Author's Note: Okay, this chapt. is longer because there's a lot to cover. In fact, this'll be in two parts. There's more mean Mei-lin stuff up ahead and nice Sanori stuff. Please don't flame me about Mei-lin being so mean- I need her attitude in my sequel. Anyway, just read.
*~*
Disclaimer: Don't own CCS.
*~*
*~* Chapter Seven *~*
The First Ball
Xiefa stood in Sakura's room, helping her prepare for the party. She could tell that she was nervous. Sakura kept twisting one long brown lock that hang loose from her tight bun around her finger, sighing.
"Can I do this, Xiefa?" she whispered. "Nothing's going the way I'd wanted it to . . ."
"Just wait until you see yourself. You picked a very nice gown when you were in Japan."
Sakura sat at the vanity, he back to the mirror. She hadn't put on her gown yet- it'd gotten a little wrinkled and was taken to get pressed. Xiefa had done her hair and make up and placed on all of the jewelry. Her gloves and shoes were also on.
"May I have a little peak?"
She pretended to be appalled. "No! You want to get the full effect when everything is put together. It'll be worth the wait!"
Sakura closed her eyes. "I hope so."
Just then the door slid open just a bit. A maid handed Xiefa the dress. She gently gave it to Sakura and told her to get dressed.
"No peaking in the mirror unit I say so."
Sakura wiggled into the gown and struggled to zip it up. Xiefa helped her and straightened everything out. "Wow . . . turn around."
She did and gasped. She was beautiful. This gown was red, like the other dress she'd worn before. But this one was maroon a dark red. It was styled like one in the Victorian English era- tight in the chest and waist with flowing skirts at the bottom. The different layers sparkled along with the jewelry.
"Come along, Sakura! There'll be plenty of time to admire yourself later. We gotta go or else we'll be late."
The two girls quietly scampered throughout the house, finally reaching the giant oak doors leading to the ballroom.
Xiefa smiled. 'Wait until Syaoran gets a look at her!'
Sakura tried to ignore the butterflies in her stomach. 'Here goes nothing . . .'
Xiefa pulled the doors open. All eyes turned towards them and most conversation stopped.
Xiefa pulled her across the floor and over to Syaoran, Mei-lin, Alan and her other sisters. "Hello, everyone," she said cheerfully.
Everyone was gaping at Sakura.
Syaoran was the first to recover. "You look lovely, Sakura."
She flushed. "Thank you."
Alan smiled at her. "I must agree. You've stolen the spotlight form Mei-lin here."
Sakura flushed once again. "Please, you guys are embarrassing me."
Syaoran had never seen her so beautiful before. Every man, married or not, was straining his eyes to catch a glimpse of Sakura. And several guys were already heading their way with ideas about asking her to dance.
But Syaoran wasn't going to let that happen. He held out his hand. "May I have this dance?" he asked, his eyes twinkling.
She giggled at his formality. "Of course."
He pulled her out onto the floor and the other couples began to maneuver themselves so that they could get closer to the two.
Syaoran grinned down at her. "Do you realize that I'm dancing with the most beautiful girl in here?" He lowered his head to whisper into her ear. "None of them can match your beauty, kindness, your thirst for life . . ."
Sakura placed her head against his chest and smiled. "You have a way with words, Syaoran." She enjoyed the feeling she had when she was in his arms. The heat that radiated from his body . . . his wonderful scent . . . his chin in her hair.
The music ended all too soon and the two reluctantly pulled apart.
It felt so right to hold her in my arms . . . thought Syaoran, staring into her deep eyes.
It felt so right to be held by him . . . Sakura thought, returning his gaze.
Alan stepped up to Sakura's side. "Now it's my turn," he declared, taking her arm and pulling her gently into the crowd of dancers.
Sanori materialized next to her son, who was watching that girl and Alan dance together. Sakura was smiling and laughing, enjoying herself. The two made a handsome couple, she noticed. Maybe this is what I need to get Syaoran back on track . . .
"You know," she began, "those two would make a great match."
Syaoran kept his eyes on Alan and Sakura. "Why would you want Alan to marry her if you don't want me to?"
