Author: It's me again…and I trust you to know my name backwards by now. –Laughing out loud- Sakuraloveu backwards…uevolarukas…that sounds so weird!
Oh well, go enjoy the chapter!
Special Thanks Goes To:
Nami-grl: You know…that's not such a bad idea…apparently you and only you reads my blahs before the story, 'cause you are the only one who actually give me ideas. Thanks!
Cherryxxblossom: I haven't even thought who is going to make Sakura's dress yet, but hey, thanks for the reminder! About the magic? SO not my fault! Wolvesmo0m-kun decided to add a tiny little magical scene in the beginning of the story, remember that scene where Sakura was flipping through her Sakura Cards wondering when Syaoran was going to come back to her? Yeah, that. So I thought I'll just add some more. Besides, Mirror will probably be the only real magical thing in this story, 'cause I sure as hell cannot think of any other chants for Eriol or Sakura.
Angelicpnaybabee: Man, I thought I missed you somewhere in my review alerts…I was going through the names here, and I realized that YOU were missing! I went 'GASP' and started to look for you franticly through my alerts 'cause I know, you review EVERY chapter! And girl (I'm assuming that…), you are the best! Yes I know, this is a great story. But all things have to end, and 'Be My Wife' is no exception. But hey, I'll do my best and make the rest of the story the BEST of this yet! Wait for the big finish angel!
Miki Matsura: I would SO like to write longer chapters! But you see, I can't do that because after 8 pages on MS Words, I start to go all babbling and lose my thoughts. And Mirror? You'll see why she's in on this…
Sammy: Wow…I actually get a review from someone whose name isn't so…peculiar…just kidding! Thanks for the answer!
Millinear: Appreciate for the fact that you repeated the questions before answering…I read so many answers, I'm starting to mix which answer is for what. Thanks!
kawaiiseeker987: Thanks for answering!
my-reflection: Whatever happened to that other 0.5 rate!
Mei fa-chan: I know a10 flat story when I see one, but this one isn't so bad either! But hey, 9 isn't bad at all! Thanks for answering plum blossom-chan! (That's what your name means ne:P)
Kawaii Selene: WELCOME to this story! Hope you like it, 'cause apparently a lot of others like it too! And whoa, you continued someone else's story too? Cool! Now someone actually knows what kind of pressure I'm under! Void? I've seen that story somewhere…
Lil Cherry Blossom Angel: Thanks! Your every word means the world to me…in this case, two worlds. :P just joking!
darkprincess001: THANK YOU! FINALLY, someone who agrees with me that Touya is THE hottest thing on earth! He's so hot, I can drool a whole lake the size of the five great lakes (for those of us who lives in Canada, yea, you know what I'm talking about) combined! Doesn't he look just so tall, dark, and HOT in his summer school uniform? His winter one is good too, but I like the summer one, what about you? Oh and by the way, WELCOME!
Do you guys not sleep or something? I get your reviews that are timed like 2 clock in the morning! My head will like explode if I don't sleep for EXACTLY 8 or 9 hours…I'm so jealous of you guys…but hey, GREAT reviews! I posted the last chapter 7 something clock in the evening and by like 10 clock, I've already got four five reviews! Keep it up guys! We aren't far from hitting the 100!
And by the way, thank you all for answering the questions! The result will be seen through the next few chapters (and I'm not about to tell you how many :P), so stick around!
Disclaimer: I don't own CCS…though I sure wish I own Touya or Syaoran… those two equals to HOTNESS!
On with the story…
Chapter Fourteen: Proposal Rehearsal — Execution
…
So once again, 'Sakura' and Syaoran are walking alone on the street, in the middle of a simply beautiful summer day. With 'Sakura' leaning her head on his shoulder, Syaoran is also once again, feeling blessed to have someone as special as 'Sakura' in his life. A small grin crawled upon his face, when he felt a small hand trying to get into his own. Opening his hand quickly and grabbed hold of his Cherry Blossom's hand, Syaoran sighed out of relaxation and leaned his own head on top of 'Sakura's'.
But of course, he doesn't know that the 'Sakura' that's so close to him, is in fact, a fake.
…
And he also doesn't know that the 'Sakura' that's sighing every so often is not doing it out of the atmosphere—she's doing it out of nervousness.
…
And he certainly doesn't know, and doesn't NEED to know what awaits him by the end of the day.
