A/n: Konnichiwa! Ready for chapter seven?
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midnightoasis: ^o^ Good idear.. My story comes first.. Lol! Chapter 7! Domo for the review! *Bows*
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Disclaimer: Kero-chan and I don't own CCS and most of the plot. We own some parts that you can't find in the book Just Ella. *Sigh* Mehh...
Just Sakura
By: LiL DreameR
Chapter Seven: All In A Blink Of An Eye
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~*~Sakura's POV~*~
"Shh...!" Tomoyo-chan, my newest best buddy here in China, pressed her index finger to her lips and looked down an empty hall. She motioned me to follow her as we trekked down the silent corridor.
I smacked my two hands onto my mouth, trying in vain to hide my giggles. Tomoyo grinned at me. I was about to burst if I kept these things in, so I let out a teeny weeny little snort.
It echoed loudly down the hall.
Tomoyo looked around alarmed, checking to see if anyone had heard that. She swiveled and landed a glare at me, one she hadn't used since she was pretending to be... Ahhemm... Misssstress Daidouji. I gave a sheepish smile and she rolled her eyes.
We continued creeping along the stone-flagged hallway.
Tomoyo-chan and I are pure evil. Ehehehe... Though, if we get caught in the making, we'll be in deep deep shit... I mean trouble. De.. Demo! We're doing this for a very good cause!! [Demo: But]
It was mid-morning. The arrival of the Lord Ling Qing Long at King Wong's favorite palace would take place soon. (A/n: I don't think I mentioned his last name to be Ling last chapter?) Tomoyo-chan and I had made a sure-fire plan to chase Old Balls out of the picture. So he likes mature young ladies, eh? Oh, we'll give him young alright...
"Sakura-chan!" Tomoyo whispered, bringing me back to attention. We crept into the daylight outside, dodging guards here and there.
We made our way into the garden's fantastic maze and stopped in one of the bushes. "Here." Tomoyo handed me a thin overcoat and a shawl. I hurriedly pulled them over my gown and wrapped the shawl over my auburn hair. "Remember the plan?"
"Hai!" I winked at her and put on a stupid grin. We stopped out giggling for a moment to listen. Hoof beats! He's gonna be here soon! We grinned, getting ourselves ready. "Let's get this old geezer back on the road, Tomoyo-chan!" [Hai: Yes]
With Tomoyo-chan leading the way out of the confusing maze, we stumbled upon an open field with a road and the palace gates not far ahead. In the back of us was the entrance to the palace.
And then we saw the carriage...
Tomoyo and I plopped onto the soft grass, my friend in a pretty gown and myself in servant clothes, the ones I used to wear back in Japan. We let out some chuckles one last time before getting down to business.
The front entrance to the palace swung open. I could hear the voices of many people entering into the lawn. I took a peek behind my shoulder to see who had come to greet our guest.
The King and Queen of course were there. Tomoyo's father and mother, Kentaro and Sonomi, were present too. My... ugh... betrothed was standing in the middle of his parents. A few servants and guards were also outside.
Nobody seemed to notice the two of us lazing around on the grass. All except that person behind the Prince... Chocolate brown hair, amber--
Syaoran-kun!!! Wait! Of course, he'd have to be here also. Besides being my arithmetic teacher and... *Cough*... Well, you know... He's also the Prince's advisor-to be.
He stared at me in confusion and mouthed the words, 'What are you doing?' I hastily put my index finger to my mouth and turned back around to face Tomoyo, who was unnoticingly smearing grass stains on her dress, hands, and face. ^^;; Nobody was supposed to know that I, Princess.. err.. fake Princess of Balonkia, was here to help Tomoyo get rid of her 'future husband.' I was supposed to pose as a maid accompanying the Lady outside.
I just hope no one finds out it's me... Well, other than Syaoran.
Something came to a screech and a halt. I looked up, having a beautiful carriage almost at the tip of my nose. Tomoyo and I crawled a little forward to be noticed.
