OMG!!! I Just went on the site the other day and checked out the new
stories and stuff and... OMG THERE'S A FANFIC OUT THERE ALREADY THAT'S HAS A
SUMMARY AND TITLE LIKE THIS!!! I am so sad it's not funny. It's called
'Maid for Each Other'. Well I just wanted to say that this story will be
nothing like that one because I haven't even read it yet. I'll read it
soon, after I have gotten over my devastation. Well anyway, dishing out the
story...
AUTHORS NOTES: Hey everyone!!! It's me again, Sita... Don't throw tomatoes and ugly fruit at me yet, I know I know... lots of people aren't happy with me stopping Meant To Be, but it's just that the piece was starting to be pointless... Sorry. Also, TRUST ME!!! This story is DEFINITELY not your everyday betrothal princess/prince story, the twists are going to be WOW... that's why it's Romance/Drama. By the way, this is going to be a long author's note to start it off, promise not as long next time.
Story dedicated to those special people who have added me to their favourite authors list (hopefully you don't all hate me now): Pinketernity, Tidus2yuna, lilswtiepie88, White Fox 612, Naito Ookami, ChErRyBlOsSoMs4u, YingFa-lilWolf-Lover, rae-rae, darkdragn16.
DISCLAIMER: CLAMP owns Card Captor Sakura (I decided to keep the disclaimer simple in this chapter) I'm still looking for a Disclaimer presenter! Send it your entry!
KEY: = thoughts = "speech" *^*^*^*^* scene change *^*^*^*^* (AU: Author's Notes)
Anyways, my new story, fresh out for ya! Full Summary?
Catch A Falling Star: Sakura is a princess, fulfilling her father's last wish to be betrothed to Prince Syaoran. But Syaoran wants nothing to do with this princess. So Sakura dresses up as a maid to try and get nearer to Syaoran, teaching him to love. But love is made of many obstacles... what if too many get in the way of this pair? Will they just give up? What if war strikes the Li Kingdom? What will happen when Syaoran goes to war?
Let the story begin
CHAPTER 1: The Betrothal and What It Results in
The Li Kingdom was glowing in sunshine on that fateful day. It seemed like Mother Nature was celebrating something; the skies were clear, the air fresh, birds singing and flowers blooming. It was the perfect day... well for most people.
"No mother, no way."
"You must, it's about time you take over the responsibilities as a King, I'm growing old, do you expect me to look after the Kingdom for you for eternity son?"
"Mother, I'll take the responsibilities as a King, I'll take over the throne, but nothing else"
"You know that's not possible"
"I don't know her and I don't want to"
"Well, Xiao Lang, you will. You will not disobey me, nor will you put your kingdom into threat. The decision is made"
"BUT MOTHER -,"
"No arguments! This is settled, your coronation will be the same day you announce you have an heir. And you shall be married by next month. The princess is arriving in a fortnight. Meaning, if you haven't worked out already, you get two weeks to get accustomed to your new wife. Be prepared!"
And then the queen walked out, leaving a speechless prince in the throne room, fuming with anger, he looked out the window and saw the sun shining and the birds chirping.
"Why's it such a good day when the shittest thing just happened?!?!?'
*^*^*^*^*
Well... the Li Kingdom has the greatest day with an angry prince. However, in the Kinomoto Kingdom... things were different.
The Kinomoto Kingdom didn't have its usual shine that day. The sky was dull and grey, the clouds were heavy and Mother Nature was crying, huge heavy tear drops fell from the sky. It had been raining for days now, adding to the depression of the people of the Kingdom.
Somewhere, Over the rainbow...
The feminine voice rang sweet and clear; but with each note and word you could feel pain and sorrow. Life had just taken a great turn for this princess. Beautiful, innocent, modest and caring princess. Princess Kinomoto Sakura, only daughter of King Fujitaka, sister of Prince Touya. Her smile can light up anyone's face, her voice could bribe a bird on a tree to fly down. Everyone loved her, she was respectful to her elders and family, kind to all servants and helpful to the needy.
Today, she will cry like she never has before. Seated by the bedside, Princess Sakura treasures each minute that she can spend with her father, King Fujitaka. At the age of three, she had lost her mother, today, 15 years later, at the age of eighteen, she will lose her father, the character that had been her both her parents since she could remember.
