Chapter 4: The Create
Sakura's POV
After the rain stopped and the sun came up, I was still chasing Syaoran around the garden. (A/N: Kinda pathetic isn't it?) He finally gave up, and stopped running, allowing me to cut off his head like he promised. At that moment, I've felt something I've never felt before. My brain told me "I've already killed Takashi, so what's the big deal if I kill another person?" But my body, soul, and heart wouldn't let me kill the brave boy, even if it means I have to break the promise to myself, and be mocked and laughed by him.
I dropped the sword, blushing madly. I should've never hugged him or cried like a baby in his arms. What'll he think of me? Will he tell every servant in the palace about this side of me I've feared, spreading the word that Sakura Kinomoto is a weakling, crying to strangers hoping to find comfort?
But the weird thing is, after I've decided not to kill him anymore, Syaoran didn't laugh at me or call me names. He just silently walked away, not saying a single word about me to anyone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As I walked to Princess Meiling's place, a strong voice called out to me.
"Hi, you must be Princess Meiling's new maid." A gentleman with navy blue hair smiled.
"Sakura Kinomoto. And you are......."
"Call me Eriol. I'm the emperor's royal advisor. If you have any problems here, please come to me." He said warmly.
I nodded politely. I wonder how does he know I work for Meiling. There are at least a thousand maids in the palace, how does he keep track of who works for who. Not to mention I only got here yesterday. Hmm, and I sense a weird powerful aura around that Eriol person.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Sakura, you're finally here. I was getting worried you might get lost in this big place." Meiling chirped hyperly.
"What do you want me to do, 'Princess Meiling?" I rolled my eyes when she wasn't looking.
"Nothing much today. Please help me clean my tables and make my bed." She ordered in the most polite way. Yuck, I hate her positive attitude. (A/N: Meiling's true personality is nothing like this.)
"I'll start right away." Even though I despise working for her, I admit being a maid isn't hard. Think on the bright side, at least I get free meals.
Three hours later:
How many tables does she have in this dumb place! After all that continuous working for hours, I still only got half of the tables done. I wish I didn't leave the Bubble Card with Tomoyo. I'm exhausted.
"Need a hand there?"
"No Syaoran, I can handle it......... SYAORAN! What are you doing in Meiling's chamber? You scared the living daylights out of me!" I looked up at the boy.
"I told you; I am also one of Meiling's servants."
"Like I was listening to you?" I replied rudely with the old anger and embarrassment boiling inside me. I feel so transparent now that Syaoran knows everything about me.
Syaoran sighed. "So do you need help or not?"
"I said NO! Just get lost!"
"It's so hard being nice to girls these days." He frowned, as I splashed the bucket of cold nasty water used to clean tables directly at his face.
"Now GO AWAY!"
"Fine fine fine!" He gave me a frustrated look as he exited the room.
I feel so bad for yelling and shouting at Syaoran, but I can't stand the chance of being laughed at. I don't want Syaoran taunting me about my life and weaknesses. That's why I refuse to talk to him from now on.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That night:
Swish Swish Swish.
My best friend appeared in front of me while I was trying to get some sleep.
"Tomoyo! You used the Dash! Great job." I exclaimed.
She nodded. "Oh Sakura, I had no idea they were forcing you to become a maid! I would've come sooner."
"Well I guess I deserve this. I killed a person, remember?"
Tomoyo shook her head. "No you didn't, Takashi faked.........."
"Hey Syaoran, guess what I caught." Came a familiar icy voice. It was Eriol! And Syaoran. Oh no, they spotted Tomoyo!
I have to think of a lie quick, or Tomoyo will be in serious trouble. I bowed down. "Hi Mr. Eriol, this is a new maid of Meiling's." I pointed to Tomoyo.
I felt an icy glare coming from Tomoyo as she also bowed down in respect.
Eriol smiled innocently. "Oh really?" His expression immediately changed more un-innocent. He grinned at Tomoyo, who panicked. "Could you please bring me a cup of tea? I want half lake water, half well water. I want it exactly 1/4 jasmine, 1/4 green tea, 1/4 red tea, and 1/4 woo long. Also, please boil the tea in a stone fireplace and add 33 specks of sugar into the cup, no less, no more." He ordered Tomoyo to get.
Why did Eriol ask her to do such an impossible task? I thought he was a pretty reasonable man. Is he testing Tomoyo because he suspects she isn't a real maid?
I expected Tomoyo to argue saying she won't be able to make that kind of tea, but all she did is give Eriol a deadly glare and said. "Yes 'Master', I'll get right to work."
Eriol smirked as Tomoyo got to work. "So Sakura dearest, having any trouble in the palace?"
"No master Eriol. Syaoran here helped me a lot." I lied, giving Syaoran a small smile.
