Chapter twenty-eight: The temple of the Moon God.
About an hour later Sakura and her friends arrived at the Tsukimine Shrine: they walked through it and to their surprise they found a huge stone door with a keyhole that was shaped like Sakura's wand key.
Sakura looked up the walls, which were very tall; the roof was of red tile. Slowly she approached the door; gently she slipped the key into the lock and turned it. The doors swung slightly open, Sakura knew she had to go in alone, so she stepped into the darkness on the other side.
The doors swung shut behind her. Sakura jumped but stepped forwards, there was no light, and so she called out.
"Yue-chan, I'm here. Sakura is here to see you, please don't hide yourself and your dreams from me."
A damson purple light filled the thick darkness and suddenly she was standing in the centre of a garden, planted with many coloured roses, snowdrops, daises and white carnations. The sunlight hit her in the eyes and the breeze brought the sweet scent of cherry trees to her nose. Sakura looked around and realised there were lots of them spread around the garden.
Silently Sakura thought to herself, 'Well this is different from the one in the play but I guess that was to be expected really, Yue's dream having been translated by Yukito, who is more organised than him.'
Suddenly Sakura heard the sound of cascading water: she turned towards the top end of the garden from which there tumbled a waterfall. Sakura then noticed the shrine and her eyes went wide: it was a building of pure snow- white marble, round, with white columns supporting a domed silver roof that sparkled in the sun, the building raised up slightly on four round steps which the waterfall framed perfectly.
The pillars made enough shadow to keep the contents of the Shrine well concealed from Sakura's eyes.
Sakura walked across the stepping stone path that was laid down in the centre of the river made by the waterfall, towards the shrine, her heart beating faster with every step she took.
Finally Sakura reached the top of the shrine stairs. Sakura looked into the shadows, she found just as it had been in the play it was impossible even at this close proximity to see the inside of the shrine, after a moment she took a deep breath. "Ok, I'm going to do this."
Sakura stepped inside the shrine and was very surprised by the amount of light that filled the shrine though she felt that she shouldn't have been really, the inability to see in interior of the shrine from the outside was obviously something Yue had put in place to stay hidden for as long as necessary.
Sakura looked around, in the center of the shrine there stood a large ornately carved plinth of the same white marble as the shrine, the plinth carvings were of silver and moonstones, making a pattern of moons and stars on its sides.
Sakura didn't look long at the plinth before noticing its occupant, as lying on top of the pillows was the sleeping Moon King, Yue. Sakura caught her breath at a sight she thought she would never see outside of her dreams.
Yue made the perfect picture of a sleeping Warrior and King, his ankles crossed with his feet, bare as ever, pointing down. His uniform was straitened and looked like he had never worn it before. Round his neck was the symbol she had given him as a gift, which made Sakura smile, realising he liked it enough to use it for this very special form.
Yue's wings were unfolded behind him, not hidden from view and not stretched, just like two beautifully white and silver feathered arches, which made him look more angelic than ever.
Running down the length of his chest was a sword with a blade of moonstone, the mark of the Moon Warrior. The silver hilt of the sword was being clasped in Yue's strong long-fingered hands over his sternum, at the top of the sword hilt there was a moonstone shaped like a crescent moon holding in its embrace a diamond star.
Yue's face was softly composed in sleep, a small smile on his lips. All of his hair was free except the braid which ran alongside the sword, the rest of the hair fell down the length of the plinth under his wings, and body, there was so much of it that some of it was flowing over the sides of the plinth like a waterfall of light. Lastly there was a silver and moonstone crown that sat gently on his head crowning Yue.
A cylinder of sunlight highlighted Yue where he lay asleep, courtesy of Keroberos, Sakura had no doubt. His chest moved gently up and down in his repose.
Sakura stood there for some time taking Yue in, and after drinking her fill she walked over to the plinth and leaned over Yue, she traced the new symbol now calved on his purple chest stone with her finger before, putting her hands on either side of Yue's head so she didn't fall over when she kissed him.
Sakura stopped for a moment, looking at Yue's soft sleeping face again, hesitating because she was afraid she would not be able wake him. Sakura then decided to take the risk and taking all of her courage in both hands, Sakura placed her lips on Yue's in a soft but determined kiss.
The kiss lingered as Yue responded to the kiss with a murmur, Sakura then stopped kissing him and moved back. Slowly, tentatively, his eyes opened, Sakura felt that this meant that he was almost afraid to see who had woken him but she wasn't shore why he should feel this had he thought she wouldn't come for him? His eyes then fixed on Sakura and Yue smiled softly, his eyes lighting up as he saw it was her who had woken him. Sakura smiled back at Yue and then stepped back to give him some room, Yue blinked, he then slowly sat up on the plinth and looked at Sakura again.
Sakura threw herself at Yue. "Yue-chan, you scared me, I didn't think you would wake up."
"But I did, thanks to you."
Sakura noticed Yue was staring at her. "Yue-chan, why are you staring at me?"