We stared intently at the scene before as an old fat man emerged from the carriage. Tomoyo looked horror-stricken, yet more determined than ever to succeed with this plan. We started to throw pulled out grass at each other, though keeping our ears wide open.
"Good day, your highnesses," the fat old bloke greeted the King, Queen, and Prince, trying to bow deeply but couldn't accomplish on the count of that huge bulge in his stomach. I tried to keep in my laugh.
"Good day to you too, Lord Ling Qing Long," replied the King Wong Zhong Tai, bowing ever-so slightly, followed by his wife, Queen Wong Cho Chang, and son Prince Fei Hung. (A/n: Gackk! Gomen! I couldn't think of a woman's Chinese name.. So I used Cho Chang's from Harry Potter!)
"I'll leave you to discuss matters with my good friends, the Daidoujis now." And with that and a few half-hearted bows, the King and his regal family left... including Syaoran, who looked back at me. I don't know what else he did because I, stupidly enough, looked down to hide the redness in my face.
Tomoyo and I continued throwing grass at each other. She started to whine and pout, just because I threw some in her hair. We both noticed Ling look at us revoltingly. Maybe he didn't recognize the girl in the gown was to be his future bride.
"Good day, Lord Qing Long. How was your trip?" Tomoyo's mother stepped forward a gave a low bow. Her father did also.
"Yes, yes. It was very stomach-upsetting. The gravel here has to be smoothed out more," answered Ling's gruff voice. He didn't even bother show one bit of respect for Tomoyo's parents. "Now, Sonomi, where is this daughter of yours?"
"Umm.. Right. Where is she...? Ah! There! Tomoyo, dear! Come here and meet your future husband!" Sonomi-san called to her daughter.
Tomoyo, before getting up, splashed mud at me and wiped her hands on her dress and face. "Coming, Mommy!" Tomoyo giggled happily in a cheery baby voice. She ran towards the pavement; I could tell she was trying to find her right type of footing. And she found it. When she was just about to reach the gravel...
SPLAT! She tripped head on in mud. Wow... Tomoyo is a great actor. No wonder she did so well in making me think she was a swine of a teacher.
"Lady Tomoyo!" I yelled, acting my part as a servant looking after her.
I could hear fast hyperventilating. The hyperventilating turned right away into cries, sobs, and pouts. Tomoyo, still belly down in the mud, pounded her hands and feet into the mud splattering mud everywhere, on the already dirty me, her open-mouthed parents, her wide-eyed fiancée, and the beautiful carriage.
"Seriously, Sonomi, where is that daughter of yours? I have not enough time to watch babies play in the mud." I helped Tomoyo back up, who pushed me away crying hysterically.
"Oh, my dear Lord!" Sonomi gasped, rushing over to her daughter. Pure concern was in her eyes. Kentaro-san stood looking quite upset with Tomoyo's behavior. "Tomoyo-chan, what's wrong?"
Tomoyo flung herself onto Sonomi-san and wailed even louder, burying her head in her mother's chest. "Mommy!"
"Oh dear, Tomoyo. What are you doing?" Sonomi took hold of Tomoyo's mud-covered head. She galnced anxiously at the impatient, unimpressed Ling.
"Sonomi, I thought you said your daughter was a dignified, mature young lady. Not a blubbering cry-baby juvenile brat," he spat angrily. "Please do not waste my time like this again."
"Wa-Wait! She is not like this! I don't know what has gotten into Tomoyo!"
Tomoyo's lip quivered as she hyperventilated then broke out into my sobs. "He... He... *Sniff* He d-doesn't like m-me?" she moaned, tears splattering. I tired hard to contain my laughter.
"Shh... It's okay, Tomoyo-chan." Well, at least Sonomi-san is trying to comfort her 'distressed' daughter. Kentaro-kun's face is expressionless!
