A/N: I know that was harsh... and I know Yelen is out of character... but what can you do about it?


Chapter Two- Eyes of Emerald

Syaoran woke up to the bright rays of sun, entering his room, and sending sunlight in all directions. Now you can tell that his room is, in fact, green. He groaned, obviously tired from the other night. In one motion, he sat up on his bed, combing his fingers through his usual, unruly chestnut hair.

"Xiao-Lang! You better be tending to your lesson!" yelled Yelen, somewhere around the castle.

Syaoran flinched from the witch-like shriek. His mother never has kindness in her voice when she addressed his name, always in Chinese.

Nonetheless, he continued the day like any other day.

-Study Chambers-

"Master Li, arriving late for the one bazillionth two times?" came the rhetorical question from the boy with glasses, shaking his head from left and right, in disapproval.

"Shut up Eriol or I shall have your head!" Syaoran retorted coldly.

Again, Eriol shook his head, "Always, always so grumpy."

"Damn you Eriol, will you just get along with today's lessons or do you want me to banish you?"

Silence.

"I thought so, but being quiet wasn't one of my options." Syaoran smirked.

"All right, open your poem book and turn to the page 37. I'll read you this wonderfully written poem by Edgar Allan Poe." Eriol said, clearing his throat before he began.

-Syaoran's Pov-

I nodded, indicating that I was listening, but really, I wasn't and if you looked down at my book, you would have seen it opened to a random page.

He smiled that annoying smile of his that I grew to dislike.

"Will you read already?" I yelled at him, "I don't have all day!"

Still with that stupid grin on his face, he said, "Okay, Master Li... Once upon a midnight... zzz... zzz blah, blah, wah, aha, aha..."

I couldn't help but land my gaze outside the window. It was a peaceful sight that I almost had Eriol's monotone voice completely drowned out from my mind. I didn't know why I had the need to glance out the window, but every time I saw one, my eyes would go straight out to the landscape, birds... you know... the works.

To me, gazing out the window was a natural phase for me to do, or perhaps, a bad habit.

As I looked out the window, I saw a young girl, resting underneath the branches of the cherry blossom tree. I have never seen her around here before; maybe she was a new servant. She has shoulder length auburn hair, slightly deranged from the breeze. A nice, soft look to her face, like she was innocent. The petals from the cherry blossom trees scattered all over her and one landed atop her head.

"Beautiful..."

The trance that I had enjoyed snapped away as Eriol's hideous voice entered my ears. "You thought the poem was beautiful, Master Li?"

My head shot towards him, glaring at his goofy grin. 'Me? Enjoying his stupid poem? He better be kidding himself!' I thought sarcastically.

"Shut up, Eriol. Don't ever teach me nonsense again! How will I ever benefit with... with these poems? Simply junk, Eriol-kun." I cracked at him, and for a moment, I saw shock and sadness on his face and for that very same moment, I felt a tiny bit of regret but it quickly went away. Let me tell you, that boy is obsessed with his poems like some kind of nerd.

"Lessons done..." I heard him whisper, bowing and then leaving.

I snickered, "Whatever..."

As he left, my head shifted back out the window, wanting to see the young maiden by the cherry blossom trees... but to my dismay... she was no longer there and I felt my heart sink.

'What the hell? Why would I care for a lowly servant girl?' I mentally yelled at myself and with that, I sped the room, not wanting to be late for breakfast again or I'll see some more to my mother's evil wrath.

I ran out to the halls, racing down the narrow pathways and into a maze of corridors; that right turn would take me directly into the dining room but I was slowed down, drastically.

"Who dares make me fall to this dirty ground?" I yelled out, glaring daggers at the perpetrator who looked back at me.

"You..." I gasped. It was the same girl from outside earlier. I hadn't imagined for her to look even more breathtaking up close, with her eyes of emerald gleaming at me.

She looked away, casting her beautiful eyes to the floor, bowing repeatedly and whispering her apologies.

"I'm so sorry, Prince Li; I didn't mean to be so clumsy." She knew my rank and I couldn't help but smile inwardly.

'What the hell? What is with these weird feelings?' I shook my head frantically and glared angrily at her. "Next time, watch where you're going or there will be consequences; you hear that servant?" I said icily.

She nodded and bowed. "Hai," came the quick reply, before she went off to her daily chores.

I could have sworn her face was red... But why? Was she hurt from when she bumped into me? I wanted to slap myself.

'Why would I freaking care?' I shook my thoughts away, wondering how late I was, then I dashed off, quickly stumbling my way by the door of the dining room. I was about to head to my seat, which was many seats far from mother's and her death glare.

