Chapter Eight

Crystal Tears

~starjade~

Jewels of Carthapia

Queen Yelan sat down at the table, watching Sakura and Syaoran on the surface of the table. Her magical powers allowed her to see any scene that happened in her Kingdom , which came in handy many times when her daughters decided to become...mischievous. Of course , now she was watching it with a smile on her face.

So , Syaoran finally found out Sakura was the card captor. He should've noticed it before...how naïve!

Queen Yelan smiled as she watched Syaoran blush , and knew he was at least feeling something for the girl. It looked like a lost cause before , with the coldness he had towards her. Finally...that cold exterior he had around himself seems to be coming away , bit by bit!

Yes!

" Nadeshiko! Come see this!" Nadeshiko looked up from the letter she was writing , and walked towards Queen Yelan.

" What is it-Oh!" Queen Nadeshiko smiled. She saw the scene ,as Sakura put a hand out towards Syaoran. He looked confused , and turned away , limping back to the castle.

" Oh no!" Queen Nadeshiko sighed.

Yelan shook her head.

" He's always been like that! Gods , will he ever give it up?"

Queen Nadeshiko looked worried.

" I hope he realizes that he and Sakura were meant to be. Before it's too late!"

~~~~~*****~~~~~

Syaoran limped into his room , his head heavy. Sitting down in a chair , Syaoran closed his eyes tightly. That wasn't the way it was supposed to go , he thought. He now didn't even know if he should be mean to her or not. Somewhere deep inside of him , he actually admired Sakura. But for now , he still hated her guts-

Syaoran felt a strong aura appear. He looked down and saw that Eriol was healing his leg.

" Eriol , what are you doing??" Syaoran yelled , and Eriol smiled. That creepy smile.

" Nothing but helping my dear descendant , of course. How are you doing? I guess you have finally realized that Sakura is the card captor?" Eriol smiled again as he saw Syaoran look shocked and then turned purple.

"WHAT! You KNEW and YOU DIDN'T TELL ME!!!" Syaoran shouted. Eriol didn't look surprised , but just sat down beside him.

"Hey , it's not my fault. Would you have believed me?" Eriol asked , looking up at him. Syaoran sighed. He knew that Eriol was right. Which of course made him mad. Eriol was always right! Grrr....

" Anyways , your mother called me to get you downstairs. She needs to talk to you , oh and Sakura as well. It seems you guys will be spending quite a lot of time together."

Syaoran groaned.

" Eriol , did you have anything to do with this?" Syaoran asked , his voice dangerous.

Eriol put his hands up in defense.

" Hey , this time I didn't use any magic. Maybe my persuading ideas , may have helped the idea come along , but-" he stopped as Syaoran growled. Eriol grinned. He was getting to his best friend. Like always.

Syaoran racked his brain for something to get back at Eriol.

Suddenly a sly smile played upon his lips , and he grinned. Eriol didn't like that look at all.

" Sooooo , Eriol. Did you hear what happened outside as well? Daidouji Tomoyo secretly confided into me.." Eriol instantly perked up and he looked at him with interest. Syaoran knew he had him hooked. Syaoran smiled , a replica of Eriol's creepy smile.

" Tomoyo told me she had the world's hugest crush on you , and how she loves your smile , your hair , everything about you..." He grinned as Eriol turned bright red.

" S-S-Syaoran , what the heck are you talking about!" Syaoran could feel his magic coming and he knew he was reading Syaoran's thoughts.

" WHAT! You are such a liar!" Eriol yelled , and Syaoran burst out laughing.

" Yah , but *gasp* you should have seen your *gasp* face!" Syaoran was practically rolling on the floor now. Quite unlike Syaoran , for Syaoran was usually a serious person. Now , Syaoran just needed a laugh. And who else to laugh at but his best friend??

Eriol took a breath and tried to remain dignified. He was the half reincarnation of Clow Reed , you know.

" Syaoran , I admit , you got me there. But you'll see , I'm going to get you as well!" Eriol smiled , raising his eyebrows at Syaoran.

Syaoran grinned back.

" But while you were rifting through my thoughts , Eriol , you must have heard Tomoyo's message."

A pink tinge appeared on Eriol's cheeks.

" Your mother is calling you." Was all he said , before he left , but not before tripping over a stool , causing Syaoran to laugh again. Eriol glared at him , before leaving.

Syaoran smiled. That was fun. Now he had to go downstairs...great. He knew his mother was up to something....what was it this time??

****~~~~~~*****

" Ladies and Gentlemen of the court. We have called you here today for rather grim , serious news. No matter what , the Li Kingdom has triumphed over evil , have brought happiness and smiles to the weak and poor-"