…
You know what, thought Syaoran as he glanced over at the auburn-haired girl leaning on to him while walking, life isn't so bad.
If out beloved Syaoran is EVER wrong, THIS, would be his wrong-est statement yet.
Great, everything's going according to Eriol's plan…Thought a VERY nervous Mirror, as she and Syaoran continued to walk down the path, which unknowingly when, had started to float Sakura blossom petals in the air. Now to carry it on further…
"Syaoran…" Mirror started.
"Hm?" A somewhat drowsy voice answered her, and that would be Syaoran's, since he's just too deep into the moment at this second.
"You've been here for almost two weeks now, but you never told me why, or for that matter, how you came back to me. I mean, you are the leader of the Li Clan back in Hong Kong, isn't there a lot of works you are supposed to do? Your mother, and the Elders, they just let you leave like this?" Too nervous to trust herself to stop from time to time, Mirror just asked everything out flat at once. Better do it like this than screwing it up and let Li-san notice something.
"Hn?" Obviously startled by the questions, Syaoran looked a bit stunned. "Why…why are you asking me all this all of a sudden Sakura?" Syaoran said defensively.
So that you will spill the truth to me, 'Sakura', and my job here can be done. Having the insane urge to roll her eyes, Mirror controlled herself from doing so and smiled her best 'Sakura' smile: "No reason really, it's just that it all seems too good to be true I guess."
"Oh…um…" This is one of those rare moments, when the Li Syaoran didn't know how to reply to something. Usually he just kept his quiet or at cases, knew what was coming at him so the response was ready before the question was asked. "well…" glancing around them, Syaoran didn't think this is the right time, or place, to tell Sakura the real reason he was here.
"Syaoran?" Sensing Syaoran's mind at a loss of words, Mirror continued to look all innocent and caring, and knowing that she was adding the pressure on to Syaoran by the second with those emerald eyes of Sakura's.
Gah! She's on to me! What do I do? Syaoran panicked big time inside.
Swish.
The soft summer wind blew the floating pink Cherry Blossom petals towards 'Sakura' and himself, and one of the petals almost magically stopped infront of Syaoran, or more accurately, stopped on top of his nose. Carefully picking it up, Syaoran looked for the source of the petals. Looking over to his left, Syaoran saw the petals were coming from the little alley between two houses. I know… suddenly coming up with an idea, Syaoran turned back to Mirror and started running, pulling Mirror with him. "Come with me, Sakura" he said over his shoulders.
"Hoe?" Before Mirror had the time to react, she was being pulled by Syaoran with him into the alleyway, and was out of it almost as soon as she ran in.
And the sight that greeted her was simply magnificent.
The alleyway was connected to another street, but this street is different, too different. This street is pink. Cheery Blossom pink. Sakura trees are planted on both sides of the street, and since it's early summer, every single one of them is blossoming fully with pink Sakuras. The gentle summer wind blows through them, taking the soft petals along with it. Standing in the middle of the street, Mirror looked around, too stunned to speak. Reaching out with one hand, she blocked some of the petals that are floating pass her, and held the petals with both hands close to her chest. With her soft auburn hair being carried by the wind in mid air, Mirror raised her head, closed her eyes, and inhaled the sense of the Cherry Blossoms surrounding her.
(A/N: Remember, Mirror is still in Sakura's form right now. So she looks EXACTLY like Sakura.)
(A/N(2): In Japan, there's Sakura trees EVERYWHERE, and it's really not that big of a deal if you have a street that's overed, and by that I mean the trees are so big and fluffy, it formes a natural roof over the street with Cherry Blossoms. It's a REALLY pretty sight. )
"Syao…Syaoran…" Opening her eyes, Mirror is the one at a loss of words right now, "this is…this is so beautiful!"
Syaoran walked up to Mirror, watching her hair being carried by the wind, and smiled: "It's beautiful, just like you."
Blushing, Mirror looked away. Extending her arms out, she opened her hands and let the wind take the petals in her hands away. Watching the petals go, Mirror closed her eyes once again and started to twist slowly in circles along the empty street, giggling every so often, and feeling the touch of the petals that occasionally hit her on the face. It's a nice, ticklish feeling—a wonderful feeling.
(A/N: I've never tried doing that with Sakura petals, mainlybecause I don't live in Japan. But try it with a gentl summer rain, and let me tell you from experience, it's feels WONDERFUL!)
