Kaminari: About Syaoran, read the first line. Thank you so much for the compiment! ^^ I don't think you have to worry about me finishing this fic, my FRIEND wouldn't allow it. She'd make my life a living hell.
Crystalline: Thanks for the advice. I know I haven't described Sakura yet, but I will. This is going to come up in later chapters, with a unique description.
Card Captor Lillith: Wow! Favourite author?! Thanks!
Unmasked Destiny
"Mother, surely you are not serious!" cried a pale looking Syaoran.
Indeed I am! You need a wife, and Meiling, Goddess of luck, is perfect," responded Yelan.
Syaoran swallowed hard. He was normally an impassive person, not caring for anything. I mean the God of War go frolicking in the flowers like a rabbit in heat? I hope not! Especially with parents like his: Yelan, the Goddess of night, and Xiao-Jie, God of the day. The royalty among the Gods.
Though, just because he had never been in love, didn't mean he had never been with a woman. He had a new mistress almost every night, but it did not stop the longing in his heart.
"I suppose... if it is your and father's wish, then I will marry Meiling," said Syaoran at last. It's not like he had a good reason no th marry her. To argue would just delay the inevitable.
Yelan smiled at her son. "It really is for the best."
Syaoran nodded curtly and rose to leave. He stopped in the door-frame. "When is the wedding?"
"In a month."
Another nod, and he walked out.
"WHAT?" cried the man in the shadowed room. He had just finished watching the conversation between Yelan and her son.
"Terrible isn't it?" aske the voice of a woman. It was not the same woman as before. The one was older and her eyes held much wisdom, but also mirth.
"That's the biggest understatement of the millenia!"
The woman smiled, "Don't worry. It'll all turn out alright."
"Alright? ALRIGHT?! How can you be so calm?! With the...! And the...! Don't forget the...!" the man spluttered.
A laugh was head. It was the woman from before. "Wow Nadie! You got to teach me how to do that!" The first woman, Nadie, chuckled and the man glared.
"It will all be fine, I just know it!" whispered Nadie.
Syaoran sighed as he walked into the portal room. He needed to get away, to get out of the stupid world above the clouds and visit the mortal realm. It wasn't just for pleasure, it was also to stop him from causing more wars than the three he had started that morning.
Might as well go now, he thought. I don't want to cause anymore wars with my depression. Besides, I won't have a chance later on, what with the wedding...
His insides tightened. The thought of marriage to Meiling disgusted him. She was too clingy, annoying and over -protective.
The War God sighed and jumped through the portal.
Sakura sat in an old oak tree, casually reading a book of faerie tales. There was a calming silence in the garden; a silence that was soon disturbed by the sound of footsteps.
Had Sakura not been in the workd of pixies and witches, she may have noticed the footsteps stopping under the oak tree...
But the fact remained: she did not.
"Good day Sakura!" a cheery voice called up.
"Hoe!"
Sakura, startled by Lady Tomoyo's unexpected call, had fallen off her branch and had landed in a bush.
"Sorry Sakura-hime," Tomoyo appologized sheepishly, holding out a hand to the distressed princess. Sakura gratefully accepted.
"Don't sneak up on me like that!" cried Sakura.
"I didn't, you weren't paying attention."
Well, next time warn me," said the princess.
"Tomoyo put her hands on her hips. "How exactly am I supposed to-"
"Shhhh!" There were voices. Loud voices. Two people seemed to be having an argument. "Follow me," whispered Sakura, following the voices.
They came to a clearing in the wood. There was Yoko, a scullery maidand Chang, a stable boy. They were both standing opposite to each other. Yoko was crying and Chang's eyes held pain.
"I'm sorry Yoko, but I have to do this! I can't be a stable boy forever! I want to see the world, and find my place," Chang cried.
"But I might never see you again!" sobbed Yoko.
"Maybe, but you'll always have a place in my heart."
"Oh Chang!" cried Yoko, rushing forward.