"Sakura, my dear Sakura, have I ever told you that you remind me so much of your mother. Both so beautiful and innocent. You have grown to be a beautiful woman Sakura, I will always love you, even when I'm gone," whispered Fujitaka
"Don't talk that way father, you're going to be alright!" weeped Sakura
"Help me get Touya, I want to see him before I go"
"Fine, but you're not going anywhere. Nurse, can you get the prince for me?"
Touya walks in, tired and frowning. "Father?"
"Touya, promise me you'll take good care of Sakura"
"Yes father," he said, taking his father's cold hand
"NO! I don't want onii-chan to take care of me, I want you to otou-san" Sakura sobbed
"Yes, you're right, Touya won't be looking after you for too long, he'll be king soon. Sakura, I want you to marry to the Li Kingdom, to Prince Li Xiao Lang. They will become our allies and I know for sure that the queen would treat you well. They're a neighbouring Kingdom so if would'nt be far to come back and visit Touya often," he whispered
"NO!!! I don't want to marry. I want to stay here with you"
"Don't be silly Sakura, I'm going to a place where you can't follow. Now promise this last wish. Please, before I go, promise me... I'm sure you'll make a wonderful wife," his voice was fading
Sakura just nodded weakly, closing her eyes, letting a glistening tear drop down her face.
"I love you both more than anything, Touya, Sakura. Don't be sad. I'm going to see your mother and I promise you both that we'll love you two forever and will always be watching over you," he whispered, his last breath hanging on long enough to hear. "I love you too father," from his son and daughter
And then he left Earth with a smile and peaceful look on his face. His hand dropped lifelessly onto the bed.
"Otou-san?" whispered Touya
"He's just asleep onii-chan, let him rest,"
"He's gone Sakura, he's gone"
"He's gone?"
"Hai. Let him go, don't let him see us sad. He's ended the pain and he's with mother now, kaijuu, he'll love us forever."
"And I'll love him forever... I promise to make you proud otou-san," and the tears came freely down the princess' face.
*^*^*^*^*
Two weeks later...
"Can I please not leave onii-chan? Please?" begged Sakura
"Kaijuu, I don't want you to go either. But there's nothing that I can do about it. Father had this all planned out while mother was still alive, they've always wanted you to marry to the Li Kingdom, they know Queen Yelan very well," said Touya sadly.
Sakura hugged her brother around the waist tightly. "I'll miss you calling me Kaijuu and waking me up in the morning. Most of all... I'll miss stomping on your foot," Touya stroked Sakura's hair lightly, "I'm not going to cry though onii-chan, I'll be back in a month for your coronation anyway. So, hopefully, all goes well right?"
"Yes, all will go well, now, you better be off, or you'll be late. You'll want to make the best first impression you can, because, I can tell you, it won't last for long," smirked Touya
"Mou... onii-chan! You're so mean" whined Sakura as she stomped on his foot.
"ITAI!!!"
"I'll be back to stomp on the King's foot in a week," said Sakura, flashing a smile and a wink over her shoulder, "Sayonara onii-chan!"
"Bye Kaijuu, take care of yourself. If anyone... I mean, anyone at all is disrespectful or hurts you, write a letter or come back and tell me. Don't worry about them, just come back if anything bad happens to you," shouted Touya after the carriage.
*^*^*^*^* In the carriage...
=Hmm... I wonder if anyone there speaks Japanese. I hope someone would understand my home language. I'm going to miss everyone here so much. I hope I look alright, what if I'm not looking well enough?!?=
"Kimiko? Do I look alright?" Sakura asked her favourite maid who was the same age as her, eighteen. Twirling around in her light purple gown with long sleeves that reach over her hand. The gown twirled elegantly at her feet and her cloak covers her slender neck and collarbone that is revealed by the dip of the neck of the dress.
"Princess, you look fine as always," smiled Kimiko her maid.
"Thank you Kimiko and really, how many times do I need to tell you??? Just call me Sakura! If you call me princess one more time... I'll decrease your salary!!," she replied with a small giggle as she entered her lala land again.
"I hope that things will go well once I arrive..." Sakura whispered
If only she knew...
