A little something you should keep
in mind. Whenever you see this "______" It denotes a change of scenery,
or character. That's all I wanted to point out.
__________
" Dawn has been
awake a long while now, bard, you should be up as well.."
I grumbled in
my sleep, but finally, after I was deprived suddenly of my blanket, I opened
my eyes.
" You must learn
to wake up earlier, bard."
" Well, Lady,
I have not been as fortunate as some to receive such training."
The old woman
smiled. Old woman?
" I thought you
were a young girl the last time I saw you."
" I'm only young
when the moon is out."
" Oh, beg your
pardon, thank you for enlightening me." Interesting information to add
to my story.
Carefully packing
my belongings, I found she'd been up and refreshed long ago. I was downstairs
in a flash, partaking of a fine meal of bread and cheese, washing it down
with sheep's milk. As soon as all was in order we trekked onward towards
the great Peonyflower city-state, of which I'd visited quite often. She
smiled in fond remembrance of something, though I'm not exactly sure what.
I didn't inquire. It would have been rather rude to interrupt someone's
daydreams so abruptly.
To amuse myself
on this journey I tuned my lute - having ignored it for nearly two days
flushed me with guilt. I plucked out a tune that seemed to fit the morning.
It brought Sakura back to the present with a smile on her face.
" I remember that
tune. Tomoyo and I used to sing it when we were small."
" The Lady of
Ivystand?"
" Yes...I haven't
heard much of her lately."
" That's of no
surprise. Considering the ordeal you've been put through." I didn't look
up.
" Tell me, you
hear things don't you? How has the Lady of Ivystand been?"
" Much sorrow
dwells over both the lands of Peonyflower and Ivystand. It is only now
that I understand its cause."
Sakura's smile
melted into a sad frown. I bowed in apology.
" Forgive me,
lady. I didn't mean to upset you. Here, let me try again."
I began to strum
out a jig, something I'd learned in Peonyflower. Her smile returned, as
she laughed. I laughed with her, walking a little faster as I saw the front
gates of Peonyflower. The guards nodded courteously as we passed, offering
Sakura assistance, which she refused. As we passed through, I noticed a
parchment hammered to one of the bulletin walls, new from the looks of
it. Walking up, I restrained a gasp that nearly tore from my throat. It
was an invitation to a ball in honor of the Duke. But, that wasn't what
had startled me.
" All elligible
maidens are invited to the Duke's Masquerade Ball. All others will leave
in vain, but one will stay, to become the bride of Peonyflower's esteemed
Duke."
That wasn't a
good sign. There must have been a misunderstanding, I was certain the Duke
wouldn't purposely do this. Sakura was coming over! I couldn't let her
see it. Quickly, hands on her shoulders, I pushed her away towards the
marketplace.
" Come, we should
be going."
" What were you
looking at just then?"
" The Duke is
holding a ball, and invites people to come. Why don't we attend?" A half-truth,
but for a good purpose.
" Oh, that's
a splendid idea. Why don't we?"
" I'm glad you
approve. Come why don't you find something suitable to wear in the market?"
I handed her a pouch of coins.
" Oh, but you
don't have to..."
" Be my guest.
It's the least I can do for you." I harried her to town, while in my mind
wondering how I was going to avoid catastrophe...
I hurried Sakura
to one of the local shoppes, finding to my luck that it was owned by a
seamstress. I pushed her gently inside, then made as if to be searching
for a wedding bouquet. The owner soon came in from a backroom.
" How may I help
you?"
" My mother and
I..."
" Oh, is that
your mother?"
" Y-yes." I motioned
for Sakura to play along. " As I was saying, my mother and I are shopping
for my sister. She's been invited to the ball, and we need to get her a
new gown."
" I don't see
why the poor lass can't shop for herself."
" It's a surprise."
Very good, Sakura.
" Oh, indeed?
Well, in that case. Can you give me her measurements?"
This was Sakura's
cue, and I left her to her bidding, to search out some clothes of my own.
______
" Syaoran, you
really must learn to grow up. You're almost 19! You've reached your prime,
and you still wish to remain single?"
How could I make
my mother understand? She'd mock me for being a foolish boy if I told her
about the Jinn's Spell. Or the fact that I would have to remain faithful
in Sakura's absence so she could return. Was I to throw away 4 years of
dedication to my dear Sakura at the last moment? She would laugh. That
was my mother. She was sly, cunning, a manipulator at times. If I didn't
know better, I'd say she was running the kingdom more then my father. But,
that wasn't true. What I was saying was irrational. She was my mother,
and she wanted the best for me. Look, I tell myself, see how the worry
wrinkles her eyes? She doesn't want to die without at least seeing me happily
settled down.
Well, she would
see that day. And it will be with Sakura. And we would be happy. Just not
now, all I needed was a little more time...but mother was not a patient
person.
" Syaoran, are
you still fretting over the last marriage agreement?"
