Hey everyone! I'm starting this chapter midweek, but chances are, it won't be updated until this weekend. If it's not the weekend, and this chapter is up, consider yourselves fortunate! I actually had time in my week to finish it. God I hate school sometimes. I could launch into a huge ass rant right now, but I doubt anyone reading this would have any idea what I'm talking about, so I won't. (Starts grumbling anyway about stupid administration and how they do their damnedest to keep you on campus, even if you've got permission to leave.) Anyway, disclaimers still apply. Wait, I've got a review to answer! (I was about to actually start the chapter.) Yes, I know her (Psyche) sisters are real bitches, and no, I'm not going to make them like that. I like Tomoyo and Meilin too much to do that to them. Oh, and warning! This chapter focuses entirely on Sakura and Syaoran, so yes, it will get mushy. You may skim if you don't like mush, but I will be very hurt! Anyway, (thinks for a second to see if she's forgot anything) onward!

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Chapter Five: Master of the Palace

Syaoran floated through the lush meadow, the tips of his toes just brushing the flowers. A small smile had managed to work itself onto his face as he approached his palace. He couldn't wait; if everything had gone well, she would be there. He'd left a spirit to watch out for her and wait on her, and he hoped she'd had a relaxing evening.

'She's probably sleeping by now.' He thought as he drew nearer. It had been a struggle to make it through the day. He'd worked extremely hard to hide his sudden good mood from his mother, who was now upset that the citizens of Tomoeda were mourning their lost princess.

"At least she thinks she went off to marry a serpent." He murmured as he reached the steps of his palace. He didn't want to think about the consequences of his actions at this moment; he just wanted to get to Sakura.

Syaoran walked up to the doors of the palace and waited as patiently as he could while they opened. Though he wouldn't show it on the surface, restlessness suddenly churned within him. Only an occasional tap of his foot or look in his eye ever betrayed the impatience he was experiencing. He drew a deep breath as the doors finally banged open and he strode into the bright hallway.

"You are early, Lord Syaoran." There was a swirl of wind and a translucent image of a young woman appeared. Her skin was pale blue and her hair was deep green. It seemed to float about her. "Your lady is waiting, and I think she is asleep."

"Which room is she in?" Syaoran asked, his heart leaping slightly. The young woman's silver eyes gazed at him for a moment before giving him her hand. Her fingers were long and slender; they practically looked like twigs.

"The room you told me to put her in." She said softly and Syaoran gasped slightly as the hallway seemed to fall from beneath him. Once he blinked, however, he found he was now standing in a different hallway.

"She awaits your comfort, my lord, in there." She pointed at a door before vanishing in a second swirl of wind and Syaoran was left alone. He stared at the door for what seemed like forever, his mind fighting an internal battle with itself. He should go to her; it's what he desired, wasn't it? That's why he took so many pains, that's why he created this place. So why . . . why was he hesitating?

'I don't know her.' He thought with a start. 'I've fallen for her beauty, but what if she has the personality of a rock?' He shook his head then at his ridiculousness. 'I swear, I'm such a fool. Just do it.' He took a step towards the door and reached for every shred of courage within himself.

"Here goes nothing." He whispered and reached for the door handle.

***

Sakura rolled over sleepily in her bed and yawned; she was only half-awake, and it upset her. She'd been having the most wonderful dream. The master of the palace had finally arrived and had spent days upon days with her. She'd been so relieved that he wasn't a serpent; he'd even laughed at her when she'd told him her fear.

"Little princess," he had said, "do I look like a monster to you?" She'd shaken her head, a faint pink tinge appearing on her cheeks. He'd laughed again at her expression before taking his hand in hers. She'd gazed into his eyes then, and just before she'd awoken, she'd marveled at their beauty.

'His eyes, they were the same . . .' She thought drowsily while burying her face into her pillow slightly. 'They were the same as that young man's . . . the one from the party . . .' She sighed and yawned before drifting back to sleep.

A noise then made her eyes snap open. The door was creaking open and she resisted the urge to roll over and see who was entering. Her heart began to pound as she saw a strip of light illuminate her room for a moment. There . . . there was no one else in the castle, right? Then who was this?

'Is it the serpent?' She fought to keep her breathing steady as the door clicked shut and the room was plunged into darkness. 'Am I to die now?' She squeezed her eyes shut in fear as light footsteps neared the bed. 'Dear gods, help me! How do I defend myself against a monster?'

Sakura flinched as she heard the veils surrounding her bed part. He was close; he probably was staring down at her this moment. He was a monster, after all. They could see in pitch black, couldn't they?

