trailed off, looking down at her feet. She traced circles in the dust with her toe nervously, gathering up the courage to continue her reply.
Sakura smiled gently, knowing that the young girl was nervous. "You just thought what, my dear?"
Marisa blushed at the term of endearment before continuing on rapidly. "You just 'minded me of one o' da pretty fairies me mummy tells me 'bout in me bedtime stories!"
At this, Sakura laughed gaily. Her laugh sounded like bells ringing from the top of the hill on a clear morning. "Well, darling," Sakura drawled with an obviously fake accent," I assure you I am not. However..." Sakura placed her slender pointer finger on her chin. "Do your fairies like to do nice things for people?" Sakura asked innocently, an idea popping into her head.
"Oh, yes, Princess Fairy! They do! They're always coming out of their leafy homes to 'elp people or give 'em nice presents!" Marisa paused, thinking and wondering for a moment before questioning the princess' question. "Why do you ask?"
"Oh! Well, I was just wondering because then I could tell you that I am like those fairies your mother tells you about. Because, you know what I'm going to do?" Sakura giggled – she knew the little girl would be delighted with her surprise.
"Why's 'at? Whatcha gonna do, Princess Fairy?" Marisa – along with everyone crowded in the square – was very curious what the princess had in store for her.
"Well," Sakura said, moving towards the horse that had now arrived at their current position. Grabbing its reins with a firm hand, to which the horse automatically responded, she moved back to the little girl with the beautiful white horse, decorated in pink and blue ribbons – it was probably only for show. "What I'm going to ask you is very important to me. I really hope you agree...I was wondering...well, the truth of the matter is...what I'm trying to say is..."
Suddenly from the crowd, a voice shouted, "Oh, just spit it out!"
Sakura giggled. "Very well then, m'lord," She said, curtsying gracefully. "M'lady," she said, turning to curtsy to Marisa, "would you do me the honour of travelling with me on my fairy horse to the castle?"
Marisa, along with the entire crowd, gasped at this announcement. Even Syaoran gasped. "Wha'...I...I...I mean..." Marisa stuttered. She had never imagined this would be coming.
Hearing Syaoran's gasp along with the crowd, Sakura turned to her fiancée in annoyance. "What?!" she asked, exasperated by the shock running through the crowd. "Is there a problem with my inviting this little girl to come to the castle with me? I'm sure she's never even seen it, except from very far away, because it's guarded so heavily. I mean, really, it's not as if the royal family is any better than anyone else in this godforsaken country!" Syaoran opened his mouth to debate this, but Sakura held up her hand, effectively silencing him by mentally summoning the Silent to do her bidding. Syaoran's mouth opened and closed, making him look a bit like a fish, before he realized what she had done and shut his mouth firmly, turning away with a wave of his hand. Sakura, delighted with his approval – dismissive as it was – turned back to Marisa, curtsying once more. "So, m'lady? What is your reply?"
Marisa, by now, had had time to compose herself and get over her shock. Straightening herself, she curtsied back to Sakura, and replied, "I'd be honoured, your fairy highness."
Suddenly, Sakura swept Marisa into her arms and spun her around, making her squeal with glee, before positioning her in front of the saddle and mounting, expertly, herself. Pulling the child into the saddle in front of her, she turned her horse around with a tightening of her legs, and waved her hand at Syaoran, releasing him from the Silent's spell. "I do believe we're ready to proceed, m'lord," she said formally, bowing to him from the saddle.
Syaoran, though amazed at her behaviour, nodded and smiled at her before turning to his processional. "Well, what are you waiting for? You heard the lady! Move out!" Syaoran whistled, and his horse came through the crowd at the sound of his master's call. Syaoran grabbed the saddle horn as he walked up and, launching himself into the saddle, raised his arm, saying, "Continue the parade!"
The crowd cheered at this announcement before clearing the way before the first banner carriers so that the processional could continue. Marisa raised her voice in laughter and joy when the line of nobles started moving. She waved her hands at all the people in the crowd, shocking everyone with the fact that a child was anywhere near the processional, let alone actually in it.
Syaoran laughed inwardly while outwardly maintaining his stoic profile, though if you looked in his eyes you could see his laughter. To the surprise of most, he started to laugh when Sakura swung Marisa from the front of the saddle to the back and back to the front again. Marisa's laughter was contagious and soon the whole crowd, even those who had remained stoically silent and including all the members of the parade, were laughing and shouting joyously, celebrating with the young girls and their now melted Ice Prince.
After about half a cycle of riding, they finally reached the castle. Nevertheless, during all that time, Sakura and Marisa had never once stopped waving at all the people going by.