"Good day, Daidoujis." With that, Ling climbed into his carriage. Inside I could see sniggering women.. I'm guessing... his... whores? Hahaha!
The carriage disappeared down the road, Sonomi looking longingly after it. Tomoyo broke down again and fell into a heap on the floor. "Lady Daidouji Sonomi, vould you vike me to escort ze Tomoyo to 'er room?" I asked in a stressed fake accent. (A/n: Hmm.. Sounds French.. Lol)
"Yes, yes, yes, please do. Thank you, Miss-?" She handed the sobbing Tomoyo over to me.
I looked around, panicked. What's my name? What's my name?! "Uhh.. Err.. Fleur!"
"Hmm.. French. Thank you, Miss Fleur." She left with her husband back into the main entrance of the palace. (A/n: Gahh! More Harry Potter!)
Once out of sight, Tomoyo and broke out into fits of giggles. "Zank you very vuch, Mizz Fleur!" she exclaimed, high-pitched. Tears of laughter ran down her face.
"Shut up and let's go, Tomoyo-chan!" We ran back into the maze, holding our aching stomachs from laughing too hard.
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Ohehe... Great news! Now that Tomoyo-chan's whore-infested fiancèe is gone, she is free to choose her own husband! Here comes your bride, Hiiragizawa-kun!
I'm so happy! Plus, today I get see Syaoran-kun later for math lessons! Great day, isn't.... it...
Oh phoo. I forgot what I'm roaming these damn corridors for.
My stop landed in front of the familiarly elaborate door of my... own... fiancèe. I gulped down a huge lump in my throat and rapped lightly on his door. Today was another rare meeting with this Prince.
And today is going to be such a special meeting...
Because today...
I'm breaking off our engagement.
Our oh-so well-known chaperon, Jun Tao, stood by the door as it swung open to reveal the dark room. Two chairs were set up, one occupied with no one other than Prince Fei Hung.
Jun Tao closed the door once I entered, leaving the room dark with only scented candles to give us light. Before, I always thought the candles were romantic. Now, they make me feel rather nervous and sick.
I sat in my seat opposite Fei Hung, who's face I could make out from the meager light. I used to think he was so handsome; he's nothing now to Syaoran-kun.
Maybe that's the reason I "loved" Fei Hung so much. Just because he was handsome... and rich.. and powerful.. and well-known. Gosh, how superficial was I!
"Good evening, you Highness." I gave a polite deep curtsy, my auburn bangs covered my eyes.
"Good evening, my Princess," he replied in his deep voice. He took a hold of my right hand and kissed it lightly. I grimaced and slowly slid my hand out of his, wiping it on my dress. I sat down.
I looked around the room, hoping to avoid the Prince's eyes that were currently roaming my body, as I can feel. Sweat poured down my head... Good thing Jun Tao is here or else you never know what sneaky things that Prince would try. "Umm.. Err.. My face is up here!" I blurted out.
The Prince looked kind of disturbed. "Well, I'd hope so," he laughed nonchalantly. "Can't I just admire my fiancèe's beautiful body?" He reached out for me, but luckily I slid away in time, cringing and shaking.
"Umm.. Yeah," I began extra slowly. "About that.." I glanced over at Jun Tao, who was dozing off in a corner. Good, he wasn't going to listen. I just hope Fei Hung won't end up crying. "... I don't think our relationship is going quite as expected, you Highness. Maybe the best thing to do is to ... break off the engagement...?"
He looked stupidly at me, trying to absorb the hard words I said. "Wha-?"
Damn.. He's denser than I am!
Clearing my throat, I repeated, "I think we should end our engagement."
Fei Hung was now holding his head hard not looking at me. "What are you saying?! I don't get you! I don't wanna get you!"
"Prince Fei Hung..."
"No, go away! Come back later when your head is clear-er-er!"
I heard his last statement... Clear-er-er... *Snort!* And left. Well that was easier then expected.. But I guess I have to come back later to resolve this.
