I'm so sorry. I never meant to take this long to update. In fact I had
everything all written up but I got so sick my hands wouldn't stop shaking
long enough for me to type. Now for the review comments.
First, thank you for all the loverly praise. I'm soooooo glad that people
like my story. Maybe one day I'll rewrite some chars and publish it as a
fantasy story and not fan fic. .Maybe.
Second, I'm glad people didn't yell at me for her saying no. A girls gotta
be responsible you know?
Third, Kero comes back. I apologize for him not really being around, but
it's hard writing him since he is such an ever present force. But really in
this story I'm more trying to focus mainly on Sakura and Syaoran. Sometimes
its more fun to only know about the events of what else is going on through
someone's eyes who's not there.
Anyway, I hope you like!
Disclaimer: I do not own CCS. But one of these days when I get one of my books published I'm gonna start writing 'fanfics' on ff.n about it so I can go "HA! I DO own this!" But that's just me.
Chapter Seventeen: Dangerous Opinions
Sakura couldn't help but feel a little lonely as she sat in her office. Tomoyo had gone into town to buy fabrics with every other female in the household. Kero, who had always been her constant companion, was with Suppi. The Sun Guardian had not reacted well to the news about her engagement and had loudly complained for hours. But eventually he had settled and returned to his latest favourite hobby. His fellow guardian and he spent practically every waking hour playing games competitively. Chess, checkers, card games, you name it and they played it.
If it didn't mean he was more or less completely ignoring her since she was in no present danger, Sakura would have thought it was really funny. With a sigh she looked down at her correspondence. It was hated paper. But then at the moment she wasn't very pleased with anything. Leaving Syaoran that morning was almost more than she could bear.
Tiredly, she rose and walked to the window which was just barely showing light between the clouds. Somehow being this much closer to Syaoran made her feel even more lonely. Perhaps it was all the secrecy. She longed for the day this mess would be complete and she could announce her relationship from the tallest towers in the loudest voices.
A knock on the door finally distracted her from her thoughts and she turned to face the entrance as she asked them to come in. The door opened to reveal Zhi Ye looking a little nervous. With a grin she approached him.
"I'm so glad you remembered! Why don't you take a seat and I'll pour you some tea?" she asked, waving him towards a chair directly opposite where hers was nestled behind her desk.
Tensely, the young man nodded and sat where he was told to. He didn't know how to react really to having a queen who wasn't imperious. Politely he took his tea from her and muttered, "Thank you."
She grinned at him, intently letting her green eyes peer into his features and the calm aura that surrounded him. No, he wasn't blessed with Power but he was still very strong in his own right. She remembered what she had overheard him and Meiling discussing the day before and smiled at him softly.
"I want you to know, Rae, that I didn't always have Power."
Surprised he looked up at her, finally interested beyond his nervous stiffness. He had always been told that people were born with Power. How did she suddenly just manage to get so much?
"Yes, I realize that sounds silly, because of course I must have been born with it, right? And I probably was. But I had no knowledge of its existence until a few months ago."
"Why are you telling me this?" he asked slowly, truly curious.
"Because I know you don't trust Power, and I can understand why. It is an exhausting force. It isn't always stable and you can learn to rely on it too much. Even more, people can judge others based soley on whether they are gifted or not. So I thought you should know that I spent more than seventeen years of my life without magic. I do not rely on it, but try to understand it. I will not use it to rule the kingdom. If anything it is merely to protect my well being and the secrecy I must keep at present."
Sitting back, he focused on her silently, his features not moving from their fixed positions. She hadn't really answered his question in the truest sense of what he was asking. However, perhaps she had. With a small smile he nodded.
"You remind me of Syaoran a little," Sakura giggled, surprising the young man and confusing him a little. "Now, if you were in my shoes and had to rule an entire kingdom, what would you do?"
"Oh, Xi Wang, you've come, too!" Sakura said, turning away from Zhi Ye as they finished speaking. Turning back, she smiled at her conversation partner and said, "Thank you so much for your opinions. I was thinking something along those lines but you said it better I think."
"My pleasure," Zhi Ye replied with a genuine smile. No matter who you were it was always pleasing to have your ruler's ear and know she was not only listening but liking what she was hearing.
"Liu, I must admit I'm growing tired of these four walls. Why don't we take a walk in the gardens out front?"
He nodded in assent and the three excited the room, parting at the hallway. The winter air was increasing in bitterness as the season progressed leading them to search out their winter coats. They were just entering the cloak room when Syaoran came in behind them covered lightly in snow.
"Where ado you think you're going?" he asked Sakura with a smirk.
"Liu and I are going to take a walk in the gardens," she replied cheerily, looking up at him.
"Not like that you aren't," he growled, pointedly looking at her non- existent sleeves and mostly bare shoulders.
"Sometimes, Li, I wonder how much you underrate my intelligence," she replied huffily, pulling out her well loved cloak.
Xi Wang could barely suppress a chuckle at the interchange and endeavoured, quite wisely, to act as if he did not exist at all.
"I can't help that you are prone to doing remarkably stupid things. And this whole conversation wouldn't be talking place if you would wear more clothing to begin with," he growled. For some reason, the revealing clothes that he had once loved so much for the tantalizing views they afforded him now pissed him off beyond reason. She was his dammit therefore only he should be able to revel in how soft her skin looked.
