Here's chapter two, same disclaimers as chapter one apply. Oh, and for
those of you who might still be wondering, Syaoran is Cupid (starts
snickering at the idea), who is Venus's son. Yelan is Venus, and I hope you
all figured that one out. Um. who else. well, Clow Reed is Jupiter (I'm
using the roman names for this, in case you didn't notice. Jupiter is the
same as Zeus.), and Eriol is Apollo. I don't think any other gods show up.
anyway, on with the story.
Chapter Two: Fated Meeting
The day of Meilin's marriage dawned as brightly as the ones before it, and the entire castle was up much earlier than usual. Meilin's betrothed, Seiji Tanaka of a neighboring kingdom had arrived the day before. Sakura's head still pounded from the blaring of fanfares and the celebration that had taken place. She grimaced as three attendants dressed her for the wedding.
"Is something not to your liking, my lady?" One of the attendants asked softly and Sakura looked at her in surprise. "You wear an unfavorable expression." The attendant adjusted the pale yellow silk of her robes so it hung more flatteringly on her figure.
"Oh, it's not the dress." The attendant putting up her curls stopped and Sakura shook her head. "I like what you were doing with my hair as well." In the full-length mirror, she could see the attendant's face awash with relief. "Chika, would you please bring me something for headaches? Mine won't stop pounding."
"Of course, my lady." The attendant who had been selecting jewelry bowed to her with a small smile and hurried from the room. Sakura sighed inwardly as the two dressing her stepped back, finished.
"Your work is as wonderful as ever." Sakura said with a smile. Her hair had been pulled up gracefully with several soft curls framing her face and falling down her back. She moved to place a circlet of gold around her head, signifying her rank, and put on her jewelry carefully. No sooner had she done that did the door open and Chika set a small flask of purple liquid before her.
"Your headache potion, my lady." Sakura nodded in thanks and downed the contents quickly. She made a face at the sharp bitter taste, but her headache vanished instantly.
"Is Sakura ready to head to the temple?" A soft voice asked, and everyone looked up to see Yukito standing in the open doorway. Sakura smiled at him and nodded.
"I am, Yukito. But.where is my brother?" She nodded in thanks to her attendants and stepped up to her friend. Yukito offered her his arm and she took it, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks. She still hadn't quite gotten over her crush on him.
"Your brother is already at the temple. He, Tanaka, and your father were to be the first people there." Sakura nodded slightly. "And Touya wanted to keep you from public eye at all costs. He's very worried about the abandonment of goddess Yelan's temples." She glanced up to see Yukito wearing a rather serious expression.
"Anyone with any sense can see that this transfer of worship is going to have consequences." Sakura said grimly.
"And Touya wants to do everything in his power to keep them from landing on you." Yukito said softly and they reached the doors to the palace. Two attendants opened them and another helped them into a carriage. The door shut behind them and soon the carriage was speeding off to the temple.
"I know." Sakura said softly and looked at her hands. "All I can do is hope that the gods realize that I can do nothing to stop it." She could feel Yukito's gaze on her and she looked up to see him smiling gently.
"I'm sure things will turn out as they should. The gods may be cruel, but they can also be kind. And I know they will be kind to a person such as yourself, Sakura." She returned his smile and the carriage lurched to a halt. The door opened and a different attendant helped her out.
"It's the princess! The beautiful princess!" Sakura fought a grimace as shouts of surprise and joy rose up. She hated this.
"All praise her! She is a goddess!" Sakura tried to smile as she was lead to the entrance of the temple, and she hoped it didn't look too forced.
"Bow to her, the goddess Sakura!" She was glad when she finally got inside the temple and yet another attendant led her to wear the women in the wedding were meeting. She was let into a large room with three other women in it, and they looked up as she entered.
"Little sister, I'm pleased to see you could make it." Sakura blinked as she realized Tomoyo was smiling at her gently.
"Tomoyo!" She cried and hugged her sister fiercely. The two other women laughed. "And Nana! Oh, it's so good to see you!" She was more careful in hugging the older woman. "How did you get here?"
"I wanted her to give me away." Sakura blinked at Meiling, who was wearing an elaborate dress of white. Her dark hair had been left down and certain locks had been braided. Little white flowers had been interwoven into the braids, and she held a white veil.
"What about Father?" Sakura asked in confusion and Meilin smirked.
