Daphne: "Hi! I am writing this while Kero is still asleep. I don't want him
to interrupt me! Well I hope that you like this chapter, and I hope you
will review!
Sakura: comes into the room "Daphne, breakfast."
Daphne: "Thanks mom!"
Sakura: "Oh yes, and the Hiiragizawa's are coming over for dinner again! She quickly leaves the room as I start to squeal
Daphne: "Eli's coming! He's coming! Got to go!"
~*~*~*~
Forgotten Past
by: Daphne Li
Chapter 9.
"Are you sure that is what you saw?!" Meiling squealed, her eyes lighting up.
"Positive! It was so kawaii!" Tomoyo shrieked.
"This is perfect!" Fuutie shouted.
"Better than we could do ourselves!" Fanren shrieked.
"'The sun'll come out, tomorrow, bet yer bottom dollar that tomorrow, there'll be sun…" Siefa sang.
"Oh, please, Siefa! Not that song!" Moaned Feimei.
"Well, it seemed to fit the mood." Siefa explained. The others laughed.
"So everything is perfect now, right?" Meiling asked, a hopeful glint in her eye. Eriol shook his head.
"I don't know exactly what goes on in that head of Syaoran's, but it is going to take a lot more than this to get him to soften up all the way." At these words, the girls faces fell.
"Then we will just work harder." Meiling said.
"Work harder for what?" Came Sakura's voice. Everyone turned around in surprise. "Oh, I didn't mean to startle you! I am sorry. You see, I was looking for King Fujitaka." Sakura explained. They all smiled in relief, and Tomoyo reached out and hugged the girl.
"Sakura! It is so nice to see you up and about! We were just talking about how we were going to get you out of that bed and feeling better, but I see that you have stolen the march on us this time! So…how did you get better so soon?" Tomoyo asked slyly. A blush rose to Sakura's cheeks.
"I wasn't really sick, Tomoyo. I was just tired." She said, looking down at the floor. The others looked at each other knowingly.
"Well, I think I saw King Fujitaka go into the library. You may want to try there." Meiling supplied. Sakura gave her a grateful smile and then ran out of the room as fast as she could.
"Yes, all they need is a little…persuasion!" Eriol chuckled, looking thoughtfully after the fleeing girl.
~*~*~*~
"'So they grew together, happily as can be.'" Sakura finished, shutting the book and smiling at King Fujitaka. The King smiled at her and then reached out for the book.
"Well, that did not end as I thought it would!"
"No indeed! I thought for sure that Herum would die!" Sakura admitted, watching as he got up from the couch and put the book away. Suddenly, she felt uneasy and looked at him fearfully.
"Something is going to happen! You are going to leave again!" Sakura gasped. The King turned around and his smile disappeared.
"Only for a short time, Sakura. I am only going into the country for the day. I will be back by supper time." He said, walking over to her and taking her hand. The library door swung open and Prince Touya appeared.
"Father, the carriage is waiting." The Prince announced. The King looked lovingly at Sakura and kissed her hand.
"Goodbye, my dear!" He called, walking out the door. Prince Touya sent Sakura a smile.
"Don't worry, he will be back! He is only going to see some people that may be able to help us in finding my sister." The Prince explained. Sakura's smile returned and she went over to a window, where she caught view of the rapidly retreating carriage.
"Then I wish him the best of luck." She whispered, as the Prince came over, put his hand on her shoulder and joined her in watching the carriage depart.
~*~*~*~
"Where is she?"
"We don't know, Your Majesty! She went with Fen to the market about a month ago and simply disappeared!"
"No! Did she have Cerberus with her?"
"Yes she did. He was safely hidden away in her pocket."
"Good. Then it should be easier to find her. Has she captured all the cards?"
"And transformed them into 'Sakura Cards', Majesty."
"Fine. I want you to meet me at ten 'o' clock tomorrow morning, in the palace library. We can talk more about this there."
~*~*~*~
Much later that night, Syaoran was walking slowly through the abandoned halls. It was one-thirty in the morning, and he simply could not sleep. After a while, he stopped and held his candle up high, so he could look at a door; the very one, in fact, that led into Sakura's chambers! He gave a dejected sigh, and was about to go on, when he felt a terrified wave of pink aura, and heard a small scream. Syaoran, knowing immediately that something was wrong, opened the door and lurched into the room, just as a bright flash of lighting struck nearby, and a terrifying clap of thunder ripped through the night. Sakura, who was sitting straight up in bed, gave a terrified scream, jumped out of her bed and flew into the Prince's arms.
