Daphne: "Hi! Kero is asleep right now, so I will have no interruptions! I
would just like to let you know that Cardcaptor Sakura does not belong to
me, it belongs to Clamp! I hope you are enjoying this story! Bye!
~*~*~*~
Forgotten Past
by: Daphne Li
Chapter 4.
*Knock, Knock!*
Sakura woke up with a start and looked around her new room in confusion. She felt Kero tense-up beside her.
*Knock, Knock!*
"Answer the door, Sakura!" Kero hissed. Sakura sprang up, and went to the balcony-door. She peered out the window and gasped.
"Lady Tomoyo! I am so sorry for keeping you waiting!" She cried, opening the door and ushering the other girl in. Tomoyo laughed.
"Its all right! I understand! And please, call me Tomoyo! Those formalities make me so uncomfortable!"
"All right, Lady…I mean, Tomoyo!" Sakura giggled.
"Guess what! I brought you your dress! Wait until you see it!" Tomoyo exclaimed, twirling around in a circle and then collapsing on the bed. Sakura giggled, and looked around.
"But where is Princess Meiling?" She asked. Tomoyo grinned.
"She couldn't come! She sends her apologies. You see, her aunt, the Queen wished to speak with her, and she couldn't get away." Tomoyo said, rolling her eyes. Sakura smiled.
"Oh, that's all right! Um, what is that?" Sakura asked hesitantly, pointing at the bundle that Tomoyo was holding. Tomoyo grinned.
"This is your dress! Come here and look!" Tomoyo quickly undid the bundle, revealing a lovely dress. It was light green and it boasted a floor-length skirt and long, slim sleeves. A lovely white apron attached to the sides of the skirt, and covered the front of the bodice. All-in-all, it was the loveliest dress that Sakura had ever had the honor of wearing. She gaped at it, unable to say a word. Tomoyo smiled.
"Does this mean you like it?" She asked, eyeing Sakura's face with satisfaction. Sakura gulped and nodded.
"It is beautiful! But surely, you could not have made this dress for me! This dress should be worn by a lady!" Sakura gasped, wistfully fingering the soft fabric of the dress. Tomoyo giggled.
"I made this dress just with you in mind! It was made for you! Now, hurry! Put it on! I want to see you in it!" Tomoyo exclaimed, grabbing Sakura's hand and leading her over to the screen. (a/n: A screen is a folding wall that people from this time period would dress behind.) Sakura reluctantly obeyed and minutes later, emerged from behind the screen, looking amazed.
"Is it really for me?" She whispered. Tomoyo grinned.
"Yes! All for you! Now, let's do your hair! I have the perfect style!" Tomoyo led Sakura over to a small vanity and sat her down on the pouf. (a/n: A puffy stool.) Tomoyo picked up a brush and got to work.
"I will have to do something simple, but pretty. Now, let's see…" Tomoyo paused and opened a little drawer in the vanity. She drew a few things out and then continued her work.
"Done!" Tomoyo shouted triumphantly, about ten minutes later. She set down the brush, and angled the small mirror so Sakura could look at herself. Sakura's hair was pulled back into a simple bun, and then covered with a gold chain-link hair-net. Sakura gasped again and tears filled her eyes. Tomoyo looked alarmed.
"Are you all right! Don't you like it?" She asked hesitantly. Sakura stood up and threw her arms around Tomoyo.
"I…I…Arigato, Tomoyo-chan! I love it! I…you see, I have never worn jewelry before, not even in my hair!" Sakura giggled ashamedly, but Tomoyo frowned. If Sakura had been a thief, she must have handled jewelry before! Suddenly, the thought of Sakura being a thief seemed preposterous to her, and Tomoyo had serious doubts that the Head Guard had had any reason to arrest the poor thing. Tomoyo smiled sympathetically and gently hugged Sakura back.
"It isn't really jewelry. It is just a hair net, but I do think that it suits you!" Tomoyo complimented, pulling away and smiling at Sakura.