Syaoran stood where he is, and watched as 'Sakura' twisted away from him. Wow…this sight…it's…it's… failing to find a word to describe the scene in front of him, Syaoran just watched silently: thousands and millions of pink Sakura petals floating around her, 'Sakura', her mid-back long auburn hair flying around her, her arms lifted halfway up, her eyes closed and head slightly raised up, twisted and twisted in circles in the middle of the scenery, giggling every so often. A word appeared in his mind as he watched, and Syaoran smiled at the thought. Yes, that would be right. The way Sakura is right now, it's simply…angelic.
Stopping slowly, Mirror opened her eyes and sighed. This is so perfect…too perfect for Eriol to ruin. Suddenly remembering the reason she was here, Mirror turned around to look at Syaoran, who is just a bit too far for her to make out through the Sakura blossoms.
No…I can't do this…it's too mean…it's going to hurt him. I don't want to hurt him! Mirror cried in her mind, feeling too guilty to carry on her mission.
Unknown to Mirror, she had stopped infront of a spectacular looking Cherry Blossom tree. Perhaps, this one is the biggest, and most beautiful of all the Sakura trees on this street. Just as Mirror was thinking to herself, Syaoran walked up to her.
Syaoran was drowning, drowning in the atmosphere, drowning in the scenery, drowning in everything this place, this moment held. Looking at his own Cherry Blossom standing in front of the most beautiful Sakura tree among them all, Syaoran decided. This is it, he thought to himself, I'm going to go it. This is the moment: I'm going to propose to Sakura.
This isn't it, this isn't right! Mirror cried again in her mind. I can't do this, I can't let Li-san do this! She turned around, ready to spill the truth to Syaoran—and noticed that Syaoran had a weird soft look on his face, and in his eyes.
"Syaoran," Mirror started.
Raising a hand to gesture her to stop, Syaoran smiled warmly toward 'Sakura'. Taking both her hand in his own, Syaoran took a deep breath and started talking: "Sakura, you are the nicest, and the most special person I've ever met in my entire life. It's a blessing from God that you are in my life, I don't know what my life will be if you are not in it. You are the one that's always there to help me when I needed you; you are the one that would share both my pain and my happiness." Stopping briefly to shake his head, Syaoran continued with a chuckle. "Who am I kidding, you ARE my happiness. You went through good and bad times with me, you believed in me every time and any time, you were always beside me. And Sakura, I want you to know that I love you. I loved you in the past, I love you in the present, and I will continue to love you in to the future. I love you more than anyone else in the entire world…" Pausing a moment to gather his courage, Syaoran looked deep in to 'Sakura's eyes, and got on to one of his knees. "Sakura, I want to continue my life with you, to continue having you by my side every second of every day." Looking up with a pair of eyes that are filled with love for the person standing infront of him, Syaoran smiled: "Kinomoto Sakura, will you marry me?"
Mirror was speechless, absolutely speechless. She doesn't know what to say, or do anymore. That was the most truthful and heart-warming thing she has EVER heard anyone say, and she's on the edge of crying right now. Because poor Syaoran, he still doesn't know that the 'Sakura' standing in front of him, isn't the real one! She's a fake!
"Oh Syaoran…" One drop, two drop, three drops of tears slowly rolled down Mirror's eyes and with more in her eyes, and she finally broke down. "God Li-san, I'm SO sorry!"
"What…Sakura, what's wrong?" Standing up from the ground, Syaoran looked terrified at the sight of 'Sakura' crying. "Sakura, if you don't want to answer me right now," swallowing hard, Syaoran gathered 'Sakura' in his arms, "or…or you don't feel the same way…then that's okay. Please don't cry."
Upon hearing Syaoran's comforting words, Mirror cried even harder. "Li-san…Li-san, I'm sorry, I'm SO sorry. I'm not Sakura Li-san, I'm Mirror, one of Mistress Kinomoto Sakura's Sakura Card. I'm just in the form of my Mistress, I didn't mean for things to get this way. I'm sorry!"
Stunned by the sudden out burst, Syaoran looked confused. "Sakura, what are you talking about?"
"Li-san! Look at me! Sense me! I'm not Mistress Sakura! I'm just one of her illusion Sakura Cards! I'm just in the FORM of her, that's all! I'M NOT SAKURA!" Mirror cried, feeling as guilty as a person, or card, can ever feel.