"What father? Nana was more of a parent to us than he'll ever be." Meilin said, and Sakura glanced at Tomoyo, who was wearing a sad expression. "If he truly cared about us, he wouldn't have forced these marriages on us." Tomoyo nodded once.
"I didn't argue with you about that, Meilin." Tomoyo said quietly. "But I still think that Father should be the one to escort you. It'd be a great insult otherwise." Meilin shook her head, her silver jewelry flashing.
"Then let him be insulted. Maybe he'll wait then in marrying off Sakura." A loud knock on the door broke off their conversation and an attendant entered and bowed.
"My ladies, the wedding is to begin." The three women stood to join Sakura and the attendant. Sakura could sense the sudden nervousness that had cropped up in Meilin as Nana placed the veil over her head. Tomoyo handed Sakura a basket of flower petals and the two of them went first from the room. It was their job to spread the petals before the bride could walk to the altar.
A light song began to play as the two of them walked side by side down the aisle, flower petals flying from their hands. Sakura could see Touya and her father standing at the altar beside Meilin's husband to be and the priest of Juno (Hera) who would wed them.
Sakura and Tomoyo reached the altar and bowed to their father before turning their attention to the back of the room, where Meilin and Nana now stood. A new song struck up and the two began to walk forward slowly. Meilin had drawn herself up to her full height, and Sakura could see her red eyes shining beneath the veil.
'She's determined to look regal.' Sakura thought with a smile. That was her sister all right.
Meilin and Nana finally reached the altar, and Tanaka stepped forward to take his bride. Sakura's mind began to wander after that moment and she sighed inwardly. She was distantly aware of the priest leading the couple in marriage chants, but it was nothing new. She'd been present at Tomoyo's wedding, and this one was exactly the same.
'If Father ever finds a suitor for me, I hope my wedding isn't this boring.' She thought as her gaze began to wander out over the audience. Her gaze brushed one of a young man at the very back and then she blinked and looked back at him quickly. He was staring at the temple idly, his expression uninterested.
"Who . . ." She whispered with a frown. Abruptly he looked at her, as though he felt her gaze on him and their eyes met. A surprised jolt flashed through Sakura as she looked into his deep amber eyes and she took an unconscious step back. There . . . there was such power behind his eyes.
"Sakura?" Tomoyo asked softly, her attention still on Meilin. Sakura shook herself free from the young man's gaze and glanced at her sister. "Are you all right?" She nodded.
"I'm fine." Sakura whispered back and struggled to keep her gaze from returning to the young man. But after a few minutes of listening to the marriage chants, she couldn't stop her gaze from drifting to where he had been seated.
'What . . .?' She thought in surprise. The young man was gone. 'But where could he have gone to without causing a disruption?' She frowned as her gaze searched the temple, but he was no where to be seen.
"I wonder . . . " Sakura murmured quietly. "I wonder who he was . . ."
***
Syaoran stood outside the Juno Temple of Tomoeda, his mind and heart racing. No one should've been able to see him sitting inside the temple, yet that girl . . . her emerald eyes had gazed at him. She'd seen him and could almost sense who he was.
But who was she? The moment her gaze had left him, he'd fled from the temple. Now that he was no longer preoccupied with getting away, his mind could register how beautiful she'd been. But . . . he still didn't know who she was.
'Listen to yourself.' He thought angrily. 'Your mother sends you on a simple errand and what's the first thing you do?' He sighed after a moment. 'I'm hopeless.'
From the time he'd spent talking to the mortals in this city, he'd found out that the girl they were worshiping was one of the princesses, and that meant she'd be in the temple right now. But all people had been able to tell him was of her beauty. There'd been no defining characteristics, such as a birthmark, or eye color. It was as if no one had seen her, and they were all going on word of mouth.
The doors opened suddenly and people began to pour from the temple. Syaoran watched for the green-eyed beauty, but he didn't see her among the throng. After a moment, he caught the wrist of a passer-by.
"Excuse me, but is there going to be an after party?" He asked politely, and the surprised man nodded. "Do you know where?"
"Probably at the palace. But no one below noble birth is allowed." The man got himself free and hurried from Syaoran, who nodded to himself. The Sakura he was supposed to be chasing must be at the after party; it was the wedding of her sister, after all.
'Maybe I'll be able to ask that girl . . .' He caught himself thinking that and sighed. 'I am such a fool. Focus on the first task and then you can inquire about the other girl.' He took a step back into the shadows and prepared to join the after party.