*SIgh*... Oh well! My lesson with Syaoran -kun is next! Yatta!
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"... And so then, Tomoyo started crying like a baby, scaring off Ling!" I explained to Syaoran about Tomoyo and my plan to chase Ling away.
We both laughed full-heartedly. "So that was your plan! No wonder Eriol has been so smug lately. Hah! I gotta get that git for not telling me!" I smiled at Syaoran's vigor, yet there was something in his voice that sounded different...
Our math books were collecting dust from the lack of opening them. "Maybe we should actually get some math in today, huh?" he suggested. Something.. Different..
"Naw... Not worth it. I'd rather spend this time talking to you, Syaoran-kun! Besides, what's the use when I'm le-" Pause... Derr.. Sakura! Don't tell him your secret! "Ahem... I mean, when I'm not even learning anything!" Bad choice of words... "I mean, you're a great teacher and all, Syaoran-kun!" I bet my face is red right now... Oh, it sounds like I just criticized him! "It's just the math is too hard and- and- and-!"
Syaoran smiled, his face slightly pink and his eyes... drooping? "You're right, Sakura. Besides.. there really is no use for anymore since I'm..." He dragged.
"Hoe?" I cocked my head to one side.
"Nothing."
Silence....
...
Oh, no!!! I think I hurt his feelings!! "Oh my, Syaoran-kun! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to-!" He pressed a finger to my lips to silence me; his face so close to mine. His warm breath touching my reddening face. Those amber eyes look so sad from up close. And his lips... Oh, his ruby red lips, so full... I just wanna...
"Oh, don't worry about that. I already know what a bad teacher I am." I opened my mouth in protest, but he silenced me again. Is it me or does my room get warmer and warmer by the second?
"Look, Sakura..."
Silence...
It's such an awkward moment.. Yet this silence is so comfortable. I wonder why?
Syaoran stood up and paced my room, hands grabbing at his already messy chocolate hair. He let out a sigh and spoke again. "Sakura, it's my mother..."
Blink blink.
After our little talk in the garden, Syaoran never mentioned his family again.
"She's... She's gravely ill... Almost near death. My sisters, they've tried everything they could. The family doctor said it's a hopeless case. Every one of my relatives in Hong Kong are begging me to come home, to sort things out... Since, well, after my father died, my mother had to take care of the Clan..."
C-Clan? W-what's Syaoran-kun trying to say? My lip started to quiver.
"The Li Clan in Hong Kong are a very prestigious organization. With my mother dying, I would have to take over, being the only male heir," he explained softly, his back turned to me, as if he didn't want me to see his face.
"H-Heir? You never told me you were the male heir to the famous Li Clan. Even yet, you never told me you were even part of it." My breath was becoming faster than it was already. Why didn't he tell me?
"I'm sorry, Sakura... I was sworn to secre..."
"You're leaving, aren't you?" I whispered quietly, head down facing the cold ground.
"Sakura, I-"
My head jerked, and I ran head-on into him, grabbing Syaoran's shirt with both my hands. I tugged and unwanted tears come to my face. "You're leaving me, aren't you?!" I yelled.
Syaoran looked taken aback and stumbled. "Sakura.."
I held on tightly, tears still coming in rivers. My head dug deep into his chest to muffle my cries. "B-But why? Y-You c-can't g-g-go!" I held my breath, letting out a few hiccups. Why? Oh, why? "I-! I-! I... Y-You ju-just c-can't!!"
He hugged me, hugged me tightly. Syaoran patted my head. He cooed gently, "I'm so sorry, Sakura. But.. It's for the good of the-"
"No!" I let go of his shirt and hugged him around the waist. He can't go... Not when I realized my feelings.. Oh, why is the room spinning so fast?
"Sakura, you have to rea-!"
"NO!!!!"