*^*^*^*
=This can't be happening to me,=
Up
=It's just a nightmare and I will be waking up from it very soon=
Down
=Stop scaring yourself...=
Up
=Nothing is going on=
Down
"Xiao Lang!" came an exasperated voice, "If you don't stop pacing up and down the room I think I might throw up from getting dizzy from watching you!!!"
"Yes Xiao Lang, there is nothing that you can do about it. It's the reality so you might as well face it," said a sly masculine voice
Syaoran shot around and shot the man a glare, "Yeah, of course you can talk, you've already gotten married to the person you like Eriol,"
"What? So you're saying that there's someone else you'd rather now?" mocked the azure haired boy.
Syaoran flushed, "Eriol! No way," he said, eyeing Tomoyo "It's just that I definitely don't want the one that's coming now though."
"Now, Xiao Lang, you can't be so biased. You haven't even met the poor girl. Give her a chance. Who knows? She might be the exact one for you," said a light feminine voice.
"Yeh, whatever Tomoyo. You know that she's a princess and that all princesses are snobs and stuck up little porcelain dolls. I don't want someone like that,"
"Oh, so you're telling me that I'm a snob and a stuck up little porcelain doll?"
"You know what I meant Tomoyo,"
"Well I think we will be able to know if this princess is a stuck up porcelain doll or not very soon, because her carriage just arrived at the castle gates. Here's comes our part dear Tomoyo," said Eriol, peering out of the window.
"K. And relax Xiao Lang, breathe... let her have at least ONE good impression of you," winked Tomoyo and left.
"I have to drive her out before the ceremony. I have exactly two weeks. God, please help me," whispered Syaoran out the window.
*^*^*^*^*
The royal carriage rode up to the castle gates. There, Tomoyo and Eriol were ready to welcome them. They had expected the worst in mind so they would not be allowing any behaviour from the princess surprise them. They were used to this as they were known to have the most patience in the whole kingdom.
"Princess Kinomoto, welcome to the Li Kingdom. We hope that you will assimilate easily into our culture and traditions. I am Hiiragizawa Daidouji Tomoyo. Princess of the Hiiragizawa and Daidouji Kingdom," she said
Sakura got out of the carriage slowly and once she was on the ground (after the help of the coachman), she looked up and saw a beautiful violet-eyed princess smiling at her. Sakura smiled a bright smile back and walked up to them,
"Good afternoon, I'm Kinomoto Sakura. Thank you for coming to meet me here today princess... prince. I'm sure I'll enjoy my stay here and I hope I would not be causing too many people too much trouble," she said, with a smile and a curtsy, (something she was not required to do)
Tomoyo took a liking to this girl straight away. She wore great clothes ('that dress just looks so kawaii on her') and she was definitely not a snob and was very polite.
"I am Hiiragizawa Eriol, Tomoyo's husband. And I can tell you that you're worth any trouble that you cause, if any at all, that is," smiled Eriol.
Sakura flushed, "I'm flattered Prince Hiiragizawa."
"Oh, please, just call me Eriol, and her, Tomoyo, we don't need no formalities,"
"That's great! Because I'm not a very formal person at all = ), now, I hope that you would call me Sakura as well" she said with a small giggle.
"Well, Sakura, I shall be taking you around the place and introduce you to the people that you need to know within the next few days. But firstly, we should get you settled into your room and let you meet your future family," said Tomoyo with a smile.
"Thank you very much then, Kimiko, do you want to come with us?"
"Umm... Prin - I mean, Sakura, I don't think it would be appropriate for me to come... I'm just a maid and it just wouldn't fit. I think I'll just find my way to the servant's quarters and stay there," Kimiko replied quietly
"Umm... Kimiko was it? If I were you, I wouldn't call the princess by her name. It's not the wise thing to do for a servant," warned one of Eriol's soldiers.
Eriol and Tomoyo just merely smiled at Kimiko.
"No, she shall be calling me Sakura and I demand her to do so. If she doesn't then she will be disobeying me," said Sakura firmly, "and you will not be living in the servant's quarters Kimiko, I'll try my best and get you a room," Sakura whispered the last part.