"I had the dream again! But this time, the screams were worse…HOE!" Sakura shrieked, as another crash of thunder roared into the room. She hid her face in his shirt and began to cry.
"Sakura, it is all right. I am here. Nothing is going to hurt you!" He whispered, gently stroking her back. She gave a whimper as more thunder ensued.
"I'm scared, Syaoran. I'm scared!" She cried, her voice muffled in his shirt. Suddenly, he bent down and picked her up. She was light, and surprisingly easy to carry. He carried her over to the bed, and then propped her up against the pillows. She whimpered, and refused to let go of him, though, so he quickly climbed in and put his arms around her. Then, he got an idea.
"Sakura, wait here!" He quickly let go of her, and then hurried around the bed, pulling the bed-hangings around it, to conceal the two inside. The heavy draperies made it darker, but the thunder noises weren't as loud, or as frightening. When he was finished, he quickly went back to the shaking girl and drew her back into his arms.
"Thank you, Syaoran." Sakura whispered, her fear starting to leave her. He pulled her closer.
"I understand, Sakura. Or at least, I'm trying to." He explained. His eyes were starting to adjust to the darkness, and he could see her look up at him. Suddenly, he felt a cold hand touch his cheek.
"I know you are, Syaoran. And that is why I have to apologize. I have been pouring all of my fears and sorrows out onto you, and I know that you don't need that! I have been horribly unfair to you, forcing you into my affairs like this!" She said. Syaoran's heart fell.
'So she doesn't like me. She just thinks I am being nice! Oh, why can't I tell her…No! You are the Prince! She is your servant, and you must respect her! You can't let your feelings get in the way of her innocence!' Syaoran reprimanded himself, pushing his emotions back into their place.
"No. You forced nothing on me! It was I who forced myself on you! I should have gone for help when you had that dream last night! In fact, if you would like it, I could go get…"
"NO!…I mean, no. I don't want to wake anyone up!" Sakura explained, her thoughts whirling around in her head.
'He doesn't like me! He was just doing it to help me, and he has been so kind! Oh, why did I have to have these silly dreams in the first place?!' Sakura thought miserably.
"If you are sure that you will be all right…" Syaoran said hesitantly. Sakura nodded vigorously.
"I'll be fine!" She replied. He gave her a nod, and then leaned closer to her.
"Good night then, Sakura." He whispered. And then, to both of their surprise and shock, he kissed her on the cheek. Realizing what he had just done, he quickly flew off the bed and out of the room. She held the cheek he had kissed, and looked dreamily at the dark ceiling.
"Ugh! You are a poor, pathetic servant! He was just being kind to you, and you turn the whole thing into a big deal! Baka, girl!' Sakura thought, turning over with a sigh.
'The Prince could never love me.' Was her last thought before she drifted off into an uneasy sleep.
~*~*~*~
"So…you say she had Cerberus with her?" King Fujitaka asked.
"Yes, Sire, she had him." Fen answered for the fourth time.
"And you are sure that all the cards were transformed?" Prince Touya asked, eyeing the two suspiciously.
"Yes, Majesty, every one." Granda answered in a tired voice.
"Good then we'll…" Suddenly, the library door swung open and revealed Sakura.
"Oh, I am sorry, Majesty! I was just going too…Granda!? Fen? What are you doing here?!" Sakura shrieked, throwing herself into the arms of her foster mother. The older woman looked down at her in shock.
"Sakura! Darling, where on earth have you been! We have been looking everywhere for you!"
"I have been here! You see, the Prince made me his servant, and then I met the Queen and…Granda, she is ever so nice! You wouldn't believe! And Fen! Oh, I am sorry for running away from the cart! I really wanted to stay, but…" Sakura paused for breath and caught sight of a very pale-looking Prince Touya.
"Oh! Prince Touya! I didn't see you there! Wait…Granda, Fen, what are you doing here?" Sakura asked, reality suddenly catching up with her. Granda was smiling happily and Fen was looking excited.