***
Touya sat beside his father at the main table, bored out of his mind. The after party was only about half way over, and he wanted nothing more than to leave, but he stayed for one reason alone. He didn't want anyone approaching Sakura tonight during the dancing. Tomoyo and Meilin had made him promise to keep her dancing with either himself or Yuki so their father wouldn't get any ideas for suitors.
'But he hasn't seen Tomoyo and Meilin in eight years, and that didn't stop him from finding them husbands.' He thought miserably and his gaze landed on Sakura and Yuki, who were dancing across the floor. They were easily the most graceful couple out there.
"Touya, can I ask your advice?" Touya blinked and glanced over at his father. "Who do you think would be suitable for Sakura?" He suppressed a growl as his father's gaze swept across the room. "Perhaps the son of King Asamiya?" Touya shook his head.
"I don't think anyone here is worthy enough of Sakura. I'm sure you could find better candidates, Father." Touya said while struggling to keep his anger hidden. "Besides, why must Sakura marry now? Why not wait a few years?" His father gave him a sharp look.
"Because it is essential for this kingdom. You'll understand when you take the throne and have children of your own." His father stood and Touya could barely conceal his resentment. "I think I'll approach King Asamiya . . ."
Touya couldn't stand it any longer. He banged a fist on the table and his father turned to him, slightly stunned. The music and light conversations stopped as Touya stood and fixed his father with an angry glare.
"Why don't you ask Sakura what she wants? You sure didn't bother with Tomoyo and Meilin." Touya said quietly and his father's eyes widened.
"What was that?" His father asked, his voice a mixture of surprise and growing anger.
"They were married off before they even knew what was happening." Touya snapped back. "At least give Sakura the choice of selecting her husband." And with that Touya turned on his heel and stormed from the room.
***
Sakura watched her brother storm from the room and concern welled up inside of her. She started to go after him, but a hand on her shoulder stopped her from moving. She looked up to see Yukito shake his head slightly.
"I'll go after him, Sakura. Your brother just needs some one to listen to him right now." She nodded and he hurried off, leaving her alone in the middle of the dance floor. Her father turned to all the guests and put on his best smile.
"Please forgive my son's rude behavior, and continue!" The music began once more, but her father left the ballroom. Sakura sighed slightly and moved to get off the dance floor. With no partner, there was no reason for her to be out here.
"Excuse me, miss?" She blinked as a hand caught her wrist and she turned slightly to the voice. "If you don't have a partner, may I have this dance?" She turned around to face him and gasped. It was the young man from the temple.
"Of course. I'd love to dance with you." She said, her eyes locked with his deep amber ones. Their hands touched lightly and they began to waltz slightly to the music. A long time passed where Sakura just stared up at him. His chocolate brown hair was slightly messy and she longed to reach up and brush it from his eyes. His presence was so comforting and strong; it made her forget anything else existed.
"I hate to break your thoughts, but is it your custom to dance and never speak a word?" He asked, his tone light and teasing. Sakura blinked and shook her head.
"Oh, forgive me! But I've never seen someone with eyes was beautiful as yours." She nearly bit off her tongue in surprise. She hadn't meant to say that, but it had popped out anyway. The young man blinked before smiling gently.
"I could say the same about you." Sakura felt her cheeks heat and she looked away.
"May I ask your name?" She asked quickly, trying to change the subject. He seemed to sense her embarrassment and nodded.
"You may ask, but I might not say just the same." She looked back at him to see his eyes filled with light laughter. "I'm sorry, I couldn't resist. My name is Xiao Lang." She smiled up at him, but before she could say anything, he cut in. "May I ask a question? I'm a stranger to this city, and I see that the goddess Yelan's temples have been abandoned. Why is that?" Sakura slumped visibly, her smile fading.
"I'd almost forgotten about that." She said bitterly and felt his questioning gaze upon her. "The people have started worshiping me against my will. They say I am as beautiful as a goddess and deserve every possible curtsey." They stopped dancing abruptly and she looked up at Xiao Lang in confusion.
"They're worshiping . . . you?" His voice held shock that mirrored his expression and slight annoyance flittered through Sakura. "You . . . are the princess Sakura?" She nodded, confusion banishing the annoyance.
"You didn't know?" He shook his head and bowed deeply. "Please don't do that . . ."
"Forgive me, my lady, but I must be going now. Thank you for the dance." Sakura blinked and for the second time that night she was alone on the dance floor. She looked around quickly, searching for a chocolate haired man, but as before, she couldn't find him anywhere.
