DISCLAIMER: Own: Nothing. Don't: Sue. Simple enough?

Author's note(s):

Ahh!! I'm still smiling! ^_^ Thank you sooo much for all your reviews. From 28-32. It seems like a bigger jump than it really is. ^-~ But either way, I'm really thankful for them! It's wonderful to know people are reading and enjoying it.

As for the question of the hour, No, I won't be including Eriol. I know, I know. I seriously thought about including him, but. if I had he would have been with Tomoyo, and. I don't know, that just reeeeeally didn't fit his character. I know my story stretches their characters a little as far as Sakura (she's definitely a lot more brave. ^-~) and Syaoran, but I didn't want to stretch Eriol's. I guess if I had been smart, I could have made him the king's advisor instead of Hideaki, but that didn't exactly work then either. I wanted an older guy so there would be no thought of matchmaking between those two. . . and I didn't want to make Eriol the king's best friend just because. . . mmmm, well, maybe that would have been a good idea. ^-^; Oh well. Don't get me wrong! I love Eriol. He'll definitely be in my other fanfic, lol. ^-^;

Summer Lover: LoL, once again you get your own shout out. ^-^ I completely understand about the last shout out. I'm like that too. I luv it when people acknowledge my reviews. I'm glad you like the humor! I try to add humor in here. Otherwise it would just be a soap opera. ^-~ And I'm definitely jealous of all your movies!! How was X-2? Worth going to see it?? Last night on FX, X-Men came on (the first one) and I watched most of that.

One really important note to everyone: Right now the weather is really bad. I can't plug in the computer except when the storms down here pause. And that's very brief. So I apologize if it takes a little while to update. But it should be clearing up soon. ^-^

****

"Sakura," he breathed. His eyes took in the green dress she was wearing. It was his favorite color. Seeing her wear it made him like it even more.

Sakura turned slowly, not meeting his eyes. "I was just leaving, your highness," she said. He thought he heard her stumble over his title.

She stood up and started towards the door. The king watched helplessly, catching the servant's amused glance. As soon as he heard the door click shut, he sighed.

The servant girl's amused look had not faded. Without the slightest hint of fear, she addressed the king. "You should go after her."

Feeling slightly stupid, he answered. "She will not talk to me."

He was greeted by a kind smile. "So make her listen."

Syaoran sent a slight smile the girl's way and turned for the door.

Tomoyo's smile grew bigger as the door closed.

****

"Sakura!! Wait!!"

Sakura winced and started walking faster. She could see the door to her room. With a final burst of speed, she had her hand on the door when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

His touch sent shivers down her spine, and she angrily shook it off, ignoring the sadness her body felt when it was removed.

'How can you mourn the loss of him? Of someone like him?' she asked herself.

"What do you want?" she asked coldly.

She felt the king back off slightly, unsure of what to say next. Snorting, she turned and opened the door to her room. She stepped in and shut the door without a word.

****

Time flew quickly. Sakura spent her days with Tomoyo, watching as Tomoyo quickly recovered. Within a few days, she was ready to serve again.

But when she reported in, she was informed she was now solely to serve the Lady Sakura. Tomoyo rushed back to tell the good news, and the two friends shared the rest of the evening together. Sakura tried not to think about where the order had come from.

The very next day, Tomoyo began making Sakura's dress, as promised. Sakura fought hard to change her friend's mind, but Tomoyo was dead set on this idea. She measured Sakura carefully and refused to let Sakura see it until it was done.

While Tomoyo was sewing, Sakura found herself spending her days wandering around in the gardens. She soon grew to love the small trails and the brilliant flowers. She was unaware of the amber eyes watching her intently from the balcony above.

During the days, she could find peace in keeping busy. At nights, however, peace was scarce. One night she woke and, finding herself unable to sleep again, wandered out to the gardens. Her feet led her to a familiar gate.

The sight of the gate brought back the painful memories she had so long tried to repress and she fled. She stopped finally in the Eastern Garden and sat down heavily on a bench. Her breath was heavy and the tears were steady. She looked down and realized she had lost a slipper.

She heard movement to her left and stood, ready to run, when she spotted something standing in the moonlight. It was her slipper.

"Who's there?" she called, hiding the fear from her voice. She was answered only with silence. Hesitantly, she approached the slipper. What she saw inside it made the tears flow freely again.

It was a single cherry blossom.

****

Hideaki took a deep breath, preparing himself. He knocked lightly on the door. There was a short invitation to enter. He stepped over the threshold and caught sight of those awful blue eyes. The seducing smile fell from her lips as she saw whom the visitor was.

"It's you," she said flatly.

Hideaki let a short chuckle emerge. "Yes, my lady. I am on an errand for the king. I hope you are well this morning?"