"I'm staring because I love you and I have to admit to being your partner in the dance at Touya-kun and Ruby-chan's wedding."
Sakura smiled. "I knew about you being my partner already." She held out the mask to Yue and he smiled, then the first part of what he had just said hit her.
"You love me."
"Yes, Sakura-chan, aishiteru."
Slowly, Yue rose to his feet. A breeze hit his loose hair, making it fly around him, like a white mist, Sakura felt her heart jump and then begin to pulse, she was finding all of this too hard to believe.
Taking advantage of this stunned state, Yue took Sakura's hand and sank down on one knee before her, pulling a ring topped with a moonstone moon holding a diamond star in its undying embrace out of one of his many hidden pockets. He looked up into her eyes, his hair still flying about him; Sakura's eyes went wide at this sight because she never thought she would see it, other than in her imaginings. Sakura had never dared to hope Yue would propose to her. This was like a dream come true and she thanked her lucky star for it.
"Yukito was able to do the proper thing and ask your father if he could have permission to wed you; I don't have the same luxury but I still want to ask you, will you marry me, Sakura?"
Sakura smiled happily. "Yes, Yue, I'll marry you, and Yukito-chan can ask me when he is ready too."
Yue stood smiling, he opened his strong arms to her and smiling back at Yue Sakura threw herself into them. Yue hugged her tightly, after a moment Sakura leant back in his arms and looked up into his eyes deep purple eyes and spoke. "Aishiteru, Yue."
Yue stood stunned for a moment, and then he brought his head down until their lips met in a soft kiss, Sakuras hands went to his shoulders and held them tightly pressing herself against his strong body. This kiss lasted for some time, when they finally parted they looked at each other and smiled in satisfaction.
Yue smiled down on Sakura she spoke. "The others are out side waiting for us shall we go?"
"Yes and I suppose we had better tell them we are going to be getting married, especially your brother I should imagine."
Sakura giggled. "Yes telling Onii-chan before we tell any one else might be a good idea."
Yue held a hand out to Sakura. "Then shall we leave here and rejoin our friends to give them our good news, continue protecting this world together and carry on loving one another."
Sakrua nodded her agreement and took Yues hand, she felt his long fingers curled in-between hers and grip her hand strongly but gently and she sighed in satisfaction.
Yue looked down on his lady and smiling softly lead her out of the shrine to rejoin the others.
When they emerged the others instantly saw their clasped hands and cheered.
Yue looked down on his blushing love with happiness in his eyes and then turning her to face him, he kissed Sakura, the others whooping and smiling as he did so.
About an hour later Sakura and her friends arrived at the Tsukimine Shrine: they walked through it and to their surprise they found a huge stone door with a keyhole that was shaped like Sakura's wand key.
Sakura looked up the walls, which were very tall; the roof was of red tile. Slowly she approached the door; gently she slipped the key into the lock and turned it. The doors swung slightly open, Sakura knew she had to go in alone, so she stepped into the darkness on the other side.
The doors swung shut behind her. Sakura jumped but stepped forwards, there was no light, and so she called out.
"Yue-chan, I'm here. Sakura is here to see you, please don't hide yourself and your dreams from me."
A damson purple light filled the thick darkness and suddenly she was standing in the centre of a garden, planted with many coloured roses, snowdrops, daises and white carnations. The sunlight hit her in the eyes and the breeze brought the sweet scent of cherry trees to her nose. Sakura looked around and realised there were lots of them spread around the garden.
Silently Sakura thought to herself, 'Well this is different from the one in the play but I guess that was to be expected really, Yue's dream having been translated by Yukito, who is more organised than him.'
Suddenly Sakura heard the sound of cascading water: she turned towards the top end of the garden from which there tumbled a waterfall. Sakura then noticed the shrine and her eyes went wide: it was a building of pure snow- white marble, round, with white columns supporting a domed silver roof that sparkled in the sun, the building raised up slightly on four round steps which the waterfall framed perfectly.
The pillars made enough shadow to keep the contents of the Shrine well concealed from Sakura's eyes.
Sakura walked across the stepping stone path that was laid down in the centre of the river made by the waterfall, towards the shrine, her heart beating faster with every step she took.
Finally Sakura reached the top of the shrine stairs. Sakura looked into the shadows, she found just as it had been in the play it was impossible even at this close proximity to see the inside of the shrine, after a moment she took a deep breath. "Ok, I'm going to do this."
Sakura stepped inside the shrine and was very surprised by the amount of light that filled the shrine though she felt that she shouldn't have been really, the inability to see in interior of the shrine from the outside was obviously something Yue had put in place to stay hidden for as long as necessary.
Sakura looked around, in the center of the shrine there stood a large ornately carved plinth of the same white marble as the shrine, the plinth carvings were of silver and moonstones, making a pattern of moons and stars on its sides.
Sakura didn't look long at the plinth before noticing its occupant, as lying on top of the pillows was the sleeping Moon King, Yue. Sakura caught her breath at a sight she thought she would never see outside of her dreams.
