Author's Notes: I'm sure this chapter sucks. No action, no nothin. Sorry! But the story gets better after this. Keep reading! R+R, please.
*~*
Disclaimer: I do not own CCS.
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*~* Chapter Twelve *~*
The Third Ball
Later that day, while Xiefa was fussing over Sakura's hair, Kero carefully watched his mistress. She didn't seem worried at all. Or maybe she was just hiding her fright underneath the giant gown and poofy hair.
Kero flew over to the vanity table and landed on it. He crossed his arms over his chest and stared at Sakura. "Must we go over the rules again?"
Xiefa rolled her eyes. "No, we don't!"
Kero ignored her. "Sakura doesn't look too worried."
"I know," she replied. "I have a plan."
"Let's go over the rules again anyway. Number one: don't go ANYWHERE by yourself. Number two: stay with the gaki. Although I don't like him, he can provide SOME protection. Number three: don't drink anything given to you by someone you don't know. It could be drugged. Number-"
"Alright!" cried Xiefa. "That's the hundredth time we've heard you say that!"
Sakura nodded. "I'll be fine."
Kero shook his head. "Don't leave yet. I'm coming too."
Xiefa and Sakura looked at him, very confused. Kero flew into the bathroom and about five minutes later, Kero came out in a nice black tux.
"Where'd you get that?" asked Sakura, giggling.
"I bummed it off of Tomoyo before we left. I figured that it might come in handy sometime."
Xiefa just shook her head.
Knock knock.
Xiefa walked over to Sakura's door. She cautiously opened it, then smiled. "Syaoran!"
"Hey, sis. I came to escort Sakura downstairs," he replied.
Sakura eagerly took his arm and winked at Xiefa. "See you guys downstairs!"
Kero frowned when they were gone. "Who's gonna be escorted by me?"
Xiefa took Kero's little paw/hand. "You can escort me."
Kero nodded. "Let's go then."
*~*
Syaoran scanned the crowd in the ballroom as he and Sakura entered. He led her over to his mother and his sisters. He scowled when he saw Alan and Mei-lin standing there too, with a couple of, now known as, Anti-Sakura Elders, including Dio.
"Hello, Sakura, Syaoran," Sanori said. "You two make a handsome couple."
"Mother . . ." muttered Syaoran, his face reddening.
Sakura just smiled. "Thank you."
"SYAORAN," called Mei-lin, clasping his other arm. "Remember what you said to me earlier?" She batted her eyelashes.
"Uh . . . no. Not really."
"You said that we'd do something later. Well, I want to be the first to dance with you tonight!"
Syaoran glance warily at Sakura who just smiled. "I won't leave the ballroom. Go on."
She should have told me to stay!!!!!! thought Syaoran, glaring down at his clingy cousin.
Sakura forced back a giggle.
"Why don't you dance with Alan," Dio suddenly suggested. "Then you wouldn't have to stand around with us old people."
Her voice sounds too sweat . . . is she up to something? Sakura just nodded. She let Alan lead her out onto the dance floor.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
Sakura looked o at him. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"I heard you got attacked last night. You must've been scared."
She nodded. "But Syaoran saved me. So I'm fine."
"Hmmm, yeah, my great cousin," he murmured.
Sakura raised an eyebrow. "You don't sound so happy about that."
"Why wouldn't I be happy about that? You're safe. It's that my cousin has always been the golden boy around here. Except for that time he didn't bring home the Clow Cards."
"And you hate that?" Sakura felt sorry for him.
"Did you know that all of this- the house, the land, the business, the name, everything- was supposed to be mine?"
Sakura shook her head. "N-no."
"I'm older that Syaoran. And my father was the head of the Clan until he was killed," Alan bitterly told her.
"Oh, my! He was killed?"
He nodded.
"By who?"
"Syaoran's father."
Sakura didn't say anything. What's going on here? Why would Syaoran's father kill Alan's? I think I'm missing something . . .
*~*
Syaoran kept his gaze locked on Sakura and Alan as they waltzed throughout the crowd. Needless to say, Syaoran didn't trust his cousin. And he didn't like the sight of Sakura in his arms.
Jealous, Syaoran?
He knew it was truth, although he hated to admit it. Syaoran didn't want to see her in any other man's arms but is.
