Disclaimer: I do not own Card Captor Sakura
The Guardian's Desire
Chapter 3
A New Face
Sakura slept most of the evening soundly, barely moving at all.
Yue stayed by her side, gazing at her, trying to swallow what Yukito-chan had told him.
An expressionless frown fell onto his face, but his mind was clouded with thoughts.
What was Sakura to him? And what would he do, if it was something he knew was forbidden?
Sakura woke up in the later hours of the morning, stretching her arms above her head groaning. Her eyes opened slowly, she rubbed them a few times before her vision cleared. The night before had been very difficult, absorbing two cards together. Her mind was constantly returning to the thought of the new assassin. The assassin posted a threat to the kingdom, and it would easily put Touya in danger.
"Sakura, don't worry so much okay kiddo?" A gentle voice told her, running his hand against her silky hair. Yukito smiled, "I'm glad to see you're up and about. I heard it was a very busy night for you."
"Yukito, things are getting out of hand now. The suitors are going to be coming in under a month, that used to be my prime concern. Now, something is happen to the Sakura Cards. I'm not worried for my safety, but I worry for Touya's. If there is an assassin that can get into the courtyard, what happens if they go after him? I know this time he was only in a barrier, but what will happen next time, I surely did not kill him..." Sakura's eyes downcast themselves to the floor, resting her head's weight against Yukito's hand.
She bit her lower lip, chewing on it slightly. Yukito frowned, he hated to see such a happy and perky girl so down on herself. He stroked the side of her face again, and rested his own head against hers. "Sakura...". There was a sorrow, and empathy for her. Sakura only wanted the people she loved to be safe, especially Touya, the only remaining family member, and someone she really loved.
"Excuse me, I'm sorry to interrupt, but it appears Princess Sakura has a visitor waiting for her in the grand hall," a majestic voice called out to them.
Kero's voice when he was in his natural deity form was something that ripped through the air, but soothed all at the same time. Sakura looked up from Yukito and knelt down on the floor. Kero walked up to her quietly, his toenails clicking against the floor and he nuzzled his head against her face. His tail swished lightly from side to side, like the breeze that
Sakura wrapped her arms around his neck and mane, "Good morning Kero-kun!" Her voice sounded perkier, which brought a smile both to the deity lion and the angel in disguise. "But a visitor? I'm not even dressed properly!"
Kero threw his head back and bellowed a deep laugh, "Innocent as usual. King Touya told the young man that he'd have to wait for you to prepare, the prince seemed to be most eager to meet you. Yukito, King Touya is looking for you, he says to stop procrastinating and get back to work," Kero winked of course, knowing the King said no such words, but moaned about having no one to talk to.
Sakura nodded, not all that happy to meet a suitor, but knew she'd better to anyway. "Alright Kero, I'll be ready in an hour. Can you please notify Tomoyo and have her pick me out a good outfit. I have to look nice whether or not I agree with this," Sakura scampered up from the floor, bowed quickly and gave a wave as she sprinted out the room and down the hallway.
"How is she doing Yukito?" Kero asked looking up at his human companion
"She slept fine, her body's weak but her spirit is alive as ever," Yukito sank to one knee, leaving himself on eye level to speak with Kero. "Have you gotten any word about enemies? I know your past along with Yue's were erased a long time ago, is there any written text?" Yukito's eyes showed his eagerness, both Yukito and Yue eager to help their princess gain and edge.
Kero shook his head in forlorn "Unfortunately, I haven't found anything that can be used to Sakura's benefit. Touya even went into his restricted books, things his father left for him, but found nothing useful. I'm afraid we'll just have to keep on searching," He scratched at his ear once. "Please excuse me, but I do believe Sakura asked me to find Tomoyo. Touya is looking for you. Better go before Touya gets to cozy with this new prince, I doubt Yue would want that," Kero smirked
Yukito blushed and rubbed the back of his head "Oh yes, Yue is telling me just that as we speak. I'll make sure he gets a turn to come visit later," Together the two guardians exited Sakura's rooms, bowed simultaneously and went their separate ways.
Half an hour later Sakura emerged from the shower with a towel wrapped around her. Next door was Tomoyo's room. She did not knock, not needing to, Tomoyo already well prepared for her arrival. "Good to see you're up Sakura," Tomoyo placed a marker in her book and stood up. She wandered over to her closet where she pulled out a beautiful lavender dress for Sakura.
"Ariagato Tomoyo, you are my life savor" Sakura grabbed the dress and ran behind the changing wall. She threw on her other clothes and finally the dress over, when she stepped back out Tomoyo smiled. "Does it look alright?"