Eriol grinned "Ah yes! Syaoran is indeed very popular with the women. He has nine wives already."
"Shut up Hiiragizawa!" Syaoran shouted, but then remembered he's a servant talking to a royal ruler. "I mean.......no master, I'm not married yet."
"Well then, wouldn't Sakura make a nice wife for you? She's really pretty." Eriol playfully suggested jokingly. My face went red once again. Why can't I control my blushing these days?
Tomoyo came back with a cup of tea in her hands. "Master Eriol, this is your jasmine, red, green, and woo long tea soaked in well water and lake water." She handed it to Eriol.
Eriol took a tiny sip out of it. "Hey! I said 33 specks of sugar! I only taste 32 specks in here!" He crashed the fine china cup in pieces. "Clean this mess up, and go get me another cup!"
Tomoyo didn't explode like I thought she would. She actually apologized to Eriol. "I'm awfully sorry, 'master', but Princess Meiling only had 32 specks of sugar in her sugar jar. Maybe if we went to 'your' place, I can then make the tea you want for you."
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Eriol dragged Tomoyo by the wrist and left.
Syaoran burst into laughter.
I frowned at him. "What's so funny? Do you 'enjoy' watching Eriol torture a fellow servant just for his entertainment? Poor Tomoyo, why didn't she just argue with him and refuse to make the tea?"
Syaoran chuckled. "Eriol was only playing with Tomoyo. Deep down, he really likes her."
"What do you mean he likes her? They've only just met."
"No. Remember that day you were thrown into jail? Tomoyo followed you down there, and tried to save you, but Eriol got there too, and he stopped her."
Stupid Syaoran. Trying to act all smart like he's so superior. "Oh yeah? How would you know all this?"
Syaoran gave me a mysterious grin. "I also know Tomoyo's your best friend and she's a tailor."
"What are you, psychic?"
"Yup, I'm also a tall handsome cunning genius. So what do you say Sakura? Can we PLEASE be friends? Who knows, I might even be able to think of a plan and bust you out of this palace."
"No. I don't want to be your friend, and you can't force me to." I replied flatly.
"Okay, I'll go now, I have to watch the show."
"Show? What show?" The curious side out me just had to ask.
"Tomoyo must be fighting with Eriol right now and I wouldn't want to miss it." He left chuckling to himself.
"Hey Syaoran, wait for me!" I followed him to Eriol's chamber.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Syaoran and I silently crept inside Eriol's home, and hid behind the furniture, eavesdropping on Tomoyo and Eriol's conversation. The two voices chatted back and forth.
"HOW DARE YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ME AGAIN! YOU TREATED ME LIKE A SERVANT WHEN YOU KNOW CLEARLY WHO I AM!"
"Calm down Ms. Daidouji, I'd still didn't get to thank you for the costume, it was very nicely made."
"You really know how to ruin things, don't you?"
"Ruin things?"
"Yeah. You knew I sneaked inside the palace to bust Sakura out, that's why you came to Sakura's bedroom in the nick of time to stop me."
"Ah such a smart girl."
"Sakura didn't kill Yamazaki; she's innocent. Can't you just let her go? What do you want from her?"
"It's not my job to set prisoners free, but it is my job to make sure they don't escape. That's why I can't let you bust Sakura out. By the way, how DID you make my impossible tea?"
"Ever heard of something called the 'Create Card'? Of course you haven't."
Oh. Now I get it. She used a card to make Eriol's tea. That's why she wasn't frustrated at all when Eriol gave the order. It's a good thing Eriol doesn't know a thing about magic. Telling him about the clow cards won't give my identity away. (A/N: Are you sure about that Sakura?)
"Syaoran, let's go back. Their conversation is boring."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"So tell me more about you." I demanded as we took a midnight stroll back to my place.
"My life is pretty much just like yours. My parents died when I was still a child, so I had to come to the palace and become a servant." Syaoran said simply.
"Do you have any friends?" I started to feel sorry for him. His life is worse than mine. At least I only have to work for a month. Syaoran might be stuck here as a slave for the rest of his life.
"As much as I hate to admit it, Eriol is my only friend."
"That must suck." I giggled a bit.
"Well, he will no longer be my only friend if you'll accept to be my friend too." I felt a tiny ray of hope in his voice.
I looked down. "But it's so awkward; you know everything about me."
Then I realized how selfish and childish I sounded. Syaoran probably went through times tougher than me, but he still lives happily enjoying life not feeling sorry for himself. It's about time I forget about my sad past and try to make the best of everything.
"Okay Syaoran, I accept this kind offer. This is great! Tomoyo may have created the perfect tea for Eriol, but we just created the start of a perfect friendship!"
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Lanturn: Oh no! Sakura is beginning to trust Syaoran even when he is lying right in front of her face!!!!!!! Please please please review!!!!
