Chapter Twelve

Card Captor Sakura

Crystal Tears

~starjade~

Gazing Into Your

Eyes

" I don't know what's up with my head , Eriol. Should I say no to the marriage? That's what my first answer was...but now , everything's changed!"

Syaoran paced back and forth , running his hand through his chestnut hair , worriedly. Eriol sat in a chair in front of him ,watching his descendant pace looking quite befuddled.

" What's changed , Syaoran?" asked Eriol ,leaning forward. He knew what was deep in Syaoran's heart , but Syaoran was to proud and stubborn to admit it.

" I don't know! Something's wrong , totally wrong. I want to say no to the marriage , but something tells me I'll regret it. Gods , what's happening to me?" Syaoran finally sat down , and put his face in his hands , wanting everything to be clear again. Why did Sakura have to come and turn his world upside down? Everything was so organized , orderly , exactly how he wanted his life to be. Now , he wasn't so sure...

" Look ,Syaoran. I can't tell you the answer to your question. You have to find it out yourself. But let me tell you ," here Eriol winked at Syaoran , " this ball we're having tonight , will sure aid you in finding your answer."

Syaoran stared at Eriol , wondering what exactly did Eriol know that he didn't.

" Eriol , I hate it when you get that mysterious look. Can't you just tell me?"

Eriol laughed , smirking at the confused boy in front of him. He shook his head , and Syaoran groaned.

" God , why do you have to make my life so difficult?"

Eriol smirked.

" It's my job , my cute descendant."

Syaoran moaned , and got up.

" Thanks a lot , Eriol."

" No prob , my man."

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

The ball was coming up , and everyone in the castle was rushing about , smiling and giggling. Soon , the agreements would be made , and everything will be perfect for the Li Kingdom. Decorations were hung in the ballroom , food was prepared , dresses picked out , squeals were sounded from every corner , as girls got asked to the ball. Everyone was happy...

Except for one auburn haired girl who sat staring out her window , watching leaves blow past.

I am so confused....

Sakura felt like punching someone. Nothing seemed right anymore , it was like her feelings were bottled inside her , but they were so tangled up she couldn't recognise them. She just knew that the feeling created a deep ache in her chest making her yearn for something....something she couldn't have...

Sakura blinked back tears that somehow rose to her emerald eyes , for a reason she had yet to discover.

She raised her head as she heard Tomoyo called her name. It was soon to be the ball , and Sakura needed to sort out her feelings. Quickly getting up , she ran down the hallway , picking up her skirts so she wouldn't trip on them. Turning a corner she ran straight into teh chest of somebody.

" OW!" she yelled , falling down. The person she bumped into reached out quickly and grabbed her arms , preventing her from falling. She felt secure in the person's arms but looked up quickly to see who she bumped into.

" I'm sorry for bumping into you-" Sakura started , but stopped as she looked straight into the person's eyes. Bright amber eyes met hers , and for one scary moment , Sakura lost herself in them. The room swirled around , it was as if they were the only two people that were still. His hands , warm against her skin , brought a tingle that traveled up and down her veins.

Syaoran had been turning the corner as well , heading to his room to get changed when Sakura had ran into him. Now he held her and they seemed to freeze in the position they were in , both staring as if captivated into each other's eyes. He could not let her go , he felt as if she belonged in his arms...

Suddenly a call broke their trance , and they glanced around , surprised.

" Huh?" They both asked , confused. Suddenly they both saw Tomoyo standing a couple of feet away , her hand on her mouth trying to stop the bubbling giggles.

They looked at each other and yelped , realising how they looked to any passer-by. They looked as if they were in love....hah! That was a laugh...

" Oh god ," Syaoran muttered , as he quickly let go of Sakura , and straightened himself out. Tomoyo stood by giggling to herself with a raised eyebrow. She had been looking around for Sakura and stumbled upon a quite kawaii scene. She had already whipped out a sketch book and was sketching like crazy.

Sakura blushed , turning as red as a tomato. She quickly bowed formally to Syaoran.

" I'm sorry , Syaoran , and I thank-you for catching me before I fell." she whispered , trying to hide her burning face.

" The pleasures all mi-no I m-mean , uh , y-your w-welcome." Syaoran answered , stuttering as he also turned quite red.

Tomoyo now was laughing like a maniac. Those two didn't even realise how cute they looked together. Sakura , noticing her crazy laughing , stormed towards Tomoyo , grabbing her arm and growling between clenched teeth , " Lets go , Tomoyo. You don't want to get any more ideas , do you now?"

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

The chandelier twinkled brightly catching the moonlight rays. Streaks of light flooded in through the large glass windows that surrounded the ballroom , coming together in the centre, creating an atmosphere of magic. Music floated through the air , drifting high above the room , blowing past the ears of many , giving them a sense of serenity. Wine glasses clinked together , as laughter rose like a cloud , high above the crowds.