"Because you two are headed down different paths. Alan is not necessarily essential to the clan. His marriage to her could be overlooked." Sanori paused, watching her son's face for a reaction.
None.
She continued. "But you're different. The future of the whole family lies in your hands. And the hands of your heir. Mei-lin will surely produce fine children."
"I-" began Syaoran.
"If you're only worried about the girl's future, Alan will be able to provide her with anything she wants. He's got a lot of money stashed away."
Syaoran turned to face his mother. "I'm not worried about her future- she can take care of herself. I just . . ."
Sanori's eyebrows arched. "You just what?"
He shook his head. "Nothing."
"Then if it's nothing, come and dance with Mei-lin. Please," she pleaded.
Syaoran reluctantly nodded.
*~*
Mei-lin smiled with pleasure when Syaoran pulled her out onto the dance floor. She buried her head against his chest. Her eyes strayed to Alan and Sakura. Mei-lin's smiled turned into a sneer. She was the one who was going to be Mrs. Li Syaoran and not HER.
Mei-lin DESPISED Sakura. The girl was such a flirt. First she went after HER man and then decided to play with her other cousin's affections.
As the music ended, she felt Syaoran pull away from her. She glanced up at his face. His hazel eyes were staring at Sakura who was thanking Alan for the dance.
"Excuse me," muttered Syaoran, heading in her direction.
Mei-lin was furious! She watched as HER fiancé took another woman into his arms with a smile on his face- a smile that had not appeared when he'd danced with her.
She numbly walked over to Sanrio, standing next to the punch bowl table with a few of the Elders and Syaoran's sisters.
"I don't believe this!" she moaned. "He's danced with her twice and with me only once!"
Xiefa smiled and looked at the couple. He's going to do it! He's going to go with Sakura! She raised her glass to her lips to hide her smile.
Sanori frowned. "Oh, my. Don't worry. Syaoran and I had a little discussion and we both agreed that Sakura would make a better wife for Alan than him. He's probably trying to sway her in Alan's direction, that's all."
Xiefa choked on her punch. "YOU WHAT?"
They all turned to look at her.
Xiefa cleared her throat. "I mean, that's great! They do look good together."
Dio, an Elder female, shook Mei-lin's hand. "We're all looking forward to you being the new mistress here, Mei-lin."
"Why thank you," giggled Mei-lin.
Mei-lin waited for the music to end. When it did, she watched Sakura and Syaoran part. Syaoran said something to Sakura and then he left.
Sakura was approaching them.
Mei-lin grinned cunningly. Now I can confront her . . .
*~*
Sakura was tired. The punch looked inviting, yet she hesitated when she saw Sanori, Mei-lin and another woman glaring at her.
'Why did they have to pick the are next to the punch table to occupy?' Despite that, she went up to the table and took a glass. She poured some pink punch into her glass and sipped on it.
"Well, are you enjoying yourself, Kinomoto?"
Sakura turned around to face Mei-lin. "I . . . yes, yes I am. And you?"
Mei-lin smiled. "Of course. You know, Syaoran was right."
Sakura's back stiffened. "Excuse me?"
"Oh, Syaoran was just telling his mother how wonderful you and Alan looked together. He was right."
"I don't believe you," she said. "You're lying- I can tell."
"How dare you call me a liar?"
"If the shoe fits, Mei-lin. You sound jealous of me," replied Sakura. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I must be going . . ."
"Ohhh, you witch! You think that you can take BOTH of them?"
Sakura rolled her eyes. "What are you talking about?"
"First you go after Syaoran, then you go after Alan! I think that you've got a dirty little plan up your sleeve!" cried Mei-lin.
"Look, just let me pass, Mei-lin. I don't want to continue this conversation."
"Alan's your back up, isn't he? You plan to trap Syaoran into a marriage and if that doesn't work, then you're gonna run straight into Alan's arms."
Sakura shook her head. "Sure Mei-lin. That's my plan."
Before Mei-lin could reply, Xiefa took Sakura's arm. "Come along Sakura. There are some people I want you to meet."
Sakura thankfully followed her friend.