*Knock, Knock!*
"Uh, oh! I had best be going! I hope that shall see you soon, Sakura!" Tomoyo whispered, kissing Sakura on the cheek and then hurrying out the balcony-door. (A/N: This fan-fic is all straight! Tomoyo's kiss was a sisterly kiss! Nothing else!) Sakura hurried to the chamber door and opened it. Outside stood a gray-haired, kind-looking old man.
"Master is ready to see you now." The man said. Sakura smiled, immediately at ease with this man.
"Thank you…what is you name please?" Sakura asked. The man smiled.
"I am Wei, butler to Prince Syaoran. Please, allow me to escort you to the Throne room." He said, offering his arm. Sakura smiled and took it.
'No matter what happens, I must be brave. I mustn't let them get the better of me!" Sakura thought, as she walked. 'I will not let that old Prince scare me!' With that resolve, Sakura calmly smiled and nodded her head. No Prince was going to scare her!
~*~*~*~
Li Training grounds
"You will meet her today!" Eriol commented, sidestepping Syaoran's sword and blocking it with his own. Syaoran made no comment, but attacked his opponent viciously. Eriol grinned. Syaoran had been avoiding the subject of the new servant-girl as though it was a curse.
"You don't seem to happy about your choice, cousin." Eriol taunted, backing away from Syaoran's attack. Syaoran said nothing. "Oh! I see! You are nervous about meeting her! You are afraid that…" Eriol's taunting stopped abruptly. He was staring at a point just over Syaoran's shoulder, and smiling dreamily. Syaoran turned around, but all he saw was Lady Tomoyo making her way up to…Wait! Up to the servant's quarters?! What on earth was she doing there? Syaoran watched in disgust as Tomoyo knocked on a glass door and the door swung open. Tomoyo stepped inside and disappeared as the door closed once more. Syaoran turned to Eriol and saw that the other young man was still staring at the place where Tomoyo had last stood.
"Close your mouth, Eriol. The flies are getting curious." Syaoran said, turning away from his red-faced dueling partner and setting down his sword. Wei came forward and handed the Prince a towel.
"Master, if I may, the new servant of yours will…" Wei began, but Syaoran cut him off.
"Yes, I know. Send her to the Throne-room immediately. I will be there to see her soon." With that, Syaoran walked off towards the castle. Eriol came up behind Wei and patted him on the shoulder.
"Don't worry about him, Wei. He won't be able to scare the new servant- girl. In fact, it is our own Prince Syaoran that I am worried about!" Eriol let out a laugh and walked away, leaving a very confused Wei, behind.
~*~*~*~
Syaoran quietly took his seat on his throne and looked around the room. It was quite empty, except for a few stray servants and a handful of guards.
"You may show her in." He commanded. The Throne-room doors opened, admitting Wei and a young woman. Syaoran's careless eyes turned to the girl and stayed there, quietly looking her over. Wei led the girl up to the foot of the platform were the thrones stood, and then left the room, glancing back only once to give the girl a small, reassuring smile. Syaoran ignored this and continued to look at the girl. Sakura, being quite familiar about the rules of Hierarchy, resisted the urge to meet his eyes.
"You are now my servant, are you not? Therefore, I will put you in the graces of my Head Maid, Kaho. She will tell you what is to be expected of you, and you will obey her. If you have any questions or comments, you will talk to her." Syaoran's cold voice filled the room, making Sakura shiver slightly. "Now, you will call me Master, or Your Highness. I will call you…" He paused, and she realized that he was waiting for her to say her name.
"Sakura…"
"What, no last name?" He asked. She visibly flinched.
"Well, my foster parents name was Avalon…" She blinked back a few tears, remembering Fen and Granda. The Prince's face began to look like a thundercloud.
"Your real last name!" He commanded. Sakura had had enough.
"I don't know!" She snapped, looking at his feet. "I don't even know if my real parents are alive! There are you happy?" She spat looking up into his eyes, to angry to realize what she had just done.
Syaoran's P.O.V.
For the first time in my life, I knew what it felt like to be surprised. This girl was the first person who had ever yelled at me! Not even my own mother dared to do it! Then I got another surprise. The girl…Sakura, actually dared to look at me! This was a first for people outside of my family, too.
