Falling Stars
by Angel Sakura
[7.10.01]
All standard disclaimers apply. That means I don't own Card Captor Sakura or any of the characters. I merely use them for my and others' entertainment. Of course *cough* there ARE some things I'd like to make them do that just wouldn't be right. I mean, if I owned CCS, they'd all be older [see: 15 or 16] and it'd be very fluffy. Now, all you characters, Dance little pawns, amuse your mistress!!! ^-^ Warning: WAFF straight ahead! Enter at your own risk! Please R&R!
Falling Stars
Chapter Three
*~*~*~*
Sakura and Tomoyo watched both men's backs disappear from the small confines of their quarters. Sakura whirled to her friend, and hissed, "I cannot believe you let them in here!"
Tomoyo rolled her eyes in response, crossing the room to her bed and pulled a mahogany chest out from beneath. "What else did you suppose we do? We still needed some details to take care of and it would not be safe to discuss them in the servants' quarters' hallway."
Sakura frowned but did not reply.
Tomoyo smiled in victory. She popped open the chest and began ruffling through it. "Aha!" She pulled two helf-masks from it, both obviously made to match the dresses. "Help me put this on." She handed one to Sakura, adding, "Every eligible woman is required to wear one although they may remove it at anytime they want. Quite useless if you ask me, but I do not think we should remove ours. It will help us be unrecognizable."
Nodding in understanding, Sakura gently took the delicate mask. It was colored the same as Tomoyo's dress, a pale purple, lined and tied with the same violet ribbon. Sakura fasted the ribbon in a small bow at the back of her head, motioning for her to turn around by tugging lightly on her elbow.
Glancing at a small mirror on the dusty wall, she smiled beautifully. "Now, for you." She steered Sakura around, fastening the mask on her face. It was a pastel pink to match her dress, fastened with white ribbons, but lined with tiny white beads. It was obvious that Tomoyo had taken special care with this mask. The beads were almost impossible to work with due to their small size, and Tomoyo had arranged them so elegantly along the border of the mask. Taking her friend by the shoulders, she spun her until Sakura, too, faced the mirror.
She gasped lightly, bringing up a frail hand to her face. "Tomoyo, that doesn't look like me at all!" With the mask covering her upper face, she looked unrecognizable even to herself.
Tomoyo grinned. "Then my job is done."
Sakura turned to her friend, eyes wide. "No, I am completely serious! My face looks completely foreign. Same with you!"
Tomoyo grinned in thanks. "You look so mysterious and lovely now-not that you weren't before, of course," she assured.
Sakura immediately twisted to face her friend, taking her hands within her own. "Thank you, Tomoyo," she said, love and sincerity shining in the depths that were her eyes. "So much. You don't know how much this really means to me." Tomoyo smiled back gently. "You know Sakura, you can be such a sweetheart. Really, I did this for you. You deserve it." Looking about quickly, Tomoyo grinned, giving the appearance of slight embarrassment . "Enough of this! You're going to make me cry, and we can't have that after all the time I took on my makeup."
Sakura grinned, but her face turned serious almost immediately. "Do you really think this will be fine with Rika?"
"Honey, I shall even wave to her there. Does that answer your question?" Tomoyo reached behind herself to make sure the mask was secure one last time. "Do you feel alright?" Sakura nodded. "Then let's wait for Eriol."Sakura sat carefully on her bed, grasping the skirt's flounces gently, afraid of what might happen to such a beautiful gown. "So it's Eriol now? You're on a first name basis?" Sakura teased gently.
Tomoyo wrinkled her nose. "Well he doesn't seem to mind." She plopped down next to Sakura on the coarse off-white bed sheets, much less concerned about the strength of the stitching. "And I like Eriol much better. You're also calling Li by his first name." "He *told* me to," she insisted, "Several times in fact." Her gaze suddenly turned wistful and sad as she shifted her melancholy gaze on the stone floor. "I could never have him," she whispered, her voice cracking slightly.
Tomoyo smiled reassuringly. "Sakura ..." she began gently. "If he does feel the same way about you, even in this short time, everything will work out and eventually fall into place."
Sakura looked at her friend, emerald eyes glistening with renewed hope behind the silk white mask. "Do you really think so, Tomoyo?"
Tomoyo lifted an eyebrow. "Of course!"
Sakura stood and crossed the room to her heavy oak door, cracking it open a bit to sneak a glance down the corridor.
"You'll get your prince, Sakura," Tomoyo murmured inaudibly to Sakura's ears.
"There he is!" Sakura hissed back excitedly. "I can't believe this is happening!"