She made it sound
like yesterday. The last marriage agreement was the one I wanted to stick
to.
" Syaoran, dear,
I know she was your friend. But, she's dead, gone. You saw."
That was one memory
I'd like to forget. The Jinn had left a dead...something...that looked
like Sakura for someone to find. We were the ones who were to find it.
And of course, that let the devil off the hook because the whole incident
looked like Sakura had fallen down the stairs accidentally...Curse Cherese.
CURSE that no good jealous...
" Syaoran, its
time to pull your heart out of the past and lean toward your future."
All I wanted to
do was lean towards Sakura, having her there beside me as we walked down
by the clear brook near here. Maybe picnic along the way. That little grove
of silver birch would have made the perfect place...we'd sit together,
maybe she'd lean against me - there was always a chilly wind blowing, then
I'd reach into my pocket and pull out the little velveteen box, and getting
down on one knee I'd...
" Syaoran!" My
mother snapped. I blinked.
" I don't feel
to well today, mother. I'm going to go rest up a little."
She dismissed
me with a exasperated wave. She thought I was being immature...but I was
mature as any other child, and I was proving it. I wouldn't go dancing
off with the next feminine voice. I would only be satisfied with her, not
someone who was about the same, or remotely the same...her.
______
I watched as the
seamstresses wrote down each of the measurements that were required. It
was ingenious of that bard to request the dress for my younger self instead
of now. The ball then was going to be at night. Perfect. Unless the moon
was absent this night, I would be able to enjoy a taste of happiness once
again, as a girl...That's when a spark of hope came to me. Each time I
became my girl form, it seemed a little bit older then the last. That could
mean that I was still me, growing and changing. Which means that the spell
is only an illusion! Another greater spark sent me aflare. Syaoran wasn't
any older then I when we'd parted. If the young girl at night is really
me, then surely Syaoran could be no older then that..
" Oh, lady, you
are so lucky to have a daughter going to the ball."
" How, so, madam?"
" Don't you know?
The Duke is holding this party for all the elligible maidens."
" What?" I had
to grab hold of one of the walls. I'd been hoping my guess was true, but
this wasn't the reassurance I'd asked.
" Oh, yes. If
your daughter is lucky, he will ask her to marry him, and you'll be living
in the lap of luxury."
The seamstress
continued, then looked down at the measurements for the first time in surprise.
" Oh. That's peculiar.
I just had a dress made this morning that fits you perfectly." The woman
laughed, putting a hand to her forehead," Imagine the coincidence. Let
me go and get it for you."
I nodded vaguely. So
I've traversed the wide plains and wilderness, survived the tortures of
so many things, only to return to my love's unfaithful heart? No, maybe
it was better this way. I could never expect Syaoran to wait for me so
long. He must have grown tired of waiting for someone with no hope of returning...I
couldn't fault him for that. Turning to flee out the door, I found myself
looking into the deep concerned eyes of the bard. It was for the first
time that I noticed he wasn't as young as he seemed. He was still a young
man, but compared to my moonlight self, he had seven to 8 years more senority.
I was brought back from my reverie by his voice.
" What's wrong,
lady. Can they not have the dress ready soon enough?"
" Oh, if it were
only that...why didn't you tell me the ball was to find a bride?"
______
I stopped. How
did she find out? Oh, those gabby seamstresses...no matter, what's done
is done.
" I didn't want
you to get the wrong impression. I'm sure, the Duke was a negative supporter
till the end."
Sakura didn't
seem at all convinced.
" Look, you won't
know until you actually go there."
Sakura wasn't
convinced.
" Miss Sakura,
if you won't do it for yourself, then do it for me."
" Why you, pray
tell?"
" I am a bard.
And as a bard, I beg of you, go to the ball. You've given me a tale that
is seared into my memory, and like it or not, you've become the storyteller.
And as a good, and might I add, honest, weaver of stories you shouldn't
leave your audience hanging by a thread. That being me."
" Couldn't you
possibly create your own ending?"
" Lady! I may
not be able to vouch for how many audiences I've left at ropes end, but
I can assure you that by my vow as a bard, it is against every one of my
morals to change a story that is not my own..." I put on an obviously insulted
look.
" Very well,
very well. The seamstress has a dress for me, I hope you have something
suitable as well."
I gave her my
best grin. I still haven't lost my touch. With a hand combing of my messy
black locks, I whistled as I waited outside the door. Soon, Sakura emmerged
with a wrapped package. When I asked to see it, she slapped my hand away
with a mock-scowl.
" And ruin the
surprise? Never!"
I only laughed.
The dress did
turn out to be quite a surprise. As I looked over, Sakura came out of her
room dressed in a gown of ocean green, seeming to almost sparkle. I smiled
in amusement. She was right, it was suitable. Especially since she'd once
more transformed to her younger self. As I watched her something occured
to me. Her younger self seemed much older then 15 years, though younger
then myself...so the spell must not have affected her original growth...and
since Sakura and Syaoran were roughly the same age...
