CHAPTER FOUR
Crystal Tears
Star Jade
Meeting At Last
The wind whipped around Syaoran's clothes , ruffling his hair and hitting his face with unnatural force. Running towards the castle , he was glad that he was such a good athlete , because if he wasn't....whoa , his mother would explode at him big time. He saw the carriages ahead of him , and he tried to pick up his pace , yet the wind tried to hold him back. His paces became sluggish and he fought a battle to arrive at the Li Castle in decent time. All through that while , thoughts streamed through his mind , infesting the peace and distinct beliefs of Syaoran.
There was a card captor in the Li Kingdom.
That girl...Syaoran felt jealousy and something else that he wasn't aware of. That was confusing....He didn't want to feel that feeling , but it warmed up his body , making him want to jump and yell for joy. Which was quite unlike him. He kept his mind on running as saw the Kinomoto crowd enter the castle. He raced even faster , worrying he wasn't going to get there on time.
Finally Syaoran had reached the castle. Not stopping to catch his breath , Syaoran burst through the side door of the castle , that led to the kitchen and he ran past surprised cooks. He slammed through the walls of the front parlour and skidded to a stop.
Hundreds of eyes met his and swept over Syaoran's windblown hair , destroyed clothing that was covered in flour and sugar and some grass stains and his rather heavy breathing as he tried to catch his breath.
"Syaoran , dear , I'm so glad you...made it," his mother's voice cut through the silence. Syaoran looked up and saw that the whole castle's residents had surrounded the area of the front parlour , and they were all staring at him. In front of Syaoran , stood three obviously Kinomoto guards , the Kinomoto Queen and her maid. Two other girls stood there as well, one with her eyes on the floor , the other staring at him with plain interest.
He walked forward , his shoes clicking in the silence and bowed to the Kinomoto group as they returned the favour. He felt himself flush at the attention everyone was giving him , and he looked at his mother with pleading eyes. She nodded at him , accepting his silent apology.
Meanwhile , the Kinomoto Queen was talking. She announced , cheerfully , " This is quite a happy day for both houses of the Kinomoto and Li Kingdoms. Our children will start a bond again ," here both the auburn haired girl and Syaoran winced , " and be joined together to start another prosperous generation!"
Oh god , thought Syaoran. Did this woman hear that I was possibly not going to marry the Kinomoto princess? Grr....
The Queens began chattering to each other like they were childhood friends and the whole parlour had burst out in a happy cheer. Syaoran felt his heart drop as he knew everyone expected him to marry the girl. Great.. Just Great! I don't want to marry that princess.
Out of pure curiosity , Syaoran looked at the princess , who, on the other hand , was staring at the ground. Syaoran didn't blame her because the whole castle was studying their 'possibly' new queen. He knew how that felt to have everyone staring at you , studying your every move , analysing what you do...whoa! Hold on there , Syaoran , you can't be showing sympathy! This is your sworn enemy , you know. You have to be mean to her , then she'll run away , you'll be free....Syaoran began filling himself with angry thought as his goal became clear again.
Suddenly the Queen announced something surprising.
" Ladies and Gentlemen of both the Li and Kinomoto Kingdoms , I think it is time that we leave the Prince and the Princess for just a bit so they can get to know each other. After all , this is the first time they've seen each other , so we must allow them some time to become acquainted." Here she winked at Syaoran , and led the whole crowd out , who bore reluctant expressions on their faces. He saw the black haired girl pat the other on the shoulder and smile at him. Syaoran just stared at her blankly until she left.
Silence surrounded the parlour. Not one of them moved. Syaoran sure wasn't going to be the first one who spoke. Anyways , he didn't even want to be here and-
Suddenly the girl raised her eyes and looked straight at him. Syaoran stumbled back a bit as he felt shock overcome him. That girl...she's so familiar. Those green eyes...who could she be! She looks exactly like...like that card captor on the hills. But no...the card captor was strong , smart and beau-uh , and this girl she's so frail and weak!
Syaoran didn't see the surprise and fear that was clear in her eyes as she recognized him totally. She looked around , and finally cleared her throat.
