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Starlight Crystal

Love of Silence

Chapter 12

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"So, what made you come?" Syaoran asked as they twirled around the dance floor.

"That I get a new gown?" Sakura grinned, looking down at her white gown.

"I'm serious. How did you manage to get on land again anyway?" Syaoran's grip tightened as he led Sakura away from a couple of dancers.

"My dad gave me mom's pearl. It allows me to breathe on land," Sakura said softly, looking away. Of course, there's this little detail that she was only going to be on land for a couple of hours. But Syaoran didn't have to know about that.

Syaoran was silent for a moment. Just then, the song turned to a fast one. Rapid movement was a relief in the midst of so much feeling. They flew through the hall, perfectly in step.

But at the back of Sakura's mind, she knew the clock was ticking. Soon, Syaoran has to choose his bride, and she knew it could not be her. She would fled before he makes his announcement.

Suddenly, a voice boomed. "The prince will know announce his future bride."

Sakura recoiled, slowly letting go of Syaoran. He gave her a small smile before heading towards the throne.

A tear slid. She bit her lips as she watched him walked up purposefully up the throne.

With one last glance at his retreating back, she turned and fled from the ballroom.

.o.o.o.o.o.o

Syaoran's heart was beating as he slowly walked towards his mother. He was finally going to marry Sakura. He gave a small smile to himself as he ascended the steps.

He was barely listening as the speaker continued talking.

"As you know, we have gathered here together for the prince to choose his future bride. Once the princess has been chosen, Prince Syaoran will then become the king and Queen Yelan will step down. Here's the prince," the speaker announced, as Syaoran turned to face the crowd.

"I thank you, everyone, for taking your time to attend this event. I have chosen my bride," Syaoran smiled at the sea of faces. The princesses leaned forward eagerly.

"Princess Sakura, will you marry me?" Syaoran looked around searchingly for a familiar face.

Everyone waited for Sakura to step out. A couple of minutes passed. Queen Yelan frowned beside him.

"Princess Sakura?" the speaker announced, though it was more of a question than a statement.

Just then, Eriol came up beside Syaoran.

"Sakura has left. Apparently, her mother's pearl only allows her to stay on land for a couple of hours. She can never go on land again," Eriol laid a sympathetic hand on his shoulders. Queen Yelan gave Syaoran a stern look as she whispered something to her right hand man.

"Due to some last minute problems, we wll have to delay the announcement for a couple of minutes. Meanwhile, the refreshments are to your right," the speaker announced.

"Come with me, Syaoran. You too, Eriol, and ask Princess Tomoyo to come along," Queen Yelan ordered as she walked out of the ballroom.

Syaoran was still in a daze as he followed his mother out, Eriol beside him.

"What is wrong with you?" she burst out the moment the door shut behind them.

Syaoran had never seen his mother so angry before. She had never shouted at anyone, and she was losing her composure this time.

"My queen, Sakura isn't really--," Eriol started

"Oh? Then why did she have to seduce my son and ruin his wedding?" the queen ranted on.

"I can't tell you. But things really aren't what they looked like," Eriol continued.

"Mom, if you would just listen---," Syaoran started.

"She has no respect for us at all! First, she steals, then she seduces you. And she had to ruin the wedding too! She's an ill- mannered, foolish, disrespectful---,"

"SHE'S A MERMAID!!" Syaoran shouted, causing the Queen to stop abruptly.

"What did you just say?" she asked, her voice unusually calm.

"Sakura's a mermaid, alright? She can't marry me because we can never live together. She belongs to the ocean, and I belong here. Why can't you just understand?" Syaoran asked, his voice deadly soft.

"Is it true?" Queen Yelan turned to Tomoyo, who had been silent all this while.

She nodded and looked away.

Queen Yelan sank down onto a chair. She seemed so worn out all of a sudden.

"Let me ask you this. And you have to answer me truthfully," she looked up at Syaoran. "Do you really love her?"

Syaoran stared back at his mother, and nodded.

"That is all I need. Bring me to her, and I'll think of a way out."

Syaoran, Eriol and Tomoyo all stared at her, stunned.

"I have been queen to you since you were born. Now, I shall be your mother," she gave him a warm smile.

o.o.o.o.o.o.o

Sakura sobbed, hugging her fins close to her. If she ha known being in love would be so difficult, she would've chosen not to love at all!

She tensed as her father swam up next to her.

"Someone's here to see you," he said softly.

"I don't want to see anyone!" she turned away.

"But she might be your future mother- in- law. Are you sure you really don't want to see her?"

That got a reaction from Sakura.

"Queen Yelan?" she squeaked.

King Fujitaka nodded, smiling at her. Sakura gave one stunned look at her father and slowly swam up to shore.

Sure enough, Queen Yelan was standing at the beach alone.

"I have come here because Syaoran loves you. Is there anyway that you are able to walk on shores and be in the water?" she asked, all businesslike.

Sakura shook her head.

"Actually, there is a way," Sakura turned to see her father clearing his throat.

"Nadeshiko, Sakura's mother, had once mentioned that if Sakura were to fall in love with someone from the land, there is a way for them to be together. They would have to pass a test of love," her father said evenly.

"A test of love? Why haven't I heard of that before?" Sakura looked up curiously at her father.

"That's because even I don't know what the test was. Your mother died before she could tell me," her father looked away.

Just then, they heard a scream from the other end of the beach as Tomoyo came running towards them.

"There's this horrid looking creature! She suddenly appeared out of nowhere and took Syaoran with her!" Tomoyo cried out frantically, running towards them.

"WHAT? Where are they now?" Queen Yelan asked frantically.

"Eriol went in after them, into the ocean!"

Before anyone could say anything, Sakura had already dived back into the ocean.

o.o.o.o.o.o

Finished at last! Um… there are a few minor glitches. In the previous chapter, I accidentally typed 'Chapter 10' when it should have been 'Chapter 11'. And instead of a 'pink gown', that Sakura is wearing, it was supposed to be a 'white gown'. Thanks to JeanetteStar for emailing me to tell me! O.o

-Amber- chan