Title: Once Upon A Time

Chapter: 7 - Chiharu and Takashi's Vacationing Hotel

By: Sparkling Crystal

Daylight quickly crept by without noticing, time flies when as Syaoran and Sakura slowly work their ways to Cherossyom. Soon darkness was around them, no more passengers were seen on the empty road, and the wind begins to grow stronger and colder as they walked.

Finally after such a loooooong period of time, they've arrived at the village that the woman had told them about. Sakura was half-leaning on Syaoran and half falling asleep. Her legs were tired and aching to death.

The desire of a comfortable and warm bed was on both of their minds.

They walked up to a fancy looking place that has the words "Chiharu and Takashi's Sweet Vacationing Hotel" on a big banner in front of the great Entrance Doors.

"Ano, I wish we could stay here too, Syaoran-kun, but we have absolutely no money!" Sakura said as her stomach began to growl once again.

Syaoran smiled a mischievous smile and dragged Sakura towards the entrance unwillingly.

"It'd be too embarrassing if we just just went in without doing anything-Syaoran! Syaoran, stop this! We're going to look like idiots-"

But non-alas, Sakura was not match for Syaoran's strong arms.

They walked up to the Registration, with Sakura looking down at her shoes and Syaoran with that same mischievous grin on him.

A girl about their age and two big brown braids smiled upon them, "Konbonwa! Watashi wa Chiharu desu. How may I help you?"

Syaoran smiled at her, "Don't you recognize me, Chiharu-san? I was only here last month."

Chiharu studied him for a second, "Gomen nasai, we have many customers here, and-"

"And you can't even remember your best customer from Naroays." Syaoran finished for her.

Chiharu's eyes widened.

"Prince Syaoran! Gomen, gomen! Please come right this way, your usual room has already been prepared for you, and anytime you want your favourite dishes will be served right up!"

Chiharu greeted enthusiastically and then called excitedly to the kitchen, "Takashi!! Takashi!! Come and see who's here!"

A young man with black hair, squinty eyes, and a happy smile came out to see what his wife was screaming about. As soon as he saw Syaoran he too, went all excited.

"Prince Syaoran, long time no see! We just have theses strawberries imported from the far away Country of Englen! Did you know that in Englen, strawberries are actually-"

"Actually as stupid as you are!" Chiharu grumbled as she dragged Takashi away.

Sakura blinked at the whole situation in a confused way.

Chiharu smiled, "Although he tends to lie a lot we do just have this little bit of strawberries from the country of Englen, because Prince of Englen, Prince Eriol, is actually staying here! One of his servant's our old friend, and he sneaked a little bit of strawberries that they brought along for us to try!"

Syaoran smiled, "Chiharu-san, there is one bit of problem. Out of my hurry I seemed to have forgot to bring any money, and this lady," he gestured at Sakura, "Princess Sakura of Cherossyom, will also be accompanying me."

Chiharu shrugged and smiled, "Don't worry, you're our best customer. We know where to find you. Just remember to pay us the next time you stay here!! As for Princess Sakura," Chiharu looked at Sakura, "She's very welcome to stay with us!" Then she got up and lead Syaoran and Sakura around the corridors, stairs, and hallways, and finally into their super-deluxe rooms.

"This place is like a mini-palace!" Sakura thought as she followed Chiharu silently.

"Please send us our dinner in half-an-hour," Syaoran said as they arrived at their rooms. They were side by side, and the whole row of rooms were all reserved, some especially reserved for certain people, such as Syaoran's. Oh the door of his room was even labeled in a gold plate, "Reserved" and followed by the name "Prince Syaoran of Naroays" on another gold plate under it.

Chiharu bowed with a smile and hurriedly along downstairs.

Syaoran grinned at Sakura, who gapped at him.

"You should've told me earlier!!" Sakura said in annoyance, "You got me all worried and then-ARGH!!"

Syaoran tried not to laugh, "Well, why don't we both get ourselves cleaned before the dinner arrives?"