" Hello , uh , Prince , uh Li. I was , um , thinking that while we're here , um , we can just bear the days , by , um being friends?" Here her voice went embarrassingly squeaky as he glared at her. She continued nervously , " Um , I know , uh , that I don't want to be here , and uh , probably you don't , uh , either , so uh-"
Syaoran interjected ," Yah , that's right , I don't want to be here. And no , we are not going to be friends. Look , I don't need squealing little girls chasing me around like puppy dogs , and staring at me all the time, so stay outta my way , and once these weeks are done , you can go home and never come back!"
Sakura stared at him , unbelievingly. How rude was this guy! Here he was thinking he was the King of me and can boss me around. Sakura felt her friendliness melt away and her face burn with anger. She tried to blink back any tears that threatened to come to her eyes and stepped forward.
" Look here , Syaaaorrran." She extended his name , angrily , " I didn't come here to be bossed around by the likes of you. I was practically forced to come , and be with a money-hugging self-conceited jerk like you! So it isn't me that will be following you around , It'll be me kicking your butt!"
Syaoran burst out laughing , in a crude way. " Right. That I so believe. You ," he looked her up and down , frills and bonnet and all , " will beat me up!"
Sakura nodded with confidence.
" Fine. Two days from today at 7:00 pm in the courtyard. But you can't expect me to go easy on you!" he smirked , his eyes ridiculing her.
She glared at him." I should be saying that to you!"
They both huffed and turned around , refusing to look at each other. That was how the Queens from both Kingdoms saw them. They looked at each other with worry , and led their children away.
~~~***~~~
" Can you believe that jerk , Tomoyo?" Sakura yelled , pacing back and forth in the finely dressed up room. Furniture of expensive cloths and woods sat in exotic fashions , with dressers and beds made of fine wood and delicately patterned quilts. It was quite nice for Sakura , whose own room wasn't quite as beautiful as this. Of course she insisted that Tomoyo and Sakura share the same room , because she wanted to talk to her without making a trek down the hallways. This castle was so huge , she was sure to get lost.
" Calm down , Sakura. He may be just covering up for his nervousness-"
"HAH! Nervous! He was trying to rub it in my face that he was better than me! HE actually thinks I'm like those other squealing girls that can't fight for their life! He actually proposed a fight with me in two days!"
Tomoyo looked at her , her eyes laughing.
" Okay Sakura. You can beat up Syaoran anytime you want. But what was that other thing you were worried about?"
Instantly , Sakura became nervous.
" You know in the ride to the castle , when I had to leave because a card was near? He saw me , Tomoyo , he saw me fight a clow card! Do you think he recognised me?" She sat down , worriedly.
" Don't worry , Sakura. The Li kingdom are relatives of the Clow Reed of course they would understand! Why are you so worried about him seeing you?"
" I don't know Tomoyo." She sighed and flopped on her back on her bed. " Remember how mother always told me not to tell anyone but my close friends?"
" Well , I think that a soon to be husband is sure to be close-" She stopped and squealed as a pillow came flying at her.
" Tomoyo , you know that I don't want to marry that idiot!" She said , her face earnest.
Tomoyo grinned at her. " You can't be serious , Sakura. You've never mentioned that at all these past few days! I had no idea!"
Sakura chuckled. "Yah , I know I've been repeating that statement lately. I just can't help it...who would be 'excited' about marrying someone they don't even know?"
Tomoyo nodded , but smiled.
" I mean , who knew he could be so mean to me?" Sakura's eyes filled up with tears.
" Those things he said were so uncalled for! I wasn't even trying to be mean to him!"
" Sakura , just let it go. I bet you tomorrow , he'll be as sweet to you as he should be!"
" Right Tomoyo. That's really going to happen. He's going to be nice to me then fight me. "
Tomoyo laughed , her eyes twinkling as Sakura glared angry that her friend wasn't taking her side.
" You know , Sakura , Syaoran was kinda cute , covered in flour and windblown and all."
Sakura groaned and fell off her bed.
" Tomoyo , you'll never understand!" Tomoyo giggled. After getting ready for bed , they both went under their covers.
" You have to admit it , Sakura. He is quite the cute little rascal."
" Rascal , yes. Cute , not in my life!"
They giggled together , and Tomoyo soon fell asleep , leaving Sakura with her thoughts.
Syaoran was ....kinda cute , though...Sakura thought before falling asleep as well.
a/n: Cute , eh? Oh god , you guys r da bomb! Thank-you so much for your reviews!
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