Hearing the words spoken out of Mirror's mouth, Syaoran tensed for a minute, trying to add everything together. Still confused, Syaoran did as Mirror told him to do: he tried sensing Mirror's aura…and it's not Sakura's. "You…you are not Sakura?" He still doesn't quite get what is going on.
"No Li-san, I'm not Sakura. I'm Mirror, Mistress Sakura's Sakura Card, in Mistress Sakura's form." Mirror calmed down a little, and whispered.
"So…I didn't propose to the real Sakura right now. You were pretending all along." The hurt in both Syaoran's eyes and face was too much for Mirror to bear.
"No, you didn't. I was summoned to help things out between you and Sakura, I, and I'm sure he too, never wished for things to end up this way. I never meant to hurt you Li-san, and I never wanted to…" Before Mirror was finished, Syaoran once again, gestured her to stop, and said firmly, though Mirror can tell that he's trying to control his anger, "Mirror, would you please explain this whole deal to me?"
"I will, Li-san." Standing away from Syaoran, Mirror explained to him how she was summoned by Eriol, and how Eriol told her that he needed to see if Syaoran was really in love with Sakura or other wise. "And he said it was all for Sakura…" Mirror whispered.
Flashback—Mirror said out loud once more: "I don't know who you are, I don't know what you want with me, or Sakura. But if you promise me that you will do no harm to my Mistress, then I shall trust you. Now would you mind telling me exactly, the reason you summoned me here?"
-I thought you will never ask-
"Then you'll care to explain?" Mirror asked again.
-Well you see Mirror, Li-san recently came back to Tomoeda for your Mistress Sakura, and I happen to know the reason he is here: to marry Kinomoto-san-
"What?" Mirror exclaimed, surprised by those words. "Li-san came back to Mistress Sakura after SEVEN YEARS of absence, and now he wants to marry her?"
-My point exactly. I am very aware of the system of management in the Li Clan, and I'm worried that it was in fact, the Elders' idea for Li-san to come back to your Mistress and marry her, thus gaining Kinomoto-san's power in the process. If the truth is, as it appears to be at this moment, then Kinomoto-san will not be the only one that will be hurt by the marriage-
"But how do you know that Li-san isn't truly in love with Mistress Sakura?" Mirror questioned. "Last time he left, he liked Mistress very much. But then again, that was seven years ago…things might have changed…"
-Not likely. But in case Li-san's feelings did change through the years, we need to know it for sure and protect both of them. And that is where I need you, Mirror-
"Me? What can I do?" Mirror pointed at herself, confused.
-I need you to go into the place of Kinomoto-san, and test Li-san's feelings for your Mistress. It is a cruel test, I am aware, but for the sake of both Li-san and Kinomoto-san, I need you to do this. If the result is what we all hope for, then it will be a relief for all of us. And if the result is disappointing, at least we'll know for sure-
"Alright…I'll do it." Mirror agreed, it's all for Mistress Kinomoto.
End Flashback—"…it was ever meant to harm anyone, and no one ever dreamed that you will propose to…to me like…like this…" By now, Mirror's head is so low, her chin is touching her chest. More tears flowed down her face, as Mirror sobbed: "Neither Eriol and I meant to hurt you Li-san, we just wanted to know…to know…" Mirror trailed off.
"To know if I really, truly loved and cared for Sakura, is that right?" Syaoran's voice is still stiff from the anger he's feeling right now, but he tried to think on the positive side of the things. They did…they only did this to…to protect Sakura…I guess…I guess I would have done the same in Hiiragazawa's place for Sakura too…
Sighing deeply, Syaoran's voice turned gentler: "Mirror," he tried, but Mirror still hanged her head in shame. "Mirror, look at me." He gently took hold of Mirror's shoulders, and Mirror looked up with tearful eyes. "Mirror, it's not your fault. You were only trying to help protect Sakura, I'm not mad at you. Don't be too hard on yourself, you did nothing wrong." Syaoran smiled heartily to Mirror.
"But…but…but I hurt you Li-san…" Mirror whispered, trying to control the tears that are rolling down her face.
"That's okay Mirror, like I said, it's not your fault. You were only trying to protect Sakura, I forgive you." Syaoran comforted Mirror. "And besides, I want to know something too."
Looking up to Syaoran, Mirror asked in a whisper: "What do you wish to know?"