Sakura finally nodded after scolding him for a little while longer, a warm bath would really be helpful right now. She waved good-bye to Syaoran and entered her room. It was astonishingly beautiful, and very big too. Sakura blinked a few times. The huge king-sized four-poster bed was covered in light satin, the pillows were plump and soft. The white sheets lay delicately on top of the bed, and beside the bed was a pure white night stand with a shiny bright lamp sitting gracefully on it. Directly across the bed was a desk, again in the theme of white, and to the back was a huge window accompanied by semi-transparent sky blue curtains. From the window laid the whole village, sparkling and shining in front of her.

Sakura sighed as she finally stopped admiring the view, these luxury began to make her miss home. Her palace in Cherossyom, Tomoyo in Cherossyom, Wilma in Cherossyom, her horse in Cherossyom, and just about all the little flowers and plants that grow in Cherossyom.

She shook her head, this was no time to think about home. It was your fault you got into this situation in the first place: riding irresponsibly and wildly on your horse, ending up in Naroays, making Syaoran's mother angry, escaping the palace with Syaoran...scenes of the past flash before her eyes.

But she can say, that she did all these...for Syaoran.

* * *

"...a roasted chicken, the Chiharu and Takashi's Special, and finally, two sample strawberries all the way from Englen!" Chiharu said as she served up their dinner.

Both Syaoran and Sakura were much energized by their baths and now are just starving to see the delicious food placed in front of them.

They devoured the food so fast that Chiharu was shocked from watching them.

After the meal Sakura gently lift one of the strawberries from the china plate and putted into her mouth. The juicy and sweet taste filled her mouth.

"Mmm...delicious!"

Sakura said as she finished the strawberry.

"I'm glad you like them."

An unknown male voice said from the back.

Syaoran turned immediately, and just to see a smiling blue-ish-black haired young man with glasses standing there.

Chiharu's face immediately turned pale white.

Sakura blinked at the guy, "Do we know you by any chance?"

Chiharu stammered as the guy started walking towards them.

"Not before, but certainly now," he said in a mysteriously way. Syaoran studied him and then grumbled in an annoyed tone, "Who are you? And what are you dong bothering us eating our dinner?"

Chiharu quickly stood up to the guy, still stammering a little, "Prince E-Eriol, may I-I introduce Prince Syaoran of Naroays, and P-Princess Sakura of Chera-Charo-Chelo-"

"Cherossyom." Sakura finished for her. It was better for her to say it than have Chiharu stuck on that word for another half-an-hour like other people have done in past experiences.

Eriol smiled, "Please to make your acquaintance."

Sakura suddenly understood why Chiharu was stammering. The strawberries! An old friend snuck a little bit for Chiharu and Takashi for old time's sake and Eriol had just saw them eating it!

But then...who can tell where strawberries are from by looking at it?

Syaoran was also pretty awkward, unsure of what to do.

Eriol smiled at the couple, "Would you mind if I join you? I'm quite bored and couldn't get to sleep...it would be great pleasure if I could stay and chat with the likes of you two."

Sakura smile back, he seemed like a nice fellow. "Sure!"

Syaoran shot Eriol a look, who just smiled back at him.

They spent their time talking about the different opinions of countries, pretty sites, and just about anything. But Syaoran wasn't too keen about Eriol as Sakura was, and replied only a little when Sakura asks him for his opinions.

Soon the clock struck 12, and Eriol began to stand up.

He smiled his usual smile. "It's been great spending the night talking with you two, but it is now time for me to go to bed."

"Good night," Syaoran and Sakura replied in unison, and soon returned to their bedrooms. Sleep came upon Sakura very fast, for she was so tired from all the things that had happened that day. Little did she know, that Syaoran had came to say good night to her one last time, but she was already in deep slumber.

Syaoran smiled gently at Sakura and kissed her cheeks.

"Good night."

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~*ARTHUR'S NOTE*~

Whoa, I've just noticed that I haven't updated this fic in SUCH a long time!! Try not to kill me! *sweatdrops* Gomen, gomen! I will try to update sooner from now on, please review~!