Tomoyo grinned, pushing the depressing thoughts to the back of her mind. "Let him in!"
Sakura, as ordered, opened the door wide enough to let the dark-haired boy enter.
He turned to greet both, then continued, face completely serious. "You must hold to your story. Avoid talking about your family, especially your fathers, and life at home. You were sent to meet the prince and mingle with nobility. Stay away from Queen Yulen and Duchess Li Meiling. Do you understand?"
They nodded, but Sakura spoke up. "Why only them?"
Eriol softened his gaze as Tomoyo's eyes urged him to answer. "Well, not only them. Also try to avoid the higher ranking nobles. They will most likely be the ones to realize your false identities. As for the other two mentioned, Queen Yulen is a kind and wise lady and ruler. She would see through your-our-facade. Besides, do you want to risk lying to the queen? It is a crime punishable by death!"
Tomoyo nodded in understanding. "And what of Meiling?"
He cringed. "She is absolutely infatuated with Syaoran. She would stalk you all night and most likely complain to her mother that you are stealing his attention. Her mother will do something about it, trust me. She will most likely consult Queen Yulen."
"Well then, who is safest to speak to?!" Sakura was fast approaching, if she had not already met, frustration at the awkward position. How was she supposed to enjoy herself if Eriol was drawing boundaries left and right?
"You would be safest to speak and dance with knights and squires. Of course, that does not mean you cannot mingle with the other nobles. Just watch what you say around them," he replied with the flick of the wrist.
Sakura nodded absentmindedly as Tomoyo abruptly remembered her manners.
"I forgot to thank you for all that you've done." She smiled prettily at him causing his cheeks to become warm. "I don't know many falling stars I've wished on to do something like this just once!"
Sakura snapped to her senses as she heard "thank you" from Tomoyo. "Yeah, shooting stars, whatever," she dismissed quickly. "The gist of the whole thing is 'thank you, for everything.'"
Eriol grinned at her version of thank you's. "If I ever had a sister, I imagine she would be just like you." His eyes darkened sadly. "But that's not possible anymore." Tomoyo raised her eyebrows in question. "My parents died a while back. No big deal." A hurt look crossed both girls' faces, and they opened their mouths to say something but Eriol cut them off. "Come on, the carriage is waiting." He reached out a hand.
Tomoyo gently placed her smaller hand in his without hesitation. "Sakura, do we have everything?" she asked over her shoulder, and her friend nodded in reply. "Then, let's go."
Eriol led them quickly and quietly down the hall, checking for guards and any others who would recognize him. They exited through a wooden door at the end of the corridor.
The carriage was hidden from public view within the shadows of the castle walls. It was of a white color with golden handles and drawn by two magnificent pure white stallions. Both girls gasped in delight at the great beauty presented before them.
Eriol helped both girls into the carriage and spoke to them as they got settled on the blood red velvet that cushioned the seats. "The carriage will circle around to the front where I will be waiting for you. Do not appear to be looking for me. I will see you." He handed the servant who was steering the carriage three gold coins. "One for your service, the others for your silence," he hissed at him into the night. With a crack of the reigns, the horses trotted foreward.
*~*~*~*
Sakura drew back the creme curtains from the small window to gaze out at the night sky, settling her emerald eyes on the moon. 'I don't know what I did to deserve this, Mother, Father,' she thought gratefully, 'but thank you.' A rush of light caught her eye, and she realized abruptly that it was a rare and beautiful falling star.
Biting her lip, she turned back to Tomoyo who had obviously spotted the star as well. Her hands were clasped, head bowed, and eyes closed. She was wishing. Sakura grinned to herself. The wish was for Eriol, no doubt. The dashing and handsome young man had so easily captured the heart of her childhood friend, and Sakura was nothing but happy for her.
Sakura turned her head back to the navy blue sheet that was the sky and smiled gently. She did not want to be so foolish as to waste her wish on a lost cause, on Syaoran, but his gentle auburn eyes seared himself forever into her mind. She already felt her heart longing for him. Closing her eyes, she wished.
'If Syaoran loves me, please let it be true.'
*~*~*~*
The front of the palace had been lit beautifully, torches lighted every which way forming small beacons in the dark night. The carriage came to a stop and Sakura's eyes quickly scanned the people before her. She caught sight of a familiar head of black hair and a flash of dark blue.
"It's him," Sakura whispered to Tomoyo.
The driver had already gotten down to help the ladies from the carriage, letting Sakura use his hand for support. She gracefully touched the ground with one slippered foot, her skirts gathered to the side with her free hand. The driver reached for Tomoyo, but Eriol stopped him and aided her instead. She blushed prettily before taking his offered arm.