" Sakura, exactly
when was it that you were sent away?"
She looked sad,"
It was the Autumn Harvest in the 5th year of Yew."
" Yew. Sakura,
that was only 4 years ago! You weren't away for that long..."
" Yes, I know.
I realized it in the seamstress shop. Why, did you believe I'd been away
for long?"
" At first..I
mean after all, I hadn't known about the curse, so I'd just assumed..."
" Assuming is
not always a good thing."
" I should have
made the connection sooner. We are talking about the same Syaoran..." I
mumbled, laughing at my own stupidity.
" What?" She
hadn't heard me mumble.
" Nothing. Nothing."
I dismissed the subject," So, are you ready to go?"
" I am."
" Are you all
right?" I noticed her eyes were trembling.
" I'm fine."
" Are you sure?"
Sakura smiled,
but her smile wavered.
" He only waited
4 years for me..." Tears sprang like a fountain. So that's what's been
bothering her.
" Sakura, trust
me, if the Duke is the kind of gentleman you describe him as, then this
was not his decision. Had I been him, I'm sure I would have waited much
longer." I added silently," I know it. The Syaoran I know isn't one to
falter."
That reassurance
seemed rather empty. I sighed. If this is what it's like to fall in love,
maybe the hassle wasn't worth it for me. It was already hard enough helping
the love-conquered along, what would it be like once I became one too?
No need to worry about that for now, in the mean time our coach was waiting.
As I sat next to the driver, Sakura sat calmly in the back, nervously twisting
the ribbon on her mask. Finally, I reached down and grabbed it firmly in
my hand.
" That mask is
much more fragile then it appears. If you tear it, what would HE think?"
Sakura stopped,
and I turned back around.
______
" Sir, do you
need assistance?"
" No, Darin,
I can handle it."
I continued to
fasten my doublet in place as I heard the musicians below tuning their
instruments. The ball was about to begin. Then why did I feel so awful?
" You're wishing
Touya was here, aren't you Syaoran?"
I turned around.
Eriol was standing, feet apart, casually flipping at a piece of worn fabric
on my cabinet. The night that Sakura had been whisked away, Tomoyo had
fled in an awful sob. Eriol had been there to comfort her. They'd been
inseparable since. Rumors were spreading that the Duke of Catrech would
soon propose to the young Princess of Ivystand. I wasn't sure what the
Father Prince of Ivystand, or the Mother Princess would say about the matter.
That was the titles parents were given once their first child had passed
their 15th year. My mother was the Mother Duchess, my father the Father
Duke. This made it easier to distinguish between the junior and senior
of the family, and still left the parents the respect of not being addressed
like they were old and winded.
" Yes I do. It
was a pity he hadn't been there that day."
" Yes, a great
pity."
Touya was the
older brother of Cherese, though the resemblance is almost non-existent.
He and I had become good friends when the Meliyao family and mine had paid
a visit to the Chorvala mansion to pay our respects to the grieving family.
Touya was older then me, and it stands to reason that he should have been
the one invited to the Chorvala Birthday Dinner, not Cherese. But, a family
disagreement had put him out of his father's favor, and Cherese went instead.
I hadn't seen Touya in a long time, and right about now, his company would
have been nice.
" Oh, well." I
sighed.
" Come on, Syaoran.
The guests are starting to come in."
I walked out my
bedroom door, down the stairs and towards the entrance way. As I came to
it, I began to greet the guests, and not surprisingly, most of them parents
with their proud little daughters. Pity this was a masquerade. Many of
these girls wore such elegant masks, that I wondered if they were using
it instead of their real face. I wondered whether I should be judging their
costumes rather then their true selves.
______
The bard was right
of course. No use being anxious. I straightened the green ribbon as best
I could and carefully secured it around my face so that nothing, but my
mouth was showing. With careful steps, I got off the coach when it stopped
at the mansion gate, so as not to snag my gown on the door. The bard offered
me his arm, and I carefully ascended the long flight of stairs to the door.
With a rapt knock, a servant opened, and let us into the front room, where
the hosts were greeting the guests. That's when I saw him...after 4 years
of absence, my heart only yearned for him more. But, I had to restrain
myself, as painful as it would seem. This would be a great shock to him.
With a deep breath, I heard the bard whisper.
" Go on. There
he is."
I walked up, and
dropped into a delicate curtsy. He didn't smile, but merely greeted me
with a curt nod, and polite bow. I couldn't say I wasn't disappointed.
I'd hoped he'd recognize me the minute I came in, but that was merely a
fantasy. This was real, and the mask I wore did its job perfectly. I only
smiled sadly as he turned to the next guest, and continued into the manor
that was his home.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
The next chapter
will be the last one. Watch for it! This is your good friend, DragonLass
saying, Sayonara for now!