AUTHOR'S NOTES: OK, I do believe that each of my readers (if there are still any out there) have every right to kill me. Hmm… six months hey? I mean, six months is nothing to wait if it were for stories like Kayjuli-san's but with my dodgey stuff? I deeply apologise. A lot has happened these past six months. But nevermind that, who wants (or needs) a recap of the story so far?
Sakura and Syaoran are married, on the wedding night Syaoran made it clear that he wanted nothing to do with her – he still doesn't know her name. Meanwhile, after have an awful run-in (sexual abuse alert) from Sukiteka Hatoshi, Sakura has had nothing but horror happen to her at the Li kingdom. Her father has died and her husband has a crush on a lady called Minami.
Meiling and Tomoyo have a plan in mind to help though…
DISCLAIMER: Never was mine, never will be… need I say more?
DEDICATED TO: Those of you gorgeous people who still have me on your favourite authors list:
lilswtiepie88, rae-rae, Naito Ookami, YingFa-lilWolf-Lover, White Fox 612, ChErRyBlOsSoMs4u, tidus2yuna, pinketernity, darkdragn16, Lady Siren, Lady Nissa, cherri berri, faraaa, FromDayOne, angjels
Last chapter:
" – 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,"
Chapter 4: The Plan and What Surprises It Brings
"What are you thinking about Meiling? Tomoyo…" asked Sakura, scared of their facial expressions
"Just a little something that we have in mind,"
"What?"
"A little something that might actually bring you and Syaoran closer –," started Tomoyo
" – without him having to know that you are his wife –," continued Meiling
"Oh no…" whispered Sakura… they wouldn't
" – but instead, as his wife's –," continued Tomoyo, ignoring Sakura
" – maid!!" finished Meiling and she gave Tomoyo a high five.
"What a great idea! Oh this is going to turn out to be the best Sakura! You and Syaoran become friends as master and maid, he gets to know you, likes you, falls in love with you. All of this while you are going to be wearing the many gorgeous costumes I design for you," squeaked Tomoyo looking into the blue sky with shining stars in her eyes
And even Meiling joined her in dreamland,
"It'll be a fairytale come true sniff sniff And we will be the matchmakers, we'll go down in history and –"
"GIRLS! WAKE UP!!" shouted Sakura
"AHHH!"
"WHAT?!?" they both shouted, "Why'd you have to ruin the moment?!? Gosh. Why the frown Sakura, aren't you touched by our idea?"
"Yes I am touched, but Meiling, Tomoyo, there's just too many ways that this could go wrong!"
"Like?" asked Meiling, batting her eyelashes.
"Like if someone else of the royal court recognizes me –,"
" – No one will recognize you. You'll be in servant clothes and the only ones that have seen you have only been us and the rest of the family who we will take care of quietly. You had your veil on at the wedding –,"
" – And I don't know what to do and how to act as a maid –,"
" – Kimiko will help you on that. And just act like you, just be sure to be polite. And you won't be doing anything you don't want to, it's all just an act –,"
" – And I don't have another name –,"
" – Sakura will do fine, he doesn't even know your name the stupid idiot. But to make things extra safe, we'll call you Ying Fa –,"
" – And I won't be able to see you girls in public anymore and I'll miss you –," shot back Sakura, running out of pessimistic ideas,
" – I don't think so, we'll be coming to meet you constantly and you will be reporting to us so we know how you're coming along. We can just pretend that we need to talk to you about your mistress… who is YOU –,"
" – AND there'll be no me when someone asks for me! What if I have a visitor or someone needs to find me?" asked Sakura, a smile playing on her face thinking that she had won.
Tomoyo and Meiling paused.
Then Tomoyo shrugged,
"We'll see when that happens. And also, that's when your faithful servant comes into the picture,"
"Kimiko?"
"Yes Kimiko. She can pretend to be you (if you and her don't mind) and if anything happens then she can run out to find you straight away and tell you, then all you have to do is change. Simple as that. Plus, if there are any important visitors Meiling and I would definitely know and we'll tell you in advance,"
"And what if there will be a function which requires the appearance of the both of us together?"
"Even easier, Kimiko once again. If all things go well, then you teach her the basics of being a princess and how to act, though she should know how as she's been with you constantly and she's a well-mannered young lady. And it wouldn't matter, you would still be there, Tomoyo and I will make sure of it and Xiao Lang wouldn't know because he hasn't even seen you before," answered Meiling.
"Oh…" finally, Sakura was defeated, she had no choice but to stay silent and soon she will yield.