The room spun so fast.. So very fast. I pushed him away from me... and fled out the door into the hallway. I heard his one last plea, "Sakura!!" before I slammed the door... Not knowing it was well enough to be my last time seeing him...
~*~Normal POV~*~
"Sakura!!" Syaoran yelled, his hand stretched out, just before he heard the door slam shut. He was left alone.
"Dammit!!" Syaoran punched the concrete wall of Sakura' bedroom. A tear dripped off his smooth cheek.
"Sakura... Don't think I'm leaving voluntarily. I don't want to abandon what I love here.." he muttered sadly before walking to his bedroom to pack. (A/n: Geesh... I never knew I could write so emotionally... -.-;;)
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The next day, Sakura entered her room with clear emeralds. She spent the night crying her eyes out at Tomoyo's room. Knowing she would have to face Syaoran again, she changed into some proper attire.
Then she noticed it...
I deep dent in one of her walls, underneath was dust. It was as if... someone had punched the wall.. out of anger..?
A paper flew off her desk. A paper she never noticed before.
"Syaoran's handwriting!" she gasped. Quickly, Sakura's emerald eyes roamed the parchment. Tears welled up as it came to an end, bottom lip quivering and then came the hyperventilating. She chucked the piece away and ran out of her room once again, with puffy eyes and sobbing cries.
The note fluttered away; the wind carrying it out the open window into the daylight.
Dearest Sakura,
I'm sorry to have brought this on to you so suddenly, but whatever you do... Please don't cry. I've gone back to Hong Kong to attend my mother's funeral, who today I found out died. I'll be staying there for now on to rule over the Li Clan.
But that's not the reason I'm writing to you. I'm sorry to say, Sakura, but I think I've fallen in love with someone way out of my league. The first time I met you, I was blown over. I know, I know. It sounds clichè. I thought so, too. I thought it was a simple crush. To tell the truth, it was back then.
But then I finally got to know you. And slowly, I fell flat on my face for you. But I knew... you'd never be mine because you already love someone else.
So I say, C'est la vie, my dear Sakura... It's life. And we've got to move on with it. But I don't think I'll be able to.
Queen Wong Ying Fa... It hurts. But with your brightest smile on your wedding day, I'll heal. Have a happy life with the Prince, because seeing you happy is what makes me smile the best.
Good-bye forever, Sakura.
Always in my heart,
Li Xiao Lang
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~*~Sakura's POV~*~
It's been two days since he left. That arrogant little beast left without me telling him I love him too. He left with the thought that I loved the Prince!
And to think... The last word I said to him was... No. *Stressed chuckle*
Well, I'm going to succeed in breaking this damn engagement. Then, I'll be lil' ole Kinomoto Sakura again. I'll travel to Hong Kong even if I have to do it by foot! No one will stop me! And when I get there, Syaoran-kun will know my true feelings.
My walking stopped.
Here I am again. At the Prince's door, ready to defend myself and explain the break-up.
RAP-RAP
Jun Tao answered the door as usual, and I sat in my regular seat facing a shadow in the dark. "My Princess, have you cleared you mind of such silly thoughts yet?" Fei Hung asked, chuckling in the dark. The candles flickered.
I gulped and mustered any courage I had left. "No. I can't marry you, Your Majesty."
More candles were lit by Jun Tao and I clearly saw the distressed look on Fer Hung's face. He breathed loudly.
"Honestly, Prince Fei Hung," I said quickly. "I can't marry you. You're not the one I love. Sure, I thought I did in the beginning, but I found out it was an obsession, I guess. Plus, what do we really know about each-"
The prince hurriedly clamped his hand onto my hand, giving no effort whatsoever to be gentle. I grimaced in pain. "Jun Tao, leave!" he yelled over my shoulder to our chaperon.
He looked confused and stared at the Prince. "Don't just stand there, you dolt. Go away!" With that, Jun Tao closed the door behind him. Until then did the prince unclamp his hand over my mouth.
