I'M SOOOOOOOO SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I KNOW I HAVEN'T UPDATED IN LIKE TWO MONTHS!!!!! But I have a good excuse, school started and things were really hectic for me, I had to get used to my schedule and the homework load teachers were giving me. It takes a while you know. And I tried to write my story whenever I could, I would write like a bit at a time...but I actually have a break coming up so I think I'll be able to update chapter 13 pretty quickly...I hope...but I have to start writing it first...hehe ;
Personal Notes to Readers!!!!:
Lil Mari: I'm sorry about the scare, hehe, I was just fooling around. No, I don't think Meiling will be in this story...not yet...I haven't planned the story that far ahead yet. I'm just taking things slowly...very slowly
Ayumi-dono: I'm sorry all my chapters take so long, it's just that with school and everything, I've been awfully busy. I'm trying my best though. Then there's also writer's block...ahh!!!! I hate it so much...and yes, S/S will DEFINITELY happen, that's why my story is under S/S and why it's called "Forbidden Games"
Lil Cherry Blossom Angel: Yay!!!! Another update!!!! Haha, :-)
Avelyn Lauren: Yup, it's gonna get very, very interesting, wink, maybe not, depends on your taste. Hope you keep on reviewing!!!
Sunnflower: Haha, yea, I like to give my readers some background information and tell them that my story is really different that what actually happened. It's an AU I guess, some of its fact, but most of its fiction.
SS43V3r: Thank you!!! I try and make my endings an ending...does that make any sense????? Haha, I probably don't make much sense, never did, never will.
Cherry Princess Sakura: I didn't plan on having magic in my story actually, but then I added it in like the first few chapters, so now I can't just be like, well there's no more magic. I don't wanna go back and change all my chapters...too lazy, hehe. Yea, something big will definitely happen soon...I think...not quite there yet...but remember, there's that ball held in Sakura's honor and Syaoran's invited.
2swtstarz1: Thanks blush, I try.
Heheangel kisses: Thank you! Yeah, I try and make the plot deeper than just they fall in love and stuff like that, and adding their magic helps too, because it makes the story more interesting and the plot thickens! dun, dun, dun haha.
Melon-heart: I'm sorry about updating so late, it takes time to write, especially for me. That's true, I've probably waited two years for updates on some stories and they still don't come, makes me wonder what happened to the story. They should at least find someone who will continue the story for them...I don't think they had chicken alfredo back then...but let's pretend they did, :-)Dreamschemer: I know I'm romanticizing gladiators, but that's half the fun when writing a story!!!!! Actually gladiators did have a sort of status, not all of them were slaves, some of them were Roman citizens who decided to give up their freedom to become a gladiator. And if you were popular with the people, you were popular both in the arena and outside of it. Yeah, anyway like I said, writing doesn't have to be based truly on facts, you can twist anything to fit your story as long as it sounds somewhat believable, I mean, you've probably read stories with flying unicorns or what about mermaids??? Anyway...I'm rambling. Thanks for the information though, but I know most of that stuff already...I take Latin...trust me, I hear enough of that every single day.
Final Fantasy Princess: Chicken Alfredo rocks!!!!!!!!!! It's sooooooooooo good; I could eat it practically every single day. Pasta is the bomb! The only kind I really don't like is the seafood one and the vegetarian one. The plot will keep on thickening!!! (I hope)
AnimeObsessionFantasy: Not likely, but I'll try, I tend to drag things out if you haven't noticed...hehe...it gets on people's nerves, I know.
Fanatic: Thank you soooo much!!!!!!! Arigato! Gracias! Xie Xie (Chinese)! Grazie (Italian???)!!!! Merci!!! (and I don't know it in Latin...)
Sakura.cherryblossom.kinomoto: I'm definitely gonna add more Sakura and Syaoran scenes later on...but for now...I don't know...but it's definitely gonna be SS
Piccoleia Star: Thanks! :-)
Gabzilla: Don't worry, I'm weird too, hahaha! And I'm still waiting for your picture!!!! Hehe. I really wanna see it though, I'm really upset because in the CCS manga, they don't change Syaoran very much, sure he's taller and thinner somewhat, but I wanna see a really older him, more muscular too (not too big though, you know what I mean). There's that new manga with CCS characters though, I think it's called Tsubasa, but I'm not sure...I hope they make Syaoran look at least a little older...
Dreamer: haha, well here's more!!!! And there's gonna be more coming, but not now...I don't know when I'm going to update again...I still need to start writing...