Meiling and Tomoyo smiled.
"So Sakura, are you willing to give it a try. If you think about it, you've got nothing to lose and everything to gain,"
Sakura looked at the both of them,
"And you two will always be there for me if anything happens? You'll help with this whole idea?"
They both nodded immediately,
"Sakura, of course we will. After all, we started it. But promise us one thing… No more running away, no matter what,"
Sakura smiled and nodded
"So that's a yes to the plan as well?"
And Sakura nodded again.
"YAY!!!!!!!!" screamed Meiling
Sakura and Tomoyo both gave her a skeptical look.
"Oh… gomen,"
And the three of them laughed together.
"Daughters, I think we'll have a talk with Meiling and Tomoyo very soon… I have a feeling they're up to something,"
The four of them giggled and nodded at what their mother stated
"Let's go Sakura!!! We've got a lot to do!" exclaimed Tomoyo and Meiling pulling her off the bench.
First stop: Kimiko
"Sakura-sama? Daidouji-sama? Li-sama? You called? Can I help you with anything?" asked Kimiko quietly after doing a bow.
"Kimiko, you know you don't have to bow when no one else is around" said Sakura smiling,
"Yeah, and seeing that you call Sakura, Sakura… then I guess you'll have to call me Meiling and her Tomoyo, after all, we all call you Kimiko,"
"Thank you Meiling-sama, Tomoyo-sama," said Kimiko softly.
"Um… Kimiko, I think I need your help with something," said Sakura
"What's the matter? Another carriage?" asked Kimiko without thinking, then she covered her mouth for blurting that out.
"Don't worry about it Kimiko, we already know," said Tomoyo and Kimiko's shoulders relaxed and the sighed in relief.
"Well what's the matter Sakura-san?"
"Well, how would you feel, if you were to be… me… for a while. I mean, this isn't an order or anything, if you don't feel comfortable then don't worry about it," asked Sakura
"Nani? What do you mean?"
"She means this," started Tomoyo. Then Tomoyo and Meiling explained the whole situation to her.
"So what do you think?" asked Meiling
"Would you mind?" asked Sakura, "I mean, if you don't want to, then by all means –,"
" – Sakura-san! Of course I wouldn't mind. But I may need you to help me on a few things. I swear I won't tell a living soul. And I thank you three very much," said Kimiko emotionally, bowing very low.
"Why? We should be thanking you!" asked Tomoyo incredulously.
"Because you're allowing me to help my mistress. She has been so down lately and I'm grateful that I can help her. And also, for respecting me as a person and asking me what I think. I think I must be the luckiest and happiest servant that's ever walked this planet,"
"Kimiko, you're not a servant to me, and you never have been one. To me, you're a friend that's helped me through the good times and the bad," smiled Sakura.
Tomoyo and Meiling smiled at the two, kind mistress and loyal servant. Well, what a relief that the first step went well. Hopefully the next one will go well too…
Queen Yelan
While Sakura and Kimiko discussed the normal roles, actions and expectations of their individual assigned characters, Meiling and Tomoyo went to talk to the rest of the Li family about this master plan…
"So aunty what do you say?"
Silence"Aunty, please… we need your help and permission on this matter, it won't work without your help and you too cousins"
Silence"Please Queen Yelan, at least let us know what you think about this whole matter…"
Silence"GEEZ CAN YOU PLEASE SAY SOMETHING? COUSINS? YOU FOUR AS WELL? YOU NEVER SHUT UP! NOW IS DEFINITELY NOT A GOOD SIGN TO START AS WELL! WHAT DO YOU THINK – ,"
"AHHHHHHHHHH"
An echoing squeal filled the room with four adult sisters with dreamy eyes squealing. The other three occupants just sweatdropped and just stared…
"Fiemie! How cute is this going to be –
"Fanren! Our little brother is so going to fall in love with his gorgeous wife –
"AND we're going to help as well –
"We'll make this plan flawless –
in unison: "sigh it's just like a fairytale unfolding…"
Tomoyo and Meiling looked at each other and grinned evilly, well they have four more valuable affiliates in this plan. Now there was no way that Queen Yelan would be able to decline this proposal… her four daughters would definitely not let her.
"Wonderful idea girls. It's about time that some things started getting interesting in this castle, it's definitely needed. And most of all… Syaoran needs to be taught a lesson. Who knows? There's no lose and only gain. You have my permission and my aid in this plan whenever needed," Queen Yelan finally said… and are those tiny stars in her eyes as well?!