"I think not Sakura, I'd rather live in the quarter's if you don't mind,"
"Fine, if that's what you want,"
*^*^*^*^* At the throne room
"Welcome to our kingdom Princess, we hope you will be able to adapt to the new environment comfortably,"
"Thank you Queen Yelan, I'm sure I'll like it here. You have a beautiful kingdom," smiled Sakura gratefully
Yelan thought to herself that Sakura was definitely the one that Xiao Lang needs in his life. Fujitaka was right. Sakura was someone so beautiful, kind, elegant and innocent. But there was a problem, her son didn't want anything to do with her.
Talking about her son... where was he?
"Queen Yelan, Xiao Lang is feeling slightly ill today so he is not able to come, I'm sure the princess will be able to meet him another day when he's feeling better," said Eriol
"Is he alright Eriol-san?" asked Sakura worriedly
Both Tomoyo and Eriol gave each other a sad smile before looking at Sakura,
"Yes Sakura, he'll be fine, just needs some rest,"
Yelan knew quite well what was wrong with his son. He was struck with the same 'disease' that he gets everytime he has to do something he doesn't want to. The bad thing was, still, Yelan had no 'antidote' to it, he just gets better all of a sudden one day.
*^*^*^*^*^
"I got it!!!" shouted Syaoran
"Got what?"
"How to get her out of here!"
"Stop it Xiao Lang!!! Just stop it!" yelled Tomoyo, losing her cool. Both Eriol and Syaoran looked at her with a perplexed expression. What's her prob? "She's a wonderful girl that's traveled miles and miles away from home to marry someone she's never met before and all that you can think of is how to kick her back?!?!?"
Rrrrarrrr
"Well that's why I'm helping her get back! Then all would be good again!" replied Syaoran.
"I've got to agree with my wife dear cousin, she's quite the lady, not the everyday princess. You should really meet her and give her a chance..."
"Even YOU Eriol? You know what I'm going through! Remember when YOU were forced into a marriage YOU didn't like?!? What was your reaction back then sir? You weren't acting much better than me. Some broken hearted princess went home coz of you!"
"How about no Syaoran? She went home coz she fell in love with someone back there. We were great friends and yes, I didn't want the marriage, but I still got to know her. She didn't even want to marry me!" Eriol shot back, defending himself, "What's your plan anyway?" asked Eriol, getting Tomoyo's attention at the same time.
Syaoran took a deep breath,
"I'll just ignore her fully. I won't meet her, I won't look her in the face. There would be no way anyone would want to marry me after being treated like that. And two weeks later, she will return home, and never come back. If I don't see her, she won't fall in love with me, then... ta da, happily ever after."
"You're hopeless Syaoran, so disappointing that you would do such a thing. Just shows that you don't deserve her. I just feel sorry for her," whispered Tomoyo as she walked out of the room.
*^*^*^*^*^* 5 days later
Sakura was sitting on the top branch of a tree. She loved climbing trees. She sat there, amidst the many cherry blossoms that floated around her. A lone tear slid down her cheek.
=Otou-san...=
Sakura missed her otou-san, onii-san and homeland. She didn't know what she was doing here. She still had not met the prince. The other day, she saw him in the gardens and ran to greet him, but when the prince saw a princess like figure approaching from afar, he ran.
Sakura was really confused. In a few days time, she would be home for Touya's coronation. She really did not know what to do. She had met Tomoyo and even had a brief meeting with the Prince Li's cousin, Li Meilin. But still, nothing had been seen about the Prince.
Sakura was starting to have regrets. She did not like the situation she was in. But soon, she will be marrying this man. As optimistic as she is... she's finding it harder and harder to see the bright side in this scenario. But of course, our cherry blossom is a stubborn child... she promised her father and therefore, will not go back on her words... especially if it was her father's last wish.
She just hoped that things would be better soon.
*^*^*^*^*^
AUTHORS NOTES: Hey everyone! What did you think? I'm sorry if you think that this chapter was really boring... I know... slightly cliché. I didn't think that it was too great myself but... the next few chapters will start getting better. I think the beginning of the plot will start next chapter... with the start of the 'maid plan' and the marriage night.
Please review... I really want to hear what you think and tell me whether you want Meiling to have a big part in it or not.