Sakura's POV
After the rain stopped and the sun came up, I was still chasing Syaoran around the garden. (A/N: Kinda pathetic isn't it?) He finally gave up, and stopped running, allowing me to cut off his head like he promised. At that moment, I've felt something I've never felt before. My brain told me "I've already killed Takashi, so what's the big deal if I kill another person?" But my body, soul, and heart wouldn't let me kill the brave boy, even if it means I have to break the promise to myself, and be mocked and laughed by him.
I dropped the sword, blushing madly. I should've never hugged him or cried like a baby in his arms. What'll he think of me? Will he tell every servant in the palace about this side of me I've feared, spreading the word that Sakura Kinomoto is a weakling, crying to strangers hoping to find comfort?
But the weird thing is, after I've decided not to kill him anymore, Syaoran didn't laugh at me or call me names. He just silently walked away, not saying a single word about me to anyone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As I walked to Princess Meiling's place, a strong voice called out to me.
"Hi, you must be Princess Meiling's new maid." A gentleman with navy blue hair smiled.
"Sakura Kinomoto. And you are......."
"Call me Eriol. I'm the emperor's royal advisor. If you have any problems here, please come to me." He said warmly.
I nodded politely. I wonder how does he know I work for Meiling. There are at least a thousand maids in the palace, how does he keep track of who works for who. Not to mention I only got here yesterday. Hmm, and I sense a weird powerful aura around that Eriol person.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Sakura, you're finally here. I was getting worried you might get lost in this big place." Meiling chirped hyperly.
"What do you want me to do, 'Princess Meiling?" I rolled my eyes when she wasn't looking.
"Nothing much today. Please help me clean my tables and make my bed." She ordered in the most polite way. Yuck, I hate her positive attitude. (A/N: Meiling's true personality is nothing like this.)
"I'll start right away." Even though I despise working for her, I admit being a maid isn't hard. Think on the bright side, at least I get free meals.
Three hours later:
How many tables does she have in this dumb place! After all that continuous working for hours, I still only got half of the tables done. I wish I didn't leave the Bubble Card with Tomoyo. I'm exhausted.
"Need a hand there?"
"No Syaoran, I can handle it......... SYAORAN! What are you doing in Meiling's chamber? You scared the living daylights out of me!" I looked up at the boy.
"I told you; I am also one of Meiling's servants."
"Like I was listening to you?" I replied rudely with the old anger and embarrassment boiling inside me. I feel so transparent now that Syaoran knows everything about me.
Syaoran sighed. "So do you need help or not?"
"I said NO! Just get lost!"
"It's so hard being nice to girls these days." He frowned, as I splashed the bucket of cold nasty water used to clean tables directly at his face.
"Now GO AWAY!"
"Fine fine fine!" He gave me a frustrated look as he exited the room.
I feel so bad for yelling and shouting at Syaoran, but I can't stand the chance of being laughed at. I don't want Syaoran taunting me about my life and weaknesses. That's why I refuse to talk to him from now on.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That night:
Swish Swish Swish.
My best friend appeared in front of me while I was trying to get some sleep.
"Tomoyo! You used the Dash! Great job." I exclaimed.
She nodded. "Oh Sakura, I had no idea they were forcing you to become a maid! I would've come sooner."
"Well I guess I deserve this. I killed a person, remember?"
Tomoyo shook her head. "No you didn't, Takashi faked.........."
"Hey Syaoran, guess what I caught." Came a familiar icy voice. It was Eriol! And Syaoran. Oh no, they spotted Tomoyo!
I have to think of a lie quick, or Tomoyo will be in serious trouble. I bowed down. "Hi Mr. Eriol, this is a new maid of Meiling's." I pointed to Tomoyo.
I felt an icy glare coming from Tomoyo as she also bowed down in respect.
Eriol smiled innocently. "Oh really?" His expression immediately changed more un-innocent. He grinned at Tomoyo, who panicked. "Could you please bring me a cup of tea? I want half lake water, half well water. I want it exactly 1/4 jasmine, 1/4 green tea, 1/4 red tea, and 1/4 woo long. Also, please boil the tea in a stone fireplace and add 33 specks of sugar into the cup, no less, no more." He ordered Tomoyo to get.
Why did Eriol ask her to do such an impossible task? I thought he was a pretty reasonable man. Is he testing Tomoyo because he suspects she isn't a real maid?
I expected Tomoyo to argue saying she won't be able to make that kind of tea, but all she did is give Eriol a deadly glare and said. "Yes 'Master', I'll get right to work."
Eriol smirked as Tomoyo got to work. "So Sakura dearest, having any trouble in the palace?"
"No master Eriol. Syaoran here helped me a lot." I lied, giving Syaoran a small smile.