I looked up and met Sakura's eyes. Immediately, I felt myself being pulled into a well of emerald-green light, that rippled with sparkles of laughter. The anger was gone from her eyes and replaced by a look of shock. I suppose she just realized what she has done. I feel myself getting lost in her eyes, and…'Wait! This is silly! She is my servant!' I chide myself, tearing my gaze away from her and frowning. I mentally punch myself and turn my eyes away, refusing to look at this…commoner anymore. Then, to my shock, I hear myself say,
"I am sorry for bothering you, then. May I escort you to the kitchens?"
Sakura's P.O.V.
How dare he ask me these things! What right does he have to…OH, my goodness! Did I just yell at the Prince! Oh, my…whatever came over me?! How dare I! I had no right! I look up at the Prince in fear and realize another thing! I am staring at him! Where on earth have my manners gone?! I feel a sickening wave of dread wash over me, and I meet his eyes again. Suddenly, I feel calmer. His eyes are an auburn brown color, and they are quite intense. I force my eyes away from his face, and look at his hair; and I can hardly keep from smiling. It is ever-messy hair, and it is a chestnut color….No, Sakura! What are you thinking? He is a heartless Prince! A mean nasty, rude, arrogant, stupid…Suddenly, his voice cuts through my thoughts.
"I am sorry for bothering you, then. May I escort you to the kitchens?" I jump in surprise.
"Er…excuse me?"
Normal P.O.V.
"Er, excuse me?" Sakura asked, looking surprised. The Prince's face was impassive.
"I said, 'may I escort you to the kitchens'." He re-stated, getting up and stepping off the platform. Sakura looked shocked, but she nodded.
"Good. Follow me, then." Syaoran led Sakura out of the Throne-room and down a long hall. At the end of the hall was a stairwell, and he took her down the stairs, to a large wooden door. Sakura could hear the sounds of dishes clattering and people calling to each other. Syaoran threw open the door, and it quickly became silent. Sakura peeked over the Prince's shoulder, and when she saw the surprised faces of the servants, she realized just how rare it was for the Prince to come down here. Syaoran grabbed Sakura's arm and dragged her forward.
"Kaho!" He called, shoving Sakura forward. A young woman with long red hair and brown eyes stepped out of the crowd of servants and curtsied.
"Yes, Your Majesty?" She asked, her musical voice soothing Sakura's nerves.
"I want you to show my new servant through the normal routine. Her name is Sakura, and I have told her that if she has any questions, she can come to you." With that, Prince Syaoran stomped out of the room. Sakura turned uncertainly to Kaho, and shifted uncomfortably. Kaho smiled at Sakura.
"Don't worry. He isn't so bad once you get to know him! I am Kaho, the Head Maid." Kaho grinned at Sakura and gently took her arm.
"Princess Meiling has told me much about you, Sakura. Here, let us go into your bed-chamber and we will get to know each other!" Kaho said. When they were safely in Sakura's room, Kaho turned to her and smiled.
"But there are some things that you have yet to reveal to the Princess, am I right?" Kaho asked, looking around the room. Sakura was suddenly very uncomfortable.
"What do you mean?" She asked, her eyes widening innocently. Kaho smiled at her, and pointed to Sakura's bed. Sakura turned and saw…Kero! The little Guardian Beast of the Seal was trying to keep still and stuffed animal- like. Sakura laughed uneasily.
"Oh, you mean my stuffed-bear?" She asked, walking over to Kero and picking him up. Kaho nodded and laughed.
"You can cut the act, Cerberus! I know that its you!" Kaho said. Sakura looked up in shock. Kaho knew about the Kero? Did that mean she knew about the Clow Cards too?!
~*~*~*~
D.L.
Daphne: "Oh! Cliffhanger! I love it!"
Kero: Pouting "Not fair! I want to know how Kaho knows about me!"
Daphne: "Oh, Kero! Don't worry! I will tell that in the next chapter!"
Kero: "Fine. But there had better be more of me in it!"