Should I spend my time and continue this story, or... rather, return to my old story Meant To Be... I only stopped that story because the plot was going way out of hand... I actually have this whole story planned out, it should have 13- 15 chapters and I know what will be specifically going on in each chapter and so forth, so this story would be easier to write..
Tell me what ya think!
Cheers! Sita xoxo
AUTHORS NOTES: Hey everyone!!! It's me again, Sita... Don't throw tomatoes and ugly fruit at me yet, I know I know... lots of people aren't happy with me stopping Meant To Be, but it's just that the piece was starting to be pointless... Sorry. Also, TRUST ME!!! This story is DEFINITELY not your everyday betrothal princess/prince story, the twists are going to be WOW... that's why it's Romance/Drama. By the way, this is going to be a long author's note to start it off, promise not as long next time.
Story dedicated to those special people who have added me to their favourite authors list (hopefully you don't all hate me now): Pinketernity, Tidus2yuna, lilswtiepie88, White Fox 612, Naito Ookami, ChErRyBlOsSoMs4u, YingFa-lilWolf-Lover, rae-rae, darkdragn16.
DISCLAIMER: CLAMP owns Card Captor Sakura (I decided to keep the disclaimer simple in this chapter) I'm still looking for a Disclaimer presenter! Send it your entry!
KEY: = thoughts = "speech" *^*^*^*^* scene change *^*^*^*^* (AU: Author's Notes)
Anyways, my new story, fresh out for ya! Full Summary?
Catch A Falling Star: Sakura is a princess, fulfilling her father's last wish to be betrothed to Prince Syaoran. But Syaoran wants nothing to do with this princess. So Sakura dresses up as a maid to try and get nearer to Syaoran, teaching him to love. But love is made of many obstacles... what if too many get in the way of this pair? Will they just give up? What if war strikes the Li Kingdom? What will happen when Syaoran goes to war?
Let the story begin
CHAPTER 1: The Betrothal and What It Results in
The Li Kingdom was glowing in sunshine on that fateful day. It seemed like Mother Nature was celebrating something; the skies were clear, the air fresh, birds singing and flowers blooming. It was the perfect day... well for most people.
"No mother, no way."
"You must, it's about time you take over the responsibilities as a King, I'm growing old, do you expect me to look after the Kingdom for you for eternity son?"
"Mother, I'll take the responsibilities as a King, I'll take over the throne, but nothing else"
"You know that's not possible"
"I don't know her and I don't want to"
"Well, Xiao Lang, you will. You will not disobey me, nor will you put your kingdom into threat. The decision is made"
"BUT MOTHER -,"
"No arguments! This is settled, your coronation will be the same day you announce you have an heir. And you shall be married by next month. The princess is arriving in a fortnight. Meaning, if you haven't worked out already, you get two weeks to get accustomed to your new wife. Be prepared!"
And then the queen walked out, leaving a speechless prince in the throne room, fuming with anger, he looked out the window and saw the sun shining and the birds chirping.
"Why's it such a good day when the shittest thing just happened?!?!?'
*^*^*^*^*
Well... the Li Kingdom has the greatest day with an angry prince. However, in the Kinomoto Kingdom... things were different.
The Kinomoto Kingdom didn't have its usual shine that day. The sky was dull and grey, the clouds were heavy and Mother Nature was crying, huge heavy tear drops fell from the sky. It had been raining for days now, adding to the depression of the people of the Kingdom.
Somewhere, Over the rainbow...
The feminine voice rang sweet and clear; but with each note and word you could feel pain and sorrow. Life had just taken a great turn for this princess. Beautiful, innocent, modest and caring princess. Princess Kinomoto Sakura, only daughter of King Fujitaka, sister of Prince Touya. Her smile can light up anyone's face, her voice could bribe a bird on a tree to fly down. Everyone loved her, she was respectful to her elders and family, kind to all servants and helpful to the needy.
Today, she will cry like she never has before. Seated by the bedside, Princess Sakura treasures each minute that she can spend with her father, King Fujitaka. At the age of three, she had lost her mother, today, 15 years later, at the age of eighteen, she will lose her father, the character that had been her both her parents since she could remember.