'Go away, I'm asleep.' She thought desperately. Her hands began to clutch her pillow as another creak sounded, except this one was the bed. 'Please, just go away!' She heard the rustling of sheets and covers as he crept towards her and her whole body tensed. She was going to be eaten, she just knew it . . .

"Hello?" A soft voice whispered and Sakura screamed as a hand touched her shoulder. She flew out of bed, her legs tangled in the sheets and scrambled towards where she remembered the balcony being. She finally found the doors and reached to tug them open, but a pair of strong arms wrapped themselves around her and stopped her from acting. She then felt herself being dragged away from the doors.

"Let me go!" She yelled as she struggled. "Let me go this instant!" If anything, the arms held her tighter. "HELP!" She screamed. "I'm going to be eaten by a monster! Someone, HELP!"

"Stop struggling!" He said, but he didn't seem to be having any difficulty in holding her. "I'm not going to eat you. I'm not a monster." Sakura blinked at that and abruptly the arms released her. She fell forward onto the bed with a surprised plop and she turned quickly to try and see the man.

"Then what are you, if you're not a monster?" She said, her eyes straining to see anything, but the only thing she could make out was the dim outline of a young man. "You could also just be assuming human form!"

"True." He said and she could sense him sit beside her. "But I'm not a monster, and neither am I a cannibal." She blinked as he moved a lock of hair from her face, his fingertips gently brushing her cheek. "This isn't the touch of a serpent, is it?"

"How can I be sure?" She found his hand and held it. He remained silent, so her hands began to creep up his arms until they reached his shoulders, her fingers sliding over muscular flesh. Her hands began to move inwards then, and found the fabric of a garment before reaching his neck. Her fingers trailed upwards then and traced the outlines of his face before running though his thick hair. She returned then to his face to lightly touch his eyes, nose and lips.

"You are . . ." She whispered as she drew back and could almost see him frown. Relief flooded through her and she smiled. "You are human." He laughed gently and Sakura could just begin to make out his movements. Her eyes were finally adjusting.

"Did you still need more proof?" He said with a hint of light teasing. She shook her head.

"Now I'd like to know who you are and what you're doing in my room."

"I'm the master of this place. My job keeps me away until ungodly hours of the night, but I thought I'd peak in and see the lovely guest my servants were speaking of so excitedly." Sakura blinked as his hand touched her cheek again, but this time it remained. "And they were right. You are by far the most beautiful woman I have ever seen." He said, his voice suddenly husky and serious.

"How can you tell?" She said softly. Suddenly her insides her trembling, though it wasn't from fear. "It's so dark in here, I can't begin to see what you look like."

"I can tell by your spirit. Your looks mean nothing to me." A happy jolt went through Sakura. It was a good thing that he couldn't see her, because she was quite sure her cheeks were glowing.

"What is it you do, my lord, that keeps you from your home until late? Could it be that you work for the gods?" She said after a moment in an attempt to change the subject and frowned as his hand tensed slightly. "No mortal man I have met has a house as splendid as yours. And no one has invisible servants."

"They're not invisible; they just remain out of your sight." She opened her mouth to say something more, but his hand stopped her. "And I am surprised you guessed it so quickly." Her frown deepened. "I am the shepherd for the god Eriol's sheep (A/N: Apollo has a herd of sheep, remember?), and he rewards me handsomely for my efforts. That is how I came to have such a splendid house."

"I see." She paused in thought. "Then the reason you have no other guests in such a large place is that you are never home to entertain?" She could see him nod slightly.

"Exactly." There was a long moment where neither spoke, and finally Sakura yawned. "Oh, forgive me, my lady. I woke you up, didn't I?" She blinked as he stood. "I'll leave now and let you get some rest."

"No, wait!" She said and caught his wrist. She could sense confusion in him as he turned to face her. "I . . . I really don't mind talking to you. In fact, I enjoy it. I've been on my own all day, and I miss having people to talk to."

"But we can't just talk all night. You'd sleep all of tomorrow." Sakura looked up to what she thought was his face. She could just begin to make out the profile of his features.

"So?" Another long moment of silence passed between them and Sakura drew a deep breath to summon courage. "I'd like to know more about the master of the house that I'm staying in. And something tells me you're a wonderful person." She felt her cheeks heat a second time. "And . . ." She dropped his wrist and started fiddling with the sheets of the bed. "I'd appreciate it if you'd stay. This is such a large house, and I feel so alone. With you here, it doesn't seem so big. It doesn't seem so empty."

"All right." He said softly and her heart leaped for joy. "But it is late, my lady. If I promise to come back tomorrow night and stay with you again, will you go to sleep?"

