AUTHOR'S NOTES: Ok Ok Ok... I am quite sure that I will be getting flames soon. I am such a lousy person and i admit it. but ive been in so much shit lately... I'm so so so so sorry everyone i realli am. I had written this AGES ago, i just havent realli had time to upload it. It you all hate me then i understand, i just hope you dont hate this story too much...
DISCLAIMER: NO I DONT OWN ANY OF THIS... oh other than the plot, the dresses, kimiko, hiiro, hatoshi... and the kinomoto and li castles coz theyre pretti : P.
Last Chapter:
Syaoran was right, the branch really was unstable, and once again, Sakura found herself falling from the same tree. She closed her eyes, there were two possibilities, she would hit the ground and break her neck, or her husband would catch her. Fortunately for her, it was the latter.
Ooomph...
Emerald and Amber lock again...
'I really need to stop climbing up that tree'
Chapter 3: The Fall and What Confession It Leads To
"Yo-your highness, I'm so sorry, I mean, I should had obeyed what you said. I wasn't aware, I've always sat on that branch... I didn't know. I'm so sorry, please forgive me," stammered Sakura after doing a curtsy.
Syaoran smirked at her nervousness,
"It's alright. Don't worry about it. What surprised me more was that you didn't know who I was. Who are you? Are you new here?"
Sakura giggled,
"I'm sorry Prince Xiao Lang, but I've never met you before... I just came here with my princess from the Kinomoto kingdom... I came with your highness' wife, Princess Li Kinomoto –,"
Syaoran cut her off,
"Don't talk about her, I don't want to hear it. I see you're from the Kinomoto lands, well then, now you know who I am. What's your name?"
Sakura was furious with his remark and didn't even hear his question,
"What do you mean you don't want to hear about her? She's your wife!" cried Sakura, her delicate hands balled into fists by her side.
Syaoran glared at her, "That's not the way to treat a prince here,"
"And that's not the way you should treat your wife! My princess has only recently lost her father, and was sent here without any family to fulfill his last wish and you? You don't even think about how she feels? Arrgh! What nerve you have by treating anyone in this world like that. The least you could do is talk to her and try and get to know her. She's homesick and still mourning when you, you don't even care. She wasn't the one that wanted this marriage. She didn't want it anymore than you, but she tried to accept it and so should you," yelled Sakura, glaring back at Syaoran.
"You, are going to be deeply punished for speaking to a prince like that," he hissed
"Then so be it! At least I TRIED to help my princess who's been crying her eyes out for weeks in this country. And I hope I got through to you,"
"I didn't want it to be like this," whispered Syaoran, and he sighed while sat down by the tree trunk.
"What do you mean?"
"I didn't mean to hurt her, not on purpose. I just don't want her hopes up. I want her to know that I seriously want nothing to do with her,"
"Why can't you even be her friend?"
"Because... I don't want to get to know her. I don't want to like her. And I don't want her to like me either,"
"Then what DO you want?" asked Sakura curiously, sitting down in front of him.
Syaoran was surprised, a few moments ago, this servant was yelling at him, now, they were talking like... nearly like they were friends. (AN: I guess Sakura just has that effect on everyone :)
"I want Minami," came his answer
"Hoe? Minami?"
"The one that I've always wanted to be my queen, but I guess I've just been too afraid to ask her, and now, I've lost my chance,"
Sakura stayed emotionless at his words, not moving an inch. Her husband liked someone else... maybe he is even... in love with her.
"Do you love her?"
Syaoran seemed surprised at her question... so straight to the point. He looked up, straight into her eyes.
"I don't know. I've never fallen in love before. I know that I like her a lot. I like her attitude towards life, she's very beautiful, and she treats everyone very well and well... I don't know. She's away from the kingdom at the moment, went to visit a distant relative, and I know... when she returns she'll be very surprised by the fact that I already married," he said in an honest tone, not looking away from her eyes.
"Is the feeling mutual, I mean, does she like you in the same way?"
Syaoran paused, still looking into her eyes, wondering why she wanted to know so much about his personal life. 'She probably wants to know for her mistress, or else, she may be like plain nosey' What shocked Syaoran though, was the tone and the way that she spoke, with pride and self confidence and even a sense of nobility. Also... why was Syaoran giving in so easily, he hadn't even told his own sisters about Minami, only Eriol and Meilin, why was he putting so much trust into a servant girl? But still, he continued with his honest ramble,
"I don't know either. We never really talked about how we felt. I know that I like her very much and she, well, she seems comfortable around me. We tell each other everything, and trust each other with our lives,"
"I see. But, why can't you even befriend or at least be less hostile against my princess? She has never done anything wrong... Even if you don't love her as a wife, let her be your friend," Sakura said softly. Inside she was trembling. Trembling from the fact that her husband may love another person, from the fact that there she was, lying about her identity to her husband... and most of all... she was trembling because she was meeting her husband face to face for the first time.
"NO!" shouted Syaoran
Sakura jumped from his sudden outburst and change of mood.