"Sakura…you have always wondered who your parent's were, haven't you?" Fen asked softly. Sakura looked at him in confusion, and nodded. Then she looked from Fen to the King and back, and it hit her. Slowly, she shook her head, a look of shock entering her face.
"No! My dream! No!" She whimpered, taking a step back. "Your voice! It was your voice! Yours and Touya's! You lived! Daddy!" Sakura shrieked, throwing herself into King Fujitaka's arms and hugging him tightly, tears running down her face. The King hugged her back, and refused to let go.
"My sweet baby! My baby girl came back to me!" He whispered over and over, stroking her hair. When he finally let go, Prince Touya quickly came over and filled his place.
"So…we were searching for you, and you were in front of our faces the whole time!" Touya said. Sakura looked up and gave him a sweet smile.
"I was. But…what about Granda and Fen? Can they stay here with us?" Sakura asked, her eyes pleading. The King looked thoughtful.
"Well, you could always use a nurse, and I need a good man-servant, so why not?" Fujitaka chuckled, pulling his daughter into his arms again. Suddenly, a small form flew out of Sakura's pocket.
"Great! We have found your family! So…can we eat now?" Asked Kero. This brought laughs from all around.
"Of course, Cerberus! It is lunch-time anyway. Let us go down to the dinning hall!" Fujitaka took his daughter's arm and led her from the room, Touya following close behind. They hardly noticed when they reached the dinning hall, or the fact that everyone was there but them.
"But how long did you search for me?" Sakura asked, unaware that she had a larger audience than she thought.
"Oh, about eighteen years!" Touya teased. Sakura frowned at him.
"Well, as soon as the war ended. Unfortunately, it has taken this long to find you!"
"I am here now! No more looking!" Sakura said, hugging her father. Touya chuckled.
"Yes! No more mindless searching for you, squirt!" Touya crowed. Sakura quickly stuck her tongue out at him and hugged her father closer. Fujitaka let out a chuckle.
"Fighting already! I thought you aren't supposed to do that until we got home!" He laughed.
"What? Are you planning on taking Sakura away from us?" Came a sharp voice. The three turned and saw the whole royal family sitting silently at the table, confused looks on their faces. King Fujitaka smiled at the Queen.
"Actually, we are! I think I have a right to take my own daughter home!" As these words, the whole table gasped in shock; Everyone that is, except for Syaoran.
"You…you mean that Sakura…the whole time?" Yelan asked helplessly. Fujitaka nodded and drew Sakura closer to his side.
"She was right under our noses the whole time, Yelan! My sweet Cherry Blossom!" The King gently kissed the top of Sakura's head and then released her. Tomoyo stood up and ran over to Sakura.
"This is wonderful! Now I can make you as many clothes as I want! And you are my cousin!" Tomoyo shrieked, hugging Sakura. Sakura giggled.
"I suppose so!"
"This is so great! I can't believe that you were here the whole time!" Shrieked Meiling, running over and hugging Sakura.
"Fujitaka, we must have a ball! In Sakura's honor! Everyone must be able to meet the Princess of Omaer!" Yelan cried, moving over to Sakura and hugging her as well. Sakura smiled shyly.
"I have never been to a ball before. I wouldn't know how to act!"
"Neither does anyone else! We just wing-it!" Eriol laughed. Sakura looked over at the silent Syaoran and sighed. As though he could feel her gaze on him, he looked up. Amber eyes caught Emerald, and they stayed that way, transfixed. Then the Prince quickly broke-off the stare and came forward.
"I wish you well, Princess." He said, bowing to her. She gave a curtsey, but her heart was sad. He was being so formal! Did he hate her?
"Come, Sakura! You must eat something! Then we will go and talk-over dress patterns for the ball!" Queen Yelan exclaimed, turning Sakura around and sitting her in a chair next to Tomoyo. The other girl reached her hand under the table and squeezed Sakura's hand. Sakura smiled at Tomoyo, and her spirits raised. It was going to be fun to have a cousin, and a best friend all-in-one!
~*~*~*~
D.L:
Daphne: "I am really tired, so this is not going to be long! I just want to thank everyone again for reviewing. I am not sure how much longer this story is going to take, but it is going to be at least two more chapters!"
Kero: "Daphne, your parents want you to go to bed, NOW! They say that it is a school night and that you need your sleep!"