Yue made the perfect picture of a sleeping Warrior and King, his ankles crossed with his feet, bare as ever, pointing down. His uniform was straitened and looked like he had never worn it before. Round his neck was the symbol she had given him as a gift, which made Sakura smile, realising he liked it enough to use it for this very special form.
Yue's wings were unfolded behind him, not hidden from view and not stretched, just like two beautifully white and silver feathered arches, which made him look more angelic than ever.
Running down the length of his chest was a sword with a blade of moonstone, the mark of the Moon Warrior. The silver hilt of the sword was being clasped in Yue's strong long-fingered hands over his sternum, at the top of the sword hilt there was a moonstone shaped like a crescent moon holding in its embrace a diamond star.
Yue's face was softly composed in sleep, a small smile on his lips. All of his hair was free except the braid which ran alongside the sword, the rest of the hair fell down the length of the plinth under his wings, and body, there was so much of it that some of it was flowing over the sides of the plinth like a waterfall of light. Lastly there was a silver and moonstone crown that sat gently on his head crowning Yue.
A cylinder of sunlight highlighted Yue where he lay asleep, courtesy of Keroberos, Sakura had no doubt. His chest moved gently up and down in his repose.
Sakura stood there for some time taking Yue in, and after drinking her fill she walked over to the plinth and leaned over Yue, she traced the new symbol now calved on his purple chest stone with her finger before, putting her hands on either side of Yue's head so she didn't fall over when she kissed him.
Sakura stopped for a moment, looking at Yue's soft sleeping face again, hesitating because she was afraid she would not be able wake him. Sakura then decided to take the risk and taking all of her courage in both hands, Sakura placed her lips on Yue's in a soft but determined kiss.
The kiss lingered as Yue responded to the kiss with a murmur, Sakura then stopped kissing him and moved back. Slowly, tentatively, his eyes opened, Sakura felt that this meant that he was almost afraid to see who had woken him but she wasn't shore why he should feel this had he thought she wouldn't come for him? His eyes then fixed on Sakura and Yue smiled softly, his eyes lighting up as he saw it was her who had woken him. Sakura smiled back at Yue and then stepped back to give him some room, Yue blinked, he then slowly sat up on the plinth and looked at Sakura again.
Sakura threw herself at Yue. "Yue-chan, you scared me, I didn't think you would wake up."
"But I did, thanks to you."
Sakura noticed Yue was staring at her. "Yue-chan, why are you staring at me?"
"I'm staring because I love you and I have to admit to being your partner in the dance at Touya-kun and Ruby-chan's wedding."
Sakura smiled. "I knew about you being my partner already." She held out the mask to Yue and he smiled, then the first part of what he had just said hit her.
"You love me."
"Yes, Sakura-chan, aishiteru."
Slowly, Yue rose to his feet. A breeze hit his loose hair, making it fly around him, like a white mist, Sakura felt her heart jump and then begin to pulse, she was finding all of this too hard to believe.
Taking advantage of this stunned state, Yue took Sakura's hand and sank down on one knee before her, pulling a ring topped with a moonstone moon holding a diamond star in its undying embrace out of one of his many hidden pockets. He looked up into her eyes, his hair still flying about him; Sakura's eyes went wide at this sight because she never thought she would see it, other than in her imaginings. Sakura had never dared to hope Yue would propose to her. This was like a dream come true and she thanked her lucky star for it.
"Yukito was able to do the proper thing and ask your father if he could have permission to wed you; I don't have the same luxury but I still want to ask you, will you marry me, Sakura?"
Sakura smiled happily. "Yes, Yue, I'll marry you, and Yukito-chan can ask me when he is ready too."
Yue stood smiling, he opened his strong arms to her and smiling back at Yue Sakura threw herself into them. Yue hugged her tightly, after a moment Sakura leant back in his arms and looked up into his eyes deep purple eyes and spoke. "Aishiteru, Yue."
Yue stood stunned for a moment, and then he brought his head down until their lips met in a soft kiss, Sakuras hands went to his shoulders and held them tightly pressing herself against his strong body. This kiss lasted for some time, when they finally parted they looked at each other and smiled in satisfaction.
Yue smiled down on Sakura she spoke. "The others are out side waiting for us shall we go?"
"Yes and I suppose we had better tell them we are going to be getting married, especially your brother I should imagine."
Sakura giggled. "Yes telling Onii-chan before we tell any one else might be a good idea."
Yue held a hand out to Sakura. "Then shall we leave here and rejoin our friends to give them our good news, continue protecting this world together and carry on loving one another."
Sakrua nodded her agreement and took Yues hand, she felt his long fingers curled in-between hers and grip her hand strongly but gently and she sighed in satisfaction.
Yue looked down on his lady and smiling softly lead her out of the shrine to rejoin the others.
When they emerged the others instantly saw their clasped hands and cheered.
Yue looked down on his blushing love with happiness in his eyes and then turning her to face him, he kissed Sakura, the others whooping and smiling as he did so.