Little Girl: Thank you! And yeah, I know all this stuff, I know that there really wasn't a Trojan War where they fought for Helen, but there was a Troy, and I think there was some type of war, but it wasn't like that in the legends. Yeah, yeah, my story is just using Rome and it's gladiator thing...hehe. I'm sorry...I'll have to change that, but I'm really busy right now...and I don't have time to do that...I've been writing the story like in my spare time (which isn't very often, which is why I haven't updated in forever), but I'll fix it one day...thanks though.
Mycherrywolf: Yeah, my chapters are kinda slow and not a lot of action happens, the next one probably will have more action...I hope...and I'll try and update as quickly as possible
Perfectangel12: Thank you! I'm glad this is one of your favorite stories!! It's my favorite one...my other stories stunk...well I come up with some ideas but then I can't put it down on paper very well...
Rapture-Taylore: No problem, I'm just glad you reviewed!! It's just nice knowing that some people took the time to actually write something...haha.
Lil-asian-gurl: She will EVENTUALLY end up with Syaoran...you'll just have to be patient...and I know personally as a reader that I get so fed up waiting. But it takes a LOT of time coming up with a good chapter (or what I think is a good chapter) to post on. I haven't really thought about Sakura and Paul's wedding date...hmm...I'll probably add that in my next chapter, or in the chapter with Sakura's ball (the one held in her honor, same thing).
AND HERE'S CHAPTER 12!!!!! YAY!!!!!! FINALLY!!!!!!
The Amber Eyed Gladiator: Forbidden Games
By: Sakuratenshi89
Chapter Twelve
The Palace, Rome, Italy, 87 A.D.
Sakura looked at her self in the mirror nervously. She was shaking visibly; not at all feeling as good as she looked. She had been given a beautiful silk kimono from her father just before she had left and she had finally decided to wear it. Her father of course had made sure that the kimono fit her perfectly and accentuated her features nicely. It was long and trailed in the back. She rolled her sleeves up as to not let them get in her way. A beautiful jeweled cherry blossom pin held one side of her hair back from her face. On her wrist hung a simple gold bracelet given to her by her brother on her sixteenth birthday.
"Why is this so hard?" Sakura muttered to herself. "I'm just meeting his parents. It's not like...well...they are the rulers of the Roman Empire and I have every right to be afraid...I mean...what if they..."
"They'll love you," came Paul's amused voice from the doorway. "You're worrying over nothing." He was dressed rather simply for royalty. He had on a plain white toga, which was made, of course, with the finest material imported from China. Around his neck was a medal, the crest that had been carried in his family for years, the crest that let the world know he was royalty. It was emblem of the Roman emperors. He walked up to her and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, making her blush.
Sakura shook her head, "You'd be like this if you were meeting with the most powerful people in Europe. You can't say that I'm worrying over nothing." She stepped back from him unconsciously.
"Yes I can, I know my parents," Paul emphasized the word. "And like I said a million times, they'll love you. They're my parents, not the emperor and empress of Rome. They're not the most powerful people in Europe. They're my parents. If you think about it that way, you'll be fine. You'll survive."
She glanced at him dubiously before sighing, "I'm ready, let's go."
"Good," Paul said smiling. "You'll enjoy yourself. They've been looking forward to this for a long time, I'll protect you if anything happens." He held out his arm for her to take, she took it willingly and braced herself for what was to come.
Sakura smiled, 'Be strong.'
The Dining Hall, The Palace, Rome, Italy, 87 A.D.
The dining hall was long and rectangular and rather empty. It was a room made of marble with a high ceiling and candleholders on every wall as to give off light. In the room was a long table, which could fit about fifty or so people give or take. It was made of the best material money could buy in Rome.
Domitianus sat with his wife Aurelia in the dining room. He was sitting at the head of the table as usual and Aurelia was to his left.
"Have you met this girl yet?" asked Aurelia worriedly as they waited for their son and his fiancé. Her blue eyes were darting to the doorway every few seconds, and it was getting on her husband's nerves. She looked like one of those royalty who are scared that someone will come in at any second and murder everyone in their sight, that's how paranoid she looked, and ridiculous. (A/N: it's like girls when they like guys and are waiting for them to come into the classroom or room or whatever, and they look to the doors every ten seconds. Well...guys do that too, it's really funny, but it also gets on my nerves soooo much!!!!!! They should at least try and hide it, or not look there every two or ten seconds, they should make it less obvious).
"I've seen her and I've met her family. They were pleasant and very warm. You'll love her; she's everything you could ever ask for in a daughter-in-law. She's a rare one. We're lucky she agreed to this marriage," Domitianus said.