Sakura giggled, understanding his thought processes better than he was comfortable with. "Take it up with Tomoyo. Besides, it gives me such freedom of movement. How else would I be able to beat you when we cross swords?"
Syaoran sighed, refusing to take the bait. Instead he took her cloak from her hands and wrapped it around her shoulders. Unable to resist, nor really wanting to, he dropped a small kiss at the base of her neck. Then, acknowledging his presence for the fist time, he looked at Xi Wang before leaving the room with a last commentary.
"Make sure she doesn't catch hypothermia or some other stupid thing," he sighed.
"Yes, sir," Xi Wang quickly agreed, grinning in amusement at last as he escaped through the front door. "Do the two of you talk like that frequently?"
"You mean fighting like cats and dogs?" she grinned in answer. "We used to do it exclusively. We may be.engaged," she said with a small blush, "but we don't always get along."
Liu nodded sagely. "What did you and Zhi Ye discuss for so long?"
"Oh, he was suggesting that one of my first actions after my coronation should be to meet and greet with the neighboring countries. For all the fact that this continent is one large country now, we still aren't alone in the world."
Liu nodded. "He has a good point. I never really thought about it like that since it's so rare to see foreigners. It really does seem like we are the only country."
"Oh, when I was still at court we would frequently have foreigners to dine with us. Ambassadors, royalty and the like. Even though we are so remote from most of the world, Tomoeda is still a powerful country with a lot of good natural resources."
Nodding again, Xi Wang silently chastised himself. It was easy to assume that the pretty girl hadn't a brain in her head and now she sounded so smart. Perhaps he was beginning to see why she captivated her grace so much. There was an innocent to Kinomoto that seemed too genuine yet didn't feel fragile, kept safe by the purity of her soul.
"Still, your majesty, you mustn't neglect your own people. Her grace told me that you didn't know of Lord Hiiragizawa's status until very recently. Perhaps you should call meetings of the nobility every year or more to get to know the people who rule under you."
Sakura nodded in agreement, pausing on a foot bridge to watch the approach of Tomoyo and the Li women. She couldn't help but see how Liu's eyes followed her best friend rather markedly. The look he turned on the raven haired girl was reminiscent of the one's Tomoyo frequently turned on her.
When Liu at last returned his gaze to Sakura, he found her emerald eyes watching him, dancing with amusement. "What is so funny, your majesty?"
Smiling softly, Sakura began the winding path back to the house. "Perhaps, you have heard from the others that I am considered to be quite dense about many things. And perhaps I am. But I do see quite well." Turning away, she looked down at the pond they were standing over moments before.
"Forgive me, but I don't quite follow."
"Then maybe you do not realize how intently your eyes follow Tomoyo's figure?" She couldn't help but giggle at the somewhat stunned expression on his face. He had indeed been unaware of the action. "But I'm glad you look at her like that. You met her yesterday and already find her fascinating. No one has ever done that before."
Xi Wang couldn't help but be startled. "You can't be serious! She's beautiful and clever."
Sakura nodded. "Yes, she is. Tomoyo is the most wonderful person I know. She never complains nor does she care for attention. She is everyone's confidant and for good reason. She is beautiful but not vain and she loves without asking for anything in return."
Liu nodded, startled by the litany of praise. But more, he was fascinated by the tone of Sakura's voice, which held such longing to it. The young man found it interesting that she so obviously wanted to be like her friend, but just as obviously thought it was hopeless.
"However, she hides herself. When she was very young her father disappeared without a trace. And more, a few years ago she lost her mother, who was very dear to her. Not often, but sometimes when she thinks she's alone, if you look into Tomoyo's eyes she looks like a lost child." She paused for a long moment before turning to look at Liu.
"But, I think she likes you, or perhaps she likes this place and feels more comfortable with people in it. Tomoyo doesn't usually open up this quickly to someone without good purpose. Just be careful you use this wisely." Tilting her head to one side, she grinned at him before turning to head once more to the mansion.
Xi Wang, started by the afternoon of revelations, watched her leave in silence. A few minutes passed and the young man found himself smiling. Perhaps, he hoped, she's as observant as everyone doubts she is.
She was really supposed to be visiting with past friends and people who knew her parents. But instead, Naoko couldn't resist venturing into the local book stores and searching for something new to read. She had been in the horror and mystery section of the shop for sometime when she noticed a handsome man perhaps a little older than her looking directly at the book she herself had written.
Unable to help herself, she asked, "Have you read that book?"
The man glanced at her briefly before turning back to the book and nodding. "Yes, I loved it. In fact I wish I could meet the author. It must take real genius to be able to write such an enthralling story."
Naoko blushed in pleasure. "Well, you are speaking to her, sir."
The man turned to look at her in full, giving her at last a nice view of his light hair and blue eyes. "You do not joke? You really wrote this?"
Naoko nodded. "Yes, I always wanted to be an author. But I never expected for my book to make it to the Capitol!"
"I don't know why. It is an absolutely fascinating book. Umm," he paused, seeming to become nervous all of a sudden. "If you don't mind, could I perhaps treat you to tea and we could talk for awhile? As I mentioned before, I had been wanting to meet you for some time."