Upon arriving at the castle gates, Sakura sunk back happily into her side saddle, still tightly holding young Marisa's waist. Leaning over, she whispered gently in Marisa's ear. "Would you like to go home now, m'dear, or would you like to come in and see the castle with me?" Marisa, though quite tired, very much wanted to see the castle, and she told Sakura so. "Very well then. Would your mother like to come with us, do you think?" At Marisa's emphatic nod, she continued. "Well, why don't you go and find her then?"
Marisa hesitated slightly, looking at Sakura. "You promise ya'll stay here 'til I come back?" Marisa asked anxiously, wanting to be sure her princess friend didn't leave her.
"Of course not, m'lady," Sakura stated strongly, trying her best to convince her little friend. " I'll stay right here! Not even the queen herself could tear me away!"
Marisa giggled. "Course not, Princess Fairy, cause you're a princess! 'n' that's 'most a queen 'nyway!"
"Of course! Now go, and hurry back!"
Marisa giggled as she slid down one of the many silk streamers decorating the snow white horse and ran towards the crowd to find her mother.
Syaoran looked backwards towards his soon-to-be fiancée. 'So beautiful...' he thought, allowing a small smile to creep upon his face. So involved was he in his thoughts that he didn't even notice his mother riding towards him from the castle.
Li Yelan wondered what her son was so happy about. Approximately half a cycle ago she had felt an immense surge of happiness in his aura, leaving her to wonder what was going on. Finally arriving beside him, she almost spoke up, but when she noticed he was gazing intently at something, or rather someone. Following his gaze, her eyes came to rest upon a beautiful woman who, though dressed as a peasant, portrayed a sense of implacable authority. She sat on an extremely decorated parade horse, decked in a tan dress with her long hair flowing around her. She truly was the image of beauty. 'My son most likely wants her for a concubine. Just as well...it's about time he started showing interest in a woman. And it's never a bad thing to have children running around. Besides, it's about time my son had an heir.' Finally satisfied that her son was just considering her to be his mistress, she cleared her throat, startling him out of his thoughts. "What's on your mind, my son?"
Jerking his head in the direction of the calmly commanding voice, the prince saw his mother, sitting calmly on a horse as black as her hair. Her face was painted until it was almost white, and blood red lips were pursed as if in dislike or distaste. "Yes mother?" he asked, slightly bowing towards her. "What is it you'd like?" All of this was said as if his mind wasn't truly on what he was saying, as if it were automatic.
Yelan sniffed daintily in disgust, hoping it wasn't that woman that had her son so distracted. " I was just wondering who that beautiful woman over there was," she asked casually, hoping her son would answer truthfully because of his distracted state.
"Oh her?" he asked pointing towards the woman Yelan had noticed earlier. He sighed happily. "That's Princess Sakura, and she is, though not legally as of yet since it hasn't been made public, my fiancée. And the best part about it is that..." He turned sharply to look at the woman he'd been talking to. "M-mother! I-I mean, she's just...what I mean to say...she's not...never..."
As her son stuttered like a fool, she turned away, waving her personal steward towards her. After whispering a short message into his ear, she shooed him away, turning once more to look at the girl. Her son, still trying to think of a way to cover his blunder, was muttering to himself while pacing in a circle, having previously dismounted. Yelan moved her horse towards him and tapped him on the shoulder.
Glowering, he looked up at her. "What do you want?"
Smiling smugly, she looked up at the declaration balcony as her steward came out upon it. "My steward has something to announce. I think you'll want to hear it."
Syaoran just glared at her before turning to the balcony just before the trumpets sounded, announcing a proclamation.
"Gracious folk," said Queen Li's personal steward while unrolling a showy scroll that was precisely for that purpose...for show. "By formal request I am to present to you this message:
'By Order of the Queen," he 'read', "the peasant girl named Sakura is to give herself up into the custody of the palace guard for immediate imprisonment on the grounds of falsely impersonating a member of royalty and attempting to gain position by placing a spell of magic on our dearest prince. Once again, this is for the peasant girl, Sakura, to give herself up into the custody of the palace guard. By Order of the Queen.'
That is all I have for you as of this moment. Goodbye and Farewell." The steward rolled up the 'important' scroll and exited the view of the observers.
A murmur ran through the crowd. Was the princess they had just met an impersonator? Had she really put a spell on the prince? No one believed the beautiful and almost childish woman of such an act. Thus the immediate roar of protest.
But Sakura heard none of it. She didn't even notice the advancing guard with palace magicians, less than half as strong magically as she all together. All she heard was, over and over in her head, 'By order of the Queen...By order of the Queen...By Order of the Queen...'
MT: Okay! This chapter is officially DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Syaoran: Okay people! You know the drill!
*crowd shuffles into position*
Syaoran: Ready?!