"And I told my mother that the wedding will go as planned." Mei-lin looked up at Syaoran. He's looking at HER again! What can I do to get his attention? "Hello?"
Syaoran gazed down at her. "Um, sorry. What were you saying?"
"I don't like the way you look at other girls, especially Kinomoto! We are engaged, buddy weather you like it or not!"
"No, we're not engaged. I haven't made my decision."
"YOUR DECISION? What decision could you possibly have to make?" cried Mei-lin. "Our marriage has been arranged for-"
"I know, but . . . I'm just going through a lot right now."
Mei-lin forced tears into her eyes. "You're thinking about choosing Kinomoto, aren't you? Well, I won't have it! I've waited too long to become the mistress of this house to have MY TITLE snatched away from me by the likes of that girl!"
"I'm sorry Mei-lin . . ."
"Oh, you'll be sorry if you ask Kinomoto to marry you!" With that, she stomped away, leaving Syaoran alone on the dance floor.
Syaoran blinked several times. I was so caught up in what was going on with Sakura and that guy that I didn't even consider who I was going to choose to be my wife! He groaned. I have to make my announcement tomorrow night! Syaoran stumbled over to his mother.
"I-can't-do-it," he told her.
Sanori smiled at her son, knowing exactly what he was talking about. "Your father was the same way the night before he proposed to me."
"What should I do? I don't want to let down my family or either of the girls," Syaoran groaned.
"Just follow your heart, Syaoran. I realize now that I was wrong to be so cruel to Sakura when she first got here. She's truly a nice girl. If she's the one who will make you happy, then go with her."
Syaoran eyed his mother. "You know that if I do we'll cause some hostile feelings to arise amongst the family."
Sanori shrugged her shoulders. "Don't let them influence you, please! I just want you to be HAPPY."
Syaoran nodded. "I understand. Thank you mother."
Sanori smiled. "I'm glad that I could be some help."
Klein stepped up to them. "Personally, I'm in favor of Miss Kinomoto. But, you do have to make your own decision. But remember one thing- do you want to hear Mei-lin squealing your name and cutting off all of the circulation in your arm every day of your life?"
Sanori gasped, pushing back giggles. "Oh, don't say that!"
When was the last time I heard Mother laugh?
*~*
Sakura was tired when Alan finally returned her to Xiefa and Kero where a large group of people was standing.
Sakura tapped Xiefa on the shoulder. "What's going on?"
"It seems as if Kero's becoming quite popular, Sakura," she mused.
Kero was discussing food recipes with some of the older women, electronics with the young men, and talking politics with the older men all at the same time.
Sakura rolled her eyes, then scanned the crowd. She spotted Syaoran standing next to his mother, a worried look on his face. I wonder what's wrong . . .
Syaoran caught her gaze, then headed over in her direction. "What's up?"
"I just noticed that you looked a bit worried. Is something wrong?"
Syaoran sighed. "I have to make my marriage announcement at tomorrow's ball. With all that's been going on, I totally forgot about it."
"Oh," muttered Sakura, stiffening. What if he chooses Mei-lin? Where will that leave me? "Well, just go with your instincts."
And I hope your instincts lead you to me . . .
*~*
It was two in the morning when Sakura and Kero finally made it upstairs. Sakura slipped out of her tight dress and put on her nightgown.
"I guess tomorrow night is the moment of truth," she whispered, slipping underneath the blankets.
"Yeah, I heard that the gaki is gonna choose his wife at the ball." Kero paused. "I know you love him, Sakura. Just have faith. If the kid has any brains at all, he'll choose you."
"I don't know what I'll do if he doesn't!" she moaned. "Oh, please, I love him so much! I want to be his wife!"
Kero snuggled in the bed next to his mistress. "Don't worry- I'll go to my other form and then we'll have roasted Syaoran if he doesn't."
Sakura giggled. "I don't think we'll need to resort to SUCH drastic measures. Just . . . pray for me . . . for us . . ."
*~*
A dark figure stood unnoticed by Sakura and Kero on the balcony of her room.
Yes, my pet . . . Syaoran will need all the prayer he can get!
Muhahahahahahahaha!
Author's Note: After this chapter, the plot begins to thicken! It's the part you've all been waiting for! THE BIG DECISION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please R+R!