Naoko smiled. "It would be my pleasure, sir."
"Call me Damian, please."
"I can't believe you are a countess! Why would someone like you need to be writing in the first place?"
"Oh, I write because I love to. I don't really like my title so much. Though for the moment it tends to be handy for something I need to do."
Damien looked up from his tea. "What would that be, if I may ask?"
Naoko looked at him for a moment before shrugging mentally. This man was definitely not the evil type and besides he wasn't playing himself off as being nobility or such. Still. "I'm helping my friend out with a problem."
"I imagine your friends must be illustrious indeed."
"Yes, actually, though none of us act like it I think. The only one who does act to her station is probably Lady Rika. If anyone saw her socially I doubt anyone would recognize Sakura for who she is at all."
"You mean Sakura Kinomoto, our new queen?" he asked, eyes wide and stuttering a little. "You really do have illustrious friends."
"We grew up together. Please, don't think of it like that," she said nervously. She liked this man who had liked her so much even before they met. She didn't want him to change his mind and get nervous around her just because of who she knew or who she was.
"Not at all, Naoko. But what favour does her majesty need? Is she in trouble? Shouldn't the people know if their queen was in danger?"
Naoko grinned. "Oh, Sakura is not in any real danger. She's Sakura."
Damian frowned at the way his companion said something so simply. "What does that mean?"
"Have you ever met people that no matter how hard the situation may be or how much all hope seems lost, they still manage to prevail? They still manage to smile and make everything all right?"
Damian stared at her, a little awed by the trust she had in her friend. "I'm sure I would love to know someone like that, but at present no I have never met someone as such."
"Well, she is coming to the Capitol in a month for her coronation. If everything is better by then, perhaps I could introduce you to her."
"Me? M-meet the queen?" he asked wide eyed once more. "I couldn't possibly."
"I'm sure you could," she started when she was interrupted by bells chiming the hour. "Oh, I'm sorry, I must be going! I will be late for an engagement if I do not hurry!"
"I'm sorry to have kept you. May I call on you some time?"
"I'd love that. But perhaps it would be best if we met at the bookshop next time as well," she answered shyly.
"I'll wait there everyday," he assured her, leaning down to kiss her hand.
Naoko blushed and left the shop. She didn't notice the suddenly cold cerulean blue eyes that followed her motions. Nor did she see the determined look of amusement that fluttered over his features. Meet the queen indeed, he thought. He would definitely be meeting her when the time came. With a small laugh, he rose, paid the bill, and made his way back to his own home, hoping to have a brief glance at the beautiful Card Mistress who had been eluding him so well.
A few days passed as quietly as they had been before. The addition of three guests made things a little more lively but Sakura barely noticed the change, once again closeted in her office as daily matters pressed down on her once more. Tomoyo still came to sit with her everyday but more and more often she slipped away to speak with the younger Liu brother. Sakura didn't mind, glad that her friend was finding the young man as comfortable to talk to as she was. Still, it was a bit lonely.
Kero had returned to her side though and was constantly making small commentaries that made the young queen laugh. She didn't know that his presence had been suggested by Tomoyo, who had noticed the sad look growing in her friend's eyes as the days past. Neither could guess why the cheerful girl seemed so lonely when she had a fiancée who adored her. Neither knew why they didn't keep to each other's company more often than they were.
"I heard that Hiiragizawa fellow will be leaving in a few days, Sakura," Kero commented as he helped her copy correspondence letters that were almost identical.
"Yes, he is going to go talk to Kaho, though why he didn't tell me. He seems so sad lately, perhaps it will do him some good."
"That means that Suppi will be leaving to probably. Coward, he's going to run out while he's in the lead of our games," the small sun guardian growled.
Sakura chuckled. "Actually, no. Eriol told me that Nakuru and Suppi will be remaining here. He said something about you being a good influence on Suppi and that, let me see if I can remember. Oh yeah, that, 'it was best for Nakuru to be with her own kind.' I think he means Li's sisters."
Kero shuddered. "Five of those sisters together is too cruel. Did you know that the oldest tried to put make up on me? I mean Tomoyo dressing me up is one thing, but make-up?" He growled a little before returning to his writing.
The two continued in silence for awhile before they were interrupted by Syaoran's entrance. Kero immediately flew towards him with a steady glare plastered on his face. "What are you doing here brat?"
"I have every right to be here, stuffed animal."
Sakura giggled. Though they couldn't tell, they had practically identical expressions on their face. Her giggle distracted them from each other though, causing the glares to turn on her. She quickly threw up her hands in silent surrender. "Kero, why don't you go to the kitchens and retrieve snacks for us? I'm awfully hungry and you've been cooped in here all day. I'd really appreciate it."
"Ha! Once I leave that brat will have a chance to molest you! Not on my watch!"
Sakura giggled nervously at having been seen through so easily. "Please Kero! I promise we won't do anything inappropriate."
Kero glared at his mistress and Syaoran for a moment before sighing in defeat. "Fine. But keep your paws off her Li brat!" he muttered before flying from the room.
Of course, Syaoran took that chance to immediately draw her into his arms and kiss her thoroughly. Finally, he let her go just far enough to grin down at her. "Now, I'd say that was very appropriate. How about you, Sakura?"