'But I know his name now.' She thought determinedly and moved off the dance floor. 'And I will find out who this Xiao Lang is, no matter what.'
***
Syaoran materialized behind a pillar in the Kinomoto palace and he sank to the ground. The worst possible thing that could've happened had; he'd fallen in love with the young woman his mother had sent him to spell. He rubbed his temples with his fingertips and sighed angrily.
'My own power, being used against me . . .' He shook his head. 'And there's nothing I can possibly do against my heart.' He sighed again and tilted his head back so it rested against the pillar.
"Sakura . . ." He said quietly, her name music to his ears. Her face appeared before him then, her gentle smile and her deep green eyes. He could stare into those emerald orbs all night . . .
"Touya, slow down! You're walking in circles because you don't notice where you're going!" Syaoran started at the voices and made himself invisible. Two men walked by then; one had dark brown hair and the other had slivery hair. Anger poured of the dark haired one, while the other pleaded with him to calm down.
"I can't believe him!" The dark haired one, Touya, yelled and stopped walking abruptly. "He doesn't even bother with anyone's opinion but his own! He doesn't care if Meilin and Tomoyo are miserable!" Syaoran walked curiously as Touya began to pace back and forth, while the silver haired man watched in silence.
"He feels he's doing what's best." Touya glared at the other.
"But it's not best for them! Yuki, I wish I could open his eyes and see just how unhappy he's made Tomoyo and Meilin! I want him to see how unhappy he's going to make Sakura!" Syaoran blinked and began to listen to the conversation more intently.
'What's going on?' He thought with a frown and he heard Yuki sigh softly.
"You don't know that, Touya. Perhaps Sakura will be lucky and wind up loving the man she is betrothed to." Anger sparked up in both Syaoran and Touya.
"She won't!" Both yelled and Yuki blinked in surprise. He stared at Touya, who was frowning in confusion. Syaoran's eyes widened in shock at what he'd done.
"Did . . . you hear another voice?" Yuki asked in confusion, and Touya nodded. He turned slowly to face the pillar Syaoran was behind and he frowned at it. "Maybe it was just an echo." Touya shook his head and started for the pillar. Syaoran didn't waste another second; he fled from the palace as quickly as he could.
'So. Sakura's father intends to marry her off.' He thought grimly and a plan started to form in his head. 'Well, he won't get very far if I have anything to do with it.' And with that, he sped off to set his plan in motion.
To be continued!
Chapter Two: Fated Meeting
The day of Meilin's marriage dawned as brightly as the ones before it, and the entire castle was up much earlier than usual. Meilin's betrothed, Seiji Tanaka of a neighboring kingdom had arrived the day before. Sakura's head still pounded from the blaring of fanfares and the celebration that had taken place. She grimaced as three attendants dressed her for the wedding.
"Is something not to your liking, my lady?" One of the attendants asked softly and Sakura looked at her in surprise. "You wear an unfavorable expression." The attendant adjusted the pale yellow silk of her robes so it hung more flatteringly on her figure.
"Oh, it's not the dress." The attendant putting up her curls stopped and Sakura shook her head. "I like what you were doing with my hair as well." In the full-length mirror, she could see the attendant's face awash with relief. "Chika, would you please bring me something for headaches? Mine won't stop pounding."
"Of course, my lady." The attendant who had been selecting jewelry bowed to her with a small smile and hurried from the room. Sakura sighed inwardly as the two dressing her stepped back, finished.
"Your work is as wonderful as ever." Sakura said with a smile. Her hair had been pulled up gracefully with several soft curls framing her face and falling down her back. She moved to place a circlet of gold around her head, signifying her rank, and put on her jewelry carefully. No sooner had she done that did the door open and Chika set a small flask of purple liquid before her.
"Your headache potion, my lady." Sakura nodded in thanks and downed the contents quickly. She made a face at the sharp bitter taste, but her headache vanished instantly.
"Is Sakura ready to head to the temple?" A soft voice asked, and everyone looked up to see Yukito standing in the open doorway. Sakura smiled at him and nodded.
"I am, Yukito. But.where is my brother?" She nodded in thanks to her attendants and stepped up to her friend. Yukito offered her his arm and she took it, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks. She still hadn't quite gotten over her crush on him.
"Your brother is already at the temple. He, Tanaka, and your father were to be the first people there." Sakura nodded slightly. "And Touya wanted to keep you from public eye at all costs. He's very worried about the abandonment of goddess Yelan's temples." She glanced up to see Yukito wearing a rather serious expression.