Xiefa pulled her into a secluded area. "What do you think you're doing? Fighting with Mei-lin is not going to score any points with my mother!"
"I know! But she pisses me off! She had no reason to say those things to me." Sakura sucked in a deep breath.
"Nevermind her." Xiefa looked around the ballroom. "Where did Syaoran go?"
Sakura shrugged. "All he said was that he had to take care of business . . ."
*~*
Syaoran stood on an empty ballroom balcony watching all of the people dance. He'd felt that power again while he was dancing with Sakura. The power that'd lured Sakura out onto the railing of her balcony.
He focused his thoughts of finding that energy.
He momentarily forgot about Mei-lin, his mother, even Sakura.
Where is he? Is he hiding his power?
Syaoran couldn't manage to find a trace of the power anyway. Whoever he was has hidden his energy.
But he'd learned something important.
The mystery man was a guest to his party.
*~*
Syaoran returned to his mother's side. Mei-lin's face was flushed with anger. She was fussing over something, her mouth running a hundred miles an hour.
"I don't believe her- lying like that- saying those things- I will get her- the uncivilized @#*~^!!"
"What is going on?" asked Syaoran.
Mei-lin's eyes widened. This is a golden opportunity. "Sakura told me some horrible things."
"Like what?"
Mei-lin shrugged as if it were nothing. "She said she was after you for your money and the only reason that she was hanging around Alan was for backup!"
Syaoran frowned. That didn't sound at all like Sakura. "Backup?"
"You know- if you didn't marry her, then she would run directly into Alan's arms. She's no angel, Syaoran."
"Why don't you all get her side of the story?"
Their group turned around to face Xiefa. Her face was twisted into a frown. "That's not how Sakura said it went!"
Fanren looked from her mother to Xiefa. "Well, Mei-lin is our family . . . why would she lie to us?"
Sanori watched her daughter carefully. Xiefa's face was twisted into an angry scowl. Xiefa's always been smart and a good judge of character. Maybe Sakura isn't that bad. Maybe . . .
Syaoran was worried about Sakura. He thought about his dream and the feeling he'd had earlier and that man . . .
"Where's Sakura anyway?" he asked.
Xiefa turned to him. "She was VERY upset and went for a walk outside. In the garden, I think."
Syaoran nodded to her and took off. Mei-lin was just about to follow him when Sanori gently pulled on her arm.
"Let him go, Mei-lin," she murmured.
*~*
Sakura slowly made her way along the path she'd walked along that first day with Xiefa. Despite the cold night air, she continued her journey. Syaoran . . .
What was she going to do about him and his family? She knew she wanted to be with Syaoran- she loved him- but how would they-
The sound of a twig snapping behind her caused her to jump, letting out a tiny gasp of fright. Behind her stood a man dressed in a black tuxedo and a mask on his face.
"I'm sorry I scared you, Sakura," the man whispered.
She frowned. "How did you know my name was Sakura?"
"Everyone here knows who you are." He stepped closer. "You're the girl who has the future Li Clan leader wrapped around her tiny finger. I admire you."
Sakura's heart began to race. The man's voice was so familiar . . . where had she heard it before?
"I admire your strength . . . your power . . ." he muttered, coming closer.
Sakura felt her eyelids drop and her body sway. She felt tired and dizzy. She just wanted to sleep.
"SAKURA!!"
She came out of her trance and stumble back into a tree.
Syaoran came to her side. "Are you alright?"
She nodded. "Who . . ."
Syaoran glared at the guy. He knew that it was the guy from her balcony that night. He'd returned.
"You cannot come to her aid every time, boy," the man growled. "I MUST have her!"
Syaoran called upon his sword, standing in battle mode. "I'll stop you."
The man just laughed. "Your magic is nothing compared to mine. Would you like to taste a sample?"
Sakura gasped. "NO! Stop, whoever you are!"
The man chose to ignore her. "Well, boy?"
Before Syaoran could answer, Sakura stepped forward. "Don't hurt him. If it's me you want, then take me. Just leave him alone."
Author's Note: What is she thinking? Will the mysterious accept her offer? Please R+R!