"NO" he repeated
"WHY? Is it so hard for a prince to talk to and befriend a foreign princess? Have you not been taught how to speak with manners and courtesy around a lady?"
"Don't you dare talk to me that way! I am your master! God! I don't even know why I am sitting here letting a maid, a servant... shouting at me, a prince! And telling me how I should be acting! I don't know why I haven't punished you –," he exclaimed
Sakura cut in, in a firm, confident tone, "Maybe because, a tiny part of your heart and brain called your conscience is actually doing its job and you are feeling the slightest touch of guilt for treating a human being in such a harsh way. Think about how you have acted around her before. Just think about it,"
Syaoran's eyes widened at what she said.
Night was approaching. The moon was starting to come up and shine... glow with a wondrous colour. The sky was a darkening blue. Little stars were emerged from their hiding places and started to shine. Not a cloud was in sight. The air was cool and comfortable.
Sakura looked at him and sighed, breaking the silence she said in a soft voice, "If you've made up your mind then I doubt a maid like me can change it. But just remember... a young woman out there will always be waiting for you... perhaps even for her whole life if she must. That woman is your wife, the Kinomoto princess, not Minami-san. And it's your choice whether of not she spends her whole life waiting,"
"No, it's her own choice. She can enjoy life without me," replied a cold voice
"You mean, she can enjoy life deprived of love?" asked Sakura, she laughed humorlessly, "Already deprived of family love, and now married in an empty marriage with a husband she can't love either. Just great, but I'm sorry to break the news to your, most women can't do that,"
"Well she can try and prove that she's not most women. If she is like most women, then there's no point in me trying to know her anyway, because she would be a waste of my time," he replied matter-of-factly.
Sakura stood up and turned to leave.
"Wait! Where do you think you're going? Just standing up and leaving?" asked Syaoran
Sakura turned around and whispered, "There's no point in me staying here at all. I'm not getting through to you. If you can't stand my princess so much, then considering that I'm only a maid, would disgust you Li-sama. So if you would kindly excuse me, I need to attend to my mistress," and with that, Sakura did an overly exaggerated curtsy and started walking off. But, she walked slowly... slow enough to hear Syaoran reply quietly,
"Hey, if your princess is anything like you – which I doubt seeing all princesses are the same, spoilt – then I wouldn't mind getting to know her. I'll even admit it, you're as great of a talker as Meilin and maybe even... Minami,"
Sakura blushed a light rosy pink and paused slightly in her walking before continuing. In a distance, she could here a shout,
------------- "What's your name?"
She didn't reply
Syaoran just sat there, slightly dazed, thinking about why he had confided so much in that maid just then. But then he sort of understood.
He had needed to talk to someone. Meiling was out of the question, seeing she was furious with how he was treating his wife. Eriol, well that would be a bit hard seeing Tomoyo would be there too. And Minami wasn't in the kingdom. His mother, advisor and four sisters were DEFINITELY not the ideal listener either.
Well, maybe he did need someone new to talk to. Maybe he found that person. She seemed pretty honest, and that's surely something he needs more around seeing everyone else is too busy sucking up to him.
'I wonder what's her name...'
...
"Sakura-san! Where on earth were you? You told me to prepare the carriages and everything. Oh Sakura, I am so sorry. The guards, well they just wouldn't be bribed and they would listen to any begs. I'm sorry. I've failed you. Are you all right? You're shaking? I'm so sorry. I can try again. What happened to you?" said Kimiko, panicking.
"I'm fine Kimiko. Don't worry about getting the carriages and returning home. I think... I don't know. We're not going home yet. Not until at least, I know what's going on,"
"Yes, alright then. Are you sure you're all right? Do you want me to do anything else for you?"
"I think I'm alright. All I need is a good sleep and perhaps... maybe a long talk with someone tomorrow. You can go back to your room if you want Kimiko. I don't mind. You can stay the night here as well if you want, I mean... I could pull out a mattress for you somewhere,"
"No, that's alright. Thank you anyway Sakura-san. If you don't need me then I'll return to my room. I'll be just downstairs. Good night Sakura-san,"
"Good night Kimiko."
'Goodnight ...'
(AN: Kimiko lives jus downstairs coz they all moved when Sakura got married. Syaoran was sposed to live ere, but he's a snob and living back at his old place before they got married. That's sposed to b his 'prince duties' area now. Capisci?)
...
Next morning:
"Sakura-san, wake up"
"Mmm... no"
"Sakura-san, wake up, you have a visitor"
"Mmm... mumble no... tell them to go home," she mumbled, burying her head further into the pillow.
"Sakura, that would be rude. And I'm not going to tell them to wait either. Wake up sweetie. It's nearly lunchtime. Up you get sunshine," Kimiko pulled off her sheets, showing a curled up Sakura in cute pink pajamas. Then she opened the curtains to reveal a glorious Spring day.
Sakura finally got up after a few more minutes, unable to hide from the sun any longer. Rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, she whined,
"Why did you get me up Kimiko?"
Kimiko looked at her pouting with a small frown on her face. Shaking her head gently, she pulled Sakura onto her feet and pulling a warm white coat around her shoulders over her thin silk pajamas. "Sakura-san, you have visitors,"
"Hoe? Who?"
