Chapter Seventeen

Card Captor Sakura

Crystal Tears

~starjade~

Moonlight

Moonlight spilled onto the water , reflecting it's luminosity and rippling the light into waves. The moonlight flashed over the quiet Kingdom , bringing smiles to the faces of all the residents. It gave it's light to the castle , washing the stones with feathery waves as the tranquillity of the moment calmed the tension that hung heavily over the castle.

A flash of silver shot the moonlight in flashes across the courtyard. It slashed through the air in a flurry of light sweeping the ground whirling so fast it was only seen as a flash of reflected light. At last the sword began go slow as the fury of it['s slices melted with the moonlight.

Panting was heard as the sword was heard as the sword finally froze in a position of antagonism as if the person was to kill whoever was in front of them. In the silence the wind whipped around the figure fluttering his clothes wildly , calming his rapid breathing.

The wind dropped as amber eyes blinked in the shining moonlight. His hands gripped the hilt of the sword tightly until his knuckles paled. Finally the boy let out his breath , breathing deeply. He stared off into the night sky , watching the stars brighten the velvet cloth of darkness.

What is happening , Syaoran wondered to himself as he blinked at the shining moon. Is this the punishment I get for falling in love? I didn't mean to...It just happened.

Syaoran let out his breath slowly as raw frustration trickled into his brain , and he slid down the railing until he was sitting down , leaning against the cold surface of the stone wall. Yes , he used to be indifferent , distant , cruel , and cold hearted. But just one glanced those bright , emerald eyes melted it all away.

Syaoran groaned. And look where it got him. Meiling comes back!

He remembered Meiling clearly. She was always following him around , attaching herself to his arm. He remembered how she learned how to use a sword because of him and became quite skilled at it. She had irritated him to an extent where he couldn't take it anymore , until the day she left for good. Syaoran was informed that she had broken the engagement , and he had felt that she was like a friend.

Yah , right!

Earlier that day , she had burst in when he was finally happy. When he finally gave up the coldness around him for Sakura. They had a parted and Meiling was given her old room , until the whole problem was sorted out.

But what if it wasn't? Syaoran thought , getting up , quick; his eyes taking on a worried look. What if he had to marry Meiling?? Syaoran let out a moan of pain. as those beautiful eyes flashed by him again.

Sakura...

Syaoran picked up his sword , again , though his muscles ached with the overuse. The moonlight outline his form and he thrust the sword out dangerously, cutting his problems into shards. A look of concentration bore into his eyes , but deeper within , a look of pain and longing lingered.

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

" Meiling Li."

Queen Yelan's voice echoed into Meiling's ears , as she sighed , throwing her brush at her dresser mirror. Miraculously , it didn't break as the hard wooden handle shook the glass , momentarily shaking the image of Meiling's frustrated face.

" Yes , Aunt Yelan?" She said , her voice tired. She was quite wrung out on the yelling match she had with the Li Family today. Meiling knew that her fury had gotten the best of her. Now Syaoran probably hated her. Oh well , once they were married , he'd learn to love her.

" Meiling we need to talk. Without everyone observing out every word." Queen Yelan strode over determinedly settling herself in a chair , right next to Meiling. Meiling narrowed her eyes at her aunt suspiciously , but sighed all the while.

" Of course we need to talk. What was going on today , Aunt elan? Wht was Syaoran going to marry that...Kinomoto?"

Queen Yelan exhaled , and Meiling noticed the tired wrinkles hat appeared around her fade , and the bags that were barely visible under her face paint , but still there.

" Meiling , when you left we started search for a suitable princess. We thought that you would soon forget about Syaoran because it had been almost seven years since you last saw him. We soon found perfect princesses , until one caught our eye. The card captor."

Meiling gasped. Of course , why didn't she notice it before? Sakura Kinomoto had a very strong pink aura about her , but Meiling didn't guess that she was actually the legendary card captor!

" Is that why my Syaoran is infatuated with her? " She asked , her tone clipped.

Queen Yelan shot her an angry look. , before taking a few calming breaths.

" Look , here , Meiling , Syaoran has fallen in love with Sakura. Not because she was the card captor , but because of her personality. Because she WAS Sakura. And my son isn't yours. He might be yours when you marry , but his heart will never be yours. Why can't you understand that??"

Meiling felt the words hit her hard , digging into her that special place she kept for Syaoran. Slowly it began to tremble until Meiling brought herself together.

"I thank you Aunt Yelan for informing me of this. Yet I won't give up." She rose her eyebrow at her aunt and pursed her lips.

" Meiling! Why are you marring Syaoran? It is not for love , for it is only one sided. Don't you want Syaoran to be happy??" Yelan asked , her tone growing frustrated at the girl's stubbornness.

Meiling stared at Queen Yelan. " Of course. Syaoran's happiness matters so much to me."

Queen Yelan sighed and looked deep into Meiling's ruby red eyes. " Then make the right choice. Syaoran will never be happy if he marries you. Think about it Meiling."

Meiling once again felt herself tremble. Tears came to her eyes as she stood up , resolutely. " Queen Yelan. I have total faith that Syaoran will be happy with me. Thank you , but I will not renounce the engagement. Now if you don't mind , I need to get some sleep. Come back another time."

Queen Yelan stared at her niece for along time , until she got up , collecting her skirts.