Sakura watched the crowd mingle as she sat in her high stiff chair in the dining table that was set at the front of the ballroom. Many others outlined the perimeter of the room , yet this one was the biggest pronouncing that only royalty may sit there.

Sakura sat dressed up in a beautiful gown of shaded pinks , with delicately embroidered cherry blossoms on the sleeves and neck The dress was of course made by Tomoyo , Sakura's personal clothes designer , who sat beside her , amethyst eyes searching the ballroom. Tomoyo looked stunning in a violet dress that shimmerered everytime she moved. Tomoyo though wasn't quite paying attention to her beauty that made heads turn..she was searching for someone else...

Sakura covered a yawn with her hand , a bored expression resting upon her face although her emerald eyes held the look of anxiety , dread and anticipation.

" Sakura , why do you look so bored?" Tomoyo asked , her eyes leaving the crowd for just a moment as she looked at her friend.

" Why shouldn't I be?" Sakura asked as she covered yet another yawn. Sakura hated royal balls , she found them absolutely horrifying to sit through. The only reason she actually came ,was because of Sy - her mother. Her mother would be disappointed if she didn't come.

Right?

" Well because-" Suddenly Tomoyo gasped , and a squeal escaped her as she looked , enchanted into the crowd. Sakura , surprised at her friend's behaviour , looked at what Tomoyo was staring at.

Two handsome men walked down the carpet leading to their table , walking stiffly and calmly , not noticing how everyone's eyes fell on them. Tomoyo was nearly swooning , for Eriol looked quite fine , his navy hair falling into his deep blue eyes , his gorgeous face breaking into a bright smile as his eyes fell on Tomoyo.

Tomoyo grabbed Sakura's hand.

" Its Eriol!" she whispered , as if out of breath.

Sakura groaned.

" Thanks for informing me , Tomoyo , I really wasn't sure , " Sakura retorted , sarcastically , her emerald eyes fastened on one man , that was unconsciously running his hand through his rapidly turning messy hair.

Sakura felt her heart speed up as his gaze fell on her. She tried to turn her face into an expression of boredom and criticism again , but she couldn't.

What's happening to me , Sakura thought , as she felt a flush come over her. She never felt this way about anybody before, how could a single look do that to her?

As she felt herself drowning in those deep amber eyes , Tomoyo nudged her in her ribs. She broke out of her trance , and picked up her glass of water as if nothing happened.

" Yes , Tomoyo?" she asked , trying to make her tone as careless and bored as possible. Yet of course , her voice turned quite scratchy and Sakura flushed again as Tomoyo wiggled her eyebrows at her.

" A loveless marriage , eh Sakura?" Tomoyo giggled , and rose her hands in defence as Sakura glared at her.

" Yeah that's right , a pure loveless mar-" Sakura's voice stopped as Syaoran came walking towards her. Her heart began to pound , as Tomoyo fell into more hysterical peals of giggles.

Syaoran drew closer , his face that of someone being forced to do something they didn't want to do. He went up to her and held out his hand , his face red.

Sakura stared at his hand wondering what he wanted. Was he going to slap her or something? Maybe he wanted her to give him something..

Suddenly a voice was heard over the ballroom's noise , causing the whole ballroom to go still.

" We will lead the first dance with Princess Sakura of the Kinomoto Kingdom and Prince Syaoran of the Li Kingdom."

Sakura turned hot and cold as she heard Tomoyo squeal out , " This is so kawaii!"

" She wants us to dance together?" Sakura squeaked out , and Syaoran nodded slowly.

" Hey I don't want to do this either Kinomoto!" Syaoran grumbled , and Sakura felt his words pound deep at her heart.

He didn't like her..

Sakura placed her hand into his formally and bowed. Of course he didn't like her , she didn't like him either! Syaoran bowed back , wondering why she looked so angry. Syaoran led her out into the centre of the ballroom as slow enchanting music came on.

Sakura felt Syaoran put his hand on her waist , as the other held her hand lightly. She stiffly put her hand on his shoulder , as they began to dance to the music , with Sakura leaning as far away from Syaoran as she could.

" You know, " Sakura whispered , " I don't want to dance with you either."

Sakura felt Syaoran's shoulder's stiffen.

" Yah , it's stupid ," he replied shortly.

Sakura looked up into his face , which looked distracted. Silence overcame them before Syaoran groaned softly.

" What?" Sakura asked in dismay , her anger forgotten.

" You just stepped on my toe!" Syaoran choked out.

Sakura gasped and asked , " Are you alright? I'm so sorry , its just that I'm really clumsy , and-"

Syaoran laughed slightly.

" Okay , Okay , your forgiven."

Sakura began to relax against the dance , her hand beginning to clutch Syaoran's more tightly.