"No Yoko. It is best if we do not. I wouldn't be able to leave." Yoko nodded. "Good-bye Yoko, my love." Chang turned around and started to march away, head down.
"No!" whispered Sakura. "Kiss her! Turn around, run to her and kiss her!"
Chang suddenly stopped. His gaze moved upward until he was looking straight forward. He slowly turned around, and looked at Yoko crying. Forgetting all previous comments, he sprinted towards her, pulled her into his arms and kissed her soundly.
Sakura was shocked. It was completely unbelievable. That was exactly how she had imagined it! From the motions, to the look of sheer happiness in Yoko's eyes.
"I think we should go," whispered Tomoyo, "they look like they want to be alone."
Sakura could only nod dumbly.
As the two made their wy back to the palace, Tomoyo noticed Sakura's pale face. "What ales you?"
Emerald eyes met amethyst ones. The young princess' eyes held confusion, disbelief and fear. "Back in the clearing, right before Chang kissed Yoko, I pictured it happening. And when it did, I felt, I don't know, at peace."
Tomoyo thought for a second. "Maybe you should pray to Eriol-sama, the God of wisdom. He could give you answers."
"The face of the princess lit up. "That's a great idea! Thank you Tomoyo!"
"Don't mention it!"
Later that evening, Sakura made an offering of cherry blossoms to Eriol-sama in his temple. "Oh powerful Eriol-sama, I pray to for assistance! I wish to know what happened this afternoon!"
Your true self began to immerge.
Sakura gasped and looked around. She could've sworn that there had been a voice. Could it have been in her head? Was it Eriol-sama?
Yes, it is I. Do not be afraid. To the events that occured: your power began to shine through. Take heed; this power affects all life on the mortal plain. Go now and think about all that I have told you.
Dumbstruck couldn't even begin to express Sakura's feelings. She heard stories about people gifted by the Gods, but never thought it would happen to her.
Obeying Eriol-sama's wishes, she slowly made her way back to the gardens. She had to cross them in order to get back to her chambers.
What did he mean by 'my powers'? wondered Sakura. What powers could I have?
As the princess arrived at the entrance to the palace, she saw that the two guards who were on duty were bickering... over which was better: tea or coffee.
"Why don't they just kiss and make-up?" sighed Sakura.
And they did. Sakura watched in horror as the two men kissed and appologized. Without thinking twice, Sakura ran past the guards and straight to her room.
Did I do that? Sakura wondered frantically. Are these the powers Eriol-sama told me about? The power to control people? She needed a bath. A long one. Not to get clean, but to relax.
Sakura walked into the bathing room. She peeled off all her clothes and stepped into the tub.
The tub was more of a pool. It went deep into the ground, though head seats on the sides near the surface. When Sakura stood on the bottom, the water came to her shoulders. The water poured in by a fountain that was never turned off.
Why would the Gods grant me such gifts? Why am I so special? These thoughts and more drifted through the young prncess' mind.
Syaoran sat in a bar drinking ail. AS much as he hated to admit it, he was depressed. The last thing he wanted to do is marry Meiling.
"Did you hear?" asked the bartender to a man who had just sat in front of him.
"Hear what?" asked the man.
"Apparently the Mickell Kingdom declared war on the Shijoushi Kingdom. It's the fourth war this week. Xiao Lang-sama must be in a bad mood."
"You have no idea," muttered Syaoran, taking another swig of his drink. He deprately wanted something to make him feel better. Then it hit him. Sakura trees. "Hey bartender!"
"You want another one?" asked the bartender.
"No, could you tell me where to find a Sakura tree?" wondered Syaoran.
The man looked shocked. "The only Sakura trees are in the Palace gardens."
"Thanks." Syaoran left his money and started to walked down the road towards the Palace.
Sakura couldn't sleep. She tossed and turned, but was unable to drift into dreamland. I need to get some fresh air, she thought.
She got up out of bed and walked to the door. The girl didn't bother to put a robe over her silk nightie, for she knew it wouldn't be cold. She crept down the hall and walked silently towards the gardens.