She grinned, blushing all the same. "I'd have to agree. Anyway," she said, pulling the rest of the way away so she could return to her seat. "What did you come here for? Not that I mind you being here that is."
"How about the fact that I barely see you?" he sighed, coming around the desk to glare down at her. "You keep yourself closeted in here all day. What's worse is that frequently I see you in here with one of those new brats. What do you talk to them about so long anyway?"
Sakura giggled. "Don't be jealous, Syaoran. They are just giving me advise."
"Advise on what? And I'm not jealous. I just think you shouldn't be spending time with so many other boys." He was betrayed, however, when he couldn't meet her eyes.
"Well, you know, Syaoran, since technically, this is your job too, you could always spend more time in here with me."
"Write correspondence and try to kiss up to people? That isn't exactly something I do very well, Sakura."
She sighed. "Fine, but after the coronation, you will be helping me. Got it, Li?" she threatened, glaring up at him.
He nodded furiously, never quite able to not feel nervous when she got that look in his eyes. But then, experience with this girl told him that she was definitely dangerous when she was angry. However, he let himself relax when she grinned up at him.
"Anyway, I really do need to get back to work, so unless you want to help me, or sit quietly in the corner like Tomoyo does, shoo!"
Syaoran growled playfully, before leaning down to kiss her in a possessive manner. "I'm sure I can manage to not be distracting."
"Ha! Just being within twenty feet of you is distracting, Syaoran. Now, shoo!"
With a dramatic sigh, he left the room, just as Kero was entering. The two exchanged a murderous look before continuing their motions and leaving them on respective sides of a closed door.
"We're in luck! I got pudding!"
Sakura giggled and accepted her portion from the tiny guardian.
*Cries of horror and pain surrounds me as I race up the long path way. There is blood everywhere, as if seeping from the very stones under my feet. The white marble is stained with it. Thousands of lives are in danger and hundreds of names fly through my head as I pray for my loved ones' safe keeping. My mother, Touya, Tomoyo. so many names. But more than them, one is dragged into my head.
The one I know I haven't saved.
The white stairs loom ahead of me and blood slowly creeps down each step. Above me I know what I will find and I know that it is horrible to see. A part of me doesn't want to go up the steps but my body seems to be moving on its own.
'No, don't go up there' I tell myself. 'Don't go. If you don't go it won't be real. Don't.*
Syaoran stared at Sakura as she tossed and turned in the bed beside him. He tried desperately to wake her up but there was nothing for it. He could do nothing but pull her into his arms and pray that her nightmare would end soon. He knew of course, that she was dreaming about it again. She never did tell him exactly what she would dream each time, but Syaoran knew that it scared her down to her very soul.
Finally, she sat up and pulled away from him screaming, "Don't!" Her own voice seemed to wake her and she looked around frantically. Maybe she was still half asleep and that's why she missed his presence behind her as she furiously searched. "Syaoran? Syaoran, where are you?" she sobbed hysterically.
"Sakura, I'm right, here. I'm behind you," he whispered soothingly. "I'm right here."
Shakily, she turned and flung herself into his arms once more. Uncontrollably, she began to sob into his chest as he rocked her back and forth as comfortingly as he could. At tat moment he would have traded anything to make sure she would never have such dreams again. But his own desperation was for naught and eventually she began to calm down.
At last she pulled away from him for the barest of instants before wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him passionately. Syaoran couldn't hide his surprise at the sudden movement but was far from objecting. He wrapped his arms around her tightly, not letting escape from the embrace she so readily instigated. But after a minute she pulled away just barely enough to look into his eyes.
"Promise me you won't leave me, Syaoran. Promise you won't ever go away," she pleaded desperately.
"I promise," he answered solemnly with absolute conviction. "Nothing could take me away from you. Nothing could make me leave you."
She gave him a watery grin before hugging him tightly once more. Syaoran stroked her hair lovingly as she drifted once more into sleep. However, despite his apparent calmness and his rash assurance, he was scared more than ever of what his beloved was dreaming. What did she see that made her so afraid? Was she left alone to fight something so horrible?
Desperately, he wrapped his arms around her and clung to her, swearing that he would never let her go. He would defy the gods to separate them and laugh at fate if it tried.
It was far before dawn when Syaoran woke again. Something wasn't quite right and immediately he reached for two things: Sakura and the orb that held his sword at his neck. The orb was there, Sakura was not. "Sakura? Sakura!" he nearly shouted as he quickly looked around the room. Finally he saw her walking in from his private balcony and sighed in relief.
"I'm right here, Syaoran. I didn't think you would wake up any time soon. I'm sorry."
He shook his head and yawned, raking his hand through his already messy hair. "Why are you up so early? I thought you had gone back to sleep."
"I did. But I guess I slept so well in your arms I didn't need as much this time." There was an unsettling calmness in her voice that began to worry Syaoran as she slowly approached his bed again. There was something on her mind and he wasn't quite sure that he wanted to know what.
"Sakura, what's the matter?" he finally asked as she slowly climbed up onto the foot of the bed, facing him. It was hard not to be distracted at how simply beautiful she looked and how, even with such an innocent pose, he wanted her desperately. But all that changed in a moment when he heard her speak.