"Sakura, my dear Sakura, have I ever told you that you remind me so much of your mother. Both so beautiful and innocent. You have grown to be a beautiful woman Sakura, I will always love you, even when I'm gone," whispered Fujitaka
"Don't talk that way father, you're going to be alright!" weeped Sakura
"Help me get Touya, I want to see him before I go"
"Fine, but you're not going anywhere. Nurse, can you get the prince for me?"
Touya walks in, tired and frowning. "Father?"
"Touya, promise me you'll take good care of Sakura"
"Yes father," he said, taking his father's cold hand
"NO! I don't want onii-chan to take care of me, I want you to otou-san" Sakura sobbed
"Yes, you're right, Touya won't be looking after you for too long, he'll be king soon. Sakura, I want you to marry to the Li Kingdom, to Prince Li Xiao Lang. They will become our allies and I know for sure that the queen would treat you well. They're a neighbouring Kingdom so if would'nt be far to come back and visit Touya often," he whispered
"NO!!! I don't want to marry. I want to stay here with you"
"Don't be silly Sakura, I'm going to a place where you can't follow. Now promise this last wish. Please, before I go, promise me... I'm sure you'll make a wonderful wife," his voice was fading
Sakura just nodded weakly, closing her eyes, letting a glistening tear drop down her face.
"I love you both more than anything, Touya, Sakura. Don't be sad. I'm going to see your mother and I promise you both that we'll love you two forever and will always be watching over you," he whispered, his last breath hanging on long enough to hear. "I love you too father," from his son and daughter
And then he left Earth with a smile and peaceful look on his face. His hand dropped lifelessly onto the bed.
"Otou-san?" whispered Touya
"He's just asleep onii-chan, let him rest,"
"He's gone Sakura, he's gone"
"He's gone?"
"Hai. Let him go, don't let him see us sad. He's ended the pain and he's with mother now, kaijuu, he'll love us forever."
"And I'll love him forever... I promise to make you proud otou-san," and the tears came freely down the princess' face.
*^*^*^*^*
Two weeks later...
"Can I please not leave onii-chan? Please?" begged Sakura
"Kaijuu, I don't want you to go either. But there's nothing that I can do about it. Father had this all planned out while mother was still alive, they've always wanted you to marry to the Li Kingdom, they know Queen Yelan very well," said Touya sadly.
Sakura hugged her brother around the waist tightly. "I'll miss you calling me Kaijuu and waking me up in the morning. Most of all... I'll miss stomping on your foot," Touya stroked Sakura's hair lightly, "I'm not going to cry though onii-chan, I'll be back in a month for your coronation anyway. So, hopefully, all goes well right?"
"Yes, all will go well, now, you better be off, or you'll be late. You'll want to make the best first impression you can, because, I can tell you, it won't last for long," smirked Touya
"Mou... onii-chan! You're so mean" whined Sakura as she stomped on his foot.
"ITAI!!!"
"I'll be back to stomp on the King's foot in a week," said Sakura, flashing a smile and a wink over her shoulder, "Sayonara onii-chan!"
"Bye Kaijuu, take care of yourself. If anyone... I mean, anyone at all is disrespectful or hurts you, write a letter or come back and tell me. Don't worry about them, just come back if anything bad happens to you," shouted Touya after the carriage.
*^*^*^*^* In the carriage...
=Hmm... I wonder if anyone there speaks Japanese. I hope someone would understand my home language. I'm going to miss everyone here so much. I hope I look alright, what if I'm not looking well enough?!?=
"Kimiko? Do I look alright?" Sakura asked her favourite maid who was the same age as her, eighteen. Twirling around in her light purple gown with long sleeves that reach over her hand. The gown twirled elegantly at her feet and her cloak covers her slender neck and collarbone that is revealed by the dip of the neck of the dress.
"Princess, you look fine as always," smiled Kimiko her maid.
"Thank you Kimiko and really, how many times do I need to tell you??? Just call me Sakura! If you call me princess one more time... I'll decrease your salary!!," she replied with a small giggle as she entered her lala land again.
"I hope that things will go well once I arrive..." Sakura whispered
If only she knew...
*^*^*^*
=This can't be happening to me,=
Up
=It's just a nightmare and I will be waking up from it very soon=
Down
=Stop scaring yourself...=
Up
=Nothing is going on=
Down
"Xiao Lang!" came an exasperated voice, "If you don't stop pacing up and down the room I think I might throw up from getting dizzy from watching you!!!"