"Anyone with any sense can see that this transfer of worship is going to have consequences." Sakura said grimly.
"And Touya wants to do everything in his power to keep them from landing on you." Yukito said softly and they reached the doors to the palace. Two attendants opened them and another helped them into a carriage. The door shut behind them and soon the carriage was speeding off to the temple.
"I know." Sakura said softly and looked at her hands. "All I can do is hope that the gods realize that I can do nothing to stop it." She could feel Yukito's gaze on her and she looked up to see him smiling gently.
"I'm sure things will turn out as they should. The gods may be cruel, but they can also be kind. And I know they will be kind to a person such as yourself, Sakura." She returned his smile and the carriage lurched to a halt. The door opened and a different attendant helped her out.
"It's the princess! The beautiful princess!" Sakura fought a grimace as shouts of surprise and joy rose up. She hated this.
"All praise her! She is a goddess!" Sakura tried to smile as she was lead to the entrance of the temple, and she hoped it didn't look too forced.
"Bow to her, the goddess Sakura!" She was glad when she finally got inside the temple and yet another attendant led her to wear the women in the wedding were meeting. She was let into a large room with three other women in it, and they looked up as she entered.
"Little sister, I'm pleased to see you could make it." Sakura blinked as she realized Tomoyo was smiling at her gently.
"Tomoyo!" She cried and hugged her sister fiercely. The two other women laughed. "And Nana! Oh, it's so good to see you!" She was more careful in hugging the older woman. "How did you get here?"
"I wanted her to give me away." Sakura blinked at Meiling, who was wearing an elaborate dress of white. Her dark hair had been left down and certain locks had been braided. Little white flowers had been interwoven into the braids, and she held a white veil.
"What about Father?" Sakura asked in confusion and Meilin smirked.
"What father? Nana was more of a parent to us than he'll ever be." Meilin said, and Sakura glanced at Tomoyo, who was wearing a sad expression. "If he truly cared about us, he wouldn't have forced these marriages on us." Tomoyo nodded once.
"I didn't argue with you about that, Meilin." Tomoyo said quietly. "But I still think that Father should be the one to escort you. It'd be a great insult otherwise." Meilin shook her head, her silver jewelry flashing.
"Then let him be insulted. Maybe he'll wait then in marrying off Sakura." A loud knock on the door broke off their conversation and an attendant entered and bowed.
"My ladies, the wedding is to begin." The three women stood to join Sakura and the attendant. Sakura could sense the sudden nervousness that had cropped up in Meilin as Nana placed the veil over her head. Tomoyo handed Sakura a basket of flower petals and the two of them went first from the room. It was their job to spread the petals before the bride could walk to the altar.
A light song began to play as the two of them walked side by side down the aisle, flower petals flying from their hands. Sakura could see Touya and her father standing at the altar beside Meilin's husband to be and the priest of Juno (Hera) who would wed them.
Sakura and Tomoyo reached the altar and bowed to their father before turning their attention to the back of the room, where Meilin and Nana now stood. A new song struck up and the two began to walk forward slowly. Meilin had drawn herself up to her full height, and Sakura could see her red eyes shining beneath the veil.
'She's determined to look regal.' Sakura thought with a smile. That was her sister all right.
Meilin and Nana finally reached the altar, and Tanaka stepped forward to take his bride. Sakura's mind began to wander after that moment and she sighed inwardly. She was distantly aware of the priest leading the couple in marriage chants, but it was nothing new. She'd been present at Tomoyo's wedding, and this one was exactly the same.
'If Father ever finds a suitor for me, I hope my wedding isn't this boring.' She thought as her gaze began to wander out over the audience. Her gaze brushed one of a young man at the very back and then she blinked and looked back at him quickly. He was staring at the temple idly, his expression uninterested.
"Who . . ." She whispered with a frown. Abruptly he looked at her, as though he felt her gaze on him and their eyes met. A surprised jolt flashed through Sakura as she looked into his deep amber eyes and she took an unconscious step back. There . . . there was such power behind his eyes.
"Sakura?" Tomoyo asked softly, her attention still on Meilin. Sakura shook herself free from the young man's gaze and glanced at her sister. "Are you all right?" She nodded.
"I'm fine." Sakura whispered back and struggled to keep her gaze from returning to the young man. But after a few minutes of listening to the marriage chants, she couldn't stop her gaze from drifting to where he had been seated.