Sakura tried to listen , but could not. It was so boring....Sakura looked around , and her eyes fell on Syaoran. She smiled slightly as she remembered what happened earlier. At least , Syaoran knows that Sakura could kick his butt if she wanted to. It was just his luck that she didn't... Syaoran seemed to feel her eyes on him and turned to glance at her. She smiled at him , and he turned away rather quickly. Sakura's face dropped just a bit.

She looked around the room , to all the faces that were stuck on Queen Yelan's face and she yawned as quietly as she could. Her eyes fell on Tomoyo who looked quite red , for Eriol stood right beside her. Every time their arms brushed she'd blush again , but made no move to step aside. Sakura giggled under her breath , but stopped as a hush fell over the court and whispers erupted. Sakura looked around , confused.

Queen Yelan spoke again , " Yes , I know it is quite sad news that the jewels of Carthapia have been stolen. Therefore we have taken the strides to choose four people who will aide in helping us look for these jewels." Everyone looked around the room , trying to spot the four that would be chosen. ( isn't it obvious by now???)

Sakura , in the meanwhile , still had a confused look on her face. What the heck were the jewels of Carthapia? How could they have been stolen? Wasn't the Li Kingdom powerful and no one dared to steal anything???? And who will be chosen?

Syaoran was fuming. He knew that the Jewels Of Carthapia weren't even in the Li Kingdom!!! How the heck could they have been stolen? This whole kingdom was going bananas for gods sake! How could they actually believe his mother!! What was his mother trying to do?

" I have spoken to our advisors about the four that will be chosen. Of course our trusted Eriol Hiiragizawa will be helping us." Everyone looked at Eriol , and Eriol nodded slightly. " Then Li Syaoran , my son." Syaoran looked up , surprised. This was getting somewhere...

" And the newcomers , Sakura Kinomoto , and Tomoyo Daidouji will also be part of the four." Everyone stared at the two , and Sakura blushed immensely.

What??? Sakura didn't know anything about the Li Kingdom , thought Syaoran. What was his mother trying to do? I am sooo going to have a talk with her...

" We are sure with the help of these talented young four , we will recapture the jewels and bring it rightfully home to the Li Kingdom!" Everyone cheered , and Syaoran's mother dismissed the hall. Soon , the hall cleared , and all but the chosen four.

" Mother , what the heck are you doing?" Syaoran shouted , too angry to check over his tone. He could not believe it....His mother was setting them up....

" Look , Syaoran , we need you to help us find the jewels-"

" Don't talk rubbish , mother , there is no such jewels in the Li Kingdom!! They're with Meilin and she's not even here!" he shouted , angrily.

His mother sighed.

" I do not want to talk of it anymore , Syaoran. You will meet with the other three with our advisors and appointed council tomorrow. You will miss your classes for just that day. Goodbye."

She turned around and swished away , her head held high and regal. Syaoran felt the feeling of loss overcome him but not before pushing the feeling of excitement away. Why was he feeling excited?? He had to work with the airhead Sakura , of all people...

He looked up and met the concerned eyes of Sakura , a smirking Eriol , and a confused Tomoyo.

Tomoyo whispered , " It won't be that bad. We'll find the jewels and it'll be over before you know it."

Syaoran gave her an icy glare , and stalked away.

" Who gave you permission to talk to me?" Syaoran retorted and continued his walking , smoke literally coming out of his ears. A hand fell on his shoulder and twisted him around. Syaoran stumbled , shocked as he met Sakura who stared at him , green eyes blazing.

" You are never , ever , going to talk to my friend like that. Got it , Syaoran?" Syaoran gaped at her , as she threw one last glare at him , before stalking away as well , dragging Tomoyo after her. Syaoran felt guilt overcome him , before he washed it away , angrily.

It wasn't my fault Tomoyo was that stupid. She doesn't even understand what my mother is actually doing...

Suddenly a voice behind him shook Syaoran out of his thoughts.

" I told you I'll get you back , " Eriol laughed and walked away. Syaoran's hands clenched. Grr.....

What the hell is happening! The whole freakin' world is against me!!! Syaoran threw his hands up in defeat.

I am so going to explode.

a/n: Hehehehe

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Ooh and mush in the next chapter. Not too much , cos they don't fall in love , but you know those things that make you fall in love? Very Kawaii!!!!!:)