Daphne: "Fine, Kero! Just give me a second! Anyway, I hope that you will review this chapter, and I hope you liked it! Goodbye!"
Sakura: comes into the room "Daphne, breakfast."
Daphne: "Thanks mom!"
Sakura: "Oh yes, and the Hiiragizawa's are coming over for dinner again! She quickly leaves the room as I start to squeal
Daphne: "Eli's coming! He's coming! Got to go!"
~*~*~*~
Forgotten Past
by: Daphne Li
Chapter 9.
"Are you sure that is what you saw?!" Meiling squealed, her eyes lighting up.
"Positive! It was so kawaii!" Tomoyo shrieked.
"This is perfect!" Fuutie shouted.
"Better than we could do ourselves!" Fanren shrieked.
"'The sun'll come out, tomorrow, bet yer bottom dollar that tomorrow, there'll be sun…" Siefa sang.
"Oh, please, Siefa! Not that song!" Moaned Feimei.
"Well, it seemed to fit the mood." Siefa explained. The others laughed.
"So everything is perfect now, right?" Meiling asked, a hopeful glint in her eye. Eriol shook his head.
"I don't know exactly what goes on in that head of Syaoran's, but it is going to take a lot more than this to get him to soften up all the way." At these words, the girls faces fell.
"Then we will just work harder." Meiling said.
"Work harder for what?" Came Sakura's voice. Everyone turned around in surprise. "Oh, I didn't mean to startle you! I am sorry. You see, I was looking for King Fujitaka." Sakura explained. They all smiled in relief, and Tomoyo reached out and hugged the girl.
"Sakura! It is so nice to see you up and about! We were just talking about how we were going to get you out of that bed and feeling better, but I see that you have stolen the march on us this time! So…how did you get better so soon?" Tomoyo asked slyly. A blush rose to Sakura's cheeks.
"I wasn't really sick, Tomoyo. I was just tired." She said, looking down at the floor. The others looked at each other knowingly.
"Well, I think I saw King Fujitaka go into the library. You may want to try there." Meiling supplied. Sakura gave her a grateful smile and then ran out of the room as fast as she could.
"Yes, all they need is a little…persuasion!" Eriol chuckled, looking thoughtfully after the fleeing girl.
~*~*~*~
"'So they grew together, happily as can be.'" Sakura finished, shutting the book and smiling at King Fujitaka. The King smiled at her and then reached out for the book.
"Well, that did not end as I thought it would!"
"No indeed! I thought for sure that Herum would die!" Sakura admitted, watching as he got up from the couch and put the book away. Suddenly, she felt uneasy and looked at him fearfully.
"Something is going to happen! You are going to leave again!" Sakura gasped. The King turned around and his smile disappeared.
"Only for a short time, Sakura. I am only going into the country for the day. I will be back by supper time." He said, walking over to her and taking her hand. The library door swung open and Prince Touya appeared.
"Father, the carriage is waiting." The Prince announced. The King looked lovingly at Sakura and kissed her hand.
"Goodbye, my dear!" He called, walking out the door. Prince Touya sent Sakura a smile.
"Don't worry, he will be back! He is only going to see some people that may be able to help us in finding my sister." The Prince explained. Sakura's smile returned and she went over to a window, where she caught view of the rapidly retreating carriage.
"Then I wish him the best of luck." She whispered, as the Prince came over, put his hand on her shoulder and joined her in watching the carriage depart.
~*~*~*~
"Where is she?"
"We don't know, Your Majesty! She went with Fen to the market about a month ago and simply disappeared!"
"No! Did she have Cerberus with her?"
"Yes she did. He was safely hidden away in her pocket."
"Good. Then it should be easier to find her. Has she captured all the cards?"
"And transformed them into 'Sakura Cards', Majesty."
"Fine. I want you to meet me at ten 'o' clock tomorrow morning, in the palace library. We can talk more about this there."
~*~*~*~
Much later that night, Syaoran was walking slowly through the abandoned halls. It was one-thirty in the morning, and he simply could not sleep. After a while, he stopped and held his candle up high, so he could look at a door; the very one, in fact, that led into Sakura's chambers! He gave a dejected sigh, and was about to go on, when he felt a terrified wave of pink aura, and heard a small scream. Syaoran, knowing immediately that something was wrong, opened the door and lurched into the room, just as a bright flash of lighting struck nearby, and a terrifying clap of thunder ripped through the night. Sakura, who was sitting straight up in bed, gave a terrified scream, jumped out of her bed and flew into the Prince's arms.