"Yes Xiao Lang, there is nothing that you can do about it. It's the reality so you might as well face it," said a sly masculine voice
Syaoran shot around and shot the man a glare, "Yeah, of course you can talk, you've already gotten married to the person you like Eriol,"
"What? So you're saying that there's someone else you'd rather now?" mocked the azure haired boy.
Syaoran flushed, "Eriol! No way," he said, eyeing Tomoyo "It's just that I definitely don't want the one that's coming now though."
"Now, Xiao Lang, you can't be so biased. You haven't even met the poor girl. Give her a chance. Who knows? She might be the exact one for you," said a light feminine voice.
"Yeh, whatever Tomoyo. You know that she's a princess and that all princesses are snobs and stuck up little porcelain dolls. I don't want someone like that,"
"Oh, so you're telling me that I'm a snob and a stuck up little porcelain doll?"
"You know what I meant Tomoyo,"
"Well I think we will be able to know if this princess is a stuck up porcelain doll or not very soon, because her carriage just arrived at the castle gates. Here's comes our part dear Tomoyo," said Eriol, peering out of the window.
"K. And relax Xiao Lang, breathe... let her have at least ONE good impression of you," winked Tomoyo and left.
"I have to drive her out before the ceremony. I have exactly two weeks. God, please help me," whispered Syaoran out the window.
*^*^*^*^*
The royal carriage rode up to the castle gates. There, Tomoyo and Eriol were ready to welcome them. They had expected the worst in mind so they would not be allowing any behaviour from the princess surprise them. They were used to this as they were known to have the most patience in the whole kingdom.
"Princess Kinomoto, welcome to the Li Kingdom. We hope that you will assimilate easily into our culture and traditions. I am Hiiragizawa Daidouji Tomoyo. Princess of the Hiiragizawa and Daidouji Kingdom," she said
Sakura got out of the carriage slowly and once she was on the ground (after the help of the coachman), she looked up and saw a beautiful violet-eyed princess smiling at her. Sakura smiled a bright smile back and walked up to them,
"Good afternoon, I'm Kinomoto Sakura. Thank you for coming to meet me here today princess... prince. I'm sure I'll enjoy my stay here and I hope I would not be causing too many people too much trouble," she said, with a smile and a curtsy, (something she was not required to do)
Tomoyo took a liking to this girl straight away. She wore great clothes ('that dress just looks so kawaii on her') and she was definitely not a snob and was very polite.
"I am Hiiragizawa Eriol, Tomoyo's husband. And I can tell you that you're worth any trouble that you cause, if any at all, that is," smiled Eriol.
Sakura flushed, "I'm flattered Prince Hiiragizawa."
"Oh, please, just call me Eriol, and her, Tomoyo, we don't need no formalities,"
"That's great! Because I'm not a very formal person at all = ), now, I hope that you would call me Sakura as well" she said with a small giggle.
"Well, Sakura, I shall be taking you around the place and introduce you to the people that you need to know within the next few days. But firstly, we should get you settled into your room and let you meet your future family," said Tomoyo with a smile.
"Thank you very much then, Kimiko, do you want to come with us?"
"Umm... Prin - I mean, Sakura, I don't think it would be appropriate for me to come... I'm just a maid and it just wouldn't fit. I think I'll just find my way to the servant's quarters and stay there," Kimiko replied quietly
"Umm... Kimiko was it? If I were you, I wouldn't call the princess by her name. It's not the wise thing to do for a servant," warned one of Eriol's soldiers.
Eriol and Tomoyo just merely smiled at Kimiko.
"No, she shall be calling me Sakura and I demand her to do so. If she doesn't then she will be disobeying me," said Sakura firmly, "and you will not be living in the servant's quarters Kimiko, I'll try my best and get you a room," Sakura whispered the last part.
"I think not Sakura, I'd rather live in the quarter's if you don't mind,"
"Fine, if that's what you want,"
*^*^*^*^* At the throne room
"Welcome to our kingdom Princess, we hope you will be able to adapt to the new environment comfortably,"
"Thank you Queen Yelan, I'm sure I'll like it here. You have a beautiful kingdom," smiled Sakura gratefully
Yelan thought to herself that Sakura was definitely the one that Xiao Lang needs in his life. Fujitaka was right. Sakura was someone so beautiful, kind, elegant and innocent. But there was a problem, her son didn't want anything to do with her.