Step two accomplished. So far so good. Meiling and Tomoyo walked over to the sisters and started going into the details of the whole matter. Costumes, activities, 'accidents', schemes.
Yelan just smiled and shook her head softly at the girls and looked out the window,
'Hopefully the two of them would finally find love in each other… I know that is definitely what Nadeshiko, Fujitaka and of course, my husband and I always wanted…'
Sakura, Kimiko, Meiling and Tomoyo stayed together for the next week huddled up in Sakura's room discussing the major plan and what was to happen, teaching other little things. Every now and then, the four Li sisters would join them in the excitement. Meiling would be busy with the plan and small ideas, Sakura and Kimiko were teaching each other how to be a servant or a princess and Tomoyo would be busy designing and making her costumes. All of them were very serious about this assignment.
10 DAYS LATER…
"OK… so did you get all that Kimiko? Is there anything that you don't understand? Are you comfortable with all this? Because, if you aren't then tell me, I'm sure we can work everything – ,"
"I'm fine Sakura-san, I really am, I'm sure this will turn out the way you want it to… I mean, I've got my role alright, I've been around you all my life. I've definitely picked up something or other, but it's you I'm worried about… are you sure you can handle being a maid?"
"Yeah, I'll be just fine,"
Meiling frowned at the two of them and finally said,
"Well when you two have FINISHED! GOSH, girls, it's not going to be like this forever! We're just letting Sakura and Syaoran get to know each other… Sakura's not going to be doing any real work and Kimiko is going to be just fine. I'm expecting you two to start crying and giving each other farewell hugs soon. Hmmph"
Sakura and Kimiko looked at each other, then at Meiling and the both of them stuck their tongues out childishly. Then they all ended up giggling.
"What's the joke?" asked Tomoyo, walking in with her arms full.
"Nothing. What's that you have there Tomoyo-chan?" Sakura asked, curious.
It would have been better if she didn't ask.
"OH SAKURA!" squealed Tomoyo with stars in her eyes, "This is the first collection of dresses that I have made for you. Now honey, the dresses' material are not in the finest silk, coz that would be just too obvious… but it's in the lightest, most comfortable and appropriate material that I could find. If he asks you how you afforded it, just tell him that your princess loves you and spoils you or something. Anyway, the designs are simple, but each of them have a very… eye catching point to themselves and are all very flattering. They're all made especially to bring out the best points for you, all according to your colour and measurements,"
"Thank you so much Tomoyo," said Sakura gratefully, pulling Tomoyo into a hug.
"Well now that everything is set, we can start this plan tomorrow. Day one okay?"
"READY GIRLS?"
"OK!"
Sakura just looked at the scene, amused that the other were getting so excited. While she herself? Was Sakura even excited? She, the one holding the female protagonist's role in this supposed fairytale…
Later on that night, while Sakura was in bed…
'Why am I even trying this hard? I mean, I don't even like this husband of mine, he is an arrogant, selfish, insensitive, careless, ignorant… (running out of adjectives) man that would be a waste of my time. Why should I even try then?' she thought
'…because you're going to be stuck with him for the rest of your life whether you like it or not… for your country and family,' replied a small voice in her head
'So what am I going to do though? Be a maid for the rest of my life?'
'…No, just win his friendship, get to know him and see. If he really turns out to be the arrogant, selfish, insensitive, careless, ignorant man that you think he is, then give up on him and find another way… but for now… just try,'
'Ok… I'll try'
and she drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
(AN: Although the story is set in an ancient kingdom that is asian… I'm making them have a western meal because it's a lot easier to write, sorry everyone)
After long days of planning, organizing, scheming, praying, fretting, teaching, learning… day one of the Plan had finally arrived. Today, was the day that Sakura would meet Syaoran formally and be introduced. There was to be a family lunch today and everyone was to be together… including Syaoran and his wife.
Amongst all the bustle with the cooks, helpers, servers and various slaves, Meiling and Tomoyo had pulled Sakura to a corner in the kitchen to give her a few last minute tips.
"Sakura, we will have to start calling you Ying Fa from now on, you will only be answering to the Li family and nobody else. We have given all the other servants strict orders that you aren't actually to do anything too harsh or that you can't handle. When you bring out the soup, be very careful… it tends to drip around the edges. Make sure the meat is always next to vegetables in a dish and be careful when you take off the lid when the water drips –
"And don't worry about a thing Sakura, all of us are supporting you, and you look gorgeous,"
Sakura nodded. Surprisingly, she wasn't the least bit nervous. She really wasn't. She was only sweating, shaking and wringing her hands out of habit.