'What . . .?' She thought in surprise. The young man was gone. 'But where could he have gone to without causing a disruption?' She frowned as her gaze searched the temple, but he was no where to be seen.
"I wonder . . . " Sakura murmured quietly. "I wonder who he was . . ."
***
Syaoran stood outside the Juno Temple of Tomoeda, his mind and heart racing. No one should've been able to see him sitting inside the temple, yet that girl . . . her emerald eyes had gazed at him. She'd seen him and could almost sense who he was.
But who was she? The moment her gaze had left him, he'd fled from the temple. Now that he was no longer preoccupied with getting away, his mind could register how beautiful she'd been. But . . . he still didn't know who she was.
'Listen to yourself.' He thought angrily. 'Your mother sends you on a simple errand and what's the first thing you do?' He sighed after a moment. 'I'm hopeless.'
From the time he'd spent talking to the mortals in this city, he'd found out that the girl they were worshiping was one of the princesses, and that meant she'd be in the temple right now. But all people had been able to tell him was of her beauty. There'd been no defining characteristics, such as a birthmark, or eye color. It was as if no one had seen her, and they were all going on word of mouth.
The doors opened suddenly and people began to pour from the temple. Syaoran watched for the green-eyed beauty, but he didn't see her among the throng. After a moment, he caught the wrist of a passer-by.
"Excuse me, but is there going to be an after party?" He asked politely, and the surprised man nodded. "Do you know where?"
"Probably at the palace. But no one below noble birth is allowed." The man got himself free and hurried from Syaoran, who nodded to himself. The Sakura he was supposed to be chasing must be at the after party; it was the wedding of her sister, after all.
'Maybe I'll be able to ask that girl . . .' He caught himself thinking that and sighed. 'I am such a fool. Focus on the first task and then you can inquire about the other girl.' He took a step back into the shadows and prepared to join the after party.
***
Touya sat beside his father at the main table, bored out of his mind. The after party was only about half way over, and he wanted nothing more than to leave, but he stayed for one reason alone. He didn't want anyone approaching Sakura tonight during the dancing. Tomoyo and Meilin had made him promise to keep her dancing with either himself or Yuki so their father wouldn't get any ideas for suitors.
'But he hasn't seen Tomoyo and Meilin in eight years, and that didn't stop him from finding them husbands.' He thought miserably and his gaze landed on Sakura and Yuki, who were dancing across the floor. They were easily the most graceful couple out there.
"Touya, can I ask your advice?" Touya blinked and glanced over at his father. "Who do you think would be suitable for Sakura?" He suppressed a growl as his father's gaze swept across the room. "Perhaps the son of King Asamiya?" Touya shook his head.
"I don't think anyone here is worthy enough of Sakura. I'm sure you could find better candidates, Father." Touya said while struggling to keep his anger hidden. "Besides, why must Sakura marry now? Why not wait a few years?" His father gave him a sharp look.
"Because it is essential for this kingdom. You'll understand when you take the throne and have children of your own." His father stood and Touya could barely conceal his resentment. "I think I'll approach King Asamiya . . ."
Touya couldn't stand it any longer. He banged a fist on the table and his father turned to him, slightly stunned. The music and light conversations stopped as Touya stood and fixed his father with an angry glare.
"Why don't you ask Sakura what she wants? You sure didn't bother with Tomoyo and Meilin." Touya said quietly and his father's eyes widened.
"What was that?" His father asked, his voice a mixture of surprise and growing anger.
"They were married off before they even knew what was happening." Touya snapped back. "At least give Sakura the choice of selecting her husband." And with that Touya turned on his heel and stormed from the room.
***
Sakura watched her brother storm from the room and concern welled up inside of her. She started to go after him, but a hand on her shoulder stopped her from moving. She looked up to see Yukito shake his head slightly.
"I'll go after him, Sakura. Your brother just needs some one to listen to him right now." She nodded and he hurried off, leaving her alone in the middle of the dance floor. Her father turned to all the guests and put on his best smile.
"Please forgive my son's rude behavior, and continue!" The music began once more, but her father left the ballroom. Sakura sighed slightly and moved to get off the dance floor. With no partner, there was no reason for her to be out here.
"Excuse me, miss?" She blinked as a hand caught her wrist and she turned slightly to the voice. "If you don't have a partner, may I have this dance?" She turned around to face him and gasped. It was the young man from the temple.
