Story Key:

" " = Speech
' ' = Thought
* * = Noises/Sound
A/N = Author's Note
A King and a Card mistress >> The night of the Ball

*plop* Tomi fell over onto her bed. She had just finished her work for the day and was trying to think of what to wear to the ball that night. 'Something special, demo-I don't have anything fancy! What will I do? I wish I had the dresses I had back home. Those were so lovely.' She sighed. 'I guess I'll just have to improvise.' She started shuffling through her mini closet, which was mostly included maid outfits and rags. Tomi stood, thinking, 'Well, it's not like I said it was going to be easy...'

"Master Li! Aren't you ready for Miss Meiling's ball yet? She will have a fit when she sees that you are not even dressed in a tuxedo yet!"
"I know, Wei! I was just going to pick one out."
"Let me help you, Sir." Syaoran moved to the left, giving room for Wei to work.
"Thanks, Wei."

Syaoran stared at the ceiling. 'This is so embarrassing. I wonder what Meiling is doing.' He scanned the room, wondering who else was there. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Tomi in some dull clothes. Maybe a chat with her then back to the chairs. He walked towards her.
"Hello Suzuhara-chan. It's nice to see you here. I'm glad you could make it." Tomi sighed.
"Yes, demo... This dress was all I could find. Rather plain, do you not think?" Syaoran shook his head.
"Iie, it's very pretty."
"Thank-you. Um, I can't stay for long, I do not enjoy fancy parties such as this one. I feel that I'm not intellectual enough. I'm leaving in a while." Syaoran sipped quietly on his small champagne glass.
"So soon? You should stay a little while longer."
"No, thanks, though. In fact, I think I will leave right now..."
"I'll see you later, then." Tomi waved her hand and walked out of the room. 'I better get going...'

What seemed like hours later, Syaoran decided to take a walk. He walked into the long, long hall just outside the ballroom. 'Ahh... It's so peaceful now.' He hummed along to a song coming from the distance. He stopped. 'A song? Where is it coming from? It's melody is so sweet.' He followed the tune.

'There! It's coming from outside!' Syaoran ran to the balcony. He held onto the bar and looked at the far-away ground beneath him. There, dancing, swaying to the soft music, was a beautiful young girl of 16, her shining hair, a light, auburn brown colour, ribbons tying them up, her eyes, a glimmering emerald green, her skin, a creamy ivory tinge. Her long, silky, flowing dress was like a painter's palette, full of different shades of brilliant pinks and reds. Small, practically invisible wings were attached on her back, making her seem like an angel. She was singing the music, and Syaoran thought that her voice was like a song bird. Dancing alone amongst the rich green trees and scented roses and lilies made her seem lonely. She gracefully ended her dancing and music. Syaoran, fully in her trance, was gazing dreamily at her, still atop of the balcony wondered why she stopped. She turned to smile at him, her eyes reflecting the moon. She did not say anything, though Syaoran wished she did, to hear her voice in speech, but even so, took his breath away. 'Her face is so angelic! Full of beauty.'

He called out, "H-hello! Who are you? My name is Syaoran Li!" The mysterious girl giggled. She shook her head, as saying, 'No, I won't tell you!' Syaoran, who wanted to know her more, ran back inside, heading towards the nearest flight of stairs. He ran and ran the fastest he could, hoping to her up close. She reminded him of her... That sweet smile... The hair, though a different style, and most of all, her eyes. By the time he reached the door to the garden outside, he was panting. 'Almost there... The door is just a couple steps away.' He pushed the door open. He examined the garden. No where. Where did she go? Syaoran ran to the spot where she had been dancing. She was gone. Not even a single item left for clues. He searched the areas. 'She couldn't have gotten that far. It didn't take me that long to come down here. Where is she?' Half an hour later, he finally gave up. 'I just wish I could have gotten to see her face. Maybe she really was her.' he went inside. In a nearby corner, the girl stood crouching, watching. She saw Syaoran finally give up to go inside. She thought in her head.

'Syaoran?! Master Li is actually Syaoran Li?! I thought I knew him from somewhere, but Syaoran?! What should I do? Act like this never happened? Or confront him about our past meeting? He obviously does not recognize me... What should I do?'

Syaoran, absolutely disappointed, walked back and forth in the halls. 'Who was she? She was so beautiful. She reminds me of Suzuhara-chan, in a way with appearances. But her eyes are a slight different colour... And her hair. It can't be the same girl. Suzuhara was at the party. Wasn't she? Yes, she was, defiantly.' He kept walking back and forth, thinking these confusing thoughts.

"There you are, Syaoran Li! I've been looking for you all night! Where have you been?" Syaoran did not need to look up to see who it was.

"Gomen, Meiling, I was taking a walk outside."

"Okay. I'll see you later inside." But Syaoran got up and headed in the other direction.

"Um, I'm feeling a little bit light-headed... I want to go to my bedroom and get some peace." Meiling turned sharply at Syaoran.

"Syaoran! I planned so hard for this night... Won't you even enjoy it a little?"

"Gomen-nasai... Maybe I will come back later."

"...Sure."

{End of Chapter 5} Hehe, I like this chapter better than all of the rest so far^^ What do you think? If you haven't figured it out yet, our little Tomi-chan is that mysterious girl that danced in the moonlit garden... How did she do it? And even more important, is she Sakura? Who knows? Well, just keep reading the next chapters and you'll find out^^