Chapter 4 – Shocking Revelations
Disclaimer: if you guys didn't notice yet, the kingdom name was changed from the Kinoshi kingdom to the Kinomoto kingdom. Sorry... :)thanks for some of the reviews too guys! enjoy.
Sakura woke up early, it was a Christmas morning, and the air was filled with festive joy for this jubilant day. As she walked down the palace halls, she could see mirthful servants wishing one another "Merry Christmas!!""My, my, princess! You're awake so early today!!"
"Well, I didn't want to miss out all the festal spirit hanging around the palace. Today's just simply too good to waste away by waking up late!" Sakura replied joyfully, her emerald eyes sparkling, it was obvious that the chirpy mood of Christmas has gotten to her.
"Well then, Merry Christmas princess!!" with that the servant swished away to do her chores for the morning whilst humming a festive tune.
"Ohayo Otou-san, Okaa-san, Yelan-san, Onii-chan, Yukito, Syaoran, Tomoyo and Eriol!!"
"Well, well, isn't it a wonder? The kaijju's has woken up early today. Usually, I cannot even catch her at the breakfast table."
"I didn't want to miss out on anything, being that it is such a festive day today. And there's nothing wonder-like to see me early at the breakfast table, I'm capable of waking up early you know, its just a matter of whether I want to or not. Lastly, I'M NOT A KAIJJU!!!" Sakura stomped on her Onii-chan's left foot with a sweet smile on her face.
"Itai, Itai, Itai!!!! "Touya shot out of his seat, bouncing on his right feet whilst cradling his left one.
"Hahahahaha..." Everybody present including Touya himself was laughing at the silliness of the situation. A dignified crowned prince hopping around on one foot whilst groaning out in pain, it was simply hilarious.
After the laughing settled down and breakfast was downed, the king, queen and Yelan spoke in a grave manner, "Come to the study, we have something of utmost importance to tell all of you."
On the way there Sakura was wondering 'what could be so important that they have to tell us in private?'
Upon reaching, the Queen cleared her throat and said, "Sakura, do you remember the locket and the ring around your neck?" Sakura and Syaoran replied, "Yes" whilst fingering their locket/ring tied around their neck.
"Well, you see, its, its, like that...." Nadeshiko's voice faltered, and nudged Fujitaka into explaining the precarious situation to their audience.
The king appeared somber with a straight face, giving out a small sigh started, "There was a prophecy made by this evil magician a few days after Sakura's birth. He has been banished from our kingdom because he had tried to steal the Clow cards in bid to raise his magical powers, enabling him to usurp the throne. His name is Eja Shaku... We managed to stop him in time from stealing the cards, revealing his evil plot. However, not giving up, he went on towards the other kingdoms and started to practice and learn black magic, sorcery. He has warned us about his reappearance when Sakura turns 16 and that the ones we trust most will try to assassinate her. His ultimate goal in creating such an evil plot is in gaining Clow cards and the throne seat. To think he was once my most trusted subject."
Yelan stood up and walked towards a half-jaw opened Sakura, who was flabbergasted and started to break out in cold sweat upon the receiving of such unworldly news. Her heart was gripped in fear and was pounding erratically.
Tomoyo gasped and such irregular random thoughts started to pop out in her head, 'this couldn't be happening to Sakura, I've always treated her like a younger sister. What would I do without her? She can't die! I don't want to lose her...'
'What if he really manages to get someone to assassinate me? Wouldn't I be unable to see any of my loved ones anymore?' The thought of being apart from her family and Syaoran kept running through her head umpteen times.
'Why must things turn out this way?!?! Damn that Eja Shaku guy!'
"However, there is a way to break the curse cast by that Eja Shaku. Not all hope is lost..." There was a twinkle in Yelan's eyes as she continued.
"He who is a descendent from the Li Family shall be blessed with courage, strength, intelligence and the powers to protect the Princess. They are the keys to break free from this damnable prophecy. These were the words from the person who passed the message to us that fateful day. You, my dear and only son is destined to be the protector of the princess." Yelan said in an unusually grave tone, her eyes spoke of inexpressible volumes of sorrow for the future of her son and his fiancée."