Daphne: "It may, but I am really not sure! Well, It is getting late, and we had better be getting some sleep! Goodbye, and please remember to Review this story!
~*~*~*~
Forgotten Past
by: Daphne Li
Chapter 4.
*Knock, Knock!*
Sakura woke up with a start and looked around her new room in confusion. She felt Kero tense-up beside her.
*Knock, Knock!*
"Answer the door, Sakura!" Kero hissed. Sakura sprang up, and went to the balcony-door. She peered out the window and gasped.
"Lady Tomoyo! I am so sorry for keeping you waiting!" She cried, opening the door and ushering the other girl in. Tomoyo laughed.
"Its all right! I understand! And please, call me Tomoyo! Those formalities make me so uncomfortable!"
"All right, Lady…I mean, Tomoyo!" Sakura giggled.
"Guess what! I brought you your dress! Wait until you see it!" Tomoyo exclaimed, twirling around in a circle and then collapsing on the bed. Sakura giggled, and looked around.
"But where is Princess Meiling?" She asked. Tomoyo grinned.
"She couldn't come! She sends her apologies. You see, her aunt, the Queen wished to speak with her, and she couldn't get away." Tomoyo said, rolling her eyes. Sakura smiled.
"Oh, that's all right! Um, what is that?" Sakura asked hesitantly, pointing at the bundle that Tomoyo was holding. Tomoyo grinned.
"This is your dress! Come here and look!" Tomoyo quickly undid the bundle, revealing a lovely dress. It was light green and it boasted a floor-length skirt and long, slim sleeves. A lovely white apron attached to the sides of the skirt, and covered the front of the bodice. All-in-all, it was the loveliest dress that Sakura had ever had the honor of wearing. She gaped at it, unable to say a word. Tomoyo smiled.
"Does this mean you like it?" She asked, eyeing Sakura's face with satisfaction. Sakura gulped and nodded.
"It is beautiful! But surely, you could not have made this dress for me! This dress should be worn by a lady!" Sakura gasped, wistfully fingering the soft fabric of the dress. Tomoyo giggled.
"I made this dress just with you in mind! It was made for you! Now, hurry! Put it on! I want to see you in it!" Tomoyo exclaimed, grabbing Sakura's hand and leading her over to the screen. (a/n: A screen is a folding wall that people from this time period would dress behind.) Sakura reluctantly obeyed and minutes later, emerged from behind the screen, looking amazed.
"Is it really for me?" She whispered. Tomoyo grinned.
"Yes! All for you! Now, let's do your hair! I have the perfect style!" Tomoyo led Sakura over to a small vanity and sat her down on the pouf. (a/n: A puffy stool.) Tomoyo picked up a brush and got to work.
"I will have to do something simple, but pretty. Now, let's see…" Tomoyo paused and opened a little drawer in the vanity. She drew a few things out and then continued her work.
"Done!" Tomoyo shouted triumphantly, about ten minutes later. She set down the brush, and angled the small mirror so Sakura could look at herself. Sakura's hair was pulled back into a simple bun, and then covered with a gold chain-link hair-net. Sakura gasped again and tears filled her eyes. Tomoyo looked alarmed.
"Are you all right! Don't you like it?" She asked hesitantly. Sakura stood up and threw her arms around Tomoyo.
"I…I…Arigato, Tomoyo-chan! I love it! I…you see, I have never worn jewelry before, not even in my hair!" Sakura giggled ashamedly, but Tomoyo frowned. If Sakura had been a thief, she must have handled jewelry before! Suddenly, the thought of Sakura being a thief seemed preposterous to her, and Tomoyo had serious doubts that the Head Guard had had any reason to arrest the poor thing. Tomoyo smiled sympathetically and gently hugged Sakura back.
"It isn't really jewelry. It is just a hair net, but I do think that it suits you!" Tomoyo complimented, pulling away and smiling at Sakura.
*Knock, Knock!*
"Uh, oh! I had best be going! I hope that shall see you soon, Sakura!" Tomoyo whispered, kissing Sakura on the cheek and then hurrying out the balcony-door. (A/N: This fan-fic is all straight! Tomoyo's kiss was a sisterly kiss! Nothing else!) Sakura hurried to the chamber door and opened it. Outside stood a gray-haired, kind-looking old man.