"Of course."

"Then I promise to stay beside you every night and talk to you." She smiled up at him; his voice held such warmth. "But I must get up much earlier than you, so when you awake, I won't be by your side." She nodded as she crawled beneath the sheets.

"As long as you come back the next night, I don't mind." She lay her head on her pillow and blinked as he pulled the covers around her.

"Sleep well, my lady." He said softly and kissed her forehead gently. Sakura couldn't help but glow.

"Good-night." She said to him softly and was soon asleep.

***

Time passed swiftly for Sakura and she soon began to feel as though she'd known the master of the palace for years and not months. Every night he would come and they would talk for hours upon hours. Sometimes she would wait up for him, and other times he would wake her gently.

They talked about practically every imaginable subject. She'd told him about herself finally, but she didn't say much about her family; the pain of leaving them was still too fresh in her mind. She also told him about the fate the god Eriol had foretold to her, how she'd been told that she would marry a serpent. He said then that their first meeting now made sense to him. He'd been wondering why she'd thought he was a serpent.

"I thought that you were coming to eat me at last." She'd said, somewhat abashed. He'd laughed then, and Sakura had reflected how much his laugh sounded like the man from her dream.

She'd also asked him if he cared that she was a princess, and he'd said no. After all, she wasn't living with her family, and no real laws reached his palace, so he didn't mind. He said he was thankful that she wasn't a standard arrogant one, and she'd laughed.

"You should laugh more." He'd said then. "Your laughter is like music." She'd blushed.

After a few more weeks, Sakura finally remembered to ask him his name. Every night she'd meant to ask, but it always seemed like she'd remember right before she fell asleep. That night, Sakura had been sitting on one of the divans, reading. She'd fallen asleep and woken up to the master shaking her gently.

"Hello!" She said brightly after she realized it was him. He'd scared her yet again when he woke her up. "Why is it so dark in here? I'm sure I had a light."

"You let your oil lamp burn out again." He said with a small amount of amusement as he sat beside her on the divan. "This is the third time you've done that waiting up for me."

"I know." She said sheepishly and moved closer to him. "But I couldn't sleep, so I started reading. I wanted to be awake when you came. I didn't mean to fall asleep."

"You didn't seem to be having any problems when I arrived." She cuffed him on his shoulder and he laughed. "I'm sorry. I couldn't resist." She did her best to look cross, but her frown wouldn't stay on her face.

"You're too much sometimes, you know that?" She said with a smile and could faintly see him return it.

"I know." He reached out and touched her cheek gently, sending shivers down her spine. She placed her hand over his and squeezed it gently before looking up at his face. She could almost see his eyes in the darkness of their room and she focused on them.

"Could I call you Xiao Lang?" She said suddenly, just as it popped into her head. Her question had broken the spell between them and had caught him off guard; she could almost see him blinking at her in surprise.

"You may call me whatever you like." He said at last. "But why that name? Why do you want to call me Xiao Lang?"

"Because I just remembered that I always forget to ask your real name." She paused for a moment. "And then, today I realized that your presence reminded me of someone I'd met a while ago, and he told me his name was Xiao Lang. I figured it'd only be appropriate to call you as such." There was another long moment of silence. "I hope I haven't offended you in any way." She said meekly after the silence grew.

"Not at all!" He said quickly. "That name just brings back a lot of memories for me."

"Oh?"

"I had a brother by the name of Xiao Lang." He said quietly. "But . . . he died." Sakura blinked and he leaned forward slightly so that his arms rested on his thighs. "He thought himself better than a god; he claimed to have stronger magic than Clow Reed himself, and thus Clow Reed struck him with a lightning bolt and killed him." Sympathy welled up within Sakura and she touched his arm gently.

"I'm so sorry. If the name brings up those unpleasant memories, then I won't call you that! I'll just think of a different name." She thought for a moment. "Before I do though, I have a question." He turned his attention to her. "Wouldn't you hate the gods for what they did to your brother? And yet you work for one."

"My brother was a fool, Sakura. I don't hate the gods for what they did." Sakura gave him a puzzled expression. "You don't hate them for the fate they dealt you, do you?" Her puzzlement slowly turned to icy anger.

"I don't hate them for the fate they've given me." She said quietly. "I'm angry for what they've done to my family and the suffering they've caused." She stood and moved to stare down at his form. "They took my mother from us when I was only three, and my father was never the same gentle man after that. My brother says he began to hate women for the pain they caused."

"But that's . . ." She placed a finger on his lips, silencing him.