Eriol grinned "Ah yes! Syaoran is indeed very popular with the women. He has nine wives already."
"Shut up Hiiragizawa!" Syaoran shouted, but then remembered he's a servant talking to a royal ruler. "I mean.......no master, I'm not married yet."
"Well then, wouldn't Sakura make a nice wife for you? She's really pretty." Eriol playfully suggested jokingly. My face went red once again. Why can't I control my blushing these days?
Tomoyo came back with a cup of tea in her hands. "Master Eriol, this is your jasmine, red, green, and woo long tea soaked in well water and lake water." She handed it to Eriol.
Eriol took a tiny sip out of it. "Hey! I said 33 specks of sugar! I only taste 32 specks in here!" He crashed the fine china cup in pieces. "Clean this mess up, and go get me another cup!"
Tomoyo didn't explode like I thought she would. She actually apologized to Eriol. "I'm awfully sorry, 'master', but Princess Meiling only had 32 specks of sugar in her sugar jar. Maybe if we went to 'your' place, I can then make the tea you want for you."
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Eriol dragged Tomoyo by the wrist and left.
Syaoran burst into laughter.
I frowned at him. "What's so funny? Do you 'enjoy' watching Eriol torture a fellow servant just for his entertainment? Poor Tomoyo, why didn't she just argue with him and refuse to make the tea?"
Syaoran chuckled. "Eriol was only playing with Tomoyo. Deep down, he really likes her."
"What do you mean he likes her? They've only just met."
"No. Remember that day you were thrown into jail? Tomoyo followed you down there, and tried to save you, but Eriol got there too, and he stopped her."
Stupid Syaoran. Trying to act all smart like he's so superior. "Oh yeah? How would you know all this?"
Syaoran gave me a mysterious grin. "I also know Tomoyo's your best friend and she's a tailor."
"What are you, psychic?"
"Yup, I'm also a tall handsome cunning genius. So what do you say Sakura? Can we PLEASE be friends? Who knows, I might even be able to think of a plan and bust you out of this palace."
"No. I don't want to be your friend, and you can't force me to." I replied flatly.
"Okay, I'll go now, I have to watch the show."
"Show? What show?" The curious side out me just had to ask.
"Tomoyo must be fighting with Eriol right now and I wouldn't want to miss it." He left chuckling to himself.
"Hey Syaoran, wait for me!" I followed him to Eriol's chamber.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Syaoran and I silently crept inside Eriol's home, and hid behind the furniture, eavesdropping on Tomoyo and Eriol's conversation. The two voices chatted back and forth.
"HOW DARE YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ME AGAIN! YOU TREATED ME LIKE A SERVANT WHEN YOU KNOW CLEARLY WHO I AM!"
"Calm down Ms. Daidouji, I'd still didn't get to thank you for the costume, it was very nicely made."
"You really know how to ruin things, don't you?"
"Ruin things?"
"Yeah. You knew I sneaked inside the palace to bust Sakura out, that's why you came to Sakura's bedroom in the nick of time to stop me."
"Ah such a smart girl."
"Sakura didn't kill Yamazaki; she's innocent. Can't you just let her go? What do you want from her?"
"It's not my job to set prisoners free, but it is my job to make sure they don't escape. That's why I can't let you bust Sakura out. By the way, how DID you make my impossible tea?"
"Ever heard of something called the 'Create Card'? Of course you haven't."
Oh. Now I get it. She used a card to make Eriol's tea. That's why she wasn't frustrated at all when Eriol gave the order. It's a good thing Eriol doesn't know a thing about magic. Telling him about the clow cards won't give my identity away. (A/N: Are you sure about that Sakura?)
"Syaoran, let's go back. Their conversation is boring."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"So tell me more about you." I demanded as we took a midnight stroll back to my place.
"My life is pretty much just like yours. My parents died when I was still a child, so I had to come to the palace and become a servant." Syaoran said simply.
"Do you have any friends?" I started to feel sorry for him. His life is worse than mine. At least I only have to work for a month. Syaoran might be stuck here as a slave for the rest of his life.
"As much as I hate to admit it, Eriol is my only friend."
"That must suck." I giggled a bit.
"Well, he will no longer be my only friend if you'll accept to be my friend too." I felt a tiny ray of hope in his voice.
I looked down. "But it's so awkward; you know everything about me."
Then I realized how selfish and childish I sounded. Syaoran probably went through times tougher than me, but he still lives happily enjoying life not feeling sorry for himself. It's about time I forget about my sad past and try to make the best of everything.
"Okay Syaoran, I accept this kind offer. This is great! Tomoyo may have created the perfect tea for Eriol, but we just created the start of a perfect friendship!"
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Lanturn: Oh no! Sakura is beginning to trust Syaoran even when he is lying right in front of her face!!!!!!! Please please please review!!!!