I moved my jaw back and forward. "You-You can do that?" I asked, amazed. "You can just dismiss Jun Tao like that?"
"I'm the prince of China. I don't have to listen to my parents' wishes if I don't want to," he shrugged carelessly. Some example to the country he is.
The prince walked over to the door to make sure it was locked. "Anyway, I don't want to- err.. cause any conflict or anything. So maybe we should just call this marriage off... Besides, I'm sure you'd like to marry a real princess, not a servant from Japan." I quivered, like the string of a bow.
Prince Fei Hung glared at me. "Why not? You have to marry me!"
"No," I said, "I don't have to."
He looked even more confused than before. He quickly made a grab for my shoulders. "Don't say that!"
"It doesn't matter, anyway," I laughed nervously, scraping the Prince's hands off my aching shoulders. "I don't see why you would still want to marry someone who doesn't want to marry you."
"Stop it!" he yelled, hands pressed to his ears. "Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!" His feet stamped the cobble floor, shaking with both confusion and fury.
I backed away, one eyebrow disappearing into my bangs. Gawsshhh... I've never seen such a cry baby from a 21-year-old! He might as well been rocking back and forth in a corner, chanting, "I can't hear you."
"P-Please, Prince Fei Hung! I wanted to consult in an adult matter. I'm sorry things didn't work out between us." I walked to the door with any dignity left. But he grabbed my waist from behind.
"No!" he screamed. "You can't!"
"Let me go!" I struggled against his grip but it was too hard. He flung me to the floor painfully.
"Sit down!" he ordered, pointing to my chair. "Sit down!" I stayed laying on the cold ground. "Stand up!" was his whine this time. "Stand up! Stand up!"
I headed for the door again, but was tackled to the ground. "Gahh!!" I yelled as he ripped my emerald necklace. He pinned me to the floor, his body crushing mine. "Just stay here until I can find someone to tell me what to do," he mumbled through clenched teeth.
"Get off of me!" I cried, trying to push his weighty body off me.
He lifted me up and held me to the wall. I pushed him to the floor; even after being considered the best martial artist in China, the prince didn't defend himself well against a girl. I punched him roughly in the stomach. "You're not supposed to do that! You're a lady!"
Fei Hung grabbed at me once again, this time my skirt. I heard the fabric rip as he looked stupidly at the piece of cloth in his hands. "Hentai!" I yelled. "That was Tomoyo's best!" Enraged, I kicked him where it hurt the most on guys. (A/n: Coughballscough) [Hentai: Pervert]
Glory as I reached for the latch!
Gackk! This guy never gives up!
With the cloth he ripped from my dress, the prince tied my hands at my back. He ripped more of my precious dress, tied my feet to the chair, and gagged me. I was helpless now.
I watched as he was still bent over with pain, feeling around his pants... Ugh... How nasty! "One... Two.. Three... Good, all there," he muttered. I grunted in disgust.
"Now, Princess. Stay there 'till I get help." And with that, Fei Hung latched the door behind him, leaving me blinking in the dark.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Here you go, Your Majesty," the guard mocked, throwing me roughly into a dingy jail cell. I heard the bars slam shut behind me.
"Now, now, Princess," Fei Hung's voice was soft and sweet here. "Maybe a little time in prison would do you some good." He, his new advisor... sneery man, by the way... and the cruel guard left me in darkness of my new home, a prison cell.
Well, so much in succeeding.
I sighed deeply. Who knew you could go from chasing away your best friend's fiancèe one day to being thrown in jail hardly any days later, All in a Blink of an Eye.
To be continued...
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Kero: Hey, Sherise-chan! What's with landing my mistress in prison, eh?!
LiL Dreamer: Oops, well you gotta stay tuned for the next chapters!! Review! Review! Review! I say! ^u^ Hey, maybe we could reach over 30 reviews with this chappy? What do you say? Thanks for reading! R+R! Ja!
~*~LiL DreameR~*~