"I had the dream again! But this time, the screams were worse…HOE!" Sakura shrieked, as another crash of thunder roared into the room. She hid her face in his shirt and began to cry.
"Sakura, it is all right. I am here. Nothing is going to hurt you!" He whispered, gently stroking her back. She gave a whimper as more thunder ensued.
"I'm scared, Syaoran. I'm scared!" She cried, her voice muffled in his shirt. Suddenly, he bent down and picked her up. She was light, and surprisingly easy to carry. He carried her over to the bed, and then propped her up against the pillows. She whimpered, and refused to let go of him, though, so he quickly climbed in and put his arms around her. Then, he got an idea.
"Sakura, wait here!" He quickly let go of her, and then hurried around the bed, pulling the bed-hangings around it, to conceal the two inside. The heavy draperies made it darker, but the thunder noises weren't as loud, or as frightening. When he was finished, he quickly went back to the shaking girl and drew her back into his arms.
"Thank you, Syaoran." Sakura whispered, her fear starting to leave her. He pulled her closer.
"I understand, Sakura. Or at least, I'm trying to." He explained. His eyes were starting to adjust to the darkness, and he could see her look up at him. Suddenly, he felt a cold hand touch his cheek.
"I know you are, Syaoran. And that is why I have to apologize. I have been pouring all of my fears and sorrows out onto you, and I know that you don't need that! I have been horribly unfair to you, forcing you into my affairs like this!" She said. Syaoran's heart fell.
'So she doesn't like me. She just thinks I am being nice! Oh, why can't I tell her…No! You are the Prince! She is your servant, and you must respect her! You can't let your feelings get in the way of her innocence!' Syaoran reprimanded himself, pushing his emotions back into their place.
"No. You forced nothing on me! It was I who forced myself on you! I should have gone for help when you had that dream last night! In fact, if you would like it, I could go get…"
"NO!…I mean, no. I don't want to wake anyone up!" Sakura explained, her thoughts whirling around in her head.
'He doesn't like me! He was just doing it to help me, and he has been so kind! Oh, why did I have to have these silly dreams in the first place?!' Sakura thought miserably.
"If you are sure that you will be all right…" Syaoran said hesitantly. Sakura nodded vigorously.
"I'll be fine!" She replied. He gave her a nod, and then leaned closer to her.
"Good night then, Sakura." He whispered. And then, to both of their surprise and shock, he kissed her on the cheek. Realizing what he had just done, he quickly flew off the bed and out of the room. She held the cheek he had kissed, and looked dreamily at the dark ceiling.
"Ugh! You are a poor, pathetic servant! He was just being kind to you, and you turn the whole thing into a big deal! Baka, girl!' Sakura thought, turning over with a sigh.
'The Prince could never love me.' Was her last thought before she drifted off into an uneasy sleep.
~*~*~*~
"So…you say she had Cerberus with her?" King Fujitaka asked.
"Yes, Sire, she had him." Fen answered for the fourth time.
"And you are sure that all the cards were transformed?" Prince Touya asked, eyeing the two suspiciously.
"Yes, Majesty, every one." Granda answered in a tired voice.
"Good then we'll…" Suddenly, the library door swung open and revealed Sakura.
"Oh, I am sorry, Majesty! I was just going too…Granda!? Fen? What are you doing here?!" Sakura shrieked, throwing herself into the arms of her foster mother. The older woman looked down at her in shock.
"Sakura! Darling, where on earth have you been! We have been looking everywhere for you!"
"I have been here! You see, the Prince made me his servant, and then I met the Queen and…Granda, she is ever so nice! You wouldn't believe! And Fen! Oh, I am sorry for running away from the cart! I really wanted to stay, but…" Sakura paused for breath and caught sight of a very pale-looking Prince Touya.
"Oh! Prince Touya! I didn't see you there! Wait…Granda, Fen, what are you doing here?" Sakura asked, reality suddenly catching up with her. Granda was smiling happily and Fen was looking excited.
"Sakura…you have always wondered who your parent's were, haven't you?" Fen asked softly. Sakura looked at him in confusion, and nodded. Then she looked from Fen to the King and back, and it hit her. Slowly, she shook her head, a look of shock entering her face.