Sakura walked a step behind them, feeling a little awkward and out of place, like she had no right to be part of them. Tomoyo needed her room, needed to be alone with Eriol. It was the only night they could be together in public. Sakura decided then and there that she would wander off on her own, finding her own company and let Tomoyo spend the ball with Eriol.
The three stepped into the brightly lit ballroom, elegant tapestries hanging from the walls between large windows and crystal chandeliers draping from the ceiling. The room was a site to be awed.
Sakura scanned her surroundings. The orchestra was in the middle of a song, many of the couples that had already arrived on the dance floor. The ladies looked so graceful, their skirts circling, swaying, pooling around their legs with every movement. A queue had formed along one of the walls, and Sakura followed the line of young ladies to the front where she spotted a very exasperated Syaoran greeting the eligible women of Lupa as well as of other countries. She grinned at the sight. He spoke a few words, nodding politely, before turning to the next woman in line. Sakura turned her attention back to the line itself. The queue almost spanned the length of the huge ballroom, and she decided to settle herself in a chair and wait.
A young handsome squire appraoched her and she smiled at him politely, her eyes twinkling behind the mask. "Good evening, lady." She nodded lightly at him. "Would you honor me with a dance, lady?" The orchestra was coming to a close with the previous song. Sakura cast a quick glance in Syaoran's direction. The squire caught her movement. "The prince will be busy for a while. The line is long."
Sakura turned her gaze and smile back at him, sighing gently. If she was to stay here all night without anyone she knew, she might as well accept any and all invitations to dance. "Of course, milord." She placed a frail hand in his as he led her to the dance floor.
The orchestra struck up another tune, a fast-paced gavotte, one of Sakura's favorites. The squire held her close as the dance required, and they executed the quick movements, leaving her panting for breath.
*~*~*~*
Syaoran spoke to another young maiden before him, his mind obviously somewhere else, as well as his gaze. He kept a close eye on Sakura's gliding form, her movement perfect with a squire. She seemed so happy, and Syaoran could feel jealously boil up within himself.
He was currently talking to Meiling, and she cleared her voice loudly, following his gaze to Sakura's form. Syaoran was hers!
Syaoran looked back at Meiling. She was gorgeous in a blood red dress with small red flowers in her hair. Grinning attractively, he asked her to dance.
*~*~*~*
The night was almost half through, and Sakura almost trudged to a chair. She was not only exhausted from the dancing but the fact that Syaoran hadn't spoken to her yet. The line had long since been through, and every time she looked for him, he was with Meiling. Sakura couldn't think of anything that hurt more. He had made it perfectly clear that he didn't like her. Maybe he was lying?
Sipping lightly at the red punch that had been served to her, she searched for Tomoyo and Eriol. When she was almost to the point where she gave up, she spotted them in the corner, almost completely hidden in the shadows. They appeared to be deeply involved in a conversation, and Sakura struggled successfully to smother a happy squeal as she saw him reach out and brush a stray lock of silkly hair away from her face. It felt good to be happy for her friend when it was made perfectly clear that she couldn't be happy for herself.
A figure in an ice blue dress quickly caught Sakura's attention because it was swiftly advancing towards her friends. She had unmasked and Sakura squinted to make out a face, gasping with the result. The pale complexion and blonde hair confirmed it: Regina.
Sakura watched shocked as a scene unfolded before her. Regina reached out a hand to grasp Eriol's elbow and gave it a tug. Sakura assumed she wanted him to dance with her, to give her attention. When he refused and turned back to Tomoyo, she swore that she saw smoke fuming from Regina's ears. The situation was under control. Biting back chuckle, Sakura withdrew to her own thoughts.
Holding the glass in one hand, she rested her head in her other. The reason she wanted to come didn't even want to speak with her. All she wanted to do was go back to her chambers, curl into a ball, and cry her sadness to the emptiness that was her life. Suddenly, she felt a hand delicately take the glass from her fingers.
*~*~*~*
Syaoran had danced with the Meiling four times already, and he smirked, searching the room for any signs of Sakura. He was shocked to find her slumped in a chair, head turned towards a corner. Following her gaze, he found Tomoyo, Eriol, and a fuming Regina. Syaoran's smirk widened. Eriol finally told her he wasn't interested.
Turning back to Sakura, his breathe was once again caught in his throat when he saw her looking so miserable. He had never intended to upset her that much. He distantly felt another lady tug at his arm and ask for a dance, but Syaoran was too deep within his own thoughts of himself possibly hurting Sakura. "Excuse me," he muttered before crossing the room to Sakura, legs taking long strides.