Nireko turned and faced the window. She answered sharply. "I might be better if his highness had given me a room that received more air." She added lightly, "I suppose the best room was given to that green eyed wench he's so sweet on."

Hideaki coughed lightly. "I apologize if the room is not to your liking my lady. I can look for another if you wish."

Nireko waved a hand carelessly. "I shall make do." Eyes glinting dangerously, she added, "It will not be long before I live in the king suite."

Hideaki's eyes narrowed. "Are you so sure the king will have you?"

His tone caught her off guard. Turning to face him, she said quietly, "He will have to if he wants the allegiance between my country and this hole."

He stood up with an air of mystery. "Perhaps he will find someone who suits him better with equal value," he answered.

Nireko's eyes narrowed. "Such as who?"

Hideaki bowed, eyes dancing. "It was only a thought, my lady. No one in particular."

He was approaching the door when his memory kicked in. Turning, he said, "The king sent me to let you know the ball is in three days, my lady."

"When will he pick me up?" Nireko asked.

Hideaki's sent a questioning glance her way.

"He is to be my escort, is he not?" she asked, a hint of danger in her tone.

Hideaki bowed. "He has not mentioned it."

Nireko stood perfectly still, waiting for the advisor to leave. As soon as the door shut, she picked up a china piece sitting on the dresser and flung it across the room, shattering it on contact.

'This wench is leaving more of an impression than I had thought. Something must be done.'

Suddenly she smiled. Stepping quickly into the hall, she grabbed the nearest servant.

"Yes, my lady?"

"I need you to deliver a message, boy."

"To who, my lady?"

"Lord Lamar."

****

The night before the ball had finally arrived. Sakura had been forced from her own room by the purple-haired monster.

"I must finish your dress," she had said, and pushed her out the door, throwing her shawl in her face before the door closed.

Sakura laughed and walked to her favorite part of the garden. She was taken aback when she noticed a familiar figure sitting there.

His eyes looked up as she approached, and her brain filled instantly with anger.

"It's been a while, Lamar."

He smirked, carefully tossing his blond hair backwards. "You are much the same, Sakura." His eyes trailed her body slowly, pausing at certain points. "Only slightly. . . bigger."

Sakura felt a blush rising to her cheeks. Angrily, she tried to force it away but was unsuccessful.

"What do you want?" she said sharply.

He stood up and approached her. "What have I always wanted, Sakura?"

Sakura moved backwards, spacing herself from him. "Something you cannot have, Lamar."

Suddenly, he lunged forward, grabbing her by the waist. She gasped and tried to wrench free of his grasp. He was too strong.

"I can tell you by your grip you are accustomed to forcing yourself upon women," she spat.

He laughed and pulled her closer. "Only the ones who are unwilling."

"That would narrow it to anyone with a brain," she answered.

He forced her chin upwards. "You are stupid to resist. I'll get what I want."

She fought to wrench free of his grasp. "Just like you wanted my servant?"

His eyes shined with amusement. "That was your servant, eh? She sure is a pretty wench."

Anger boiled her blood. Before she could respond, he was pulling her closer. "You are a pretty wench, yourself, Sakura."

Before she knew what was happening, his lips were pressing forcefully against her.

****

The king looked up from his work to see a familiar figure enter the room. Her blue eyes shone when she saw him. He looked up briefly than returned to his papers.

"What are you working on, my love?" she said.

"Don't call me that. That's something for lovers," he answered without looking up.

She smiled and bent down. "And isn't that what we are?"

"Don't be stupid, Nireko. That is one thing you are not," he answered.

Her smile remained unfazed, causing him to watch her curiously. She walked around the room until finally stopping at the balcony. Glancing out for a moment, she suddenly called.

"Syaoran! Come look."

Sighing, he approached the balcony. What he saw made him gasp. His knees felt weak. Two people were held in a lover's grasp in the garden. It took him a moment to recognize Lord Lamar. The other form he could identify easily.

He could not break his gaze from their form; a form he had been part of only days before.

"Well, well. I guess your wench was bored," she whispered into his ear.

Syaoran wrenched his eyes from the scene, turning them angrily upon Nireko.

His anger surprised her.

"Get out," he commanded. Turning on her heel, she left without a word.

He turned back toward the balcony. The two had parted. He could barely see Sakura behind Lamar, but he knew she was there.

Sadness suddenly turned into determination.

'I must try one more time. I must get her back. Before she decides to stay with him forever.'

****

Author's Note: I end up erasing every one of these notes as I go along. Maybe I should just get rid of them.

-Sekai's laughter is heard- "It can be my own private corner."

-UrbanCinderella sweatdrops- Nevermind.