"You are late, boy," said the toxic voice from her thin lips.

"I am sorry, mother," I said, although, not really meaning it, but I have to act like I was if I wanted her to take it easy on me.

"There is no excuse for this tardiness. You are no proper prince! An imprudence one more like it! Why can't you be more like Eriol? He has better manners than you, "she cried, "and I bet he is far more educated. Why can't you be like him? Just go away! I cannot stand looking at your disgraceful face!" Mother screamed, index finger pointing to the door as I followed the direction to where her finger pointed.

"Halt boy!"

I paused halfway to the door, waiting impatiently to what she had to say next.

"Stop threatening your cousin, or do you want me threatening you?"

"I won't mother." 'I am going to beat the crap out of that snitch!'

-

A few hours later...

My stomach was rumbling and I was starving and I hated my mother... Well, more like everyone in this dreaded castle.

"Food... Need goddamn food!" I hissed while walking around the castle, since I have nothing better to do when I'm freaking hungry. Ah yes, I remembered those juicy red apples in the garden outside. I made my way outside, into the garden, eyes landing on the apple tree with such hungry lust. I tried to grab for one but it's so high up.

"Dammit, dammit," I cursed through hard breaths, "And they had thought that all royals live a good life."

Finally resorting to the barbarian way, I started to shake at the branches, snapping a few apples on the way. I quickly let go of the branches and caught a couple of apples. After cleaning off the dirt, I took a generous bite, letting the sweet juices slide down from the corner of my mouth.

'So, so delicious,' my brain thought, 'More!'

I practically ate half the apples on the tree until my stomach felt full. I sat down on the red bench with chipping paint, observing the garden spectacular until I realized where I was and I couldn't believe it!

I was outside! I never ever went outside before, after that hunting incident. But I felt safe, free, and at ease. The flowers were beautiful, the sunlight somewhat comforting, and the breeze was just relaxing.

Why did I ever avoid on going outside?

I moved my back flat down, against the hard bench, adjusting my position a couple of times before I felt comfortable. I was staring up at the blue sky, with fluffy clouds slowly moving along. The cherry blossom petals were swarming around me, giving off a delicate, sweet scent.

Cherry blossoms... Why was I thinking about that girl? I... couldn't... get... her... out... of... MIND! What was this strange, unsettling feeling?

"What is this feeling?" I asked to no one in particular, "It kind of hurts... the more I try to push it away. Father... can you tell me?"

I always thought I could push every hateful emotion, like this one, away, to the back of my head, but the girl... has weakened me somehow and I'm unable to stop these rushing feelings from engulfing me. What the fuck was it?

'That's settled then... I should avoid her. I will not have such tainted feelings take over me.'

My thoughts waved away as the soft swaying tree branches and scattering cherry blossoms brought me into a peaceful nap, with no worries on mind.

-

I awoke to a chilly sensation, quivering from the cold. Immediately sitting up, I wondered where I was as another cold breeze brushed against my skin, causing goose bumps. It was dark out... Too dark. Am I in my room? My god? How long have I been asleep? Argh, it felt like I had slept on a wooden bench. A prince does not to deserve to sleep on such hard material– Oh, I was sleeping on a bench.

After sitting there for some time, I decided to walk back to my room, using the fountain lights as my guide. As I was walking, I heard a beautiful, angelic voice, reciting a sad poem.

"Until the night slowly ended, I was embracing you.

Until I lose everything, without noticing,

I had always been drowned in silence."

I didn't know what I was doing, but my feet were taking me to her soft, echoing voice. I wanted to turn around and walk to my quiet room, but I had no control over my body.

-

-Normal Pov-

"More than I ever, I was embracing an illusion.

This afflicting pain, bringing great discomfort."

Sakura put down the poem book back onto the Oakwood table. Turning to Eriol, she tried to manage a smile but found herself frowning. "Eriol...It was so sad. Is there a meaning to it?"

"Well... ugh... I had this friend, you see...We were very close but everything changed. We began to grow apart after his dad... ugh... after an incident from when he was ten."

Sakura's frown deepened. "I'm sorry Eriol, but I'll be your friend," Sakura bent over and hugged the dark-blue haired boy, "because I need a friend."

'Why are they hugging?' Syaoran thought, stunned at seeing the girl and ERIOL hugging. But... 'I shouldn't be caring anyway.' With that, he ran off, through many bushes and shrubs, climbing over his white-coated balcony, and entered his chambers.

He had no need to look out the window tonight.

tbc...