Whatever…
Sakura looked at herself. Her hair was held in a low ponytail with a small ribbon holding her silky hair with small braids running through it. Her dress was a three quarter sleeved pink dress that came down just below her knees and the neckline was in a boat neck style lined with a white hem. The material clung lightly to her curves, with a thick white sash wrapped around her waist tying up as a bow at the back. Her slippers allowed her comfort and movement easily. Sakura looked up at the girls, face touched with the lightest amount of make-up and nodded more certainly for a second time, to convince Meiling and Tomoyo, and herself.
Unknowingly, she had actually caught the attention of many of the servants. This 'Ying Fa' girl was dressed simply, yet effectively, bringing out her innocence and beauty. Sakura took up the soup and walked out of the kitchen calmly, making her way to the dining room.
Meiling and Tomoyo were already seated at they allocated seats. Sakura met Yelan's eye for a second, she saw her mother-in-law smile comfortingly, and Sakura felt much more at ease. She placed the bowl of soup in front of Syaoran carefully. Syaoran nodded.
'Geez, talk about an arrogant husband, he didn't even say thank you' thought Sakura, keeping her face emotionless.
Then Sakura stepped to the side, waiting to answer any orders or to take the dish back to the kitchen.
"So, how have we all been?" asked Yelan kindly, trying to start conversation.
There were assorted answers and clichéd mumbles in return, making Sakura smirk slightly. Syaoran remained silent.
"Oh, where is our newest member of the family? Syaoran, where is your wife?"
"She –
"Aunty, I went to visit the princess earlier today, she is feeling unwell and wanted me to bring her apologies for her absence from lunch. I'm afraid she's been unwell for a very long time now, it's starting to worry me," cut in Meiling, feigning distress
"Syaoran dear, what's the matter with her?" asked Yelan, following the act
"Oh she's just sick," replied Syaoran shortly
Sakura rolled her eyes,
'Couldn't he have thought of a better answer, nah duh we know that 'she' is sick, details?'For the first time that day, Syaoran acknowledged Sakura's existence. He met her eye with a questioning glance.
Oops, Syaoran saw the eye-rolling.
He gave her a glare, she glared back.
Syaoran was definitely surprised that she didn't cower back like most people and even had the guts to glare back.
'Are all the maids like this in the Kinomoto kingdom?' thought Syaoran.
Lunch continued on without much trouble. There was a point where Sakura slipped and knocked her arm against Syaoran's glass causing the liquid to threaten to spill. Thankfully, Eriol who was sitting beside Syaoran caught the glass and steadied it. Sakura let out a relieved sigh and shot Eriol a beaming smile to show her gratitude.
'Now he's even helping her maid' thought Syaoran
'I guess Tomoyo told Eriol everything' thought Sakura
Eriol nodded back slightly and continued with the lunch as though nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.
"Oi!"
Sakura turned around. All the meals and dishes had been brought out, everyone had started filing back inside.
"Hello"
"Hey, what's your name?"
"My name's Ying Fa, and yours?"
"Hiiro. Why you serving the prince today?"
"I'm princess Kinomoto's maid, and as she isn't here today, I was told to serve her husband, prince Li."
"Oh. Well, welcome to the Li Kingdom, and I guess I'll see you around," and Hiiro turned to run off.
'That was interesting…'Sakura had finished her so called chores (which wasn't anything really… Meiling and Tomoyo had made sure that she did no work), she decided to go for a walk in the garden. The lunch was probably continuing in a sitting room where everyone was talking. Thankfully, they didn't need her presence there and the girls had given her a thumbs up and a wink before she left.
She brought one of her wedding presents with her to the gardens. It was a little white bunny. Sakura had been too busy with everything else that she never really had the time to give it a name. She sat herself down under her tree, the sakura tree.
She thought of,
Chiharu,
Rika,
Naoko,
… but they just brought back memories of her old friends
little white bunny…
Yuki!
"How do you like that gorgeous? Yuki? I think that's cute, it would suit you,"
Then a shadow appeared over her, scaring her for a split second.
"Ying Fa"
She looked up and met the person's eyes for a second and smiled.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Please do not flame me. Positive criticism welcome, but no flames… please? Also, it would be great if you would review, please, just a short one? I'm really sorry, I am. But I have the next chapter written out and it just needs a few more scenes and touch ups and it'll be ready to go. Please review.
Cheers,
Sita xoxo