" Thanks." Sakura whispered.

Syaoran looked at her surprised.

" For what?" Syaoran asked , confused.

" For saving me when I was drowning."

Syaoran smiled , as unconsciously , he drew Sakura closer to him.

" Your welcome." Syaoran replied softly. Sakura giggled.

" It was funny , ne? What they did to us?"

Syaoran furrowed his brow.

" Not really , I mean , that Eriol almost made you drown."

Sakura dropped Syaoran's hand only to put it on Syaoran's other shoulder. Syaoran distantly put his hand on Sakura's waist.

" Who knew you'd care so much." Sakura said , giggling.

Syaoran flushed.

" Hey , I'm not that cold hearted!" Syaoran responded , his face looking down into Sakura's eyes.

" Really? I never knew!" Sakura replied , chuckling.

The song stopped , and Sakura flipped her head up , looking around. She saw everybody's eyes on the couple , most of them whispering and laughing. Many of them had hearts in their eyes , sighing at the kawaiiness. Syaoran and Sakura both realised how close they were. They were hugging each other literally! It was unheard of in Royal dances! They leaped away from each other , both of them as red as a tomato. They bowed to each other again , and Sakura hurried as fast as she could back to her seat as another song was strung up for the rest of the residents.

She flopped back into her seat , her breath coming out so fast that she was nearly panting.

" Hey , I told you Sakura!" Tomoyo whispered into her ear , giggling like a maniac. " You guys like each other. More than that actually. You probably love-"

" No we don't Tomoyo!" Sakura whined , not wanting to hear the words ,even though she knew it was true , deep in her heart.

" Sakura stop denying it!" Tomoyo scolded. Sakura was so stubborn...

" Look , Sakura you know you care for him. And you know you don't want to walk away tomorrow without him. Tell him , Sakura. Tell him what's in your heart."

Tomoyo's voice echoed in her mind as Sakura sighed resting her head on the table , confused. She looked deep within herself , remembering the moments with Syaoran. His eyes , his hair , his sweet personality which he hid under that cold face. He meant so much to her now , quite a difference from those weeks ago when he mattered as much as a speck of dust.

Yet Sakura was scared. The truth lay deep in her heart and she didn't want to face it. It was so strong , that if she accepted the truth , she would never be able to turn back. It would overcome her , it would make her vulnerable...

Sakura breathed hard. She never backed down from anything! Sakura made a silent vow. She would never let the truth make her vulnerable...

" Fine Tomoyo....I'll admit it ," Sakura took a deep breath. " I like him. Probably even more."

Sakura looked up to find that Tomoyo was not next to her. She had gone to talk to Eriol , and from what it looked , they were flirting majorly.

Sakura sighed. She had admitted it , even though it was to air. Her heart throbbed painfully as she glanced over at Syaoran. He was sitting at the opposite end of the table , talking to his mother. Sakura sighed. Her new found knowledge wouldn't have any use anyways. He thought of her as a friend maybe even just a distant acquaintance.

She sighed sorrowfully. Tomorrow he'd say no...but what should she say? Should she act like she didn't care for him...save him some embarrassment at least. Or should she say what was in her heart??

Sakura gathered up her courage.

Tonight she would tell him....who knows what might happen. She had nothing to lose....besides her pride. Collecting her skirts she made her way nervously towards Syaoran.

~~~~***~~~~

Wheels crunched against gravel , and stones flew in all directions. Horses of fine breeds clopped along , thundering their hooves against the rocky path. A whip slashed out , and the horses picked up their speed , hurrying out of the Kingdom's gates.

Wind swirled around the carriage , and faintly a humming sound was heard from inside the carriage. Clouds formed overhead , as the resident inside the carriage pulled on the drapes covering the carriage to peer out into the darkening sky.

A giggle escaped from the girl as she bounced along the road. Her giggle died out as she looked upon the heart frame in her hand. It hung on a beautiful gold chain around her neck , pronouncing high status. A portrait was painted inside the frame , and with a gloved finger , the girl traced the jaw of the person painted inside the frame.

" Soon , my love." She whispered. . " Soon ,we will be joined forever , together to rule the most powerful Kingdom in the world. We will stand side by side , wife and husband , lovers forever. We won't bow down to anyone."

She giggled as she kissed the picture.

" Soon , I'll come with a storm. I'll rush in and you'll take me into your arms."

She brought her face out the window , as the first raindrops fell dropping upon her face. An expression of bliss made her face glow with happiness.

" Soon , I'll be Mrs. Syaoran Li."

A/N: hoe hoe hoe hoe. Creepy , isn't it? Oh well , let me see if you reviewers can geuss who this new girl is going to be. And yes , she will be a problem in the future! 'Member to Review! PWEEZE REVIEW! Chapters come out faster if you do!