"Syaoran, I want to go see my mother. I'm going to go to the Capitol."
(A/N: Anyway, I PROOOMISE to update more quickly this next time. I already have most of the next chapter written in my head so it shouldn't be so long anyway. In fact most of the rest of the story is in my head which is kinda cool. But, Review! I love everyone who reviews! Ja!)
Anyway, I hope you like!
Disclaimer: I do not own CCS. But one of these days when I get one of my books published I'm gonna start writing 'fanfics' on ff.n about it so I can go "HA! I DO own this!" But that's just me.
Chapter Seventeen: Dangerous Opinions
Sakura couldn't help but feel a little lonely as she sat in her office. Tomoyo had gone into town to buy fabrics with every other female in the household. Kero, who had always been her constant companion, was with Suppi. The Sun Guardian had not reacted well to the news about her engagement and had loudly complained for hours. But eventually he had settled and returned to his latest favourite hobby. His fellow guardian and he spent practically every waking hour playing games competitively. Chess, checkers, card games, you name it and they played it.
If it didn't mean he was more or less completely ignoring her since she was in no present danger, Sakura would have thought it was really funny. With a sigh she looked down at her correspondence. It was hated paper. But then at the moment she wasn't very pleased with anything. Leaving Syaoran that morning was almost more than she could bear.
Tiredly, she rose and walked to the window which was just barely showing light between the clouds. Somehow being this much closer to Syaoran made her feel even more lonely. Perhaps it was all the secrecy. She longed for the day this mess would be complete and she could announce her relationship from the tallest towers in the loudest voices.
A knock on the door finally distracted her from her thoughts and she turned to face the entrance as she asked them to come in. The door opened to reveal Zhi Ye looking a little nervous. With a grin she approached him.
"I'm so glad you remembered! Why don't you take a seat and I'll pour you some tea?" she asked, waving him towards a chair directly opposite where hers was nestled behind her desk.
Tensely, the young man nodded and sat where he was told to. He didn't know how to react really to having a queen who wasn't imperious. Politely he took his tea from her and muttered, "Thank you."
She grinned at him, intently letting her green eyes peer into his features and the calm aura that surrounded him. No, he wasn't blessed with Power but he was still very strong in his own right. She remembered what she had overheard him and Meiling discussing the day before and smiled at him softly.
"I want you to know, Rae, that I didn't always have Power."
Surprised he looked up at her, finally interested beyond his nervous stiffness. He had always been told that people were born with Power. How did she suddenly just manage to get so much?
"Yes, I realize that sounds silly, because of course I must have been born with it, right? And I probably was. But I had no knowledge of its existence until a few months ago."
"Why are you telling me this?" he asked slowly, truly curious.
"Because I know you don't trust Power, and I can understand why. It is an exhausting force. It isn't always stable and you can learn to rely on it too much. Even more, people can judge others based soley on whether they are gifted or not. So I thought you should know that I spent more than seventeen years of my life without magic. I do not rely on it, but try to understand it. I will not use it to rule the kingdom. If anything it is merely to protect my well being and the secrecy I must keep at present."
Sitting back, he focused on her silently, his features not moving from their fixed positions. She hadn't really answered his question in the truest sense of what he was asking. However, perhaps she had. With a small smile he nodded.
"You remind me of Syaoran a little," Sakura giggled, surprising the young man and confusing him a little. "Now, if you were in my shoes and had to rule an entire kingdom, what would you do?"
"Oh, Xi Wang, you've come, too!" Sakura said, turning away from Zhi Ye as they finished speaking. Turning back, she smiled at her conversation partner and said, "Thank you so much for your opinions. I was thinking something along those lines but you said it better I think."
"My pleasure," Zhi Ye replied with a genuine smile. No matter who you were it was always pleasing to have your ruler's ear and know she was not only listening but liking what she was hearing.
"Liu, I must admit I'm growing tired of these four walls. Why don't we take a walk in the gardens out front?"
He nodded in assent and the three excited the room, parting at the hallway. The winter air was increasing in bitterness as the season progressed leading them to search out their winter coats. They were just entering the cloak room when Syaoran came in behind them covered lightly in snow.
"Where ado you think you're going?" he asked Sakura with a smirk.
"Liu and I are going to take a walk in the gardens," she replied cheerily, looking up at him.
"Not like that you aren't," he growled, pointedly looking at her non- existent sleeves and mostly bare shoulders.
"Sometimes, Li, I wonder how much you underrate my intelligence," she replied huffily, pulling out her well loved cloak.
Xi Wang could barely suppress a chuckle at the interchange and endeavoured, quite wisely, to act as if he did not exist at all.
"I can't help that you are prone to doing remarkably stupid things. And this whole conversation wouldn't be talking place if you would wear more clothing to begin with," he growled. For some reason, the revealing clothes that he had once loved so much for the tantalizing views they afforded him now pissed him off beyond reason. She was his dammit therefore only he should be able to revel in how soft her skin looked.
Sakura giggled, understanding his thought processes better than he was comfortable with. "Take it up with Tomoyo. Besides, it gives me such freedom of movement. How else would I be able to beat you when we cross swords?"