"Master is ready to see you now." The man said. Sakura smiled, immediately at ease with this man.
"Thank you…what is you name please?" Sakura asked. The man smiled.
"I am Wei, butler to Prince Syaoran. Please, allow me to escort you to the Throne room." He said, offering his arm. Sakura smiled and took it.
'No matter what happens, I must be brave. I mustn't let them get the better of me!" Sakura thought, as she walked. 'I will not let that old Prince scare me!' With that resolve, Sakura calmly smiled and nodded her head. No Prince was going to scare her!
~*~*~*~
Li Training grounds
"You will meet her today!" Eriol commented, sidestepping Syaoran's sword and blocking it with his own. Syaoran made no comment, but attacked his opponent viciously. Eriol grinned. Syaoran had been avoiding the subject of the new servant-girl as though it was a curse.
"You don't seem to happy about your choice, cousin." Eriol taunted, backing away from Syaoran's attack. Syaoran said nothing. "Oh! I see! You are nervous about meeting her! You are afraid that…" Eriol's taunting stopped abruptly. He was staring at a point just over Syaoran's shoulder, and smiling dreamily. Syaoran turned around, but all he saw was Lady Tomoyo making her way up to…Wait! Up to the servant's quarters?! What on earth was she doing there? Syaoran watched in disgust as Tomoyo knocked on a glass door and the door swung open. Tomoyo stepped inside and disappeared as the door closed once more. Syaoran turned to Eriol and saw that the other young man was still staring at the place where Tomoyo had last stood.
"Close your mouth, Eriol. The flies are getting curious." Syaoran said, turning away from his red-faced dueling partner and setting down his sword. Wei came forward and handed the Prince a towel.
"Master, if I may, the new servant of yours will…" Wei began, but Syaoran cut him off.
"Yes, I know. Send her to the Throne-room immediately. I will be there to see her soon." With that, Syaoran walked off towards the castle. Eriol came up behind Wei and patted him on the shoulder.
"Don't worry about him, Wei. He won't be able to scare the new servant- girl. In fact, it is our own Prince Syaoran that I am worried about!" Eriol let out a laugh and walked away, leaving a very confused Wei, behind.
~*~*~*~
Syaoran quietly took his seat on his throne and looked around the room. It was quite empty, except for a few stray servants and a handful of guards.
"You may show her in." He commanded. The Throne-room doors opened, admitting Wei and a young woman. Syaoran's careless eyes turned to the girl and stayed there, quietly looking her over. Wei led the girl up to the foot of the platform were the thrones stood, and then left the room, glancing back only once to give the girl a small, reassuring smile. Syaoran ignored this and continued to look at the girl. Sakura, being quite familiar about the rules of Hierarchy, resisted the urge to meet his eyes.
"You are now my servant, are you not? Therefore, I will put you in the graces of my Head Maid, Kaho. She will tell you what is to be expected of you, and you will obey her. If you have any questions or comments, you will talk to her." Syaoran's cold voice filled the room, making Sakura shiver slightly. "Now, you will call me Master, or Your Highness. I will call you…" He paused, and she realized that he was waiting for her to say her name.
"Sakura…"
"What, no last name?" He asked. She visibly flinched.
"Well, my foster parents name was Avalon…" She blinked back a few tears, remembering Fen and Granda. The Prince's face began to look like a thundercloud.
"Your real last name!" He commanded. Sakura had had enough.
"I don't know!" She snapped, looking at his feet. "I don't even know if my real parents are alive! There are you happy?" She spat looking up into his eyes, to angry to realize what she had just done.
Syaoran's P.O.V.
For the first time in my life, I knew what it felt like to be surprised. This girl was the first person who had ever yelled at me! Not even my own mother dared to do it! Then I got another surprise. The girl…Sakura, actually dared to look at me! This was a first for people outside of my family, too.