Aurelia smoothed her blond hair. "Well I hope so, here they come..."
Paul and Sakura's footsteps could be heard echoing down the hall. Soon after, the dining hall doors were opened and they stepped in.
"You're right, she is stunning," Aurelia whispered to Domitianus, making him smile.
"Father, Mother," Paul said cordially as he and Sakura walked up to the table. "This is Sakura."
"Welcome to the family dear," Aurelia said warmly.
"Thank you," Sakura said blushing shyly.
"I hope Paul has been a good host and fiancé," Domitianus said grinning. "He can get a bit lazy and rather hard to handle sometimes. When he was young, he was the most spoiled little kid I've ever seen..."
"Father," whined Paul. Sakura laughed.
Domitianus grinned even wider, "Just kidding son."
"Do sit down," Aurelia said, gesturing to the two empty seats in front of her.
Paul held out the chair for Sakura, making her smile.
"Thank you," she said.
"No problem," Paul replied, pulling out his own chair to the right of his father.
"While we're waiting for food, I should tell you more stories about Paul here," Domitianus said, making Paul turn a fire engine red. "There are a few things that you should know about him, they might come in handy later in the marriage. Are you ready Sakura?"
"Sure!" Sakura said smiling at her future father-in-law.
Paul groaned, "Oh no..."
Aurelia stifled a smirk, "You knew that this was coming Paul, your father just can't wait to get back at you. He just loves embarrassing you, you know."
"Well of course I do, as a father, it is my job!" Domitianus said, "Well, here goes, when Paul was twelve..."
And so the dinner continued on like this for the rest of the night, Domitianus informing Sakura of Paul's amusing and rather embarrassing past, Aurelia filling in on some parts, Sakura laughing so hard she almost choked on her water, Paul's face, never turning back to its original color (it stayed tomato red for about two hours after too).
Li Palace, China, 87 A.D.
Li Feimei sighed and stared out the window forlornly. It had been two years since Xiao Lang had been captured. She stared once again at the paper in her hands. She had just received it yesterday from Rome, Italy, where Xiao Lang had been taken to from Japan.
Dear Feimei,
I am no longer in Japan; I have been in Rome for a week already. I was chosen by the emperor of Rome's son to come to Italy. I suppose I was a sort of gift, as were others. I was then brought to Rome with the others where I was then sold at an auction. Don't worry about me, I am in good hands, you might know him, or Mother might. His name is Gaius Augustus and he runs the Gladiatorial Institute of Rome.
You must have figured out by now that I'm a gladiator (Feimei shook her head and laughed a little at this, she could just picture her younger brother saying this with the usual sarcasm in his voice). It was not my choice, though I think that I'd rather be a gladiator than anything else right now. I don't mind, having grown up fighting all my life. My first real fight will take place soon; wish me luck, because I might not come out of it alive, if the people don't like me. It all depends on their choice; my life is in their hands.
Do not tell anyone of this, I would not want them to worry, you're the only one I can trust in our family. Fanren will only worry and Mama doesn't need to know. You're the only one who understands that this is for the best.
One day when I win my freedom, I will come back to China. Until then, I am content living the life of a gladiator in Rome.
Your brother,
Li Xiao LangFeimei smiled and closed the letter; it was so like her younger brother to not want others to worry. She knew he could take care of himself, but she couldn't help but worry. She knew all about the gladiator games, it was live or die, sometimes the people were merciful and let the gladiator keep his life, but it was rare. Only when the people really loved the gladiator would they show mercy.
China had been in ruins ever since the kingdom had discovered their future king gone. It was in a state of chaos; even her normally composed and collected mother had given up. The Elders, stubborn as they were, tried to get the kingdom back into order, but it was useless. Their hope was gone, the faith they had disappeared. There was nothing to look forward too, their lives were ruined, and there was no hope for the future. All their good work had gone to waste.
She smiled rather cynically, how ironic, the Elders were giving up, they had trained and molded Xiao Lang to what they thought was perfection, he did everything they asked. Yet he was the one to rebel and he was the one who ruined them. She knew Xiao Lang never liked the old men, she just never understood why he obeyed them...maybe he had known that one day he would bring them to their knees and they would fall, never to rise to power again. She wished Xiao Lang were here, he would have known what to do. He was the only one who could bring China back to its original state. Without him, China would most likely forever remain in the state of chaos. No leader to guide them, no future to look forward to...there was nothing.
The Colosseum, Rome, Italy, 87 A.D.
Sakura was led up the stairs to the royalty box by Paul, she was rather nervous about the whole thing, this being the first time she had ever seen the gladiatorial games.