"Of course. I'd love to dance with you." She said, her eyes locked with his deep amber ones. Their hands touched lightly and they began to waltz slightly to the music. A long time passed where Sakura just stared up at him. His chocolate brown hair was slightly messy and she longed to reach up and brush it from his eyes. His presence was so comforting and strong; it made her forget anything else existed.
"I hate to break your thoughts, but is it your custom to dance and never speak a word?" He asked, his tone light and teasing. Sakura blinked and shook her head.
"Oh, forgive me! But I've never seen someone with eyes was beautiful as yours." She nearly bit off her tongue in surprise. She hadn't meant to say that, but it had popped out anyway. The young man blinked before smiling gently.
"I could say the same about you." Sakura felt her cheeks heat and she looked away.
"May I ask your name?" She asked quickly, trying to change the subject. He seemed to sense her embarrassment and nodded.
"You may ask, but I might not say just the same." She looked back at him to see his eyes filled with light laughter. "I'm sorry, I couldn't resist. My name is Xiao Lang." She smiled up at him, but before she could say anything, he cut in. "May I ask a question? I'm a stranger to this city, and I see that the goddess Yelan's temples have been abandoned. Why is that?" Sakura slumped visibly, her smile fading.
"I'd almost forgotten about that." She said bitterly and felt his questioning gaze upon her. "The people have started worshiping me against my will. They say I am as beautiful as a goddess and deserve every possible curtsey." They stopped dancing abruptly and she looked up at Xiao Lang in confusion.
"They're worshiping . . . you?" His voice held shock that mirrored his expression and slight annoyance flittered through Sakura. "You . . . are the princess Sakura?" She nodded, confusion banishing the annoyance.
"You didn't know?" He shook his head and bowed deeply. "Please don't do that . . ."
"Forgive me, my lady, but I must be going now. Thank you for the dance." Sakura blinked and for the second time that night she was alone on the dance floor. She looked around quickly, searching for a chocolate haired man, but as before, she couldn't find him anywhere.
'But I know his name now.' She thought determinedly and moved off the dance floor. 'And I will find out who this Xiao Lang is, no matter what.'
***
Syaoran materialized behind a pillar in the Kinomoto palace and he sank to the ground. The worst possible thing that could've happened had; he'd fallen in love with the young woman his mother had sent him to spell. He rubbed his temples with his fingertips and sighed angrily.
'My own power, being used against me . . .' He shook his head. 'And there's nothing I can possibly do against my heart.' He sighed again and tilted his head back so it rested against the pillar.
"Sakura . . ." He said quietly, her name music to his ears. Her face appeared before him then, her gentle smile and her deep green eyes. He could stare into those emerald orbs all night . . .
"Touya, slow down! You're walking in circles because you don't notice where you're going!" Syaoran started at the voices and made himself invisible. Two men walked by then; one had dark brown hair and the other had slivery hair. Anger poured of the dark haired one, while the other pleaded with him to calm down.
"I can't believe him!" The dark haired one, Touya, yelled and stopped walking abruptly. "He doesn't even bother with anyone's opinion but his own! He doesn't care if Meilin and Tomoyo are miserable!" Syaoran walked curiously as Touya began to pace back and forth, while the silver haired man watched in silence.
"He feels he's doing what's best." Touya glared at the other.
"But it's not best for them! Yuki, I wish I could open his eyes and see just how unhappy he's made Tomoyo and Meilin! I want him to see how unhappy he's going to make Sakura!" Syaoran blinked and began to listen to the conversation more intently.
'What's going on?' He thought with a frown and he heard Yuki sigh softly.
"You don't know that, Touya. Perhaps Sakura will be lucky and wind up loving the man she is betrothed to." Anger sparked up in both Syaoran and Touya.
"She won't!" Both yelled and Yuki blinked in surprise. He stared at Touya, who was frowning in confusion. Syaoran's eyes widened in shock at what he'd done.
"Did . . . you hear another voice?" Yuki asked in confusion, and Touya nodded. He turned slowly to face the pillar Syaoran was behind and he frowned at it. "Maybe it was just an echo." Touya shook his head and started for the pillar. Syaoran didn't waste another second; he fled from the palace as quickly as he could.
'So. Sakura's father intends to marry her off.' He thought grimly and a plan started to form in his head. 'Well, he won't get very far if I have anything to do with it.' And with that, he sped off to set his plan in motion.
To be continued!