Syaoran sighed, refusing to take the bait. Instead he took her cloak from her hands and wrapped it around her shoulders. Unable to resist, nor really wanting to, he dropped a small kiss at the base of her neck. Then, acknowledging his presence for the fist time, he looked at Xi Wang before leaving the room with a last commentary.
"Make sure she doesn't catch hypothermia or some other stupid thing," he sighed.
"Yes, sir," Xi Wang quickly agreed, grinning in amusement at last as he escaped through the front door. "Do the two of you talk like that frequently?"
"You mean fighting like cats and dogs?" she grinned in answer. "We used to do it exclusively. We may be.engaged," she said with a small blush, "but we don't always get along."
Liu nodded sagely. "What did you and Zhi Ye discuss for so long?"
"Oh, he was suggesting that one of my first actions after my coronation should be to meet and greet with the neighboring countries. For all the fact that this continent is one large country now, we still aren't alone in the world."
Liu nodded. "He has a good point. I never really thought about it like that since it's so rare to see foreigners. It really does seem like we are the only country."
"Oh, when I was still at court we would frequently have foreigners to dine with us. Ambassadors, royalty and the like. Even though we are so remote from most of the world, Tomoeda is still a powerful country with a lot of good natural resources."
Nodding again, Xi Wang silently chastised himself. It was easy to assume that the pretty girl hadn't a brain in her head and now she sounded so smart. Perhaps he was beginning to see why she captivated her grace so much. There was an innocent to Kinomoto that seemed too genuine yet didn't feel fragile, kept safe by the purity of her soul.
"Still, your majesty, you mustn't neglect your own people. Her grace told me that you didn't know of Lord Hiiragizawa's status until very recently. Perhaps you should call meetings of the nobility every year or more to get to know the people who rule under you."
Sakura nodded in agreement, pausing on a foot bridge to watch the approach of Tomoyo and the Li women. She couldn't help but see how Liu's eyes followed her best friend rather markedly. The look he turned on the raven haired girl was reminiscent of the one's Tomoyo frequently turned on her.
When Liu at last returned his gaze to Sakura, he found her emerald eyes watching him, dancing with amusement. "What is so funny, your majesty?"
Smiling softly, Sakura began the winding path back to the house. "Perhaps, you have heard from the others that I am considered to be quite dense about many things. And perhaps I am. But I do see quite well." Turning away, she looked down at the pond they were standing over moments before.
"Forgive me, but I don't quite follow."
"Then maybe you do not realize how intently your eyes follow Tomoyo's figure?" She couldn't help but giggle at the somewhat stunned expression on his face. He had indeed been unaware of the action. "But I'm glad you look at her like that. You met her yesterday and already find her fascinating. No one has ever done that before."
Xi Wang couldn't help but be startled. "You can't be serious! She's beautiful and clever."
Sakura nodded. "Yes, she is. Tomoyo is the most wonderful person I know. She never complains nor does she care for attention. She is everyone's confidant and for good reason. She is beautiful but not vain and she loves without asking for anything in return."
Liu nodded, startled by the litany of praise. But more, he was fascinated by the tone of Sakura's voice, which held such longing to it. The young man found it interesting that she so obviously wanted to be like her friend, but just as obviously thought it was hopeless.
"However, she hides herself. When she was very young her father disappeared without a trace. And more, a few years ago she lost her mother, who was very dear to her. Not often, but sometimes when she thinks she's alone, if you look into Tomoyo's eyes she looks like a lost child." She paused for a long moment before turning to look at Liu.
"But, I think she likes you, or perhaps she likes this place and feels more comfortable with people in it. Tomoyo doesn't usually open up this quickly to someone without good purpose. Just be careful you use this wisely." Tilting her head to one side, she grinned at him before turning to head once more to the mansion.
Xi Wang, started by the afternoon of revelations, watched her leave in silence. A few minutes passed and the young man found himself smiling. Perhaps, he hoped, she's as observant as everyone doubts she is.
She was really supposed to be visiting with past friends and people who knew her parents. But instead, Naoko couldn't resist venturing into the local book stores and searching for something new to read. She had been in the horror and mystery section of the shop for sometime when she noticed a handsome man perhaps a little older than her looking directly at the book she herself had written.
Unable to help herself, she asked, "Have you read that book?"
The man glanced at her briefly before turning back to the book and nodding. "Yes, I loved it. In fact I wish I could meet the author. It must take real genius to be able to write such an enthralling story."
Naoko blushed in pleasure. "Well, you are speaking to her, sir."
The man turned to look at her in full, giving her at last a nice view of his light hair and blue eyes. "You do not joke? You really wrote this?"
Naoko nodded. "Yes, I always wanted to be an author. But I never expected for my book to make it to the Capitol!"
"I don't know why. It is an absolutely fascinating book. Umm," he paused, seeming to become nervous all of a sudden. "If you don't mind, could I perhaps treat you to tea and we could talk for awhile? As I mentioned before, I had been wanting to meet you for some time."
Naoko smiled. "It would be my pleasure, sir."
"Call me Damian, please."
"I can't believe you are a countess! Why would someone like you need to be writing in the first place?"
"Oh, I write because I love to. I don't really like my title so much. Though for the moment it tends to be handy for something I need to do."
Damien looked up from his tea. "What would that be, if I may ask?"
