Disclaimer: Cardcaptor Sakura does not belong to me, so there. *sticks tongue out in a most unladylike manner* ^_^
Author's note: Well, this is the next chapter! I hope you like it. Thank you to Runic and SapphireStar for reviewing chapter two- and cheers for the note on characterisation, Runic! *grins* I love Touya as a character, he's so much fun to play with, and perfect for his role in this!
Well, read and enjoy, and please make me happy and encourage me to write more by clicking the button and leaving your thoughts!
Whispers in Dark CornersChapter Three
The sun shone down on the group as they made their way down the mansion's sweeping gravel drive. Sakura found herself joined by Ruby Moon, who linked arms with the younger girl and smiled down at her.
"So, finally we meet, young lady." She winked. "I've heard a lot about you. Although my lord is very difficult to get information from: I'm sure you already know him well enough to know that!" She laughed, and tilted her head to look ahead at the grand gates, still a way off. "Yes, he's quiet one… But that just makes me even happier that you are here! I was so sorry to hear of you parents' death." Her brows drew together anxiously. "I never knew them very well myself, but they were so close to Lord Touya's parents, I saw them sometimes as a child. Your father always used to give me a little pink-wrapped sweet whenever he visited. He gave me a red ribbon for my hair once. I remember how beautiful your mother was… Such lovely long hair and such sweet eyes." Ruby Moon's voice had changed a little with her last comments. Sakura wondered if the Guardian was still in role.
Ruby Moon suddenly smiled again. "But things are better now, are they not? You have a guardian of very respectable wealth and status, and so many people here to celebrate your coming to this place. I am sure we will become good friends," she said, with a smile that seemed a little strange, Sakura thought. Almost sly. She blinked and Ruby Moon looked normal, her smile friendly. Maybe Sakura was imagining things.
As the neared the great, towering gates, Touya, at the head of the group, turned and bowed deeply.
"Here we must turn onto wilder paths. Do not fear, ladies: I will guide you true. We head for the grassy slope beyond yonder hill," he announced, gesturing to a gentle rise to his right, some few hundred metres away. The group all smiled at each other and turned their faces to the hillside.
The grass was not at all damp, and a pleasant breeze freshened the warm day. Sakura wanted to skip her way ahead, but decided Touya may not approve, in his role as a lord and her guardian. She contented herself with a beaming smile instead.
Ruby Moon squeezed her arm before releasing her. "I wish to speak more with my lord. I haven't seen him in too long!" she said, before frolicking in Touya's direction. Sakura shook her head with a grin. Poor Touya. Something about their roles here hadn't changed from real life.
Sakura was surprised when Eriol walked up alongside her. He turned to smile at her, and offered her his arm: a perfect gentleman. She took it willingly, resting her hand lightly on his arm as they walked.
"Good day, my lady. It is a fine day for a walk, is it not?" he asked, gesturing with his free hand in a wide motion to encompass the lovely blue sky, wide green landscape and happily chatting company. Sakura nodded with a smile.
"I'm so glad to be here. And with so many people I care about," she added.
"What do you think of Miss Ruby?" he asked politely.
The question took her a little by surprise. "Oh, she seems very nice- very friendly," she added hastily.
"Yes, I am inclined to agree with you. She is the true mistress of the maid, Tomoyo. She seems to treat Tomoyo quite well: but then, it is difficult to know what things are like when no one else is around," he observed serenely. Suddenly he turned to her with an apologetic smile. "Ah, I'm sorry, it is improper of me to speculate in this way. We shall talk of more pleasant things. How do you like your new home? It is very grand."
"It is, isn't it? I think it's lovely. And I'm glad to have Lord Touya as my guardian, now that I am an orphan. I have known him a little for most of my life, and though he teased me far too much in past years, I am sure we will get along well. It's much better than living with a complete stranger."
Eriol nodded. "You know, you look absolutely beautiful today, my lady."
Sakura stared in surprise. "Um, thank you, sir," she stuttered. He just smiled, and they walked on in comfortable silence.
When they reached the slope, blankets, food and two large canopy-like umbrellas had already been set up ready. Tomoyo stood ready to serve their lunch, a happy smile on her face.
"Excuse me." Eriol bowed to Sakura and headed in Tomoyo's direction. That didn't surprise Sakura at all. She was glad to see Tomoyo blush prettily as Eriol hastened to her side.
Everyone sat down on the blankets, some choosing the shade of the umbrellas, some preferring the sunshine. Conversation went on easily, and Sakura laughed in delight at everyone's happiness.
"Syaoran, don't sit all the way over there! Come here, share this fruit with me."
"Would you like some tea with your sandwiches, sir?"
"That would be very welcome, Tomoyo."
"This was a nice idea of yours, cousin. You look very well: it's been too long. How do you like my new riding clothes?"
"Very red. They suit you."
"Uh, can I sit here?" A voice at her elbow accosted Sakura. She turned to see Syaoran stood right next to her, a slightly nervous look on his face.
"Syaoran! Oh, sit there, then, if you prefer the sun." Mei-Ling's voice came from the other side of the group. Sakura didn't even turn to see her face: she was looking at Syaoran.
The bright sunshine had set off all the auburn highlights in his hair, and his eyes sparkled a rich, deep chocolate brown. A small smile caught at the edges of his mouth, despite the hint of pink on his cheeks at approaching her. He looked so… Sakura just gazed at him.
"Um, Sakura? My lady?" he corrected himself quickly. He blushed a stronger red at his forgetful use of her name.
She snapped out of it. "Oh, yes, please sit!" she cried, going red herself.
He lowered himself to her side, and, reaching out to a bowl of fruit in front of them, took a cherry and, taking her hand, placed it in her palm. "Here: kind of like your name. Though the blossoms are prettier- and you're prettier still. They're really sweet and juicy- try it," he hurried on, embarrassed by the obvious compliment he'd made.
She looked at him wide-eyed, then took the cherry between finger and thumb, and bit into it delicately. She smiled at Syaoran as he watched her. "Very sweet," she said.
They both went red and looked away from each other.
Touya watched his sister- no, charge- talking with Syaoran. They both kept blushing. It was impossible. He still got so annoyed every time that punk got Sakura all cute and girly like that, making her blush. It was almost funny to watch them falling over their words around each other: they were hopeless.
Oh, Touya knew she liked Syaoran, and it was pretty obvious how Syaoran felt. But Touya's sister complex didn't allow him to just smile and let them get on with it. He had to make sure his little monster-sister didn't get hurt.
She might be fourteen now, but she was still young enough to be naïve about some things. He judged Syaoran as not being the sort to take advantage, or anything bad like that: but, equally, Syaoran was young too, and might get involved without being sure of the consequences, or certain of his feelings.
Whatever happened, Touya would be damned if he'd let his sister get hurt.
And he'd be damned if he let her miss out on a relationship that would make her truly happy.
Author's note: yeh, this was a fairly nothingy chapter, but I wanted to get a few things established and what-not. It'll pick up properly soon, I promise! At least we got a little S/S fluff, right? ^_^