Crowd: Yeah!!!
Syaoran: Gimme an F!
Crowd: F!
Syaoran: Gimme an I!
Crowd: I!
Syaoran: Gimme an N!
Crowd: N!
Syaoran: Gimme an A!
Crowd: A!
Syaoran: Gimme an L!
Crowd: L!
Syaoran: Gimme another L!
Crowd: L!
Syaoran: Gimme a Y!
Crowd: Y!
Syaoran: What does that spell?!
Crowd: Finally!
MT: Finally? What's that supposed to mean!
*gets bonked over the head with a rubber mallet*
MT: Ow! Who did that!
Unknown: Mwa ha ha! ME!!!
MT: And who's that?
Unknown: I'm—
MT: Wait! I know this! My best friend and my worst nightmare, right???
Unknown: No...though that is an intriguing thought...hmm...
*MT taps her foot*
*long wait*
MT: *exasperatedly* Then who are you?!
Unknown: Zzz...Zzz...Zzz...snort...What do you want??! Oh! Right! I'm...now how did you put it...I'm your best nightmare...no, no, no...that's not it...I'm your worst friend?...no, that doesn't make any sense...why would I say that?...
MT: That's not what I asked?! Who are you really???
Unknown: Hmm? Oh, I'm just your friendly neighbourhood Spiderman!
MT: Argh!!!!!!!!!!!!
*MT starts running around the stage trying to find the culprit*
Syaoran: *sigh* I seem to be doing this a lot, don't you think?
Crowd: Yeah! Definitely! Duh!
Guy: Yeah! I mean, Mystress Tate isn't sane enough to do it herself!
MT: What?!?!?!?!?!?!
*MT stops mad futile chase around, over, under, and across stage*
Guy: Just what I said! I bet you couldn't give us an uninterrupted, civilized ending if your life depended on it!
*starts running towards Guy*
MT: Why you...!
*stops mid-step*
MT: Wait. You want civilized? I'll give you civilized...
*turns around and moves back to center stage*
*turns to face audience*
MT: Thank you very much for coming to read this chapter of The Golden Rose. It is very much appreciated. I would especially like to thank...*goes on to thank people*
Meanwhile, backstage...
Unknown: Heh...I know what'll get her...
*Time passes...MT finishes her thank you's...Evil plan of Unknown is about to be unveiled...*
MT: Thank you to all for taking the time to read my story. And now, I'd like to wish each and every one of you a good night. I hope that you enjoyed this chapter, and, as soon as I get some ideas, I will eagerly present you with a new chapter. So, for now...
*sweeps a low bow*
*comes up only to see.........
............a sand bag come flying down from rafters to hit MT right in the forehead!*
(I know, very unoriginal, but what's a girl to do?)
MT: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!!!!!!!!
*runs offstage to find culprit*
*Syaoran appears from a darkened corner of the stage*
Syaoran: Well, then...I guess this proves your point, Guy...
*MT comes running back out*
MT: ...Night! I'll see ya later folks!
*bows and runs offstage again*
Syaoran: ...or not...anyway, as she said, thanks for reading and have a goodnight!
Crowd: *cheers*
*MT runs out on stage holding a moving burlap sack*
MT: I caught the culprit!
Crowd: *cheers*
MT: It's.....
Mwa ha ha! It's a cliffy in an Author's Note!...lool...anyway, there's actually something to think about there...and give me ideas about, if you'd like. I haven't set in stone who it's going to be, so why don't you vote! I'll give you a list of people, and you tell me who you think it should be!
A) Hillary (my sister from the AN before this chapter...this is something she would do...lool)
B) Chibi Tate (or chibi-chan) (my mini counterpart)
C) Sakura (the main character of my story! Syaoran: Hey! I thought that was me! Oh! Sorry Syaoran...but Sakura's more popular methinks... Syaoran: Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!)
D) Eriol (half reincarnation of Clow Reed and Sakura's half father)
E) Tomoyo (video taping friend of Sakura and Eriol's girlfriend)
F) Touya (Sakura's overprotective brother)
And those are the choices! Have fun!
IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT!
Well, I don't really have any idea of what to do with this story at the moment...I kinda don't know what to do with this story...it's not really going anywhere...so, ideas! Please! I promise to take into immediate consideration all ideas! So the sooner you review, the sooner I get ideas, the sooner you get a story! Also, I'm not sure if I should put E&T in this story...what do you think? If there are enough people who want it, I'll definitely do it, so vote! E&T or no E&T! Wow...two votes in one chapter...crazy....
IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT!
Have a good New Year everyone and I hope you had a very merry Christmas too!
THE ONE AND ONLY!!!!
Mystress TateJ