"You look lovely Sakura, now come over here so I can brush your hair," Sakura blushed and sat down in the chair before the mirror. The dress was lavender and sleeveless, the fabric showing the peak of her cleavage while still being acceptable. Tomoyo's creations always showed the greatest contrast of skin in all the right places. The dress was long, but had slits up the sides that ended halfway up her thighs. Sakura also kept a small dagger tapped to the inside of her dress, which was why the slit ended where it had. Tomoyo took a brush and ran it through her silky hair and she sighed "Sakura I wish I had your beautiful almond hair."
"You can have it," Sakura frowned into the mirror, "It's too knotty, and I've had the same hair style forever. You can't do much with short hair," Sakura sighed resting her face in her hand, "I wonder what this guy will be like. He'll probably be really stuck up and self-absorbed."
"Sakura! You're making accusations before you even meet the poor man! He might not be happy with the idea of arranged marriages either. You never know, he could be just the boy for you," Tomoyo shook her head, wishing her friend wasn't always so stubborn and hot-headed.
"Sayoran was the only one for me, and he's been gone for three years," Sakura's voice was quieter now as her eyes looked straight into her reflection. "He fit me like a glove, knowing my weaknesses and my greatest strengths. He could comfort me no matter what had happened, and always make me laugh. Sayoran and I were supposed to be happy together, and then that war had to happen..." Tomoyo stopped brushing Sakura's hair, and tied it up into a bun.
"Sakura...I...I'm sorry..." Tomoyo wasn't sure what to say as she finished applying the last of Sakura's makeup.
"Don't be sorry, he died protecting me. If anyone's sorry, it's me, it's my fault he's dead," Sakura rose from the chair, leaving Tomoyo with her mouth gaping. How could Sakura really think that?
Tomoyo watched Sakura disappear and she sat down in the chair. Did Sakura really blame herself for Sayoran's death?
Touya, Yukito, and the new prince were discussing something together when Sakura cleared her throat while standing in the threshold. "I'm sorry I made you wait," She added quietly, staring down at the floor.
"Sakura!" Touya was smiling, "Come over here my sister," Sakura obeyed quietly, walking over until she stood beside Touya at his thrown. Sakura kept her head down in a bow, and Touya nudged her lightly. "Sakura, I want you to meet Prince Aki from the north. He traveled a long way to meet you."
The Aki I'm using looks like Aki from Ayashi no Ceres if you want to see pics of him.
Sakura picked up her head and forced a nice smile. Only then, did she really look at him. Aki had
blond hair with small hints of copper to it, and stunning violet eyes. His facial expression was soft, like endearment of a son to mother. Aki, finally being able to see her face smiled to and got down on one knee and took her hand. He wore a deep green colored shirt, royal armor over it, and a black cape that flowed to the ground.
"It's very nice to meet you princess Sakura. You're brother...erm I mean the King has told me much about you, as have my people. Princess Sakura, would you do me the honor of allowing me to know you better?"
Sakura was shocked, Aki was much different then she had expected. He was asking her if he could even get to know her, she had expected a stuck up man, but instead this kinder one was before her. Touya poked her with his staff, bringing Sakura back from her thoughts. "Erm, of course you can good prince. I would be honored. Allow me to give you a tour of our gardens, I think it's the most beautiful spot in the entire kingdom," Sakura smiled.
Aki lifted his head, Sakura noted the slight relief that was in his eyes. He rose from his knee and bowed to Touya politely. Touya returned it with a nod, eyeing Sakura with a smile with the sort of He's pretty good right? Sort of look on his face. Sakura stuck out her tongue when Aki wasn't looking. She bowed to her brother and left the room, Aki only a step behind her. When the two had exited the room, Aki fell in sync with Sakura's gate as he looked out at the vast scenery.
"Your kingdom is beautiful Princess Sakura," he told her with enjoyment. His eyes were scanning the horizon watching the birds that flew by across the tops of the trees. Sakura smiled as she led him to a koi pond for him to examine.
"I love this kingdom, it's the only home I know, and the only place I wish to stay. I'm sure you'd say the same thing of your own kingdom. Everyone loves where they're from, even if they've seen the whole world twice, there's no place just like it," Sakura smiled catching a cherry blossom in the air.
Aki looked at her, his eyes now away from the scenery and smiled. "I think you're right. I love my home, but we're up north in the mountains. There's a lot more snow, and less time for beautiful things like these to stay in bloom," He cradled a cherry blossom in his hand. "Tell me Princess Sakura, what happened to that bridge?" Aki pointed over her shoulder at the bridge and bungalow where the attack had taken last night.