"Us" said two voices at her bedroom door.
"Tomoyo-chan? Meiling-chan?"
"That's right Sakura. Do you understand how long we have been waiting for you, miss-sleeping-beauty to wake up?" asked Meiling with her hands on her hips, a playful frown on her face.
Sakura blushed crimson and whispered,
"Gomenasai"
"Konnichiwa. It's alright Sakura, we'll wait for you down stairs just a little longer ok? Just long enough for you to get ready so we can have lunch," winked Tomoyo
"Hai!" said Sakura smiling slightly (still blushing of course).
(AN: This conversation is going to be hard seeing that it's two on one, so bare with me, and sorry if it gets confusing)
After lunch the three of them took a walk in their private garden and sat down at a well-furnished bench.
"So how've you been Sakura?" asked Meiling
"We're sorry we haven't visited for a while. Promise that I'll come more often from now on," added Tomoyo
"Arigatou gozaimasu," said Sakura in a small voice.
"So how are you coping Sakura?" asked Tomoyo, holding her hand empathically.
Sakura looked at them, perplexed by what they meant.
"sigh Sakura, we know what's going on. With Xiao Lang and everything. We've spent the past few weeks trying to get through to him and it's just not working. I'm sorry Sakura. We're not meaning to but into your personal life –," started Meiling, but she was interrupted by Sakura,
"Meiling, it's all right. I don't mind at all," with a small smile on her face she continued, "Actually, it's great that you two know. I mean, this way, I can talk to you two freely about anything because you know the situation I'm in. But forget about talking to him. He's too stubborn. And, he has a reason for all this, he thinks it's the best way to go around it. I doubt it though..."
"You've talked to Xiao Lang?!? But I thought," exclaimed Tomoyo, clearly surprised.
"Yeah, we thought –,"
"– that he doesn't what anything to do with me and will not even see my face? Let alone talk to me?"
Tomoyo and Meiling nodded in unison, and urged her to continue.
"Well you thought right. It's just that something happened last night and I ended up talking to him,"
"What?!?" two voices asked in unison.
Sakura hesitated to continue.
"Please Sakura-chan, tell us. We really want to help," said Meiling softly.
"Meiling-chan, who's Minami?"
Tomoyo and Meiling's eyes both widened at what she said. They looked at each other and then at Sakura.
"How on earth do you know about her? Who told you?" whispered Tomoyo
"Syaoran" said Sakura shortly.
"OK Sakura, you are going to tell what happened last night in full detail now," demanded Meiling in a playful tone
"No seriously Sakura, tell us. If you know about her, then... I guess Syaoran might have changed his mind about you after all. I mean... even I'm not supposed to know about her. If it wasn't for Eriol... You might have hope in your marriage Sakura, tell us so we can help,"
"I doubt it," replied Sakura.
And she told them every single detail about what happened last night. Tomoyo and Meiling sat with their hands in their lap, like little children listen to a fairytale.
(AN: was the conversation all right?)
...
"Daughters, I have no idea what is going on with your brother and his marriage,"
"Neither do we, but we all really love Sakura,"
"Yes she is quite the lovable one, if only she could get your brother's love,"
"You know mother... we could try and help them" came a mischievous reply and four winks from four princesses.
Queen Yelan looked at them, amused. With a smile on her face, she replied, "How?"
The eldest of the four replied, "We don't know yet. But what we do know is that Meiling and Tomoyo would be more than glad to help,"
The other three nodded earnestly hoping that their firm mother would allow them undergo this... 'plan'.
"Well, we'll see then. Maybe we might have to have a talk with Meiling and Tomoyo. And don't let things get out of hand girls,"
"YAY!!!" squealed the four Li princesses.
And from the balcony they heard a distant but loud 'KAWAII' echo through the gardens. They looked out to see who that was, knowing very well anyway.
...
"KAWAII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" squealed Tomoyo with those well known starry eyes."TOMOYO! Lower the volume will you?!? NO MORE SCREAMING!" yelled Meiling at her friend
"Yeah! My ears are ringing! Anymore screaming and I won't tell you anything again," added Sakura, pouting.
"Sorry" said Tomoyo, smiling sheepishly.
"But I have to agree with Tomoyo. It is pretty kawaii meeting your husband for the first time like that. Gosh... like a fairytale. At sunset, the handsome prince rescuing the beautiful princess, falling into his arms – "
"– Yeah, and finding out that my own husband doesn't want a thing to do with me for the second time AND that he likes someone else. Get those stars out of your eyes you two. This is no fairytale," interrupted Sakura dryly.
Meiling looked at Tomoyo. An evil smile crept onto their faces, a mischievous glint appeared into their eyes. They nodded at each other and turned to look at Sakura, knowing that they were scaring her. The said in unison,
"Not if we have something to do with it,"
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Hey, what did ya'll think? Hate it? Love it? Please review and tell me, I live on all ya'll reviews. I'm sorry, again.
Cheers,
Sita xoxo