King Fujitaka then went up to Sakura and said, "You will be training with your Clow cards from now on and you will be leaving the kingdom together with Syaoran a few weeks before your sixteenth birthday. Eriol and Tomoyo would be accompanying you two on a journey to somewhere, we've remained undecided still. We really do hope that you two can overcome this barrier together, save the kingdom from his evil clutches and come out unscathed from all these commotion."
"Why that low down slime bucket and sleaze ball of a scoundrel!! I ought to gut him from his throat downwards!! If I ever get to chance upon him, I'd pound him into a pulp of meat and feed it to the dogs, NO- even the dogs would refuse such evil tasting meat!!" Touya blabbered on, agitatedly. He was distraught and heavyhearted that his Kaijju was going to be taken away from him so soon. He was inconsolable, he would not even have the chance to celebrate his sister's sixteenth birthday, and she would celebrate it with low spirits, feeling downright miserable that she did not get to spend her special moment with her loved ones.
"Touya!! Calm down, you're blabbering!! Shhh... calm down, breathe in and out slowly, take in deep breathes. You must trust Sakura and Syaoran, they will surely defeat that evil monster and return back to us safely..." Yukito said, in an effort to soothe Touya who was practically pulling his mop of ebony hair in frustration. He didn't even admonished Touya for the use of expletive language in front of all the other people.
Just then, Sakura said, "I've already discussed with Syaoran, we would like to have our marriage brought forward, before we leave the palace. Since we are unable to celebrate my sixteenth birthday together, I would like the kingdom to have a happy occasion before we leave. Both of us would prefer to leave under more joyful circumstances." Her face held a straight and determined expression; it was as if they were speaking in a plea, begging, wishing her parents to grant her last request.
"Since you are so determined to hold your marriage before you go, then it shall be done. I can't very well not allow this marriage to take place, you two are already engaged, its just a matter of time before you two will be married to each other, now. A majestic wedding shall be held in the palace gardens, it shall be a grand affair, the whole kingdom will be celebrating their princess's marriage to the Li clan for the entire week, there would be no need for people to work, instead food will be distributed to them in honor of both of you." King Fujitaka said with a bitter smile and joy, he was attempting to cheer his greatly saddened daughter. Her usually warm and happy emerald eyes were filled with sorrow and fear, it was understandable knowing the pressure and fears she was about to face.
"My precious one!! I can't bear the thought of you leaving my side!!" Nadeshiko said weeping, the king simply pulled his wife into his embrace, whispering comforting words into the ears of his distressed queen.
Sakura nodded weakly at her parents' words, her legs were trembling, her eyes filled with fear, still in a state of disturbance filled with anguish and worries.
"Daijobu... Everything will turn out fine Otou-san, Okaa-san, everybody. It's going to be fine; I promise..." she could feel the hot tears starting to well up in her eyes however...
'I must be strong in midst of all these shocking news, I must not let a single teardrop fall from my face today.'
She turned and faced all of them with her usual bright cheery smile and returned to her usual genki self.
Syaoran who stood beside her all these while knew that she was forcing out that smile in bid to lessen the worries of her family. He put his warm arms on her shoulder to give her support physically and mentally, and she was heartened by his presence. He reassured his cherry blossom by squeezing her hands tightly in his wanting her to know that he will always be there with her, no matter what the future holds for the both of them.
"Gaki!! You better be treating my lil' sis well, or the next thing you know, I'll be running for your skin with a butcher knife!! I'll chase you to the ends of the earth if there's a need even!" Touya warned or rather threatened menacingly. Tomoyo and Eriol recovered from their dazed selves and could not help but to laugh upon hearing Touya's words.
"I promise that I will keep her safe from any harm, even if it means using my life as her shield!!" Syaoran said solemnly and fiercely.
ja'ne will update soon :)