"Oh," Sakura frowned desperately trying to come up with an acceptable lie. "The bridge, although beautiful, was deceiving and was rather weak. One of the trainers was riding a stallion when the bridge collapsed. Luckily the horse and rider were fine, landing only in the river and not falling onto its back."
"What a shame, I'm glad to know your rider was alright," Aki frowned edging towards it.
Sakura sighed, so glad that her horrible lie had deceived the prince. No one outside the royal family, her guardians, and Tomoyo knew of her powers. She would not risk trusting anyone else, most could not fathom the importance of her powers being kept secret. Aki continued walking over to the bridge and Sakura followed after him, hoping his eye wasn't keen enough to tell it was someone's foot that had smashed into the bridge.
"It wouldn't be wise for us to be over here, the rest of this bridge could collapse at any moment," Sakura warned him following slowly, the tail of her dress brushing up against the grass to make a soft scraping sound.
"Don't worry so much Princess," Aki smiled gently taking her hand lightly "I just want to see it, maybe I can tell you what was wrong with the bridge," He laughed softly and walked over towards it. Sakura was still blushing by the gesture of him taking her hand.
Sakura hadn't sensed that Yue-chan was watching them from a far. He was sitting up on the top one of the many castle buildings. His blue eyes were following Sakura like a predator and his prey.
I think Prince Aki is a sweet guy, from what Touya told me, he liked him too.
Yue spat and went back to following Sakura "He's only the first one of many suitors that will come for her hand. There isn't time for this with the assassin lurking around. The suitors weren't supposed to come until the end of the month
"What were you planning on doing before the suitors arrived? Woe her into loving you, or were you going to just die her down against her will and use her?" Yukito was frustrated, he wanted Yue to understand that although Yue had feelings for Sakura, Sakura had the right to love whoever she wanted without interference.
You know I would never do anything to harm Princess Sakura! I am disgusted you think so lowly of me!
But our dreams suggest those such things. Dreams of love and bare skin in the moonlight.
Dreams are just dreams, nothing more and you know that.
Dreams on a sub level reflect our deepest desires and longings
Yue growled again "Just shut up"
Yue's eyes followed Sakura again, and his heart pained seeing her with him. Sakura was laughing and Aki was as well. Yue turned and flew off in the opposite direction, needing time to think.
Sakura looked up at the roofs, sensing magic, but saw none of it. "What's wrong Princess?" Aki asked looking over her shoulder at the same roofs she was looking at.
"What? Oh nothing, I'm sorry. I thought I saw something, but it's nothing," Sakura smiled and blushed. She looked straight up at the sky, seeing the sun disappear behind a cloud, it grew quite cold, especially in her gown. Aki slipped off his cape and draped it over her shoulders, "Thanks"
"So, what is your view on all this arranged marriage stuff?" Aki asked looking up at the sky with her.
"I think it's a horrible rule. I know it keeps the countries divorce rates down, and is for economic stability and bring peace between empires, but it's wrong. People should not be married by force. Marriage is the bringing two people that are in love together. I cannot love a stranger," Sakura turned away from him after she had finished. He had probably found that most insulting.
"I understand where you're coming from," Aki still stared at the sky.
"I'm still going to do it though," Sakura finally added
"Why?" Aki asked curiously.
"I will do what's best for my kingdom, if I am going to be their queen, than I must do what's right for them," Sakura told him quietly, running her and through her hair. "What about you?"
"My country needs stability. It is a rule that all of my ancestors have followed, who am I, to break tradition?" He finished, his statement rectorial. Even if he did not like his wife, his father easily told him he could have concubines, but Aki found that all the more repulsive.
Their was silence between them for a while, Sakura wrapping herself within his cloak and Aki staring at the sky beside her. Neither would look the other in the eye, this awkwardness thickening with the moments that ticked by. Sakura felt a hissing sound that cut through the air, she turned to Aki so she may ask what it was but Aki lunged at her and pushed her out of the way before a large throwing star like weapon flew past them. It was like a throwing star, except maybe two feet in length and width. Sakura forced open her eyes, feeling the force of Aki's body weight against hers. She could feel the rapid rise and fall of his breathing as he got up slowly and looked down at her.
"Are you alright Sakura?" He was peering down into her eyes, like he wanted to look into her soul.