Talking about her son... where was he?
"Queen Yelan, Xiao Lang is feeling slightly ill today so he is not able to come, I'm sure the princess will be able to meet him another day when he's feeling better," said Eriol
"Is he alright Eriol-san?" asked Sakura worriedly
Both Tomoyo and Eriol gave each other a sad smile before looking at Sakura,
"Yes Sakura, he'll be fine, just needs some rest,"
Yelan knew quite well what was wrong with his son. He was struck with the same 'disease' that he gets everytime he has to do something he doesn't want to. The bad thing was, still, Yelan had no 'antidote' to it, he just gets better all of a sudden one day.
*^*^*^*^*^
"I got it!!!" shouted Syaoran
"Got what?"
"How to get her out of here!"
"Stop it Xiao Lang!!! Just stop it!" yelled Tomoyo, losing her cool. Both Eriol and Syaoran looked at her with a perplexed expression. What's her prob? "She's a wonderful girl that's traveled miles and miles away from home to marry someone she's never met before and all that you can think of is how to kick her back?!?!?"
Rrrrarrrr
"Well that's why I'm helping her get back! Then all would be good again!" replied Syaoran.
"I've got to agree with my wife dear cousin, she's quite the lady, not the everyday princess. You should really meet her and give her a chance..."
"Even YOU Eriol? You know what I'm going through! Remember when YOU were forced into a marriage YOU didn't like?!? What was your reaction back then sir? You weren't acting much better than me. Some broken hearted princess went home coz of you!"
"How about no Syaoran? She went home coz she fell in love with someone back there. We were great friends and yes, I didn't want the marriage, but I still got to know her. She didn't even want to marry me!" Eriol shot back, defending himself, "What's your plan anyway?" asked Eriol, getting Tomoyo's attention at the same time.
Syaoran took a deep breath,
"I'll just ignore her fully. I won't meet her, I won't look her in the face. There would be no way anyone would want to marry me after being treated like that. And two weeks later, she will return home, and never come back. If I don't see her, she won't fall in love with me, then... ta da, happily ever after."
"You're hopeless Syaoran, so disappointing that you would do such a thing. Just shows that you don't deserve her. I just feel sorry for her," whispered Tomoyo as she walked out of the room.
*^*^*^*^*^* 5 days later
Sakura was sitting on the top branch of a tree. She loved climbing trees. She sat there, amidst the many cherry blossoms that floated around her. A lone tear slid down her cheek.
=Otou-san...=
Sakura missed her otou-san, onii-san and homeland. She didn't know what she was doing here. She still had not met the prince. The other day, she saw him in the gardens and ran to greet him, but when the prince saw a princess like figure approaching from afar, he ran.
Sakura was really confused. In a few days time, she would be home for Touya's coronation. She really did not know what to do. She had met Tomoyo and even had a brief meeting with the Prince Li's cousin, Li Meilin. But still, nothing had been seen about the Prince.
Sakura was starting to have regrets. She did not like the situation she was in. But soon, she will be marrying this man. As optimistic as she is... she's finding it harder and harder to see the bright side in this scenario. But of course, our cherry blossom is a stubborn child... she promised her father and therefore, will not go back on her words... especially if it was her father's last wish.
She just hoped that things would be better soon.
*^*^*^*^*^
AUTHORS NOTES: Hey everyone! What did you think? I'm sorry if you think that this chapter was really boring... I know... slightly cliché. I didn't think that it was too great myself but... the next few chapters will start getting better. I think the beginning of the plot will start next chapter... with the start of the 'maid plan' and the marriage night.
Please review... I really want to hear what you think and tell me whether you want Meiling to have a big part in it or not.
Should I spend my time and continue this story, or... rather, return to my old story Meant To Be... I only stopped that story because the plot was going way out of hand... I actually have this whole story planned out, it should have 13- 15 chapters and I know what will be specifically going on in each chapter and so forth, so this story would be easier to write..
Tell me what ya think!
Cheers! Sita xoxo