Naoko looked at him for a moment before shrugging mentally. This man was definitely not the evil type and besides he wasn't playing himself off as being nobility or such. Still. "I'm helping my friend out with a problem."
"I imagine your friends must be illustrious indeed."
"Yes, actually, though none of us act like it I think. The only one who does act to her station is probably Lady Rika. If anyone saw her socially I doubt anyone would recognize Sakura for who she is at all."
"You mean Sakura Kinomoto, our new queen?" he asked, eyes wide and stuttering a little. "You really do have illustrious friends."
"We grew up together. Please, don't think of it like that," she said nervously. She liked this man who had liked her so much even before they met. She didn't want him to change his mind and get nervous around her just because of who she knew or who she was.
"Not at all, Naoko. But what favour does her majesty need? Is she in trouble? Shouldn't the people know if their queen was in danger?"
Naoko grinned. "Oh, Sakura is not in any real danger. She's Sakura."
Damian frowned at the way his companion said something so simply. "What does that mean?"
"Have you ever met people that no matter how hard the situation may be or how much all hope seems lost, they still manage to prevail? They still manage to smile and make everything all right?"
Damian stared at her, a little awed by the trust she had in her friend. "I'm sure I would love to know someone like that, but at present no I have never met someone as such."
"Well, she is coming to the Capitol in a month for her coronation. If everything is better by then, perhaps I could introduce you to her."
"Me? M-meet the queen?" he asked wide eyed once more. "I couldn't possibly."
"I'm sure you could," she started when she was interrupted by bells chiming the hour. "Oh, I'm sorry, I must be going! I will be late for an engagement if I do not hurry!"
"I'm sorry to have kept you. May I call on you some time?"
"I'd love that. But perhaps it would be best if we met at the bookshop next time as well," she answered shyly.
"I'll wait there everyday," he assured her, leaning down to kiss her hand.
Naoko blushed and left the shop. She didn't notice the suddenly cold cerulean blue eyes that followed her motions. Nor did she see the determined look of amusement that fluttered over his features. Meet the queen indeed, he thought. He would definitely be meeting her when the time came. With a small laugh, he rose, paid the bill, and made his way back to his own home, hoping to have a brief glance at the beautiful Card Mistress who had been eluding him so well.
A few days passed as quietly as they had been before. The addition of three guests made things a little more lively but Sakura barely noticed the change, once again closeted in her office as daily matters pressed down on her once more. Tomoyo still came to sit with her everyday but more and more often she slipped away to speak with the younger Liu brother. Sakura didn't mind, glad that her friend was finding the young man as comfortable to talk to as she was. Still, it was a bit lonely.
Kero had returned to her side though and was constantly making small commentaries that made the young queen laugh. She didn't know that his presence had been suggested by Tomoyo, who had noticed the sad look growing in her friend's eyes as the days past. Neither could guess why the cheerful girl seemed so lonely when she had a fiancée who adored her. Neither knew why they didn't keep to each other's company more often than they were.
"I heard that Hiiragizawa fellow will be leaving in a few days, Sakura," Kero commented as he helped her copy correspondence letters that were almost identical.
"Yes, he is going to go talk to Kaho, though why he didn't tell me. He seems so sad lately, perhaps it will do him some good."
"That means that Suppi will be leaving to probably. Coward, he's going to run out while he's in the lead of our games," the small sun guardian growled.
Sakura chuckled. "Actually, no. Eriol told me that Nakuru and Suppi will be remaining here. He said something about you being a good influence on Suppi and that, let me see if I can remember. Oh yeah, that, 'it was best for Nakuru to be with her own kind.' I think he means Li's sisters."
Kero shuddered. "Five of those sisters together is too cruel. Did you know that the oldest tried to put make up on me? I mean Tomoyo dressing me up is one thing, but make-up?" He growled a little before returning to his writing.
The two continued in silence for awhile before they were interrupted by Syaoran's entrance. Kero immediately flew towards him with a steady glare plastered on his face. "What are you doing here brat?"
"I have every right to be here, stuffed animal."
Sakura giggled. Though they couldn't tell, they had practically identical expressions on their face. Her giggle distracted them from each other though, causing the glares to turn on her. She quickly threw up her hands in silent surrender. "Kero, why don't you go to the kitchens and retrieve snacks for us? I'm awfully hungry and you've been cooped in here all day. I'd really appreciate it."
"Ha! Once I leave that brat will have a chance to molest you! Not on my watch!"
Sakura giggled nervously at having been seen through so easily. "Please Kero! I promise we won't do anything inappropriate."
Kero glared at his mistress and Syaoran for a moment before sighing in defeat. "Fine. But keep your paws off her Li brat!" he muttered before flying from the room.
Of course, Syaoran took that chance to immediately draw her into his arms and kiss her thoroughly. Finally, he let her go just far enough to grin down at her. "Now, I'd say that was very appropriate. How about you, Sakura?"
She grinned, blushing all the same. "I'd have to agree. Anyway," she said, pulling the rest of the way away so she could return to her seat. "What did you come here for? Not that I mind you being here that is."
"How about the fact that I barely see you?" he sighed, coming around the desk to glare down at her. "You keep yourself closeted in here all day. What's worse is that frequently I see you in here with one of those new brats. What do you talk to them about so long anyway?"