"It'll be fine, I promise," Paul comforted her. "If you hate it, then I won't make you come back ever again."
Sakura agreed. It wasn't the fighting; it was just the killing and stabbing that got to her.
"We better hurry, I think my dad is about to give the signal," Paul said, lightly pulling Sakura up with him.
"What signal?"
"The signal to let the gladiators out from behind those bars, they wait there for the signal. If you go through one of those tunnels, you will reach the place where they shower and get dressed. It's actually very interesting, the architecture and design of this building is fabulous. I'll take you on a tour some time," said Paul, smiling.
"Let me guess, you've probably been in there at least a couple of hundred times," Sakura said.
"Yeah, maybe more," Paul said sheepishly.
Sakura laughed.
The Colosseum, Rome, Italy, 87 A.D.
Syaoran looked at himself in the rather dim mirror. His scooped up water and splashed it on his face, he was nervous. He sat on the bench next to the mirror and ran his hands through his hair. Who knew that this would be so hard? It was harder than anything he had done, even leaving China. He was going to fight for his life today.
He set his jaw tightly; he was determined to win though. He would not let some amateur fighter kill him in the battle, he had to win. There was so much in his life that was not accomplished. He had so much to look forward to. He would eventually gain his right to freedom, but he first had to get past the preliminaries. Life was a game and he knew how to play it well, he knew its tricks and he knew how to get around them. He was the master, he would win this game.
A shout was heard through the dark halls of the Colosseum, he was calling the gladiators, it was now time.
Syaoran took a hold of his sword, which was freshly sharpened and his shield and prepared himself, stepping into the tunnel that would lead him into the arena. He stepped outside into the large arena, the arena that had been stained with blood years before he had ever been born. On this ground, many had fought, many had died; few had conquered. He would conquer, he would.
The Colosseum, Rome, Italy, 87 A.D.
Everyone knew the rules to the games. Those who lost, lost, they were dead to the world. They were no more. Those who were victorious were richly rewarded and after a period of service, could even win the wooden sword of freedom no matter their status. Their fate rested in the spectators, if the crowd favored him, they would wave their handkerchiefs and the emperor would then signal for his release. Otherwise, if the gladiator had not won favor and the crowd showed that he was not favored, the fallen man would be killed speedily.
Syaoran himself was a murmillo, a fish man, who wore a helmet with a fish emblem on it. He was armed with a sword and large shield that he had practiced with.
The gladiators gathered in front of the royal box, where the royals were seated.
"Ave, imperator, morituri te salutant. (Hail, emperor, those about to die salute you!)" Chanted the group of gladiators, about to fight for their lives.
The emperor nodded his head slightly.
The trumpet-players and horn-players blew loudly.
A man stepped forward and held out a scroll, "Will the first two contestants please step into the center of the field please."
Automatically the rest of the players stepped onto the sides of the field, leaving the two first contestants to the battle of their lives.
The people began cheering, aware that the game had not yet begun, but excited, adrenaline rushed through the air, everyone could feel it. This was going to be a good game, the first game in months, for the gladiators had been training, but now it was time to show their skill and the people could not contain their excitement.
Syaoran took no notice of the crowd of tens of thousands of people, for he knew it would be a distraction. He needed his concentration if he wished to win. He needed to focus, it was just him and his opponent, it was life or death.
A horn sounded, long and clear, the signal to begin had been given.
Syaoran's eyes narrowed at his opponent, the games have begun...
A/N: Yea, I know this chapter is kinda short, but it's 2,000 words long, which is about my average. And I couldn't really elaborate anymore and I didn't want to add anymore meaningless conversations...though probably my whole entire story is based on them.
I just wanna clear this up once and for all: MY STORY IS NOT TRULY BASED ON ROMAN GLADIATORS BACK IN THE TIME OF ANCIENT Rome. MY STORY IS PURELY FICTIONAL AND MAY HAVE SOME FACTS (VERY LITTLE), BUT IT IS NOT TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY AS IN ALL THE FACTS HAVE TO BE STRAIGHT...IT'S PURE FICTION!! THAT'S THE ENTIRE POINT OF FICTION! Yeah, and all ya'll out there who corrected me, I don't mind, seriously, but I just wanted to clear that up with all you guys out there, I know they didn't have restaurants or chicken alfredo back then. I know all that, I'm in Latin and I'm studying World History...so yeah, but I really appreciate you taking the time to tell me all of it...I just wanted to clear up any misunderstanding.
KEEP REVIEWING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!