"I'm fine..." Sakura stumbled to tell him. Their faces were extremely close, too close for Sakura's liking. From the corner of her eye she caught sight of who had thrown the star. It seemed that the assassin had returned for her head again. Aki backed off of her and she sat up. From up under her dress she pulled out the dagger, which made Aki's eyes widen. He was rather, pleased, so see so much of her beautiful body before his eyes, and even more surprised it was a dagger she pulled out. "Prince Aki, you need to get out of here, you need to go find the king and tell him what's going on," Sakura whispered. He opened his mouth to protest but Sakura interrupted. "Look, this man is after my head, not yours and not my brothers. I am not going to let harm fall to my country,"
"Be careful..." Aki whispered back softly. The throwing star returned to its master and Sakura stood up while Aki made a dash for the palace. The assassin raised the star above his head, aiming for Aki, but Sakura's dagger knocked the star out of his hand.
"Your fight is with me, not him," Sakura called standing up fully, her dress billowing with the wind. The look of determination was on her face as the assassin turned his body to face her. "I don't know why you want me dead, but I will not let my conscience be tainted with casualties." Sakura pulled out her wand. " Key of the star with powers burning bright, reveal the staff, and shine your light! Release!" Sakura called forth her wand just in time to use it as a deflector for the assassin's sword.
"Death," The assassin hissed. Sakura could see a white bandage on his left shoulder where she had wounded him yesterday. He wasn't the same as yesterday, relentlessly swinging his newly made sword at her and Sakura blocking the blows on after another, skidding against the ground. "Death"
"Yes yes we all know that's the only word you say," Sakura growled swinging her wand again. Sakura didn't have time to summon a card with his relentless blows but she was able to force him back to the castle wall here he first had been. Sakura had been caught off guard, maybe within the split second she had to blind and her wand was knocked from her hand. Sakura wasn't left with many options, bending back to miss the blow of his horizontal swipe. Her hand grabbed a handful of dirt and threw it into the eyes of the assassin. The assassin let out a howl of pain rubbing his eyes frantically.
"Soul and heart that beat inside me, give me your powers and help to guide me." Sakura was trying to think up something that would give her the sword card while she ran and picked up the staff. "Fly, release!" Wings emerged from Sakura's back as she took off into the sky, still no sword in sight.
"Sire! Sire!" Aki bursted through the main chamber's doors. A rather surprised King Touya stopped mid-sentence with Tomoyo to look at a panting prince.
"What is it Prince Aki?" Touya asked confused
"Princess Sakura...She's in danger...there is an assassin after her!" Aki panted looking at him "You have to help her! We were in the garden, but I have to go, make sure she's okay!" Aki turned and ran again back down the same hallway.
"Wait!" Touya called, but was too late as Aki was out of earshot. He looked down at Tomoyo who was frowning as well. "Keroberos! Yukito! Yue!" Touya's voice echoed through all the halls.
Kero of course was instantly in the room, skidding against the slippery tile panting. "What's wrong King Touya?" He asked while taking in a breath. He looked around and so nothing of Yue, and Kero growled wondering what was delaying his arrival.
"Sakura is under attack! The assassin is back!" Touya told Kero picking up an archery set and a shield. "We need to help her! Go find Yue and tell him to get his ass over to the garden! I'm not going to have her get hurt," Touya ran out of the room and Kero stood for a moment. Where could Yue be, he wouldn't so easily leave his duties or leave Sakura in danger.
Yue was still flying off in the opposite direction, not wanting to see this shallow and false lived romance play itself before his eyes. In the middle of his flight he stopped, feeling a sharp pain in him.
Sakura is in danger Yue.
What?
Don't you feel that? It's Sakura calling to us. Guardians to her master.
...He said nothing but continued flying in the opposite direction.
Are you going to be this stubborn and upset that you're going to let her die? Yue listen to me! You have an obligation to her as her guardian! Her safety comes before your heartache! Yue!
Yue had long since stopped flying, hovering in the air thinking about what was happening. If he did run away, Sakura was in the danger of death by the assassin. If he returned, wouldn't that just give her more time to get to know that new prince? Yue sighed in forlorn and turn around, heading back towards Sakura.
Sakura was flying the skies avoiding the foray of arrows being shot at her. She had not been successful in releasing the cards within her and she was getting desperate. Her wings folded to add speed and she flew straight up into the sky. Covered by a veil of clouds she wondered what to do. The others would be here soon to help, but it also meant there were more chances for casualties and kidnaping.
"Think...think...think...what can be used in my favor...what can put him out of commission..." Sakura knew so little about her enemy. He seemed to have a never ending supply of arsenal and that was it. She didn't have much time to think as a lightning bolt, that seemed to appear out of nowhere shot her from the sky.
She screamed in pain, and began a slow vertical drop to the ground.