I looked up and met Sakura's eyes. Immediately, I felt myself being pulled into a well of emerald-green light, that rippled with sparkles of laughter. The anger was gone from her eyes and replaced by a look of shock. I suppose she just realized what she has done. I feel myself getting lost in her eyes, and…'Wait! This is silly! She is my servant!' I chide myself, tearing my gaze away from her and frowning. I mentally punch myself and turn my eyes away, refusing to look at this…commoner anymore. Then, to my shock, I hear myself say,
"I am sorry for bothering you, then. May I escort you to the kitchens?"
Sakura's P.O.V.
How dare he ask me these things! What right does he have to…OH, my goodness! Did I just yell at the Prince! Oh, my…whatever came over me?! How dare I! I had no right! I look up at the Prince in fear and realize another thing! I am staring at him! Where on earth have my manners gone?! I feel a sickening wave of dread wash over me, and I meet his eyes again. Suddenly, I feel calmer. His eyes are an auburn brown color, and they are quite intense. I force my eyes away from his face, and look at his hair; and I can hardly keep from smiling. It is ever-messy hair, and it is a chestnut color….No, Sakura! What are you thinking? He is a heartless Prince! A mean nasty, rude, arrogant, stupid…Suddenly, his voice cuts through my thoughts.
"I am sorry for bothering you, then. May I escort you to the kitchens?" I jump in surprise.
"Er…excuse me?"
Normal P.O.V.
"Er, excuse me?" Sakura asked, looking surprised. The Prince's face was impassive.
"I said, 'may I escort you to the kitchens'." He re-stated, getting up and stepping off the platform. Sakura looked shocked, but she nodded.
"Good. Follow me, then." Syaoran led Sakura out of the Throne-room and down a long hall. At the end of the hall was a stairwell, and he took her down the stairs, to a large wooden door. Sakura could hear the sounds of dishes clattering and people calling to each other. Syaoran threw open the door, and it quickly became silent. Sakura peeked over the Prince's shoulder, and when she saw the surprised faces of the servants, she realized just how rare it was for the Prince to come down here. Syaoran grabbed Sakura's arm and dragged her forward.
"Kaho!" He called, shoving Sakura forward. A young woman with long red hair and brown eyes stepped out of the crowd of servants and curtsied.
"Yes, Your Majesty?" She asked, her musical voice soothing Sakura's nerves.
"I want you to show my new servant through the normal routine. Her name is Sakura, and I have told her that if she has any questions, she can come to you." With that, Prince Syaoran stomped out of the room. Sakura turned uncertainly to Kaho, and shifted uncomfortably. Kaho smiled at Sakura.
"Don't worry. He isn't so bad once you get to know him! I am Kaho, the Head Maid." Kaho grinned at Sakura and gently took her arm.
"Princess Meiling has told me much about you, Sakura. Here, let us go into your bed-chamber and we will get to know each other!" Kaho said. When they were safely in Sakura's room, Kaho turned to her and smiled.
"But there are some things that you have yet to reveal to the Princess, am I right?" Kaho asked, looking around the room. Sakura was suddenly very uncomfortable.
"What do you mean?" She asked, her eyes widening innocently. Kaho smiled at her, and pointed to Sakura's bed. Sakura turned and saw…Kero! The little Guardian Beast of the Seal was trying to keep still and stuffed animal- like. Sakura laughed uneasily.
"Oh, you mean my stuffed-bear?" She asked, walking over to Kero and picking him up. Kaho nodded and laughed.
"You can cut the act, Cerberus! I know that its you!" Kaho said. Sakura looked up in shock. Kaho knew about the Kero? Did that mean she knew about the Clow Cards too?!
~*~*~*~
D.L.
Daphne: "Oh! Cliffhanger! I love it!"
Kero: Pouting "Not fair! I want to know how Kaho knows about me!"
Daphne: "Oh, Kero! Don't worry! I will tell that in the next chapter!"
Kero: "Fine. But there had better be more of me in it!"
Daphne: "It may, but I am really not sure! Well, It is getting late, and we had better be getting some sleep! Goodbye, and please remember to Review this story!