"Did I pass the test?" Syaoran asked have seriously and half joking.
"Yes, yes you did Syaoran." A voice was heard behind the Sakura tree beside them, and the mid-night blue haired Clow reincarnation walked out from his hidden place, with an apologetic look on his face.
"Eriol…" Syaoran looked at the person who came up with the idea of this whole thing in the first place.
"Syaoran, I apologize for ever doubting your love for Sakura. Now I know how much you truly love her, I'll do everything I can to help you." Eriol looked straight in the eye at Syaoran, who still had a hint of mistrust on his face.
"Me too." Another voice came behind all of them, this time more feminine. Eriol, Mirror and Syaoran all turned around to the source of the voice, and saw Tomoyo standing there, with her usual gentle smile on her face.
"I take it that Sakura's safely home?" Eriol walked up to his partner, with a smile on his face.
"Yes, she's home, and surprisingly, never noticed anything for the entire day." Tomoyo smiled back at Eriol, and both of them laughed at the same time knowingly.
"Wait, Sakura was in on this too?" Syaoran asked disbelieved.
"Oh no Syaoran, she doesn't know a thing about this," Tomoyo turned to Syaoran, "and I would like to keep it that way." Tomoyo fixed her eyes with Syaoran's for a split second, and the message was understood between the two friends. "Oh and by the way Syaoran," Amusement can be heard clearly through Tomoyo's tone, "that was a rather VERY touchy and wonderful proposal you had it there."
Blushing hard, Syaoran looked back and forth between Eriol and Tomoyo: "Exactly how long have you two been here?"
"They've been here long enough to hear your proposal, I'm just here long enough to get a good understanding of your real feelings towards my sister." For the third time in less than twenty minutes, another person spoke up from somewhere…and Syaoran did NOT like to turn around and look at the person that the voice belonged to.
"Kinomoto-san." Eriol nodded politely towards Touya, who stood leaning on to the tree Mirror stopped in front of.
"Hello Kinomoto-san." Tomoyo smiled at Touya. Now that everything's clear, she didn't need to be unnerved by Touya anymore.
"Anything with you two in the mix can NOT turn out good." Touya give both Eriol and Tomoyo a disapproving look…and chuckled. "But this time, I'm impressed." Turning around to walk away, Touya was stopped by Syaoran calling his name.
"Gaki, what do you want?" Touya asked in a bored voice without turning around.
"Er…" didn't exactly know why he had stopped Touya, Syaoran just looked nervously at the older man's back.
Sighing, Touya turned around to face his future brother-in-law. "Look baka, from what I heard and witnessed just now, you really do love Sakura. But once a gaki will always be a gaki, so if you ever treat my sister the wrong way, I will personally deal with you" Without waiting for a reply, Touya turned around and continued walking.
"Um…" Syaoran is starting to feel that that letter from his mother isn't really the worst part of his day now…wait a minute, did he mean…did he just…
"Oi, Touya!" Syaoran felt really weird using Touya's name for the first time.
Up on hearing the gaki using his first name, Touya froze in mid step. What now…baka gaki…
"Was that approval from you about Sakura and I?" Syaoran cried, since Touya was a fair distance away from them.
Smiling, Touya yelled over his own shoulder: "Think whatever you want!"
…
…
Author: YES! I'm finished with "Proposal Rehearsal"! Can you believe it? These three parts were all supposed to be in ONE chapter! I somehow had to separate them into three different parts 'cause it was too long for one chapter…I need to learn how to write less about things. –Laughing Out Loud-
Now that Eriol and Tomoyo know about Syaoran's true feelings, and Touya approves of Syaoran and Sakura's relationship, the story will be ending soon ne? But don't worry, the next chapter won't be the last chapter! With my writings, who knows, maybe I will cut the supposed last chapter into two or something. –Thinking-
Regarding the questions from the last chapterA lot of you wanted a wedding at the end of the story, so tell me, do you want a wedding that's carefully described in details or just a brief description of things and just end? You know, like a carefully described wedding will be like the description of Sakura's dress, the ceremony, the receptions, and just the wedding day. And the brief one will be like a sentence or two about the things and one or two paragraphs about the ceremony and the receptions and that will be it?
Let me know guys and once again, if you have suggestions, you have my 110 support of sending them in!
Review Please!
Was born to make you happy…