"No! My dream! No!" She whimpered, taking a step back. "Your voice! It was your voice! Yours and Touya's! You lived! Daddy!" Sakura shrieked, throwing herself into King Fujitaka's arms and hugging him tightly, tears running down her face. The King hugged her back, and refused to let go.
"My sweet baby! My baby girl came back to me!" He whispered over and over, stroking her hair. When he finally let go, Prince Touya quickly came over and filled his place.
"So…we were searching for you, and you were in front of our faces the whole time!" Touya said. Sakura looked up and gave him a sweet smile.
"I was. But…what about Granda and Fen? Can they stay here with us?" Sakura asked, her eyes pleading. The King looked thoughtful.
"Well, you could always use a nurse, and I need a good man-servant, so why not?" Fujitaka chuckled, pulling his daughter into his arms again. Suddenly, a small form flew out of Sakura's pocket.
"Great! We have found your family! So…can we eat now?" Asked Kero. This brought laughs from all around.
"Of course, Cerberus! It is lunch-time anyway. Let us go down to the dinning hall!" Fujitaka took his daughter's arm and led her from the room, Touya following close behind. They hardly noticed when they reached the dinning hall, or the fact that everyone was there but them.
"But how long did you search for me?" Sakura asked, unaware that she had a larger audience than she thought.
"Oh, about eighteen years!" Touya teased. Sakura frowned at him.
"Well, as soon as the war ended. Unfortunately, it has taken this long to find you!"
"I am here now! No more looking!" Sakura said, hugging her father. Touya chuckled.
"Yes! No more mindless searching for you, squirt!" Touya crowed. Sakura quickly stuck her tongue out at him and hugged her father closer. Fujitaka let out a chuckle.
"Fighting already! I thought you aren't supposed to do that until we got home!" He laughed.
"What? Are you planning on taking Sakura away from us?" Came a sharp voice. The three turned and saw the whole royal family sitting silently at the table, confused looks on their faces. King Fujitaka smiled at the Queen.
"Actually, we are! I think I have a right to take my own daughter home!" As these words, the whole table gasped in shock; Everyone that is, except for Syaoran.
"You…you mean that Sakura…the whole time?" Yelan asked helplessly. Fujitaka nodded and drew Sakura closer to his side.
"She was right under our noses the whole time, Yelan! My sweet Cherry Blossom!" The King gently kissed the top of Sakura's head and then released her. Tomoyo stood up and ran over to Sakura.
"This is wonderful! Now I can make you as many clothes as I want! And you are my cousin!" Tomoyo shrieked, hugging Sakura. Sakura giggled.
"I suppose so!"
"This is so great! I can't believe that you were here the whole time!" Shrieked Meiling, running over and hugging Sakura.
"Fujitaka, we must have a ball! In Sakura's honor! Everyone must be able to meet the Princess of Omaer!" Yelan cried, moving over to Sakura and hugging her as well. Sakura smiled shyly.
"I have never been to a ball before. I wouldn't know how to act!"
"Neither does anyone else! We just wing-it!" Eriol laughed. Sakura looked over at the silent Syaoran and sighed. As though he could feel her gaze on him, he looked up. Amber eyes caught Emerald, and they stayed that way, transfixed. Then the Prince quickly broke-off the stare and came forward.
"I wish you well, Princess." He said, bowing to her. She gave a curtsey, but her heart was sad. He was being so formal! Did he hate her?
"Come, Sakura! You must eat something! Then we will go and talk-over dress patterns for the ball!" Queen Yelan exclaimed, turning Sakura around and sitting her in a chair next to Tomoyo. The other girl reached her hand under the table and squeezed Sakura's hand. Sakura smiled at Tomoyo, and her spirits raised. It was going to be fun to have a cousin, and a best friend all-in-one!
~*~*~*~
D.L:
Daphne: "I am really tired, so this is not going to be long! I just want to thank everyone again for reviewing. I am not sure how much longer this story is going to take, but it is going to be at least two more chapters!"
Kero: "Daphne, your parents want you to go to bed, NOW! They say that it is a school night and that you need your sleep!"
Daphne: "Fine, Kero! Just give me a second! Anyway, I hope that you will review this chapter, and I hope you liked it! Goodbye!"