" Meiling , just think about it. Syaoran is in love. You out of all people ,should know what love means. Don't make him unhappy , cold and distant once again. Meiling. Please."

With that , she swished out of the room her head high and regal. Meiling stared after her , frozen. She tried to piece her heart together once more ,for it had broken many times during that conversation.

" No....No...Syaoran will be happy with me We are meant to be together..." She whispered , under her breath and nodded to herself , accepting ht statement. She climbed into bed , ready for the next day and ignoring the tear that escaped from her eye , railing down her cheek , and dropping off her cheek , never to be seen again.

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

Sakura gathered herself up , changing into her nightgown. She walked over to her dresser , combing her short auburn locks and removing her jewellery and accessories. She put down her brush and stared at herself in the mirror. Normal , uninteresting short hair , dull eyes , dull skin A childish figure.

And that Meiling girl. Mysterious , luscious black hair , porcelain skin , sparkling ruby red eyes , womanly figure...she was perfect....For Syaoran.

Sakura felt tears rise to her eyes , as she yanked at her gown in frustration. She had never felt this way before. She had never criticized her looks. She always had a happy medium , telling herself that her looks brought out her personality. Sakura felt a tear tremble over and fall from her eyes.

Grr....she was always always crying! Crying like a big baby , not like the sixteen year old girl she was! It never did any good! Syaoran was promised to Meiling and they were going to be prosperous couple and rule over the Li Kingdom as the most beautiful idols that ever existed...

Another tear fell over. She heard the door open , quietly , and a rustle of skirts as arms enveloped her. Sakura looked up and saw Tomoyo there , tears also in her amethyst eyes.

" It's alright, Sakura....don't feel that way. You saw Syaoran...he loves you and wants to marry you , not Meiling!

Sakura let out sob as she whispered , " Then why didn't he tell me about the engagement?"

Tomoyo exhaled and peered into her best friends watery eyes , worriedly. "I'm not sure , but I know he had a good reason , Sakura. All you have to do is ask him."

Sakura choked up. " I know , Tomoyo. It just hurts so much...I thought I was going to be happy...I was on top of the world , until that world just came crashing down. Tomoyo , I don't know what to do. Syaoran is going to marry Meiling!! I-I-I-"

Sakura broke down into tears , and rushed off to her bed. Tomoyo tried to comfort the girl , but Sakura just pushed her away. Tomoyo made a movement to her best friend , but held back. Sakura needed some private time to herself.

Tomoyo walked over to the huge windows and pulled back the curtains , letting the moonlight flood into her room. She spotted a figure on the towers on her left , furiously slashing as sword around himself. Tomoyo looked back at the trembling girl on her bed and shook her head. Both of them have their own ways of dealing. She peered up at the moon , and clasped her hands.

" Please , Please , don't let Sakura and Syaoran break apart. They are soul mates...they're meant to be together! It would absolutely kill Sakura if she was apart from Syaoran. Please.....let everything be happy for the two once again. They deserve happiness , for once in their lives."

With that , she turned and saw that Sakura had fallen asleep from sheer exhaustion. Tomoyo quickly brought the blankets over the tired girl and sighed , collapsing on her own bed.

She was about to tell Eriol that she....well , that she liked him. But she never got the chance to do so. Tomoyo sighed. What was the point anyway. Eriol didn't like her in that way...he thought of her as a good friend. Tomoyo groaned to herself and changed into her nightgown quickly. She settled herself into he bed and brought the blanket tightly around her. Twinkling navy blue eyes flashed through her mind and she sighed.

I love you , Eriol. I love you.

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

Nadeshiko bent over the table , shadows spurting all around her. A candle flickered beside her creating a glow that chased away the darkness. It sputtered and quivered , as the hot wax slid down from the wick , slowly down the candle creating pools in the candle holder.

Nadeshiko sighed , a deep heartfelt sigh. She could imagine the pain her daughter was going through and it tore her apart as well. She could not believe what Queen Yelan did. She pretty much betrayed the trust Nadeshiko had in her. Never informing her of past engagements? Now look what it had caused. Pure heartache , pure pain.....

Queen Nadeshiko shook her head and brought out a piece of clear parchment and spread it out before her. She took out an ink bottle and a quill , and sharpened the end quickly. She dipped it into the inkwell and brought it to the paper and began to write in flowing cursive letters.

Dear Husband , Fujitaka Kinomoto ,

I miss you terribly here. I know I have told you that happiness lingered and Sakura and Syaoran were to be engaged. But now a problem has appeared. Syaoran was previously promised to another woman , before he was even born. She has came back , and wants to marry Syaoran. Sakura is taking it hard , right now , and I believe , crying her eyes out. She cannot focus on the fact that Syaoran does love her...

Fujitaka , am warning you right now. Do not do anything rash. I know that you care for our daughter very much...but please do not let this come over you! If you give me some time , I will sort this problem out and soon our daughter will be happy again. But please , promise me. Spare out daughter any more heartache......

a/n: muah ah ah ah ah! I am evil, no? Sorry for the somewhat late updating. I lost all my files , but I got them back but it was all messy , so I just read it over and typed it up again! See how much pain I've been through??

Hope you like that chappie! I love youse peeps reviews , they make me so happy! But you know what makes me happier? MORE REVIEWS! Come on , yum people should know by now that I only update when i get reviews!! SO REVIEW! IF you wanna email me , my email is desi_devil@hotmail.com. Awright? Awright....