She didn't seem to notice his presence. Taking the light glass from her fingers, he handed it to a passing servant. Her head snapped up; it was obvious he had surprised her. Glancing about quickly, he gave her a small smile before helping her to her feet. Drawing her nearer, he whispered into her ear, "Dance with me, Sakura."
The orchestra was playing a slow sarabande, and Syaoran pulled Sakura closer settling an arm about her waist despite the fluttering of butterfly wings within his stomach.
Sakura was completely stunned when Syaoran approached her and practically pulled her into his arms. She thought he was angry with her. At the feeling of his hand on her waist, her senses exploded, focusing on that one touch, and Sakura leaned into his soft warmth.
They circled slowly, Syaoran leading them outside, oblivious to all, all oblivious to them.
They danced long after the song ended, feet trodding on the grass paths of the garden. Syaoran pulled back gently to look at her. She opened her mouth to speak, but he silenced her with the arching of an eyebrow. Taking her hand, he lead her back towards the gazebo.
They stood in the center of the circular structure, the cool air causing the hairs on her arm to stand on end. That is, before he once again pulled her into his arms to dance to the far off sound of the playing orchestra. Their movements did not match the music, but it did not seem to matter.
Sakura buried her face into his neck, inhaling deeply. He smelled of sandalwood and spice. She had never felt such a ... completeness. She realized that this was where she belonged, with Syaoran. And she wanted to tell him.
"Syaoran ..."
*~*~*~*
Syaoran's arms reflexively tightened around the young woman within his embrace. She seemed perfect for him, her body molding against his. She looked as if she wanted to talk, but he didn't want to ruin the moment. Taking her hand, he lead the way back to the gazebo to dance in seclusion.
He wrapped his other arm around her waist, massaging her back through the material of her dress and bent to lay a cheek on her head. Her hair felt so soft and smelled remarkably of cherry blossoms and heather. He brought one hand up to tug at the ribbons securing her mask. He wanted to look into her eyes without any obstructions. She was too beautiful to be hidden from the world.
She looked so trusting, like he would never and could never do anything to hurt her. His heart burst with realizatioin of his love for her. Eriol was right, everything was revealed in due time. If only it didn't have to be like this ...
She opened her mouth to speak. "Syaoran ..."
He acted on his emotions, trusting his heart to speak what his mind could not. He quickly lowered his face to hers and silenced her with his lips.
Sakura froze but soon began to respond to his actions. He never took it farther, but that one action burned with every emotion he felt for her. They pulled back, breathless.
"Sakura," he began carefully. "Tell me you're not angry. With me."
Her features clouded with confusion. "Why should I be angry with you?" she whispered.
"For avoiding you, for hurting you, for ... everything." His eyes had never looked so vulnerable.
Sakura's eyes filled with hurt as she lifted two fingers to her lips. "For ..."
Syaoran shook his head abruptly. "I'm sorry for everything else Sakura, but I will never apologize for the way I feel about you."
Her eyes once again softened, but she pulled herself away from him a little. "Syaoran, I'm not angry at you for earlier." She paused, as if looking for the right words. "But now I'm so confused ... What do you want from me?" Syaoran's brow furrowed. "You avoid me, and then you kiss me. How do you feel about me?"
Syaoran placed both hands on her cheeks. "You confuse me so much. I felt myself raging with hurt that you didn't approach me and jealousy that you danced with others instead of me, and it confused me so much. I've never felt this way before." He tilted her chin up to look straight into her eyes. "I don't know why or how it happened, but I love you Sakura."
Sakura's eyes slowly widened, and she gripped the front of his shirt gently, fingers revelling in the soft touch. "I ... Syaoran ... I think I love you, too."
His eyes immediately brightened with happiness, but this time he smiled. Laughing joyously, he pulled Sakura into another embrace and kissed her again.
*~*~*~*
WAHHH!!! I promised myself I wouldn't make this chapter so ...
fluffy .... but I couldn't help it!!! At LEAST you didn't get a
round of tonsil hockey (and I'm very good at writing stuff like
that. "How? Seeing how you've never kissed anyone for real
before?" Jackie may ask. Well ... I DON'T KNOW!!! Just be
happy I didn't turn this fic into a big make out fest!! ... I'm
sure you would've liked it. bwahahahahahahahahah .... sorry.
You'll just have to wait until next chapter to see what *really*
happens. Oh! And VERY sorry to Diana whom I didn't send this part
to for beta-ing.
Please R&R!!! Make me feel better.
^-^ Angel Sakura [7.19.01]