"The gods, in effect, have ripped my family to pieces. Both my older sisters have been married off to men they don't even know, and my father and brother hate eachother. And just because my father wouldn't listen to my wishes to stop those stupid worships and offerings, the goddess Yelan grew angry with me and thus I am now fated to wed a serpent." She could feel hot, frustrated tears appear in her eyes.

"You may not hate them for the death of your brother, but I certainly think they're cruel and unreasonable! Wouldn't they be able to tell what is in my heart? Wouldn't they be able to tell that I don't want to be worshiped like a goddess?" Her tears were now trickling down her cheeks and she watched him stand. "They don't seem to realize or care what they've done to my family. My brother Touya . . . this must've crushed him! And my sisters . . . they were old enough to remember my mother's death! Now all three of them have had to watch me, in a way, die!"

"Sakura . . ." He took a small step towards her, but she pulled away.

"I'm sorry, my lord, I shouldn't have exploded like that." She said quietly while trying to reign in her anger and her tears. "Our opinions on the gods clearly differ greatly, and I shouldn't have yelled." She sniffled a little.

"Oh Sakura." She blinked as she was suddenly enfolded in a fierce hug. "You're incredible, you know that?" Confusion filtered through her as she found herself pressed against him. "You never think of yourself first. You don't hate the gods because you're supposed to marry a serpent; you hate them because of the suffering they're causing your family." Her arms slipped around him after a moment and she clung to him, tears once again welling in her eyes.

"I'm sorry . . ." She said softly, tears flowing down her cheeks as she buried her face in his shoulder. His arms tightened around her and a hand massaged her back gently.

"Why are you apologizing? You're not the one who brought this up. I'm the one who asked you in the first place." He said, his voice a soft rumble in her ear. She choked back a sob he began to shush her gently.

"I'm so sorry . . ." She whispered as she cried against him. After a moment, she stomped down her sorrow and she pushed him away gently. He released his grip on her and she could feel his concerned gaze on her.

"Are you all right now?"

"I am." She whispered and sniffled slightly. "Thank you." She said while she looked at the ground, and his hands moved to rest on her shoulders. "You . . . you must think I'm so pathetic. All I seem to do is cry." Bitterness began to seep into her soft voice and her hands balled into fists as frustration grew within her. "I can't do anything for my family. I wish I could tell them I'm alive and well so they wouldn't have to suffer! I wish I could do something!"

"Sakura, look at me." He touched her gently beneath her chin and brought her face look up at him. "I think you're very strong. Not many people would just face up to certain death like you did." She looked up at him, all her emotions washing away. He took a deep breath before continuing. "If you want the honest truth, I could never think any less of you. And that's because . . ." He trailed off and she could sense uncertainty from him.

"Why can't you think any less of me?" She said softly. A strange tension had suddenly charged the air and unconsciously Sakura felt herself drawing closer to him.

"Over the three months that . . . that I've been coming here, and talking to you, I've - " Sakura reached up and touched his cheek gently, causing him to stop speaking suddenly. "Sakura, I . . ." He trailed off again with a slight sigh.

"What is it? Just say it." She said as his hand moved from beneath her chin to her cheek. "Why is it so hard to say?"

"It's just that - "

Before he could say anything more, their lips met in a slight kiss. They pulled away briefly, somewhat stunned, but they pressed together again quickly, their lips meeting deeply. Sakura's arms snaked around his neck, and felt one arm wrap around her waist. The other hand was in her hair, pulling her face to him.

"I love you . . ." He managed to get out at last, the words sending tingles up and down Sakura's body. She responded by kissing him passionately, little thrills going through her as his fingertips brushed the back of her neck.

"You'd dare to love a woman who's condemned to be eaten by a serpent?" She asked before laying a trail of kisses from his ear back to his mouth. Her hands reached up and tangled themselves in his hair while he buried his face against her neck.

"I told you, I don't care. As long as you stay here, no damn serpent is going to find you." He whispered and their lips met again and again. "I love you, Sakura. I won't let you be eaten by some monster." He said fiercely, and Sakura melted with joy.

"I love you too." She said before hugging him tightly. "I feel like I've loved you forever . . ." They kissed yet again, and Sakura wished it would never end . . .

To be continued!

Yes, I know, I know. Mushy, corny, what else? Tell me what you think. Most of my friends think I'm a little over board in the mush department, so I try to tone it down a little. If you don't think it was enough . . . well, I'll just leave what happens the rest of the night up to your imagination. (Winks) Hey, this is PG-13, after all. And besides, I suck at writing lemons, and I have no desire to. Anyway, the next chapter will hopefully be coming soon, but seeing as I'm coming down with a cold, it might be a while. Hope to update again soon! -Shasta Rose