Sakura giggled. "Don't be jealous, Syaoran. They are just giving me advise."
"Advise on what? And I'm not jealous. I just think you shouldn't be spending time with so many other boys." He was betrayed, however, when he couldn't meet her eyes.
"Well, you know, Syaoran, since technically, this is your job too, you could always spend more time in here with me."
"Write correspondence and try to kiss up to people? That isn't exactly something I do very well, Sakura."
She sighed. "Fine, but after the coronation, you will be helping me. Got it, Li?" she threatened, glaring up at him.
He nodded furiously, never quite able to not feel nervous when she got that look in his eyes. But then, experience with this girl told him that she was definitely dangerous when she was angry. However, he let himself relax when she grinned up at him.
"Anyway, I really do need to get back to work, so unless you want to help me, or sit quietly in the corner like Tomoyo does, shoo!"
Syaoran growled playfully, before leaning down to kiss her in a possessive manner. "I'm sure I can manage to not be distracting."
"Ha! Just being within twenty feet of you is distracting, Syaoran. Now, shoo!"
With a dramatic sigh, he left the room, just as Kero was entering. The two exchanged a murderous look before continuing their motions and leaving them on respective sides of a closed door.
"We're in luck! I got pudding!"
Sakura giggled and accepted her portion from the tiny guardian.
*Cries of horror and pain surrounds me as I race up the long path way. There is blood everywhere, as if seeping from the very stones under my feet. The white marble is stained with it. Thousands of lives are in danger and hundreds of names fly through my head as I pray for my loved ones' safe keeping. My mother, Touya, Tomoyo. so many names. But more than them, one is dragged into my head.
The one I know I haven't saved.
The white stairs loom ahead of me and blood slowly creeps down each step. Above me I know what I will find and I know that it is horrible to see. A part of me doesn't want to go up the steps but my body seems to be moving on its own.
'No, don't go up there' I tell myself. 'Don't go. If you don't go it won't be real. Don't.*
Syaoran stared at Sakura as she tossed and turned in the bed beside him. He tried desperately to wake her up but there was nothing for it. He could do nothing but pull her into his arms and pray that her nightmare would end soon. He knew of course, that she was dreaming about it again. She never did tell him exactly what she would dream each time, but Syaoran knew that it scared her down to her very soul.
Finally, she sat up and pulled away from him screaming, "Don't!" Her own voice seemed to wake her and she looked around frantically. Maybe she was still half asleep and that's why she missed his presence behind her as she furiously searched. "Syaoran? Syaoran, where are you?" she sobbed hysterically.
"Sakura, I'm right, here. I'm behind you," he whispered soothingly. "I'm right here."
Shakily, she turned and flung herself into his arms once more. Uncontrollably, she began to sob into his chest as he rocked her back and forth as comfortingly as he could. At tat moment he would have traded anything to make sure she would never have such dreams again. But his own desperation was for naught and eventually she began to calm down.
At last she pulled away from him for the barest of instants before wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him passionately. Syaoran couldn't hide his surprise at the sudden movement but was far from objecting. He wrapped his arms around her tightly, not letting escape from the embrace she so readily instigated. But after a minute she pulled away just barely enough to look into his eyes.
"Promise me you won't leave me, Syaoran. Promise you won't ever go away," she pleaded desperately.
"I promise," he answered solemnly with absolute conviction. "Nothing could take me away from you. Nothing could make me leave you."
She gave him a watery grin before hugging him tightly once more. Syaoran stroked her hair lovingly as she drifted once more into sleep. However, despite his apparent calmness and his rash assurance, he was scared more than ever of what his beloved was dreaming. What did she see that made her so afraid? Was she left alone to fight something so horrible?
Desperately, he wrapped his arms around her and clung to her, swearing that he would never let her go. He would defy the gods to separate them and laugh at fate if it tried.
It was far before dawn when Syaoran woke again. Something wasn't quite right and immediately he reached for two things: Sakura and the orb that held his sword at his neck. The orb was there, Sakura was not. "Sakura? Sakura!" he nearly shouted as he quickly looked around the room. Finally he saw her walking in from his private balcony and sighed in relief.
"I'm right here, Syaoran. I didn't think you would wake up any time soon. I'm sorry."
He shook his head and yawned, raking his hand through his already messy hair. "Why are you up so early? I thought you had gone back to sleep."
"I did. But I guess I slept so well in your arms I didn't need as much this time." There was an unsettling calmness in her voice that began to worry Syaoran as she slowly approached his bed again. There was something on her mind and he wasn't quite sure that he wanted to know what.
"Sakura, what's the matter?" he finally asked as she slowly climbed up onto the foot of the bed, facing him. It was hard not to be distracted at how simply beautiful she looked and how, even with such an innocent pose, he wanted her desperately. But all that changed in a moment when he heard her speak.
"Syaoran, I want to go see my mother. I'm going to go to the Capitol."
(A/N: Anyway, I PROOOMISE to update more quickly this next time. I already have most of the next chapter written in my head so it shouldn't be so long anyway. In fact most of the rest of the story is in my head which is kinda cool. But, Review! I love everyone who reviews! Ja!)